Interview with Margaret Lesh

In the Limelight with author Margaret Lesh

Welcome and thanks for agreeing and being part of this blog.

I thought it a good idea to catch up with you and see what you are up to since the last time I reviewed a book for you. My review for Finding a man for Sylvia can be find here, please like it on Amazon.

This is also a very great day to you and I am honored to be part of this event, the release of your new book Normalish

Author’s Interview Questions

      1.       Are you famous is the general question I get when family and friends introduce me to their friends. It always left me with a pause as quick comebacks filter through my mind but ending up saying something like ….”Oh gee thanks” and give a shy smile. (a)Does this happen to you and (b) what do you say?

I’ve never been asked this question. If someone did ask me, I’d probably tell them that I’m a legend in my own mind, then laugh.

      2.       In general do you like to talk about your writing and published books or are you very close-lip about it? If no why?

 I don’t mind talking about what I’m writing, but I usually wait until someone asks me a question. Otherwise, I’m afraid I’ll bore people if I talk about myself too much.

      3.       What book/s are you currently writing and what is it about?

My current project is actually non-fiction, my book Let Me Get This Off My Chest: A Breast Cancer Survivor Over-Shares. It’s a collection of essays, anecdotes, life lessons, and tips surrounding my two bouts with breast cancer. It should be available for purchase on Amazon in July of 2013.

     

4.       What inspires or motivates you to write?

When I have something on my mind, I have to get it down on paper, or else I’ll keep running it around in my head, and then I won’t be able to sleep at night.

      5.       What is the writing process like for you?

For the most part, enjoyable, even exciting when I’m on a roll and the words are flowing. I’ll usually think of my next chapter, plotting it out in my head, and then I’ll get it down on paper. I edit as I go, then rewrite a few more times before sending my manuscript to my beta readers for their critiques and feedback.

      6.       What is the best and/ or worst part of being a writer?

The best part is creating something new and telling the story. The worst part? Waiting to hear back from a publisher or agent on a submission. And then there’s the dreaded rejection, which is something all writers must deal with at one point or another.

      7.       Any advice for struggling writers?

Keep writing, and remain open and receptive to criticism. Learn from what your writing group or critique partners have to say. Keep polishing and rewriting! Also, read other books in the genre you’re interested in to learn what other successful authors have done.

      8.       What is your favorite genre to read or write?

I have very broad taste, and I’ll read anything that’s written well. Historical fiction, women’s fiction, romance, science fiction, young adult, middle grade, some thrillers. Right now I’m reading a graphic novel that I borrowed from my son, V For Vendetta by Alan Moore.

      9.       Favorite author?

Jane Austen, Leon Uris, Amy Tan, and Anne Lamott are some of my favorites.

      10.   Do you have a favorite spot to read and write?

I like to write in a corner of my living room where I can be close to the action. My favorite spot to read is at night in bed.

     11.   What do you like to do when not writing?

I enjoy spending time with my family, I like to garden when the weather is nice, and I spend way too much time on the internet!

     12.   Do you have a bucket list and would you share at least two things on it?

Not so much a bucket list, but I would really like to travel, especially to Europe, when I have two things: time and money.

      13.   Most daring thing or experience you have done you would like to share?

Funding my current book project Let Me Get This Off My Chest through Kickstarter. I was incredibly nervous, but my initial funding goal was reached in less than twenty-four hours. I wanted to self-publish this book because it is so personal, but I didn’t want to do it alone. I wanted to feel like I had a whole group of people behind me and supporting my project, which is why I chose to use Kickstarter. So far, it’s been very successful.

      14.   This or that questions:

       ·         Coffee or Tea -  Coffee

       ·         Sweet or sour – Sweet

       ·         Home make meal or takeouts – Homemade

       ·         Winter or summer –  Summer

       ·         Night-owl or Early-Bird –  Night owl

       ·         Telephone or visits –  Visits

       ·         Which social network do you prefer? Facebook

       ·         Blogger or website? Both

       ·         What does your family say about your career? Supportive or Clueless?

