Showing posts with label #CarinaCatchUp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #CarinaCatchUp. Show all posts
Hi there everyone,
As you may know, Carina publishes all over the world so we have authors from the UK and even as far as Australia! And I've got some fabulous Q&As with amazing Carina UK Authors. We've already received so many hits for the Q&A with Samantha Tonge and today we get to meet yet another fabulous Author.
Hosting the "Carina Catch Up" (which by the way, please use the HASHTAG #CarinaCatchUp if you are on Twitter and Social Media), is an author I've not had much awareness of ... that is until NOW! She is brilliant, and has written some pretty saucy books (See them here ), is a Bestselling Historical Romance author, which very much remind me of books my mum used to read.
Please welcome, Anabelle Bryant;
Hi, and welcome to A Page of Fictional Love. It's lovely to have
you here for a Q&A. I love being able to do these Q&As because we get
to chat with the author of books we love and we meet the real person behind the
words.
Congratulations on your published
novels; Being a published author must make you feel so excited?
Becoming published had
been a dream of mine for over a decade so finally realizing my heart’s wish was
amazing. I cried when I received my first contract and I rarely cry at
anything.
Can you remember the moment that you
discovered that you were going to be a published author?
I can see it in my mind perfectly.
I was reading my emails and almost deleted “the all-important life-changing email”
because I thought it was spam or an advertisement. I was rushing and almost
pressed delete, but something made me pause and then once I started reading my
heart began to race.
What is your experience of being an
author?
I love writing, but I’m
also an elementary teacher. Between teaching, writing, and life in general,
time is sparse. Add the layer of all time consuming promotion and I’m usually
dead tired by the end of the day. Lucky for me, I’d tried to become published
for so long, I had a few full length novels to reread, edit and submit while I
try desperately to balance life’s demands.
As someone who has written extremely
short stories, I know how difficult I find the process of writing to be when
you're trying to cram all your bursts of ideas in. How do you find the writing
process? Are there any tips you have on writing a better novel?
My advice is to let it
sleep while you sleep. In other words, whenever I feel trapped by my plot or
frustrated with my hero, I let the book rest and I do something different –
sometimes even sleep. When I wake up or return to my laptop, I often have a
better feel for the problem. As far as the writing process, I love the beginning
of a new novel. The first several chapters when the hero and heroine are
beginning their romance is the favorite part for me.
Can you share with us a typical
writing day for you?
Typical writing days are
Saturday and Sunday, otherwise during the week I only have an hour or less in
the evening. On the weekends, I’m up early and working social media while I
visit and revisit my manuscript. I don’t sit in front of my story for hours on
end unless I’m rereading or editing. When I write I’m definitely more hit and
run. Write a few pages, dabble in Twitter, write a few more, check out
Facebook. Lol.
Where did your inspiration for
writing come from?
I’m a certified word-nerd and proud
of it. I love words and am always up to play Scrabble or read a dictionary.
Something about syllabication and clever turns of phrase ignites my love to
write. I know my author voice is not the norm, and I think that’s because I’m
very interested in how the words play together on the page.
What comes first when inspiration
strikes; The characters, the plot, or the ending?
Inspiration strikes for me with a
particular scene and I build the plot and story around it. Sometimes it’s only
a conversation, so to answer your question, I would have to choose characters
since they are in every part of what I do.
Do other authors inspire you, if yes,
who and why?
Sherry Thomas writes the most
emotional, heart twisting historical romances I’ve ever read. Lisa Kleypas has
inspired me to put humor into my stories. Certain works from Julia Quinn,
Loretta Chase and Eloisa James are also favorites.
What was it like when you first
submitted your manuscript?
Let me lean on my huge
pile of rejections while I answer this question. Lol! I have a lot of rejections,
but oddly, about 80% of them were near misses, always encouraging and providing
positive feedback about my writing. I knew I was close…but how long “close”
took was another story altogether.
What is your biggest “Author Dream*?
Well, the new historical romance
series that began two weeks ago is connected by the charms on a bracelet. I can
totally see that as a mini-series on television. I wouldn’t say “no” to that!
Of course, that would drive my book up the charts to New York Times Bestseller.
