Interview and Excerpt: Pass the Hot Stuff by Dana Page
Thanks to Dana Page for stopping by with a Q&A and excerpt from Pass the Hot Stuff. Please visit her tour page at CLP Blog Tours for more information and a giveaway!
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
It took a while for me. You might say I sneaked up on it. I loved books and reading for as far back as I can remember; and I wrote silly, little stories when I was a kid. I never took myself seriously in that aspect, though.
Then when I was in 7thgrade I had a wonderful English teacher, Mrs. Scott. She had us reading constantly. She did everything she could to get us interested in books, short stories and just words in general. She would even read to the class at times. I’ll never forget her reading Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell Tale Heart” to us and pounding on her desk when she would get to the part about the heart thumping. The woman could really sell a story.
At one point, she had the class write a personification paper. I chose to write about an autumn leaf, and how beautiful it was with everyone admiring its vibrancy. Then I described the leaf’s feelings as it turned brown, crumpled and fell from the tree with people walking past it without taking notice. I think Mrs. Scott thought it was pretty deep for a 12-year-old to describe what the aging process might feel like. It makes me laugh now, because I wasn’t all that deep; I spent most of my time dancing and eating pralines-n-cream ice cream. But Mrs. Scott took me aside, and said, “You can write. You are a writer.” I will never forget her; she planted the seed. I had to gain the confidence in myself. The seed didn’t really sprout until college, but it stayed with me. I tear up just thinking about her.
How would you describe your books?
Fun, humorous, lighthearted. I want to make my readers feel optimistic. I’m a very emotional and sentimental person, so any kind of book or movie that leaves me sad or depressed stays with me for too long. Don’t get me wrong; there are plenty of those books that I love. But I want to entertain and have someone walk away feeling like they just fell in love or came back from an incredible vacation. I do like to insert a struggle or something with a little more meaning, but I surround it with humor. In Pass the Hot Stuff, there are themes of manipulation, the abuse/misuse of religion and a young woman coming into her own; but it’s all done with a light touch and sprinkled with laughs.
Also, I grew up in Arkansas and Memphis and my grandparents lived in New Orleans for a while; all of those places are home to me. The southern culture rings through in my books. Even though I grew up surrounded by it-the music, food and culture in general are all still vibrant to me, and I like to bring those things into books through the settings and colorful characters.
Why was Pass the Hot Stuff a book you wanted to write?
I had actually stopped writing. Rejection form letters and feeling invisible had taken the joy out of it for me. During that time, I also went through one of the most painful times of my life; I was extremely close to my grandmother, and when she passed away I felt like I couldn’t breathe. My mother and grandmother are the light and air in my life, and part of that was gone. Grief doesn’t go away, so I had to learn to cope with it. Part of that was starting to laugh again. I really needed something lighthearted in my life. After a long period of time and with no forethought, I just started writing one day. I wrote a story that made me feel good with characters that tickled me. At times, they had me doubled over, even if I do say so myself.J Even in difficult times my grandmother had a zest for life like no one I’ve ever known. I wanted to write a story that made the reader feel uplifted in the way she buoyed everyone around her with her spirit and joie de vivre.
I love the cover! How was the design process for you?
Thank you! That was a lot of fun. My mother has a wonderful artistic eye, so she had a lot of input. We got together, and came up with the scene – a French Quarter café with line drawings of the main characters at a table. I also really wanted my grandmother to be a part of this. She loved wearing black and white with a touch of red. I wanted the book to have clean lines and for the hot sauce to be highlighted, so those colors worked well. In addition, I was very clear on wanting the cover to indicate the whimsy of the story. I talked with the design team at CreateSpace, and they were unbelievably fantastic. They exceeded my expectations. When they submitted the first draft to me, there was a tiny black butterfly in the upper right corner. I hadn’t asked for it, but butterflies symbolize my grandmother for me...needless to say, I took it as a sign. That’s the most special part of the cover to me.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
I adore the beginning stages of writing and getting the story down on paper. I’m very character driven, so I let the characters form in my mind, and that dictates the plot to me. That’s all play time. The most difficult part is finding a balance in my life once the story starts to gel. It’s hard for me to move away from it, mentally and physically. I have to give myself a regimented schedule when I’m in the thick of it. Otherwise, I won’t even eat. It wasn’t a bad thing to have the sexy Blake St. Germaine in my head all of the time, but real life is even more important!Additionally, rewrites are the scourge. That’s where all of the work is. Writers are creative, but they have to balance (there’s that word again) that with having an editor’s eye and emotionally detaching themselves from their own writing to make certain all of the components are there.
