Author, author...

...read all about it !

 

 

Today we have the wonderful Liza O'Connor

 

Welcome Liza, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Before I became a starving author, I was an adventurer. From diving with the great white shark to rafting down a twenty-one foot waterfall, I've done it.

 

I can fly a plane, parachute from a plane, and hang-glide out of the way of a plane.

I have deepsea fished, fly fished and raised fish in the pond I built in my backyard.

 

I can kayak whitewater or seas, raft class four river, and scuba dive into the oceans, where once a giant stingray attacked me.

 

I have spent grueling hot days carefully unveiling diplodocus bones, riding a suicidal horse up a mountain to fly-fish, and almost enticing a dominant male buffalo of a very large herd to run me down.  (I just had to get closer for a photo op.)

Some of these activities, I am actually good at.  Others, I was lucky to survive.  But all of them make great fodder for my characters to go out there and live life to their fullest.

 

What did you want to be when you were growing up or did you always want to be a writer?

Actually, I first remember stating I wished to be a lawyer, but my dad said he’d disown me if I did. So then I decided to be an actress or a musician. All the while, I would write about characters who were great musicians or actresses. 

When did you first start writing?

Very early in life, and even then I had a sense of humor. I would write short stories about my school experience and when given a writing assignment in class, would write outside whatever parameters the teacher gave me. Thus, I would write wonderfully funny stuff and only get a B because I didn’t follow instructions.

What is a typical writing day like for you? 

Back when I simply wrote novels and put them up on www.BloodyGoodRead.com, my day comprised of two main activities: Hiking with my dog and writing. That means 3-5 hours of hiking each day, and the rest writing.

Now I’ve reduced the hiking to 3 hours a day and spend the two saved hours networking, promoting and marketing. Some of my writing time is now taken up with editing changes, writing scripts for promos, and creating blogs. There are some days I don’t get to work on my novel in progress at all. Those are sad days.

Do you have any specific routine you follow or specific items you need with you when you write?

 I like to sit in my recliner with my laptop in my lap… in total silence.

What is your favorite part of writing? 

Writing the rough draft of a new novel, when it’s all emotions and my characters run amuck.

Is there anything you don’t like about being a writer?

 No I love everything about writing, even the hard edits, although I bitch and moan about them while they happen. When I’m done with the torture, I know my book is better.

However, I often resent the amount of time marketing and promotional efforts take from my writing. But it’s a necessity, so I’m just going to have to learn to adapt.

What is your favorite length of book to write?  (Short story, novella, full length novel) Why?

I don’t have a favorite length. It’s whatever length my characters need to tell their story. Now often in edits, I’ll chop out sections or add to a section that I gave short shift to. But the story decides how long it needs to be.

How does your family feel about your writing and you being an author? 

I believe those who like me are very happy for me. Hopefully, I’m annoying the others.

Is there a to-be-read waiting on your bedside table?

No, but there is a ton of dust on the bedside table. My books reside on a kindle which hangs out by the recliner and accompanies me to doctors lobbies and other places that waste my time.

 

Just for fun, I have a few personal questions, 

Favorite 5

1) Favorite Holiday— I ignore them all—otherwise people would expect me not to write on these days.

2) Favorite Drink – Green tea

3) Favorite Author-of all time: Jane Austin, current: Rebecca Royce

4) Favorite Book : Pride and Prejudice

5) Favorite Animal: One particular Sheba Inu/Chow mix named Jessie.

And for a bonus:  What is a typical mood for you?  

I normally think I’m funny.  

And is your mood different when you’re writing?

I am at peace and fulfilled when writing, although outwardly I will feel whatever my characters feel, so I could be sobbing from heartbreak or laughing hysterically.

 

Where can our readers find you?? 

Email: Liza2write@yahoo.com

Twitter: : https://twitter.com/Liza0Connor

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/Liza.O.Connor.Wakes.Up

Facebook Profile: http://www.facebook.com/liza.oconnor.90

Website/blog: www.LizaOConnor.com

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Liza-OConnor/e/B00A82LHNO 

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/11079706-liza-o-connor

Manic readers: https://www.manicreaders.com/LizaOConnor/

 

 

 

Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?

Saving Casey

by

Liza O’Connor 

Bono Books a division of Decadent Publishing

Release date: Nov 16

Buy Links:

Bono books: http://www.Bonobookstore.com

 

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A7KRSOO 

Barnes&Noble : http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/saving-casey-liza-oconnor/1113795362?ean=2940015849295

 About Saving Casey: http://www.lizaoconnor.com/p/about-saving-casey.html

Videos about Saving Casey:

trailer: http://youtu.be/WxcaMP0Dgzc

Character vlogs: http://youtu.be/p6QzYsxJ7jQ

 

Blurb:

Having been diagnosed with cancer, Cass Goldman decides to opt out of any futile medical care and end her life.  While she has some thoughts on afterlife, she never expects to reincarnate into the body of a seventeen- year-old girl named Casey Davidson.

