Author Interview: Addison Westlake

Hello everyone!

Today I'm welcoming Addison Westlake, author of Facebook Jeanie to Melissa's Midnight Musings. Read on to learn more about this wonderful author.




Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Do you have any unusual talents or hobbies?

I made my debut as an author at age 13 by rewriting the "Sweet Valley High" series. Despite copyright violations, I maintain that my rendition of Elisabeth and Jessica Wakefield as preteens in a British orphanage is a classic. Between then and now I went to some fancy schools, swapped out the East Coast for the West Coast, and had oodles of kids. Some of my favorite things in life include coffee, Aretha Franklin's inauguration hat and the sleepwalking scene in "Step Brothers."


 When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?

Around nine or ten years old I started keeping a journal and writing stories in those little blue examination books. Writing for me has always been like having a great conversation with a friend; I find it really fun and enjoyable. I don’t think I ever formally thought about pursuing it, I’ve just always done a lot of writing.


 Where did the inspiration for Facebook Jeanie come from?

I think we all have those moments when we wonder… what if? What if our lives hadn’t followed the path we chose? What if we did take that job offer in another city or if we did decide to marry that ex-boyfriend? “Facebook Jeanie”  came out of that universal experience. I imagined what if there were some way for a character to have a ‘do over’ with the one that got away.

Are your characters mainly based off of people you know, or mostly fictional?

They’re pretty much entirely made up! As I write them, I may take bits and pieces from real life or impressions of others. But, in essence, they’re 100% fiction.

Many books are now incorporating social media as plot elements. What makes Facebook Jeanie unique?

I find Facebook fascinating—it both connects and disconnects you. You can keep in touch with friends and family, and you can spend two hours on it not paying any attention to the friends and family in the room with you. I created a character stuck in a Facebook rut, engaging more with photos of someone in her past than anyone in her present. What’s different is I imagined a new Facebook app that lets her travel back in time, making her past her present. That’s unique.

Describe Facebook Jeanie from as a status update written by Clara.

Back in high school. Having a ‘do over’ with the one who got away. Freaking out.


 Who is your favorite author?

Jane Austen! Of authors who are alive, Kristan Higgins.


 Do you have writing routine? A special pen, a certain type of music, time limits?

My routine is to write whenever and wherever I can! I have oodles of children and whisk around all day long, so writing is rarely the romantic endeavor of sitting down with a cuppa at a quiet desk to compose my thoughts. On any given day, writing can consist of waking up at 5am while the household is still sleeping, making notes in my car if I’m 15 minutes early for a school-pick up, or pulling out my laptop to make some notes while waiting in the dentist office. It’s more of a constant flow than a routine.


 Do you enjoy edits/rewrites, or not?

Yes, I do. I enjoy the feeling of getting deeper into plot and characters and making it all fit together more, making the whole book better. It’s satisfying.

Do you do a lot of external research in the process of writing? If so, what's the most interesting thing you've uncovered in your research?

Yes, it’s so easy with a click onto google to learn about anything and everything. For my last book “Christmas in Wine Country” I loved learning about the winemaking industry in Northern California. For “Facebook Jeanie” I had fun learning about the greentech industry and breakthroughs in solar energy. I also like spending time in the setting that I’m writing about – when possible.

What is the hardest part of being a writer?

Finding the time to write!


 Are you working on any new projects?

I’m excited to start work on “The Never Been Kissed Club” series. Four friends band together at 13 years old. In the midst of all the braces and glasses and gawkiness, they take an oath to stay friends forever and remind each other that—just like Josie from their favorite movie “Never Been Kissed”—no matter how bad things get they have to keep believing in true love and have faith in happy endings.

The first book, “Just Between Us,” is about one of these four friends. Molly Bridget Anderson has become a 28-year-old accountant who likes to keep things orderly. Which is why chaos—in the form a 2-year-old nephew she suddenly has to look after and a tattooed rock star writing songs for her—is just what she needs to get her life on track. Look for “Just Between Us” in 2014!


Quick Fire round:

Coke or Pepsi? Coke
Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla
Rainy winter days or blazing hot summer days? Rainy in a heartbeat.
Hard Copy or e-book? Both!
Favorite book? Pride and Prejudice
Last book you read? Anna and the French Kiss
What's a quote that inspires you? “I call everyone 'Darling' because I can't remember their names.” Zsa Zsa Gabor.
What's your favorite comfort food? pizza

I want to say a big thank you to Addison Westlake for stopping by my blog. She has previously stopped by to share her thoughts on Holiday Baking. Learn more about Facebook Jeanie or check out my review of Christmas in Wine Country

Author Interview: Robert Steven Williams (Plus Giveaway!)

