Helen Henderson is Visiting and Talking bout being a Panster or Plotter. #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor Fantasy #dragons

 

Panster or Plotter

Day 1

1. Are you a panster or a plotter or perhaps a bit of both?

I would say that I am more of an explorer, which is a combination of plotter and pantser. Each project starts off as a plotter and the creation of a storyboard. The scene notes contains a check-off for the purpose of the scene such as characterization, enhance the setting, or advances the plot. The storyboard is not the numbered structure of a traditional outline. It’s format is bullet points and it contains dialog, setting, and is in essence more a first draft than a true outline. At some point, the characters take over and the plotter submerges beneath the more free-wheeling pantser and the storyboard turns into a second draft.

2. Which comes first - characters or plot for you?

 

Although I need to know at least some aspect of the main characters, I work the plot first, letting the characters develop as they will.

3. What are you working on now? Is this a book in a current series or something totally new?

 

The release of Fire and Redemption last month means I am in the middle ground between projects. I had thought a third book to tell the final chapter in Trelleir’s search to find the homeland of his dragon kin was the next logical project. However, a different land has been nagging to be explored. Whether it is a fantasy world or a science fiction exploration, adventure and some amount of romance is promised.

4. Do you have some kind of object or place that figures in most of your books? I use gems a lot, hospitals and caves.

Caves have appeared in all three of my series. The uses varied from travelers’ shelters to an underground temple, a dragon’s lair and hatching cave, and the hiding place of a magical relic. Gems have also made a few appearances, especially in the Tear Stone Collectors. When a dragon cries, their tears fall as precious jewels. Each tear stone is imbued with the magic of its creator. And for special humans, the jewels can enhance the person's natural powers or even provide the ability to take on dragon form. However, I admit to one thing appearing in al the fantasy books – magical breeds of equines. One word of warning, the horses chose their riders. Those who try to get into the saddle when they are not the animal’s chosen one will measure their length in the dirt.

5. Do you write every day or just when the spirit hits?

I would like to say I write every day. And for a good number of years I did. Now, even though I am no longer a full-time caretaker, life and age get in the way My resolution this year was to write every day even if it is a blog post, a hop, or a writing prompt challenge.

6. Where can we find you?

 

Website / Blog – http://www.helenhenderson-author.blogspot.com/

Amazon - https://www.amzn.com/e/B001HPM2XK

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HelenHenderson.author/

Goodreads – http://bit.ly/1eWhhGB

Twitter –https://twitter.com/history2write

7. Who are your favorite authors? What about a book you’ve enjoyed?

Over the years I have devoured Kathrine Kurtz’s Adept series, and have gone through phases where I read adventures written by Leslie Charteris, the 007 books by Ian Fleming, and westerns by Louis L'amour. Then throw in some science fiction by Asimov to round out the genres. But the number one favorite author is the queen of Dragonhold, Anne McCaffrey. In addition to riding a dragon, you can explore outer space and encounter strange creatures in the Talent Universe series.

Pia Manning is visiting and talking about Who She Was Before #MFRWAuthor #Event planner, #contemporary small town #romance #Star Brides

 

1. What were you before you became an author? Did this influence your choices as a writer?

I was many things before I started writing – we moved around quite a bit, and that necessitated career changes. I worked as an event planner for a hotel and conference center, supervised operations for a couple of banks, taught pre-K (four-year-olds could rule the world!), and was the community development coordinator for a large medical system’s hospice affiliate. Whew!

Making up stuff for a living tugged at me – always. But adding four kids to the mix, all the moves as well as career changes made doing that almost impossible. It wasn’t until a kind guy in a white coat informed me I was medically unable to continue working in a traditional way, that I was able to write.

Over the years there have been a lot of people, towns, and jobs. I’m sure they influence my world view just as anyone’s life experiences do – but there’s not one specific thing that stands out. Rather all the years have come together to form a rich tapestry. Every so often I walk through those memories when I need inspiration.  

2. Are you genre specific or general? I don’t mean major genres but subdivisions or romance, mystery or paranormal.

These days I write more contemporary small-town romances (the where-I’m-at-today factor) set in the Northwoods territory of Wisconsin. I find plenty of inspiration in the rich tableau of characters, settings and situations that are found here..

I also love creating new worlds, hence the creation of the Star Brides universe of futuristic sci-fi romances. There’s something freeing when writing about the future because there are no known rules or societal expectations to observe. There’s no historical commonality to weigh me down. It’s exciting as a writer because I can let my imagination fly freely in the atmospheres.

3. What is your latest release? 

Hometown Spirits Caveman Creek 4 is my newest. As with my other books in the Caveman Creek series, it’s an erotic romance that’s set in the beautiful little town of Pinecone Creek, Wisconsin.

