Interview with author L.E. Harvey - BK Walker virtual book tour

Continuing to host the BK Walker Books' Authors Promoting Authors virtual blog tour, today I have author, L.E. Harvey.

Welcome, Lauren!

Please tell us about your current release.
Unbreakable Hostage is a suspense novel about a woman who is kidnapped by one of her classmates in a Ph.D. level algebra class. This is my first suspense novel, and I’m really quite excited to see it be received as well as it has been thus far.

What inspired you to write this book?
My publisher! LOL. My publisher has been fantastic about encouraging me to branch out and to push myself as a writer. If it weren’t for her, I’d still be writing boring historical non-fiction and scientific research papers. LOL.

What exciting story are you working on next?
My next book is due for release in July. It is called Imperfect. Imperfect, and its sequel Impeccable, my current WIP, are the life story of a woman named Carol Mathers. Carol was born a sickly child and received a blood transfusion in the early 1980s as a result of her illness. Like all of us, she faces many obstacles and tragedies throughout her life. As her life progresses, she realizes just how imperfect everything really is.

She learns that she and her partner of twelve years have acquired AIDS as a result of her blood transfusion from the early 1980s. Now, not only does she battle prejudice, racism, and sexism, she also has to face the battles of being an AIDS patient.

An unexpected hostage situation causes Carol to lose everything and to be tremendously haunted by her imperfect past. Between the two books, the real question becomes: can she learn to be at peace with it all?

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
As soon as I knew what a writer was! LOL. Writing has been my passion for my entire life. I wrote “novels” as a child. I had articles published in papers by the time I was in junior high/middle school. Writing has always played an integral role in my life.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I do write full-time. It doesn’t sound like a real job, but trust me, it is! Besides write, I am a retired licensed vet tech, which means I’m still on-call when a friend has an animal question or need. LOL. I also have my own furry clan to tend to, and I love to tinker around on antique vehicles. My days fill up pretty quickly.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Oh boy. That’s a toughie. I ALWAYS play music when I write, and more than likely I will be singing along as I write. If I really get it into it, there may be some improvised drumming or dancing as well! LOL.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A writer. How boring, I know! I actually do what I wanted to do! LOL. Actually, I consider myself extremely lucky to have been able to pursue my true passion. Not many people get that opportunity, so I am one lucky lady!

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
There are a million things I could say here. I guess the one thing that I’d love for readers to know is that aside from Tony in Unbreakable Hostage, there is a part of me in each and every one of my characters. Whether it’s their love and devotion, their temper, their job or whatever have you, there is a piece of me in all of my characters. So as you read their stories, you’re also getting to know me! LOL.

You can learn more at my Web site, too.

Thank you for stopping by, Lauren, I wish you all the best!

Readers - leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win one of several gifts from promoter of this VBT, BK Walker. Gifts include: a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light,a free-of-charge virtual book tour, or one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.

My next visitor for this virtual book tour is Cate Masters on July 7.

Interview with author Trish Silver - BK Walker Books virtual book tour

As I continue to host the BK Walker Books Authors Promoting Authors virtual blog tour, today I welcome author Trish Silver.

Welcome, Trish!

Please tell us about your current release, When I Remember Love.
I’d be happy to. It’s a different type of love story where I took a chance and wrote outside of the box. Aidan Price tries out for a talent reality show much like American Idol and meets the love of his life weeks before the finale. They marry quickly upon the eve of Aidan being crowned the victorious winner. However, they go from love into life and find that the music business is very demanding and threatens to take more than they can give. It’s the story of courage, sacrifice, and most of all, true love.

What inspired you to write this book?
My characters, Jenna and Aidan, came to me in a dream and wouldn’t leave me alone until I wrote their love story.

What exciting story are you working on next?
The sequel, The Price Of Love.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I went to the University Of Cincinnati School of Journalism and my Semantics teacher told me someday I’d be a great writer.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I write when the thoughts come to me and I have a husband who needs my attention too. I’m a night person so I try to be productive in the evening.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a writer and make a difference!