They’re very supportive. In fact, my art director husband helps me with the technical side of things like my website and blog. He’s also the book designer and will be doing all of the layout for my current book.

And Finally

Moto/wisdom in life you live by.

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” ~ Dalai Lama

Contact details and buy links of the newest books you would like the readers to know.

Blurb:

Fifteen-year-old Stacy questions the strange world of high school, family, friends, love, and her role in the universe.

People tell you high school's so great and wonderful, but they're lying. It's mostly horrible and full of disappointment. It sucks. Your best friend abandons you. The jerk you're in love with pretends to be into you, and then the big dump. The boy you've really clicked with as a friend decides to go all crushy over you, so you break his heart just like yours was—smashed into little pieces. Your sister goes mental , and you get involved with an older guy who’s even crazier than she is (who you know is a very bad idea, but you do it anyway). Math only adds another stink of failure to the whole thing.

High school blows. Just ask freshman Stacy. She’d want you to know.

My YA novel Normalish will be on sale for 99 cents from April 14^th to April 30^th on Amazon and Barnes &Noble:

My website:  http://www.margaretlesh.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MargaretLesh

Thanks once again Margaret for your willingness to share with me and the readers.

As always please support our authors.

Today the Limelight is on Bronwen Evans

In the Limelight with….. Bronwen Evans

Welcome and thanks for being part of this blog and my one year celebration.

I thought it a good idea to catch up and see what you are up to since the last time I reviewed a book for you.

You can see my review for 

To Challenge Earl of Cravenswood 

HERE

Author’s Interview Questions

      1.       Are you famous is the general question I get when family and friends introduces me to their friends. It always left me with a pause as quick comebacks filters through my mind but ending up saying something like ….”Oh gee thanks” and give a shy smile. (a)Does this happen to you and (b) what do you say?

Hi Lynelle, thanks for having me to blog. I’m waving from New Zealand.

The answer to being famous is no way! I’m not famous at all. For starters my books aren’t published here. NZ is too small and the romance market is tiny. I do however, get a very interested reply when they ask what I do for a living. When I tell them I’m a romance author, they usually want to know all about it. What I write, who I’m published by and how many books  I’ve written. Then they get onto how much money can you make and how long does it take you to write a book.

      2.       In general do you like to talk about you writing and published books or are you very close-lip about it? If no why?

I still work in another job, mainly because I like keeping my hand in the corporate world. I’m the Executive Director of a surgical society, and I certainly don’t hide that I write romance novels. They don’t seem to mind. I’m proud of what I write and I never hide it.

      3.       What book/s are you currently writing and what is it about?

I’m writing the third book in my Regency romance ‘Invitation to’ series, INVITATION TO PASSION, plus a contemporary yet to be titled.

Invitation to Passion

Consummate rake, Richard Craven, has his heartbroken when the woman he loves is forced into an arranged marriage to a violent brute. To make matters worse, circumstances force him to marry Madeline Knight—a woman he views more like a sister-only for fate to play the cruelest of tricks. Shortly after his wedding his former lover is widowed, and Richard learns she could be pregnant with his child.

Madeline Knight thought she was doing the right thing when she saved Richard Craven from his lover's irate husband. Now her silly schoolgirl crush has left her married to a man who's in love with another woman. Consumed with guilt over trapping Richard, she tries her best to be the perfect wife and win his heart. Failure is not an option. For if she fails she loses everything, she loves him too much not to set him free…

While Richard and Madeline confront the reality of their marriage, Madeline’s life comes under threat. A family enemy is set on revenge. Will Richard learn the truth of his heart, and what is truly precious to him, before the unknown enemy destroys their world?

      4.      Why this particular genre?

I write Regency romances because I love the history of the period and also the inequality of the sexes makes the tropes, like marriage of convenience etc, more believable.

I then write contemporary because I can turn to more modern themes and deal with issues that face women today.

      5.       What inspire or motivate you to write?

I love stories. I love thinking up stories and I love writing them down. It’s as simple as that. What a great way to make a living, doing something you’re passionate about.

      6.       What is the writing process like for you?

I usually plot out a story, then write an outline. Then basically write the book. I write whenever I can and set myself weekly targets.

