Check out this new review of my book here! Also I've been interviewed here. I have to say it is quite inspiring! :)
Or suffer the consequences. Cue evil laughter. Formerly called A Three Way Tie.
May 30, 2012
Book Review of Everblossom!
Check out this new review of my book here! Also I've been interviewed here. I have to say it is quite inspiring! :)
May 28, 2012
Author Interview: Melissa Studdard
Please welcome to A Three Way Tie, the YA author, Melissa Studdard.
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I wear a lot of hats. I’m the author of the novel Six Weeks to Yehidah and its companion journal, My Yehidah, as well as the co-authored essay (with Scott Lutz), “For the Love of All.” As well, I’m an editor for several magazines, the host of the blogtalk radio program Tiferet Talk, and a professor at a community college.
In my personal life, I’m the mother of a wonderful fourteen-year-old daughter, who, along with my boyfriend, is one of my most cherished beta readers and fellow authors. She actually wrote the poem that my main character, Annalise, recites in Six Weeks to Yehidah.
I also like moonlit walks on the beach, hot tea on the porch in the reain, and I am a Leo, with a Gemini rising. Haha. Seriously, though, I love yoga, meditation, reading, hiking, and travelling, and I am a dedicated admirer and owner of cats.
When and why did you begin writing?
I can’t remember ever not writing. I was always writing in my head. Of course, I didn’t know that’s what I was doing in the beginning, and, in fact, I may even have felt concerned about my sanity a few times, but there’s always been a narrator living in my head, and there’s a poet in there too.
It wasn’t until after college that I seriously began putting the pen to the page though, and it wasn’t until after my daughter was at an easily manageable age that I began writing and publishing consistently.
What was the hardest part of writing your book? What is the easiest?
Ironically, the easiest parts of Six Weeks to Yehidah were the most imaginative, and the most difficult parts were the most literal. My imagination is so active that I don’t even have to exert much effort to make up alternate worlds or fantastical beings. But put someone in a hospital bed and someone beside them grieving, and suddenly I’m at a loss for words. I find being true to the emotional integrity of such a scene to be much more difficult than simply making things up.
What music do you listen to while you write?
That varies radically according to what I’m writing. I might listen to Mozart or Mahler to write a funeral scene, classic rock to write a poem set in a bar, and disco to write a short story set in the seventies. Right now, I’m listening to Adele.
This is an incredibly relevant question, because music is a wonderful way of setting the mood for a piece of writing, and it is a great way to return to the mental space of a longer project when you have to stop and restart daily.
What inspires you?
Honestly, I’m inspired by everything I encounter—other writers, music, nature, art, human nature, ideals—it’s all grist for the mill—this amazing, beautiful, flawed world is one huge, constant source of inspiration to me.
Do you have any hidden talents?
If I do, they are also currently hidden from me. Haha!
What are your current projects?
I’m always working on multiple projects at the same time. The thing closest around the corner (to be released this summer) is a compilation of interviews I’ve conducted for Tiferet Talk, the radio show for Tiferet Journal. I interviewed amazing writers and spiritual and religious leaders, and they had wonderful insights and stories to share.
The other major project is a novel I’ve just started. The plot is incredibly complicated, as are the characters, so I think it will probably take me a good while to write it, probably a few years.
Of course I’m always writing short stories and poems too, and I’m fairly certain that I will complete at least one collection of poems or stories before the novel is finished, maybe within the year.
How did you land a traditional publishing deal?
That was actually a very methodical, yet easy, process. My novel is the story of a young girl’s spiritual adventure. It’s fantastical and highly imaginative, and it’s deeply steeped in wisdom traditions and literary allusion. Think of Alice in Wonderland or The Chronicles of Narnia.
I knew I wanted my book to reach a specific type of reader—that I wanted to start in a niche and then branch out to a more general audience once my footing was secure in my niche—so I decided to target spiritual audiences, and I researched online until I found a small group of publishers (about ten) catering to this audience. The hardest part was doing the research to find the right publishers. Because I selected publishers for whom I truly was a good fit, it was not difficult for them to see that Six Weeks to Yehidah was a good fit for them, as well. After that, the acceptance came rather quickly.
Do you have a professional editor?
No. I’ve been teaching English at the college level for over twenty years. I’m pretty good at catching mistakes. I also have a group of friends who read my drafts, and the editors at my publishing house, All Things That Matter Press, are fantastic editors too. Fortunately, I’ve never had the need to hire anyone.
Do you edit as you write or wait until your book is finished?
I edit and revise as I go. I always still have edits to do at the end, but the bulk of it is done during the actual writing process. It just feels most natural to me to do it this way. For me, revising inspires the next step in the writing. In fact, if I have writer’s block, I can often overcome it by revising something. That puts me back into the creative mode.
What book are you reading now?
I’m reading The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. It’s an apocalyptic journey set in the barren wasteland of what seems to be a nuclear holocaust. I’m not certain yet if it’s nuclear. I’m only about fifty pages in. The first forty or so pages were a little slow going, but now I’m at a point where I don’t want to set the book down and will actually carry it to the bathroom with me, tripping over things along the way. It’s funny how caught up we can get in books.
Quick: Vampires or Shapeshifter? Why?
