Buy a "Real" Book Week

I never thought I’d say this but I love my Kindle. Why? Because I can order a book and have it right away. The price is right and there’s no shipping charge. So, because I’m an avid reader, I buy a lot of the books I read that way. I also go to the library to get books by my favorite BIG NAME authors. (Libraries don’t usually have books by small press authors unless the author is local.)

But there’s something else I do that I think is the most important. From time to time, I make sure to purchase a paper book. Why? Because if we don’t buy “real” books, we’re in danger of losing them. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to live in a world without books on my shelves that I can lovingly hold in my hands. And I don't want future generations to live without ever knowing the joy of real books.

So, I’m declaring this "Buy a Real Book" week. I hope that, after you read this post, you’ll go to (I've made this really easy for you) http://www.amazon.com/books-used-books-textbooks/b?ie=UTF8&node=283155, find a book in your favorite genre and order it. You can consider that your good deed for the day!

My Writing Process Blog Tour

Patricia Gligor

I'd like to thank author, Evelyn Cullet, for inviting me to participate in the "My Writing Process Blog Tour." She's asked me to answer four questions and here are my responses.

What am I working on?

My current WIP (work in progress) is the fourth book in my Malone Mystery series. Unlike the first three books, Mixed Messages, Unfinished Business and Desperate Deeds, which are set in Cincinnati, this book will take place on Fripp Island, SC. My main character, Ann Kern, and her two children, Danielle and Davey, will take a much needed vacation to visit Ann’s sister, Marnie. But, since mystery seems to follow Ann everywhere, this trip might not offer the peace and quiet Ann’s hoping for.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

One reviewer referred to my books as “uniquely different.” While I strive to create an intriguing plot, my series is most definitely character driven. Psychology has always fascinated me. Why do people say and do what they say and do? I want my readers to know and understand the motivation behind each character’s words and actions. I’ve come to love and understand my characters and I hope my readers will too.

Why do I write what I do?

Some of the best advice on writing I’ve ever gotten was to “write in the genre you love to read.” I took that advice and, like most writers, I hope to entertain my readers and to offer them escape from their everyday world. 
But I have another reason for writing what I do; I have a message to deliver. There’s something I feel compelled to share and I choose to do that through my books because I know that fiction can often make a point in a way that non-fiction can’t. If the writer incorporates it into their story rather than belaboring the point. 
You see, David, Ann Kern’s husband, is an alcoholic and his ongoing struggle with alcoholism is a sub-plot in my series. I’ve known some wonderful people who happen to be alcoholics and I believe it’s important for everyone to learn more about alcoholism and to know that there is help available for alcoholics and for the people who love them.

How does my writing process work?

This question put a smile on my face (and made me giggle) because, although I love the motto “Keep it simple” and I try to live that way even in our complicated world, my writing process is anything but simple. I am a plotter! Make that a Plotter with a capital P! 
I have an idea, I jot it down on a scrap of paper, I develop it over the course of time and, eventually, all those scraps of paper turn into a basic outline for the book. From there, I create a chapter-by-chapter outline which highlights what absolutely MUST take place in each chapter. 
Once I’m satisfied with the outline, I begin to write. I try to stay true to the outline but, often, other ideas come to mind and/or my characters refuse to cooperate. So, the outline isn’t “written in stone.” It’s more of a guideline to keep the story moving forward and to make sure I've "covered all the bases." The interesting thing is that, try as I might (I’d love to be a pantster), I can’t write more than a page without my outline.

I've invited these authors to participate in the blog tour and they have graciously accepted. Please be sure to visit their blogs on June 2nd.

 

Anne K. Albert

Anne K. Albert has taught high school art, sold display advertising for a weekly newspaper, and worked for a national brand water company, but now writes full time. When not at the keyboard, the award winning author enjoys traveling and house and petsitting with her high school sweetheart husband (22 countries to date), visiting friends and family, and of course, reading on "Threegio" her cherished and much beloved Kindle.

