Interview with Tracy Sweeney

Happy Wednesday! It's halfway through the week, which means we're halfway to the weekend! And to help us get over the hump, we are pleased to have Tracy Sweeney here to discuss her writing path and her novel, LIVING BACKWARDS.

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

I’m a first time author and mother of two crazy boys who are seven and four.  They keep me on my toes when my head isn’t in the clouds.  We live north of Boston – sadly nowhere near New Kids on the Block, Matt or Ben.  I still blame my parents for this.

Ha! Well, you're closer to them then I am. How long have you been writing?

Since I was a kid.  I have memories of writing short stories in my fifth grade science notebook instead of listening to my teacher talk about rock formations.  I hope she’s not reading this now.

Tell us about LIVING BACKWARDS. What’s the story about?

The main character, Jillian Cross, falls and bumps her head while trying to squeeze herself into a very unforgiving pair of skinny jeans.  When she wakes up, she’s back in her childhood bedroom.  It’s 1999 and she’s a senior in high school.  Because she’s aware that any change she makes can affect  the future, she sets off to walk the same path she walked more than ten years earlier.  Unfortunately, she finds it’s hard to be the same person she was when she was seventeen.  Mostly because the first time around, she didn’t have a pink, sparkly flask.  And she hadn’t met Luke.  It’s hard to be reasonable when there’s a cute boy on a motorcycle.

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

I love time travel movies.  Peggy Sue, Back to the Future, The Butterfly Effect.  I eat them up.  Maybe I spent too much time thinking about their nuances but if you were to really end up back in high school years later, could you effectively pretend you belonged there?  Do you remember where your locker was or your locker combination?  What you were studying in chem class?  Where you sat?  Could you be the person you were when you were seventeen?  Could you make it through all of that trauma and teenage angst without a cocktail?  I couldn’t.

You're right. I don't think I could either, and I don't normally drink. Speaking of needing a drink, how do you approach editing? Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I self-edit constantly.  I’m always tweaking words and sentence structures. If I sat down with LIVING BACKWARDS now, I’d probably reword the whole thing.  I’m terrible that way.  But at some point, you need to stop and take a step back.

I have a few people who then read for errors and will poke holes in my plots and tell me if something makes absolutely no sense at all.  When it’s cleaned up, it goes to my beta readers.  It takes a village, folks.

Absolutely. Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m definitely a plotter.  I usually start with a broad outline.  When it’s time to dive into a chapter, I’ll flesh it out a bit with points I want to touch upon.  That’s not to say that I don’t go off on a hundred tangents once I start writing but I have a very definitive idea of where I’m going and how I’m getting there.  At least on the page.  In life, I’m lost without a GPS.

I hear you! I get lost in my own town of 15,000 without a GPS. What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Free time is at a premium for me.  And I don’t like forcing myself to write.  I’d totally fail at NaNoWriMo.  If I’m not in the right frame of mind or the words just aren’t coming, I can’t do it.  It just sounds forced.  I’m constantly struggling with when I want to write versus when I have the time to write.

What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

A martini.  Haha.  Seriously, it’s more like what I don’t want nearby.  I don’t listen to music or like having the TV on.  Background noise distracts me.  Just me and my laptop and I’m happy.  Then maybe the martini later.

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

X-ray vision.  Kidding.  I’m not that creepy.  I’d like to be able to teleport.  Croissant for breakfast in France.  Favorite burger in NYC for lunch.  Gnocchi in Italy for dinner.  I’m very food-focused.

That would be really cool. And fattening! What's the weirdest thing you've googled?

The weirdest thing I’m willing to admit?  Haha.  I had to do some motorcycle and car repair research for LIVING BACKWARDS.  I know more about a blown head gasket than I ever expected to know.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: ready, mustard, and caring.

Not caring about how I looked or what people said or whether I had a mustard stain on my t-shirt from that awesome hot dog at lunch, I marched across the library to tell him I was ready to finally work through this mess and figure it all out.

(I am a fan of the run-on sentence.  It’s making a comeback.)

Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...

Texting, chatting on AIM, posting a picture to Instagram and updating my FB status.

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

How much room do I have?  I have an amazing support system and a huge fan club of people who may or may not be blood relatives.

My sister is my rock.  She tells me when I’m crazy.  And sometimes that I’m not.

Sarine, Nina, Carol and Kelly scoured over every word—a million times.  They’re all amazing and so, so good to me.

Liz designed an epic cover that makes me smile every time I see the book.  I couldn’t be happier with it.