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
My love story will inspire you in many ways!

To listen to the original music written for my book, please visit my website and select the music menu item. You can also listen to the title song, When I Remember Love by watching my book trailer video on YouTube.

My book can be purchased on my site or on Amazon.


Thank you for your time today, Trish. Best of luck with your writing.


Readers, leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win one of several gifts from promoter of this VBT, BK Walker. Gifts include: a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light,a free-of-charge virtual book tour, or one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.

My next guest for the blog tour is June 29 - L.E. Harvey

Prompt Chat 7/4/10

Prompt Chat

Ladies and Gentlemen, this chat is a bit different. We're all going to stretch our creativity and see how fast we can think on our ...er...sitting down.

Audrey will throw out a prompt, and we will all write to the prompt, on the spot. When you are finished, post your work to the chatroom. We'll spend about ten minutes on each prompt, then we'll move on to the next one.

So there is pressure, and there is stress. Hopefully, good stress that will inspire your creativity. Remember to give credit to TWC when a prompt turns into that best-selling novel!

Get ready to kick your creativity into high gear. Shake those cobwebs out of your head, limber up your typing fingers, and prepare to rock your brain!




WHEN?

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Eastern USA Time.....7 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com


WHERE?
The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Don't forget the open chat on Wednesday nights, 8-11 pm EST!

Interview with author Patti Hultstrand - BK Walker Books virtual book tour

As I continue to host the BK Walker Books Authors Promoting Authors virtual blog tour, today I welcome author Patti Hultstrand.

Welcome, Patti!

Please tell us about your current release, Rescue in Time.
Rescue In Time is book 2 in the Chasing Time series, behind last year’s Time Conquers All.

In Time Conquers All, Tamea, a nineteen-year old warrior princess from the India region of the world in the late 1500s, is being plagued by disturbing dreams and visions of the future. Tamea is assigned to protect a visiting king from a neighboring country while their two countries solidify a treaty that will benefit both countries. This king brings with him assassins that want to kill him and his family who are hiding a bigger secret regarding the origins of his country.

This king is not who he seems, and Tamea must unravel the intrigue that surrounds him and his country, but even more important, she must find out why he has been haunting her dreams and visions.

In book 2, Rescue In Time due to release this month, we find Tamea and Parker are connected by more than just their countries' alliances, but have a destiny to discern. Tamea continues to have the disturbing vision where Parker dies in her arms from a successful assassins bullet. She is subconsciously trying to solve the outcome to save his life in the future.

Meanwhile, in the 1500s, Tamea and Parker must take their countries to war with their neighboring country of Bengal who have been implicated as the mastermind behind the assassination attempts on both of their families' lives. Tamea must learn that not all those close to her can be trusted, maybe not even the man she loves.

What inspired you to write this book?
I gummed on Ray Bradbury's stories back in Jr. High and became my first love. When I met Mr. Bradbury back in 1986, I started following some of his writing theories and life lessons. I used one of those when writing Time Conquers All: in writing your story, not stopping until it is written, then go back and edit, edit, edit.

What exciting story are you working on next?
In my own writing: I have been working on Mahal which is a historical romance about the fictionalized story behind the Taj Mahal. And I am working on The Bad Easter Bunny for release early next year. (I may be changing this title – not sure yet). And I am working on a set of short stories all set in “The Center of Time Bar” which will also be written as a screenplay for television.

While I do these projects, I will also be sending to edit, book 3 and 4 in the Chasing Time series, both for Ebook release by end of this year, but not out in print until 2011.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I was asked for my autograph, I knew I was an author. Then I reconfirmed I was a writer when I received my first review.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
It would be the latter. I own and run several businesses in graphic design and book publishing and work at a print shop as work comes in that I am needed to design. I have been a graphic designer for over 20 years, and have been a graphic design business owner for over 16 of those years. It has been since 2008 that I added book publishing services and website design to my list of business interests.

