Blog Tour: Rebecca Donovan - A Day in the Life

Hi guys! :) Today we have Rebecca Donovan here (author of Reason to Breathe, I can't wait to read it!) explaining what she does on a daily basis.
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There isn't anything typical about my days. Sure, there are many days that run together, following the same routine of getting out of bed, showering, eating breakfast while checking my social media sites and email, going for a walk, picking my son up from school, checking the social media sites and email again, working on  business obligations, reading and going to bed. Nothing thrilling or exciting about those days. But the days that I write, the days that I'm engrossed in the story and nothing else around me matters — those days, I may not even get out of my pajamas until four o'clock in the afternoon. I may neglect to eat, my creativity fueled by the caffeine of Mt. Dew. The hours slip by as the voices in my head fill the laptop screen in front of me. And when I look up, I'm sitting in the dark. Those days — the days when I live within a dream that gets translated into words, words that make me exhausted with every fathomable emotion— those days are my favorite. That's when I know I'm doing exactly what I'm meant to do. Days when I live in a blurry haze of reality are the days that I know I'm an author, and I wouldn't give up the rush of creating for anything.

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Thank you Rebecca! I really enjoyed reading your piece :)

If you want to get in touch with Rebecca you can so at: Twitter, Website or Facebook.

Blog Tour: A Day in the Life by Tammara Webber

Hi guys! Today I have Tammara Webber (New York Times Bestselling Author of Easy and Between the Lines) here, explaining what she does on a daily basis. If you haven't read Easy yet, I'd highly recommend it! It's amazing, my review is HERE if you wish to take a look.
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The I-wish Version of a Typical Morning: The day begins with a joyful bounce out of bed at dawn, followed by a rousing bit of exercise. I peruse the morning paper while sipping a cup of herbal tea and nibbling a croissant. I’m seated at my desk and tapping literary brilliance on my laptop by 7 a.m.

Reality: The snooze alarm button no longer says “snooze” because the alarm has been struck so often that the lettering has vanished. I roll out of bed when Moose, my cat, fwomps directly onto my stomach in a desperate plea for breakfast before he starves to death. (Note: Moose is nowhere near starving to death.) I can’t open my eyes fully before at least two cups of coffee (yes to cream and sugar) and breakfast – usually a bowl of nearly-healthy cereal (no milk) corrupted by a thorough sugar coating.

Once I’m more or less awake, I check my two email accounts, flag everything that requires a reply, take a vague count of how much email is piling up, and move on to answering questions and comments on Facebook and Twitter. If I have a blog post to write, a book to review, a colleague’s manuscript to critique, a Q&A due, or bills to pay, I do these first because I’ve convinced myself that my imagination will trigger more easily and the words will flow better once my daily to-do list is checked off.

Somewhere between noon and 3:00 p.m., I open my story notes and WIP (work in progress). Often – especially at the beginning and always in the middle of a novel – I force myself sit and stare at a cursor blinking on a blank page for hours at a time (with breaks for whatever’s in the pantry and an unreasonable amount of Diet Cokes). Sometimes I type and delete repeatedly while wondering how I’m ever going to finish an 80,000 word novel when I can’t manage to put a single sentence in my hero’s mouth.

When I’m lucky, though, I’m filled with ideas and able to dive right in. On a good day, I may write in half hour spurts throughout the rest of the day, or write until my fingers are numb, I’ve missed dinner, and it’s well past time for bed. Falling asleep while writing has been known to occur, making next-day pre-reads more interesting. (One writer friend, Laura Bradley Rede, confessed to falling asleep at the keyboard. The last thing she remembered doing before dragging herself off to bed was changing, ‘That would come back to bite him in the ass’ to ‘That would come back to haunt him.’ The next day, she found that she’d actually written, ‘That would come back to haunt him in the ass.’)

On the day I finish the first solid draft of a novel, it’s like the end of hibernation must feel for a bear. I emerge into a world that shifted when I wasn’t looking, and now it seems unfamiliar to me, and I seem unfamiliar to it. My family and friends are stunned to suddenly receive regular phone calls or lunch invitations. My cats are baffled to receive regular meals. I have time to read and socialize and shower consistently. Once the painful revision/editing phase begins, and during the frenzied promotional phase (both include a good deal of hair pulling – my own – and literal gnashing of teeth), I may determine that I’m never, ever writing another thing again.

