Category: Interview

Author Interview: Ashley Poston

May 25, 2017

I’m here today with something very exciting – an author interview! I adored her latest novel, Geekerella (review here), and I am extremely lucky to have had the chance to interview her.

Ashley Poston

About the Author

Ashley Poston’s is a part-time author and full-time fangirl. She was born in rural South Carolina, where you can see the stars impossibly well…

Tweet her at @ashposton and read her inner-most rambles at www.ashposton.com.

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When geek girl Elle Wittimer sees a cosplay contest sponsored by the producers of Starfield, she has to enter. First prize is an invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. Elle’s been scraping together tips from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck behind her stepmother’s back, and winning this contest couldbe her ticket out once and for all—not to mention a fangirl’s dream come true.

Teen actor Darien Freeman is less than thrilled about this year’s ExcelsiCon. He used to live for conventions, but now they’re nothing but jaw-aching photo sessions and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Federation Prince Carmindor is all he’s ever wanted, but the diehard Starfield fandom has already dismissed him as just another heartthrob. As ExcelsiCon draws near, closet nerd Darien feels more and more like a fake—until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise.

What made you want to set Geekerella in a convention?

Geekerella had to be at least partly at a convention! What other great gathering of geeks could I celebrate?

What was the hardest thing about writing Geekerella?

Definitely keeping Darien and Elle’s timelines separate and yet running parallel to each other. It’s definitely harder than it seems.

Name a song you think fits Geekerella perfectly.

‘Hello’ by Allie X!

How do you overcome writers block?

I write anyway. Eventually I’ll crack the block, right?

Have you ever cosplayed, and if not, who would you love to cosplay as?

I love cosplaying! My favorite cosplay is The Little Mermaid’s Ariel costume (when she’s on land).

Would you ever consider writing about the story inside the story – Starfield?

The world of Starfield feels like an old friend, so I would love to someday!

Did you always know the ending of Geekerella, or did it come to you as you wrote?

I knew I wanted a GRG (Grand Romantic Gesture) but I wasn’t sure what I wanted. In one draft, Darien showed up at Elle’s door, another at the food truck, but I think the current ending is my favorite.

And the question we all knew was coming – is there anything else on the horizon for us to look forward to?

Of course! My next book comes out in February 2018 from Balzer + Bray. It’s called Heart of Iron, and it’s a little Anastasia, a little Firefly, and a lot of sweet murderous cinnamon rolls.

Thank you to Ashley for joining us!

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Blogger Interview: The World is Quiet Here

April 25, 2017

Hi everyone! Today we have something a little different – an interview with a dear friend and blogger, Hannah! Hannah owns The World is Quiet Here, where she discusses books, literature, photography, writing, movies, life, art and much more.

I love the variety of her posts, and she is a natural writer. It is my honour to be able to interview her and give you readers a taste of life as a blogger!

B: Welcome to The Books Are Everywhere, Hannah! Tell us a little about yourself.

H: I’m a home-educated fifteen year old girl. I would say I’m a normal girl but I’m not. My family members call me ‘a special one’ because I do weird things like taking pictures of half empty coffee cups lying in the street. So thank you, Beth for featuring me in your blog, I feel very honoured!

B: How do you get inspiration for writing (blogging and fiction)?

H: I love looking for inspiration in everything. I’m constantly taking pictures of peculiar things and jotting down random ideas. I love looking at art to find inspiration though. I’m an avid pinner on Pinterest and love browsing whenever I’m feeling uninspired. Music is also a big inspiration for me, the way certain lyrics start off a chain of thoughts, I love it!

As for my blog, I kind of just go with the flow. If I read a book, I’ll review it. If something interesting happens, I’ll write a little anecdote. Inspiration comes, you just have to be patient sometimes.

B: I love Pinterest, too! It’s a great source of inspiration for me.

B: Do you prefer blogging or writing fiction?

