The Chronicles of Fire and Ice Tour

Merry Christmas everyone!

Today I have author Laura Hunter on my blog for her book tour. I met Laura on facebook some time ago, she is an amazing and wonderful woman! Please enjoy this interview and be sure to check out her new release! It is available at Amazon ,
Barnes and Noble (paperback only at this point- if you want a nook copy please click on “request from publisher” and
Kobo

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m 24 years old and I live on the central coast of NSW, Australia with my family. I enjoy writing, reading, acting, singing and directing. With my dramatic arts class I have written, directed, and starred in two original plays.

2. When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

I first began writing when I was 15. I wrote a lot of song lyrics as a way to get my thoughts down on paper. I then switched to writing fan-fiction at the age of 19. I finished my first book about September this year.

3. How did you choose the genre you write in?

I have always loved reading the paranormal/ urban fantasy/ YA fantasy fiction genres, so its only natural I began writing this genre, it chose me lol

4. Where do you get your ideas?

I get my ideas from anything I experience and my friends and family, but mostly  my ideas come from dreams.

5. Do you ever experience writer’s block?

Yes, I am currently having a little bit of writer’s block at the moment, mostly due to not plotting properly so I need to go and do that for my next few books.

6. Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

As a teenager I remember walking into my school library and searching through the YA books. I picked up Phillip Pullman’s The Subtle Knife and my love affair with YA fantasy fiction began. Cassandra Clare and Kathy Reichs also inspire me every day.

7. Can you tell us the challenges in getting your first book published?

The first real issue for me was money. As I am not particularly rich and a self published author, I found investing my own money into my first book quite taxing, so I hope it will be worth it in the end. Everything else has been a breeze.

8. How do you market your work? What avenues have you found work best for your genre?

As a self published indie author I feel marketing is the biggest challenge for us, but I have found social media is the biggest help in creating a platform and reaching my target audience- Facebook, twitter and blogs (I have read several eBooks on the topic and they said this was the best way) Also I am addicted to goodreads! I recommend that every author get a Goodreads account as you can add the books you want to read to shelves and keep up to date with upcoming releases and have people rate and review your work.

9. Can you tell us about your upcoming book?

The Chronicles of Fire and Ice is a New Adult urban fantasy set in Melbourne, Australia. It deals with the fact the human race is becoming over taken and out- bred by angels. It features Scarlett, a 21-year-old half Nephilim girl who finds out she is also half archangel and she has a frightening new ability to go along with it. She enrolls at an Academy for angels where she meets the handsome, yet mysterious Dyston Blackbell, the youngest son of the owners of the Academy, whom she discovers has been sending her weird dreams for years. Some of the story also deals with the backstory of Dyston’s dashing yet egotistic older brother, Lakyn.

10. Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

Some things in my book are from real life experiences, like some of Scarlett’s dreams, they actually happened to me. Some of my characters are based on my friends, certain qualities. Most of the fantasy parts are all from my imagination.

11. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

One of my favorite scenes that I loved writing was when Scarlett first met Dyston. I also loved writing Lakyn’s backstory. He is one of my favorite characters to write as he has two sides.

12. How did you come up with the title?

I came up with the title, The Chronicles of Fire and Ice a few ways. I wanted something catchy and unique (aspiring authors, I recommend googling possible titles to see if there are any similar already out there, or doing a goodreads search) and also I played around with the elements of my story and tried to fit them into the title. Some might say fire relates to Scarlett, and ice to Lakyn, yes they do, but the meanings run deeper than that.

13. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

Probably the toughest and most offending compliment given to me was criticizing my marketing plan, saying social media isn’t good enough. They are not authors so I didn’t really listen. As for the best compliment… I get more beautiful messages and compliments about my book every day and it almost brings me to tears, it means a lot to me.

14. Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Yes, believe in yourself and believe in your work. If you think negative thoughts then that will be reflected in your work and it will suffer.

FUN QUESTIONS

 

1)    If you were a superhero (or villain!) what would your power be? Would you wear a cape?

I love superheroes! I think I would like to the ability to heal. And no cape for me.

2)   Chocolate, Strawberry or Vanilla?

Chocolate all the way. I am a self- confessed chocoholic!

3)   The light side or the dark side?

I love all things dark but I live on the light side

4)   Do you have deep dark secret? How about a shallow grey one?