4. What are you working on now?

Cleaning my house, lol! Seriously, I have plans for Caveman Creek 5, tentatively titled ‘Daddy’s Home.’ My website desperately needs some updating, so that’s on the list as well.  

5. Does your reading choices influence your choice of a writing career?

Kinda sorta, but not always. How’s that for a definite answer?  I do read a great deal of romances books: contemporary, menage, sci-fi, paranormal, etc. While I enjoy feasting at the literary banquet available, I don’t necessarily write in those imprints.

I also read horror, crime/mystery, dystopian, sci fi, paranormal etc, but I don’t necessarily write in those genres. 

 

 

6. Where can we find you?

If you’d like to just chat, my email is best: https://www.pia.manning@yahoo.com  NOTE: I don’t have a newsletter, I’m not collecting emails. That said, if you do email me and want me to answer, then yes, I’ll need your email.

Otherwise:   

    Website: https://www.piamanning.com

    Siren Bookstrand page: https://www.bookstrand.com/pia-manning  

Amazon:    https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pia+manning&crid=1CTBHDIYQC8VR&sprefix=pia+manning%2Caps%2C484&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_11

Amazon Author Pg:     https://www.amazon.com/author/northofhwy8

    Apple Books: https://www.apple.co/4aOraBY  

    Barnes & Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/caveman%20creek

    Twitter:  https://twitter.com/piamanning3

    Email: pia.manning@yahoo.com

   All Author:  https://allauthor.com/book/87193/hometown-spirits/

Books by Janet Lane Walters are featured on Friday's Blogs #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Romance #Spicy #Seduction #Chef

 

Seducing the Chef - Allie Blakefield, editor of Good Eatin' wants to do a feature on Five Cuisines a restaurant across the river from NY City. Her father forbids the feature and won't say why. She's not one to sit back and be ruled by someone. She borrows a friend's apartment.

While leaning over the balcony she sees a handsome dark haired man doing a Yoga routine. He looks up and she is struck by the Blakefield curse. Love at first sight.

The pair start a hot and heavy romantic interlude. She visits the restaurant and is recognized by Greg, the chef's mother. The woman goes ballistic and the affair is broken. Can Allie learn what's going on and rescue her love?

Meg is sure she’s made a mistake when she agrees to pick up and Injured Steve, the magazine group’s photographer from the airport. The first moment she saw him, the Blakefield Curse took effect. She fell in love and she was a forever woman. He wasn’t. Spending time with him over the weekend only cements her feelings. She has rules of life and she breaks everyone of them even the new ones she added that weekend.

Steve has been intrigued by Meg and he enjoys her blushes. He’s found ways to raise them but something more is happening here. When she leaves abruptly, he wants to track her down but his broken leg makes pursuit difficult. Now he must find a way to win her over and that takes some time and clever moves.

A chance photograph sends Mark Blakefield to Vermont to find something he lost and didn't know about. He has a son. He also has a way to find the woman he fell in love during his last year of college. Her disappearance when he went to pick her up for dinner puzzles him. Though he searched for Christa Parsons for months and never found her. The photograph taken by one of his writers for Good Travelin' shows an inn in Vermont. He rushes off to solve the mystery and claim his son.

Christa Sommers runs the family inn left to her by her mother. Besides making the inn successful, she is raising her nine year old son, Davy. She has to deal with her younger, selfish half-sisters and she has reached the end point of her patience with them.

When Mark arrives she is stunned. Now she has to explain who she never told him about Davy. Part of the reason was her attempts to find him were foiled by a secretary and the other was being swamped by work. One sight and she fears falling in love with him or losing custody of her son.

Can Mark figure why he was looking for someone with the wrong name? Can he persuade Christa he has loved her for all those years and convince her to share her life and her son with him?

My Places

   https://twitter.com/JanetL717

 https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f

bid=113639528680724

 http://bookswelove.net/

 http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com

https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/

 

Buy Mark My Places

 

https://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/

 

Books by Janet Lane Walters are featured on Friday's Blurbs #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Paranormal #fantasy #for all ages #earth #water #air #fire

 

Escape

Two sets of halfling twins, Ashlea, Brandien, Jaydren and Kylandra sent away from their home by their parents to protect them from trouble, search for mentors to teach them how to use their affinities.During the escape, they face many problems forcing them to use their affinities by trial and error. They also meet Alizand, the son of the ruling prince of Wesren. Zand has an affinity for Fire and this will keep him from gaining the rule.Dom Senet, an advisor to his father, and once a friend of the quartet’s parents suspects Zand’s affinity. He wishes to corrupt the teen and use him to gain control of the four princedoms of the land and of the highlands. The evil dom has all four affinities. The four must reach a secret place and find teachers before the evil man discovers them

