Friday, December 25, 2009

Interview with Cheri Crane




My favorite thing about doing author interviews is getting to know these wonderful people who are so gifted and talented. I have known Cheri for a number of years and love and admire her a great deal. She is one person who manages to get through difficult challenges with faith and a sense of humor. She is a great example to me and such a wonderful author.

Cheri J. Crane was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and she spent a goodly share of her childhood living in several different Idaho towns, and one year in Utah. Her father was a pharmacist with a major drugstore chain and he was transferred a bit as he moved up the corporate ladder. By the time Cheri was in high school, he had been offered a chance to manage a small drugstore in Ashton, Idaho. Cheri considers this to be her hometown since that is where she graduated from high school.

Cheri went on to what was then called, Ricks College, where she graduated with an Associate degree in English. That summer she met a cute returned missionary named Kennon Crane and they were married a few months later in the Logan Temple. They are the proud parents of three sons. All three boys served LDS missions in varying locations throughout the world. One of those sons is now married and he and his wife have given Cheri a cute little granddaughter to spoil.

Cheri loves working with the youth, and she is currently serving for the second time in her ward’s YW organization. She is their fearless leader, doing her best to help these girls keep their sense of humor intact.

Cheri is an LDS author and she has penned the following books: “Kate’s Turn,” “The Fine Print,” “Kate’s Return,” “Forever Kate,” “Following Kate,” “Sabrina & Kate,” “The Girls Next Door,” “The Long Road Home,” and “Moment of Truth.” She is currently working on a new manuscript that will be discussed below.


Here is my interview with Cheri . . .

M.B.: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

Cheri: Unlike most authors, I had no plans to become a writer. I have always loved to read, and in high school, I enjoyed honors English courses. While attending college, I majored in English, with plans to teach high school English, French, and drama. I married a young man from Bear Lake, Idaho halfway through my college education, and all plans changed.

We had been married for about a year and a half when my father took his own life. He had been ill for quite some time, suffering from a rare, debilitating liver disease. It was a devastating loss and one of the ways I coped was to write out everything I was feeling. During the nights when I couldn’t sleep, I would grab an empty notebook and fill it with painful memories. Then I would shred those pages, experiencing a sense of healing.

After a while, I began writing a story about a young woman who was trying to come to terms with her father’s untimely death. It was in essence, my story, but I changed some of the details to make it easier to approach. When it was finished, I experienced such a feeling of peace. My husband read that first manuscript and encouraged me to send it in for publication. That is when I first started thinking about becoming a published author.

M.B.: What was the pathway like for you to get your first book published?

Cheri: It wasn’t easy. By the time I began sending off manuscripts, I was the mother of two young sons. They were thirteen months apart and at times, worse than twins. Both were in diapers, but one was old enough to get into everything while I was tending to the needs of the younger son. True character building moments. In between all of that, I continued to write stories. I found that I felt better on the days that I wrote. Eight years and five manuscripts later, my first book was published by Covenant Communications in 1994.

M.B.: Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how did you deal with it?

Cheri: There were times when I was ready to throw my hands in the air and walk away. I would receive a rejection letter and it would ruin my day. By the time I received the letter, I was already halfway finished with the next manuscript, and that is what kept me going. I would pout for a couple of days, then decide to shrug it off and keep trying. It was good that it always seemed to take six months or more to hear back from the publishing companies. It gave me plenty of time to start the next story.

M.B.: What is your writing schedule like?

Cheri: When my sons were young, the only time available to write was either early in the morning, or late at night. As they grew older and started school, I found time to write during the day as well. I still find that I do my best writing in the early morning hours. Not only is the house quiet, the words flow better during that time of day.

M.B.: Where do your ideas come from? How do you know the idea is
good enough to write a book about it?

Cheri: Life. I draw on my own experiences, and the things that I observe. We travel quite a bit and I’m always taking notes, pictures, and gathering maps. I never know when I’ll use those places as settings in my books.

Sometimes a news story will trigger an idea. Several years ago I read a short article about the difficulties of women in prison who are also mothers. That article inspired me to create a character for one of my books.

I do a lot of people watching. Some of my characters are shaped from the people that I see. Recently, I created a villainous character that is loosely based on a woman I observed in action one day.

I also tend to write about topics that either interest me, or cause concern. Most of my earlier books were written for teens, and each one tackled difficult trials that some young people face, like teen alcoholism, pregnancy, and eating disorders. Currently I’m working on a mystery that I’m hoping will appeal to all ages.

As for wondering if an idea is good enough to inspire a book—I figure if the storyline flows, that’s a good sign. When it’s finished, I also run it past a couple of women who proof for me. If they enjoy reading the manuscript, that tells me quite a bit since both women are very honest with me.

M.B.: What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to
have their manuscripts become books in print?

Cheri: Never give up. One of my sisters finished writing a book about 3 years ago. She received a rejection letter from the first publishing company she selected. I encouraged her to try again. It will be released into stores in a few months.

Getting a book published is often a matter of timing: touching base with the right publishing company at the right time, with the right idea.

M.B.: What is your process of brainstorming a story? Do you just sit
down and write, waiting to see what happens next? Or do you outline
first?

Cheri: Once again, I’m an odd duck. An idea will come to mind and I will begin writing the story. I very rarely write out an outline. Depending on the book, I will often put together a character reference page. This lists all of the characters in the book complete with physical descriptions, personality traits, etc.

For my first published book, “Kate’s Turn,” I drew out a pedigree chart to make sure I was accurate with dates.

I’m big on research. Even though I write works of fiction, I want the details to be as accurate as possible. I will spend weeks, and sometimes months, doing research for each individual book.

