Happy Friday All,
Some people have mentioned they're having trouble posting comments on here. I apologize. I don't know why that happens, but I know it happens on some other blogs. You can always email me your comments and I will post them for you if you find you can't post them here.
Now...drum roll please...today's an author interview day. I'd like you all to meet my friend and chaptermate, Cheri Jetton. Cheri has published "Sweet" Romances and a Romantic Suspense. She's also worked as an editor. I've read one of her Sweet Romances and her Romantic Suspense.
Me: Earlier this year you put out a Romantic Suspense entitled Crimson Snow. Can you tell us a little bit about what inspired the story?
Cheri: I think the setting spawned this one, Bethany. I was born and raised in California and have spent all but a couple of years of my adult life here in Houston. Very little snow in either place, but in 2001 I went to visit my brother on Sugar Island, MI and ended up spending the winter. It was awsome! By mid-winter the snow was hip deep. He and his wife keep bird feeders outside the breakfast room windows. A show unto itself. The pristine expanses of snow were marked only by little bird feet, rabbit tracks, and fox tracks. The trees sparkled under heavy pillows of snow that weighed down the branches.
It was all new to me and I savored every snowflake. Then, like a good writer I began to think, "what if...".
Me: Crimson Snow isn't the only novel you've published. Can you tell us about your other work and how it differs from Crimson Snow?
Cheri: My other three books are traditional (read, sweet) romances published by Avalon Books. Although "Texas Dawn" has a bit of suspense to it when someone starts harrasing the heroine, they wouldn't be considered mysteries, or even suspenses. "Blue Plate Special" and "Jessie and the Ranger" have no mystery at all, just men and women looking for love.
Me: You've done some editing as well as writing, what do you look for as an editor? What do you think makes a great novel?
Cheri: My editing job requires evaluating the manuscript for continuity, balance, and pesky writing errors. I take out redundant and repeated words, every "that" I possibly can, and trim overly verbose paragraphs. In short, I try to make the story more attention grabbing and readable.
Me: For Fun: What sort of movies do you enjoy?
Cheri: Romantic comedies, hands down!
Me: What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Cheri: Study and pay attention! Nothing drives me battier when I'm working with a private client than to point out a problem, and find the author repeating that mistake again and again. If you can't learn from your mistakes, you aren't going to make it!
Keep it simple. Don't try so hard to impress with big words, long sentences, and unnatural dialog. Anytime you have the chance, attend workshops and take notes.
Me: What do you think is harder: Writing or editing? WHY?
Cheri: At this stage of my life, writing is probably harder, because I can't give it the time I'd like. I work full time with the public and unfortunately, I'm a person who needs a couple of days to decompress before my muse can come out of hiding. By then, it's time to go back to work!
Editing has its own frustrations, to be sure, but I don't usually need to call on my creativity to edit.
Me: For fun: What's your favorite color?
Cheri: Blue
Me: How do you feel about the options authors have in publishing nowadays as opposed to 10-20 years ago?
Cheri: I think they're awesome! It will be interesting to see where the self-published ebook trend takes the industry. I want to make a major point here, though. ONLY PUT UP YOUR BEST WORK!
Find an impartial critic to read your book. Listen to what they say. Maybe even show it to another one. These should be seasoned writers, with good publishing credits. If you go out there with weak, flawed writing, not only will you fail to win a following you'll weaken the market for everyone else who isn't Nora Roberts or Debbie Macomber.
The same is true if you go through an epublisher. Read some of the books they've published. Are they the same quality of stories you see in Harlequin, and the other print houses? If not, look elsewhere.
Me: What's some of the best experiences you've had as an author?
Cheri: LOL! I think the most special moment was when my youngest daughter called to tell me "Texas Dawn" kept her up all night. That is one of a writer's greatest accolades, and to have it come from your own child (who takes you for granted, right?) was just so special.
Me: Who are some authors you admire and WHY?
Cheri: I have the complete collection of Laveryle Spencer's books. I can't tell you why, I just love her writing. "Spring Fancy" had real emotional punch.
Me: Anything else you'd like to add?
Cheri: Um, if the man in your life needs a new suit, come see me?
Cheri Jetton's Crimson Snow is available on Kindle and Nook. You can find her other titles through Avalon Books / Amazon
Have A Fabulous Friday!
Showing posts with label author interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label author interview. Show all posts
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
A Moment Of Reflection & The Week's Plans Teaser
Happy Monday All,
Yesterday brought back memories of how surreal 9/11 felt when it happened. At the time I was working as a clerk for an insurance adjusting firm. An insurance adjuster came by my cubicle and was announcing to everyone "Terrorists hit the Pentagon! There's talk they're headed for Houston!" Immediately this weird sense of "What do we do now? Are we in danger?" came over me. I remember watching the TV wondering how this could happen. It didn't seem real and it didn't seem possible.