Hello fellow readers!

Today I'm welcoming Robert Steven Williams, author of My Year As A Clown to Melissa's Midnight Musings. 

Read on to learn more about the author and also enter to win a copy of My Year As A Clown.

About My Year As A Clown:



Title: My Year As A Clown
Author: Robert Steven Williams
Publisher: Against the Grain Press
Published: December 26, 2012
Format: E-book
Pages: 272
Synopsis: 

With My Year as a Clown, Williams introduces us to Chuck Morgan, a new kind of male hero—imperfect and uncertain—fumbling his way forward in the aftermath of the abrupt collapse his 20-year marriage.

Initially, Chuck worries he’ll never have a relationship again, that he could stand in the lobby of a brothel with a hundred dollar bill plastered to his forehead and still not get lucky. But as his emotionally raw, 365-day odyssey unfolds, Chuck gradually relearns to live on his own, navigating the minefield of issues faced by the suddenly single—new routines, awkward dates, and even more awkward sex.

Edited by Joy Johannessen (Alice Sebold, Michael Cunningham, Amy Bloom), My Year As a Clown will attract fans of the new breed of novelists that includes Nick Hornby, Jonathan Tropper and Tom Perrotta. Like others in that distinguished group, Robert Steven Williams delivers a painfully honest glimpses into the modern male psyche while writing about both sexes with equal ease and grace in a way that’s both hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time.

The Interview:

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Do you have any unusual talents or hobbies?

I live in Westport, CT with my cat, The Munce Man. He inspired the role of Arthur in the novel; his sister Cleo (who passed away 2 years ago), inspired Guinn.

I play guitar, write songs, I also do yoga and enjoy the outdoors.

I write for several not-for-profits including Paul Newman’s Safe Water Network. 25% of the world’s population doesn’t have access to safe water. It’s hard to believe how many people needlessly suffer.

I’m also working on a couple of film projects.

When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer? 

I’ve had aspirations to write since I was a kid, but I didn’t commit to the writer’s life until I was 40. Someone the other day asked how I was managing to make this work—I told him that I made a lot of sacrifices and I had to downsize my needs to match the dramatic drop in income.

If I’d known when I made this transition that it would take 15 years to publish a novel, I doubt I would have had the guts.

The hard work is now starting to pay off, but it’s still a hustle.  I love writing, so it’s no big deal.

Lots of folks are enamoured with the idea of writing: wake up late, write for an hour, go fishing with Castro, run with the bulls in Pamplona, drink deep into the night. The reality is much different. It’s a solitary endeavor and it’s really, really hard. I don’t recommend this to anyone.

Where did the inspiration for My Year As A Clown come from?

I was attending the Squaw Valley Community of Writers conference and a number of us were hiking up a mountain. The title just appeared in my head and moments later I knew that this book was going to be about the emotional rollercoaster of divorce and recovery.

Three authors inspired the style of my novel: Updike’s Rabbit series, Ford’s The Sportswriter series, and Amy Bloom’s short story collection, A blind man can see how much I love you. Although very different, there’s a raw honesty and unique perspective in each that sets the bar high in regards to what I wanted to accomplish with My Year as a Clown.

Often books that deal with the breakup of a marriage are told from a woman's perspective rather than the male perspective. Do you think that Chuck's journey back into singledom takes the same path as a woman's would? If not, what do you think makes it different?

It’s not for me, a writer, to comment about the differences between men and women. It’s my job to tell a story that may shed light on these differences, or similarities. It’s my job to provoke thought on such matters, but my personal opinion is not so important.

I did find the reaction to Sheryl Sandberg’s book fascinating. Clearly the issue of women in the workplace and at home is still raw. It evokes emotional responses, passion, intensity. That’s why I love fiction. It’s an opportunity to pick at the bone of a sensitive subject without causing a flare up that prevents people from at least hearing a perspective. 

I wrote My Year as a Clown in first person, present tense, to give the reader a front row seat into Chuck’s life. Heartbreak is heartbreak and what I tried to do with Chuck Morgan is show how he really felt. Because the book is in first person, the wall is down and the reader gets to experience real heartbreak from the male perspective. At the end of the day, when you get underneath the leaves, there’s much more in common with the sexes than what one might expect. But rarely do we get to see the unfiltered self.  Perhaps in real life, men are better are hiding emotion, but obviously there are a gazillion exceptions.

