Today we have author Matt Chatelain visiting. Matt says, "Born in Ottawa, fifty-two years ago, I have been the owner of a used bookstore I opened in Ontario, since 1990. My interests are eclectic. I like quantum physics, cosmology, history, archaeology, science, mechanics, free power, recycling and re-use. I love movies, good and bad, preferring action and war movies."
So, Matt, what inspired you to become a writer?
When I was nine years old, I went into my brother's room and saw a poem. Instantly jealous, I decided that I would be a writer too. I went to my room and wrote two horrendous poems. A writer was born. I've gotten a bit better since then.
When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
In high school, I teamed up with my friend Michel Zybala (can't believe I remember his name), to write our first book together. It was called 'Oceanus Homines' (Ocean Men), a story about two teenagers irradiated by a meteorite and changed into water-breathing creatures. We wrote about fifteen thousand words. I remember Michel complaining that he only got to write the boring parts, probably the reason our partnership broke apart. I was already hogging the action scenes back then. I still have the story in a file folder somewhere. I suspect it will remain there for all eternity.
How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
I've written thousands of poems and dozens of short stories. I did not go beyond writing, never graduating to publishing or promotion. About twelve years ago, I began writing short stories and self-publishing them by printing them on my computer and selling them in my store. Can't say I ever made any money. It was brutally hard to sell them. They weren't the most sophisticated of things, containing offbeat humor. I consider that a pre-training period.
What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
The series is an action/adventure/historical mystery/mystical thriller. That's the full cross-genre description. I have written poetry, epic poetry, and non-fiction (how-to mostly). In fiction, humor was my favorite genre for years. When I decided to write my first 'serious' fiction book, it naturally evolved into an action genre, but its roots were definitely historical mystery. My next book will be an ultimate exploration into the action genre. It fascinates me the most. I think the reason is that I can do all sorts of things that I would never do in real life.
What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
The best advice came from my brother, a few days after I had submitted 'The Caves of Etretat' to Amazon's breakthrough contest. He said:
"My God, you can't publish that. It's terrible. Not the story. The story's good. It's the writing."
It began a year of grueling editing, transforming the book into a gem, and teaching me the importance of editing.
The worst piece of writing advice I received was from the anonymous reviewer whose review eliminated me from this year's Breakthrough contest (after an entire year of editing). He said he would not have written this detail or that, using the short medium of a review to suggest his own versions. By the time the excerpt had gotten into his hands, the book had more than ten re-writes. Every sentence had been torn apart for purpose, meaning, clarity and necessity, balanced against the multitude of storylines developed and concluded in the series. The reviewer had read fifteen thousand words of four hundred and fifty thousand, yet felt competent to suggest minor alterations to key details, making this his reason to comment on my 'amateurish mistakes published authors would not do.' I was a tad frustrated by the advice but could not contact the anonymous 'professional'. Luckily, this blog has given me a perfect opportunity to 'express my viewpoint candidly'. How can I refuse?
How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
Originally, I would float to the ceiling waiting for them to arrive, then crash to the basement after reading another rejection. Now I see them as pragmatic lessons. Rejection is the norm. Why get excited about it? They are lessons in what is not working, a reflection on imperfect query letters. These days, I have trouble seeing the value in the agent process. One of them sent this comment in his rejection letter:
"When you reach a million in sales, contact me again and we'll see."
Excellent concept for him but rather useless for me, wouldn't you say? I'll wait for my self-promotions to succeed and wait for the publishing companies. If they ever come knocking on my door, chances are, I won't need them. (I might say yes anyway, what the heck.)
In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
My main character, Paul Sirenne, could probably be played by Chris Pine. Sirenne is surrounded by three friends. Of these, Liam O'Flanahan, an irascible, argumentative irish publisher of conspiracy books, should be played by Paul Giamatti. I haven't pinned down the others yet. I don't have a contender for my heroine, Raymonde Leblanc. She is a busty, raven-haired beauty, strong-willed and opinionated, with deep black eyes. Any suggestions?
The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
'The Caves of Etretat' is the first of a four-book epic series. The series is written, though not all are published yet. It must be read in sequential order. ( 1)The Caves of Etretat, 2)The Four Books of Etretat, 3) The One Book of Etretat, and 4) The Greyman. I had only planned one book but research revealed a real historical mystery in Etretat. It connected to a previous book I had written, 'the Greyman'. To turn it into a series, I had to write two bridging books. It took me six years to write the four.
