Family

Created by a good friend, Karen Cote. What a talent she is.
All in the Family
Taking over the police chief's job in her hometown should have been easy for Callie Johnson. At least that's what she thought. After working in a big city, small town crime would be a breeze. What a surprise when she arrives to  find her grandmother, the judge, accused of murder. 
As if that wasn't enough, she's attacked while waking to her car. Between criminal investigations, her nutty family's antics, and her Aunt Beatrice Lulu's matchmaking, Callie has her work cut out for her. Will her grandmother be exonerated? Can Callie ward off her aunt's unsuitable suitors? What other surprises were in store for her? More importantly, will she find the person who attacked her?Available from Amazon.  

Did you ever have a feeling something bad was about to happen?

 You know kind of a premonition, intuition, omen or whatever you want to call it? When it happens, goose bumps run up your arms and the hair on the back of your neck stands on end. You try to pass it off as a coincidence, but deep down you know it’s not.


We’ve all experienced ESP, haven’t we? You know, you even finish each other’s sentences. Nothing unusual in that, is there? Not at all. At least I never thought so. My friend, Allison, and I do it all the time. We just laugh about it. When we were growing up we used to do the jinx thing.

But this is different. I’m experiencing something with a stranger. Oh, by the way, I’m Rebecca Brennan, can’t expect you to know that, can I? I have this rare connection to someone’s mind. Seriously, I hear what he hears, feel what he feels, and sometimes I even know what he’s thinking. It’s pretty scary. Sometimes I feel his contentment or pride in an accomplishment. Those things aren’t too bad, but when I woke up in the middle of the night with severe pain and even felt like I was bleeding, well let’s say I wasn’t too thrilled.

So, Allison talked me into seeing a parapsychologist. I was pretty leery. I just didn’t believe in these things. But something was happening to me, and I wanted to know what. Actually, what I wanted to know was who shared my mind.

Under hypnosis I kept saying the name Morris and came up with the name of a boot factory. I thought that was odd, but it gave me a place to start. My search led me to a small Victorian town.

All of this happened to me in Connection of the Minds. I have these strange visions about someone else’s life. Some might think it’s a unique gift. Believe me, it’s not.

Connection of the Minds is available at

http://bit.ly/ConnectionoftheMinds


You can find out more about my author, Roseanne Dowell, at http://www.roseannedowell.com/


Here’s an excerpt from the book.

“No!” Rebecca sprang up in bed. Hot searing pain bore into her shoulder. What was happening to her? A warm sticky substance flowed from her shoulder. Oh God, there was going to be blood. From the feel of it, lots of blood. Half afraid to look, her hand trembled as she slowly brought it in front of her face and looked at it. Dry, no blood. What was going on? These kinds of things happened way too often lately. Okay, they were dreams but still. They were so damn real.

Rebecca eased off the bed. Her feet felt like lead weights as she walked to the kitchen and poured a glass of water. After a big gulp, she hurried back to bed. Shivers racked her body even with the blanket pulled up to her chin. A minute ago sweat soaked her skin. Now she couldn’t get warm. Someone’s life had invaded her mind. She didn’t know who or where they lived. And she sure as heck didn’t like it. These were more than dreams. Most of her visions happened while she slept, but they were real. Besides, too many occurred during the day.

The pain eased, but fear and danger lingered. Curling up, she pulled the blanket tighter, closed her eyes, and willed herself to sleep. Strange visions played in her mind. Red, white, and blue flashing lights, fire engines, and ambulances, and police rushed around calling instructions, trying to control panic and hysteria at the scene.

Rebecca rubbed her eyes, trying to erase the visions.

“If only I knew how to find this person. Maybe then I’d find out what these dreams and visions mean.” Her voice startled her in the quiet room. Snuggling deeper in bed, pushing the thoughts away, she tried to sleep.

But sleep wouldn’t come. Her mind wouldn’t be still. The visions persisted. Was she going crazy? Maybe Allison was right to force her to see a parapsychologist.

"I think you’re experiencing a psychic phenomenon." Allison had suggested. "Like ESP or something."

Stacy Verdick Case talks about Getting Past Writer's Block

HELP! I’m stuck in a dry well!


Getting Past Writer's Block

Whenever I write, inevitably I get to a place where my creative well seems not only to dry up, but cave in on me. This is usually around page one-hundred; right after my story has gone off like a shot.

I’m not alone in this discovery, am I?

Many other writers have experienced this phenomenon. That’s why we come up with artful ways to describe what happens – the sagging middle, muse-go-bye-bye, and worst of all. . .Writers Block.

The problem, as I see it, is far simpler and less traumatic than those phrases make it out to be.

Writers frequently sit down to write because we had a brilliant idea for a story. In actuality, what we had was a brilliant idea for a scene. We rush to our keyboards or paper frantic to begin the process. After you have expended all your energy on the brilliant scene you realize, you have to tie that scene to a beginning and an end.

My friends a scene does not a story make.

At this point is where the real work of being a writer begins. Anyone can create a scene only writers know how to craft those few ideas into a masterpiece.

When you reach the “I’m stuck” place, ask yourself these questions:


• Do I know where to begin?

