Patricia C. Lee's Destiny's Past

My guest today is Patricia C. Lee, author of Destiny's Past, first book of the Daughters of the Crescent Moon Trilogy series, published by Crescent Moon Press.      

Patricia has had a love affair with the written word since childhood, many times immersing herself in the stories of Enid Blyton and Carolyn Keene.

An active imagination gave inspiration to short stories and her first play as a teen. As an adult, she penned the Clem Battye award winning short story titled The Battle and A Precious Glimpse in Time, which was published in Mining For Crystal Gems by PWAP. Her full-length play, The Truth About Lies, was staged at a theatrical festival competition in 2008.

Born on Canada's west coast, she now lives in Ontario with her husband and three cats, all of which claim rule over the house at one point or another. When her nose isn’t pressed to the laptop monitor, you can find Patricia at the public library. Besides dreaming up the next novel, she also enjoys traveling, baking, camping, wine, and of course reading – not necessarily in that order.

Anne – Welcome, Patricia! When did you first realize you were destined to be an author? 

Patricia - I would say around my early teens. I was always making up stories in my mind. Once I started putting them down I knew this was what I wanted to do for all my life

Anne - What one or two lines best sums you up as an author?

Patricia - Feel the fire...believe in the magic.

Anne – Love it! Tell us about your debut release.

Patricia - Destiny's Past is the first book in the Daughters of the Crescent Moon Trilogy.

No-nonsense medical examiner, Kelly Richards, relies on the familiar comforts of science and scalpels to get her through the day. So when a not-so-dead guy who claims he's from the past lands on her autopsy table, she considers calling the men in white coats to escort him to a padded room. But Jarek’s old-world ways and hot gaze trick her heart into falling for him—a mistake she swore she’d never make again.

When Jarek, Prince of Leisos, discovers someone he trusts has been slowly poisoning him, he travels to the future in search of a cure. Driven by vengeance, he enlists the help of an impudent scientist to return him to his time. Caught between his growing desire for Kelly and the need to expose his would-be assassin before he strikes again, Jarek must either forfeit his ticket home or lose the only woman he’s ever loved.

Anne - Is there a message in Destiny's Past you want readers to grasp?

Patricia - Yes. I believe every person has a gift. Whether it be something obvious like music, singing, numbers, etc. Some never realize it is a gift. Destiny's Past is my way of portraying how the heroine, Kelly, recognizes her gift and uses it for the fulfillment of her life, as well as others. Sounds heavy, but it's also fun!

Anne - How long does it take you to write a book?

Patricia - The last two took me about 3-4 months each. That was the easy part. It's the editing that almost killed me!

Anne - Are you a glass half-empty or half-full kind of person?

Patricia - Totally full, actually. Life is amazing, no matter what it throws at you. It all depends on the attitude you take.

Anne – How true! Attitude is everything. J Outside of writing, what accomplishment are you most proud?

Patricia - Right after high school I made a list of 5 life goals. This was long before the famous phrase "bucket list". I have achieved 4 of them (being published was on that list). They are personal, but I'm proud that I've done them. I hope to complete it. I think it's important for us have life goals/dreams. It gives us a reason to get up in the morning and something to strive for.

Anne – Where can readers find you online?

Patricia –At my website, blog, and on Facebook.  

Anne – You’re offering commenters a chance to win an e-copy of Destiny’s Past. What is your question for them?

Patricia – What's your favorite line from a book (current read or all-time favorite)?

Thanks for having me over to 'your place' Anne. It's been fun.

Anne – My pleasure. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Destiny's Past, and can't wait for the next book. I wish you every success both professional and personally!

Readers, remember to leave a comment with your email addy to win an e-copy of Destiny’s Past. The winner will be announced sometime next week.

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Mystery We Write Blog Tour Continues

It's week ten of the 2011 Mystery We Write Blog Tour. Check out these amazing and talented authors and their blogs: Vivian Zabel, Jennifer Di Camillo, Marilyn Meredith, Jean Henry Mead, Marja McGraw, Mary Martinez, Jackie King, Sharon Ervin, Pat Browning, and Beth Anderson.

