BLOGOVERSARY DAY 6: Danielle L. Jensen

Finally, we've reached the end!!! Today, I have an author who has been one of my favourites since her debut novel came out this year. She writes about trolls and prophecies and witches with some forbidden romance mixed in it... If you've got one author in mind, you may be right. If not, well let me introduce you to her.

Let's welcome Danielle L. Jensen, author of Stolen Songbird, the first book in the Malediction trilogy!!!

So here's the interview some of you must have been waiting for!!!

1. Trolls are not commonly featured in books. Why did you want to write about them in your books?

Stolen Songbird was inspired by a dream I had about the setting, and the trolls came into being as I built a story to fit my vision of Trollus. So they sort of created themselves rather than being creatures that I consciously set out to write about.

2. How would you feel if you were a troll?

Claustrophobic. I don’t like caves or confined spaces. But being magical would be pretty awesome. Sometimes I feel sad that I have no special powers.

3. What should we expect from Hidden Huntress?

It’s a lot darker than the first book. Stolen Songbird has many light-hearted moments, and Hidden Huntress doesn’t. All the characters have tough choices to make. It’s the hardest book I’ve ever written. I’ve posted the first page on my Goodreads blog, if anyone wants a bit of a teaser.  

4. How did you feel when you first published Stolen Songbird?

When I first found out that there were editors interested in my book, I cried. It’s really overwhelming to realize that a dream you’ve had for years is about to come true. Sometimes it still feels surreal.

5. What if Stolen Songbird was made into a movie? Which actors would you pick to act out your characters?

That would be pretty cool! I don’t like to say which actors resemble my vision of my characters, because I prefer readers to come up with their own mental images of what everyone looks like. But I LOVE hearing which actors readers think should be cast, so feel free to share your ideas ☺

6. Why did you pick a French background for Cecile in the trilogy?

Primarily because it provided the atmosphere I wanted. I had the 18th century court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and the French revolution in mind while I was writing.

7. Will Tristan suffer a lot in Hidden Huntress? (I seriously hope not.)

He suffers physically, mentally, and emotionally. I’m very hard on him in this book. *evil laugh*

8. I'm really curious. Do you plan to have a love triangle somewhere in the story? (PLEASE NO I SHIP CECILE AND TRISTAN)

No love triangle in this trilogy. Those two have enough obstacles to overcome without me throwing another love interest into the mix.

9. Who do you think is the best character in Stolen Songbird?

My favourite characters are Marc and Anaïs. Marc, because he is a total sweetie despite all the unfortunate things that have happened to him, and Anaïs, because she is even more complex than Tristan and a total badass. She deserves her own novel.

10. If you had the chance to kidnap an author, who would it be?

Maggie Stiefvater, and I’d demand she take me on a road trip in her Camaro.

Interesting answers to my questions!! I loved interviewing you, Danielle! Thanks for agreeing to participate in this!!!

If you'd like to read my review of Stolen Songbird, click HERE!

ABOUT DANIELLE

Danielle was born and raised in Calgary, Canada. At the insistence of the left side of her brain, she graduated in 2003 from the University of Calgary with a bachelor’s degree in finance. But the right side of her brain has ever been mutinous; and in 2010, it sent her back to school to complete an entirely impractical English literature degree at Mount Royal University and to pursue publication. Much to her satisfaction, the right side shows no sign of relinquishing its domination.

You can find more about her and her books at her website: http://danielleljensen.com





And finally the last giveaway!!!! This is definitely something you wouldn't want to miss!!! Danielle will be giving away two signed Stolen Songbird swag packs!!! That sounds awfully delicious to me... Good luck! This is international!!!


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BLOGOVERSARY DAY 5: Diane Mannino

Finally, I'm back from vacation and I'm glad to announce the blogging hiatus ends NOW! Today, we have Diane Mannino on the blog today! If you're not familiar with that name, she is an indie author who wrote the YA contemporary romance series Running From Romeo. I've read all of her books and I loved them so much!