Hmm had to think about this one… I have a crush on someone I shouldn’t.

5)   What sort of coffee would you order? Simple coffee, complicated soy-non-fat-extra-espresso-half-caff-nightmare?

My poison is a soy latte. And sometimes if I’m feeling like a sugar hit, I order a soy hazelnut latte.

6)   Have you ever given someone who asked for decaf, regular coffee just to see what would happen?

No because you can taste the difference. But I have given someone full cream milk when they have asked for skim.

7)   Is there any food you refuse to eat? (Other than brussel sprouts because NO ONE likes them)

Bananas!

8)   If you could live off of chocolate would you? What kind?

Totally! Chocoholic here! Dairy milk or the dark and nutty kind would suffice.

9)   What do you think the coolest pet to have would be?

I have always wanted a pet Panda.

10)If you could visit any world (real or imagined) where would you go?

Hmm, The House of Night school, or Narnia (before and after the white witch’s rein)

11) What kind of person drives you nuts? (personality trait)

Loud, obnoxious people, and smokers.

12) Have you ever gone out in public with your shirt on backwards, or your slippers on, and when realizing it, just said screw it?

All the time. And I’ve had to leave it until I could find a bathroom to fix it lol

13) Do you prefer fuzzy or tub socks?

Fuzzy but then my shoes don’t fit lol

14) Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?

No point because it’s a known fact that bed bugs love made beds.

15) Be honest, how often do you wash your hair?

Once a week, I have the worst frizz prone hair

16) Do you get road rage? What pisses you off the most about other drivers?

I don’t drive but I hate slow drivers and tail gaters

17) Do you go out of your way to kill bugs? Are there any that make you screech and hide?

Cockroaches, spiders and flies. I have a phobia of bees and wasps.

Stalk me the following ways:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/LL-Hunter/110104129132865

Blog: http://llhunter.blogspot.com.au

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/llhunter_angels

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6559537.L_L_Hunter

Author Bio:

I am an Australian author who began writing when I was fifteen or sixteen, originally song lyrics, but then moved onto fanfiction when I was nineteen. Having published over 20 stories online. One of which was nominated for an award. I have also written, directed and starred in two original plays entitled, “No Frills Airlines: Flight 123,” and the sequel, “No frills Airlines: Come Fly with Us.” The latter of which was a musical.

Author Interview- Jeff Bennington- Reunion Tour

Please give super big welcomes to my talented feature author today; Jeff Bennington who is stopping by for an interview on his Reunion Blog Tour! Go to jeffbennington.com to learn more and to check out the tour schedule.

Hi Jennifer. Thank you for joining me on the REUNION Blog Tour. I want your readers to know that I’m giving away a Kindle on May 15^th to a lucky follower of the tour. They can get the details about the book, the tour, and the contest at jeffbennington.com. Good luck, everyone!

Author Interview

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Sure. I’m a dad of four great kids and I’ve been married to my sweet wife for almost nineteen years. Oh, yeah, and I love writing. Been doing that for a while, but I didn’t attempt fiction until around 2007. Other than that, I’ve played drums since 1985, I’ve owned a home maintenance company, and I run when I get a chance, which isn’t much any more because I’m too busy blogging, tweeting and writing.

When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

I actually started writing in the nineties, but I was only writing non-fiction, journals, Sunday school lessons, etc. Then in 2006, I wrote a non-fiction book called, How to Succeed in the Handyman business. Don’t bother looking for it. I never published it. Never tried. I just wanted to see if I could do it. Then after writing that, charts and all, I thought I’d try fiction. In 2007 I wrote a thriller called Chasing the Giants, followed by Killing the Giants, which is currently in a revision. You can find both of those on Amazon, but Chasing was a LuLu catastrophe and I stopped the press. My writing was terrible. I look back at that book now and laugh!

And now that you’ve written REUNION, what was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

I love every chapter in REUNION. I spent two years on this book, while studying and reading to improve my writing. I wanted each chapter to grab you from the start, the middle to capture you, and the end of each chapter to leave you wanting more. I worked very hard to make each one meaningful, impacting the reader emotionally in some way. There are several that stand out, but they are the ones that I can’t talk about, because they are too scary or twisty-turny. I will say this; it was quite a chore getting the survivor’s twentieth reunion to land on chapter 20 – exactly. But I planned it that way from the beginning.

