Juliana Haygert

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Categories: Authors, Blog Tour, Guest post, Young Adult

Cast for the Destiny Series, by Laura DeLuca

I have Laura DeLuca today on the blog, talking about her new book, DESTINY UNVEILED, book 2 of the Destiny Series.

Gabriella and Darron thought their magickal battle was over when they defeated the evil warlock, Richard. When her Aunt Donna seeks Gabriella’s help in rescuing her catatonic daughter from the Dark Coven, Gabriella discovers that her cousin holds a power within her that would be catastrophic in the hands of the evil witches. 

Gabriella’s coven sets out on a journey that may be their last. Along the way, they meet new allies, face devastating treachery, and battle not only the Dark Coven, but the darkness within themselves.  When Gabriella finally comes face to face with the cousin she never knew existed, her true destiny is unveiled, and the fate of the mortal world is in her hands.

Read an except of Destiny Unveiled. Buy it on Smashwords or Amazon.

 

Take it away, Laura: 

Cast for The Destiny Series

I think every writer dreams of the day they’ll see their books on the big screen.  Even if that did happen with Destiny, I doubt I would have much say over the casting. But it’s still fun to dream, and to pick out the cast!  I have been working on my cast for Destiny since I first started writing the books back in the 90’s. I’ve made changes as new faces have emerged, but there are a few that have stayed the same all these years. Today I thought I’d share by current picks for the main characters in Destiny & Destiny Unveiled. Some of these folks may already be too old to play teenagers, but it’s all in good fun.

Gabrielle DiPaola – Nina Dorbrev

I have been struggling with my pick for the lead of Gabriella for years. But finally, thanks to my husband’s love of the Sci Fi channel, I have made my decision. He was watching some movie about a werewolf and she was the star. Nina is exactly the way I envisioned Gabriella. She will need some colored contacts for the violet eyes, but I think Hollywood can pull it off.

Darron Zukawski-Evan Williams

Having a tween in the house has really helped with this task. I saw this guy in an episode of “Victorious” and I knew I had finally found my Darron. Looks like he has only had a few small roles, but I want to give him his big break as the male lead in Destiny.

 

Monte Holden – Andrew DiPalma

Believe it or not, this handsome young man is my baby cousin. He has been doing pretty well on the acting scene with some small roles in movies like “We are Marshall” and most recently, a hilarious part in an episode of “Cougar Town”. He just turned thirty, so we always joke that they need to hurry up and make Destiny into a movie before he’s too old to be in it.  You can check out my cousin on his website. Wow, an actor and a writer! Aren’t we one seriously talented family?! LOL

Flora Zarfati-Heather Matarazzo

My daughter definitely had a hand in finding Heather.  She loves the Princess Diaries, and Heather played Mia’s best friend. While I had to stereotype such a great actress into the dorky best friend role, she is definitely fitting for that part.

 

Richard Hodge-David Bowie

I always knew I wanted David Bowie to play Richard. He was the right look, and even the sexy British accent. And we all know he has that dark side to him after his amazing portrayal of the Goblin King in “The Labyrinth”. On a side note, Richard name was originally Gunther, but I decided to change his name after meeting one of the insurance underwriters I worked with from Lloyds of London. He wasn’t an evil warlock or anything, but he did have a hot British accent.

Adelaide DiPaola – Laura Bonariggo

I grew up watching “One Life to Live” with my grandmother, and Laura played one of my favorite characters, Cassie Carpenter. I always thought she was so beautiful when I was a little girl, so of course she would be my first pick to play the role of Gabby’s mom.