Happy reading!

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Christmas in July Giveaway!

It's week 9 of the 2011 Mystery We Write Blog Tour. Two authors, scheduled for this week and next, had to drop out. It's understandable. Self-promotion and marketing takes a lot of time, and sometimes life just gets in the way. However, it helps to be flexible, and fortunately Frank, Incense and Muriel, first book of my Muriel Reeves Mysteries, was released in print format last week. Yipee!

To celebrate, I'm giving away a FREE pdf copy.

To enter the draw: (A) follow my blog, (B) leave a comment with your email addy and (C) tell me what is different between the print cover shown above and the e-reader cover. 

The winner will be announced July 31.

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BTW, the 2011 Mystery We Write Blog Tour continues until August 14. Check out these amazing and talented authors:

Vivian Zabel, Jennifer Di Camillo, Marilyn Meredith, Jean Henry Mead, Marja McGraw, Mary Martinez, Jackie King, Sharon Ervin
Pat Browning, Beth Anderson

Happy Christmas in July reading!

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Eda Suzanne's Retired NOT Expired

My guest today is author Eda Suzanne, author of Retired NOT Expired.

Natives of Long Island, Eda Suzanne, her husband and their two young sons relocated to South Florida when the Miami Dolphins’ Larry Czonka was a household name. Almost 40 years later, Eda considers herself a native Floridian, but credits learning how to drive on the narrow parkways in New York City for her ability to merge onto I-95 without breaking into in a cold sweat.

After hanging up her reading specialist mantle, Eda set out to prove her teaching job didn’t define her. Knowing tennis and golf were not her strong suits, she redirected her teaching energies into a writing career. It didn’t take long for Eda’s work to appear in national newspapers and magazines and for her book talk calendar to fill.

When not clicking away on her keyboard, Eda keeps busy by enjoying life with her husband, their children and grandchildren. She has a host of hobbies ranging from needlecraft to Mah Jongg and enjoys funning with her fantastic friends. She and Hubby love their re-energized lives as retirees since moving from their home in Broward County to the unofficial retirement capitol of their peers—Boynton Beach, Florida.

Since the publication of Retired NOTExpired, readers call or email Eda to say, “I can identify with almost every story in this book. It should be the number one read for everyone and anyone, not just retirees.”

Anne - Welcome to my little corner of cyberspace, Eda. When did you realize you were first destined to be an author?

Eda - I never really thought of my being an author as destiny before I read the feedback from my readers. When I started to write, it was something challenging to keep my mind active after I retired from teaching. Since my students usually sat spellbound when I would make up stories to teach concepts, I was sure I had the potential to write. I set my retirement “GPS” to become the Dr. Seuss of the 21st century—I aim high. Today, when I’m introduced as an author, my inner voice shouts, “Hey, that’s me!”      

Anne - Tell us about your most recent release.  

Eda - Retired Not Expired is a humorous satire of my successful journey from classroom teacher to part time writer and part time retiree. Before I retired, friends warned me I would be a nobody without my job. However, the  hilarious vignettes in my book that deal with the invisible genie (could it be my spouse?) that turns my cool home into a sauna, sibling rivalry at sixty, and what it’s like being part of the first truly bionic generation proves my pessimistic friends wrong about retirement. Even though I thought that only those who are retired would like the book, it has turned out that, like my blog, readers of all ages are enjoying it. My favorite fan letter said Retired NOT Expired should be required reading for all baby boomers, working or retired.    

Anne - Is there a message in Retired NOT Expired you want the readers to grasp?

Eda - Yes, definitely. At first, while writing the book, I thought the message was going to be that the transition into retirement is easy if the retiree has a roadmap for the future. If not, the path can be bumpy. The message expanded after my husband’s plans to work forever suddenly changed and our home, which we never intended to leave, no longer met his physical needs. We were nearing 70, and we never faced the “what if” question—what if Hubby, who had no retirement “GPS” couldn’t work, and what if our home didn’t meet our physical needs. This lack of planning for changes that realistically do happen to many people past the age of 50 is as dangerous as not saving for a rainy day. Through humor, I showed how we dealt with a lifestyle change that has let us both live, and the key word here is live, a very full life.  

