Into the Mind of author Jessica McHugh

Today I would like to welcome a fantastic young author - Jessica McHugh.  Please give her a warm welcome and thank you so much for stopping in Jessica.



Please tell us a little about yourself....
I’m a 27 year old author of speculative fiction with 4 published novels, 6 due out over the next year, 2 ready to submit to publishers, and 1 in the works. I live and work in Maryland with my absolutely amazing husband Dave and a meatball of a cat named Tyler.

When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
I never had an epiphany or anything. I just started writing out of boredom one day at work and I never stopped. I was instantly addicted to the freedom of writing and the ability to transport myself to different, more exciting worlds. 

Where do you get your inspiration from?
Anywhere and everywhere.

Where do you get your ideas from?
I ask myself “what if” questions and see if the answers intrigue me. If they do, I write a story! I’ve also written several stories that were based on dreams.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Having to stop. I wish I could write all day every day, and at this point in my life, I can’t. It’s very frustrating sometimes because writing is such a huge part of who I am and I hate having to stop or focus on my full-time job instead. I do love my job, but I’d much rather be writing.

Do you have a favorite of your books?
I love the premise of “Song of Eidolons” so much, but I think my favorite book is one that hasn’t been published yet. It’s called “Rabbits in the Garden” and it’s set in the 50s-60s on Martha’s Vineyard and in Taunton State Lunatic Asylum. It was an absolutely pleasure to write because there were so many characters that were unlike ones I’d written before. Plus, it was fun to write the quirks of Taunton’s juvenile patients…not that it took too much to be committed in those days. Research was also really cool because my mom’s family grew up on Martha’s Vineyard, so I got to hear a lot of interesting stories about being an Island kid in the 50s-60s.

If you could invite one of your characters to dinner, which one would it be?
Captain Jack Racine from “The Sky: The World”, no doubt about it. He’s the kind of guy you want to slap and kiss in the same night, the kind of guy that girls think they can reform.

Do you relate to any of your characters?
Kat Barlough from “The Sky: The World” reminds me a lot of me in my teens and early 20s, especially in the line, “She was a cute girl who could never ascend to the ranks of sexy”. I used to feel that way a lot, particularly when compared to a lot of my gorgeous friends. Honestly though, I think there are pieces of every character I’ve written that I can relate to, even the super evil ones. I’m not evil at all, but I definitely understand what its like to feel jealous or afraid or anything else that drove those particular characters to doing evil.

Who's your favorite author?
Roald Dahl. From his children’s books to his macabre short stories to his autobiographies, I love it all. I also love Stephen King and Bret Easton Ellis.

Do you have a favorite novel?
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norman Juster. I can’t even begin to guess how many dozens of times I’ve read it, but it still entertains me to no end. It’s cute and clever, but it has a lot of great life lessons too.

What would you do if you couldn't be a writer?
Probably go crazy. I’d definitely have to find some other creative outlet because I have too many wacky thoughts bouncing around in my brain to ignore.

If one of your novels were to be made into a movie, who do you see as casting actors?
If “Song of Eidolons” was a movie, I could see Scarlett Johannson or Keira Knightley as Delaney, Liam Neeson as Dags, and Jude Law as Robeson.


Is there an underlying message in your books, if so, what is it?
Definitely, but they’re up for interpretation by the reader. I don’t necessarily need the reader to get the same thing out of the story that I did. I like to nudge people toward certain conclusions, but I love it when someone interprets something completely different than what I intended.

What is the one thing you hope your readers take away from your books?
Hopefully, entertainment and a story they’ll want to read over and over.

What dreams have been realized as a result of writing your novels?
Being published was such a huge dream that I never thought would come true, so I’m still reeling from that one! The other huge dream I still have is to be able to write full time, and I’m working really hard to try to make that one come true. Please O Please O Please…..

What advice can you give to new and aspiring authors?
If you love to write, write. Don’t let anybody tell you you’re wasting your time; if it makes you happy, it could never be a waste. Also, write as much as humanly possible. It’s the only way you’ll get better.

