English Author Maya Blake Interviewed and Great Giveaway Prizes

Please welcome fellow The Wild Rose Press author, Maya Blake. Maya, please introduce yourself to readers.

Hi, I’m Maya Blake, I’m a thirty-something romance writer whose life-long dream of writing finally came to true last year when my debut novel HOSTAGE TO LOVE was published by The Wild Rose Press. I’m the fourth of five siblings and I live in Kent, England with my husband and two adorable (in my opinion, lol) kids.

CC: Who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?

MB: Since romance is my first love when it comes to reading, most of my favorite authors are romance writers. Michelle Reid, Lucy Monroe, Penny Jordan are a few of my Harlequin Presents favorites, but last year I discovered Anna Campbell, a historical romance writer, who blew me completely away and is now a firm favorite. I also enjoy reading crime thrillers, so authors like Deaver, Baldacci and Grisham are on my auto-buy list.

CC: Good choices. How many books do you read a month? What are you reading now?

MB: Since becoming a “serious” writer, my reading has taken an enormous hit. Where I used to read about six books a month, I’ve had to cut down to two or three, which is a shame since reading is a passion of mine. Just like my writing to tend to flit from book to book, which means I could be reading about three books at the same time, so to answer your question, right now I’m reading The Brunelli Baby Bargain by Kim Lawrence, Pure Princess, Bartered Bride by Caitlin Crews and The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, lol!

CC: When you’re not writing, what’s your favorite way to relax and recharge? Hobbies?

MB: Reading is my go-to hobby. I always have books stashed in various parts of the house just in case I get a minute, but for the ultimate relaxation, it’s my hammock, a book and a glass of wine. A very close second is watching movies with my husband. I love my kids immeasurably, but I wouldn’t call them a hobby, no way!

CC: Kids are definitely a full-time job, aren’t they? Would you like to share any guilty pleasures that feed your muse?

MB: Oh dear, my muse is as flighty as I am, unfortunately! One day it could be music, other days it could be chocolate or complete silence. She arrives, makes demands and I simply have to accommodate her!

CC: My muse always responds to chocolate. LOL  How long have you been writing?

MB: I started writing when I was thirteen, but the usual angst-ridden teenage life got in the way, followed by “real life”, I guess. It wasn’t until I was on maternity leave with my second child five years ago that I picked up the pen again. My first manuscript was completed a month after I went back to work.

CC: Where do you prefer to write? Do you need quiet, music, solitude? PC or laptop?

MB: I can write pretty much anywhere and I don’t really mind background noise as long as it’s IN the background. My preferred place to write, though, is in bed, laptop on my lapdesk and my iPod and a cold drink close by; writing is thirsty work!

CC: Yes, it is. Are you a plotter or a pantzer?

MB: When I started writing I was a complete pantzer, but I’ve had to learn to plot for the sake of contests and proposals. My crit partners and I now have awesome Skype sessions where we get together to plot stories. That said, sometimes I will deviate from a plot just to see where the characters and the muse take me.

CC: A plot is really just a road map, and it’s nice to take detours along the way. Do you use real events or persons in your stories?

MB: Not really. I may have used a name or an observation in the past in a story, for example, I saw girl with a spider tattoo on her foot and it sparked the idea of writing a story with an arachnophobic heroine.

CC: Great! Do you do your research before you begin a new project, or as you go along?

MB: Once the story is fully formed in my head or sketched roughly on paper, I just tend to run with it and research later. I think most writers come to a point when the words don’t quite flow as rapidly as we’d like and I use times like those to do my research. Often, it helps the story unfold quicker.

CC: Research does spark ideas. Tell us about your writing schedule. Do you set goals? Do you write daily?

MB: I’d love to say I set goals and keep to them or that I write daily. Unfortunately, holding down a full time job and the demands of family means that I can only write when I have or make the time. My husband is very good at taking the kids off my hands when he knows I have a self-imposed deadline and that helps a lot. Generally I try and write after my kids are in bed and the home settled down for the night.

