SEX Now I Have Your Attention

Morning, evening, who knows. I think I'll declare a coffee emergency. There is not enough of it to deal with today. I'm shattered and I haven't done anything yet. It is very grey beyond the dinosaur model standing guard at the French doors. I'm blaming the weather for my lack of energy.

For those asking, Nate and Day, the sequel to Modified is about half finished. Or more. They've just got to the bit where the thingy happens and Widget decides to do the something that means that the other bit has an issue. But it's all OK in the end because the vending machines still work and some people removed items of clothing.

In the mean time I've written a couple of articles for the Navigating Indieworld web site recently. This one is my favourite, naturally. It's kinda clean. Sort of. 

SEX Now I Have Your Attention

Enjoy your articles responsibly.

New Super Power...

...nothing quite like blowing your nose and being able to feel a stream of tears shoot out of your right tear duct. I'm not sure if that has a purpose, but what can I say, it made me feel quite speshul! Bloody cold. 

In other news I bought a new book cover. I have given in and put naked people on the front of my book. Looks like this:

I have no idea who these people are, but with any luck the cover now looks like it's probably not a physics text book or something wholly factual. It was either that or a banner on the front saying "Warning contains naked people."

I have also written a short story which will be included in a free anthology coming up. The short story does not contain naked people. Although there are a couple of guys wandering around in bathrobes and work boots, but only because it amused me. More news of that later.

And for now, here's a short video of Sam the Degu making a racket trying to destroy his cage.

Author interview with the talented Ember Raine Winters.

Good morning/evening/whatever. I don't know where you are, I barely know where I am. Today I am thrilled to be able to showcase the lovely and talented Ember-Raine Winters. Grab a coffee and I will attempt to ask some intelligent questions...

-Tell us a bit about yourself, who you are, where you’re from, what do you write, do you write full time or do you have another job and what you do for fun when you’re not writing. (Inside leg measurement, head circumference, shoe size-kidding!)

HAHA! I have a huge head but I guess it's better for my huge brain! *laughs* My name is Ember-Raine Winters and I am from Southern California. I have written in two separate genres, YA Dystopian and Adult Romantic Suspense. I do write somewhat full time but only because I help my mom with her printing business as well. I love to read and writing and social media have become a passion of mine since I started my publishing journey a year ago.

-Was writing a lifelong ambition? When did you start?

Writing wasn't a lifelong dream. I always liked the idea of creating my own worlds, but I never actually tried to write a full length novel until about three or four years ago. I have been hooked ever since.

-Producing a book involves many different things-what do you enjoy the most?

I love interacting with readers. A part of the new marketing strategy I have started, I do a lot of Facebook takeovers on blog pages. It is so much fun interacting and getting to know readers! I love it!

-Is there anything from writing through to promotion and publication that you wish you didn’t have to do?

The whole graphics thing gives me the most trouble and its one of those "do I really need that" types of things. I hate it, but I do it because they really are needed.

-(Please don't mention graphics right now I might cry. I cannot do graphics) Tell us about where you write. Do you have a dedicated space or are you able to write anywhere?

I do a lot of my writing from my phone so, in theory I can write from anywhere but I have a patio chair in my backyard that I do a lot of my writing in.

-I would love that. Alas it rained yesterday so maybe not! Do you have a process or any habits that must be completed before you start writing?

No not at all. I am easy when it comes to writing. If I have just started a story and put it down for awhile I will go back and read what I have written so far and continue from there.

-Name a place fictional or real that you’d like to visit.

Ireland! I have always wanted to go to Ireland and do like a two week long tour of the whole country. It wouldn't hurt things to meet a hot Irish guy with a sexy accent! Haha!

-Another place on my doorstep I've never been to, I really ought to get out more! Who are your favourite authors and what are you reading at the moment?

I haven't been able to read a lot lately I have been busy promoting and writing. I love Rick Riordan, and JK Rowling, I also love K. Bromberg, she's an awesome romance author.

-What music do you like? Who is on your current play list?