*** Now for some fun info… ***
Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
I am a cat person. I have had dogs and they are just not for me. I am too lazy. My flat feet don't like walks. I prefer sitting at my computer. Cats are better, less intrusive, more easily satisfied. You just have to be careful not to let them train you into bad habits.
Are you a morning person or night owl?
Years ago, I would have said a night owl. Now, I'd have to reply a morning person. My best writing happens between the hours of nine to twelve noon. I think age is the main factor for the change.
If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be and why?
I would live in a faster-than-light spaceship, traveling to every corner of the universe. I've had that dream ever since reading the book 'The City and the Stars' by Arthur C. Clarke. There was such a spaceship in there. If only fiction were real. Sigh.
*** About Matt’s book/series… ***
I wrote the series thinking it was fiction. Research kept insisting it wasn't. That was weird because the root goal of the series was to prove that reality is an illusion. Throughout the series, odd coincidences occurred. Story elements I had invented turned out to be history or science. Missing story elements would appear exactly when needed, through bizarre coincidences. It made me wonder if I was the writer of this incredible, complex, all-encompassing story, or was I just its scribe, writing what was already there. You be the judge.
The Caves of Etretat is already available, in Kindle for $3.95, Hardcopy (Amazon.com) for $14.99. It is also available through Smashwords markets. Book Two of the series, 'The Four Books of Etretat' should be available by the time this interview goes on your blog. Books three and four will be out in August 2012 and October 2012 respectively. That's right. No waiting for this series. All books will be out in the first year. What more can you ask for?
Blurb:
In 2007, Canadian bookstore owner Paul Sirenne is suddenly thrust into a quest for answers, when his parents are found brutally murdered, their bodies cut up and shaped into the letters H.N. Finding a note inside his father's copy of 'The Hollow Needle', by Maurice Leblanc, Sirenne is determined to uncover the roots of his long-forgotten family secret.
He heads to the town of Etretat, France, on the trail of a hundred year old mystery hidden in the pages of the 'Hollow Needle'. Falling in love with Leblanc's great-granddaughter, he deals with puzzles, theories, codes and historical mysteries, leading him to believe that Leblanc held a secret war against Adolf Hitler, fighting for the control of an incredible complex of caves hidden in Etretat's chalk cliffs.
'THE CAVES OF ETRETAT' is the first in a four-book epic adventure following Paul Sirenne, an average man unknowingly manipulated into becoming the key in the final phase of a complex conspiracy spanning millennia. Inextricably woven into history, the series re-writes everything we know in a non-stop rollercoaster of a ride where nothing is ever as it seems.
Excerpt:
The moment his eyes dropped, I took off running, knowing exactly where I was going thanks to Coulter’s map. I had never broken any speed records before but, at that moment, I felt as if I were moving like a train, barreling non-stop across the landscape, increasing my momentum and distance with every second. His pistol's barrel was too short for any type of accuracy. If he wanted to shoot me, he would have to catch me and I wasn’t planning to give him the chance!
Coulter kept scrolling the map on the screen, showing me exactly where I had to go, cheering me on all the while. I heard Norton yelling and risked a single glance backwards. He was hobbling after me at a decent pace, using his cane to lop forward, his pistol waving around with every step.
He looked angry.
I heard some car doors slam and more screaming in the distance. The Vallin brothers were in the parking lot, running all out toward Norton. They were both brandishing bats and waving them madly. I kept running, aiming directly for the cleft. I headed down, mostly sliding on one foot, dangerously out of control. Norton was closer behind me than I would’ve liked.
“Watch it, you’re going to lose it, you’re going to lose it... No... You’re fine, doing good, now be careful, here’s the stairs...” Coulter yammered on in my ear, keeping up a running commentary. I had to slide to a desperate stop right above the rusty steps. They were clogged with silt and sand that had come down from the cleft. I saw signs warning tourists off and bars blocking the staircase. Coulter screamed:
“Just go for it, Norton’s right behind you.”
Incredibly, Norton was sliding down the cleft on his good foot, using his branch to balance himself. He was coming down fast, still holding his gun, determined to catch me.
***Find Matt here***
My website, www.mattchatelain.com , is the central for everything. I am also on Facebook ( http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100003486781507) if you wish to become my friend.
Thank you for joining us here today, Matt! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.
Contest info: Matt will be awarding a $20 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during his tour. For other tour stops, visit: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/03/virtual-book-tour-caves-of-etretat-by.html Also as per Matt ~ Anyone can go to my website and sign up for my monthly free hardcopy book contest. First draw ends on May 31, with winner announced June 15, 2012. You can re-submit your name for the monthly draws. Details of prizes and contest rules can be found on my website (mattchatelain.com/contestlinks).
