"I reworked the first chapter many, many times"-Shelly Goodman Wright, Author of Twisted Roots

Before I jump into the interview with Shelly, I just wanted to take a moment and explain why I have decided to open my blog up to author interviews. I've only done one author interview before on my blog and wasn't sure if this was something I wanted to do or not. But the more I got thinking about it, the more I realized that the success for ALL of us authors is really up to everyone. We can't do it alone. We need each other. And really, the more success an author achieves in the reading/writing world, the better we ALL will be for it. Truly, there is enough success to go around. Think of karma or think of the Golden Rule. "Do unto others, etc...", if you believe in either of those things. I believe in both and this is my way of giving back. If you would like to be interviewed on my blog, just pop me an email and I will get you on the list. Let's learn from one another. Let's support one another. Because lets face it, there are enough readers out there for all of us. We just need each others help to reach them.

Meet Shelly Goodman Wright, Author of TWISTED ROOTS

_ Shelly Goodman Wright, author of Twisted Roots, discusses her book, her writing habits, and her journey to publication.

Book Description (taken from author website): Jessica's sole priority for the past thirteen years has been to keep her father alive in the hope he will wake up from his coma and save her. Threatening to cut off his lifeline at any sign of independence, her mother has controlled her life, even to the point of an arranged engagement to Seth, whom Jessica fears even more than her mother. When Jessica accepts this most outrageous demand yet she then discovers her father has died anyway, leaving her only one option--to escape and save herself.      

She runs until she is lost and bewildered in a Georgia swamp, where she discovers the existence of the wonderful place her father hinted at to her when she was only a child. In this magical, unreal world, just as she begins to discover the truth about her tangled family roots, three young men set their eyes on Jessica. 

One will win her heart, one will try to steal it, and one will try to kill her.

How did you come up with your title?  The subtitle, A Light into the Darkness was actually my main title, but the editor didn’t feel it was strong enough alone.  The team suggested Tangled Roots, but I felt Twisted was more accurate and we signed off on it.    

Describe your book in 7 words or less.  A young woman finds love between two worlds. (That is technically 8 words, Shelly, but I will let you slide. I'm super nice that way).

What chapter or part of the book was your favorite to write and why?  Oh, that’s easy.  Molly Returns.  Molly was one of those characters who changed during the writing process.  At first, she was this mousy ‘little house on the prairie’ type girl, but when I started writing her, she begged to be a villain.  In this chapter, she proved to be truly evil and my main character is in serious trouble. 

Who is your ideal reader? I hope TWISTED ROOTS appeals to young adult ladies and up.

Are you a pantser or a plotter?  I just write.  Sometimes, I wake up with a story in my head and I get it down whether it’s the beginning or middle of the story.  When I wrote TWISTED ROOTS chapter four was actually the first chapter I wrote.

What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing?  The best advice I ever got was to join a local writing critique group.  I’ve now been a member for three years and it’s the best thing a writer can do.

What advice would you give to a first time author?  First, subscribe to agent/publisher/editor blogs and read at least one a day.  Second, start building a platform.  I write about it  my blog www.shellygoodmanwright.com

What other projects do you have in the works at the moment?  Twisted Roots is in the layout process and will be out in June 2012.  I have a short story publication in this quarters issue of Steampunk Tales www.steampunktales.com  Issue 12.  I’m also waiting to hear if another short story made it into an anthology.  Meanwhile, I’m working on draft four of the sequel novel for Twisted Roots; The Lost Scrolls (my working title).  I’ve got two other novels, thanks to NaNoWriMo, but they’ll go on the back burner for now.

Do you write every single day? Every other day? Once a week? Or just when the muse hits you?  I write something every day—except holidays and Sundays.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?  Being at home, I write mostly at home when the kids are in school, but a few times a week, you can find me at the local coffee shop or Panera Bread. 

What was the hardest scene to write in your story? The beginning was the hardest for me.  I reworked the first chapter many, many, many, times. 

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_You know you love to write more than anything else when________? (fill in the blank) the characters keep talking to you.

Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi!  I like the bubbles._

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?  I am now with my pink fluffy socks.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?  I never, never leave home without my pink flash drive, just in case someone breaks in and steals my computer, I’ve got all my stories.  LOL.   Then it’s my iPod, my phone, and the bag that holds it all.

Where can your readers stalk you?
My blog: www.shellygoodmanwright.com
My facebook page: Writer Shelly Goodman-Wright   

When will Twisted Roots be available for purchase? June 2012.

I wish Shelly the best in her writing adventures and I would hope you would do the same by leaving a comment or a question for Shelly to answer. Show your support. 

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