 

Hugh DiPaola-Kevin Sorbo

I have always been a huge fan of Kevin Sorbo ever since he was on Hercules (I know my dorkiness is showing again), so I had to squeeze him into the cast somewhere. He’s definitely too old play a teen, but I decided he’d be perfect for Gabby’s dad. But maybe that’s just because I want to see him in his underwear…

Linda Holden – Cassie DePaiva

Cassie is another “One Life to Live” star (I am so sad that they cancelled it). She is not only a fabulous actress and amazing singer; she’s also a really nice lady. I have an aunt with Downs Syndrome who adores Cassie, and she sent her a personal letter in her own handwriting , as well as a bunch of signed photos. It will also be really cool to reunite Cassie and Laura because they played cousins on “One Life To Live”.

Donna Brown-Sarah Alexander

If you’ve seen “Stardust”, you might recognize Sarah Alexander as one of the three witches. I chose her to play Donna because she actually has similar features to the real Donna, and the same small, pixie like stature. I would want her to darken up her hair for the role, but aside from that, she’s perfect. Donna is one of my best friends and coven sisters. She is also the one who encouraged me to make Destiny a series, so it only seemed fitting to make her a character.

Miranda Brown-Elizabeth Gillies

Miranda has an attitude from the second she comes on the scene, and Elizabeth Gillies has experience with attitude.  She plays one of the characters in “Victorious” and I don’t think I ever saw her smile.

 

Of course, there are other characters who I’d like to cast, but I didn’t want to make this post go on forever. These are the main characters. Most of them are in both books, except for Donna and Miranda who make their first appearance in Destiny Unveiled.  I really don’t watch much television or movies, so finding suitable actors is harder than you might think.

Did you read the books? Do you like my casting choices, or do you know of someone who might be a better fit? I’d love for others to share their casting choices for the Destiny series.

***Photos as seen on www.imdb.com***

About the author:

Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children.

She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama.

She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years.

Find her at her Blog, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

 

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Cheers,

Categories: Authors, Blog Tour, Entangled Pub

Cover Love: Succubus Lost

Today I have the honor of revealing the cover for SUCCUBUS LOST by Tiffany Allee, book 2 in the series From The Files of the Otherworlder Enforcement Agency, coming from Entangled Publishing.

First, let me present to you book 1, BANSHEE CHARMER, which I read last month and loved:

When she’s sent to a crime scene and finds her second dead woman in as many weeks, half-banshee detective Kiera “Mac” McLoughlin is convinced a serial killer is on the loose. Incubi are extinct, her boss insists. But what else can kill a woman in the throes of pleasure? When her partner is murdered after using witchcraft to locate the killer and Mac is thrown off the case, her frustration turns to desperation.

Certain the killer is an incubus, Mac works behind her department’s back to chase down slim, sometimes perilous leads. While the killer eludes her, she does discover handsome Aidan Byrne, an investigative counterpart from the enigmatic Otherworlder Enforcement Agency. Mac typically runs her investigations fast and hard, but with Aidan at her side, she’s running this one “hot” as well. But Aidan knows more than he’s letting on—something that could shatter their blazing romance and add Mac to the killer’s growing body count…

 

Now, for the cover of SUCCUBUS LOST:

Someone is kidnapping and incinerating otherworlders beyond recognition, and Detective Marisol Whitman, a succubus, races to find the murderer before he claims another victim. But her pursuit is derailed when her responsible younger sister vanishes. Marisol suspects foul play and enlists support from an unlikely source: an agent from the Otherworlder Enforcement Agency, Valerio Costa.

When the trail pointing to everyone from vampires to witches dries up, Agent Costa admits to knowing more than he’s shared. Marisol’s sister’s kidnapper harnesses more magic than she can imagine—and they’re running out of time. To find her sister before her powers are drained and twisted beyond recognition, Marisol must connect the dots between cases and put her trust in Costa, a salamander who may burn her before she can solve either case.  

 

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Doesn’t it look great?

Cheers,

Categories: Authors, Blog Tour

Chatting with Mary Martinez

Today, I have the honor of hosting Mary Martinez and her book, DISAPPEAR.

