I’m not really into writing “how to” books because I’ve known too many people who get sucked into the rules, regulations, how to, and so what of writing books instead of actually…umm…writing…the book.  But there are a couple I will recommend to people as good inspiration and motivation.  One in particular is Julia Cameron’s THE ARTIST’S WAY.

In the book, she talks of “filling the writer’s well.”  What does this mean?  It means that as a creative person, you need to get out and see the world, see what’s around you, talk to other people, look at things from a writer’s perspective, eavesdrop on a conversation, smell the sky and try to put it into words…anything and everything that gets your creative juices flowing and encourages you to write what’s inside you.

I haven’t done that in a long time.

With all of our extensive travels, having the kidlets all summer, and conference after conference, I have neglected my writer’s well.  I haven’t concentrated on the little details that I pick up on a daily basis that go into my stories.

Today, that changed.  I had lunch with my good friend and critique partner, Jennifer Echols.  Not only did we dine at the famed Irondale Cafe — better known as the Whistle Stop Cafe from FRIED GREEN TOMATOES fame, but we had a long, deep conversation about our writing and where we’re both headed.  I realized what’s been holding me back from my craft of late.  Instead of reasons why I couldn’t find the time to write, I was actually coming up with excuses.  It was great talking to another full-time writer and get her perspective.

I now have an awesome new outlook on my writing.  I’m working on several propsals, have some ebooks that will be coming out soon, and have some amazing new ideas cooking in my head.

Thanks to good friends who are there to give you a leg up…and a healthy helping of fried green tomatoes!

Love ya; mean it!

I am soooooooo thrilled to be introducing you to my very good friend, Andrea Norwich, who has just published her first book!  (Wahhhhh!!!  The crowd goes wild!)  Now, while I cue up the interview I did with her, take a look at the book trailer first to whet your appetite!

Andi, thanks for joining me here on my blog and congrats on the release of your book! Please tell my readers about the book and what they can expect.

Thanks for hitting me up! My book is Turn of the Lykoi and it’s a thriller novel on werewolves. Readers can expect to “watch a movie” through the pages of the story. You will be on the edge of your seat as the story goes on. Most people who have read it have told me that they had a hard time putting the book down.

You’ve been working on this book for a long time. Tell us about your process, how you got the idea, how it came about, etc.

I am a big fan of Local St. Louis Author, Laurell K Hamilton. She writes a vampire/werewolf series called the “Anita Blake” series. There are many books in the series and as they moved on, though I loved the series still, I wasn’t enjoying how she was portraying the werewolves. Don’t get me wrong, I love LKH to death, and her stories still intrigue me, but I wanted to write MY side of werewolves.  To me, werewolves are very powerful, instinctual, universal beings. They are much more interesting than vampires.  I started to write a “short story”, to tell my side of the furry beasts. That short story became a 400 page novel. I scaled it back and decided to keep a bit of the storyline for a second and third novel, if the interest presented itself.  It has taken me seven years to get where I’m at now. At first, I was completely obsessed with the story. I ate, drank, slept TOTL. I shelved it after being burned by an editor that I had hired (ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS UTILIZE PEOPLE YOU KNOW AND TRUST, OR COME FROM A TRUSTED SOURCE). A few years later, I pulled it back out, started working on it again, but my life was going through a transformation and alas, the story was shelved again.  About four months ago, I decided to revisit the story and I’m glad that I chose this time to do so. My husband, Kitt, has been such a fire to my motivation in completing it. I read through the story and made changes and would not be where I am at today with it, if it weren’t for him.

I know you have an amazing talent for graphic arts (she did the cover herself!), but what made you want to sit down and write?

I thank you for the kudos on the art! Looking back, I can say now that I wrote the story for therapy. I was married to someone else at the time and it was my escape. I wrote about a heroine that I have always wanted to be.

Who is your favorite character in the book and why?

Sam Harris (the heroine) is by far my favorite character. She’s a girl. She cries. She gets girlie and emotional and irrational, but overall, she is a tough bird. She comes to terms with her inner beast (pun intended) and she comes out on top! I mean, who wouldn’t want to be the person who could accept all demons, all good and bad aspects and rise above and become BETTER? Wow, what a role model.

You chose to self-publish your book, which is much more “accepted” these days. What made you go this route and do you recommend it to other authors?

I have been rejected by two publishers “back in the day”, when the story wasn’t near ready, and it really left a bad taste in my mouth. I decided that if I was going to finish the novel, I would take it all the way. One of my mentors, Steven LaChance, had suggested that I look into self-publishing.
I must say, it’s hard work. I’m a very creative person, so I created my own website, the book trailer, the marketing materials for the novel, and even created the cover. If one isn’t as resourceful or have the contacts to do these things at an affordable price, then you might want to go the traditional way.  Also, if you DO go through the self-publishing or POD route, please please please do ample research and then research some more. Contact authors from the company you decide to work through because the last thing you want to do is put forth all this time and effort and then some coin, only to be taken for a ride. It’s your work. If you have put 100% into the story, you need to put 200% into the publishing and marketing.

