The Book Resort is thrilled the humorous Saundra Mitchell stopped over to chat.
Here we go!
Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
SM: A book called The Springsweet. *mysterious music*
Me: Spiderman or Superman:
SM: Superman!
Me: Wonder Woman or Batgirl:
SM: Batgirl!
Me: Chunky or Smooth:
SM: Neither auuuuuuuugh ewwwwww okay smooth if I have to.
Me: Favorite flavor ice cream:
SM: Mint chocolate chip.
Me: Favorite ice cream topping:
SM: Hot fudge.
Me: Subway or Taxi:
SM: I have never been on a subway before, so I'll go with taxi.
Me: Broadway Show or Movie Theater:
SM: Movie theatre; I don't accidentally sing along there.
ME: TiVo or DVR:
SM: Sadly, I have neither. *sniff*
Me: Favorite vacation place:
SM: The woods!
Me: Next vacation destination:
SM: Chicago.
Me: Favorite NYC hotspot:
SM: Sarah "The Season" MacLean's new apartment. Or Avengers Mansion.
Me: Guilty Pleasure:
SM: Eating Cool Whip with my finger.
Me: Good luck charm:
SM: My Homicide flower pot. (Don't ask.)
Me: When you were a little girl, you thought you would grow up to be a….
SM: An archaeologist.
Me: Last thing bought at the mall:
SM: Pants.
Me: Item on your grocery list:
SM: Coffee bags, benadryl, Cocola.
Me: French fries or Onion Rings:
SM: French Fries.
Me: Pizza: New York or Chicago?
SM: New York.
Me: Midnight snack:
SM: Chicken bouillon.
Me:Bookmark or dog ear?
SM: Bookmark!
Me: Read with dustjacket or remove it?
SM: With.
Me: Ocean, Lake, Desert, Mountain:
SM: Ocean.
Me: Favorite book:
SM: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Me: Item you can't live without:
SM: Dental floss.
Me: Who is your favorite writer that most people have never heard of?
SM: Anneli Rufus, maybe?
Me: What kid or teen books made a difference in your world growing up?
SM: The Outsiders, Bridge to Terabithia, The Silver Kiss, Stranger With My Face.
Me: Where do you like to write your books (bed ~ coffee shop ~ an office)?
SM: At my desk.
Me: Describe your ideal place to write:
SM: In my brain, I have a house on a cliff in Maine where I write. It has a widow's walk. This greatly improves my craft.
Me: What are you reading @ the moment?
SM: Spell Hunter by R.J. Anderson and Dull Boy by Sarah Cross.
Me: Where do you usually read?
SM: In bed.
Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
SM: Yes.
Me: Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
SM: I re-read non-fiction more than I re-read fiction. Other than that, just the same.
Check out Saundra @ http://www.saundramitchell.com.
Review for Shadowed Summer @ http://thebookresort.blogspot.com/2009/05/shadowed-summer-saundra-mitchell.html.
Don't forget to pick up a copy of Saundra's dripping w/ chills Southern Gothic, Shadowed Summer! Summer reading @ its best.
Grab a copy of Shadowed Summer @
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Saturday, May 30, 2009
A Resort Chat w/ Saundra Mitchell
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A Resort Chat with Amanda Matetsky
The incredible Amanda Matetsky stopped by The Book Resort to chat.
I am thrilled to have this honor.
Thank you, Amanda for the fun time I had.
Here we go...
Me: WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW? (IF YOU CAN GIVE US A HINT!)
AM: I'm currently engaged in three different pursuits: 1) writing a stand-alone romantic comedy mystery thriller
2) creating a chick lit graphic novel proposal (in collaboration with comics artist Andrew Pepoy)
3) preparing my new Annie March mystery, The Serial Lover, for publication.
Me: SPIDERMAN OR SUPERMAN:
AM: Superman all the way! He's gorgeous, brave, strong--and he can fly. I'd rather be airborne with Superman than stuck to the wall with Spider-Man.
Me: WONDER WOMAN OR BATGIRL:
AM: Wonder Woman. I like the outfit better.
Me: CHUNKY OR SMOOTH:
AM: Smooth, smoother, smoothest.
Me: FAVORITE FLAVOR ICE CREAM:
AM: Vanilla or coffee (note: both are smooth, not chunky).
Me: SUBWAY OR TAXI:
AM: It's a toss-up, depending on the weather and my wallet.
Me: BROADWAY SHOW OR MOVIE THEATER:
AM: Stage or screen, it's the story that counts.
Me: TIVO OR DVR:
AM: I much prefer DVR since that's what I have.
Me: FAVORITE VACATION PLACE:
AM: On my couch, watching All About Eve for the eightieth time.
Me: NEXT VACATION DESTINATION:
AM: Seattle, to visit my sister (unless she wants to come visit me on my couch).
Me: FAVORITE NYC HOTSPOT:
AM: The nearest Mexican restaurant.
Me: GUILTY PLEASURE:
AM: Eating a whole pint of ice cream while watching a Nora Ephron movie.
Me: GOOD LUCK CHARM:
AM: A tiny green marble elephant that sits on my bathroom counter and protects me from toxic makeup.
Me: WHEN YOU WERE A LITTLE GIRL, YOU THOUGHT YOU WOULD GROW UP TO BE A....
AM: Writer. It's all I ever wanted to be (besides beautiful and smart and irresistible to men).
Me: LAST THING I BOUGHT AT THE MALL:
AM: A batch of toxic makeup.
ME: ITEM ON YOUR GROCERY LIST:
AM: Fresh spinach. I put it in every salad that I make, and I make a salad every night.