What is some of the best financial advice you would give?
Don’t quit your job. We’re writers, so we’re dreamers and have vivid imaginations. Will pie in the sky fame and fortune be hurled at your work of art? It could happen; it might not...you don’t know, so be prepared. Before you ever send a query letter to an agent, before you check out self-publishing opportunities, sit down and create a budget. Figure out what you want to spend on everything from cover design to advertising and blog tours. Talk to other authors about what they did. Get very realistic about money, both on what you need to spend and how much or little you might make on a first book when no one is familiar with your writing.
What are your favorite genres to read?
I love chick lit, suspense, historical or contemporary romance. It’s high on my list if a book tells a good story and can give me a laugh or two. Some of my favorite books that I can read over and over are: Charms for the Easy Lifeby Kaye Gibbons, Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons, Texasvilleby Larry McMurtry and A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Devereaux. I also really enjoy Linda Howard and Marian Keyes.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
This book is about love – romantic love and loving yourself enough not to settle for less.
I hope the reader feels like they just danced their way through the French Quarter. Everything is heightened in this book. These are not beige characters; they are loud, fun-loving and, in honor of my classic-movie-loving character, Blythe, brought to you in glorious Technicolor. It’s meant to take the reader not just into the romance of two people, but also into the romance and vividness of New Orleans.
I also hope the reader walks away feeling the warmth between the women in this book. The relationships between mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, grandmothers and aunts are the glue here. The bonds between these women, as they cheer for Blythe to live life to the fullest and to get her heart beating again, are so important to this book. These are three-dimensional women of all ages, who have many layers...even when certain people in their lives want to pigeonhole them. It’s a celebration of women in that respect.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
It’s extremely important to new authors, like me, as well as established ones. I’m not all that social media savvy. I kind of went into it kicking and screaming, and I’m learning as I go. I never gave much thought to the kinds of helpful connections a writer could get through that medium. Word of mouth has always been the most important thing in marketing, and now it’s a much bigger mouth with social media. I’ve also been struck by how important it is to connect with the reader, and facebook, twitter, etc. provides more of an opportunity to do that.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Read. Read a lot of books. Not only do readers have the best imaginations, but you will get a feel for your own style by what draws your eye.Also, write a lot of different things that you have no intention of getting published. I always joke about the first novel I wrote and how it will never see the light of day. I put a lot of time and effort into that goofy book, but it would be cruel of me to make anyone read it. My writing wasn’t cooked enough; it was still gooey in the center and needed to be put back in the oven. Practice. Find your style. And rewrite.
**Excerpt**
She found her seat, naturally it was in the middle, and she stopped to try to put her carry-on bag in the overhead compartment. She stumbled back a little, hitting the man across the aisle in the head with her butt. “Oh, I’m so sorry.” “No problem,” he said. “I can think of worse ways of getting knocked out.” Blythe looked startled, and he laughed. “Here, let me help you.” “Thank you,” she said, and looked at him for the first time. He looked familiar. He was very good looking and had the darkest, bedroom eyes she had ever seen. She felt even more flustered now. “Sorry again…for hitting you.” He smiled in response. “It was a pleasure,” he teased. Blythe’s face turned red; she couldn’t remember the last time she had blushed. He started to say something else to her but had to get out of the way of the crowd rushing towards their seats like it was general admission. Blythe buckled her seatbelt, closed her eyes and tried to go to sleep before takeoff. She was exhausted. Just as she was beginning to doze, the flight attendant, trying to shove a ridiculously large bag into the overhead compartment, startled her awake from her half sleep. She looked over to see what the racket was and noticed the same guy looking at her again. She gave him a slight, little smile of acknowledgement and shut her eyes once more. She wondered if he was staring with approval or disapproval. Was her mascara smeared? That would have been disapproval. Was her blouse unbuttoned? From a man, approval. He was probably just stunned from having been hit by her big butt, she thought. When he wasn’t looking, she craned her head around the people separating them to get a better look at him. He had very dark hair, the darkest brown, almost black and an olive complexion with strong features. He opened his eyes and looked over at her. Oh, did he see me? She tried to sleep again but couldn’t. How did she know him? She couldn’t place him, and that’s not a face she would easily forget. She glanced at him again. He stood up and was trying to step into the aisle just in time to have the food cart come rattling through. He was going to say something to her, but it was either get back in his seat or end up road kill from a food cart. At that point, he threw courtesy to the wind as he tried to lean around the people between them and strike up a conversation. But a flight attendant saw this opportunity to drape herself over the seat and introduce herself to him. Blythe laughed. She couldn’t hear his muffled responses, but she could hear the singsong, twittering cadence of the flight attendant. “What’s your name?” “What do you do?” “Why are you going to Memphis?” Tee hee, tee hee. After the flight attendant left, he attempted one more time to stand and approach her, but the pilot asked them all to remain seated. Blythe smiled to herself. She had enjoyed this weird little flirtation. It gave her a rush through the middle of her stomach. She hadn’t felt particularly attractive lately. In fact, she couldn’t imagine a guy as attractive as that one even looking at her. It was times like this that made her realize just how insecure she had become.