      7.       What is the best and/ or worst part of being a writer?

Best part is I’m doing what I love. Worst part is that it never turns off. I can write all the time and get so lost in my stories I forget there is a world out there.

      8.       Any advice for struggling writers?

Just keep writing and learning your craft. Learn how to craft a good story. Take your favorite books and analyze them. Work our why you love them and understand what the author did. Then just simply write a good story. And keep writing them.

      9.       What is your favorite genre to read or write?

Regency, Contemporary and Paranormals

.

      10.   Favorite author?

I don’t have one favorite, I have many. Gaelen Foley, Nicole Jordan, Emma Wildes, Jennifer Ashley, Kresley Cole, Nalini Singh etc

      11.   Do you have a favorite spot to read and write? 

Yes, my vineyard beach house in the Hawke’s Bay area of New Zealand. It’s a little slice of heaven.

      12.   What do you like to do when not writing?

I usually spend time with friends and family and play the odd round of golf, and I enjoy playing bridge.

      13.   Do you have a bucket list and would you share at least two things on it?

Nope, I’m pretty content. I spent about 8 years living overseas and I travelled a lot. Most corners of the world, but there is no place like home. Mostly, I just want to stay healthy and happy. Perhaps my bucket list now relates to writing. I want to hit the NY Times top 50.

      14.   What have you done so far on this list?

Been on the NY Times Best Sellers List.

      15.   Most daring thing or experience you have done you would like to share?

Daring? I’d say giving up a highly paid job to be a writer is very daring. It paid off. I sold my first completed manuscript within 6 months of going down to part-time work.

      16.   This or that questions:

             ·         Coffee or Tea - TEA

             ·         Sweet or sour – SWEET

             ·         Home make meal or takeouts –  BOTH

             ·         Winter or summer – SUMMER

             ·         Night-owl or Early-Bird – EARLY-BIRD

             ·         Telephone or visits – VISITS

             ·         Which social network do you prefer? Facebook and Twitter

             ·         Blogger or website? BOTH – my blog is on my website. I usually only blog when I have something to say.

             ·         What does your family say about your career? Supportive or Clueless - SUPPORTIVE

And Finally

Moto / wisdom in life you live by. 

"You’ll never know unless you try"

Contact details and buy links of the newest books 

www.bronwenevans.com

The Reluctant Wife – Bronwen Evans

Amazon http://amzn.to/Wr788Z

Kobo http://bit.ly/Zh6c5A

B&N http://bit.ly/113zaKq

Wicked Wagers – Bronwen Evans

Amazon http://amzn.to/YzqILB

Well that is it for today. 

Thanks Bronwen for visiting and sharing some of your wisdom and new releases with us.

Congratulations on your new books, may you see the fruit of all your hard work.

Remember please support our authors buying their books, giving them good reviews and going to your local library offering them a copy.

Next week In the Limelight with...

M.C.V. Egan

on April 17, 2013

Today the Limelight is on Matt Drabble

Welcome Matt to the new blog, visiting and sharing your new releases with us. 

I think its appropriate to congratulate you on being #1 on the UK Amazon Free Horror Chart for Gated and # 10 on the over all UK Amazon Free chart across all genres.

"Gated" has now passed the 16,000 download mark and "Asylum" is the Amazon UK  and US #1 on the Horror/Anthology Charts.

I reviewed this book on February 26, 2013 

on Aspired Writer

Follow the link to read more about this great book.

First I must admit once again that I never read Horror, I just do not like all the blood and gore associated with the genre, but Matt's book was different. He had a great story to tell and the usual blood and gore was only found at the end of the book and I was inwardly relieved. The book did keep me on the edge of my seat with a great build up and I was pleasantly surprised with the book as a whole.

Enough said I want to focus on him and here is what he answered to all my questions.

1.       Are you famous is the general question I get when family and friends introduces me to their friends. It always left me with a pause as quick comebacks filters through my mind but ending up saying something like ….”Oh gee thanks” and give a shy smile. (a)Does this happen to you and (b) what do you say?