After two years undercover as an FBI agent to infiltrate a crime organization and discover the identity of a hit man, Tyler Beckett’s cover is blown. Tyler’s new assignment is to protect the only witness who can identify the mysterious killer. If only he didn’t find her so attractive. Each day it becomes harder to keep his objective, especially since he knows the interest is mutual.

Keira Cavanaugh is the only witness to a hit ordered by a crime boss.  The safe house is compromised and the same hit man shoots Tyler. Fearing Tyler is dead, Keira plans revenge on the crime organization. She must fake her own suicide in order to survive.

When Tyler discovers what Keira plans, he realizes he must stop her before he loses her for good.

Trailer for The Beckett Series http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C5UVaEEG60

 

Q: Welcome Mary.  Why don’t you tell us a little bit about your book?

Mary: Thank you for having me today! And I love talking about my book. The Beckett’s are like my family. It started out with just Tyler, but as I wrote the first book, the rest of the family, just sort of moved into my head. Keira is a small town girl who moved to the city for advancement in her work, and more excited. She gets way more than she bargained for. However, the situation pulls inner strengths that she didn’t even know she processed. Because of this she managed to survive under impossible circumstances and fall in love with a Beckett. You’ll just have to read it to find out more.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Mary: I’m not sure when, but I remember when I was in Jr. High writing stories. And since it was in the 60’s it was a bit beatnik-ish. Most of you are too young to know what a beatnik is, you’ll have to look it up in the dictionary.

Q: Are you a plotter or a pantster?

Mary: I’m most definitely a pantster. I have tried to plot and all my attempts are still unfinished. I write like I would read a book. The characters tell me where to go.

Q: What are you working on now?

Mary: At the moment I’m polishing Innocent and Quiet. But as for writing I’m working on a young adult/middle grade with my three oldest grandsons. It’s called History Mysteries. They each have their own character and power. We solve a 50 year old murder / bank robbery mystery.

Q: Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers?

Mary: This is what I always say when asked this question. Join a writers group, find a critique partner/group and NEVER give up.

Q: What book or series can you read over and over again without getting bored?

Mary: Most of Kathleen E Woodiwiss’s books I can read over and over again.

Q: If you decided not to be a writer, what would your other dream job be?

Mary: An interior designer or a chef in a fancy restaurant

Q: What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done in your life?

Mary: Quit the day job to write full time. Of course, my husband was laid off four years before retirement, so he took an early retirement, and we need the benefits. So I’m back at the day job. I find it very hard to find time to write. But at least I like my job.

Q: Who is the one person that has singlehandedly inspired you the most in your life?

Mary: The person I knew was my dad. He taught me that you can do whatever you set your mind too. I’ve tried to instill that in my kids, I don’t know that it’s worked. As far as writing, there are two Stephen King and Nora Roberts.

Q: If you could take a trip to any foreign country RIGHT NOW, which one would you choose?

Mary: Australia.

Q: What is one talent that you’re hopeless at, but you wish you had?

Mary: Singing, when my daughter was two she said to me. “Don’t sing mommy.”

Q: What TV show are you most addicted to?

Mary: There are so many. I love Castle, Grey’s Anatomy, American Idol, So you think you can dance, Private Practice, Grimm, Once upon a time… I would need a few more pages. I DVR them, and watch whenever I can, I’m way behind. OH I forgot, the only Soap I still watch Days of our lives.

Q: If you were stuck on a deserted island, name three objects and three people you would want with you.

Mary: Electricity, computer, bathroom. Since I’m pretty sure you don’t want me to say my family. I’ll go writing related, Quentin Tarantino, Stephen King and Nora Roberts so we could write a screenplay.

Q: What is one trait or physical characteristic that you are proud of/love about yourself?

Mary: I’m very optimistic.

Thanks again for having me here today. What a fun interview!

 

About the author:

Mary lives in Magna, a little town west of Salt Lake City, Utah. Together with her husband, she has six grown children, and five wonderful grandsons and 2 beautiful granddaughters.