Are you currently working on any projects?
The novel I’m currently working on is a pretty big departure from my other books. I call it a glitter and gore extravaganza and it’s set in a strip club/bowling alley called PINS…which is also the title of the novel. I’m only into the 3rd chapter, but I’m having a blast writing it.

Any upcoming events you'd like to share?
For anybody in the Maryland area, I will be exhibiting my inky wares at the Baltimore Book Festival on September 25th. I’m going to have books for sale, lots of free merch to take home, as well as bookmarks featuring a few of my novels.

The Sky: The World is also going to be released by Reliquary Press in September, so keep an eye out for it. It’s steampunky adventure goodness!!  J

Where can your books be purchased?
All of my books can be purchased on Amazon.com as well as www.ReliquaryPress.com, www.eTreasuresPublishing.com, www.EternalPress.biz, and www.PublishAmerica.com. If that’s all too much to process, you can hit up my website at www.JessicaMcHughBooks.com where there are direct links to each site.

Where can your readers connect with you?
I’m on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-McHugh/95113167381 (Go ahead and “like” me. You know you want to!) I update pretty frequently with story selections and upcoming events. I’m also on Twitter @thejessmchugh and on Goodreads at http://apps.facebook.com/good_reads/book/author/3055292.Jessica_McHugh.

Any parting comments?
Thank you so much for having me!!! As always, it was an absolute delight!!!

Thank you so much for stopping in.  It has been a pleasure.  Please be sure to stop on in to her site,  she has a lot of great information with some awesome excerpts from her book.

Book Tour - Diamonds In The Rough by Vogue

Diamonds are a girl's best friend right?  Please welcome my guest today,  Vogue,  author of Diamonds in the Rough.  Welcome Vogue and thank you so much for stopping in.  Today Vogue discusses writer's block.

Tackling the Roadblock

A frequently asked question that most authors get is:

What do you do when you have writer’s block?

Well, there is never a correct answer for this question because it all depends on the person. There are some authors who may try to write through the block while others may take a break.

Personally, I choose not to write. I feel as if I come up with the worst material only because I feel obligated to put something on paper. It is then that I realize that just because I am an author, it doesn’t mean that I have to write daily. My personal advice to all published and aspiring authors is this: Write only when you feel inspired.

It is never good to force yourself to do something that you don’t want to do. Just think; the break might be good for you. You might come up with new ideas for the plot or even a new character.

A lot of times we view writer’s block as something that is negative, but maybe it isn’t. Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. Here’s an exercise that I recommend for all writers. Even if you only do it once, the next time you experience writer’s block, simply stop writing. Wait a few days or even a few hours and revisit the story. See if you come up with something more exciting and intense then what you wrote last! Feel free to share the results!

Vogue loves to hear from her readers and would love to hear from you too.  You can visit her online at www.simplyvogue.net or find her on Facebook.   She is also on virtual book tour so leave her a comment for your chance to win a copy of this fantastic book.

Thanks again for stopping in Vogue.  Wishing you much success in the future and please keep in touch and let us know when the next book in the series is out.

Book Tour - Time Conquers All by PJ Hultstrand

Today please give a warm welcome to my guest,  author PJ Hultstrand.  She writes a time travel series with the first book titled,  Time Conquers All.  Thank you so much for stopping in today PJ. 

When Princess Tamea has reoccurring dreams of a young man fighting in a futuristic war far ahead of her time, she worries about her sanity. But when she also has a vision of this man some years older, where he dies in her arms in another time and place, she knows something in her life is about to change.

Then she meets King Parker and his brothers from the neighboring country of Altare. This King looks just like the man from her vision. Once Tamea touches him, her mind is swept back into his past, and to those dreams that have haunted her for months. As she searches for answers, she finds even more questions about this King's mysterious past and how his country had quickly gained their land from their neighboring countries of Nepal and Bengal. 

