by Angela Smith | Apr 21, 2017 | Guests
Today I have the joy of interviewing the very lovely Lynn Crandall. Lynn Crandall started spinning stories as a child when she tried to entertain her younger sister at night when they were supposed to be going to sleep. In the dark, her stories typically took on a scary or paranormal element — didn’t do much to put her and her sister to sleep. Today, she hopes here stories still fail to put readers to sleep, but rather take them on a journey. That’s what she’s been on since she decided to make writing her focus. As a reporter and magazine feature writer, she truly enjoys learning as she works on stories. As a romance writer, she enjoys following an evolving story of her characters. She loves to tell stories about characters who don’t back down and use their challenges to grow.
What intrigues you about Dancing with Detective Danger?
Call it biased, but I love all of my books for a variety of reasons. What intrigues me about Dancing with Detective Danger is the relationship between the sisters, Sterling and Lacey. I wanted to explore being in family in different ways. The sisters are unique but they still support each other and allow for differences without judgement. So when heroine Sterling faces the return of a former lover, Detective Ben Kirby, and all the confusion surrounding their relationship, her sister is understanding but gives her a straight shot of truth when Sterling is ready for it.
When did you absolutely know that you had to be a writer?
Many times. I first had that aha moment years ago when everything about writing and my personality came together. I began pursuing a writing career, but often I had to face self-doubt. I would reexamine being a writer from different angles and always land on a solid spot that confirmed it was right for me to write. Over and over, and finding different layers of self-doubt. Even just a few months ago, I faced it again at a deeper level. I realized anew and more profoundly that my passion always brings me to greater understanding of myself and the place writing holds for me. I don’t have any doubts now, so I absolutely know I have to be a writer to live my life. Things like disappointment with sales and reviews come up, but hope is more outspoken in me these days.
What was your favorite part of writing Dancing with Detective Danger?
I’m an introvert, so I enjoy finding the inner motivations and experiences of characters via my self-reflection and becoming the character. The experience of being lost in life is not unique, but with Sterling, I found it meaningful to take apart a foundational wounding and illustrate how it plays in her present choices. My version of that can only be written by me, but the experience is universal.
What is your favorite aspect of reading a novel?
I love immersing into a story, feeling the characters’ journey, and learning things about myself and life from the story. That total experience is mesmerizing.
Are you a plotter, a pantser, or both?
I am a pantser and I embrace that aspect of me. It can be challenging because I don’t necessarily know what happens next, but I enjoy the organic movement of the story’s development. I trust that process even with the nerve-wracking moments of What now??!! I interviewed an expert on the pantser vs. plotter and just learning to become a plotter a while ago and she settled that dilemma for me. She said pantsers can change but probably only because they were a plotter in the making. True pantsers have brains wired that way.
Do you have a certain theme in all of your novels?
I think themes in all my books are pretty common to all stories. I like to explore ways of humans being in family, feeling different, and how love can embrace more of life than characters expect. Dancing with Detective Danger showcases how patterns people have prevent them from living their true lives and finding love.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I think a great take-away from DWDD would be that no matter how much pain sits beneath our daily experiences we have control over our lives by facing the various truths waiting to be revealed.
If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only take one book with you, what would you take?
This question made me gasp. One Book! My brain just froze.
If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only take one song with you, what would you take?
I love this question! One of my favorite songs right now is Melanie Doane’s Chopin Ballad https://youtu.be/8Ks02_Er9hA. It is so calming and reassuring.
Are you working on any projects right now?
I’m working on a romantic suspense with paranormal elements. I’m planning it as the first book in a three-book series. It’s taking longer to complete than any other books I’ve written because I’m being very deliberate and trying to stretch my skills. It’s done, but I’m going through it right now rewriting and editing. The main characters are what I call Aeons, who are direct descendants of Atlantians. They possess abilities that equip them to help prevent the world from going all to Hell.
Do you see writing as a career?
Writing is a business, and I know that. It is amazing work but it is hard, also. But because it is such a strong passion for me, I’m willing to recognize that it’s work and put in the work. Yes, it is a career. It can have duration if I can sustain a combination of skill, luck, determination, and successful promotions, as well as drink tons of coffee.
