I won a guest post on J.A. Allen’s awesome blog Scribbles on Cocktail Napkins for participating in her Sunday Scribble Challenges. If you are a writer and looking to connect with other writers or need a quick jolt of inspiration, these challenges are perfect. Here’s my guest post. I hope y’all enjoy!
blogging
Housekeeping…
Hey y’all…
For whatever reason, I’ve not been keeping up with the blog and I hate that. I’ll do better. It’s been a crazy few months around here with a mixture of both good and bad situations consuming my time, and I’m ready to embrace this New Year with open arms. A few points of interest…
- We’ve got a paperback giveaway on Goodreads NOW!!
- The Foundation is still FREE on all vendors. Links at the end of the post.
- The Wanting is with beta readers, and I’m anticipating an early to mid-January release. Just when you think The Waiting Series couldn’t get any crazier, Book 3 takes it up to a whole new level.
- At the end of November, I finished the first novelette for the series. The title is Endlessly and it’s the story of what really happened to Garrison Adams. This story got me. I don’t know if it was where I was at that moment in life, or actually the story’s content, but I was so broken over this man’s death. At first, I thought I was simply writing it for me to get a clearer picture about who did what and the timeline of events, but I’ve decided to publish this one, likely in the summertime.
- The Flood (novella after The Wanting) will go to Kathy in May (if I remember correctly)
- All these pictures were taken with my new Christmas present. I’ve been after this Madisonville lighthouse on the Northshore of New Orleans for a long time now and I couldn’t be any more pleased with the results.
- There will be an extremely long break between TWS books after The Wanting… and here’s why… I’ve started a new series. I didn’t believe it was possible to love new characters as much as I do TWS cast, but it is! One thing that’s been fun is that The Hopewell Coven is set in New Orleans and surrounding areas also, so I stay connected to my other people in a roundabout way. Tentatively, I have three books planned, likely all larger novellas and tailored more towards younger audiences as well as adults who enjoy that sort of genre.
- Hope y’all have a very Merry Christmas. It’s low-key for us with our 2nd annual Harry Potter-thon.
The Waiting Series Prequel is FREE on all vendors
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B015ZXNX9Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_1…
iTunes:
https://itun.es/us/0gnv-.l
B&N:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/…/1122725622;jsessionid=FC383…
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/e…/ebook/the-foundation-book-0-5
Inktera: http://www.inktera.com/…/b175732a-0341-44d9-9fc2-74cdb243c7…
Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/…/The-Foundation-Book-0-5-The-Waitin…
For Your Reading Pleasure…Colleen Nye
Today, Colleen Nye is with us. We’re glad she’s here!
1. Tell us about yourself. May include links to Facebook, twitter, blogs, websites, Amazon author page)
I am a published author. Along with several anthologies, I have two novels, When in Maui and Immersion. I am also an event coordinator.
http://www.colleennye.com
Email – author.colleennye@gmail.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/authorcolleennye
Twitter – @Colleen_Nye
Instagram – Authorcolleennye
Pintrest – @WriterNye
2. How do you choose names for your characters?
By basically, I think of a name, think of any rude nicknames or if the strength of the name feels like a fit for the strength of the character. Then I think about how it would sound of a fan would be raving about the book and how the name would sound int hat conversation. I go through names until i find one that seems to fit.
3. Do you talk about your book/characters as though they are real?
Yes…. I try not to, but yes, I do.
4. Do you listen to music when you write or edit? What kind?
I do! When in Maui actually has the Blue October discography as like a soundtrack. I had a playlist for when I was writing Immersion as well.
5. How long have you been writing?
Since I was a little girl.
6. Tell us about when you realized you were ‘meant to be’ a writer.
I think I always knew it. But when I started writing when in Maui and finished it so quickly, it felt right.
7. Do you have a muse?
The world around me. Everyone.
8. How do you improve as a writer? (Workshops, conferences, reading)
Reading, gaining life experience, watching movies and listening to what readers say about the books they’re reading.
9. Writing quirks or superstitions?
Shhhhh…. if I tell you, then you’ll jinx me.
10. Tell us about your current work-in-progress.
Which one? LOL I have a few. #1 When in Doubt (When in Maui, book 2). #2 I am co-leading a 5 book anthology set called The Debut Collective and have a short story in all five books. #3 I am leading an anthology set that’s a unique take on anthologies. I write the over-arching story line for each book, each book has it’s own theme. Each book also has a group of guest authors that write short pieces that are embedded in the story line that I write. So basically, a full novel with guest authors’ pieces throughout. Book 1 is going to print. Book two is started. Book three is gathering authors. #4 My writers’ group is starting their 4th anthology. (I’m in the second and third) #5 I have a sci-fi trilogy that’s knocking on my writer’s brain waiting for me to have some of this all completed so I can start in on that. #6 I have a published short story that has turned into a full novel in my head. I’m slowly working on that as well.
11. What book are you reading now?
I just closed two books. I need a break and am writing currently. But the were Stacey Rourke’s Steam and Amy Bartol’s Darken the Stars. Both AMAZING books!
12. What genre do you write in? What about POV?
I skip around, but I prefer clean NA
13. Tell us about writing preparation. Character Profiles? Outlines?
I get an idea and start writing… I take notes along the way.
14. Do you know how your stories will end?
When I write it.
15. Do you books have a message or theme? Or are they purely for entertainment?
I would think every book has some sort of message. But I think it’s up to the reader to figure out what that is to them.
16. Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you eat/drink while writing?
Water… gotta keep hydrated! Smart water to be specific. And Dove Chocolate Bars.
17. Tell us about your other passions.
Marketing. I love to market and network. And I’m starting a small publishing house to help some other great authors out that just don’t have a home yet for their book babies.
18. What’s something interesting about you?
Oh, i suppose that’s up to the observer. I’m strange, quirky and often misunderstood. But aren’t we all?
19. Share a small sample(limit to one paragraph, please) of your writing… can be a WIP or already published.
Who turned the sun on and why hasn’t anyone slapped them? I thought to myself and pulled the comforter over my head.