How do I find time to write?
That is the toughest question – because I really don’t write as much as I would like and probably should.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Hmmm – I write directly from my thoughts into the keyboard. My most effective way to write has been to fly by the seat of my pants, so to speak. I have tried other peoples’ methods of writing an outline and writing scenes, then going back and pulling them together. These methods don’t work for me and is why Book 5 in the Chasing Time series is still such a mess. So, I’m not taking any more advice.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A ballerina and a singer. Unfortunately, I have weak ankles and can’t sing all that well. But, I can dance and have rhythm. And I ooze way too much creativity to not do something with it all, so I became a graphic designer, web designer and a writer.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I am a more complicated reader so I write more complicated plots that when I finally solve the core conflict, it is my belief that people will wonder how in the world I came up with this resolution. And then they will want to go back and read them again to see how I did this. Example of my kind of complex epic would be the Amber series by Roger Zelazny.

I had an agent recently tell me that they loved the idea I was leading in this series, but he felt I couldn’t hold the overall story arc together to complete the series. It is my goal to prove him wrong and to bring another complex series with characters you will miss when the overall story is done.

People can learn more about me at my blog: http://azpublishingservices.blogspot.com/

Thank you for your time, Patti. I wish you all the best with your writing and publishing endeavors!

Readers, leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win one of several gifts from promoter of this VBT, BK Walker. Gifts include: a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light,a free-of-charge virtual book tour, or one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.

My next guest for the blog tour is June 28 - Janet Friesler

Interview with Dallas Woodburn, author and founder of Write On! For Literacy- Part 2

I am pleased to welcome Dallas Wooburn back to Reviews and Interview. Dallas is a prolific writer and is founder of a non-profit called Write On! For Literacy which she started in her teens.

This is the second of 3 parts as a way to introduce the readers of Reviews and Interviews to this inspiring woman.

Dallas, thank you for visiting Reviews and Interviews again.

Last month we introduced you to readers. Today I'd like you to tell us about your non-profit organization, Write On! For Literacy.

So, what does Write On! For Literacy entail?
In a recent national assessment conducted by the National Literacy Institute (NLI) of fourth-grade students, 13% reported never reading for fun on their own; an additional 16% only read for fun once a month. I think this is a travesty. Reading has brought me so much excitement, confidence and has opened so many doors for me, including a tremendous college education and a career that I love.

Writing and reading have given me so much fulfillment and self-confidence, and opportunities that I never would have been given otherwise – like traveling to New York to be a guest on The CBS Early Show when I was writing a column for Family Circle magazine. I feel other kids should be exposed to writing and reading as well, to encourage their self-confidence and self-expression. When I published my first book, There’s a Huge Pimple On My Nose, in fifth grade, the teachers in my elementary school asked me to talk to their classes, and then I spoke to other classes throughout the school district.

I still enjoy talking to kids about writing. At the beginning of my talk, I ask the kids if any of them are interested in writing, and usually a few shy hands raise. In contrast, at the end of my talk when I ask the same question, a lot more hands raise. The students told me they didn’t know that kids could be writers. They thought they had to wait until they were adults.

How did Write On! For Literacy come about?
I started "Write On! For Literacy" in 2001 to encourage kids to discover joy, confidence, a means of self-expression and connection to others through reading and writing.

My website www.writeonbooks.org features writing contests, book reviews, fun writing prompts, and more. I also hold an annual Holiday Book Drive to collect and distribute new books to disadvantaged kids -- more than 10,000 books have been donated to date.

What was your main goal when you started your website, www.writeonbooks.org?
With my website I wanted to create a place where young writers can go to find resources and inspiration, as well as connect with other young writers.

I started the site to coincide with my latest endeavor, which is starting a publishing company, Write On! Books, that publishes anthologies of stories, poems and essays written by young writers for young audiences.

The goal is to give young people a much-needed outlet for expression and connection, while also hopefully inspiring a love of reading in youth. As a young writer, sometimes it can be hard to get people to take you seriously and get editors to even read your work. I believe that young people have a voice and opinions and a life perspective that just as important as the voice of adults. Moreover, there are so many books for young people that are written by adults – but who knows what it's like to be a kid better than a kid herself?