I love older late 90's early 2000's rock and pop. 3 Doors Down, Linkin Park and Matchbox 20 are on my playlist constantly!

-Ah older lol I grew up in the 80s-older still! Finally, if you weren’t a writer and you could choose to do anything else with your life what would you do?

I have been wanting to start a non-profit sports organization that helps underprivileged kids pay for sports programs. I would probably do that.

Thank you so much! Earthlings you may now click all these links to be transported elsewhere. Off you go. Click stuff.

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Author interview with self publishing legend Carole P Roman

What on earth do you ask a woman who has published more books than I can count, has won a ton of awards and is so far at the other end of the publishing spectrum to me I can barely see her? OK I did try. Please put your hands together for Carole P Roman.

Voice: You're not on TV
Me: (Thwacks owner of voice round head)
Also Me: (Now has headache)

Congratulations for many things: Your recent article in Forbes, your new radio show, the book Navigating Indieworld-A Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing Your Book co-written with Julie A Gerber (thank you for that book). I have tried to count how many books you’ve published. I counted as far as a lot. How many different series of children’s books have you published and how many individual books is that in total? (I love numbers!)

Thank you so much, Amy. Sometimes I can't believe myself what I've gotten accomplished. My first series, Captain No Beard has 10 books, If You Were Me and Lived in...(cultures)- is now on the 22nd book, the historical series of the same name has 10, I have a nursery series with 5 books and finally I've just completed my first early reader chapter book. Oh yes, I co-authored a book with Julie Gerber, as you mentioned. So, by my count, that's 48 in five years.

(Whoa, sits down, drinks coffee, recomposes self, attempts coherence.) When did you write the first book and as things move so fast these days, have there been any drastic changes in the publishing world since you started?

Yes, as soon as I learned how to do something, either Amazon or Createspace would change the rules. Createspace originally was one-stop shopping. They had publicity packages, posters, bookmarks, videos, illustrators- all kinds of services that were phased out over the years. Amazon allowed you to ask people for reviews. It was easier to get your books reviewed and the reviews stayed up. Now they will randomly remove the ones they think were not by people who bought the book. They changed the pay structure on Kindle so you get paid only when the book is read. It's harder to market a book as well as harder to turn a profit.

How do you start each book or series? Do you have a brain storming session with anyone or are you very secretive about the next project?

It usually starts as a hazy idea. Something will motivate me, it could be a conversation or a sunset. For my latest book, it was the feeling that the papers on my desk had taken on a life of their own and were multiplying like the brooms in Disney's Fantasia. I took that idea and wrote my first chapter book about an eight-year-old girl whose backpack becomes so packed with all her problems, it bursts.

The captain was based on playtime with my grandkids, the nursery series are love letters to all my grandchildren. The cultural and historical series are born from my love of those subjects. I don't think long about things, I usually just begin to write and see where it goes.

Oooh oooh something we have in common-I also just start and see what happens. (The result is usually weird.) To write the number of books you have you must have a dedicated space unlike me sitting on my sofa. Tell us about where you write. Are there any weird habits you complete first or do you just start writing?

I will stall and that usually involves something fattening. I like to check the conversations of Goodreads. So many of the authors make me laugh. Once I go through all my different programs (email, gmail, hotmail, the bank, Amazon) and I can't put it off, I open up a Google Doc and start writing. I check my word count and as I see it increase it motivates me to push harder. I write all over the house or in my office. I have no set or special place.

Out of all the books you’ve written which one is your favourite and why?

I love them all, each and every one of them. I love the captain series because it's stories about my home and family. (even my husband is a character). I enjoy researching the historicals and culture books. I find the information fascinating. The other books are personal to my life (girls can be anything they choose to be), or trips to the stars and other planets. (I am a total space geek). Each one represents something that was important in my life.

When you were the age your books are aimed at-what did you read?