H: I really love blogging but writing fiction is my first love. I feel really free when I write fiction. Escaping into worlds I’ve created is really fun! But with my blog, I’ve merged my two loves by blogging about my writing, so it’s a win-win situation for me!

B: I admire your skill in conjuring up new world and characters – especially as such beautiful writing comes out of it.

B: Do you listen to music while writing?

H: Yes, I do! Al the time. It’s funny because I listen to different kinds of music depending on what I’m writing. Most of the time, though, I love listening to Porter Robinson, Worlds and Joakim Karud.

B: Me too! I’m always listening while I’m blogging, writing or designing.

B: What other hobbies do you have?

H: I really love art. Drawing, painting and creating is just another way for me to escape into my own world. Taking photographs has become quite a hobby recently, too!

B: Photography is one of my favourite things to do. It’s such a joy to see small spaces come to life in a photo.

B: Do you have a favourite book?

H: Yes! The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. I love this book with all my heart!

B: I can’t wait to read this book and join you! It’s one of the next ones on my TBR.

B: What inspired you to start reading?

H: I think I’ve been reading ever since I could actually read but it wasn’t a hobby, just something I did every now and then. I got more into books as I’ve grown older, but I’ve only recently got into reading YA and that was actually after I started reading your blog. Thank you!

B: You’re welcome, Hannah! I have also been reading ever since I could make out the words, but my love for literature has certainly blossomed in the past few years.

B: Talk about your favourite movie.

H: ‘Kimi no Na Wa’ (Your Name) by Makoto Shinkai is literally the best film ever (I think you can agree with me on this one)! The animation, the character development, the storyline. Makoto Shinkai never fails to amaze me with his films, they are always great.

B: Kimi no Na Wa is one of my favourite movies too – thank you for introducing it to me!

B: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start blogging?

H: I would like to say, just remember, don’t be afraid to be different, always be yourself. Don’t worry about posting regularly or how many likes and followers you get. Don’t let those things burden you because if you start to feel pressured by these things, it takes away the enjoyment.

Also, when I started blogging, I struggled finding inspiration for blog posts. But I’ve come to realise that you don’t have to worry about stuff like that. Inspiration comes. Never sit and think until it hurts or force yourself to write when you can’t think. Just live life. Take a walk. Look at nature. Read a book. It will come naturally. You just have to have patience.

That’s why I don’t have a posting schedule, because I know my brain doesn’t work like that, I post when I feel like it. I would much rather have 1 post a week that I was proud of, than 7 that were rushed and all together not great.

So just blog how you want to blog and don’t be afraid to be different!

B: Wow, Hannah! Such a lovely response, and one that rings so true. It’s why your blog is so rich with beautiful pieces!

Thank you again for joining us! It’s been a pleasure to have you.

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Author Interview: John Day

June 7, 2016

Today we welcome John Day to join us for another author interview!

John DayAbout John Day (pen name)

Born in England he spent most of his working life there running his own businesses. In 2005 he and his wife Carole, moved to the beautiful Channel Island of Alderney.

Inspired by a dream one night whilst on holiday, perhaps it was the wine maybe the rich food, we shall never know, the sudden desire to write surged through his active loins.

Although John has an extensive range of novels, we’re here to talk about Bent Penny, which I recently reviewed and you can find more about here!

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The psychological crime thriller, set in London, begs to be read in one go, tugging the reader onwards through its intense drama.
D.I. Penny Britain is a brilliant detective, but despised by colleagues for not being normal, like them.
She has dark secrets and no man, or woman come to that, in her life. Until Paul enters her life, that is, but he is taken.
Her boss dumps a high profile kidnapping case on her. She discovers a trail of intrigue and murder out of all proportion to the crime. Then the dead bodies start piling up as someone covers their tracks. When Penny finally discovers the enormity of the threat she faces, her name is added to the hit list.
What is the connection to the gruesome Concrete Man murder? A dead body, but no victim.
Who is the serial killer dubbed the Index Murderer? Elusive as a ghost, forensically aware and super smart, leaving no clues. Who will be next? 