Me: FRENCH FRIES OR ONION RINGS:
AM: Both--preferably together.
Me: PIZZA: NEW YORK OR CHICAGO?
AM: New York, of course.
Me: MIDNIGHT SNACK:
AM: Am I crazy, or is this interview all about food? That said, I admit to an endless passion for chips and salsa.
Me: BOOKMARK OR DOG EAR?
AM: I have great respect for books, so I always use a bookmark.
Me: READ WITH DUSTJACKET OR REMOVE IT?
AM: I remove it to protect it.
Me: OCEAN, LAKE, DESERT, MOUNTAIN:
AM: Ocean. I love the mystery of it.
Me: FAVORITE BOOK:
AM: I could never pick just one, so I won't even try.
Me: ITEM YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT:
AM: A heart.
Me: WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE WRITER THAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF?
AM: I'm so glad for this opportunity to recommend the novels and short stories of Nancy Hale (1908-1988)--especially her 1943 novel, The Prodigal Women. Ms. Hale's provocative and insightful books are hard to find now, but if you spot one in a library or vintage bookstore, snap it up! You'll thank me later.
Me: WHAT KID OR TEEN BOOKS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR WORLD GROWING UP?
AM: Okay, I confess. When I was a kid, my favorite books were comic books. And my favorite comic book protagonists were Little Lulu and Katy Keene. I've spent my entire life trying to be one or the other.
Me: WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO WRITE YOUR BOOKS (BED ~ COFFEE SHOP ~ AN OFFICE)?
AM: First in my head, then in my office.
Me: DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL PLACE TO WRITE:
AM: Ideally, I would write on a powerful new laptop in a kingsize bed in a luxury hotel suite with a room service menu at my side. (There I go, talking about food again.)
Me: WHAT ARE YOU READING @ THE MOMENT?
AM: Persepolis, a fascinating graphic memoir by Marjane Satrapi.
Me: WHERE DO YOU USUALLY READ?
AM: On the couch, with a glass of red wine nearby.
Me: DO YOU USUALLY HAVE MORE THAN ONE BOOK YOU ARE READING AT A TIME?
AM: Always. Right now, in addition to Persepolis, I'm reading a Rex Stout mystery and a book of short stories by Ellen Gilchrist.
Me: DO YOU READ NONFICTION IN A DIFFERENT WAY OR PLACE THAN YOU READ FICTION?
AM: Nope. All roads lead to my couch.
Thank you so much, Amanda, for stopping by!
Hurry! Grab a copy of Dial Me for Murder!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
A Resort Chat with Jessica Conant Park
I am honored & delighted to have my friend & one of my absolute faves, the entertaining,
fabulous & sharp Jessica Conant Park, stop by The Book Resort for a little gossip.
Jessica writes the delicious Gourmet Girl series w/ her mom, Susan Conant.
Ready?
Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
JCP: I've finished a YA book that is now with my agent...but I can't say more quite yet! And I have a few other ideas for some YA books, so we'll see...
Me: Spiderman or Superman:
JCP: Superman. So cute in that outfit!
Me: Wonder Woman or Batgirl:
JCP: Definitely Wonder Woman. I had a great costume that my mother made for me when I was a kid with the lasso, red boots, and even fake gold boobs. It was great.
Me: Chunky or Smooth:
JCP: Smooth
Me: Favorite flavor ice cream:
JCP: Chocolate. Just plain chocolate.
Me: Favorite ice cream topping:
JCP: Chocolate sauce. (Do you see a trend here?)
Me: Subway or Taxi:
JCP: Taxi
Me: Broadway Show or Movie Theater:
JCP: Movie theater
Me: TiVo or DVR:
JCP: Um...VCR. Don't tell anyone.
Me: Favorite vacation place:
JCP: The coast of Maine
Me: Next vacation destination:
JCP: If this is a fantasy vacation, then Hawaii.
Me: Favorite NYC hotspot:
JCP: Hm...I'm not really a NYC gal...
Me: Guilty Pleasure:
JCP: See chocolate references above.
Me: Good luck charm:
JCP: Bracelet from my pal Melissa.
Me: When you were a little girl, you thought you would grow up to be a…. teacher.
JCP: Last thing bought at the mall: Summer cargo pants.
Me: Item on your grocery list:
JCP: Mixed olives.
Me: French fries or Onion Rings:
JCP: O Rings!
Me: Pizza: New York or Chicago?
JCP: New York
Me: Midnight snack:
JCP: Cheddar cheese
Me: Bookmark or dog ear?
JCP: I'm awful, but dog ear. And don't pass this info on or I'll be in big trouble!
Me: Read with dustjacket or remove it?
JCP: With
Me: Ocean ~ Lake ~ Desert ~ Mountain:
JCP: Ocean
Me: Favorite book:
JCP: The Easy Way Out by Stephen McCauley
Me: Item you can't live without:
JCP: My laptop
Me: Who is your favorite writer that most people have never heard of?
JCP: Again, Stephen McCauley. He is beyond funny and I can reread his books over and over.
Me: What kid or teen books made a difference in your world growing up?
JCP: The Judy Blume books, of course, and Gone With the Wind.
Me: Where do you like to write your books (bed ~ coffee shop ~ an office)?
JCP: I actually pull my laptop into bed and write from the comfort of pillows!
Me: Describe your ideal place to write:
JCP: A luxurious lounge chair under an umbrella by the ocean. Very deserted spot...
Me: What are you reading @ the moment?
JCP: Working my way through Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse books.
Me: Where do you usually read?