A few minutes later, I pulled the comforter back down, just enough to reach up and pull the curtain back a little. I peeked out the window and watched the snow falling gently over the landscape. The trees, grass and lawn ornaments were all covered. We had just had a slight ice storm a couple days prior, and this snowfall was covering the ice on the electrical lines and tree limbs making everything look like it was covered in white glitter in the sun shine.
20. Anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers?
Keep reading and letting your imaginations grow! Thank you for your support! And PLEASE don’t forget to leave reviews on Amazon and other platforms! It’s like food to writers! We require them to grow!
For Your Reading Pleasure…Shantella Benson
Today’s feature is Shantella Benson. We’re glad to have her today!
1. Tell us about yourself. May include links to Facebook, twitter, blogs, websites, Amazon author page) I’m a debut author. The first book in my Dystopian trilogy releases March 2016. After that, I will be published in the DC Anthologies, a five book anthology by group of eager and inspired authors who met at UtopYA 2015 (now called Utopia). I have two paranormal short stories in two different books.
I also have a book blog called The WordSmithe at thewordsmithe.wordpress.com. I review books that inspire my writing—mostly YA and NA Dystopian/scifi, paranormal, and urban fantasy. I even will review Contemporary Romance. The only genre I won’t review on my blog is erotica. I’m not opposed to reading it. I’m just thinking of my audience which does include teens.
2. How do you choose names for your characters? I have a few websites I frequent for names. In my trilogy, The Alliance Chronicles, the main characters are ethnically diverse. In their society, multicultural people are known as Hybrids and their names usually reflect their ethnicities. The male main character is Zared Aoki, a Hybrid of Indian and Korean heritage. The female main character’s parents wanted to hide her Hybrid status, but her name (Truly Shara Shepard) has a special meaning in the story.
3. Do you talk about your book/characters as though they are real? Of course, doesn’t all writers?
4. Do you listen to music when you write or edit? What kind? Yes! I actually create playlists on Spotify. Each book in the trilogy has its own list (Regress, Rescue and Restore). I also have a playlist for paranormal writing and one for my urban fantasy.
I like to choose music with lyrics that mean something to the story. They may set a scene (intimacy, loss, challenge) or simply put me in the mood for writing a certain character (Eminem when I’m writing about Zared, for instance).
5. How long have you been writing? I have been writing on and off for years. A year ago, however, I got serious and decided to participate in NaNoWriMo. I wrote the rough draft for Regress: The Alliance Chronicles Book One.
6. Tell us about when you realized you were ‘meant to be’ a writer. This happened recently when I started world building for my urban fantasy. I enjoyed creating maps, doing research, and creating a Pinterest board for the project. I realized this was something I used to do as a kid writing stories. Back then, I clipped pictures of possible characters from magazines and catalogs. I took cardboard and created maps. I even took pictures from decorating magazines to create scenes.
7. Do you have a muse? Yes, and she can be quite temperamental. I tried to plot the second book in the trilogy. She let me write about 6,000 words and then shut up. When I put the carefully crafted plot to the side and returned to my pantser ways, she spoke again. Lesson learned.
8. How do you improve as a writer? (Workshops, conferences, reading) All of the above. I attended my very first conference, UtopYA Con, back in June. It was phenomenal. I participated in workshops/panels and learned a lot. I also picked up a critique partner from that convention. She has helped me immensely. I learned what my writing was lacking, and it has been a delightful journey with her.
9. Writing quirks or superstitions? Not yet. My husband may beg to differ, though.
10. Tell us about your current work-in-progress. I actually have a few things I’m working on. It’s the great thing about writing. It feeds my need to stay busy. I just finished the rough draft for book two in the trilogy, Rescue: The Alliance Chronicles Book Two. I’ll be writing the rough draft for my urban fantasy during NaNoWriMo. It’s based off the folk tale called The Raven by the Brothers Grimm. In their tale, there’s a young child who is turned into a raven because she was bothering her mother. In my story, the girl was transformed into a raven to protect her identity from a demon uncle who wanted her dead. There are shapeshifters and portals into another world.
11. What book are you reading now? I’m reading a few at the moment: Forsaken by J.D. Barker, Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray and Secrets by Christina Benjamin.
12. What genre do you write in? What about POV? Dystopian and Paranormal/Urban Fantasy. I love first person POV.
13. Tell us about writing preparation. Character Profiles? Outlines? Believe it not, the sparks to my writing prep usually start in the shower. I get an idea in my head and I kind of flesh it out in the shower. Once I get an idea, I start imagining characters. I like to do the secret boards on Pinterest. I’ll pin images of the characters and scene ideas.
I don’t really outline. I write out a story premise. For the trilogy, I created propaganda quotes to begin each chapter. So, I decided how many quotes I wanted and that determined, roughly, how many chapters were in the book. For the Urban Fantasy, I just started writing scenes as they came to me.
For the short stories, I used the same process, but I had to determine Beginning, Middle and End. I had to adhere to that structure more closely to stay within the word count required.
14. Do you know how your stories will end? With the short stories most definitely. With the trilogy and even the Urban Fantasy, I listen to my characters. With the rough draft I just completed, I didn’t know how to end it until a few days ago.
15. Do your books have a message or theme? Or are they purely for entertainment? There’s a message in the trilogy. Right now, the Urban Fantasy is just entertainment. Oh, and there’s a theme for the short stories.
16. Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you eat/drink while writing? I love Welch’s Fruit Snacks, but I need to eat healthier. So, I gave them up. It’s hard. Now, I’ll reach for some microwave popcorn (not the same pleasure). If I’m not guzzling water, I have a glass of wine for the evening writing session.
17. Tell us about your other passions. I love tv marathon sessions! I also enjoy acrylic painting, sewing and discovering new crafts.
18. What’s something interesting about you? I’ve worked in a variety of industries—tv news, community newspaper, veterinary medicine, video duplication, computer software development—just to name a few. I also use to groom Samoyeds for dog shows. We owned three Samoyeds, one was a show dog.
19. Share a small sample(limit to one paragraph, please) of your writing… can be a WIP or already published.
This is the opening paragraph from Regress: The Alliance Chronicles Book One.
