Tag: community
Community
I often hear people say that there is no sense of community any more and that social media sites are killing interaction and are the source of all evil. Or something like that. It is very easy to be swept along into thinking that as we each live our lives with our own families and group of friends and see all the negativity in the press.
I think that we are breeding generations who are addicted to the internet and struggle to interact in ‘real life’ and I think this is a problem that needs to be addressed but then are those people the ones who would have stayed at home anyway and been more reclusive in nature. Maybe social media is providing them with a form of interaction that they previously wouldn’t have had.
I have a lovely example of people in the internet pulling together in support and that support was for me. I entered my new book in a competition ‘Author’s Cover Wars’ and right out of the starting post I was in the lead. The competition lasts for a week and you can vote every 24 hours. As the week wore on I slipped into second place and by Saturday morning I was 39 votes behind the leader, 41 – 80. My first reaction was I can’t do this, I’ve lost but then my fighting spirit jumped up and listening to advice to someone close to me I decided to try to win. I tagged everyone I was comfortable to tag, family, friends, fellow authors who I have had a fair level of interaction and asked them for help. It was a long shot but I’m used to the odds being stacked against me. I posted in groups on Facebook cheekily hoping I wasn’t breaking any of their rules (not the ones who are rigid on no promotion). I kept this up through the day and night and when I work up this morning the other author was still in front but by 6 votes only, 90 – 96.
Again my initial response was I’ve given it my best shot and that’s all I can do now. Err no, cue determined bitch. I tagged more people and posted in more groups and by the end of the competition 8am EST/1pm GMT I had won by an outstanding 15 votes 117 -102. That is to me a prime example of community spirit happening over social media.
I would like to thank everyone who helped me this week and all the amazing authors and bloggers who rally round to support each other. This is community, just a little bit different from the chatting over the garden fence, curtain twitching kind.
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West Midlands Attending Author: Pavan Kaur
- Can we start with your name and where you’re from?
Hello everyone, my name is Pavan Kaur and I’m from Birmingham UK - Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?
I love reading so much. I always read before I go to bed. You always need some time away from writing. My inspiration, God there are so many amazing authors out there that I love to read, I follow on Facebook and Twitter. - What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?
Romance is my main focus in writing. I’m writing my first BDSM stand alone at the moments, which I’m very excited about. - If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?
Colton from the Driven Series fell in love with him. - When did you first start writing?
Six years ago, Moving On kept playing in my head, so I finally started writing it, then my family really liked it and told me to publish it, and here I am. - Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?
I let the words flow, I have so many notebooks around my house, and in my bag so when something comes to me, I can write it down. - Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)
Rhett Johnson, for a big guys he is super sweet. - Was there an event in your life that triggered a particular book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?
N/A - Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?
Mr Dark my BDSM standalone book, and book 3 in my series. - What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?
Keeping writing, and enjoy what you are doing if you don’t enjoy it then there is no point. - What do you do when you’re not writing?
Read or bake with my two boys. I like to spend a lot of time with my boys so baking, board games anything to see you smile. - What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?
Marketing, I find hard. Never know if I am doing it right or not, but I’m enjoying the learning everyday. - We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?
I have only told my mum, dad, brother, sister and husband no other family no about my writing and the reason is because I don’t want to listen to the making sweeping statements at me, because then it will take the fun out of writing for me. I will double think everything, I love write and I don’t want them to ruin it for me. - What is your idea of happiness?
Family. As long as I have my family around me I’m always happy. - For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.
- What makes you laugh/cry?
- You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature.
Jennifer Aniston, because I just love her
David Beckham because I need something sexy to look at
The impractical Jokers because we all need to laugh - What is your most annoying habit?
Im OCD, which can get annoying sometimes lol - Please tell me about your books? For each one please send a pic (kindle cover would be perfect)
Moving On –
Everyone has a past. For most people their past is their worst nightmare, haunting them day by day. Such a person with a past is Kim Turner. But everything changes when Nicolas Webb comes into her life.
Nick on the other hand, is your typical hot shot. With money comes powers and with powers come happiness, or so he thought until he met Kim.
Haunted by her past and stalked in his present, are they destined to be together? Will Kim be able to let go of her past and trust Nick or will Nick just cause another heartbreak?
Moving Forward –
“I knew then, that I will never be safe!”
Moving on, Kim Turner finally let go of her past. She trusts Nicolas Webb with more than her life. Just when she thought she could move on from her haunted past, James Foster comes back into her life; together with the painful memories and disturbing nightmares. But this time, it’s all real.
The untold story of Kim and Nick continues as more secrets and lies begin to unravel. Following as the sequel to “Moving On” with James Foster out of Prison, will Kim and Nick be able to move forward? Or will this time be the last time they fight for each other?
Moving Together –
The Final instalment of the Moving Series
James’ persistence is taking its toll on Kim. With what he’s done goes above and beyond trying to get her back; it’s hurting her in the worst way imaginable. Using her love for Nick against her has Kim deciding if she can continue to fight James, or give in.
One thing’s for sure… She won’t go back to the hell he made for her.
COURAGE TO TRUST –
I knew I should have stayed away from Rhett Johnson. Captivating, beautiful, talented not to mention a UFC prize fighter, and a man who knows what he wants and he wants ME.
Who am I? Scarlett Parker. A maid in a luxury Vegas hotel. I’m damaged, broken and running away from the darkness around me. I don’t believe in happily ever after.
The attraction between us is like a drug, one we both dangerously need. Wounds break open as my past returns. Is this my happily ever after or is this a disaster waiting to happen?
COURAGE TO FIGHT
He told me that I could trust him.
He told me he loved me.
I put myself in a place where I thought I would be safe again. Never did I think I would hurt more than I did before. But I do.
I let the wall fall around my heart, only for it to get burned.
I cried, but now I’m back and I won’t let the demons get me again.
I won’t make the same mistake twice…
But there he stands in front of me.
The man who hurt me.
Rhett Johnson
- Lightning round
Tea or Coffee? Teas
Cash or credit? Cash
Cats or Dogs? Dogs
Beach or Mountain? Beach
Summer or Winter? Summer
Sweet or Savoury? B
Early riser or late riser? Early riser
Morning or Night? Night
Christmas Tree – real or fake? Real
Sex – Lights on or off? OnThank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
Please leave Facebook, Twitter, Website links so we can check you out further.