CC: With a full-time job away from home plus children and a husband, I think you must be very efficient to find time for writing books. What is your day job?

MB: I hold down a full-time job at a law firm in the City of London.

CC: Sigh, I love visiting the City of London. What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

MB: My aim is bring to readers what I myself look for in books – heartfelt warmth, affinity with three-dimensional characters and a hard-fought-for but very well deserved happy ending. If there’s a neat twist thrown in there somewhere, even better!

CC: What advice would you give to pre-published authors?

MB: Never give up. A rejection letter from another publisher only fuelled my desire to be published and led to HOSTAGE TO LOVE being accepted by The Wild Rose Press six weeks later.

CC: Perseverance is the key. Tell us about your latest release.

MB: Here’s a blurb:

Crushed by betrayal, Belle Winkworth-Jones flees the shambles of her short-lived marriage, only to be kidnapped by a vicious rebel soldier determined to keep her for himself. Nick Andreakos mounts a ruthless rescue to save the wife who walked away from him, even though he's resentful Belle could dismiss their marriage so easily

MB: And here’s an excerpt: (PG)

Belle jerked awake as a loud blast ripped through the cave, her eyes unprepared for the blinding, strobe flashes of light that lit up the dark cavern a second later. Squinting, she saw the flashes continue intermittently for several seconds, then stop. She lurched from her position propped up against the wall and wondered for a moment if she was still dreaming.

The screams from a few feet away told her she wasn’t.

She’d stayed awake long after the rebel leader retired behind his curtain, unable to sleep for fear he might vent his anger on Father Tom.

She’d also contemplated what she would do after nature ran its course. She’d bought them three days, four at the most. What would happen after that? Could she willingly let the loathsome man touch her for the sake of keeping one or all of them alive? And what guarantee did she have that he wouldn’t harm Father Tom?

The idea that perhaps they could overpower two of the soldiers, steal their weapons and make a run for it, she immediately discarded as foolish, and dangerous. She’d slumped, dejected, against the wall of the cave. That’s when she must’ve fallen asleep.

Dizzy and momentarily blinded by the flashes, she jumped as Edda screamed again. What was happening? Had the rebel leader decided they weren’t worth keeping and blasted the cave, burying them alive? Curiously though, the walls of the cave remained intact. She blinked a few times to dispel the blindness. Nothing happened.

A staccato burst of muffled gunfire sounded close by. But the gunfire was inside the cave, not outside. Which meant the rebels were still inside. Something brushed against her and she bit back a scream.

‘It’s all right lass, it’s me,’ Father Tom whispered close to her. ‘I told yer we’d be rescued today.’

Rescued! Why hadn’t she thought of that? Her spirits soared. Then plummeted.

CC: Wow, I’m intrigued. Where can readers find your books?

MB: My books are available from The Wild Rose Press, Amazon, Amazon Kindle, All Romance ebooks, Barnes & Noble, Fictionwise and MbaM, to name a few.

CC: How can readers learn more about you?

MB: Readers can stay in touch with me in various ways:

www.mayabauthor.blogspot.com

www.twitter.com/mayablake

www.minxesofromance.blogspot.com

Buy Hostage To Love here

CC: Thank you, Maya, for sharing your life and your writing with us today.

MB: Thank you so much for having me here today, Caroline. Your blog is beautiful and I feel at home already!

Readers! Remember to post today and next Wednesday to be entered in the big Gift Basked Drawing on the 30th.

Comments today also will be entered in my weekly prize drawing for a PDF file of one of my books.
 
This is a win-win situation!

Book Review, WELCOME TO HARMONY by Jodi Thomas

Congratulations to Cathie, the commenter who won my Saturday drawing of a download of her choice of either OUT OF THE BLUE or the Civil War anthology NORTHERN ROSES AND SOUTHERN BELLES. Cathie, I'll email you to learn your choice.