JCP: In bed or in the car (when my husband is driving, don't worry!) and outside on the front steps in the nice weather.
Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
JCP: Nope, I can't switch around like some people can.
Me: Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
JCP: Nope, anyplace, anytime!
Thank you so much to the always charming Jessica Conant Park.
Jessica, I'm really looking forward to your adventure in the YA scene. I do look forward to more Chloe & Josh!
Hurry & pick up a copy of Fed Up!
Check Jessica out @ http://conantparkmysteries.googlepages.com/
The Large Print Edition due out 7/28
Monday, May 18, 2009
A Resort Chat with Don Calame
The hilariously entertaining Don Calame stopped over to The Book Resort for some laughs. I am thrilled he has taken the time to stop by.
Here goes...
Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
DC: I’m working on a quasi-sequel to Swim the Fly (the story is told from Coop’s point of view). After that I’ll begin working on the screenplay for Swim the Fly (which was just recently optioned by Paramount Pictures).
Me: Spiderman or Superman:
DC: Spiderman (I like that he’s a normal guy who gets super powers but is still vulnerable)
Me: Wonder Woman or Batgirl:
DC: Batgirl (she’s more down to Earth)
Me: Chunky or Smooth:
DC: Are we talking peanut butter? Then, chunky. If we’re talking music, I can go for either, depending on the mood. Soup? I’ll go chunky. I could go on, but I’ll stop.
Me: Favorite flavor ice cream:
DC: Howard Johnson’s Peppermint Stick
Me: Favorite ice cream topping:
DC: Hot fudge. No, hot caramel. No, hot fudge. Caramel. I can’t choose.
Me: Subway or Taxi:
DC: Walking, usually. Especially when I’m in NYC. Unless I can’t figure out the connections. Then a taxi. Most everywhere else I’ll walk or drive my car.
Me: Broadway Show or Movie Theater:
DC: Don’t make me choose. I don’t get to enough theater, though when I do I love it. They’re such different experiences. Some things work much better on stage. But Spiderman on Broadway just isn’t going to cut it.
Me: TiVo or DVR:
DC: Is there a difference? I do love the technology. Especially for hockey games!
Me: Favorite vacation place:
DC: I don’t know if I have a favorite vacation place. I like Hawaii for a peaceful, book-on-the-beach kind of vacation. I just visited Paris with my wife for the first time last year and fell in love with the city. We’ll go back there for sure. We saw a Mediterranean food tasting cruise online that looked fun. Gotta love the food tasting vacations. I’ve never been on one but they sound great.
Me: Next vacation destination:
DC: We’re still trying to figure that one out.
Me: Favorite NYC hotspot:
DC: I don’t really “hotspot” anymore. But my brother used to take me to this restaurant called Chumleys which I don’t think exists anymore. It used to be a speakeasy during prohibition times. The food was delish! And the atmosphere was even better!
Me: Guilty Pleasure:
DC: 1980’s pop music.
Me: Good luck charm:
DC: My worn and tattered Winnie the Pooh doll I’ve had since I was a baby. And in the last eight years – my wife, for sure!
Me: When you were a young boy, you thought you would grow up to be a….
DC: Boxer, like Rocky (I was a highly suggestible child; books and movies formed me. At various times I also wanted to be a Jedi Knight, an adventuring archaeologist, a pipe-smoking detective, a rock guitarist, and, believe it or not, a writer).
Me: Last thing bought at the mall:
DC: A microfiber fall jacket for 50% off.
Me: Item on your grocery list:
DC: Parmesan cheese (always)
Me: French fries or Onion Rings:
DC: French fries, usually, but I do love very skinny onion rings on occasion.
Me: Pizza: New York or Chicago?
DC: New York, no question. Is there any other kind?
Me: Midnight snack:
DC: I’m rarely up at midnight anymore. We get up at 6:30 to get our boy off to school and walk the dogs. But if you press me, I’d say ripple potato chips and homemade onion dip.
Me: Bookmark or dog ear?
DC: Gasp! Bookmark, of course. I’m crazed over keeping my books in good shape. I don’t even break the spines on my paperbacks.
Me: Read with dustjacket or remove it?
DC: Dustjacket on.
Me: Ocean, Lake, Desert, Mountain:
DC: Ocean.
Me: Favorite book:
DC: The Risk Pool, by Richard Russo (I’m hoping to get to see him at Book Expo this year!)
Me: Item you can't live without:
DC: My computer.
Me: Who is your favorite writer that most people have never heard of?
DC: If you’d asked me before he won the Pulitzer Prize a few years ago, I would have said Richard Russo. Because most people I mentioned him to would say “Who?” I can’t think of anyone else right now. Let me think on it.
Me: What kid or teen books made a difference in your world growing up?
DC: I absolutely loved The Cricket In Times Square growing up. Also, the Narnia books were huge for me. Wore through my copy of Where the Wild Things Are. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Black Cauldron, The Wizard of Oz, To Kill A Mockingbird, almost anything Dr. Seuss, and Richard Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day. How’s that for a nice eclectic mix?
Me: Where do you like to write your books (bed ~ coffee shop ~ an office)?
DC: At my computer in my home office. Usually listening to music on headphones. I’m not a good “out on the town” writer. I have managed to work on the ferry and on a plane a few times, though. There’s too much going on in coffee shops. I’m so easily distracted.
Me: Describe your ideal place to write:
DC: See above.
Me: What are you reading @ the moment?
DC: I’m reading Cheever: A Life, by Blake Bailey (a biography of John Cheever). I loved his bio of Richard Yates so I picked this one up. Though, truth be told, I am not plowing through it because I’m pretty busy working on the new book.
