Author's Weekend #3 ( Interview)

Hola Amigos!!!! It's part two of the author's weekend with LM Preston. Scroll down for part one (I'm too lazy to link). So today is the Interview with the lovely LM Preston! WIth no further ado....

1) Best thing about writing science fiction?


Writing science fiction removes boundaries of real world settings. I can create gadgets, climates, beings. I had originally attempted to write a YA Romance novel, and I couldn’t finish it. In order for me to complete a book, I like to create excitement and writing science fiction gave me the energy to do so.

2) What inspired you to write The Pack? How did it all start?

There were several things that influenced the idea of The Pack. I had originally planned for this character to be a male. I had told my beta team (my kids and husband) about this idea I had about a blind vigilante that organizes a group of misfit kids to fight against a major crime organization on Mars. My daughter told me that she wanted me to write about a female main character. That it would be cool to have a girl in the role. I smiled and Shamira’s face appeared in my mind’s eye.

I decided that her mission would be to save missing kids, because I wanted to write about missing kids escaping from captivity. Every day at my job, I passed a board of missing children. My heart went out to them, and I always hurt for their loss. Once a former colleague who’d been a police officer told me of a horrible case where he had located missing kids that were captured and being used in despicable ways by their captors who had enslaved them for years before disposing of them. These sad facts were the makings of The Pack.

It is a two-book series that I truly enjoyed writing. It’s aimed at kids 14yrs and up. It has adventure, twist and romance all in one. The true adventure is the building of trust and true friendship that empowers Shamira to become the champion she was meant to be. The Explorer X series was aimed at kids 12yrs old and up.

3) Describe The Pack in three words

Intensity, Friendship, Trust

4) Can you relate to any character in the book

I actually relate to Shamira. She’s a street smart, tough (something she works hard at maintaining), and loving. I fell in love with her journey of discovery. From a girl who thought fighting alone was enough, to a hero who finds friendships that push her beyond what she’d ever dreamt she’d be able to accomplish.

5) Favorite books all time

The Child Thief, The Color Purple, and The Stand

6) What do you do when you get writer's block?

Lol, funny you should ask that. I wrote an article on it. Truth is, I don’t get writer’s block. This is how I circumvent it. I write a chapter outline and take a month to play the story over in my head over and over again. Then I write through the rough spots (hey, you have to edit it tons of times before you ever submit it).

7) Do you listen to music when you write? If so what?

I don’t listen to music when I write. I watch action flicks with my kids running around me. I love to write in chaotic action.

8) Five things all good books should have (eg faeries, princesses, really expensive schools, hot guys and raining sunday mornings something like that )

Interesting characters, gorgeous boys, drama, and humor.

LM. Preston

YA Science Fiction AUTHOR
WEBSITE: www.lmpreston.com
BLOG: http://lmpreston.blogspot.com/
Upcoming Releases
EXPLORER X - Alpha (Feb. 2010)
THE Pack (Fall 2010)
Writing stories for and about kids that overcome the impossible...

LM Preston I totally agree with you about the gorgeous boys part ;) * ALL INSPIRATIONAL AUTHORS OUT THERE YOU HEARD IT MAKE SURE YOU PUT HOT GUYS IN YOUR BOOK* Thank- you again for stopping by LM. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!

You guys can read my review of THE PACK which is going to be released in Auguest HERE
Badass Bookie xx

Author's Weekend #3 ( Guest Post)

Hey Guys!!! I haven't done one of these in forever but I happened to get LM Preston on the blog this weekend! So incase you don't know author's weekend is a two day feature of an author so I would be guest post one day and interview the next! So let's get this show on the road!

LM. Preston was born and raised in Washington, DC. An avid reader, she loved to create poetry and short-stories as a young girl. With a thirst for knowledge she attended college at Bowie State University, and worked in the IT field as a Techie and Educator for over sixteen years. She started writing science fiction under the encouragement of her husband who was a Sci-Fi buff and her four kids. Her first published novel, Explorer X - Alpha was the beginning of her obsessive desire to write and create stories of young people who overcome unbelievable odds. She loves to write while on the porch watching her kids play or when she is traveling, which is another passion that encouraged her writing.


