Category Archives: Writer Wednesday

Writer Wednesday: Meet Grace Black

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Grace BlackIt’s not only Wednesday, it’s Writer Wednesday! Just what you need to get you through the rest of the week, right?

I’m delighted to welcome fellow flash fiction writer (and host of her own flash fiction contest, Three Line Thursday) and poet, Grace Black. Grab that cup of coffee (or tea, or whatever you like to drink) and settle in for a delightful few minutes learning more about Grace and her work.

What inspires you to write?

Fueled by emotions and the unseen web of words that linger long after we’ve left, I am fascinated by the ordinary moments life offers. The ichor of the first summer cherry as it dribbles down a child’s chin and the broken skins that stain innocent fingers a sunset crimson this is the simple moment of awe and a poet’s manna. Everyday life is an inspiration, and to live is to bleed ink.

Which type of romance do you love, and why?

As a poet, I fall in love with the simplest of things and paradoxes abound. Isn’t life one complex romance in and of itself? I’ve always favored the unexpected romance, the unseen story that’s tucked neatly in the margins of a first draft, and the imprints the author leaves behind, beneath the bindings. Love is the question and the answer.

What’s the one piece of advice you wish you had when first starting out?

Find other writers and share your work, participate in online challenges, or find a local writer’s group where you share work with others. Rejections mean keep writing, they do not mean give up! 

When you find a comfy nook and begin to see small successes, leap; progress comes from taking chances and stepping out of our comfort zones, repeatedly.

(ML’s note: Great advice!)

Three Lines BookOn her collection of poetry, Three Lines:

Grace Black takes her love of poetic brevity and brings you a compilation for the soul. She weaves emotive verse and naked prose in a minimalist format and carries you on a journey through life, love, and loss of the heart. This is poetry that doesn’t know its poetry and is meant to be a visceral experience.

Find Three Lines here:
http://www.amazon.com/Three-Lines-All-Thats-Left/dp/1511560312/ 

Want to know more about Grace? Find her here:

Website: graceblackwrites.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/blackinkpinkdsk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceBlackInk 

Thanks so much for joining us, Grace.
Your words are beautiful, and I’m glad you could be here.

Writer Wednesday: Meet Jodi Healy

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jodihealyWoo hoo! I’m back from vacation and so delighted it’s Wednesday, because that means it’s Writer Wednesday!

Today we’ve got children’s book writer Jodi Healy. She describes herself as an “author in the quest for truth, happiness, and enlightenment.” I’m down with that! So sit back and relax while she gives us a few short snippets about herself, and her latest release.

What inspires you to write?

The simple depth and complexity of everyday life. Trying to capture what triggers emotion and resonates with others.

What’s one interesting thing you learned in researching/writing your last book?

That feelings are energy, and most people are not aware of the kaleidoscope we experience in every moment, or how to master them.

Name two things people don’t know about you: 

I love projects and a challenge to execute on. And to use my hands, building, rehabbing houses, and that type of project. I recently did raised flower beds.

Jodi’s Latest Release:

Jesse True™ just received an honorable mention in the 2015 Dragonfly Book Awards in the Picture Books 6 & Older Category, for the first book in the series, Jesse True’s First Day of School! My Jesse True books are available at jessetrue.com. Free EBOOK to anyone who mentions this interview!

JesseTrueWant to know more about Jodi and her series of children’s books? Find her here!

Website: http://jodihealy.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodi.healy and https://www.facebook.com/jessetrue
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodihealy

Thanks so much for joining us today, Jodi!
It was a pleasure . . . and hopefully people take advantage of
your generous FREE e-book offer!

Writer Wednesday: Meet Liana LeFey

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What? It’s Wednesday again already? Woo hoo! That means it’s Writer Wednesday – time to party!

OK, everyone, settle down. This week we have with us the ever-so-lovely Liana LeFey, who gives us insights into her writing … and herself. I love these little interviews, don’t you? Bite-size nuggets of sharing that leave us craving more (don’t worry, we’ll give you her social media links).

Which type of romance do you love most, and why?

My favorite kind of romance is one where mutual brokenness is healed through love. I like characters that come into the world deeply flawed. They’re wounded, hardened, disillusioned. In order to get to happily ever after, they have to grow and change, become vulnerable enough to let in the one who can make them whole again.

Name one interesting thing you learned in researching/writing your last book.

Medicine in the eighteenth century was both frightening and fascinating. Of particular interest was Miasma theory, the idea that diseases are spread by means of foul-smelling air, and its impact on sanitation at the time. In To Ruin a Rake, you’ll see the beginnings of modern hand-washing protocols in a medical setting.

What one piece of advice do you wish you’d had when first starting out?

Join a professional writers’ association and learn from its published authors all you possibly can before trying to get published. I wish I’d done this—it would have saved me many rewrites. Ask all the questions and listen to the voices of experience. It can save you a ton of frustration!