Shapeshifter. Vampire lore is quite specific, which creates limitations on how they can be written. Shapeshifters host worlds of possibilities.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
I think the most important thing to understand as a writer is that you have unique and worthwhile perspectives and stories. Don’t lose sight of that, and don’t lose faith in it. Writing and publishing is a tough business. There will always be people who do not care for your work and who don’t understand what you’re trying to do. Don’t let them pull you away from your center and your purpose. Focus on what you have to contribute—what your special gifts are as a writer—and keep trudging forward. There is only one you, comprised of the unique genetics and experiences that shape your views, and you are the only one who can properly write your stories.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I wish life made it possible for me to meet all of you in person! I love knowing about my readers and what they think. If you’ve read the book, send me an e-mail; post a review on Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon; or post a note on my author wall on Facebook. I love hearing from you!
Please tell us a little about yourself. I wear a lot of hats. I’m the author of the novel Six Weeks to Yehidah and its companion journal, My Yehidah, as well as the co-authored essay (with Scott Lutz), “For the Love of All.” As well, I’m an editor for several magazines, the host of the blogtalk radio program Tiferet Talk, and a professor at a community college.
In my personal life, I’m the mother of a wonderful fourteen-year-old daughter, who, along with my boyfriend, is one of my most cherished beta readers and fellow authors. She actually wrote the poem that my main character, Annalise, recites in Six Weeks to Yehidah.
I also like moonlit walks on the beach, hot tea on the porch in the reain, and I am a Leo, with a Gemini rising. Haha. Seriously, though, I love yoga, meditation, reading, hiking, and travelling, and I am a dedicated admirer and owner of cats.
When and why did you begin writing?
I can’t remember ever not writing. I was always writing in my head. Of course, I didn’t know that’s what I was doing in the beginning, and, in fact, I may even have felt concerned about my sanity a few times, but there’s always been a narrator living in my head, and there’s a poet in there too.
It wasn’t until after college that I seriously began putting the pen to the page though, and it wasn’t until after my daughter was at an easily manageable age that I began writing and publishing consistently.
What was the hardest part of writing your book? What is the easiest?
Ironically, the easiest parts of Six Weeks to Yehidah were the most imaginative, and the most difficult parts were the most literal. My imagination is so active that I don’t even have to exert much effort to make up alternate worlds or fantastical beings. But put someone in a hospital bed and someone beside them grieving, and suddenly I’m at a loss for words. I find being true to the emotional integrity of such a scene to be much more difficult than simply making things up.
What music do you listen to while you write?
That varies radically according to what I’m writing. I might listen to Mozart or Mahler to write a funeral scene, classic rock to write a poem set in a bar, and disco to write a short story set in the seventies. Right now, I’m listening to Adele.
This is an incredibly relevant question, because music is a wonderful way of setting the mood for a piece of writing, and it is a great way to return to the mental space of a longer project when you have to stop and restart daily.
What inspires you? Honestly, I’m inspired by everything I encounter—other writers, music, nature, art, human nature, ideals—it’s all grist for the mill—this amazing, beautiful, flawed world is one huge, constant source of inspiration to me.
Do you have any hidden talents?
If I do, they are also currently hidden from me. Haha!
What are your current projects?
I’m always working on multiple projects at the same time. The thing closest around the corner (to be released this summer) is a compilation of interviews I’ve conducted for Tiferet Talk, the radio show for Tiferet Journal. I interviewed amazing writers and spiritual and religious leaders, and they had wonderful insights and stories to share.
The other major project is a novel I’ve just started. The plot is incredibly complicated, as are the characters, so I think it will probably take me a good while to write it, probably a few years.
Of course I’m always writing short stories and poems too, and I’m fairly certain that I will complete at least one collection of poems or stories before the novel is finished, maybe within the year.
How did you land a traditional publishing deal?
That was actually a very methodical, yet easy, process. My novel is the story of a young girl’s spiritual adventure. It’s fantastical and highly imaginative, and it’s deeply steeped in wisdom traditions and literary allusion. Think of Alice in Wonderland or The Chronicles of Narnia.
I knew I wanted my book to reach a specific type of reader—that I wanted to start in a niche and then branch out to a more general audience once my footing was secure in my niche—so I decided to target spiritual audiences, and I researched online until I found a small group of publishers (about ten) catering to this audience. The hardest part was doing the research to find the right publishers. Because I selected publishers for whom I truly was a good fit, it was not difficult for them to see that Six Weeks to Yehidah was a good fit for them, as well. After that, the acceptance came rather quickly.
Do you have a professional editor?
No. I’ve been teaching English at the college level for over twenty years. I’m pretty good at catching mistakes. I also have a group of friends who read my drafts, and the editors at my publishing house, All Things That Matter Press, are fantastic editors too. Fortunately, I’ve never had the need to hire anyone.
Do you edit as you write or wait until your book is finished?
I edit and revise as I go. I always still have edits to do at the end, but the bulk of it is done during the actual writing process. It just feels most natural to me to do it this way. For me, revising inspires the next step in the writing. In fact, if I have writer’s block, I can often overcome it by revising something. That puts me back into the creative mode.
What book are you reading now?
I’m reading The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. It’s an apocalyptic journey set in the barren wasteland of what seems to be a nuclear holocaust. I’m not certain yet if it’s nuclear. I’m only about fifty pages in. The first forty or so pages were a little slow going, but now I’m at a point where I don’t want to set the book down and will actually carry it to the bathroom with me, tripping over things along the way. It’s funny how caught up we can get in books.