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Dana's tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card - and there will be two winners chosen! Anyone who purchases their copy of Pass the Hot Stuff before December 17 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Dana Page was raised in Memphis, Tennessee. Born just down the road from Memphis in Helena, Arkansas, she considers the Mississippi River Delta her own personal inspiration. Having earned a degree injournalism from Texas A&M University, she has utilized her writing skills in varied areas - small-town politics, human interest stories and writing an entertainment column, to name a few. To support her writing habit, she has worked an odd job or two. Don't ask her about delivering singing telegrams; some things are best forgotten. Pass the Hot Stuff is Dana’s debut novel. Connect with Dana!
www.goodreads.com/danapagewww.facebook.com/passthehotstuffhttp://www.danapage1.blogspot.com/
Buy the Book!
https://www.createspace.com/3867996 http://www.amazon.com/Pass-Hot-Stuff-Dana-Page/dp/1477625348/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354051872&sr=8-1&keywords=pass+the+hot+stuffhttp://www.amazon.com/Pass-the-Hot-Stuff-ebook/dp/B009I6QL3W/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1354051916&sr=8-1&keywords=pass+the+hot+stuff
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
It took a while for me. You might say I sneaked up on it. I loved books and reading for as far back as I can remember; and I wrote silly, little stories when I was a kid. I never took myself seriously in that aspect, though.
Then when I was in 7thgrade I had a wonderful English teacher, Mrs. Scott. She had us reading constantly. She did everything she could to get us interested in books, short stories and just words in general. She would even read to the class at times. I’ll never forget her reading Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell Tale Heart” to us and pounding on her desk when she would get to the part about the heart thumping. The woman could really sell a story.
At one point, she had the class write a personification paper. I chose to write about an autumn leaf, and how beautiful it was with everyone admiring its vibrancy. Then I described the leaf’s feelings as it turned brown, crumpled and fell from the tree with people walking past it without taking notice. I think Mrs. Scott thought it was pretty deep for a 12-year-old to describe what the aging process might feel like. It makes me laugh now, because I wasn’t all that deep; I spent most of my time dancing and eating pralines-n-cream ice cream. But Mrs. Scott took me aside, and said, “You can write. You are a writer.” I will never forget her; she planted the seed. I had to gain the confidence in myself. The seed didn’t really sprout until college, but it stayed with me. I tear up just thinking about her.
How would you describe your books?
Fun, humorous, lighthearted. I want to make my readers feel optimistic. I’m a very emotional and sentimental person, so any kind of book or movie that leaves me sad or depressed stays with me for too long. Don’t get me wrong; there are plenty of those books that I love. But I want to entertain and have someone walk away feeling like they just fell in love or came back from an incredible vacation. I do like to insert a struggle or something with a little more meaning, but I surround it with humor. In Pass the Hot Stuff, there are themes of manipulation, the abuse/misuse of religion and a young woman coming into her own; but it’s all done with a light touch and sprinkled with laughs.
Also, I grew up in Arkansas and Memphis and my grandparents lived in New Orleans for a while; all of those places are home to me. The southern culture rings through in my books. Even though I grew up surrounded by it-the music, food and culture in general are all still vibrant to me, and I like to bring those things into books through the settings and colorful characters.