Besides writing, what would be your career of choice?
I enjoy learning about symbolism, especially in art, so I would be interested in art history. However, I can’t imagine choosing any career other than writing.
Can you share a tip about what you do when you get stuck in your writing?
Another great question. I do get stuck. It can prompt anxiety. But I’ve learned that is a passing phase of getting stuck, so I don’t stay there. The thing that gets me unstuck is writing. I use clusters. http://www.gabrielerico.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=77 to help me get my thoughts moving without censor. They have been really helpful for me over and over.
Are you a pet person? If so, do you have any?
I am a very strong animal lover and advocate. I presently have one cat. Willow is a member of family. I have a T-shirt that conveys my sentiments about pets very well: I’m sorry. I can’t. I have plans with my cat.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Oh my gosh. This question makes me want to have a sit-down with my younger self and reveal all of life’s secrets. LOL! I think I would tell young Lynn to believe in herself and not make others her inner authority. I could offer my/her gramma’s advice – Follow your heart. And I would assure her that everything will be okay.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Website: http://lynn-crandall.com/Blog: http://lynn-crandall.com/blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LynnCrandallAuthor/Twitter: https://twitter.com/lcrandallwriter
Instagram: Lcrandall246
Amazon: http://a.co/4f24tYhGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25692171-dancing-with-detective-danger?from_search=true
Thanks for stopping by and answering my questions, Lynn. We loved learning more about you and your stories!
Thank you very much, Angela, for interviewing me for your blog. Your questions were fun and made me think!
by Angela Smith | Jun 4, 2015 | Guests
Today, I welcome Nancy C. Weeks to my blog as she talks about her latest release, Shadows and Light: The Complete Series.
Angela, it is such a joy to be on your blog today. Thank you so much for inviting me and giving me a chance to introduce your readers to my new release, Shadows and Light: The Complete Series.
What intrigues you about Shadows and Light: The Complete Series?
I think I’ll answer this question by explaining the theme of this series. The seed that spouted Shadows and Light came from a common, but powerful adage: love conquers all. In the real world, our lives are constantly shadowed by adversity. It’s the people that love us that help us through difficult times. Accepting that love and trusting someone enough to allow them into our hearts can be so overwhelming.
What intrigued me in writing this series was finding a way to bring this natural conflict to life on the page. From In the Shadow of Greed to In the Shadow of Vengeance, I engulfed my characters in one conflict after another and demanded they learn to love and trust each other—to work through their problems together. I also surrounded them with a large family of secondary characters who gave their all to help my couples reach their well deserved happy-ever-after. And I couldn’t allow those wonderful secondary characters to just disappear. Instead, I gave them their own book, their own happy-ever-after.
Who or what is your greatest writing influence?
My greatest writing influence is my mother. She always saw this side of me long before I had the courage to pen that first sentence. Dementia took over my amazingly strong mother, but out of the blue, there were days she would look at me and ask, “Nancy, when are you going to write that book? When I finally took that first step, she was the angel sitting on my shoulder, my biggest heavenly fan.
When did you absolutely know that you had to be a writer?
I think I have always wanted to be a writer but never thought it was something I could do. I didn’t believe I was smart enough to write a novel. I don’t know why I had so little faith in myself. When I meet people now and hear my words coming out of their mouth, “OH, I could never write a whole book,” I give them a hug ― because I’m a big hugger — and tell them that they sure the heck can write a book if that’s their passion. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t start calling myself a writer until the day my first novel, In the Shadow of Greed was released. But by then, I caught this magical bug. It was no longer an option for me not to write because I loved it so much.
What was your favorite part of writing Shadows and Light: The Complete Series?
After reading one of my books, readers might believe that I just love to blow things up. Well, that’s true, but what I really loved about this series was writing my hero and heroine’s love story. The romance that begins in chapter one and follows my characters through to the last page is such a joy to write.
Are you a plotter, a pantser, or both?
Oh, I’m a pantser and proud of it. In each story I have written, I have had a general premise, an outline of how I wanted to story to go. But somewhere along the way, something magical happens that is really hard to explain. The story takes on a life of its own. It doesn’t necessarily change the direction of the story, but I can’t help sitting back and enjoying the WOW moment―where in the heck did that come from? The story always ends the way I plan, but the way I arrive at the ending is a real mystery. The wow moments in writing are just magic.
