The Liebster Blog Award

I’ve been nominated by the very lovely Alice Huskinsson, author of The Man in The Haystack.

The purpose of the Liebster Blog Award is to recognise blogs with fewer than 200 followers that deserve a look. I have rather a few more than 200 (luckily) so I'm cheating and choosing a few other bloggers that might have more too. My job is to:

(a) List 11 random facts about me;

(b) Answer 11 questions Alice has set me;

(c) Set 11 questions to ask other authors;

(d) Tag 11 authors (or more... or less!) who should bask in the Liebster glow.

To my nominated author friends – it means doing the same as I am doing here! ie. Post a blog linking back here, with 11 random facts about you, answer my 11 questions and nominate 11 new bloggers to answer 11 new questions you have set them – they can be about anything! If you want to do it but the thought of finding 11 other bloggers to tag and thinking up questions puts you off, just write 11 random facts about yourself, and answer my questions!

11 random facts about me

(1) I am gluten and lactose intolerant (but I do indulge in a little cake on a Saturday and/or Sunday otherwise life wouldn't be worth living)

(2) I love disaster movies

(3) The only time I've ever been on a horse, everybody laughed at me when I got off. I still can't understand how I could have done it so wrong!

(4) The first time I ever put make-up on, my Mum told me to take it off. She said I looked like a China doll. Is that a bad thing?

(5) I sometimes chew my tongue when I'm deep in concentration

(6) I met my husband when I was just 16

(7) I hate gardening and window cleaning.... urgh

(8) I met Kiki Dee on my birthday (Boxing Day) a few years ago. She gave me a signed CD for a birthday present

(9) I once stalked Bonnie Tyler around Faro airport

(10) I recently worked on a movie which starred Lucia Moniz, the famous Portuguese actress from Love Actually

(11) I'm a Goth at heart (it never really left me)

Now, the 11 questions Alice asked me:

(1) I stumbled in to the ‘author world’ when I was encouraged by several people to turn my dating blog in to a novel. How did you arrive in the author world?

I started writing years ago but it wasn't until two years ago that I wrote my first YA book, Raven. Originally, I'd planned to try and get published traditionally but when a friend suggested Amazon KDP, I jumped on the bandwagon. I haven't looked back since!

(2) The ‘onesie’ has become very popular in the fashion world with the help of THE ONLY WAY IS ESSEX stars. I’m from Essex and you will rarely find me lounging about at home without my onesie! Which item of clothing would you sorely miss if it was taken away from you?

LOL, Alice. Do you really have a onesie? Actually, I've seen them in Primark and I have thought about it. I bet they're lovely and warm. I'd be lost without my jeans. You can usually find me in one of my many, many pairs. I just love that you can wear them with anything.

(3) As a youngster I was taught to play the piano. Classical music was my thing and I played it quite well. Did you ever learn to play a musical instrument? If so, which one and do you still play? If you never played one, do you regret it/would you like to?

Like most kids at school back then, I had to play the recorder but I was terrible at it. I used to just try and copy the girl next to me. I must have sounded awful. I do regret not learning to play something though. Given the chance again, I'd say the piano.

(4) Name something on your bucket list and tell me why it’s on there?

I've always wanted to go to Cape Canaveral and visit the Space Centre. Not really sure why. Its just always been on my list.

(5) When I was a child I used to dream about being a photographic model when I grew up. What did you aspire to be, and did you ever achieve it as an adult?

I wanted to be an archaeologist, then a psychologist and there was probably a time I wanted to be actress too. But I know I'd be terrible at all those things.

(6) My favourite track of all time is I’m Not In Love by 10cc, for no other reason than it completely moves me. What is your all time favourite track?

Probably Cry Little Sister by Aiden from The Lost Boys movie soundtrack. I just adore it!

(7) Aside from your spouse/partner, tell me about your best friend.

