Interview and Excerpt: A Year to Remember by Shelly Bell
Thank you to Shelly Bell for stopping by with a Q&A and excerpt from A Year to Remember. Please visit her tour page on CLP Blog Tours for more information!
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?A couple of years ago. I didn’t start writing until February of 2011. At least that’s what I thought until my childhood friends commented that I was always writing growing up. I love to read. It’s an addiction for me. I used to spend my allowance every week on a book (okay, there may have been a little candy bought too). A year and a half ago, I was looking for some way to express my creativity since I didn’t have time to do theater or join a choir. I’ve never felt more fulfilled since I started writing. Even if I don’t publish another book, I’ll always write.
How would you describe your books?No matter what I write, there seems to be an underlying theme about faith. A Year to Remember is humorous, but it involves some complex issues. My paranormal romance is more dramatic, with some humor in it. Neither book is religious or inspiration; however, both send the protagonist on journeys which involve their faith in a higher power.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?It’s hard for me to know what is and isn’t working in my manuscript. To me, it all makes sense. I don’t have the easiest time with criticism, so I hate to hear I need to cut a scene or change a character, but criticism and rejection are a part of the process. Maybe someday I’ll get used to it.
What are your favorite genres to read? I’m an avid romance reader. I read all the subcategories of romance except for inspirational. My favorite is paranormal romance. I also love chick lit and commercial women’s fiction. I like to be entertained and I need a happy ending.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?Some people are fat not because they lack willpower, but because they have an eating disorder. If you suffer from compulsive overeating, falling in love or losing weight won’t cure you. Weight is a symptom and you have to address the illness before you’ll find happiness.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days? I believe social media is imperative for authors. I have friends who have contracts with the big traditional publishers, but their books aren’t selling that well. Even though they have a Facebook page, website, and are on Twitter, they don’t do anything with it. I know it’s difficult to find the time, but readers (and I consider myself one of them) want to connect with authors these days. Also, the publishers don’t do much in terms of promotion these days, unless you’re one of their bigger names.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers? Join an organization like Romance Writers of America or Savvy Authors to learn more about your craft and the publishing industry. You may write the best book in the world, but if you don’t know how to write a query or synopsis, you’ll have a difficult time getting published.
**Excerpt**
“Would you care to dance?” Caleb asked.Although I really wanted to eat, I couldn’t turn down a dance with the one handsome eligible bachelor I didn’t hate.“Sure, I’d like that,” I said, moving back onto the dance floor.He put his left hand on my upper back and his right hand in mine. I felt like Elizabeth dancing with Mr. Darcy.“Doesn’t your date mind you dancing with someone else?” Even an overweight, frizzy haired one like me?He shook his head and smiled. “Staci and I are just friends. She has family in Detroit. She came with me from New York so I wouldn’t have to go stag to the wedding.”Hmm, single and available. Too bad he lived in New York and I lived in Michigan. Or was that a good thing? We could have one of those romantic long-distance relationships. One where we talked for hours on the phone, learning each other’s secrets and typed explicit emails about what we planned on doing to each other when we finally reunited. Build up everything, so that when we were together, the reality couldn’t possibly top the fantasies we’d created. Spend lots of money we didn’t have on airfare. Okay, maybe a long distance relationship wasn’t such a good idea. “You give a good speech by the way. I agree. It isn’t easy finding someone.” I waited for the ridicule and the criticism, but it never came. He gave me a compliment!“Thank you. I’m sure you don’t have any problem getting a date though, do you?”He smiled sheepishly. “No, you’re right, I can get a date whenever I want one. But it’s like you said in your speech. It might be easy to meet a person, but it’s much harder to find the right one.” He stared into my eyes with a look so hot it could melt an iceberg.Was he talking about me?
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**Everyone who leaves a comment on Shelly's tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of A Year to Remember before August 13 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.** Author Bio:
Shelly Bell started reading at three years old. In elementary school, the librarian gave her books to test out for the school library. As a teenager, she spent her allowance each week on romance novels, enjoying both young adult and adult romance. Married to Jason in 2003, they have two children and reside in the metro-Detroit area, where she reads on her Kindle each night when her family falls asleep.She is a member of Romance Writers of America and writes both women’s fiction and paranormal romance. Connect with Shelly! www.ShellyBellBooks.com Twitter Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn Google Plus Goodreads Buy the Book! For e-book:Soul Mate PublishingAmazonBarnes and NobleFor paperback:AmazonBarnes and Noble
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?A couple of years ago. I didn’t start writing until February of 2011. At least that’s what I thought until my childhood friends commented that I was always writing growing up. I love to read. It’s an addiction for me. I used to spend my allowance every week on a book (okay, there may have been a little candy bought too). A year and a half ago, I was looking for some way to express my creativity since I didn’t have time to do theater or join a choir. I’ve never felt more fulfilled since I started writing. Even if I don’t publish another book, I’ll always write.