• Do I know where to end?

• Do I have one notable climactic scene to anchor all the others?

• Do I have several smaller climax scenes leading to the big scene?

My guess is the answer to at least one of the questions will be, no. In addition, I bet the question most frequently creating obstacles is the last.

We know we have to open by introducing the characters in their natural habitat. We know we have to wrap everything up at the end. The monumental crisis scene is what set us off on this adventure in the first place. What’s left are the foothills leading to the mountain.

The foothills are the trickiest because they have to do with motivation and conflict. What drove the person who kills twelve people in the final spectacular scene to that point? Motivation is straight forward. On the other hand, conflict seems to be the most difficult part for authors. After all, you’ve spent a lot of time giving birth to these characters, and making them decent people, now you want to torment them? What kind of a monster are you?

It’s okay. It’s your job to torment your characters, and their job to suffer.

If plot is a four-letter word to you, then mull over the dilemma, let it simmer until you know all the scenes that build your story. If you’re a plotter, send your charting skills into high-gear, and map out what you need to do to get from a to b to c.

Whether your process is organic or mechanical, don’t force the answers. If you do, the results will ultimately be stale and predictable. Take your time and wait for the answers to come.

Getting stuck happens, but we don’t have to treat it like it’s the end of the world. Instead, redefine being stuck as not yet ready to create, or an opportunity to dig deeper and discover you’re not in a dry well but a mineshaft full of gold.

Stacy Verdick Case is in the middle of her gold mine digging for pieces of the third book in her Catherine O’Brien mystery series. The first book in the series A Grand Murder is available in paperback, eBook, and now audio from Before the Fall Books. Visit Stacy on her blog, http://sostacythought.wordpress.com for more information on her writing and general musings.






Note from blog owner - Jsut wanted to say I read this book and enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more from the series.

Say hello to, Sue Perkins

It's very kind of you to invite me to your blog Roseanne.

Here in New Zealand we celebrate Christmas in the summer. The birds are singing in the sunshine outside making it difficult to concentrate on writing. On days like this I would prefer to sit in the garden with a good book, but writing commitments take priority. Writing this post isn't a chore though, it's a pleasure.
I had two books released over the Christmas period. One for Young Adults, and one for Middle Grade. Both are fantasy, the genre I love to read and write. Dragons also hold a place in my favorites as they are such wonderful animals, even if they are mythical.

Here is an excerpt of each book. I hope you enjoy.

On 30th December MuseItUp Publishing released "Reva's Quest" set in the magical land of Fey. Reva's garden gnome insists she go with him to Fey to save the world from an evil menace they have called Malice. The magical creatures of Fey believe Reva is to blame for the evil and believe she must be the one to destroy Malice.

Excerpt:
“Where are we going?”

“To sort out the mess you've made.” The gnome kicked grumpily at a dandelion. “You humans never think of consequences when you meddle in things not your concern. This time it’s gone too far, and you’ve got to put it right.”

They reached the pond, and Gareth stopped, waiting expectantly. Reva, not sure what he wanted, shrugged and sat down to pull on her trainers.

“Well go on,” the gnome said as she tied the laces. “Hurry up before the portal closes.”

“What portal? I’m not sure what you want me to do.”

“Humans!” He snorted derisively. “The portal in the pond of course. Jump in and pass through to the other side. You go first, and I'll follow.”

Reva looked dubiously at the pond. The scummy mess still sat on its surface, and it smelt even worse than when she’d first found it. Some horrible disease probably lurked in the depths, waiting to infect her.

I’m going to tell him to forget it. I’m off back to bed to wake up from this bad dream.

The look on the gnome’s face changed her mind. He stood, arms crossed with one of his little feet tapping impatiently as he waited for her to move.

A slow smile crossed her lips. If this was a dream, jumping in the pond wouldn't hurt her. With a shrug she began to untie her shoes.

“No need for that.” The gnome snapped. “You'll want them on the other side.”

With a grin, Reva pinched her nose shut with two fingers, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. Feet first, she jumped into the murky depths.

Buy Link: MuseItUp Publishing http://tinyurl.com/revasquest


Desert Breeze Publishing released Dragon Flame a fantasy romance for Young Adults on the 1st January.

Talei's home settlement is burnt by flying dragons leaving her the eldest survivor. They join with survivors from other settlements. Talei is contacted telepathically by a dragon, and with Adri at her side she sets out for the other continent to solve the dragon problem. Failure means the end of dragons and humans on this new world.

Excerpt:

Crawling under the wagon, Talei peered out at the devastation unfolding across the field. Moments before gaiety and bright colors pulsed in time with the music as the colonists celebrated their anniversary. Now the field resembled a battlefield. The only color in the dark clouds of smoke rolling across the ground came from bursts of flame, as the dragons scorched the earth beneath them. Here and there intermittent smaller bursts indicated a few colonists trying to return fire with laser guns.

Darth stirred beside her, and thinking he moved to comfort her, she turned toward him. To her horror she saw him crawl from beneath the wagon and move toward a laser gun which had fallen from the hand of a dead defender.