It’s all connected…these wild dreams of mine.
How do you celebrate Publication
day?
Sadly, it’s rather an
ordinary day. There’s so much to do…not too much time for celebration. I think
I need to change that in the future.
What is it like to hold your paperback/ebook
reader in your hand and see the words you wrote available for millions to
read?
I’m so very guilty of not
taking time to relish in my success and “smell the roses”. The first time my
work popped up on my Kindle I stared at it a long time. It was a goal long
fought for and finally won! A surreal moment!!
What was the last book you read, and
what did you enjoy most about it?
I am reading Julie AnneLong’s A Love Like No Other and enjoying it. Her PennyRoyal Green series is
about 15 books long, so this is #3 and I have many more in the series to look
forward too. I think knowing that I’ll be with these characters for a long time
makes it most enjoyable for me.
What would your dreamiest book hero
hunk be like?
My hero hunk must be
tall, with dark hair, dark eyes, a good build, and longer hair. My most recent
book, Defying The Earl, nailed my description perfectly.
What can we look forward to in your
*new* book out later this year?
My Regency Charms series
just launched with book 1 releasing May 5th. The next 3 books are
already up for pre-sale. (No pressure there!) Book 2 comes out in August and is
titled Undone By His Kiss. I feel it’s one of my best romances yet and I’m
totally in love with the hero.
Are any of your characters based on
you? Or someone you know?
I suppose all of my characters
possess a little of my personality, but my heroes are all inspired by
celebrities who catch my eye. Jared Leto, Gabriel Aubry, Orlando Bloom, and
Colin Farrell have all provided me with inspiration.
Before we finish up, can you share
where you love for the fictional pages first came from? Perhaps a memory from
childhood?
I was an avid reader
since age 3 and always in trouble because I wouldn’t put the book down and come
to the table for dinner, or get in the bath, or go outside and play. I
therefore learned to take my book with me everywhere and just do as I was told,
reading in secret. It became second nature because I still take a book
everywhere.
I can't believe this is the end of
the interview (sob!) I've had such a great time talking with you I'd love to
invite you back to talk more your books in the future.
Thank you so much for having me for a
chat. I really enjoyed this interview!
From all my readers
here and myself, we wish you the very best success with your books, and can't
wait to see them listed as a Bestseller!
Make sure that you check out her amazing historical romances by searching on Amazon for them. I'm off to find that Hunk of an Earl we heard about in Defying the Earl... I love a dark, tall and well built guy. Mmmmm lol.
Hi there everyone,
I've managed to organise a very special feature here over the coming weeks. I've managed to secure Interviews with some TOP authors from Carina. Carina publishes all over the world so we have authors from the UK and even as far as Australia!!
Kicking off "Carina Catch Up" (which by the way, please use the HASHTAG #CarinaCatchUp if you are on Twitter and Social Media), is one of my favourite authors who has written and published the BESTSELLING Game of Scones which I utterly raved about.
Please welcome, Samantha Tonge;
Hi, and welcome to A Page of
Fictional Love. It's lovely to have you here for a Q&A. I love being able
to do these Q&As because we get to chat with the author of books we love
and we meet the real person behind the words.
Thanks so much for having me here,
Dawn!
Congratulations on your published
novel/s; Being a published author must make you feel so excited?
Yes, I still can’t quite believe it.
It took me eight years or so to get my novel publishing deal, and many times I
felt like giving up – but I didn’t. I think perseverance is one of the most
important qualities for a writer... along with a good stash of chocolate!
Can you remember the moment that you
discovered that you were going to be a published author?
Yes, my then agent emailed me. There
were two offers on the table which were very exciting. It did take a few days
for it the news to settle in properly though. My editor-to-be did a print out
of comments from members of the Carina team, saying why they liked my debut
book, Doubting Abbey. That was special.
What is your experience of being an
author?
There is a lot more to it than the
writing, and that surprised me – especially for a digital-first author. All the
promotion, to get your book noticed... Luckily I enjoy social media but it can
be time-consuming!
As someone who has written extremely
short stories, I know how difficult I find the process of writing to be when
you're trying to cram all your bursts of ideas in. How do you find the writing
process? Are there any tips you have on writing a better novel?