My best friends Kim, Gina and Nicole are the best cheerleaders ever.  My pre-readers (cute cousins and kickass co-workers) all read LIVING BACKWARDS and squealed over Luke with me.

And all of the support I received from people who read the story in the planning phases and now when I can hold it in my hands.  I’m grateful for every person who has given me their feedback.  It’s truly been a learning experience.

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

I’m everywhere.  Well, not really.  Here’s a good starting point:

Website

Facebook Page

Twitter

Amazon

LIVING BACKWARDS is available on Amazon, Barnes& Noble and Virtualbookworm Publishing.

Interview with Robin Leigh Morgan

Today we're pleased to welcome author Robin Leigh Morgan who's here to talk about her book, I KISSED A GHOST. Robin is a retired New York City civil servant who is married and has two cats.

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

I wrote close to 500 items can best be described as commentaries for a community newspaper from 1995 until 2006 which had been done without any pay. This is basically where I learned how to write.  However, becoming an author I now had to learn how to write fiction, with its own set of rules on how it should be done. The transition itself has been a fascinating and interesting experience from that of writing non-fiction.

Tell us about I KISSED A GHOST. What’s the story about?

Mary gets a new classmate named Jonathan who’s a great baseball player and to get on the team, he needs Mary’s help to improve his grades. Six months later when she learns she’s moving, she decides to give him something special--a first kiss.

Moving into her new home she soon discovers it has a ghost named George, her age, who takes her on numerous trips to the past of a hundred years ago. As she meets children her own age, everyone teases her about her house being haunted, but no one will go inside.

Mary likes his help doing her math homework, writing her reports, and taking her back in time. George and Mary’s interaction grows and she eventually gives him a quick peck on his lips while they’re in the past, which is the only place George is a real boy, for having done something special for her.

In an attempt to get her classmates/friends to be willing to come inside her house, she has a Halloween party designed to confuse them as to what is real and what is not.

Can Mary kiss George a second time, at the special date and time he needs to be kissed? What happens afterwards if she does? The answers are all in the book!

How did the idea of the story come to you?

To tell the truth the whole story has been one of pure imagination, as I wrote it, I saw different ways of letting the story develop, and chose one which I felt could be built upon. In the beginning I did have a skeleton of an outline for the storyline and nothing more.

How did you come up with the title for your book?

Selecting a title for a book had been a very challenging experience for me; but after racking my brain over it, I decided to merely summarize the premise for the entire story in as few words as possible until I had something which could be used as the title for my book. Hence, since the story is about a girl [Mary] and her kissing the ghost [George] she had living in her house, the story had to be called, “I Kissed a Ghost.”

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

I don’t have any critique group/partner, etc. And even though I had re-read my manuscript several times and made edits along the way. I still had someone else to the actual editing; after which I did a few more re-reads, concentrating and tweaking the manuscript for different categories of items.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’d probably say a little of both. As I said in the above, I made a skeleton of an outside, writing down the basic plot points I’d like to hit as the story unfolded; and as a sculptor starting with a wire base of what they’d like to have, I added material, then took some away, until I had the finished product I had in mind.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Is overcoming the dreaded writer’s block, which all authors/writers come down with from time to time, of not being able to write next; and I also find it hard not to be overly descriptive of scenes, the excess of which had to be deleted in one of my re-reads.

What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Like many authors I know some background music to help muffle other outside noises.

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

As far as my writing is concerned it would have to be the ability to type 20 pages in an hour. This way I could type a FULL LENGTH novel in two days.

What's the weirdest thing you've Googled?

One of them would definitely have to be to find out what a “Spotted Dick” is.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: kissed, sensory, and reptile.

The scent of prey kissed the wind, alerting the sensory organs of the reptile of its presence.  [and I  wrote this sentence without changing the order of the words you gave me.]

Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...

would be going crazy trying something else to do. [One thing about being retired…you don’t really want to find another job, even if it’s only part time; but you must find something to occupy all the free time you now have.]

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

THANKS to all of my followers on the blogs I’ve got for their feedback [both posted and private] regarding my blog entries as well as the UNEDITED SNIPPETS I’d posted from my then uncompleted manuscript as I travel on my maiden journey to become the author I am today.

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

My book is available on Amazon at:

http://www.amazon.com/Kissed-Ghost-Robin-Leigh-Morgan/dp/1480030031

The book is also available on Amazon.co.uk Amazon.de Amazon.es Amazon.fr Amazon.it

The book has just gotten a 5 ***** Star review, and has 45 “LIKES” [as of the time I’m answering these questions.]

