We Do Write

Interview with Martha Bourke

2012-01-30T13:18:00.000+01:00

Happy Monday, everyone. Bitter-cold January is almost over. Does that mean there's only 11 more months until the end of the world? I don't believe so, but let's delve into an interview that has something to do with that Mayan legend. Let's welcome author Martha Bourke.

Hi, Martha! Tell us a bit about yourself.

Up until about a year ago, I was a teacher. I started Spanish programs for the elementary grades for fifteen years. The last one I started here in Massachusetts was a Spanish Immersion program for English-speaking students. They learned all day in Spanish and learned about Spanish culture. It’s still running. I’m very proud of it. There are only 260 other programs like it in the U.S. The oldest kids are in high school now. (Man, do I feel old!) Last year I decided to take a sabbatical to focus on writing. My husband and I live in rural Massachusetts. It’s quiet and lovely. Just perfect for writing. But, fifty minutes from three major cities, in case you need that jolt, you know?

How long have you been writing?

I started with poetry in third grade. That went on for a few years and by high school I was also writing short stories. I also wrote an earlier novel, before JAGUAR SUN. It was about five years ago. It’s a middle grade fantasy that will probably never see the light of day. It was a great learning experience though.

Tell us about JAGUAR SUN. What’s the story about?

JAGUAR SUN is a YA Paranormal Romance. It is the story of Maya Delaney, a typical sixteen-year-old high school junior of Mayan descent. As Maya discovers more about her heritage, she realizes that she is at the very center of worldwide plot over the transition to take place when the Mayan Calendar ends on December 21, 2012. And on top of that, she and her friends are beginning to develop strange powers. Faced with learning to harness her new abilities in time to bring the world to a positive transition, Maya must reevaluate her relationships, herself, her place in the world.

Very interesting! How did the idea of the story come to you?

Usually my stories come to me from a combination of personal interest and research. All my life I’ve been intrigued by other cultures and mythology. That kind of had a head-on collision with my knowledge as a Spanish teacher and JAGUAR SUN was born.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I definitely revise and self-edit, as any good writer should. I also have a critique group, but they are mostly looking into the story itself. The main thing is that I work incredibly well with my editor. Our styles complement each other so well. (All writers out there who are reading this: Hire an editor!) I mean that very sincerely. A good editor will tighten up you work, find inconsistencies, correct grammar and let you know when to cut things out. That last part is very important. As writers we are very close to our work. We think it’s all important. But a good editor will do all of the above without changing plot or characterization.

Are you a planner or a pantser?

I’m actually a little of both. I have the general idea of the book down and I make tons of notes on post-its and stick them on my wall in my writing studio. But I don’t sit down and outline per se. I write a lot on inspiration and on what the characters are telling me. Important scenes often come to me, kind of like from a movie. And then I fill in the blanks around them. Writing to me is an adventure and I wouldn’t want to take away from that.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Honestly, I thoroughly enjoy the process itself. My grammar’s terrible and sometimes I can get frustrated with it. Also, when you write on inspiration, you can get a little nuts when you’re waiting for more of the story to come to you. But I think the hardest part for me comes after the book is ready, which is marketing it. Ugh!

What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

I always need a bottle of water and quite possibly a lollipop for that oral fixation factor. Maybe some tea. My pets also keep me company.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

This is probably going to seem lame, but I guess I would choose the power to heal.

Doesn't sound lame at all! What's the weirdest thing you've googled?

Oh, man. I don’t know. I’ve googled so many crazy things. And I google so often, especially for research. When you write Paranormal, you tend to look up some pretty bizarre stuff, like shape-shifting mythology.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: armadillo, hindsight, and conversation.

In hindsight, I never would have started a conversation with the armadillo in the first place.

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

Okay, first to my husband and family for all of their love and support, and for believing in my writing. I’d also like to thank my two fabulous Barbaras – Barbara Ardinger, my editor. Also, Barbara Rainess at Pedernales Publishing along with her partner, Jose Ramirez. I know this book would never have been published if it weren’t for all of them.

And finally, where can people find you and your books online?

JAGUAR SUN (Jaguar Sun Series Book 1) is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com in Kindle, Nook and Paperback formats. Look for Book 2, JAGUAR MOON this fall!

You can find me at:
www.jaguarsunseries.com
www.marthabourke.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/Martha_bourke
www.facebook.com/jaguarsunseries

Martha, thank you so much for chatting with us. It was great getting to know you and learn about your book. I wish you lots of success, and be sure to let us know when book two is released!

Interview with R B Wood

2012-01-23T16:44:00.001+01:00

Today we're chatting with author R B Wood. Richard is a technology consultant and a writer of urban fantasy, science fiction and quite frankly anything else that strikes his fancy. His first novel, The Prodigal's Foole, the first installment of The Arcana Chronicles, is available now from Pfoxchase Publishing.

Welcome to We Do Write, Richard. Tell us a bit about yourself.

My 'day life' is extrodinarily mechanical and detail-oriented. For my entire life, I've loved (and needed) creative outlets. I was an artist when I was younger, earned my bachelors degree in mathematics by playing in bands and by being good enough for music scholarships. But mostly, I love to tell stories, and writing lets me do that.

How long have you been writing?

Been doing it off and on since the eighties. The final push to really produce a novel began in 2007. My kids told me I 'Should write my stories down,' and my partner was fully behind it. Never underestimate the support from those closest to you!

Tell us about The Arcana Chronicles. What¹s the story about?

The Prodigal's Foole is an Urban Fantasy novel—the first of The Arcana Chronicles. The premise is simple: 'What if religions were created, not for the salvation of the masses, but to control magic?'
I often thought, if magic existed, would the general public be completely clueless as the muggles are in Harry Potter? Or would magic be an asset—a power to be controlled? And who would control that power?

How did the idea of the story come to you?

Quite frankly, the idea came about because all the 'magic stories' out there had a similar throw-away comment—something to the effect of 'Normal people can't know about magic' or 'Normal people aren't observant enough to see magic.' The whole premise of the series (along with it being a good old-fashioned 'good vs. evil') is what would happen if normal folk started paying attention? All that power, who would control it (Religions, in my book) initially? What would the impact of the last 50 years of technology do to a magical world? This will be explored throughout the series.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

Oh I have crit partners, who are my 'alpha' readers. I use a fantastic editor and have a group of 'Betas' as well. I'm not confident enough in my writing yet to go it all alone, and I LOVE the feedback I get.

Are you a planner or a pantser?

Planner with pantser tendencies. :-)

What's the hardest part of writing for you?

Letting the book sit for a while between the first draft and the second. Absolutely necessary, but I hate the time it takes.

Me too. Let's get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

My partner Tina, my music and my MacBook.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Super-memory. That would be very helpful!

What's the weirdest thing you've ever googled?

Heh. "Demonic possession Orchids and Koi." Don't ask.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: hedgehog, uncloak, and overattentive.

The hedgehog-shaped star cruiser uncloaked above the repair depot orbiting Titan where overattentive maintenance 'bots immediately swarmed around the craft to assess the battle damage...

Here's the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

Oh dear. There are SO many. Leah Petersen, Bill Kirton, Steve Umstead (in fact the ENTIRE #pubwrite crew), my publisher, Diane Nelson, my editor Charlie Wood, good lord. I should make a list some day. My family, friends and my partner Tina.

And finally, where can people find you online?

Loads of places!

My blog: http://www.rbwood.com
My Amazon Page:
http://www.amazon.com/R.B.-Wood/e/B005X0IAF4/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
My Goodreads page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5025975.R_B_Wood
My Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/rbwoodwriter

And of course The Prodigal's Foole can be found on Amazon, B&N, iBookstore, Smashwords and Omnilit All these links can be found on the 'my novels' page.

Richard, thanks so much for chatting with us. I wish you lots of success with your books!

Interview with Michael Haskins

2012-01-19T19:54:00.001+01:00

Today we're chatting with multi-book author Michael Haskins.

Welcome to We Do Write, Michael. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born and raised outside of Boston - North Quincy, Massachusetts - and in high school began working at the Record/American-Sunday Advertiser newspaper in Boston. From that point on, I have pretty much kept journalism as a trade, sometimes as a freelancer and in Key West, where I moved more than 15 years ago, as the business editor/writer of the local daily paper.

How long have you been writing?

I think in some form I have written since I got bit by the Ernest Hemingway bug. I spent many years as a very good (oxymoron) drunk and not so good of a writer. Since moving to Key West I have switched those positions and writing has been my priority.

Tell us about STAIRWAY TO THE BOTTOM. What’s the story about?

A little more than a year ago, a local character that worked at a Jet Ski business showed up, told the crew "agents are after me, I gotta run," and took off with a Jet Ski, never to be seen again. I thought about it and wondered, "what if" and came up with two theories and decided to put them both in the book. So, my character walks away from witness protection after more than ten years. He was a hit man for Boston gangster Whitey Bulger and since Whitey's capture, my character goes after Whitey's hidden fortune, chased by US Marshals and FBI agents. On the other hand, retired Cold War spies from Europe hear the story and to them two and two doesn't have to equal four and they decided the age, description, etc. of the man fits the double agent that took off with more than $20 million in diamonds.

Since Murphy, my protagonist, discovered the body of a Cold War female hit man, everyone wants to question him. To Murphy it's a comedy of errors and bad judgment, to the various parties it a race to riches. The story has the background feel of the Maltese Falcon in that those chasing the money and/or diamonds have no real evidence that it exists, only rumors, but they give chase, out of greed, anyway.

The book moves from Murphy's laughing at the foolishness to a blackness that changes Murphy's life forever.

What else have you written?

I have seven books. One, the third in the Mick Murphy series (not the KW part of the series) is being rewritten and I have to find an ending to it. Book six of the series, is at the publishers (and has been for more than a year) is called Car Wash Blues and will be out in August 2012. Book seven is Stairway to the Bottom.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

For Stairway to the Bottom I had a critique group go through the story and also had a professional editor see it after that.

Are you a planner or a pantser?

I plan but mostly beginning, middle and end and let the story work its way through to the end. Never, and I mean never, has the story gone exactly as I thought it would at the beginning. That's the fun of writing, discovering your characters and doing what they tell you.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Facing the blank screen. The beginning because it's so important but also each new chapter begins with a blank page.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Music, my American Heritage Dictionary and shelves and shelves of books - some of them for research, others to remind me that I am trying to compete with the best. I am happy to compete, even though I may never win the race.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

The ability to have mind control over the book editors at the NY Times.

Why not have mind control over everyone? I've got a teen and a pre-teen at home; I could use that power. What's the weirdest thing you've ever googled?

As a mystery writer almost every Google is weird. Tracking down obscure weapons and discovering only I think they're obscure because there's a lot of info out there on 20mm rifles and rounds.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: industrial-strength, admirer, and optician.

The local optician had many admirers since his discovery of an affordable, industrial-strength lens for glasses that helped the near blind see.

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

My biggest supporter has to be my sister Patty, who has had a life-long belief in my abilities, even when I had doubts. Her encouragement and life example has been/is very important to me. My twin daughters, Seanan & Chela, have always been a force driving me to succeed. Life wouldn't be the same without them.

And finally, where can people find you online?

My website: www.michaelhaskins.net and when I need an excuse not to work on my novel or am too tired to read, I sometimes blog: www.chasinthewind.blogspot.com.

Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us, Michael. Good luck with your books!

Interview with Brian D Anderson

2012-01-16T15:56:00.000+01:00

Happy Monday, everyone. Hope you had a nice weekend. Today we welcome writer Brian Anderson to the blog.

Welcome, Brian. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I live in Staten Island, NY with my wife Eleni and son Jonathan, though I'm originally from Spanish Fort, Alabama.

How long have you been writing?

I've been writing since I was a young teenager. Short stories mostly, but I did attempt a novel here and there. Unfortunately, back then, I didn't have the patience to see them through. Basically it stayed a fun hobby for many years, until recently. I had never really considered attempting to publish anything, even though my family and friends were constantly at me to do so. In fact, if it wasn't for my son, I would probably still be writing weird little stories or working on some English Literature or poetry analysis project, for a class that someone in my family didn't really want to take. I must say, I'm happy that's not the case.

Tell us about The Godling Chronicles. What’s the story about?

The first installment of The Godling Chronicles is about a seventeen year old “boy” named Gewey Stedding. He has been raised from infancy by a human farmer in a small rural village, though Gewey has no clue he is anything other than his fathers natural son. The story picks up two years after his fathers death, (his mother having died when he was a toddler). In short order he discovers that he is not, in fact, his fathers son, but the only being ever born from the union of two Gods. This revelation is presented to him by Lee Starfinder, a demigod (though I chose not to employ that overused term in the book). Lee explains that a being referred to as the Dark Knight (only one of his many names) has stolen a weapon called the Sword of Truth. With it he has locked the door to heaven, trapping the Gods. Gewey must then flee with Lee, as certain events have cause the Dark Knight to become aware of Gewey's presence. Lee is charged with the boys training so that he can face the regain the Sword and save the world.
Along the way they rescue an elf woman from the clutches of fierce bandits and she joins them on their quest. But she will not be the last. The reader will meet a diverse cast of characters (both good and evil) that I found myself caring deeply about, as the story developed.
Without giving up to much of the plot that's the basic storyline.

How did the idea of the story come to you?

Actually, the original concept and basic premise came from the mind of my eight year old son Jonathan (a fact reflected on the cover). He has always had a wonderful mind for stories but when he came to me with this one, I knew it must be written. The prologue is almost exactly as he described it to me (though the language is mine) as is Gewey and Lee Starfinder.

Even now I still consult him as the world Gewey lives in expands, and he never fails to inspire me. Don't misunderstand, this is not a book written for third graders. It's classification as young adult/fantasy is due to the fact that there is no overt sexuality or foul language.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

All of the above. My wife and several of my friends have been a great help to me. I have also had the fortune of being associated with a few literary professionals who have helped as well. But let's face it...a book becomes a book when it's copy edited. Sean Brandt and Jessica Sigafoos worked tirelessly on this project. Without them it would have never left my desk.

Are you a planner or a pantser?

A bit of both. I try to plan out a story, but with The Godling Chronicles, things seem to fly off in different and unintended directions. I think it keeps the story fresh. However it does make keeping track of things a chore.
Book two has been a bit more formulated, but I still find it taking on a life of its own. Perhaps by the end of the series I'll know exactly where it's going.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

For me it's reigning back the unnecessary descriptions and dialogue so that the story flows. I prefer a good read to an academic exercise.
Take Tolkien for example. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Tolkien, but there are times I could do without some of his more elaborate descriptions. Understand that I am in no way comparing myself to a man whom I consider one of the greatest literary minds in history, and even if I tried I couldn't paint a picture with words in such detail, but I do get a bit long-winded if I don't monitor myself. More isn't always better...sometimes it's just more. I want the reader to enjoy the story without laboring through it.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Coffee and smokes. Yes, yes, I know...how 1960's of me. Other than that, I only need the time. Lately, I have been working harder on promoting book one than writing book two. Still, I try to write at least a few pages a day and I'm hoping to send it to editing within the next few months.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

The ability to spell without spellcheck.

LOL. What's the weirdest thing you've ever googled?

I can't really answer and have anyone who knows me read this blog. Kidding. I guess I would have to say the first time I googled my own book. It was so strange to see it popping up everywhere. I was both astonished and excited.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: bespattered, taxonomist, and re-embodied.

Here's one that I'll fail.....I want my editor!!!! Oh what the hell, I'll give it a try.

The mud bespattered troll climbed to the top of the hill to see speak to the taxonomist about his findings on re-embodied billy-goats.

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

My wife Eleni , my son and inspiration Jonathan, Tom Riddell, George Panagos, all my friends from back home in Alabama (too many to mention individually) The Hellenic Classical Charter School in Brooklyn, NY.(I had a wonderful time reading to the students), and all my fans on www.facebook.com/thegodingchronicles

And finally, where can people find you online?

Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, booksamillion.com, are the main sites, as well as over a dozen foreign websites in countries across the globe.

Sounds great! Thanks so much for chatting with us, Brian. I wish you lots of success with your books!

Author Update: Laura Schultz

2012-01-11T19:19:00.001+01:00

One of my favorite subjects to post about is an update on a previously interviewed author. Today we welcome back Laura Schultz, who has taken a few more steps forward on her publishing journey.

Welcome back, Laura. Tell us about your new book and what the journey was like to get this (your first) book published?

Dorothy, I can’t believe it’s been over a year since we first spoke in this venue. During this time, I have always read your interviews because they are always fascinating and I learn something each time I read one from another author.

When we last spoke I had just signed with a publisher in New York for my first book “Arise and Shine: Laments from the Darkness, Songs of the Light.” It is a debut collection of verse that reflects a transformational journey of love, loss, personal struggles to triumph. It is reflective of my philosophy about life and writing from the soul to help others. Unfortunately that original publisher did not follow through on the contract and I was completely devastated. I could definitely relate to the disappointments other author friends had endured before me.

Many folks discouraged me by saying it was extremely difficult to find a publisher willing to look at a poetry collection. So, for awhile I languished within my heart about how or if to proceed and went on to write other things. Then miraculously, a woman whose talent I had admired from afar perused my work and after some discussion, I signed with her publisher Silver Bow Publishing in Canada. I will always be grateful to Candice James, Poet Laureate for supporting and recognizing my work and taking the time to launch my book both in paperback and in e-book format. What makes the collection so unique is that there are color photographs and professional artwork throughout the book. The paintings were done by my mother who was an accomplished painter/sculptor. The book is a tribute to her but unfortunately she passed away a few months prior to publication but I know she would have been very proud to have her work juxtaposed with mine.

Immediately endorsements and rave reviews came in and I was deeply moved by them. My favorite was from Beth Hoffman who stated:

“In her generous and heartfelt collection of poems, Laura Schultz urges us to look up, to dive deep, and to venture within so that we might embrace the joys, pain, and wonderment of all that we are, have been, and hope to become.”—Beth Hoffman, New York Times bestselling author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

Arise and Shine, Laments from the Darkness, Songs of the Light can be ordered from the publisher, Amazon or lulu.com for the e-book. Here are the links.

Amazon - Alibris - Lulu

E-Book $6.99

I understand you had your first book signing. What was that like?

Dorothy, I can’t tell you how excited I was to go to my first book signing. It was in Palm Springs at a wonderful book and gift boutique called Crystal Fantasy. Everyone was warm and helpful and it truly was a dream I had only imagined in my wildest dreams! During that same month I did several more in the Los Angeles area. These events are an experience of a lifetime for a first time author like me and I reveled in the attention toward my “new baby”—the first of many books I plan to write:)

What are you working on next?

I recently was a contributor to the new release “The Casey Anthony Murder Trial” by Claudette Walker. Claudette wrote a fantastic real-time book about the controversial trial and she asked me to write the postscript which was a psychological profile about the suspect. Since I am also a psychotherapist with a passion for all things forensic or true crime, this was a big thrill for me. I’ve written many book reviews for the New York Journal of Books in this genre and just adore doing so.

I was recently the only U.S. Poet to be asked to contribute to an international anthology of poetry called “Sudden Thunder”. Poetry has always been a passion but I’ve written in so many genres that I wasn’t quite sure what was going to be next.

There are 2 definite possibilities for the near future. One is a memoir that includes growing up in a California border town within a political family during the tumultuous 60’s. Parts of it have already been published in essay form by Coal House Review and folks seem to love it. Secondly, I’ve written a great deal about serial killers with several lengthy articles in both Crime Magazine and Crime Spree Magazine. My favorite one was entitled “Strychnine and Stilettos” which is about female serial killers. I think people are cheering for the book on this dicey topic. Perhaps your readers could place their vote on which one appeals to them:)

Laura, it's always a pleasure talking with you. Good luck with all your writing, and be sure to let us know when you have more news to share.

Thanks so much, Dorothy, for allowing me the honor of speaking with you again and I really appreciate all the work you do bringing talented writers to the fore.

Interview with Margaret Callow

2012-01-08T19:40:00.001+01:00

I hope everyone's had a nice weekend. Let's give Monday a softer touch by getting to know writer Margaret Callow.

Hellow, Margaret. Tell us a bit about yourself.

Living near Norwich in the UK. Married with grown up children and a host of grandchildren!

How long have you been writing?

I came to writing novels late after a working life as a nurse, but I have written poetry since I was very young, much of which has been published, so I suppose the answer to the question is about three years.

Tell us about A REBELLIOUS OAK. What’s the story about?

It's historical written as a novel. It's a true story about a rebellion in Norfolk in 1549 known as Kett's Rebellion so I have taken a factual skeleton and hung fictional flesh on it.