Here’s an example from the book: Chuck is estranged from his older brother. They are chalk and cheese, but Chuck’s divorce is an opportunity for them to reunite. Without giving much away, when the barriers come down, the brothers realize they are more alike than they thought.  I believe this phenomenon is not unique to men.

Did you draw on any personal experiences in writing this book, or those of people you know?

I wrote a novel, not a memoir, and I did that because I didn’t want to be bound by the facts. Having said that, I tried to be true to the emotions in this story. I was inspired by what happened to me, and the many friends and family members that shared stories of heartbreak and disappointment. I love to draw from many sources and then create something fresh.

 Who is your favorite author?

It’s hard to just have one, but if pushed, it has to be Fitzgerald. I just completed his biography and I was shocked to hear how poorly the Gatsby was received when it came out. Fitzgerald drank too much and he was totally underappreciated the 2^nd half of his career. I was even surprised at how he struggled at Princeton.

His command of language and sentences, the economy of story, he had it all. It’s a terrible shame that he lost it for so many years.

 Do you have writing routine? A special pen, a certain type of music, time limits?

I write every day and try to keep to specific times, but you have to be flexible. I also set targets to make sure that I complete projects. I could rewrite forever. I do like writing with music, but only instrumentals – jazz from the 50’s, classical quartets and piano concertos, that sort of thing.

 Do you enjoy edits/rewrites, or not?

I enjoy edits/rewrites more because you’re on your way. There is nothing more terrifying than the blank screen.

Do you do a lot of external research in the process of writing? If so, what's the most interesting thing you've uncovered in your research?

For my latest novel The Sound of Money (still in process), I did a lot of research on Elvis and it was shocking to see that his manager (the Colonel), kept Elvis propped up at the end on drugs so that he could go on tour because the Colonel needed money. Once again, a tragic ending to an incredible artist.

Which character or scene was your favorite to write and why?

I loved writing the scene where Chuck pops by his friend’s house at midnight, lets himself in and makes a sandwich in the kitchen. I wrote that scene after reading Good Grief by Lolly Winston. It was inspired by that scene she wrote about her character showing up to work in her pajamas—we all go into shock when something traumatic happens, and I loved how Lolly showed that with the pajamas.

Because I was writing in first person, present tense, the reader couldn’t trust Chuck telling you that he was okay. So having him get into trouble that night at his friend’s house was a way of showing that Chuck’s narration can be suspect at times.

How do you come up with your character names?

The sound and cadence of a name is just as important as the actual name and potential secondary meaning. Each name is chosen carefully, but each book or short story I write has its own internal set of rules, so I don’t apply the same approach to everything I write.

Please tell us a little bit about your journey to publication

I generated lots of interest in this book from agents, but I never got a deal signed because everyone thought that a guy’s perspective on divorce wouldn’t sell. My goal was to write an honest book, a simple enough goal, but difficult to achieve.

The turning point on My Year as a Clown was two-fold. A good friend decided to help me financially produce this properly. Second, getting Joy Johannessen to edit the book was key. She works with writers like Alice Sebold, Amy Bloom and Michael Cunningham. When she agreed to work with me, I knew we had something special. She gave me the encouragement I needed to get this thing completed.

Winning the silver medal for popular fiction from the independent publisher book awards was very satisfying because few of the winners in that competition come from the independent world, most are affiliated with university presses or small publishing houses. I did this book on my own, but I assembled a cracker-jack group of industry veterans to help.

Having a digital distributor was also very useful, without them, I never could have gotten Amazon to help promote the book.

For you, what is the hardest part of the writing process?

It’s all hard. But it’s also all very gratifying because when you succeed, you realize that the journey was well worth the effort. How one defines success is a key element of that prior sentence. For me, completing a book that I felt worked was enough. You can’t get attached to what happens next. You’re never as bad as people say, nor as good.

That’s not to say that I’m not enjoying the success that’s starting to happen. J

Are there any common themes that you feel are particularly important to write about?

The key to writing is honesty. Trust me, this is no easy objective and most writing fails to achieve it.  Anything honest has vast potential.

When you're not writing, what are your other hobbies/passions?

I enjoy yoga, bike riding, and watching good TV like Madman, Game of Thrones, Nurse Jackie and Homeland. I also read a lot.

 Are you working on any new projects?

I’ve got several cool things going on at the moment:

I’m making a documentary film on Scott and Zelda’s time in Westport CT (1920) and how their time in Westport influenced The Great Gatsby.

