Blossom
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Posts posted by Blossom
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Yes, FnC, Paige is that way - never apologise for having an opinion!
Perhaps I took her a bit too far down that road because I was very stressed when writing the book (6 weeks to write 100000 words is enough to stress anyone) so maybe my own feelings of inadequacy transferred across to the book!
Kerri
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Thank you for having us! It's been great to answer such interesting questions, and lovely to see things from another author's perspective. I too wish Sam lots of luck with her future projects, and will keep you updated on my own...if anything comes of them.
I've thoroughly enjoyed my time as a Featured Author - I'll still be around though, and look forward to asking many questions rather than answering them!
Thanks again!
Kerri
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Yes, Nic - we had an inter-library Blockbusters tournament in which I represented my local 'trailer library'! I think I was about 13 or 14. I used to spend almost every weekend at the trailer library, checking out the new books (as I'd read all the old ones).
I remember standing at the Central Library, doing the 'Gold Run' - I got a book token for winning, and still have the card it came in to this day!
I don't remember getting to say, "I'll have a 'P', please." Shame.
Kerri
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Hi Nic: I'm glad you enjoyed Karma. The funny thing about Paige is that, no matter what age the reader is, people seem to relate to her.
I have experienced very little of what Paige goes through (so had to rely a lot on research and the testimony of friends, particularly towards the end of the book)...although I was a rabbit in the school nativity (see the gallery at www.hollyaharvey.co.uk for the proof)! While I was writing, I immersed myself in music from the 80s and early 90s, and through that, was able to recall the feelings/emotions these songs invoked.
I am very interested in the concept of Karma, but didn't want to get too bogged down by the religious and philosophical aspects - I wanted the book to make people think about how our actions can have a wider impact, but still wanted to make the book a light-hearted read.
I didn't have time to consider a different ending, as I only had around two months to complete the book!
I don't think I would change the ending, though. And thanks for the comments about my dogs! They are my furry babies and that's where my pen name came from: Holly's my oldest dog; Amber's my youngest and Harvey's my budgie!
Kerri
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I absolutely love to read and have done since childhood - I ploughed my way through every Enid Blyton, Nancy Drew, and Sweet Valley High book going! When I was in my early teens, I read the entire 'Young Teens' section of our libraries (particularly when I was first ill, as I couldn't do anything else
). I would regularly get into trouble for reading without the light on, during summer nights, when I should have been sleeping!I find that reading is a fantastic way to relax and is the ultimate escape from reality (even if only for a short while). I primarily read women's contemporary fiction but read some sci-fi, mild horror, tv-tie ins (Buffy, Angel, Charmed, Red Dwarf, Bones, etc), and also non-fiction, such as biographies. I enjoy learning so my bookshelf includes titles on massage therapy, shiatsu, counselling and self-help.
The first book that I ever read and found thought-provoking was 'To Kill A Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. This was something that I was forced to read during my GCSEs and I just thought it was amazing. I read it in one evening, as I couldn't put it down.
With regard to authors who've inspired me, I would say it was writers like Pauline McLynn, Jane Green and Sophie Kinsella, as they write with humour - that's very important to me as a reader, as there are many bad things we deal with in life which are made bearable if we can retain our sense of humour. I don't read books which are too morose, as I find my own mood changes as I empathise with the characters!
Kerri
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Hi
Nic: I'd be delighted to answer any questions for you, once you've read the book.
Kell: I believe that the publishers sent out up to 40 books (people who requested review copies included well-known women's magazines and newspapers such as The Times). However, this does not guarantee that anyone will even read them, let alone review them! I also sent out around 20 copies myself, and this resulted in the odd internet review (including one on the Trashionista website). It is disappointing, but thousands of books must be competing for review every year - I think an established name, a well-known publisher and luck can be important factors.
My book's currently doing the rounds on sites like Read It Swap It - I know I don't make any royalties out of this but, quite honestly, I'm glad that people are getting to read the book. The main feedback I have received has been from readers who've read and enjoyed the book, then contacted me via my website. It's so lovely when someone takes the time to contact me - it always makes me smile!
Kerri
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Hello again!
Icecream: Art is my other love, so when they asked for input on the book cover, I designed my own - everyone I showed it to loved it, and then the publishers went in a completely different direction and made the heroine into a cartoon charater on the cover. I didn't like it, and the consensus was that it was childish. So, they had a rethink and changed it to the cover you've seen - I still wasn't keen, but preferred it to the first cover!
FishAndChips: I'm very stubborn, so if someone tells me I probably won't be able to do something, I become determined to prove them wrong! Sometimes it is tough to have CFS, but there are people far worse off than me! And it's lovely chatting here, as everyone is so friendly and non-judgemental - I'm enjoying it.
Kerri
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Michelle: as a few of the board members know, I suffer from CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) so am not able to write regularly. My current book was published as a 'one-off' as part of my prize in the Undiscovered Authors comp, so I don't have an agent or a publisher who would be interesting in taking on any further work. I do have enough ideas for three novels - it's just a question of having the energy and the self-discipline to write! And have a lovely time on your hols, Michelle.
FishAndChips: no, you're not cheeky at all. Personally my percentage is very small and is only 10%. For example, if Amazon paid 40% of the cover price for my book, then I would get 10% of that (different retailers get different deals). I may be over-simplifying, but I think that's the gist of it. I think it averages out at around 60p per book, in my case.