Anne - How long does it take you to write a book?

Eda - Retired NOT Expired took about three years to write and edit. It usually took about two weeks to complete a chapter. After my critique group discussed it, revisions were made. When the book was complete, I was advised to let it “marinate” for several months. The advice was wise because the final tweaking tightened many of the vignettes. 

Anne - Describe your home office as it appears right now. Is it a good or bad thing?

Eda - My husband and I share a home office. We have his and her computers. His desk is neat as a pin. He files every slip of paper immediately. Items I need to file or papers I need to refer to for my writing are in piles covering my desktop. The only thing visible is my keyboard. I have no problem an feel no guilt about my mess, especially when I see Hubby spending hours trying to remember in which folder he put what paper.  

Anne - Do I belong to any writer’s organizations, critique group, and /or depend on beta readers?

Eda - While attending The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) annual convention in Miami eight years ago, I met several young authors from my area. We formed a critique group and met weekly in each other’s homes until I moved 45 miles north. We still connect for professional and social purposes, but not on a weekly basis.  

Anne - How long did your journey from wannabe author to published author take?

Eda - If when you say, “published” you mean my book, the answer is nine years. If you mean articles in magazines, the answer would be 18 months. This wannabe writer thought that it would be a snap to write down the stories I told. I quickly learned that story telling and story writing are two very different skills, especially since teachers tend to repeat things and this is a big “no no” in writing. I enrolled in an online writing class, which led to a correspondence class, which led to the article that was published after 18 months.

Anne - How many rejections did you acquire along the way? What kept you going?

Eda - I have lost count of the rejections, but most of them were for my writings geared for children. Though none of my free-lance humor columns for seniors were rejected,  I didn’t realize my true voice—humor for adults—until a few years ago when I wrote a very long humorous rhyme/roast about a friend. As I read each stanza, the ripples of laughter grew louder and louder. At evening’s end, I knew my new writing focus was for seniors, not juniors.  

My fantastic critique group, comprised of accomplished authors decades younger than me, was my inspiration. By accepting me as an equal, I felt validation about my writing skills. They gave me the courage and guidance needed to pursue my dream.   

Anne - What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Eda - This is easy—staying out of the kitchen pantry or fridge when I have writer’s block moments.

Anne - What is the most surprising thing you learned about yourself from your writing?

Eda - I am funny and can make people laugh, really laugh. And now that I’m giving book talks to promote my book, I feel as if my next career might be standup comic! 

Anne – I’ll be there when you walk on stage! Thank you so much for dropping by, Eda. Retired NOT Expired is definitely going on my TBR list! Readers can visit Eda’s website or her blog.

Happy reading!

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Marilyn Meredith's Angel Lost

My guest this week in the 2011 Mystery We Write Blog Tour is the prolific and fascinating Marilyn Meredith. She is the author of the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series as well as the Rocky Bluff P.D. series.

One of the first authors to embrace e-publishing, Marilyn has several books that are available in both e-format and trade paperback, among them, the award winning mystery Guilt by Association. Christian horror is another of the genres she writes. The Choice, Deeds of Darkness, and Cup of Demons are prime examples.

Marilyn also has a chapter in the best seller, "THE PORTABLE WRITERS' CONFERENCE" from Quill Driver Press. And if that were not enough to keep her busy, Marilyn is also a writing teacher. She’s been a featured speaker at several writers' conferences. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, EPIC, and the Public Safety Writers Association. I encourage readers to visit her website and/or blog.

It's wonderful to have you drop by, Marilyn. Let’s talk writing!

Anne - Tell us about your most recent release.

Marilyn – That would be Angel Lost.