        Not yet but I’m trying. The only benefit that I can see to becoming “known” is greater circulation of your work.

2.       In general do you like to talk about you writing and published books or are you very close-lip about it? If no why?

I think that I am a pessimist by nature, so my greatest fear is that I ever talk about what I am doing, is that something will go wrong.

3.       What book/s are you currently writing and what is it about?

I launched a Dark Thriller called “Gated” at the start of Dec 2012 which is still selling and going extremely well on free weekends, so I am still promoting that.

Since I finished writing “Gated” I have also completed an anthology of horror stories called “Asylum” which I have launched about a week ago, so I am trying to promote that as well.

Also I have reached around the halfway mark (40,000+ words) on a Dark Thriller called “The Montague Portrait”.

This novel is about an insurance investigator who was widowed and sank into a bottle of grief. His late wife ran a community art gallery which subsequently went to rack and ruin despite his promise to look after it. He is drawn into a case concerning a painting called “The Montague Portrait” which was supposedly destroyed in a fire some years before and a large policy was paid out. There is a Machiavellian benefactor calling the shots and the surviving woman who witnessed her parents die in the fire that destroyed the painting. The painting is said to be cursed and the spirit of Hugo Montague possesses men and murders their wives’ in a reenactment of his own crime.

However I have grown concerned about the pacing of the story especially when attempting to replicate the pacing of “Gated” which has been a success for me. So I have sent the half finished book out to a few preview readers that I use for their options whilst putting the book on the back burner.

Never one to let the grass grow I am now about 13,000 words into “Abra-Cadaver” which I am enjoying writing immensely.

"Abra-Cadaver" is a story about Tommy Ross' 12th birthday party. Surrounded as usual by his close-knit group of friends, a magician, The Captivating Cosmo X - Master of the Unknown is performing. Fascinated by magic Tommy and his friends sneak into the guys van and mess around with some of the equipment, before being chased out. During the "Guillotine of Death" trick his assistant is beheaded in front of Tommy in the front row splattering him with warm sticky blood and mentally scarring them all in different ways forever. The magician pleads his innocence at the trial claiming that the trick malfunctioned. Tommy and his friends stay silent about playing around with the equipment beforehand. The investigation discovers that the magician’s assistant/wife was having an affair at the time and call this motive. He is found guilty and sent to prison for life, screaming bloody vengeance. Tommy and his friends share a guilty secret that poisons them all. Tommy's parents’ divorce and he leaves town at age 13.

Twenty odd years later Tommy is returning to Denver Mills after his father’s passing to settle the estate. He is reunited with his friends and we see how they have all changed and evolved. But there has been an escape at Blackwater Heights, the comatose Captivating Cosmo X has woken up and he has promises to keep, and he's heading home with a whole new bag of tricks. It is turning out to be quite fun to write, kind of a slasher film type of novel, but with emotional depth to the group of friends and their relationships to each other.

Newly Released

4.       Why this particular genre?

I have always been a fan of dark thrillers and horror novels, especially when treating the audience to depth and intelligence. I find that the pacing and thrills are fun to read and fun to write. I am not a fan of anything that is lacking in character development and chocked full of stereotypes.

5.       What inspire or motivate you to write? 

A few years ago I was injured in a DIY accident and subsequently diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, which is a degenerative chronic back condition. Due to austerity measures I do not qualify for any financial aid despite not being able to work a full time job. My wife and I run a small business and she has had to take on extra work during the recession to keep us afloat. I have worked since I was 12 years old, through school holidays to help pay for college and a full-time night job to pay my way through university, so sitting around wasn’t an option. I have always been keen reader and like most people always thought that I could write a novel.

I have no literary educational background, my degree is in tourism. So I’ve spent the last nine months slogging away at the grindstone teaching myself to write a novel. My first two attempts were seriously flawed, but showed some promise and my third attempt “Gated” has netted me some success.

“Gated” hit the UK Amazon Free Horror Chart #1 twice now during two giveaway weekends and has a sales high of #4 on the UK Amazon Horror Chart and #2 on the Horror/Thriller Chart. “Asylum” was my 4^th book in nine months with half of “The Montague Portrait” and about a 7^th of “Abra-Cadaver” completed.