She's my complete opposite in every way. She's blonde, I'm brunette. She's loud, I'm quiet. She's confident, I'm shy. She's just larger than life and so much fun to be around.

She used to live around the corner from me but she moved back to England a few years ago. We're planning on moving back soon and we're going to settle in the same town. I can't wait to hang out with her again.

(8) On average, how many books do you read a month, and what is your favourite genre?

Lately, I've read more than my average. Probably about 3 or 4.

(9) Paperback or electronic reader?

Both. I buy them both.

(10) Put a link below to a blog that you enjoy reading.

http://melissapearl.blogspot.pt/

(11) If a movie was made of THE MAN IN A HAYSTACK, my leading character Mae would be played by one of three actresses – Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet or Cameron Diaz. Who would you like to play the leading character in a movie of your latest novel?
I have two leading ladies, Emma Jane and Lana Beth Morgan. I'd like a young Vivien Leigh lookalike to play Emma Jane and do you remember that gorgeous girl who appeared in the opening ceremony of the London Olympics Jasmine Breinburg? Someone who looks exactly like her.

Here are the 11 questions I am asking the 11 authors I plan to tag:

1) I always wished I had a middle name but I'm just plain old Suzanne (Suzy) Turner. Do you have a middle name? If so, what is it? 

2) When I write my books, I usually have a rough idea of the general plot but I usually go off on a tangent and change it dramatically halfway through. What about you? Are you a plotter or a pantster?

3) I was always a 'pink' girl until I had all my hair chopped off and then for some reason, I changed my favourite colour to blue. What's your favourite colour and why?

4) I always loved the name Sheharazade. If you were to re-name yourself what would it be? (he he he... no I probably wouldn't be brave enough to go for the aforementioned name!)

5) I used to have the most amazing dreams where I was flying. Is there a recurring dream you remember having as a child?

6) My favourite TV shows at the moment are Castle, Scandal, Bones, Lost Girl, Haven, Call the Midwife, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones. What are some of yours?

7) If my life was ever made into a movie, I'd want Sandra Bullock to play me. Who would play you?

8) In an ideal world, I'd have enough money and resources to spend half the year in England and the rest in Canada or the US. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

9) I'd change my feet if I could. If you could change anything about your appearance, what would it be?

10) The Time Spirit series by Melissa Pearl, The Marchwood Vampire series by Shalini Boland, Scarlet Vamporium by Poppet are just a few of my fave indie books. Name two or three of your all time favourite indie books.

11) I can speak Portuguese but it's getting a bit rusty. Can you speak any other languages?

I am tagging the following authors to continue the next chain of the Liebster Blog Award. 

Janice Horton

Pauline Barclay

Kathryn Brown

Melanie Robertson-King

Miriam Wakerly

Elizabeth Seckman

Monday Mortals: Alice Huskisson

I'm delighted to have fellow Brit and chick lit author, Alice Huskisson with me today.

Hey Alice! Can you tell us a little about your latest book.

It's called THE MAN IN A HAYSTACK and is written in blog style, like a diary, and follows Mae, a forty-something glamorous woman, as she dates many different men. She is determined to find Mr Right before her looks deteriorate through age and her biological clock runs out! It's funny, emotional, heartbreaking and above all, entertaining. It's set in Essex, UK, and some reviews have compared it to Bridget Jones' Diary which is very flattering. One even said it's "Better than Bridget Jones!" I could kiss that reviewer!

What inspired you to write it?
Some years ago I wrote a blog, primarily to keep my friends and family up to date with my life. I didn't just blog about my dating episodes but also everything else that was going on in my life. However, it soon became very apparent that the dating posts were the most popular and after three people (independently of each other) suggested I turn those in to a book, I began to wonder whether it was achievable. Therefore, it wasn't ever intended to be a novel. It has just evolved in to one and has been turned in to fiction with tweaks of the story and all characters/place names have been changed.