Do you ever use your life experiences in your novels?
I don’t live in my characters’ worlds. I go to great lengths to separate who I am from them. If I didn’t, my characters would come across so boring. J With that said, there are certain parts of myself, my beliefs, my intimate knowledge into certain areas that I can’t help bringing to each novel.
Are you working on any projects right now?
Yes! I can’t help myself. As soon as I turn in one book, another story begins churning away, begging to be told. My next project will be another romantic suspense series about three siblings whose worlds’ fall apart the night their father is murdered. This series will have a cool supernatural element based on the proverbial principle to ‘see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.’ This is all I can share at this point because I’m still working the synopsis for all three books.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
This question is an easy one to answer but so hard to follow. Here goes: I would like to tell my younger self to love myself the way those around me love me; see myself through their eyes and have a little faith in my God-given abilities.
If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
Oh, there are so many books I wish I could have written. The one that came to mind when I read this question was the Harry Potter series. What an amazing imagination. Those books captured the world.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Website and Blog: http://nancycweeks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyCWeeksAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NancyCWeeks
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/nancycweeks/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1FQmKbs
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7009278.Nancy_C_Weeks
BLURB FOR SHADOWS AND LIGHT: THE COMPLETED SERIES:
Meet five Irish brothers, all sworn to protect and serve – and the smart women who help them take down the terrorists gunning for their family. Lock up your heart: when it comes to love, the sexy McNeils know how to walk this beat.
- In the Shadow of Greed: Brilliant cryptologist Dr. Sarah Tu races against time to block the most dangerous Internet malware ever created – and it’s up to FBI agent Jason McNeil to make sure she stays alive long enough to do it.
- In the Shadow of Evil: After ten years with Maryland’s Special Crime Unit, very little rattles Jared McNeil. Then his nemesis resurfaces, with his sights set on the woman Jared is honor bound to protect.
- In the Shadow of Malice: Adam Blake, ex-CIA operative, has gone to great lengths to keep his identity a secret, but his cover’s blown when he ends up on the run with waitress Calista Martin to protect his little girl.
- In the Shadow of Pride: When Lexie Trevena’s matchmaking friends accidentally place her smack in the path of a terrorist who intends to use her as his pawn, the only person who can help her is Special Agent-in-Charge Luke “Mac” McNeil – the man she holds responsible for her husband’s death.
- In the Shadow of Vengeance: Elizabeth Merlot can’t afford to let handsome Detective Noah McNeil discover her secret past. But when trouble finds her son, Noah may be the only one who can save their lives.
Sensuality Level: Sensual
AMAZON
BARNES AND NOBLE
KOBO
by Angela Smith | Apr 3, 2014 | Guests
Welcome to Carolyn Crane on my blog today! She answered some tough questions, and I can’t wait to hear what she had to say. She’s also giving away an ebook of OFF THE EDGE to a random commenter. So be sure to comment!
First, a little about Carolyn and her books:
RITA-nominated OFF THE EDGE
SHE MAY BE HIS WORST ENEMY…For deadly secret agent Peter Macmillan, language is a weapon—one he uses to hunt criminals, destroy plots, and charm enemies. Seducing information out of a beautiful singer in a Bangkok hotel should be easy…except this particular singer has the power to destroy his cool façade, and with it, his last defense against a dark past.
HE MAY BE HER ONLY HOPE…He tricked her. He helped himself to her body and her secrets. He has enemies everywhere. Laney Lancaster should hate Peter, but when she discovers him shirtless, sweaty, and chained up in the hotel’s dungeon, all she can think about is freeing him. Because she knows what it’s like to be trapped and alone. And she could use a dangerous friend.
They might be wrong for each other, but the instant they join forces, Laney and Peter are plunged into an odyssey of hot sex and dark danger. To survive, they must trust each other with their lives—and their hearts.