Jodi Thomas is one of my favorite writers, and I keep all of her books. She is a Texas writer and I identify with her stories and her characters. Her latest release, WELCOME TO HARMONY, is set in a fictional West Texas town located--in my opinion--between Lubbock and Amarillo. I loved the people in this town. The story is launched by Reagan, a sixteen-year-old runaway from the foster system that has abused her, who has yearned for a home. She decided that Harmony sounded like the perfect place, so she's come hoping to stay--and hoping that she can fulfill her dreams. We never learn her last name, but it's not important. She is the catalyst in a story peopled with numerous lovable characters and a few not-so-lovable ones. 

When I read the back blurb of this book and realized that a teen was the main character, I wondered how Jodi Thomas would pull this one off. Knowing how much I'd enjoyed each of her previous books, I bought this one in spite of the back cover blurb. I need not have worried, because once again Jodi Thomas delivered a winning story. I grew up in Lubbock, and her characterizations are spot on for the area.  Her descriptions of the landscape made me feel at home. Although the primary conflict is resolved, a couple of loose ends dangle to tempt readers to pick up the next book of the series, which is due out this fall. I know I'll be first in line for the next one.

I might also point out that WELCOME TO HARMONY ties in nicely with the previous book, titled TWISTED CREEK.  You can't go wrong with a book by Jodi Thomas!

Welcome Author Mimi Barbour!

Readers, please help me welcome author Mimi Barbour today. Mimi, thank you so much for joining us today. You’ve led a richly diversified life. Tell us about your time in Africa. Then, tell us about your life now.


Hi Caroline. Thanks so much for inviting me to join you today. I really do enjoy these interviews. Humm?? Wonder what that says about a person. Ahh Dr. Phil…?

I have had a fun life. Moved many times around Winnipeg as a child, and I think it created a traveling niche in my psyche. I love to meet new people and go to different places. Spent the first eight years of married life in various areas in the Yukon. Then stayed in one small town on Vancouver Island for fifteen years and raised a family. Got an opportunity to move to Chile and lived there for seven years, and then ended up in West Africa for two more, and finally back to Canada to settle down Mid-Island where I live with my hubby, and two rambunctious turtles the size of small plates. (Okay maybe not rambunctious but they do come when I splash the water!!?)

Being in Africa was like living in a National Geographic program. I loved the people and the color and hated the poorness and the enforced oppression by their own government. Being called Mammy by the kids turned me on - they knew a soft touch when they saw one.

What led you to writing? I know you took writing classes, but why writing rather than, gardening or photography or bridge?

In Africa I had too much time on my hands and needed to take on a challenge. I was already teaching English to the fellow who worked as a gardener, quilting and cross-stitching, but I’d decided I needed more focus for my brain. I’d always loved writing letters and stories and thought I’d could to learn how to write for children. I took two years correspondence classes on creative Writing.

(There’s a story on my website called ‘Run for Joy’ which was the only children’s story I’ve had published. In truth, this image was the whole reason for me to start learning how to write. I had to tell the story about the naked African boy running in the rain and kicking a ball only half full of air. His protruding little tummy looked like a beer belly and he was so happy. The memory always makes me smile.)

Do you think you’ll diversify the types of romance you write or stay, as we say in Texas, stay with the one who brung ya?

My series is in the paranormal genre because I wrote the first story ‘She Me’ for a contest and I had to follow their guidelines (more about that later).

But, I’d love to write series romances. We all have to start somewhere and since I’ve read them for many years, having a gold star on my personal stairway next to Harlequin would be a real joy.

Who are a few of your favorite authors?

I’ve been reading the J.D.Robb series because it’s all I have left of Nora’s books to read. I love Susan Elizabeth Philips and find her bad-boy stories a delight. I particularly enjoy courtroom dramas and who-dun-its so Richard North Patterson fills that slot for me, and when I get in the mood for a good historical there’s no one better than Jo Beverly. Sharon Ashwood is also a new favourite of mine in the paranormal line with her quirky voice and ghost-busting heroine. But I guess my all-time best read is ‘Shantaram’ by Gregory David Roberts.

