Showing posts with label 20 Questions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 20 Questions. Show all posts

Monday, 3 February 2014

20 Questions with Author, Cindy Mitchell


This month we meet author, Cindy Mitchell



20 Questions

1. What are you best known for?

I really don’t know to be honest. I suppose many people would know me for having long hair (I have no idea why this is such a big deal, but people often mention it to me!)  Having a lot of animals and making awesome sugar cookies. I have to presume that when I say ‘I’m a writer’, most people think it’s my hobby and not something I am trying to pursue as a career!

2. How did you get involved in your line of work?

 I have been writing since I was able to as a small child. My mom used to bind my books with birthday wrapping paper and string. In my ‘other’ life, I am a small farmer & I have been doing that since 2010.

3. What advice would you give someone just starting out in the same line of work?

 If you want to be a writer, you really just have to start writing. It really is that simple – there is no right or wrong way to do it.

4. What was your last project?

My last project I suppose would be my first published project, ‘Eve’. All my other work is in progress.

5. What’s next?

As my book is the first in a series, the next book will be a vampire novel and will center around a character we met in ‘Eve’ called ‘Olivia’, who is a near 1000 year old Vampire.

6. Name a person in the same line of work as you who you admire

Oh, I suppose I’d have to say the author of this blog now, wouldn’t I? *wink* Or a mutual friend Romany Rivers. Both have been indispensable in offering sage advice on this publishing lark and writing as  a whole.

7. What one thing would you do if you knew that you could not fail?

I’d love to learn a musical instrument actually. I’ve tried before and I’m terrible at it.

8. How do you want to be remembered?

I think just as a good person who was loved. You can’t ask much more than that, can you?

9. What do you love/enjoy most about your work?

 I love that I love it. Being able to do something you love for a living is a wonderful thing. In my case, I get to do two things I am passionate about. Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” - Confucius.

10. What was the strangest or funniest incident you've experienced?

My father used to be a truck driver & delivered almost daily to a place where Andrew’s father used to work, almost 20 years before we met.

11. What do you do in your spare time?

In my spare time I watch movies & TV with my family, read, spend time with my fur-babies and learn how to be self sufficient. I’ve learned to make much of my own beauty/home/cleaning products & I’m currently building up the courage to make soap.

12. Who inspires you?

 I’m inspired by loads of people, too many to mention. My friends & family inspire me the most. Authors inspire me in that even as the world goes more digital, some people never give up and are successful even in a world that is turning against their medium.

13. Describe yourself in 3 words

Writer. Farmer. Life-student.

14. Favourite colour

Purple

15. If you could have dinner with any 3 people alive or dead who would they be?

Stephen King. My brother. Shakespeare.

16. What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

Leftovers, lots of cheese, mason jars and every kind of condiment you can imagine.

17. What is the last book you read?  

The last book I completed was ‘The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest’.

18. What is next to your bed at the moment?  

A lamp, the book I am reading, a box of tissues, a tin of lip-balm, hand lotion,  and an alarm clock

19. What would your one “can’t live without it” item be?

My laptop. Or cheese.

20. Favourite Season

Autumn, for sure. The colours, the ever-changing weather and the general atmosphere. Always makes for good writing days!

************

Author Bio:

C.M. Mitchell is a part time writer and part time small farmer. She was born in Ontario, Canada; lived in the UK for fifteen years before moving back home where she resides on a small farm in Quebec.
She has worked a range of jobs, but has always concentrated on writing and learning about genealogy, history, literature and most anything she can learn about living a self sufficient life. 


Tuesday, 10 December 2013

20 Questions with Author, Rayna Noire

This month we meet author, Rayna Noire...
Rayna Noire


20 Questions

1. What are you best known for?

Hard to say. It depends on whom you talk to. My daughter would say it was for getting lost. I would like to be known for writing fiction featuring realistic Pagan Characters.

2. How did you get involved in your line of work?

I was writing straight romances about “traditional” people.  A Wiccan friend commented that she couldn't find any books featuring positive Pagan characters and I should write some.

3. What advice would you give someone just starting out in the same line of work?

Get connected with other Pagan authors, communities like the Pagan Writers Community, and search for opportunities to meet with other like-minded folks.

4. What was your last project?

Last project was Initiation, 

5. What’s next?

I am currently editing book two, Revelation. I am writing book three, Declaration. I have already plotted out the fourth book, Affirmation.  On December 6th, I was signing at The Book Rack,  in Kingsport, TN. USA

6. Name a person in the same line of work as you who you admire

Maggie Shayne. 

