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Vacations Are “Research” For Writers

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I’ve written about this before, but since summer is almost here, I thought you might want to get started thinking about summer your summer vacation(s)!

You’re at the point where you either know you need a vacation, or you’ve got people telling you to take one.  “Okay,” you say.  You then buy a ticket to your desired destination, pack your bags, and are prepared to do nothing except relax…and do “research” for you next book.

Example: Your desired vacation...(The Breakers Hotel, Palm Beach, Florida)

Sigh!  You’ve made it!  you’re officially on vacation, and are required to do little to no work!  You’re only required to sleep in, order room service, lounge and relax by the ocean and/or beach, while drinking a Pina colada or  strawberry daiquiri.  It’s okay to even ogle over lust after the ultra-hot surfer dude, who would never be your type.

As an author, it’s okay to break the rules!  As authors, we are trained to observe our surroundings, and we can’t help it.  We’ll look, we’ll listen, and if interesting enough, we just might write about it.  (Go to a beach, and you’re guaranteed to find something/someone who gives you inspiration for your current WIP, or your next book).

Your "vacation" awaits...

When I’m on “vacation,” it I’m often so relaxed that I want to write, so I do.  I write whenever I can, but don’t set any time or word limits on my work.  I just see how far I get, and know that it’s okay — I’ll write when I get back home.  (Writing outside of your comfort zone might even help your creativity).

So, if you get a chance to take a vacation, whether it’s a beach, mountain, or countryside vacation, go!  You’ll be glad you did!

Have you ever gone on a “vacation” that has strictly been for research?  If you’ve not, where would you go, and why?

...all you need is a daiquiri!

Fiction Relationships vs. Real Relationships

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The picture to the left is what every story requires.  Along with choosing to read a book, whether it be by your favorite author, or you like the storyline, readers shuffle through, eagerly awaiting for the climax (feel free to think of it as a sexual innuendo).  It’s what we wait for, page by page, (though, these days it’s, swipe by swipe).  that’s mostly the reason why we read the book.

It’s almost been a year since Prince William and Duchess Kate got married.  (You can read my blog post on their wedding HERE).  Anyway, I came across THIS article (isn’t that cute?!), and wanted to somehow relate it to writing.  This lead me to think about romantic relationships in fiction, and in real life.

FICTION RELATIONSHIPS:  I’ve read so many books where it goes something like this – boy meets girl, they start dating, they fight, they fix the issue, then they live happily ever after.  We might get a touch here and there about them on a good day with no action, but that’s not fun to read because readers “want drama.”  I, however, don’t.  I ‘d like to see my characters living the day-to-day life together without the drama.  I think this might be why I write like I do, because I want normalcy for my characters.  I want to see my characters working on their relationship, and making it stronger.

REAL RELATIONSHIPS:  Like fiction relationships, couples meet, they fight, they make-up, and they life (happily) ever after.  The thing is that we’re not perfect, and neither is any relationship.  We both must work on it %100 every single day, (I might be watching too much Dr. Phil – ha, ha!).  Yes, we’re going to have fights with the one we love, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be filled with drama.  Like William and Kate, it can be as simple cuddling next to one another and watching TV.  Cooking together can also be very sexy!  Climaxes in real life relationships might happen more often than in fiction relationships, but that’s okay – that’s life.

In closing, I’d like to share two of my favorite relation quotes:

“Little kindness and courtesies are so important.  In relationships, the little things are the big things.” Stephen R. Covey

“The fundamental glue that holds any relationship together is trust.” Brian Tracy

 

Cancelled

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Book Review for “Cancelled”“Cancelled,” by Elizabeth Ann West

**Watch the trailer for Cancelled HERE!**

Meet robotics engineer, Johnathan Michaels.  For three years, Alexis Rodriguez, a coworker and friend have worked side-by-side.  Over time, their friendship has grown, so much that she spends the night on New Year’s Eve with him-leaving him weak in the knees.  It’s clear to the naked eye that Johnathan’s taken a linking to Alexis.  He then begins to try to convince her that they would be good together, as they grow closer and closer each day.  Back at work while they are preoccupied trying to save a very important contract, a woman who identifies herself as Kellie-the woman he had a one-night stand with only weeks before-comes to return his shirt from that night, and then she drops a bomb on him.  She’s pregnant, and he’s the father!  Johnathan decides against telling anything of the sorts to Alexis, who becomes his fiancée soon after he learns of his impending fatherhood.