Oooh, Sharon Ashwood sounds like an author I should read. When you’re not writing, what do you do to relax?

I garden, but always with a pencil and paper nearby. It’s amazing how many plot problems have been solved when I’m on my knees, with a spade in my hand and sweat dripping. Gotta stop and pull off the gloves, stand up groaning and kvetching, and go over to the table to capture my ideas. Then I resume my place only to have the next, greater than before idea hit me that also has to be written down. Sigh!! Sometimes I just give up and go back to the computer.

I love spending time with friends and when I do that, the stories are forgotten….mostly Unless while people-watching, a favourite habit of mine, I see some behaviour that just needs to be documented.

What would you like to tell readers about THE VICARAGE BENCH? What inspired you to write the stories in this book?

The Vicarage Bench has been so much fun to write. The first story “She’s Me” was to be an entry for a Wild Rose Press contest called Through the Garden Gate. Well, instead of going through it, I sorta jumped over the flippin thing by ignoring some of their guidelines, and so was notified that they couldn’t accept my story as part of the contest but…they’d like to publish it as a stand-alone. I calmly agreed the same way any hysterical banshee would, and so my first story got released.

The second story “He’s Her” came about because the fact that I was now a published author went straight to my swollen head, and I figured heck – if I could do one, I could do two. And I did!

Running with the ball was too hard to stop and along came number three “We’re One”

I guess the premise of the books—having the protagonists either reside in someone else’s body (along with the owner), or have the hero invade hers, just tickles my fancy. It’s great fun writing dialogue, and the emotional side of each character can be stretched further than normal, because now it’s two souls who have to deal with the emotions involved. Also—because my favourite part of writing is characterization, I believe the people in my stories have wonderful personalities, are fun and full of surprises….at least I hope they are.

Beautiful cover, Mimi! Write a paragraph using the following words: peach, prize, leather, stocking, pig.

The curvaceous blonde wriggled and retied the waistband of her illegally-short shorts, trying to secure them from sliding down again. Her long pigtail swung freely with each move she made, as once more, she climbed the tree stretching and struggling for the peaches that hung just out of reach. Sara knew her sleeping child, cuddled in the car seat, would consider this a wonderful prize, and if she could gather all three she aimed for, then stocking them away for the next day would save her from having to spend her hoarded cash on fresh fruit. Sara would have gotten them too, if it weren’t for the leather-jacketed idiot barrelling towards her on a screaming motorcycle. Noticing her, he skidded across the road and flew off his bike, landing close to where she now hung on for dear life. Screams from inside the car grew louder, but didn’t come close to drowning out her cussing.

Do you write each day? What is your writing schedule?

Yep! I write each day unless I absolutely can’t. If I’m on holidays and am expected to be sociable with friends, I normally wait until everyone else’s has gone to bed. I’m a night owl and therefore can usually outlast most of my friends. If nothing else, I have to clean up my e-mails because after two days the amount collected is mind-blowing.

Are you a plotter or a seat-of-the-pants writer?

First I come up with an idea and plot out most of the story in my mind before I jot down the main items. Then I write out a rough draft for the characters. Later, once I actually start writing, everything changes. But without that small guideline, I really don’t have any direction to go towards or what will happen when I get there.

What advice would you give pre-published writers?

Oh goodness… now might be a good time for a bathroom break or for fresh coffee. Just kidding. I won’t go on and on except to say this. If you think you’re really good enough to be published, but you haven’t had any formal writing education, or haven’t taken any classes— then think again. Creating a novel that will interest an editor today is very hard to do. If you truly want to it - be prepared to work your ass off, have a real job to cover the bills, and study - learn your craft. Read the to-do books, but try and choose the best ones as there’s so much out there. Join a writing group and learn by others’ mistakes. Every author I’ve ever met is more than willing to help the wannabies, because most of us remember the good old days. And never think your work is so good that it can’t be better. Edit and revise and then do it again. It’s how I spend my days. Writing the story is the easiest part…making it saleable isn’t. The two most used reference books in my office are ‘Don’t Sabotage Your Submission’ by Chris Roerden and a big fat Thesaurus.