How would you describe your books?No matter what I write, there seems to be an underlying theme about faith. A Year to Remember is humorous, but it involves some complex issues. My paranormal romance is more dramatic, with some humor in it. Neither book is religious or inspiration; however, both send the protagonist on journeys which involve their faith in a higher power.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?It’s hard for me to know what is and isn’t working in my manuscript. To me, it all makes sense. I don’t have the easiest time with criticism, so I hate to hear I need to cut a scene or change a character, but criticism and rejection are a part of the process. Maybe someday I’ll get used to it.
What are your favorite genres to read? I’m an avid romance reader. I read all the subcategories of romance except for inspirational. My favorite is paranormal romance. I also love chick lit and commercial women’s fiction. I like to be entertained and I need a happy ending.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?Some people are fat not because they lack willpower, but because they have an eating disorder. If you suffer from compulsive overeating, falling in love or losing weight won’t cure you. Weight is a symptom and you have to address the illness before you’ll find happiness.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days? I believe social media is imperative for authors. I have friends who have contracts with the big traditional publishers, but their books aren’t selling that well. Even though they have a Facebook page, website, and are on Twitter, they don’t do anything with it. I know it’s difficult to find the time, but readers (and I consider myself one of them) want to connect with authors these days. Also, the publishers don’t do much in terms of promotion these days, unless you’re one of their bigger names.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers? Join an organization like Romance Writers of America or Savvy Authors to learn more about your craft and the publishing industry. You may write the best book in the world, but if you don’t know how to write a query or synopsis, you’ll have a difficult time getting published.
**Excerpt**
“Would you care to dance?” Caleb asked.Although I really wanted to eat, I couldn’t turn down a dance with the one handsome eligible bachelor I didn’t hate.“Sure, I’d like that,” I said, moving back onto the dance floor.He put his left hand on my upper back and his right hand in mine. I felt like Elizabeth dancing with Mr. Darcy.“Doesn’t your date mind you dancing with someone else?” Even an overweight, frizzy haired one like me?He shook his head and smiled. “Staci and I are just friends. She has family in Detroit. She came with me from New York so I wouldn’t have to go stag to the wedding.”Hmm, single and available. Too bad he lived in New York and I lived in Michigan. Or was that a good thing? We could have one of those romantic long-distance relationships. One where we talked for hours on the phone, learning each other’s secrets and typed explicit emails about what we planned on doing to each other when we finally reunited. Build up everything, so that when we were together, the reality couldn’t possibly top the fantasies we’d created. Spend lots of money we didn’t have on airfare. Okay, maybe a long distance relationship wasn’t such a good idea. “You give a good speech by the way. I agree. It isn’t easy finding someone.” I waited for the ridicule and the criticism, but it never came. He gave me a compliment!“Thank you. I’m sure you don’t have any problem getting a date though, do you?”He smiled sheepishly. “No, you’re right, I can get a date whenever I want one. But it’s like you said in your speech. It might be easy to meet a person, but it’s much harder to find the right one.” He stared into my eyes with a look so hot it could melt an iceberg.Was he talking about me?
*************************************************************************
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Shelly's tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of A Year to Remember before August 13 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.** Author Bio:
Shelly Bell started reading at three years old. In elementary school, the librarian gave her books to test out for the school library. As a teenager, she spent her allowance each week on romance novels, enjoying both young adult and adult romance. Married to Jason in 2003, they have two children and reside in the metro-Detroit area, where she reads on her Kindle each night when her family falls asleep.She is a member of Romance Writers of America and writes both women’s fiction and paranormal romance. Connect with Shelly! www.ShellyBellBooks.com Twitter Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn Google Plus Goodreads Buy the Book! For e-book:Soul Mate PublishingAmazonBarnes and NobleFor paperback:AmazonBarnes and Noble
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