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West Midlands Attending Author: Nikki Ashton
1. Can we start with your name and where you’re from?
My name is Nikki Ashton and I’m from Cheshire – Crewe to be exact, it’s not pretty but it’s home.
2. Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?
I love reading and probably read three or four books a week. Everything I read is inspiration – I don’t mean I copy the storylines, but the different styles of writing. Writing in the first person wasn’t something I ever considered until I read other authors books. Now I love it as you can get so much more across to the reader. My biggest inspiration to start writing though was Marian Keyes. I love how she can make you laugh out loud and then cry with the next sentence.
3. What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?
I have always written romantic comedy but recently have crossed over into contemporary romance, and absolutely loved the change.
4. If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?
Ooh that’s hard. I suppose it’d have to be Christian Grey, purely and simply because the books became such a phenomena. They gave EL James a tremendous amount of success and to reach that level with something that I’d actually written would be amazing.
5. When did you first start writing?
I’ve always written stories from the age of 7 and then wrote my first full length book about 15 years ago. I shelved it though until 4 years ago with the rise of self-publishing.
6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?
I do a rough plot line, write the first and last chapter and then just see where the words take me.
7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)
As I write a character they become my favourite, so at the moment it’s Jesse Connor, the rancher in my book that’s coming out in the summer. Although Roman Hepburn from my February release, Roman’s Having Sex Again, is a very close second. Both are pretty Alpha Male but have a romantic side too. As for female characters it has to be Summer from Roman’s Having Sex Again – she sarcastic and strong and has a fine collection of amazing shoes!!
8. Was there an event in your life that triggered a particular book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?
The whole of my teenage and early twenties pretty much inspired my first book, Guess Who I Pulled Last Night? Some scenes were a little exaggerated, but generally the three heroines are me and my friends.
9. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?
I’ve just finished a joint venture with Victoria Johns, so we’re currently doing edits for that. Other than that I’m doing the follow up to my rancher story. It’s about Jesse’s brother, Garratt and it’s going to be emotional.
10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?
Just do it, what do you have to lose? Oh and make sure you get a good team behind you in the form of an editor and proof reader. There’s a lot of competition out there and lots of discerning readers.
11. What do you do when you’re not writing?
Read and people watch for inspiration.
12. What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?
The marketing side of things for definite. I love interacting with my readers but I never know how much it too much marketing, plus I’m not particularly organised.
13. We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?
The fact that people don’t take you seriously because you self-publish and don’t see it as a job. I have a part-time job and people always say ‘yeah but you get two days off every week’ – actually I don’t because I’m doing my other job then. I might have more flexibility but if I don’t write in the day I’ll probably be up until the early hours writing.
14. What is your idea of happiness?
My family. Spending time with my husband, or spoiling my nephews and nieces is when I’m most happy.
15. For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.
Music plays quietly in the background, as the glow from the desk lamp shines onto the computer screen. The aroma of fresh, steaming, black coffee fills the air and there is a constant tap, tap, tap of the keyboard as the words flow easily. A voice from the sofa breaks into my thoughts as a bare chested, Micah Truitt says, ‘Okay stop writing now love, it’s sexy time.’
16. What makes you laugh/cry?
Observational humour makes me laugh, so I adore Peter Kay and Victoria Wood. I always laugh out loud at Helena Hunting books – she just has my sense of humour; coarse and smutty. I am quite an emotional person so lots of things make me cry, both happy and sad.
17. You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature.
Apart from my husband being an obvious choice, family members would be difficult as I love them all dearly. So, looking at this purely from a ‘whoa, check you out’, point of view it would be; Micah Truitt, Pep Guardiola and Jamie Dornan. Without books or TV, I’m sure I’d find something to do!
18. What is your most annoying habit?
Self-doubt and being over sensitive
19. Please tell me about your books? For each one please send a pic (kindle cover would be perfect)
Guess Who I Pulled Last Night? This a story of three friends in their early 30’s and the ups and downs they go through for love. There are parts to the story that we can all relate to at some point in our lives.
No Bra Required, is a humorous, romantic love story about Lucy and Ed. After spending weeks in bed wearing a bobble hat, due to being unceremoniously dumped by her cheating husband, Lucy decides to make a fresh start living with her dad for a while. That’s when she meets Ed. But, in true romance tradition, things don’t run smoothly when his bitchy ex-wife, and mother of his son, suddenly appears.
Get Your Kit Off is the story of Molly Pearson, who doesn’t have children, but as the Player Liaison Manager for a premiership football club, does have twenty-two professional footballers and one jealous fiancé to take care of. With having to deal with problems from players buying zoo animals as pets, to losing their false teeth and a whole lot more, Molly can’t wait for the season to end. But, her life becomes even more complicated, when the man who broke her heart six years earlier, comes back into her life. Hail the returning hero, Joe Bennett, now one of the best footballers in the world and the club’s most expensive signing. Every woman wants him, every man wants to be him, and he’s returned for one reason only – he wants Molly back.
Rock Stars Don’t Like Big Knickers follows Luke and Martha. Luke ‘Luciano’ Mahoney is the arrogant and sexy lead singer of the mega rock band, Dirty Riches, and he finds it highly amusing that his flirting embarrasses Martha, his new housekeeper/cook. Despite a shaky start involving a naked Luke and a mortified Martha, they start to grow closer and their friendship starts to develop into something more, but will he ever manage to prove to Martha that he’s the right man for her.
Rock Stars Don’t Like Ugly Bras, is the second in the Dirty Riches series and is all about their Lead Guitarist, Jake Hughes and the band’s PA, Amber Mahoney, who also happens to be Luke’s cousin. Jake irritates Amber more than anyone she’s ever met before. Jake, however, thinks that Amber is sexy but scary. Now they’ve got to share a house for six weeks – what could possibly go wrong?
Cheese Tarts and Fluffy Socks: Complex, Enthralling Romance Novel Proves Sex & Work is a Cocktail Best Left Unshaken. The story zeroes in on a steamy one-night stand that, unknown to either party, is about to kick-off a working relationship that is far more than awkward. A hotel badly in need of investment, a young entrepreneur has been sent in to decide if it’s a good investment, but the daughter of the owner is…well…you get the picture.