It’s clear that he’s now in a pickle, so what’s this man to do?

(CUT!)

While I would usually continue telling you more about the book, since it’s the first book in a series, I don’t want to spoil anything for you, (though it’s killing me to not know what happens next).  However, I will tell you that the ending wasn’t what I expected!

Sounds like a good read, huh?  I think so too!  I’ll be honest, when I heard that “Cancelled” was written from a male’s POV, I was very curious!  The next thing that had me intrigued was the title.  The word “cancelled” can only mean one thing, right?  (Come on and admit it.  You immediately think of weddings too, right?)  It’s easy to say that this book lived it to its expectations!

As for Johnathan, I liked him quite a bit in the beginning, but at times, he either seemed too nice or too wishy-washy, but in the end, I understood why he acted how he did.  I wish he could’ve been more of a man to tell Alexis the truth from the beginning, especially since they were such good friends, but as the book progressed, Alexis had her own faults.  I admired Johnathan’s character for picking up the slack where his immediate family left off (excluding his step-mother…I loved Anna!), which said a lot for the kind of man he was.  I found it to be a refreshing side in a man!  (Readers, I advise you on not giving up on this Hero).

I liked Alexis, as she seemed poised, sophisticated, and direct, I couldn’t really relate to her, then I remind myself that it’s not about the female’s POV, and continued on – but that didn’t stop me from wanting more dialogue, just so that I could understand her a little better.  I felt sorry for Alexis when Johnathan chose to keep the secret about Kellie’s pregnancy.

While the book focused a lot on their relationship, I never felt any real chemistry between Johnathan and Alexis-not even as friends-but since this is the first book, maybe it’s supposed to be that way.

There is quite a bit of technical word usage when it comes to Johnathan’s at work, and most I didn’t understand, but considering what he does, it made sense.  I just wish there hadn’t been so much, because I thought I took away from the main point of this book.  As for writing in a male POV, I think that Elizabeth Ann West wrote as accurate as we ladies think that a man would think!  It was an interesting read, with twists that kept me hooked, and left me with questions, so I’ll definitely be picking up the next read about Johnathan!

I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars!

**Click HERE to read my interview with Elizabeth!

Elizabeth Ann West

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What’s it like in a day of the life of Elizabeth Ann West?  Funny you should ask that, as I’m in the process of evaluating my day by logging what I do. You see, I’m a Mom and Wife first. Writer is a distant third. 🙂

I suck at schedules. So I use a notecard system where I plan my day the night before or morning of, that way I can keep variety in my life. A typical card has my daily tasks of shower and dress, pick up bedroom 5 min, 3 kitchen clean ups, 2 sweeps of house, 1 afternoon pickup, 1 load of laundry, dinner, and baths and PJs for my kids. That’s what I HAVE to get done, and it’s worth 50 points. Yes, I assign points to my tasks and when I earn certain levels, I treat myself to things like new books, video games, or ordering dinner in. It’s how I manage my Mommy Guilt for working at home, but still being there for my kids. On the flip side are the spontaneous goals that might be errands, time for me, and time for writing. Also, all worth points. And when I don’t accomplish a task, even if it’s a REALLY good reason? I deduct the points. It keeps me honest and prevents me from constantly over-scheduling myself. My working hours, including taking time for me, are from 7 AM until 10 PM, everyday. I work a full-time job and a part-time job. LOL. 🙂 And I love every minute I’m not in Corporate America anymore.

