Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
To properly answer this question, I’d need to personally interview forty authors and make a compilation for you, but since I can’t do that, I’ll answer these questions to the best of my ability with my own information. The names listed below are all the authors who’ve contributed to making the Love is… anthology.
Kate Pearce, Marie Hall, Zoe York, Sidney Bristol, S.M. Butler, Kat Cantrell, Cassandra Curtis, Keri Ford, Sadie Haller, Faye Hunter, Crystal Jordan, Jennifer Lewis, Molly McLain, Mima, Natasha Moore, Catherine A. Noon, Elle Rush, Jessica Stone, Holley Trent, A.J. Vale, Elle Wylder, Clarice Wynter, Sabrina Darby, Bonnie Dee, Jennifer Haymore, Vivienne Westlake, Elianne Adams, Melissa Aires, Mahlee Ashwynne, Sophie Avett, Jennifer Blackstream, Sela Carsen, Cate Dean, Grace Draven, Hailey Edwards, Dayna Hart, Elise Logan, Lyra Marlowe, Yelena Casale, Cate Rowan, Tina Moss
As for me, I’m coming to you all the way from North Eastern Ontario, Canada, I’m a wife and mother of three (plus three fur babies). I dreamed of writing at a young age, but like so many, that dream went by the wayside when I joined the work force and started building my family. Now that my children need less of my time, I’ve rediscovered my love of writing and am following my dreams.
Other than the short story included in the Love is anthology, I’ve written two full length paranormal romance novels. The first is Call of the Dragon, and the second Rise of the Phoenix. Both are part of my Return to Avalore series. I’m in the process of writing books three and four. The big launch for the series is coming in December of this year, so keep your eyes peeled for it.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Love is… is an anthology put together by forty-one Divas from www.romancedivas.com who just wanted to give back a little. All proceeds of the Love is… anthology are going to Reach Out and Read, an organisation that helps put books in the hands of children, promoting literacy from a young age.
My contribution to the Love is… anthology is called Flickering Light. It’s the story of Barbara and Clayton in the time before the Queen of Avalore is found and brought back to their homeland. The story is set in a time when hope is all but gone and the Avalorian people are hovering on the brink of extinction.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if I’d consider this unusual or not, but my writing space is always set up in a particular way. When I sit down to write, I like to have a red candle burning to my right to help get my creative juices flowing. Also to my right are pictures of my kids on a cork board as well as a few drawings. Music and noise is kept to a minimum, and that’s about it.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
That’s such a tough question. So many amazing authors have influenced me. Here are just a few that are one click buys for me.
I loved Kristen Painter’s Blood Rights series. I haven’t had the opportunity to read her newest release, House of the Rising Sun in her Crescent City series yet, but I’m looking forward to it.
The Araneae Nation series by Hailey Edwards is awesome as well. The world building in the series draws me in every time.
I’m a great fan of Annie Nicholas as well. She’s not only been a great mentor to me, but she’s an amazing author. My current favorite of hers is her Chronicles of Eorthe Series, though I have to admit to having read most of her other books as well and loved them just as much. The next book in the Eorthe series is Scent of Valor due out in November. I’m patiently waiting to get my greedy palms on that one.
Marie Hall weaves tales that you just can’t help getting sucked into. From fairy tales to contemporary, there isn’t anything this woman can’t write.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on my Return to Avalore Series. The series takes place in Avalore, a parallel world where dragons, phoenix and gryphons not only exist, but are at the very core of the Avalorian people.
Flickering Light is just the beginning. Following this short story, book one, Call of the Dragon is the story of Rhiannon and Drake, and kicks off the series. Tired of being on the run, Rhia agrees to go to Avalore with Drake. What she doesn’t know is that the enemy lies in wait, and that she’s a whole lot more than just another woman back in Avalore.
Book two, Rise of the Phoenix, is the story of Evan and Brienne. Both characters are introduced in book one and begged me to have their story told.
Which brings me to where I’m at now.. books three and four. Both are in the process of being written. I’ve not come up with suitable titles for either of them, but as soon as I do, I’ll have them posted with cover art on my website.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve not had much opportunity to explore this aspect of writing yet, but I’ve heard many good things about the people here at Awesomegang, which is why I came here. I’ve also heard about the usual, bookbub, freebooksy, bargainbooksy.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Even though I’ve written two full length novels and a short story, I still see myself as a new author. lol I’ll give the advice that was given to me…
Keep writing. It doesn’t matter who else is doing what, if you don’t have anything written, you’ve got nothing, so keep writing. The promoting, website, web presence, it’ll all come, but not if you don’t have a book to sell.
Learn your craft. There are tons of places to go to learn to write and how to tell a story, so don’t be afraid of taking a class or seminar.
Surround yourself with like minded people who can help push you when you get in a funk, because believe me, there are plenty of funks to get into and sometimes they’re hard to get out of. You’ll need people you can trust and who will have your back and not be afraid to tell it like it is, good or bad. Good critique partners and beta readers are a must. When you find one you mesh well with, grab hold and don’t let go.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up.
Life happens. It’s easy to say to heck with it all and just throw in the towel, but don’t give up. You’ll get there.
Keep writing. You don’t have anything if you don’t have the story written.
Stop reading. Sounds funny, I know, but there was a time when I was reading too much and a lot of what I was reading wasn’t of high quality, so it was coming through in my writing. Putting the books down really helped me to focus and bring my own voice through in my words.
What are you reading now?
The Bastard by Inez Kelley.
If you haven’t read it.. do! She’s amazing. I’m not done with this one yet, but it’s been great so far.
Also… Cora Seton. She’s drawn me into her Chance Creek series and I’m hooked. I just got done with her The Cowgirl Ropes a Billionaire book and loved it. I’m just trying to decide which one to read next.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m still working on the Return to Avalore Series. There are three full length novels still waiting in queue for this series as well as a couple of novellas.
After that, I’m wide open. Not to say I don’t have a million plot bunnies running wild in my head, but I’ve not committed to any one project in particular. There is one potential story coming down the pipe for a superstition themed boxed set, but nothing is confirmed there yet. If it does come to be, it’ll be released in 2015.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Okay, that’s just not fair. That’s like asking a mother which child she’d bring.
Hmmm.. if I had to choose, I’d have to say Scent of Valor (Annie Nicholas), House of the Rising Sun (Kristen Painter), One Gold Knot (Sadie Haller.. did I mention her in my favorites??).
Is it normal that I feel like I’m cheating on all the others by not naming them all?
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