And then I wake up with a slightly muddled idea for a new story, and the whole cycle begins again.
Sorry, Moose.

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Haha I loved this! :D Thanks Tammara! You can contact Tammara in a number of ways, on her Twitter, her website  and Facebook.

(Blog Tour) Review: New Girl by Paige Harbison

New Girl by Paige Harbison
Publisher: MiraInk
Release Date: May 4th 2012
Cover Love: 5/10
Add to: Goodreads

Goodreads: They call me 'New Girl'... Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her. Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault. Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend…but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be. And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

My Review:I haven't read Rebecca by Daphne de Maurier - which New Girl is a retelling of, but it was very good. I really enjoyed reading it! I read it in one sitting as the pace was just so fast, I wanted to know what happened immediately. Mystery, suspense, romance and tension, this book has it all! 

Whilst I was reading New Girl, I felt like I had a forgetful day and kept forgetting her name -endlessly turning the pages back to discover what her name was again, but realising that it wasn't revealed. The whole way through the story, it's "You're the new girl, right?" You only find out her name on the second to last page. This definitely added to the mystery, as she didn't have an identity really -she was just the new girl. I feel like I did connect with her even though I didn't know her name and she was a very believable character. She had her strengths and flaws and she dealt with how people were treating her positively. 

I liked how the narrative was split between New Girl's point of view and Becca's as this gave more of an insight into how Becca felt and did and made the pace much faster. Becca was a mysterious character to read about, she was quite dark but pretended to be bubbly and carefree, and was very reckless. There is sexual content in New Girl, but I feel like it fitted in with the story, teenagers do and will have sex whether other people want to believe it or not and all of the characters were just young, free teenagers. 

Max Holloway was very cute, he had gone through hell with Becca and I just wanted to give him a big hug! I liked how his relationship with New Girl developed as it felt very natural and real. Dana was a difficult character, she was obviously grieving and didn't like New Girl, as she took Becca's space and this was understandable but I don't think she treated New Girl right at all! Johnny was also a great character, but I didn't feel like I knew him as well as I knew Max. Maybe it's because most of the scenes were of him and Becca and not with New Girl, but he was a good character and there are some major shockers to do with him!

The ending was very good and left it open for a sequel, which I hope there is as I want to know more about Callie and Max! ;) More please! :) This book has it all, mystery, romance, suspense and drama! Read this now, you won't be disappointed! 

4 out of 5 stars.

*Thanks to MiraInk for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Blog Tour: Guest post with Teresa Flavin

 Hi everyone!

Okay, so Teresa Flavin author of 'The Blackhope Enigma' and 'The Crimson Shard' is here to share a guest post on 'Morphing from an Illustrator into an Author-Illustrator.'

'On Morphing from an Illustrator into an Author-Illustrator'

A few years ago, writing novels was the last thing I ever expected to do. I had nailed my colours to the mast: I am an Illustrator. But when several editors and art directors looked at my portfolio and asked whether I had ever thought about writing my own stories for picture books, I began to think it was worth trying. After all, it would be great to create the stories and illustrate them too.

So I wrote stories about mermaids, a horse and a few other subjects, but never sent them to any publishers. Years went by and I did nothing further until I was offered the chance to be mentored by my literary agent, who specialises in children’s books. She advised me on my new picture book manuscript and I produced colour illustration samples and a dummy book for it, which she duly sent out to London publishers.

I recently looked back at a journal I was keeping about this process and noticed a couple of entries where I wondered what it would be like to write a longer story. I wasn’t sure a picture book could contain all the ideas I had.

Then an odd thing happened. I was languishing at home with a cold when a story grabbed me by the throat and said, Write me down. So I did. A few days later I had 12,000 words and I knew this wasn’t going to be a picture book. There were many bumps in the road and quite a few detours before I finally finished writing The Blackhope Enigma. It wasn’t quite as I’d envisioned it at first; I had thought it might have more pictures but I kept it to just a few pen and ink illustrations, including some must-have maps. The words just took over and I went with the flow. I rewrote the manuscript several times and added in new twists to the plot, which came along as I did more research on the magical roots of the story.