When King Parker meets the youngest Colonel in Laie's history, he's definitely not comfortable with this young woman being assigned to personally guard his safety while their two countries forge a new alliance. To finalize the treaty, which would allow Altare to share their technologically advanced weapons, King Parker knows it's his duty to marry Laie's queen. However, he finds it hard to seal the deal when he realizes it's not Queen Suu-Naung he needs and desires, but the young, passionate Princess Tamea who possesses a warrior's instincts. 

Parker questions his own sanity in starting this love affair, just as he questions how this young lady could have become a high-ranking officer in the 1500's Asia, where women's rights were suppressed behind curtains and veils. 

As Tamea's psychic abilities suddenly blossom, Parker becomes irrevocably connected to her in this time and place. With the passionate Princess igniting the fire in his life, Parker also begins questioning his long-standing scientific goal; going back to his future.

It seems, as soon as they find each other, intrigue and war threaten to separate them forever. Altare and Laie must quickly join forces to stop their mutual enemies from within their own ranks and from their neighboring country of Bengal. 

Princess Tamea begins healing the King's emotional scars leftover from another time and place, in the 1960's America, where Parker fought for his country in the Vietnam War. Even though the Princess has been trained to infiltrate and protect, it's King Parker of Altare who brings in the big guns from an era long in the future, saving her from the enemies' torturous plans. 

Time does indeed conquer all! . . .thus proving the mystical theory that everything happens for a reason . . .even when what happens is not correct - In this Chasing Time series. 

***** 

Patti has been writing since the 7th grade when her English teacher took active interest in her poetry and short story writing. She became hooked when one of her short stories was published in the local library literary magazine. Her first love became science-fiction when she was introduced to the works of Ray Bradbury.

Fandom bit her when she actually met the man behind the works in 1987 at a special engagement speech in Phoenix, Arizona. She had taken many of those writing tips and life examples to apply in her everyday life. "Never stop to edit, just keep writing until you're done, then go back and edit, and edit, and edit again until you're satisfied." 

Patti has been applying some writing in almost everything she has done from that time forward. She has written in college papers, literary magazines, public relations articles, business procedure manuals and having even gone as far as having published her own magazine on Arizona Graphics & Marketing. Her writing had become publishing, where she was contracted to publish real-estate magazines and other trade magazines from her graphic design business. 

She had been working for a print shop in Phoenix for over thirteen years, while continuing to work on the side in her own business as the work came to her. "Word of mouth advertising is the best and cheapest form of advertising." Patti has relied on much word of mouth to gain clients as they came to her.

Marketing, advertising, writing, printing, public relations, fandom, and publishing experience has had years to mold itself in something larger and more important than any other project she's attempted. Az Publishing Services, LLC is not just another small publishing house, it's designed to assist new or struggling authors a better opportunity to sell and reach a wider range of readers. The cohesion of a writing community who has been bullied, lied to, and has had some of their dreams bought out from under them by the gluttonous companies who have been preying on their dreams. We are the Weavers of Dreams. 

Thanks again for taking time to stop in and share with us today Patti.  It has been such a pleasure :).

Come by and visit Patti (PJ) Hultstrand at any of these locations: 

http://www.timeconquersall.com/

http://www.azpublishingservices.com/

http://www.pjhultstrand.com/

 

Winner of $10 AGC

Our winner of the $10 AGC is Marie.  Congratulations Marie!  Once I receive an email from you to confirm your winnings I will send your AGC. 

Thank you all that stopped in to see and learn about Arlene Crenshaw and her fabulous book Twelve Roses for Uretta!

Book Tour & Giveaway - Cyber Writers and The Zebra of Life by Karen Kostlivy

Today I would like to welcome my guest Karen Kostlivy,  a wonderful author of a childrens novel,  Cyber Writers and The Zebra of Life.  Thank you so much for stopping in Karen.  Karen has been kind enough to offer up 2 books to giveaway as well,  so be sure to leave a comment for her to gain an entry.