 When she awakens in a hospital, Cass discovers two disturbing facts.  One, she is now inside the body of a troubled teenager, and two, the former owner of this body committed suicide, but only Cass knows that. Everyone else believes Casey has survived, but suffered a complete memory loss.  Cass has two choices: to take on Casey’s life and turn it around, or to confess the truth about her reincarnation and end up in a mental asylum.  Cass decides to take on the future life of Casey, a frightening ghoul-faced teen with short, black, spiky hair.

 Every person around Cass has an ulterior motive and discovering the truth of Old Casey’s life is more complicated than the ‘new math’ she is forced to learn in school.  In addition, Cass has to contend with raging teenage hormones and the prior crimes of Old Casey, which she might not remember, but everyone else certainly does.  However, her biggest frustration concerns her feelings for her father’s rugged security specialist who sees her only as a teenager and doesn’t want to explore the mutual attraction between them

 

Short Excerpt

Upon settling down on the toilet, she noticed the floor to ceiling mirror facing her and screamed at the sight of the creature within in it. Short black hair spouted about its head, black circles surrounded both eyes and fell like triangular knives down the cheeks. Black lips, stretched in horror as if in a nightmare. Pulling up her pants, she moved closer to the mirror.

She was a ghoul, an honest to God ghoul!

The door crashed open and her father stared at her, fear and panic clear in his eyes.

Touching her face, she looked up at him. “Please tell me these aren’t permanent.”

His panic remained a second longer as her words filtered into his brain and then he pulled her into his arms. “Don’t worry; we will get them removed—if you want to.”

“If? Oh, I definitely want them removed.”

How the hell could she turn around this life if she looked like the walking dead from a low grade monster movie?

 

One last thing before we let you leave us today :)  I like to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try and share but it's totally up to you.

I stubbornly refuse to follow a recipe. I even re-invented pudding once when trying to make a white sauce.

 

 

Oh Liza you are too funny!  Thanks so much for visiting with us today :)

 

Readers, make sure you get Saving Casey, you won't be disappointed !

 

Until next time, happy reading !!

 

Krista

Author, author... #giveaway

...read all about it !!

Today we have author Erin Pryor here to talk with us and make sure you stick around because she's having a giveaway at the end !!


Hi Erin, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m 30 years old, been married for 12 years and have a beautiful 8 year old daughter and a handsome 4 year old son. I work full time, and try to squeeze in “retreat” weekends for my writing at least once a month, or every other month. I love writing and the possibilities of what can happen with my characters.

What did you want to be when you were growing up or did you always want to be a writer?

Actually, after I married my husband at 18, and fell in love with my favorite Author, Lynn Kurland, I secretly wanted to be a writer. But since I’d never been to College, I wondered if I could even pull it off and left it as a lofty goal that I would one day do before I died. Growing up as a kid, I wanted to be a Veternarian, but quickly realized I don’t like science, and hate needles even more.

When did you first start writing?

Three years ago, I dipped my hands in Fan Fiction. Haha. Funny now that I look back at it. I went to my first local chapter of the RWA in January, 2010. My writing has grown to a level I never thought to achieve before I turned 30. I attribute a lot of my success to going to meetings, participating in online classes, and openly listening to critiques on my work.

What is a typical writing day like for you? 

I typically do it a whole day at a time, which is about once a week. I start in the morning, go to my local coffee shop, plug in my laptop, put in my headphones, and start typing away. I layout a plan the night before with scenes that I want to accomplish by writing one scentence blurbs on each scene. It gives me enough information that I’m able to write a full chapter, or until the next point of view break.

Do you have any specific routine you follow or specific items you need with you when you write?

Yes, I need to be “away” from it all. I can’t write at home. Too many distractions with my kids. I have to step away, put my headphones in, and just focus on telling the story in a seamless manner.

What is your favorite part of writing?  Is there anything you don’t like about being a writer?

I love maneuvering characters in different ways, and seeing how they react to the situations they are thrown into. I mean, I have the jist of it down, but about halfway through the book, my characters seem to take a mind of their own and I’m just a vessel to be used in the transformation of their story. Plotting. I absolutely despise plotting. It is the most difficult thing for me. I mean, I can plot a few scenes in advance, but in order to properly execute a book, you need to plot the entire thing in advance, then the small scenes along the way. I don’t have a problem with the short term, but with the overall picture and trying to capture in in a way that will be executed seamlessly.

What is your favorite length of book to write?  (Short story, novella, full length novel) Why?

I think my most favorite to write is a full-length novel, even though Pillars In Time is a novella. I like having the time to set up the story and execute it in a way that people can follow without the story feeling rushed, or unrealistic.

How does your family feel about your writing and you being an author?

They love it. My 8 year old daughter especially. She is so proud to go to school and tell all of her friends that her mommy is a published author. My husband, who is a High School Teacher at our childrens school (Private School K-12), hears all the time about how students buy my book and love it. My daughter is my best cheerleader, and my husband is my champion. Without my husband’s support, especially with the young kids, I wouldn’t be able to get time to ever write.