My grandmother lived with us. She was a wonderful storyteller. She would tell us tales of her life in Europe and I loved hearing about them. She was more interesting than anything I could have read in school. Once I did discover books, I was in a healthy competition with my best friend to see who could read the entire Nancy Drew series. I won- I read them all 100 books. Mostly, I read adult books. There were always books laying around the house. I read anything I could get my hands on. I was reading Tropic of Cancer, I think, when I was in Junior High. The teacher called my mother to complain. My mom said she didn't care what I read, as long as I read. She was my reading partner most of my life. We had our own little reading club.

You’ve written books set all over the world. Is there anywhere you haven’t visited that you’d like to?

I'd like to see the Taj Mahal. I want to go back to Florence. England is my favorite place in the world- I loved Bath and Stonehenge, the Cotswolds. I want to go back for tea. I'd like to spend a day in the Hermitage. I'd like to see the pyramids in Egypt and Petra in Jordan. I want to stand on the Great Wall of China and spend the day in St. Paul de Vince in Provence. I would like to ride in a gondola with my grandchildren and visit the Sistine Chapel in Rome. (It was closed for repairs when I was there.) I want to show my grandchildren the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. I'd love to see Pompeii.

Those are some great places.I think you've seen more of England than I have and I've lived here all my life! Who do you read for fun now and what’s your favourite genre? 

For a long time, Regency's were my favorite genre. Right now, I'll read anything. I just finished A Gentleman in Moscow. It was a beautiful book, lovingly written. I didn't want it to end. I always finish my night with something historical and non-fiction.

If you had to write another genre what would you pick?

I love genre jumping. I would like to write an adult historical fiction novel about World War 2. I'd like to honor my father by writing about his experiences in the war.

Finally, what’s the one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting out as a writer?

Have a great time. You are going to learn so much about yourself. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and don't be surprised when something amazing happens. The first time you read that review where you really connected with someone is both intimate and gratifying. Unless you have writers in your family, nobody will understand your elation.

Have a thick skin, prepare to wear many hats and enjoy the wide ride of self-publishing.

Thank you Carole. They wouldn't all fit, but here are three of Carole's books.

(Me:This is where I come from. No it isn't. Shut up voice)

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Oh for the love of all things caffeinated

It's the age old problem of having a list of things to do, achieving some, thinking there's plenty of time left in the day and then realising the kids will be home in 90 minutes. WHERE DID THE DAY GO? I am only on my second coffee. I may need a caffeine drip.

I should tell you that there is a promotion on my book on Smashwords. It's available for FREE for a short period of time HERE. (That link should work. Only "should" it's been one of those days.) Don't read it if you don't like reading erotica. It's not a fairy tale.

Anyone who read my post I rant therefore I am will remember such mundane issues as school shoes. SUCCESS following an email conversation with a member of staff who could circle a pair of shoes deemed not suitable for school on a jpg I sent, suitable school shoes have been purchased. In 88 minutes I'll find out if they fell apart or caused blisters on their first day. Better bloody not at £48 a pair!

I should also tell you that I am currently working on a short story that will be available for free. More free stuff-how will you contain yourself? This will not be erotica. Although try as I might I can't make it not weird. (Still writing weird and I'm not even taking brain altering medication at the moment-maybe I am just...weird)

And just because I need to moan about this I am having a fight on my hands trying to reduce the number of strange little worms growing inside Cossie the bearded dragon's vivarium. I don't know what type they are, but I'm getting sick of seeing the floor of her home undulate. Not a clue if she's bothered by it. They aren't the type she likes eating. Speaking of Cossie-I have no idea how she managed to lay eggs underneath the skull ornament that was in the corner of the viv. I know she can fly and breathe fire, but I didn't realise she also had opposable thumbs. 

Interview with author and social media guru Julie A Gerber

This is Julie A Gerber. Julie has recently been featured in a Forbes article. This woman knows things. Pay attention while I ask a set of random questions:

Tell us a bit about yourself, who you are, where you’re from, what do you write, do you write full time or do you have another job and what you do for fun when you’re not writing. (Inside leg measurement, head circumference, shoe size-kidding!)