What a great description! How did the idea of the story come to you?

Partly because my love for social history and also because when I was researching the maternal side of my family, I found my great, great grandmother was a inmate pauper in a workhouse in 1900 when she was seventy. It inspired me that there must be so many stories waiting to be told, not about famous Kings and Queens or the wealthy, but about ordinary people who lived in the past. I have written a novel which is set in Victorian times about those who live just under the surface of respectable society and am now writing about East Anglia which played a part in the Peasants Revolt in 1381 which is a WIP.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I am part of a forum group on Authonomy which is a critique group for Historical Fiction and I'm editing A Rebellious Oak at the moment with the publisher.

Are you a planner or a pantser?

I do a lot of research so I suppose I'm a bit of both, but the actual story just unfolds as I go along.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

When I stop writing!

teaorcoffeecafe.com

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

A view of my garden and a cup of coffee.

Sounds perfect! If you could have any super power, what would it be?

The ability to go back in time and see past centuries for myself.

What's the weirdest thing you've ever googled?

A look at my childhood home forty odd years ago, thanks to Google Earth!

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: slyness, familiarized, and horse.

As he spurred the horse on, he familiarized himself with places he passed missing no details, not difficult with his natural slyness.

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

First it's got to be you, Dorothy on FB who has given me the chance to write this, the good people on Authonomy and there are many who've always given me honest but kindly help, new friends I've made in the 'virtual' world in Barbados, USA, S. Africa and Taiwan who have been awesome and so unselfish with their encouragement and Running Hare Press who have enough faith in me to want to publish my book.

Aw, thanks for the shout out. And finally, where can people find you and your books online?

I have a website that was started for me, but is defunct at present and Spirit of the Butterfly and Of Wheat and War are still up on Authonomy at the moment. Running Hare Press are on FB and have a website. As for a Rebellious Oak, the launch will be mid' March in Wymondham just outside Norwich. All bookstores will be sent details from Neilsens Book data and hopefully Jarrolds, Waterstones and Ceres Bookstore in Swaffham will stock it. I guess it will be on Amazon too.

Running Hare Press will have the book available in their online shop.

Sounds fabulous. Thank you so much for chatting with us, Margaret. Your book sounds great, and I wish you lots of success.

Author Update: Kristi Helvig

2012-01-03T22:04:00.001+01:00

I love it when authors I've been in contact with have big, happy news to share.

Back in 2010, I interviewed writer Kristi Helvig. She's a Sisters in Scribe sister and an absolute sweetheart. Well, I'm pleased to announce that Kristi has landed an agent -- in her words, an awesome agent perfect for her.

Dying to know more? Read Kristi's post on how she got her agent. I'm sure you'll find it encouraging and uplifting. I know I did.

Happy New Year, everyone! Let's make 2012 the year we all reach our goals!

Interview with Debra Purdy Kong

2011-12-28T14:18:00.001+01:00

Hope you're all enjoying the holidays. Let's keep that Christmas spirit going a little longer by chatting with a fab author. Say hello to Debra Purdy Kong.

Welcome, Debra. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I've had a love of books since childhood, when the bookmobile used to come to our neighborhood every three weeks with a busload of books. In grade 7, I volunteered in our school's library, and forty years later, life still seems most natural with a book in my hand. I have a diploma in criminology, but preferred to write about crime and criminals rather than work in corrections or related fields.

I put myself through school by working as a secretary. After graduation, I sold my car and spent a year traveling and working in Europe, where I kept a journal, wrote long letters home, and began my first short story. I wound up working for a firm of solicitors in London, England, and sharing a flat with an aspiring singer/actress, who loved my writing. By the time I came home, I knew I wanted to be a writer, but I also knew it would be a long time before I made a living from it, if ever. So, I returned to secretarial work, then married, had two children, and continued writing whenever I could. I still love it; probably always will.

The European trip happened in 1979, so I've been writing for most of my adult life. Fifteen months ago, I signed a contract with TouchWood Editions, and left my part-time job, working in security (which turned out to be great book research) to write fulltime. It's been the best fifteen months of my life!

Tell us about your books. What are they about?

I self-published two mysteries that feature a young tax auditor, who stumbles into murder and finds himself in way over his head. Both books are centered around white-collar crime. For the first book, Taxed to Death, it's fraud, and in Fatal Encryption, it's computer sabotage.

My new series features transit security officer, Casey Holland. In the debut novel, The Opposite of Dark, Casey is told by police that her father's been murdered, however, she buried him in an open-casket ceremony three years earlier. The story, needless to say, is all about family and how the past we thought we knew isn't always the whole story at all. What happens in that book sets the tone and helps readers understand what drives Casey in future novels. The second instalment, Deadly Accusations, will be released in March 2012.

How did the idea of the stories come to you?

My Bellamy novels came out of my secretarial experience while working for a firm of chartered accountants. One day, I was having lunch with articling students and talking about mystery novels, and one of them said, "How come no one writes about us?" And I thought, yeah, why not? Because a lot of the C.A.s I met certainly didn't fit the stereotype.

The idea for my Casey novels also grew out of a work experience many years ago. I was doing temporary work for the bus company many years ago, when I learned that the company employed undercover security officers to catch thieves, perverts, vandals, and so forth. I thought this was a great idea for a character. After I published Taxed to Death, I began my first Casey novel, but it took a long time and twelve drafts before The Opposite of the Dark came to light, so to speak.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I have all three, actually. A critique group of writers, none of whom write mysteries, yet they offer a unique perspective. A colleague is currently reading the fourth Casey novel straight through for continuity and pacing, which really doesn't work in critique groups. I also do a lot of self-editing! 80% of my writing is actually editing.

I hear you! What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

The hardest part is tackling the second draft. I like to write a book straight through, and although I have an outline for most of it, there's still a lot I need to change and it feels like it takes forever to make those changes in the second draft.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

I have to have something to drink: coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon, decaf green tea or peppermint tea in the evening, or a glass of water. Picking up the mug is my way of pausing to think about a sentence or paragraph I've just written which I'm not sure about.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Well, I don't know if it's a super power, but I'd have endless energy!

I need some of that, lol. Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: subway, rhinoceros, and candy machine.

Desperate for a Milky Way, the rhinoceros charged through the subway and crashed into the candy machine.

Why do the Madagascar movies come to mind? LOL. Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

I'd love to give a shout out to the wonderful reviewers and readers who've taken the time to say they like my books. And a huge shout-out to my critique group who've been so amazing over the years.

And finally, where can people find you and your books online?

They can find me on Twitter @debrapurdykong and on Facebook. I also have a fan page called Casey Holland Transit Security Mysteries. I write a weekly blog about the strange and outrageous goings on in the white-collar crime world, and contribute to a shared blog all about the writing world at http://writetype.blogspot.com

All of my books are available on amazon.com, amazon.ca. Taxed to Death and Fatal Encryption are available on Kindle, and The Opposite of Dark is available at iBooks and on Kindle.

Link to reviews and book trailer for The Opposite of Dark can be found here.

Debra, thank you so much for chatting with us. Your books sound great. Good luck with all your writing!

Interview with Susan Schreyer

2011-12-22T14:41:00.001+01:00

Hopefully you're all in good spirits, despite the hustle and bustle of the season. In keeping with being jolly, let's get to know magnificent writer Susan Schreyer.

Welcome to We Do Write, Susan. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I live in the great state of Washington and love the fact that wherever I look (when it's not cloudy) I can see mountains. I'm married -- twenty-one years now! -- have two almost-grown children, a rabbit with an attitude and a horse with an enormous number of fans from all corners of the planet. I love to laugh and wish I didn't have to watch my weight. Oh -- and my favorite color is green.

I think you've covered all the bases with that answer! How long have you been writing?

I started seriously writing mystery novels about 6 years ago, although like pretty much every other writer I've had the inclination all my life.

Tell us about the Thea Campbell mystery series. What are the stories about?

Death By A Dark Horse is the first of the Thea Campbell Mysteries. They take place in the real life town of Snohomish, Washington -- the antiques capital of the northwest -- and are "cozy-esque." I use that term because all the stories take place, at least in part, in a small town setting and involve people who know each other. However, the stories have been described not only as mysteries, but as suspense and romantic thrillers. Are they totally serious? Heck, no! Thea, the protagonist, as well as her friends and family, often show us the humor in life.

How did the idea of the stories come to you?

The major plot line for Death By A Dark Horse kept me up nights. Seriously. I wanted to write a mystery and all the advice I read said, "write what you know." My life is decidedly unmysterious, and I have no experience with solving murders. However, I do know horse people -- having been born that way -- so my thinking ran along the lines of what kind of situation would be so compelling to a horse owner that they simply had to become involved? Once I began writing the first story the characters took over. They weren't done with me. Story ideas won't leave me alone any more.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

Yes! To everyone of those! I have several trusted critique partners who are accomplished writers in their own right, but I have a rather thorough self-editing process I go through before I hand my work over to them.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

All writing takes effort -- time, patience, willingness to learn craft and learn from others who have gone before. You learn quite a lot about yourself from the processed of discovering your own best method for working, and that self-discovery is not easy. The most difficult thing for me to learn to do was to be openly honest about emotions. Not only does it take an effort to admit to some of them, but you have to experience them as you write as well. If you don't, if you make a "best guess," or skirt an issue, your readers will know. So you have to feel the love, the fear, the anger -- all of it -- if your readers' emotions are going to be touched, too.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Silence. Or at least something that resembles silence. Music distracts me, as does conversation, and shiny objects :)

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

I would be super organized. That would make my life so much easier. On the other hand, flying would be great fun.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: cave, umbrella, and irresistible.

Exploring the cave held an irresistible appeal for me from the moment I saw the bats, although the actual act of venturing inside caused me to wish I'd equipped myself with an umbrella and worn hip boots.

Very nice sentence! Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

First, my family -- my husband and kids, my parents and sister and the whole lot of you. Then there are my writing friends, MK Windham, Lisa Stowe, Mary Buckham, Anne Christensen, Lisa Harris, the whole Sister in Crime Puget Sound Chapter, The Guppies Chapter of SinC, and last but never never least all the wonderful readers who have enjoyed my books and taken the time to tell me, their friends or both. Love you all!

And finally, where can people find you and your books online?

Death By A Dark Horse, Levels Of Deception and An Error In Judgment can be found in trade paperback on Amazon.com, and in digital format pretty much everywhere you can hope to find an ebook. Here's some popular sites;

Here's the link to Amazon for print and ebook: http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Schreyer/e/B004CLPMUG/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

And the link to Smashwords for ebook: http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=susan+schreyer

Barnes & Noble Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/susan-schreyer?keyword=susan+schreyer&store=ebook

Apple, Kobo and Sony have them as well.

Susan, thank you so much for stopping by and chatting with us. It was a pleasure getting to know more about you and your books.

Interview with Elizabeth Isaacs

2011-12-20T13:27:00.000+01:00

It's snowing where I live! What is it about the snow that makes the cold winter chill bearable? While we ponder that, let's cozy up with another spectacular writer. Please welcome Elizabeth Isaacs.

Hi, Elizabeth! Welcome to We Do Write. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am an elementary music teacher by day, writer by night. I have two teenagers and two crazy dogs, and I live in Kentucky.

How long have you been writing?

I know it’s cliché, but it seems I’ve been writing my entire life. I’ve just been too chicken to let anyone see my stories. It wasn’t until I started helping underprivileged students with their writing portfolios that I found the courage to share my work with the world.

Sounds awesome! Tell us about THE SECRET OF THE KEEPERS. What’s your story about?

The Secret of the Keepers is the second in the Kailmeyra series. The story starts right where the first book, The Light of Asteria, leaves off.

Life for Nora couldn't be better; she has married the man of her dreams and loves living in the pristine land of Kailmeyra.

That is, until the darkness threatens her perfect world.

Now war is upon the land. She and Gavin must strengthen their clan and prepare to fight. But the enemy has an ally—one that not only wields power, but holds knowledge of the ancients' secrets. Secrets that could destroy creation itself.

As the darkness grows, doubt seeps in ... protectiveness hinders progress ... and the unthinkable comes to pass.

Bewildered and alone, Nora shoulders the responsibility of leading an entire race to war. As she struggles with decisions that seem impossible to make, she is haunted by one choice.

"No one has ever doubted that you would die for those you love. The question then becomes ... would you live?"

Amazing! How did the idea of the story come to you?

I still haven’t figured that out. When it comes to plot, I make an outline of where the story should go, but I also allow the characters to have their say. The Secret of the Keepers was the strangest writing experience I’ve ever had. No one in my head wanted to follow the outline. Literally every character screamed at me at one point or another that we were headed down the wrong path. Toward the end of the book, the plot took a turn that I never imagined. I didn’t want to write it. I warred with my imagination, demanding that we should stick with the outline, but that inner voice insisted we go in a different direction. I finally gave up and allowed instinct to take over and couldn’t be happier.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Sharing the work when it’s done. Writing is intensely personal. It is my imagination written down for the world to see. It’s hard for me to be that vulnerable.

Any tips you’ve learned about writing you’d like to share?

I’ve learned that every word must be there for a reason, show-don’t-tell really does work, and passive sentences jerks readers out of stories faster than you can say “Bob’s your uncle”.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

A cold glass of iced tea, and absolute quiet.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

I’d love the ability to read others’ thoughts. I know it’s not the most glamorous, but it would save a lot of time and effort if I knew what people really wanted to say.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: important, belly dancer, and investigation.

Knowing how important she was to the investigation, Heath sighed and made his way through the horde of belly dancers.

Hehehe, what an image! Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

I’d love to thank my content editor, Corina Vaccarello, my line editor, Tracy Riva, cover designer Neil Noah, and my writer buddies, Hope Collier, Mindy Ruiz, Megan Curd, and Trisha Wolfe. Most importantly, though, I’d love to thank the many bloggers who spend tireless hours reading and reviewing, interviewing and hosting tours and giveaways. If the publishing industry has become the Wild West, then bloggers are the gold everyone’s rushing to find. I couldn’t begin to thank them for their unwavering support.

And finally, where can people find you and your books online?

My website is: http://elizabethisaacs.com
blog: http://www.thelightofasteria.blogspot.com
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elizabeth-Isaacs-author/107839445917029
twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/kailmeyra

Places to find the book:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0061DTRD6/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d1_g351_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=01Q1R6VKSW8ANJBSGCER&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secret-of-the-keepers-elizabeth-isaacs/1107420421?ean=2940032863144&itm=12&usri=the+secret+of+the+keepers

Smashwords:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/101181

Elizabeth, thank you so much for chatting with us today. Your books sound great, and I wish you tons of success!

Interview with Jenny Milchman

2011-12-19T16:25:00.000+01:00

Today we're talking with a fabulous writer who has a great story to tell about wanting to tell a story. Sound good? Then let's get right to it. Welcome Jenny Milchman to the blog!

Hi, Jenny! First of all, I'm dying to know. Tell us about your amazing journey to getting your first book contract.

As Dorothy hints at, my journey to publication was, um, not easy. When I began there was no Kindle. There was hardly any email—I snail mailed queries to agents. The publishing world changed while I was in the midst of trying to get published—we’re talking about a span of eleven years—thirteen if you count the two I spent learning to write (better).

Because I was lucky enough to have a strong agent in my corner pretty much from the beginning, there really wasn’t a gap in which I might’ve said, “Is this worth it? Do I want to keep going?” We kept getting interest in my work from editors, and so during those eleven years I was either revising a book, writing a new book, or looking for a new agent.

By the time I got my offer, I was working with my third (and hopefully forever) agent, who was submitting my eighth novel, to the sixteenth editor who wanted to make an offer. (Fifteen editors before had been turned down by their boards). And it still wouldn’t have happened without the help of one angel author, who read my unpublished novel, was kind enough to say she loved it—and put it in the hands of her very own editor, who bought the book in a heated flurry (can flurries be heated?) that still brings tears to my eyes when I think of it. Which is often.

Anyway—I know those are high numbers. Clearly it doesn’t take every (or even most) writers that long to break in. But at the same time, the message I want to give is that if it is taking you a long time, that doesn’t mean you won’t make it. Traditional publishing is not for everyone, but if it’s your dream, hang in there. Dreams can come true—even after a very long time.

A worthwhile fight to your goal, I'd say. Wow! Tell us about COVER OF SNOW and OUT OF NOWHERE. What are the stories about?

COVER OF SNOW is my debut novel. It will be out in early 2013. It’s about a woman who wakes to find her police detective husband missing from their bed. The book takes place in a fictional Adirondack town in the middle of winter. OUT OF NOWHERE—which I hope will come out either second or third—is in some ways the polar opposite. It’s about a family that goes on a much needed vacation, and runs into a mad man from the husband’s past. This book takes place in northern California in summer. But both are literary thrillers, and I think they’re joined by things like the pacing and the emphasis on relationships in the stories. In COVER OF SNOW, Nora has to race to find out who her husband really is. In OUT OF NOWHERE, Emily has to race to make it back to her child.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Revising. Hands down, no question. When I am writing a first draft, I live in a stunned kind of bliss. Every aspect of my day is filtered through the joy of the writing. I am sometimes mile-less miles away—miles that can’t be measured physically—from where I really am, alive in the world of my book. It’s like in Stephen King and Peter Straub’s THE TALISMAN, where you flip from one world into another.

I don’t breathe a word about what I’m writing to anyone before the book is finished. It’s hard even to give a pitch sentence or two to my editor and agent. My husband—who knows everything about me and is my first critiquer—doesn’t even know what I’m working on. I don’t like for people to know so much as the title. When I get to ‘the end’ I do as good a rewrite on my own as I can…and then I hand the manuscript around.

And lo, if anyone has any constructive comments to make (and of course, everyone has constructive comments to make—how could they not), beware. Oh, I am bad. A brat. I stomp around. I complain. I say I can’t possibly fix it. I whine. My kids would be shocked that anyone can act that badly—and kids aren’t easily shocked by bad behavior.

Finally, I do mellow out, apologize, and express intense gratitude for the incredibly cogent, helpful points I’ve gotten. In my new editor’s case, her latest suggestions were positively brilliant. But that initial shock after being partnered alone with my story for so long is definitely the hardest part of writing for me.

Any tips you’ve learned about writing you’d like to share?

Hmmmm…that’s a good one. The process is so different for everyone. Some people begin a book without planning a word or scene in advance, others know what’s going to happen on every single page before the book even starts. I guess my first tip would be about tips—don’t necessarily take them. I think tips should be assessed by the writer individually: Will this other writer’s approach work for me, or do I have to tap into something that will work better?

But I do have one tip, which I think is pretty universally good to follow. It comes from a talk I saw given by screenwriter Richard Walters who said the #1 mistake he sees writers making is submitting their work too soon. I know I was guilty of this myself. The first novel I queried with was 180,000 words—unpublishable. And so this is one of the first things I work on with students—that we all have a tendency to think our work is ready before it is. I think this is because we are so close to it. It’s very hard to imagine the range of responses people might have who weren’t involved in the creation.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

I need things to be neat and uncluttered. I’m afraid I’m a little freakish that way. The converted closet in which I write novels (as opposed to doing work on the net, blogging, email) has a few special items in it. They come from a range of people in my life, but I don’t have one thing from every special person yet. That’s a collection I hope to build. So far there’s a photograph of my parents taken on a boat, a decoupage bottle my daughter made, a set of tiny hand-painted stacking dolls from my brother, a collage my sister made, a bowl from my husband’s stepmother, and tiny pot that could go in a dollhouse (I love miniatures).

What a collection! If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Oooh, another good one! My daughter says she’d like to fly. I agree that would be cool. But I think I’m OK with the senses and powers we’re given. It’s hard enough to learn to use them in the best possible way, to do the most good, and try and give to others, not as a superhero, but just as a human being.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: lightning, magnifying glass, and teddy bear.

The flash of lightning illuminated things for a moment, convincing Audrey that the tiny clue was hidden in her teddy bear’s fur, although she didn’t have a magnifying glass to prove it.

Cool! Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

Well, my husband definitely gets one. He not only has to find all the ways to make those first drafts better—but as I described above, he doesn’t always get appreciated for it, at least not at first. My husband has done almost everything but write the novels—he got me my first book on learning to write, he encouraged me to join writers groups, he made me hang in there when things were dark. My kids deserve credit too, for giving me the time and mental space in which to write, even when they were teeny tiny. There’s also my brilliant editor, dedicated agent, and that angel author, without whom none of this would be my happening. Plus many other authors who supported and tried to lift me up during the last of those eleven years. And last, but far from least, are all the writing and reading friends I’ve met at conferences, in classes, on the web, on listservs and forums and FB and Twitter and blogs and Amazon and Kindle boards and GoodReads, who have become a second sort of family to me.