I’m also completing my 2^nd novel: The Sound of Money.

I’m in the preproduction phase of a new CD of original songs.

I’m assisting the Fairfield Museum celebrate the town’s 375 anniversary by celebrating noteworthy musicians who have lived in the county the past 100 years.  I’m helping my good friend Chris Frantz, a neighbor and the drummer of Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club, who is in charge of the exhibit.

Quick Fire round:

Coke or Pepsi? Neither. Espresso

Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate

Rainy winter days or blazing hot summer days? Heat, baby, heat.

Hard Copy or e-book? There’s nothing like the Real Thing

Favorite book? The Great Gatsby

Last book you read? George Saunders Tenth of December

What's a quote that inspires you? If I had more time, this letter would be shorter (Mark Twain)

What's your favorite comfort food? Fresh Blueberries and Dark Chocolate

What's your favorite color and why? Blue because it reminds me of the beauty of the sky or a summer day at the beach looking out at the ocean

Connect with Robert Steven Williams:

Robert Steven Williams is an author, singer-songwriter, and musician. His debut novel, My Year as a Clown (Against the Grain Press), was released in January 2013.

As a writer, Williams was a finalist in the Raymond Carver Short Story Contest and was awarded a Squaw Valley Writers Community Thayer Scholarship. He attended Bread Loaf, Sewanee and the Squaw Valley Writers’ Conferences, and worked closely with the esteemed fiction writer, Barry Hannah. His short fiction has appeared in Carve Magazine, The Orange Coast Review, and the anthology Tall Tales and Short Stories Volume II. Additionally, he was the executive producer of the critically acclaimed BOOM! Studios CBGB Comic series, nominated in 2011 for a Harvey Award for Best Anthology. Robert’s work has also appeared in Poets & Writers Magazine, Billboard, USA Today  and LetterPress, a newsletter for writers. He is also co-author of the best-selling business book, The World’s Largest Market.

As a musician, Williams studied songwriting with Rosanne Cash, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and other top country writers. In 2005, he released the critically acclaimed CD “I Am Not My Job,” featuring Rachel Z (Peter Gabriel, Wayne Shorter) and Sloan Wainwright.

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Giveaway Details:

One winner will get an e copy of My Year As A Clown

This giveaway is open  INTERNATIONALLY

The winner will have 48 hours to respond to their notification emails before another winner is chosen.

The author NOT Melissa's Midnight Musings is responsible for sending the prize to the winner

The giveaway will run from June 26, 2013  until July 3rd 2013 at 12:00 AM PST

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Blog Tour Stop: Author Interview with Mark All and Giveaway!

Hello everyone!

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour presented by Pump Up Your Book. Read on to learn more about Mark All, and his book, The Spellcaster's Grimoire, and enter to win!

About The Spellcaster's Grimoire:

Title: The Spellcaster's Grimoire

Author: Mark All

Publisher: Imajinn Press

Published: February 28, 2013

Format: Paperback

Genre: Paranormal Thriller

Pages: 224

Synopsis:

Bestselling witchcraft author Trish Sinclair has a shameful secret: she's a lousy spellcaster, and the spells in her books belong to others. So when a dying warlock entrusts her with an ancient and powerful grimoire, she runs for her life from his murderer, psychotic witch Kate Cavanaugh. Kate pursues Trish relentlessly to obtain the grimoire, which holds spells to command the fearsome power of a magic crystal hidden in town-and Kate is determined to have that power. When the town coven refuses to help Trish protect the grimoire, she is forced to turn to cynical warlock Aidan McCarthy, who has a secret agenda of his own, and Rain Devereaux, a novice witch whose spellcasting abilities are even worse than Trish's. As Kate unleashes the elemental might of tornadoes and ice storms on the trio, they desperately struggle to defeat her. But Kate is too powerful, and she manages to steal the grimoire and unearth the crystal. Trish knows Kate will use the stone's power to exact her deadly revenge on Aidan and the town coven unless Trish can manifest her latent magical abilities to save them.

The Interview:

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Do you have any unusual talents or hobbies?

I’m a full-time author after a career in computer-based training. Mostly for healthcare information systems, although I also did a flight attendant training video for a major airline. Before that, I had some unusual jobs, from gravedigger to FM radio announcer to professional rock guitarist. “Professional” meaning I played in a

band for a living, not that I toured with Bon Jovi or anything!

When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?

