An Interview with Author Amanda L.V. Shalaby!

Hi Amanda!  Thanks for joining us today.  I have lots of questions for you - let's get to them...

What does your work space look like?

Oh, it’s a terrible mess.  I’m obsessed with post-its, and all the note blocks I can buy at Home Goods.  It must be the influence of my historical England stories, because I love my office space to be deliciously cluttered!

Tell us 3 interesting things about you.

My Shih Tzu dog, Bella, has a larger wardrobe than I have.

I buy Clinique makeup during every Bonus Time, whether I need makeup or not (always not).

I should own stock in Smash Burger.

What is one favorite quote?

“A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world.” – John le Carré

What inspired you to write your first book?

A dream, of course!  But that little number (written when I was fourteen years old) is right where it ought to be – in a special drawer, not to see the light of day until the time comes when I can do some serious polishing!  My Crimson Romance novel, Rhianna, published this year, was inspired by my very dear grandmother, Catherine M. Fisher, and would not exist but for her request.  It is to her and for her.

Do you write in more than one genre? 

Right now, I am enjoying writing historical romance.  My current project, which is nearing completion, continues in that genre.  But I have a special place in my heart for fiction with coming-of-age and loss of innocence themes.  As I anticipate a much-needed break from historical romance, I plan to polish some of my unfinished works in that area.

 

What book are you reading now?  What rating would you give it?

I’ve been re-reading the classics, even reading some for the first time.  Right now, I’m enjoying Little Women, and I give it four stars!

What are your current projects?  Can you share a little of that here?

Sure!  Here is a short synopsis of my current project:

Audra Kingsley, a wealthy heiress, may not have seen much of the world, but she knows exactly how she wants her future to play out – and a coming out ball held at her country estate, Kingsley Manor, would suit her just fine.  Her father’s wish that she be presented at St. James in London seems silly and an awful lot of trouble, since she is to marry her neighbor and childhood sweetheart, Lord Crispin Brighton.

Obligingly, she travels to King Street with her patroness, the eccentric Lady Sutherland, with the intention of returning home to her beloved as soon as the affair is completed.  Unknown to Audra, Lady Sutherland is in no rush to leave London, and intends to spend the Season in town with friends and relatives – and show Audra she has more options in the suitor department than Crispin, a second son.

Thus imprisoned, and receiving no correspondence from home, Audra finds herself surrounded by few friends, and is forced to attend parties, balls and operas – all while becoming the object of a secret admirer’s obsession.

Suspense, deception and the power of true love are laced through this adventurous tale.  Will Audra escape?  And to what lengths will she go to return home?

 

What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing your book to life?

When I began forming the story of Rhianna, I literally knew nothing of 19th century England.  I had not watched a single period movie, or read a single Jane Austen novel.  I had to do years of extensive research just so I would feel comfortable writing about the period. 

 

Do you ever experience writer's block?  What do you do to overcome?

I think every writer gets writer’s block from time to time.  I find the best thing for me is to walk away from the work for a while, or discuss it with a trusted companion.  My mom happens to be both my “ideal reader”, to quote Stephen King, and my first critique partner.  A hot cup of coffee helps, too!

Here are some "Fun Questions":

Fill in the Blanks:

I love pizza with extra cheese & sauce!

I'm always ready for a movie night with my hubby.

When I'm alone, I write, read, cook or dress up my dogs.

You'd never be able to tell, but I write novels!

If I had a halo it would be pretty straight.

If I could travel anywhere I'd be in London right now!

I can never try out for American Idol because singing is not my gift!

For your fans;

Find Me Here:

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/AmandaLVShalaby

 

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/AmandaShalaby

 

Blog: http://AmandaLVShalaby.wordpress.com

 

Pinterest: http://www.Pinterest.com/AmandaLVShalaby

 

To order the book: Crimson Romance ebooks | Amazon | B&N | iTunes

Thanks for visiting!  Good luck and great sales! 

 

 

An Interview with Romance Author Becky Lower!

Hurray!

Today, we have romance author Becky Lower visiting with us.  Thanks for stopping by, Becky!  I have lots of questions for you – let’s get to them.  First of all, please tell our readers three interesting things about you that they might not know.

I am single and have never been married…I liked to play too much to settle down.

I know how to handle a chain saw.

I am an amateur interior decorator.