Sometimes field trips are in order. For my book, “The Girls Next Door,” I traveled down to an eating disorder clinic in Orem, Utah. I was taken on a special tour, and interviewed counselors and staff members to make sure I had all of the facts right for my storyline.

M.B.: Do you ever experience a snag in a story, a form of writer's
block? If so, how do you deal with it?

Cheri: Yep. I think this happens to most writers. The thing that works for me is time. I will shift gears and work on another manuscript, since I usually have about 2-3 that I tinker with at any given time. If one storyline bogs down, I’ll leave it alone for a while. Then I’ll come back in with fresh eyes and tackle it again.

M.B.: Do you need absolute quiet to write? Do you listen to music when
you are writing?

Cheri: Both. I like writing in the early morning hours because the house is quiet. But there are also times when listening to classical music helps with the creative process. I grew up in a musical family, and I often find music to be inspiring.

M.B.: What kinds of inspiration do you use during your story creation periods?

Cheri: Pictures of the areas I’m using in the storyline. Photography is a hobby of mine and I’m always dragging cameras around. Since I now use digital cameras, I keep picture files on my laptop and desktop computers. Studying these pictures will often trigger entire scenes.

As I already mentioned, certain kinds of music will set the desired mood for a particular scene. While writing about the New Orleans area in a recent manuscript, I listened to a jazz CD I had purchased in New Orleans’ French Market.

M.B.: Who has made the greatest difference for you as a writer?

Cheri: Family and friends. They encouraged me to send in those first manuscripts. They are still the ones who continue to encourage and support me in this lucrative endeavor.

M.B.: Do you use a critique group during the writing process? Why or why not?

Cheri: Nope. I did just join a local writer’s guild, so that may change. As I mentioned earlier, I do pick on 2-3 friends of mine when the manuscript is nearly finished. They will read through and circle anything that stands out, whether it’s a typo, an awkward sentence, or a scene that for them, doesn’t work. They are very honest with me, and I appreciate their feedback. It always makes for a better book.

M.B.: Which of your books is your favorite, and why?

Cheri: “The Fine Print,” will always be a favorite. It touches on a subject close to my heart—diabetes. I’m a Type 1 diabetic and it is amazing how many negative messages there are in the world for those of us blessed with this condition. In “The Fine Print,” I tried to use humor to show that it is possible to lead a semi-normal life despite this challenge.

M.B.: Any final words you would like to share

Cheri: I’ve taken a break from the writing world the past four years. We’ve dealt with some difficult challenges in our family, including the suicide death of my husband’s oldest brother. But I’ve been working on a new manuscript the past few months, one I’m hoping will appeal to readers of all ages. I’ve always enjoyed mysteries, and I decided to create one of my own. I’m calling this novel, “Blackout,” and it shares the story of a young woman who has lost her memory. She regains consciousness at the foot of a small mountain, unable to recall the details of her life. Injured, she struggles to survive in the wilderness, drawing on inner strength to persevere.

M.B.: Where can our readers go to find your books and order them?

Cheri: Most of my books are out of print, but they are still available on this website: http://www.abebooks.com/ Simply type in my name in the author box and scroll down to find the book that you want. These books are used, but in good shape, and available at a reasonable price. You can also find my books on this link at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Cheri+Crane&x=19&y=19

My website is: http://www.chericrane.com/ and my blogsite is found here: http://www.crane-ium.blogspot.com/

Friday, December 18, 2009

Interview with Ronda Gibb Hinrichesen, author of "Missing" -- giveaway winners announced


Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen was born and raised in Rexburg, Idaho. She received her Associates Degree in English from Ricks College and studied writing at Weber State University and Utah State University. Her hobbies are music and reading, and her numerous magazine and internet writing credits include fiction and nonfiction published by The Friend, New Era, Ensign, Guideposts for Kids, Class Act, and yourLDSneighborhood.com. She maintains two blogs, RondaGibbHinrichsen.com and TheWriteBlocks.blogspot.com, contributes to a few other blogs, and enjoys teaching about writing and speaking in various venues. Her award winning novel, MISSING, is her first book.

From the back of the book:

A BYU-Idaho choir tour in British Columbia turns out to be anything but ordinary when soloist Stacie Cox spots a kidnapped child from Rexburg during a performance. Before Stacie can alert the authorities, the little girl disappears. Stacie vows to find and rescue her, a choice that forces her to deal with her guilt-ridden past and another little girl that haunts her dreams. When the handsome Matt Brennan helps Stacie in her search, she tries to resist the attraction she feels for him. Yet as he gains her friendship and trust, her resolve to never fall in love begins to crumble. And after a series of harrowing events, Stacie must decide if she is willing to sacrifice her life--and a possible future with Matt--to save a stranger.

Adventure, suspense and romance are the perfect combination for a winning novel and "Missing" by R.G.Hinrichsen definitely has it all. Hinrichsen has done a superb job of weaving various characters throughout the story and twisting the plot in a way that keeps you guessing what will happen next. I also appreciated that the main character, Stacie, was able to show that we can overcome trials and obstacles if we listen to the whisperings of the spirit inside of us. If you like books that keep you up late reading and give you a story and characters that linger after you've put it down you will love this book.

Here is my interview with Ronda:

M.B.: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

Ronda: I was in the 6th grade. My teacher was reading S.E. Hinton’s THE OUTSIDERS to the class, and when she reached the section where Johnny urged Ponyboy to stay “gold” I realized I wanted to write "golden” words just as Hinton had. More than that, I wanted those words to encourage the "golden" in others.

M.B.: What was the pathway like for you to get your first book published?