Give us a blurb about THE VICARAGE BENCH:

The Vicarage Bench is actually an anthology of three novellas. The first ‘She’s Me’ was my original contest entry, and my first attempt at spirit/time travel. I had a lot of fun writing the story of a beautiful, spoilt model from today invading the body of a chubby, sweet librarian from the sixties. The second story ‘He’s Her’ follows the same sort of spirit/time travel, only in this story a sophisticated, cranky fellow moves in on a virgin-sweet, lovely teacher. The third ‘We’re One’ went slightly different, and again I pushed the envelope somewhat. A charismatic, casino owner forces gorgeous, casino starlet to hide inside him in order to save her from a killer out for revenge.


Would you care to give us an excerpt from one of the stories?

Sure - here’s an except from the first ‘She’s Me’.

Chapter Five

Early next morning Jenna was up and forcing her new body into old practises.

“Ow! Stop that.”

“You are so out of shape, I can’t believe it.”

“Enough sit-ups! My heart is pounding so hard it’ll definitely stroke, my back aches—undoubtedly traction will be my only option—and my legs can’t handle so much running. I’ll surely get attacked with varicose veins.”

“You’re nuts. Stop griping. And by the way—we’re walking fast, not running, and it’s good for you. Exercise keeps the blood flowing, builds muscle and inflates energy, and that alone prevents problems. Your skin will benefit, not to mention your heart and lungs. Right now you’re breathing like a stuffed...

“Don’t you say it; don’t you dare.”

“Okay! Don’t spaz!”

“I’m hungry. Let’s eat now.”

“Right! One egg, a slice of twelve-grain bread and a small apple.” This was typical of Jenna’s usual diet.

“Never heard of twelve-grain bread. One egg isn’t enough. I usually have three, with bacon rashers, steamed tomatoes, toast and jam—oh, yes, and a bowl of oatmeal. And of course two cups of tea.”

Sarcasm dripping, Jenna said, “No wonder our arse is as big as an elephant’s. News flash! Lifestyle changes missy, starting right now. We eat healthy as of this moment.” And arguing all the while with her physical landlady about calories, metabolic rates, nutrition and energy, she strenuously suppressed Lucy’s habit of wolfing down every morsel on her plate.

Great excerpt with everything I love, including humor and a paranormal element. Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers?

It’s lovely to be able to visit with you here on Caroline’s blog, but, please do drop by my website and sign up for my newsletter – (which doesn’t get sent out all that often, mostly when I have some news to share.) I also have contests going on from time to time, and so anyone on the newsletter list is automatically entered. There’s an e-mail address also on my website for anyone who has questions. I love hearing from readers.

You can find Mimi on the web at www.mimibarbour.com You’ll also find a free read on her website.

Mimi, thank you for stopping by today. Continued good luck with your writing!

THANK YOU Caroline. It’s been a real pleasure. Hugs, Mimi

Readers. don't forget that leaving a comment enters you in my drawing. You can also sign on as a follower or on my RSS feed for another entry. Please leave your email in the comment.

What I Learned in the Blogathon

May has been a month of blogging for the Word Count's May 2010 Blogathon. I was already blogging daily, so that wasn't new for me. Nevertheless, I have learned several.things:

1. I have discovered several new blogs I enoy. Another way to avoid work--not that I ever procrastinate, you understand. Yeah, right!.

2.  Blogging is work. Yes, blogging every day requires digging for subjects. Not that I have trouble rattling on and on, mind you, but finding something others might find interesting is a challenge..