Searches

Two sets of halfling twins, Ashlea, Brandien, Jaydren and Kylandra sent away from their home by their parents to protect them from trouble, search for mentors to teach them how to use their affinities.During the escape, they face many problems forcing them to use their affinities by trial and error. They also meet Alizand, the son of the ruling prince of Wesren. Zand has an affinity for Fire and this will keep him from gaining the rule.Dom Senet, an advisor to his father, and once a friend of the quartet’s parents suspects Zand’s affinity. He wishes to corrupt the teen and use him to gain control of the four princedoms of the land and of the highlands. The evil dom has all four affinities. The four must reach a secret place and find teachers before the evil man discovers them

My Places

   https://twitter.com/JanetL717

 https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f

bid=113639528680724

 http://bookswelove.net/

 http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com

https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/

 

Buy Mark My Places

 

https://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/

 

Janice Seagraves is visiting and talking about writing #MFRWAuthor #Stay at home mom #Science fiction romance #Alien furt

 Day 1

1. What were you before you became an author? Did this influence your choices as a writer?

I was a stay-at-home mother, who reads a lot, raising my daughter. She reads, too. :)

2. Are you genre specific or general? I don’t mean major genres but subdivisions or romance, mystery or paranormal.

I write romance in various subgenres. I do have some books in the paranormal romance genre. 

3. What is your latest release?

A science fiction romance set right here on earth. 

Alien Fury. 

The Arcon, Thorn Grindstone, finds himself alone and injured, thawing in a disabled cryogenics tank. Making an impulsive deal for a fighter, he launches into a battle with a pirate ship before beginning his search for his people.

After Thorn crash-lands in the widow Roxie Carson’s corn field. Roxie nurses the injured Arcon. As tension worsens between Roxie and her brother-in-law, Thorn turns out to be an unexpected ally.

Roxie is grateful to the handsome alien, but what will happen when the Arcon government finally shows up and takes Thorn away? What will her brother-in-law do then?

4. What are you working on now?

I'm working on three new series, Dragon Grimoire which follows Dragon Mirror, Empath Curse which follows Empath's Ranch, and a new series Magic Surge: when the magic surge hits, and all hell breaks loose. 

5. Does your reading choices influence your choice of a writing career?

I read mostly in the romance genre, so yes, it does. Paranormal romance is my guilty pleasure. 

6. Where can we find you?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaniceSeagravesAuthor

Instagram: Janice Seagraves (@janiceseagravesauthor) • Instagram photos and videos

and my website: Janice Seagraves, Author | Out of this world stories to leave you breathless (janice-seagraves.org)

 

Eileen Charbonneau is visiting and talking about her latest release with Jude Pittnam #Canadian #mystery #historical #Newfoundland

 

1. Tell me about your latest release or the book you wish to feature? Genre?

Spectral Evidence is book 6 in the Canadian Mysteries Series, which each contain a mystery set in a Canadian province. Ours (co-author is Jude Pittman) was Newfoundland. Spectral Evidence is set in the years 1692-3. It is YA-appropriate.  

 

2. Where did the idea arise?

 

Jude and I brainstormed different time periods, historical events and local cultures. We hit on the intriguing maritime ties between Newfoundland and Massachsetts Bay Colony in the 1690s. I love the town of Salem and visit often. We also found a rich heritage of nature-based spirituality...outlawed with devestaing results in Salem, but more tollerated in Newfoundland.  We started to "what-if" our plot from there. 

 

3. How much research was involved? Did you stay on point or be distracted by wanting to look at just one more thing?

 

Yikes, did we live in the fascinating research for this one! Thankfully, the more we researched the more ties we found as we explored the Salem witchcraft trial documents, the colony of Avalon, its flora and fauna, native cultures and centuries of codfishing trade by many nations. On top of that it was a time of conflict as King William's War was in full swing. Our Salem-accused of witchcraft couple were real-life Philip and Mary English. They were merchants. Philip was a French-speaking outsider from the island of Jersey. We gave him a fictional cousin who is a ship captain named Martin Jaddore, based on St. John's, then a small community on the Avalon Peninsular of Newfoundland. Martin is the widower father of Charlotte, our 17 year-old heroine, whose mother came out of the native Beothuk and Mi'kmaq communities, both rich in spirituality and healing women. Father and daughter come to Salem to bring 3 of the English children up to their home and away from the maddness infectiing Salem.  But a merchant is soon murdered, and the game is afoot! Will spectral evidence be seen as a factor in the crime as it has been with heart-rending results in Salem?

 

4. How long did you take to write the book?

 

About 6 months. Book deadlines are good for achieving daily word counts! We had a beautiful cover when we barely had a plot, so I was happy to incorporate the heroine's lovely grey dress into our story!

