Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Cover Reveal (And Other Awesomeness)

Alright ladies and gents...I have news.

This blog is undergoing a little change of address. (No worries, it's a good change!) All future posts can be found on my brand-spanking-new website, along with book announcements and other goodies. Please feel free to poke around and see if you can manage to break anything:

www.angelanblount.com 

 

 

 


Oh, and by the way...my first post on the new site contains the full cover reveal for my debut book, Once Upon A Road Trip--due out this fall through from Artifice Press. So while you're challenging the mad coding skills of my web designer, tell me what you think of the cover!

If you have any interest in keeping up to date with my latest escapades (announcements, giveaways, etc.) you can sign up for my newsletter on the website, or visit and 'like' my author page:  https://www.facebook.com/AngelaNBlount
 
(P.S. I have no intention of spamming anyone!)

Monday, May 13, 2013

Interview with #1 Bestselling Author, Rachel Van Dyken!


(Don't miss your chance to win one of her ebooks in our giveaway extravaganza!)


Author Bio: Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor. She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill.


Blurb: Rock star Alec Daniels has it all. Love, fame, money... But being in the limelight isn't all it’s cracked up to be, and after one bad choice comes back to haunt him he is left picking up the pieces of his carefully constructed life. Now he faces the toughest decision of his life:
Deal with his mistake like a man, or dive back into the dark hole of depression, drugs, and denial that have been his comfort for so long.
One wrong move could destroy everything. His girlfriend, his family, and his future.


*To start out, could you tell us about your journey toward publication?

"I started out as most authors do--frantically searching for someone ANYONE to accept my manuscript. I was blessed enough to discover Astraea Press and published my first 16+ books with them. They are a small indie publisher that publishes sweet romance. Once I started getting my feet a bit more wet, I decided to start branching out into self publishing as well as publishing with an indie publisher. My self-publishing titles were New Adult and had more mature themes than what AP would allow. As soon as they started gaining notice, (And I'm still freaking out over this!) I was given the opportunity for representation with a fantastic agency and soon after that, given a four book deal with a big six publisher."

And congratulations on your deal with Grand Central Publishing! Your success is a shining beacon of hope for so many of us still navigating the choppy waters of publication.

*What does your writing process typically look like?


"It's insanity. I have up to four manuscripts open at any given time. I like to switch between genres. So I may have a regency open and then decide to write some New Adult, then switch back over. I usually get up, go for my run, get my coffee (get ready for my day), and sit down at my computer. I write anywhere from 6-12 hours a day most of the time it's more. My poor husband is so understanding. An authors work is never done, so I usually bring my computer or iPad with me everywhere. I work until eleven or midnight, and sometimes wake up in the middle of the night if I have an idea. I LOVE it though and would not change it for the world!"

I guess one woman's definition of insanity is another woman's definition of 'awesome.' I should like to borrow your straightjacket sometime. ;)

*What do you think has drawn you to writing within the New Adult contemporary and Historical genres?

"Historicals have always called to me because I LOVE the idea of the regency rake, how delicious is that? I think I was drawn to YA or NA for similar reasons. I wanted to put something out there that was kind of angsty yet still fun. I wanted to write the contemporary bad boy and found that it was really a fun niche for me" ;)

Ah, rakes and angst. You surely MUST have an understanding husband. ;D

*Looking back at all you've undergone up to this point in your career as an author, what would you have done differently?

"Nothing. I only say that because I truly feel like every choice and every decision has led me to where I am today."

Coming from you, I can believe that.

*Would you tell us a little about your current Work In Progress, and what you have in mind for your next project?

"Right now I'm working on the sequels to The Bet and Elite. The Wager is the second book in The Bet series and stars the "other brother," Jake Titus. He's a bad boy millionaire who doesn't care about anyone but himself. The catch is, his grandma's out to change all of that by any means possible. It's been a lot of fun so far! Elect, which is the sequel to Elite, is kind of like Gossip girl meets The Godfather. It's about a group of mob bosses who are pretty young, and a girl that's been under their protection, without her knowledge, for the past eighteen years. It's loosely based on true events and has been a really exciting WIP for me ;) I LOVE the research behind it and get to have a lot of fun with the characters."

I'll look forward to hearing more about all three of those in the near future.

Irrelevant, nonsensical questions:

*If you could have any Disney sidekick creature as a manifestation of your muse, which one would you pick and why?