1. Why did you choose to go into writing?

 I discovered my love for writing when I was young. I used to make up stories and English was always my favorite subject. I majored in English in college. I think I love writing so much because I love reading so much. There's nothing better than getting lost in a really great book. Do you feel that way? After college, I wrote for a couple magazines as well as a couple television shows. In a nutshell, I chose to go into writing because I always loved it!
2. You decided to self-publish your book. Why didn't you choose to publish your books through a major publishing house like Harper Collins? 

I'd love to publish through a major publishing house, but I know how hard it is. It can take years for an unknown author to get picked up by a major publisher. It took Kathryn Stockett three years to get "The Help" published. Self-publishing is a great way to get your book out there without waiting forever.

3. You've been mainly focused on romance in your books. Do you think books would be as good without romance in them?

 I love a good romance, but I also love books without it. Sometimes romance can get in the way of a good plot line. For example, there are plenty of thrillers (a genre I really enjoy) that are fantastic books and sometimes romance plays a part and it works. And other times, it's better if it's not developed. 
4. What do you think actually makes a good book? 

This questions ties in perfectly with my answer above because a good book may not have romance in it. A good book? Hmm...I think everyone has a different opinion on what makes a good book. But for me, a good book is one that draws me in from the first page, has well-developed characters, and a plot that makes you NOT want to put the book down. I also feel a really good book makes you feel a bit sad when you're done reading it. It makes you want more. :)

5. Friendship is also important in your books. Do you have friends like Chloe and Bryn in your life? 

I think we all want friends like Chloe and Bryn. I know some readers are bothered by Bryn, but she does and says everything because she's so protective of Emilia. She may come across as too overbearing, but in her heart, she only wants Emilia to be happy and safe. Don't we all want a friend like this? But I sort of went off topic! Yes, I have a couple girlfriends like them, but they drink more wine than margaritas. ;)
Haha, I absolutely get what you mean! 

6. Have you had ideas for any upcoming books?

 I wrote "Running from Romeo" and "Waiting for Romeo" with the intention of writing more books. I definitely left several unanswered questions in "Waiting for Romeo" that would be explained in future books. I hope to write more, but right now I'm busy being a mom to my two teenage daughters and I don't have much time to write at the moment! 

That is absolutely great news to hear from you!

7. How would you react if any of your books was made into a movie?

I think any author isn't being honest if they tell you they wouldn't be thrilled to have their book made into a movie! I would be super excited.

8. Will you try to venture into other genres like fantasy? 

I love the "Harry Potter" series and would absolutely love to write a series like that, but J.K. Rowling is a genius and my imagination isn't nearly as awesome as her's! I feel like my books kind of dabble a bit into other genres that I enjoy. I don't think it's strictly a "romance." There's some mystery and thriller elements to it so down the line I'd probably continue with those genres. 

9. If you could kidnap an author, who would it be and why?

 Lol! There's a couple I'd love to kidnap just to hang out with them and have a glass of wine with! Definitely J.K. Rowling, but only if she's okay with it! Stephen King would be another one and I'd have to say John Green. Why? They are all so incredibly talented!

10. What's your all-time favorite book?

 Yikes! Only one? I don't think I can choose just one. "The Great Gatsby," "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Jane Eyre" are probably my favorite classics. My fave contemporary would be "Harry Potter." I'm sure I'm forgetting some...what's your fave? 

That's a hard question for me too, I'm afraid... All time favourite? Hmm... I'd have to agree with you on Harry Potter and To Kill a Mockingbird. I'll probably add The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare and Stolen Songbird by Danielle Jensen to the list! Of course, there are many more... (which I'm too lazy to list out one by one). Just go to my Goodreads profile and look at the 5-star books in my shelf; there IS a lot.

Thanks for answering my questions, Diane!

You can find my review for Running from Romeo HERE.

And HERE is my review of Waiting for Romeo!

I certainly didn't forget the giveaway, if you were wondering!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DIANE MANNINO graduated from University of Maryland, College Park with a degree in English Literature. She is a former writer for Museum and Arts Washington and Star Magazine as well as several television shows, including, Inside Edition, American Journal, and E! News Daily. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two beautiful daughters. Running from Romeo is her first novel and she is currently working on the sequel.