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And now, let’s hear a bit about Liana’s latest book, To Ruin a Rake: 

Remaining true to a dead saint is nowhere near as satisfying
as succumbing to the touch of a dedicated sinner…

When her fiancé died, Harriett vowed not to let his wastrel brother destroy the charity they built. But Roland becomes a nuisance the moment he sets foot on the grounds, and it’s all out war until their conflict threatens to expose her family’s dark secret. Intrigued by the beautiful tyrant, Roland agrees to a ceasefire. It’s a dangerous truce, for she has the troublesome effect of making him want to be both a better man and a scoundrel. Can he resist the temptation? Harriett is equally dismayed to find the rogue she swore to forever despise far less of a devil than she thought. Worse, he disturbs her in ways to make even the most virtuous woman contemplate the primrose path. Fate will drive them into each other’s arms, intimate truths will be revealed, and enemies will have to learn to trust each other or all will be lost.

Find To Ruin a Rake here:

And find Liana on Facebook, Twitter, her website, or on Amazon.com!

Thanks so much for joining us, Liana!
It was a pleasure to have you – and your advice to newbies is spot on!

Writer Wednesday: Meet Terri Osburn

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TOsburnWelcome to Writer Wednesday! This week we have Terri Osburn spending some time with us, and I couldn’t be more delighted. I had the opportunity to meet Ms. Osburn in person at the most recent Virginia LoveFest, part of the Virginia Festival of the Book, held each year in Charlottesville, Virginia. She was so down-to-earth and relaxed that she was just a pleasure to be around. So settle in – you can’t absorb her in-person persona via a screen, but you can at least get to know her a little better!

Which type of romance do you love most, and why?

My favorite romances are the ones in which real people find real love. The ones that take me on an emotional rollercoaster ride and leave me smiling at the end. There’s something about a love story turning out the way it should. The way we wish all love stories went in real life.

Name two things people don’t know about you.

No one would guess upon meeting me, but I was actually a pageant queen in my early years. I modeled in pageants from ages 5 to 8 have about fifty trophies still sitting around somewhere, though I have no idea where. Another little known fact about me is that I spent three years in my high school marching band, and the first year I carried a bass drum. I was about 4’10” and looked as ridiculous as you’d think, but I was good.

What fellow romance author do you recommend reading, and why?

The author I adore most in the world is LaVyrle Spencer. Sadly, she’s no longer writing, but I believe her former books are still available, if not from the major distributors, then you should find copies in any used book store. She’s the kind of writer I dream of being, and that I describe in my first answer. If you’ve never read a Spencer book, you have a gift of a backlist waiting for you.

[ML says: Oh my gosh, yes! LaVyrle Spencer is my all-time favorite romance author, as well. After (stupidly) giving away all of my romances in the ’90s, I’ve slowly been collecting her works again, and am so happy about that.]

Now let’s hear about Terri’s latest books!

1stLastHIS FIRST AND LAST

In the first book in the new Ardent Springs Series, we learn that chasing her Hollywood dreams didn’t go so well for Lorelei Pratchett. Now she’s back in Ardent Springs, TN, the source of nothing but bad memories, trying to figure out her next move. Her high school sweetheart, Spencer Boyd, wants a second chance with the girl who broke his heart, but Lorelei isn’t ready to make her homecoming a permanent situation.

HIS FIRST AND LAST is available in print, Kindle, and audio now.

The second in the Ardent Springs Series, OUR NOW AND FOREVER is available for pre-order.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Terri! It’s been a pleasure. 

Writer Wednesday: Meet Linda Wisdom

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Welcome to Writer Wednesday! It’s a magical week, as today we’re hosting Linda Wisdom, author of books that will bewitch you (‘Cause she writes romances about witches and other fun, magickal things. See? I funny.)

hotelhexWhat inspires you to write?   

I’d have to say it’s the voices in my head. <G> Characters will either tap me on the shoulder or scream in my ear and tell me what I’m supposed to be doing. They usually like to do it when I’m out running errands. My Notepad app on my phone and tablet are handy for quickly writing down enough words to remind me what they were talking about.

Which type of romance do you love most, and why?

I’d have to say paranormal/urban fantasy. I loved paranormal years ago before it was popular and was always searching for reading material. I started reading a lot of factual books about ghost towns and legends. It was soon easier to just write my own paranormal books, even if they weren’t popular back then.

Birdsofafeather2_72dpiWhat one piece of advice do you wish you’d had when first starting out? 

Talk to people already in the business so you don’t feel alone. I didn’t know anyone when I started out. I just sat down and wrote two books and was lucky enough to sell those two books to Silhouette Romance a month after submission. I didn’t meet another romance author for almost two years. RWA wasn’t around when I began. The first RWA conference was an eye-opener for me.

Find Hotel Hex here, and Free Spirits here. I hope you also visit Linda at her website.

Thanks so much for joining us, Linda! It’s been a delight.