It was strange and sad. We suffered a real blow, and reeled from it. But we've been resilient. The people of NYC banned together and helped each other in ways you don't always see happen in a big city. Ordinary people stepped up to the plate and said, "I'm here and I'll help you." Yes, police officers and firefighters are definite heroes. They answer the call of duty every day and I'm extremely grateful to them. But the one thing 9/11 showed us and what every disaster we've faced as a Nation is that when we are threatened, we get together and we work together and things improve. Not just the ones who have the jobs of firefighters and police officers, but also ordinary every day folks.
I hope, as a Nation, the USA will always remember that when we work together we accomplish great things.
This week I have a couple of fun things planned:
1. Robin Badillo has an e-book coming out on September 15, 2011 called Flesh Wounds--a contemporary adult romance. This story looks intriguing and Robin has sent me some information that I will post later in the week.
2. I'm all set for an author interview. The author sent back the answers the interview questions. I'll be posting that this week as well.
What's your plans for this week?
Have A Marvelous Monday!
It was strange and sad. We suffered a real blow, and reeled from it. But we've been resilient. The people of NYC banned together and helped each other in ways you don't always see happen in a big city. Ordinary people stepped up to the plate and said, "I'm here and I'll help you." Yes, police officers and firefighters are definite heroes. They answer the call of duty every day and I'm extremely grateful to them. But the one thing 9/11 showed us and what every disaster we've faced as a Nation is that when we are threatened, we get together and we work together and things improve. Not just the ones who have the jobs of firefighters and police officers, but also ordinary every day folks.
I hope, as a Nation, the USA will always remember that when we work together we accomplish great things.
This week I have a couple of fun things planned:
2. I'm all set for an author interview. The author sent back the answers the interview questions. I'll be posting that this week as well.
What's your plans for this week?
Have A Marvelous Monday!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Spotlight On Author: Jennifer Bray-Weber
Happy Friday Everybody,
As promised, today is the day I'm posting my August Author Interview. I know every author I'm always excited about (I must sound like a broken record LOL). But I always have a reason for being excited about whoever I interview.
This particular interview is with Jennifer Bray-Weber, who, besides being an incredibly talented author, is a really cool person. She also has a great sense of humor and is a lot of fun to hang out with; so, without further ado, I give you the awesome Jennifer Bray-Weber...
Me: Your novel, Blood And Treasure focuses on pirates. I've read from other interviews you've done, that you got the idea from a dream, but did you always want to write about pirates or was it just after you had that dream that the idea came to you?
Jennifer: Thank you for having me, Bethany.
I started out writing dark stories set in various times throughout history. The Roman Empire, Salem Witch Trials, and the Civil War have been the backdrop to most of these tales. The common thread to these stories is the tragic endings. Hardly anyone gets out alive! My favorite is about a Civil War veteran battling deep depression. The final word in this short story is ‘Bang’. I still get goose bumps. Some might suggest I see a professional. I say mwuahahaha….
Me: How many books do you plan to have in the Romancing The Pirate series and do you have an idea when the next one will be released?
Jennifer: There are 5 total in the "Romancing The Pirate" series. Each story is an adventure for the pirate ship Rissa and her crew. The pirate captains in "Blood And Treasure", "A Kiss In The Wind", and "The Bruised Sky" get more than they bargain for in the lasses they encounter. Sea battles, vicious enemies, and the testy sea aren’t nearly as dangerous as these captains losing their hearts. "In Clash Of The Tides", the pirate captain is a woman who buys her hero off the auction block. The last novel, yet to be titled, is a dual love story between modern day treasure hunters seeking the mystery behind the sunken Rissa and the pirate captain and his heroine on the doomed vessel.
My next novel, "A Kiss In The Wind", is scheduled for release in spring 2012 with Carina Press.
Me: For Fun: What music puts you in a good mood?
Jennifer: Everything from Metallica and Def Leppard to Breaking Benjamin and Shinedown. Yep – I’m a heavy beats and hard rockin’, loud music kind of girl.
Me: What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Jennifer: Listen to those who speak of hard work, writing the best story you can, perseverance, growing the proverbial thick skin, and finding great critique partners. It’s all great advice. But I’m all about opportunities. Never, EVER let opportunity pass you by. My career has been enriched because I tackled opportunity, put it in a strangle hold, and held it for ransom within an inch of its life.