I am a nurse by trade, but I haven’t worked outside the home in years. I became a blogger when my youngest was born and after reviewing a lot of books for indie authors, I decided to create a business to help them with their social media. I created Away We Go Media and help authors build their followings. I also beta read and offer other services. I have co-authored two books and have my first solo book in the works. I live in South Georgia but I’m in the process of preparing to move to sunny Fl. When I am not working, I am reading or spending time with family.

When did you first start writing and did you enjoy it right from the start?

I wrote when I was younger, but never thought I would ever see my name on the cover of a book. I have always enjoyed it, but I love to read other author’s books even more. Beta reading is the best part of my job. I enjoy seeing how my feedback can shape characters and plots.

Out of the entire process of writing and publishing what do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy the publishing part more. Not the actual formatting, but the cover creation and marketing. I enjoy social media and building relationships. When you have that with your fans, it is an amazing feeling.

Is there anything from writing through to promotion and publication that you wish you didn’t have to do?
When formatting is brought up, I cringe. I know how, but I hate it so much.

Popular answer to that particular question! Tell us about where you write. Do you have a dedicated space or are you able to write anywhere?
I write at my desk. It is a dedicated space, but the location allows for huge distractions when my family is home. When I go house hunting in Fl, a dedicated office space with privacy is at the top of my list. My sanity depends on it.

Do you have a process or any habits that must be completed before you start writing?

I sure do! I have a heater that I run on my legs and feet and a fan that blows on my face and upper body. Is that weird enough for you? My feet are always cold. I do this mostly to drown out the noise. I find that when I do this, everything around me blurs and I can get into my zone and forget the world around me.

That does sound like the type of weird I do! I can certainly relate to cold feet, I have the same problem. Name a place, fictional or real that you’d like to visit.

I want to go to Scotland and Ireland with my family. I have always dreamed of spending a few weeks sleeping in castles and visiting ruins and museums. I want to smell the peat fire in a big kitchen while eating a hearty stew.

I wouldn’t mind going to Scotland and Ireland either (and I live in England! You’d have thought I’d have made it there by now.) Who are your favourite authors and what are you reading at the moment?

My favorite authors at the moment are L.T. Ryan (affliction Z series) and Bobby Adair (Slow Burn series) because I love end of the world stuff. I am currently reading Doing Germany by Agnieszka Paletta. I am enjoying it very much!

ZOMBIES! I LOVE ZOMBIES (couldn’t eat a whole one!) What music do you like? Who is on your current play list?

I love Imagine Dragons, Nine Inch Nails, Billy Joel, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Taylor Swift, and the soundtracks from the Twilight series. I like different things based on my mood.

Finally, if you weren’t a writer and social media guru and you could choose to do anything else with your life what would you do?

I guess I would be a nurse. Since I am already licensed, it would make sense! It has always been my back up plan. Thankfully I haven’t had to go back!

Thanks Julie, someone needs to decide if I want a print copy or ebook of Navigating Indieworld. Decisions decisions...

Meanwhile the rest of you click all of these.

You never know my links may even work!

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Author Interview with Louann Carroll

The first of two interviews this week is with Louann Carroll. Let us delve into the depths of some of my favourite genres-paranormal and sci-fi. But first get digging...


Hi Louann, before I start asking you about writing-what’s the most interesting fossil you’ve found? My son and I need to know.

Fossilized brain coral from a dry lake bed in Nevada. It is 45 million years old AND a fossilized turtle egg. I also have arrow heads and I have a fossilized knee bone from a miniature mammoth from the islands off California. I have grinding stones and paint pots plus tons of copper and other minerals.

Jealous! I'll take the knee bone, it's probably better than mine. OK down to the business of writing. I love the occult, paranormal and Sci-Fi, but for anyone new to those genres-what inspires you to write the books you do?