Before we start, here’s the links to Bent Penny on Amazon and Goodreads.

Now let’s welcome John! I hope you enjoy reading this interview as much as I did!

What made you want to write crime?
It was a readership decision. I want readers to enjoy my work so if they don’t want spies and adventure, I will write crime.

What time of the day do you write best?
It is an odd process. I work from an outline and build each line into a chapter of simple and direct sentences that highlight the key elements of the piece. When I go to sleep at night, I develop the chapter. In my mind I am in the scene. I can take the POV of anyone and when I wake. All I have to do is bash it into the computer. In the final stages, just before editing, I do the same again, with the developed piece to add more description like sounds, smells, feelings…

What do you do to beat writers block?
I don’t know what that is. I have never experienced it. It could be that keeping the thoughts out, is the bigger challenge.
I created The Glass Beacon from just two items. I had the title in my mind and it had to include my home island. From that a WW2 spy thriller was born. No problem!
As I mentioned above, I use an outline to define the story. I do have occasions when I am bored with the section. Perhaps I have an exciting piece to write, but the lead in or out has to be written first. Because of the outline I can pick the bit I want to write and another day I will feel fired up to do the lead in. There is no point writing if you don’t feel enthused and fired up. I shows in the words you use.
In a way, an outline is like the idea for a short story. There is no loss of  creativity within the section and you know exactly where you are with the book. It is a great aid to consistency.

I loved Holly! Is she based off a certain someone?
Holly is a cat!  Many years ago, this black & white moggy entered my life as a kitten. At that time, I had just started up my own business and worked from a bedroom. It was dead of winter and I could not afford to put the heating on to keep warm.
Holly would hang like a scarf around my neck as I worked at my desk. Shared bodily warmth. Later, she ditched me for a desk lamp. She would curl around the base, under the warm glow.
The cat and I were very close. She also had attitude and some amusing behaviour patterns that I include in my Bent Penny and Dirty Penny books. I thought the lonely Penny needed a devoted friend to share her thoughts with and Holly has been immortalised as her faithful and smart pet.
Yes, you guessed it, I am a softie.
An example of Holly in Bent Penny.
Penny followed Holly to the kitchen, the cat sought refuge there because she recognised the man’s voice. Last time that man called, the place went crazy with gunfire.
Penny didn’t care why Steve was calling, she needed him in her life after all. She had no hang-ups about telling him she had changed her mind and would go with him. Holly would have to go into quarantine of course, but she would survive that… so would Holly.
What was your favourite book as a child?
There wasn’t a single book. It was anything Enid Blyton churned out.
I propose to read one of her books if I can lay hands on one. I am 70 and wonder if her magic could be rekindled in my old brain. Not to copy, I wouldn’t want that, but I fancy writing a children’s book.
 

Thanks again to John for joining us! I have to say I am extremely jealous to hear you’ve never experienced writers block – who agrees that he’s very lucky?

I’ve also just got to say that Enid Blyton played a massive part in my childhood, as I’m sure she has many of yours! Have any of you read her books, and what are your favourites? I remember loving The Wishing Chair series!

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Author Interview: Jessica George

April 24, 2016

THIS IS A SCHEDULED POST. I AM OFFLINE UNTIL SATURDAY 30TH AND THEREFORE WILL NOT BE ACTIVE OTHER THAN POSTING.

Hi everyone! Today we welcome YA author Jessica George for a very unique interview!

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J.A. George is the author of the four-part series, GIFTED: THE HAYVEN SERIES. Jessica spent years of her life reading book after book before sitting on her bed one morning, opening her laptop and typing Chapter One into her word document. Now, not only does she read book after book, she now writes book after book too. When she’s not writing, she’s trying to break her record of finishing a tub of Oreo ice cream in less than forty-five minutes.

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Gifted - Paperback

There is no chosen one in this story.

She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and happened to make a decision that altered her future forever. It happens to all of us every day.