6.       What is the writing process like for you?

I start with an idea for a story, but find that the book develops as I write, never allowing me to see around the corner as I progress. I have a large note book that I keep to jot down various ideas and thoughts and will refer to those as I work sometimes linking them in at various stages. I work every day and make sure that I produce at least 2000 words a day; it is a job after all.

7.       What is the best and/ or worst part of being a writer?

Working on my own is always great for me as I am not by nature the most sociable of animals. But obviously it is a long hard road to achieve any sort of financial success and it can be frustrated as there is an awful lot of luck involved in getting noticed and I have barely scratched the bottom rung of the ladder.

8.       Any advice for struggling writers? 

Stick with it and develop a very thick skin. Don’t take criticism personally, but view it dispassionately and remember that some people will never like what you write. Take note of constructive and technical errors. Most importantly find an effective method of proofing; I am still personally trying to master that particular skill.

9.       What is your favorite genre to read or write?

I enjoy horror and thriller novels the darker the better, and biographies of interesting people.

10.   Favorite author?

I am always and will forever be a Stephen King fan. I find that his work is often dismissed by critics due to preconceptions over the subject matter. I firmly believe that no-one constructs a human landscape like King.

11.   Do you have a favorite spot to read and write?

I have a small office at home and work there.

12.   What do you like to do when not writing?

I am part comic book geek and part sports loving jock. No longer able to play sport I am a regular traveler to Anfield to watch Liverpool FC and The Rec for Bath RFC.

13.   Do you have a bucket list and would you share at least two things on it?

I have never taken the time to make a bucket list, perhaps that is the first thing to put on it.

14.   Most daring thing or experience you have done you would like to share?

Taken the naïve step to try and become a writer with no training and no literary background is pretty daring.

15.   This or that questions:

                     ·         Coffee or Tea -  Tea

                     ·         Sweet or sour – Sweet

                     ·         Home make meal or takeouts – Home made meals

                     ·         Winter or summer – Summer

                     ·         Night-owl or Early-Bird – Night-owl

                     ·         Telephone or visits – Visits

                     ·         Which social network do you prefer? Twitter

                     ·         Blogger or website? Website

                     ·         What does your family say about your career? Supportive or Clueless

                      Supportive

Moto

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

Albert Einstein

Well our time is up and I want to thank Matt for this insightful interview. 
I enjoyed learning more about him. 

Thanks for your willingness to take part in this new blog. I hope that you will see the fruit of your labor enjoying the benefits of it all as you master the craft. 

We have two things in common, both of us went through personal difficulties to come where we are and we were both clueless on writing. And  I say this with no pun intended. 

Please connect with him just as you do with me.
We need all the support we can get.

Buy Links

Gated – Amazon UK - / Amazon US / 

Asylum – Amazon UK / Amazon US  

Twitter:: @MattDrabble01

Web: www.mattdrabble.com

Gated Book Trailer 
Asylum Book Trailer

                My next featured author would be Ann B. Harrison author of 
Taming the Outback 

on April 10, 2013

Limelight is on Paulette Harper Johnson

Welcome Paulette and thanks for agreeing being part of my very first post on this new blog

 'In Limelight with...'

This is a celebration of becoming a blogger myself. When I went back to the very first posts I posted I could see that I  was clueless about this new world that is now so familiar to me. Over time my blog has become my second home right here in my living room. 

Just a year back I had no idea what to post, write or say on my blog but I knew that I had to have one so that people would notice me. I wrote some silly stuff but it draw now attention and as I became a member of various sites I watched and learned. 

We met on Book blogs. You were asking for bloggers to help and I thought "Okay what do I have to loose" And so its started.

Here I am 122 followers and 159 posts later and I can only say what a great journey it has been thus far. Meeting so many authors and readers that has broaden my world greatly and I stand amazed on the road traveled.

I wanted to say thank you Paulette for allowing me to do a Book Barrage on your first book. I had no idea what a Book Barrage meant at that stage, but you took a chance and as they say the rest is history.