Someone once compared living in New Detroit to having a religion. It was a fanciful idea about living a life full of hope despite the presence of tragedy. Illogical. Irrational. Life in my town required a lot more than hope. It required a blind eye shutting out the ever-present insanity on our streets. It helped if you could block out the scars from our wars. Fortitude was a better word.
20. Anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers? Check out my blog. I post updates on my writing each week. I’ll be posting more about my upcoming releases too.
For Your Reading Pleasure…Susan Burdorf
Welcome back to For Your Reading Pleasure. Today’s guest is Susan Burdorf.
1. Tell us about yourself. May include links to Facebook, twitter, blogs, websites, Amazon author page)Hello. My name is Susan Burdorf and I am the author of a YA Contemporary book called, “A Cygnet’s Tale” which is a modern retelling of the story of The Ugly Duckling. I am also a mom, a grandma, and I work full time as well as write. Here are some links to keep in touch with me (I LOVE it when my readers send me messages) Twitter: @susanburdorfauthor Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/susanburdorfauthor website: http://www.susanburdorfwrites.com
Buy Link: a Cygnet’s Tale
2. How do you choose names for your characters?
Character names are not that hard for me. For some reason, maybe because the characters are contemporary, I do not have to work too hard to find names. I am a Girl Scout Leader and work with teens a lot so I draw my names from their names.
3. Do you talk about your book/characters as though they are real?
Yes, I do.
4. Do you listen to music when you write or edit? What kind?
I do listen to music, but I do not pick songs to match scenes like a lot of authors do. I find that music, or the tv playing, or the grandkids running around in the background is like white noise – I hear it, but I don’t really pay attention to it. It soothes my mind to be around noises that are familiar, but otherwise I ignore them. I really enjoy listening to James Blunt, One Republic, The Calling, or Enya when I write. Sometimes I like instrumental music like 2Cellos or Lindsey Stirling.
5. How long have you been writing?
Someone else asked me this question the other day and I told him the story of my “What I Did Over the Summer” essay that we all had to write when I was in school. It was third grade and I wrote such a long essay that it was twelve pages (in my defense, it had been a very busy summer) and a teacher told me I should be a writer. I never stopped writing, but the real question here is not how long I have been writing, but how long have I thought of myself as a writer. And that question’s answer is – since I was a teen. I have numerous stories buried in a box that someday will be rediscovered as my “lost manuscripts” ala Harper Lee (no, not really, I am nowhere near her skill level and know it, but it is nice to dream) and then I will know I made it! I love to write, always have. As a young teen I wanted to go to college to be a journalist, but my parents talked me out of it. Every job I have ever had I have had a way of making writing a part of it. I love stories, I love plots, and I love to see my name in print.
6. Tell us about when you realized you were ‘meant to be’ a writer.
See the answer above.
7. Do you have a muse?
I do not have a muse. Although I believe I have a writing fairy who keeps sending me story ideas…usually when I am in the shower or in the car driving someplace or sleeping. Everywhere you can be where you cannot write down the ideas the ping pong around inside my head and that I wish I could write down! But, I think every writer has that issue!
8. How do you improve as a writer? (Workshops, conferences, reading)
I am lucky to have started getting very serious about writing when UtopYA (now known as Utopia Con) began. I made connections and new friends. I joined groups on Facebook devoted to writing. I attend a monthly call with Heather Hildenbrand (the guru of everything writing) who invites guest speakers and allows fantastic conversations. I joined local writer’s groups to help me get started, and attend several conferences a year at which I am lucky enough to meet with and converse with folks who have made it onto best sellers lists and they let me pick their brains. The Indie writing community is vast and generous. I also attend workshops. At first I went to every workshop on writing I could find – query letters; plotting; character development, etc until I felt that they started repeating the messages. Now I am much more selective. For newbie writers I always recommend knowing what you want out of your writing and direct your outside activities toward achieving those goals. And I also tell them to READ. Read everything, not just how to books, but also books in and out of your genre. Write down phrases that make you think or are interesting to you and analyze them – it will help your writing improve. And make friends. Make friends with your fellow authors and your fans. WE, the writing community, are the best resource to improving writing, both our own and the rest of our community.
9. Writing quirks or superstitions?
I don’t have any.
10. Tell us about your current work-in-progress.
I have a series of YA novellas that will release beginning in January 2016 with each one releasing each month. The series will involve a party where all the female guests come dressed as their favorite Fairy Tale character. Unbeknownst to the lead character who has invited her friends and their boyfriends, a demon has been released into their midst and forces them to act out the fairy tale of their costume with a twist…they must battle the demon and if they lose, he gets their souls. I am having a blast with this one, because it is so different and dark from anything I have ever written before. It is called the “A Little Midnight Madness” series. But before that one comes out I have two stand alone books releasing this year. Both are YA. “Breaking Fences” is the YA Contemporary story of Cutter Boone and his inability to release his guilt over the death of his father until he meets Melodie Graham, a former barrel racer and feisty daughter of a drunk who beats her. Both help each other discover the mystery of some cattle rustlers and face down three rabid coyotes along the way. The next book, due to release in December 2015 is called “Clockwork and Lace” and is a Steampunk novel about a young girl who must find her grandmother utilizing the help of a metal dragon who can talk and time travel.
11. What book are you reading now?
I am a moderator on a panel for Southern Festival of Books in Nashville, TN in October 2015 so I am reading the books of the panelists I will be introducing. One is “The Same Sky” by Amanda Eyre Ward and the other is “Dear Carolina” by Kristy Woodson Harvey. I just finished reading “The Orphan Queen” by Jodi Lawrence Meadows which I highly recommend.
12. What genre do you write in? What about POV?
I have written so far in YA Contemporary and one book, “A Cygnet’s Tale” is in first person POV. “Breaking Fences” is also YA Contemporary and is in third person. I know most YA books are first person, but I like the freedom of third person.
13. Tell us about writing preparation. Character Profiles? Outlines?
I do like to do character sketches for my complicated characters. Sometimes I have as much as 7 pages of information listed that show me where the character was born, what they like to eat, if they like designer clothes, what they watch on tv, what their favorite subject at school is, etc. I like to look online for pictures of people I think look like my image of the character. I outline some of the story to keep things on track, but I have found that as I write I tend to go off track anyway, the characters sometimes hijack the story…and at those times I let them take the lead.