As plans for her perfect wedding fill her mind, Officer Stacey Wilbur is sent out to trap a flasher, the new hire realizes Rocky Bluff P.D. is not the answer to his problems, Abel Navarro’s can’t concentrate on the job because of worry about his mother, Officer Gordon Butler has his usual upsets, the sudden appearance of an angel in the window of a furniture store captures everyone’s imagination and causes problems for RBPD, and then the worst possible happens—will Stacey and Doug’s wedding take place?

Anne – What are readers saying about Angel Lost?

Marilyn - "A pervert threatens women joggers on the beach, a robber threatens wealthy homes on the bluff, and an angel watches over the townspeople from a downtown window.  F. M. Merediths' latest Rocky Bluff P. D. novel is a gentle human drama about loneliness and change, through which the reader is pulled, page after page, by an assortment of compelling criminal curiosities." --C. N. Nevets is an author of psychological suspense.

Anne - Wow! Angel Lost is definitely going on my TBR list. How long does it take you to write a book?

Marilyn - I write two series which means two books a year. Fortunately for me, I tend to write short. It takes me about six months for each book which includes reading it chapter by chapter to my critique group, rewriting and editing, sending it off to the publisher and fixing all the things the editor points out, then checking the galley proof when it comes. In the meantime, I’ll also be promoting the latest book that’s actually out, which is usually the one in the other series. Makes for changing a lot of hats.

Anne - Do you belong to any writer’s organizations, critique groups, and/or depend on beta readers?

Marilyn - I belong to 4 chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Epic and Public Safety Writers Association. Each of them is helpful in different ways. And as I mentioned, I belong to a critique group—one I’ve been a part of for thirty years. Members have come and gone except for two of us. The group is invaluable to me.

Anne - How long did your journey from wannabe writer to published author take?

Marilyn - The first book that I actually sent out to be published was a historical family saga which was written on first written in long hand then by typewriter with carbon paper for the copy. It was 500 pages and in those days you had to send the whole manuscript out in a box with another box inside with the proper amount of postage so it would come back. After five or six trips to New York, the whole book had to be retyped.

Anne - How many rejections did you acquire along the way? What kept you going?

Marilyn - Before that first book was accepted by a publisher I received close to thirty rejections. When I switched to writing mysteries, the rejections started all over again. I’ve had several agents, none now, many publishers from e-publishers before anyone knew what that meant, publishers who died, publishers who were crooks, and lots of small presses. I’m with two now that I am really pleased with.

Anne - How many books have you written to date? Are you most proud of one in particular? If so, why?  

Marilyn - One of these days I’ll have to count. I’ve had close to 30 published, but there are a few more that I’ve written but not published—a good thing. I’m always proudest of the last one published, so in this case it’s Angel Lost. It’s a bit different than some of the other books in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series. The main focus is what’s happening in the lives of the people on the Rocky Bluff P.D. rather than the crimes—though the crimes are certainly there.

Anne - Are you a glass half-empty or half-full kind of person? I’m definitely a half-full person.

Marilyn - I’m optimistic about most everything. That doesn’t mean I don’t worry—I’ve four living adult children, eighteen grandkids and eleven great-grands. At my age when you send off money to a mystery convention that isn’t happening until next year, you are definitely optimistic.

Anne - Any words of advice for struggling, unpublished writers?

Marilyn - Read the kind of books you want to write. Unfortunately, I’ve run into people who’ve told me they want to write but don’t have time to read. And if you really want to write, you write and you write nearly every day. Don’t send off a manuscript to an agent or publisher until you’re positive it’s the best you can make it and that means you’ve had someone else take a look at it who knows about writing.

Anne - Outside of writing, what accomplishment are you most proud?

Marilyn - The fact that I’ve stayed married to the same man for sixty years come this October. Pretty good, since I met him on a blind date when I was in high school.

Anne – Congratulations to both of you! You’re offering a giveaway today. How can a reader enter the draw?

Marilyn - I’ll send a trade paperback to one of the commenters of the previous Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery, An Axe to Grind. What I’d like to hear from you is what kind of mysteries do you prefer or why do you read mysteries?