Avery Gray is a size twelve university student with a penchant for dry humour, and she’s as normal as they come. Up until now, the biggest choice she’s had to make was glasses or contacts? At the moment, it’s stay and save, or leave and be saved.

Allow me to explain. One rainy afternoon, Avery had to make a choice: go through the alleyway or around it. Two possible options. One would have had her future continue on as planned, the other would ensure that her future never remained the same again. She unknowingly went with the latter.

But change is not always bad. Avery meets Theodore-James Connors, an enigmatic young man who takes her to Hayven, a city separated from the rest of the world, where only gifters – ordinary people with extra-ordinary gifts – can go. She soon finds herself in a close-knit group of friends she’d never have imagined herself in; friends who are diverse in every possible way, from their ethnic backgrounds, to their personalities, from their gifts, to their life stories. Friends who make her laugh, who make her cry, who make her think and who make her…her.

However, change is not always good. The beautiful, golden city of Hayven has its dark side – Cliders. Gifters turned rogue, aka, Cliders are determined to aid fallen Clider, Madrina, return to rule Hayven. They will stop at nothing to make that happen, including harming those Ava has grown to love. Again, Ava is faced with a choice: spend her days finding a way to inhibit Madrina’s return, or walk away. After all, she isn’t the chosen one. Yet, there exists a third option – rig the future itself and make it work for her. 

And may we welcome Jessica, enjoy! Thanks for writing this.

Hi everyone!
I’d like to start off by thanking Beth for allowing me to write this guest post because it’s a great opportunity to introduce the main characters from my contemporary YA fantasy novel, GIFTED to you all! I didn’t want to write about the same old author’s journey (but if you are interested in that, feel free to visit my blog: (www.thejourneyofgifted.com) so I thought I’d do something a little different! Blog readers, meet Ava, Theo, Baleigh, Lucas, Faye, Peyton, and Ollie.

Avery Charlotte Gray
•    Preferred name/nickname? Pretty much everyone calls me Ava. Lucas calls me Avs.
•    Age? 19.
•    Hobbies? I like to read, draw, and hang out with friends.
•    Favourite food? Pizza.
•    Weak spot? For some reason, chocolate fingers. No idea why.
•    Interesting fact? I really like the taste of lemons.
•    If you could invite anybody to dinner? Roald Dahl, no question. He’s an imaginative genius.
•    Thoughts in the shower? My plans for the day.
•    How do friends describe you? Loyal, funny, and patient.
•    Pet peeve? Negative opinions.
•    Biggest fear? Losing loved ones.
•    Gift? Telepathy and pre-cognition. Uncontrollable pre-cognition, I might add.
•    Perfect day? Browsing an arts supplies store.
•    Favourite quote? Normal is boring and nobody is good at it.
•    First thing you say in GIFTED? “Someone is watching me.”

Theodore-James Connors
•    Preferred name/nickname? Theo. My big sister calls me TJ.
•    Age? 20.
•    Hobbies? Reading, socialising, travelling, and charity-work.
•    Favourite food? My grandad’s spaghetti bolognese. I make a pretty good replica.
•    Weak spot? My mum’s chocolate chip cookies.
•    Interesting fact? I used to want to be a lawyer because my dad is one.
•    Dinner guest choice? Martin Luther King.
•    Thoughts in the shower? The country I’d like to visit next.
•    How do friends describe you? Loyal, spontaneous, curious, and compassionate.
•    Pet peeve? Judging the interior by the exterior. That really gets to me.
•    Biggest fear? Living and dying in the same city.
•    Gift? Teleportation.
•    Perfect day? Walking through a city I’ve never been to before.
•    Favourite quote? I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.
•    First thing you said in GIFTED? “Sorry about that.”