When you write in those genres it almost exclusively relies on imagination along with some pretty heady research into theoretical physics which is amazing in itself. Imagine a world where there are multiple dimensions taking place all at the same time. Then imagine you could visit any dimension you wanted. Then you can imagine a dimension that gets broken and accidentally gets mixed up in other dimensions. Or you can go further and imagine a place where heaven and hell are just lighter or darker (in mass) dimensions and you can visit them anytime you want. You just can’t take your regular body with you. Using that formula anything can happen anywhere at any time.

When did you first start writing and was being an author a lifelong ambition?

My lifelong ambition was to be a mother. Becoming an author was an afterthought and due to a hyperactive imagination I get brain constipation if I don’t write out my stories. I used to entertain my kids and nieces and nephews with what they called the Auntie Louann routine. Now they can read my thoughts instead of listening to them.

There is so much more to being an author than writing the book. Out of the entire process from concept to promotion-what do you enjoy the most?

When I am in the zone all becomes quiet and I write. I love that process. Everything flows perfectly. Problem is, people have to really jolt me out of the process if they need me and that can be stressful for them and for me. It is like all is right with the world and then BAM reality bites.

I had to learn how to market the hard way. I had a horrible time outing myself. I just wanted people to find my books, but that doesn’t work. You have to keep yourself in the public eye. You have to market and then you have to discover what works for you. Eventually, I joined everything and guess what I discovered? That on pinterest you can redo your kitchen, on Goodreads you can find great books to read, on Amazon you meet new friends and other reviewers, and on Facebook you can reconnect with old friends. Oh, and on Twitter you gain a bunch of new friends who know friends who know friends and you can keep up with current events while they are happening. Super cool.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out?

If you love writing, never give up. Continue to read and to write and if you get stuck, blog your journey. Have fun and most of all remember, if you do what you love you will never work a day in your life. 

Tell us where you write. Do you have a dedicated space or are you able to write anywhere?

I write anywhere I have a computer. I have a writing room at home, but prefer the couch next to my husband.

Do you have a process or any habits you have to do before you can start writing?

I do like to have everything done like my domestics or unfinished things like redoing my kitchen. Other than that, no habits or rituals.

Name a place fictional or real that you’d like to visit.

I would love to visit Egypt and the Middle East. Too bad things are so upsetting right now or I would go. I have always been fascinated with the Egypt.

I on the other hand have been the Egypt and didn't even see the pyramids! Who are your favourite authors and what are you reading at the moment?

Danielle DeVor’s Sorrow’s series. It’s about an ex-priest who continues to exorcise demons and the like. He hangs out with his girlfriend who is a witch and a young girl named Lucy who haunts them both. Actually, she’s more like their daughter. It is such a great series. So perfect for a lazy weekend.

What music do you like? Who is on your current play list?

I don’t have a play list. I like music, but I’m hooked on the 60s. Nothing makes me happier. When I write, I enjoy the quiet. Actually, I kind of go away so anything that makes me present is a distraction. 

Spill the beans-what are you currently working on?

Gemini Rising, The Word, the 3rd book in the trilogy is almost done. However, I have had a new book pop into my mind today about Kate’s husband Jason and his journey on Earth. I have to think about this one. 

Finally, if you weren’t a writer and you could choose to do anything else with your life what would you do?

I would be an archaeologist, a geologist, a paleontologist or just a researcher. I like being in my head as much as possible and I love being outside. However, I am getting too old to be any of those things now so writing is my game.

Thank you Louann. 

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 Social Journalism

I rant therefore I am

Can someone please explain to me why there are only two days in the weekend? Clearly it's not enough time for a busy working mum to catch up on everything. And I'm not even talking about watching things we've recorded off the TV.

Yesterday I baked biscuits and cakes for the family. Sure, I could have bought them and it probably would have been cheaper too. Shop bought biscuits and cakes tend to get eaten quicker. I'm not sure what that says about my cooking. But, still no-one has died, so I imagine it's fine. 

The next job was looking at cars. I would like to drive distances without my left leg dislocating half way there because of the uncomfortable passenger seat that doesn't adjust in the way I need it to. (Hypermobility Syndrome-in case you weren't aware.) We might have found a car that fits the bill, but that was the first trip of many to the dealership to sort that out.

