_ Just so you know, A Muse Gone Rogue is on sale for 99 cents on Amazon for a limited time. Love romance? Love paranormal? Love steamy scenes? Then get your copy TODAY. Leave a comment below for a chance to get a FREE copy from Amazon. A lucky winner will be drawn.

How did you come up with your title?
For my dark muse series: The first book just popped into my head. Rouges are kind of notorious in romance novels, so I thought “A Muse Gone Rogue” would be a fun tongue-in-cheek title, and I had to carry it through the series with “A Muse Gone Commando”.

Describe your book in 7 words or less.
Sin inspiring muses looking to collect souls

What genre do you prefer to write in and why?
I love paranormal for the escape from reality it offers.

What do you think your protagonist thinks of you, the creator?
My protagonist loves me *bats lashes* Oh, they might hate me in the beginning, like Tobin in book one. But I’m pretty sure, at least in Tobin’s case, he’s forgiven me because he demanded to be the hero in book two and I listened to him. Sometimes he knows what he’s talking about…sometimes.

Do you think your MC would want to be your friend?
I’m a pretty shy person in real life, and these are larger-than-life characters. It would take me a while to come out of my shell. But I think that ultimately, yes. Lock me in a room for a week and force me to talk to them. If we both come out alive we will probably be friends J

Are you a pantser or a plotter?
Panster all the way. I tried plotting once but it just depressed me, because I already knew what was coming and writing felt like a chore to me. I like the surprises better.

Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?
I refuse to read reviews. I don’t look at book sales either. I figure if I do extremely well, I’ll get a big head and write like I know it all, ultimately failing in my own narcissism. If I do poorly, I’ll get discouraged and stop writing. It’s not a popularity contest as far as I’m concerned. I’m just out there for the fun of it.


Do you write under a pen name? If so, why did you decide to use a pen name? How did you come up with it?
I do write under a pen name in case I ever decide to switch genres, but it took me forever to decide on just one. I ultimately took a family pet’s name. How clever was that? Haha!

What was the hardest scene to write in your story?
The fight scenes. I love watching them on TV, but they don’t come across on the page quite as easily as I see them in my head. *shrugs*

What are 4 things you never leave home without?
1) My cell phone. It’s become another appendage I’m afraid.
2) My ten-gallon purse that’s currently jammed with more useless junk than I know what to do with. Next level up is a shopping cart :)
3) My little laptop. It’s my writer’s security blanket.
4) Make-up. I don’t think anyone outside my house has seen me without makeup since 7th grade. Tragic, I know.

What is the strangest thing you’ve ever had to research for one of your novels?
I had the pleasure of going to a pro-level pole dancing class for my second book. The girls were so friendly and personable, and holy cow they were strong! They’ve got some serious skill!

_Where can your readers stalk you?
My blog: http://kaceymark.blogspot.com/
My facebook page: Kacey-Mark
Twitter: @Kacey_Mark
Amazon: A Muse Gone Rogue
                A Muse Gone Commando

I'm off to visit "Editing Land" (It's a place much like an amusement park but without all the rides and games).  So instead of my typical post, since I really do need to meet deadlines and make a push to get WANTED: Dead or Undead ready for it's March release, I leave you with some remarkable quotes and sayings to help start off your week on the right foot and give you the motivation to accomplish anything you put your mind to. Hopefully, one of these sayings will strike a cord with you. That is my hope. And as much as these quotes are for you, you can't possibly imagine how much I needed them myself.

Enjoy and have a wonderful week! Now go create something amazing and let NOTHING stand in in your way--especially yourself!

 
Make sure to leave a comment for Emily and one lucky commenter will randomly be chosen to receive a FREE ecopy of her book, A Fairy Tale Trap

How did you come up with your title?
The original title was Roses and Mirrors, but I didn’t think it helped the reader understand what kind of book it was. So I wanted to make sure it had “fairy tale” in it. After that, I sort of just threw words at it until one stuck. Fairy Tale Trap seemed like a natural choice.
 
Describe your book in 7 words or less.
Sarcastic teenager gets trapped in fairy tale.

What chapter or part of the book was your favorite to write and why?
Ooh, that’s a tough one. Some fans have said they like the chamber pot scene, but I think I’m partial to chapters 13 and 14 (they’re both really short chapters). That’s where the rules REALLY change.