Ronda: Hard work. I began my writing career by submitting to and being published in magazines, especially the LDS Church magazines. I had small children at the time, so I thought if I wrote short stories and articles I could begin to build my name while I learned my craft. After about 15 years of doing that, I decided I was ready to write a full-length novel. I started by creating a critique group with Josi Kilpack and a few other ladies and buying a book on novel structure. It took me three years to write MISSING and another year and a half to find a publisher. Walnut Springs Press was the third publisher I submitted it to.

M.B.: Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how did you deal with it?

Ronda: I was discouraged from time to time, but because I was always writing and submitting something, when I received a rejection, I still had hope because I had something else out there. I also received good feedback and acceptances along the way.

M.B.: What is your writing schedule like?

Ronda: I used to believe that my best writing time was from 10 a.m. to noon or so. Now, life is so crazy I write whenever I get the chance, usually in the evening.

M.B.: Where do your ideas come from? How do you know the idea is
good enough to write a book about it?

Ronda: Ideas are everywhere, but the one I think is good enough to write a book about is the one that excites me. The “what if” that makes me want to find out what happens next. The initial idea for MISSING came while I was walking in a parking lot several years ago. I saw a man get out of his car and tell a child to stay inside it. The child was crying and the man was angry. After the man walked away, the kid looked straight at me with a terrified look on his face. My first thought was, “What if that kid was kidnapped?”

M.B.: What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to
have their manuscripts become books in print?

Ronda: Learn your craft, study the market so you have an idea of what is selling, write what interests you within those parameters, and then submit, submit, submit.

M.B.: What is your process of brainstorming a story? Do you just sit
down and write, waiting to see what happens next? Or do you outline
first?

Ronda: Both. I initially gather ideas as they come to me in a notebook, and then I begin to outline the important points of the story. I absolutely have to know my beginning and my ending or I can’t write. However, as I write from point to point, a lot of “waiting to see what happens” takes place.

M.B.: Do you ever experience a snag in a story, a form of writer's
block? If so, how do you deal with it?

Ronda: Definitely! And the best way I’ve found to get out of that snag is to take my problem to my critique group and let them help me brainstorm my way out of it. They are wonderful and invaluable!

M.B.: Do you need absolute quiet to write? Do you listen to music when
you are writing?

Ronda: I prefer quiet. I can write with other stuff going on, but it’s a much slower process.

M.B.: What kinds of inspiration do you use during your story creation periods?

Ronda: Scriptures, words of wisdom from great thinkers, movies, other books.

M.B.: Who has made the greatest difference for you as a writer?

Ronda: Other than deity, I’d have to say it was Dorla Jenkins, my creative writing teacher at Ricks College. She both taught me important principles and made me believe in my ability to succeed as a writer.

M.B.: Do you use a critique group during the writing process? Why or why not?

Ronda: As I mentioned before, I rely on my critique group. We meet weekly, and most of what we do is help each other with story structure.

M.B.: Which of your books is your favorite, and why?

Ronda: MISSING is my first book, and I really like it. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have written it. I also really like the one I’ve just finished writing but do not yet have under contract. But the book I’m starting to gather ideas for now is what REALLY excites me at the moment. Perhaps my favorite book will always be the one I’m working on? Only time will tell.

M.B.: Where can our readers go to find your books and order them?

AUTHOR: The easiest place is to go to my website at RondaHinrichsen.com because I have direct links there. But you can order it at Amazon.com, Deseretbook.com, and BarnesandNoble.com. It’s also available in other LDS bookstores.

WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK
If you would like to win a copy of "MISSING" please post a comment here and your name will go into a drawing. The winner will be announced next week.

WINNERS OF BOOK GIVEAWAY
Thank you for your awesome response for the book giveaway. The winners were drawn at random and are as follows:

An Angel on Main Street -- Malynne
Saving Madeline -- Laura Derry
Shudder -- Robin

Please email me at micheleabell@gmail.com and send me your mailing address and I will send your books to you.

Next week I am interviewing a dear friend and wonderful author, Cheri Crane. You don't want to miss this interview.

Have a wonderful and merry Christmas. I love and appreciate all of you!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Interview with Diony George and WINNER announced in the Linda Weaver Clarke book giveaway


Author Diony George is a dedicated wife and mother of seven. Originally from Alaska, she enjoys traveling, cooking, appliqué quilting, and spending time with her family. Through personal experience she’s become passionate about helping those whose lives have been drastically affected by pornography addiction. She currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband Daryl, and their children.



From the back of the book, Torn Apart:
Alyson thinks her life is perfect. Hectic and tiring, of course, but no more so than any other wife and mother of four boys. But with her husband becoming increasingly distant, Alyson wonders if there is something she’s doing wrong. Little does she know that the actions of someone she loves dearly are about to change her life forever. Alyson never imagined it could happen to her, and when it did she realized it could happen to anyone... Based on a true story, Torn Apart is a heartrending inside look at how pornography can rip families apart and shatter the lives of everyone involved. This growing problem can infect any family and often goes unnoticed for years. Full of heartache and courage, Torn Apart provides hope for those affected by pornography by showing that, through God’s love even this devastating addiction can be overcome.


Diony has courageously tackled a topic that is far too prevalent in today's world. Pornography is destroying lives and families. Torn Apart is a powerful account of a woman who watches her own life and her family fall apart because of her husband's choices, and how she puts her life back together. The message is powerful and will enlighten and inform readers about the dangers of pornography.

Here is my interview with Diony:

M.B.: When did you first know you wanted to be an Author?

DIONY: I grew up loving to write, publishing a book wasn’t something I thought much about, until I knew I had to share my story. I grew so much as a writer in the process, I’m well into writing my second novel.