"Darth, no," she hissed. "Don't be stupid."

He picked up the laser, and still lying on the ground he looked toward her, pride glowing in his eyes.

"I'm not stupid, Talei. I'm going to protect my home and people in the only way I know."

Without another word he wriggled forward until he reached the dance floor. Talei watched helplessly as he stood. Alone in the center of the dance floor, he fired at a dragon strafing the tents along the eastern side of the open space.

The beast turned. Without appearing to aim, it launched a stream of fire at Darth. He didn't even have time to cry out as his body burst into flames. When the blaze subsided only a blackened husk remained. Talei watched in horror as the residue of her childhood friend fell lifeless to the ground.

Buy Link: Desert Breeze Publishing http://tinyurl.com/dragonflame

Webpage: http://www.sueperkinsauthor.com/
Blog: http://sueperkinsauthor.blogspot.com/

Interview with Penny Ehrenkranz

Today, my guest is author and editor, Penny Ehrenkranz. Thank you for joining us, Penny.  

1. What qualifies you to be an editor?

My job as an editor is that of line editor.  When I get a manuscript, it has already been seen by a content editor several times.  I look for grammatical errors, punctuation, spelling, and continuity. I am also on the lookout for anything the content editor might have missed.  For example in one manuscript, the author described her character as always wearing a certain color.  Then a few chapters later, she has her don a sweater which is the wrong color.  I pointed it out to her and she changed it.  An editor needs to be able to keep track and notice when something is off.  Another example comes from the book I’m editing now.  The author switched her main character’s name and used the name of a main character from a previous book.

I have a strong background in the English language, with English my main area of study in school.  I spent a number of years as an executive secretary where I needed excellent grammar skills.  I’ve also been a published writer since 1993, so I have a lot of knowledge. 

Before I became an editor for MuseItUp, I took an exam which tested my skills.  I know some people who applied failed the test.  When I got my job at another publishing house as an editor, it came about after I reviewed a book and found a number of errors.  I wrote to the publisher and jokingly told her if she needed an editor to let me know.  I sent her a copy of the book with my highlights, and she quickly responded with a contract.

2. How much input do you have in accepting a story that’s submitted to MuseItUp Publishing?

All of the editors have an opportunity to read submissions.  The manuscripts are loaded onto a forum.  Whoever has time, and all are encouraged, read the submission and comment as to the quality of the writing, including POV shifts, grammar, content, readability, and whether it is a good fit for our house.  The publisher has the final say, but she takes into account all of the input she receives.  If she decides to reject, she sends our comments to the author.

3. Who decides which editor gets which story?

We choose by ourselves. Sometimes it’s based on our own work schedule. Other times, we choose based upon our own interests. For example, I rarely, if ever, choose to work on a book of erotica. It’s not a genre I read, and so I’m not familiar with it.  I don’t feel it’s fair to the author for me to work on something I don’t really understand. 

If an editor begins with an author on a series, we try to keep the editor with the author for the entire length of the series.  Also, if the editor works well with the author, we try to keep them together even when it’s not a series.  Building a good working relationship helps the editor know the author’s voice and style.

4. What do you like best about being an editor?

Being paid to read.  I love reading, and this is a job where I can read all day long, and no one tells me I have other work I have to do.  I’m already doing it.  I also enjoy the interaction with authors from around the world.  Some I feel have become true friends. 

5. How do you handle a situation where you suggest a change and the author refuses?

I think most authors understand why a change needs to be made. When they do refuse, however, my method is to offer a compromise.  For example, I’ll let them ignore a grammar rule in dialog, but they agree to correcting it within a scene.  Since I started doing this a couple of years ago, I’ve only had one or two authors I remember who stuck their heels in the ground and refused to budge.  I think most authors can understand the need for a change if it’s explained properly and not shoved down their throats as a command. I try to be respectful when I make suggestions and listen to the author’s reasons why he or she doesn’t want to make a change.

6. Do you have a particular genre you prefer editing?

I love to work on fantasy and science fiction, since this is what I read for pleasure.  I also enjoy working on sweet romances, middle grade, and young adult.  I’ve found I like cozy mysteries, too. Besides erotica, there’s very little I don’t want to edit.

7. What’s the one thing you wish authors would avoid?

Point of view slips are the most annoying.  They will take me out of the story, and I stop and ask myself: “Who’s story is this?”  “Wait a minute, what happened there?” 

It’s okay to switch point of view chapter to chapter or scene to scene, but it doesn’t work when the author jumps back and forth between two characters within the space of one scene.

8. Do you have a job other than editing? If so, what do you do?

I retired from my day job in 2008.  I was the Office Manager/Chief Legal Secretary for the Columbia County District Attorney.  Now, I can devote myself to writing, blogging, and editing full-time.  Although I have to admit since I’m retired, I also give myself the luxury of spending time with my family, my pets, my garden and my craft projects, like crocheting.

9. What do you like about editing? What don’t you like about editing?

Since it’s difficult to edit my own work, I like being able to find problems and tighten up a manuscript in someone else’s story.  I wish I could do the same as easily with my own!  I also like that I get paid royalties for book sales, but I don’t have to do the marketing. 