Are you a pantser or a plotter?
Plotter. My first drafts don’t have very detailed outlines, but I know where the story’s headed. But the 2nd draft? I have every scene carefully laid out, details about the setting, character motivation and mood. The works.

What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing?
You can always revise it later. Honestly, I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so when I write a first draft, I have to remind myself to move forward. It’s more important to have a messy first draft, than part of a clean draft.

What advice would you give to a first time author?
This may not be the book that brings you fame and glory, but if it helps you to make your next book a little bit better, it’s worth it.

What other projects do you have in the works at the moment?
I’m writing a novella called Cinderella and Zombies while I do some plotting for the sequel to The Fairy Tale Trap, which I’ve decided to call The Fairy Tale Twist.

_Which of your characters is your favorite?
Ivy will always be near and dear to my heart. She’s the first character that ever made me laugh out loud. But I’m growing a soft spot for the hero in Cinderella and Zombies, Prince Kent.

Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?
I do. I love reviews that give me something to work on. I know I’ll never please everyone, but if I get the same criticism more than once, I should probably look into my own writing and see if I can improve. Raving five-star reviews are nice, too.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
If I’m typing, on the couch. But if I’m writing by hand, I get more done at the kitchen table. The entire second draft of The Fairy Tale Trap was written by hand. When do I write? Naptime. My brain hates me at night, so I take the only other time I have without the kids.

Coke or Pepsi? Caffeine-free Coke

Do you ever write in your PJ’s? Nope. I never “feel like writing” (or doing housework) until I’m dressed. So I have to do that first thing.

What are your pet peeves? When people park or stand right in the way, completely unaware that there are other people around them.

What are 4 things you never leave home without? Chapstick, diapers (for the kids, not me), a pen, and my library card

One of your favorite quotes – “Don’t sweat the petty things, and don’t pet the sweaty things.”

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed? Once Upon a Time. No-brainer :) 

Where can your readers stalk you?
My blog: http://emilycasey.com
My facebook page: http://facebook.com/emilycaseysmusings
My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/emilycasey
Twitter: http://twitter.com/EmilyCaseysMuse
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Tale-Trap-Thorn-ebook/dp/B006NBC3PU/
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/115248

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.

_ 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. 

_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. 

The first reason is doesn't work for me? I have very little self-control. I know myself well enough to freely admit this. I will make the goal and I will break the goal.

The second reason? I can't handle the pressure. If I make a goal, it's all I can think about. It's always in the back of my mind, teasing me, and testing me, and wondering when I will break. And the more determined I am NOT to break, the worse it gets until I finally do (I always do. See reason #1 above).

The third reason? If I fail, I will beat myself up over it and feel like crap--like a failure. I will feel like I let myself down.  And who the heck wants to feel like a failure? Not I, that's for sure.

It is so much better, for me, not to set resolutions. Not a one. I don't promise to lose weight. I don't promise to exercise more. I don't promise to read five new books on writing (though I probably will). I refuse to resolve to write several new books this year, or even one for that matter (though I probably will). I won't say that I will write every single day, because more than likely I won't. There will be days I just can't do it. I also won't say that I will be a better blogger either (I'm doing the best I can right now and I think I'm doing an okay job--feel free to say yay or nay in the comments below).

So does this mean I'm going to become a stagnant writer? That I won't grow and learn and become something better this new year? Of course not. I can guarantee you that this time next year, I will be a much better writer than I am today. I will have learned so many new things that it will BLOW MY MIND. I can't wait. It's going to be an awesome year even if I don't make one single goal. You wanna know why? Because I'm going to continue to keep doing what I have always done--work hard, write hard, and keep on learning every single day, just like I did yesterday and the day for that, and just like every day in 2011.

Goals? I don't need no stinkin' goals!

And I bet I will still accomplish stuff. I just won't have that little nagging voice in the back of my head telling me how much I suck because I ate a cookie or skipped a day of writing so I could go on a date with my husband or snuggle with my kids.

I'm pretty sure I will be all right. Past experience tells me I will be just fine.

Are you a resolution kinda person? It's okay to say yes. Just 'cause it doesn't work for me doesn't mean others don't benefit from it. If so, what kinds of things do you do to keep motivated and on the path to achieving your goal? What goals have you made for yourself this year?