M.B.: What was the pathway like for you to get your first book published?

DIONY: Wow, it was a long pathway! I wrote the book several years ago, had it edited and began to send it out to publishers. Over about a year’s time, maybe a little longer I received rejection letters from everyone I contacted. That was a blow. I set the manuscript aside, not wanting to think about it. After more editing and lots of prayers I decided to try again. People were brought into my life that played a part in the process and gradually things fell into place. With persistent hard work, editing, editing, editing and editing again, I was offered a contract from a publisher within a few days of contacting them.

M.B.: Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how did you deal with it?

DIONY: Absolutely! There were times I had to set my manuscript aside and focus on other things because I was so frustrated. At one point I set it aside for close to a year and tried not to think about it. I kept praying to know what the next step was and sometimes I felt nothing. Once the time was right the answers and guidance came.

M.B.: What is your writing schedule like?

DIONY: I try to block out one day a week to write, or a couple of hours each day, depending on how hectic my life is during that time frame.

M.B.: Where do your ideas come from? How do you know the idea is
good enough to write a book about it?

DIONY: My ideas have come from personal experiences, interacting with others, and life in general. Sometimes great ideas pop into my head at random. The best way I’ve found out if an idea is good enough, is to simply start writing. If it is, thoughts begin to flow and the story builds on itself.

M.B.: What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to
have their manuscripts become books in print?

DIONY: Never give up if you believe you have something worthwhile to share with the world.

M.B.: What is your process of brainstorming a story? Do you just sit
down and write, waiting to see what happens next? Or do you outline
first?

DIONY: I actually do it both ways.

M.B.: Do you ever experience a snag in a story, a form of writer's
block? If so, how do you deal with it?

DIONY: The best way I’ve found to deal with that is to set my manuscript aside and focus on something else. When I’m not trying so hard to figure out what to write, the ideas start flowing again.

M.B.: Do you need absolute quiet to write? Do you listen to music when
you are writing?

DIONY: I prefer quiet when I write but as a mother of seven, that doesn’t happen a lot. I don’t listen to music when I write.

M.B.: Who has made the greatest difference for you as a writer?

DIONY: I would have to say my mother, and my husband. They both help me in different ways but most of all, they’ve believed in me, when I didn’t.

M.B.: Do you use a critique group during the writing process? Why or why not?

DIONY: I haven’t used a formal critique group per say, but I do have several readers give me their feedback. It makes a big difference in the editing process.

M.B.: Where can our readers go to find your book and order it?

DIONY: Torn Apart is on several well known book seller online sites, including Amazon.com. Deseret Book and Seagull Book and Tape also carry it in their stores.

If you want an autographed copy you can order from my website http://tornapartbyporn.com or my blog http://DIONY-george.blogspot.com

Also, because I truly have mush for brains lately, the winner of the Linda Weaver Clarke book giveaway is . . . Jewel Adams. I made an error in the giveaway (I know how much this shocks you) and the book that is being given is Melinda and the Wild West. It is a wonderful book and is part of the same series. Congratulations Jewel. Please email me with your mailing address and Linda will send your book to you.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

What's on My Nightstand . . . WINNER ANNOUNCED and GIVEAWAYS GALORE!!!

The winner of GG Vandagriff's book, "The Hidden Branch" is . . . TAFFY LOVELL.

Congratulations Taffy! You are in for a very late night of reading. Please contact me at micheleabell@gmail.com so I can get your mailing information.

The winner of Linda Weaver Clark's book hasn't been chosen yet, so I will post the results of that giveaway when I have them.

NOW . . . this week, on my nightstand, is the book An Angel on Main Street by Kathi Oram Peterson.
From the back of the book:
Micah Connors promised his mother he would be good in their new town. But with Christmas only three days away, being escorted home by the sheriff does not bode well. Can the towering officer be trusted not to tell what happened? Perhaps the ramshackle stable that has appeared on Main Street will sidetrack him from spilling the day’s events — or maybe his interest in Micah’s widowed mother will do the trick. The last thing Dawn Connors needs is to hear her son is in trouble. She has enough to worry about with her husband gone and her daughter, Annie, ill. Even though Micah has told his sister the rustic structure in the middle of town is simply part of the town’s holiday decorations, Annie is sure that unseen angels are building the crude stable — which means baby Jesus is coming, and he can make her better. Terrified that his little sister might die, Micah vows to find the baby Jesus for Annie, even if it is only a plastic doll. But as Micah gets nearer to his goal he finds angels are closer than he ever would have believed.

This is a precious story that will fill your heart with the Christmas spirit and remind you of the true meaning of Christmas. Beautifully written and filled with nostalgic imagery and timeless messages, An Angel on Main Street is perfect reading for this holiday season.

I will be giving out a copy of this book. To enter please post a comment on my blog and your name will be entered. Please mention that this is the book you want to win.

And because winning is so fun, I am also giving away copies of the book SHUDDER and Saving Madeline.


From the back of the book:
Darcy and Clare grew up as best friends, sharing trials and triumphs from preschool through college graduation. Now they’re sharing an apartment in Boise, Idaho, where Clare just landed a great job and Darcy is pursuing a teaching certificate. There’s only one problem: Blaine, Clare’s boyfriend. His chauvinistic, know-it-all ways set Darcy’s teeth on edge. Darcy vows not to let Blaine ruin her lifelong friendship with Clare, but when Blaine insists on moving in, Darcy suddenly finds herself alone.

The estranged friends forge ahead on seemingly separate paths. Engaged to Blaine, Clare becomes trapped in ugly family politics and vicious treatment from her fiancé. Darcy finds a temporary home with Karlene, an accident victim seeking live-in help, but a twisted plot soon threatens their safety. Clare’s wedding briefly reunites her with Darcy, yet the friends have never been farther apart. And when Clare finds herself in mortal peril and finally calls on Darcy to help, it might be too late.