You wrote “Cancelled” in a male’s POV.  What motivated you to do this, and did you find this challenging?  The story always came to me from Johnathan’s point-of-view. We’ve all heard the female side of dealing with the hero having a past. But I don’t know many books out there that give a man’s side of our familiar romance story lines. I knew the only way I would finish the book was to strive for something different; that would keep me motivated when things grew rough. Early on, I did try writing the story balanced between Johnathan and Alexis telling the story, but it didn’t grab me. I figured if it didn’t grab me, it wouldn’t grab a reader, either.

As far as challenging, it was a wonderful challenge! My husband helped a great deal when I asked him about certain situations. One of the criticisms I’ve heard from readers is a lack of emotional introspection on Johnathan’s part, and it’s 100% valid. But that was a deliberate decision on my part. One of the ways I kept the voice male was to model my husband’s own behavior. I have a really nasty habit of asking him “What are you thinking?” and the answer is always “Nothing.” For years, I couldn’t grasp that, as my brain never….ever…shuts off. I’m thinking about what I did, what I could have done differently, how are the kids, what’s the plan for tomorrow, next week….etc. He doesn’t borrow trouble. And after 7 years of marriage, I finally believe him and don’t ask him anymore. LOL.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of “Cancelled?”  I come from a non-fiction article writing background. I wrote web based articles for money for 4 years before writing fiction. After a few non-starts in 2009 and 2010, I decided in January 2011 I was going to write a novel that year. I outlined and wrote spontaneous scenes for two months, then really buckled down and wrote chapters in March. I used a technique called #wordmongering on Twitter, where writers join at the top of the hour, start writing, and share their word counts at the :30. I average 750-1,000 words per session.

Around the end of June, I was late on my self-imposed finish line and about 20,000 words short between when Alexis learns about the baby to connecting to the engagement dinner night. I sat my butt on the couch and glared at the manuscript, wanting to quit so badly. Thankfully, I had told too many friends and family members I was writing a book, so I couldn’t quit. Instead, I gritted my teeth, typed until my hands swelled, and wrote 18,000 words in 3 days! I officially finished the second week of July, and since I outline meticulously, the nuts and bolts of the manuscript were pretty sound. Then I took a month off away, started editing in August, and six weeks later, it was in the hands of readers. So concept to first sale, 9 months.

Will there be a sequel?  Yes! Johnathan’s story is a three-book series. Tentatively the titles are CANCELLED, SERVED, and APPROVED. It’s the Red Ink Collection. I planned for SERVED to come out in September, but the outline recently went through an overhaul… so I will know more this summer it’s release date.  It’s looking that it might be more towards Christmas or possibly early next year. I have some other characters that bugged me with their stories while I was writing CANCELLED and I told them to wait their turn. Now I have to flesh out their dramas, and then I can get back to Johnathan’s story picking up when his daughter is about to celebrate her first birthday.

Why do you love the Chick Lit genre?  I started reading chick-lit with the Shopaholic series during my husband’s extended deployment in early 2007. I was an Ombudsman for the submarine, so I had to deal with Red Cross messages (we had a wife diagnosed with terminal cancer and a miracle baby born 1 pound 1 ounce who is alive and thriving today), help 80 families move across country, and deal with my own dilemmas of living without my husband for 7.5 months. On top of that, my husband’s ex-wife was making very ignorant decisions concerning my stepson’s health, so I was regularly flying back and forth to Texas to deal with that drama. Did I mention I was 25 years old?

As an Ombudsman, you work with the wives of the CO and XO to serve the other families as much as you can. The XO’s wife and I grew very close, and she recommended the books to me. I grew up a Navy dependent, so what was technically my seventh or eighth military deployment was the first for 75% of the wives attached to a sailor on the boat. I needed laughter. I needed Becky’s Aunt Ermintrude dying of becoming septic when Luke catches her with the scarf he helped her buy. As my husband’s ex-wife was pregnant with her now soon-to-be-second-ex-husband, and I had just miscarried a baby, I absolutely NEEDED the “She’s a red-headed bitch and I hate her” T-shirt romp in Shopaholic and Baby!!!