Some folks say there are two kinds of writers: architects and gardeners. Architects build on an organised structure for their stories and gardeners nurture seeds that grow organically. I was a bumbling gardener when I wrote The Blackhope Enigma, and a slightly superstitious one at that. I had to write at home in my easy chair, with certain CDs playing in the background. I wrote longhand at first and transcribed everything on to a computer.

Then Templar Publishing bought the manuscript and I had my first writing deadline. I had to rewrite a section while I was on an airplane to the USA. No easy chair, no CDs. Just a plastic tray table, a pencil and a notebook. That was the busiest, least boring trip across the Atlantic I’ve ever had and it got me out of thinking I could only write in my comfort zone.

With The Crimson Shard, I seemed to turn into a writing architect almost overnight. I made a detailed synopsis and a chapter-by-chapter breakdown. I drew complicated mind maps and flow charts in different colours. I wrote at home, in my studio and on trains. The only constant was having low volume classical music on in the background, if possible.

At times, the gardener side of me emerged and confounded the architect side. I would learn something fascinating about the period in which The Crimson Shard is set and a new branch of the story would grow. I am grateful for those serendipitous moments where particularly satisfying plot twists entered the frame.

You might well ask whatever happened to the picture book manuscript and dummies that went out to London publishers. The answer is: nothing. That project was not destined to go further. I was a bit disappointed, but not too much, because by then the flow was going with The Blackhope Enigma and, subsequently, The Crimson Shard.  

As I work on my next writing project, I can say I am definitely an architect with a hammer in one hand and a watering can in the other. And stuck behind one ear is my drawing pen because I hope never to stray too far from my artistic roots.

I really enjoyed this! Thanks for sharing it with us Teresa! :)

My review of 'The Crimson Shard' will be coming along shortly.

Blog tour: Interview + Giveaway!

Hi! I'm stop number 13 of the In My Dreams Experience tour. Cameo Renae, the author of In My Dreams is stopping by today for a little interview! :) If you haven't been following the tour, there were 11 stops before me and 1 after me. Check out all the other tour stops here. The other blogs also have other fun guest posts, awesome interviews, and great giveaways!

Check out the Goodreads page for In My Dreams.

Synospis:
It was happening again. The dreams. The nightmares. It was something seventeen year-old Elizabeth "Lizzy" Hayes thought she'd outgrown; dreams that would come true; detailed premonitions of how people would die. This time she dreams about her boyfriend, Michael Young, and soon discovers that he's been found... dead.
Michael hasn't crossed over because he was murdered, and now his murderer is coming for Lizzy. His spirit won't rest until she is safe, and as a newbie spirit, the easiest way for him to make contact is through Lizzy's dreams. When she dreams, it's as if he hasn't died.
Lizzy must learn to pull on her inner strength to survive horrifying events. Meanwhile, in the spirit world, Michael learns everything he can about his supernatural gifts to help. But will it be enough to save her?....
You can read my review HERE

ABOUT YOU:
1.) Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Well... I'm thirty-something :), and married to my best friend. We have two kids... or I should say - teenager's. And we are lucky to live in Maui, Hawaii.
As a kid, I loved sports. I had two younger brothers, and was a tomboy. I didn't like wearing dresses, and went to a private school where we had uniforms - skirts and blouses with long socks. Ugh!
My father was born and raised on Maui, while my mom was a California girl. They met when my mom came to Maui on vacation. The rest is history. I was born in San Francisco, and moved to Maui when I was three, and have been here for 34 years. The only other place I've lived was in Alaska, for only 2 years.
Maui is definitely a cool place to live. Because it's an island, you tend to know a lot of people. It seems that everywhere we go, we run into someone we know, whether friend or relative. (And my husband has a lot of relatives on Maui!)
My parents and brothers all moved to Alaska about 15 years ago. Shhh- But we've been discussing a move back to Alaska. Maui is great, but we've been here so long, we're getting rock fever. I mean... how many places can you go on an island. Believe me... it gets boring after a while. Especially if you've been here all your life. I want to see seasons change, and snow fall, and see some new wildlife. But... that remains to be seen.