Mary and her husband love to travel, especially to the Caribbean for relaxing and Italy for the wine. With the experience from the exotic places she has visited, she is able to fill her books with colorful descriptions of cities, painting a colorful backdrop for her characters.

Mary and her husband are avid college football fans. They have season tickets to the UTES, University of Utah Football and they tailgate every game. They love tailgating so much, that they were married at a tailgating in 1999.

Mary is a member of the Romance Writers of America and several sister chapters. She has published several articles for her local Utah RWA newsletter. They have appeared in several other chapters’ newsletters.

Website – Blog – Facebook Fan Page –  Facebook Profile – Twitter – Goodreads 

 

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Thanks, Mary!

Cheers,

Categories: Authors, Blog Tour

Chatting with Jess Faraday

Today, I have the honor of hosting Jess Faraday and her book, THE AFFAIR OF THE PORCELAIN DOG.

London 1889.

For Ira Adler, former rent-boy and present plaything of crime lord Cain Goddard, stealing back the statue from Goddard’s blackmailer should have been a doddle. But inside the statue is evidence that could put Goddard away for a long time under the sodomy laws, and everyone’s after it, including Ira’s bitter ex, Dr. Timothy Lazarus. No sooner does Ira have the porcelain dog in his hot little hands, than he loses it to a nimble-fingered prostitute.

As Ira’s search for the dog drags him back to the mean East End streets where he grew up, he discovers secrets about his own past, and about Goddard’s present business dealings, which make him question everything he thought he knew. An old friend turns up dead, and an old enemy proves himself a friend. Goddard is pressing Ira for a commitment, but every new discovery casts doubt on whether Ira can, in good conscience, remain with him.

In the end, Ira must choose between his hard-won life of luxury and standing against a grievous wrong.

The Affair of the Porcelain Dog has been short-listed for a Lambda Award in the category of “Gay Mystery.”

 

Q: Welcome Jess. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about your book?

Jess: The Affair of the Porcelain Dog is a tale of suspense set in late Victorian England. Someone has stolen a statue belonging to crime lord Cain Goddard. Goddard tasks his assistant, Ira Adler, to find it. But everyone and his brother is after that statue–including Ira’s bitter ex, Tim Lazarus. Ira’s search will turn up secrets spanning several decades and two continents, connecting the meanest London streets with the loftiest corridors of power. And when he finds the statue, it will reveal secrets about his own past and Goddard’s, and his life will never be the same.

Q: When did you first realized you wanted to be a writer? 

Jess: After I sold my first book. I’m dense like that, sometimes. I’ve always enjoyed scribbling, but it was only after I started doing it “for real” that it occurred to me that I’d chosen many of my previous jobs because they’d be easy enough that I could finish the work ahead of time and be paid to sit somewhere quiet and write stories.

Q: Are you a plotter or a pantser? 

Jess: A little of both. I outline because it’s easier to work the plot kinks out of twenty pages of outline than out of four hundred pages of text. But even though I know the beginning and end when I start, the middle still goes through changes while I’m writing.

Q: What are you working on now?

Jess: A paranormal mystery set in 1820s Paris. The protagonist, a woman, is one of Vidocq’s original Surete agents, and the last remaining agent of an elite paranormal investigation squad recently dismantled by Vidocq’s (fictionalized) successor.

Q: Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers?

Jess: Write the best manuscript you can, and research your market well. Sending your manuscript to everyone and anyone wastes everyone’s time. Don’t write for a specific market–find the publishers who publish what *you’re* writing, and send them the best you’ve got.

Q: What book or series can you read over and over again without getting bored?

Jess: Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, and anything by Cherie Priest.

Q: If you decided not to be a writer, what would your other dream job be?

Jess: Something else with words, books, and information. A librarian, maybe?

Q: What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done in your life?

Jess: Pressed the “send” button to send a manuscript.

Q: Who is the one person that has singlehandedly inspired you the most in your life?