 

Guest Post

TRUSTING IN YOURSELF

Trusting your gut is one of the best gifts of being a human. We all get that little ‘twinge’ when something just isn’t right. When that happens…LISTEN TO IT! Trust yourself or your ‘gut’ some call it. Trust it at all times, it will never steer you wrong.When I was young I lived in the inner-city of Washington , DC . The neighborhood I called home, had gangs, drugs, muggers, killers, lots of kids and family nearby. However, with all of these things present, I didn’t realize that my gut instincts were strengthening with each day I played outside, walked to school, to the bus, or traveled the city alone.I never understood why my grandmother, affectionately named NaNa, didn’t want me to leave my block to go to the store alone. Or why, I wasn’t allowed to cut through the alleys to get to my cousin’s house, and the numerous list of things I was told to watch out for.My main character in THE PACK is extremely intuned to her gut. Although, she can't see, her gut intuition lets her know when she is in danger. Here are some steps to take in trusting yourself in all things;

LISTEN TO THAT ‘TWINGE’ IN YOUR GUT
When you are in a situation with a friend or an adult, and you get that feeling that something isn’t quite right, then you are most likely correct. Learn yourself, and test this ability. If your friend tells you that you should sneak out to go to that great party that so-and-so is going to, then you feel this tickle in your tummy, and you hesitate. This is your gut talking to you. It’s telling you … hold on … don’t jump into this.Listen to it. Find out how your gut talks to you. Think of all those times you got into major trouble, and ponder over what you felt just before you did the deed that got you into that mess. That’s how you learn how your psyche talks to you.

TAKE A STEP BACK, AND ASK QUESTIONS
Never, ever, feel like you don’t have the right to ask a question. Asking a question only gets you in trouble when it hasn’t been asked, or the person of whom you are asking the question doesn’t want to give you an answer. Don’t think I’m right on this? Test it, and think back to times when the person of whom you asked a question reacted negatively. In most cases, it is because they don’t want to give you an answer. Asking the question is never, ever wrong. You have the right - even if you are a kid. So use it when you are in those situations where your gut is telling you that something is just not adding up.

IF IT DOESN’T ADD UP THEN IT DOESN’T ADD UP
When something doesn’t make sense, or the story just sounds down right disjointed, and your gut is telling you that something is off. Then trust your gut, something is off. This is a saying my Nana used to tell me when I would give her a scenario of what a friend told me, or did to me.“Honey, if it don’t add up, it won’t add up. Something is definitely not right with that story.”
Do you know in each instance she said this, she was absolutely correct.

TAKE ACTION
If you get that feeling something isn’t right take action. In THE PACK, Shamira and the missing kids on Mars, took action. You have the power to take action too!

There are several ways to take action. Here are some;
- Just tuck the knowledge away, and wait for the truth to reveal itself. Believe it or not this happens a lot in life. The truth has a way of coming out. Sometimes it happens quickly, and sometimes it takes a long, long time.
- Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions in order to get the answers you want. You can ask anyone questions, and that may solve the mystery.
- Run away or stay away. If you are in a situation where an adult or a peer appears to be leading you in a direction that you feel is not safe. Run. There is no harm in running away from or staying away from someone.

YOU HAVE CONTROL OF YOU
Realize that you have control of your destiny. No matter what happens to you in your life, you can learn from it all and become a better person. Making the same mistakes will become harder the more you learn to trust your gut instincts, and yourself.

Thank- you for stopping over LM Preston! So guys, that's the guest post make sure you stop over tomorrow for the Interview !!!!! Guys, I did receive an ARC copy of THE PACK so see review HERE
Badass Bookie xx

Author's Weekend #2 ( Guest Post)

Hello my little darlings! It was just my luck to be able to get ANOTHER author this weekend too! ( God loves my right now ;P) For those who don't know what Author's Weekend is, It is a two day author special. So basically an author does an guest post AND an interview which are posted over the weekend. Capish? Pretty simple really ;P Anyway, this week's Author's Weekend features.... Graham Parke!

Graham Parke is responsible for a number of technical publications and has recently patented a self-folding map. He has been described as both a humanitarian and a pathological liar. Convincing evidence to support either allegation has yet to be produced.

Guest Post

 I almost met James Cameron today!

Just to be clear, it wasn't that the Avatar 3D director and I just missed each other, it was just that it was almost him, but slightly, just slightly mind you, someone else. I hate when that happens. You get so close, then, nothing…

But this incident started me thinking. This kind of thing has been happening to me a lot lately. And not only with celebrities. Just the other day, I almost ran into Garry, a friend of mine. From a distance, at an angle, it looked exactly like him. A dead-ringer. Could have fooled his own mother. It wasn't until I came closer, and he turned his head a few degrees to the left, that he revealed himself to be just a little bit someone else. The thing was, when I walked passed him, he gave me a long, thoughtful look. He looked me over, then shook his head and turned away. But I knew what it meant. I knew exactly what he was thinking. He had almost recognized me back!

Now, almost-Garry almost recognizing me back made the whole situation much more complicated. My mind went haywire, trying to understand this, trying to figure out the underlying meaning. Was it possible for someone who was almost Garry but not quite, to recognize me but only slightly? Was it? And, if so, what was I to him exactly? Was I someone who looked like someone he knew? It was hard to say, but it was unlikely. All I knew for a fact was that I was someone who was known by someone he looked like. But which wasn't him. And, in fact, to be fair, he probably didn't even realize that he was almost Garry but not quite.