I know you to be an excellent survivor through your life with your pacemaker and other personal challenges. Do you find that these experiences have strengthened you in a way that you can portray it into your writing and perhaps inspire others?

Yes, they have. But I have done what I can to stay open to the lessons. I know that there are some situations in life that there is just no winning. The only thing that you can do is win through learning and not repeating the mistakes. If you learn, you win, no matter which way the situation goes.  I believe that I come across as a normal (ha and I use that term very loosely) enough that others go, “Well shoot! If Andi can do it, if she can reach for the stars, why can’t I?” I say GO FOR IT! Even if you are unable to reach the finish line, what fun can be had along the way!

Are you planning any follow up books? If so, can you give us any insight into them?

Yes, there will be two more in the Lykoi series. There’s just too much of a story to leave it with one book. My husband, Kitt, is going to be co-author to the next two. We have created the storyboards for each and some of the scenarios have brought me to tears (yes, I’m a girl and I cry…neener neener).  Some characters will continue, some will not and some new characters will be introduced that will blow your socks away.

Where can readers learn more about you?

Hit me up on facebook! I’m still really new to all of this “hey I have a novel out” that I still consider an approachable person. I get super busy at times (art, photography, graphic design, two more books to write, marketing of the first book, being a wife and a mother), but I do my best to reply back to others. I’m pretty much an open book. I’m not living up to anyone’s standards but my own. I’m not a good person, but I’m not a bad person either. I’m me. You take me or you leave me. Life is too short to live up to anyone else’s expectations.

www.facebook.com/andreanorwich
www.facebook.com/turnofthelykoi.com
www.wix.com/twistedvisionspublis/co
www.wix.com/norwichdesigns/hmh

Now, Andi has been generous enough to offer up a FREE COPY of her book!  Just leave a comment in the trail here and the winner must agree to do a review for her.

Thanks again to my buddy, Andi, for being here on my blog.  I wish you nothing but success on your book and series!  Love ya; mean it! = )

Thanks so much!!!!

I’m thrilled to be hosting a stop on my friend, Gena Showalter’s blog tour for her new book, TWISTED. Gena’s one of those authors I’m in awe of how productive and hard-working she is…and it shows in her awesome books!

How do you define the “Best Night Ever?” Does going on a mini shopping spree for a chic new outfit, dinner out with your bestie and seeing your favorite music act live in concert sound like it would do the trick? If so, read on!

To celebrate the release of, TWISTED, the third book in her Intertwined series featuring Aden Stone, Gena Showalter is rocking out with her author buds on The TWISTED Tour. The tour spans almost two weeks and 11 author websites, including this one, from August 22nd through September 2nd. The Grand Prize winner will be awarded all the essentials for a perfect night out, including:

- $250 Ticketmaster Gift Card
- $100 American Eagle Outfitters Gift Card
- $100 Visa Gift Card for Dinner
- Glam Urban Decay Makeup Gift Set

A Second Prize winner will receive an autographed set of Gena’s Intertwined series, including INTERTWINED, UNRAVELED and TWISTED.

HOW TO PLAY: Visit www.knightagency.net/twistedtour.php and check the tour schedule. Visit the sites of each author on their assigned tour date and locate the concert ticket image. At the end of the tour, fill out the form on the aforementioned TWISTED Tour contest webpage by matching the images you found to the authors’ websites that they were located on before Sunday, September 4th at 11:59pm ET. The winners will be randomly drawn and notified on or around September 9th, 2011.

Good Luck & ROCK ON!

The 411 on TWISTED: His vampire girlfriend might have brought him back to life, but he’s never felt more out of control. There’s a darkness within him, something taking over…changing him. Worse, because he was meant to die, death now stalks him at every turn. Any day could be his last.

Once upon a time, the three souls trapped inside his head could have helped him. He could have protected himself. But as the darkness grows stronger, the souls grow weaker—just like his girlfriend. The more vampire Aden becomes, the more human Victoria becomes, until everything they know and love is threatened. Life couldn’t get any worse. Could it?

TWISTED Tour Author Quiz: When I Was a Teen…

1. What did you do during your “Best Night Ever” as a teen?

Wow!  I had so many great teen memories…and it was the 80s afterall!  Big hair, Duran Duran, Rick Springfield, Grand Prixes, Monte Carlos, T-tops, leg warmers and cassette tape players in the car.  I remember this one night, my best friends, Janell and Kelly and I were “riding around.”  That was our big thing to do…check out all the hot spots in town to see what everyone was up to.  We had Prince’s 1999 album blaring in the car, the windows were down, and we happened upon a fraternity house affiliated with the town university.  A lot of our friends were there and they had pulled the couches and chairs from inside the house out onto the lawn.  We ended up dancing, singing, and hanging out on the lawn until our curfew.  Just good fun!