Baleigh Olivia Castel
•    Preferred name/nickname? Bales. Only one person ever called me Bayleaf.
•    Age? 20.
•    Hobbies? Krav-maga and eating.
•    Favourite food? Pasta.
•    Weak spot? Millionaire’s shortbread.
•    Interesting fact? I like the rain. I kissed Theo once. I wanted to be a doctor but hated the thought of having to deliver bad news. Pick whichever you think is more interesting.
•    Dinner guest choice? Marie Curie.
•    Thoughts in shower ? Breakfast.
•    How do friends describe you? Honest, sarcastic, protective, funny, well-meaning.
•    Pet peeve? Lies. If you don’t have the balls to tell the truth, keep your mouth shut.
•    Biggest fear? Losing parents or friends.
•    Gift? I’m a miroux – a shapeshifter.
•    Perfect day? Shopping and eating.
•    Favourite quote? Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.
•    First thing you said in GIFTED? “Well, that was awkward to listen to.”

Lucas Elliot Aiden
•    Preferred name/nickname? The obvious answer would be ‘Luke’ right? I don’t really have a nickname, but prefer it that way.
•    Age? 21.
•    Hobbies? Girls. I know that’s not the best answer I could give, but I if you’re going to read the book, I might as well be honest. You’ll find out eventually.
•    Favourite food? Chips. Or fries, as Americans call it.
•    Weak spot? Chocolate buttons. I always carry a small packet.
•    Interesting fact? I’m great at juggling and my millionaire’s shortbread is unbeatable. It should be, it took a lot of practice.
•    Dinner guest choice? Dmitri Mendeleev.
•    Thoughts in shower? Guess.
•    How do friends describe you? Funny, big-hearted, lothario.
•    Pet peeve? People who assume they know me because of what they’ve heard.
•    Biggest fear? Pinpointing a fear.
•    Gift? Firider – I can produce fire.
•    Perfect day? Friends during the day and a girl for the night… I’ll admit, I’m not looking so great right now.
•    Favourite quote? Life is better when you’re laughing.
•    First thing you said in GIFTED? The first thing I said was a name and that isn’t too exciting, so how about the second thing I said? “No worries. You were obviously preoccupied…Who’s the pretty lady?”

Faye Elena Parks
•    Preferred name/nickname? I don’t have a nickname. I suppose it’s because my name is short as it is!
•    Age? 18.
•    Hobbies? Long walks, feeding the ducks, reading, eating out, seeing my friends – they’re like family.
•    Favourite food? Chicken burgers.
•    Weak spot? Marshmallows.
•    Interesting fact? I like to skateboard.
•    Dinner guest choice? Dr Seuss.
•    Thoughts in shower? I usually sing or hum songs from my favourite musicals.
•    How would friends describe you? Shy, sweet, kind, gentle, and warm.
•    Pet peeve? Bullies.
•    Biggest fear? Forgetting to protect others and not just myself.
•    Gift? Shield. I can project this invisible force field around me that no-one can get into unless I project it around them too. If you try to force your way in, it…stings.
•    Perfect day? Spent in Mysteria Park or going to a theatre.
•    Favourite quote? To be truly happy you must give up on pleasing others.
•    First thing you said in GIFTED? “Hello.” Not very exciting, is it? Sorry.

Peyton-Jane Levi
•    Preferred name/nickname? Peyton. My mum calls me PJ which has led to Eliza-Poppy, my youngest sister, to call me Peanut Butter and Jelly.
•    Age? 20.
•    Hobbies? Meditation, some might say daydreaming, and yoga.
•    Favourite food? Gazpacho.
•    Weak spot? Boiled sweets.
•    Interesting fact? I have a tattoo on my back of a dreamcatcher.
•    Dinner guest choice? David Attenborough.
•    Thoughts in shower? Whatever my daydreams choose. It varies every day. This morning I simply thought of polka-dots and zig-zags.
•    How friends describe you? Kind, ditzy, free-spirit, and patient.
•    Pet peeve? Animal cruelty.
•    Biggest fear? Losing my mum or sisters. I hate to even imagine it.
•    Gift? Elemental manipulation.
•    Perfect day? Spent exploring the amazon rainforest.
•    Favourite quote? Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.
•    First thing you said in GIFTED? “So, Ava, are you planning on attending Fulton next year?”