Anne – Great question. I look forward to reading the answers. Thanks so much for dropping by today, Marilyn. It's been a joy chatting with you about mysteries, writing, reading, and of course, life!

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Participating authors in the 2011 MYSTERY WE WRITE BLOG TOUR are: Beth Anderson, Pat Browning, Sharon Ervin, Jackie King, Mary Martinez, Marja McGraw, Jean Henry Mead, Marilyn Meredith, Jennifer Di Camillo, Vivian Zabel, and your's truly, Anne K. Albert.

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Debra St. John

My guest today is Debra St. John.

Debra been reading and writing romance since high school. She always dreamed about publishing a romance novel some day. She lives in a suburb of Chicago with her husband, who is her real life hero. Her debut release, "This Time for Always" is a Champagne Rose and Rosebud bestseller at The Wild Rose Press. "Wild Wedding Weekend" and "This Can't Be Love" are available now. "A Christmas to Remember" will be her fourth release from TWRP.

Debra - Hi Anne! Thanks so much for having me here today and allowing me to celebrate “Christmas in July” to talk about my upcoming release.

Anne – My pleasure, Debra. What one or two lines best sums you up as an author?

Debra - I’ve adopted “Sultry Romance. Sexy Heroes. Spunky Heroines.” as my tag-line.

Anne – Love it. Tell us about your most recent release.

Debra - A Christmas to Remember is coming November 2, 2011. It’s my first novella. In the past I’ve only published full-length novels, so this is a new experience for me.

Here’s the blurb:

Newly single, Heather Morgan gathers her courage and decides to take a Christmas ski vacation on her own. However, the festive holiday atmosphere reminds her how dispirited and alone she feels. When she meets a mysterious stranger, her lonely vacation takes an unexpected turn.

Sam is at the resort at the urging of his brother, who thinks he needs to get out and have a little fun. Having no desire to get involved with anyone, Sam needs a way to get his brother off his back. The intriguing Heather seems like the perfect solution to his dilemma, so he makes her an offer she can't refuse.

Sam restores the joy of the season to Heather. Their time together is magical, something she'll never forget. Soon her feelings for him deepen beyond their romantic holiday fling. But Sam has a secret, one that could prevent the fantasy from ever becoming real.

Anne - How long does it take you to write a book?

Debra - It really depends. I’d say about a year, from start to submission, for most full-length manuscripts. I wrote A Christmas to Remember in about six weeks. My publisher has a dead-line for holiday submissions, and I made a goal to meet that dead-line earlier this year.

Anne - How many books have you written to date? Are you most proud of one in particular? If so, why?

Debra - I’ve written four full-length novels (Three are published with The Wild Rose Press and I have plans to shop the fourth one around.) and I’m about ¾ done with another. I’ve also written a novella (my upcoming release) and a short story (which is available as a free read).

In my first published novel, This Time for Always, I introduced a cast of secondary characters I hoped to create stories for, to have a series of sorts. Zach got his story in This Can’t Be Love, and Jake’s getting his in “This Feels Like Home” (my WIP). This was something I’d dreamed of since high school, and I’m so proud and thrilled that I’m so close to seeing this dream come true in its entirety.

Anne - Outside of writing, what accomplishment are you most proud?

Debra - Ten years ago this fall my husband and I bought a 1920’s ‘fixer-upper’ two flat. The first thing we did was convert it to a single family house, and over the years we’ve put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into renovating and restoring it. We’ve re-done two bathrooms, remodeled the kitchen, landscaped the property, and have done tons of cosmetic work: floors, mouldings, paint, etc. We now have a beautiful home that is truly ours in every sense of the word.

Thanks again, Anne, for having me here today. Readers can find me at:  www.debrastjohnromance.com

www.acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com

www.heroineswithhearts.blogspot.com

Readers, for a chance to win a PDF copy of a book from my backlist (sorry…A Christmas to Remember isn’t available yet), since we’re celebrating “Christmas in July” today, tell me your favorite thing about Christmas.