2. What musical act topped the charts?

LOL…see above…Rick Springfield, Duran Duran, Journey, Hall and Oates, Culture Club, Michael Jackson, Prince, Billy Joel, Kool and the Gang, Earth Wind and Fire, Chicago, Loverboy…honestly…any awesome (cheesy) 80s music you can think of…it was rocking!

3. What was your favorite outfit to wear then that totally mortifies you now?

I had a zoot suit.  Seriousy.  Brown cord, striped, double breasted.  I wore a hot pink shirt underneath the suit, a thin, light pink piano keyboard tie, and hot pink sneakers.  It was VERY cool.

4. What was the most overused expression by you and your friends?

“Give me that (fill-in-the-blank) you’ve been sitting on…”
“I’ve got your (fill-in-the-blank) right here…”
“Groddy to the max…”
“Gag me with a spoon…”

5. What did you think you would be when you “grew up?

I honestly wanted to be a doctor.  But deep down inside, I wanted to be an actress and a singer…and a Solid Gold dancer.

And here’s your TWISTED concert ticket!

Thanks to everyone who participated in last week’s YA Scavenger Hunt. We had an amazing response and soooooo many new readers have found new authors to delve into.

Thanks to the over 200 of you who entered my personal giveaway. When I saw the response to the scavenger hunt, I decided to up the ante and instead of picking one winner and giving out one beautiful rose quartz pendulum, I’d pick three winners and add a copy of my GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING to the prize pack.

And the winners are…

Eleanor Wood
Brittany Born
Amanda Ridenour

CONGRATS and I’ll be emailing you directly to get your mailing address for your prize. Everyone who entered will also receive my newsletter which will have more information on the GHOST HUNTRESS series, as well as my other writing, including my non-fiction book, THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS, that comes out in October and my next YA book, RADIATE, due out May 2012.

Thanks for participating!
Marley = )

On this hunt you will be able to gain access to exclusive bonus material, sign up for giveaways, and get an all access pass to top secret insider information. This fabulous sneak peek into what’s coming up in YA literature is for one day only!

As an extra bonus we’ve put together a puzzle with one keyword found on each website. Complete it and you will be eligible for a fantastic GRAND PRIZE which will include signed editions of books, signed bookmarks, jewelry, and many more exclusive gifts with at least one from EVERY AUTHOR!

 Scavenger Hunt Puzzle

Directions:
Copy and paste the puzzle below onto a document or blank email page and fill it out as you proceed through the Scavenger Hunt. Search for keywords, one on each website that will be highlighted in RED, and insert them into the puzzle. When finished, email your completed puzzle INCLUDING YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR SHIPPING PURPOSES to Colleen Houck at contactme@colleenhouck.com. Rules: To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit this filled in puzzle before midnight on August 1^st Pacific Time. All the keywords must be in the correct place, and you must include your full name and address. Entries sent in without name and address will not be considered!    

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Welcome fans of young adult literature! Don’t forget to _______ up in time to join our special event! In ____________ you roll the dice and, like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get. Our scavenger hunt is very similar. Surprises wait around every corner. Turn one page and you’re chasing a _________ through a _________ _____________. Turn another and you are being ________ by a _______ which leaves your heart ________. YA ________s are full of ___________ heroes who must ___________ themselves for the greater good. Some of the characters travel through ______ or have a _________ __________. If there is one thing YA books have taught us, it’s that if you leave your ___________ keep an eye out for a patrolling ________. They’re very dangerous. Maybe not so frightening as a ____________, but still you should be careful. Also beware lest you become __________ by vampires. ______________ one is a different story. Just remember that bite has ___________ ramifications and that afterwards the sun can ______ you unless you get bitten by a glittering type. Whether you like dark, paranormal, romance, fantasy, ___________, Sci-Fi, or a combination of those, we’ve got something for you.

We think that each fan is a ______________ and we love you all!

Submitted by:
Name ________________________________
Address_______________________________
City_________________________________
State________________________________
Zip__________________________________
Email________________________________

The hunt begins!  I’m thrilled to have the honor of welcoming the fabulous Abbi Glines to my blog.   Take a look at her bio:

Abbi Glines can be found hanging out with rockstars, taking out her yacht on weekends for a party cruise, sky diving, or surfing in Maui. Okay maybe she needs to keep her imagination focused on her writing only. In the real world, Abbi can be found hauling kids (several who seem to show up that don’t belong to her) to all their social events, hiding under the covers with her MacBook in hopes her husband won’t catch her watching Buffy on Netflix again, and sneaking off to Barnes and Noble to spend hours lost in the yummy goodness of books. Her debut novel, BREATHE, can be found in digital format at Barnes and Noble and Amazon. Existence, a YA paranormal, will be published in 2012 by Wild Child Publishing. She is polishing her latest YA contemporary romance and planning on sending queries out to a few literary agents soon. If you want to find her then check Twitter first because she has a severe addiction to tweeting @abbiglines.   Facebook and Google +  are some of her other stomping grounds. She also blogs regularly but rarely about anything life changing.