14. Do you know how your stories will end?
Yes, I do. I know the beginning, the middle, and the end of all my stories. That helps keep me on track. I find that not doing this first sends the story all over the place. That is no fun to read, and definitely no fun to edit.
15. Do you books have a message or theme? Or are they purely for entertainment?
Yes. I like my books to carry one theme since they are YA I want people to know they are okay just the way you are.
16. Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you eat/drink while writing?
Nope.
17. Tell us about your other passions.
My family is very important to me. I also love to hike and photography is something I enjoy. I also like to collect DVD’s. I have a pretty extensive movie collection. I like hockey, and enjoy going to games.
18. What’s something interesting about you?
I am a conservationist. I helped create an Arboretum in a town I lived in. We also created a Nature Trail and a butterfly garden which a local school uses to conduct science experiments like rainfall totals and plant growth.
19. Share a small sample(limit to one paragraph, please) of your writing… can be a WIP or already published.
This is the beginning of “A Cygnet’s Tale”:
“Fairy tales don’t always have a beautiful princess…or a happy ending.
Sometimes they have ugly ducklings who never grow into their wings.
And sometimes they have something altogether different, just because they can.
There are no rules in fairy tales, except that they must start with ‘once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a… and then you get to fill in the blank.”
20. Anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers?
I want to remind readers to READ. Whether you read my books or not, just read. And after you read, please take the time to leave a review. Your author friends will appreciate it very much. Thank you for taking the time to visit with me and I hope to hear from you soon!
Susan Burdorf, Author
A Cygnet’s Tale (released May 2015)Breaking Fences (releasing soon)
The Fire is LIVE and other housekeeping items…
Good afternoon from Louisiana, the state where a cold front came thru and it’s still 93 degrees, but hey, we’ll take it. Lots going on:
-The Fire is LIVE!!
Amazon link to The Fire
– Today is The Waiting Series first birthday!! On this day one year ago, I hit publish on the very first book in the series, The Waiting!! First year STATS: 2 novels, 2 novellas, 1,527 pages, and 297,000 words. Impossible without our family, friends, editor extraordinaire, Kathy, and especially our readers and reviewers.
– I am halfway done with what I hope to be a short novella about “The Operation.” For those of you familiar with the series, this story takes place a year before Millie returns to Rivers. I’m considering it as a series prequel, but I’m not 100% yet. Which would make sense as it does happen before the action of The Waiting, but we’ll see how much information it gives away when I’m done.
Hope everyone has a great Wednesday. ❤️ Elizabeth
For Your Reading Pleasure…Janey Edkins
Our feature today is Janey Edkins. Let’s see what she says about her writing process. Enjoy!
1. Tell us about yourself. May include links to Facebook, twitter, blogs, websites, Amazon author page)
I’m British, but lived a good chunk of my life in South Africa. A few years back I suddenly yearned for home, so I up sticks and moved back home and now live in the smallest county in the UK called Rutland. I live with my partner Peter Barker, who is a professional landscape artist (look him up!) in a dinky little stone built cottage in the village of South Luffenham where it overlooks fields of sheep and birds flock every day. Sounds ideal, doesn’t it? Well shall I let you into a little secret: it is!
2. How do you choose names for your characters?
Names are really vital and I changed my characters names many times until I got the perfect fit. It worked for me, but it may not work for some.
3. Do you talk about your book/characters as though they are real?
You mean they’re not? Seriously though, the scary part about that is that they are more real to me than my own neighbours!
4. Do you listen to music when you write or edit? What kind?
No, I have tried, but I find I can’t concentrate.
5. How long have you been writing?
About five years.
6. Tell us about when you realized you were ‘meant to be’ a writer.
It dawned on me years ago when I’d leave messages pinned to friends’ doors that could never be short and succinct; they would always end up as long as the Dead Sea Scrolls. I always had a story to tell, whatever shape or form.
7. Do you have a muse?
No not really. I have a few authors whose books inspire me when I feel a bit low and unloved, but other than that, no, it’s a lonely journey. And I have a huge confession to make. I very rarely read, (a) I’m too busy writing my own stuff, (b) I find myself analysing the style too much, and (c) I get bored and want to get back to my own adventures.
8. How do you improve as a writer?
Just keep on writing and writing. Writing is like an apprenticeship; the more you hone and sharpen you gain confidence. I’m still doing it. Every time I look back on my work, I find more ways to improve, every single time!.
9. Writing quirks or superstitions?
None, I’m afraid.
10. Tell us about your current work-in-progress.
I’m doing a follow up on Walking on Marshmallows. I was in two minds, but I have so many more adventure to fulfil.
11. What book are you reading now?
The Help’ which is a very moving story, but I generally love humour, so every now and again I dip into a couple of old novels I bought at a charity shop. One in particular: Pastures Nouveaux by Wendy Holden, a ridiculously funny pastiche of characters and situations. This author is a very, very clever writer, and beyond funny.
12. What genre do you write in?
Contemporary women’s fiction with lots of humour and gutsy characterisation.
13. Tell us about writing preparation. Character Profiles? Outlines?
Honestly, I wing it as I go along and let the characters take me where I’m going.
14. Do you know how your stories will end?
I thought I did, but the characters take over, veering much to my own surprise in a totally different direction.
15. Do your books have a message or theme? Or are they purely for entertainment?
Both: my stories are always laced with humour, but weaved with practically every inescapable human emotion there is.
16. Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you eat/drink while writing?
Actually, I forget about eating when I’m writing, so for those who want to lose weight take up writing.
17. Tell us about your other passions.
Beyond writing: three daughters, art, Peter, wildlife, beautiful jam-packed gardens, the sight and soundlessness of drifting snow, good wholesome food and a glass of wine, British dramas, The Great British Bakeoff, Strictly Come Dancing, amateur dramatics – which translates to me making a total arse of myself- and to let off steam I’m the member of our local choir.
18. What’s something interesting about you?
I used to be a Playboy Bunny .