Is there a to-be-read waiting on your bedside table?

Yes, the latest Lynn Kurland novel. My problem is that I work 12+ hours a day, 6+ days a week, on top of writing myself, and being a wife and mommy, I don’t have time to sit down and read. What I do have time for is listening to books on tape. I’m a member to Audible.com and I listen to probably 1 book a week in the mornings while I’m working (I’m Bi-Polar and can majorly multi-task…lol).

Just for fun, I have a few personal questions, 

Favorite 5

1)          Favorite Holiday

I’m torn between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I think I like Thanksgiving more because I get to host it at our house.

2)         Favorite Drink

What kind? LoL. I think my FAVORITE drink is 7-up and Cranberry Juice mixed together….SOOOOO refreshing

3)         Favorite Author

Lynn Kurland

4)         Favorite Book

I know this sounds bad for being an author, but I don’t think I have one.

5)         Favorite Animal

Cat – because they are so self-sustaining. I tried the dog thing and though I love them, they are just not for me and my crazy/busy lifestyle.

And for a bonus:  What is a typical mood for you?  And is your mood different when you’re writing?

I’m a pretty happy-go-lucky person. I’m rarely caught in a bad mood, and when I am in one, it typically lasts for less than 5 minutes. I’m very bubbly and love to serve people (i.e. that’s why I love my job being a Mortgage Loan Processor). I wouldn’t say my mood is different when I’m writing, except with the exception of the scenes that I write. If I’m writing a scene with angst in it, I found that I’m wound up tight. When I write a scene where love is overflowing, I find that I miss my husband. So, I’m affected by the scenes I write, but my overall mood is the same.

Where can our readers find you?? 

Email: Erin.Pryor@Live.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErinPryorAuthor

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/erin.pryorauthor

Website/blog: http://erinpryor.blogspot.com/

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Pillars-in-Time-ebook/dp/B007FUXCVM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349030258&sr=8-1&keywords=Pillars+in+time

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13511744-pillars-in-time

 

 

Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?

Pillars in Time

out now at

Decadent Publishing

 

in the Bono Books line 

 

 

Determination is Cadence Hamilton’s middle name. Shesets her sights on a lofty goal in a man’s profession: to be the most sought after architect on the West Coast. When she hears of the chance to draft the renovation of a 14th Century Scottish castle, she jumps at her dream job…never expecting to be whisked away to the century itself.
Nicholas Kincaid, sole heir to Dunmaben castle, is in a horrible predicament: marry or forfeit his lands. But the woman who visits his dreams keeps him from falling into wedded bliss. With the clock ticking, he follows duty to marry to avoid losing his beloved home and will do whatever it takes to ensure the security and safety for all, both in and outside of his walls. Except the woman, who beholds secrets he seeks, becomes his distraction….
Neither Nicholas nor Cadence anticipates the threats close to home, or the lives that will be lost in the process. As their relationship is tested and unknown enemies revealed, will their love conquer all? Even the boundary of time?

Show More Buy Links:

buy links:

Bono Bookstore ~ Amazon ~  Barnes & Noble  


 

Before we let you leave us today, would you be willing to share a recipe with us?  I love to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try and share :)

 

 

Always a major hit when I host parties are the following two dips that I make.

Guacamole:

6 Avocados
2-3 minced cloves of garlic – or 1.5-2 tsp
1-2 minced Serrano Chili Pepper
½ Sweet Onion – chopped
1 Anaheim Chili Pepper (or known as Passilla), minced
2-3 Grape Ripened Tomatoes, Chopped
1 Lime, cut in half, and squeezed into mixture
Salt – to taste
Cilantro – 3 tablespoons chopped up

Mash together, add salt and garlic to taste, add additional Serrano’s if not spicy enough. Serve.

 

Artichoke Dip

You need a pie dish & set your oven to 350 degrees

2 Cans of Artichoke Hearts – Chopped & set aside
16 oz of Cream Cheese (let this sit out for an hour so it is easy/smooth to mix)
2 cups of Mayonaise
2 cups of Parmessean Chees
2 Jalepeno Peppers – Minced

Keep 8 oz of the Parmessean Cheese set aside. Mix/Cream all other ingredients together, move to pie pan. Take remainder 1 cup of cheese and sprinkle on top of mixture. Cover with tinfoil, put in oven for 25 minutes. Remove tinfoil and keep in oven for a remainder 10-15 minutes. 

 

 

 

Now...one last thing! 

Erin has given us permission to do an eReader or PDF format giveaway of her title Pillars in Time. All you have to do is answer this question (if you read the interview, it should be easy)...

 

* What does Erin's Husband do??

 

Make sure when you leave your answer in the comments below, also leave your email address so that you can be contacted if you are a winner !

 

~     ~     ~     ~

 

Erin, thanks so much for sharing your day with us!  I hope you have many successes with Pillars in Time and am anxious to see the second book come out :)

 

Until next time, happy reading !

 

Krista