Website: http://dianemannino.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunningFromRomeo?fref=ts

HERE IS WHAT WE'LL BE GIVING AWAY IN THE GIVEAWAY!!!! IT IS INTERNATIONAL.

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BLOGOVERSARY DAY 4: Kate Bassett

We're already more than halfway through! I can't believe it! Today, on the blog, we have Kate Bassett, who has the talent to weave strong emotions into words. Even the title of her debut book, hints at it. Words and Their Meanings!

1. Have you always wanted to be a writer? 

When I was little, I tended to stretch the truth. A lot. Eventually my mom suggested I try writing stories (instead of walking around telling people I had a twin who lived in London, or had managed to sell my brother for a dollar, etc.).  The first "book" I wrote was about a girl who really, really loved her neighbors' golden retriever. The neighbors ended up giving the girl the dog...This was also my first taste of rejection, since I didn't, uh, end up with a new dog. 

Despite this early brush with rejection, I never really thought I'd end up doing anything else.  There were brief stints when other career ideas popped into my head-- at age nine I wanted to be a veterinarian, until my Godfather let me watch a dog's c-section surgery; when I was in high school I thought I should put my arguing skills to work as a lawyer-- but I always returned to writing.  In college, I went through a slew of majors, only to return to Creative Writing. 

My first "real" job after graduating from college was working as a reporter for my town's weekly newspaper, The Harbor Light. Almost 15 years later, I'm the editor there.  So I guess the answer is yes-- writing is the only ambition I've worked hard enough to pursue. 

2. What was the most challenging obstacle when it came to publishing Words and Their Meanings?

Being a debut author is never easy, and I think being a debut author who writes "quiet" and "literary" contemporary stories is especially tough. My agent, Sarah Davies, did an excellent job of forcing me to look at the heart of the story I wanted to tell, and then asked me questions to help build a little element of mystery in before we went on submission. That round of revisions we did together was really difficult, but I don't know that we would have sold the book without it. 

3. What sparked your idea for your Words and Their Meanings?

Bits and pieces of both Anna and Mateo had been floating around my brain for a very long time.  When I started writing Words though, it was a very different book. There were runaways. And guns. And a lot of blue Slurpees.  Sometime between drafts three and five, I started to find the story I wanted to tell.  I knew I wanted to write about grief and art and the creative heart. I just didn't have a darn clue how to get from point A to point B until I'd put almost 250,000 words onto the page (and then deleted every single one of them).

I also had to let go of my strong desire to write about my hometown, Saginaw. I found myself trying to prove the place I grew up-- a place almost broken by the changing auto industry-- could have a fresh start. I actually renamed the town in the book (Grey Iron is an ode to the Grey Iron factory there) to give myself some distance.  Still, I think there is an overarching theme of loss and paralysis and, eventually, hope, that remained in the novel. I think the seed came from Saginaw. 

4. Do you think the contemporary genre has a widespread effect on everyone? If yes, why?

Stories about real life-- little moments, big moments, all the stuff in between-- always hit me the hardest.  That being said, some readers find great science fiction or dystopian novels (or any other genre they love) speak deeper truths than any other kind of book.  It's the great thing about writing and reading, isn't it? Knowing we can all find characters and stories to connect with, words on a page that shift our views and emotions, or simply give us the right dose of escape from reality.

The one thing I will say about contemporary fiction is that it never goes out of style. There might be "mini trends" in the genre, but the heart of what it means to right contemporary is a steady beat throughout the history of books.  I'm glad to believe that will never change.

5. What is the most essential ingredient in writing a good contemporary?

Voice.  To me, that's what it takes to write a standout contemporary novel.  The voice drives the story, and for quiet contemporary especially, it often drives the plot.  There are so many new books that hit bookstore shelves everyday. I always like to skim the first pages and listen for a voice I haven't heard before, or at the very least a voice I know will be interesting and fresh and real enough to keep me reading.