19. Share a small sample (limit to one paragraph, please) of your writing… can be a WIP or already published.
Here goes…
“Hello Sleepy Head
Guess what? You’re mad, and you drive me mad, but I’m mad about you…
Happy Anniversary, darling.Mmmm…a little shiver passed through Angie as she thought back to earlier that morning – Matt waking her with the spongiest of kisses, their eyes locking, mouths seeking each others out and intensifying and intensifying and intensifying into the biggest, most frenzied, most delicious tongue-duelling sno –
‘Stop! For the love of God, stop!’
There was a split second’s confusion, during which Angie let out a hideously girly scream, did a dithery pin-toed cha-cha then slammed with wild abandonment into the well-padded contours of her mum’s arse.
‘Mum! Jesus Christ!’ she staggered about, finally righted herself. ‘What the hell?!’
‘I can’t do it!’ wailed Bridie dragging a theatrical hand up to her quivering mouth.
‘Do what?’ hissed Angie, glancing about with utter embarrassment as she bent down to retrieve one of about thirty try-ons she’d been carting about– in this instance a pair of elasticised slacks for the fuller figure (size 18-masquerading-as-12).
‘This?’
‘What?’
‘I can’t bear it, this place, it’s horrible.’
By this place Bridie meant Oxford Street’s Top Shop: totally upbeat and crammed with every conceivable accessory of inner, outer and under wear, but notorious for inducing heart attacks for anyone with even the slightest disposition of feebleness.
‘But you wanted to come here,’ said Angie, trying to conceal an exasperated eye-roll.
‘I know,’ said Bridie, looking sheepish for a second before spouting forth. ‘But I didn’t know it was going to be like this!’
‘Like what?’
‘…Dante’s Inferno.’
‘Mum, don’t be so bloody ridic—’
‘I can’t do it,’ said Bridie, hysteria mounting again. ‘It’s vile! It’s the devil’s lair! You have to get me out of here!’
Angie narrowed her lips and gripped the strap of her handbag until her knuckles turned white. Get her out of here, did she just say: get.her.out.of.here? Where the hell did she think she was in the bloody jungle lying on a makeshift hammock on I’m a Celebrity. When only milliseconds ago she’d been swanning up and down the aisles and inspecting labels (with her ridiculous, pretend glasses on) as if she was bloody-bleeding-pissing Kate Middleton’s personal shopper.”End of sample
20. Anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers?
I am more than grateful to the people who have downloaded or purchased my book Walking on Marshmallows which is available on Amazon. And will be even more grateful if you read the next one and give me some feedback! You can contact me on My Blog – Janey’s Jottings, or email me at janeuknow@gmail.com – or best of all flex your fingers and get a review on Amazon; it only takes about thirty seconds!
Great! Thanks so much, Janey, and good luck!!
E&M
For Your Reading Pleasure…Jamie Sheffield
Today we have Jamie Sheffield, author of the Tyler Cunningham Adirondack Mystery Series, featuring one of the most interesting protagonist I’ve ever read. Let’s hear about Jamie’s writing process.
1. Tell us about yourself. May include links to Facebook, twitter, blogs, websites, Amazon author page)
I live in the Adirondack Park in Northern New York with my wife and son and dogs, in a small house in a big forest. Although I dream of writing full-time, my current “day-job” is as a Special Education teacher in Lake Placid, NY. I love camping and canoeing and reading and cooking and travel.
Website: http://www.jamiesheffield.com/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jamie-Sheffield/e/B00AVJVYHS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/JamieSheffieldWriter/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamieSheff
2. How do you choose names for your characters?
I build my characters based on combinations of people that I know or read about, and generally crunch their names around enough to make them not instantly recognizable, but still close enough that I can hold onto the feeling of the people I used.
3. Do you talk about your book/characters as though they are real?
I do, because by the time I get to/through the writing stage, they are real to me, and I know how the will act and react in a given situation.
4. Do you listen to music when you write or edit? What kind?
I listen to classical music when I write … generally one of three playlists: The Goldberg Variations, a mellow Mozart mix, or classical guitar with Segovia and King. I like the music to occupy some parts of my brain and drown out distracting ambient noise, but not to grab my full attention (which is why I don’t write to music with lyrics).
5. How long have you been writing?
I’ve been serious about my writing since the summer of 2012; before that, I always did some writing, but could never commit to longer writing projects.
6. Tell us about when you realized you were ‘meant to be’ a writer.
I’ve always felt that I was meant to be a writer, but never felt that I had the time or ability or staying power to start and finish a novel. I remember writing stories when I was in primary school, and loving the narrative process.
7. Do you have a muse?
It will embarrass her to read this, but my wife is my muse. Stories come to me (from wherever they come) and I shape and craft and polish them with her in mind. She’s my target audience, and every story I tell is written for her to read and enjoy; knowing this pushes me to write the best stories I can.
8. How do you improve as a writer? (Workshops, conferences, reading)
It sounds boring to type, but I think the two things that I do that most improve my writing are reading and writing. I read for hours every day … books and articles and poetry, fiction and non-fiction and writing instruction. I also try to write a few times every week … stories and poems
9. Writing quirks or superstitions?
I don’t know if it’s superstition, but I’m a big believer in NaNoWriMo. The month-long writing sprint helped/allowed me to write my first novel, and I’ve gone back to use it every summer since to write the subsequent novels. I can’t imagine writing my books in any other way now, although I write all sorts of shorter fiction and poetry during the rest of the year.
10. Tell us about your current work-in-progress.
I’m working on a number of things right now: a lengthy piece (pieces) of serial fiction, a young adult fantasy story (I don’t know yet if it will be a novella or a novel), and I’m in the early stages of planning my next novel for this summer.
11. What book are you reading now?
I tend to read a bunch of books at once, switching around based on my mood. I’m also an unrepentant re-reader, circling back to books I’ve enjoyed in the past; I’m always pleased to find that I can find new things to love in almost any book.