Quick: Vampires or Shapeshifter? Why?
Shapeshifter. Vampire lore is quite specific, which creates limitations on how they can be written. Shapeshifters host worlds of possibilities.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
I think the most important thing to understand as a writer is that you have unique and worthwhile perspectives and stories. Don’t lose sight of that, and don’t lose faith in it. Writing and publishing is a tough business. There will always be people who do not care for your work and who don’t understand what you’re trying to do. Don’t let them pull you away from your center and your purpose. Focus on what you have to contribute—what your special gifts are as a writer—and keep trudging forward. There is only one you, comprised of the unique genetics and experiences that shape your views, and you are the only one who can properly write your stories.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I wish life made it possible for me to meet all of you in person! I love knowing about my readers and what they think. If you’ve read the book, send me an e-mail; post a review on Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon; or post a note on my author wall on Facebook. I love hearing from you!
Move over, C.S. Lewis; Melissa Studdard is here! Annalise of the Verdant Hills is one of the most delightful protagonists to skip through the pages of literature since Dorothy landed in Oz. Join Annalise and her two walking, talking wondersheep as they travel to ever more outlandish places and meet outrageous and enlightening folk on their journey to discover interconnectedness in a seemingly disconnected world. Discover with them how just one person can be the start of the change we all strive for. A book for all ages, for all time: wonderful, wacky, and bursting with truth!
May 25, 2012
What Makes You Happy?
May 23, 2012
Top 4 Page-turning Books for Young Adults: A Guest Post by
Please welcome to Feed My Need, Katheryn Rivas!
This guest post is contributed by Katheryn Rivas, who writes on the topics of online universities advice. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: katherynrivas87@gmail.com.
Top 4 Page-turning Books for Young Adults
While most adults feel the need to coerce teenage students into reading, the easiest way to get young people engaged in a novel is to introduce a compelling plotline that works for anyone, child and adult, alike. The most important thing about reading for young people is having someone or something to connect with. Stories that involve basic human truths are easy for people of all ages to digest and understand.
Here is a list of some of the books that are appropriate for a teenage reading level, but cool enough to keep young people turning the pages. Many of these stories discuss advanced and nuanced topics, but the humanity of the stories is clear enough for anyone to understand and enjoy. Pick any of these books back up as an adult, and you’re sure to find meanings that you never knew were there.
1. Harry Potter
These stories are actually appropriate for children much younger than middle school or high school age, but, if there was ever a book that could make a young person of any age hungrily turn some pages, it would be this J. K. Rowling classic. In fact, there are plenty of adults who have become thoroughly hooked on the series, themselves.
2. The Hunger Games
Written by Suzanne Collins as a young adult novel, this is a must-read for any teen looking for a story that won’t be boring. In fact, with the huge popularity of the movie, this is the perfect time to rent it or head to theaters to check out the movie version before or after reading. The story is set in an apocalyptic world in which two children, ages 12-18, are selected to compete in a battle to the death for an annual television special. Told through the eyes of a 16-year-old girl competitor, the story is intense and can go from humorous to heartbreaking in seconds.
3. Animal Farm
Animal Farm may seem a bit old-school to young students at first glance, but this is actually a perfect read for teens. The main characters are animals who balance work and power struggles after taking over their family farm after mistreatment by the humans in charge. Despite the fairy-tale nature, this is no book for babies. Real issues of power, struggle, desperation and tension abound, and the plot is interesting, yet easy to follow.
4. The Catcher in the Rye
This is a classic for both adults and teenagers. First off, it’s hilarious and so uniquely-written that readers of all ages will have something to grab onto. The plot is told through the eyes of Holden Caulfield, a prep school dropout making his way through New York City. Teenagers will love Holden’s anti-protagonist charm and surely see themselves reflected in his take on the silly world of adults.
May 21, 2012
Author Interview: Michael Diack!
Please welcome to A Three Way Tie, Michael Diack!
Please tell us a little about yourself.
Hi, I’m Michael Diack, 26 and from UK. I started writing during university and I’ve just released my debut novel, The Super Spud Trilogy, through a company called Pen Press. The book is released now as a paperback and e-book on Amazon. I enjoy music, playing squash, and sailing with my friends.
When and why did you begin writing?
I began writing my novel at the age of 20. I had this idea in my head about crisp packets which came alive once their use-by date expired and that their personality was influenced by their flavoring. Once I began writing I completed the novel in a few months.
What was the hardest part of writing your book? What is the easiest?
I guess the hardest part was the editing phase, having to rewrite and in some cases remove large chunks of your work, but if it benefits the story as a whole then it has to be done. Sometimes I’d be really stuck for ideas, but inspiration would often come when I’d just stop altogether and do something else like play sport or computer games. I guess the easiest part was the first chapter and describing the Super Spuds and the magic rules governing their survival.
What music do you listen to while you write?
Rock music - I love Coheed and Cambria. I usually just listen to their four albums on repeat while I write. Music and writing is the ultimate escape and relaxation for me.
What inspires you?
The support of friends and family is important. Having their feedback and telling me honestly what works and doesn’t is great. The desert where I work is also very inspirational, I know that sounds like an oxymoron; but the landscape with its sand dunes, dust storms, camels and rugged topography is very other-worldly and relaxing.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Unfortunately not, I can play a few Coheed and Cambria songs on guitar but that’s about it. I managed to complete Goldeneye on the N64 on Double-O Agent setting – I was very proud of that achievement.