Jennie outdoes herself with this story and creates a plot with more twists and turns than a bag of pretzels. It's a great mystery filled with suspense and powerful emotion. Anyone who has experienced any type of abuse or seen a friend or family member in this situation will understand the clear message of the story-- abuse destroys lives and should not be tolerated.



From the back of the book:
As a public defender, Caitlin McLoughlin dreams of someday locking the bad guys in prison instead of defending them. But prosecuting jobs are scarce, and Caitlin’s future seems bleak. When her current client is about to walk away from a brutal crime, she risks her career to make sure he doesn’t hurt anyone else. But how far is she is willing to go — especially when she needs her job so she can continue caring for her mentally disabled sister? Then Caitlin meets Parker Hathaway, charged with kidnapping a four-year-old child. Just another criminal, just another job, Caitlin thinks. But when she learns the real story, she realizes that she must put everything on the line to defend her client and save the little girl before it’s too late. Saving Madeline is the story of a man determined to protect a child he loves, and the woman who dared to trust him.

Rachel writes a story that exposes the critical issues of drug abuse, protecting children, and how sometimes our legal system can injure the innocent. Packed with real emotion and depth, I highly recommend this book.

To win either of these books please post a comment on my blog and mention which book you want to win and your name will go into a drawing. Winners will be announced on my blog next week.

Good luck, happy shopping and thanks for being awesome, incredible friends and fans.

Monday, December 7, 2009

AMAZING ANDIE!


I wanted to share this photo of my daughter taken in New York. She is there studying ballet at the School of American Ballet and going to high school at the Professional Performing Arts School where she is a junior.

She was chosen by Grishko, a pointe shoe and dancewear company, as their 2009 Model Search Winner and got to do a photo shoot with Dane Shitagi. He included her in his Ballerina Project, which you can find on Facebook.

I am so blessed to be the mom of such a remarkable young woman.

Here is the information from Facebook if you want to check it out.

Andrea - 66th & Broadway

Grishko's YAGP 2009 Model Search winner

Pointe Shoe: Grishko 2007 Pro

Become a fan of Grishko's NYC Flagship Store: http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/GRISHKO-NYC-FLAGSHIP-STORE/193158168443?ref=sgm

Become a fan of the Ballerina Project:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ballerina-project/22455674948

Sunday, December 6, 2009

BONUS Author Interview - featuring Betty Briggs


I'm very pleased to showcase author Betty Briggs, author of Depth of Deceit. Her books are filled with emotion, suspense, romance and adventure. In my opinion it doesn't get any better than that

Betty is the author of four previous young adult novels, Quality Concealed, Image of Deception, Challenge of Choice and A Tuff-to-Beat Christmas. Depth of Deceit is her first book for the mainstream audience. Betty was a legal secretary for more the thirty years, but has since retired. A lifelong and avid horse lover, she owns three horses––a Welch pony, a quarter horse and a thoroughbred that is trained in dressage. The mother of two and grandmother of five, Betty and her husband reside in Utah.

Betty shared with me some interesting information about the cover of Depth of Deceit. "The tree is in Montana. I always look for it while on the way to my parents-in-law’s place on Flathead Lake in Montana. My visiting teacher mentioned that it was a great symbol for deception because it has two tops, as in a truth and a lie. The horse is my thoroughbred, Major, ridden by my friend, Kelli Brown. I took this picture when Major and Kelli were competing in eventing. Eventing is dressage, stadium jumping and cross-country jumping. Major was running between two cross-country jumps in this picture. He won this event, along with numerous others that year and became Novice Horse of the Year in 2008."

I found a wonderful article in Salt Lake Magazine about Betty. If you cut and paste this link into your browser you should be able to see it.

http://www.saltlakemagazine.com/Blogs/Kid-Friendly/November-2009/Exclusive-Interview-Betty-Briggs-author-of-Depth-of-Deceit/


A short description of my book is: How does a lovely young attorney find herself mired in a web of deception? Stephanie Saunders trains horses and fights for the underdog. Pulled into a vortex of danger, she is forced to reevaluate her seemingly perfect life. Is it possible to have a handsome boyfriend, great job, loving friends and horses to adore, yet find herself drowning in a deadly swamp of deceit? If unable to fight off this hidden enemy, she could lose it all.
M.B.: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

Betty: I have always written to some extent. I think I started my first book in grade school. I still have the first seven chapters, which was as far as I got. Later in my school years, I would take homework home at night so I could write and illustrate stories to entertain my classmates during the day. My favorite assignments in school involved writing stories.

M.B.: What was the pathway like for you to get your first book published?

Betty: Fifteen years ago I joined a critique group, which was the best thing I ever did. I had written a draft of Quality Concealed and sent it out to about twenty publishers and received exactly that many rejections. I had to have something to read at critique group, so I resurrected my draft and began a series of rewrites. When I finally got a presentable draft, I entered it in the Utah League of Writers state contest and a contest sponsored by the Utah Arts Council. It won awards in both contests. I guess that gave me the courage to think about getting it published. Since I’d been the rejections route with the earlier drafts and since I had always wanted to write and illustrate my own books, I decided to independently publish this book so I could do it “my way.” My husband is a wonderful photographer and computer genius, so we set out on our journey to get Quality Concealed into print. That was the first of my now five books. We do everything from scratch, from the covers, inside illustrations, to setting the manuscript up in print form.

M.B.: Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how did you deal with it?