Me: You recently went to the RWA National Conference in New York City. What do you find is the most helpful about conferences like that?
Jennifer: Networking. There is so much value in attending writing conferences. Workshops, meetings, book signings, awards ceremonies, and parties all provide the opportunity (BUZZ WORD!!) to meet others, learn from industry pros, exchange and absorb knowledge, and forge new friendships.
Me: Do you have a favorite character who you've written, and if so, who is it and why are they are you favorite?
Jennifer: Captain Blade Tyburn of "A Kiss In The Wind". He’s an infamous libertine with devilish good looks, quick wit, and insatiable desire for women. That is, until he meets his match in knife-wielding, pick-pocket Marisol.
Henri, the small (don’t call him a dwarf! ) curmudgeonly cook, runs a very close second. The only thing he fancies more than the little bows in his beard is his rum.
Me: For Fun: What's your favorite Holiday and why?
Jennifer: It’s a tie between Christmas and Halloween. Christmas is magical. Family traditions, good will, twinkling lights, yummy food, festive decorations and lots of parties makes for an enchanting holiday. I like Halloween for many of the same reasons, except Halloween is mischievous. I love mischief. Lots of mischief.
Me: What's something you learned about pirates that you found really fascinating?
Jennifer: Pirates were democratic and lived by codes. Captains were elected by the crew and often split power with the quartermaster. Articles were drawn up by the crew and signed by the crew. These articles were detailed and included rules of behavior, care of weaponry, punishments, treatment of women, and the division of shares.
Me: Do you find that pirate legends are close to the truth or not at all?
Jennifer: All legends are based on some sort of truth. I will say that the "Pirates Of The Caribbean" franchise does depict pirates, shipboard terminology, and pirate superstitions with a lot of elemental authenticity. But just so you know, the Kraken, half-sea-creature-half-man pirates, and giant goddesses are not real. Not sure about zombies, the Flying Dutchman, or man-eating mermaids.
Me: Are you planning to stick with pirates or do you have other series ideas in mind?
Jennifer: In my future I see more pirates, serial killers, Confederate spies, fire-breathing dragons, and a paranormal world built around the 7 virtues and 7 sins. Thankfully, not all in the same book.
Me: Anything else you'd like to add?
Jennifer: Should I tickle your fancy, please visit me at the following places on the World Wide Web.
www.jbrayweber.com.
https://www.facebook.com/jbrayweber
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Bray-Weber-Author/172485736149726
http://twitter.com/@jbrayweber
Thank you, Jennifer Bray-Weber for dropping by! You can get a copy of Blood And Treasure (which is really, really good by the way) on Amazon Kindle and Amazon in Paperback, as well as on Barnes & Noble Nook.
Have A Fantastical Friday!
As promised, today is the day I'm posting my August Author Interview. I know every author I'm always excited about (I must sound like a broken record LOL). But I always have a reason for being excited about whoever I interview.
This particular interview is with Jennifer Bray-Weber, who, besides being an incredibly talented author, is a really cool person. She also has a great sense of humor and is a lot of fun to hang out with; so, without further ado, I give you the awesome Jennifer Bray-Weber...
Jennifer: Thank you for having me, Bethany.
I started out writing dark stories set in various times throughout history. The Roman Empire, Salem Witch Trials, and the Civil War have been the backdrop to most of these tales. The common thread to these stories is the tragic endings. Hardly anyone gets out alive! My favorite is about a Civil War veteran battling deep depression. The final word in this short story is ‘Bang’. I still get goose bumps. Some might suggest I see a professional. I say mwuahahaha….
Me: How many books do you plan to have in the Romancing The Pirate series and do you have an idea when the next one will be released?
Jennifer: There are 5 total in the "Romancing The Pirate" series. Each story is an adventure for the pirate ship Rissa and her crew. The pirate captains in "Blood And Treasure", "A Kiss In The Wind", and "The Bruised Sky" get more than they bargain for in the lasses they encounter. Sea battles, vicious enemies, and the testy sea aren’t nearly as dangerous as these captains losing their hearts. "In Clash Of The Tides", the pirate captain is a woman who buys her hero off the auction block. The last novel, yet to be titled, is a dual love story between modern day treasure hunters seeking the mystery behind the sunken Rissa and the pirate captain and his heroine on the doomed vessel.
My next novel, "A Kiss In The Wind", is scheduled for release in spring 2012 with Carina Press.
Me: For Fun: What music puts you in a good mood?
Jennifer: Everything from Metallica and Def Leppard to Breaking Benjamin and Shinedown. Yep – I’m a heavy beats and hard rockin’, loud music kind of girl.