Hi all! Grab a cup of tea – or whatever it is you like to drink – and check out this interview! Today we have author Donna Hatch visiting. She's another featured author at Arizona Dreamin' - Arizona's first romance-reader event! http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/ Donna Hatch’s writing awards include the Golden Rose and the prestigious Golden Quill. A self-proclaimed history geek, Donna frequently escapes to romantic worlds of yesteryear. The mother of six children, she patterns her heroes after her husband of over 20 years, who continues to prove that there really is a happily ever after.
So, Donna, what inspired you to become a writer?
I don’t know that any one thing inspired me to write. I always had stories in my head and I started writing them down when I was about 8 or so. When I was about 14, a friend ended a letter with the words; “I hope you make the best seller’s list.” I didn’t even know what she was talking about at that time. In 7th grade, an English teacher encouraged me to finish a novel I was working on and suggested I could publish it. But I had no idea what to do or how to do it. Many years later, I joined a writers group and got the guidance I needed.
When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
At the age of 8, I started with short stories about camping, or spending the night with a friend. Later, I moved on to mysteries and spin-offs from favorite TV shows or books. I wrote my first full-length romance novel when I was 15. And no, it will never see the light of day! I also wrote articles and short stories for a high school independent newspaper. My first novel was probably about 70 or 80 thousand words and it was basically fan fiction. My first original novel was about 130 k words and I wrote it when I was a sophomore in high school. Many years and revisions later, I finally published it with the title Queen in Exile.
How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
Stories? About a dozen. Novels? Three. But I also have dozens in incomplete stories and novels, plus two that were lost during a computer crash. I know back up everything in at least three places.
What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
I write romance, in the subgenres of fantasy and historical fiction—specifically Regency. I love romance because the main part of the plot is the relationship and how they overcome the barriers between them to finally get together. I also really thrive on the happily ever after. Fantasy and historical is wonderful because it’s a true escape into a totally new world.
What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
The worst was 'Write what you know.' What it should be is: 'Write what you love and want to know about.' The best is to be persistent. That’s a major part of getting published.
How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
Rejection letters hurt no matter what. The first few made me crazy and I always went back through my manuscript to find out what I could do to improve it…which isn’t a bad idea, but since literature is so subjective, a rejection doesn’t always mean there’s anything wrong with a story, it just didn’t work for that person. Now, if I get a form letter rejection, I whine to my critique partner and to my husband for a day or so, eat a lot of chocolate, then I get over it and get back to work submitting and writing. If the rejection letter is personalized, I do the same first few steps as form letter rejections, only I consider if what the editor/agent said has any merit to my work and consider whether or not anything needs to be changed. When I get acceptance “letters,” which are either emails or personal phone calls, I let out a squeal, dance all around, tell all my friends, family, authors on my writers’ loops, and generally make a lot of noise. I also go out to dinner with my hubby or my critique partner (or both) and eat chocolate. Notice chocolate works great in both cases. :)
In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
Hugh Jackman would make a great Jared but he’s a little older than Jared is in the book. Maybe Zac Efron the way he appeared in The Lucky One, but with darker hair. For Elise, maybe Keri Russell or Kiera Knightley.
The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
It’s book two of the Rogue Hearts series. Book one is The Stranger She Married, and book two is The Guise of a Gentleman. Book three is not yet titled. I have six book planned for this series. Inspiration for the first book is hard to nail down—it was a combination of things. I often wonder about the other side of a story, and about the back stories of secondary characters in movies and books. I also like to ask “what if…?” What if the Phantom were a gentle, loving soul trapped in a scarred body? What if Christine fell in love with the Phantom instead of the handsome young aristocrat? Anyway, my story started out like that and then took on a life of its own. I love romances, love triangles, and a twist of intrigue, so that’s all in there.
Book two was inspired by a secondary character in the book, Jared, the hero’s brother, who was a pirate and walked into the story so fun and fully formed that I had to give him his own book. He sorta demanded it. Writing his story was a lot like running after him writing what he did as fast as I could. When I had to take a break to proof my galleys for the first book, I started dreaming about Jared so vividly that I found it very distracting.
*** Now for some fun info… ***
What’s your favorite color?
I love pink and blue equally. I guess that makes me a two timer.
Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
Definitely cats. I have three, although it’s a long story why. I only meant to have two, but well, it happens. Okay, I confess, at the moment, because of one our cats had a litter of kittens, I currently have eight, but five will be leaving in a month or so and we’ll be back down to three. Then everyone will get fixed so there won’t be any more kittens at our house, tempting us to keep them because they’re so cute.
Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
I love cool, rainy days because in Arizona, we have so few of them that they are a treat. And I love the smell of rain on the desert!
Are you a morning person or night owl?
I’m naturally a night owl, but my children’s school schedule makes that hard to do, so I keep the morning person schedule under extreme protest. I can’t wait for summer vacation!
*** About Donna's book… ***
The widowed Elise is a perfect English lady living within the confines of society for the sake of her impressionable young son. Her quiet world is shattered when she meets the impulsive and scandalous Jared Amesbury. His roguish charm awakens her yearning for freedom and adventure. But his irrepressible grin and sea-green eyes hide a secret.
A gentleman by day, a pirate by night, Jared accepts one last assignment before he can be truly free. Elise gives him hope that he, too, can find love and belonging. His hopes are crushed when his best laid plans go awry and Elise is dragged into his world of violence and deceit. She may not survive the revelation of Jared’s past…or still love him when the truth is revealed.
“Combining Jane Austen with swashbuckling adventure, The Guise of a Gentleman is a fine specimen of pirate romance!” ~ NY Times bestselling author Jennifer Ashley
Order directly from The Wild Rose Press
Available in paperback or Kindle at Amazon
Available in paperback or Nook at Barnes and Noble
***Find Donna here***
Website
Twitter
Facebook
Thank you for joining us here today, Donna! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.
Donna says...
GIVEAWAY! Only lucky commenter will receive a free digital copy of my Pirate Regency romance novel, The Guise of a Gentleman. If you want additional chances to win, “like” my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/RomanceAuthorDonnaHatch. You can also receive another chance to win by following me on Twitter http://twitter.com/donnahatch. Entry period into the drawing will be open from today, May 29, to Monday, June 4. I will draw a winner after 6 PM pacific time on June 4 then contact them, so remember to leave an email address! Good luck!
Yee-haw! Another 5 star review came in for Wild West Weekend!
Check it out: Amazon
Happy Reading!
C.R., RM & the gang at the Double D
Today we have author Sam Crescent visiting. Welcome!
What would you like to tell readers about yourself?
Here's my bio...
Sam Crescent is passionate about fiction. She loves a good erotic romance and so it only made sense for her to spread her wings and start writing. She began writing in 2009 and finally got that first acceptance in 2011.
She loves creating new characters and delving into the worlds that she creates. When she’s not panicking about a story or arguing with a character, she can be found in her kitchen creating all kinds of havoc. Like her stories the creations in the kitchen can be just as dubious but sometimes things turn out great.
Find me here: Website/Blog and on Twitter
What book are you going to tell us about today? Is it part of a series? If so, what's the order the books should be read in?
I’m going to be talking about, Belonging to the Steer Brothers. This is my current release and is the second book in my Cape Falls series. Crossing Boundaries is the first. Cape Falls is a fictional town which I made up and it allows me to dive in with each character and not to worry about the outside world as I can create it myself.
How'd you/your muse come up with this story?
As with most things I stumbled upon it. I could be cooking or walking and then my muse enters with a character. In this case Paul and David came to me first and then Anna.
Describe the hero in five words.
There are two heroes in my story. Paul and David. Both are opposite so Paul is the oldest and controlling in a way which means he tries to care but is not always right. David is the younger of the two and more care free. He knows what he wants and can’t understand why Paul would reject Anna. When they get a second chance he won’t allow Paul to ruin it.
Describe the heroine in five words.
Anna starts out being a little afraid of her feelings. She’s a fuller woman as I love writing these stories. When she returns, she’s determined to show her men she’s got what it takes to be theirs.
Who's your favorite character in the book & why?
I can’t pick one. David and Paul are my favourite characters because there is that bond of brotherhood and they are two completely opposite people. Paul is rather demanding and tries to protect Anna in his own way while David is not going to hold back. He wants Anna and will do everything in his power to get her.
What's your favorite line in the story?
I can’t pick one. They are all worked together and it would be difficult to try and pick out a favourite one.
A look into the story...
Belonging to the Steer Brothers Blurb:
Cape Falls, 2
Welcome to Cape Falls, a town with old-fashioned values.
When Anna Myer’s parents died in a car accident, David and Paul Steer took her in and cared for her. For years she nursed a crush for the two men, only to be rejected and pushed away.
Crushed with the rejection and believing the Steer Brothers could never love her the way she wanted, Anna left Cape Falls.