Wow~ Those are certainly interesting facts!   I almost need to ask about all three, but I’ll try to stay focused. *smile*  So tell me what inspired you to write your first book?

It was the fulfillment of a life-long ambition. I had just finished orchestrating a designer show-house as a fundraiser for a local arts council. I worked with fourteen different designers who each took a room and put his/her spin on it. I was fascinated by the process, so I decided to write a book about a woman who takes on an old Victorian home and renovates it to be her showroom and living quarters. After a few attempts to interest an editor, I shoved it under the bed and moved on.

Do you feel you have a specific writing style or genre? 

With my historical novels, I like to take ordinary people and plunk them into events that were happening in their day--some big, like the wagon train migration, some small, like the introduction of the silk top hat and the subsequent collapse of the beaver pelt industry. Then, after I surround my characters with these events, I consider how they would react by asking myself how I would respond if placed in the same situation.

If I ran into a young black woman with a baby in an alley, and knew she was being tailed by slave mongers who wanted to return her to her plantation, would I be able to turn my back on her and walk away? Then, I transfer my response to that of my character.

I like to take a break from the heavy research involved in writing historicals by having a line of contemporary books. The baby-boomers of this world are about to rebel against every heroine being in her twenties, so my books are about the over-40 woman who is ready to move into a new phase of her life. The first one, Blame It On The Brontes, will be released in the spring by Soul Mate Publishing.

How do you come up with your titles?

The first book in the historical series, The Reluctant Debutante, was a collaborative effort between me and my best friend. When Crimson said they needed a better title for it, she and I just kept bouncing ideas off one another and came up with the title. The very next day, another person, from my critique group, suggested the very same title, so I figured it was a perfect choice. The Abolitionist's Secret was my own creation -- not the first title I had for the book, but I think it fits both Crimson's style and the book. For the contemporary, I had the title banging around in my head for a couple years, and tried several times to write a story connected to it, but could never get it to gel until I created the fractious and contentious Bronson sisters.


Where do you get your ideas?

My ideas come from all over the place. The Cotillion series was prompted by my love for Regencies, but I didn't want to have to learn about English royalty. Too time-consuming.  I was watching ice skating on television one night, and the commentator was filling in the backstory on one of the lovely young ladies. He said she was planning her debutante ball, which would take place at the end of her skating season. That got me to thinking about the Debutante balls as part of American culture, and the series was on its way.

For my contemporary book, my sister drug me to a class on jewelry-making using sea glass, or ‘beach glass’, as it's referred to in Ohio. The instructor told us a poignant story about her love of collecting the glass and how it bound her family together, and I was inspired -- not to make jewelry but to write about how sea glass could bind a family together.


Do you mind telling us what book you’re reading now?  What rating would you give it?

I'm struggling to get through Gone Girl right now. As my sister says, I should read these best-sellers to see what they're doing right, but I am to the point where I'm just skimming through it and can't wait for it to end. The writing is fine, but I don't care enough about either character to want to know if they live or die. I felt the same way about Fifty Shades of Grey. Hated the book, and only got one-third of the way through the first one before I gave up on it. So, to answer my sister's question of what these authors are doing right, I'd have to say they are hiring great publicists.

What are your current projects?  Can you share a little of that here?

My next book to be published will be the third book in the Cotillion Ball series. It's about Basil Fitzpatrick, one of the brothers in this large family, and I truly enjoyed writing it, since it was written from his perspective. That's the first book I've written from a man's point of view, and I enjoyed sitting down every day and working on it. It's due for release in May, 2013. I just began working on Book 4, which is all about Jasmine, the other twin. It's a bit unusual for me, too, since she's the one who needs to change, not the man. I can't wait to see how it unfolds.


Do you have any advice for other writers?

Take classes on craft, enter contests, and join a critique group. Don't be afraid to let others take a look at what you're working on. Oh, and develop a thick skin.

 

Do you write an outline before every book ?  Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I started off being a full-blown pantser, but I kept painting my characters into corners from which there was no escape. I kept hearing about Blake Snyder's book on plotting called Save The Cat. It has a simple, 15-beat outline, where you fill in the major events in your story. It's a very loose outline, but it allowed me to work the kinks out before I began to put words on the screen. I used it for the first time in my story about Basil. I outlined it and then put the outline away. Didn't look at it once as I wrote. But because I had the major points already in my head, I was able to write quickly, and get it done. I went back after I was finished and compared the outline to the actual story, and it was really close. So, I'll probably be a loose plotter from now on. I kind of like that moniker.