"As a muse...okay I would totally pick the dragon from Mulan, or possibly the cricket ;) They are HILARIOUS and always meant well! I love the dialogue from that Disney movie and would love to have two little companions whispering in my ear all hours of the day."

Mushu! Why am I not surprised your muse would be raucous and full of sass? ;)

*Paper, plastic, or BYOB (bring your own bag)?

"BYOB if I can, and if not...then paper..only b/c I save the paper bags and make caramel popcorn every Christmas!"

Ooo...I want in on your Christmas candy list. >.> Or at least the recipe. I can already hear my dentist prepping her lecture... but it will be SO worth it.

*If you were banished to live in a storybook world, in what book would you most prefer to find yourself trapped?

"Hmm....probably Cinderella, but only if I was actually Cinderella. She has awesome shoes and got the prince in the end." ;)

If you overlook the years of emotional abuse and servitude, I suppose she did end things on a high note. ;)

And now, let's have a look at an excerpt from your latest release, Shatter...

----
Alec

Crap. What the hell were we going to do at a bed and breakfast? We could eat, but we couldn’t really sleep, not if we had that stupid restaurant opening in a few hours.
My control was seriously slipping. I flexed my hand and began reciting the states in alphabetical order. Other than burying myself deep in the girl I loved — it was the only way I could relax. Running had stopped working, and I knew it was absolute insanity to run fifteen miles a day. Singing helped, but we were supposed to be acting, not singing. Alabama, Alaska, Arizona…
I took the stairs two at a time. Arkansas, California… Thankfully, the elderly couple was already waiting for me in the main dining room.
“Alec!” Mr. Smith came forward with arms open. I hugged him and then kissed Mrs. Smith on the cheek. There were only a few guests and most of them were over the age of sixty. They probably thought I was the Smiths’ grandson.
The familiar smell of the restaurant calmed me down. “I need a favor.”
“Anything.” Mrs. Smith pinched my bicep and winked. “Now, what can we do for you?”
What could they do? Oh you know, erase a few nights from my memory and convince Bob, my bodyguard, to assassinate the one person who could ruin my entire freaking existence with one push of a button. “Um, how about a room? Something nice? I want to spend some time with Nat away from everything.”
“Done.” Mr. Smith walked over to the main desk and pulled out a key. “Enjoy yourselves.”
I reached for my wallet to pull out my credit card, but he held up his gnarled old hands. “Oh no you don’t. You’ve done so much for our business already, son. This one’s on the house, alrighty?”
“Please. Let me pay.” I offered one last time. Charity made me feel nervous, like I couldn’t control the situation. Wow, I had issues.
“Nope. That’s final.” Mr. Smith held out his hand for me to shake it. I wanted to shake it. Instead, I just stared at it and told myself to stop freaking out. It was a free room for a few hours, not a house. Smiling, I reached for his hand and shook it.
“Thank you.”
“Have fun! And let us know what you want for your meal.” Mrs. Smith waved goodbye as I turned and jogged back out of the building.
Nat was in the middle of the patio, her blonde hair blowing in the wind. I could watch her forever. She tucked her hair behind her ears and crossed her arms. She had no idea how precious she was to me — or how deep she had etched herself into my soul. I couldn’t help but wonder… would she curse me later for that very thing?
I tried to push the dark thoughts away, but it was hard. My brain felt fatigued, probably all that alphabetizing. I managed a smile as I walked up to her and whispered, “Surprise,” dropping the key into her hand.
“You bought me a car!  You shouldn’t have!”
I paused. “Wow, never actually thought about it. Do you want a car? I guess I could buy you a car. Would that make you happy?” I smirked at her eye roll. “Would you jump up and down and possibly make out in the backseat with me?”
“Maybe.” She blushed.
“Would you scream my name over and over and over again?” I kissed her hard on the mouth. “Would you be mine forever and always?” Damn, I was losing my mind. The need to be with her was trumping everything. I knew it was wrong. I was using her. Using the way she made me feel in order to push away my demons. But nothing else was working. Not the pills, not my ridiculous staff of people that I pay millions to keep. Nothing. Only her kisses, her touch. If I was going to hell, I wanted to take every shred of this feeling with me.
Nat exhaled and pulled back. “Yes. I would.”
“And all because of a car?” I squinted, trying to calm my heated body down. “Hmm, too bad this key doesn’t lead to a car. But…” I grabbed her hand. “I think you’ll still feel the same way when this afternoon is over with.”
“Oh? That confident, huh?”
I stopped and pulled her into my arms for another earth-shattering kiss. “Extremely.”