When I wrote a short story for a middle school English class assignment, I realized that creating my own scary adventure was even more exciting than reading books and watching movies. The teacher—and the class—loved my stories, and I knew I’d found my bliss.

Where did the inspiration for The Spellcaster's Grimoire come from?

I wanted to write a story about a lost book full of magic for a long time. That’s always been a popular motif in storytelling, the forgotten or hidden eldritch tome or artifact that holds mystical powers both great and terrible. I think it’s a metaphor for the power within us.

What made you choose to write a book of this genre?

As a kid I loved scary and science fiction movies and books. Buffy the Vampire Slayer came along and put all that in a fun, cool, modern context, which influenced me and probably several generations of paranormal and urban fantasy readers and writers. A movie called The Craft was also inspirational. It was hip and smart, but scary. Then I picked up a book by Kelley Armstrong and discovered the Paranormal/Urban Fantasy genre.

There are lots of books that deal with witchcraft and magic on the market. What makes yours different from all the others? Where did your inspiration for the type of magic the characters use come from?

My books are written like fast-paced, action thriller popcorn movies. I try to keep the reader on the edge of her seat on the roller coaster—and then yank her off. They’re also grounded in very realistic and familiar settings to make them believable, with just that one supernatural element. The characters’ dialogue is, I hope, smart and witty and current, but appropriate to the danger they’re in.

Who is your favorite author?

Stephen King is still my favorite, although I read a variety of genres. I like Kim Harrison, Kelley Armstrong, Patricia Briggs, Dean Koontz, and many more.

Do you have writing routine? A special pen, a certain type of music, time limits?

I write in the mornings, when I’m fresh. Since I’m a musician, I can’t listen to music without becoming involved in it and distracted from writing.

Do you enjoy edits/rewrites, or not?

I love rewrites. The first draft is magic, I set myself free and write as quickly as possible, trying to keep up as my mind generates the story like a movie in my head. Sometimes I’ll intentionally overwrite, so I’ll have more material to choose from during the editing stage. In revisions, you can fix things that don’t work, amp up things that do, and polish. But mostly, I cut. You can cut to make the writing tighter and to achieve a fast, page-turning pace.

Do you do a lot of external research in the process of writing? If so, what's the most interesting thing you've uncovered in your research?

I envy people who research thoroughly, but I hate and avoid it. I used to want to write Michael Crichton type science fiction thrillers, and even bought a college level robotics text. I quickly came to the conclusion that I did not have the background to

do that. Nor can I write about cops or soldiers, I’m doing good to just get around in traffic. So I write about the supernatural and magic, which I can just make up, and about everyday people we can all relate to, who stumble into dangerous situations and have to do the best they can.

Which character was your favorite to write and why?

The protagonist of the current book is usually the author’s stand-in for herself or himself and ends up working through some external problem that’s symbolic of an internal issue the writer has—which the writer then gives to the character in some exaggerated form. But of course all characters are facets of the author’s mind, and if

you’re not enjoying writing one of them, you probably need to change that character so that you do enjoy writing her. Especially since the reader won’t likely want to spend time with that character, either!

So Trish Sinclair is my favorite in the Spellcaster’s Grimoire. She’s met with outward success in her life, but feels like a fraud, like she hasn’t lived up to her own standards and those she imagines her mother had for her. Then she’s thrown into a situation, partly of her own making, that forces her to fulfill her potential.

That being said, Rain Devereaux, whom Trish and the hot warlock refer to as “Goth Girl,” was actually more fun to write. Young, snarky, and full of an optimism verging on naiveté, which the Heroine and Hero find both endearing and annoying.

How do you come up with your character names?

Character’s names often just come to me, and feel appropriate for that person. I also have a baby name book and a phone book. For some, I have an actor in mind and use a first and last name from different characters she’s portrayed. Hopefully no one will ever make that connection, because the character should have her own identity, and the reader should construct that character in her own mind. For that reason, I try to keep physical descriptions to a minimum, but it’s hard not to paint the details of the picture I see in my mind.

Please tell us a little bit about your journey to publication.

Aspiring writers should be aware that most published authors write from three to ten books before they’re producing publishable manuscripts. Revise each to the best of your ability at the time, send it out, but then move on—you’ll grow more by writing the next novel than by beating a dead horse. Of course, some people write great novels on their first or second time, you never know, and that’s what keeps us going.