6.  If you had the chance to co-write a book with an author, who would it be and what would it be about?

Well, funny you should ask! My critique partner and dear friend, Alison DeCamp (whose brilliant and hysterical middle grade debut, My Near Death Adventures (99 % true!) coming out in February 2015) have talked about writing a book together for quite some time now.  I'm not sure if it will be middle grade or young adult (probably YA), but we have been tossing ideas around and I would bet we may start putting something on paper sometime in 2015.  Alison's writing is so funny and smart. Her books also have a big heart, so whatever storyline we end up deciding upon, I'd expect a lot of quirky characters and some sort of strange adventure!

7. Why did you choose Patti Smith as someone that Anna would follow in Words and Their Meanings? 

There was something missing about Anna, something I couldn't quite figure out no matter how much I thought about her character.  She needed an anchor. Something or someone to latch onto during this really dark period in her life.  I'd recently read Patti Smith's memoir, Just Kids, and there was something about it...something about the lens through which Patti sees her life and all the losses (and love) she's experienced along the way that just wouldn't quite leave me. 

Fast forward a few weeks. We don't have a television at my house (but believe me, we get plenty of screen time thanks to Netflix and Hulu), and I got sucked into a morning program while visiting with my mom one day. One of the segments had Patti Smith in it; she was revisiting the Chelsea Hotel for the first time since living there with Robert Mapplethorpe.   All of a sudden, I couldn't stop thinking of Patti and Anna together. I loved the idea of Anna grabbing onto a warped image of Patti, who doesn't exactly look like an eternal optimist. We do this in life a lot, I think. As we grow and change, learning to discover someone's full story, trying to understand a whole is made of a sum of all a story or person's parts, it makes a huge difference it the way one perceives the world.

In the end, it just seemed like a great fit. Patti Smith is a true artist. She's talented-- and hit the world stage at a pretty young age-- and she's had a lot of really, really heartbreaking moments in her life. Through all of the loss and pain, she manages to also find beauty and light. I wanted an adult like that to become important to Anna, but also, to be someone who helps her understand the importance of finding her own voice, and her own words.

8. If you could be a character in Words and Their Meanings, who would it be and why?

Selfishly, Mateo all the way!  He's smart and honest. He's talented but not broken by his talents.  He has a stable, loving family and extended family-- that kind of closeness is such a gift-- and has a safety net that helps him understand life and its challenges/responsibilities in a pretty mature way.  Plus, he cooks! 

9. Will you venture into any other genres like fantasy or historical fiction in the future?

I'm pretty grounded in contemporary, realistic fiction. I like reading fantasy, but I think I'll leave the writing to folks who do it really well.  My new manuscript is set in the mid-1990s, although that doesn't exactly count as historical!  

Of course, you never know where some characters or story ideas may lead....So I won't rule anything out as a definite no.  I can say the next two projects I want to work on are both contemporary YA.

10. Why did you pick origami as one of the central themes in Words and Their Meanings?

Art is present in various forms throughout the book, and I wanted Anna's grandfather to have a way to connect to the creative people in his family. As the only very practical, engineer-minded person in his circle of loved ones, origami made perfect sense.  It's an art form that's delicate and strong, very precise, but also, magical.  The idea of one thing-- a sheet of paper-- becoming something else also speaks to me.  The folds of origami have a connotation of keeping, or making, secrets. 

Kate's YA contemporary novel, Words and Their Meanings, released on the 11th of September. To find out more about the author and her books, you can check out her website: http://katebassettbooks.com

Also, you can check out my review for Words and Their Meanings HERE.

And finally, the giveaway! May the odds be in your favour! The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL.

P.S. The next two interviews will be after my blogging hiatus! So sorry for the inconvenience!

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BLOGOVERSARY DAY 3: Skylar Dorset

Day three! Today we have Skylar Dorset, author of The Girl Who Never Was, a boy about evil faerie queens (and mothers), ogres, wizards and a powerful half-ogre, half-faerie girl.

Once again, there will be a giveaway! You know what that means *wink*

1. What was the first story you've ever written?

When I was six, I wrote a story about two warring factions of squirrels. One faction sent a spy to infiltrate the other faction and she fell in love with one of the enemy squirrels and he with her. All very angsty and dramatic.

2. What is a writing goal you'd like to achieve in the future?

Oooh, this is a good question. I think my goal is to just always get better. I want the next thing I write to always be the best thing I write!