Why was Pass the Hot Stuff a book you wanted to write?
I had actually stopped writing. Rejection form letters and feeling invisible had taken the joy out of it for me. During that time, I also went through one of the most painful times of my life; I was extremely close to my grandmother, and when she passed away I felt like I couldn’t breathe. My mother and grandmother are the light and air in my life, and part of that was gone. Grief doesn’t go away, so I had to learn to cope with it. Part of that was starting to laugh again. I really needed something lighthearted in my life. After a long period of time and with no forethought, I just started writing one day. I wrote a story that made me feel good with characters that tickled me. At times, they had me doubled over, even if I do say so myself.J Even in difficult times my grandmother had a zest for life like no one I’ve ever known. I wanted to write a story that made the reader feel uplifted in the way she buoyed everyone around her with her spirit and joie de vivre.
I love the cover! How was the design process for you?
Thank you! That was a lot of fun. My mother has a wonderful artistic eye, so she had a lot of input. We got together, and came up with the scene – a French Quarter café with line drawings of the main characters at a table. I also really wanted my grandmother to be a part of this. She loved wearing black and white with a touch of red. I wanted the book to have clean lines and for the hot sauce to be highlighted, so those colors worked well. In addition, I was very clear on wanting the cover to indicate the whimsy of the story. I talked with the design team at CreateSpace, and they were unbelievably fantastic. They exceeded my expectations. When they submitted the first draft to me, there was a tiny black butterfly in the upper right corner. I hadn’t asked for it, but butterflies symbolize my grandmother for me...needless to say, I took it as a sign. That’s the most special part of the cover to me.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
I adore the beginning stages of writing and getting the story down on paper. I’m very character driven, so I let the characters form in my mind, and that dictates the plot to me. That’s all play time. The most difficult part is finding a balance in my life once the story starts to gel. It’s hard for me to move away from it, mentally and physically. I have to give myself a regimented schedule when I’m in the thick of it. Otherwise, I won’t even eat. It wasn’t a bad thing to have the sexy Blake St. Germaine in my head all of the time, but real life is even more important!Additionally, rewrites are the scourge. That’s where all of the work is. Writers are creative, but they have to balance (there’s that word again) that with having an editor’s eye and emotionally detaching themselves from their own writing to make certain all of the components are there.
What is some of the best financial advice you would give?
Don’t quit your job. We’re writers, so we’re dreamers and have vivid imaginations. Will pie in the sky fame and fortune be hurled at your work of art? It could happen; it might not...you don’t know, so be prepared. Before you ever send a query letter to an agent, before you check out self-publishing opportunities, sit down and create a budget. Figure out what you want to spend on everything from cover design to advertising and blog tours. Talk to other authors about what they did. Get very realistic about money, both on what you need to spend and how much or little you might make on a first book when no one is familiar with your writing.
What are your favorite genres to read?
I love chick lit, suspense, historical or contemporary romance. It’s high on my list if a book tells a good story and can give me a laugh or two. Some of my favorite books that I can read over and over are: Charms for the Easy Lifeby Kaye Gibbons, Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons, Texasvilleby Larry McMurtry and A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Devereaux. I also really enjoy Linda Howard and Marian Keyes.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
This book is about love – romantic love and loving yourself enough not to settle for less.
I hope the reader feels like they just danced their way through the French Quarter. Everything is heightened in this book. These are not beige characters; they are loud, fun-loving and, in honor of my classic-movie-loving character, Blythe, brought to you in glorious Technicolor. It’s meant to take the reader not just into the romance of two people, but also into the romance and vividness of New Orleans.
I also hope the reader walks away feeling the warmth between the women in this book. The relationships between mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, grandmothers and aunts are the glue here. The bonds between these women, as they cheer for Blythe to live life to the fullest and to get her heart beating again, are so important to this book. These are three-dimensional women of all ages, who have many layers...even when certain people in their lives want to pigeonhole them. It’s a celebration of women in that respect.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
It’s extremely important to new authors, like me, as well as established ones. I’m not all that social media savvy. I kind of went into it kicking and screaming, and I’m learning as I go. I never gave much thought to the kinds of helpful connections a writer could get through that medium. Word of mouth has always been the most important thing in marketing, and now it’s a much bigger mouth with social media. I’ve also been struck by how important it is to connect with the reader, and facebook, twitter, etc. provides more of an opportunity to do that.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Read. Read a lot of books. Not only do readers have the best imaginations, but you will get a feel for your own style by what draws your eye.Also, write a lot of different things that you have no intention of getting published. I always joke about the first novel I wrote and how it will never see the light of day. I put a lot of time and effort into that goofy book, but it would be cruel of me to make anyone read it. My writing wasn’t cooked enough; it was still gooey in the center and needed to be put back in the oven. Practice. Find your style. And rewrite.