Carolyn Crane writes romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and other tales of adventure and romance; she also writes erotic romance about bank robbers as Annika Martin. She lives in the American Midwest with her husband and two cats. During rare moments when she’s not at her computer, she can be found reading in bed, running, or helping animals.
http://authorcarolyncrane.com/
https://twitter.com/CarolynCrane
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolynCrane
Newsletter: http://carolynjeanjackson.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=f2412c16d838ecf6c1fe740a1&id=fc81556a81
What was your favorite part of writing OFF THE EDGE?
I enjoyed the playing with this relationship between these characters. My heroine is very artistic and into emotional honesty, and my hero is a spy who is all about deception and violence, but the place they meet is in language. They both love language and use it masterfully—it’s their battleground, but it’s also what connects them.
What is your favorite aspect of reading a novel?
I read in bed every night, and I just love the feeling of excitement when I have a book waiting for me that is really engrossing. And I know the world can just float away and I’ll be breathlessly caught up in a story. It’s such a luxury to me! So I guess that is just the same as a lot of people!!
Are you a plotter, a pantser, or both?
I’m both. I do a rough outline of events, and sometimes I jot down notes about ideas I have for scenes—some I use and some I don’t. So, I guess I’m a loose plotter. I usually know roughly how a book is going to end, but not always how I’ll get there. And, it sort of depends on the book. I’m a little more specific in my outline with my spy books, because they’re more complex, than with my Annika Martin hunky bank robber books, which are pretty much pantsed.
Do you have a certain theme in all of your novels?
Ooh, that is a good question. I tend to get attracted to themes of honesty and deception. Of being known for who you are, seen for who you are, accepted no matter what. Of flaws and obsessions becoming powers.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I think it can be hard for authors to say how they write. For example, I think I write dark as Carolyn Crane, but I don’t think I’m seen that way. I think my books are always a mixture of dark and light.
Do you ever use your life experiences in your novels?
Yes, I totally do. And I use people I know, too, but usually by the time I’ve finished a book, I’ve twisted everything around so much and loaded in so much made up stuff, nobody would ever know. And, I have a straight job as an advertising copywriter, which means I know a little bit about a whole lot of stuff, from how they make those reflective vests look so bright to how parking ramps are constructed to how people’s personalities relate to their choice of coffee shop. I find weird uses for a lot of that stuff.
Are you working on any projects right now?
I’m working on three projects! The next Undercover Associates (it’s about Thorne, and it has a secret baby in it). And another Taken Hostage by Hunky Bank Robbers book by my dirty-writing alter ego, Annika Martin. And a third top-secret project where one of my pen names is collaborating with another author.
Do you see writing as a career?
Oh, definitely. Well, it already is, considering my copywriter job, but I’m hoping to increase the hours I do fiction writing and decrease my copywriting. Which is one of the great things about a freelance gig.
If you had the career of your choice, what would you choose and why?
Author!! I would do this stuff full time! I love writing.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
I’m a slow writer, so I’m really trying to get faster. I’m trying to understand why I write some books faster than others so I can write them ALL fast!! And I want to get better at working on characters, too. Better at writing from character on a first draft instead of stumbling around forever trying to figure characters out.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Read romance earlier. I was too uptight and I read difficult, boring books for too long. I was too hard on myself. I needed to have more fun. I feel like I went through a total Renaissance as a read and writer when I discovered romance. Why wasn’t I reading and writing this stuff all along?
Hey, Angela, thanks again for having me!! And I’m giving away a prize…an ebook copy of OFF THE EDGE to one random commenter…
by Angela Smith | Mar 13, 2014 | Guests
Today, I’m interviewing Allyson Lindt author of Holding her Close, part of her Bits and Bytes stories.
But first, let’s talk about her giveaway! Allyson will be awarding:
* Grand prize at the end of the four week tour – a Kindle paperwhite to one randomly drawn winner.
* Each week, one randomly drawn commenter will win a $10 Amazon GC
So be sure to enter, and click the banner to follow the rest of her tour for more chances to win!
Zach is haunted by ex-girlfriends. The day his fiancée dumped him, she also sold her shares of his multi-billion dollar corporation. On top of that, the girl who broke his heart in high school—the only woman he’s never been able to forget—is back in his life. She’s filling his business partner’s head with delusions of recovering from the hostile takeover, and haunting Zach’s most vivid fantasies. But Zach’s got a plan to solve half the problem: one night with her, and he can put the past behind him.