Please tell us a little about yourself.
Hi, I’m Michael Diack, 26 and from UK. I started writing during university and I’ve just released my debut novel, The Super Spud Trilogy, through a company called Pen Press. The book is released now as a paperback and e-book on Amazon. I enjoy music, playing squash, and sailing with my friends.
When and why did you begin writing?
I began writing my novel at the age of 20. I had this idea in my head about crisp packets which came alive once their use-by date expired and that their personality was influenced by their flavoring. Once I began writing I completed the novel in a few months.
What was the hardest part of writing your book? What is the easiest?
I guess the hardest part was the editing phase, having to rewrite and in some cases remove large chunks of your work, but if it benefits the story as a whole then it has to be done. Sometimes I’d be really stuck for ideas, but inspiration would often come when I’d just stop altogether and do something else like play sport or computer games. I guess the easiest part was the first chapter and describing the Super Spuds and the magic rules governing their survival.
What music do you listen to while you write?
Rock music - I love Coheed and Cambria. I usually just listen to their four albums on repeat while I write. Music and writing is the ultimate escape and relaxation for me.
What inspires you?
The support of friends and family is important. Having their feedback and telling me honestly what works and doesn’t is great. The desert where I work is also very inspirational, I know that sounds like an oxymoron; but the landscape with its sand dunes, dust storms, camels and rugged topography is very other-worldly and relaxing.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Unfortunately not, I can play a few Coheed and Cambria songs on guitar but that’s about it. I managed to complete Goldeneye on the N64 on Double-O Agent setting – I was very proud of that achievement.
What are your current projects?
I’m writing another set of adventures concerning the Super Spuds. This time with more flavour personalities and scene locations. I’m also writing some short stories.
What book are you reading now?
Haruki Murakami – IQ84.
Quick: Vampires or Shapeshifter? Why?
Shapeshifter – because then I’m not useless for half of the day.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Don’t be afraid to change your work, if you know something doesn’t fit just delete it rather than trying to work around it.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I honestly hope you laugh and enjoy reading about the Super Spuds. I hope to continually improve as a writer and make the next set of adventures even more enjoyable and fun. Any feedback and ideas for the next stories, or suggestions for new flavour personalities, I’d be happy to hear about.
I’m writing another set of adventures concerning the Super Spuds. This time with more flavour personalities and scene locations. I’m also writing some short stories.
What book are you reading now?
Haruki Murakami – IQ84.
Quick: Vampires or Shapeshifter? Why?
Shapeshifter – because then I’m not useless for half of the day.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Don’t be afraid to change your work, if you know something doesn’t fit just delete it rather than trying to work around it.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I honestly hope you laugh and enjoy reading about the Super Spuds. I hope to continually improve as a writer and make the next set of adventures even more enjoyable and fun. Any feedback and ideas for the next stories, or suggestions for new flavour personalities, I’d be happy to hear about.
Genetic engineering has accomplished many things, one of which has been to create the Super Spud! The humble potato elevated to new heights, creating the most flavoursome crisps ever known to humankind! But that's not all - A magical transformation occurs to all Super Spud crisps not eaten before their use-by date. They take on a life of their own. And so long as they remain undetected by humans, they enjoy life in their own Super Spud cities, take part in major Super Spud sporting events and even start the odd Super Spud war or two. Join Colin, Cougar, Hannibal Vector, Generals Rock, Jock and Strap and all the others in their rollicking adventures. You'll never look at a packet of crisps in the same way again! Fun, quirky and totally original, Michael Diack's debut is strictly for those who are still big kids at heart.
May 18, 2012
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Blurb:
Incarceron is a prison so vast that it contains not only cells, but also metal forests, dilapidated cities, and vast wilderness. Finn, a seventeen-year-old prisoner, has no memory of his childhood and is sure that he came from Outside Incarceron. Very few prisoners believe that there is an Outside, however, which makes escape seems impossible.
And then Finn finds a crystal key that allows him to communicate with a girl named Claudia. She claims to live Outside- she is the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, and doomed to an arranged marriage. Finn is determined to escape the prison, and Claudia believes she can help him. But they don't realize that there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage and cost more than they know.
And then Finn finds a crystal key that allows him to communicate with a girl named Claudia. She claims to live Outside- she is the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, and doomed to an arranged marriage. Finn is determined to escape the prison, and Claudia believes she can help him. But they don't realize that there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage and cost more than they know.
My Thoughts:
Wow, I was not nearly prepared for this book.
I've had a long hide and seek game with this book in the library. I kept finding the second book in this series, but not the first so when I finally (and I do mean FINALLY) I grabbed it without thinking about it.
And of course, out of my library stack I kept picking this book up and looking at it. Then I decided, oh what the heck, I'll read it now. I love the cover, the intrigue behind what will happen, and I love the idea of the prison being alive.
Then I read it. And couldn't put it down. This book is just ridiculously good.
And yes, I said it: This book is ridiculously good.
Now why did I say, good instead of great? Well, I have one huge issue, but I think it could just be me.
So let's tear this book apart and analyze it! Yippee!
May 16, 2012
Everblossom News!