I enjoy getting to know the authors.  I often invite them to be guests on my blog, having them answer questions about their work, and learning about their latest releases.

When I worked with my other publisher, I didn’t like that I only had one opportunity to go through a manuscript.  I have a bad habit of getting caught up in the story initially and missing subtle mistakes.  Having the chance to go through it more than once, allows me to find errors I didn’t find the first time. I have since “retired” from that publishing house.

About the only other thing I don’t like is when I get a manuscript later than I should, and I feel rushed with the edits.  I don’t believe this is fair to the author, however, it happens sometimes.  Life gets in the way, and earlier deadlines are missed.  Fortunately, this doesn’t happen often.

10.          What’s the difference between a content editor and line editor? Which would you rather do?

A content editor has the tough job of finding overused words, making sure the story makes sense, tightening up, and eliminating material which isn’t necessary to the story.  As I mentioned above, the line editor works on the grammar, spelling, and punctuation, as well as checking for anything the content editor might have missed.

I am very happy being a line editor.  I believe this is where my strengths lie.  Since I find it hard to chop and discard my own words, it’s difficult for me to do content edits on other people’s work, too.  I’ve done a few content edits, but I definitely prefer being a line editor.

11.           You're an author too, how difficult is it to edit your own books? Tell us about your book and please add an excerpt.

I’ve talked about this a bit above. I find it difficult to edit my own manuscripts.  As authors, we become “wedded to our words,” and divorcing them is very hard.  I’d much rather work on someone else’s edits than my own.

I have two books which I’ve been promoting recently.  They are romances released by MuseItUp Publishing.  Lady In Waiting came out in November and Mirror, Mirror will be released at the end of December.

TITLE:  Lady-in-Waiting

Tag Line: Through a series of misunderstandings, Mabriona is forced to live a lie, but when the man she loves awakes from his coma, will she confess her deceit?

Blurb: Mabriona is cousin to the beautiful and spoiled Princess Alana.  When Alana is forced to marry a man she despises, Mabriona is torn between her loyalty to her cousin and her attraction to the handsome Prince Blayne.

Tragedy befalls the cousins on the way to Prince Blayne’s castle.  Servants, believing Mabriona to be Alana, refuse to listen when she tries to explain.

While she waits for Blayne to recover, Mabriona meets his equally handsome younger brother, Madoc, a bard.

When Blayne awakes, will Mabriona choose life with a future king, will she be sent home in disgrace because of her inadvertent lies, or will Madoc win her love with his poetry?

Excerpt:

LADY-IN-WAITING

“Today’s the day, Mabriona,” Princess Alana said as Mabriona entered the chambers.  She wiped tears from her eyes with an embroidered linen. “Prince Blayne will be here, and soon I’ll be his wife.  I think the worst part of being father’s daughter is marrying someone I’ve never even met.”

“You’ve always known your marriage would be arranged for the benefit of the kingdom, Princess, but I’m sure he’ll be very nice,” Mabriona replied as she opened the heavy drapes covering the windows. She looked at her cousin and sighed.  She wanted to feel sorry for Alana, but they’d had this discussion so many times. Mabriona was tired of it.  Alana had known from the time she was a child that she would not wed for love.  Why can’t Alana just accept her fate? Outside the day was as wet as the one before and the one before that.

“Nice?  Who wants nice?  I want someone handsome and dashing.  A knight in shining armor who will love me forever.  I certainly don’t want someone like my father who will make me do everything I don’t want to do.”

TITLE: Mirror, Mirror

Tag Line: Lindsay Baker’s purchase of an antique mirror sends her back in time to salvage a love torn apart by class restrictions.

Blurb: Lindsay Baker is intrigued by everything about the middle ages, but when she purchases an antique mirror and a costume to attend a Renaissance Faire, she suddenly finds herself transported back in time.  There she finds she’s been called by a witch to right a terrible wrong. 

Graham loves Prudence, but he can’t marry her because he’s landed gentry, and she is only the baker’s daughter.  Before Lindsay can return to her own time, she must convince Graham to marry against his father’s wishes.  Unfortunately, she also finds herself falling for the handsome gentleman.

Can she find her way back to her own time, or will she be stuck in a time when women had no rights?

Excerpt:

After Stefany left, Lindsey adjusted the water spigots on her tub.  A few drops of bubble bath went into the water, and the soothing scent of lavender filled the moist, steamy air.  While the tub filled, Lindsey tried on her Renaissance outfit for the upcoming Faire. She couldn’t believe her good luck at finding the perfect pieces.  She tested the bath water to be sure it was the right temperature. Then she picked up her antique mirror to get a better view. Was this a scryer’s mirror at some point in time? It slipped from her wet hands into the bathtub.

“Nuts,” she mumbled as she leaned over the tub.  She pulled one sleeve up on her blouse and fished around in the bubbles for the mirror. When she pulled the mirror from the water, spots appeared in front of her eyes, and she felt faint.  While she watched her reflection in the old mirror, the background changed.  She no longer saw the inside of her bathroom.  She closed her eyes as the room around her went black.