So you’re a plotter?

Not completely. I usually start with a short paragraph, a concept and then outline a few chapters from there. I do make character sketches and chapter goals, but I revise the outline often because the twists and turns are usually a surprise to me, often taking the story in a completely different direction than I originally planned. I think you need to be flexible with your story because they can become a living, breathing thing. But when a twist hits me, I feel like I’ve won the lottery.

Can you tell us about your upcoming book?

My next book after REUNION, is called Act of Vengeance – another supernatural thriller, due to come out in late 2011. It’s already finished and scheduled to begin editing this spring. I will say this, if you like REUNION, you will really like Act of Vengeance. It’s a hybrid of Damien and Sixth Sense. It’s a story about a ghostly boy who enters the life of an Indianapolis homicide detective, and supernaturally reveals the truth about several unsolved murders, the truth about his life and the truth about the detectives troubled past. It’s scary and sweet and you’ll never, ever, ever guess how it’s going to end…not ever.

Sounds interesting. Now some fun questions….

What sort of Starbuck’s coffee would you order? Simple coffee, complicated soy-non-fat-extra-espresso-half-caff-nightmare?

I like peppermint mocha fraps, but we’ve cut back, so I make my coffee at home, using Folgers Special Blend, with 2 scoops of sugar and I don’t know how much Coffee-Mate Cinnamon Bun creamer, but it’s really good. My wife makes a killer cold-carmel on ice. (And I just used alliteration in that sentence! Go me.).

If you were a superhero (or villain!) what would your power be? Would you wear a cape?

I’d fly for sure, cape and all. I used to daydream a lot as a kid, and I remember dreaming that I’d run so fast that I’d take off and just soar above everyone and never come back. Probably has something to do with a psychological issue I have with my father.

Do you have a deep dark secret? How about a shallow grey one?

Lots. Some of them are revealed in REUNION, but I’ll never tell which are mine and which are fiction. I will tell you, however, that I’m most like Tanner. Hint, hint.

Thanks for reading. Be sure to subscribe and follow Jennifer’s Blog, and then follow the rest of the REUNION Blog Tour for more unique posts about the book, the characters, etc. Go to jeffbennington.com to learn more and to check out the tour schedule. Be sure to get your copy on April 15th to help thrust REUNION up the rankings by purchasing en masse. Peace

Heather Ingemar- Spooky Times Blog Tour

Super big welcomes to Heather Ingemar for stopping by my blog today!

Heather S. Ingemar has loved to play with words since she was little, and it wasn’t long until she started writing her own stories. Termed “a little odd” by her peers, she took great delight in exploring tales with a gothic flair, and to this day, Edgar Allan Poe continues to be her literary hero. To learn more, please visit her Blog or follow her on Twitter,  Buy a story (or two or three): Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Fictionwise

“How I Got Where I Am”

By Heather S. Ingemar

I wasn’t always a writer. Sure, I told – and loved – stories as a child, but none of them were brilliant, none of them followed the rules of English, and quite a few of them were customized spin-offs from my favorite books.

In school, I hated grammar, and parsing sentences was the bane of my 4^th grade existence. Looking at me today – proud holder of a Bachelor’s degree in English Lit, with over 15 published stories (some of them award-winners) to my credit plus many more in the works – you’d probably never guess I was the petulant grammarian who still can’t tell you what an antecedent is.

And yet, I am an author. I just had to learn to write first.

Learning to write takes time and the will to keep at it. As simple as words are, they can be devilishly tricky to get in the right spots. A good grammar manual (I recommend the “Scott Foresman Handbook for Writers”) can work wonders. Also, don’t underestimate the worth of a solid writing group or class. If they’re good at giving constructive critique and they understand your style, your writing will grow by leaps and bounds.

But the important thing is that you write. Put those words on the page and see where they take you. It doesn’t matter if they don’t pan out the first, fifth, or hundredth times: indeed, every word counts, and I have learned more from my failed attempts than from my successes. When they say a new writer has to write a certain amount of crap before getting to the good stuff, they’re right.

So get those words down, Young and Budding Talents. Each one brings you closer to your goal.

The next stop on the Spooky Times Blog Tour is:

Echelon Explorations Blog on October 5