And finally, where can people find you online?

My blog welcomes writers and readers as guests: http://suspenseyourdisbelief.com

We’re in the process of updating my website: http://jennymilchman.com

Please drop by http://takeyourchildtoabookstore.org and learn how you can get involved in Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day 2012

I’m also on Facebook and Twitter—please come find me and I will find you back!

It was great talking with you, Jenny. I look forward to reading your books, and I wish you tons of success. I'd say you deserve it!

Jenny Milchman is a suspense writer from New Jersey. Her short story ‘The Very Old Man’ has been an Amazon bestseller, and another short piece will appear in the anthology ADIRONDACK MYSTERIES II in fall 2012. Jenny is the Chair of International Thriller Writers' Debut Authors Program. She is also the founder of Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day, and the Made It Moments forum on her blog. Jenny teaches writing and publishing for New York Writers Workshop and has designed curricula to teach writing to children. Her debut novel, COVER OF SNOW, will be published by Ballantine in early 2013.

Interview with Natasha Salnikova

2011-12-16T19:44:00.000+01:00

Happy Friday, Blogosprites! Hope you've all survived the week. What do you say we meet another fabulous author? Is that a yes? Okay, then say hello to Natasha Salnikova.

Hello, Natasha! Tell us a bit about yourself.

Well, I'm Russian. I was born in Kazakhstan and later moved to Moscow. I came to America ten years ago. In Russia I was a TV host, a TV writer for one of the biggest networks, and a novelist, among of other things. Now I write books and also articles for a Russian newspaper based in Miami. I've acted in a couple of TV commercials here and even independent movies. I live in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, Florida with my husband, twin daughters and a dog.

Cool, what an amazing life! How long have you been writing?

I'd say for about 20 years now. Wow, that's a lot. Professionally for about 15. But that would include TV scripts and articles for a local newspaper. I started with scripts for prime-time TV series and grew into novels. Fiction gives so much more freedom for creativity, unlike scripts.

Tell us about your books. What are they about?

Most of my books are thrillers. And their subgenres are psychological, supernatural. I enjoy developing interesting characters just as much as plot, and all of my novels have some level of psychological tone to them. Some people call my recent novel, The Voice of Waterfalls, a horror. If it is, it wasn't intentional. I think horror and comedies are very difficult to write. It's very difficult to scare people or make them laugh. All my books are written in Russian and I translate them. So far two of them are out and I'm almost finished with the third one.

How did the story ideas come to you?

Ideas always come unexpectedly. Quiet River is actually based on a real story. Part of it. The Voice of Waterfalls was "born" in the car. I was driving, there was a car in front of me with one of the back lights flashing the whole way. And I thought, what if there is somebody in the trunk? What if the driver is helping that person, not kidnapping her? What if he's not what she thinks? The novel was supposed to be about werewolves but I'm glad I changed that idea. For one of my novels, the idea came from a dream. That kind of stuff also happens. The writer's head is always on the idea hunt.

So true! Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I have a group of Russian beta readers but not of English speakers yet. I do not self edit. English is my second language and my grammar is terrible. Nanci Nelson Rogers, a wonderful editor, helped with my second novel and she reedited the first.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Legal parts. I try to avoid involving police but sometimes it's not possible. Also the end of the story. No one wants to disappoint readers at the end. Nothing else is hard, really.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

A cup of black tea and chocolate. That's it. I'm simple. I need my caffeine and sugar.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Healing, absolutely. There are days when I think about it. I hate when somebody close to me is sick and I can't do anything to help. Being invisible would be fun!

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: paper cup, parrot, and opera house.

The opera house was dark, so no one saw a dead parrot by an empty paper cup.

LOL, interesting. Okay, here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

There too many so I just mention the closest. My mom, of course. She's my first reader and my best friend. My husband. I came here ten years ago because of him. My kids. They are the best. My friends for believing in me. Especially Katia and Ulia. And Nanci, my editor, for doing a tremendous job with my novels.

And finally, where can people find you and your books online?

I have two books for sale now.

Quiet River (psychological thriller)
On Amazon
At Barns and Noble

The Voice of Waterfalls (supernatural thriller)
On Amazon
At Barns and Noble

They also can visit my Facebook page for latest news.
http://www.facebook.com/Natasha.A.Salnikova

Natasha, thank you so much for chatting with us. I wish you lots of success with your books! Do svidaniya!

Interview with Lisette Brodey

2011-12-12T15:27:00.000+01:00

What? Middle of December already? How did that happen? While we ponder the mysteries of time flying, let's indulge in an interview with a wonderfully talented writer. Say hello to Lisette Brodey.

Welcome to We Do Write, Lisette. Tell us a bit about yourself.

First, thanks so much for having me as your guest today, Dorothy. I’m originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. After high school, I moved to New York City and lived there for ten years. A whole lot has happened since those days, but I now reside in the Los Angeles area. During my career, I have worked primarily in the entertainment industry but also for many years as a resume specialist and freelance writer.

How long have you been writing?

I don’t remember not writing. From the moment I learned how to write, I was writing poems, songs, and stories.

Tell us about MOLLY HACKER IS TOO PICKY! What's the story about?

Molly is a thirty-two-year-old reporter from the old-money town of Swansea, a fictional bedroom community of New York City. After years of dating and a broken engagement (and matching broken heart), Molly sets out to find true love. But she is proudly picky, and despite her determination to get married, settling is not on the agenda. She vows never to attend another wedding until she is a bride, but that’s tricky because her younger sister, Hannah, is engaged to be married in a year.

In no time at all, Molly has four suitors and the memory of her lost love to send her befuddled, overanalytical mind into serious exhaustion. As if that weren’t enough, the town’s most visible socialite (and Molly’s nemesis), Naomi Hall-Benchley, is determined to interfere in Molly’s life in the most nefarious of ways. Molly Hacker Is Too Picky! takes the reader on a yearlong romp through Molly’s mind and a joyride through her life. Molly’s dating life, town secrets, a group of quirky, crazy characters, and Naomi’s machinations collide head-on at a holiday gala that will change the social landscape of Swansea forever. As the New Year rolls in, Molly gets earth-shattering news. Can she go on? Will life ever return to abnormal again?

Sounds like a great read! How did the idea of the story come to you?

I wanted to write a book in the women’s fiction genre and it was important to me to create a heroine with whom people could identify. While marriage-minded Molly meets several suitors, each with potential, the men are very different from one another. I wanted to write not only about the life choices that we make, but also about how confusing it can all get. It was also important for me to touch upon the friendships that women have, and how sometimes the most well-meaning friends (and not-so-well-meaning associates) can interfere in a burgeoning or established romance. But above all, I wanted to write a book with lots of humor and warmth. Written in the first person, the book lets Molly speak to her readers as if they are close friends.

I understand you've written two other books. What are they about?

Squalor, New Mexico, which has nothing to do with the state of New Mexico, is a coming-of-age story set in the northeast United States during the 1970s. The heroine, Darla McKendrick, first hears her mom and her aunt talking about their sister, Rebecca, an aunt she has never met, when she is nine. Darla’s curiosity about Rebecca never wanes, and as the years pass, the family mystery takes center stage in Darla’s life. The plot takes twists and turns, and secrets are revealed not only to Darla but to the “secret keepers” as well. Darla learns that families are only as strong as the truths they hold and as weak as the secrets they keep.

Crooked Moon is the story of two childhood best friends, Frankie and Callie, who reunite after twenty-three years, having lived drastically different lives. After so much time apart, their lives come crashing back together one hot, unsettled summer. Tensions and passions explode in the sweltering heat, and amid pain and tragedy, each woman ends not only up with a life-altering secret regarding the other, but the burning question of what to do with it.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

Great question. While I am writing, I am on a very solitary journey. I don’t want input from anyone before my novels are finished. As I write, I edit each chapter over and over so that it is as “clean” as it can be before I move on. The goal is not to end up with a sloppy first draft that has to be seriously rewritten. Once I am finished, I will then edit it several times myself, each time looking for different things. For example, I will do one edit simply to get rid of unnecessary words, phrases, paragraphs, etc.

After the book is in the best shape possible, I give it to a professional editor. After she returns it to me and I have incorporated her notes and corrections, I then give it to beta readers.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Another great question. The hardest part about writing, for me, is figuring out what scene I want to write next. It is always important for me that every scene advance either the plot or the character. When something isn’t working, I always ask myself, What am I trying to do here? If I can’t answer my own question, I scratch what I’ve written and start over again. I’m always at peace when I know exactly what I want to do. Then I happily write.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Aside from my computer, right? :) First, a bottle of water is always at my side. Around five or six every night, I have a snack of peanuts to energize me. Additionally, I always have notebooks around me that I’ve filled with all kinds of ideas. Sometimes, I’ll just pick one up and glance through it to see if I’ve written anything to inspire myself. :)

Sounds practical to me. If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Just one? Well, it would probably be to beam myself to different places. There are so many people that I care about who are scattered all over the world, and to suddenly have no tangible distance between me and my loved ones would be incredible.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: hula hoop, boa constrictor, and mandatory.

The CEO and president of the company issued a nationwide alert to let all employees know that it is mandatory to wear protective gear when substituting a boa constrictor for a hula hoop during recreational breaks.

Hehehe, awesome. Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

Oh, my goodness. There are SO many people, and I don’t want to neglect anyone. So, I’ll give you the VERY short list, but there are so many more I would love to include. In random order: Charles Roth, Laura Daly, Talatha Allen, Lisa McCallum, Stuart Ross McCallum, Leigh Ann Wilson, Marta Moran-Bishop, Sheri A. Wilkinson, Megan Hansen, Christy Leigh Stewart, Debbie Banks, Janet Lee, LK Gardner-Griffie, and Laura Schultz.

And finally, where can people find you and your books online?

Crooked Moon is available in both paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon:

http://amzn.to/uJKRlz

Squalor, New Mexico is available in both paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon.

http://amzn.to/uHoXUj

Molly Hacker Is Too Picky! is available as a Kindle edition on Amazon. (Paperback edition is forthcoming.)

http://amzn.to/w2nqw4

In addition to Amazon, all of my novels are available on Kobo.com, Apple, BN.com, and many more.

Updates about all of my novels can be found on my Facebook author page: www.facebook.com/BrodeyAuthor.

Thanks so much for chatting with us, Lisette. I wish you lots of success with all your books.

Thanks for a great interview, Dorothy!

Interview with Linda Barton

2011-12-08T12:08:00.000+01:00

Today we're chatting with writer Linda Barton. Linda was born in Dortmund, Germany in 1959 and was adopted by Howard and LaVone Broyles while they were stationed in Spain with the Air Force. As a child she had always loved writing and often dreamed of being an author, but never truly acted upon that dream until later in her life. She has worn many hats over the years from data entry operator, hair stylist to over the road truck driver, but the burning desire to be an author was always there.

Welcome to We Do Write, Linda. How long have you been writing?

I've written some over the years, but not seriously until lately. Next Move, You're Dead is the first novel I've completed and published. I never thought I would be a published Author, but with the partnership of my husband Bob who is the creative half of The Barton Writing Team, I see many exciting years and novels ahead for us. You see, Bob is the one who comes up with the ideas for our books. Next we brainstorm until we have a storyline, then I create the characters and write the story. It really is the best way to write for me, as I'm free to lose myself in a story without worrying what my next project will be. Bob is always coming up with exciting ideas for new books, so I will never be without something new to write. If any writers out there need an idea for a book, just ask Bob. LOL

Tell us about NEXT MOVE, YOU'RE DEAD and PURE JUSTICE. What are the stories about?

Next Move, You're Dead is the story of a Philadelphia Homicide Detective in a battle of death with a strange caller who causes him to question everything he's ever believed about his training and himself.

Pure Justice is the story of a Marine who on his return from Vietnam with his two best friends to find his whole life turned upside down when his friends are horribly murdered and those who committed the heinous crime escape justice because of a corrupt legal system. He then decides to assure his friends receive justice for their deaths and this act starts him on a new mission ... to assure the innocent finally know justice for the crimes committed against them.

What are you working on now?

I'm working on the second installment of the Next Move, You're Dead Trilogy and having a great time doing it.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I have a great editor, Nanci Rogers who goes through my books and makes sure they're clean and ready for the readers. I also have wonderful family and friends who help with proof reading.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Getting the time to do it. My schedule has been rather crazy the last few of months, but hopefully things have calmed down and I can get back into writing regularly.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Ear plugs. When I write I go into the world of my characters, so I need to shut the outside world completely out. Besides, I need total silence so I can hear the voices of the characters as tell me their story. LOL

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

The power to control time.

What's the last thing you Googled?

Barnes & Noble

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: enemy, gift certificate, and testimony.

It was a wondrous gift to watch the fear in the eyes of my enemy when the testimony in his murder trial created a vision of his own death certificate to form in his mind.

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

I want to thank my husband and children for their love and support during this adventure in writing. They put up will all the times when I thought I was going crazy and the tantrums when the numerous formatting problems almost made me give up. I also want to thank the wonderful readers who took the chance on a new writer. It means so much to hear of how they enjoyed reading the stories that I grew to love while writing them. I love hearing from them and getting to know each of them on a personal level. Their kind words in reviews or messages make the long, crazy hours spent completing a book all worth while. Lastly, I want to thank my fellow Indie Authors. Their wisdom and knowledge is a treasure that I'm thankful for everyday. Whenever I get stuck on a problem, I know I can turn to them for solutions and support.

And finally, where can people find you online?

My website - http://lindabartonbooks.com/ FB Page - http://www.facebook.com/LindaBartonBooks?created

Thank you so much for talking with us, Linda. It was great getting to know more about you and your books.

Dorothy, I want to thank you for this opportunity to be a guest on your blog and introduce myself to your readers.

Interview with Joshua Hartzell

2011-12-05T12:23:00.000+01:00

Happy Monday, everyone. Let's kick the week off with another interview, shall we? Today we're talking with author Joshua Hartzell.

Welcome, Joshua! Tell us a bit about yourself.

Talking about myself has always been my weakest point, and probably what holds me back the most as an author and a business man. I'm an Army Veteran, former Corrections Officer, and now I own and operation a Private Investigation and Protection Agency in Indiana. I'm also a motorcycle enthusiast, and spend most of my summers riding as much as possible. That in itself is important, if for no other reason, it is what lead up to my writing my first book.

How long have you been writing?

I've been writing since the summer of 2009. I started my first book with a friend of mine, Brian Kennedy, after we finished a ride that took us several days. It ended up being kind of a fun travel book for our home state of Indiana called "There and Back Adventures Through Indiana". It is poorly edited I'm afraid, but we were just a couple of friends having a good time, and did not realize that in self publishing we would not have it edited for us. Still, most people that read it seem to enjoy it.

Let's talk about your current book. What's it called and what is it about?

My latest published novel is called "The Bondsmen Midnight Murder". It is the second book in what I am turning into "The Bondsmen" series. In this one, the heroes, which are two bounty hunters, have to catch a deadly serial killer. Not only is this killer dangerous and deadly, but he believes himself to be a vampire, which leads to grizzly forms of murder. The bounty hunters, Jack and Ryan, race to stop this killer, and manage to save a would be victim or two along the way.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

With this last book, I had a couple of family members help with the editing, as well as using the editor provided by the publisher that this novel originally came out with.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

For me the hardest part of writing is definitely the editing. I enjoy the writing so much, but having to edit often makes me bored with what I am doing and causes me to take longer breaks between chapters.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

I keep a picture above my computer that I do my writing on of the first summer that my friend Brian and I took our first road trip. His wife took the picture at the first stop that we made of us standing next to our motorcycles. Riding is the most relaxing thing that I have in my life, and that picture is also a reminder of when and why I began writing.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

There are so many cool super powers to pick from, but if I could just pick one I would have to go with mind reading. It would make my job as an investigator so much easier.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: spider web, cantankerous, and windpipe.

There was a cantankerous sore right around his windpipe that seemed to resemble a spider web.

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

I would have to start by thanking my friend Brian, since he was the one that helped me start as a writer. Then my parents would have to be next. They have been unbelievably supportive of what I'm doing. Most importantly I want to thank everyone that reads and enjoys my books. Without readers there would be little point to publishing.

And finally, where can people find you and your books online?

All of my books can be found on amazon.com. Most online stores have at least a couple of my books. I also provide links to purchase my books on my business website www.amendinvestigations.com which goes directly to the publisher's store. I am easy to find on facebook and twitter, and am always happy to add new friends, chat, and answer any questions that you might have.

Thanks so much for chatting with us, Joshua. It was great getting to know you. Good luck with your books!

Interview with Susan Helene Gottfried

2011-12-01T07:12:00.000+01:00

Ever hear of the Trevolution? Today we're chatting with multiple-book author Susan Helene Gottfried to find out all about it. Let's dive right into the interview, shall we?

Welcome to We Do Write, Susan. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm really quite boring. I write books. I take on select freelance editing clients. I'm a Boy Scout and a foster parent for a local no-kill animal shelter. I like to ride my bike, and I love to champion books. That's really about it.

How long have you been writing?

All my life. Seriously. I didn't even start to talk until I was able to form full sentences and paragraphs.

You've got a lot of books out there. What are you working on now?

I'm working on a bunch of things, actually. King Trevor is slated for an April 12, 2012 release. It'll be the follow-up to Trevor's Song. Then I'm planning on releasing Demo Tapes (Year 4) before moving on to a new set of characters. This doesn't mean Trevor's days are done. It just means I need to work with someone new for a bit.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I now use a professional editor, but otherwise use whoever I can hoodwink into helping me get to that stage where it's ready for the editor. Nothing formal, although I hope that'll change one day.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

These days, it's making the time. Now that I'm an adult, with a house to manage and a family and all that, there are a lot more pulls on my time. Plus, taking on freelance work and the ever-present need to market myself... there's only so much time in a day. I do my best, though.

Any tips you’ve learned about writing you’d like to share?

Use an editor! Even if it's not me. A fresh set of eyes is always vital to your mission -- which ought to be putting out the best book you possibly can.

Who are your inspirations?

Ooh, lots of them. I had a couple of college professors -- Reginald McKnight, Chuck Kinder, Phil O'Connor and Richard Messer -- who really inspired me to follow this writerly path. I'm inspired daily by the music I listen to, and to be honest, the things around me. It's not uncommon for me to pick up something and think, "Now, how would my character react to this?" A lot of the stories now in the Demo Tapes anthologies came from exactly that prompt system.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

My radio, although that's not quite right. I have to have music on, and I usually fulfill that need by listening to Sirius-XM radio while I work. In the evenings, I'll flip on a hockey game and write or edit to that. Hockey games have great rhythm to write and edit to.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Patience.

Oh, wait. That's something I'm supposed to have in real life.

Hmm. Then, I don't really know. I don't want x-ray vision 'cause I know what I look like under my clothes and to be able to see a whole world of that? No, thanks.

Spiderman crawls up and down buildings, but what's the point when I'm usually at home in my office, writing? And wouldn't those web spinner things get in the way of my typing speed?

Yeah, I'm not sure. I think I would like more patience.

Sounds good, lol. Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: catastrophe, apostrophe, and fee.

The catastrophe of your apostrophe use can be easily fixed by me -- for a small fee.

How's that? Sorta boring and self-promotional toward my editing work. Definitely not reflective of the rock and roll fiction I'm known for, but ... you can't have it all. And I'm not sure most of my rockers know what an apostrophe is, anyway...

LOL, in any case, it was great. Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

Oh, the people behind the West of Mars scenes know who they are. They hear about it. They hear from me (for both the better and the worse!). If I started listing them here, we'd be here for the next nine years.

Let's just say I'm blessed to have a great support system. And that system now includes you, Dorothy!

Aw, thanks so much! And finally, where can people find you and your books online?

I'm at West of Mars. If you're too lazy to use the link -- http://westofmars.com -- then Google it and watch what happens. The Meet and Greet is the fancy name for my blog, and here's the link to the books page: http://westofmars.com/west-of-mars/the-books. You can also link over to my short story page from the books page.

I'm on Twitter as @WestofMars. My Facebook fan page -- which I use way more than I use my personal page -- is http://facebook.com/WestofMarsFans.

Are you seeing a theme? It's all West of Mars, baby.

But you can also pick up the books at any and all of the usual outlets: Amazon, B&N, Smashwords. Even Powells, Kobo, Chapters, the Apple Bookstore... I'm trying to make it as easy as possible for you to pick up my books. The royalties are nice. The fans are even nicer.