Buy link: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2

Welcome, Kristin Battestella

Fate and Fangs: Tales from The Vampire Family

Feel Love, experience Punishment, know Struggle, indulge the Debauchery, crave Lust, learn Humanity, faceResurrection, and choose: Fate or Fangs?

It's been a whirlwind literary year for me as you can imagine thanks to my new 7 book series with Muse It Up!  The themes, thoughts, and emotions of the collection run the gauntlet of desire, pain, excess, and immortality. I've been swept up by it all all over again thanks to the editing process with Muse Owner Lea Schizas and our sweet, sweet cover art designs by Suzannah Safi, in addition to all the virtual and real world promoting and appearances.  I've had a great time visiting with my fellow Muse Authors, meeting paranormal fans, and discussing with horror readers- and we've had some really wild chat room sessions along the way, too!!




The Best part? Its not over yet!  I find it both ironic and fitting that our next Fate and Fangs tale, Book 5, Lust: James at the Sundowner, is Now Available (!) for December.  I mean, really, lusting and kinky speakeasy vampires for Christmas? Not what most of us think of for the holiday season!  However, there's also a certain loneliness and melancholy to Lust, and I find the timely of Tale 5 for the holidays quite fitting in many ways.  So many people are unhappy during the festivities, Blue Christmas, winter blues.  Whatever you want to call it, for many this time is the most depressing of the year.  Now then, imagine that kind of brooding for all eternity! 

The Sundowner offers steamy Welshire vampires Jessica, Pamela, and Slava for underground vampire sex and biting fetishes in this mid-century tale from Professor James. Victoria’s twin brother James, however, is content with his gig as piano player at the club owned by their brother Stephen.  James’ own love Catrina is the alluring singer at The Sundowner, but can he keep his longtime vampire companion away from the tempting, exciting young clientele?  

Thus far in Fate and Fangs, we've had the romance, horror, extremes, and pouty, yes- but it has mostly involved the lady fangful. In Lust, we spend some time now with the unhappy male vampire perspective.  Can the unwilling vampire of the family stick to the status quo and lose himself or his lady love? How does one hang on after centuries of blood and mayhem when one's heart isn't really in it? I confess, I've always had a soft spot for James, dating back to my original novel in the franchise- The Vampire Family, now on kindle with Eternal Press- and I think he might capture a few more hearts with his soulful tunes!

" Unfortunately, after five centuries or so, the comfortable vampire enchantment can, in fact, wane. Sometimes I think Catrina is longing for something more-just like her fooled admirers.  I enjoy my music.  I have to occupy myself with some post-war Goodman ‘Moonglow’ and Miller ‘Serenade in Blue’ in order to control my Welshire urges.  These dark gifts cannot and shall not rule me.  I will not succumb to animal anarchy the way Stephen does. For myself, I am content in my respectable role here until the next war comes calling. Can I admit to myself that I know Catrina is not content?  How could she be?  My voluptuous love has the predatory power of the wolf and all her fun feline charm.  I enjoy watching her exude the dark magic allure as I play the music for her.  Her exotic and spooky look brings the silver screen to life-curly black hair and white skin stamped with a perfectly deadly pout of red lips.  I love her, I always have.  I could not bring the vampiric gifts to anyone I did not love.  I expected to spend the rest of my unnatural life with her. Although I don’t doubt Catrina loves me and will always have a space for me in her black heart still; deep down I know she intends to leave me for new vampire lusts. ...."


As always, you can find us online just about anywhere, and we're still going strong with Fate and Fangs into 2012!  Thank you again so much Roseanne for having us stop by for a little holiday horror!

Welcome, Jane Richardson

1: Thank you so much for being here, Jane Richardson.

First up is the obligatory question. When did you first begin writing?

-I couldn’t tell you exactly when; I suppose I’ve always written in some shape or form since childhood. I know there was a long hiatus during my teenage years – probably because I was far too busy pursuing various other teenage pursuits, ahem! – and then in my twenties I spent a lot of time writing video scripts and learning materials for a management training organization, so my writing went in another direction entirely.  Work rather took over for a number of years, so it wasn’t until after I’d stopped working and had both my children that I turned to writing again.

2: What inspired you to write?

-I suppose like many writers, it’s just the feeling you have with a story forming in your head that won’t let you go until you begin to write it down.  From then on, it’s the way the story forms and shapes itself from there that keeps me at it. I don’t know where those stories come from – it can be a chance overheard remark that sets an idea off, or being curious about what the story might have been if something I’ve read about turned out very differently. Personal experience plays a large part, too – the way a character feels or the choices they make will often be based on something that happened to me or someone close to me in the past.

3: What do you like the most and least about writing?

-I bet most writers will say that the best thing is when you’re really ‘in the zone’ – the story is coming together perfectly and the characters are somehow writing their story for you, right down to the words they want you to use.  That’s the best feeling ever! What I like least are those times when I’m so busy with so many other things but the story is still tapping away inside my head, and all I can do is grab moments here and there to make notes – then when I do sit down to write, nothing comes out!  That’s such a pain!  All you can do is just work through it, I suppose.