Me: Where do you usually read?
DC: On the couch. Or in bed.
Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
DC: Sometimes. I might have a short story collection and a novel and a non-fiction book going. But more recently I’ve been trying to do one book at a time.
Me: Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
DC: To me, a book is a book. As long as there’s light nearby, I’ll read it on the couch or in bed or waiting in the dentist’s office.
Thank you, Don, for the outrageous time I had. I laughed... a lot!
Check out the always good-humored Don @ www.doncalame.com.
Friday, May 15, 2009
A Resort Chat with Michael Northrop
The stirring Michael Northrop stopped by The Book Resort
to talk about blizzards ~ not the DQ kind ~ life on the wrong side of the tracks & to celebrate the starred reviews Gentlemen received from Publishers Weekly & Booklist...
Confetti toss may begin...
Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
MN: Scholastic just bought my second YA novel. It’s called TRAPPED, and it’s about seven kids stranded in their high school during a weeklong blizzard. I will be editing that for a pretty fast turnaround.
Me: Spiderman or Superman:
MN: Superman, he’s an icon. (This, by the way, may be the only possible matchup in which I’d pick the DC character over the Marvel one.)
Me: Wonder Woman or Batgirl:
MN: I’ll say Wonder Woman. I can’t be convinced that fighting crime in a swimsuit is a good idea, but at least she’s doing her own thing. Batgirl is kind of a spin-off.
Me: Chunky or Smooth:
MN: Chunky. We’re talking about my dance moves, right?
Me: Favorite flavor ice cream:
MN: Coffee
Me: Favorite ice cream topping:
MN: Butterscotch, but not on coffee ice cream; that would be weird.
Me: Subway or Taxi:
MN: Subway, but I walk whenever I have the time. I live on 50th street, so I can walk up to 90th or down to the west village without too much trouble.
Me: Broadway Show or Movie Theater:
MN: Movie theater. I had three musical theater roommates in college and I’m still recovering from the rehearsals. Just the words “Meet me in St. Louis” make me catatonic. I like dance, though, and I work part-time at Dance Magazine.
Me: TiVo or DVR:
MN: Neither. If I can’t find something on 150 channels, I shouldn’t be watching TV.
Me: Favorite vacation place:
MN: My hometown, Salisbury, CT. It’s a tiny town in the foothills of the Berkshire mountains.
Me: Next vacation destination:
MN: Salisbury.
Me: Favorite NYC hotspot:
MN: Does Books of Wonder count? Otherwise, I’ll say Lincoln Center.
Me: Guilty Pleasure:
MN: Tough call, either crystal meth or role-playing prostitutes. I’m sorry, did I type that or just think it? Actual answer: Cadbury Creme Eggs.
Me: Good luck charm:
MN: A stuffed dragon named Scorch; he guards my dreams. Don’t judge me.
Me: When you were young, you thought you would grow up to be a….
MN: I wanted to be a mounted policeman and patrol the world on horseback.
Me: Last thing bought at the mall:
MN: Arthur Treacher’s fish and chips. I don’t go to malls very often, so I get really excited by the food court options.
Me: Item on your grocery list:
MN: Chunky peanut butter!
Me: French fries or Onion Rings:
ND: Fries
Me: Pizza: New York or Chicago?
MN: New York
Me: Midnight snack:
MN: The blood of innocents
Me: Bookmark or dog ear?
MN: I usually use the receipt for the book as a bookmark. I wander into a lot of bookstores and it helps avoid confusion (and arrest).
Me: Read with dustjacket or remove it?
MN: With it, unless I’m, like, on the open seas or in a sandstorm or something.
Me: Ocean, Lake, Desert, Mountain:
MN: This is basically a steel cage death match between ocean and lake. The winner: ocean.
Me: Favorite book:
MN: Steel cage match between Watership Down and The Great Gatsby. Winner: Watership Down. Those rabbits are tough.
Me: Item you can't live without:
MN: Lungs
Me: Who is your favorite writer that most people have never heard of?
MN: It’s probably Scottish writer James Kelman. He wrote a fantastic novel called How Late It Was, How Late.
Me: Describe your ideal place to write:
MN: Hogwarts.
Me: What are you reading @ the moment?
MN: Beasts of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala. It’s about child soldiers in Africa.
MN: In my apartment or on the subway.
Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
MN: Nope. I am a slow, deliberate reader. (I am, technically speaking, dyslexic.) There’s a small chance that reading two books at once would make my head explode.
Me: Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
MN: Nope, just a bit less often.
Thank you to the hilarious Michael for the
Do you have a copy of Gentlemen yet? What?
Hurry! Grab a copy of Gentlemen.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Resort Interview: Marley Gibson
I want to thank the awesome Marley Gibson for taking the time from ghost hunting & all of her eerie dealings to visit The Book Resort for an incredible interview. It was a lot of fun to talk to the charming Marley Gibson.
What was that? Did you hear something? Why is it getting cold in here?
Me: Ghost Huntress: The Awakening is the first book in the trilogy, Marley, did you set out to write a trilogy or did it evolve into one naturally?
Marley: I knew I wanted to write a series and the way the arc of the story played out for me was over the course of three books, so it evolved naturally for me. I will say that I have ideas for more books, so if the book is successful, hopefully there will be more adventures for my ghost huntresses!
Me: Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:
Marley: Well...in GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING....the story is fiction...the science is real. Welcome to a new reality. (That's the publisher's tag line! = )
Me: Marley, w/o giving anything away, what can readers expect from the next book?