Thanks so much for letting us get to know you and your books, Susan. It's been fun, and I wish you tons of success!

Thanks for having me today, Dorothy! Really, I do hope you'll become a more permanent part of the West of Mars family!

Guest Post by Claudette Walker and Matrix Filia

2011-11-30T18:30:00.001+01:00

Through The Authors' Eyes

“The Casey Anthony Murder Trial”

by Claudette Walker and Matrix Filia

The bond of mother and daughter is so strong that when it breaks, it makes a sound as loud as thunder. How can a person not report their child missing? How can a woman go on with her life as if nothing happened? How does a child die when she is not at risk from war, gun violence, drugs, illness, or any kind of physical abuse? How, you ask? We could not understand it, either. When we heard of this case, it was as though knives stuck through our hearts. The circumstances surrounding the death of Caylee seemed fishy at best. One moment she is alive and the next dead, while her mother parties all around Orlando, Florida. To the authors, this was more than shocking – it was unimaginable. We share a bond as old as time, and the thought of this horrific act seemed like something out of a bad movie script. However, it was real – too real. From day one of the trial, the circus began. We were shocked at the lack of ethics from both sides. Lawyers on each side tried to make names for themselves at any cost. We watched with disbelief at the first-ever televised jury selection. Did they really think people would not recognize their neighbor or relative by their voice and their answers? It seemed as if the jury was on trial, and to be honest, we both believe this part of the trial should not have been televised. The opening statements were a bad attempt at justice, at best.

We set out to find answers, not only as mother and daughter, but also as human beings. Why did Caylee have to die? Why was she dumped like garbage in a snake-filled swamp? Why was there duct tape across her mouth? Why did her mother not care? We had so many questions and so few answers. We could never imagine our lives without one another and the thought of one of us in danger without the other leaping to her aid is incomprehensible. While watching this trial, we both felt the American judicial system would work; that the process would sort through the garbage. We put the American justice system on trial in our book. How would it and the world respond to a white, young, pretty woman who is accused of killing her sweet, innocent daughter? Like most people out there, we did not know how to respond to any of it. We wrote this book about the trial, in an attempt to understand.

To our knowledge, this is the first time that evidence such as Facebook, e-mails, text messaging, and high tech computer forensics has been used in such a high profile case. We called this trial the technological circus of the century. With law enforcement’s ability to ping cell phone locations and introduce evidence of the defendant’s and witnesses’ minute-by-minute thoughts and actions, the jury in this trial became overwhelmed with mountains of technological evidence. Likewise, the use of forensics was amazing in this trial. There was evidence of everything – even what movie had been checked out by the mother and her boyfriend. However, some of the critical evidence was left to a battle of conflicting evidence from experts. Could any witness determine the cause of the smell in the trunk? We could, but not all of the experts were so sure. We watched the spectacle of horrors as each side claimed to know what really happened.

We agree the lawyers’ jobs were tough, but at times we felt the real reason for being there had been lost. That reason was Caylee. It turned our stomachs to see the mother was mostly devoid of emotion, except when prompted by cameras in the courtroom and glances from the jury. Could there have been more evidence? Our “house lawyer” says yes, there can always be more. We did not want this child’s story – that of not only her life but also her death – to be ignored, to be lessened in any way. The trial brought us a new perspective on how the American legal system handles itself and how we as humans just cannot grasp every situation. A jury acquitted the mother, but did not find her innocent. There is a difference. We do not agree with the verdict but we respect it. We must question the system and the process that resulted in the verdict. We will follow the law and try to wrap our brains around what happened. We hope, through reading our comprehensive book about the trial, people can glimpse what happened in the courtroom and judge for themselves. We hope our book will inspire necessary changes in the legal system. This experience has strengthened in us a sense of togetherness that we felt could not get any stronger. It does not really matter how the trial ended – no verdict could undo the ultimate, awful reality. A little girl went missing, her disappearance went unreported, and she died. No one can bring Caylee back. For all of us, the wind whispers the names of Caylee and those of the many children who have needlessly died.

The Casey Anthony Murder Trial is available in bound book & ebook online at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Casey-Anthony-Murder-Trial/dp/0971629277/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322676310&sr=8-1

Read more at http://www.abacusbooks.blogspot.com/ Ingram Distributors for bookstore distribution.

Getting to Know Shelli Johannes

2011-11-28T12:16:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow is the release date of Shelli Johannes's debut novel UNTRACEABLE. I'm very excited for Shelli. She's a fabulous author and a great person to know. So let's get to know her and her book better!

Welcome, Shelli! And congratulations on your book launch. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I have am MBA in marketing and worked in corporate America for over 15 years doing marketing, communication, and training. I walked off the job in 2006 and have been doing freelance marketing ever since. I own my own marketing company and have worked with Spanx and Goody Hair. I have a hubby from England, 2 kids and a Goldendoodle.

How long have you been writing?

I started right after I had my daughter in 2004. I always say she sat on something. I think since I had 4 months off maternity leave – I started writing while she was napping and couldn’t stop. I hadn’t written much before that. But when I was little I used to write all the time.

Let's hear about UNTRACEABLE. What’s the story about?

It is a wilderness thriller (contemporary) with a missing forest ranger father, a mystery, a kick butt heroine, and 2 really hot boys.

Perfect combination! How did the idea of the story come to you?

I loved and read James Patterson when I was a teen. Since then I have always wanted to do a James Patterson for teens. A contemporary thriller in the midst of paranormal and dystopic books. It started out as a story about terrorism in our homeland (shakes head and blushes from total embarrassment). I read a story about a terrorism cell hiding in the wilderness. It has obviously evolved since then b/c it is no longer about terrorism – AT ALL! Thank goodness.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Well, first it is staying focused. I’m a stay at home mom but I do freelance on the side plus have 2 kids so getting a block of time.

But from a writing perspective – I’m good at plotting but voice comes hard for me. It takes me a while to flush out the voice and heart of a story.

Any tips you’ve learned about writing you’d like to share?

Learn the craft. Keep writing. Be persistent. And write the story in your heart. I’ve tried to follow the market before and it was a disaster.

So true; the market is constantly changing. Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Sweet tea or coffee – see a pattern?

Source:
Super Librarian
NJlibraries.org

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

To write a bestseller in a day!

That sounds like an awesome super power to me! Quick writing test -- Use the following words in a sentence: rubber band, trapeze, and clergy.

The clergy pulled the man off of his trapeze and pushed the man to his knees. One man stepped forward and popped him in the head with a rubber band. “Tell us where the bearded lady is and we will let you live.”

Man, I am sick.

That was a great image though, lol. Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

Oh gosh. Awwwwkwaaaard. This could take a while so I’ll shorten it (though my acknowledgments are 2 pages in my book. I am so grateful to all the bloggers, and indie authors, and my writing buddies for supporting me over the years. I’m so thankful to my hubby for believing in me when I was down and out – he never gave up on me.

But especially to Kimberly Derting http://kimberlyderting.com/
for loving this book enough to offer a blurb because she knew I would never ask. But most of all – she still insisted I use it even after I decided to indie publish. Kim stood by me when others didn’t and believed in my writing and Grace.

And finally, where can people find you and your book online?

It is on Amazon, B&N and Smashwords for other ebook formats. You can get it in ebook or paperback.

Shelli, thanks so much for letting us get to know you and your book. I wish you a wonderful book launch and lots of success with all your writing endeavors!

Interview with Mariam Kobras

2011-11-24T08:40:00.000+01:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you're all surrounded by family and food and fun today. Speaking of fun, let's whet our appetite with an interview with a tasty writer. Say hello to Mariam Kobras.

Mariam was born in Frankfurt, Germany (where I live now, how cool!). She lived in Brazil and Saudi Arabia as a child before her parents decided to settle in Germany. She went to school there, studying American Literature and Psychology. Now she lives in Hamburg with her husband, two sons, and cats.

Welcome, Mariam. How long have you been writing?

As a teenager, I dabbled in writing, like most teenagers do, I believe. At university, studying American Literature and Creative Writing, I wrote quite a lot, but mostly assignments, nothing like a novel. The “serious” writing started a couple of years ago, when I began with “The Distant Shore”. Took me about a year to write it. Right now, I’m working on the sequel. It’s nearly finished.

Tell us about THE DISTANT SHORE. What's the story about?

“The Distant Shore” is the story of Jon Stone, famous rock star and composer of great songs, and his love for Naomi. He met her when they were quite young and she sent him some lyrics she wanted him to use in his songs, and they lived together for a while, but then his Hollywood life drives her away. Many years later he receives a letter from a teenage son, and he travels to Norway where Naomi lives now, to find her and, well, win her back. Everything is just fine for a while, they fall in love all over again, even get married, she agrees to return to LA with him, they work together again... but, well, disaster is waiting to strike.

You’ll have to read the book to find out more. It’s quite dramatic. I’ll tell you this much: a very beautiful dress will get badly ruined at the Academy Awards Night.

Yikes! How did the idea of the story come to you?

Actually, in the writing. There is one scene in the book, quite early in the story too, where my protagonists, Jon and Naomi, meet again after many years. This takes place in the lobby of Naomi’s hotel in a small Norwegian village, and seeing Jon there, she drops a tray with plates. It’s quite dramatic, and I wanted to write this very badly. Of course I needed an opening to lead up to this situation, so I made up the story of a letter reaching Jon in California, informing him of an unknown teenage son. This makes him travel to Norway, and...that crashed the plates.
After that, I just kept writing. And the book happened.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I had a few beta-readers, friends I met on twitter, but no group or partner. Well, on second thoughts I DO have a partner, my lovely publisher and editor, MaryChris Bradley. She made a book out of a beginner’s wild, rambling writing.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

I’ve been thinking about this one since I got this mail.
The hardest part about writing is not being able to type as fast as I think. Writing is very easy. It’s pouring brain images into the keyboard, a nearly unconscious thing. I don’t think when I write.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Coffee, my headphones, my MacBook. I can write anywhere, and at nearly any time. To be honest, I DO write nearly all the time.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Super power? I don’t know. I don’t think I want any super power. If I could ask for anything it would health and the energy to go on writing for a long while yet.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: medication, college, and ballet.

The best medication, she had found, was an evening at the ballet after a long day at college, and evening filled with music and the grace and beauty of the dancers who seemed to float through life and never had to fight the printer in the library.

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

My husband and my sons supported my writing well before there even was a thought of getting published, in fact they pushed me when I was ready to quit. My friends on twitter, who read my novel (and who are reading the new one as I write it) and clamored for more, carried me through the writing and all the way to the last sentence of “The Distant Shore”.

Most of all I want to thank my publisher though. She had the patience and faith to let me grow from an “aspiring writer” into an author, and held my nervous paw through the publishing process. I am very lucky.

And finally, where can people find you online?

You can find me all over the place!

https://twitter.com/#!/Mariam_Kobras

https://www.facebook.com/MariamKobrasAuthor

https://www.facebook.com/mariam.kobras

http://www.buddhapussink.com/index.html

http://mariamkobras.blogspot.com/

Mariam, thanks so much for chatting with us. I wish you much success with your books!

Kate Walton's Book Trailer Contest

2011-11-21T13:13:00.001+01:00

Author Kate Walton, whose debut novel is releasing January 3, 2012, by Simon Pulse (Simon & Shuster), is holding a live action book trailer contest.

Prizes include the opportunity for budding filmmakers to get their one minute trailer critiqued by ten top industry professionals (an Oscar nominated producer team, writers for the MTV Movie Awards, the director of Entertainment Tonight, an award winning independent filmmaker, two accomplished television producers, a film agent, and the director of the movie THE MIGHTY MACS). There is also a top cash prize of $500.

Doesn't that sound awesome?

So all you film-makers out there, get crackin'. The contest has already launched and the deadline for submitting your one-minute trailer is January 17, 2012. There's even a Filmmaker's Kit available on Kate's website with the contest announcement. For more details, read Kate's post.

Interview with Andy Hollowman

2011-11-17T17:27:00.000+01:00

The week's almost over, blogosprites! I don't know about you, but it's been a long one for me. So how about another interview? Today we're talking with writer Andy Hollowman. Let's get to know him.

Welcome to We Do Write, Andy. Tell us a bit about yourself.

Gladly. I'm a pretty typical, 40-something guy. Live in the Raleigh, NC area with my wife of 20 years and three wonderful kids (well, they're wonderful *most* of the time). I enjoy the outdoors in NC, (beaches, mountains), camping, running, and being involved in my kids lives. My day job is in real estate financing and I also do some real estate buying on the side. Went to university at UNC-Chapel Hill and did a fair amount of writing then and after college (nothing published).

How long have you been writing?

I've been seriously writing since about 2002, when the idea for my first novel "Shades of Gray" got stuck inside my brain and I found that the only way I could get it out was to write it down.

Tell us about SHADES OF GRAY. What’s the story about?

My novel is a thriller that is revolves around the life of single father and travel agency owner who finds himself in a very bad financial bind when his daughter is diagnosed with a rare kidney disease, and his formerly thriving business is ravaged by the effects of 9/11 on his industry. He teams up with a client of the business that is a drug dealer, and a single mom, and together they form a partnership to smuggle drugs aboard cruise ships. The story is mostly set in the Raleigh/Durham NC area with brief stops in Mexico and St. Thomas, V.I.

How did the idea of the story come to you?

I was a travel agency owner myself for most of the 1990's and one of my staff alerted me to a client that she suspected was doing something illegal during her travels. This client was later found murdered in her burned down home and thus our suspicions about her appeared to be true as the incident was reported by the police as drug-related. After this event (and the downfall of my business post 9/11), I began to think about the age old question of "How far would one go to save their company?"

Wow, interesting. What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Re-writing. No doubt about it. I truly enjoyed laying out the story for "Shades of Gray". It was fun to develop the characters and put them in difficult situations. I enjoyed the sculpting of the plot and finding interesting ways to reveal clues and provide foreshadowing as to what would be coming about at the end. But the re-writing, OMG! That has been tedious. I read an author who described the process of creating a novel not as "writing" but as "re-writing". Boy this is so true. It takes a lot of time and energy to re-write. It has been valuable in that I can see now where the novel is much improved over its earlier forms.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

I need the following when writing - Coffee and sodas, lots of caffiene. If it is after five o'clock, then I need a glass of red wine. I must have absolute silence, so no music. And I must have my handy, dandy notepad with my thoughts and my outline at the ready.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

No doubt about it, flying like Superman.

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

I truly owe the most incredible debt of gratitude to my best friend, my wife. She has been through so much with me and remains the most honest, caring, and loving person I've ever met. To have her in my life has made writing possible and has made me the luckiest person I know.

And finally, where can people find you and your book online?

http://novelistandyholloman.wordpress.com/

Thanks so much for chatting with us, Andy. Good luck with your book!

Blog Tour: Shelli Johannes

2011-11-14T22:01:00.000+01:00

Fantabulistic author Shelli Johannes is having a blog tour to celebrate the release of her debut novel UNTRACEABLE. And yes, I'm a stop on the tour! Check out Shelli's awesome book cover, and be sure to stop by on the 28th to check out my interview with her.

Isn't it gorgeous?

Here's the blog tour line up:

Nov 14th - Lori Lee on (What makes a good book signing)
Nov 15th - Kelly Polark (The Beats of Writing - using music)
Nov 16th - Karly Kirkpatrick (Guest post on Author Journey)
Nov 17th - *Once Upon a Twilight (Book Review)
Nov 18th - DL Hammons (Talking about marketing over Cyber-Coffee), Unicorn Bell (Book Review)
Nov 21st - Ashley Christiano (An Interview with Characters)
Nov 22nd - Shannon O'Donnell (An Author's Journey from A to Z and back again)
Nov 23rd - Refracted Light Reviews/Dani (Changing the stigma of self publishing)
Nov 27th - Readinista (Dissecting Untraceable)
Nov 28th - SupaGurl/Heather (book review) and Dorothy Dreyer (Getting to know You & Your book)
Nov 29th - LAUNCH DAY! Total Bookaholic/Jessica (Character Interview with Grace)
Nov 30th - Super Natural Shark/Jenny (Everything But the Kitchen Sink) and Susan Dennard (How did you get here?), Kai Strand (Three Times a Charm interview)
Dec 1st - Authors Now/Jamie Mason and PaperCuts/Samantha (eBooks vs Books)
Dec 2nd - Meredeth (Building Your Platform) and Christine (Redefining yourself and taking charge of your career)
Dec 5th - Nazarea (The Author Process) and PJ Hoover (Top 10 ebook Release Tips)
Dec 6th - Margay (How to Self Pub the Write Way) and Ali Cross (How to be a Wilderness Survival Ninja) and Cindy/Books Complete Me (Interview/Book Review)
Dec 7th - Literary Rambles (Mystery Post) and Laura (What makes a good thriller?)
Dec 8th - Elana (All about epublishing) and Elle (book review)
Dec 9th - Tynga's Reviews/Jennifer (A Christmas with Grace)
Dec 12th - Jemi (The Writing Process and Just For Fun) and Katherine Hawkins (Girl Crush/Inspirational Women)
Dec 13th - Elizabeth (Tips to writing thrillers)
Dec 14th - SupaGurl Books (The Playlist for Untraceable) and Unicorn Bell (Marketing in publishing)
Dec 15th - Kathy Inspired (Get to know the author on a more personal level)
Dec 16th - Good Choice Reading/Maria (Interview/book review)
Dec 19th - The Reading Angel Angela (Interview)
Dec 20th - Brent/Naughty Book Kitties (Publicity tips for Untraceable)
Dec 21st - Michelle/Hooked To Books (Writing to Music/Playlist)
Dec 22nd - Mary/The Book Swarm (Book Journey)

Interview with Annabelle R Charbit

2011-11-11T12:42:00.000+01:00

Happy Friday, everyone. Let's start the weekend early by indulging in an interview with a fun author. Let's welcome Annabelle R Charbit.

Hi, Annabelle.Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a research scientist and a writer. I got my PhD in Neuroscience from University College London, then moved to San Francisco to work at UCSF, and now I live in New York.

How long have you been writing?

Since 2006, when my comedy play, Sound Advice, was performed by CP Theatre Productions in London, UK.

How cool! Tell us about A LIFE LIVED RIDICULOUSLY. What's the story about?

In a nutshell, this is a comedy thriller about a girl with obsessive compulsive disorder, and what happens when she falls in love with a sociopath.

Sounds awesome. How did the idea of the story come to you?

I have a little OCD myself and when I was growing up it was such a dirty secret. So writing about it makes it less embarrassing. Plus I hope that by putting it out there, it will make people laugh and also feel less embarrassed and isolated about their OCD. Why she falls for a sociopath? Well I’ve always been fascinated by this concept of people with no conscience, and am certain that we all have a few such characters in our lives.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I hired an amazing editor, Susan Malone of Malone Editorial Services. http://www.maloneeditorial.com/
She is exceptionally talented and diligent. Her editing has been worth every penny.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Not getting fat! Every time I get stuck, I reach for the chocolate. I have put on nearly twenty pounds from start to finish of A Life Lived Ridiculously.

Ouch, yeah, I tend to reach for food as well. Maybe I better watch it. Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Three glasses of water and some British chocolate (Cadbury’s Dairy Milk mainly).

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Intelligence. Like the people in the movie Limitless.

I love that movie! Quick writing test. Use the following words in a sentence: upload, coconut, and suspicious.

The woman was suspicious when the man at the Apple Store offered to upload her app in exchange for a peek at her coconuts.

Everyone around me just gave me a look because I busted out laughing. That was great! Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you.

My editor Susan Malone for believing in the story, and my publisher Diane Dorcé for taking a chance on me. My cover designer, Duncan Long for his amazing book cover design. My best friend and better judgment, Letitia Bow for always finding everything funny and showing me that life is better when laughed at. My family for supporting all my crazy ideas throughout life. My husband for believing in me and never allowing me to stop believing in myself. My daughter, who makes each day worth living.

Let's hear your shout outs.

Susan Malone, Diane Dorcé, Duncan Long, Letitia Bow, Jason Bergenfeld, Cadbury Dairy Milk, Nutella on warm toast.

And finally, where can people find you and your book online?

A Life Lived Ridiculously will be on sale in April 2012, and will be available in print and ebook version on Amazon, among others.

Right now you can read the first three chapters on the website at http://www.ridiculouslife.net/

Thanks so much for chatting with us, Annabelle. And I wish you much success with your book!

Interview with Michael Tabman

2011-11-09T13:42:00.000+01:00

Today we're talking with an interesting writer with an interesting background. Let's get to know Michael Tabman.