4: What do you for fun and relaxation when not writing?

-Well, I’m a bit obsessed with food!  I love to cook, and if I’m not cooking food, I’m reading about it and planning dishes.  I had my Christmas menu all planned out in September...!  Maybe I should add that I did it with my family’s help, the children in particular – they love to learn about food and to try new things. They like to contribute their own ideas for special dinners, and as they grow up, they’re learning to cook things themselves. We always try to keep Sundays free as a family day, perhaps walk the dog together in the morning on the beach or one of the beautiful country parks here where I live on the Sussex coast, then a huge home-cooked lunch followed by maybe some games or a movie later.  If we have friends over too, then that’s so much the better. That’s what really relaxes me and keeps me grounded.

5: Which authors do you like to read?

-My favourites change all the time, but I’m a big fan of crime writer Michael Connelly.  I love his direct, to-the-point style, and he never wastes a single word. Another big favourite with me right now is the UK writer Maggie O’Farrell.  She writes so beautifully, the sort of thing when you read it, you recognize the feelings or the emotions instantly.  She touches something very raw in people.  I’m re-reading her novel ‘The Distance Between Us’ right now, and I defy anyone to get through the final chapter without weeping, first tears of frustration and then ultimately, joy.  She’s amazing.  I’m also very fond of another UK writer, Nicci Gerrard, for similar reasons. I love books written by women that other women can really relate to.

6: What’s the one thing you’d most like people to know about you?

-Ok, I’m just getting over the flu, so hugs and hot drinks are much appreciated!

7: Tell me about your current novel, where I can find it and your website/blog.

-At the moment I have just one release with MuseItUp Publications, which is a short contemporary story called Edinburgh Fog. It’s about Greg Morton, who’s achieved his dream of running the best bar-bistro in the city – a place called Tellers’ - but at a massive cost to his private life.  When the woman he’s never forgotten, Julia Brady, walks into Tellers’ out of the blue, all the feelings Greg had suppressed for so long come flooding back – but it seems like someone else is interested in Julia, and Greg will have to work fast if he’s to stand any chance of getting her back. 

The story is available from MuseItUp here

http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=193&category_id=18&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1&vmcchk=1&Itemid=1

I’m re-doing my website right now, but in the meantime people can catch up with me at my blog, Home IS Where The Heart Is http://janerichardsonhome.blogspot.com/  or find me on Twitter, where I’m @Gimmeahugyou.

8: Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?

-Just write.  Don’t be afraid of the first draft, but just write, even if what you’re writing isn’t good – first drafts aren’t meant to be good.  Once you’ve got the first draft done, then you can REALLY begin writing after that!

9: Do you base your characters on real-life people?

-No. There might be a touch of a real person or a few people in the very early thought process, but truthfully, once they begin to be set down on the page they become their own person entirely.  Half the fun in writing is in inventing new people, I think.

11: What are you currently working on?

-A novel set in two time-frames, present day and in WWII. I’m hoping I can make it work! In addition, MuseItUp will be re-publishing a previously published book of mine next year, a contemporary novel called A Different Kind of Honesty, which I’m thrilled to bits about.

12. Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

-How about I make you a promise?  I’d love to have a perfect writing hideaway, something like one of those classic Airstream caravans that’s mine all mine, with a writing table, a comfy daybed, a cooker and all the mod cons, but I think the most I’ll ever manage will be a shed of sorts od the end of the garden – but I promise that when I have it, you can all come by for tea and cakes!

Don’t forget to add an excerpt. You can add an unedited excerpt but make sure to say it’s unedited.

This is an excerpt from Edinburgh Fog:

‘After they’d cleared out, Tellers’ was at last blessed with a couple of hours’ peace. The staff

heaved a collective sigh and set to preparing the place for the Friday evening crowd. Nothing

eventful happened except Chrissie tripping over Ben as he knelt behind the bar to re-stack the

mixers shelf and tipping half a bottle of vermouth and a bowl of stuffed olives down the back of

his neck. Ben took it in good part, commenting that while he smelled like a martini, he was only

stirred and not at all shaken. Leaving them to clean up as he sliced lemons and limes for the bar,

Greg mused on whether the olive incident counted as Thing Number Three, and was on the point

of convincing himself that definitely, absolutely nothing else could possibly go wrong for the

rest of the day, when she walked in.

Julia.

Greg froze, hypnotized by the reflection shimmering in the long mirror behind the bar. It

disappeared briefly, moving out of his line of vision and he stepped sideways, following the

mirror along the wall, seeking her out if only to convince himself that it couldn’t possibly be her

—that Julia hadn’t just walked back into his life four years after he’d walked out of hers.’

Welcome, Collin Kelley

Thank you so much for being here, Collin Kelley

1: What genre do you write?

I write poetry and fiction. My two novels, Conquering Venus and the recently released Remain In Light, are both mystery and suspense – with a poetic twist, of course.

2: How long have you been writing?

I started writing when I was a child. My parents taught me to read and write very early. I always read far above my grade level. I got into poetry in high school, dabbled in fiction, but poetry came first. My first novel was Conquering Venus and I started writing it in the late ‘90s but it wasn’t published until 2009.