I have drama in my life. It’s not going anywhere. I can be ashamed of it or laugh and be merry despite it. I choose the later. And that is why I love a good chick-lit story that makes me not feel so bad about my modern life.

Do you have any favorite snacks while you write?  Hershey Kisses with Almonds. The unwrapping always gives me a second to mull a detail, and it has a nut in it, so it’s half healthy, right? I am also starting to drink coffee, though I still love Prince of Wales tea. But my coffee is 50% coffee, and the other 50% is Coffee Mate’s Italian Sweet Cream creamer and milk. It’s more of a latte. Oh, and when I hit a milestone? Trip to Starbucks for a Tiramisu cake pop.

What do you do when writer’s block hits, and how do you get over it?  I am an outliner. Yes, things develop as I’m writing that can impact the outline, and that does happen, but for the most part, I am a woman with a plan when I sit down to write. If I get stuck, it’s usually when I’m in the outlining process. I’ll give a little time, and if a solution doesn’t come, I will back track and think about an alternate plot path.

Actually writing, I don’t generally get writer’s block. If I’m not really in a mood to write, but need to put words on the screen, I give myself permission to suck. I #wordmonger and just write whatever comes in 30 minutes. Every writer needs to figure out what causes their writer’s block. Mine isn’t a lack of ideas, it’s fear that they aren’t any good. When I shut up my internal Queen Bee judge, I’m free to let my fingers fly. Later on, it’s usually not half bad and just needs a little tweaking here or there to clean it up.

From the first page to a published book, what is your favorite during the writing process?  Outlining. I love, love the logic puzzle involved. I love coming up with a problem this set of characters has to solve, and then figuring out how all of the puzzle pieces fit. I ascribe to the 3-Act structure, and love to weave in my subplots so that at the end they all come together in one ending. That’s a LOT harder than it sounds. I think CANCELLED is doing so well as a debut novel, from a writer who rarely involved herself in creative writing, because I planned out every little detail and how it all ties together before I wrote the book. I honestly didn’t think I would get any 5-star reviews. I expected people would hate my characters and give a resounding thumbs down. I’m okay with being wrong! 🙂

Second favorite is editing. I love to shred my own writing. It’s the non-fiction writer in me. I’m verbose. I know it, my red pen knows it. Therefore when I wear my editor hat, I am a word killer. CANCELLED’s first draft was 85,000 words. Only 75,000 of them made the cut.

Who or what motivates you?  My husband. He and I have been together for nine years. When we first met he was a young pup in the Navy, not sure if he was going to stay in or get out. Like I said earlier, we had drama. And it never stopped us. Together, we’ve weathered many a storm, and while he’s cautious about me and my big ideas (waiting to see if they stick), he always 100% supports me. I do the same, and his career in the Navy has advanced beyond both of our imaginations to where we are very comfortably living in Connecticut with our two children. No more deployments! 🙂

I want to succeed in my writing to make him proud of me, but at the same time I know that I don’t have to because he already is. He’s my best friend, can go toe-to-toe with me in Scrabble, and I care about his opinion first and foremost.

Do you have any goals for yourself that you’d like to accomplish within the next five to ten years?  My husband’s military commission is up in ten years, so I have a rough ten year plan of publishing as many great stories as I can and build a healthy back list. I’m a business woman at heart, I love the logical side of life. Statistically, it is so unlikely to have a break out novel, let alone an author’s debut, that I never counted or coveted the overnight success story. I’m more interested in a slow, sustainable build where readers know I’m there for them, not their dollars. At the same time, I do have two children to put through braces, college, and hubby and I still have three continents out of seven to visit. 🙂 I would like to build up a catalog of titles that bring in “fun money” and maybe, just maybe, when my husband retires from the Navy after 24 years in, we can take a year off before we start our next adventure.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?  90% of life is showing up.