Welcome to We Do Write, Michael. Tell us a bit about yourself.

Born and raised in New York City, I graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. I was a police officer in Fairfax County, VA for three years serving in patrol, in plain clothes and as hostage negotiator for the SWAT team. I then joined the FBI, serving for 24 years and having been assigned to several field offices throughout the country. I investigated crimes ranging from white collar to bank robberies, organized crime, drugs and money laundering. Rising to the rank of Special Agent in Charge, my travels took me to Israel, Russia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. I am now an author, speaker and consultant.

How long have you been writing?

I started writing immediately after retiring from the FBI five years ago.

I understand you've got three published books. Tell us about them.

My first book, Walking the Corporate Beat: Police School for Business People, based on my 27 years experience, draws parallels between the police world and decisions made in business and everyday life. Using examples such as arrests, raids and undercover operations, the stories - often amusing - show how applying simple thought processes can lead to success or failure.

Midnight Sin is a crime novel inspired by a case I worked as a plain clothes cop. Law and Order Producer Peter Giuliano said, “Michael has reached deep inside and managed to capture his heart and soul as a cop. My heart was pounding. This is a powerful story told by someone who has captured the feelings of all of us, no matter which side of the law you happen to be on.”

My current novel, Bad Intent, was inspired by my years on an FBI-NYPD Drug/Organized Crime Task Force. It is published in short story format- each installment is a short story building into a full novel.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I have two trusted friends who review my writing. I believe in a fresh set of eyes for reviewing work.

Me too. It's incredibly helpful. What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

The hardest part of writing for me is remembering that fiction does not have to reflect reality all the time. My work is police procedural intensive, so I tend to try to stick to reality.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

I always have the television on for background noise.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

The ability to always know right from wrong and then assure that “right” wins.

I don't think we've ever had that answer before. Cool. Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: turbo engine, cream pie, and baby stroller.

To remain true to my genre:

I was pursuing a car in a high speed chase, but it was getting away from me because it had a turbo engine; then as I turned the corner, I swerved to avoid a baby stroller, crashed and when I got out of the car, someone hit me in the face with a cream pie.

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

My team who helps me write, and with my consulting work, likes to remain in the background. But they know how much I appreciate their help.

And finally, where can people find you and your books online?

My books and everything about me can be found on michaeltabman.com

Michael, thanks so much for chatting with us. Your books sound great, and I wish you much success with them!

Interview with Carrie Green

2011-11-07T13:52:00.001+01:00

It doesn't have to be Halloween to cuddle up with a good horror book. I'm pretty sure Stephen King proved that. Today we're chatting with horror, suspense, and thriller writer Carrie Green.

Carrie is the author of ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, and SUGAR IS SWEET. Let's get to know her a little better.

Welcome, Carrie! How long have you been writing?

I've been writing nearly my entire life, as soon as I could form the letters of the alphabet. My grandmother was a published author and poet. My grandfather was a columnist for a major Chicago newspaper. It was expected that I would write and like most children, I rose to my parents' expectations. I was given a diary, when I was five, and I wrote my first stories in there (with illustrations, even).

What drew you to write horror?

It's the genre that I love the most, mainly because it can be any genre. I often cite Stephen King's Misery, as an example of this claim, since it's a horror story as well as a darn good historical romance. I firmly believe that horror offers the greatest freedom of expression for writers. Readers will find elements of mystery, science fiction, women's lit, action adventure, romance, etc. in what I write!

What are you working on now?

Right now I'm in the middle of final edits for my full length novel, set in Chicago, Walk A Lonely Street, which will be published in 2012. It opens with the death of a jazz nightclub owner which the police are writing off as a suicide, but his wife and best friend believe otherwise, and they investigate on their own.

Intriguing! Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

All authors self-edit, it's part of creating a final, polished, product. I've just learned to not write and edit on the same days, in order to prevent writer's block. Writing and editing are completely different and opposing processes; trying to be critical, while writing, will only inhibit your creativity. As a PR professional, I always follow the rule of thumb that three sets of eyes should look at any document before it goes public. I do the same for my books, but I'm realistic that some typos will slip through, given the greater length of a novel as compared to a standard two page press release.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

The isolation is probably the hardest part of writing. I have to sit in front a computer without any distractions in order to write. Unlike many authors, I'm unable to listen to music. I even close the curtains, so that I don't gaze out the windows. A closed door is also helpful. A completely empty house is best.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

A giant computer screen is the main must-have for me. My eyes are going, so that the bigger the screen, the better; my husband just recently upgraded my screen for my birthday. I now have a monster screen!

Monster screens are best for writing horror, I'm told. ;) If you could have any super power, what would it be?

I think that being invisible would be cool. It's a classic horror super power!

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: ponytail, calculator, and windshield wipers.

Oh, it's horror Improv! Here you go:

Like a calculator, his brain tracked the flip-flap rate of the windshield wipers—one, two, three seconds, until he could shove her head back and entangle her ponytail in the plastic blades.

Evil! Hehehe. Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

Readers, of course, then my family and friends, and last, but not least, the super supportive community of authors that promote each other online. While I may write in isolation, marketing is definitely a joyful group activity—the WoMen's Literary Café, http://www.WoMensLitCafe.com, has, especially, been a terrific resource!

And finally, where can people find you and your books online?

Visit my Amazon page for all three books: http://www.amazon.com/Carrie-Green/e/B005L3U1SW/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0.

And congrats on ROSES ARE RED becoming an Amazon bestseller, hitting the top 100 in Kindle eBook Horror Occult. Thanks so much for chatting with us, Carrie, and I wish you continued success.

Thanks!

Interview with Sandra Yuen MacKay

2011-11-03T17:15:00.000+01:00

Today we're talking with a talented woman who not only writes memoirs and novellas, but is a brilliant artist as well. I'm sure she has other hidden talents as well, but let's dive into an interview with her and learn about her memoir.

Welcome to We Do Write, Sandra. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm a dreamer who likes variety in what I do. I'm a writer, visual artist and a public speaker on recovery. I have experience as a columnist and editor for Majestic, an online newsletter for Lit.org, a writer's forum.

How long have you been writing?

I did journal a lot when I was young. My first published piece was a letter to the editor in Canadian Architect in 1995. Since 2002, I've been published in various magazines and online since then.

Tell us about My Schizophrenic Life: The Road to Recovery from Mental Illness.

I wrote this book from a personal perspective about what it's like to experience hallucinations, paranoia and delusions and how I dug my way out of schizophrenia to live a purposeful life. Recovery isn't a straight line but has dips and curves. In writing the book, I gained perspective on the balance of positive and negative aspects of my life and was able to let go of some of the pain and losses I had. By sharing my story, I wish to give hope for others.

I also published an e-book titled Hell's Fire, a scifi novella about a father who goes on a mission to save his daughter from alien abduction.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

The hardest part is receiving rejection letters! However, they do motivate me to work on my craft and some give me feedback on what editors are looking for.

Any tips you’ve learned about writing you’d like to share?

Write from your heart. Dig into your emotions. Build conflict and tension into your story. Make sure the characters thoughts and actions fit into the structure of your story and plot, and tangents are minimal.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

A cup of coffee, an online dictionary and thesaurus, and a blanket because my computer is in a cool basement. A clock is handy but I usually don't pay attention to it when I'm deep into my writing.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

I'd love to be able to fly. I have dreams where I'm airborne and feel the wind. I look down and see the lights of houses.

And finally, where can people find you and your books online?

You can find me at Letters from Sandra or on Facebook

My Schizophrenic Life is available in print on Amazon, barnesandnoble.com and chapters.indigo.ca or as an e-book at Smashwords or Amazon Kindle

Hell's Fire is available on Smashwords and Amazon Kindle

Thank you for chatting with us, Sandra. Your work sounds amazing.

Thank you, Dorothy, for taking the time to interview me!

Publishing News: Elizabeth May

2011-11-02T19:16:00.000+01:00

How about some great news to start off November?

Elizabeth May's THE FALCONER, set in a steampunk version of 19th-century Scotland, where a teen girl is the only human being alive who can stop the dark faeries threatening her life, her family, and her city, to Ginee Seo at Chronicle Children's, in a three-book deal, for publication starting in 2013, by Russell Galen at Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary Agency (North America).

Rights for the series have now been sold in the US, UK, Germany, Italy, and Brazil.

Congratulations, Elizabeth! Can't wait to read the trilogy!

Learn more about Elizabeth May on her website.

We Interrupt this Blog ...

2011-10-08T08:36:00.000+02:00

Hey folks! As you probably have noticed, I've been skimping on the posts lately. Sorry about that. I'm on a self-inflicted writing deadline, and this month is going to be harsh. So I thought it would be best that I didn't stretch myself out too far and sacrifice quality. What does that mean? It just means I'm taking a blog hiatus for the rest of the month. I wish I could take a hiatus from work as well, but I don't think I could swing that. A laundry-dishes-vacuuming hiatus sounds good too. Shucks.

In any case, I'll be back in November with more exciting author interviews and updates. In fact, if you're a writer who wants to talk about your work, send me an email at dorothyanndreyer [at] gmail [dot] com, and I'll get back to you about doing an interview or featuring your book.

Also, I'd love to do another agent-judged contest, so I'll be looking into that after my hiatus as well. Stay tuned!

Enjoy October, everyone!

Author Update: Kevin McGill

2011-10-03T21:24:00.000+02:00

Available now! Kevin McGill's Nikolas and Company: A Creature Most Foul. I've read the first hundred pages of this awesome book and was sucked right into the fabulous world Kevin has created. The artwork is stunning and the characters will charm you. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.

Congrats, Kevin!

Frankfurt Book Fair

2011-09-28T21:14:00.000+02:00

All the years I've lived in Frankfurt, and I haven't yet been to the Frankfurt Book Fair. But that changes this year. I'm determined to go. And I've even got the okay from my boss that, if I look for books suitable for the creche I work at, she'll pay for my ticket!

It takes place October 12th through the 16th, and I'll be going on the 16th, which is a Sunday. (I would have loved to go on the 15th, but I have to do a mandatory First Aid Course that day. On the upside, if anyone needs their lives saved on the 16th, I should have the lesson fresh in my mind!)

I'm really excited, and I'm hoping there will be names or faces I recognize there. So if you are going to be there, or you know of writers (or agents?) or other publishing industry names that will attend, leave me a comment. I'd love to connect ... or at least to say, "Dude, guess who I saw!" I'll be sure to bring my camera.

For more information on the biggest book fair in the world, check out the website here.

Author Update: Laura Schultz

2011-09-22T06:15:00.000+02:00

It was just a year ago that I interviewed an amazing writer by the name of Laura Schultz. Now, Laura's debut poetry book is available! It's called Arise and Shine: Laments from the Darkness, Songs from the Light. Published by Silver Bow Publishing.

This debut poetry book by Laura Schultz is evocative, passionate and enhanced with 21 color photographs by Anton Mueller and paintings by the poet's mother. Laura wields her paintbrush and takes us on a memorable journey down the pathways of her heart into the core of her soul.

Check out Laura's book here!

Interview with H C Elliston

2011-09-15T08:20:00.000+02:00

Mid-September already, can you believe it? It seems time is flying fast. With so much to do, and deadlines to do them by, I have to apologize if the blog seems a little slow. Theoretically I'd like to post at least three interviews a week, but you'll have to excuse me if I can only manage one. If anyone can understand me, writers can. Right?

So let's welcome our next interviewee. This time we're talking with a lovely lady who's written an exciting book. Say hello to H.C. Elliston.

Hi, Helen! Tell us a bit about yourself.

I live in West Yorkshire with my fiancé and dogs, near to my fiancé's children. I am a pet portrait artist, a vegetarian, and a trustee for a local animal rescue charity. People would probably describe my desk as organised chaos – and they’d be right! Hmmm... what else? I leave scraps of paper in every room so that I always have something at hand to write ideas on. I love hot chilli sauce, chocolate and icecream. Oh, and I adore my two dogs!

How long have you been writing?

I started writing about 4 years ago and have been hooked ever since!

Tell us about TICK TOCK RUN. What’s the story about?

105,000 words, 388 pages, of suspense, mystery and romance with a little humour thrown in.
TRUST NO ONE. SUSPECT EVERYONE.

The main character Chelsea receives a threatening e-mail which contains a ticking countdown timer. Likely it is spam or a virus, but when she crosses paths with a man at a bar whose brother had died after receiving a similar message, she realises her life is in danger. Someone has dragged her into a frightening game of revenge. Chelsea decides to find her assailant before he or she finds her. Soon, she starts to mistrust her instincts as she is thwarted by the people closest to her who have their own hidden agendas.

How did the idea of the story come to you?

The death clock in an email idea came to me while sitting with my dogs in my garden. One of those moments when you’re not even trying to think of ideas, and hey, presto!

Plot aside, I wanted to write what I enjoy in books and movies, and take the reader through a range of emotions. People often have to get creative to solve their own daily problems. I have simply done this on a larger scale. I enjoy throwing my characters into awful situations and watching them try to battle their way out.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I have a fantastic group of critique partners. It is so important to get other eyes on your work. Sometimes I can be so inside my own story that my brain fills in the errors, be it grammatical issues, plot holes, POV issues. Critique partners help ensure that I have covered all my bases, and help whip my stories into shape!

I agree, critique partners are very valuable. What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

I would have to say it is writing the first quarter of the book when I take my opening problem/scenario to a higher level, and I am still getting to know my characters.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Coffee, coke, silence, and then a glass of wine later on. I tend to drop out of reality while writing. I need peace and quiet to be able to really put myself inside the scene in order to paint the picture and portray emotion.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to snap your fingers and end up in a different location!

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: sheep, satellite, and birthday party.

When the satellite dish thudded to the ground, the sheep dog bolted across the lawn knocking a party guest who fell onto the birthday cake.

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

A huge thanks to my critique partners for their help and encouragement, my friends and family for their support, and to readers for taking a chance on a new author!

My second novel is due for release in September, for a sneak preview please visit my website.

Speaking of websites, where can people find you and your book online?

The download version is available on Amazon, Smashwords, ibooks & Barnes & Noble.
The paperback version is available from Amazon.com

My author website is http://hcelliston.co.uk, and includes links to Twitter and Facebook.

My pet portrait website http://helenclaireart.co.uk

Thanks so much for chatting with us, and good luck with your books!

Thanks for the interview, Dorothy!

Interview with Rhys Bowen

2011-09-06T22:15:00.000+02:00

My next guest is a delightful writer who has written a very interesting spy series. Let's jump right into the interview and get to know Rhys Bowen and her books.

Hello, Rhys! Tell us a bit about yourself.

Born and raised in England, lived in many places before settling in California. I'm married to a fellow Brit. We've four children and 5 grandchildren. We love to travel and now live in Arizona in the winter.

How long have you been writing?

I've been a professional writer all my life--last 15 years specializing in mysteries, my favorite reads.

Tell us about the Royal Spyness series, and in particular, about NAUGHTY IN NICE.

I wanted to write a series that was fun,funny, suspenseful and a little romantic. So Lady Georgiana is 34th in line to the English throne in the 1930s but her branch of the family is penniless. She's trying to make her own way during the Great Depression while those around her still live the life of the rich and famous. In Naughty in Nice the queen sends her on a secret assignment to the Riviera, to recover a stolen snuffbox. Her adventures include modeling for Chanel, flirting with a dashing marquis and finding a body. Lots of fun and I love including real people... Mrs. Simpson and the Prince of Wales, for example.

This book has already received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly and is a RT Reviews top pick so it's off to a good start.

Sounds awesome! What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Not the ideas. They are lining up to be used. It's juggling the whole promotional part with my writing time.

Interesting, and an aspect I'm sure many aspiring authors don't often think about. Any tips you’ve learned about writing you’d like to share?

Yes--only write a book to please yourself. Your book has to read as if you're having a good time writing it.

And work on writing the best book of which you are able. The rest will happen.

Great tip. Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

My toys--wind up teeth, a couple of tops to spin, Egdar bobblehead and more. I need an excuse to stop and play when things are getting tense.

LOL, truly an original answer. If you could have any super power, what would it be?

To bring about world peace? End hunger? Actually it would be cool to be able to fly.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: parchment, glowing, and antelope.

"And our specail tonight," the chef said, waving at the glowing embers of a barbecue, "is antelope haunch in parchement."

LOL, ew. Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

This could be as long as my novels: my family who have been so supportive. My agents Meg and Christina. My editor Jackie Cantor and publicist Kaitlyn Kennedy. May amazing SEO guru Terry Kate. All my writing friends in the mystery community--they are the most amazing warm and nurturing bunch. My Facebook friends and finally the ones I owe most too--my fans. If they didn't read my books and tell others about them, I'd still be at step one.

And finally, where can people find you online?

My website is www.rhysbowen.com.
My blogs are www.rhysbowen.blogspot.com
and www.jungleredwriters.com

I'm on Facebook and Twitter and love to hear from my readers.

Thanks so much for chatting with us, Rhys. I look forward to reading your series. Good luck with the new book!

Thank you for a fun interview!

Author Update: Roz Morris

2011-09-02T15:28:00.002+02:00

I love doing author updates. It makes me feel the vitality of the writing community. This time we're catching up with author Roz Morris. I interviewed Roz back in January. Now her new book is out, so let's find out what it's about.

Welcome back, Roz! Tell us about your new release.

It's called My Memories of a Future Life. It's contemporary fiction with a
twist - reincarnation from the other end of the telescope; a sort of Time
Traveller's Wife for the Derren Brown era. It's already been called groundbreaking by one reviewer - the link is here.

Here's what the novel's all about.

If you were somebody's past, what echoes would you leave in their soul? Could they be the answers you need now?

The main character, Carol, is a concert pianist. She's a gifted musician who needs nothing more than her piano and certainly doesn't believe she's lived before. But forced by injury to stop playing, she fears her life may be over. Enter her soulmate Andreq: healer, liar, fraud and loyal friend. Is he her future incarnation or a psychological figment? And can his story help her discover how to live now?

A novel in the vein of The Time Traveller's Wife, Vertigo and The Gargoyle, My Memories of a Future Life is much more than a twist on the traditional reincarnation tale. It is a multi-layered story of souls on conjoined journeys - in real time and across the centuries. It's a provocative study of the shadows we don't know are driving our lives, from our own pasts and from the people with us right now. Like Peter Shaffer's plays The Royal Hunt of the Sun and Equus, it asks questions about what we believe, what we create and how we scare and heal each other.

Above all, it's the story of how one lost soul searches for where she now
belongs.

Tell us the good and the bad: What was the hardest thing about writing this book and what was the easiest?

The easiest? The research! I thoroughly enjoyed immersing in some fascinating, rich subjects. For instance, the world of classical music, where The language of music on a score is so dictatorial, with instructions for how long you play a note, in fractions of a second, which requires immense dexterity and control. Professional players are like Olympic athletes.

And playing is almost like a form of spiritual possession. There are instructions for expression - for instance, amoroso, which means 'play it lovingly'. That's awesome - they tell you how you feel while playing the music.

I got a strong sense of music as almost being like channelling the spirit of the composer. Of course, it's not always like that, but I wondered what it would be like for a character who felt it was.

A lot of this fed into what music means to my main character Carol - and what she loses when she can't play. Literally, it's her way of feeling alive.

Also I had to research hypnosis and past-life regression. This is a rich subject indeed. The person undergoing it is put into in a highly suggestible state and asked to describe where they are and what they're doing. They come up with incredible stories - sometimes very traumatic. I was interested in what really happens under the surface - who was pulling strings, what it means, but a lot of it defies logic. No matter how you look at what's going on these people are going through profound and changing experiences.

I also became aware of how many unscrupulous people there are in that part of society. While many of them want to help others, there are also a lot of cheats and charlatans. Inevitably they make interesting characters...

The hardest thing was writing the end. I had to decide at what point we could cut and leave the characters to get on with their lives. I wrote several different endings and always had a clenched feeling in my stomach that I'd been hard on a character, or had left something important unsaid. When I finally got the right one, I knew - but it took a lot of soul searching.

You knew this was coming -Quick Writing Test! Use these words in a sentence: masquerade, Tupperware, and liquid nitrogen.

As the hypnotist spoke the Tupperware party disappeared; in its place appeared white clouds like liquid nitrogen, and a mysterious masquerade.

(Did you design those words specially for me, Dorothy?! I forgot to put that scene in the book!)

Spooky! LOL. Where can our readers find your book?

The Kindle store - US http://www.amazon.com/Season-Memories-Future-Life-ebook/dp/B005IZJTTA/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1
and UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Season-Memories-Future-Life-ebook/dp/B005IZJTTA/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1
A print edition will follow but there's no URL for that yet.