3: What do you like the most and least about writing?

I wish I could hire a publicity team to do all the marketing, because it seriously eats into my writing time, but that’s the way of the writing world these days. You have to wear several hats to be an author now. The process of creating, honing and editing – sitting in front of the computer and watching the story progress – has always been my favorite part of writing.

4: What do you for fun and relaxation when not writing?

I’m a voracious reader, so when I’m not writing I’m reading. I also love to travel and watch movies, both of which inspire my writing. Some nights I just vegetate on the couch and listen to music.

5: Which authors do you like to read?

I have so many favorites – Margaret Atwood, Jeanette Winterson, Don DeLillo, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, John Irving, Anne Sexton, Walt Whitman, Raymond Carver, Ray Bradbury. I could go on and on.

6: What’s the one thing you’d most like people to know about you?

When it comes to writing, I’m a rule breaker. While my novels are mysteries, there’s also healthy doses of magical realism, poetry, and paranormal thrown into the mix. I don’t like to be boxed in by genres.

7: Tell me about your current novel, where I can find it?

Remain In Light is about a Parisian widow, Irène Laureux, whose husband was murdered during the student and worker riots in 1968. She’s been looking for his killer for 30 years and finally catches up with him with the help of American expat writer, Martin Paige. But finding the killer reveals a much larger conspiracy. There’s crooked cops, detectives with questionable motives and stolen identities. The ebook version came out in October from Vanilla Heart Publishing and is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords. The print version will be out in January.

8: Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?

Explore all your options. The need for an agent and big-name publisher has gone the way of the dinosaur. Embrace indie presses, self-publishing and get involved with social media to promote your work directly to readers. Many writers don’t want to deal with Facebook, Twitter and blogs, but they are vital to success as a writer.

9: Do you base your characters on real-life people?

Yes, but they are usually composites of several people I know. I usually warn my friends before a book comes out that I’ve barrowed some trait or catchphrase. Everyone’s been flattered – so far.

10: How did you come up with the idea for this book?

The Venus Trilogy was inspired by a trip I took to London and Paris in 1995. It was an amazing experience and I got to meet some very interesting people and immerse myself in the cultures. Paris is usually portrayed as a city of love and romance, but it has a dark underbelly that most tourists never see. I wanted to look beyond the guidebooks and explore the Paris that is just beneath the surface of the postcards. As the character Irène Laureux says, “This city is not always full of light.”

11: What are you currently working on?

I’ve finished a new poetry collection and I’m doing research for a memoir about all my travels in London and the UK. Then I’ll turn my attention to the third book in The Venus Trilogy.

12. Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

I’m a sci-fi geek. I love Doctor Who, Star Wars, X-Files, Fringe and anything that has an alternate reality spin to it. One day, I’m going to write a big sci-fi epic.

13. Where can we find you? Website? Blog?

You can find me at www.collinkelley.com

on Facebook at facebook.com/collinkelleywriter 

Twitter (@CollinKelley. 

I also encourage readers and authors to join Goodreads. It’s a great place to interact and find new things to read.

You can read the first four chapters of Remain in Light for free (no sign up or anything like that required) to get a taste of the novel at: 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/56800699/Remain-in-Light-Sample-Chapters

Happy Halloween and Happy Anniversary

We come to the end of our celebration. Although at MuseItUp Publishing, we celebrate every day. We celebrate our publisher - our editors - our cover artists. But mostly, we celebrate our family. Yes, Muse has become a family.
I've made many new friends here at Muse and I'm lucky enough to have met several. I was privileged to mee Rebecca Ryalls Russell, Marsha Moore, and Barbara Bockman t in Florida while on a trip to visit my father in law. As if that wasn't enough, I had the pleasure of meeting Ginger Simpson on the way home.
But I've made many other friends besides the ones I've met in person.
I knew Lea a long time ago when I presented a class in one of her earlier conferences. She was also my editor for a time at another publisher.  Lin and Kat Holmes, I met while at another publisher also. In fact they were the ones who told me Lea started her own publishing house. I couldn't wait to submit.
Of course I feel like everyone in the chat room is part of my family. But a few I've gotten to know on a more personal level, like Ginger, Gail, and Tanja.
Everyone here at Muse has been very supportive and if someone needs something - prayers- encouragement - or just a pat on the back, Muse authors are here for each other.
So Congratulations, Muse on your first year and hoping for many more to come.
I hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween.

Hello, Judy Winn

Thank you so much for being here, Judy Winn.

1: What genre do you write?

Right now … Romantic Mysteries.  Those stories where there is a real mystery to be solved, a murder or a theft, but there is a love story that is important.

I write in other areas, children’s, non-fiction, mainstream, even Confession Magazines.

2: Ah my favorite genre. So tell us, how long have you been writing?

Gosh.  The first story I remember writing was when I was 10.  I still remember how my young heroine hid a jewel in a squeeze toy to outfox the villain. I thought that was pretty clever. 

But you know I didn’t really like English when I was little, in grade school.  It seemed a real chore, but I didn’t want to make a bad grade. 