May 14, 2012
Book Giveaway: A Scent of Longing by Cara Bristol
Please welcome to Feed My Need, the fabulous romance author, Cara Bristol!
I write contemporary, domestic discipline and paranormal erotic romance — just the kind of stories I like to read.
My five published erotic romances are:
My sixth erotic romance, False Pretenses, another Rod and Cane Society story, will be released by Loose Id in June.
I’m currently writing another paranormal.
In my spare time (*laugh*) I like to read, travel with my husband and watch reality TV shows.
Bio
I write contemporary, domestic discipline and paranormal erotic romance — just the kind of stories I like to read.My five published erotic romances are:
- A Scent of Longing, Decadent Publishing
- Reckless in Moonlight, Loose Id
- Unexpected Consequences (A Rod and Cane Society story), Loose Id
- Secret Desires, Black Velvet Seductions (BVS)
- Intimate Submission, Black Velvet Seductions
My sixth erotic romance, False Pretenses, another Rod and Cane Society story, will be released by Loose Id in June.
I’m currently writing another paranormal.
In my spare time (*laugh*) I like to read, travel with my husband and watch reality TV shows.
Book Giveaway
A 376-year-old half-vampire, half human Luc Fortier can’t continue to satisfy the vampire fantasies of young ladies while his dreams go unfulfilled. He vows to bedazzle one last date before he calls it quits.
Neither Luc nor Lily expect more than an evening of passion, but they haven’t counted on Madame Eve’s superior matchmaking skills.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Lily Dansen refuses to date vampires. The last time she trusted a one, he turned her. She agrees to a date arranged by 1 NightStand, believing that a quick tryst is all that’s left for her.
Neither Luc nor Lily expect more than an evening of passion, but they haven’t counted on Madame Eve’s superior matchmaking skills.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
May 9, 2012
Book Giveaway and Author Interview: Senator, Mine by Kerry Adrienne
Please welcome to Feed My Need, the fabulous romance author, Kerry Adrienne!
BioCheck out her website here to learn more!
Author Interview
I don’t really remember when I began writing stories, though I think it probably began with drawing pictures of fantasy worlds and dreamscapes then writing about things happening in that setting.
What was the hardest part of writing your book? What is the easiest?
The most difficult part was definitely the research. History almost always has dissenting opinions on how things were and how things happen and an author often has to decide exactly which “fact” to go with. Plus, you have to use a little creative license to make the story appropriate for modern readers. We don’t want stinky heroes, for example. The easiest part was the characters. I love writing people.
What music do you listen to while you write?
Green Day!!! (ok, sometimes Depeche Mode, The Cure, Adam Lambert, Loreena McKennitt, Violent Femmes, Marilyn Manson…but mostly Green Day). Yes, I love listening to music when I write.
What inspires you?
That is a tough one. Everything and anything. I think, like most writers, inspiration can strike at any moment and from the slightest thing.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Umm. I’m a professional costumer—mostly cosplay and historical. I’m an artist. I also dabble in making chainmail. Things like that. Anything crafty. Don’t ask me to decorate cakes though. I really dislike cake decorating.
What are your current projects?
I have several. I’m working on two more 1Night Stands for Decadent Publishing and a Western Escape for Decadent. I also have a science fiction romance I am working on.
What book are you reading now?
How sad is it that I have to go to Goodreads to see what I am currently reading for fun? As an editor for Entangled Publishing, I don’t get a ton of free time to read for pleasure. But according to my Goodreads profile, I am still reading SHINE, by Lauren Myracle. I just started it. Maybe I can read some today—I know it sounds like a really great book.
Quick: Vampires or Shapeshifter? Why?
Vampires!!! Too sexy.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Never give up. Trust yourself. Don’t automatically listen to everyone’s advice. Mull it over first.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I hope that, as you read my time travel or historical books, you will think for a moment about the millions of people who have gone before us—all of whom had lives, loves, wishes, and dreams. I love that warm connection to the human race.
Book Giveaway
Eleanor’s dream of a romantic tour of Italy shatters when her long-time boyfriend breaks up with her in Pompeii. Determined to enjoy the once in a lifetime vacation, she enlists the 1NS service. She continues her trip, stopping to buy a small golden signet in a mysterious antiquities shop in Rome.
Darius, a hard-working Senator in Ancient Rome, is puzzled by the Sibyl’s words: You will not find love in your lifetime. Hoping to find a measure of happiness, he agrees to the Sibyl’s quest. In the olive grove, he spots Eleanor, a barbarian wearing his stolen senator’s ring.
A night spent together may be just what they both need to break down the columns of time that stand between them.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway Details:
1. To be eligible for this giveaway, you must be a follower of my blog.
2. Leave a comment with your name and email address.
3 . This giveaway ends May 12 at 12:01 am.
1. To be eligible for this giveaway, you must be a follower of my blog.
2. Leave a comment with your name and email address.
3 . This giveaway ends May 12 at 12:01 am.
May 7, 2012
Author Interview: Sarah Mandell
Please welcome to A Three Way Tie, the lovely author, Sarah Mandell!
When did you first start writing?
Fairly recently! I finished my first manuscript in 2008 and I’ve written eight more since then. Celia on the Run is the first one to be published, but hopefully not the last. I’ve really caught the reading and writing bug over the last few years and I don’t see that fizzling out anytime soon. I think what held me back until now is that the required reading in school was pretty much the opposite of what I wanted to read. All that time, I assumed I didn’t like reading in general, but as it turned out, I just didn’t like reading Jane Austen and the like. Am I allowed to admit that here?