Are you still following me?

Probably not. Probably your brain isn't defective to the point of reasoning this way. Good for you. You're better off for it. So, let's back-track a little. Let's just assume that the easiest explanation is the correct one. It usually is. And if it isn't, it should be. Really. Life is hard enough already.

So, I almost recognized Garry, and almost-Garry almost recognized me (that look was unmistakable). This must mean that there is another Graham-and-Gary combo out there. This almost-Gary actually knows an almost-Graham. And this idea has big implications. As you know, and understand inherently in the core of your being, the universe is nothing if not a little fractally-inclined. Recursion-mad. If there are two sets, there must be more. There are probably thousands. Thousands of Graham-and-Gary combos. And this, of course, is upsetting. Because the first question that comes to my mind is, what if some of them are better at being a Graham and Gary combo? In fact; what if most of them are better? What if my friend Gary and I are in fact the worst of the bunch?

So, to summarize, I did ask almost-James Cameron for his autograph. Of course I did. I'm no fool. So, if you're interested in almost-autographs, check out my store on eBay. You won't be disappointed!

Haha, that's really funny ;P Maybe one day I can almost meet a celebrity! Anyway, thank-you Graham that was certainly entertainn to read and eh, I sure we all have had those I THINK JUST SAW BRITNEY SPEARS BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE SOME OTHER BLOND CHICK !!!!! moments ;P Anyway, guys make sure you check out tomorrow's interview with Graham okay? Plus, please check out Graham novel 'No Hope For Gomez' which sounds really good. ( I heart Stalkers) I have a description of the book underneath here.

Description - No Hope for Gomez

It's the age-old tale:

Boy meets girl.

Boy stalks girl.

Girl already has a stalker.

Boy becomes her stalker-stalker.

When Gomez Porter becomes a test subject in an experimental drug trial, he is asked to keep track of any strange experiences through a blog. What Gomez isn't ready for, is so many of his experiences suddenly seeming strange; the antiques dealer trying to buy his old tax papers, the phone-sex salesman who hounds him day and night, the super sexy research assistant who falls for him but is unable to express herself in terms outside the realm of science.

But when one of the trial participants turns up dead and another goes missing, Gomez begins to fear for his life. No longer sure who he can trust and which of his experiences are real and which merely drug induced illusions, he decides it's time to go underground and work out a devious plan.

That's all for now! Adios!!!!

Badass Bookie xx

Author's Weekend #1 ( Interview)

Hey Guys ! Welcome to Auhtor's Weekend Part Two with Jennifer DuLucy !!! ( If you haven't read part one I suggest you do) So Sunday = Interview !!!!! Okay, I think I should shut up now and get on with it ;P

1) Best experience about being a 2010 Debut Author ?
Actually, it's been my communications with blog reviewers and their readers. It's so incredible a feeling to know that someone has read and loved your work enough to want to write about it elsewhere. So far, that has been right up the top there with cool experiences.

2) What inspired you to write Seers of Light?
How did it all start? Man, I get asked this one a lot, and the truth is, it was a combination of things. First, I'd lost a loved one, and that kind of thing really brings your beliefs to the surface, you know? So, I took all those spiritualisms that I'd come to accept and used them to write a paranormal love story--which had been a goal of mine for a while. In fact, I had a creepy scene written already, about a shadow spirit haunting a young woman's bedroom, so, when I started Seers, it fit perfectly into the story. It was meant to be.

3) Describe Seers of Light in three words
My whole heart.

4) Can you relate to any charcter in the book
Yes. I can relate to all of them, actually, because they all have a piece of me in them. But, if I had to choose one character, I'd say William, because I know what it's like to be on the outside.

5) Favourite books all time
Jane Eyre, hands down, number one. That's a fabulously angst-filled, passionate love story for its era. Then The Five People You Meet in Heaven, because it just broadened my whole heart and mind and gave me a deep sense of peace when I'd finished it.

6) What do you do when you get writer's block?
I listen to music! I'm a musician, I've actually written music for the first book in the Seers series, and I compile playlists for each book. Also, walking in natural settings, spending time in the woods or on trails really inspires me.

7) Do you listen to music when you write? If so what
I find lyrics to be super distracting when I'm writing, so I can only really listen to instrumental music, then. But before and after? Absolutely.

8) Five things all good books should have (eg faeries, princesses, really expensive schools, hot guys and rainy sunday mornings something like that )
Hah! Well, I'd say, number one, an authentic voice. I like it when an author's unique voice shines through, when I don't feel like they're trying too hard to sound like someone else. Secondly, heart. I have to feel the emotion when I'm reading. Third, I love a good romance, and though it's not essential for me, I'm a romantic by nature, so it helps! Fourth, a strong female character! Even if she doesn't know she's strong in the beginning. And fifth, originality, a plot that hasn't been done over and over again.