Betty: With every big undertaking there is always a bit of discouragement when things don’t go as planned or there are delays. I have always found that if things look dark one day, they usually look better the next. Just push a little harder, or go at them from a different direction. Start with the little things and build.

M.B.: What is your writing schedule like?

Betty: I wish I had one. When I retired, I was going to write at least an hour a day. That didn’t happen. Actually I think I’m plotting in my head almost constantly. When something comes to me I have to write it down immediately or I lose it. I have little notebooks everywhere. When I have to get something ready for critique group, every other Tuesday night, I force myself to sit down and put my ideas on paper. I try to have something ready for each meeting, even if it’s only a page or two.

M.B.: Where do your ideas come from? How do you know the idea is
good enough to write a book about it?

Betty: So far my ideas have come from my own experiences, or the experiences I wish I’d had. I start with a little bit of truth and stretch it. One thing leads to another and before long I’m wondering what’s going to happen. I guess I just hope the idea is good enough to write a book about. It’s been said that an author should try to fill a need. I guess I just write the type of books I feel I’d like to read and just hope others want to read them too. In each of my books, the main character experiences things from my past and the settings are places I’ve lived, so I guess it’s my way of writing a little family history.

M.B.: What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to
have their manuscripts become books in print?

Betty: Just keep pushing ahead. Read. Go to writers’ conferences. Get involved with other writers. Write and rewrite. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do what you know you must. If no one will help you, do it yourself.

M.B.: What is your process of brainstorming a story? Do you just sit
down and write, waiting to see what happens next? Or do you outline
first?

Betty: I never outline, although I sometimes keep a timeline. I have a notebook handy to jot down details from each chapter so I remember names of minor characters, descriptions, etc., and remind myself of things I need to mention later in the plot.

M.B.: Do you ever experience a snag in a story, a form of writer's
block? If so, how do you deal with it?

Betty: Sometimes I do wonder how I’m going to get myself out of a predicament. I’ll sit down with a steno notebook and just start writing something, anything. At first it might not even relate to the story, but eventually I might get a sentence or even a word that starts me off again. I also bring the problem to my critique group, or talk with someone who has expertise in whatever problem my character is experiencing. In my latest book I met with a veterinarian, visited with a police officer and an emergency room doctor, and brainstormed with my brother, who is a retired FBI agent.

M.B.: Do you need absolute quiet to write? Do you listen to music when
you are writing?

Betty: I rarely write in complete silence. I do a lot of writing in the car (as a passenger), while waiting for an appointment, or even while watching TV during commercials. Sometimes I listen to music, but not any particular type. I have even written while in movies, (sometime hard to read later) particularly if I want to experience how I’m feeling at that particular moment. For instance, if the movie is scary (I really don’t like movies if they are too frightening) I record exactly what my heart is doing, my breathing, etc. and that helps get me through the movie and sometimes it’s actually material I can use later.

M.B.: What kinds of inspiration do you use during your story creation periods?

Betty: I read books and articles on my subject, watch related TV shows and movies, and talk with people.

M.B.: Who has made the greatest difference for you as a writer?

Betty: One particular person in my critique group.

M.B.: Do you use a critique group during the writing process? Why or why not?

Betty: I couldn’t survive without my writing friends. Several of us have been together for fifteen years. I trust their opinions. They don’t let me get away with anything.

M.B.: Which of your books is your favorite, and why?

Betty: I think my newest book, Depth of Deceit, is my favorite. With two knee replacements, a hip replacement, two eye surgeries, a hysterectomy, taking care of my mother and then the death of my mother, it’s been about eight years since I’ve published a book. This is my first mainstream novel and it’s given me reason to be excited about writing again. I’m already thinking about a sequel and I’ve been brainstorming with my brother again.

M.B.: Any final words you would like to share

Betty: Write for the pure joy of writing, even if nothing more comes of it. You will have a little remembrance of yourself for your family.

M.B.: Where can our readers go to find your books and order them?

Betty: My books are on Amazon, or they can be ordered from almost any bookstore. People can also buy them from me, through my website: www.bettybriggs.com or by writing to me at Sunrise Selections, P.O. Box 51602, Provo, Utah 84605-1602 or email betty-briggs@comcast.net. I sell them cheaper.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Interview with Laurie L.C. Lewis author of "Free Men and Dreamers"


I've enjoyed getting to know Laurie during this interview and thought you'd be interested in learning more about her.
Here are some excerpts from her bio:
"I suppose I was a dreamer as a child, always imagining places more fascinating and mysterious than the small town in Carroll County, Maryland where I grew up. I either had an old soul or I was weird because on a sixth grade writing assignment, while other girls were writing poems about the Jackson Five and Donnie Osmond, I penciled a deep, introspective ode entitled “Time”, my first published work, (which still hangs on my mother’s hallway, appropriately matted in black). A few years later I won a high school creative writing contest and I began to see myself as a writer. (Parents, never discount the importance of these little benchmark moments.)

"I also loved acting and singing and playing colorful characters with accents. (That came in handy when I met my husband over a CB radio while faking an English accent. . . But I digress. . .) Tom and I married in 1976 and began our family—three boys and “Amanda” as my husband puts it, though Tom, Adam and Josh might prefer equal billing.

"In the spring of 2004 on my grandson Tommy’s six-month birthday, my first book, UNSPOKEN was published. After five years of research and rewrites, I developed the historical fiction series called Free Men and Dreamers. Volume one, released in February of 2007 under my initials, LC Lewis, is entitled DARK SKY AT DAWN. Volume two, TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING, was released in May 2008. Volume three, DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT, was released in November 2009.