It’s been years since Rae talked to her high school sweetheart. But her best friend is his business partner, and running in the same circles has caught up to her. Rae is seeing Zach everywhere, including her explicit, rampant imagination. When he proposes a single night together for closure, she hopes it will be just what she needs to move on.
The past and the present intertwine as “Just this once” becomes “Just one more time.” When Rae discovers the solution to Zach’s business problems the entire situation becomes one giant knot. Can he trust her enough to risk his heart and livelihood a second time, or will experience convince him to walk away from everything?
Excerpt…
Zach locked the door, closed the remaining distance between them, and dipped his head. His lips hovered millimeters away, and then he kissed her.
The sensation was so light, Rae wasn’t sure she felt it. She leaned in, mouth opening, and a whimper escaped when he traced his tongue over her bottom lip. Every nerve ending was on fire, screaming for more. His hand rested at the base of her neck, holding her in place. He deepened the kiss, going from gentle to hungry in an instant.
His tongue twisted around hers in a desperate dance, and desire blossomed in her gut. God, this was incredible. Had it been like this before? No, neither of them had been so experienced. She rested her hands on his chest, heat searing her palms.
She fumbled to find her breath when they finally broke apart. His finger caressed her swollen lips, dancing over the sensitive flesh.
“You’re sure this is a good idea?” She didn’t want to question it, but she needed reassurance. Another voice to tell her the lust screaming through her veins wasn’t misplaced.
He nudged her back, hands on her hips, guiding her until she bumped into the desk. His soft growl echoed in her ear as he kissed along her lobe. “Possibly the best idea I’ve had all week.”
Author Bio and Links:
Allyson Lindt is a full-time geek and a fuller-time contemporary romance author. She prefers that her geeky heroes come with the alpha expansion pack and adores a heroine who can hold her own in a boardroom. She loves a sexy happily-ever-after and helping deserving cubicle dwellers find their futures together.
Find Allyson Lindt
Website: http://allysonlindt.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Allyson-Lindt/116062025108551
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AllysonLindt
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7024176.Allyson_Lindt
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/allysonlindt
Buy Holding Her Close:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DFTUP94/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00DFTUP94&linkCode=as2&tag=itsalwabothej-20
Buy Conflict of Interest:
Liquid Silver Books: https://www.lsbooks.com/conflict-of-interest-p782.php
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CKYEPK0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CKYEPK0&linkCode=as2&tag=itsalwabothej-20
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/conflict-of-interest-allyson-lindt/1115273894?ean=9781931761857
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-conflictofinterest-1186277-149.html
Buy Toeing the Line:
Liquid Silver Books: https://www.lsbooks.com/toeing-the-line-p820.php
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EN8QAMM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00EN8QAMM&linkCode=as2&tag=itsalwabothej-20
All Romance eBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-toeingtheline-1269561-149.html
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/toeing-the-line-allyson-lindt/1116789055?ean=9781622100194
Buy Learning New Tricks:
Liquid Silver Books: https://www.lsbooks.com/learning-new-tricks-p862.php
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HC1CZ3A/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HC1CZ3A&linkCode=as2&tag=itsalwabothej-20
All Romance eBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-learningnewtricks-1374823-149.html
What intrigues you about your book, Holding Her Close?
I’m fascinated by the idea of someone with an idea, a big, epic, sweeping idea, who comes from nothing and becomes something. Who has the strength and the power to pursue their dream and make it reality. In Holding Her Close that’s what the characters’ success is based on: following this powerful dream.
Who or what is your greatest writing influence?
There are two authors who influence my writing, and my drive to tell the stories I do, more than any other. Neil Gaiman and Richelle Mead. Two very different story-telling styles, and two unique and wonderful interpretations of the world.
When did you absolutely know that you had to be a writer?
I was talking about this the other day with my spouse. The question was “what did you want to be when you grew up?” I had a huge list. Astronaut, teacher, lawyer, photographer. Then she asked, “where’s writer in all that?” When I thought about it I realized it wasn’t in the list because it’s always been there. I’ve always just assumed I would write (always being since I was six or seven), regardless of what else I did with my life.
What was your favorite part of writing, Holding Her Close?