3. Why did you to choose to write about faeries?

I was intrigued by how capricious faeries always are. They show up in a lot of different types of stories, in a lot of different ways, but they’re pretty generally unpredictable and, well, as Selkie’s aunts would say, flighty. I became fascinated by the idea of what kind of society these all-over-the-place creatures would create.

4. What other mythical creatures would you want to write about in your upcoming books?

Oooh, this is a good one. I really want to explore goblins more, and I know lots of people have written about wizards and witches, but that’s because HOW MUCH FUN ARE WIZARDS AND WITCHES??

5. Would you venture into other genres, like contemporary?

I would, actually. I have an idea for a contemporary book that I think would be fun! I have pretty eclectic tastes, so I write a lot of different things.

6. If a character from your book were to come alive one day, who would you want it to be?

I think I’d actually want it to be Will, because I would love to hear all of his stories. I think he has led a really fascinating life.

7. What can we expect from The Boy With the Hidden Name? (A little teaser would be awesome!)

Well. I can say there’s more Selkie, more Kelsey, more Will, and yes, more Ben. J And also more goblins.

8. Who is your all-time favourite author?

J.K. Rowling.

9. If The Girl Who Never Was is going to be adapted into a movie, who do you want to act as Selkie and Ben?

This question never fails to knock me for a loop and I feel like I pick different actors and actresses every single time I’m asked. I just want to give casting directors lots of options! Anyway, currently my picks would be Shelley Hennig and Torrance Coombs.

10. What advice would you give to all aspiring writers out there (including me)?

Write what it makes you happy to write, and your love for it will make the words glow.

To find out more about Skylar Dorset and her books, check out her website: http://www.skylardorset.com

Click HERE to read my review on The Girl Who Never Was!

GIVEAWAY TIME! A copy of The Girl Who Never Was and some swag! It's definitely something I don't want to miss! International!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Skylar’s first story was a tale of romantic intrigue involving two feuding factions of squirrels. Think “Romeo & Juliet” but with bushy tails and added espionage. She was seven.

Since that time, Skylar’s head has been filled with lots of characters and lots of drama. She is delighted to be able to share some of it with all of you now, because, honestly, it was getting pretty loud and crowded in there.

Skylar is a born-and-bred New Englander, which is why Boston was a natural setting for her debut novel, THE GIRL WHO NEVER WAS. Skylar shares her home with a cardboard cutout of the Tenth Doctor, lots of Mardi Gras beads from the time she spent living in New Orleans, and a harp she’s supposed to be teaching herself to play. She’d like to get a dog.

BLOGOVERSARY DAY 2: Lindsay Smith

Now here's interview number two, featuring Lindsay Smith, author of Sekret- a historical fiction about psychic teenagers set in the times of the Cold War. Sounds good?

 As always, there's a giveaway waiting for you at the end so you really should read the interview, and treat the giveaway as a treat.

1.     Your first book, Sekret was set in Russia during the Cold War. Why did you choose such a time and not others, like World War II?

I always think of 1960s as the height of both the Cold War and espionage-chic, both for the political climate then and the pop cultural impact of spies and Cold War rivalry. In 1963, when Sekret begins, the Berlin Wall has gone up and the United States and Soviet Union have just come dangerously close to nuclear war in the Cuban Missile Crisis. The dollar and ruble were of equal value; Russia had gotten several “firsts” in the space race. I loved infusing my characters’ daily lives with that sense of fear and uncertainty—that any moment or misstep could be the tipping point between the two sides.

2.     How did you come up with the different psychic abilities for the characters in the book? 

I really wanted the psychic spywork to feel like a team effort, playing to everyone’s different strengths, with certain types of psychics being able to sense things that others couldn’t. Remote viewing, the ability to psychically “see” into a different part of the world, is what the DoD’s STARGATE program was allegedly trying to develop, but I wanted psychics who could glimpse the future, or glimpse the past as well. And if one person on the team couldn’t verify what another was saying, then I loved the chance for that to add to their mistrust of each other!