I wrote three novels before I wrote my first published book, Mystic Witch. Try to find an agent, and if you can’t interest one, then look to the small presses. If it comes to it, self-publish, but only when you’re sure the novel is as good as other books on the market. There are some remarkable self-publishing success stories, and many advantages to doing it. I won’t rule it out in my future. But the big names are the exception, most self-published books sell very few copies. The real challenge is making people aware of your book out of all the hundreds of thousands being published.

What is the hardest part of being a writer?

Keeping going may be the hardest part. It’s a lot of work, there’s a lot of rejection, even for the big names, at least early in their careers. You have to love doing it.

Are there any common themes that you feel are particularly important to write about?

I believe each writer inevitably writes about what’s important to her, it’s as inescapable as the characters reflecting their creator. Whatever issues trouble us and we need to work through, or inspire a passion in us we want to communicate, will come out in our books. Most authors discover after writing a number of books that they all feature a “core theme” specific to that writer.

When you're not writing, what are your other hobbies/passions?

I was a working musician for years, and I still practice the guitar and record at home, and occasionally play gigs.

Are you working on any new projects?

I’m finishing a dark supernatural thriller, still with a love story, but more serious than my two Witches of Milton County books. It’s called Penumbra, and it’s about a washed-up musician whose songwriting partner returns from the dead to complete their final album—but the music turns listeners into homicidal maniacs. Don’t

worry, the Spellcaster’s Grimoire is nowhere near that dark, it’s an exciting but fun book!

Quick Fire round:

Coke or Pepsi? I don’t consume sugar or high fructose corn syrup, so it’s water and Starbucks for me!

Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate! Usually as ice cream made with Splenda!

Rainy winter days or blazing hot summer days? I’ll take the summer—sunny skies fill me with hope.

Hard Copy or e-book? Hard copy. I admit I read e-books of novels I’m not sure I want to keep on my shelves. This saves money, but there’s at least one I’m going to have to buy the hard copy of after reading the eBook!

Favorite book? Stephen King’s It.

Last book you read? American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett.

What's a quote that inspires you? “Never quit, never quit, never quit.” -- Bill Clinton

What's your favorite comfort food? Macaroni and cheese!

About Mark All:

Mark All is the author of paranormal thrillers The Spellcaster’s Grimoire and Mystic Witch, published by ImaJinn Books in trade paperback and eBook formats.  He has won two international writing awards and contributed to Computer Legends, Lies & Lore.

Mystic Witch received a 5 Star review from the Paranormal Romance Guild, and 3½ stars (out of 4½ possible stars) from RT Book Reviews.

Mark is a full-time author after a career as an instructional systems designer at a Fortune 16 company. Prior to his work in computer-based training, he held jobs ranging from gravedigger to FM radio announcer to professional rock guitarist.

Mark presents writing workshops and taught his “Planning Your Novel” course at the Spruill Center for the Arts.

He earned a Masters degree in computer-based education and a Bachelor of Music cum laude.

You can visit Mark All’s website at www.MarkAllAuthor.com.

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The Giveaway:
One lucky reader will win a paperback copy of The Spellcaster's Grimoire!

The Rules:

This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada.

This giveaway is not in any way associated with or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or any other social media site.

The author NOT Melissa's Midnight Musings is responsible for the shipment of the prize to the winner.

All entries will be verified, any false entries will be removed.

The winner will have 48 hours to respond to their notification email before a new winner is chosen.

The giveaway runs from 12:00 AM Pacific time on May 24, 2013 to 12:00 AM Pacific time June 7, 2013.

Enter below to win!

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Author Interview: Leigh Hershkovich

Hello fellow readers!

Today I'm happy to welcome Leigh Hershkovich author of Shattered Illusions to Melissa's Midnight Musings. Read on to enjoy an interview with Leigh and learn a bit more about her and her new book.

About Shattered Illusions:

Publisher: Full Court Press

Buy the book: Amazon

Synopsis:

When Sam, the unassuming, salt-of-the-earth proprietor of a local cafe is shot dead on the street, four strangers become the unwitting witnesses to a seemingly inscrutable crime. As the investigation progresses, this quartet of accidental onlookers find themselves not only haunted by the homicide, but pursued by their own pasts.

The deeper into the death they delve, the further into their own personal histories they plummet, as each is forced to face the fact that the loss of Sam is far from their most devastating. As the case continues, inner anguish reaches crescendo points for Danny, Ella, Marco, and Sarah as the answers they want continue to elude them, and the evidence they want to escape refuses to retreat.

Interview:

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Do you have any unusual talents or hobbies?

I am twenty one years old, and I grew up in California. I don't have any unusual talents, though I love to cook and play piano. I'm also a dancer, which is a great way to get my creative juices flowing whenever I have writers block.