----

In celebration of her May 19th release, Rachael is giving away 10 ebooks! You read that correctly. She has made available 5 copies of 'The Bet' and 5 copies of 'Elite' for a total of 10 winners! (If you have a preference, please be sure to list it in your comment when you enter.) The drawing ends Tuesday, May 20th, 2013 at midnight CST. Winners will be announced and contacted by mid-day on May 21st. Take advantage of extra chances to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Other titles by Rachel Van Dyken

"The Bet"
"Elite"
"The Wolf's Pursuit"
"The Devil Duke Takes A Bride"
"Tear: A Seaside Novel"
"Pull: A Seaside Novel"
"Whispered Music"
"Upon A Midnight Dream"
"The Ugly Duckling Debutante"
"Waltzing With The Wallflower"
"Beguiling Bridget"
"Savage Winter"
"The Redemption of Lord Rawlings"
"The Seduction of Sebastian St. James"
"Every Girl Does It"
"An Unlikely Alliance"
"Compromising Kessen"
"The Parting Gift"
"Taming Wilde"

And Coming soon!
"Shatter: A Seaside Novel"
"Divine Uprising"
"When Ash Falls"
"Elite"
"Fall: A Seaside Novel
"The Wager"
"The Spinster Club"

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

When Authors Attack

Should authors review another author's work? The question has been floating around for a while now, with no definitive consensus. As an author who originally opened my platform as a candid book reviewer, the issue haunts me on a regular basis. Should I write objective reviews for friends and acquaintances? Am I going to regret that snarky metaphor I used for describing how much mental anguish a particular plot point caused me? Will the next fellow author I meet secretly hate me because I happened to give one of their books a 3-star review? {The method to my personal book reviewing madness - LINK}

        In the end, I try not to sweat it. Why? Because a.) I make a careful point to be impartial and constructive with my reviews, while trying to avoid any personal battering of the author. b.) I fully embrace Edmund Wilson's poignant observation: “No two persons ever read the same book.” And c.) My opinions don't carry all that much weight. I don't say that as a result of my emaciated sense of self-worth--but rather in recognition of where I'm currently at in my career.

One day, when I (hopefully) have multiple published books under my belt, I'll have to reassess how I choose to throw around my theoretical authority. (Get it? Author-ity? Okay...this is probably why I'm still hanging out in pre-published land. >.> ) I think the point I'm meandering toward can be summed up with the old Spiderman adage: "With great power comes great responsibility."


For the last year or so I've been especially aware of how successful/long-established authors conduct themselves. And while some have impressed me with their humility and/or intrigued me with their attempts at a reclusive existence...I've also come across plenty of examples of authors who seem to have fallen into the trap of believing their own hype.         

Fact: Everybody's a critic. Some are just louder and more influential in that capacity.


Just last fall, RJ Ellory, the bestselling British crime writer, was called out for using pseudonyms to post flattering online reviews about his “magnificent genius,” while simultaneously criticizing his literary rivals. This sort of practice has been dubbed by some as 'sock puppeting,' and seems to be universally regarded as a tacky and underhanded means of self-promotion. I haven't seen anyone hesitate to condemn this as a classic 'author behaving badly' move.

More socially acceptable, however, is the tendency for popular/successful authors to participate in the verbal backhanding of another author. Now, being a member of the RWA, I may be a bit spoiled. In our guild there is a tremendous emphasis on cooperation and mutual support, along with the audacious idea that there's "room for all of us" in the wide world of publication. Authors are far more likely to cross-promote each other's work than they are to ever regard each other as competition (at least publicly). And so it really cracks my binding when I hear about authors attacking other authors.

Allow me to present a few examples:

*Nicholas Sparks, already known for fits of exorbitant self-esteem, recently took aim at a fellow author's work:

Cormac McCarthy? “Horrible,” Sparks says, looking at Blood Meridian. “This is probably the most pulpy, overwrought, melodramatic cowboy vs. Indians story ever written.”

It might just be my contrary nature, but I suddenly have the desire to read Blood Meridian...along with a nagging conviction to drop any and all of Sparks' books from my to-read list. >.>

* In one of her interviews, J.K. Rowling seemed to feel the need to both criticize and provide her own psychic interpretation of the intentions of a classic author (C.S. Lewis), who happens to be too dead to defend his works or otherwise complain:

"There comes a point where Susan, who was the older girl, is lost to Narnia because she becomes interested in lipstick. She's become irreligious basically because she found sex," Rowling says. "I have a big problem with that."