I'd love to live in Maui! :D 2.)Is there anybody who influenced or inspired you to write?
There are a few people that have influenced me. First, would be my grandmother. She is an AVID reader. She's 85 and has a book in front of her EVERY single day. My Aunt bought her a Kindle for Christmas. She didn't know what to do, so I had to show her the basic buttons... the ones to get to the next page. Every other day she calls me and says, "Cameo! I need you to come and download me a new book!" I've tried to teach her, but she just can't get it. Oh well... that's what are granddaughters are for. But she was a huge influence in my love for reading, which filled up my head with a visions of writing my own stories.
Before my mother-in-law passed away... one of the last things she told me was... "Keep writing, Cam." Her words still ring in my head and my heart. I miss her.And my husband definitely inspired me, and pushed me to follow my dream of writing. Thanks babe! ;)

Aww, you gran sounds cute! :) 3.)Best book that you have ever bought?
I'd have to say C.S. Lewis - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. When I found that book it became my favorite. I read it over and over. It took me into a world of fantasy, and made me a fan. I loved it!

4.) If you could work with any other author, who would it be?
I'd have to say JK Rowling. She's amazing.

5.) What is your favourite part in a book?
The ending. If the ending is lame, then it kind of makes the whole book lame. But if the ending is great... then everything you read was worth it! :)

ABOUT YOUR BOOK:
1.) Tell us a little bit about your book.
In My Dreams is a supernatural romance, but it's also a thriller. Most readers so far have also said that it's really sad. In My Dreams is about Lizzy and Michael. They're best friends, and are taking their relationship to the next level when.... tragedy strikes. Michael is murdered, but he refuses to cross over because his killer is now after Lizzy. He'll do anything in his power to save her.
This story has a lot of twists and turns, and I must say...is very emotional.

2.) How did you come up with the idea of ‘In My Dreams’?
I love to watch shows or movies on the supernatural or paranormal, and always questioned... What really happens when we die? In My Dreams is an interpretation of what I would love to think. Our loved ones are still around, watching over us, guiding us... It's a super nice thought.

I agree :) 3.) Do you see any of yourself or anyone you know in any of your characters?
Michael has a lot of the same characteristics as my husband. He is handsome :), and has a heart of gold. I think I'm more like Emily, Lizzy's best friend. She's kind of kooky, loud and fun. Well... I like to think I'm fun!

4.) What was your favourite part to write in your novel?
I think my favorite part was the ending. I don't want to give anything away... but I cried and cried while writing it. (I'm laughing at myself right now, thinking of what I must have looked like. Pathetic... Ugh! hahaha)

I cried too! :( 5.) How long did it take for you to write ‘In My Dreams’?
From the time I started, until the time it was finished, it took about two years. The reason is because I had three jobs at the time. Writing was almost impossible. But, I decided to give up my side business (Cameo Candies) which was a favor business. It was doing well, but I had way too much on my plate.
Then, I made my 2011 New Year's resolution... Finish, In My Dreams! And a few months later... it was complete. :)

FUN FACTS:
1.) Dark/Milk/White chocolate?
Milk Chocolate... mmmmm

2.) Coke/Pepsi?
Pepsi

3.) Indoor/ Outdoor?
Outdoor! I love being outside in the sun and fresh air, although you can't tell by my snow white skin. I get teased a lot because I'm whiter than I was when I lived in Alaska. Shows how much I actually get outside! :P

4.) Coffee/ Tea?
Definitely coffee... with lots of cream.

5.) Reading/ Writing? (A toughie I know! :))
Hmmmmm.... that is a tough one. If I had to choose I'd say writing. Writing takes me into another realm, and I get excited whenever I do find time to write. It's a release and actually relaxes me. I'm my happiest when I'm writing and creating new and exciting worlds and stories. I started a children's fantasy story, which has been sitting on the back burner. That will be my 2012 project. Right now, I'm in the process of writing another YA paranormal trilogy. It's gonna be good! :)

Thank you, Stephanie of Steph Likes Books for having me! It's such a pleasure! :)

No problem! Thank you for stopping by my blog today! :D


GIVEAWAY TIME:
I have one ebook of In My Dreams to give away!!!
Here are the details:
Fill in this FORM
Must be 13 or older.
International contest!!!
You don't have to be a follower, but it's appreciated of course!
Ends at 11:59 PM GMT on Friday 5/8/2011
Winner will be picked with random.org.
Questions? Email me at stephbarkerdrew(at)hotmail(dot)com
Good luck! :D