With everyone celebrating and do great giveaways to celebrate their own 1 year Bash I knew it was not the road I wanted to take and I thought about it for quit some time before an idea took form.

So when the idea was formed I immediately jump on it and the responses so far is simply awesome. I am humbled and honored in so many ways. 

Curious by nature I thought I would love to catch up with all the authors that was willing to give me a chance reviewing their books and see what they are up to since the last time I reviewed a book or post a Book Barrage for them.

So I think it very fitting to start with the same person who started it all for me Paulette Harper Johnson.

So without any further delay I put the limelight back on you.

1.  Are you famous is the general question I get when family and friends introduces me to their friends. It always left me with a pause as quick comebacks filters through my mind but ending up saying something like ….”Oh gee thanks” and give a shy smile. 

(a)Does this happen to you and (b) what do you say?

Yes this does happen to me. I usually say “Yes. I am an author” and give a large grin.

       2.  In general do you like to talk about your writing and published books or are you very close-lip about it? If no why?

I love sharing about my books and my publishing journey. Not everyone can write a book and to be blessed with the ability to be able to write is so rewarding.

      3. What book/s are you currently writing and what is it about?

My first Christian Fiction novel “The Sanctuary” will be released in May 2013. “The Sanctuary, a gripping Christian Fiction tale of unyielding faith, dark secrets, and the difficult road to redemption.”

       4. Why this particular genre?

 Writing a fiction book is something I’ve always wanted to do. The time came, the idea developed and the  manuscript was written.

      5.  What inspire or motivate you to write? 

My motivation comes from a desire to carry out what I believe is God’s plan for my life. I write to empower, motivate and cultivate women.

      6.  What is the writing process like for you?

My writing process begins in a quiet place away from noise.  I can pretty much sit at the computer and write until my mind gets on overload or the ideas are not coming to me as fast.

      7.  What is the best and/ or worst part of being a writer?

I would say the best part of writing is developing the story and or plot and seeing how the characters enfold.  The worst part about writing is keeping my deadlines and not getting distracted.

      8. Any advice for struggling writers? 

The only advice I would give to struggling writers is to possibly try attending some type of writing conference or join a writer’s forum that will help you get over the bumps.

      9. What is your favorite genre to read or write?

My favorite genre to write is non-fiction

      10. Favorite author?

I have several favorite authors.   Inspirational authors such as Joyce Myers and T.D. Jakes are on my list. Fiction author would include Michelle Stimpson.

      11.   Do you have a favorite spot to read and write?

My favorite spot to read is in my bed. However my favorite spot to write is on my kitchen table.

      12.   What do you like to do when not writing?

When I’m not writing, I’m promoting authors by way of Virtual Book Tours and coaching.

       13.   Do you have a bucket list and would you share at least two things on it?

 I sure do have a bucket list or vision board.  I’d like to go to Paris and the other is to go snorkeling.

      14.   This or that questions:

             ·         Coffee or Tea - Coffee

             ·         Sweet or sour – sweet

             ·         Home make meal or takeouts – home made meals

             ·         Winter or summer – summer

             ·         Night-owl or Early-Bird – Night owl

             ·         Telephone or visits –  visits

             ·         Which social network do you prefer? Facebook

             ·         Blogger or website? Both

             ·         What does your family say about your career? Supportive or Clueless.

              My family is quite supportive. They promote me by not only purchasing my books but they talk about me to their friends.

And Finally

Moto/wisdom in life you live by. 

My motto “Intentionally Living a Life on Purpose.”

Contact details and buy links of the newest books you would like the readers to know. 

My latest book Completely Whole can be purchased on my website: pauletteharper.com or Amazon

Congratulation on the new book 'The Sanctuary'  Paulette, I hope that this book would be as fruitful as all your other endeavors you have going on and that your life would be the example of a grace carrier where every you go.

Well our time is up and I want to thank Paulette once again for her willingness to share with me and the readers something about her self. 

I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.

My next author would be the author of 'Gated' Matt Dabble

on April 07, 2013

Until then thanks for visiting

In the Lime light with....