Anne – Thanks so much for dropping by today, Debra. I love your question and have to add my 2 cents worth! My favorite thing about Christmas is Christmas Eve. It’s family time. We have a quiet meal, then open our gifts. It’s perfect!

Okay, readers, your turn. What's your favorite thing about Christmas? Leave a comment, plus your email addy.

Happy Reading!

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Jean Henry Mead Mystery of Spider Mountain

Welcome to Week 7 of the 2011 Mystery We Write Blog Tour. My guest is Jean Henry Mead. She is a mystery/suspense and western historical novelist, author of Mystery of Spider Mountain, Murder on the Interstate, Diary of Murder, A Village Shattered, Escape, A Wyoming Historical Novel; Mysterious Writers, Westerners: Candid & Historic Interviews and many others.

 

Jean is also an award-winning photojournalist. One of her fortes is interviewing writers, actors, politicians, artists and ordinary people who have accomplished extraordinary things. She began her writing career as a California news reporter/editor/photographer, first in Central California and later in San Diego. Mead transferred to Casper, Wyoming, to serve as a staff writer for the statewide newspaper. While there, she served as editor of In Wyoming Magazine and two small presses. She also freelanced for other publications, both domestic and abroad, among them the Denver Post's Empire Magazine. Her first book was published in 1982.

Anne – Welcome to my little corner of cyberspace, Jean. If everyone is comfy, let’s talk writing! Tell us a something about yourself that you would normally only share with close friends.

Jean - Although I’ve worked as a news reporter and photojournalist, I’m basically shy.

Anne - When did you first realize you were destined to be an author?

Jean - I wrote my first novel in fourth grade, a chapter a day to entertain classmates, and have always loved to read. But before I was able to write my first novel, I worked as a news reporter/magazine and small press editor, photojournalist and nonfiction book author. My first novel was published in 1999.

Anne - What one or two lines best sums you up as an author?

Jean - I’m someone who loves to entertain as well as inform, which is why I include humor in all my books, including nonfiction.

Anne - What activity (cause, charity, organization) consumes your time when you’re away from the keyboard?

Jean - I’ve been active in a number of youth groups such as scouting, YMCA and Bobby Sox baseball while my daughters were growing up. I’ve since served as national publicity director and secretary-treasurer for the 600-plus member Western Writers of America, president of Wyoming Writers and historian for Press Women.

During the snow-free months, my husband and I ride four-wheelers and take plenty of photographs in and of the surrounding mountains and wildlife.

Anne - Do you have a fear, phobia, or habit you’d rather no one knew about?

Jean - I’m acrophobic and claustrophobic.

Anne – My sympathies! Heights and small spaces bother me, too. I often write while sitting in my car. Parked. In my driveway! I call it my “cone of silence”. My very own writer’s cocoon, if you will. Do you have a unique place to write? Tell us about it.

Jean - After working as a news reporter in a very noisy press room in San Diego, I could write anywhere, including the middle of a traffic jam.

Anne - How long does it take you to write a book?

Jean - My first novel required four years of research and writing to complete. Escape, A Wyoming Historical Novel, is still my best selling book. Now that I’ve written and published 14 books, they usually take 6-8 months, depending on the genre. My children’s books are only 30,000 words so usually take 3-4 months.

Anne - Describe your home office as appears right now. Is this a good or bad thing?!

Jean - Because we recently moved to a small mountaintop ranch and my writing space is a third the size of my former one, it’s very cramped and filled with boxes that I haven’t had time to unpack because I’m currently have three WIPs. It really doesn’t bother me while I’m writing because I’m off in another world.

Anne - Do you belong to any writer’s organizations, critique groups, and/or depend on beta readers?

Jean - I’m currently a member of Mystery Writers of America, Western Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Author’s Guild and Wyoming Writers. I’d love to join a good online critique group of published writers.

Anne - How long did your journey from wannabe writer to published author take?