But this isn't anything new. Author Phillip Pullman has launched numerous attacks on the long-deceased Lewis, that may or may not amount to expressions of professional jealousy. Pullman and Rowlings at least cater famously well to a very similar genre (Fantasy) and target audience age range (middle grade). But then there's the instance in which the indisputable master of adult horror fiction, Stephen King, decided to take a swipe at another highly successful author...

* “Both Rowling and Meyer, they’re speaking directly to young people. … The real difference is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephenie Meyer can’t write worth a darn. She’s not very good.” ― Stephen King

(And readers are eating up the pointed negativity. This is currently the 7th most popular quote by King, as listed on Goodreads.)

That one got my hackles up. And not because I'm some raging fan of the Twilight Saga (I liked them in their own right, hate on me if you so choose), but because I remember reading her books and identifying with her writing voice. What's more, I remember finding in her works the hope that someone like me might be able to one day attain publication.

Lets' just say, Mr. King deeply annoyed me that day. I still can't look at his picture without getting a little lipcurl-of-disdain. 

To be clear, I'm not knocking free speech. Pop-culture defining authors certainly have as much right to their viewpoints as anyone else. But I'm wondering at what point the judgments and opinions we all feel so entitled to may be crossing the line into lateral bullying. And I'm asserting now, ahead of time, that I don't want to be the kind of author who toes (or leaps headlong) over that line. Not even in the name of publicity.


So to all who know me personally, consider this an invitation to hold me accountable. If my authorial confidence ever looks to be running away with my rudimentary instincts for courtesy and respect, you have permission to ego-check me.

And to those of you who may be on the fence as to how you'd personally prefer to handle the evaluation of other people's work, I would submit to you The Golden Rule of a good critic: “Do not criticize what you have no taste for without great caution.”

-----

P.S. I'm stepping down off my soapbox now.

Looking back through history, I actually found it to be commonplace for big-name authors to take petty swipes at each other. Mark Twain once famously said of Jane Austen:

"Every time I read 'Pride and Prejudice,' I want to dig her up and hit her over the skull with her own shin-bone."

Okay, that was at least funny...and also implied the veiled compliment that he had read her work repeatedly. (Leave it to Twain to be entertaining, uncouth, and ingenious all in the same sentence.)  If you've hung with me this far, you might appreciate this article from the examiner: The 50 best author vs. author put-downs of all time - LINK

Now tell me what you think about authors sniping other authors? And can anyone come up with another profession where this sort of smack-talking peer review goes on as openly, aside from the following:

-Politicians
-Wrestlers
-Rappers
-Late Night Comedians

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Monday, February 11, 2013

Book Bartering: Literature On A Budget



I've recently had a chance to take advantage of a free service a friend recommended to me, and I've been so delighted I just had to share my new addiction: PaperBack Swap. The idea of online book clubs wasn't new to me. But two factors spurred me into finally trying one out for myself: money and time. (Or rather, a decided lack of both. >.>)

Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge proponent of libraries. (When I was a teenager, they were like my very own publicly-funded sanctuary.) But now that I have kids to tote around and don't have a library within any convenient driving radius, it's not feasible for me to use one with any frequency. Aside from that, I have a lousy memory. A 2-week deadline was almost too much pressure BEFORE my life got this complicated. >.> So for a while I begged and borrowed from my patient friends--occasionally blowing too much money while trying to combine shipping from one of the online used book dealers like Thriftbooks or Better World Books. But I tell you, NO MORE! For I have found a new resource to satisfy my mild case of Bibliophilia...

  (Note: I am not being paid or otherwise encouraged to talk about this. I just make a habit of endorsing anyone and anything I happen to find awesome.)

 
                  "We help avid readers Swap, Trade & Exchange Books for Free."

How it works:

  •     List books you'd like to swap with other club members.
  •     Once a book is requested, mail it to the club member.
  •     In return, you may choose from nearly 5 million available books.
  •     No late fees. No hidden charges. (Pay only media mail shipping when someone requests  one of your offered books.)
  •     Books you request are mailed to you for free. (PaperBack Swap even provides a printable mailing tag to save on time and confusion.)
  •     Sign up now, list ten books, and receive 2 free credits.

And despite what it's name may suggest, PaperBack Swap isn't just about paperbacks. They also enable you to trade out your collections of unwanted:

*Hardbacks
*Textbooks
*Audio Books
*CDs
*DVDs

In addition, they provide free networking communities for reviews, recommendations, discussion forums, and live chat. (Authors, if you haven't already, sit up and take notice!)