Rock Stars Do Like Christmas Stockings, is the final book in the Dirty Riches series, and is all about Tom Davies, final member of the band to settle down, or so everyone thinks. What they don’t know is that Tom has been having a relationship with Jake’s sister, Abbie, for the past year. With one secret affair, one unwelcome Santa suit, five excitable children, four foul-mouthed band members and two days to organise a party for hundreds of people, Christmas is certainly going to be interesting for the Dirty Riches boys and their families this year!
20. Lightning Round:
Tea or Coffee? Tea
Cash or credit? Cash
Cats or Dogs? Dogs
Beach or Mountain? Beach
Summer or Winter Summer
Sweet or Savoury Savoury
Early riser or late riser? Late Riser
Morning or Night? Night
Christmas Tree – real or fake? Fake
Sex – Lights on or off? On (unless we’re in the car of course ☺ )
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
Please leave Facebook, Twitter, Website links so we can check you out further.
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NikkiAshtonBooks/?fref=ts
Twitter – https://twitter.com/NikkerAsh
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nikkiashtonauthor/
Amazon.co.uk page – http://viewauthor.at/NAPage
Amazon.com page – http://viewauthor.at/AmazonCom
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#Booksarenotfree
Earlier in the week I blogged about the expectations of today’s society with regards to getting free books which was inspired by a Facebook post by Rose Montague. See below:
“I’m thinking about doing an event called OUR BOOKS ARE NOT FREE.
No giveaways, no prizes, no incentives other than meeting authors and readers, learning about their books, and supporting authors that want to sell their books. I wonder if anyone would like to participate and I wonder if people would actually attend the event?
If you are interested, please comment below. If I get enough authors/readers I will host the event……”
From there I felt so inspired and fired up that I wrote my thoughts down and added a hashtag which I want to see trending. #Booksarenotfree
Rose’s post inspired so many people that a five day event has been organised with half hourly author slots which are now full. Come and join this event, meet the authors pick up a book or two if your budget can stretch to it. Guaranteed no freebies but you will find more genres under one roof than you will anywhere else (aside from bookshops or online markets such as Amazon)
Event details:
Over 100 authors
Not a single book will be given away
Not a single prize will be awarded
Just some fantastic authors
With great books
At reasonable prices
Sat 11 Feb
2PM Rose Montague (Intro & Pep talk)
2:30 PM Monica Mertz
3:00 PM Veronica Del Rosa
3:30 PM Jen Winters
4:00 PM Theresa Jacobs
4:30 PM Sonnet O’Dell
5:00 PM S H Pratt
5:30 PM Clair de Lune
6:00 PM Aoife Marie Sheridan
6:30 PM Angel M Vosvick-Waggoner
7:00 PM John Hancock
7:30 PM Bailey Ziehmer
8:00 PM Barbara Winkes
8:30 PM M.L. Spencer
9:00 PM AJ Kohler
9:30 PM Claudette Nicole Melanson
10:00 PM Jesse Frankel
10:30 PM Elizabeth Ann Davis
11:00 PM Ani Manjikan
11:30 PM (daily wrap up)
Sun 12 Feb
6:00 AM (Daily Intro-Host)
6:30 AM Gillian Joy
7:00 AM Grace Rose Thomas
7:30 AM Maria Gibbs
8:00 AM Fiona Skye
8:30 AM Stuart Murray
9:00 AM Laurie Vincent
9:30 AM Melissa McArthur Gilbert
10:00 AM Cindy J Smith
10:30 AM Iyana Jenna
11:00 AM Krista Pakseresht
11:30 AM Karen Mossman
Noon Karina Kantas
12:30 PM Audrina Lane
1:00 PM Regina Partap
1:30 PM Cris Pasqueralle
2:00 PM Miranda Brock
2:30 PM Mistral Dawn
3:00 PM JF Holland
3:30 PM Gemma Roman
4:00 PM Flora McGregor
4:30 PM Erika Szabo
5:00 PM Joe Bonadonna
5:30 PM Michael Dellert
6:00 PM Heather Blomquist
6:30 PM Nancy Rollins
7:00 PM Courtney Shockey
7:30 PM Tima Maria Lacoba
8:00 PM Char Webster
8:30 PM Marsha Moore
9:00 PM Kurt Springs
9:30 PM Nicole Davis
10:00 PM Joe Compton
10:30 PM Deidre Mapstone
11:00 PM Carol Kauffman
11:30 PM (daily wrap up)
Mon 13 Feb
6:00 AM (Daily Intro-Host)
6:30 AM JoAnne Van Leedham
7:00 AM Alex James
7:30 AM Brianna West
8:00 AM Bri Amari
8:30 AM Susan Gibbons
9:00 AM Jennifer Thompson
9:30 AM Heather Ann Osborne
10:00 AM Michela Homer
10:30 AM Devorah Fox
11:00 AM Beverly Lee
11:30 AM Jennifer A Thomas
Noon H.C. Bentley
12:30 PM Tom Tinney
1:00 PM Peter Churchill
1:30 PM Dawn Chapman
2:00 PM Cindy Schneider
2:30 PM Lynn Lamb
3:00 PM Monte Dutton
3:30 PM Gary Morgenstern
4:00 PM Lu Whitley
4:30 PM Karen McFarland
5:00 PM Shakyra Dunn
5:30 PM Stephanie Ayers
6:00 PM Trey McIntosh
6:30 PM Sandie Will
7:00 PM Maggie Anderson
7:30 PM Juli D. Revezzo
8:00 PM Kade Cook
8:30 PM Emmy Gatrell
9:00 PM Colen Evans
9:30 PM Sarah Buhrman
10:00 PM Barbara Chioffi
10:30 PM Sarina Langer
11:00 PM Jeanette O’Hagan
11:30 PM (daily wrap up)
Tues 14 Feb
6:00 AM (Daily Intro-Host)
6:30 AM Dianna Wyles
7:00 AM Jennifer Malone Wright
7:30 AM Georgia Mathers
8:00 AM Cori Nicole Smith
8:30 AM Joe Sledge
9:00 AM Joe Ganzer
9:30 AM Maretha Menichini
10:00 AM Dianne Astle
10:30 AM Jane Anthony
11:00 AM C.S. Wooley
11:30 AM Suzi Albracht
Noon Alexis Danielle Allinson
12:30 PM Isadora Montrose
1:00 PM Amy Richie
1:30 PM Pletcha PJ Webb
2:00 PM Kasper Beaumont
2:30 PM Kelly Erickson
3:00 PM Stephen Hunt
3:30 PM Julie Stanley
4:00 PM Tom Fallwell
4:30 PM Cree Storm
5:00 PM Tiger Herbert
5:30 PM JJ King
6:00 PM Jessica Gomez
6:30 PM A M Rycroft
7:00 PM Ashley Uzzell
7:30 PM Marie Krepps
8:00 PM D.j. Ruggiero
8:30 PM Heather Ellen Yamauchi
9:00 PM Beth Honeycutt
9:30 PM Shelli Humphrey
10:00 PM Christopher Paniccia
10:30 PM Debbie Manber Kupfer
11:00 PM Jessica Fisette
11:30 PM (daily wrap up)
Wed 15 Feb
6:00 AM (Daily Intro-Host)
6:30 AM Sarina Langer
7:00 AM Sarah J Hilder
7:30 AM Miriam Averna
8:00 AM Jane Ederlyn
8:30 AM Owen Mullen
9:00 AM Annie Buff
9:30 AM Claire Marta
10:00 AM Lucinda Clarke
10:30 AM Lindsay Johnston
11:00 AM Devon West
11:30 AM Zorha Edwards
Noon Romarin Demetri
12:30 PM Jennifer Brown
1:00 PM Jason Crawford
1:30 PM Candace Osmond
2:00 PM Lily Amis
2:30 PM Jeanne Felfe
3:00 PM XXXXXXXXXXX
3:30 PM S A Gibson
4:00 PM Eva Gordon
4:30 PM Parker Sinclair
5:00 PM Kristy Nicole
5:30 PM Scott Carruba
6:00 PM Mirren Hogan
6:30 PM R.L, Weeks
7:00 PM CJ Rutherford
7:30 PM A.T. Brennan
8:00 PM Debbie Dickerson
8:30 PM Niki Livingston Walker