Oliver-Raine Gardens
•    Preferred name/nickname? Ollie.
•    Age? 21. I’m the oldest of the group.
•    Hobbies? Reading absolutely anything.
•    Favourite food? Whatever my mum cooks. Literally.
•    Weak spot? Biscotti.
•    Interesting fact? People think I was born clever. It actually took a lot of work.
•    Dinner guest choice? Everett Stone.
•    Thoughts in shower? If I’ve been stuck trying to solve something, usually that.
•    How friends would describe you? Smart, funny, charming, kind, and humble. Their words, not mine.
•    Pet peeve? Hypocrites.
•    Biggest fear? Losing my friends or family.
•    Gift? Atmokinesis – weather control.
•    Perfect day? Spent with friends and family. Hopefully with a cup of coffee and a plate of biscotti.
•    Favourite quote? Learning is an experience. Everything else is just information.
•    First thing you said in GIFTED? “She’s not the biggest fan of blood.”

They’re a lovely bunch, aren’t they?

J.A. George

Twitter: @JGeorgie_
Blog: www.thejourneyofgifted.com
Download a sample of GIFTED from amazon here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gifted-Hayven-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01E83HZPC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1460835483&sr=8-1&keywords=gifted+J+George

WANT TO WIN A COPY OF GIFTED? Enter here:
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What an interesting idea and characters, I can’t wait to start the book!

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Author Interview: Rose Fall

April 11, 2016

Hi readers! Today we are joined by Rose Fall, the lovely author of How To Get Your Heart Broken. You can find my full review here!

About the author

Rose Fall

Rose Fall was born in New York City to Senegalese immigrant parents. She is currently studying Communication and Global Studies at UNC Chapel Hill. Her debut novel “How to Get Your Heart Broken” is set to be released Spring 2016. You can find her at her blog on rosesarecool.wordpress.com

About the book | Amazon

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A self-proclaimed cynic, Eli is unsurprised by her boyfriend’s betrayal. Yet, its impact goes beyond what she realizes; a cruel bet, an array of secrets, and a thousand lessons not yet learned teach her how to trust again as an unlikely boy shows her a kind of love she never knew existed.

After Eli finds her boyfriend cheating on her, she seeks an escape. She heads to the beach to spend the summer before college with her two best friends. When Eli is unable to move past the betrayal, the girls devise a distraction; a bet about their handsome neighbor. Yet their thoughtless competition goes too far and their friendships are tested as they began to wonder how much they really know about each other and themselves. In the chaos, they manage to learn the truth about love, self-acceptance, and the journey back from rock bottom.

Where did you find the inspiration to write HGYHB?

I started writing this book so long about it’s hard to remember!I guess I wondered what it would be like to take three girls who make some questionable decisions and see if it would be possible to redeem them. I also wanted to explore female friendships, but with girls that aren’t always good friends to each other, even though they love each other.

 Have you ever had your heart broken?

Yes and no. I don’t think I’ve had my heart broken in the way Eli’s is. There have been fissures, I think everyone has those, but nothing as devastating as what the girls go through. It’s sort of a deceiving title isn’t it? You would expect me to be an expert on the subject! Sorry, I lied

How did you find writing as different people/from different POV (i.e. in Ash’s diary)?

I really enjoyed that challenge. Whereas Eli is a cynic, Ash is a hopeless romantic. It was fun to get to write both of those perspectives. With Ashton−a lot of times you want to roll your eyes at her, but it’s endearing how much faith she has. Eli is frustrating, but she’s smart and rightfully cautious. I feel like I’ve been both of these girls at different points in time.

Name a song, album or artist you listened to while writing HGYHB?

