Inspired by the bonkbusters by Carrie Duffy

A huge thank you to Suzy for giving me the opportunity to guest post on here. I’m pretty new to blogging, but couldn’t pass up the chance to talk about my writing and my inspirations...
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. As a child, one of my earliest ambitions was to become a children’s author. I couldn’t imagine why anyone would want to write for adults – it seemed so limiting and unexciting.
I wrote lots of stories, and even a YA novel about vampires in my teens, but I had no idea how to go about getting published and wrote simply for the love of it.
I would read widely and often – horror, teen fiction, the classics – but when I was sixteen I picked up my first ever ‘bonkbuster’ novel. It was Career Girls by Louise Bagshawe, and was like nothing I’d ever read before – glossy, glam and thoroughly filthy. The heroines were gorgeous, ambitious women; the men sexy and self-assured. I was hooked.
More than that, it made me want to write a bonkbuster of my own. A few years later, while I was at university, I started trying. By now I’d discovered the Writers and Artists Yearbook, and tentatively sent off some sample chapters to agents. But nothing came of it, and I spent the next few years starting novels in various genres, sending them out, getting rejections and starting the whole process again.
But the idea for Idol (which eventually became my debut novel) wouldn’t go away, and as bonkbusters began to make a comeback in recent years, I re-drafted the manuscript and sent it out.
I was lucky enough to get taken on by Madeleine Buston at the Darley Anderson agency, and after that everything came together pretty quickly. It’s thrilling to finally see my own book on the shelves, up there with authors that I love, and if my story proves anything it’s that you should persevere. It’s taken me just over ten years to become a published author, but I’ve learned so much along the way and the end result is definitely worth it!

For more information, visit http://www.carrieduffy.com

Q&A with author Samantha Towle

A very warm welcome to the author of The Bringer, Samantha Towle....

Name one book that made you think 'wow'? Why did it have such an effect on you?
‘Red Dragon’ by Thomas Harris. Because it’s awesome! I sound like a broken record because I say this in every interview I do, but I love that book because it drew me in from the first line and kept me gripped until the end. It was on my mind for days after I read it. Thomas Harris is a genius writer.

Who is your favourite author and why?
I have two Thomas Harris – for all the reasons I said above, and Charlaine Harris, because she created this fabulous world with her ‘True Blood’ series. She somehow managed to bring an unbelievable world into the real world and make you it work. And also, because she has the wonderful knack of making you fall in love with the bad guy every time!

Name one of your all-time favourite book covers?
Can I say my own?! Well, aside from mine, I do love the cover for Twilight. So simple yet so effective. It’s very eye-catching.

If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?
Thomas Harris, because he’s awesome. Charlaine Harris, so I could quiz her about my favourite ‘True Blood’ characters and what her inspiration for them was. William Shakespeare, so I could ask him if he knew back then how truly great he was and what he thinks about how revered he is in today’s modern world. And lastly, Sophie Kinsella, because I think she’s fabulous and incredibly talented.

Who, or what, inspires you? 

My husband and children inspire me every day. And music. I can’t write a single word without it. The idea for ‘The Bringer’ came from a song ‘Don’t Cry’ by Guns N’ Roses.

Where is your favourite place to write?
At home, sat in my living, laptop on my knee, with a cup of coffee and a pack of biscuits sitting beside me.

What is your favourite film that was based on a book?
I can be a bit critical when films are based on books, but for me the Harry Potter films have been done very well.

What is your book about?

The Bringer is a paranormal romance, filled with twists and turns, tons of love and other emotions all poured in there. It’s not your ‘average’ angel novel, which is what I think readers will like about it.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the main characters? 

Ooh I love this question! I’d have Lyndsy Fonseca as Lucyna, Alex O'Loughlin as James, and Ian Somerhalder as Arlo.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I’m terrified of clowns! I literally can’t look at them on the TV, let alone have one near me.

Tell us something interesting about the area where you live.
Hull has a great history and is traditionally known as a fishing port. Many great writers, poets, politicians and musicians have all hailed from Hull.

Winter or summer? Summer
Ebook or paperback? I’ll probably get heckled for saying this but – paperback.
Favourite food? Ice cream – especially Ben & Jerry’s Half-Baked.
Sporty or couch potato? Couch potato
Cook or be cooked for? Cook

Link to your blog: http://samanthatowle.blogspot.com/

The expressions they give us by A.E Mayer

Recently, I blogged about a certain face people make when I tell them I’m a writer. If you’re a writer or you are good friends with any writers, you’re probably nodding right now because you know exactly which face I’m talking about. It’s the judgy face, the “yikes” face, the withering one that makes you die a little inside. It’s not easy to market to that face. 