Jess: That’s tough. No one achieves anything alone. Overall? My parents. Am I too old to say that? My parents never pushed my brothers or I in any specific direction, but were a constant source of acceptance and encouragement no matter what weird or off-the-beaten-path thing we decided to pursue. They still are.

Q: If you could take a trip to any foreign country RIGHT NOW, which one would you choose?

Jess: Iceland.

Q: What is one talent that you’re hopeless at, but you wish you had?

Jess: Drawing.

Q: What TV show are you most addicted to?

Jess: I don’t watch much TV. When I do, it’s with one eye on something else, so…. I do like Doc Marten. And I’m waiting for the next series of Downton Abbey.

Q: If you were stuck on a desert island, name three objects and three people you would want with you. 

Jess: Three objects: a good, sharp knife; a container for storing water, and a very thick book. Maybe Great Expectations. Three people: Roy, because he can build or fix *anything* and is excellent company. Jane and Charlie because life would never be boring.

Q: What is one trait or physical characteristic that you are proud of/love about yourself?

Jess: I’m pretty good at figuring out systems, methods, and procedures. It sounds boring, but it makes it really easy to swallow new bodies of knowledge quickly and efficiently. Which makes for interesting stories.

 

About the Author:

Jess Faraday is the author of one novel, three book translations, a handful of short stories, and numerous nonfiction articles.
She is a graduate of the University of Arizona (B.A.) and UCLA (M.A.). Since then, she has earned her daily bread in a number of questionable ways, including translation, lexicography, copyediting, teaching high school Russian, and hawking shoes to the overprivileged offspring of Los Angeles-area B-listers.
She enjoys martial arts, the outdoors, strong coffee and a robust Pinot Noir.

Website – Twitter – Facebook – BSB Author Page

 

Thank you, Jess!

Cheers,

Categories: Authors, Blog Tour, Young Adult

Chatting with Julie Prestsater

Today, I have the honor of hosting Julie Prestaser and her new YA book, SO I’M A DOUBLE THREAT.

 

Megan Miller, a freshman at Carver High and a Double Threat, the perfect combination of smart and popular.

She’s got the grades, she’s got the friends, and she’s got the connections. Freshman year should be a breeze, but it’s not. How can it be when you have boys, boys and boys on the brain.

And really only one in particular. Alex Aguilar…the boy of Meg’s dreams.

They met at a party and Meg’s whole world shifted. The spark was there, there was no denying it. But could that spark lead to more? Can a Senior and Freshman really make a go of it no matter what kind of connection they share? Or will outside circumstances ruin not only Meg’s Freshman year, but her chance at hooking the guy of her dreams.

Being a Double Threat is supposed to make you special, but is it worth it if you don’t get your crush?

Buy the book on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles or Smashwords.

 

Q: Welcome Julie. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about your book?

Julie: The Double Threat series is about the high school life of Megan Miller. She’s a smart girl who loves to dance and chill with her friends. She’s a little (okay, a lot) boy crazy. She’s surrounded by a cast of friends who are funny, sassy, and entertaining. The first book in the series, So I’m a Double Threat, tells the story of Meg’s freshmen year. It’s filled with high school parties, heartache, and backstabbing friends. And let’s not forget the cute boys.

Q: When did you first realized you wanted to be a writer?

Julie: When I got my master’s degree in reading. I became a reading specialist and discovered so many of my struggling readers were also reluctant to read because they weren’t exposed to any books beyond required readings. I became the “book pusher” and soon found out what types of books my students liked to read. I set out to write books my students were interested in: edgy, realistic teen fiction.

Q: Are you a plotter or a pantser? 

Julie: Oh, I’m definitely a pantser. Haha. I never know where Meggie and the crew are going to take me. Although with Double Time (Meg’s junior year), I did plot a little bit in the end.

Q: What are you working on now? 

Julie: I’m finishing up revisions on Double Time, part three of the Double Threat series, I also have two adult novels in the works. One is actually about Meg’s teachers. ;-)

Q: Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers?