■ Mira Grant’s “Deadline” trilogy (re-read)
■ A variety of Ernest Hemingway stories (re-read)
■ Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline
■ The Brass Cupcake, by John D. MacDonald
■ The Peripheral, by William Gibson
■ The Blessing Way, by Tony Hillerman
■ Any Other Name, by Craig Johnson
12. What genre do you write in? What about POV?
I generally write in the mystery or crime or thriller neighborhoods. To date, just about everything I’ve written is first person; which makes me want to try writing from another point of view.
13. Tell us about writing preparation. Character Profiles? Outlines?
I write my novels during a summer month of NaNoWriMo, but tend to start getting ready months ahead of time. I like to map/outline the whole story in a general sense, and to get to know the characters pretty well before I get anywhere near the first day of writing. Once I start writing, the work I’ve done ahead of time serves as a “suggested route”, but I often find the characters and story wandering off my projected track to explore something I hadn’t conceived during the pre-planning
14. Do you know how your stories will end?
I tend to know, in broad strokes, how my stories will end, but the specifics and details often end up surprising me as I write them in the first draft … they also sometimes get altered after my beta-reader takes a look at the rough work.
15. Do you books have a message or theme? Or are they purely for entertainment?
Although I write my books for entertainment (both mine and my readers’), when they’re done, I generally find that they reflect/impart some moral (or immoral, or amoral) message/lesson that I have worked through in the process of exploring the landscapes of the book with my protagonist.
16. Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you eat/drink while writing?
I drink lots of coffee (black and sweet and large and strong, like my dogs, Miles and Puck) and Coke while I’m writing; I try to find and maintain a sweet-spot on the caffeination curve, somewhere between wired and vibrating (I find that some of my best writing comes when I’m amped enough to disconnect just slightly and my unconscious takes the reins just a bit).
I like neat and easy snacks while I’m writing … bite-sized and not requiring a napkin or keyboard clean-ups. cut up fruit and cheese and meat is my favorite, and I tend to break to make a plate every couple of hours.
17. Tell us about your other passions.
I love nerdy electronics (GPSrs and ereaders and watches). I enjoy exploring new and interesting places … foreign travel, abandoned buildings/towns, unique modes of travel, etc.. I’m very interested in advances in science and technology and the environment. I have lots of fun trying out new foods and recipes. I care deeply about animals in general, and shelter dogs most particularly, and spend lots of time walking dogs at our local shelter.
18. What’s something interesting about you?
There was a period right around when I turned forty that I went camping every single month for more than three years (I still go camping a number of times every year, in all seasons, in a camping hammock).
19. Share a small sample(limit to one paragraph, please) of your writing… can be a WIP or already published.
There was a gentle glow coming on in the sky to my right as I drove north through the cold and empty beauty of the Adirondack Park. I would have pointed the impending dawn out to the girl in the back of my Element if she wasn’t unconscious and bleeding on the easy-to-clean floor. I crossed the northern border of the Park at the same time that the sun crept over the white pines on the side of road. I don’t know if that first ray of morning caught her eye, but my passenger groaned, cleared her throat a bit to try and speak, then clacked her teeth hard together again to hold back whatever she was starting to say. I consulted the map in my head, determined that I wouldn’t make it to the house before she started acting up, thought about Murphy’s Law and the prevalence of state troopers on backcountry roads for only a moment, and then pulled over to deal with Sadie Hostetler.
20. Anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers?
I’m excited about the recent release of my third, and latest, novel, “Between the Carries”. It dovetails nicely with the previous books, and also with the novellas. I have a great time writing these books, and as much fun talking with people who’ve enjoyed them. I am working on a bunch of other writing projects currently, but am on track to write the next Tyler Cunningham adventure this summer, and can’t wait to share it with everyone early in 2016!
Thanks Jamie!! We enjoyed reading about your approach to writing. Good luck with Between the Carries.
Elizabeth
For Your Reading Pleasure…Jennifer Sadera
Today’s feature is Jennifer Sadera, author of “Flawless.” Let’s read about her writing process.
1. Tell us about yourself. May include links to Facebook, twitter, blogs, websites, Amazon author page)
I am a curious person. Okay, my kids would call me nosy, but, really, I’ve always liked to know how people are feeling, and what they’re thinking. The best way to learn about them is to ask questions. So, I’m always asking questions. Once I get answers, I mull them over in my mind, to figure out exactly what they mean, or to determine if they’re truthful. Much of this forms the basis of my writing.
2. How do you choose names for your characters?
How I choose names for my characters: Three “baby name” books, baby! The meaning of names is vital to character development. For instance, my main character in FLAWLESS is named “Lia,” which means, “weary one.” That tells a lot about what she’s up against in the novel, don’t you think?
3. Do you talk about your book/characters as though they are real?
I don’t talk about my characters as though they are real people. I am very protective of them, and their stories, and I’m always put off a bit when people refer to them as if they are my friends. My husband has done it a few times, and it always catches me up short. Also, I don’t want to “push” them onto others. I want readers to WANT to meet them, and develop their own relationships with them. I am deeply committed to the notion that I AM NOT my writing, and my writing is not me. I feel that if I cannot separate myself from the writing, I’ll never be able to handle critiques. Everything will become too personal.
4. Do you listen to music when you write or edit? What kind?
I never listen to music when I write or edit, but often lyrics or poems run through my mind of their own accord, and usually weave their influence into my stories. This week, the late poet, Matthew Arnold, keeps visiting me in the form of his work, “Dover Beach.” I especially love the last stanza!
5. How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since the age of 8. My first “novel” was written in a spiral binder. It was called “Shekel,” and was about a girl who found a magic gold coin.
6. Tell us about when you realized you were ‘meant to be a writer.
I think I’ve always known on a deeply subconscious level that I was meant to write. It took many years for my conscious mind to agree, and even longer for me to lose the fear of trying. Eventually my faith became greater than my fear, because I just wanted it so badly!!! It was only when I TRULY DIDN’T CARE what others thought that it all worked out for me.
7. Do you have a muse?
I have a muse: the natural world around me. I have but to look around to become inspired.
8. How do you improve as a writer?
The best way for me to become a better writer has been to become a better reader. Being the most excellent reader I can be has helped me immensely, as well as enriched my life. There is so much to learn and share! I read every day, and still I feel the lack of not reading enough. Other things I have done to improve: I took a class with an established author, who not only gave me valuable insight, but introduced me to other writers who were just as helpful. I attended a writer’s conference, where I met up with an literary agent who encouraged me.