"This project has been a spiritual and patriotic journey for me, helping me to appreciate the frailties and fortitude of this singular generation. These were the children of the Founding Fathers, the first American-born generation, charged to build a nation upon the framework they inherited.

"We live in a rapidly changing world that creates more questions than answers it seems. To borrow a line from Dark Sky at Dawn, “. . . knowing what to keep and what to abandon will be the challenge of the next generation.” I’m exploring that. I hope you’ll join me on the journey."



Backliner from Free Men and Dreamers
In the spring of 1814, a temporary calm settles along the Patuxent. While the British Navy skulks in the Chesapeake Bay, the Willows' families and their neighbors enjoy a brief season of peace.

That is until Napoleon is subdued.

Britain's navy re-enters the Patuxent, prepared to loose her triumphant European conquerors on America, even as peace negotiations commence in Belgium.

But weeks of relentless British attacks along the waterfront soften the will of the American militia and citizenry, leaving the voracious British military confident that victory is within their grasp. And their primary target? Washington D.C.!

While attentions turn to the defense of the Capital, Sebastian Dupree and his band of mercenaries strike the Willows. Not everyone survives, despite former enemies becoming allies, with the Willows' freed slaves to defend their homes and families.

Mere miles away, the Capital lies in peril, its defense now resting primarily upon citizen soldiers like Jed Pearson, and a most unlikely Naval force--Commodore Joshua Barney's rag-tag fleet of barges called the Chesapeake Flotilla--and the courage of Markus O'Malley and the men who built it.

But Britain's house is also divided over the war, and as the cost mounts in blood and money, rifts widen in her families and government, wearying the mind of the Earl Of Whittingham, and threatening to destroy Arthur Ramsey.

Experience the pain and passion of five families--American, slave and British--as they endure three of the darkest days in American history--the week Washington burned!


With impeccable research and attention to detail Laurie C. Lewis weaves history and fiction together into a wonderful story of courage, faith and honor. Lewis has written a remarkable series set against the background of the War of 1812. Many characters are the firstborn American generation--children of the Founding Fathers; the generation who received the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In her first two books Lewis introduces us to Jed and Hannah and we follow their courtship, hoping that Hannah will choose Jed in spite of her parents’ disapproval. Throughout these powerful volumes Ms. Lewis vividly recaptures the incidents that were shaping not only Jed and Hannah’s destinies, but also the destiny of this young country. In the third volume, Dawn’s Early Light, the story of Jed Pearson continues as he prepares for the British invasion up the Potomac and Patuxent rivers, on their way to burn the Capital. But before Jed can answer the call to serve his country again he makes sure that his wife and sister, and, an estate full of newly freed slaves, are secure. The book is filled with brilliant characters but I particularly connected with Hannah and I could clearly understand what it must have been like to live during this time of turmoil when these events in history took place.

Laurie is an incredible writer. Her story is complex, meaningful and inspiring. I felt I was seeing events in history unfold before my eyes and was able to relearn them in a way that gave them significance and meaning.

Here is my interview with Laurie:

M.B.: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

Laurie: I always loved to write and I entered every writing contest I could find. I also loved to sing, and that took precedence for a number of years, but I always came back to writing. There are so many similarities between the two—ways to express all that emotion bubbling inside us.

M.B.: What was the pathway like for you to get your first book published?

Laurie: I loved the type of books Covenant was publishing, and my first novel, Unspoken, seemed to fit their style, but getting up the courage to submit was the hardest part of my journey. I was visiting my daughter at Utah State when the call came through telling me it had been accepted. I screamed across the apartment complex! But the first real hurdle was the sense of failure when I saw it returned for changes and covered in red ink. I realized then that I was a pretty good storyteller, but my editing skills needed significant improvement.

M.B.: Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how did you deal with it?

Laurie: I’ve had significant professional disappointments. Dark Sky at Dawn, volume one of my Free Men and Dreamers series, is the result of having another manuscript turned down. And two of my very favorite manuscripts have yet to find a home. But by far, my biggest disappointment was having volume three of my Free Men and Dreamers series dropped. I had spent two years researching it, and over a year writing it. I knew it would be an important book, but since sales were down on book two, Covenant didn’t want to take a chance on a third book. Despite any previous success I had enjoyed, I felt like a failure. I set it aside and walked away from it for a while. For me, (and I don’t think I’m atypical) one rejection will dilute a hundred positive letters and reviews. In time, I was able to shift my thinking from that defeated attitude to, “What options are left me?” Letters from readers buoyed me up and I finally decided to finish the series and publish book three myself.

M.B.: What is your writing schedule like?

Laurie: It’s pretty manic. I usually take off a few months while I market my current release, then I jump back in and write and research ferociously. I try to write about four pages a day if it’s descriptive, and ten pages if it’s narrative, but two out of five days are primarily research.

M.B.: Where do your ideas come from? How do you know the idea is
good enough to write a book about it?

Laurie: Sometimes I find a thread of obscure history or a great historical figure that inspires me. Twilight’s Last Gleaming developed from an account of a Baltimore riot. Dawn’s Early Light, my new release, is filled with history I had either never heard or never listened to, but this go round, I was riveted. For an idea to capture my attention, tt has to touch me deeply. I see it as a movie, and if I can feel the suspense, the tension, the passion of the storyline, I invest some time in it and see if I can capture those images in words.

M.B.: What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to
have their manuscripts become books in print?

Laurie: Improve your technical and editing skills so you don’t shoot yourself in the foot. Find a skilled critique partner who will give you honest feedback along the way, and develop alligator skin, because some feedback hurts. Most of all, I would say, “just write.” Do your best to realize your goal of being published, but even if your stories are never read by anyone but those close to you, there is something intensely satisfying and therapeutic in writing. We all have stories to tell. What a shame to squelch them because they might not be published.