But I don’t want to talk about “the face” people today. I want to talk about the handful whose expressions light up like lamps when they meet me and learn that they now know a writer, the few folks who become positively giddy when they hear that I have a book and am writing more.
Although most folks show an expression like you just farted when you fess up to being a writer, these others are the shining few who go bananas. Sometimes they’re writers themselves, but sometimes they’re just bibliophiles, lit lovers, or people who are open-hearted and are interested in what you have to say.
These are the people who have made having a book on the market not just interesting, but downright magical.
This is a note I recently got from a distant friend who bought the book, but wisely didn’t tell me she had just in case it wasn’t her thing: “I I read Temp and LOVED it, so much so that I slept only a few hours a night for a few nights so that I could finish. Given that I have a baby and am chronically underslept, that's a big compliment.”
To me, a note like that makes the whole writing process, which is at times more agonizing than all-inspiring, worth it. When you’re a writer, you essentially sit alone in a room all day and talk to yourself or the characters you’ve designed. So when you’re finally ready to fling your baby book out into the public, it’s hard to know what to expect. I mean, I like Temp, but that doesn’t mean other people have to. There was no way to gauge what people would think or say.
As I have brought my book to market, some people, even those I considered close, have suddenly become anonymous and chosen not to show their support. But some, even strangers I chat up in the donut shop, get giddy. They like the concept, they like my style, and with bookmarks in hand, they go home and take a chance on a newbie by clicking “purchase.” The book hasn’t been out very long, but the response I have gotten so far makes me not only relieved that I took a chance on doing it in the first place, but geared up to do it all over again.
While the “face” some people make can be withering, toting my book into the open market has done nothing but boost my appreciation for and faith in people. The spark that my readers have given me more than lights my path to the second book, and it takes the sting out of everything else. From where I sit, there’s nothing but gratitude.
Thanks to my new friend and fellow writer Suzy Turner for letting me guest star on her blog! Cheers.

A.E Mayer, Author

Q&A with author Carole Anne Carr

Welcome children's author, Carole Anne Carr...

Name one book that made you think 'wow'? Why did it have such an effect on you?
There are many books that I could list, but as I'm a children's author I think I should name one of the books that led me to write for children. Incidentally, it is the same book that led J.K. Rowling to write the Potter series, The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Gouge. The wonderful detailed description would appeal to any young girl.

Who is your favourite author and why? 
There are so many. I'll say J.J. Tolkien for his book The Hobbit. It has everything a children's book should contain.

What is your all-time favourite book cover?
Probably the cover of The Wind in The Willows.

If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?
Anne Fine, Diana Wynne Jones, Enid Bagnold, Beatrix Potter, Lewis Carroll, Richmal Crompton, B.B., John Masefield, Elizabeth Gouge, J.J. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis because they all write/wrote amazing, original children's books.

Who, or what, inspires you?
Without realising it at the time, it was probably my stoic Father and my creative, caring Mother.

Where is your favourite place to write?
When I'm completely involved in this process it really doesn't matter where I am, I am oblivious of everything around me. When travelling I'll scribble plots, bits of conversation on any scrap of paper I can find. But most of the time I'm at the computer in my study.

What is your latest book about?

My latest book, published a few days ago is Thin Time. It is set in the Shropshire village of Tong, and based upon Norse mythology. A young girl, chosen by mistake to be Task Bearer and given three gifts, must bring back the New Year seeds before midnight to prevent the world from dying. With her small stepbrother Thomas, a bad tempered dog named Fymm who is many centuries old, and Ratatosk the Messenger squirrel, she sets out on a dangerous quest. Chased by gargoyles, and guided by the young girl from the altar tomb in Tong Church, Alice finds the door into the Tree of Life by using the skipping rhyme password and travels into the Other World at Thin Time. Helped by the singing cockerel from the church tower, and armed with a stone and a gargoyle’s shield she must face the terrible Sisters at the Well of Wyrd, and the fury of Nidhogg the Snake-Dragon. But does she possess the one thing that will protect her - a loving heart? For without that, she will never be able to return to her own time, and the treasure, whatever it may be, will never be hers.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the main characters?
Preferably an unknown for the girl with lots of personality, and any good classical British actor, actress, for the other parts.

What is your favourite film that was based on a book?
The Box of Delights - John Masefield.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I was lost in a forest in Central Africa.

Tell us something interesting about the area where you live.
It is thought to be one of the most beautiful historic towns in England and is also famous for its Michelin starred restaurants.

Winter or summer? Summer now that I am much older.
Ebook or paperback? Ebook is useful for editing my own books, quick download of classics free of charge, but I shall always prefer to hold a paperback. I embrace all new technology, but holding a piece of plastic does not provide the same reading experience. However, the producers of Kindle say that their cold mechanical object will do this.
Favourite food? French food closely followed by Italian. Same for wines!
Sporty or couch potato? Sporty even at my age, work out at the gym three times a week.
Cook or be cooked for? Cook. Adore cooking all European food, oh, and Indian too.

Visit Carole's website at http://caroleannecarr.co.uk and her blog at http://caroleannecarr.blogspot.com

What fabulous answers, Carole. Thank you! I love the sound of your children's story... wonderful!