Karen's book is the first of a series of children's adventure books geared to children who are in the middle grades: 

Bio:

 

Karen Kostlivy was born and raised in Northern California. She graduated from the University of California Davis with a degree in Rhetoric and Communication. She enjoys spending time with her family and listening to her two sons Camron and Masson play guitar. After a successful career in the private and public sector, Karen decided to return to a former passion, writing and creating stories for readers of all ages. She is currently happily residing in Yuba City California with her husband Davis and son.

 

Synopsis:

Mason Witt, a skateboarding American teenager, catapults himself into the greatest adventure of his life after reading the plight of a new Cyber Writer from Africa. Lutalo knew he would come so he sent Mason an urgent plea for help. His village has lost its precious Zebra of Life — and his father has gone missing in the pursuit of the evil men who stole it. Here begins this thrilling adventure of two boys, a smart-talking panther, and an amazing zebra that sustains life. Come and join Mason and Lutalo on this fantasy adventure. 

Blog:

Cyber Writers and the Zebra of Life is geared to all middle grade readers and creates a bridge for the early young adult readers too.   Also the novel is modeled on researched techniques to attract reluctant readers. In 2006 Scholastic Magazine did a study, The Kids and Family Reading Report, and found that the amount of reading kids did for fun decreased from the time they were 8 through the teen years. Kids said the number-one reason for not reading more was that they couldn't find books that interested them. The study also revealed that kids look to their parents for ideas on what to read.
 

Here are 5 ways to get kids reading four or more books:

1. 
   
   
   
   
   Get comical: A new generation of  graphic novels (http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3745810)are getting today's kids to read. Comic books are coming back in a big way. The state school superintendent for Maryland, Nancy S. Grasmick, is adding graphic novels and comics strips to the curriculum in addition to the regular reading program. Some of us met the classics through the comics and they motivated us to read the real books.
2. 
   
   
   
   
   Find a series: Remember Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, the Babysitter's Club, Goosebumps, and so on? The great thing about getting kids hooked on series (http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7949) is that they really can't read just one and it makes choosing the next book to read easy. Mysteries, suspense, horror (a little goes a long way), fantasy, ( http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7220) and romance (as age-appropriate) are genres that attract many kids. Also, many young readers prefer non-fiction, like biographies (http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7818. ) Cyber Writers and the Zebra of Life is a novel that is the first of a series that has fantasy and adventure set in Africa. Other books in the series will be set in other exotic geographic areas of the world.
3. 
   
   
   
   
   Learn how to: Kids really like to do things that end up in a finished product or with a new skill. Many kids play computer games, so offer special-interest game magazines to help them find strategies for improvement. Summer is also a great time for arts and crafts so find books for making model airplanes, cooking a meal, (http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7959) or any topic that holds their interest. The kids learn things in the Cyber Writer series. In Cyber Writers and the Zebra of Life they learn the value of Courage, Family, Friendship, Trust, Loyalty and Faith. Eventually on http://www.cyberwriters.net there will be directions to make projects that are connected to the books in some way.
4. 
   
   
   
   
   Yuck it up: Humor (http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7734)  is good for reading and having a good laugh, too. Joke books and really silly stories are fun to read and having a sense of humor helps kids have a good time at whatever they are doing. Cyber Writers and the Zebra of Life has humor infused throughout. It also has other effects that draw reluctant readers including age appropriate popular interests such as computers and skate-boarding.
5. 
   
   
   
   
   Think outside the book: Reading on kid-friendly social networking sites,  (http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=11374 )playing word games, (http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/flashlightreaders/main.asp?bookpass=7&s=1)and subscribing to magazines ( http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7948)are fun ways to keep reading fresh. Just be sure kids are doing enough of it to equal a book. On http://www.cyberwriters.net the are some puzzles right now. Games, lesson plans and webquests for kids and teachers will soon will soon be included at no cost.
6. 
   
   
   
   
   Here is a listmania list link to Amazon of popular books for boys:

http://www.amazon.com/Books-Attract-Middle-Grade-Reading/lm/R31MV3UEIQR4VS
 

Here's another reason to keep kids reading: the volume of reading accomplished has a direct and positive impact on reading fluency, vocabulary development and establishing the reading habit. As kids' competence and confidence grows, so will their interest in reading for pleasure, including "good books." For tons of reading suggestions and motivators, don't miss the Summer Reading BUZZ! Program. Happy reading!