7. What one thing would you do if you knew that you could not fail?

I do have many ideas for books. I mean hundreds.

8. How do you want to be remembered?

I want people to think of me as an original thinker and willing to venture out into new territories.

9. What do you love/enjoy most about your work?

After editing, I enjoy reading what I wrote. It’s especially good if I can make myself cry. 

10. What was the strangest or funniest incident you’ve experienced?

I witnessed my grandfather die three years before it actually happened. That’s why I am convinced time is not linear.
I did also die this year, or so I was told by the paramedics, and was brought back to life.

11. What do you do in your spare time?

Spare time, what’s that? I garden, walk in the woods, and do research for new novels.

12. Who inspires you?

I do have a friend named Grace, who is probably the most loving and accepting person I’ve ever met. The odd thing is she doesn't know how wonderful she is.

13. Describe yourself in 3 words

Nurturing, Persistent, and Outlandish

14. Favourite colour

Purple

15. If you could have dinner with any 3 people alive or dead who would they be?

Maggie Shayne, Abraham Lincoln, Maya Angelou

16. What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

Diet Coke, drink mixers, and condiments! I need to go shopping

17. What is the last book you read?  

Haunted Salem

18. What is next to your bed at the moment?  

The dog and a Kindle.

19. What would your one “can’t live without it” item be?

Incense. It helps dilute the doggy odor.

20. Favourite Season

Summer because I can swim outside.


***
Rayna Noire is an author and a historian. The desire to uncover the truth behind the original fear of witches led her to the surprising discovery that people believed in magick in some form up to 150 years ago. A world that believed the impossible could happen and often did must have been amazing. With this in mind, Ms. Noire taps into this dimension, shapes it into stories about Pagan families who really aren't that different from most people. They do go on the occasional time travel adventures and magick happens.
Find her on-line...
www.raynanoire.weebly.com

***
Rayna has also just begun her first official book tour 

Saturday, 30 November 2013

20 Questions with Author, Samaire Provost

Here we are again, the second in our series of 


Small Songs - 20 Questions Interviews...


This month we are looking at Author, Samaire Provost.



20 Questions

1. What are you best known for? 

Thrilling stories

2. How did you get involved in your line of work? 


I've been writing since I was 10, been an avid reader all my life.


3. What advice would you give someone just starting out in the same line of work? 

Write a lot. Read even more.

4. What was your last project? 

The third book in my Mad World trilogy. It's called DESPERATION.

5. What’s next? 


A new book, a vampire thriller, due out by Christmas.

6. Name a person in the same line of work as you who you admire


Stephen King

7. What one thing would you do if you knew that you could not fail? 


Become a best selling author known for her great stories made into movies.

8. How do you want to be remembered? 


See #7


9. What do you love/enjoy most about your work?

It's very autonomous. I get to create stories and worlds and I am my own boss.

10. What was the strangest or funniest incident you've experienced 


Once my husband and I were kissing in a mall and some woman came up to us and told us to stop, that there were children present.

11. What do you do in your spare time? 


Spare time? What's that?

12. Who inspires you? 


My imagination is inspired by so many things. I read voraciously and I am inspired by my two favorite authors: Neil Gaiman and Stephen King

13. Describe yourself in 3 words 


Giddy Imaginative Author

14. Favourite colour 

Green

15. If you could have dinner with any 3 people alive or dead who would they be?


Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, and Ray Bradbury

16. What would I find in your refrigerator right now? 


Food of various sorts. Diet Pepsi

17. What is the last book you read? 


"Twentieth Century Ghosts" by Joe Hill

18. What is next to your bed at the moment? 


The current book I'm reading: "Dr. Sleep" by Stephen King

19. What would your one “can’t live without it” item be?


Ice, I love crunching it all day long. 

20. Favourite Season


Winter and Christmas

***
Samaire Provost is a novelist living in California. Author of the Mad World Trilogy:


check out her books on Amazon worldwide, in both Kindle and Paperback formats.

If you would like to be interviewed for the Small Songs Blog then you can contact Arietta here 
or via her Facebook page

Thursday, 31 October 2013

20 Questions with Author, Mel Massey

Ok guy & gals... Here it is, the very first Small Songs - 20 Questions Interview...

Thanks must go to Author Mel Massey for being our first interviewee

Her book Getaway is available on www.Amazon.com from today!