 When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer? 

I've always been a story teller, but it was translating the stories to paper that became apparent to me when I was about twelve.

 Where did the inspiration for Shattered Illusions come from?

The inspiration for Shattered Illusions came from a number of things, most importantly, a novel that I read in high school called The Angels Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

What made you choose to write a book of this genre?

I wanted to really test my limits as a writer, and I felt that writing a murder mystery was going as far out of my comfort zone as physically possible. I am glad I did it, because it taught me about my potential as a writer.

This book deals with a murder and secrets. Did you have the answers to the murder and the secrets before writing the book, or did those answers change/fall in to place as you were writing?

I thought I had the answers before I began writing it, but as I weaved my way through writing it, I realized just how far off my original ideas were, so I changed the plot half way through.

 Who is your favorite author?

I have two: Carlos Ruiz Zafon and Roberto Bolano.

 Do you have writing routine? A special pen, a certain type of music, time limits?

That really depends on my mood. I usually write on paper, but when there are times that I have too much to say, I type out whatever I need to write. I generally try not to listen to music when I write because the music subconsciously becomes part of the writing, and I like to have my own, clean thoughts on paper.

 Do you enjoy edits/rewrites, or not?

I do enjoy edits and rewrites, because it allows me to come to terms when what I have written.

Do you do a lot of external research in the process of writing? If so, what's the most interesting thing you've uncovered in your research?

Yes, I did! That took a lot more time than expected. Shattered Illusions is set in Louisiana, so I got to dive head first into the history of the state, which was amazing.

Which character  was your favorite to write and why?

Danny Michaels. I was the same age that he is in the novel when I began writing it (seventeen), so I felt the most connected to him. He also changes the most over the course of the novel, and I am most proud of him out of all of the characters.

How do you come up with your character names?

A lot of the names were names that I had liked as a child, either of people that I knew, or people that I liked. I am yet to name any of my characters after friends and family members, but I am sure it would be interesting if I did.

Please tell us a little bit about your journey to publication

My journey to publication began three months after I completed Shattered Illusions and took about a year and a half. It was a very interesting journey, and I grew so much as a person during the course of the year, that when I look back at who I was at the beginning of the process, I can hardly believe that it was the same person.

What is the hardest part of being a writer?

The hardest part of being a writer is learning to deal with criticism. I really had to grow some thick skin to get past the harsh comments and nasty things that people said to me about my work.

Are there any common themes that you feel are particularly important to write about?

Not really. I sort of go with whatever comes to mind, and stick to those themes as they come.


When you're not writing, what are your other hobbies/passions?

I love to cook. I think that if I hadn't chosen writing as a career, I would have gone to culinary school and become a chef.

 Are you working on any new projects?

Yes, I am! I have a couple of projects lined up, which I hope will begin to come to life in the next year or so.

Quick Fire round:

Coke or Pepsi? Coke

Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla

Rainy winter days or blazing hot summer days? Rainy winter days!

Hard Copy or e-book? Definitely hard copy

Favorite book? 2666 by Roberto Bolano

Last book you read? Blindness by Jose Saramago

What's a quote that inspires you? Any quotes by Dr. Seuss.

What's your favorite comfort food? Sheperds Pie

Connect With Leigh:

Leigh Hershkovich’s writing career began almost at infancy. Born and raised in The City by the Bay, Leigh was never seen without a pen and paper by her side, and was never without a story to share. With her vivid imagination and sharp writing tactics, she has taken the world by storm twice over. Now, with her debut novel Shattered Illusions, readers will get a first time glimpse into her first full fiction attempt.

An avid reader, accomplished pianist, passionate scholar of the language and the arts, Leigh currently resides in New York with her imagination. 

You can learn more about Leigh and the world of Shattered Illusions by visiting her website (http://www.leighhershkovich.com), her blog (http://www.leighhershkovich.blogspot.com) or by following her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LeighHershkovich). Shattered Illusions can also be found on Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16104490-shattered-illusions).

Author Interview: Louise Helene

Hello fellow readers!

Today I'm thrilled to welcome Louise Helene, author of I Saw Your Future and He's Not It: A  Psychic's Guide to True Love to Melissa's Midnight Musings. Read on to learn more about this author and her book.