Julie: Write, write, write. And read, read, read. Get connected. Follow publishers, editors, authors in your genre on Twitter. You can get some great info from social media.

Q: What book or series can you read over and over again without getting bored?

Julie: Simone Elkeles’s Perfect Chemistry series. I loved them all, but I have a major book crush on Carlos. He was the perfect combo of hot, sweet, and smart ass.

Q: If you decided not to be a writer, what would your other dream job be?

Julie: I’m not sure it’s a job, but I’d like to do it. I’d love to teach a class where I could read aloud all day to high school students. Read alouds aren’t just for elementary kids.

Q: What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done in your life?

Julie: Performed the dance from Michael Jackson’s Thriller in front of 3,500 teenagers, along with my teacher friends. It was fun, but bleeping scary too.

Q: Who is the one person that has singlehandedly inspired you the most in your life?

Julie: My dad.

Q: If you could take a trip to any foreign country RIGHT NOW, which one would you choose?

Julie: Italy. Bread, pasta, wine, and art. Can’t go wrong with that.

Q: What is one talent you’re hopeless at, but you wish you had?

Julie: Oh my gosh, I wish I could sing. I swear I was born to be a singer. Hip hop, pop, country. It doesn’t matter. I love to sing, but my daughters tell me I make their ears bleed. Haha. I know I’m horrible, but it doesn’t stop me.

Q: What TV show are you most addicted to?

Julie: TV show? As in singular. Just one. Ooo, that’s a tough one. Friday Night Lights. I know it’s over, but I’ll forever be addicted to it.

Q: If you were stuck on a desert island, name three objects and three people you would want with you.

Julie: Hair clip, chapstick, matches. My sister, my best friend, and Channing Tatum. Disclaimer: I would’ve totally said my husband and kids but I could only pick three, and there’s no way I could choose. ;-)

Q: What is one trait or physical characteristic that you are proud of/love about yourself?

Julie: I’m never bored. I can have a good time with anyone, anywhere, anytime.

 

About the Author: Julie is a high school reading intervention teacher who prides herself on matching her students with great books to encourage them to become life-long readers. She enjoys writing stories that even the most reluctant of readers will not want to put down.

Julie is a mom, a wife, a teacher, a reader, and a writer. She also a lunatic when it comes to the NFL and playing Fantasy Football, especially if she doesn’t get my first pick quarterback: Tony Romo. When she’s not at home or work, you can probably catch her on the 15 freeway singing her heart out and dancing away in her car.

Find Julie on her website, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads .

 

 

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Thanks, Julie!

Cheers,

Categories: Authors, Blog Tour, Young Adult

A SPY LIKE ME

In celebration of the official release of A Spy Like Me, Laura Pauling is hosting a three-week blog series: A Spies, Murder and Mystery Marathon. Woot! Woot!

Authors galore, guest posts and book giveaways almost every day!

Gemma Halliday, Cindy M. Hogan, Elizabeth Spann Craig, Nova Ren Suma, Elisa Ludwig, and Anne R. Allen….Just to name a few!

And here’s why she’s celebrating!

Stripping your date down to his underwear has never been so dangerous.

After dodging bullets on a first date, Savvy must sneak, deceive and spy to save her family and friends and figure out if Malcolm is one of the bad guys before she completely falls for him.

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Smashwords

Head on over to Laura’s blog for the start of the Spies, Murder and Mystery Marathon. You won’t want to miss this sizzling series as we head into summer. Stock up on some great thrilling reads! If you dare…

Categories: Authors, Blog Tour, Crescent Moon Press, Interview

Chatting with Avery Olive

Let me introduce you to Avery Olive and her book A STIFF KISS:

Who knew kissing a corpse would change everything?

Death always hits Xylia Morana too close to home, but she likes it that way. She hangs out with the terminally ill, attends random funerals, and every so often, when the weather is right, she sleeps in open graves.