Then shopping, because everyone knows how much I detest shopping for ANYTHING. I just hate it. I might have had a coffee in the five minute break I got in-between arriving home and starting to cook dinner-dinner that I wasn't eating because I am dieting at the moment and have my own meals sorted out.

Now we come to Sunday and the mission for Sunday was to find school shoes. Naturally you would be forgiven for thinking that you rock up at the school section of the well known shoe shop on the high street, have your son's feet measured and then select a pair of well fitting shoes. Well, no. For a start the school in question has published a list of acceptable shoes on their web site and none of them are conducive to walking 3 miles a day. Let alone walking 3 miles a day with painful joints which run in our family. What's more the school section of the well known shoe shop mostly stocks shoes that don't conform to what the school says are suitable for school. There follows time spent constructing an email including pictures to ascertain which if any of the shoes actually available on the high street would be suitable for school.

Having done all of this and served dinner, which was chicken based and therefore OK for me to eat, it's 6.30pm on Sunday evening and I'd like to start my weekend now please.

Insert many different swear words here...

Interview with author R.L Jackson

Hello world. It’s time for another treat. I’d like to introduce you to the second indie author I have had the privilege to interview recently. So I’m calling a coffee break because it’s been five minutes since I had one. Everyone sit down, stop that, yes you, thank you, pay attention you might learn something, will you just...oh never mind.

Welcome to the multi-talented R.L Jackson.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself, who you are, where you’re from, what do you write? (Inside leg measurement, arm length, shoe size-kidding!)

Lol, I'm R.L Jackson and I hail from the very steamy state of Florida and I try to write equally steamy romance novels.

2. When did you start writing?

My writing bug bit me in middle school and honestly, I haven't stopped writing since. I read everything I could get my hands on too, so that helped to stoke the passion for creating.

3. What do you love the most from planning to publication?

I think the creating side of it actually because you can do anything you want. The flip side of formatting, book design, feedback, editing etc, you have rules to follow and you have to be precise so that was tough for me especially doing it alone like I did. So patience is a virtue.

4. What about things you wish you didn't have to do-are there any of those?

Marketing and advertising, lol. I wish there were some sort of fairy dust I could sprinkle on the keyboards that did all the banners, tweets, facebook posts, website etc. It's A LOT of work.

5. It is a huge amount of work and by no means my favourite task either. OK, so where do you write. Do you have a dedicated space or do you write anywhere?

A desk in my living room is where I create nowadays. It’s not the most ideal space because of traffic, but when everyone crashes for the night, that usually when I brew a pot of coffee and have at it til 4 am.

6. 4am?? I would be utterly useless the next day if I tried to pull that off. How do you start writing? Do you have a process?

I do. I write at least five or six different outlines for a book from start to finish (Same topic, just different ways to explore the journey). Very roughly though so a page per book idea. When I can’t think of anything else I arrange them all in a line and look at what the first premise is in each and pick the best and I do that for every line or plot point of each, mash  them up etc until I have two good plots ideas and usually I combine that for my final outline. Then I do a scene breakdown based on chapter goals, then chapter breakdowns, then the overall flow etc. Sometimes I do this and it never gets used because one scene will spark a whole chapter and I'm left with a paper trail that I can reference to if need to.

7. Name a place fictional or real that you’d like to visit. 

Hawaii. Just want to fall asleep on the sand and do nothing for a week.

8. I’ll just install myself in your suitcase…Right final question, if you weren’t an author and you could choose to do anything else with your life what would you do?

Nurse Practioner.

That is a very honourable answer. RL Jackson thank you so much for your time, it’s been a pleasure.

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Interview with author Cecily Wolfe

Today I have the absolute pleasure of interviewing a fellow author. So grab your coffee, sit back and enjoy the insights of the wonderful Cecily Wolfe and I'll try no to get in the way too much.

Tell us a bit about yourself, who you are, do you write full time or have another job and what you do for fun when you’re not writing. (Inside leg measurement, head circumference, shoe size-kidding!)