3. The cyberworld is not my friend, but it can work for me. With help from my daughters and husband, that is. We all need help sometimes, right?

4. When I think about writing 365 posts, it's sounds impossible. One a day sounds easier. Yes, I sometimes play mind games with myself. Occasionally, it even works.

5. Organizing an event like the 2010 Blogathon must be a real headache for Michelle Rafter. Thank goodness she did it for us. Sometimes it's better to be a follower than a leader.

Tomorrow, June 1st, I'll announce the winner of my May Blogathon Contest. Today is your last chance to leave a comment to enter. Signing on as a follower counts as a second entry. Hurry, hurry!

Also, tomorrow begins my participation in the Summer Reading Trail 2010.
As you celebrate your extra day off from work, please remember the reason for our holiday. Pray for all those who are in the armed services now and give thanks for those who died so that we can be free.

Critique Partners

Several times in posts I've mentioned a few of my critique partners. I must say I have an exceptional group of romance critiquers to help me: Ashley Kath-Bilsky, Gigi Sherrell Norwood, Jeanmarie Hamilton, Sandy Crowley, and members of my Yellow Rose RWA chapter. I also have a mystery critique group called Raven Mavens.  I critique by email with Jeanmarie and Sandy while Ashley and Gigi and I meet on a Sunday evening at a restaurant that is a mid way distance between Ashley and Gigi (Gigi lives near me). Our Yellow Rose RWA chapter has numerous qualified members willing to do a quick critique when asked.

When arranging for others to critique your work, there are several guidelines. Don't choose randomly. If you must do so, try a little pre-critique to see how you fit. Here are some pitfalls to watch for:

1. Does the other person have skills that will enhance your weak areas? For instance, if you are weak in grammar, perhaps you need a person who is very good at grammar and spelling. You might be great at emotions, where someone else is weak in that area. Try to mesh talents so you really help one another.

2. Is the other person trustworthy to keep your writing confidential? You don't want someone who will show your work around. No matter how good the person thinks you are, you should have control over who sees your prepublished work.You certainly don't want someone who will tell others, "You won't believe the stupid writing of (insert your name)."

3. Are you a good fit personality-wise? If someone is demanding and insists her/his way is the only possible way to write, you won't enjoy being bullied. Conversely, it's no help whatsoever to have someone who is so sweet they won't point out any weak areas or mistakes. You need an open-minded, honest person to help you.

4. Is this person a serious writer who produces at a rate similar to yours? If you write ten or so pages a day and the other person writes that much every month or two, there's no equality in your exchange. (However, you may enjoy critiquing with this person if you do so face-to-face and enjoy the fellowship. Sometimes it's nice just to talk to other writers about writing.)

5. Does this person know enough about craft and technique to assist you? A person who gives bad advice can damage your work.

Before I found the critiquers above, I had mixed experiences. One person stole my ideas. Each week, something from my last chapter would show up in hers. I finally challenged her on this and she admitted it, but didn't think it was a big deal. I did, and quit critiquing with her. I learned later that she had done the same thing to others. A multi-published friend had a similar experience from someone who stole her book ideas.

Another critique partner never wrote more than a chapter. Each time we met, she would have rewritten the same chapter. She was a good writer, but lazy and lacking in confidence. She's not even a member of a writer's group now. It's a shame because she had a good plot and knew how to tell a story.

The point of this blog article is to caution you to choose your critique partner carefully. A bad critique partner can hurt your writing. One friend quit writing for a year because of scathing comments made by one of her critique partners--now a former firend. Here are some guidelines to being a good critique partner yourself:
1. Constructive criticism is the key.
2. Never tear down another person or make it personal.
3. When you point out something that needs changing, also mention something good.
4. Never say, "Oh, this is wonderful" and leave it at that. Mention good and bad. What did you like/dislike?
5. Don't tell someone his or her idea is wrong unless you can back up your statement with evidence.

I hope all your critique session are productive.