What music do you listen to when you write?
It depends on the story. When I wrote Celia on the Run, I listened to what the main characters would have listened to during their road trip (Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix). Right now, I’m working on a story that takes place on a farm out in the middle of nowhere, so I’ve been listening to mellow roots music (Dour Burr, Iron & Wine). I guess the background music is how I “get into character” when I’m writing.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Hmm. I have a couple of talents, but they’re not all hidden. I’m a professional interior designer by day, and when I’m not creating environments in the field of commercial architecture, I’m running my hobby-turned-small-business where I make and sell handmade goods on Etsy. I create jewelry out of old leather garments and I’m addicted to the time-intensive craft of needle-felting. Luckily for me, there’s a market to sell these things online and in local shops and galleries. I suppose the one talent that nobody knows about is that I can hula hoop for hours on end without dropping the hoop. A totally useless talent, it’s true!
What was your inspiration to write this story?
I can’t say there was any specific inspiration for writing Celia on the Run, but I’ve always got characters and plot lines floating around in my head, so when they actually come together and make sense, I just get going and don’t stop writing till the story is done. Sometimes it takes months, other times only days. Celia on the Run was perhaps a combination of all the things I crave in the stories I read, but rarely find, so my only solution was to write the book I wanted to read. I love mismatched characters like Nick and Celia, carefree road trips, and a heavy dose of danger. I also love the emotional roller coaster of a good story and I’m happy to have my heart ripped out and patched back up through realistic fiction. No predictable sappy love stories for me, I want a bittersweet ending that leaves me feeling a little beat up but somehow relieved.
What books of yours should we be looking out for release next?
I’m glad you asked! My most recent work is burning a hole in my pocket at the moment, but I’m trying to focus on getting the word out about Celia on the Run before I dive back into the process of trying to get published again. My most recent story is tentatively titled Two Brothers, One Redhead, and a Stolen Giraffe. It’s not nearly as dark as Celia on the Run, but I’m in love with the characters all the same. What they go through is all at once humorous, ridiculous, and heart-breaking. Plus, what’s not to love about a soap-eating giraffe and two brothers going after a stubborn redhead?
Here’s my work-in-progress blurb for Two Brothers, One Redhead, and a Stolen Giraffe:
The McElroy brothers find trouble easily. Dylan, the impulsive one, plunges headfirst into it while quiet and reserved Daniel cleans up behind him. That’s the way it’s always been, ever since their mother left and they bounced around the foster system for the last ten years, causing trouble wherever they went. The soon-to-be euthanized giraffe they just stole from the Northside Zoo in Chicago may be their biggest predicament yet, in more ways than one, but there's no undoing what's been done.
Lost in Nebraska without a plan, clueless how to care for this ornery old beast in the back of the trailer, they stop to rest at an abandoned-looking barn. A pretty redhead with a snappy temperament and a shotgun discovers the boys and their sixteen-foot stowaway. Her name is Josephine, she lives on this farm with her father who is spoken of but never seen, and her root cellar bears more locks than a bank vault. She’s got a secret for every hour of the day, as well as the interest of two brothers who swore they’d never let some girl come between them.
What book are you reading now?
Sadly, when I’m deep into revise-and-edit mode with my own writing, I have a hard time reading other books that might distract me. Right now, I’m so absorbed in my work-in-progress Two Brothers, One Redhead, and a Stolen Giraffe, I can only think about that particular environment and those characters. Since this story takes place in a world completely foreign to me (Nebraska farmland), I’ve been researching quite a bit to make sure the details are plausible. So between my background research and editing, that’s about all the time I have for reading for pleasure at the moment. The last book I finished was In the Path of Falling Objects by Andrew Smith. Really enjoyed the gritty storyline and setting!
What is the most difficult thing about being a writer? What is the easiest thing?
It’s easy to write when you’re inspired, when you know the characters inside and out, and how the story will end. All you have to do is type, everything else is already there, waiting to come out. The most difficult thing, in my opinion, is that you can’t force that to happen, you can’t force yourself to come up with something good if it’s just not there. As frustrating as it is, you have to wait for the plot to come together in your head (at least partially) and you can’t rush that. It’s kinda like patiently waiting for the right publisher or agent to take notice and sign you on!
What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?
I think finishing a story that you wrote yourself, then re-reading it again just because you love the story so much, is the most rewarding thing about being a writer. Coming up with all the pieces needed to make a good story takes a lot of brain power and creative thinking, so after hours and hours of writing, IF you actually have a story you still love and care about, that’s pretty freaking amazing.
It’s also incredibly rewarding when an agent thinks your work is good enough to represent, and even better when you can link up with a publisher who believes what you’ve got going on is worth their time and effort to push out into the world (after all, they have a lot to choose from). Writing in itself is rewarding, even if you’re the only one to read what you’ve written, but if you get lucky enough to have your work published, that’s an incredible feeling and I’m still getting used to it. Now, lets just hope my book gets good reviews because that is bound to be the most rewarding thing of all!
Any advice for writers?