Anything else you'd like to add?

I'm releasing the novel first of all as 4 novellas on the Kindle, of roughly 25k words each, one a week, 0.99c each. This is, of course, an experiment, but it seemed to work pretty well for Mr Dickens. And with the Kindle offering new ways of reading, it's about time someone did it again. My agency Sheil Land are watching keenly to see if this is a model they should use for their own ebook releases. Very exciting times!

Thank you, Dorothy, for having me back - and for all you do with this website. I've discovered some terrific authors on these pages and I'm thrilled to be here too.

I'm so glad. Thank you for telling us about your new book. I'll be keeping my eye out for it.

Interview with Hope Collier

2011-09-01T06:05:00.000+02:00

Today begins the ARC tour of Hope Collier's debut YA novel, THE WILLOWS: HAVEN. Not only is Hope an amazing writer, but she also heads up Soul Fire Press, the YA division of Christopher Matthews Publishing. Talk about having your hands full!

Let's celebrate Hope's ARC tour with an interview.

Welcome to We Do Write, Hope. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a twenty-something year-old wife of one and mom of two. I love anything to do with nature, especially trees. I form odd attachments to things like keys and compasses. I buy them compulsively like Mel Gibson with The Catcher in the Rye in the movie Conspiracy Theory. Music is the biggest influence when it comes to my writing. Indie and alternative are the best. My favorite color is purple. I love flowers but hate the smell of orchids. One day, I want to write a Tim Burton-esque novel.

Sounds great! How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I penned and illustrated my first book in the first grade entitled, The Bear and the Balloons. My teacher had them covered and bound like a real book. That was the first moment I really knew I wanted to be a writer. As far as Haven goes, I began it at fourteen. I wrote forty pages longhand, laid it down for twelve years then picked it up again in 2009.

The cover of THE WILLOWS: HAVEN is absolutely stunning. What’s the story about?

Thank you so much! My cover team is simply amazing.

When tragedy strikes, seventeen year-old Ashton Blake sets out on a cross-country road trip, leaving the comforts of Malibu for the mountains of Kentucky. Along the way, she encounters Gabe Willoughby—the mysterious drifter with eyes like the sea and a knowing smile. Getting to know Gabe raises questions about her past. But no secret can be buried forever, and Ashton soon finders herself in a world where water is air and myth becomes reality.

Just as Ashton comes to accept her newfound heritage, she’s summoned to fulfill a treaty laid down centuries before — a treaty that will divide her love and test her loyalty. In the end, her future isn’t her biggest concern, her humanity is. To run may mean war, but is she strong enough to stay?

The story sounds fascinating. How did the idea come to you?

The characters told me. I know that sounds odd, but the male lead, Gabe, was the first to have a voice. As cliché as it sounds, I had a dream about these two beings who were just inherently good. They intrigued me, so I started thinking about their lives. Eventually, it turned into a story of whom they could help and how. After some arguing on their part and some concession on mine, we decided to let them show me what was going to happen.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I have the best betas and critique partners ever! Twitter can be thanked for that. I’m a member and co-founder of the Goodreads group, Chirenjenzie, as well as a small, private group of fabulous ladies on Twitter, @KappaDeltaWrite. Some might disagree with me here, but I firmly believe it’s impossible to edit your own work. That doesn’t mean you can’t get your manuscript super shiny, but there’s always something to catch, whether it be plot holes or grammatical issues. You’re just too close to the story to fully appreciate it. As my friend Beth says, “It’s a party in your head.” You know what’s going to happen. That makes it tough to know if you’ve covered all your bases.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

I tend to overdo everything. My wonderful, super-hero of an editor’s favorite words are chuck, omit, and streamline. I see everything play out in my imagination. I want the reader to see it like a movie. The downside to this is you see those things without knowing it when you’re watching a screen. It isn’t so smooth on the page!

Any tips you’ve learned about writing you’d like to share?

I think the best (and most important) thing I’ve learned is always have fun! Writing is tough enough when you actually enjoy it. The day you don’t, is the day you won’t want to write anymore. Also, avoid passive voice like the plague. Accept the fact that no matter how wonderful your book is, someone won’t like it. Don’t take it personally. Lastly, never give up writing if that’s where your heart lies.

Great advice. Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Music! I can’t write or edit without it. Also, a drink! Sweet tea when I can get it, diet Mt Dew when I can’t.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Oh, that’s a tough one. Probably something lame but functional like super-human, knowledge retention. I love words and information. It would be nice to act as a walking encyclopedia as long as I wasn’t annoying!

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: stun gun, baby carriage, and antacid.

The gritty antacid crunched between my teeth as the stun gun’s volt surged through the man stealing the baby carriage.

So simple, yet so visual! Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

Thanks to my awesome family for their endless support and willingness to share me with my muse. All my amazing and wonderful writing friends. You’re too numerous to personally share here, but you each know who you are and how much I love you! Much thanks to book bloggers who selflessly share our work with the world. And to the incredible readers who make writing so fun, I owe you an organ.

And finally, where can people find you online?

www.hopecollier.com
https://www.facebook.com/author.hope.collier
http://twitter.com/HopeCollier

Hope, I wish you and your book tons of success. Thanks so much for letting us chat with you.

Interview with Evelyn Ehrlich

2011-08-29T07:07:00.000+02:00

If you entered the pitch contest but don't know if you've won or not, check out the previous post where the winners are announced.

And now on to another interview. Today we're talking with a fabulous person I've connected with through Twitter and Facebook. She's awesome, really. And I'm dying to read her book! Let's welcome Evelyn Ehrlich.

Hi, Evelyn! Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm a writer, a mom and a recovering attorney. I love dark chocolate, hate carrots, and like the idea of cooking but end up ordering take-out instead. I'm thrilled to be writing YA and to be a part of the children's book community.

How long have you been writing?

I started writing on Christmas Eve of 2009, so it's been a little more than 1 1/2 years now. My first manuscript was a time travel YA, and the second was a ghost story/paranormal romance. Then I switched gears to contemporary/realistic YA and wrote ID3NTITY, which ended up landing me an agent (the wonderful Steven Chudney of The Chudney Agency). That manuscript is currently on submission, and I'm distracting myself by working on my fourth book, which is also contemporary (but that's all I'm going to reveal about it for now!)

Tell us about ID3NTITY. What’s the story about?

In one sentence: ID3NTITY is about an honors student who leads a secret life as a hooker.

In a little more detail:
Seventeen-year-old Julia Lee thinks she has the perfect cover. As long as she plays the role of quiet Chinese honors student, no one will suspect her of being a prostitute. It’s flawless, really. Pretend Julia gets the grades she needs to go to Stanford, while her call girl alter-ego, Jenny Lai, makes tuition money.
But when her classmate, Reed Bennett, discovers Julia’s secret, he threatens to crush her carefully staged world. He’s bent on blackmailing her for a cut of her earnings, or revealing her dirty little secret to the entire school.

As Julia tries to rein him in, she realizes Reed isn’t the only one out of control. Julia’s alter-egos have taken on lives of their own, and the Real Julia will have to confront them, and Reed, before she can figure out who she truly wants to be.

Fascinating! How did the idea of the story come to you?

I think all of us struggle with putting on facades, whether it's for school or work or family or whatever. So even though a lot of Julia's life is fictional (No--I was never a teenage prostitute), we can all identify with how she puts on different acts to impress different people. Her journey to find her true self and be comfortable within her own skin is universal, and that's really where this story began for me.

As for where I got the other ideas, like Julia being a high school hooker? She just showed up in my imagination one day, and that was who she was. I think Neil Gaiman put it best (about where his ideas come from): "I make them up. Out of my head."

Love it! What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

The first draft. Absolutely. It's so intense to create new characters and plot from nothing but a few ideas, and at the same time to try to build a solid foundation from a craft perspective. I love the first draft stage because everything is possible, but I also have to admit that I'm a bit relieved when it's done and I can get to the business of revising.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Coke Zero! And I swear by Scrivener, because it forces me to think and write in tight scenes and chapters. I've been spoiled by that program, and now I can't write in one big document (like Word) anymore, unless it's close to a final draft and I'm just tweaking tiny things here and there.

Ed Riojas | The Grand Rapids Press

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

The ability to sleep. Sounds like a lame super power, but I'm kind of an insomniac, and I'm so jealous of people who can lie down and be out for eight hours straight.

Oh, wait. Should I have said something less selfish? How about the Power to Create World Peace? That would also be awesome.

I think if there were World Peace, you might be able to sleep better at night. *wink* Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: nominate, apologize, and eternity.

Picking up on that last super power thing...

"I'd never want to be nominated to apologize to Eternity for all the things we have and will screw up."

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

Huge thanks to...

My agent, Steven Chudney, who's smart and savvy and uses words like "bailiwick," which just cracks me up.

My husband, Paul, who believed in me and my writing before I ever did.

My critique partner, Tracy Edward Wymer, for reading my work a zillion times and for talking me down from the crazy tree every time I decide my writing sucks.

My brother, Kevin, and all my writer friends, for being so supportive and understanding why I do what I do! I love you guys!

And finally, where can people find you online?

My website: www.evelynehrlich.com
On twitter: @EvelynEhrlich

Thanks so much for chatting with us, Evelyn. Be sure to let us know when your book comes out. I wish you lots of success!

Winners!

2011-08-25T06:24:00.002+02:00

That's right, winners! D4EO literary agent Mandy Hubbard has made her decision, and here's what she has to say:

*****

Hi All!

Thanks so much for entering. So many great concepts and pitches! I’m choosing just one winner for a full manuscript, and highlighting several that I particularly gravitated toward—I’d like to see queries + 10 pages for those. And for everyone, please do feel free to query! 140 character pitches can be hard to nail, particularly if your work is more about voice and character than plot. So don’t think this is a “rejection” in any way. You can still query!

And as an aside, the last time I did a contest like this, I signed one of the “honorable mentions”. So you don’t even have to win to be a potential winner. J

So without further ado, the winning pitch, by Merliniana:

Charlie’s alone on a spaceship, pursued by villains who want its cargo, and haunted by the memory of a small child he abandoned back on Earth

Please send your full as an attached doc, with your full-sized query pitch in the first page of the doc! Put "Pitch Contest Winner" in the subject line.

Honorable mentions (and requests for a full query + 10 page sample)

Jenn: 16-year-old con artist, Megan Benson scores a place in the Keller mansion before realizing too late this is the one family she can't fool.

Rachel: Told in non-linear chronology, a little bit Hate List, a little bit Heathers, 17-year-old Jenna tries to figure out how she ended up with a dead boyfriend, the murder of her history teacher on her hands and her parents divorced

Susan: 16-yr old Mary O’Conner is a good girl. 19-yr old Robert Marchioni is a good boy. But now that she’s pregnant, no one in their town sees them that way, so it’s time to split.

Danielle Dreger : Falling in love is easy but falling out of love may destroy you-Eleanor learns this after Jake breaks up w/her &she spirals out of control.

Kathryn Holmes: 15-year-old Cordelia just learned that NYC's subway trains are alive. Now, the creatures are in danger—and it's up to her to save them.

Thanks, All!

*****

Mandy's email address for queries is Mandy.Hubbard.Queries@Gmail.com

I would like to thank all the participants of this contest for entering, and of course Mandy for so generously offering her time. Good luck to the winners and everyone querying!

Interview with Ned Hayes

2011-08-24T08:01:00.000+02:00

Good news for the participants of the Perfect Pitch contest: Agent Mandy Hubbard should be picking the winner this week. So keep checking back.

In the meantime, let's meet another writer. This time we're talking to Ned Hayes. Ned has graciously allowed me to take a peek at his newest novel, and I was quite intrigued by his story.

Welcome to We Do Write, Ned. Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm interested in everything from technology mobility to post-modern theology to genetic engineering to bicycle hacking to medieval manuscripts to child-rearing and off-the-grid living. In addition to my newest novel, SINFUL FOLK, I wrote a book about technology and a mystery novel.

How long have you been writing?

I've been writing since I was 10 years old. I think I wrote my first attempted novel when I was 12, and I distinctively remember being fascinated by medieval stories and medieval life in 7th grade, when I wrote a story that won an award -- my story was set during the Hundred Years War between England and France. Writing has always been my passion -- I began by publishing shorter fiction and poetry (my book of poems, GLOSSOLALIA, appeared in 2009 from Orchard House Press. And I'm hopeful SINFUL FOLK will appear in 2012.

Tell us about SINFUL FOLK.

SINFUL FOLK is the story of a desperate mother who carries a hidden secret and a terrible grief.

In December of the year 1377, the village of Duns in the south of England suffered a great tragedy. Four young boys were burned to death in a house near the center of the village. It was the dead of winter, and the house burned to the ground. Although most English peasants of that era never traveled more than twenty miles from the place of their birth, villagers loaded the bodies on a cart and journeyed over 200 miles to London, to present the bodies before the King and demand justice.

SINFUL FOLK is the story of that mid-winter journey through the eyes of Mear, a middle-aged former nun who has lived for decades disguised as a mute man, raising her son in secret in this isolated village. Through the course of the journey with the men of the village, Mear’s story is told, her decades-long secrets come to light, and she is able to confront not only her son’s killer, but also the promise of her past, and the possibility of a new future as a noblewoman.

Mear begins her pilgrimage in terror and heartache, and ends in triumph and redemption.

Having read SINFUL FOLK, I have to say you presented the story well. I was brought right into the setting, the angst and sorrow Mear felt, and even wanted to punch a character or two. Her journey flowed well, and I was satisfied with the ending. How did the idea of the story come to you?

I was in graduate school for English Literature, studying Medieval Literature and reading Middle English works along with Chaucer. In the course of my reading, I came across this wonderful book by Miria Hallum called The Hollow Womb, in which the story of the village of Duns and the boys who burned to death there. It suddenly came to me that there was a person who so full of hate in that village that they burned down the house with all the boys inside. In a blind rush, I had to write a whole chapter from his perspective. I wrote a chapter in which he finds wood, carefully and surreptitiously stacks it against the house with the sleeping boys inside, and burns the place down. The whole chapter is so full of malice and anger that I found it breath-taking. I also realized I had no idea how to continue the story in the voice and head of that character. So I found my way into the head of Miriam (called Mear in the book), a woman who has been concealed in that village for years. Her perspective on the tragedy turned into the book SINFUL FOLK. The whole section I wrote from the perspective of the murderer was gradually cannibalized into difficult moments in Mear's journey and life, and the malice stripped away. However, I've never lost the sense that behind these deaths was a horrific ego and a sense of twisted payback, and the villain I knew so well traveled with Mear for all of her journey.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

The hardest part is hearing that what you've written isn't read the way you intended, and figuring out how to revise. I wrote a complete first draft of SINFUL FOLK after my agent requested the book -- it was half done, and I'd been putting it off forever. When she asked for the novel, I knew I had to complete it. So I finished up the first draft in a headlong 3 month rush. I thought it was suspenseful and thoughtful at the same time. Instead, as my early readers told me, it was simply ponderous. It moved too slowly, and it was hard to hear that readers found it slow-going. I am intensely grateful to my friend Sheri Boggs, because if she hadn't loved it (even at its first slow pace), I might never have picked it back up again. My friend Manek helped me find the way forward... and many other friends have contributed to the ideas. Writing for me isn't really an act of isolation, but an act of community.

The hardest part of writing is to be utterly alone in the knowledge that your book isn't working, and no one else can tell you exactly what to do next. You can get good advice, but in the end, you are marooned in an ocean of possibilities. and no way forward unless you write it.

Any tips you’ve learned about writing you’d like to share?

Most people think that writing is inspiration. It is not: it is perspiration. Write as much as possible, put words on the paper. If you keep putting 500 words down every day (that's only 2 pages, double-spaced!), you'll have 182,500 words in one year -- that's about 2 books for the average writer. Two books a year. The more you write, the more you are inspired. I wrote the first, second and third drafts of my novel for an hour a day while commuting on a train every day to a really demanding job that occupied me for 50 hours a week. You can always find time to write a page or two a day... just keep moving forward!

The other thing I've learned is that the more you write, the more inspiration comes to you. You have to be swimming to find fish.

Very wise! Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

I have to have something to write with. That's all. I prefer a laptop without connectivity, so I don't get distracted by going online and "researching" (time-wasting!). But I have written on a trans-Atlantic plane in the middle of the night, I've written in a train while commuting, I've written at my desk on lunch hours, I've written at a playground with children playing loudly, and occasionally I've even written in my lovely home office with my lovely wife and excitable children banging around nearby, and I've written in the back yard. Of course, quiet, music, hot tea and a nice view are preferable. But at the end of the day, there's no need for anything but a good idea, a piece of paper and a pen. Every now and then, I've come across a good phrase while driving or biking, and I've had to memorize it for later because I have no writing implements there with me. But it's still writing.

What human beings need to write is imagination. That is all.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

I would love to have the ability to go without sleeping. I love late nights -- the quiet, the solitude, the sense of working while the world sleeps around you. But I also love early mornings and dawn as the sun rises and the birds sing. Why can't I have both, and be writing through the night and into the day?

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: argument, tiger, and ballet shoes.

The Mad Hatter found himself without an argument when the tiger came to call, bringing ballet shoes to dunk into the tea-cups all around before he ate the March Hare whole and turned to say "Good day!"
(Ok, that was a little strange, but it was certainly fun. Thanks!)

It really was! Okay, here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

I truly appreciate two kinds of friends and readers. First, I really need the cheerleaders and the positive supporters who tell me how great my writing is, and love what I've done -- my friends Sheri, and Bianca Davis and my wife Jill, whose boundless support always buoys me up. Without them, I'd just sink into despondency. But I also really, really need the support and good insights of my critical readers like Manek Mistry, Christine Gunn, Larry Clark, and Matt Haugh, who tell me exactly what isn't working with a book, and how to fix it. Again, as I've said before, for me writing is really an act of community. All these wonderful people come around to help and encourage, and hone and edit, and all of their good ideas help my ideas get better and better. Thank you all!!!

And finally, where can people find you online?

Readers can find out more about SINFUL FOLK at http://www.SinfulFolk.com
You can find much more of my writing at http://NedNotes.com
You can follow me on Twitter -- @nedwriting or check out Sinful Folk on Facebook at https://facebook.com/Sinful-Folk
My poetry book GLOSSOLALIA (Speaking in Tongues) is on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Glossolalia-Speaking-Tongues-Ned-Hayes/dp/1590925874/
And I hope SINFUL FOLK will be up on Amazon soon... as well as in bookstores around the world.

Thank you so much for chatting with us, Ned. And thank you for letting me read your wonderful work. Be sure to let us know when SINFUL FOLK is available!

Official Entry Post for the Perfect Pitch Contest

2011-08-18T05:54:00.001+02:00

Here it is: The post you've all been waiting for! I hope your pitches are polished and perfected, because it's time to show literary agent Mandy Hubbard what you've got.

Let's go over the rules, shall we?
In order to be eligible for the contest, you must:

Be an un-agented writer of YA or MG
Pitch a completed manuscript
Follow my blog
Tweet, blog, or post a Facebook update about the contest with a link

It also wouldn't hurt to follow Mandy's blog. Or my Twitter.

And now for the entry details. Please post the following as a comment:

Title
Genre
Word Count
140-character pitch
Email address

The comments section will be open now until Friday, August 19th, at midnight. (Although you might get lucky and I'll forget to shut comments off until the next day, August 20th, which is my birthday. *wink*) D4EO agent Mandy Hubbard will then begin her search for the winning pitch.

That said, let the pitching begin. Good luck, everyone!

Pitch Contest Reminder

2011-08-16T07:11:00.000+02:00

Hey, everybody! I just wanted to remind you about the Perfect Pitch contest taking place Thursday, August 18th. I hope you've got your 140-character pitches ready. D4EO literary agent Mandy Hubbard will request the full manuscript from the winner—you've got to admit, that's a kick-ass prize!

So mark your calendars and stop back here on Thursday to enter. More details here.

Good luck!

Author Update: Eileen Schuh

2011-08-12T21:01:00.000+02:00

One of my past interviewees, the wonderful Eileen Schuh, has great news to share.

"So excited! WolfSinger Publications has put my sci fi novella, SCHRÖDINGER'S CAT up on Amazon and Smashwords as an eBook. It will soon be out in paperback, too. This psychological drama is more about tears and fears and relationships and death and dying than it is about science."

Congratulations, Eileen!

Check out Schrödinger's Cat on Amazon and Smashwords.