Okay, Becky, if you were marooned on a deserted island and could have only one of your heroes with you, which one would you choose and why?

Sigh. It would have to be Joseph, the hero from my first book in the Cotillion series. When I was a teenager, I dreamed about finding a strong, tall, muscle-bound Indian in my backyard and falling in love. Obviously, since I'm still single, it hasn't happened yet. And now that I've created my ideal man in Joseph, something tells me it's not ever going to happen.

Okay, now for some fun stuff.  Please fill in the blanks:

I love pizza with pepperoni and bacon--not the Canadian kind but real, cholesterol-laden bacon.

I'm always ready for a night at the movies.

When I'm alone, I cuddle with my dog by the fire.

You'd never be able to tell, but  I would love to be able to tap dance.

If I had a halo it would be bent.

If I could go back in time  I'd be an outlaw.

I can never grow up because that would be boring.

 

Finally, where can fans find you?

Website: http://www.beckylowerauthor.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/becky.lower

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/BeckyLower1

Blog: http://beckylowerauthor.blogspot.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/authorbeckyl/

To order the book:  Keep checking Amazon.com. The Abolitionist's Secret should be available for pre-orders by November 26.

Thanks so much for being with us, Becky!  Good luck to you and many sales! 

Okay, now it's YOUR turn to ask Becky anything you want!  Use the comment section and have fun!  *smile*

 

"Tag, You're It!" with me - Robyn Corum!

Hey all!  I’m participating in a fun round of interviews with sister authors this week!  We’re all part of a dynamic campaign called, “Tag, You’re It!”  I’m posting my interview questions and answers here today and at the bottom, you’ll be able to (come back and) find the links to the other girls’ interviews! 

 

Questions for Robyn Corum for Tag – You’re It!

What is the title of your book?

Melinda Heads West

Where did the idea for the book come from?

The idea actually came from a flash fiction contest on a writing website.  I created the first chapter and really liked the character of Melinda.  I decided to ‘play’ with it, and more chapters followed.  Soon, I was in the middle of a novel!

What genre does your book fall under?

It’s a Historical Romance/Western

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I am so bad at this.  Matt Damon as Boone, maybe, and Jennifer Lopez as Melinda.  The only problem is that I don’t see Melinda as classically ‘pretty’, and her hair is always a mess!

If anyone can come up with better characters, let me know!  I’d be interested to hear your ideas. *smile*  (Leave them in the comments section!)

What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

A young girl traveling across three states for a family deed finds misadventure, danger and love.

Will your book be self-published or agented?

It’s published by Crimson Romance, a division of Adams Media! It was released October 8^th, 2012.  The paperback should follow in about a month. 

 

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

About seventy days.

What other books within your genre would you compare your WIP (writing-in-progress)to?

I can’t think of a single book similar to the one I’m currently writing, except that it has a very loose mail-order bride plot! 

Who or what inspired this book?

I have often heard about the tenements in New York City at the turn of the century.  I wanted to try to capture the harsh realities of that life on paper and in a character people could relate to.  “Ama” was born.

 What else about your book might pique the readers’ interest?

It’s a hard story to tell.  I threw myself couple of hard curves, which I can’t really share or it would give away too much.  But suffice it to say that like today, the mail order ads in the 1800s didn’t tell the whole story either!  *smile*

 

***

Here are some ways to catch up with Robyn after the interview:

To purchase Melinda Heads West: Melinda-Heads-West

Authors Den:  authorsden

Pinterest:  pinterest.com/robyncorum

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/pub/robyn-corum

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/MelindaHeadsWest

Twitter: @robyncorum

 

***

 

Here are the links to other authors participating in the Tag- You're It! Fun:

Suzanne Barrett      Molly Kate Gray

Galen Rose       Pam B. Morris     Susan Blexrud

Nancy Loyan       Shelly K. Wall        Traci McDonald      

Tara Mills

***

Thanks so much!  robyn

A Crazy, Blessed Week!

WHAT A WEEK! 