9. Writing quirks or superstitions?
I have no writing quirks or superstitions. I simply know that what will flow each day, will flow. Like all else in this world–good and bad–my writing unfolds as it was meant to. For that reason I don’t need to depend on anything else. And I never get writer’s block!
10. Tell us about your current work-in-progress?
My current writing project is a New Adult novel titled ANONYMOUS CLUB, about four young woman who meet at an AA meeting. The twist: none of them are alcoholics. So what are they doing there? This story is a departure for me, because I tend to write long, sweeping, emotional novels. This entire story takes place in the span of one day. It’s a challenge for me, and I’m excited about it.
11. What book are you reading now?
Right now I am reading “My Brilliant Friend,” by the Italian author, Elena Ferrante.
12. What genre do you write in? What about Pov?
My first published book, FLAWLESS, straddles the fence between New Adult and Women’s Fiction, and has been referred to as a “dark contemporary,” which I think is fitting. Since publishing it just over a year ago, I have written a straight-up Women’s Fiction novel titled, TENDING PARADISE, which is in the hands of my (hopefully—fingers crossed) soon-to-be agent, and I am now starting on the aforementioned ANONYMOUS CLUB, a New Adult novel. I write in first-person P.O.V because I love the immediacy of it. The characters become so accessible to the reader.
13. Tell us about writing preparation.
I do a lot of prep before I begin a book. It starts on long car rides and in the shower, when I have time to just think, think, think. Then I write down everything I’ve thought about. I write detailed descriptions of each character, including physical and mental details, as well as quirks. Then I outline the entire book in a “sun” pattern. I put the main character(s) in the center of the sun, and shoot out “rays,” each one representing a chapter. I can’t do the organized (translation: boring) outlining that I learned in middle-school English Composition. I tend to think visually, and natural themes/organic symbols help me organize my thoughts into workable forms.
14. Do you know how your stories will end?
I always know how my stories will end.
15. Do your books have a message or theme? Or are they purely for entertainment?
I always have a message and theme to my novels, and this is why: we’re all just bopping around on this planet trying to find meaning in our lives, and figure out where we fit in, how we can contribute, and if we’re “good enough.” These are universal things we all experience to some degree. I feel like exploring it helps us make sense of the whole jumbled mess. I try to make sense of it with my questions and my observations. Then I relay what I’ve learned through my writing. I often feel like words are all I have to give, but I give them all up for a greater good.
16. Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you eat/drink while writing?
I drink coffee and tea nonstop when I’m writing. And if there’s chocolate in the house, it will also become my constant writing companion. For that reason it is seldom in the house!!!
17. Tell us about your other passions.
My other passion in this life is the natural world around me: my family, and nature. I am also a horticulturist, and that love came through in my second novel, TENDING PARADISE, which is a story about loss, love, and the tangled vines of family. It’s a poignant, but uplifting (I hope) story of a woman, marred by tragedy, who hides from the world in her opulent estate and gardens. Sort of a “Terms of Endearment” (without the terminal illness) meets “The Secret Garden.” My husband and I built a pond by hand in our back yard, and I value each and every frog who visits. I also treasure the sound of birdsong on the wind. I’ve explored and shared my love of the natural world on my weekly gardening blog, GreenGardenGuru.blogspot.com.
18. What’s something interesting about you?
Something I’ve not shared before about myself is this: I was once a fitting model in New York City. After I graduated from college, I moved to the city and took modeling assignments (as well as waiting tables at a comedy club) to pay my outrageously expensive rent on Manhattan’s upper west side. My experiences helped form the core of some of the designing scenes in FLAWLESS. They also helped me work through the conflicted feelings I’ve had about inner and outer beauty, and how we use appearance to feel valuable. It’s a fascinating theme to me, and one I explored in the novel.
19. Share a sample of your work.
The idea of “image is everything,” is prominent in FLAWLESS. The cautionary tale of Lia Copeland, who appears to “have it all” is evident from the very first paragraph: “I knew what they called me: Ice Queen. Princess…I smiled, recalling my favorite nickname: The Royalty. They all called me that, but not to my face. Never to my face.”
20. Anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers?
In this story, Lia’s flawless, an object of worship. And hated. And, more than anything else, she just wants everyone to leave her the hell alone. I hope it begs the question: why? I hope readers want to find out.
The last, and most important, thing I’d add is this: write and read from a place of truth. Writers, put it all out there–with no fear. Your truth is real, and important. It helps people understand their own lives better. And readers, be true to your core values when reading. There are a lot of books out there, and only a limited amount of time to read them. Don’t waste time with something that doesn’t rock your world. Toss it and try something else.
Awesome! Thanks Jennifer!
E&M
For Your Reading Pleasure…Alana Woods
1. Tell us about yourself. May include links to Facebook, twitter, blogs, websites, Amazon author page)
I’m a married empty-nester; my three children left home years ago and now all have three children of their own. Two boys and one girl each, how coincidental is that?! My husband’s name is John and we live in Australia’s national capital, Canberra, also referred to as the Bush Capital. It’s a lovely place surrounded by low mountain ranges. Our house backs on to a native reserve and we often have kangaroos outside. Out front we have a view of the Brindabellas, our local mountain range, and sitting on the loungeroom deck with a coffee or wine in hand, depending on the time of day, is a guaranteed soul soother. Our oldest daughter lives in the UK and we spend time there every year. I talk about my professional life in another question so I won’t repeat it here. And I’ve included links at the end of the interview.
2. How do you choose names for your characters?
They tend to just pop into my head. Sometimes I’ll have several jiggling around for top spot but I’m mindful of them fitting the person. There’s a funny story about the main male character in IMBROGLIO. His name is David Cameron. I wrote the first draft before the actual David Cameron became the UK PM but, you know, it never occurred to me that my David had the same name. It was only last year when a UK reviewer pointed it out that I had that forehead slapping moment.