Marley: In GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE, readers will see Kendall growing more comfortable in her psychic skin. She will continue to develop and hone her abilities through the guidance of not only her group of fellow huntresses, but her parents, her mentor, Loreen, and her priest, Father Massimo...and her spirit guide, Emily.
Me: What is next for Kendall?
Marley:I am currently working on GHOST HUNTRESS: THE REASON, the third book in the trilogy that will be a little darker than the other two books. Kendall will experience some very life-changing things that will leave her questioning everything she's ever known.
Me: If Ghost Huntress was to be made into a film/series, Marley, do you have an actress in mind to play Kendall?
Marley: I would have said Kristen Stewart...before she got cast as Bella Swan. LOL!! The girl on the cover of the books is a British model that totally fits the bill as Kendall. If she's an actress, too, I'd love to have her. = )
Me: Where did the idea for Ghost Hunters come from?
Marley: I was attending the New England Romance Writers' Conference back in 2007 and attended a session run by the New England Ghost Project talking about their ghost hunting investigations. I found the idea completely fascinating and knew I had to write a story about teenage ghost hunters. I had no idea at that time that there were TV shows such as GHOST HUNTERS, HAUNTING EVIDENCE, and DEAD FAMOUS - to name a few - that highlighted such types of investigations. From there, everything just blossomed.
Me: How did you come up with the characters?
Marley: I totally made them up. To me, they're real people...3D. In my world, Kendall and her friends really do exist. I just imagined what it would be like to be 16 right now and be going through not only a move to a new part of the country, but a huge life-change, as well. One inspiration I used for the dynamics of the group of friends was THE O.C. I loved that show and loved how all of the characters blended together...each with their own flaws, weaknesses, strengths and redeeming qualities. I wanted that for my characters, as well. I have the geeky-yet-brilliant Celia, the popular-pretty-yet-heart-of-gold Taylor, the rebel-Goth-DJ Becca and the hunk-and-a-half Jason, whom every girl will swoon for (hopefully.)
Me: When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
Marley: I've been writing since I picked up the first crayon and started on the alphabet. I used to write stories for my family and auction them off to them for like a dime or a quarter. LOL! I started writing seriously for publication in 2001. Took 15 manuscripts and two agents, but I never gave up!
Me: Do you have a title for book 2?
Marley: The series titles are...Book 1) GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING, Book 2) GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE, Book 3) GHOST HUNTRESS: THE REASON
Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
Marley: Working on the third GHOST HUNTRESS book...and just finished up work on my non-fic companion book, GHOST HUNTING: THE INS AND OUTS OF PARANORMAL INVESTIGATIONS that I co-wrote with Patrick Burns of truTV's HAUNTING EVIDENCE and Dave Schrader of Darkness Radio. That book will be out in September 2009.
Me: Do you listen to music while you're writing?
Marley:Absolutely! House/Dance/Trance/Electronica...as loud as I can stand it.
Me: Where do you like to write your books (bed ~ coffee shop ~ an office)?
Marley: I do really well writing on my laptop or my AlphaSmart during my lunch hour. Love to go sit at Au Bon Pain or Starbucks, soak up the sunshine and people walking by and just pound out 1,500 words in about an hour.
Me: Describe your ideal place to write:
Marley: Anywhere you can really concentrate, dive into the world you're creating and just let the creativity flow.
Me: What are you reading @ the moment?
Marley: GOING TOO FAR, by Jenn Echols, which I got to read when she was writing it originally a couple of years ago. Really great story.
Me: Where do you usually read?
Marley: On the train to work or....in the bathroom. LOL! What...you asked! = )
Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
Marley: Sometimes...not lately...but I've been known to do it.
Me: Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
Marley: I haven't read a lot of non-fiction in a while...
Me: When you write, do you tend to finish one book at a time or are you working on several different stories simultaneously?
Marley: I like to work on one story at a time. Sure, there are other ideas, characters or dialogue that might start knocking at my brain, but as my mentor and friend, Jessica Andersen, once told me, "tell the other children to be quiet..."
Me: Marley, is there any form of writing that you haven't tried that you are interested in?
Marley:Not really sure of this question...
Me: In terms of influences on you as a writer, who or what do you count as your influences?
Marley: My parents encouraged me to read when I was a little kid...and I did...consuming anything that I could. Also, my grandmother was instrumental in teaching me how to use my imagination. I credit my imagination with my ability to write and creative character and worlds.
Me: If you had to sum up your books/series for new readers, what would you tell them?
Marley: GHOST HUNTRESS isn't just about ghost hunting...it's about the universal struggle that all teens go through to find their way in life, discover who they are and where they fit and managing friends, school, family and...growing up.
Me: Are there any books which you have read in the past six months which you could recommend to your readers?
Marley: Wendy Toliver's MISS MATCH, The TWILIGHT series, Simone Elkeles' LEAVING PARADISE.
Me: Do you have any plans in the future to introduce a new, recurring character ?
Marley: Of course! = )
Me: If you could name just one author who has influenced you the most as a writer, who would it be?
Marley: As a fan...Barbara Delinksy, who took the time to answer my fan mail back in 2001 and told me that if I wanted to be a writer, I needed to "just do it." As a writer, my friend and mentor, Jessica Andersen, who worked with me for years critiquing for me and making suggestions and making me a better writer.
Me: Favorite musical artists?
Marley: Old school...Rick Springfield, Hall & Oates, Billy Joel
Me: What was the last movie you saw at the theater?
Marley: Going to go see FAST & FURIOUS tonight!
Me: Marley, what advice would you give to your teen readers?