 

Source: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3746177

 

I also wanted to share the review of this novel by my son Daniel,  who absolutely loved this book.

Reviewed by Daniel Dietz

---

Mason Witt is an average kid who loves skateboarding.  He had been grounded for a week for riding his skateboard in the neighbors empty pool,  and today was his first day of freedom.  He was anxious to get off the bus to ride his board.

When he got home his mother made him his favorite snack of apples and peanut butter,  so he ate quickly to be able to ride his board before they had to run errands.  Before going to play,  he ran to his room to put his backpack away and checked his email.

Being a pen pal on Cyber Writers,  he found an email from Africa.  Before he was able to read it,  his mother yelled that they had to leave sooner than anticipated so they could get his brother Jamie at Karate,  then go get hair cuts.

While getting their hair cuts Mason was so excited to get that email he asked the barber if he knew anything about Africa.  When asked why,  Mason told all about being a pen pal with Cyber Writers.

Finally home,  Mason grabs a slice of pizza and runs upstairs to check his email.  He starts reading and the introduction of Lutalo begins.  Lutalo is in desperate need of help to return a Zebra and his missing father.  "The Zebra is what brings prosperity to farmers crops and harmony to all villagers".  The Zebra is known as the "Zebra of Life". 

Getting ready for bed Mason crawls under the covers to finish reading his email.  Suddenly he feels vines,  jumping out of bed he realizes that his bedroom is changing into a jungle.  Mason has been virtually transported to Africa.

Follow Mason and Lutalo during their adventures through Africa,  as they begin the chase in hopes to safely return the Zebra of Life and Lutalo's father,  Mwamba.

Kostlivy did a great job with her first book in the Cyber Writer Series.  I found myself anxious to find out what happened next,  and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.  I was amazed with the plot and she kept my attention from beginning to end.

I give Cyber Writers and The Zebra of Life ***** (5) Stars,  Daniel Dietz,  children's book reviewer for BK Walker Books.  http://bkwalkerbooks.weebly.com


Thanks again for stopping in Karen.  It has been such a pleasure.  Wishing you much success in the future!  Be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of this fantatic book,  for +2 extra entries please become a follower of my blog,  follow me on Twitter, Share this post using the share it link to the top right,  "Like" my Facebook Fan Page also to the right.  Don't forget to let me know what you did for extra entries and include your email addy so I have a way to contact you should you be the winner.  Giveaway will be open until July 23.  Thanks for stopping in everyone :).

Tech Talk with Author Jacqui Murray

Today my guest is Jacqui Murray.  Thank you for stopping in Jacqui.  Please tell us a little about yourself......

I was born in Berkley California to Irish-German parents. After receiving a BA in Economics, another in Russian and an MBA, I spent twenty years in a variety of industries while raising two children and teaching evening classes at community colleges. Now, I live with my husband, adult son and two beautiful Labradors and I write. I write how-books, five blogs on everything from the USNA to tech to science, and a column for the Examiner on tech tips.

Oh. I also write books.

What inspired you to pen your first title?

My non-fictions books are all inspired by similar circumstances. When my daughter wanted a book on how to get into the Naval Academy, all she could find were books that told her how hard it was, how selective they were, how very few could achieve it. My daughter brushed them off, but I wondered how many kids would be discouraged by that approach and decided to write a book explaining how to achieve the goal, not why kids couldn’t. I stressed how teens can solve the problems that stood in their way rather than why they couldn’t, how they could get where they wanted to go rather than why they couldn’t get there. That worked for my daughter and I had no doubt it would work for others. From what I hear from readers, it’s true.
My tech workbooks are the same. When I went back to teaching, I could find no workbooks for teaching technology to K-5. There were how-tos, but not geared for students of that age group. So I decided to write them. I geared the books for parents with nominal computer skills, homeschoolers and lab specialists. It outlines the method I use in my classes that gets kids from the most basics of computer skills in kindergarten to Photoshop by fifth grade. I’m not surprised that the method works, and is now being used in school districts all over the country.