If you'd like to check out some UNEDITED SNIPPETS from the book, just check out the “GHOSTLY WHISPERS” entries on any of these blog sites:http://www.mypennameonly.blogspot.com or http://www.mypennameonly.wordpress.com orhttp://www.mypennameonly.webs.com   [this is also my website] http://www.mypennameonly.tumblr.com

I also can be found on

TWITTER =  http://www.twitter.com/mypennameonly

FACEBOOK = http://www.facebook.com/mypennameonly

GOODREADS = http://www.goodreads.com/RobinLeighMorgan

Interview with Aviva Orr

Today we're chatting with author Aviva Orr about her novel, THE MIST ON BRONTE MOOR.

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

I was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, and I currently live in Southern California with my husband, two daughters, and two Yorkshire terriers (Lucy and Branwell). I love to travel and one of my favorite places to visit is England. I am fascinated by its history and its literature. When there, I try to explore as many literary sites as possible. A trip to the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth inspired me to write The Mist on Brontë Moor.

How long have you been writing?

I started writing as a teenager but never completed any manuscripts. At college, I studied literature and became immersed in academic writing. After graduating with my master’s degree, I turned to writing fiction once again.

Tell us about THE MIST ON BRONTE MOOR. What’s the story about?

The Mist on Brontë Moor is literary fantasy, in which a young girl goes back in time and meets the Brontës before they became famous.

Here is the synopsis:

When fifteen-year-old Heather Jane Bell is diagnosed with alopecia and her hair starts falling out in clumps, she wants nothing more than to escape her home in London and disappear off the face of the earth. Heather gets her wish when her concerned parents send her to stay with her great-aunt in West Yorkshire. But shortly after she arrives, she becomes lost on the moors and is swept through the mist back to the year 1833. There she encounters fifteen-year-old Emily Brontë and is given refuge in the Brontë Parsonage. Unaware of her host family’s genius and future fame, Heather struggles to cope with alopecia amongst strangers in a world completely foreign to her. While Heather finds comfort and strength in her growing friendship with Emily and in the embrace of the close-knit Brontë family, her emotions are stretched to the limit when she falls for Emily’s brilliant but troubled brother, Branwell. Will Heather return to the comforts and conveniences of the twenty-first century? Or will she choose love and remain in the harsh world of nineteenth-century Haworth?

Such an enchanting cover! How did the idea of the story come to you?

I’ve always loved the Brontës and visiting their home in Haworth, England was an awe-inspiring experience. The Brontë Parsonage Museum is so well maintained that when you are there, it is not difficult to imagine yourself going back in time and meeting the Brontës. Since I couldn’t make that happen, I did the next best thing and wrote about it.

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

I belong to a fantastic online critique group consisting of eight writers, so I receive plenty of feedback on each chapter. In addition, my publisher, WiDo, provided me with a wonderful editor and two copyeditors.

Are you a planner or a pantser?

A pantser. I start with an idea or an image and then I write. Once it’s written, I revise. I am a compulsive reviser.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Letting the manuscript go. I always find something to tweak.

What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Aside from my laptop, the only thing I need when I write is quiet. I can’t concentrate in a noisy environment (although I don’t mind music). For this reason, I tend to go to the library a lot or write late at night when everyone in my house is asleep.


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

I’d love to be able to snap my fingers and transport myself to any place in the world. Going back in time would be fun too.

What's the weirdest thing you've googled?

The components that make up a tooth sealant. Not that interesting, but I wanted to know what the dentist was putting in my child’s mouth.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: mortgage, define, and horse-drawn buggy.

Bella hesitated before accepting the gnarled hand that extended from the horse-drawn buggy, unable to define exactly how she felt about the task that lay ahead, and the vital role it played in saving her family from the mortgage collector.

Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...

on the Internet.

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

A huge thank you goes out to my husband and two daughters. Also to my sister, Tamara, for her endless reads of my manuscript. My amazing critique group, Out of the Blue, for their years of support. My brilliant publisher, WiDo, who have been fantastic to work with. And the Brontë Parsonage Museum for answering my questions and for inspiring this story.

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

http://www.avivaorr.com
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6464067.Aviva_Orr
http://www.amazon.com/The-Mist-Bronte-Moor-Aviva/dp/1937178277

Thanks for stopping by the blog today, Aviva. I'm looking forward to reading your book!

Interview with Tricia Merritt and Brad Gallaway

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.