But after Landon Phoenix, the high school hottie, dies in Xylia’s arms, she sneaks into the morgue to say goodbye. How could she know stealing a kiss from his corpse would wake him up?

With Landon returned to the living and suddenly interested in Xylia, life has new meaning. But what Xylia doesn’t realize is that by kissing Landon back to life, she’s thrown Life and Death off balance. The underworld demands a body, and it might just have to be Xylia’s this time.

Buy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or The Book Depository. 

 

Me: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Avery: A few years ago I’d broken my leg, I was on bed-rest with instructions not to do ANY walking, unless with the aid of crutches. I was pretty much stuck in Mr. Olive’s lazy boy chair, and I read. A lot. Eventually I realized that what I was writing was good, and thought maybe I could create my own novel. It’d be cheaper to write a book of my own, than continue to buy books to read. Quickly, I realized I enjoyed it.

Me: What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?

Avery: I don’t really have a schedule, so to speak. I’m a stay at home mom, so I write when I can. I do find that I stay up way to late, because that’s when I can get some peace and quiet. I try to write a bit every night, though.

Me: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Avery: Oh, wow, this is a tough one. I always write start to finish. I know some writers can skip ahead, or start in the middle, work their way to the end and move to the beginning, or start at the end and work backwards, filling in the blanks. I have to write in order, and if I get stuck, I’m stuck until I can figure out how to move forward, whereas most would just skip the hard part and come back to it later. And I can’t work on more than one thing at one. I write a novel start to finish, or if I get too stuck I have to trunk it. But I can’t flip back and forth between novels. I can’t even do that when reading books. I guess I have a once track mind J

Me: When did you write your first book and how old were you?

Avery: I wrote my first novel in 2009 and I was 24 years old.

Me: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Avery: I love to decorate cakes. I do it on the side for friends and family for a little extra cash. I also read about a book a week (if not more) and in the summer I like to camp and travel a bit.

Me: Are you a plotter or a pantster?

Avery: It might just be my worst writing quality, I’m a pantser. This makes for an interesting story, since I usually only have a few things to work with in my head, and I let the characters do the rest. It’s also why I get stuck. Since I haven’t put a lot of thought into the storyline itself, when I get to a hard part, since I don’t have anything plotted out, I’m stuck until I can come up with direction.

I do, once I get the first initial idea, work out character descriptions and traits, that’s it. And mostly because that needs to be sorted out right away. I can’t very well be half way through a novel and forget what colour eyes my MC has, or what their trademark style is.

Me: How many trunked books (if any) did you have before Publishing A Stiff Kiss?

Avery: I have two completed novels in my trunk, the first one I ever wrote, which I still love, but it needs a bit of an overhaul. And the second I got the first draft done, sent it to my critique buddy. Once I got it back I realized there was way too many things wrong with it, way too many things that needed to be fixed. I set it aside and moved on. One day I might have to pull it out, and work through edits. I’m sure there is a great story underneath that just needs to be pulled forward.

I then have three other novels that are all stuck around the 25K mark. That’s 25K is my problem area. If I can make it past I can finish the novel, but it seems, that’s where I tend to have the most problem, so a few novels never made it passed that mark. One of them I think about often, always trying to figure out how to move forward, and what should happen next.

I only allow myself a certain amount of stuck time. If I can’t manage to push through after about a month, it needs to get set aside and something new needs to be started. I’ve got a million idea’s and they all need a chance to be written.

Me: What’s something you learned from the publishing process that surprised you?

Avery: How little I actually new. I had polished my novel to the best of my ability, sent it to several beta’s and critique partners and continued to polish it with their help. I thought the novel was in pretty good shape, and it was. My editor was impressed with how smooth the novel flowed, that there wasn’t any gaping plot holes, but, BUT my grammar was atrocious. It still is, and I continue to learn ever day and am getting better.