3.     Which psychic ability would you like to have?

Ooh, that’s tough! Reading someone else’s thoughts without their knowledge—or even changing their thoughts—sounds way too creepy to me, and I’m not sure it would be comforting to know the future. Maybe remote viewing—I’d love to be able to travel to exotic locations without leaving home.

4. What do you think is the essential ingredient in producing a good book?

I think the author has to be passionate about their story, but not be so blinded by that passion that they can’t bring themselves to tear it apart and put it back together again. That passion will seep into the research they do, the worldbuilding, the care in telling the best possible story that they can.

5.     What book do you think everyone must absolutely read, or they'll miss out on something awesome?

Gosh, so many! Seraphina and the Graceling series are my go-tos for awesome fantasy. I’m absolutely entranced by The Raven Boys books, and the Cahill Witch Chronicles (Born Wicked is book one). There’s a fantastic YA historical coming out at the end of September, Lies We Tell Ourselves, that I think is going to destroy readers in the best way possible. Really excited for everyone to read it.

6.     Thoughts on Sekret being a movie?

I’d love it! My dreamcast would probably include Tatiana Maslany as Yulia and Sebastian Stan as Valentin, but it’d be a huge honor to see anyone bring my characters to life. I always envisioned a sharp contrast between the dirty snow-packed grays of 1960s Moscow and the vivid colors when the psychics read minds or read the past/future. Music plays a major role in Sekretas well, from Shostakovich to the Beatles, so I think it would need to be woven in.

7.     What writing advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Keep reading voraciously, but think critically about what you’re reading—how the story unfolds, how sentences and scenes are crafted, how secrets are divulged. There will always be a disconnect between how something plays out in your head and how it turns out on the page, but keep fighting to reconcile the two. Every word you write teaches you something, so don’t be afraid to write the wrong one. And write a story you believe in—don’t just try to chase a trend or trope for publication.

8.     Have you thought of venturing into other genres, i.e. contemporary or fantasy?

Actually, I have a YA fantasy standalone coming out in Fall 2015, just after Skandal’s release! Right now, it’s calledDreamstrider, and it’s like Graceling meets Inception—the main character can take control of people in her real world through the dreamworld, but bad things happen when the nightmares start waking up. I also recently finished drafting an extremely nerdy, fangirlish contemporary YA. Historical and/or fantasy tales are what I keep coming back to, however.

9.     Which character in your book would be your best friend if they existed in real life?

I love Yulia, but she’s strong-willed, sometimes to her detriment, and not really interested in making friends. Larissa seems like the sort of person you can trust your problems to, someone even-keeled and honest with you even when you’d rather she wasn’t.

10. Last question! What can we look forward to in Skandal? Care to divert some juicy information about it? *wink*

This is so hard to do without spoiling Sekret for those who haven’t read it! SPOILER ALERT, LOOK AWAY NOW! Possibly my favorite part of Skandal is exploring Yulia’s relationship with her father, and why he is the way he is now. We also learn some more of Valentin’s secrets, and Yulia has to make some really tough choices about who she is and what family, love, and country mean to her.

Find out more about Lindsay Smith on her website: http://lindsaysmith.net

To read my review for Sekret, the author's debut novel, click HERE.

Finally, the giveaway that you must have been waiting for! It is international!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lindsay Smith's love of Russian culture has taken her to Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and a reindeer festival in the middle of Siberia. She lives in Washington, DC, where she writes on foreign affairs. SEKRET is her first novel.

BLOGOVERSARY DAY 1: Melissa Pearl

So here's the first of the interviews I've promised you to celebrate our blogoversary. And today we'll be having Melissa Pearl, author of the Betwixt series and other works!

*applause and cheers*

And if you want an incentive to read the interview, there's a giveaway waiting for you at the end. *winks*

1. You've written many genres. Which of them do you find the most satisfying to write?

I have loved writing all my books for varying reasons, but to date, my favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense. 