ARC Contest for SHATTER ME and more

2011-08-10T19:51:00.000+02:00

Have you heard the buzz about SHATTER ME yet? I'm dying to get my hands on this book, but it doesn't come out until November. Luckily there are ARC contests. And Tahereh Mafi, the very writer of SHATTER ME, is having one where not only can you win her book, but a choice of others as well.

Check out the contest on her blog!

Perfect Pitch Contest

2011-08-09T17:06:00.006+02:00

Hello, fellow writers! Have you been perfecting your pitches? I hope so, because the pitching is set to commence next Thursday, August 18th, right here on the blog.

Who is this contest for? You must:

Be an un-agented writer of YA or MG
Have a completed manuscript
Be a follower of this blog (It's not too late to hit that "Follow" button)
Tweet about the contest, linking to the blog

How does the contest work?

On August 18th, I will post an "Official Entry Post" post. In the comments section of that post, entrants will leave their 140-character pitch and their email address. Comments will remain open until midnight, August 19th. The judging literary agent will then peruse the entries and pick a winner, whose full ms will be requested.

And the big question: Who is the judging literary agent?

It's Mandy Hubbard of D4EO Literary!

Along with being a literary agent, Mandy Hubbard, also-known-as Amanda Grace, is the author of Prada & Prejudice, You Wish, But I Love Him, and three other to-be-published novels for teens. At D4EO Literary, she represents authors of middle grade and teen fiction. And she's awesome!

I had the honor of being able to ask Mandy a few questions to get to know her a little better. Take a look!

What is your favorite thing about being an agent vs your favorite thing about being a writer?

Hmm. I think as a writer, it's conneceting with readers. There's something very surreal about writing something by myself on my laptop and then reading a review online for it from someone who lives in a state (or country!) I've never even been to. Everyone draws their own conclusions and opinions about my books and it's amazing seeing different reactions. As far as being an agent, its definitely making a writer's dream come true. Having gone through many rejections as writer, there's something very satisfying and exciting about calling a client with good news!

What are your top three tips for aspiring writers?

Give yourself permission to write crap. Crap can be fixed (as in, don't let yourself be paralyzed by fear-- crappy words are better than no words.)
Write because you love it, not because you want fame or fortune or just to be published. You have to be in it for the right reasons.
Never give up. I wrote several novels before Prada & Prejudice, and Prada went through 9 drafts and 26 rejections. You have to be willing to stick with it when the going gets tough!

Great advice! Okay, Imagine that Agent You and Writer You are a superhero duo. Who are the evil nemeses of each of you?

I think self-doubt can be hard to deal with, no matter what side of the table you're on. As a writer its natural but I never realized how much agents second-guess themselves until I was in the business for awhile and met a lot of them. We constantly compare notes. I think it's harder to maintain confidence as an agent than as an author!

Interesting! So, what type of manuscript are you currently eager to get your hands on?

Really dying for some great, grounded, character-driven fantasy or sci-fi. And I'm always a sucker for realistic/contemporary stories. Haven't yet found that Luxe-style historical, either. So bring it on!

You heard her. Get those pitches ready, writers! Then come back here on the 18th for your chance to win. And if you want to know more about what Mandy represents, check out her website here.

And good luck!

Don't Miss it!

2011-08-09T06:57:00.000+02:00

Hi, everyone!

Big announcement coming later today on the Perfect Pitch contest. Be sure to check back!

Interview with Lisa Dale Norton

2011-08-03T20:53:00.001+02:00

Hello, fellow writers! For those of you waiting to hear about the pitch contest, I will be announcing more details next week. Announcing the agent? Hmm, maybe. You'll just have to keep checking to find out.

In the meantime, I've got an interview with a lovely writer. Let's meet Lisa Dale Norton.

Lisa is the author of the wildly popular memoir handbook Shimmering Images: A Handy Little Guide to Writing Memoir and the critically acclaimed memoir Hawk Flies Above: Journey to the Heart of the Sandhills both published by St. Martin’s Press. She teaches memoir writing through her website—http://www.lisadalenorton.com—and works internationally with clients completing book manuscripts. Lisa lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. USA.

Welcome to We Do Write, Lisa. Tell us, how long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing ever since I was a little kid. I adored writing letters and wrote to everyone, long missives filled with events and thoughts and feelings. Little did I know then that I was a narrative nonfiction writer in training.

For years, early in my apprenticeship as a writer, I discounted this practice and passion for writing, thinking that “writing” was only the crafting of stories with characters and scenes, dialogue and adventure across exotic landscapes. And it’s true, that is writing—a form of it. What I came to realize over time was that my passion for writing letters, for the articulation of ideas and experiences embedded in those letters was an equally valid form of writing. That’s when my career as a writer really began moving forward—when I accorded importance to that which I naturally did, and did well.

What is the hardest part about writing memoirs, and what is the easiest?

The hardest part about writing memoir is figuring out what part of my life I want to write about, and how best to structure that portion of experience, given what it is I am trying to say. That sounds circular, I imagine, but it’s a key point.

Because memoir is not autobiography—it is not a written record of one’s whole life—the writer must select the elements of memory that when separated out compose some thoughtful whole unto themselves, that tell a story with meaning, that entertain and engage, and complete some arc of experience. That dance between memory and imposing structure on remembered events, trying to sculpt a larger point for a reader is both the most fascinating, and the hardest part of writing memoir.

For me, the easiest part of writing memoir—if there is such a thing—is the crafting of individual sentences once the larger story is blocked in and quite solid. It’s the fine work of considering each word, the imagery, the rhythm of sentences, and the perfecting of it all, sentence by sentence. That is work many people loathe, but I love it, and for me it is fun, and relatively easy.

What top three tips about writing memoirs can you share with writers?

Select some portion that is worthy of exploration. Avoid the pitfall of trying to write about your whole life (and that of your forbears).
Craft a voice that captures readers. Learn the power of language itself to shape that voice.
Tell your truth. In other words: Be authentic. Anything less will produce a mediocre product.

What are you working on now?

A new work of literary nonfiction that combines two narrative lines—a journey my parents took in Europe right after the end of World War II, and a love affair in my life with a man who lives in Europe.

I am fascinated with the fact that stories shape people’s lives. That sounds like a simple sentence, but truly “getting” the insight that stories—the narratives that occupy our minds and guide our choices—shape our day-to-day realities is anything but simple. The narrator of my new work is opening to that dawning awareness.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Peace. Quiet. Beauty. Birds help, and the capacity to make a stiff cup of tea.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

To be a seer—to see events that are coming.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: discombobulated, safety harness, and inch worm.

Edward, the inch worm, felt discombobulated because the safety harness the townsfolk had given him to aid with his trek up the sheer stone face of the looming, ice-capped peak that threw its grim shadow across the town was too big for his mid-section, and he was fighting now—despite his methodical movement, which always calmed him—a creeping notion of panic.

Wow! What a sentence! Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

My thanks always go to the same crowd of people who love me and are always there for me: Gene Dieken, Georganne O’Connor, Karli June Hansen, Kathy Hansen Archibald, Alexia LaFortune.

And finally, where can people find you and your books online?

People can find me at my website: http://www.lisadalenorton.com. They can e-mail me there: lisa@lisadalenorton.com.

Shimmering Images: A Handy Little Guide to Writing Memoir is available from your favorite bookseller—your independent bookstore, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s, or from St. Martin’s Press, the publisher.

Hawk Flies Above: Journey to the Heart of the Sandhills can be purchased on line at Amazon.com, or by ordering from me at lisa@lisadalenorton.com. Hardcover and tradepaper copies are available.

Lisa, thank you so much for letting us get to know you and telling us about your books. Be sure to let us know when your next book is out!

Sneak Peek Review: Nikolas and Company

2011-08-01T20:32:00.002+02:00

Last year I had the honor of interviewing a very talented author by the name of Kevin McGill. In the interview, he talked about the book he was working on called NIKOLAS AND COMPANY: A CREATURE MOST FOUL. I was very intrigued by the idea of the book. And now he's let me take a sneak peek at the first 100 pages.

Let me just tell you: This story is awesome!

First of all, Kevin does a fabulous job of putting you smack dab in the middle of the story with his wonderful use of setting, and the flow and pacing of his storytelling are spot on. And this story is futuristic, so that's quite a feat to accomplish without sounding like you're just describing a Star Trek episode. And the world Kevin created is filled with creatures of all kinds. My favorite creatures? The humans. I absolutely loved the teens in this story. They're witty, they're brave when they have to be, they mess up, they try again, and they talk to each other like real teens talk to each other. I felt like following them around just to listen to their banter some more. Don't get me wrong, there's adventure in this story too. Nikolas takes his troop on a mission to ... well, you'll just have to get the books to find out.

Check out his website for more details.

Thank you, Kevin, for letting me get a taste of this wonderful adventure. I look forward to reading the rest of it! :)

Perfect Pitch Contest Mini Announcement

2011-07-27T07:57:00.000+02:00

Guess who's got a birthday coming up. Okay, it's not until next month, but I thought I'd give you guys a heads-up, because I'm going to be holding a contest. A Perfect Pitch contest. This is a shout out to all unpublished YA and/or MG writers with completed manuscripts. The contest will be in Twitter Pitch style, meaning it can only consist of 140 characters in the comments of the official entry post (not this one), and will be judged by a spectacular literary agent, who will request the full manuscript from the winner. Who is the agent, you're asking? I'll keep that a secret a little bit longer and make the announcement closer to the contest date. But believe me—spectacular!

The contest's official entry post will go up August 18th (two days before my birthday), so get those Twitter pitches perfected and those manuscripts polished. You must be a follower of this blog and tweet or blog the contest, which you can do anytime between now and contest date.

(Just a suggestion: Practice your pitches on your blog or Facebook or wherever, then ask for critiques through Twitter with the hashtag #perfectpitch. Not necessary, but why not get help making your pitches as perfect as they can be?)

You've got three weeks. Go!

Happy Book Birthday

2011-07-26T06:27:00.001+02:00

Today is the release day for two book sequels: SUPERNATURALLY by Kiersten White and WOLFSBANE by Andrea Cremer. I've read the first installments of both these books and loved them. Be sure to check them out if you haven't already!

Interview with Nathan Carriker

2011-07-20T15:04:00.000+02:00

I usually include a question in my interviews where I ask authors what superpower they would like to have. The most popular answer so far has been the ability to fly. Apropos, I have an interview today with a writer who can actually do that! With the help of a plane, that is. And in the practice of writing what you know, Nathan Carriker has written a novel about aviation. Let's chat with him and learn more.

Hi, Nate! Welcome. Tell us a little about yourself?

When I was pitching agents, I’d tell them, “I’m a pilot. You could say I eat, drink, sleep, dream, and breathe Aviation, but that doesn’t quite cover it. If they could gather enough of it up in one place I’d actually jump into and roll around in the pile." I’ve been this way as long as I can remember, and it's the main reason I wrote A Silver Ring.

Tell us about A SILVER RING. What’s it about?

For their own in-house advertising, a friend at the Experimental Aviation Association slapped on a fantastic, simple subtitle that perfectly describes it: an aviation love story. I’m an absolute drooling fool for a good double entendre like that. Is it an aviation story about love, or a story about a love for aviation? Well, it's both. But not to be so coy, my elevator pitch is, “A family estranged by war discovers its legacy and the secrets that bind them forever.” It's a binary story - two settings and two parallel plots develop, and resolve, together.

My first protagonist is a young man in World War Two named Wes who wants to be a pilot but is disqualified for being too tall. That actually happened to quite a few men back then. He has a sister who’s in love with their volatile town miscreant, and their father has Wes help keep that guy away from his sister.

Wes and his sister's sweetheart go to war, and Wes falls in love with a lovely English girl he intends to marry if he survives. But just after she gives him a certain silver ring and steels herself to tell him she's pregnant, he gets called out for what becomes his final mission.

Forty years later, my other two protagonists are a forty-something father and twenty-something son in the late 1980’s who share a love and talent for flying they can’t explain because the dad was adopted. On the same fateful day, the father's birth mother enters his life, and his son meets a girl with whom he has an instant rapport. Leading separate, busy lives, the father learns more about his long-lost parents and the son becomes engaged to his new sweetheart. No one has any chance to compare notes until the wedding, where the bride’s dress is far from the biggest secret to be revealed.

Aha, sounds interesting! How did the idea for the story occur to you?

I had an Uncle who wanted to be a pilot but was killed in action April 1, 1944. He was a flight engineer and by all accounts a rather good one. I can’t remember my dad telling me about him, nor can I remember not being obsessed with his story and flying. When my own son was born, I couldn't help but wonder about whether he would inherit the flying bug my uncle, my father, and I share, and that was the beginning.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve written for fun since having a tyrannical (but fantastic) English teacher in eighth grade. I've always been lazy and found longhand tedious, so I didn’t even try to write anything for public consumption until I got my first computer in 1994. When I did, I thought I might get Greenpeace after me for the number of trees I was going to get knocked down with all the ideas I had. Unfortunately, before I really got “settled in” with my computer, I had a small plane accident that changed my life, and I didn’t get back to my plan for years. In the process, I married my wife (who came with two boys), and writing was once again relegated to Someday. But when 9/11 decimated my career as an airline pilot, I began to make time for it in hopes of making some extra money. So far, it’s going well—I’ve almost made enough to pay for all the electricity my computers have used!

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

The chaotic disjointedness of my lifestyle, by far. It seems I never get more than a few minutes of mental peace at a time. Occupational hazard of my day job as an airline pilot. I get most of my writing done on layovers, but even there, I have to stay healthy and get a lot of rest so I don’t get fatigued for flying, so eating and sleeping are major time-wasters as far as writing’s concerned. I can’t write well when I’m tired or very hungry, but sometimes even when I'm neither I still have trouble getting into “the zone” when I have ample time. It seems like I really do the most good only when I’m neglecting something else.

What do you absolutely need to have nearby when writing?

Nothing, really. I’ve written (bad) poetry on a napkin, and lots of other stuff on whatever was available (no, not tp, at least not yet), but my inner editor will NOT be marginalized, so I definitely do my best with my laptop. A well-stocked fridge, bar, and cigars, and frequent, silent check-in kisses from the wife don’t hurt, either.

And the ever popular question: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Aside from the obvious (flying), I’d have to say invisibility. I’m a paranoid with an inferiority complex and that would really help validate my fears about how rarely anyone's talking about me. But then again it could turn me into a voyeur, too—although then I’d still need to have the flying thing to hover outside people’s windows or x-ray vision (although seeing people like those scanners at the airport doesn’t really sound that hot) or the ability to pass through walls or doors or something, so maybe not so much. I’d probably just stick with just flying.

Quick writing test: Use clergy, weapon, and pudding in a sentence?

“Finding a priest dead on the street’s one thing, but finding a member of the clergy carrying a concealed weapon, with a valid permit, is definitely a new wrinkle,” Mike mumbled as he surveyed the scarlet pudding congealed beneath the savagely beaten body.

Sounds like a mystery in the making! Shoutouts…who’s helped you along?

Without my friend, editor, and cover designer (the chronological order of the roles she’s played) Cassandra Marshall, A Silver Ring never could have fully evolved from a good but obviously self-published effort into what I proudly consider a book that can hold its own in every aspect against any competing title published by a New York house. Because of that one great teacher - Marion, Ohio’s Bob Webb - she didn’t have to waste much time finding and fixing technique, so she could really focus on the story. When I first got her markup, my hackles went up on a few things, but after I gave myself some time to calm down, remember I'd paid for a good critique, and resolve to accommodate her ideas without selling out my story or voice, I found myself improving lots of other things she’d left alone but with which I myself was no longer happy. I honestly couldn’t believe the transformation.

And don’t even get me started on the cover she did for me. It’s one of a very few truly magical things I've had in my life, and I’d laugh in the face of anyone who ever tries to critique it. It’s simply not-of-this-Earth perfect for this story.

Without the layout/formatting help of Jennette Green, from Diamond Press Publishing (http://www.diamondpresspublishing.com/), I’d be curled in a fetal position mumbling to myself right now instead of publicizing my book. I’m not technophobic, but I simply didn’t have time to learn what some swear to be an easy process and still get A Silver Ring out in time to debut at AirVenture. Jennette had my book perfectly formatted for Lightning Source’s printers, Kindle, Nook, and Smashwords in days for less money than a single one of the visits to a mental health professional I'd have needed without her help.

Literally more people than I can name or even remember have played a part in shaping this novel, my effort to see it published, or my writing in general, but about a dozen Tweeps like you have been all-weather friends to me since I joined Twitter in ‘09, and I've learned a lot from your friendships. The other biggies are @KarlenePetitt, @DocumentDriven, @vdemetros, @lit_gal, @Taildragger1, @SentinelChicken, @juliewillfly, and pretty much everyone who regularly contributes to #amwriting and http://www.absolutewrite.com/. I’m indebted to lots of people whose names I just can’t recall because of the fleeting nature of social media, but their contribution absolutely can't be overlooked. It really is a great time to be a writer, if only because it’s so easy to get so much support from such great people. You all make it hard to remain an introvert!

Thanks so much for chatting with us, Nate. And I hope the success of your book takes you to new heights. ;)

Interview with Tricia Merritt and Brad Gallaway

2011-07-19T19:15:00.000+02:00

Today I'm going to double your fun by doing a double interview. Earlier this year, I was asked to take a look at a novel called REMEMBER TOMORROW by Tricia Merritt and Brad Gallaway. The story has a great voice, and the time-travel element kept me turning the page to find out what was going to happen next. There's also a steamy scene for those who enjoy a little schmexy in a novel. It's definitely a book for those looking for a fantasy-edged thriller.

I had the honor of talking with the authors, so let's see what they have to say.

Welcome to We Do Write, Brad and Tricia! Great to have you here. How long have you each been writing?

TM: I’ve been writing since childhood. My first professional success came about 14 years ago, when I sold my first short story.

BG: I also been writing since I was a kid. I won a “young writers” contest in third grade, and I've been chipping away at it ever since. However, getting into fiction is fairly recent for me... most of my writing efforts have been in reviewing video games and editing the work of my writing staff.

Tell our readers about REMEMBER TOMORROW.

TM: I’d call it a sexy, smart time-travel thriller. It’s meant to be a fun read but there’s also some substance to it: the universe we created has rules. This isn’t a case of time travel being an all-purpose deus ex machina. We set the story in Hong Kong and Seattle, which are cities we know very well.

BG: I agree with that, but for me, it was also about tackling time-travel in a way that a "normal person" would. Rather than the main character having all the pat answers, or being able to breeze through the challenges before her, it was really important to me to have her be human and relatable.

How did the idea of the story come to you?

TM: I think the idea came from a number of sources. I was walking across a snowy field in Korea, listening to Nine Inch Nails on my iPod. The song “Beside You in Time” came on, and it occurred to me that it would be fun to write a book like this. Brad and I decided to use the Tricia Merritt pen name because I am already something of a known quantity in a certain genre. I wanted people to come to the book with absolutely no preconceptions.

BG: Tricia had the original concept and the idea to write it as a team, and I was happy to jump aboard. Although I don't want to say that I came up with a certain thing, or that Tricia came up with a certain thing, I think our styles were a good balance for each other and hopefully they will blend together in a way that's enjoyable to the reader.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

TM: Finding the time to do it. I have a day job and I also run a small business on the side. With so much on my plate, getting into the right frame of mind has become exceedingly tough. I have a hard time calming my monkey-mind down enough for the words to come. It’s not that I lack ideas—I don’t—but creating a space for them is the hard part these days.

BG: My answer is the same. I have a regular day job that pays my bills (in theory, anyway) and I do my work with games writing at night. Despite this, I used to be able to work in an hour or two of fiction a night with no problem, but now that I've got kids in the house, it's a real challenge.

Let’s get to know you each on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

TM: Nothing talismanic, if that’s what you mean. I need my laptop, of course. My cat likes to hang out nearby while I’m working, to keep an eye on me. That works two ways, because if he’s in sight it means he’s not in another room destroying something! Sometimes a glass (or two) of wine helps.

BG: The only things I need are a quiet room and a headset. I tend to do most of my writing through a verbal dictation program in order to save my hands the wear and tear of pounding away on a keyboard, so give me some silence and a place to talk to myself, and I'm happy.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

TM: Telekinesis, absolutely. Think of the X-men’s Jean Grey.

BG: For me, it would probably be something a little more pedestrian... something like the ability to summon piles of cash out of thin air, or the power to eat hyper-fatty food without destroying my cardiovascular system.

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

TM: I’d just like to thank the people who’ve already taken a chance on this book, as well as Brad, for taking a chance on writing it with me.