**Excerpt**
She found her seat, naturally it was in the middle, and she stopped to try to put her carry-on bag in the overhead compartment. She stumbled back a little, hitting the man across the aisle in the head with her butt. “Oh, I’m so sorry.” “No problem,” he said. “I can think of worse ways of getting knocked out.” Blythe looked startled, and he laughed. “Here, let me help you.” “Thank you,” she said, and looked at him for the first time. He looked familiar. He was very good looking and had the darkest, bedroom eyes she had ever seen. She felt even more flustered now. “Sorry again…for hitting you.” He smiled in response. “It was a pleasure,” he teased. Blythe’s face turned red; she couldn’t remember the last time she had blushed. He started to say something else to her but had to get out of the way of the crowd rushing towards their seats like it was general admission. Blythe buckled her seatbelt, closed her eyes and tried to go to sleep before takeoff. She was exhausted. Just as she was beginning to doze, the flight attendant, trying to shove a ridiculously large bag into the overhead compartment, startled her awake from her half sleep. She looked over to see what the racket was and noticed the same guy looking at her again. She gave him a slight, little smile of acknowledgement and shut her eyes once more. She wondered if he was staring with approval or disapproval. Was her mascara smeared? That would have been disapproval. Was her blouse unbuttoned? From a man, approval. He was probably just stunned from having been hit by her big butt, she thought. When he wasn’t looking, she craned her head around the people separating them to get a better look at him. He had very dark hair, the darkest brown, almost black and an olive complexion with strong features. He opened his eyes and looked over at her. Oh, did he see me? She tried to sleep again but couldn’t. How did she know him? She couldn’t place him, and that’s not a face she would easily forget. She glanced at him again. He stood up and was trying to step into the aisle just in time to have the food cart come rattling through. He was going to say something to her, but it was either get back in his seat or end up road kill from a food cart. At that point, he threw courtesy to the wind as he tried to lean around the people between them and strike up a conversation. But a flight attendant saw this opportunity to drape herself over the seat and introduce herself to him. Blythe laughed. She couldn’t hear his muffled responses, but she could hear the singsong, twittering cadence of the flight attendant. “What’s your name?” “What do you do?” “Why are you going to Memphis?” Tee hee, tee hee. After the flight attendant left, he attempted one more time to stand and approach her, but the pilot asked them all to remain seated. Blythe smiled to herself. She had enjoyed this weird little flirtation. It gave her a rush through the middle of her stomach. She hadn’t felt particularly attractive lately. In fact, she couldn’t imagine a guy as attractive as that one even looking at her. It was times like this that made her realize just how insecure she had become.
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Dana's tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card - and there will be two winners chosen! Anyone who purchases their copy of Pass the Hot Stuff before December 17 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Dana Page was raised in Memphis, Tennessee. Born just down the road from Memphis in Helena, Arkansas, she considers the Mississippi River Delta her own personal inspiration. Having earned a degree injournalism from Texas A&M University, she has utilized her writing skills in varied areas - small-town politics, human interest stories and writing an entertainment column, to name a few. To support her writing habit, she has worked an odd job or two. Don't ask her about delivering singing telegrams; some things are best forgotten. Pass the Hot Stuff is Dana’s debut novel. Connect with Dana!
www.goodreads.com/danapagewww.facebook.com/passthehotstuffhttp://www.danapage1.blogspot.com/
Buy the Book!
https://www.createspace.com/3867996 http://www.amazon.com/Pass-Hot-Stuff-Dana-Page/dp/1477625348/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354051872&sr=8-1&keywords=pass+the+hot+stuffhttp://www.amazon.com/Pass-the-Hot-Stuff-ebook/dp/B009I6QL3W/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1354051916&sr=8-1&keywords=pass+the+hot+stuff
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