Marley: Keep reading...keep absorbing the written word. TV shows, computer games, and Internet distractions come and go, but books have been around forever...always treasure the stories you read.
Me: If you were a season, Marley, which one would you be?
Marley: Fall...changing of the weather, football season, leaves turning colors...
Me: What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?
Marley: Everyone I meet, listen to, talk to, interact with has inspired characters in my writing in some way or the other.
Me: Who was the most memorable &/or inspirational teacher from your childhood?
Marley: Mrs. Ledbetter, first grade, was impressed with my reading ability and had me reading third grade level. She was always encouraging and supportive. I used to bring her carrots that my mother added to my lunch for her.
Me: What’s been your most memorable moment as an author thus far?
Marley: Seeing the book cover design with MY NAME on it. Of course, getting "The Call" from my agent was pretty cool, too!
Me: Thank you, Marley, for stopping by. I wish you many sales & much success.
Marley: Thanks for the opportunity!! = )
Me:Is it possible Kendall may go beyond the 3 book series?
Marley: From your lips to God's ears!!! = )
Me: Thanks again = }
Wow!!! Marley is cool!!!
Y'know like hot pizza, french fries, strappy sandals, fresh from the oven bread/cookies, hot fudge sundae cool !!!
Hurry go get it Ghost Huntress Book 1: The Awakening by Marley Gibson
Check out the super fab Marley = }
@ http://www.ghosthuntress.com/
@ http://www.marleygibson.com/
Resort Interview: Lisa Jackson
Lisa Jackson: Detective Rick Bentz is haunted by his ex-wife while investigating her death.
Lisa Jackson: On a chaise lounge with a cup of coffee and my laptop.
Me: What are you reading at the moment?
Lisa Jackson: UNSEEN, by my sister, Nancy Bush.
Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
Lisa Jackson: I've just finished CHOSEN TO DIE, the sequel to LEFT TO DIE (Yes, the Star Crossed Killer will be revealed!) and am starting on WITHOUT MERCY, my next hardback which is set in a school for wayward teens in Southern Oregon.
Lisa Jackson: I picked strawberries as a child, for money. Mom used to say it wasn't worth the price of my lunch, but I had a lot of fun in the fields!
Me: What is it like for you to go into a bookstore & see entire sections of books that carry your name?
Lisa Jackson: Are you kidding? It's tremendous!!!
Me: Lisa, does it ever just hit you like a ton of bricks that your gift for telling incredible stories has made you a national bestselling author?
Lisa Jackson: Yeah, it's pretty unbelievable. I'm over the moon!
Me:What's on your nightstand?
Lisa Jackson: Eight "to be read" books, a half-finished crossword puzzle, clock, glasses, lamp and TV remote control.
Me:When did your love for words and books begin?
Lisa Jackson: Very early on. TV wasn't what it is today and it rains a lot in Oregon. I come from a long line of readers. I grew up on Nancy Drew and The Black Stallion.
Me: Has it surprised you that you continue to pick up new readers and hold on to loyal ones with each release?
Lisa Jackson: Absolutely! It's so great.
Me: Lisa, you are such a versatile author, you have quite a gift for being able to write under different genres. How have you managed to keep the story lines fresh?
Lisa Jackson: I work on it. Read a lot of current events. Try to stay in touch with younger people as well as older people. I don't want to spew out the same old thing. It's not that hard as each new idea spawns new characters, settings and plots.
Me:What would you like to say to your readers?
Lisa Jackson: That I appreciate them and to "keep reading!!!"
Lisa Jackson: Work at it. Hard. But enjoy yourself and write the kind of book you want to read. Read books and try to figure out why the book was published, even if you don't like it. There should be something unique in each book. Also, writing's a tough business so, don't quit your day job. It can take a while to get published. Good luck!
Me:Read with dust jacket or remove it?
Lisa Jackson: With!
Me: Bookmark or dogear?
Lisa Jackson: Dogear... Exclusively. who can keep track of bookmarks? I'm too disorganized and reading too many books at once.
Me: What are some books you read as a child?
Lisa Jackson: The Nancy Drew series, The Black Stallion series, Agatha Christie Mysteries, "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier and "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte. Mary Stewart books, all the classics . . . then ghost stories and suspense. I loved castles and dark knights and gothic novels, too. Basically, whatever I could get my hands on!
Me: Where do you usually read?
Lisa Jackson: On the couch or in bed. When I get lucky and am somewhere warm, by the pool, in the shade.
Me: When you write, do you tend to finish one book at a time or are you working on several different stories simultaneously?
Lisa Jackson: One thing at a time for me. I might stop a book to write a proposal, but never simultaneously.
Me: Is there any form of writing that you haven't tried that you are interested in?
Lisa Jackson: Probably a little more paranormal or horror . . . but really I'm pretty happy writing what I do.
Me: In terms of influences on you as a writer, who or what do you count as your influences?
Lisa Jackson: I think every book I ever read inspired me. Stephen King and Nelson DeMille come to mind.
Me: Early Bird or Night Owl ?
Lisa Jackson: Well, I love to catch the worm, but wish I could be both! I am an early riser, but love the night.
Me: Thank you so much : )
Lisa Jackson: Thank YOU!
http://www.lisajackson.com/index.cfm
A Resort Chat with Erin Dionne
The terrific Erin Dionne stopped over to The Book Resort to dish.
Ready? Let's go...
Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
ED: My next middle grade--THE TOTAL TRAGEDY OF A GIRL NAMED HAMLET--is about eighth grader Hamlet Kennedy, who has Shakespeare scholar parents who are *really* into their jobs, a genius seven-year-old sister who is going to eighth grade with her, and the Salute to Shakespeare project in English and History.