BG: I'd like to thank Tricia for being a constant encouragement when it was needed, and I'd especially like to thank my wife Gina for being as supportive as anyone could possibly be.

And finally, where can people find you online?

BG: My next book is still in the works all that is due to be published soon, but in the meantime, anyone who wants to read more of my other writings can find me talking video games at http://www.gamecritics.com, or at my personal blog, http://drinkingcoffeecola.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for chatting with us, Brad and Tricia. Good luck with your book, and be sure to let us know when the next one is out.

Book Release: Laura A H Elliott

2011-07-16T01:23:00.000+02:00

Winnemucca is a young-adult small-town fairy tale about a teenage girl's enchanted road trip to her true self no matter who or what tries to stop her.

One mistake changes her life forever. One answer will set her free. Once upon a time Ginny’s road blood ripened, the day she got wise to love. Engaged to the high school quarterback, his quarter-carat ring and enchanting smile should have been enough for her. But, she stands him up and takes a walk where every step questions her happily ever after gone-bad and the fate of the mother she never knew. The mother her father refuses to talk about. Ginny fights to untangle her big, fat, lie-of-a-life on an enchanted road trip to Winnemucca, where she believes all her answers lie, no matter who or what tries to stop her.

And here's a book trailer to wet your whistle:

Laura A. H. Elliott's novel is available now. One edition is digitally signed by the author with a 70 cent donation to The Wounded Warrior Project, in honor of Laura's nephew.

What are you working on now, Laura?

My next book is THIIRTEEN ON HALLOWEEN and you can see the beginnings of the cover on my website: http://www.authorlaura.com/#!books
It's about an unlucky girl who travels to Planet Popular where she gets everything she wants except her old life back.

Where can readers find you?

Readers can find me at : www.authorlaura.com

Author Update: Denise Grover Swank

2011-07-14T18:33:00.004+02:00

In May of last year, I interviewed up-and-coming author Denise Grover Swank. Well, time has flown by, and now Denise is successfully launching her novel TWENTY-EIGHT AND A HALF WISHES. I watched the book trailer, and now I really want to get my hands on this book. Let's take the opportunity to catch up with her.

Welcome back, Denise! Congratulations on your launch. Tell us about your new book.

Thanks for having me back, Dorothy! Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes is the first book of the Rose Gardner Mysteries. It's part mystery, part romance, part chick-lit, and part humor that all combines to make a fun read. The synopsis is below:

For Rose Gardner, working at the DMV on a Friday afternoon is bad even before she sees a vision of herself dead. She’s had plenty of visions, usually boring ones like someone’s toilet’s overflowed, but she’s never seen one of herself before. When her overbearing momma winds up murdered on her sofa instead, two things are certain: There isn't enough hydrogen peroxide in the state of Arkansas to get that stain out, and Rose is the prime suspect.

Rose realizes she’s wasted twenty-four years of living and makes a list on the back of a Wal-Mart receipt: twenty-eight things she wants to accomplish before her vision comes true. She’s well on her way with the help of her next door neighbor Joe, who has no trouble teaching Rose the rules of drinking, but won’t help with number fifteen-- do more with a man. Joe’s new to town, but it doesn’t take a vision for Rose to realize he’s got plenty secrets of his own.

Somebody thinks Rose has something they want and they’ll do anything to get it. Her house is broken into, someone else she knows is murdered, and suddenly, dying a virgin in the Fenton County jail isn’t her biggest worry after all.

Sounds amazing! How did the idea for the book come to you?

I took my son to the DMV to get license plates for his car. It was a hot, humid June day and the room was stuffy and full of cranky customers. I told him "It would be awesome to have a character work at the DMV. You could get some interesting stories." He just rolled his eyes and gave me his "whatever Mom, you're acting weird again" look. But the wheels were spinning. I started the book four days later.

Muses work in mysterious ways. What was the easiest part about writing this book, and what was the hardest?

The easiest part about about writing this book was that the story literally fell out of my fingers. Rose started talking and didn't stop until the story was done. She's such a fun character that it was a thrilling, magical ride. I wrote the first draft in 30 days.

The hardest part was cutting it down. When I finished, the first draft the manuscript was 102,000 words. It took MANY passes during edits to get it down to it's current 93,000 words. And that wasn't even revising. The story is pretty much as a I wrote it with only very minor revisions. It was cutting down the side thoughts Rose tended to throw in. While many were entertaining, they sometimes slowed down the story. It took me awhile to clean some out. (Kill your darlings. LOL)

Sounds like Rose had a lot to say. Quick Writing Test! Use these words in a sentence: power drill, equilibrium, and symphony.

Awesome word choices! One of my characters, Joe, actually uses a drill in Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes to fix Rose's busted door. I'll write the sentence from Rose's POV. I've set it up with a few other sentences. I also cheated. To make it all make sense, I used a semi-colon. *hangs head in shame*

A mechanical whine drifted from the kitchen, irritating my already aching head. But when I turned the corner to investigate, I froze. Joe hunched in my doorway, working on the doorjamb. The blood rushed from my head, upsetting my equilibrium; the noise of the power drill in his hand had become a symphony.

That was brilliant! So well done that I forgive your cheating. ;) So now that your book is out, are there any shout outs you'd like to throw out there?

This book wouldn't be possible without the help of my critique partners, Trisha Leigh, Eisley Jacobs and Kathy Collins. They believed in this story as much as I did and encouraged me every step of the way. I love you guys!

And finally, let our readers know where they can find your book.

You can find Twenty-Eight and a Half WIshes as a ebook and paperback at Amazon.com, ebook at Barnes & Noble and paperback my Createspace store page: https://www.createspace.com/3614250

Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes is also listed on Goodreads and has a book trailer:

Thanks so much, Denise. I wish you continued success with your book. And be sure to let us know when your next book comes out!

Winners!

2011-07-02T08:56:00.000+02:00

Thanks for all your comments on the WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES giveaway post. I used random.org to pick two winners, and now I extend heartfelt congratulations to:

Unruly Guides

and

Angela Ackerman

Yay! If the winners would email me your addresses at dorothyanndreyer [at] gmail [dot] com, your copies will soon be on their way to you.

Also, my dear Blogosprites, I'll be on vacation for a week and a half, so the blog won't be updated until my return. I'm sure you'll all be out in the sun enjoying summer anyway, right? ;) Not to worry though, I already have something lined up for when I get back. Until then, Hasta Luego!

Interview with Deborah Halverson and Book Giveaway!

2011-06-29T08:52:00.005+02:00

In the last few years I've learned a lot about writing young adult fiction. And one of the things I learned is there's always more to learn! Lucky for us YA writers, the intuitive and awesome Deborah Halverson is releasing a book that can enormously help our plotting, writing, and editing: WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES. How cool is that!

And you can win a signed copy! Keep reading to find out how.

So what do you get with this amazing book? Let's check it out:

With young adult book sales rising and bestselling authors exploding onto the scene, aspiring YA writers are more numerous than ever. Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies offers tricks of the trade and proven tips on all the steps of writing a YA novel, from developing an idea to publication.

· Tips on writing believable characters, settings, and dialogue
· Helpful sidebars from notable YA authors
· Four easy steps to writing a killer hook
· How to edit and revise with confidence
· Answers to the most common publishing contract questions
· Common pitfalls to avoid
· Advice on self-publishing vs. traditional publishing
· Tools for creating a powerful self-marketing campaign

With the help of this step-by-step guide, you'll have all the skills to write an inspiring and marketable young adult novel.

Deborah is having a 7 Day Virtual Book Launch on her blog where she's giving away tons of prizes, including a full manuscript critique. To celebrate Deborah's 7 Day Virtual Book Launch, I've taken the opportunity to interview her. Get cozy and join in on the fun.

Welcome, Deborah. Tell us a bit about yourself.

Before I wrote novels for young people, I edited other writers’ novels for young people. Before I edited other writers’ novels for young people, I wrote and edited video game instructions for young people. Before that, I was a young person. So it would seem that somewhere along the way I pledged my creative and professional existence to a group of people living through perhaps the most tumultuous, confusing, wonderful, and exciting phases of life—and I’m ever so happy I did. I find it incredibly rewarding to create books that help young people explore and understand their places in the world. And with the publication of my new book Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies, I get to add my love of teaching to all that work experience I’ve racked up, allowing me to offer writers insights into both craft and industry. As I see it, I’ve got a pretty nifty job.

Your book sounds like an extremely useful resource for writers. What drove you to put together WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES?

In a way, I've been writing this book for 15 years. I spent ten years editing picture books and young adult novels with Harcourt Children’s Books, troubleshooting stories and guiding revisions, soaking in the advice of editors far more experienced than I, and writing speeches and articles and jotting down thoughts about the craft of writing with the intention of organizing those musings under a book cover in some form, some day. That form finally took shape last summer when an agent approached me about writing a book that tackles the unique challenges and tricks of writing for young people. She didn’t tell me the book was for Wiley Publishing's For Dummies line until we’d bantered via email a bit and I’d unwittingly revealed that I’ve got a sense of humor up my sleeve, something for which the For Dummies books are known. By that time I’d been freelance editing, teaching writing, and writing my own novels for five years, so I felt like I was in the zone to talk informatively about all sides of the YA publishing process.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

First drafts are notoriously ugly because writers are initially just trying to get the characters and events pinned down. Making everything pretty is for later drafts. However, I find it very difficult to let the ugliness just sit there and wait for those later drafts. I can’t stand knowing Ugly is there, so I continuously battle the urge to go back and rework those first words until they’re no longer horrific. Is it the editor in me or would I be like this even if I were a banker or a chef? Dunno. But the urge is there.

When reading other writers' works, what is your biggest pet peeve?

I frequently encourage aspiring writers put setting back into their young adult manuscripts. Too often, writers fill their manuscripts with characters and dialogue and action without providing readers with enough setting details to help them visualize these people and events in an actual environment. It’s like watching actors in front of the special affects blue screen. Put in setting so we can see stuff. That doesn’t mean plopping down big long descriptions. Rather, it means using setting elements such as temperature, props, and physical features to influence the character and the story. This gives readers something to visualize, yes, but perhaps more importantly, characters who interact with the environment around them reveal their moods and personalities, which enriches the characterization. By making more of your setting element, you also relax your dialogue so that it no longer carries the sole burden of conveying the emotion in a scene. Punching your hand through a plaster wall conveys serious emotion without a word of dialogue.

Great tips! Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Munchables. Which is bad, bad, bad. Actual hunger is irrelevant; my “have to have” is all about the motion of reaching from bowl to mouth over and over. That action helps me concentrate. Thank the Writing Gods for popcorn! I just wish I enjoyed popcorn as much as, say, chocolate. Or anything with actual taste, for that matter, as I try to be good by sticking with unbuttered air-popped corn, with just a dash of salt. Blah. Perhaps somewhere deep down I believe in suffering for my art?

Oh, we suffer enough. Bring on the munchies! If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Seinfeld’s Kramer once tried to live on just catnaps. I related to that episode. It’s probably not an official super power option, but I sure would love the ability to go through life without needing to sleep. Even as a child I thought just lying there unconscious for hours at a time was a total waste of valuable living time. Stephenie Meyer may have gotten her idea for the Twilight saga from a dream, but for me, dreams are useless commercials interrupting the show of Life.

LOL, I never heard it put quite that way before.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: feather, bazooka, and koala bear.

The koala bear struggled to scrape the sticky Bazooka bubble gum from his fur with the stem of a peacock feather.

Aha, very clever. Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

I’m feeling particularly lovey-dovey about my friend and mentor Robin Cruise, a children’s book publisher and amazing author in her own right (www.RobinCruise.com). Robin gave me my first job in children’s book publishing, she supported my jump from a managing editorial career path to acquisition editor, and she fanned the flames that set me to penning Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies. Plus, she’s just a hoot to talk to. I’m fortunate to count Robin among my many supportive and inspiring friends and family.

And finally, where can people find you online?
DeborahHalverson.com
DearEditor.com
Facebook: DearEditor.com page
Twitter: @Dear_Editor

Thank you, Deborah, for letting us get to know you and your book. I just know it's going to be a hit.

And now, lucky readers, here's your opportunity to have WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES in your very own hands. I'm giving away TWO copies of this excellent resource, and here's all you need to do:

Be a follower on my blog
Be a follower on Deborah's blog
Leave me a comment telling me you want the book
Tweet a link to this post

Contest ends Friday at midnight (EDT). I'll use random.org to pick two winners. The contest is open to US and Canada. (To those in other countries, don't worry. I'll have an international contest soon.)

Good luck, everyone!

Interview with Kimberly Krey

2011-06-27T06:33:00.000+02:00

Happy Monday, everyone! Wait, what? Monday's aren't happy? Well, let's change that with a happy interview with a fabulous up and coming writer. Say hello to Kimberly Krey.

Hi, Kimberly! Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm a happily married mother of four with a passion for family, food and the written word.

How long have you been writing?

I've been writing for just over two and a half years.

Tell us about EVIE'S KNIGHT. What’s the story about?

Evie's Knight is a YA Urban Fantasy. When seventeen-year-old Evie falls in love with Calvin Knight, their love provokes a psychotic woman from beyond the grave who wants Evie dead. The same demon who has haunted the Knight men for four generations.

That's a quick summary. An extended blurb on Evie's Knight can be found on my website (link below).

Sounds cool. How did the idea of the story come to you?

The idea definitely came to me in layers. I knew Evie and Calvin pretty well, and I knew that Calvin was tormented somehow, but it took a while to discover my antagonist, who, in the end, became known as The Raven-haired Ghost.

Awesome, sounds scary. Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

Both. Well, all of the above. I wrote the book, shelved it for a summer (and started writing another book because writing had become such a part of me I couldn't live without it) and then went over it again. During this time I revised and edited until I felt it was ready for my beta readers (I had about a dozen ready to read the MS). Much later I found my amazing critique group which actually consists of just three women (including myself) and had them go through the MS as well. But I really like to self edit first and get my work to a certain point before I get any outside critiques/feedback on it.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

You know, I really just love the whole process. I do. The creative stage is the funnest for me. When the characters are revealing themselves to me as I go. I love being surprised by some of the things they do. And the editing process, though sometimes it seems to drag on forever, can actually be fun because it's where the manuscript really starts to shine. I honestly enjoy it all. Finding time is a bit of a trick, though. And querying is an entirely different story.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Hmm. That's a good question. I really think I almost have it all as long as I have my laptop. It's got all my music on there which, depending on what I'm writing and what stage I'm at can really feed my muse. Okay, I actually have something. Two things. I always have to have my Altoids Mini Mints (love them!), and my Soft Lips chap stick. I go nowhere without them. Not camping, boating, or even a trip to the grocery store. Those two items are with me always, and that includes while I'm writing.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

That's a hard one because there are so many awesome powers out there that I know could be useful in like, saving lives and everything. But my most pressing (and sort of selfish) desire would be to fly, of course. Don't we all dream about that?

It does seem to be a popular answer.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: session, revitalize, and odious.

Okay, I'll write one like it's in the middle of a novel, how's that?

Stuck in therapy again. Mom says the sessions should revitalize me, leave me feeling light and ready to face the day, but I dread the odious task the way she dreads hearing what Dr. Sims has to say about me.

Excellent! Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

Alright, major shout out to my hubby and kids for putting up with my crazy writing habits. To my sister-in-law and mother for being the first ones to go over Evie's Knight (pre beta readers), and my dad and mother-in-law for their continued support. Also to the awesome women in my critique group, Marilyn Yarbrough and Jamie Thompson. A big shout out goes to my fellow bloggers and followers, and an extra big one to you for hosting this interview! Thank you for spotlighting me on your awesome blog; it's such a great honor!

You're welcome! And finally, where can people find you online?

My website address is: http://www.wix.com/kimberlykrey/kimberlykrey
My blogsite can be found: http://writegirl-writegirl.blogspot.com/
I'm on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/#!/KimberlyKrey

Thanks so much for chatting with us, Kimberly. I wish you lots of success with Evie's Knight and all your writing projects!

Shelley Watters: Birthday Blowout Contest

2011-06-25T16:25:00.002+02:00

The extremely awesome Shelley Watters is holding another agent-judged first page contest. This time the agent is Victoria Marini of the Gelfman Schneider Literary Agency, and according to her likes (paranormal romance and mythology being a couple), I'm most likely going to enter the first page of my muse story. But I thought I'd let you guys also take a look at the first page of my shelved novel PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES, just to see what you think. The reason behind this is that Victoria also mentioned liking ghost stories, which this one is.

So first, here's the first page of BITTERSWEET MELODY, my 60k young adult paranormal romance:

One thing I can say for sure is I’m the only muse in history to ever have been grounded. I know this is true because my father told me. Well, more like screamed it at me while gripping the heck out of a lightning bolt, holding it over his head like a maniac. He totally over-reacted, of course. I mean, come on. Revoking my Inspiration License and grounding me for a hundred years? That completely sucks!

Sucks is a word I learned from my sister Calliope. She spends a lot of time with humans and picks up the best phrases. Whenever she comes home from a case she teaches them to me. Calliope’s a lot more fun than my other sisters—and there are many of us, not just three or nine like humans are misled to believe. And the only one who’s ever been suspended from inspiring? That’s right: me. It’s so unfair. My father says I had it coming, but I swear I’m not a trouble maker; I’m just misunderstood.

But that’s all over with now. I’ve served my time and I’m about to get my freedom back. Don’t get me wrong, Mount Olympus is pretty much the most beautiful place ever, but I’ve had it with being locked up here unable to do what I was born to do.

The last step toward my ticket out of here is a meeting with my Inspiration Officer so I can get my license back. That’s where I am now: sitting in his little office of cloud-white walls, rocking back and forth on the hind legs of a rickety chair while I wait for him to show up.

“Good morning, Melody. It’s been a long time.”

And now for the comparison, the first page of PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES, my 60k young adult paranormal:

Strange things go through your head when you’re having an MRI. And I’m not just talking about the electromagnetic currents, although that certainly does cause a flicker of scientific curiosity. I mean things like if my hair will grow out right, or if my mother would let me get my favorite band’s new CD, or who it might be that cleans the insides of these machines, or if Adam and Eve had belly buttons.

That I’m thinking so clearly at all is a miracle, they tell me. The number of patients who can function as well as I can after the type of brain surgery I underwent is not an impressive figure. According to them anyway. Maybe it’s just my amateur opinion, but when someone goes poking metal objects into an organ as complicated as a brain, prodding around in there as if dipping pieces of fruit into a chocolate fondue pot, I’d be impressed if the person who’d been operated on didn’t come out of surgery having attained the glorious functioning level of drooling all over their fecal-stained hospital gown.

“Try to keep still, Faith,” the mysterious doctor hidden safely behind the wall of glass says. Good thing he reminded me. I was just about to break out into a merengue to the beat of the knocking sounds the monster of the machine is making. Oh well, maybe later.

“So, how many people have thrown up in this thing?” I ask.

“I’m sorry, Faith. Do you feel nauseous?”

“No.”

“Is there an unpleasant smell?”

“No. Just wondering.”

So there you have it. What do you think?

7 Day Book Launch: Dear Editor

2011-06-24T18:10:00.001+02:00

The delightful Deborah Halverson of Dear Editor fame, is celebrating the launch week of her book WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES by having seven days of prizes on her blog. Here's what she says:

To celebrate the publication of Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies, from June 29-July 5 here on DearEditor.com, I’m featuring daily “Free First Chapter Critique” giveaways, free downloads, excerpts from the book, and profiles of the 13 amazing authors, editors, and agents who so generously contributed sidebars to the book. As the grand finale, I’m giving away a “Free Full Manuscript Edit” on the final day.

Great opportunity, right? I'd even say amazing! Be sure to check Deborah's blog all next week and enter for your chance to win great prizes.

And as a reminder of the kick start, I'll be posting an interview with Deborah on the 29th where I'll be giving one lucky follower a free copy of the book! So stay tuned!

ARC Contest for SHATTER ME on Tahereh's Blog

2011-06-21T21:35:00.000+02:00

Folks, you DO NOT want to miss out on this. And actually, I'm hesitant to tell you all because I so desperately want to win it myself. But Tahereh Mafi is having a contest in which the winner gets an ARC of her upcoming book SHATTER ME. Now, when I say upcoming, I mean November. And that's a long wait. So you're going to want to enter this contest, like now.

Go to her blog and check out the scoop. And then leave me a comment to tell me if you entered so I can use my supernatural math skills to figure out my odds.

And when I say supernatural math skills, I mean my calculator.

And when I say I'm going to use my calculator, I really mean I'm just going to close my eyes and wish.