Is it part of a series?
Yes, I have recently decided to write a sequel which will be half based on real life experiences and half not. The working title is THE MAN IN A HAYSTACK - SEARCHING HEARTS.

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

photo credit: brixton21 via photopin cc

I have given this a lot of thought, as I'm sure most authors have with their own characters. My leading female character, Mae, would be perfectly played by Gwyneth Paltrow or Cameron Diaz provided they could pull off a convincing British (Essex) accent, or Kate Winslet who is English anyway. My leading men, Fit Guy and Del the Donk could be played by Jude Law and Paul Nicholls respectively. US readers may not know Paul Nicholls as well as us Brits although he did appear in Bridget Jones - The Edge of Reason as Jed.

What made you want to become an author?
I kind of stumbled in to it! I had always worked as an administrator and when I lost my job to redundancy after 28 years, it was then that I decided to focus on editing my blog in to the novel that it has become now. I feel a bit of a fraud tagging my name with 'author' or 'writer' but essentially that is what I have evolved in to, and I have to say I'm thoroughly enjoying this new vocation.

Name one of your all-time favourite book covers?
I recently bought a book by an author I have become acquainted with on Twitter, Jess Sturman-Coombs. The book is POKER FACE, and when I held the book in my hands for the first time and saw the glossy cover up close, I thought it was incredibly beautiful and classy, and yet so simple.

Name one book that made you think 'wow'? Why did it have such an effect on you?
That would be Cecelia Ahern's Where Rainbows End. I read it on the beach when I was on holiday in Fueterventura, Spain, and could not get my head out of it because I identified with the relationship between Rosie and Alex so much.

Who, or what, inspires you?
People who persevere and follow their dreams and don't lose sight of their capabilities, despite others who knock them with comments which could easily sap the confidence out of most of us.

Where is your favourite place to write?
In the comfort and quietness of my own home. Silence, my computer, my thoughts, my pen and paper, and a black coffee with two sweeteners. That's all I need to get me set up for a morning or afternoon of writing.

What is your favourite movie that was based on a book?
I am a sucker for romcoms and chick lit. My all time favourite romcom based on a book is Bridget Jones' Diary closely followed by Ps. I Love You.

Who is your favourite author (s) and why?
I am not well read by any means, never having had a huge amount of spare time to get stuck in to reading regularly. But of those I have read, I am drawn to Cecelia Ahern. Having said all that, now that I am writing regularly I intend to read a lot of self published ebooks and was given a Kindle a couple of weeks ago as a birthday present, so I'm all set up and raring to go and have already downloaded quite a few.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I am very nostalgic about the 1970s - I love it all - the music, the fashions, the toys. If I could turn back time, that is the era I'd choose to revisit as an adult.

Tell us something interesting about the area where you live.
I live in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, UK. It is a seaside town popular with summer day trippers and it is home to the longest pleasure pier in the world extending 1.34 miles in to the Thames Estuary.

Links to your website / facebook / twitter / youtube, etc:
My/book website: www.themaninahaystack.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/themaninahaystack
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Alice_Haystack
Amazon: www.viewbook.at/themaninahaystack
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/daisykins64

It was a pleasure having you on my blog, Alice. We have a lot in common! I adore Cecelia Ahern's books an PS I Love You is an amazing movie! Oh and I recently flew into Southend Airport LOL!

A Very British Blog Tour 2013

I've been invited by fellow Very British writer Alice Huskisson to answer some Very British questions!
Here's her original post: http://www.themaninahaystack.com/newsblog/4568893650