9:00 PM Dawn Ibanez
9:30 PM Barbara Custer
10:00 PM Tia Siren/Amy Brent
10:30 PM Markie Jordan-Madden
11:00 PM (Event wrap up)
Look out for this event because it should be phenomenal. Let’s claim back a fair price for a job well done.
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West Midlands Attending Author: Maddie Wade
1. Can we start with your name and where you’re from?
Maddie Wade and I am from Hereford
2.Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?
I love reading and always have I`m never without a book. My inspirations are people like Marie Force and Melody Anne. They have both been trailblazers for indie authors, proving that you can start from scratch and make it.
3.What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?
I write Romantic Suspense with a paranormal twist.
4. If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?
Oh wow that’s a tough one. It would have to be Sherlock Holmes. He is so deliciously complex.
5. When did you first start writing?
Not that long go really. I started writing in 2015.
6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?
I plan the basic plot and story arc and then an idea of where I need to go. Then I just write and see how it pans out. Quite often things change and surprise me which I love.
7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)
I would have to say Lucy. I`m writing her book now and she had a beautiful mix of kick ass and take names mixed in with a sweetness and vulnerability that you wouldn’t expect from a woman who works for an all male badass security firm.
8. Was there an event in your life that triggered a particular book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?
Not really it was more that the idea wouldn’t shut up or go away and kept growing so I decided to let it out and see where it went. Best thing I ever did.
9. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?
As I said I`m working on Lucy and Jaces book Love Divided, which is book three in this series. It`s really surprising me and has already made me cry. Let`s just say it`s going to be emotional and yet you still get the pace and action. Obviously the rest of the team make appearances too.
10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?
Don’t procrastinate, just do it and see what happens.
11. What do you do when you’re not writing?
Reading or spending time with my family. I also like watching T.V series like the Blacklist and Blindspot.
12. What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?
Marketing and promotion because you never know if you’re getting it right and I find it hard to blow my own trumpet.
13. We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?
Oh you mean “My little hobby?” I guess that people think if you self publish that you are not a Real author. Drives me crazy.
14. What is your idea of happiness?
Easy my kids happy and safe.
15. For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.
Oh love this okay. The sun is hanging low in the sky, the orange and red embers just touch the top of the sea. My feet are bare and buried in the warm sand under my desk. Warmth from the fading sun kisses my face, and caresses my shoulders. The gentle breeze is bringing with it the smell of the sea and the sound of a child`s laugh. Laptop open, curser idling waiting for the next adventure to begin. I take a sip from the cold mojito by my side and let the words flow.
16. What makes you laugh/cry?
The big Bang Theory makes me laugh. Videos of soldiers returning home and surprising their families makes me bawl like a baby.
17. You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature.
Okay from a mum’s point of view I would have to pick my kids. From a woman`s point I would have to say Chris Hemsworth (I`m totally obsessed with him), Jason Momoa and Henry Cavil. Please don’t tell my hubby (sniggers)
18. What is your most annoying habit?
Not putting the washing away.
19. Please tell me about your books? For each one please send a pic (kindle cover would be perfect)
Healing Danger is my Debut Novel and the First in the Fortis Security series. It follows Dane and Lauren as they try to find her best friends killer and stop Lauren from being the next victim of the Divine Watchers. The Divine Watchers are a sick cult out to use people with special abilities like Lauren`s to start Armageddon.
Stolen Dreams is book two and follows Nate and Skye as they try to get Skye`s very sick son back. He has been kidnapped for his ability and the race is on to get to him before it is too late.
Each book has its own story but the series as a whole has an overreaching arc. Each character in the Fortis team will get a book.
- Lightning round
Tea or Coffee? Tea
Cash or credit? Cash
Cats or Dogs? Dog
Beach or Mountain? Beach
Summer or Winter? Summer
Sweet or Savoury? Sweet
Early riser or late riser? Late
Morning or Night? Morning
Christmas Tree – real or fake? Fake
Sex – Lights on or off? Don’t care
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
Please leave Facebook, Twitter, Website links so we can check you out further.
Website is www.maddiewadeauthor.co.uk
Email:maddie@maddiewadeauthor.co.uk
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/maddieuk/?fref=ts
Twitter @mwadeauthor
Instagram @mwadeauthor
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#Booksarenotfree
There is a growing trend in society to believe that books should be free or heavily discounted and we have all been guilty of feeding into it. I pick up freebies but I am also happy to pay for the books I want. Maybe I can’t get all the ones I want but hey isn’t that just life? I see lots of clothes I like and I might be able to pick up a new dress for a special occasion or a new pair of jeans because my old ones have holes in where no self-respecting forty-something wants holes but I can’t buy every item that my heart desires. Certainly not on my non-existent income as an author. Just as well I have a full-time job that stops me from being a starving artist languishing in a garret with only bread and water to sustain me. My day-time job takes up a huge portion of my week and often leaves me drained but from somewhere I have to find the time for my passion which is writing. My dream would be my writing to take off and be able to write full-time but alas that can’t be at the moment.