Write because you love to write and because you have something to say, not because you think you’ll get rich and famous if you tap the bulging literary market at just the right time. Keep your day job. Getting published is not a speedy process, so if you dare to go that direction with your work, make sure the damage will only be emotional if it doesn’t come through in a big way.
Don’t be afraid to abandon a story if it’s just not going anywhere. It’s really not the end of the world and getting some writing practice is extremely valuable, even if the story turns out to be crap. Each story you write is bound to be better than the last, it’s only natural, so keep at it. I’ll let you in on a little secret about Celia on the Run. The character of Nick Novaczek, the shy kid who’d never made a mistake in his life, who can’t help but win over the readers by the way he pursues an ungrateful girl like Celia, was actually a character I was very familiar because he was developed in an earlier story I wrote (which I’ve since abandoned). Even though that original story will probably never resurface, I got a great character out of it, so it wasn’t a complete waste.
Anything you want to say to your readers?
I don’t know how many of you there are just yet, since I’ve just recently been published, but thanks for taking a chance on a new author! I know you have a ton to choose from, but I’m so excited my ebook caught your eye. I hope you’ll be captivated by my coming of age adventure story and that even after you’re finished reading, the emotional ups and downs you went through with the characters will continue to haunt you and make you wonder what became of Nick and Celia. Sometimes I forget they’re not real, and I hope you experience that as well!
Nick Novaczek is a cautious soul, a 17-year old with a boring life, a predictable future, and a quiet thirst for danger. On the eve of his beloved grandmother's funeral, danger finds him by the motel swimming pool. Her name is Celia and she's everything he's not. This foul-mouthed beauty is hitchhiking across the country to make amends with her estranged father and doesn't carry an ounce of fear or hesitation in her tattered suitcase. She's bad news all around, but for a rule-follower like Nick, she's intoxicating.
Twenty-four hours after speaking to Celia for the very first time, following one extremely lucky night, Nick is hopelessly hooked and "borrows" his parents' car to join her cross-country mission, even though her story is full of holes. It's the mistake he's been waiting his whole life to make. Together, they dodge a train, jump off a bridge, and scam everyone in their path. Nick is blossoming into a teenage fugitive, just like Celia, and he's never been happier. She may not be who she says she is, but she's got his vulnerable heart.
After weeks of detours, with hundreds of miles left to go, their wild adventure starts to unravel. The money dries up, Celia's dark secrets begin to surface, and it's clear they both want vastly different things out of this partnership. Celia is all about no strings attached and severing whatever they may have between them once they reach their destination, while Nick is head over heels in love and wanting a future with the girl in his passenger seat. They seem to reach a new low on a daily basis, but she won't turn back, no matter how desperate things get. After all, this is her trip and Nick is just the driver. Celia's got a charming smile to pay her way, a willing accomplice, a hidden agenda, and an endless supply of lies. Not to mention a gun.
Twenty-four hours after speaking to Celia for the very first time, following one extremely lucky night, Nick is hopelessly hooked and "borrows" his parents' car to join her cross-country mission, even though her story is full of holes. It's the mistake he's been waiting his whole life to make. Together, they dodge a train, jump off a bridge, and scam everyone in their path. Nick is blossoming into a teenage fugitive, just like Celia, and he's never been happier. She may not be who she says she is, but she's got his vulnerable heart.
After weeks of detours, with hundreds of miles left to go, their wild adventure starts to unravel. The money dries up, Celia's dark secrets begin to surface, and it's clear they both want vastly different things out of this partnership. Celia is all about no strings attached and severing whatever they may have between them once they reach their destination, while Nick is head over heels in love and wanting a future with the girl in his passenger seat. They seem to reach a new low on a daily basis, but she won't turn back, no matter how desperate things get. After all, this is her trip and Nick is just the driver. Celia's got a charming smile to pay her way, a willing accomplice, a hidden agenda, and an endless supply of lies. Not to mention a gun.
May 4, 2012
Called Home: Two Hearts Answer by Gloria Schumann
Emma Benson's view of life was crafted by the death of her brother as a child, abandonment by her father and later, the man she trusted she would marry, until David Schlosser-back in town after years in New York writing best-selling novels-threatens her neatly tended life. Romance blooms. Emma and David eventually persevere in the face of tragedy, refusing to leave their dreams behind.
My Thoughts
Let me start off by saying: I really wanted to like this book. I've had a bad streak with romances lately, so I was really hoping it would end with this book.
Unfortunately, the bad streak continues.
I couldn't finish this book for the following reasons:
1. No special-ness to it
It's not like the book is bad. It's not like the book is great either. It just didn't leave an impression on me unfortunately.
It just didn't draw me, didn't wow me, it didn't do what it was suppose to. My teacher once told me something, and it has stuck with me ever since: You're in constant competition with Twitter, Facebook and all other social networking sites.
And this one line is so true. We, as writers, need to capture the attention of the reader in that one sentence, that one paragraph, those few seconds, and if we don't then we left the reader hungry for more. And we lost a reader forever. There is no second chance (most of the time).
And unfortunately for Ms. Schumann, she lost me as a reader.
2. Unrealistic Dialogue
I don't know what it was, but the dialogue sounded off and wrong for each character. The only dialogue that I believed was authentic to the character was the mother of the main character.
3. Thick Paragraphs
This is a pet peeve of mine when paragraphs are longer then four lines. Anything pass that it gives me a headache. It's hard enough to read on my computer, but when the paragraphs are like long, it just makes it harder for me to read your book.