I realize this won't be a solution for everyone. (You do have to wait on the postal service--and some books are so popular, they have to que you into a waiting list until a copy comes available.) There are some things that still demand the instant-gratification of an ebook, or the comforting return policy of a brick-and-mortar bookstore. But for some of you, this could be as interesting an option as it is was me. :)

 You can check out my PaperBack Swap profile here: http://perilous1.paperbackswap.com/profile/

I encourage you to poke around and see if it might be for you. :)

Tell me what you think about book bartering! Anyone else been using PaperBack Swap (or something like it) already?

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Saturday, January 19, 2013

Winners of the Incandescent Drawing are...

Congratulations to Allison Hill and Kellie Kamryn! :D

And thank you for leaving your contact information. I will  be sending out emails and getting you in touch with M.V. Freeman shortly.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Interview With M. V. Freeman


Today, I'm interviewing award-winning author, M. V. Freeman. Don't miss your chance to win an Amazon gift card, or a copy of her debut Urban Fantasy: Incandescent! 

Author Bio: M.V. Freeman is a native of Minnesota, but calls North Alabama her home. She is a member of RWA, and the chapters: Georgia Romance Writers, Southern Magic, and Heart of Dixie. By day her mind is filled with medical jargon at the local health clinic, but at night she finds herself exploring alternate worlds within our own. Heavily influenced by Slavic languages and culture, you will find she weaves these elements into her stories. Her award winning current story INCANDESCENT is the first in a series. She is currently working on the second book in the series while plotting another set of stories. When she is not writing, she's reading, cooking, throwing around kettle bells, or making coffee. She is represented by the Aponte Literary Agency.


Blurb: Some gifts are unwanted, and Laurie Hudson's affinity for fire is one she hates. It has destroyed her relationship with her family and she has few friends. She's fought hard to keep the fire inside suppressed, living a low key life as a bartender, until a brutal and charming man blows into her life.

Around Mikhail Petrov, her careful control disintegrates. She is at once drawn to his urbane, cool demeanor and irritated by his overbearing manner. Her options are taken away when he kidnaps her, forcing her into a fight she wants nothing to do with. As she learns to survive, Laurie faces the hardest choice of all, her freedom or the destruction of the frustrating man she's come to care for.

A formidable Tri-elemental, Mikhail Petrov commands earth, air, and water. He will use anyone or anything to free himself from the oppressive rule of the Mages, including the untrained fire element he discovers, Laurie. Most of his family has been wiped out in an effort to manipulate him. He thinks he has nothing left to lose. To him, Laurie is a tool, a rare and powerful elemental that is his to use. He fights his feelings for the fire elemental because with caring comes weakness, another opening for destruction. Rarely are emotions as easy to control as his elements.

As he trains Laurie to work with him, he doesn't expect his growing attachment to her. With the Mages closing in, Mikhail faces a choice: destroy the fledgling relationship with Laurie to gain his coveted freedom, or sacrifice himself for hers.

In case anyone missed this reviewer's thoughts on Incandescent: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/383579403
a Rafflecopter giveaway


To start out, could you tell us a little bit about your journey toward publication?

"My journey to publication involves lots of coffee, tenacity, and blind faith. I learned quickly that publishing is not like anything I’ve ever encountered—it’s very subjective. The only thing I could control was learning to hone my writing craft and surround myself with writers who are serious about continuously improving themselves.

The next step was developing the thickest skin possible—because being told in varying forms of language—NO is one of the hardest things in the world to deal with.  It is demoralizing.  I have a file full of rejections. Everyone gets them. But…oh, they were tough.

I am one of those sorts that when I am told “No”, I tend to get a bit—grumpy. Instead of quitting, I revised my story again and again. I decided I was going to go for broke—I continue to send out my manuscript. It’s like throwing mud against the wall—I kept waiting for something to stick.  It finally did with the current publisher, Crimson Romance. They decided to take a chance on me."

Coffee: check. Tenacity: check. Blind faith:...double check. ;) I love talking to someone who's determined to improve their craft. Just as a reader, it's good to know that an author I'm interested in isn't settling for mediocrity.

What does your writing process look like?