Everyone of us has had people who ask for a free copy, I’d like to quote my friend and fellow author Chris Turnbull “erm No! There is no such thing as a free copy…even I don’t get a free copy and it’s my book.”
We do have a free copy on our computers, sure and we can send it to our Kindle device but if we want a print copy of our book, we have to pay – the proof copy isn’t even free. But let me tell you a bit more about what we’ve paid for: A beautiful cover, a feast to the eye, to tempt you, an editor to shape our words and spot mistakes and inconsistencies. And let’s be clear on this my editor and cover designer, both wonderful women who are also authors won’t accept it if I ask them to provide their services for free–which I wouldn’t do. Some people pay for marketing and do promotional giveaways.
I have three novelettes on the market at the moment and a pending novel (having the red pen treatment). A novelette is small, doesn’t require the same time frame to write it but I still used my time and I still paid for the above items. Yesterday was the two-year anniversary of my first novelette ‘As Dreams are Made on.’ Based only on the cover and editing alone I have lost £36.00 on it. So to recap, two years on and with 104 kindle sales and 16 paperback copies I am still in the red. I haven’t set my price high 0.99p/c because it is a short read. An hour or so of entertainment for under £1.00/$1.00 but still people want it for free. You could argue that if they like it they might buy one of my other books and yes that is true but lets also go back to the earlier paragraph where I acknowledged that I can’t buy all the books or clothes I like. So maybe it would generate sales–but maybe not.
Books aren’t just entertainment they are often an escape from reality –a reality that many people find challenging so given the duality of the product why do we question its value?
I’ve got an experiment for you to try (I won’t do it myself as I previously mentioned my busy schedule 🙂 )
Walk in to or phone your hairdresser and ask them if they will give you a free haircut.
Ring your garage next time your car needs a service or MOT and ask them to do it for free
Who loves having their nails done? Manicure? Pedicure? Facial? Let’s see about this freebie
The list is endless.
I would love to hear back from anyone who gets a freebie. Good luck and happy hunting.
But for this author who works endlessly and pays for the services I receive the only freebies I will consider are those that I choose to give for a promotional event which will require your participation.
For anyone who believes that authors should be paid for their work please leave a comment in support and it you are so inclined please share it with the hashtag #Booksarenotfree let’s get it trending.
If you are interested in my books follow the links:
US: https://www.amazon.com/Maria-Gibbs/e/B00SDDJV1U/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maria-Gibbs/e/B00SDDJV1U/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
If you want to know more about my books have a look at the other pages on this website. You can even see the reviews that I have left for the books I’ve read recently.
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West Midlands Attending Author: Laura Morgan
1.Can we start with your name and where you’re from?
I’m Laura Morgan, originally from Essex but I now live in the West Midlands.
2. Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?
Oh absolutely. I love reading anything dark and powerful. I found there was a real gap in that market a few years ago and that was what inspired me to write my first dark novel. They say if you can’t read the book you’re trying to find, then you have to write it, and that’s exactly what I did!
I do have a few big influences though. JR Ward is one of my all time favourites, as is Pepper Winters and Colleen Hoover.
3. What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?
I’m one who crosses over. I have a dark paranormal series, a contemporary romance duology and a crime novel coming out soon. I also write dystopian science fiction under another pen name too. I just write what comes to me, regardless of genre.
4. If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?
I’d have to say Rhage from the Black Dagger Brotherhood. I’ve always had a thing for the bad guy with a heart and he was the one character who stayed with me long after reading about him. I’d love to take him and make him my own. To pop him in my worlds and see what happens!
5. When did you first start writing?
I’ve always made up stories since being a child, but I only started properly writing them down around four years ago. I hadn’t even realised that coming up with stories in my head wasn’t what everyone did. I figured it was the norm to conjure up characters and storylines, but got the shock of my life when I realised that wasn’t quite the case. That realisation gave the push I needed to finally put pen to paper.
6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?
Both really. I plan some, usually at night while I tell myself a story to fall asleep. Then the next day, I type up what I came up with and then some more.
7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)
My favourite character has to be Cate, the Dark Queen in my Black Rose series. She’s dealt some pretty bad cards in the first book and is pushed in directions she doesn’t want to be, but then she finds her strength and turns it all around. She becomes a force to be reckoned with and I absolutely love her for every moment of it.
8. Was there an event in your life that triggered a particular book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?
Not really. There are a few real moments I have added along the way. Secret scenes only those who know me really well will spot, but most of all I will see a real-life scenario and ask ‘what if?’ That’s what makes it into the story rather than a real event as such.
9. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?
I’m about to release a new story called Rough Love. This one is a modern day tale of both the good and bad in our world. A world where love can conquer all, but at the same time the monsters can also win a few of the battles along the way. It’s a contemporary crime with elements of romance, but fundamentally it’s a mystery and a dark one at that!
10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?
Don’t get too swallowed up in sweating the small stuff. Just sit down and write. Blurt out an initial draft and don’t give up. It’s better to have a rough draft you can work on a million times than nothing at all.
11.What do you do when you’re not writing?
I love to sing and am part of the Military Wives Choir, through which I’ve had some great opportunities to sing with famous artists and even go on the radio with the amazing Chris Evans. I’ve written poems and songs for them as well and hope to have even more input as time goes on. It’s something I hadn’t thought I’d love so much when I started out doing but now couldn’t live without!
12. What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?
The marketing. I’m too nice and don’t like to bombard people or shove my cards under anyone’s nose I find. I’m awkward like that, but I guess it comes with the territory or being a loner who sits in front of a computer for hours on end talking to imaginary people lol!
13. We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?
Because I write romance, the amount of people who tell me random stories about their lovelife is unreal! But then they almost always follow up their story with a, ‘but don’t put that in your book!’ Really?! I think you fail to comprehend the complexity of the writers’ imagination if you think I’m going to put you in my next book 😉
14. What is your idea of happiness?
Being able to write and do what I love for the foreseeable future. I truly love what I do and would adore being able to write full time. My family are incredibly supportive and it’d also be amazing not to have to sacrifice my family time so much.