Time, is the other thing. There’s a lot that goes into a novel to get it into publication and each steps takes time. I thought having gone with a small company it would be a lightning fast process (and in retrospect it was) but each step needs to be taken seriously, worked through, and you can’t rush it. A novel is ready when it’s ready.

Me: How long does it typically take you to write a novel, start to finish?

Avery: 3 months is about my average. And that’s including stuck breaks. If I got over my aversion to plotting, and wrote as if it were my nine to five job (if that was even a possibility) I could probably have a novel finished in a month (first draft). It then takes me about 3 months to edit. Which in part is my taking things slow, and waiting on other people J Beta’s and Critique partners are awesome, however they are helping out of the goodness of their heart and it takes time to read and worth through someone else’s work. And I tend to worry. I never think it’s ready, and will continue to pick at it until finally I get to the point where enough is enough.

Me: How did you come up with the idea for A Stiff Kiss?

Avery: This is a tough one. A few things came into play with A Stiff Kiss. I didn’t even think of it as a reverse sleeping beauty until someone had mentioned it to me, but I’m sure in the back of my mind that was part of the thinking.

Someone told me a story, which gave me idea for one of the characters, and I know how cliché, but a dream filled in the blanks.

Me: What are you working on now?

Avery: Now this is super top secret information, if I tell you I’d have to kill you… Oh wait, that’s a lie. I’m actually working on two things (I know a bit of a contradiction to what I said above) I completed a manuscript a few months back, and I’m working on the sequel while I continue to polish the first. When I went to start something new, the sequel and the characters were what came begging me to continue their story, so I caved and thought, what the hell! Maybe I can sell both scripts at the same time J

Me: Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers?

Avery: Read. I think reading really helps with writing. You can learn a few tricks, and seeing how a sentence is laid out, really helps when learning how to structure your own sentences.

I also think a good community of other aspiring writers, and published ones help. I’m a huge fan of the Absolute Write Forums. I went there to learn as much as I could about the industry, found my very first beta’s and critique partners (who, some of them are still with me today) and made a few, what I am sure, without a doubt will be lifelong friendships. There are others out there learning as you are, so why not banned together and help each other out.

Lastly figure out what you want, and what you want to come of your writing. These days there are so many ways to get published, and some will work for you as a writer better than others. I don’t think there is a right and wrong way to get your book into the hands of readers. I think it’s all personal preference.

More about the author: Avery Olive is proudly Canadian.  She is married and has one child. When she’s not helping raise her very energetic and inquisitive son, she can be found working on her latest novel–where she devilishly adds U’s into every word she can. When she is looking for a break Avery enjoys cake decorating, losing herself in a good book, or heading out to the lake to go camping.

The release of Avery’s first novel proves to her it won’t be the last. As long as her family continues to be supportive, she can find the time, and people want to read, Avery vows to keep on writing.

You can find more about Avery on her blog, Facebook profile, Facebook fan page, twitter, Goodreads and on her publisher website.

Check out her next blog tour stops:

Sunday March 18th – Dan Wright , Monday March 19th – Mindy, Tuesday March 20th – Hildie McQueen, Wednesday March 21st – Jenn Nixon, Thursday March 22nd – here, Friday March 23rd – Avery’s Book Nook, Saturday March 24th – Clare Marshall, Sunday March 25th – Read 2 Review , Monday March 26th – Megan, Tuesday March 27th – Zahida, Wednesday March 28th – Tawania, Thursday March 29th – Jaime-Kristal , Friday March 30th – Cindy Young-Turner and Saturday March 31th – Steven Whibley

Now, it’s your turn to share A STIFF KISS: post a funny/sad/gritty/dark story about a stiff kiss you experienced to have a chance on winning A Stiff Kiss Coaster (pictured) and a signed bookmark and a collector card.

 

And don’t forget about the A Stiff Kiss Ultimate Prize Package that will run for the duration of the tour. For more details, click here.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Cheers,