There were quite a few songs. There’s one in particular that made me think of Eli and Jessie. It’s called “There’s Us” by Alexz Johnson, who is my favorite musician of all time. It begins, “There’s me, looking down at my shoes. The one smiling like the sun, that’s you.”  Those lyrics bring up such a clear mental picture of Eli and Jessie for me.

It’s included in the playlist I made for the book: https://play.spotify.com/user/rosesfall/playlist/1olJRGT7uI0c1Y7vUZJtf2

Is the setting of the book based on anywhere you’ve been or vacationed?

It was inspired by a combination of places. The Outer Banks in North Carolina especially. But when it comes to the house, I was imagining my ideal vacation spot!

How do you overcome writers block?

For me, writer’s block comes from obsessing over something I’m working on, which leads to me being drained. I would say the best thing to do is step away, have fun, and life live. One of the luxuries of being an indie author is that you only have self-impossed deadlines, which are flexible!

Name an amazing author who gave you inspiration to start writing?

One of my favorite books to this day is Millicent’s Gift by Ann Rinaldi. It’s a children’s book, but I’ve reread it even in college. I would say that was one of the first books that inspired me to start writing. It was one of the first times I became aware of all the worlds you could make real through reading and writing.

Thank you again to Rose Fall for joining us for this interview!

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Author Interview: Tiffany Gholar

February 29, 2016

Hi everyone!

As you all know, I’m in Paris (or at least I should be by now, I’ll be keeping you guys updated on Twitter!), so most of these posts were written over the weekend (hi from the past (spooky)).

Anyway, today is a very exciting post…my very first interview with an author! I’ve wanted to do something like this for a while and as there is 5 Monday’s in February, I had a spare day to blog about anything I wanted. So I quickly contacted Tiffany who said yes to an interview – thanks Tiffany!

Tiffany Gholar bio: a Chicago-based artist working in a variety of media. I have three primary bodies of work: The Doll Project, Post-Consumerism, and Recessionism. I studied art as an undergraduate at the University of Chicago and interior design at Harrington College of Design and hold a Masters Degree in Painting from Governors State University. My art has been exhibited in many Chicago-area venues, including group shows at Woman Made Gallery, The Chicago Children’s Museum, and the Chicago Center for Green Technology, and in solo exhibitions at the Harold Washington Library and The Adler School for Professional Psychology.

I have written three books about my art: Post-Consumerism, Imperfect Things, and The Doll Project. When I am not painting, I work as a freelance interior designer and receptionist. In addition, I am a Jeopardy! champion.

Tiffany is the author of A Bitter Pill To Swallow, which I read earlier this year and loved!

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Review | Goodreads | Amazon

Personally, I found Tiffany’s work extremely inspirational, and I would definitely recommend A Bitter Pill To Swallow.

Interview time!

What was your favourite childhood book?

The Secret Garden

How did you find writing in the point of view of children and adults?

In A Bitter Pill to Swallow I had to switch back and forth from teen and adult perspectives. It was interesting and made me consider what observations a teenager might make as opposed to what an adult might think about. 

Name a song you listened to while writing A Bitter Pill To Swallow (or one that gave you inspiration)?

I listened to a lot of songs from the 90s to refresh my memories of what it was like being a teenager then. In fact, I made a special playlist. One song I found myself listening to on repeat is “Dog It” by Digable Planets.

Name a favourite quote (either from a book or just in general)?

“Do what you believe and you will end up where you belong.”
(Karim Rashid, designer)

Where do you write?

I write everywhere I can, but my favorite place to write is at my art studio. Even though I set it up as a place where I can paint, I have an area that’s perfect for plugging in my laptop and writing.

Have you ever kept a journal, like Janina?

Yes. I have been an avid journal writer for most of my life. I saved most of my old journals. Reading some of the things I wrote as a teenager helped to inform my characters’ journals. 

Name your favourite food?

Dark chocolate.
I have to agree with that last one!
Look out for (hopefully) more author interviews in the future – and a pre-written (I have nothing to hide) chat post tomorrow.
-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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