15. For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.
I love to sit down in my nice and warm writing cave with my coffee brewed to perfection and perhaps a biscuit or two for dunking. Next, it’s on with the writing playlist and I choose whichever one ties in with my current piece of writing. With (ideally) no distractions, I then close my eyes, focus on the story, and begin to type. The words are then not simply black and white symbols on a page, but the narration of the movie playing out in my head. They flow perfectly and only stop when I say so…
16. What makes you laugh/cry?
I’m a sucker for love. I cry at the sweetest of stories and the heart-warming ones. Laughing wise, I’m like a twelve year old. A good fart joke or someone falling over will get me giggling every single time!
17. You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature.
I’ve got a serious fan-girl situation going on with a singer/writer called Corey Taylor so he’d be first on my list for shooting the breeze, singing together and having some fun (he also comes across as a hilarious guy.) After that, I’d have to go with some eye candy—the one and only Tom Hardy. He’s a great actor and has been the inspiration behind many of my leading men so he’d have to come along to keep on inspiring me 😉 Then, I’m thinking some more eye candy and my other inspiration, Henry Cavill. He seems so nice and gentlemanly, but also like he’d fun and perhaps let me ogle him while he’s swimming and hunting 😉
18. What is your most annoying habit?
I don’t think I have one really? My hubby might tell you differently though, but I do know I can be quite annoying with grinding my teeth at night. I sometimes wake myself up with the noise it’s that bad, oops!
19. Please tell me about your books? For each one please send a pic (kindle cover would be perfect)
I have quite an extensive collection now! The Black Rose series is my dark paranormal collection. They have angels and demons galore, and of course all the dark deeds you might expect given the setting. I cover controversial and taboo subjects, as well as the age-old concept of balance between the worlds of light and dark. I drag the reader kicking and screaming through both the good and bad in this and other worlds.
My contemporary romances Forever Lost and Forever Loved are set in the real world, but one just as dark in its own way. You have hookers and gangsters, but also the story of a young woman who’s overcoming her own history via their world. Plus, you have a hot alpha lead you cannot help but fall in love with haha!
With my science fiction, I wrote from another perspective. One of a futuristic society where the human race is no longer in charge of the earth. Following an alien invasion, the series begins with the story of a young woman who has been brought up under their reign, but she has a bright future ahead of her, if only she can overcome the obstacles in her path first.
- Lightning round
Tea or Coffee? Both! Earl grey tea for me though, if you please
Cash or credit? Cash
Cats or Dogs? Dogs – I have a furry friend who sits by my feet as I type
Beach or Mountain? Beach, but always in the shade otherwise I melt haha
Summer or Winter? Winter
Sweet or Savoury? Savoury – I’m a crisp monster
Early riser or late riser? Late riser for sure!
Morning or Night? Night
Christmas Tree – real or fake? Fake
Sex – Lights on or off? On!
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
Please leave Facebook, Twitter, Website links so we can check you out further.
http://www.facebook.com/lauramorganauthor
https://www.facebook.com/LCMorgansauthor
http://www.twitter.com/lauram241
http://www.goodreads.com/laura_morgan
https://www.goodreads.com/LC_Morgan
http://lauramorgan1.blogspot.com
https://instagram.com/lauramorganauthor/
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West Midlands Valentine Book Signing Attending Author: Chris Turnbull
- Can we start with your name and where you’re from?
Chris Turnbull, and I live near York.
- Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?
I love reading, being swept up into a new world by an author can be so incredible. I like to feel drawn into the book, I want to feel for the characters and go on the journey they are. As a youngster I was addicted to the Goosebump books by RL Stine, then later got hooked onto the Harry Potter series which was the main reason I wanted to write a book of my own.
- What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?
Although my books are seen by many as being very different, often described as (historical fiction, gothic, time-travel and of course I now have a children’s book) I do not see them all as being so different. I am a huge nerd when it comes to history, I love learning new things about the past and all my books are set somewhere in history that I find to be of interest. Whether it be 1889 Paris, the year the Eiffel tower opened, or just Victorian England. My books allow me to explore life in these times, learn and explore new things. My books also connect together with Love, whether that be the love of a partner, a family member or a friend.
- If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?
I think without a doubt I would have loved to have created Albus Dumbledore. He is exactly the kind of character that I love. He is the father figure to Harry, a respected man, a humble man, and not to mention he can kick ass when needs be.
- When did you first start writing?
I started writing when I was a teenager; I had an English teacher at the time that really inspired me to be creative. She did not tell you things were wrong and allowed you to express your creative side. Sadly she left the school after only one year and I was devastated, as her replacement was all about sticking to textbook work. Thankfully though I continued to write for fun in my spare time, and it was in 2013 that I started work on ‘The Vintage Coat’ which ended up being my first published work.
- Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?
I give myself bullet points of things I would like to see happen. I also create character profiles so I know a little bit more about the people I am writing about. Then I just go with the flow and see where the story takes me. I find this way of writing keeps me excited, as I want to find out what happens next. My theory is if the story excites me, then hopefully it should the reader.
- Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)
Ooo that’s difficult to pick only one. I think I would choose Charlie from ‘The Vintage Coat’. He is a fun guy, loyal friend and I think I could be friends with him.
My second choice would be Tom from ‘Whitby’s Darkest Secret’ because I think he is adorable and a strong willed young man.
- Was there an event in your life that triggered a particular book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?
‘The Vintage Coat’ is based purely on a military coat I purchased in an antique shop in Alston. It immediately sparked my imagination and out came a time-travel story about the coat, and also set in Alston.
Also my children’s book ‘A Home For Emy’ is based on true events as this is the story of my own dog.
- Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?
I am currently working on a number of projects, the first being a sequel to ‘Whiby’s Darkest Secret’. I am having so much fun writing this book, and fans of the first book will be very surprised with the turn of events this new book takes.
Also I have been working on a Christmas themed book which I hope to release at the end of 2017. This is a collection of short stories and poems that I have enjoyed writing over the course of a number of years.
Finally (or at least what I will tell you for now) I have begun work on a second children’s book, it again will feature Emy and I hope to release it in early 2018.
- What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?
Don’t give up. Don’t follow the crowd.