Three years passed since she left the men she loved. Anna returns with a new determination and she knows the secret that David and Paul tried to keep away from her.
There is a rumor that the Steer men share one woman. Anna wants to be that woman.
Can she prove to Paul and David she is the woman they need? Can her men overcome their fears? And after so long of being alone will she finally belong to the Steer brothers?
Be Warned: menage sex (MFM), bondage, anal sex.
Excerpt:
Impulsively, Anna leaned back. David’s body consumed her. His shoulders could be seen on either side of her. She watched in the full length mirror as his gaze moved down the line of her body and back up again. The first real sign of interest in her as a woman. She held it as a sparkle of hope it was.
With her palms down by her sides she brushed them on his thighs. He didn’t move, but she heard him take a deep breath. The air he expelled ruffled the hair at the nape of her neck.
“What are you doing, Anna?” His voice taking on a deep growl.
Tilting her head back Anna looked into his eyes. His beautiful green eyes, so beautiful and earthy they took her breath away. Bringing her other arm up, she looped it to the back of his head. With her free hand she held his arm where it circled round her waist. This was the first time they’d been this close.
Was that his cock pressing against her ass?
“Aren’t you going to kiss the birthday girl?” she asked. Her heart pounded in her chest. Her nipples ached for him to reach up and cup them. It had been years since she’d held him. The past three years hadn’t stopped the yearning to be near to him. His scent invaded her, turning her inside out. She wanted this man as much as she wanted his brother. Was she sick? Anna crossed her legs as the ache in her pussy built. Could she grab his hands and place one on her breast and the other on her mound? Her body was alive, and she wanted to feel closer to him. To take all of her clothes off and beg him to make love to her.
A moan escaped between her lips, and at the moment she didn’t care as he leaned down to give her a kiss. She noted the way his lips were closed and his eyes firm. She knew he would try for a peck on the lips or a brush. She didn’t want a peck. Anna wanted it all.
His lips brushed hers. A brotherly or friend type kiss. As he moved away her hand tightened around his neck refusing to let him go. She turned slightly in his arms so her body was in a better position to receive his kiss. Closing her eyes she deepened the kiss, opening her lips and running her tongue over his lips.
He pulled away. A hand on her cheek. “Anna, don’t do this.”
“Please, please. David, kiss me like you want too. Just once,” she begged.
“Anna, please. Don’t make me start something we won’t be able to finish.”
Hope sprang inside her. David felt something. “Then don’t stop, and let us continue until we finish.”
She watched as he closed his eyes. “Don’t say stuff you don’t mean.”
“I mean it. I want you David,” she said.
For several moments he didn’t respond, remaining frozen solid. Anna was determined to evoke some emotion whether it was disgust at her assumption or the passion she knew was just beneath the surface.
The time seemed to last for an eternity. It was the longest wait for anything in her life.
She was rewarded as his free hand captured the back of her head and thrust his tongue between her lips. His hand on her waist spun her around, moving her flush against him. Her aching breasts full and round, her nipples budding to unbearable points as they pushed, trying to come through the fabric of her gown. David placed one hand to the back of her head, his fingers sinking into the length of hair which he fisted. Anna cried out from the pain opening her mouth wider for his invasion. The one on her waist moved down to her butt. He squeezed her ass, and she heard a growl escape between his fiery kisses. Anna circled both of her arms around his neck, holding on as desire and lust took over. She felt her dress being pulled up past her butt, exposing her virginal white panties. David was gathering her dress in his hands. The thrill sent delightful shivers all around her body.
Buy Links:
Evernight Publishing
Bookstrand
All Romance Ebooks
Amazon--UK
Amazon--US
An extra look into the story...
Crossing Boundaries Blurb:
Cape Falls, 1
Welcome to Cape Falls, a town with old-fashioned values.
Laura Cox is twenty years old and in love with a man older than her.
Dean Riley has a broken past. He moved to Cape Falls to try and get over the death of his wife and child. He never expected to get involved with a woman. Especially, a younger woman.
Laura and Dean embark on a passionate affair. Neither was prepared for the consuming fire blazing between them. However, an outsider is about to break their budding relationship apart.
Can Dean overcome the death of his wife and learn to accept Laura as she is? What will happen to Laura when the gossip surrounding her becomes too hard to bear? Nothing is certain in the town of Cape Falls.
Be Warned: mild BDSM
Buy Links:
Evernight Publishing
Bookstrand
All Romance Ebooks
Amazon--UK
Amazon--US