Jean - The journey from first publication to first paid publication took 20 years. I worked on my middle school and high school newspapers and was editor-in-chief of my college newspaper. I served as a cub reporter for my hometown daily while still a college student. I later worked as editor of In Wyoming Magazine and freelanced for such magazines as the Denver Post’s Empire Magazine and a number of foreign publications before publishing my first book in 1981. I’ve been fortunate to publish every book I’ve written.

Anne - If you could just snap your fingers and go, where would you visit, return to, or move? Why?

Jean - I’m a native southern Californian who married a Wyomingite, and I’m often homesick for my home territory, especially the weather. My best friend still lives there and I miss the hustle and bustle of the big city and the opportunities available to writers.

Anne - How many books have you written to date? Are you most proud of one in particular? If so, why?

Jean - I’ve written and published 14 books. There are two I’m most proud of. My second book, Casper Country: Wyoming’s Heartland, is a centennial history book, which I researched by reading 97 years’ worth of microfilmed newspapers. The project took four years of research and writing. The second is Escape, A Wyoming Historical Novel, my first novel. I used a lot of the research from Casper Country to write it.

Anne - Of all the characters you’ve created, does one hold a special place in your heart? Why?

Jean - Tom “Peep” O’Day, an alcoholic horsethief, was the most fun to write about, and an actual person who was briefly a member of Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch until he caused the gang to bungle the Belle Fourche bank robbery. The mystery is how he remained a member for as long as he did and how he managed to survive.

Anne - What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Jean - Dragging myself away from social networking and blogging, which takes up an inordinate amount of time.

Anne - What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself from your writing?

Jean - That I have a talent for language and an ear for dialogue, my forte.

Anne - Are you a glass half-empty or half-full kind of person?

Jean - I like to think I’m a half-full kind of person but sometimes events over which I have no control make me a glass half-empty.

Anne - What makes you cry? Laugh? Lose your temper?

Jean - Tragedy, unfairness and disrespect from and for others makes me cry and lose my temper. The antics of small children and animals make me laugh as well as good comedy.

Anne - Any words of advice for struggling, unpublished writers?

Jean - Read everything you can get your hands on, despite the genre or subject matter. Read your work aloud for sentence rhythm and set a “finished” manuscript aside for a month or more. Then take it out and read it carefully for errors and clarity. Edit and polish it again before sending it out. And research publications before you submit to them.

Anne - Outside of writing, what accomplishment are you most proud?

Jean - Returning to school as a divorced mother of four young daughters to earn a degree in English/journalism while working as a cub reporter for the local daily newspaper and serving as editor of the campus newspaper. And driving 25 miles each way in pea soup San Joaquin Valley fog during the fall/winters to do it. Also, surviving with four hours sleep during that time while staying on the honor rolls along with my daughters. (We did our homework together.)

Anne - Quick. Your five favorites – author, actor, movie, song, quote.

Jean - Author:  Carolyn Hart. Actor: Sean Connery. Movie: “Gone with the Wind”. Song: “You Light up My Life”. Quote: “Heaven is the Place Where All the Dogs You’ve Ever Loved Come to Greet you.”

Anne – Thanks so much for dropping by today, Jean. Murder on the Interstate, along with your other books, are definitely going on my TBR list!

Visit Jean Henry Mead’s blog sites:

Mysterious Writers: http://mysteriouspeople.blogspot.com/
Writers of the West: http://writersofthewest.blogspot.com/
Murderous Musings: http://murderousmusings.blogspot.com/
Make Mine Mystery: http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com/
She’s also on Facebook and Twitter.

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Author Promotion Made EASY

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Are you an author? Do you have a book to promote?
I'd love to interview you and talk about your book(s).

Email me: annekalbert AT gmail DOT com

Mention “Request AKA blog feature” in subject line.

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Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop WINNER!

Thanks to everyone

who dropped by during the

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop.

It was a fun way to begin the summer

and a great way to reach new readers.

Kudos to

I am A Reader, Not a Writer

for organizing this and so many other great events.

The winner of an e-book copy of

FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL

first book of the Muriel Reeves Mysteries, and

2011 Holt Medallion Award of Merit recipient is

JANELLE!

Congratulations and happy reading!

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