I was always told that I needed to read and write every day, but for me (as well as most authors) I work full time. Sometimes I just need an evening off from writing and rest. I work better when I am not tired, so I would always say work at your own pace and do what is best for you.
- What do you do when you’re not writing?
I love to travel, whether that is a day out to the coast or a holiday somewhere exciting. Me and my partner have a dog which we love to spend time with.
- What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?
Personally I don’t think there is an easy part. The whole process is very demanding if you wish to succeed. Being a writer is a full time job in itself and you have to go through it all, the good and bad bits. I love being in my office and writing, knowing there is no pressure and being able to just write what comes to me. Editing is never fun, and you go over the manuscript so many times you start to fall out of love with your work. However all the hard work is worth it when you finally have a copy in your hand…and even better is when somebody else tells you they like it.
- We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?
After the release of my first book I had quite a few people ask me if they were going to get a free copy…erm No! There is no such thing as a free copy…even I don’t get a free copy and it’s my book.
Then you get those who say ‘I don’t know how you find the time to write a book’. These are usually the people who spend their evenings watching every single soap on TV, as well as other mindless television programs. Please note I have nothing against watching things you enjoy…I do it myself, but don’t spend every day of your life sat in front of the television and then question how I find time to write.
- What is your idea of happiness?
Spending time with the ones I love. You don’t need a lot of money, or ‘things’ to be happy. Some of my best moments have been the simple one. Walking on the beach with my dog, sitting in the garden with my family, playing a silly game with my best friend and her family. These are the things that I remember more than anything.
- For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.
When I finished writing ‘Whiby’s Darkest Secret’ I decided that I wanted a spend a couple of nights away from home so I could focus on finishing the book…
I stayed in a two bed house in Whitby, the large oak wood dining table where I sat writing overlooked the harbour. I could hear seagulls and the sun was shining. In the morning I went for a walk, I soaked in the town atmosphere and even visited the ruined Abbey for the first time in my life. After a bit to eat I returned to the dining table, where my mind was freshly filled with the sounds and smells of the town I was writing about, and I even went back to change certain parts of the book. I sat there for hours until it got dark, the harbour lit up with a row of lights that lined the pathway. I finished the final few chapters that night.
- What makes you laugh/cry?
Laugh: I have a very rude sense of humour…enough said.
Cry: Most things as I am an emotional wreck. The worse times though is when I am reading/watching something about a dog that is sick, hurt or dying. I read ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ on the aeroplane back from New York and I started to cry uncontrollably…and I mean really going for it, I couldn’t speak I was in such a state. The man next to me must of wondered what the hell was going on.
- You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature.
- David Attenborough…My hero in life and somebody I would love to meet. Plus he would probably know how to survive the island.
- Joel Dommett – He was hilarious in ‘Celeb get me out of here’ so I think he would keep up entertained…plus he survived the jungle so I think he would help us survive an island.
- My other half, because I would miss him (and he could try and smuggle the dog with him).
- What is your most annoying habit?
Annoying…me?
I have a bad habit of zoning out if I am bored. Which is terrible when your other half tells you something important and you didn’t hear.
- Please tell me about your books? For each one please send a pic (kindle cover would be perfect)
- The Vintage Coat: A time-travel story set between modern day Alston and WWII.
- D: Whitby’s Darkest Secret: A dark murderous story set in the backdrop of Victorian Whitby.
- Carousel: Time-Travel tale. Jonathan is sent back to 1889 Paris, but unfortunately gets stuck there.
- A Home For Emy: Children’s book based on true events. Illustrated beautifully by Rebecca Sharp of Dasilvaline.
- Lightning round
Tea or Coffee? Tea
Cash or credit? I am really bad and almost never have cash on me
Cats or Dogs? Dogs
Beach or Mountain? Mountain
Summer or Winter – Tough!…I love Winter fashion, but I prefer the warmth of summer
Sweet or Savoury Sweet
Early riser or late riser? Late
Morning or Night? Night
Christmas Tree – real or fake? Real
Sex – Lights on or off? Who cares…Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
Please leave Facebook, Twitter, Website links so we can check you out further.
www.facebook.com/christurnbullauthor
www.twitter.com/christurnbull20
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chris-Turnbull/e/B00UFW8RB2/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
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West Midlands Valentines Book Signing Attending Author Interview: Lindsay Jayne
Lindsay Jayne
- Can we start with your name and where you’re from?
My name is Lindsey, and I am from Wolverhampton in the West Midlands
- Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?
Yes, definitely. I started out reading. Initially good old paper backs many moons ago, and then hoards of different things on my Kindle.
If I were to pull out 3 names that inspired me to give it a whirl, they would be Teresa Gabelman, Melissa F Olson, and Ashley Stoyanoff. Love their series’ so much!!! Very good paranormal reads!
- What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?
I started off writing Paranormal. They were meant to be Erotic as well, but my first novel kind of veered off into a thriller instead. Which suited the story more than filth. So I wrote the dirty books seperately.
I hope to also branch out into Post-Apocalyptic (though, probably under another name) as well as eventually combining the Paranormal and Erotic genres.
- If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?
Oh wow, this is difficult because I have come across so many bad ass characters. It would come down to 3… Jill from Teresa Gabelman’s Warrior series, Scarlett from Melissa F Olson’s Scarlett Bernard series, or Rachel from Maggie Shayne’s Brown and de Luca series, because each are strong, powerful, alpha women and I adore them and how they are written. For me, a good, strong MC makes for awesome reading, and these were no exception!
- When did you first start writing?
I’ll need to hazard a rough guess over this one… I would say about 3-4 years ago. It took me a long time to get my first book polished enough for me to be happy with. It took at least 12 months for me to publish it because the first draft was utter rubbish! I had to seek help!
- Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?
I’d like to think that I plan, but in reality, it doesn’t always work that way. I get a basic plot and I go with the flow… sometimes even the plot changes a few times before I settle on something I like.
The book I am currently writing, for example, is only 3 chapters in and already I’ve changed my mind 4 times! I have moments where something will just come to me, and then something else will work on top of that, etc., etc., and I have to write it all down before I forget it.
- Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)
Hmm, another difficult choice. I have my female fave and my male fave. My female fave is Amelia Ellis from the Faction series. She is a kick ass cop with a feisty attitude, and she takes no crap.