 

5. Now a bit about you. How long have you been writing? What is your Sun Sign?

 

I have been writing almost all of my adult life and discovered the great pleasures of novel-writing when a young mom living in the storytelling South-- Atlanta, Georgia. I am a determined and fiery Aries, with just enough Year of the Rabbit loyalty and compassion to keep me from being completely insufferable.

 

6. Do you write in a number of genres of stick to one?

 

I enjoy writing historical novels for both adults and young readers. Spectral Evidence was the first time I've delved back in time to the 17th century---they didn't even call puffins puffins back then--the were "sea parrots!" And the  caribou rules the islands as the famous Canadian elk were not introduced to Newfoundland until many years later. Writing in different time periods feels like time traveling to me. But I have written contemporary mysteries, too.

 

7. Where on the internet can you be found?

 I enjoy hearing from readers, and treasure them. 

email: eileencharbonneau@gmail.com

blog: manituwak.blogspot.com

facebook: Eileen Charbonneau Auth

Karen Cino is visiting and talking about Who She Was Before #MFRWAuthor #Human Resources #women's fiction #Five Beach Road Series #Cozy mysteries

 What Were You Before

 

Day 1

1. What were you before you became an author? Did this influence your choices as a writer?

I'm pretty sure I was born with a pen and notebook in my hands. I can't remember a time when I didn't write. But through my early years, I worked in Human Resources after I graduated from college until I had my kids. When I returned back to work, I worked in retail management. That's where I started collecting real life events that I've incorporated in my books. 

 2. Are you genre specific or general? I don’t mean major genres but subdivisions or romance, mystery or paranormal.

 I generally write women's fiction with romantic elements and mystery, and added writing cozy mysteries to my repertoire. 

3. What is your latest release?

 My latest release was Seaside Reboot, book one in my Jersey Route 35 Cozy Mystery. 

4. What are you working on now?

I'm working on two books. The first one is book 2 in my Five Beach Road series, which is women's fiction. I'm also in the process of finishing book 2 in my Jersey Route 35 Cozy Mystery.

5. Does your reading choices influence your choice of a writing career?

 I would have to say yes. Earlier in my career I read romance novels. But when I read Lovers and Gamblers by Jackie Collins, I immediately knew I found my genre. Later on in my writing career, I read One For The Money by Janet Evanovich and I feel in love with cozy mysteries. So, in answer to the question if my reading choices influenced my writing genre, I would have to say yes.

6. Where can we find you?

 You can find me on my website at: karencino.com. I'm also on Facebook, (Twitter) X and Instagram. 

The Jewels of Erda Series #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #fantasy #light romance #Jewels #magic #adventure

 Seven jewels held by seven Holders. These jewels enhance the psychic talents of their holders. The wizards of Erda desire to control these jewels and the holders. Together with their concerts, the Holders fight against the wizards to bring peace to their land. They also must strive to unearth what the jewels are.

5.0 out of 5 stars (1)

When the Holder of the Yellow Jewel dies, her ward Liara believes she will become the new Yellow Holder. The dying word of the elderly woman astonishes the young woman. She will hold the White Jewel. This fabled gem has been lost for years since her mother and her sister fought and her aunt took hold of the Black Jewel.

Liara, accompanied by her foster brother set forth to find the jewel, escaping the soldiers sent by the Queen and Black Jewel Holder. During their escape, Liara meets Valmir who saves her and her foster brother during a shipwreck. During their journey, they meet other holders of the Jewels, including Reena, daughter of the now dead Queen. Though she has the Black Jewel, Reena has no idea how to use the gem.

5.0 out of 5 stars (1)

When the Holder of the Yellow Jewel dies, her ward Liara believes she will become the new Yellow Holder. The dying word of the elderly woman astonishes the young woman. She will hold the White Jewel. This fabled gem has been lost for years since her mother and her sister fought and her aunt took hold of the Black Jewel.

Liara, accompanied by her foster brother set forth to find the jewel, escaping the soldiers sent by the Queen and Black Jewel Holder. During their escape, Liara meets Valmir who saves her and her foster brother during a shipwreck. During their journey, they meet other holders of the Jewels, including Reena, daughter of the now dead Queen. Though she has the Black Jewel, Reena has no idea how to use the gem.

3

Discovering the Jewels’ Secret (Jewels of Erda Book 3)

by Janet Lane Walters (Author)

5.0 out of 5 stars (1)

Seven Jewels – Seven Holders and their bondmates. The words of an elderly Healer send each pair on a quest to learn the secret of the Jewels. Are these gems just tools or do they hold hidden danger for the Holders? The seven leave on seven quests to discover the answers. When they find the answer, they must decide the fate of the Jewels.

My

Places

   https://twitter.com/JanetL717

 https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f

bid=113639528680724

 http://bookswelove.net/

 http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com

https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/

 

Buy Mark My Places

 

https://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/