3. Do you talk about your book/characters as though they are real?
Not to other people, no. But do I talk to my characters? Yes. We have a very honest and open relationship; we can say anything to each other. Writing their stories wouldn’t be possible otherwise. And after their stories are told they don’t leave; they get on with their lives and let me know what they’re up to.
4. Do you listen to music when you write or edit? What kind?
I need total quiet to stay inside my head.
5. How long have you been writing?
My 30+ year career was in publishing in the Australian federal govt public service. I worked across the publications, public relations and media fields. I did a lot of writing but was principally an editor. I’ve been fiction writing for that long as well.
6. Tell us about when you realized you were ‘meant to be’ a writer.
I don’t know that I’d couch it in quite that way but I’ve always liked telling stories and am happiest when I’ve got one percolating. And as far as being a professional writer and editor is concerned, I always said that if I had to work it was the perfect job.
7. Do you have a muse?
I have a very understanding, tolerant and patient husband. He’s indulged my need for writing time ever since we got together. Does that count as a muse?
8. How do you improve as a writer? (Workshops, conferences, reading)
Years ago when I realised I needed feedback on my fiction I did a university night course which led to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional Writing and then a Post Graduate Diploma in Communication. I’ve also been a member of community writing groups and writing organisations and participated in writing master classes. Nowadays it’s having my manuscripts critiqued and beta read.
Another way to improve is through reading. I’m a committed reader and I review most of the books I read. I believe that writing a considered review is a good way to hone your analytical skills.
I’m also a professional editor; that’s another terrific way to hone analytical skills in relation to what makes good writing.
9. Writing quirks or superstitions?
No superstitions but maybe a quirk. I guess I’m an anomaly as a writer. With digital publishing most authors seem to write very quickly and publish everything they write as soon as they’ve finished it. I don’t. My first three novels went into the fire; I viewed them as practice while I was trying to find my genre. I discovered it with my fourth and fifth novels and those are the two that I’ve published to date.
I’m also very slow to publish; I put what I think is the final draft in a drawer for at least a year and don’t look at it until I’ve forgotten most of the detail. That way when I look at it again I’m reading it afresh. It’s amazing how the deficiencies jump out. Consequently I have only two published novels to date as well as a short story compilation and a writing guide.
10. Tell us about your current work-in-progress.
My third novel. The draft has been in a drawer for years. I’ve delayed pulling it out for the last two years while getting set up on Amazon and social media as well as getting my website and blog up and running. Amazing how time consuming all that has been.
But I’m now going to delay it again to write a three-book series based on a jewellery theft. I was in Italy in July/August 2013 for my daughter’s wedding and had all of my jewellery stolen. I was traumatised to say the least. I’ve always known I’d turn it into a story one day and now’s the time.
11. What book are you reading now?
Renaissance 2.0 by Dean C Moore. He’s an indie author and I’ll be reviewing the book when I’ve finished.
12. What genre do you write in? What about POV?
I write contemporary fiction. It’s also been tagged as thriller, mystery, intrigue and literary.
My preferred POV is 3d person omniscient. My third novel is 3rd person single. That needs a bit of vigilance to ensure I stay in it! It’s easy to stray.
13. Tell us about writing preparation. Character Profiles? Outlines?
It depends on the story line. With AUTOMATON I had the outline and main characters in my head before I started. When I began to write it the detail and secondary characters just happened. With IMBROGLIO there are two main characters whose stories run concurrently so I mapped out their days on a chart and filled in what they were doing in side-by-side columns. That way I knew what each was up to at any given time.
14. Do you know how your stories will end?
When I set out I think I do. But that can change, depending where the characters take the story.
15. Do you books have a message or theme? Or are they purely for entertainment?
All books have a theme, but not necessarily a message. Both of my published novels are themed and there’s a message in each if the reader looks. But over-ridingly they’re for entertainment. One that’s on the drawing board will buck that trend as it will have a message no-one could miss. But that’s a couple of years away from being written.
16. Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you eat/drink while writing?
No snacks because I put weight on too easily. But continual tea and coffee. Constant sipping seems to fuel the flow.
17. Tell us about your other passions.
Travelling is one. My oldest daughter and her family live in the UK (I’m in Australia), so John and I visit her every year. We combine it with other adventures; in 2013 before going to Italy for her wedding we did the UK Coast-to-Coast walk. It took us 18 days and we loved it. This year we’ve been seeing a bit of Australia. Just after Easter we toured the bottom end of Western Australia, and in October we toured around Tasmania and climbed Cradle Mountain. That was a feat worth mentioning!
18. What’s something interesting about you?
Whatever I say here is going to sound contrived, silly or immodest. I’ll go for immodest. My first published novel AUTOMATON won best Australian self-published fiction in 2003 and was nominated by Sisters In Crime for the Davitt awards in 2004.
19. Share a small sample (limit to one paragraph, please) of your writing… can be a WIP or already published.
Here’s the opening to AUTOMATON.
It wasn’t his appearance that unnerved her, unexpected though it was with its neat new track runnelling the middle of his chin, curving through cheek and across the outer corner of his right eye to disappear into the hairline. It wasn’t even that they were alike in colouring and delicacy of features.
It was his expression. A mixture of hope and no hope.
He was red-haired, fresh smooth skinned, freckled with a faded tan, 19, and not far from the trial of his life.
For murder.
20. Anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers?
Don’t leave me in a vacuum! Let me know what you think of my stories. Reviews are treasure, but so too are the personal emails. You can contact me via my website contact page. Receiving them makes my day. Actually, it’s more like my week. And I always have time to write back.
My links:
Website: http://www.alanawoods.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alanawoodsauthor
Twitter:https://twitter.com/AlanaEWoods
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1023590.Alana_Woods
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+AlanaWoods/about
LinkedIn: http://au.linkedin.com/pub/alana-woods/42/b79/412
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Alana-Woods/e/B0061UWNN0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Books (the links are global smart links):
Imbroglio — http://georiot.co/PNH
Automaton — http://georiot.co/4Dp5
Tapestries and other short stories — http://georiot.co/2KQN
25 essential writing tips: guide to writing good fiction — http://georiot.co/3SJs
Thanks Alana! We’re glad you shared with us today!
E&M
Elizabeth Burgess 