How long have you been writing?

About twelve years.

What was the hardest part about writing this particular novel?

Marketing it. I love everything about writing, even when I hate it. But selling my stuff—that’s difficult. Publishers don’t do that much any more, so it’s up to me to get the word out. The internet’s great for that, as well as social networks, blogs, websites, and Virtual Tours, of course.

Have any dreams been realized as a result of your writing?

A big part of writing my tech workbooks was to organize my thoughts so I could teach the material better. That has worked so very well. I find that having a plan, like a map, never fails to get my students to the finish line. I hear this over and over from parents, that they can’t believe how much their kids have accomplished in my classes. Well, that’s because we know where we’re going and we know how to get there. It sounds simple, but how often does it not happen in tech classes.

Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?

I am working on a fiction series. I love science and want to pass that passion on to students, so my fiction endeavors have that goal in mind. My first fiction novel, To Hunt a Sub, is a techno-thriller about nefarious characters using brainy science to steal America's Trident submarines and how an equally-brainy female grad student stops them. It won the Southern California Writers Conference Outstanding Fiction Award last year and is in the final stages of rewrite. I have an excerpt available on Scribd.com.

What advice do you have for writer's just starting out?

My advice is to write to your passion. That’s a little different from write what you know, but in my experience, research fills in the knowledge gaps and gives the author so much more in the writing experience. So, I love finding topics that fascinates me, researching them and weaving them into an inspiring story. If you can do that, you’ll never worry about getting rejected by agents or not getting published because you’ll already have gotten so much more than you gave out of your writing.

Anything else you would like to share with us today?......

Please feel free to send me any questions, ideas, your own tips, at my tech blog (AskATechTeacher) or my Naval Academy blog(USNAorBust). My books are available at: Amazon.com and the publisher's website (www.structuredlearning.net). The ebooks are available on www.Scribd.com

Walker's Muse has been awarded the Versatile Blogger Award!!!!!!

I feel so special to have been given this award by Margaret West.  Thank you Margaret.  Please visit Margaret's blog as well to see all the happenings she has going on. 

According to the rules, I'm required to:

1. Thank the person who loved me enough to bestow this gift.
2. Share seven things about myself.
3. Bestow this honor onto 10 newly discovered or followed bloggers–in no particular order–who are fantastic in some way.
4. Drop by and let my ten new friends know I admire them.

So here are the seven things about me.

1.  I'm a pediatric home care nurse for develpmentally challenged children and I love it.
2.  I also help take care of my mother who is in the fight for surviving cancer
3.  My family and I just adopted a beautiful dachshund named Sadie.
4.  I work on my own car when something goes wrong with it unless it's a super big problem.
5.  I love to help people out,  whether it be another author,  another nurse,  helping an elderly person carry their groceries to their car,  anything at all I'm there.
6.  I have blessed my kids with the caring gene and my daughter just received a thank you card for reaching out to someone and I'm very proud of her.
7.  I wished I had magical powers to give myself more time in a day :). 

Here is my list of 10 Bloggers that I think are pretty special and fantastic,  in no specific order.  Please click on their name to visit their blog to see all the happenings they have going on. 

1.  Patti Hultstrand
2.  Fiona Ingram
3.  Katie Salidas
4.  Hart Johnson
5.  KiKi Howell
6.  Lillian Brummet
7.  Paula Phillips
8.  Ashley Winters
9.  Mandie Stevens
10. Ami Blackwelder

Congratulations girls! 

Giveaway and Interview with Author Arlene Crenshaw

Please give a warm welcome to my guest Arelene Crenshaw,  author of Twelve Roses for Uretta.  This is a touching tale and I'm so happy to have Arelene here.  Thank you so much for stopping in Arlene.  Thank you for having me.


Please tell us a little bit about yourself.....