Well, thank-you Jennifer and it has been a pleasure have you talk about your experiences with us! I, for one enjoyed reading your guest blog and your inspirational answers to my iterview questions ;P ( Last one was abit funny aye?) haha again Jenni fer I can't thank-you enough for taking the time to the the interview and guest blog THANK-YOU !!!!!

Badass Bookie xx

Author's Weekend #1 ( Guest Post)

Hey hey Guys !!!!! Guess what ? Okay, if you scroll back a few posts you will find one about my blog renovation and upcoming events. In that I said something along the lines of Guest posts and Interviews etc etc. Well, I have started a new blog feature called Author's Weekend! Well, okay it's basically just Interview AND Guest Post but it sounds better when I say Author's Weekend. So this is how it works, Author's weekend is a two day interview and guest post special with different authors! So it's like guest post Saturday and interview Sunday get it? Pretty Easy so let's get on with it !

This week's Author's Weekend Features...... Jennifer DuLucy

Jennifer DeLucy grew up in Northeast Pennsylvania, where she developed an obsession with all things literary and musical thanks to the influence of an extremely creative family.Before moving to the Midwest in 2002, the author studied vocal performance and had her first taste of literary work as an editor for a local social organization. Currently, Jennifer works for a local university while employed as a Developmental Editor for Omnific Publishing, and when she's not glued to her laptop screen, she is singing with her musician friends or hosting raucous game nights. Jennifer admits she could never quite choose between music and writing, as both have always called to her equally, and so she intends to use her love of the arts, nature and spirit for the sake of broadening hearts and minds in every way she can.

Guest Post

The Badass Bookie asked me to write a guest blog, and so I thought I'd delve into a topic that has always held my interest, whether writing and reading. Specifically, I thought I'd talk about the paranormal--specifically, why I love it so much.

Most loves begin in childhood, and that is definitely the case here. Ever since I was a
little girl, I've always been deeply fascinated with anything I couldn't understand, couldn't fully see. And after experiencing some bone chilling instances of theinexplicable myself, such things were branded in my mind forever. I was altered, plain and simple. Actually, the more people told me that the unexplainable wasn't real, wasn't possible, the more I seemed to believe in it, the more I wanted to learn about it. Anything that's ever frightened me has always ended up igniting the same response later in life--insatiable curiosity. Has that ever happened to you? Some intense fear turned into fascination turned into obsession? I think I've always been like that. I can remember once, when I was very little, the local weather personannounced there was a tornado watch in my area. Now, mind you, Pennsylvania wasn't exactly prone to twisters, but tell that to a terrified six year old, right? So, I did the only logical thing one would do under such stressful circumstances -- I grabbed a plastic Virgin Mary statue and hid under a blanket for hours. Perfectly normal behavior.

Now, fast-forward to present day, and you'll often find me seeking out tornado footage or reading articles about them. Heck, I'm still chomping at the bit to ride with storm chasers. And what does all this have to do with the supernatural, paranormal writing universe, you ask? Well, aside from weather phenomenon, I was also terrified of ghosts, of the things that rattled in the night, that creeked and groaned and hovered and whispered. And naturally, with as much innate belief in those things as I must have had, this evolved into a thirst for information, and eventually, a love of the subject.

So, combine an unquenchable hunger for hauntings and the like with an adoration for a good love story and a firm belief in the human spirit, and tada, novel writing of the paranormal kind. Actually, and you can't see me hopping right now, but I totally am, because, in the next few months, I'll be traveling around with a paranormal research group, and this should render some fun results! I'll take lots of pictures, just wish me luck just in case I have a run in with the spirit world. Who knows... maybe I can get a ghost to do a guest
post on my blog.

Thank- You Jennifer ! Paranormal research group aye? If you find a fallen angel direct it my way! Haha okay guys, That's all for Saturday, come back tomorrow for the interview with Jennifer okay? DON"T MISS IT !!!!! Oh and guys check out Jennifer's Debut Novel Seers of Light which is out NOW!!!! Here I have a description-

Lillian Hunt has never truly lived. Always sensing more to the world than is easily perceived, she fears that her instincts are stubborn flights of fancy, or worse, mental instability. But some things—disappearing strangers, tangible dreams, and visits from malevolent creatures—cannot be ignored. Before it's too late,Lillian is ripped from the only existence she’s everknown and thrust into a reality that she always suspected, but could scarcely believe. She must learn the truth about who she is, the powerful beings that wish to destroy her, and the two men who would die to protect her.

Badass Bookie xx