My male fave is from the same series, and that’s Nate Turner. He’s a sarcastic, scruffy, loveable rogue.
- Was there an event in your life that triggered a particular book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?
Without going into too much detail, there are elements of a past life / relationship used in my first book, Invoking the Witch. More specifically, relationship elements, control issues, domestic abuse… I won’t give too much away because I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone who might read it, but I did have to draw on a lot of memories and past hurt / emotions to fully convey what the MC was going through.
- Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?
I’m currently working one 3 pieces at the moment. One just loosely, which was originally a short story for an anthology that never happened. So, I am turning it into a novella. It’s an Erotic Spy Thriller.
The 2nd is a carry on from my first full-length Erotic novel, Graceful Damnation. Not so much one of a series, but I am giving each character their own book which usually follows on from where the previous left off.
The 3rd I’m working on, which I am currently focusing on at the moment, is Nate’s series which follows on a little from the Faction series previous to that, but rather than vampires, it’s going to be more about werewolves and packs, though some familiar faces will make an appearance.
- What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?
I’d always tell someone never to give up. Write as though no one will ever read your words, because they come across more raw and honest that way. Don’t let someone tell you you’re wrong, but do let other help advise and polish your work, because some of the best advice I had came from other authors, and I still cherish and use it to this day.
Despite the occasional ups and downs on Social Media, the author world is quite a friendly and tight-knit community. There’s always someone willing to help, because there’s always somebody who’s experienced the same struggles you likely will. Don’t be deterred, just be determined.
- What do you do when you’re not writing?
I have a full time job in recruitment currently. I also have my (almost) 5 year old Bedlington who still thinks he’s a puppy to keep me on my toes. Recreationally I love my PlayStation and First Person Shooter games.
On top of that, I also design book covers and other imagery for myself and other authors, as well as Swag and Jewellery. As you can well imagine, I’m kept busy – but I like it that way.
- What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?
The writing can sometimes be hard. I will, on occasion, find myself struggling for ideas, or how to connect one piece of the story to another. But, at the same time, it’s the most enjoyable part.
Editing is tedious, but necessary. And it helps when you have a great group of Beta readers, as I do. They point out things I have missed, even after reading it over thousands of times!
Marketing is definitely the hardest. It’s great writing the book and then hitting publish when all the bits and pieces have come together, but the hardest part is definitely trying to get it shouted about.
There are plenty of tools, don’t get me wrong, and I would probably find it so much easier if I spent more time and money on it. But, as you can see, my time is stretched thin as it is, so I do what I can in the hopes that, one day soon, a PA will take pity on me and help me out for free Swag and books!!
The dream is also to do it full time, but it’s swings and roundabouts at the moment – though, I will persevere because I love it so much.
- We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?
I’m quite lucky in the sense that my family and friends support what I do. Sometimes, you get the odd one that calls it a hobby, which I understand because, to them, it would seem that way. I mean, I have a full time, paying job and I write in my spare time, which is almost the definition of a hobby in a way. However, it’s so much more than that, but I don’t sweat it. I know what goes into the whole process, and I know how I feel when I get something out of it. I’m just glad there are people that stand behind me while I do it.
- What is your idea of happiness?
To feel fulfilled, and for those around me to be content in their lives. No have minimal worries and to be involved in doing things that I love with the people I love.
- For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.
A large room, the walls fairly plain, in some off-white colour – not to be boring, but to enable me to fill them with my achievements and accomplishments. One wall with hoards of pictures of family and friends in varying white and oak frames – my inspiration and my happy thoughts. Another wall with glossy, a4 framed photos of all my book covers, in all their glory.
In one corner, a large desk, big enough for my laptop, my storage devices and all my materials for making swag and jewellery. Some of them will even be on shelving, fixed to the wall above the desk.
The desk itself will be fairly minimal, but will have ample lighting and a large notice board pinned at the back, covered in lined paper and Post-It notes with scribbles and ideas on.
In another corner will be a unique, novelty bookcase with all my signed paperbacks that will slowly grow. Somewhere on that shelf, there will be a reserved space for my paperbacks, too.
There’ll be at least two windows, with linen blinds drawn up, allowing in sunshine. Simple bright green plants in white pots will sit on the window sills.
The lighting will be variable, depending on the mood and what I am doing, and, though I prefer the quite when I am writing, there will an iPod on a docking station, ready to blast out my choice of song when I need that inspiration for a difficult scene, or I’m working on swag or jewellery.
And, last, but not least, a black pyramid kettle with an endless supply of Nescafe decaf cappuccinos!!
- What makes you laugh/cry?
Usually PMT! Or animal / child cruelty if I see / read about it
- You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature.
Hmmm… this is a difficult choice. I’d have to have some eye candy, so Andrew England is a must! Or Drew Truckle… I’d be perfectly happy with either. Having met Drew, he would be my first choice in actual fact, because he is a lovely guy who can hold a conversation, so I’d be entertained.
Ray Mears would be another choice because he is an expert on survival in the wild. He would be able to show us how to live off the land
My third choice…gotta be a woman so I’m not the odd one out, so let’s go with Doon Mackichan because I love her sense of humour!
- What is your most annoying habit?
As if I have any, lol!! Erm… I can’t think of one off the top of my head. Perhaps leaving my plates and cups upstairs instead of taking them down to be washed!
- Please tell me about your books?
My books, so far, are a 3 part Paranormal Thriller series involving Witches, Vampires and Werewolves at the moment. They can be kind of grisly in nature, so not for the faint hearted. I tend to research my subject matter to death to get it spot on, and sometimes it’s a little dark.
The erotic are exactly that, and they will vary depending on the nature. My novella is quite light and breezy, whereas my full length novel includes murder and revenge, and that, too, is a little on the dark side. The opening chapter is certainly not to be taken lightly, and might be disturbing to some.
I like to fully develop my characters, and I always try to fully describe everything – every feeling / emotion, location, scene, so there is a lot of descriptive passages.
- Lightning round
Tea or Coffee? Coffee (decaf)
Cash or credit? Cash these days
Cats or Dogs? Dogs
Beach or Mountain? Beach
Summer or Winter? Summer
Sweet or Savoury? Savoury
Early riser or late riser? Late
Morning or Night? Night
Christmas Tree – real or fake? Fake
Sex – Lights on or off? I honestly do not mind – depends on the mood 😉
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
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Maria Gibbs 