Look on each chapter as a short story
– it must have a good start, good end and not just fluff in the middle. And if
you break a novel down in that way, it doesn’t seem as daunting to write.
Can you share with us a typical
writing day for you?
At my desk by eight, catching up with
Twitter and Facebook. Then bath and breakfast, um, ahem, anywhere between then
and eleven! If I can, I work more or less through until the kids come home from
school and then I continue, as they are older now. I am very lucky to be able
to write more or less full-time – apart from the moments I really must stock
the food cupboards and clean!
Where did your inspiration for
writing come from?
It sounds a bit cheesy, but I always
kind of knew that one day I would be a writer. Just a feeling inside – a love
of words. I really used to craft letters that I wrote to people and back then
the inspiration was a passion for words and sentences. Now it is also about
sharing emotions with readers.
What comes first when inspiration
strikes; The characters, the plot, or the ending?
With me, it is the title first! Title
is everything to me (so it is rather upsetting if it gets changed!) Then
character comes shortly before plot.
Do other authors inspire you, if yes,
who and why?
Sophie Kinsella has inspired me –
creating ditzy character in the Shopaholic series who was loveable as well. And
John Green, his teenage voice in The Fault In Our Stars is exquisite. I’ve
never read Barbara Cartland, but her output was inspiring. And Stephanie Meyer
of the Twilight series, who wrote something so original that grabbed the
public’s imagination.
What was it like when you first
submitted your manuscript?
The first ever manuscript I subbed
was to the Darley Anderson Agency and I was hugely (and naively!) shocked when
it came back! I soon grew a thick skin as rejections rolled in over the years,
although the odd one always hurt. I think in the beginning I thought that
writing a novel was a real feat and it would just, kind of automatically, get
published. I had a lot to learn!
What is your biggest “Author Dream*?
A Hollywood movie based on one of my
books. Yes please!
How do you celebrate Publication
day?
Usually low-key, as I am working late
into the evening, promoting. But I always have a lovely lunchtime launch party
on Facebook and that means everything.
What is it like to hold your
paperback/ebook reader in your hand and see the words you wrote available for
millions to read?
Some days it still hasn’t sunk in
that people have not only read my work, but enjoyed it. It’s made all the sweat
and tears along the way worth it.
What was the last book you read, and
what did you enjoy most about it?
I read Love, Lies and Louboutins by Katie Oliver and loved it! A chicklit
book with a bit of a difference, and fast-paced writing which I love.
What would your dreamiest book hero
hunk be like?
Ooh, well my heroes have come in all
shapes and sizes - in my new book, Game
of Scones, there is tall, suave, executive half-Dutch Henrik and mocha-eyed, flirty
fisherman Greek Niko.... But certain characteristics in all my heroes are very
important, like determination, kindheartedness and loyalty.
Following on from your HUGE success
of Game of Scones (Congratulations!),
What can we look forward to in your *new* book out later this year?
Well, it’s called My Big Fat Christmas Wedding, so I
think that says it all! It is a standalone sequel to Game of Scones.
Are any of your characters based on
you? Or someone you know?
The character of Henrik in Game ofScones is based on a charming Dutch flight attendant I met last year. Twitter
put us in touch and he has been lovely, sending me photos for promotional
purposes.
Before we finish up, can you share
where you love for the fictional pages first came from? Perhaps a memory from
childhood?
Enid Blyton. I used to read her books
in the bath, and still have them, brown and curled, in the loft. They provided
pure escapism.
I can't believe this is the end of
the interview (sob!) I've had such a great time talking with you I'd love to
invite you back to talk more your books in the future.
I would love that! It’s been huge
fun. Thanks so much, Dawn!
From all my readers here and myself,
we wish you the very best success with your books, and can't wait to see them
listed as a Bestseller!
Thank you!! xx
Well fictional lovers, I don’t know about you but I really enjoyed
catching up with Samantha. I just need to imagine what the dishy Dutch Flight
Attendant looks like now to drool over… Ahem, I mean visualise Henrik more
accurately ;)
If you haven’t already got yourself a copy of Game of Scones then I
strongly urge you to. You can buy it HERE
and read my review HERE
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