I once took a Constitutional Law class at the ungodly hour of 8 AM on the complete other side of campus, three times a week. Smashing my alarm clock at 6:30 AM at the stay-up-all-night-age of 19, every morning I seriously questioned my sanity when I registered for classes the previous semester. Starting with a class of twenty kids, only eight of us made it to the end. In one of my many conversations with the professor, who was our university’s counsel and had argued in front of the Supreme Court of the United States, he cut through my undergraduate bullsh*t whining one day by telling me that life is about showing up. You didn’t do the reading, you didn’t finish the project, who cares? Show up. Because you can’t accomplish anything, especially making up where you are already behind, if you don’t show up.

Following that simple advice landed me on the Dean’s List that semester, a challenge I didn’t feel compelled to do again. But still, eleven years later, I am my own worst enemy when it comes to if I can’t do something perfectly by my standards, I end up not doing it at all. It’s a quirk I have. I have to really push myself to accept less than perfect to get anything done. I push myself to just show up. It sounds like a false flaw to have, but believe me, when you have what I call “crippling perfectionism,” you know what I mean when I say you end up accomplishing nothing. But your plans to get stuff done? Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

Do you have any current projects going on that you’d like to tell us about?  I am working on a stand alone novella titled STONE. Melanie Stone still dreams of walking into a department store and browsing a clothes rack with her name on the label. A single-mom and owner of an alterations shop, Melanie auditions for a spot on a reality TV show for fashion. Not expecting to find a handsome stranger along the way, Melanie puts the romance on hold as she frantically fulfills dozens of prom and Easter dress orders to pay her bills. But this new beau just won’t take “I’m busy” for an answer. Stressed by her judgmental mother, Melanie struggles to forgive the woman who abandoned her and her grandson five years ago, find greater financial security, and oh yeah, kick out the total creep worming his way into her world. There’s NO TRESPASSING in Melanie Stone’s life.

STONE is due to come out early this summer.

– Thank you so much for this opportunity to be on Chick Lit Goddess! 🙂 I love answering interviews, and hope one day to do a few life events via Google Hangouts. You are helping so many readers and authors with your blog, Isabella. I send you hugs and big smiles! Thank you. 🙂

**For more information on Elizabeth, contact her below:

E. A. West Writing

Follow Elizabeth on Twitter

**HERE is my review for “Cancelled!”

George Strait Songs That Have Inspired My Next Book

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HERE is just a  little part of why I love King George!

While I might live in the city, deep down I’m a country girl and am proud of it!  I’ve never written a complete MS based upon a country girl, so this is a fun challenge.

About fifteen months ago, George’s song, Somewhere Down In Texas, came on and it sparked something my imagination for a book that was based on the song.  Cool, I got this, I thought, but as time has gone by, I find myself using more songs by George, to help create certain scenes in the book.

In alphabetical, but in no particular order for the book, here is the long list of songs I find myself listening to over and over in my head.

Thanks, George, for helping me create my first country girl Chick Lit book:

Amarillo By Morning

Baby’s Gotten Good At Goodbye

Cowboys Like Us

Don’t Tell Me You’re Not In Love

I Ain’t Her Cowboy Anymore

I’d Like To Have That One Back

If I Know Me

Oh, What A Perfect Day

She’ll Leave You With A Smile

Texas

The Man In Love With You

Today My World Slipped Away

What’s Going On In Your World

When Did You Stop Loving Me

You’re Something Special To Me

It’s Fun Friday

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Happy Friday, y’all!!

My 31st birthday was on Sunday, and what a great day it was.  I’m told that I’m the “girl who has everything,” but I disagree.  I’ve had the same responses for the past couple of years — books, gift cards, and picture frames.  While I do have a lot of books and frames, is there wrong with wanting more?  There’s just no such thing!  Below are my top four favorite birthday gifts!  Take a look and see how awesome they are!

Barnes & Noble Gift Card!

Gift cards from B & N are the perfect gift for anyone!  Who can do wrong with a gift card from the world’s greatest bookstore?  (My hubby might disagree because of the amount of books we have in our house, but I just can’t help myself!)  Having a gift card is the best gift to give a writer because not only do they get to pick out what they want, if gives you the opportunity to pick out something you don’t already have.