 

This week has been hectic but wonderful.  It's official, my cup of blessings runneth over.   This past Monday, my historical romance, Melinda Heads West, finally debuted in e-format with Amazon, iTunes and other vendors. 

To mark the event, Monday morning I planned to have a very small group of women (4) to my home to share the moment as I downloaded my own copy.  Hurray!  Then we took turns reading through several of the short chapters.  I offered the ladies a delightful (catered) lunch on a rose-laden table with flowers fresh-picked from my garden -- and then forced them to listen a bit more as I read them the first five chapters of the novel I am currently working on.   To me, it was a heavenly way to spend a couple of hours!  I imagine my friends (DEAR friends) could have found something more productive to do.  But…that’s what good friends are for.  Right? 

The ‘celebration’ continued Monday night!

My eldest daughter planned a little ‘get-together’ with a few friends in honor of the book release and my birthday.  (It was a big one.  My 50^th birthday was on Wednesday, October 10^th).  The ‘theme’ was mixed and fun:  “Melinda Heads West and Robyn Heads Over the Hill!” 

The cake, as you can see in the picture, was amazing!  It looked EXACTLY like a book – my book!  As a matter of fact, one of my guests tried to open it and only found their mistake when they got a bit of icing on them! 

Once again – my dear friends (some of them were the same from the morning!  EEK!) allowed me to read them a few sample chapters from the book.  Am I blessed with good friends, or what? 

A local celebrity!   -  ME! -

On Wednesday, my birthday, an article appeared in our local newspaper featuring yours truly. (I’m afraid I’m going to be a sad case next week when no one is paying any attention to me! *smile*) It spoke about Melinda and the poetry book that’s due out in November,entitled, Pieces of Her Mind.  More information about it follows.  It was a great article. 

Whew!  What a week! 

A definite distraction …

On October 1^st, I started a new book project that I’m really excited about.  It’s features a young woman named Ama who ends up being a mail order bride.  Her story starts out in the gritty tenements of 1870’s New York City.  It’s not a pretty beginning.  It’s a tough story to put into words and I really want to tell it well.  I’ve entered a contest to write 50,000 of the words in 50 days!  That's an average of 1,000 words a day, and needless to say, this week has put me off my mark.  With all the hoopla and carryings-on – I’m 5,000 words behind schedule!  UGH.  That will mean several days of doubling up, but it can be done. 

Wish me luck, please!

 

***

 

For more information on Melinda Heads West, my newly released e-book, please check out the following:

For “Look Inside”/Reviews/Ordering info:

http://www.amazon.com/Melinda-Heads-West-ebook/dp/B009979330/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350085930&sr=1-1&keywords=melinda+heads+west

For my Facebook Fan page about the book, where you can WIN a FREE BOOK or GREAT WESTERN JEWELRY:

http://www.facebook.com/MelindaHeadsWest?ref=hl

 ***

For more information about Pieces of Her Mind, the poetry book dedicated to Japanese short-form poetry written with seventeen other women-poets, please check out the following:

 

http://www.facebook.com/PiecesofHerMind

 

http://www.missy-piecesofhermind.blogspot.com

 

***

 

Thanks so much for tagging along today.  I appreciate you!  Please don't forget to leave your email address at the top of the page (beneath the magnolia blossom) to receive these posts on a regular basis, or sign up with the Google+ button. 

 

Please notice that I've added more 'idea' and prompt links, so we should never be without ideas for our writing! 

 

I know today is a long post, but if you'll indulge me, I felt that the following poem was appropriate for this 'colorful,' extraordinary week.  May God bless you as you follow your dreams! 

 

 

My Life in Color

 

 

It’s time to live my life in color!
No more washed out black and white ~
I long for bold and vivid brushstrokes...
That can’t fail to bring delight.

I want a grand and massive canvas -
I want to cover it with paint!
I’m tired of timid, pastel palettes,
And there’ll be no more restraint...

I’m tired of hiding in the shadows --
So I’m stepping in the light,
Where the blues and greens and yellows
Entertain, tease and excite ~

So I’ll do away with sepia -
Say goodbye to puce and rust!
It’s time to live my life in color!
 - My new life, full and robust -

--by robyn corum, 8/31/2012

 

(Leave a comment and tell me what your most immediate dream is right now!  I'm crossing my fingers for you!)  And don't forget to feed the fishes!  Make it a great day!   robyn