I’m a 48 yr woman with one son and two grandchildren, I raised my son on my own. We struggled many of days but we made it.  I blessed in so many ways.  I lost my job about a year ago for something that was not my fault.  It’s been difficult, finding work, and I prayed everyday for God to help me find something in this world I enjoyed doing, and in a dream a voice came upon me (God) and said to me. “You are here for a purpose and it is to write and inspire people.”  Something I’ve did all my life…inspire people, who would think that I would be writing novels today. Dreams do come true if you believe.


Is Twelve Roses for Uretta your first novel?

Yes it is, and I’m so very proud of myself.


What inspired you to pen this novel?

I had reached a point in my life that the pain became too much. I was tired of suffering mental and physically with my health and everyday life I was just plain unhappy no matter what I did or what other did for me. I realized I had be crying my entire life and sometimes I didn’t even understand why, so I decided It was time to go right to the cause and this was my way of healing within. Thank God, it worked now I feel like a whole new world has opened up to me.


Do you relate to your characters in any way?

In my book I am Erica who tells the story.


What was the hardest thing about writing this particular novel? 

This is a true story, the hardest thing was all the memories I had to deal with, and how the more I wrote the better I felt getting it all out of my system after 47 years of carrying this pain around. It was very hard for me but it was something I had to do for myself.  I wrote, I cried and I got it all out.  I got rid of the pain that claimed most of my life.


Have you received much controversy with this book?

If so, how do you handle it? I have… most people really enjoyed my book; they said it was a very emotional read. I did have some problems within my family, but I had to remind them this story was told through the eyes of a child.  It was not meant to hurt anyone, it was told for self healing and remembrance of someone that was so special to me.  And I also wrote it for awareness that things like this happen everyday, and It happens to those who you least expect it to happen to.  They just may be going through situation like in my book or going through something even worse.


What message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

My book “Twelve Roses for Uretta” takes this message seriously.  Love should not hurt and domestic violence can kill, don’t be a victim, there is always help. “Just reach out.”

What dreams have been realized as a result of your book being published?

My wildest dreams, that I able to do something wonderful and that is creative by me, something people enjoy and seem to really like and they want more and more.  I realized that dreams do come true.  I was once told that the only thing that comes to a dreamer is a dream.  Well I’m living proof that dreams do come true and I’m enjoying every bit of the ride.


Where do you hope your writing will take you in the future?

 I love writing I hope to put out as many books as I can but my goal is for someone out there to see my writing talent and pick me up to be one of the writers on HBO or Lifetime Channel.  I would love to be a writer on projects like 24, Treme, Flash Forward, Big Love or even True Blood I love those series.  Wish me luck…


Are you currently working on any new projects?

I’m always working on something, I have another book coming out in mid July 2010, a book of short stories and also I’m putting together another book for later this year.


What advice can you give to aspiring authors?

If people listen to what you say when you talk or even write it down, both in my case, and want more and more from you, give them what they want…write books.  I’ve always been told I was in the wrong career, which was the medical field all my life.  Then one day I decide to take charge of my life and do what I loved to do and that was.  “Write stories and quotes” and I do them both daily.


What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to know about you?

That would be I never thought I would be a writer. I can write stories all day but, my punctuation sucks…


Any events or news you would like to share with us today?

Yes, my next novel is called “Hidden Closets” due to be release the middle of July 2010.  This novel is a book of short stories about people’s hidden secrets that they keep hidden, and want to remain hidden.  There is a variety of stories that I challenged my self on, there is a lot of drama, suspense, comedy, and down right outrageous things that people hide. In this book, I really put secrets out there a truly must read.



Where can your readers connect with you?  Facebook, Myspace, Twitter?

I’m on facebook daily, where I do my daily quote of the day. I do that to encourage, enlighten, inspire and, motivate people to keep on keeping on, no matter how tough any situation in their lives may be, they can always come to my facebook for a quote of the day to be inspired. My website is http://www.mscrenshawbooks.com


Any parting comments?