Her novels include:

Defending Glory, book 1 of the Piedmont Island Romantic Suspense series 

Frank, Incense and Muriel, first book of the Muriel Reeves Mystery series 

Love & Just Desserts, a delightful collection of short stories 

  http://www.anne-k-albert.com/

  Holli Castillo

Holli Castillo is a Louisiana appellate public defender and former New Orleans prosecutor. She received a JD from Loyola Law School in 1996 and a BA in Drama from UNO in 1990.
The publication of her first novel, Gumbo Justice, winner of the 2011PSWA award for Best Published Novel, was delayed when she was involved in a head-on collision with a drunk driver and incapacitated for a year. Her second novel, Jambalaya Justice, won the 2011 PSWA award for Best Unpublished Novel. The third installment, Chocolate City Justice, is scheduled for release in 2014. She is also an award-winning screenwriter.
Holli resides in the metropolitan New Orleans area with her husband, who is the model for Big Who in her series, her two daughters, three dogs, and two deaf cats, one of which is featured prominently in Jambalaya Justice.

 http://www.gumbojustice.blogspot.com/

Getting to know Jessie Hewitt

I’m pleased to have Jessie Hewitt, the main character in Cindy Blackburn’s Cue Ball Mystery Series, visiting with us today. I love the series and I’m sure you will too!

Patricia: Jessie, what’s your occupation and how did you come to choose it?

Jessie: People tell me I choose interesting jobs. Back in my younger days I made a living as a pool shark. But somewhere along the line, I got old. How did that happen? I still love a good game of eight ball, but nowadays I make my living writing steamy romance novels. Why? My mother. Mother’s always been a huge romance fan, so when I decided to try writing, she asked me to try romance writing. It worked! Mother loves my books!

Patricia: What are your favorite things to do when you’re not working?

Jessie: I shoot pool, of course! It helps me unwind, it helps me think, it helps me, period! My favorite place to play is my friendly neighborhood bar The Stone Fountain. My friends Candy and Karen usually join me, and my favorite pool-playing buddy is Kirby Cox. Bless his heart, Kirby can’t play to save his life, but he’s so enthusiastic.  Oh, and now my cat Snowflake is scolding me. She reminds me my other favorite way to unwind is to play with her.

Patricia: What are your favorite TV shows and/or movies? What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?

Jessie: I don’t watch much TV. I have a seriously outdated twelve-inch black and white. But I do love music—good old fashioned rock and roll. You know, The Beatles, The Stones, the Doors, The Who. You get the picture. Luckily that’s what they play over at The Stone Fountain!

Patricia: Are you married or involved in a serious relationship? Tell us about that.

Jessie: Must I talk about Wilson Rye? Okay, okay. My beau the cop and I keep getting more and more serious. Of course we also drive each other nuts. More and more. I’d suggest you read The Cue Ball Mysteries for the lowdown on my love life. FOUR PLAY, the fourth Cue Ball Mystery might have some surprises in the Jessie’s love life category.

Patricia: What’s your favorite color and why?

Jessie: Yellow. I love yellow flowers especially. You’ll find many of them in my rooftop garden—marigolds, hibiscus, daisies. And all the brick walls in my condo are covered with paintings of yellow flowers. Why yellow? Why not! It’s cheery!

Patricia: Do you like to travel? If so, what are some of your favorite places to go and/or what was your favorite vacation? Have any of your travels involved solving a mystery?

Jessie: Wilson and I went to Hawaii not too long ago. What a fantastic place! You can read about our trip, and the murder we solved while we were there in THREE ODD BALLS! And I have another trip planned real soon. In FIVE SPOT Wilson and I are going to travel to the world’s largest romance writers conference. Can’t wait to see all my friends and colleagues, but why do I know Wilson and I will find a new murder that need solving?

Buy links:
http://www.amazon.com/Playing-with-Poison-ebook/dp/B009D99R0I/
http://www.amazon.com/Double-Shot-Humorous-Romantic-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B009P3KYV8
http://www.amazon.com/Three-Odd-Balls-Humorous-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00AD9JEAU
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Play-Humorous-Romantic-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00H4OUWGW

Cindy Blackburn has a confession to make—she does not play pool. But that pesky detail didn’t stop her from writing the Cue Ball Mysteries, starring Jessie Hewitt, pool shark extraordinaire. Four books and counting, Cindy loves giving Jessie trouble, both in and out of the pool room. A native Vermonter who hates cold weather, Cindy divides her time between south and north. During colder months you'll find her in South Carolina, but come summer she'll be on the porch of her lakeside shack in Vermont. When Cindy isn't writing she likes taking long walks with her cute hubby John or cuddling with her cute cat Betty. Cindy’s favorite travel destinations are all in Europe, her favorite TV show is NCIS, and her favorite color is orange. Cindy dislikes vacuuming, traffic, and lima beans. Oh! And Cindy’s working on a new series. Please look for Unbelievable, the first Cassie Baxter Mystery, coming this summer!

Learn more about the Cue Ball Mysteries at www.cueballmysteries.com