My inspiration: Jenny Colgan

I think it was Cosmopolitan Magazine, maybe 10 years ago (give or take a couple), there it was, an interview with an author who I admired. Her name was Jenny Colgan, she was perhaps a couple of years old than me, and I'd previously read one or two of her books. Her style of writing just spoke to me, you know. She was so funny and the stories just captivated me from the very first page.

I think the first book was called Amanda's Wedding and it was chick lit at it's very best. The second was Looking for Andrew McCarthy and it tickled me just as much as the first. I've since read more of hers, of course.

But it was reading the interview that spoke to me and inspired me. Jenny spoke of how her first book had sparked a bit of a bidding war between a couple of publishers and that she'd been paid a nice little advance. To be honest, I can't remember all the ins and outs of the article but I do remember that it made me start to believe in myself, in my own writing. I hadn't yet written anything lengthy but I knew, after reading that article, that I would do. I still believe that Jenny Colgan was the inspiration behind my very first (still unpublished) novel. I wrote it in a matter of weeks, tried to get an agent, failed, and then shoved it in a drawer where it stayed for years.
In the meantime, I wrote two completely different YA novels - one of which is slowly selling online and the other is to be released in September.
Earlier this week I opened that drawer and took out my first book, just to have a look. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't actually that bad! So, I'm now considering re-writing it and releasing it as an ebook and see what happens. The book was originally called Molly (I may change it, I'm in two minds about that) and it's a romantic comedy... chick lit. Its quite naughty though.... worlds away from The Raven Saga!
Thank you, Jenny for being such an inspiration to me.

Check out what Jenny is up to at the moment at her site http://jennycolgan.com

Author interview with 12 year old Spencer Brokaw

Today I have an extra special guest interview. Spencer Brokaw is the author of The Impenetrable Spy and he is just 12. Yes, you read that right, 12. Isn't that fantastic?!

Have you ever read a book that made you think 'wow'? If so, what book was it and why did it have such an effect on you?

One of my favorite books is The Series of Unfortunate Events #2. It had such an effect on me because it was the first book I read in the series, and I fell in love. It had such an effect on me that I read all of the books in a week and a half at age 10. I read a book each day and was totally addicted. I don’t think I have ever read so much in a period of time. I loved the dark humor and descriptions. I also enjoyed The Beatrice Letters by the same author.

Who is your favourite author and why?

My favorite author is J.K. Rowling. Her story as a writer is so inspiring and I love the Harry Potter series.

What is your all-time favourite book cover?

This has to be the hardest question for me. There are lots of great book covers but I like Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire the best. It was also the first Harry Potter book I read. The reason I started with it was because of the intriguing book cover.

If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?

I would choose Christopher Paolini because he was self-published at such a young age, Rick Riordan for his amazing Percy Jackson series, J.K. Rowling for her inspiring story and Harry Potter books, Suzanne Collins for The Hunger Games, Daniel Handler for A Series of Unfortunate Events, Tom Clancy for his amazing action books, and Jeff Kinney for Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Who, or what, inspires you?

My dad and family members inspire me.

Where is your favourite place to write?

My favorite place to write is at a desk in my room. It has a built in book shelf, and enough space for me to lay down all of my writing notebooks.

What is your book about?

The Impenetrable Spy follows Zack Carter, a 28 year old CIA agent hunting down a terrorist organization dubbed “The Bad Hounds.” He creates a time machine that can send him back in time when his heart rate stops, making him nearly impenetrable. Wang Bo, the ruler of China runs a terrorist organization that finds a statue with the abilities to make your worst fears come alive. Zack must stop Wang at all costs to ensure the United States remains a war free territory. He travels through an asylum, a war torn D.C., a mansion, and New York City.

Why did you decide to write a book at such a young age?

I decided to write The Impenetrable Spy at such a young age because I thought that writing was fun. I liked being able to sit down and create my own world. I would sit for hours, entertained by what I had written. I then began to take my writing more seriously about half-way through the book.

Is it your intention to become a full time author after you've completed school?

It depends on how well my books do. I can’t become a full time author unless people like what I’m writing. If I am making people entertained and my books have good to okay reviews, then I’ll think about it.

What is your favourite film that was based on a book?

This is another hard question, because almost all movies are based on books. I would have to say The Bourne Identity is my favorite movie based on a book.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the main characters?

I would want Zack Carter to be played by Matt Damon, Davidson to be played by Mark Wahlberg, Jack to be played by Christian Bale, and Sam to be played by Samuel L. Jackson.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.

I’m only 12 but I love 80’s rock music.

For more information about Spencer, please visit http://spencerbrokaw.wordpress.com/

To but his books on Kindle:

Amazon

Smashwords

Matt Damon image courtesy of Nicholas Genin

Mark Wahlberg image courtesy of © Glenn Francis, www.PacificProDigital.com

Christian Bale image courtesy of Asim Bharwani

Samuel L Jackson image courtesy of Pinguino K