Me: Spiderman or Superman:
ED: Spiderman! LOVE Spidey.
Me: Wonder Woman or Batgirl:
ED: I gotta go with Wonder Woman. We're both brunettes. : )
Me: Chunky or Smooth:
ED: Chunky. Esp. if it's peanut butter.
Me: Favorite flavor ice cream:
ED: Mint chocolate chip
Me: Favorite ice cream topping:
ED: Crushed Oreos
Me: Subway or Taxi:
ED: Subway
Me: Broadway Show or Movie Theater:
ED: Hmm. Movie theater.
Me: TiVo or DVR:
ED: DVR
Me: Favorite vacation place:
ED: Maui, Hawaii. *sigh*
Me: Next vacation destination:
ED: Uhhh...Cape Cod? No plans to travel til the fall...
Me: Favorite NYC hotspot:
ED: My friend Shelagh's apartment
Me: Guilty Pleasure:
ED: Oprah
Me: Good luck charm:
ED: I make my own luck
Me: When you were a little girl, you thought you would grow up to be a….
ED: Writer!
Me: Last thing bought at the mall:
ED: Great-grandma's birthday gift
Me: Item on your grocery list:
ED: Salmon
Me: French fries or Onion Rings:
ED: Fries
Me: Pizza: New York or Chicago?
ED: Chicago
Me: Midnight snack:
ED: Hummus and pretzels
Me: Bookmark or dog ear?
ED: Memorize the page number
Me: Read with dustjacket or remove it?
ED: Read with it, carefully.
Me: Ocean, Lake, Desert, Mountain:
ED: Ocean.
Me: Favorite book:
ED: Can't pick just one.
Me: Item you can't live without:
ED: Sunglasses
ME: Who is your favorite writer that most people have never heard of?
ED: Matthew Pearl
Me: What kid or teen books made a difference in your world growing up?
ED: Harriet the Spy, The Little House books, Nancy Drew, The Three Investigators...
Me: Where do you like to write your books (bed ~ coffee shop ~ an office)?
ED: Dining room table, local library
Me: Describe your ideal place to write:
ED: A quiet office with a view of the ocean.
Me: What are you reading @ the moment?
ED: SHADOWED SUMMER, by Saundra Mitchell
Me: Where do you usually read?
ED: In bed, or wherever I can
Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
ED: Rarely
Me: Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
ED: Nope--equal opportunity reader.
Thank you so much, Erin!!! What a fun time I had.
Check out Erin @ http://www.erindionne.com/
Buy the Book @
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble.com
A Resort Chat With Cheryl Renee Herbsman
The delightful Cheryl Renee Herbsman popped over to The Book Resort for a little conversation.
I'm honored to have Cheryl stop by = ).
Here goes...
Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
CRH: I'm working on a contemporary YA that takes place at summer camp.
Me: Spiderman or Superman:
CRH: Superman, because he can fly.
Me: Wonder Woman or Batgirl:
CRH: Batgirl.
Me: Chunky or Smooth:
CRH: Smooth.
Me: Favorite flavor ice cream:
CRH:Whatever is the most chocolatey and gooey.
Me: Favorite ice cream topping:
CRH: Caramel.
Me: Subway or Taxi:
CRH: Taxi.
Me: Broadway Show or Movie Theater:
CRH: Broadway.
Me: TiVo or DVR:
CRH:DVR.
Me: Favorite vacation place:
CRH: Hawaii.
Me: Next vacation destination:
CRH: NYC.
Me: Favorite NYC hotspot:
CRH: I don't know yet, I'd love some suggestions, since I'll be there this summer!
Me: Guilty Pleasure:
CRH: Chocolate.
Me: Good luck charm:
CRH: A perfect seashell I found on the beach.
Me: When you were a little girl, you thought you would grow up to be a….
CRH: Mommy.
Me: Last thing bought at the mall:
CRH: Uggs.
Me: Item on your grocery list:
CRH: Peanut butter.
Me: French fries or Onion Rings:
CRH: French fries.
Me:Pizza: New York or Chicago?
CRH: I like thick crust, not thin NY style and not deep dish Chicago style.
Me: Midnight snack:
CRH:Used to be brownies, now it's cereal
Me: Bookmark or dog ear?
CRH: I mean to use bookmarks, but usually dog ear
Me: Read with dustjacket or remove it?
CRH: NEVER remove the dust jacket (huge pet peeve!)
Me: Ocean, Lake, Desert, Mountain:
CRH: Ocean
Me: Favorite book:
CRH: Couldn't possibly choose just one
Me: Item you can't live without:
CRH: Something to write with
Me: Who is your favorite writer that most people have never heard of?
CRH: I'm not sure who people haven't heard of, how about Marion Zimmer Bradley?
Me: What kid or teen books made a difference in your world growing up?
CRH: So many! Judy Blume, The White Mountains Trilogy, The Alchemist, The Giving Tree, The Chronicles of Narnia, I Never Promised You A Rose Garden and more!
Me: Where do you like to write your books (bed ~ coffee shop ~ an office)?
CRH: Bed
Me: Describe your ideal place to write:
CRH: My bedroom with candles and incense burning
Me: What are you reading @ the moment?
CRH: One Wish by Leigh Brescia
Me: Where do you usually read?
CRH: In bed or on the couch
Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
CRH: I try not to.
Me: Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
CRH: Nope.
CRH: Thanks for these fun questions!!
Me: Thank you, Cheryl, it was a blast!!!