About I Saw Your Future and He's Not It: A Psychic's Guide to True Love

Title: I Saw Your Future and He's Not It: A Psychic's Guide to True Love

Author: Louise Helene

Publisher: Llewellyn Publications

Published: January 8, 2013

Genre: Non-Fiction

Format: Paperback

Pages: 244 pages

Synopsis:

How does my guy feel about me? Is there another woman? Could he be "the one"? The answers to love's toughest questions may be lie in your own heart. This utterly unique book empowers women to take control of their love lives by tapping into their own intuition.

Psychic Louise Helene, who has advised women on matters of the heart for thirty years, shares powerful lessons and wisdom with the rest of us. True stories from her consultations--hilarious misunderstandings, painful mistakes, and true connections--highlight how intuition can guide you through the toughest relationship problems. Through simple exercises, you'll learn how to develop your own psychic edge to navigate the murky waters of love and romance.

The Interview:

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Do you have any unusual talents or hobbies?

I have been a psychic advisor for over 30 years.  My mother was a Spiritualist minister, and encouraged me to give my first reading when I was 12 years old.  I studied under her reading of the crystal ball, tarot cards, and many other ways to connect to the psychic realm.  I have a special psychic connection to animals, and help their owners connect with them on an emotional level.

When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?

I have always wanted to write.  In one of my past lives I was a newspaper reporter.

Where did the inspiration for I Saw Your Future and He's Not It come from?

Several of my clients suggested I write a book to help guide women in their relationships.  Some of them have said they were going to use it as their “manual for love”.

What made you choose to write a book of this type?

Romance is my expertise.  I talk to women every day that need help navigating their love life.  With the Psychic Edge exercises in my book I hope to put the power in their hands so they can help themselves.

This book is meant to help empower women as they navigate the tricky subject of love. What do you think is most empowering to women who are already in relationships? Do you think that the thing(s) that are most empowering to a woman in a relationship are the same as those of a single woman?

Developing our own intuition is the most powerful tool that any woman can have, whether in a relationship or looking for one.  Once a woman develops her intuition she must then learn to listen to it.  So many times women ignore their “gut” feeling, only to be sorry later.  Challenges in love arise in life, no matter what our status, and intuition is our most powerful weapon to guide us through.  

Who is your favorite author?

Jane Austin

Do you have writing routine? A special pen, a certain type of music, time limits?

I always write my first draft in longhand with a pen my mother gave me years ago.  She was a very gifted writer, and when I use this pen I feel her spirit with me.

Do you enjoy edits/rewrites, or not?

I don’t like rewrites; luckily I haven’t had to do them often.

Do you do a lot of external research in the process of writing? If so, what's the most interesting thing you've uncovered in your research?

My niece Kim Osborn Sullivan loves statistics and research so she handles all of this for me.  There is a section in “I Saw Your Future and He’s Not It” called JUST THE FACTS and Kim did a great job on this part of the book.

How did you choose pseudonyms to protect your clients’ identities?

I have a large family and all were happy to lend their names to be used in the book.

Please tell us a little bit about your journey to publication.

I had a dream, prior to finding a publisher, that the first publishing company I approached would publish my book.  This is exactly what happened.  My road to publication was seamless, just as my dream had predicted.

What is the hardest part of being a writer?

The hardest part about writing is budgeting my time, as I have a very busy schedule.  My clients keep me busy, so sometimes I barely have time to write.

Are there any common themes that you feel are particularly important to write about?

Love and intuition, we can never have enough of both.  True love is what we long for, and intuition is what helps us find it.

When you're not writing, what are your other hobbies/passions?

I enjoy playing the guitar and piano.  My little troop of formally stray cats, and dog Gigi are a captive audience when I play and write music.  I am passionate about animal rescue, and being a good steward of the earth.

Are you working on any new projects?

Yes, I am collaborating on two books one fiction, and one non-fiction.

Quick Fire round:

Coke or Pepsi?  

Coke

Chocolate or Vanilla?

Chocolate

Rainy winter days or blazing hot summer days?

Rainy winter days

Hard Copy or e-book?

Hard Copy

Favorite book?

Gone With The Wind

Last book you read?

Marley and Me

What's a quote that inspires you?

The only real valuable thing is intuition by Albert Einstein

What's your favorite comfort food?

Chocolate Cake

About Louise Helene:

Louise Helene is a second-generation psychic, Tarot reader, and crystal ball gazer who has conducted thousands of readings during her thirty-year career as a spiritual advisor. She is the co-author of I Saw Your Future and He’s Not It: A Psychic’s Guide to True Love, a women's intuitive dating and relationship guide. Louise resides in the Greater Chicago area. www.louisehelenethepsychic.com