Crystalline USB Pen!

I was shopping with my mom one day when I saw this, and I loved it!  All writers need pens and a USB, which is also known as a universal serial bus, (thanks, babe – ha, ha, ha!), so this is a necessary item.  If you’re on the go a lot and work with a laptop during the week, but want to stay home and write on your desk top, then why not have a pen with a USB?  I know I’ll be using this a lot more when my office is ready!  Now, if I could only not misplace this pen.  (Wish me luck on that one).

Leather iPad Pillow!

What would I do without my iPad?  Really, I don’t know how I lived without it!  I read a lot, especially when I’m reading for a review.  When I’m home I read on the couch, and I before I go to sleep I read in bed.  Many of you know how reading on the iPad can be difficult.  Well, this is the perfect solution!  It’s an amazing difference at how comfortable it makes using the iPad!  Try it, and I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Customized iPhone Case!

You might remember what my husband gave me last year for my 30th birthday.  (HERE is that blog post).  Well, for the second year in a row, my husband gave me something that I love, love, love — LOVE!  Here’s a picture of it, but trust me, the picture doesn’t do it justice!  (The picture doesn’t show that the phone case is my signature purple!)  It’s simply perfect!

 Well, as you can see, I had a great birthday!  Here’s to being 31, and so far, it’s not too shabby!

If you’re a writer, what are some of your favorite gifts you’ve received for your birthday?

Editing vs. Rewrites

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Congratulations, you’ve finished writing a book.  You’ve invested weeks, months, or maybe even years, but it’s done.  That was the hard part, right?  Wrong!

The definitions for editing and rewrites seem similar, but they’re not.

  • Editing: I thought that editing would go like this – I’d take away a comma here and there, make a few dashes in the right places, and add/delete a words every now and then.  I would change a few sentences, and then I’d be done.  I would find a publisher who would want to buy my books, and I’d be living the life like Emily Giffin and Danielle Steel.  I was wrong, so very wrong!
  • Rewrites:  I think that this is the most important part in the writing process, at least for me anyway.  Rewrites are where you delete parts of your work and write it again in a different way.  This means either changing around the dialogue, what the MC does or the situation he/she’s in .  It can also mean that you’ll need to do a rewrite to strengthen or explain certain scene(s) in more detail.  Authors go through many rewrites, and  mean a lot of them!  This is okay — it’s normal!

Yesterday I finished my rewrites to give to my editor.  It was the first time that I’d ever really done anything close to rewriting a part in my first book, Redefined Dreams.  When I sat down to do my rewrites, I was nervous.  I wanted these to be perfect, but I realize that in the writing world there is no such thing.  I’m looking forward to more rewrites, not just “editing!”

Tell me your editing and/or rewriting story!  I’d love to hear it!

Unscripted

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Natalie Aaron & Marla Schwartz

Natalie Aaron and Marla Schwartz are on Chick Lit Goddess?  I can’t believe it either!  The two ladies have inspired and helped the genre of Chick Lit stay alive.  It’s with their strong love and passion for all Chick Lit authors (new and upcoming), do these ladies make being a Chick Lit fan so much better.  As the owner of Chick Lit Goddess, I’m honored to have them as guests!

Before I start my Q & A, here’s a quickie about them:

NATALIE AARON was born in Kansas, moved to L.A. and based solely on her astrological sign, was hired as a PA on commercials and music videos – only confirming what she’d heard about L.A. was true.  Natalie went on to such critically acclaimed shows as Taxicab Confessions, Behind the Music and Movies That Shook the World, where she learned how to coax interviews from reluctant celebrities. Her recent producing credits include The Judds, Ruby, Sweet Home Alabama and Little People, Big World.  Natalie lives in L.A. and hardly ever wonders how she wound up doing this for a living.