Always inspire to be the best at whatever you are, and with you’re dreams there is no dream that can’t come true. It’s you’re world as well as mine spread your wings and soar high.


Thank you so much for taking time to chat with us today.

You’re so very welcome…stay blessed!

The Giveaway:

Leave a comment for Arlene and you will be entered into a drawing for a $10 Amazon Gift Card.  Drawing will be July 15.

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So You Think You Want To Be An Author? Guest B. Swangin Webster

Please welcome my guest today,  B. Swangin Webster,  the author of Let Me Just Say This,  And Again...Just Let Me Say This.  Great books and a terrific author.  Thank you B. for stopping in.

Are you ready to become an author? 

Well you may think you are, but answer these questions. 

When people ask you what you do, do you answer, “oh, I work for the government” and then whisper, “and I write” 

Now depending on their reaction, you either go into what your book is about or you turn and walk away feeling dejected by their response. 

If you are ready to become an author, the first thing out of your mouth, whenever someone asks you what “do you do”, should be, “I'm an author, and the name of my book is _________.” 

Now, four years ago when asked what I did, I proudly said, I work at a middle school, but I would like to be an author.” See I wasn't ready to be an author. Then two years ago, I was involved in a conversation that centered around what “we would like to do” I said, “if I wasn't working at a middle school I would want to be an author”. Again, I wasn't ready to be “an author”. A little while after that, my manuscript was accepted and published. I then whispered to a select few that “I have a book, do you wanna see it?” Now, again, I wasn't ready to be an author. After a few, ok it was only four people, read a chapter (I gave each a different chapter to read) they came back and said, why haven't you published this, and my response was, “it is published.” At which they pre paid for their copy. Ok, now I'm excited, because I have 4 people wanting my book. (ok, that might not be exciting, but remember I wasn't quite ready to be an author) 

After the initial shock wore off, and the checks cleared, I then decided to call my best friend and tell her and she screamed “oh my gosh! I can't believe I know an author!” ok, my response, “I'm not an author, I just wrote a book”. Again, not ready.

After a long, and I do mean long, conversation, I hung up the phone and said to myself, `maybe I am an author.' It wasn't until my first shipment of my books came in that I realized, that I had something published. I took my shipment to school and gave them to the woman who can sell the Brooklyn Bridge to someone and make it seem like it was the best purchase in the world, by the end of the day, all 50 books had been sold! When she told me, I was like; What! Just like that? And her response, of course, people love to read. 

Now I must tell you, no one knew the book was by me, because I use a pseudonym as a writer. I went home and nearly cried because I couldn't believe that people would like to read MY book. After a few days, I was called to the main office and when I got there, the front secretary told me that I needed to go to the teachers lounge. When I opened the door, the entire building had threw me a “book release party” complete with a cake with my book pic on it and a few appetizers. I was introduced as “The celebrity of the school” I went back to my office and had to meet with some children who were in trouble. After listening to them try and tell me why I shouldn't call their parents, one of them got a major attitude after I called his parent. Tired of dealing with his attitude, I blurted out, “I am an author, and don't need to put up with this behavior!” 

Yes, at that very moment, I realized I was an author, when will your moment come? 

Let me know by visiting my website and leaving a comment in my guestbook; http://bswanginwebster.webs.com or email me at anauthor08@live.com

 

B. Swangin Webster—Author

 

B. Swangin Webster is the author of two novels, Let Me Just Say This and its sequel And Again…Let Me Say This.

 

She currently works in a middle school in Waldorf Maryland and is married with five grown children and four adorable grandsons. 

She grew up in the Washington DC area calls Southern Maryland her home.

She has over 200 novels, and has read all of them at least twice. Her passion, besides writing is cooking.

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Her passions are writing, reading, and talking about the process of writing and being an author.

To learn more about her please visit: http://bswanginwebster.webs.com

Thank you again for stopping in B.  I always enjoy chatting with you.  Please be sure to follow B along her virtual book tour leaving a comment along the way for your chance to win a copy of one of her books at the end of her tour :).