Want more? Hop on over to www.cherylreneeherbsman.com
A Resort Chat With Jaye Wells
Ready...
Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
Jaye Wells: Book two in my Sabina Kane series, titled Mage in Black.
Me: Spiderman or Superman:
Jaye Wells: BATMAN
Me: Wonder Woman or Batgirl:
Jaye Wells: Wonder Woman--who doesn't want that kick ass jet?
Me: Chunky or Smooth:
Jaye Wells: Smooth
Me: Favorite flavor ice cream:
Jaye Wells: Cherry Garcia or Chocolate Mint
Me: Favorite ice cream topping:
Jaye Wells: Everything
Me: Subway or Taxi:
Jaye Wells: Taxi
Me: Broadway Show or Movie Theater:
Jaye Wells: Movies
Me: TiVo or DVR:
Jaye Wells: DVR
Me: Favorite vacation place:
Jaye Wells: Old Cities--Charleston, New Orleans, etc.
Me: Next vacation destination:
Jaye Wells: Italy in June for my 10 year wedding anniversary. Can't wait.
Me: Favorite NYC hotspot:
Jaye Wells: The Cloisters museum--a hotspot for geeks.
Me: Guilty Pleasure:
Jaye Wells: Bad eighties movies
Me: Good luck charm:
Jaye Wells: My tattoo
Jaye Wells: Teacher
Me: Last thing bought at the mall:
Jaye Wells: A shirt
Me: Item on your grocery list:
Jaye Wells: Went today and bought lots of junk food to deal with deadline stress. Also bought soap.
Me:French fries or Onion Rings:
Jaye Wells: Depends on mood, but French fries more often
Me: Pizza: New York or Chicago?
Jaye Wells: Chicago
Me: Midnight snack:
Jaye Wells: Mr. Jaye
Me: *blushing* & ROTFL *blushing*
Me: Bookmark or dog ear?
Jaye Wells: Dog ear (I know, I know--it's horrible)
Me: Read with dust jacket or remove it?
Jaye Wells: With
Me: Ocean, Lake, Desert, Mountain:
Jaye Wells: Mountain
Me: Favorite book:
Jaye Wells: Unfair question, that's like asking a junkie to pick their favorite crack pipe
Me: Laughing my Kardashian/Lopez Rear OFF!!!
Me: Item you can't live without:
Jaye Wells: Laptop
Me: Who is your favorite writer that most people have never heard of?
Jaye Wells: Two actually--both recently signed book deals so you'll hear of them soon: Sean Ferrell and Sarah Hina.
Me: What kid or teen books made a difference in your world growing up?
Jaye Wells: James and the Giant Peach, Chronicles of Narnia, Choose Your Own Adventure books, all the Beverly Cleary Ramona books.
Me: Where do you like to write your books (bed ~ coffee shop ~ an office)?
Jaye Wells: Varies, but most likely you'll find me on my patio in warm weather months. My office and Starbucks are other common spots.
Me: Describe your ideal place to write:
Jaye Wells: In the evening on a piazza in Italy with a large cappuccino
Me: What are you reading @ the moment?
Jaye Wells: Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward
Me: Where do you usually read?
Jaye Wells: Everywhere. Just bought a Kindle so this is especially true now.
Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
Jaye Wells: Depends. Some authors are so amazing they demand full attention. Other times I'm juggling five.
Me: Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
Jaye Wells: It really depends. I read a lot of narrative nonfiction and those are no different from novels for me. But I do a lot of nonfic research for my books and those are usually skimmed for pertinent details rather than read straight through.
OMG!!! This chick is too freakin' hilarious. Hmmm... LQQks like her bag of tricks contains more than attention grabbing Sabina Kane tales & snacking on Mr. Jaye... it holds smooth, witty acerbic oneliners.
Hmmm.... Next time you see Jaye Wells, she may be on stage @ The Brokerage Comedy Club in Bellmore, NY.
Thank you, Jaye, for the visit & laughs :}.
For more oneliners & a peek inside Sabine & Jaye's world go on over to:
German Cover
Sabina might be a red-headed stepchild in the USA, but in Germany, she’s RED HUNTRESS!!!
*** Any crookedness aka errors/typos are the direct result of hysterical fits of laughter. Which means... it is all Jaye's fault.
A Resort Chat with Jodi Picoult
We all know Jodi Picoult is an unparalleled scribe, but she is also a generous spirit.
Jodi Picoult is an extremely gracious woman. She is due to sign any moment @ Rolland Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah, yet she took some time to answer a few q's for me.
She is a remarkable woman. The real deal. Thank you, Jodi!!!
I am flattered & thrilled she took the time to visit The Book Resort for a chat.
Thank you, Jodi, for smashing the champagne bottle on my first of what I hope to be many, many resort chats.
Me: Where do you like to write your books ~ in bed, a coffee shop, an office?
Jodi: Office
Me: What are you working on now? ~If you can give us a hint!
Jodi: 2011 book on gay rights and embryo donation
Me: Chocolate: Dark ~ Milk ~ White
Jodi: Milk
Me: Ocean ~ Lake ~ Mountains ~ Desert
Jodi: Lake
Me: Early Bird or Night Owl
Jodi: Early bird
Me: Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy
Jodi: Easter Bunny! =
Shout out & thank you to Sue@ The King's English Bookshop.
The folks @ The King's English Bookshop really have there Events coolly set up.
In the Salt Lake City area or plan to visit? Do stop by & show your love by supporting this gr~8 independent treasure.
The King's English Bookshop
1511 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84105
Tel: (801) 484-9100
Fax: (801) 484-1595
kingsenglish.booksense.com/