Me: What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Jennifer: Listen to those who speak of hard work, writing the best story you can, perseverance, growing the proverbial thick skin, and finding great critique partners. It’s all great advice. But I’m all about opportunities. Never, EVER let opportunity pass you by. My career has been enriched because I tackled opportunity, put it in a strangle hold, and held it for ransom within an inch of its life.
Me: You recently went to the RWA National Conference in New York City. What do you find is the most helpful about conferences like that?
Jennifer: Networking. There is so much value in attending writing conferences. Workshops, meetings, book signings, awards ceremonies, and parties all provide the opportunity (BUZZ WORD!!) to meet others, learn from industry pros, exchange and absorb knowledge, and forge new friendships.
Me: Do you have a favorite character who you've written, and if so, who is it and why are they are you favorite?
Jennifer: Captain Blade Tyburn of "A Kiss In The Wind". He’s an infamous libertine with devilish good looks, quick wit, and insatiable desire for women. That is, until he meets his match in knife-wielding, pick-pocket Marisol.
Henri, the small (don’t call him a dwarf! ) curmudgeonly cook, runs a very close second. The only thing he fancies more than the little bows in his beard is his rum.
Me: For Fun: What's your favorite Holiday and why?
Jennifer: It’s a tie between Christmas and Halloween. Christmas is magical. Family traditions, good will, twinkling lights, yummy food, festive decorations and lots of parties makes for an enchanting holiday. I like Halloween for many of the same reasons, except Halloween is mischievous. I love mischief. Lots of mischief.
Me: What's something you learned about pirates that you found really fascinating?
Jennifer: Pirates were democratic and lived by codes. Captains were elected by the crew and often split power with the quartermaster. Articles were drawn up by the crew and signed by the crew. These articles were detailed and included rules of behavior, care of weaponry, punishments, treatment of women, and the division of shares.
Me: Do you find that pirate legends are close to the truth or not at all?
Jennifer: All legends are based on some sort of truth. I will say that the "Pirates Of The Caribbean" franchise does depict pirates, shipboard terminology, and pirate superstitions with a lot of elemental authenticity. But just so you know, the Kraken, half-sea-creature-half-man pirates, and giant goddesses are not real. Not sure about zombies, the Flying Dutchman, or man-eating mermaids.
Me: Are you planning to stick with pirates or do you have other series ideas in mind?
Jennifer: In my future I see more pirates, serial killers, Confederate spies, fire-breathing dragons, and a paranormal world built around the 7 virtues and 7 sins. Thankfully, not all in the same book.
Me: Anything else you'd like to add?
Jennifer: Should I tickle your fancy, please visit me at the following places on the World Wide Web.
www.jbrayweber.com.
https://www.facebook.com/jbrayweber
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Bray-Weber-Author/172485736149726
http://twitter.com/@jbrayweber
Thank you, Jennifer Bray-Weber for dropping by! You can get a copy of Blood And Treasure (which is really, really good by the way) on Amazon Kindle and Amazon in Paperback, as well as on Barnes & Noble Nook.
Have A Fantastical Friday!
Brownies, Anyone?
Happy Thursday Everyone,
Sorry about the late post. I was trying to come with a post last night, but I'm having a hair-crush on my new hair cut, so I was having trouble thinking of a topic. Then today I went into my email and it was an "Oh, DUH!" moment.
Nina Cordoba, author of Not Dreaming Of You has a brand new Romantic Comedy out entitled, Don't Make Me Make You Brownies. Nina has mentioned it to me on and off over the last year and the title is intriguing. She's a chapter mate of mine and actually brought brownies to the last meeting, so it's kind of funny that her new book has that title. Anyway, you can purchase a copy of Don't Make Me Make You Brownies from Amazon and also from Barnes & Noble.
Other news: Tomorrow I'm posting an author interview, so be sure to come by tomorrow!
And speaking of brownies, do you like brownies? Do you prefer the "cake" like ones (thicker, not so chewy) or the "chewy" ones? (Personally I like chewy brownies better than the cake-like ones).
Have A Tasty Thursday!
Sorry about the late post. I was trying to come with a post last night, but I'm having a hair-crush on my new hair cut, so I was having trouble thinking of a topic. Then today I went into my email and it was an "Oh, DUH!" moment.
Other news: Tomorrow I'm posting an author interview, so be sure to come by tomorrow!
And speaking of brownies, do you like brownies? Do you prefer the "cake" like ones (thicker, not so chewy) or the "chewy" ones? (Personally I like chewy brownies better than the cake-like ones).
Have A Tasty Thursday!
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