I am eager to read submissions from young writers -- they can e-mail me at dallaswoodburn@aol.com or visit my website www.writeonbooks.org for more information.

Thanks, Dallas!

Next month, July 21, we'll have you talk about your passion for writing.

Live chat/interview with C. Hope Clark 6/27/10

The Writer's Chatroom presents C. Hope Clark.

WHEN?

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Interview with author B. Swangin Webster - BK Walker virtual book tour

As I continuing to host the BK Walker Books Authors Promoting Authors virtual blog tour, today I welcome author B. Swangin Webster.

Welcome, B.!

Please tell us about your current release, And Again…Let Me Say This, the sequel to Let Me Just Say This.
My current release continues the story of Cheryl and Matthew, after the divorce. Cheryl has tried to move on with her life, however she is battling an out of control daughter, trying to cope with a new love in her son’s life, and trying to manage being in a relationship with her new boyfriend. However, old habits die hard and she still allows her ex husband to control her and abuse her.

What inspired you to write this book?
I had to write this book as the first book, Let Me Just Say This, left a lot of unanswered questions. If I had continued writing the first book, it would have ended up like War and Peace, over 400 pages, and for a first novel, I didn’t think many people would pick up a book by an “unknown” that was as thick as an encyclopedia

What exciting story are you working on next?
Oh, I’m so glad you asked! I am finishing up the trilogy. Let Me Just Say This became a series, and I am currently working on the final chapter of the series. And I’ll share this, it is entitled, Once and For All.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
LOL, well I always considered myself a writer. I can’t remember a time, when I wasn’t writing. I absolutely LOVE to write and I never was the type to give a birthday card straight from the store, without adding something to the inside and under my name. Most people said, “why don’t you just write your own card, instead of wasting your money, because you ALWAYS have to write something.” Once a year, I always give a “run down” of the previous years events to everyone in their Christmas gift, kinda like a newsletter. Good, Bad and Ugly!

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
Yes, I write full time. OK, that’s not exactly true. I do have a “regular” job, but I write at “work” too. I work in a middle school, in the guidance department and although it gets busier than a bee hive in the summer time, I find myself carrying around a mini steno notebook and jotting down notes all day. By the time I leave work, I have written almost 10-20 pages of my book. I normally don’t “find” time to write, it finds me.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
My most interesting quirk, umm, would have to be that I talk out loud to my characters. I literally tell them to “shut up” or sit down” or “calm down”. At first my family thought I was talking to them when I would be holding conversations, but then they quickly learned that when they see me with a notebook or my laptop, that I’m “talking to my other family”…LOL

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
LOL….I actually wanted to be an Executive Assistant, for someone like Donald Trump. Call me crazy, but that is what I equated being successful as being. I wanted to dress like the people from Dallas or Falcon Crest. (oh my I’m telling my age, aren’t I?) I had it all worked out. I would move to NY City and live in a high rise apartment and wear stilettos and business suits all day. Now, even though I don’t live in NY City, I do wear stiletto’s every day, and although I don’t wear suits, I would call myself a fashsionista.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Yes, I love writing and reading and I hope that people give serious thought to the art of writing and reading. If you pick up a good book, and immerse yourself in it, you will find that reading and/or writing is something that doesn’t cost a lot of money and that you will actually enjoy it. I have also started mentoring new authors, as my way of paying it forward. When I got published, I was a fish out of water, now I swim with the big fish, and I’m loving it!

Thank you for opening up your forum to host me as well as other authors. I welcome feedback and love talking/chatting/emailing/calling people that contact me.

Thank you for your time today, B., and I wish you well on the blog tour and with your books.


Readers, leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win one of several gifts from promoter of this VBT, BK Walker. Gifts include: a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light,a free-of-charge virtual book tour, or one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.

My next guest for this virtual book tour is Pattie Hulstrand on June 26.