M.B.: What is your process of brainstorming a story? Do you just sit
down and write, waiting to see what happens next? Or do you outline
first?

Laurie: I use several tools—a story outline before I begin, and then I maintain a running timeline and chapter summary outline so I can quickly look back and see where all my characters are in a given chapter. If I am writing a historical piece, I outline the history first, then I write in my fictional story ideas within that framework. It’s tedious at first, but it keeps the history accurate.

M.B.: Do you ever experience a snag in a story, a form of writer's
block? If so, how do you deal with it?

Laurie: These are great questions. I do, and it’s dreadful. Or sometimes I’ll discover that a thread isn’t plausible or interesting, so I need a new direction or a brilliant new thread. I have a science background, so I logic my way through my mental blocks. I’ll pose a variety of possibilities and follow each one until something “feels” right. Then I go with my gut.

M.B.: Do you need absolute quiet to write? Do you listen to music when
you are writing?

Laurie: I love to listen to music when I write. What I put on is determined by what sort of scene I’m writing. The music pulls on my emotions, and that makes my writing richer. I also think good writing had a meter of its own . . . like music. When I read a paragraph back, I listen to see how it flows. I think good sentence flow helps a reader feel the tension or action in the story.

M.B.: What kinds of inspiration do you use during your story creation periods?

Laurie: Currently my inspiration has come from historical sources. I’ve been reading a lot about the Founding Fathers, the Constitution, the War of 1812 of course, and bios of people in these time frames. I’ve also read a wide variety of material on Joseph Smith and his family. They were the most researched and recorded rustic family of their day, and their lives were remarkable, even from an historic point of view.

M.B.: Who has made the greatest difference for you as a writer?

Laurie: Probably a high school creative writing teacher who thought I showed promise. Her praise and interest in me helped me believe this was an area worth exploring. I hope teachers and parents realize how much their honest praise can inspire a budding talent.

M.B.: Do you use a critique group during the writing process? Why or why not?

Laurie: I haven’t actually used one yet. Living in Maryland, I’m rather isolated from most of my writing peers, and I need a certain level of closeness and trust before I can lay myself out there. But I clearly see the value in having someone critique your work whose opinions you trust, and I am now a member of two critique groups.

M.B.: Which of your books is your favorite, and why?

Laurie: I think Twilight’s Last Gleaming is my personal favorite because I invested a considerable amount of time walking over the places where that story took place. I stood on the shores of Hampton, Virginia at the spot where the British landed the forces that ravaged the citizens of that town, and when I wrote those chapters, all those images were with me.

M.B.: Any final words you would like to share

Laurie: Thanks so much for this opportunity, Michelle! These were great questions and I really had to do some soul-searching on several. I hope any of your readers who enjoy historical fiction will pick up one of my books and let me know how they liked it.

M.B.: Where can our readers go to find your books and order them?

Laurie: Seagull Books and Tapes carry all three current volumes of Free Men and Dreamers
www.laurielclewis.com
www.laurielclewis.blogspot.com

Readers: leave your comments in the trail for this post and be entered in a drawing to receive a free copy of this book, as well as a chance to win this beautiful necklace, compliments of L. C. Lewis.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

What’s on My Nightstand?




"What's On My Nightstand" is a brand new feature that will appear occasionally on Tuesdays as I come across books I want to showcase or share with you that I have found particularly fun, interesting or just plain awesome!

I'm starting with one of my favorites.

"The Hidden Branch" written by G.G. Vandagriff. This book is the most recent in the Alex and Briggie series which also includes; Cankered Roots, Of Deadly Descent, Tangled Roots, and Poisoned Pedigree.

Here is the backliner from The Hidden Branch.

The genealogical sleathing skills of Alexandra Campbell and her business associate, Brighamina Poulson, are put to spine-tingling use when the murder of Armenian-American billionaire inventore Paul Mardian takes them to Huntington Beach, California--Surf City, USA--in search of the dead man's heirs. Briggie, however, is immediately smitten with ideas of wet suits and boogie boards.

Alex believes the killer is a relative of the victim, but her pursuit of the turth nearly costs another life--her own.
So many suspects, so little time. Could it be the real estate tycoon with the tropy wife? The pompous attorney who spends every cent he makes on high living? The professor of Middle Eastern studies with a penchant for Armenian antiquities? Or even the darkly handsome surf shop owner, who has more than a passing interest in Alex?

While her fiance struggles with a crisis of faith, Alex searches for answers, putting her life on the line yet again to discover the missing link that will solve this captivating mystery.

I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down once I started reading it! It's fun but intense and the twists and turns kept me guessing right up till the very end. I enjoyed the complex relationships between her usual characters and actually found myself worrying over them! GG really knows how to capture the reader's heart and keep the tension high all the way throughout the story. Even though I was satisfied at the end, I found myself hoping that there will be more books in the series. This is a great book for anyone interested in mysteries or genealogy, or both!

WIN A COPY!!! If you would like to win a free copy of this book, please post a comment and I will choose a winner.

ANOTHER GIVEAWAY: Also, Linda Weaver Clark has generously offered to give a copy of her book, Jenny's Dream. Here's a quote from the book:


"It was a secret that she had kept from her family for years, something that was even too difficult to admit aloud. Jenny needed to forgive. But it was a difficult task to forgive those who had hurt her so deeply. The scars were too deep, and she continued to nurse them along. She felt certain the only solution was to run away."
~Jenny's Dream, Linda Weaver Clarke

To win a copy please post a comment about this book. Linda will choose a winner from those comments.

Next week -- SHUDDER by Jennie Hansen