Synopsis: When Lisa goes to visit her parents, she comes home to an empty house. Or so she thinks. As a storm rages outside, Lisa tries to getaway from something unknown that's hiding in the shadows.

 20 Questions

1. What are you best known for? 

 Well, I don’t think I’m known for much just yet! However, I am the witch that writes about witches, magick and all things paranormal. The witches that are the most important in EARTH’S MAGICK are gray witches and that’s fun and unique to write about. 

 2. How did you get involved in your line of work? 

I’ve been writing for years. I’ve only recently plucked up the courage to let others read it. 

3. What advice would you give someone just starting out in the same line of work? 

To simply write their story. Whatever that is, just write it. Worry about all the other stuff later on. Get it on paper first then make a plan for it. 

4. What was your last project? 

GETAWAY, the short scary story for Halloween/Samhain is my last completed project. I’m currently writing book two in the EARTH’S MAGICK series. But I’ve come to love writing short stories as well. I’ll be putting out a few companion novellas in between novels. 

5. What’s next? 

More EARTH’S MAGICK, novellas and possibly some short stories as they pop up. 

6. Name a person in the same line of work as you who you admire. 

Oh, that’s an easy one, Anne Rice. We all know her books, love them or hate them she’s amazing at her craft. More importantly, she’s a huge supporter of other writers. She’s an advocate of indie publishing and human rights. She’s just an all-around fabulous woman. I sent her an email, after I signed with my publisher, thanking her for her constant encouragement of fledgling writers. Ms. Rice has put out YouTube videos and interviews all full of advice for us newbie writers – and I watched every single one of them. I thanked her for that and do you know what? She wrote me back. She congratulated me and wished me all the luck in the world. I genuinely love that beautiful lady. 

7. What one thing would you do if you knew that you could not fail? 

Write a screen play. I looked into it because, for a while, I had a few ideas for a movie. I gave up after I saw what an overwhelming undertaking that is. Sheesh…those people deserve all kinds of credit. 

8. How do you want to be remembered? 

As the witch that wrote about witches and held nothing back while doing it. 

9. What do you love/enjoy most about your work? 

I think writers write because we have to. We have imaginary friends pounding on the inside of our minds just fighting to live the imaginary life we plan to give them. I love that the most. The constant conversations with my imaginary friends. 

10. What was the strangest or funniest incident you’ve experienced

Oh goodness, I surround myself with the super strange. But if we’re talking about my writing life, I’d have to say the editing process of one of my books. My editor, Kate, left the BEST editorial notes. Sometimes a simple, “SNORT” at funny parts but once, I wrote, “Her face melted into pure joy.” To which Kate responds, “EWWWW”. I laughed for real when I read that and realized what she was trying to tell me. Her EXPRESSION melted into that of pure joy. If her face actually melted, well, that’s a plot twist! 

11. What do you do in your spare time?

I’m a mother of two very active kids so I write while they’re at school and then play chauffer, soccer mom, football mom, etc. for the rest of the evening. 

12. Who inspires you?

Not really a who but a what- Being able to freely practice as a witch gives me the most inspiration. Every time I light incense, candle or spend time in meditation I feel revived and ready to write. 

13. Describe yourself in 3 words 

Witty, Passionate and Impulsive 

14. Favourite colour

Green, but deep, earthy green. 

15. If you could have dinner with any 3 people alive or dead who would they be? 

I love this question. This one is easy; Bill Maher, Jon Stewart and Anne Rice. What a merry dinner that would be! 

16. What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

Leftovers, lots of carrots (not sure why), almost empty milk, almost empty juice and cheese. I need to shop… 

17. What is the last book you read? 

SHE by H. R. Haggard (My favorite) 

18. What is next to your bed at the moment? 

A pile of clean laundry. 

19. What would your one “can’t live without it” item be?

Oh gosh…..coffee. If I can’t have coffee in the morning the entire day just sucks. Of course, the same could be said for wine in the evening. If I don’t have wine my nights are all stress and chaos. 

And finally...

20. Favourite Season Spring. 

I love the spring time colors and green everywhere. 

So there you have it... Mel Massey in a nut shell, but if you want to find out more about Mel or her books then please head on over to her facebook page and give her a big thumbs up. Also remember that her recent project Getaway is available for only 77p on Kindle and includes a free sneek peek at her next book Earth's Magick too!

If you would like to be interviewed for the Small Songs Blog then you can contact Arietta here or at her facebook page