I’ve written and rewritten Holding Her Close so many times I can’t even count. My favorite part was finally finding the real story I wanted to tell underneath everything else I’d created. Peeling away the layers and digging out what the book has become.
What is your favorite aspect of reading a novel?
Falling into another world, and living it through someone else’s eyes. Feeling life the way they feel it, gaining new experiences, and losing myself in the alternate reality the author has created, whether it’s romantic, fantastic, or anything else.
Are you a plotter, a pantser, or both?
I’m a pretty solid combination of both. I can’t start writing unless I know where the beginning, middle, and end of my story are, and have a basic idea of how to get there, but the majority of the plotting I do gets tossed out the window once I actually get into the meat of the story and realize who my characters actually are, and how they’d really react in any given situation.
Do you have a certain theme in all of your novels?
That’s a tough question. I’d like to say something grand and sweeping like “down with Corporate America, up with dreams.” But my theme is more basic than that. I write about acceptance. Characters living in a world that they don’t quite think they fit in, who figure out where they belong somewhere along the way.
Do you have a specific writing style?
Err…um… I suppose so. I’ve been told I have a very distinct voice. And regardless of what I write, it always tends to be either contemporary or near future. I’m fond of sentence fragments, internal narration, and random acts of swearing.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? Beyond the standard theme any of my books carry, I don’t tend to write to a message. I do hope that people will read Holding Her Close, enjoy it, and feel warm and fuzzy after they’re done.
Do you ever use your life experiences in your novels?
Absolutely. There’s always something there. In Holding Her Close, there are some heavy influences from past jobs. I’ve worked for a lot of companies over the years that have been bought out by bigger corporations. The changes don’t tend to be good, and the truly experienced employees get trampled in favor of ego and saving money.
If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only take one book with you, what would you take?
I’m going to steal this from something I saw the other day. “How to build a raft.”
If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only take one song with you, what would you take?
There’s one song I never skip, regardless of my mood. Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time.
Are you working on any projects right now?
I’m working on a short story anthology with my critique partner, Sofia Grey, that’s loosely based on the Wizard of Oz. Right now we’re calling it Emerald City, but that’s more of a code name than anything. Thing sexy, futuristic with a hint of sci-fi, and retellings for Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow.
Do you see writing as a career?
I do. Right now, it’s a second job, and it’s a time consuming one. But I have goals for which books I need to write when, how quickly I need to finish them, and where I need to go next after I make my way through that list. I’m not a goal making person, so that’s a big deal for me. And of course, I wouldn’t complain if I was able to leave the day job behind in the next five years and make writing the primary job instead.
If you had the career of your choice, what would you choose and why?
Lol, writing. But outside of that? Something that allowed me to create (I’m assuming if I can pick any career, I can pick the skills to go with it too). Creating commercials, graphics, anything that allowed me to put the images in my head onto a medium where I could share them.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
My mother was a writer. I remember watching her and thinking I wanted to do that. But I think more of it came from my love of reading. I would devour everything in the library, and then there wouldn’t be anything else left on the shelves that appealed to me, so I started to make the stories up in my head instead.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
There’s always the self-doubt, the biggest challenge is ignoring that. Beyond that, description. I tend to write very sparsely, so it’s difficult for me to know what to include. My first drafts are frequently a lot of dialogue and read more like a screenplay than a novel. “Character yawns, is frustrated, says: why did you wake me up.”
What advice would you give to your younger self?
At the risk of sounding cliché, I’d tell my younger self that it gets better. That the way we deal with life determines as much about our future as the experience itself. Oh, and probably that she doesn’t need to max out that sixth credit card, or even the first one, because those jeans will be on clearance in just a few weeks.
Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
I never know how to answer this question. So many people have these great answers of wise people throughout history they’d meet, and some incredible reasons for their logic. But I don’t have vast, epic, grandiose plans for the world, and I suspect the knowledge of those great people would be better spent on someone else. So instead, I’m going to say Joss Whedon. Because… that imagination… that could be fun to pick at for a while.
If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
Going back to the whole Neil Gaiman inspired my writing, I’d have to say American Gods. The concepts introduced, the story line, the way it all blends together into a compelling read, it’s the perfect balance of all the elements I enjoy in a book.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