A VERY BRITISH BLOG TOUR 2013 is a collection of blogs, books and authors who are surprisingly very British. Paul Anthony (http://paulanthonys.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/a-very-britsh-blog.html) is the original host and invites you to take part in ‘A Very British Blog’ by visiting and supporting the websites of authors involved in the tour and who are dedicated to turning out some of the finest books available in Britain today.
A number of authors have been asked the same questions but the answers will obviously all be different.
By the way, we British have certain conventions, traditions, and procedures that are expected. There is a dress code in the reading of this British blog and you are expected to comply with it.
For example...
Gentlemen will wear suits, white shirts and dark ties. (Military ties are expected wherever possible). Ladies will wear dresses (one inch above the knee, no higher, no lower) and floral summer hats. A break for tea and cucumber sandwiches is expected at some stage and is permissible. The list at the bottom the page is not a queue. It is an invitation and you are expected to accept that invitation and support the home-grown product. Now then, let us proceed in an orderly fashion. As you know, we are all very boring and staid in Britain, aren’t we?
Well, there’s a myth about the British and your starter for ten Stuffy, class conscious, boring, staid! But is this still relevant in today’s world? Let’s find out from our wonderful writers what they feel about it.

So, without further ado, here my answers:

Q. Where were you born and where do you live at the moment?
A. I was born in the small town of Rotherham, South Yorkshire but I currently live in the Algarve.

Q. Have you always lived and worked in Britain or are you based elsewhere at the moment?
A. I've never worked in Britain as I moved to Portugal with my family when I was just ten years old and I've been here ever since... although I'm ITCHING to move back! My house is for sale if anyone wants to buy it!!

Q. Which is your favourite part of Britain?
A. I ADORE Britain, I find it such an inspiring place to be an author. I have lots of favourite parts but I'm going to go with Lincolnshire purely because that is the place I've recently fallen in love with and where my husband and I are planning to settle when we move back. We particularly like Stamford so will probably settle somewhere between there and Bourne.

Q. Have you ‘highlighted’ or ‘showcased’ any particular part of Britain in your books? For example, a town or city; a county, a monument or some well-known place or event?
A. Yes! My most recent series, The Morgan Sisters, starts off primarily in London, but as the series progresses, the sisters will travel all over the country. I'm looking forward to introducing my American (and other nationalities) readers to all that is wonderful about England.

Q. There is an illusion – or myth if you wish - about British people that I would like you to discuss. Many see the ‘Brits’ as ‘stiff upper lip’. Is that correct?
A. Not at all. We just have a different sense of humour that some people might find difficult to understand. My husband and my brother share that sense of humour (sometimes it can be quite crude too though!)

Q. Do any of the characters in your books carry the ‘stiff upper lip’? Or are they all ‘British Bulldog’ and unique in their own way?
A. I don't think any of them do, actually. They're all very unique. I like my characters to be a bit quirky.

Q. Tell us about one of your recent books
A. The Morgan Sisters is my new series. Currently there is a novella published (Daisy Madigan's Paradise, which is free) and a full length novel (The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw). It's a YA urban fantasy series, but many of my readers are 30+! It follows two adopted sisters whose lives change dramatically when they turn 16 years old and discover they're special in many ways. If you love Harry Potter, Supernatural, Twilight, then give my books a try!

Q. What are you currently working on?
A. Book II (the second full length novel) in the series. It doesn't have a title yet but I'm pretty excited about it. I'm hoping to release it in May 2013.

Q. How do you spend your leisure time?
A. Catching up on my favourite TV shows. I'm a real TV addict and I love all kinds of programmes like Castle, Game of Thrones, Bones, Criminal Minds, Ghost Whisperer, Haven, Lost Girl, etc. I also love cycling and I'm teaching myself to sew at the moment. Oh, and I mustn't forget books! I love to read, of course!

Q. Do you write for a local audience or a global audience?
A. Definitely a global audience. The more countries I can reach, the better!

Q. Can you provide links to your work?
A. Of course!
Raven (FREE!)
December Moon
The Lost Soul
Daisy Madigan's Paradise (FREE!)
The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw

I have also tagged a few other people in this, who I hope will be doing their own VERY BRITISH blog posts!
As soon as the link is there, it means that their answers have been completed for you to read, too!