In saying that, I REALLY loved writing Fever, which was NA contemporary romance, but that’s probably because of the music element :)

2. What can we expect from your upcoming books?

The next 18 months holds in store for me… four NA contemporary romances (Songbird Series), four more Evatopia Press books (upper YA Romantic Suspense), and a young YA series  - The Mica & Lexy Series (romantic…hmmm - what would you call it….Action, I guess. Think Sweet Valley High, set in New Zealand…two 16 year old best friends who can’t help but get themselves in trouble ;) )

3. I noticed that music was important in your newest release, Fever. How important do you think music is to our lives?

For me, music is hugely important. It’s part of who I am. I feel like it’s the air in my soul sometimes. I love all kinds of music and it moves me in a very deep way. So to be able to combine my two passions - music & story-telling is such a special treat for me :)

I know music’s not necessarily important to everybody, but I don’t know many who don’t at least like some music a little. I think music takes the grey and turns it into sunshine :)

4. What do you do when you encounter writer's block?

I often find moving away from the computer the best thing to do…going for a walk or to the gym, taking a shower (that’s probably the place my mind works best. LOL :D) or doing the dishes. Anything that I can do where my mind can wander and sort through whatever block I’m struggling with. 

It’s also good to remind myself that there is more than one way to get to the ending. It’s sometimes really easy to get caught with a certain scene that you want to use, but at the end of the day, there’s always something else you can try. Sometimes it’s a matter of letting go, so you can make room for something better. 

5. Name a book you believe everyone must absolutely read.

Hmmmm - that’s such a great question…and SO hard to answer. I have read so many great books over the years. 

About two months ago, I finished Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Powell and that’s a book I think all writer’s should read, because it’s one of the best examples of ‘show, don’t tell’ I’ve ever read. 

As for moving and powerful, I’d say The Help by Kathryn Stockett is a must read. 

6. Has your passion for writing always been there since you were a kid?

Yes - definitely, I just didn’t know it. When I was a kid, I was ALWAYS making up stories…always, it just never occurred to me to write any of them down :D 

There’s a scene in the movie Sister Act 2 where Whoopie Goldberg’s character challenges one of her music students saying that when she wakes up in the morning, if the first thing she thinks about is singing, then she’s supposed to be a singer. I remember thinking, what do I think of when I wake up in the morning? Stories - it was always whatever story was floating through my imagination. I guess it means I was meant to be a writer, huh :)

7. Which character in your books do you think would be your best friend if they existed in real life?

If I could hang out with any of them, it’d be Zach, Lucy and all of their friends from the Fugitive Series. Man, I love those guys so much. They are awesome :D

8. If you had the chance to co-write a book with an author, who would it be and what would you call it?

Well, the Mica & Lexy Series is co-written with my best friend and I have to say that it’s got to be one of the coolest experiences of my life. She is SO great to work with and we have so much fun together.

9. Covers play a part in promoting books. Have you ever tried designing your own book covers?

No way!! I wish I was that talented :D But I leave the designing up to those amazing graphic designers who can take my really vague visions and turn them into something AMAZING!!!

10. Do you prefer reading or writing?

Both :D I love getting lost in someone else’s story…and I love getting lost in my own character’s worlds as well. 

Stephen Kind said a good writer, is a good reader and I think that’s so true. You have to enjoy both to be successful.

To find out more about Melissa Pearl and her works, click HERE to access her Goodreads page!

Click HERE to check out my review for I Know Lucy; and HERE for Set Me Free; lastly, HERE for Fever!

AND NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY! GOOD LUCK! Giveaway is international!!!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Melissa Pearl was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but has spent much of her life abroad, living in countries such as Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan... not to mention a nine month road trip around North America with her husband. "Best. Year. Ever!!" She now lives in China with her husband and two sons. She is a trained elementary teacher, but writing is her passion. Since becoming a full time mother she has had the opportunity to pursue this dream and her debut novel hit the internet in November 2011. Since then she has continued to produce a steady stream of books. Recently she signed with Evatopia Press and her first Evatopia book is coming out in February 2014 - True Colors, The Masks Series #1. She is very excited to be trying out new things this year while continuing to publish under her own name as well. She has six books planned for 2014 and is excited about writing each and every one of them.

"I am passionate about writing. It stirs a fire in my soul that I never knew I had. I want to be the best writer I can possibly be and transport my readers into another world where they can laugh, cry and fall in love."

http://www.melissapearlauthor.com