MARLA SCHWARTZ was born in L.A. but moved to England to pursue a graduate degree in Medieval Studies.  After working as Head Researcher for both Dreamworks Animation and writer/director Andrew Niccol, she began working as a television producer. Marla’s producing credits include Blind Date, Starting Over, Making the Band, Bad Girls Club, Dane Cook’s Tourgasm, and Wanted:  Ted or Alive, an assignment that required her to screen footage of a deer being shot, gutted, and cooked.  Marla lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter and hardly ever wonders how she wound up doing this for a living.

To get to know you, list five adjectives that describe you as a writing team.   Together we are: snarky, creative, silly, determined and slightly neurotic (or full-on neurotic depending on the day.)

How did you two meet?  We met in 2001 on a massive five-hour clip show. We bonded instantly over our love of Chick Lit books, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and Nutella. It was a crazy schedule with long hours and weekends but our new friendship made it almost fun (almost…)

How do you two write together?   After some failed attempts, we figured out a system that worked really well for us. Over a period of three months we outlined every detail of the book – we mapped out every scene and every chapter.  That way every creative decision was hashed out in advance. Then we’d go off and write on our own, email our finished work to each other and make notes on the page.  We’d get together and go over notes and work the changes in together.  It really streamlined the process.

What do you love and hate about writing together?  Love: Well besides the obvious advantages like brainstorming, cookie time and someone to take half of the work… it’s been great to have someone to share the ups and downs of this whole process with.   Hate: We really don’t have a hate. We joke that Marla’s husband was the one who probably hated it – we spent a lot of weekends working!

Have you two ever disagreed on where the story is going?   Thankfully no. Because of the outlining – we were on the same page with all of the creative decisions. And luckily, we share the same sense of humor – that translated to one creative brain when it came to the writing.

How long did it take you two to write Unscripted?   That’s hard to say – we had a couple of false starts but when we finally buckled down and began outlining/writing it took around two years to get through two drafts.

Can you tell us a little bit about the book?  We’re happy you asked! Here’s the blurb:

As a producer on a reality dating show, Abby Edwards knows that true love is a myth. Her career and her friends are all she needs. Right?

When her screenwriter ex makes a hit movie based on their relationship, Abby’s faults are projected on screens across the country. Suddenly the fact that her job depends on orchestrating hot tub hook-ups doesn’t seem so impressive.

Her friends rally to help. Zoë thinks she needs to meet a guy. Stephanie suggests an attitude adjustment. Nancy wants her to get in touch with her inner Goddess. Abby knows they mean well, but she prefers to focus on her work. Unfortunately, she’s already embarrassed herself in front of her new boss, Will Harper, who she would find totally crush-worthy if he weren’t so irritating.

Abby’s about to be reminded that life doesn’t follow a script—and good things happen when you least expect it…

How did you two celebrate the publication of the book?   We were pretty nervous on release day and wanted to keep it low key so we had a little champagne toast and ordered in Indian food.

Do you two have any upcoming plans for another book?   We’ve been discussing! We’re still working that one out…

Ebook or paperback?  Ebook.  There’s nothing better than downloading a book the instant you want it!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?  10 years?  That question is always so hard to answer! All we know is that we hope we are happy, healthy and doing what we love for a living…writing!

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Kathleen Kole

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Kathleen is an awesome woman!  She’s one of my favorite Twitter peeps!  I love Kathleen’s kindness and supportive ways towards her fellow author friends!  I’ve only read Favorable Conditions, but from a writer in the making like myself, she’s an inspiration.  I am honored to have her as a guest!

About Kathleen:

Born in Edmonton AB, Kathleen began storytelling in grade school.  She has many fond memories of passing summer afternoons, out on the swings in her backyard, creating tales that entertained her neighborhood friends.

When she finally decided to venture from her backyard, Kathleen pursued a career in storytelling.  She graduated from college with a Diploma in Radio and Television Arts and traveled the path of freelance writing for numerous local newspapers.