I am a librarian, and work-full time - yes, I love my job, how could I not? For fun - I read, of course - but I love to bake, swim, and knit/crochet, as well as hang out with my kids. I'm a single parent, and my children and I are very close. We make a great team. 

We seem to make a great mess! When did you first start writing and did you enjoy it right from the start?

I started writing when I was in third grade, and became obsessed with Helen Keller. I read everything in the school library I could find, then in the public library as well. I started daydreaming about adventures Helen must have had with her tutor, exploring her home and the world around her, and wrote them down. I don't have those stories anymore, but I do remember that that was when I knew I wanted to keep writing stories to share with others. 

I too spent some time at school reading about Helen Keller, fascinating woman. Out of the entire process of writing and publishing what do you enjoy the most?

Probably the very beginning, the taking of notes, wrestling with that first draft - learning about my characters and their stories. The story never goes the way I imagine it, because the characters have other ideas, so it is all a mystery to me until it comes out as I type. 

 Is there anything from writing through to promotion and publication that you wish you didn’t have to do?

Formatting! Ugh! Is anyone confident about doing this? 

 Certainly not me! Tell us about where you write. Do you have a dedicated space or are you able to write anywhere?

I write longhand on yellow legal pads when I first take notes and start drafting, so I can sit in my recliner, at my desk, or at the dining room table. I write the 'official' first draft and those after on my desktop Mac with Scrivener, then MS Word, so it's my desk from there on out. 

 Do you have a process or any habits that must be completed before you start writing?

Sometimes I have to clean something. I have a thing about mopping the kitchen floor, and sometimes I can't focus until I do that. Coffee helps too, whether it is in the morning or evening. 

Cleaning-not a thing I focus on. Coffee however is a different thing entirely. Name a place fictional or real that you’d like to visit.

Venice! I hear it smells bad, though, but that really isn't discouraging. So much history, and so much beauty.

 I’ve never been either, it's on the list. Who are your favourite authors and what are you reading at the moment?

Joyce Carol Oates is my favorite living author - right now I'm reading some great indie work, including Ember Raine Winters' Beautiful Delusions and India Adams' Serenity, along with Eva Leigh's latest historical romance, From Duke Till Dawn, and Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake. I read a wide variety of fiction - whatever looks good goes on my TBR list. I make no apologies for my reading interests!

 What music do you like? Who is on your current play list?

I like everything but country (hate me if you will!). I have been listening to Sabrina Carpenter's latest album, Evolution, because it has been inspiration for a lot of the scenes in my upcoming contemporary drama/romance, Reckless Treasure. I have book playlists for all my work on Spotify under ceciwolfe. 

Finally, if you weren’t a writer and you could choose to do anything else with your life what would you do?

A librarian - and I am! Honestly, I would have loved to have been a professional ice skater, but I can't skate. At all. I have a huge emergency room copay with my medical insurance, so I don't even play around at a rink!

Well I broke my ankle ice skating so I avoid rinks too. Cecily it's been a pleasure, thank you so much for your time.

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Half Term Woohoo

I know some mums might dread half term, but I really look forward to it. Then again I have teenagers who only venture out of their bedrooms to scavenge for food or feed a random pet. What I really like about half term is that I don't have the stress of worrying if I can roll out of bed in the morning to make sure they get to school in time. Even when they were little I preferred the school holidays. Not that I'm up for the challenge of home schooling you understand!

Yesterday was Valentine's Day. Our plan to buy each other the same card went tits up again this year, although we did pick a similar theme:

Both cards are very accurate! I still think the best Valentine's card I ever saw was on a simple red background with the words "You'll do" on the front.

So what are your plans for this week? I'm sitting here with my feet up about to continue writing a chapter of my book. Sam the degu is running in his wheel. Wherever he's going he's not getting any closer. Crunch the tortoise is busy scraping away at her home trying to dig her way though wood which also isn't going to happen. 

I feel a large coffee is in my immediate future. I hope I remember to sweeten this one, the last one was rank!