Overall, this book just wasn't my type. It wasn't wowing me, exciting me or begged me to continue reading. I just got more and more withdrawn the more I read it. So eventually, I just put it down.
This book just wasn't right for me, but it could possibly be for you. However, if you're looking for a book to suck you in and never let you go, then this isn't the book.
May 2, 2012
4 Tips for Blind Dates: A Guest Post by Ellie Stevens
Please welcome to A Three Way Tie, Ellie Stevens!
Ellie Stevens is a guest post author who loves sharing her tips for dating and relationships. Ellie has taken this passion to blogging for Best Online Dating Sites where she focuses on educating singles about the best and most effective ways to date on the internet.
Ellie Stevens is a guest post author who loves sharing her tips for dating and relationships. Ellie has taken this passion to blogging for Best Online Dating Sites where she focuses on educating singles about the best and most effective ways to date on the internet.
4 Tips to Make Blind Dates Less Terrifying
Blind date—two words that have the ability to strike fear into the hearts of singles everywhere. And when you’re a woman without a significant other, you know all too well what it’s like to be a prime target for your married friends who just to happen to “know a great guy you need to meet!”
In order to get your friends off your case, maybe you’ve finally given into their requests to set you up on this blind and sure-to-be catastrophe while in the meantime you are brainstorming excuses for getting out of it. But before you call and cancel on the fellow because you “seem to have contracted a highly contagious and disgusting illness—probably swine flu,” be sure to take into consideration the following tips that will make your blind date a whole lot less scary than it sounds:
#1: Do your research.
In order to get your friends off your case, maybe you’ve finally given into their requests to set you up on this blind and sure-to-be catastrophe while in the meantime you are brainstorming excuses for getting out of it. But before you call and cancel on the fellow because you “seem to have contracted a highly contagious and disgusting illness—probably swine flu,” be sure to take into consideration the following tips that will make your blind date a whole lot less scary than it sounds:
#1: Do your research.
In order to put your mind at ease so that you aren’t so blinded by the situation, use your investigation skills and get the scoop on your date before heading out the door with the guy. You may have never met him, but the person setting up the two of you should be able to give you the lowdown. Also, a light sweep of pertinent social networking sites and Google will assist in giving you a better idea about what this guy is all about—just don’t let it slip that you already know everything about him when striking up the get-to-know-you conversation!
#2: Keep an open mind.
#2: Keep an open mind.
If you go into the blind date with a negative attitude and the idea that the guy is not going to be a match for you, then you are just setting yourself up for a miserable time. Keep your mind open and look at the date as an opportunity to get to know someone new—he might not be “the one,” but even if you just wind up making a new friend, the date should be considered a success. And you never know…your blind date may very be the start to many not-so-blind-dates with the guy down the road!
#3: Know you aren’t the only one who is nervous.
#3: Know you aren’t the only one who is nervous.
It doesn’t matter who you are, when a date is involved, there are bound to be some nerves that come along with it. It’s an awkward situation meeting someone you’ve never met before—so rest assured that your date is going to be feeling nervous too. Stop rehearsing things to say and freaking out about whether there is food in your teeth or if you are going to have anything other than awkwardness in common. Just go with the flow! Once you get past the initial small talk (and maybe even a glass of wine or two), the date should be flowing more easily and the two of you should be feeling more comfortable. Even though you may feel as though they are about the fly out of your stomach, the butterflies are one of the best parts about dating someone new!
#4: Don’t ditch your date.
#4: Don’t ditch your date.
If you arrive at the restaurant where you are meeting your blind date and the guy is not what you expected, do your best to keep from scramming out the door before introductions are made. You owe it to him and whoever set you up to at least see if there is some sort of connection other than the physical kind. If it’s not a match, then you don’t have to go out with the guy again—but you got all dolled up so you might as well be polite, tough it out and not let a killer outfit go to waste.
May 1, 2012
Sales Report for Everblossom!
It's the most wonderful part of the month: Sales report! I think this is an interesting report of all, watch this:
Now here are the sales for Everblossom so far:
October: 1
November: 4
December: 3
January: 3
February: 3
March: 2
April: 2
Here's the breakdown:
Amazon US:1
Amazon UK: 1
ES, IT, FR: 0
Smashwords: 0
Barnes and Noble: 0
Print Sales (Createspace): 0
And yes, you read that right: I got a sale in the UK! I definitely had a woo hoo moment there.
The not so woo hoo moment here is my sales. They are flat lining. I need to publish some more books and quick! Ack, I was hoping that I could finish editing Angel Diaries by now, but my publish schedule is so off.
March: 2
April: 2
Here's the breakdown:
Amazon US:1
Amazon UK: 1
ES, IT, FR: 0
Smashwords: 0
Barnes and Noble: 0
Print Sales (Createspace): 0
And yes, you read that right: I got a sale in the UK! I definitely had a woo hoo moment there.
The not so woo hoo moment here is my sales. They are flat lining. I need to publish some more books and quick! Ack, I was hoping that I could finish editing Angel Diaries by now, but my publish schedule is so off.
So I need to get back on my writing schedule (and yes, I wrote a writing schedule minute by minute, and hour by hour), and keep writing for Everblossom 2. At least I know what I need to do, I just have to do it now.
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