Many years later, too many to talk about without seeming rude and nosey, Kathleen has channeled her imagination to the pages of her novels.  She hopes that you enjoy her tales and encourages you to feel free to read her stories on the swing set in your own backyard.

Kathleen has traveled from Edmonton, to a new backyard with a lovely mountain view. She spends time there with her beloved husband, adored son and silly dog. They let her tell them stories and always laugh in all of the correct places. She’s lucky, and she knows it.

Q & A with Kathleen Kole

When did you start writing?  I have loved to write for as long as I can remember.  From the first stories I wrote in grade school until right this red hot minute, storytelling is a natural extension of who I am.  As for being paid for my work, that started in my early twenties when I was a freelance writer for a number of local city newspapers.

As a writer, what are your days/night like?  I am fortunate my son is old enough now and I can dedicate a few of my daytime hours to writing.  It wasn’t always that way!  When he was in Elementary school, my days were caught up in volunteer work, lunch breaks, play dates and the like.  As far as any sort of schedule goes, I would simply say I write when the work needs to get done and do my best to fit everything else in around the work.  Some days are more chaotic, others more productive, but in the end I put my head down and sink in and get it done.

From writing to being published, what was the most difficult part?  Getting over the worry/fear/insecurity, pick a word, that the novel was good enough to share.  I still go through that same “dance” every time I publish, but it really helps to know that almost every other author I’ve spoken to feels the exact same way.  You invest so much of yourself into your stories and every time you send one out into the reader universe, you truly hope you’ve given them something they feel was worthy of their time.

Who or what motivates you?  A good question and, until this moment, one I’ve never really pondered.  Writing is a second-nature sort of thing for me, so I guess if I was to pick a motivator I’d have to say it is my family.  My husband and son are so supportive of my dreams, it gives me that extra push to do my best and share the “spoils” with them.

Who is your favorite author, and why?  Another good question!  I have a few favorites, but if I was to narrow it down to just one… or two… I’d say Frannie Flagg and Maeve Binchy.  Both of these authors have the ability to weave a story so intricately it takes my breath away.  I have huge respect for their talents and am grateful beyond measure that they share their storytelling gift in their novels.

Paper or eBooks?  Why?  Hmmm, once upon a time I’d probably have answered that with paper, but now I’m not so sure.  While I do appreciate a physical book, I also respect the value and ease of an eReader, not to mention the volume of books it can contain (I adore my Kindle!)

Where do you get your ideas for your books?  Sometimes it feels as though book ideas find me.  I am interested in people and their experiences, so when an idea catches hold and won’t let go, it is soon followed with a main character and off I go to write their story.

Why did you want to be a writer?  As I’ve said, storytelling is a natural extension of who I am.  I started creating stories for my friends when I was in grade school, so it seemed a natural evolution that I’d eventually start fleshing them out in novels.

How do you come up with titles of your books?  Yet another great question.  First and foremost, I try my best to create a title that in some way pertains to my story.  That is key.  Then, I think of my readers and go with the adage that if it would catch my attention; hopefully it will theirs as well.

What has been your greatest accomplishment thus far, and how did you celebrate?  You know, I don’t think I can say I have one greatest accomplishment. (Other than my son, to whom nothing can hold a candle nor be compared.) Each momentous experience I’ve lived along my path has been unique and cherished; however, I don’t believe any certain one has overshadowed another.  I am grateful for them all, they have all been instrumental in shaping me and my life thus far, and I look forward to whatever comes next.

What is your advice for upcoming writers?  Live in the moment.  Rejoice in the journey.  Revel in the experience.  Have fun with it.

Tell us about your upcoming projects:  I have two new books coming in 2012.  The first, “In This Moment”, is to be published in late spring.  The second, “Tales From The Laundry Pile” to be published in the fall.  If you’re curious about either, or both, of their premises, have a peek on my website.

— Thank you so much, Isabella, for being willing to read my book and participate in this blog tour.  Also, thank you kindly for welcoming me here to answer your questions and offer my readers an opportunity to feel a more personal connection to me and my work.  Cheers!

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