I did a little self hypnosis, I guess you might call it, and told myself “English is my favorite subject”, “English is my favorite subject” until I began to convince myself. It must have worked because I love English, love words, love reading and love writing.

3: English was my favorite subject also. What do you like the most and least about writing?

Plot is hard for me. I think in terms of character, but sometimes I can’t make “my people” get into enough trouble.

What I like most is when I get so involved in writing something that time just doesn’t exist. You know when you get so lost in what you are doing that you think an hour has gone by and then you realize the whole darn afternoon has flown by?  Sort of a meditation, I think.

4: Gosh, that’s what I love most also. Maybe it’s living in another world. And, what do you do for fun and relaxation when not writing?

Well, I love to read.  I’ll read the backs of cereal boxes at the breakfast table if the morning newspaper is late.

And I like to sew, although I don’t do as much of that as I used to do. Crossword puzzles, sudoko, walks on the beach or the woods, yoga, and sometimes cooking is fun. (I like to read the cookbooks more than make the recipes though, if you want to know the truth.)

5: LOL. So which authors do you like to read?

Oh my.  Well, I really enjoyed your book “Double the Trouble” recently. 

J.A. Jance is my favorite, and Janet Evanovich.  She makes me laugh right out loud.  “The Ladies No.1 Detective Agency” author, Alexander McCall Smith? Those stories set in Botswana are adorable.

Remember Carolyn Keene? I know “she” was more than one writer, but I still think I’d enjoy a Nancy Drew mystery.  When I was around eleven or so, those books were my lifeline.  I’d go to the library and pile them into my bicycle basket, pedal home, and disappear into a world of roadsters, little boats, and a sleuth who could take me away with her.

I like to go into the library and pick up a book by an author I never heard of. Exploring books that way introduces me to lots of new folks.

6: Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed my book. Wow, I think The Nancy Drew Books are part of the reason I write. I loved  them, too. Tell us, what’s the one thing you’d most like people to know about you?

I’m nice?  Well, at least most of the time.

I have traveled a lot, been married for nearly 53 years…to the same good man, started to college 10 years after HS and my children helped me pass French by drilling me on vocabulary from my textbooks so I could graduate.

I am a pilot, earning my private, instrument and commercial ratings, but I don’t do that anymore.

But that is more than one thing…just one thing? Ok.

I’m nice.  Most of the time. 

7: Multi-talented. My goodness you sound like you had a busy life. I wonder how you find time to write. Tell us about your current novel, where I can find it?

“The Silver Seahorse” is a story about a courageous young woman who has her future planned, when everything she trusts and loves is suddenly gone.  Danger and betrayal surround her when she investigates family secrets. She has to solve some dangerous problems and hopefully learn to love and trust again.

MuseItUp Publishing has a release date projected for August 2012.

8: Sounds like a great story. Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?

Don’t give up.  Keep writing and keep sending your work out. And read everything you can get your hands on.

9: Great advice. Now a question I get asked often. Do you base your characters on real-life people?

No, they just seem to pop up full blown in my head. I have to name them and then they just materialize. Once they have a name, I can sort of see them.

10: Mind do the same thing. I sometimes wonder where they come from. How did you come up with the idea for this book?

I think the idea of things not being exactly as you have assumed is interesting. My main character Nessie Polite is raised by her mother, and my mother and I lived alone for a number of years, so I can understand the ties being so strong. Nessie’s situation is not mine, but I guess some of my emotions tumble into her.

11: I think of little of us slips into all our characters. What are you currently working on?

I so liked the setting of Beulah Beach in “The Silver Seahorse”, I have an idea for something else happening there.  Not a sequel really, but using the area there and a minor character or two.

12. Sounds great.Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

“The Silver Seahorse” is my first novel to be published and I am so excited to be working with MuseItUp

13.I hope we see a lot more from you. Where can we find you? Website? Blog?

Well.  I’m working on that.  Any suggestions?  Maybe I should get a face book page too.

Definitely get a blog and yes, go on Face book. Readers need a way to find you.

Unedited Excerpt:

The funeral director opened the clasp of the silver necklace, the only jewelry Kaylynn consistently wore, discretely slipped it off the narrow throat and held it out. Nessie felt her Grandmother come up beside her just as she reached for it.

“Bury the damn thing with her,” she hissed. “Nothing but bad luck since she got it. Get rid of it.”

Nessie felt a familiar tremor race down her back with the icy words. Why did Gran always make everything worse? How did she ever give birth to a woman as good, as wonderful, as caring as her mother? Tears burned her eyes but she would not answer her. Instead, even though her fingers were too shaky to make it easy, she deliberately fastened the delicate silver chain with the little seahorse pendant around her own neck.

I’ll take care of it for you, she promised. She stroked her mother’s fingertips for one last touch before taking her seat.

Anne Marie, her mother’s business partner and closest friend, slipped into one of the posh upholstered chairs with mahogany arms beside her at the front of the chapel. She wrapped an arm briefly around her shoulders. “Hang in there, Sugar,” she whispered. She gave her a quick hug, released her, but stayed beside her. Gran settled on the other side of Nessie, still bristled from the exchange by the casket.