"There is a theme here—It involves, Coffee, Tea, and daydreaming. Chocolate is always a plus. I am a mix of Pantser and plotter. I get an idea—figure out the main characters (and this is extensive). I know the midpoint and the black moment. I brainstorm with varied hapless souls. Then I begin to write. Although, for the first book this caused me to rewrite the blasted thing five times. Yes. Five.
So, I’ve changed things this time around. I took a class by Urban Fantasy author Suzanne Johnson, called quilting for pantsers—totally saved my second book. This gives you a pattern you “weave” without over plotting. (If you break out the spread sheets I will weep). It involves the relationships in the story fueled by the plot. Works for my brain.

I still spend way too much time staring at the computer screen and thinking 'Now what?'"

Ah, daydreaming...the most underrated of all the writing tools.
What do you think has drawn you to Urban Fantasy as your genre of choice?

"To me this is the best of both worlds—I’ve always adored fantasy, but I like the familiarity of modern day. In this genre the rules for characters aren’t so constrained. I can explore situations and happenings that are impossible in reality. This appeals to me, because my goal as a writer is to bring people outside of their world for a little awhile. Best part? I can write dastardly anti-heroes. I find it easier to justify them in Urban Fantasy than contemporary." 

Whatever you need to justify those antiheroes, it's working for you. ^_^ As much as I love fantasy, I do appreciate how much quicker I can get my head around an Urban Fantasy. I like to think of it as fantasy-lite--all of the flavor with less mental caloric commitment. ;)
Looking back at all you've undergone up to this point in your career as an author, what would you have done differently?

"There are a few:

I wish I started getting serious writing a lot earlier than I did. Perhaps I would be farther along—but my path has made me what I am as a writer. So, I am not going to live with regret.

I’d also know more about contracts. (Seriously, this can’t be stressed enough).

But you know what?—there is no perfect path. I’ve learned that if you’re going to walk this publishing path, one is going to make mistakes. Everyone does. The thing is, I am not going to let it stop me."

On behalf of all newbies to the publishing industry, I thank you for your hard earned wisdom.
Would you tell us a little about your current Work In Progress, and what you have in mind for your next project?

"My current work in progress is tentatively called Illumination. It’s a stand alone, but set in the world of the first book, Incandescent. It brings together a quirky heroine--Mina who tries to help others and just mucks things up, and an uptight hero--Xander who must face his own prejudices and understand he can’t control everything. 

Here is my current blurb: In an effort to stop a war darkling Mina started one. Fleeing her own kind who want her dead, she turns to Xander, her people’s mortal enemy for help, who faces a choice—help her and lose everything, betray her and regain it all.

I have two ideas for the next project, another book in the same world, Iridescence, dealing with an angry heroine, and equally damaged hero.

Or I may do a YA set in Birmingham.

Choices, choices…. "

Well, considering our introduction to the delightfully eccentric Mina in your first book, I know I'm not the only one looking forward to getting her story in Illumination.

Irrelevant, nonsensical questions:

If you could have any Disney sidekick creature as a manifestation of
your muse, which one would you pick and why?

"This is hard, because my muse happens to be a suave Russian, since that is not on the list---I choose Mushu, from Mulan. A small dragon that starts fires. Sorta my style."

A smart-mouthed mythical beast with pyromaniac tendencies. I won't argue with that one. >.>
Paper, plastic, or BYOB (bring your own bag)?

"Funny you should ask this. Plastic. Let me explain why—for those with queasy stomachs, just move on…..

I was stuck on a bus shuttle going to the airport. I guy was going to be sick. I am not fond of this. So much so—I snagged the plastic bag the driver had next to his seat (I pray it didn’t have his lunch in it—may explain the stink-eye I was given) and gave it to the man who proceeded to do his business.
So. From that time on, I carry at least two plastic bags—JUST IN CASE.  

What if that were me? One has to be prepared."

Emergency emesis containment...that's a new one.  
If you were left stranded on an island infested by zombies, what two items would you want to have with you?

"A fully loaded Sherman Tank, and Wolverine. (Hey, I have my priorities). I figure if I can’t survive it with those two, I probably deserve to have my brains eaten."

Congratulations...that has to be the best answer I've yet received for that question--hands down. XD You didn't just answer it, you OWNED it.

Many thanks for devoting your time to this interview!


M.V. Freeman loves to hear from readers--you can email her at: mvfreeman @ymail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMVFreeman
Twitter: Follow @MVFree
Google +: MV Freeman https://plus.google.com/u/0/MVFreeman
Linked in: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/m-v-freeman/19/a1a/932
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6849592-mv-freeman

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