Sam: best of luck with the next book. It sounds as though things are very exciting for you at the moment.
Kerri
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Well, it's official - I have spent more on postage than I got in royalties!
Good job I'm not doing this for the money! Michelle: it is disheartening to send out review copies, knowing they'll probably not get a second glance. Maybe we should start a campaign to have the press take an interest in newcomers - after all, the large book chains do a lot for established authors, so us newbies should have a route to readers too! That's the great thing about sites like this: it gives authors who are new, or different, a voice.
And Sam, I'm glad you get jealous too - I don't feel as guilty about it now!
Kerri
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In my case, the publishers sent out press releases and these said that review copies would be available, on request. I also had a few contacts of my own, and sent some from my own allocation of books. I think I spent more on postage than the book's likely to make!
I was quite encouraged to find that a number of publications did ask for review copies, but I assume they get hundreds of these every year, and can't read them all. I imagine that newspapers/magazines review books by well-known/celebrity authors first, or by well-respected publishers that readers will identify with.
Personally, I suspect that I was always going to struggle, both being unknown myself and having a new publisher - I still hope that just one women's magazine, perhaps, will take a look at the book and enjoy it enough to review it. It's probably unlikely, but you just never know...
I always compare my own experience with that of a lady called Claire Allan, whom I 'met' on a writers' forum. She was published by a big Irish publisher called Poolbeg - they have invested heavily in her, and her experience is far removed from my own. I enjoy reading her blog (though admit to feeling mightily jealous that she's sold 10000+ copies of her novel!)
Kerri
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That's what I love about this forum - its friendly and encompasses every genre!
Michelle: many authors avoid writing this way, as they feel it restricts the story. However, I wanted to find a way to make an immediate connection with the reader, and felt that this was the best way to do so. I wanted people to feel as though they knew the main character, so I felt she needed to 'talk' directly to the reader.
It was quite difficult trying to put myself in her shoes, as she often did the opposite of what I would've done in certain situations!
Kerri
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My decision not to use my real name came about because I decided to write Karma in the first person style. I thought that people would wrongly assume it was a biography if I used my own name - the pen name allowed me to write more freely than I would have done had I been plain ol' Kerri!
The main thing I have found so hard to deal with, is the way that many people seem to think 'chick lit' authors are lesser authors. Someone on another forum suggested that discussions on my book in some way lowered the tone of the board - I was equally upset and furious.
I was also completely unprepared for how difficult it would be to get stocked by 'brick and mortar' bookshops, and how difficult it would be to even get one review in print. It's a vicious circle: if you're unknown/not famous, they won't review/stock you - so how do you sell books and become known?! I was so ignorant of how things work, as I'd never really expected having a book in print! My eyes have been opened, though...
Kerri
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I'm not surprised you were annoyed and agree that writers do need to develop a thick skin to get by in the often harsh world of publishing. I could do with a little armour-plating myself!
Kerri
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Hi
It's interesting to have two such contrasting stories with regard to the road to publication. I feel as though I was very lucky indeed, after reading Sam's account.
Kell - thanks. I'm so glad you liked Karma. To answer your question: due to my two-month time constraint, I was fortunate in that Karma didn't require too much research. There are several situations that Paige found herself in within the book that I have not experienced. So, basically, I asked anyone and everyone I knew who had been through similar things (I don't want to say what, as it will give some of the storyline away) to give me as much information as they could. I was lucky that people felt they could be very candid with me, and I felt able to put myself in their shoes. Hopefully, it was convincing.
The only other research I needed to do, could be done using the vast resources of the internet (things like statistics, and the correct names for certain phobias). However, when you do use the internet as a reseach tool, you have to check and recheck the information as it can be notoriously unreliable and often contradictory!
I have a question for Sam: how frustrating is it for you, having researched your book extensively, for some people to point out what they see as flaws in your research? I was looking for your book on Amazon, and noted that someone had a bee in their bonnet about your use of the word 'pregnant'!
Kerri
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Hi - and thanks!
I have always wondered if the things that you do on a day to day basis really do have an impact on your life as a whole. I try to be a good person, but I've had a fair bit of bad luck, and live in hope that things will turn out ok in the end. I suppose I just imagined a scenario where things did work like that and that sometimes situations which appear bad initially, can actually be for the best.
I have always been a keen reader of women's fiction, but am constantly disappointed that the characters don't reflect those that I know. I don't know anyone that lives in the capital, works in PR/marketing and aspires to owning several pairs of Jimmy Choos, as many 'chick lit' characters seem to! I wanted to read about normal people with mundane lives, just trying to get from one day to the next - like most of us do (while keeping a sense of humour). I couldn't find that book, so tried to write it!
Essentially, I wanted to write a book that would pick someone up if they were feeling down, and take them away from their own problems for a while. I hope it gave you a smile or two!
Kerri
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Hi Michelle!
Thank you for having me as a 'Featured Author' - I'm honoured.
And I'll warn you that I'm a bit of a waffler! The way that my book was published was far from the norm. Basically, I wrote a chapter of Karma in 2000, and didn't look at it again until 2005, when my mum mentioned that there was a national writing competition advertised in the local press. Even then, I didn't do anything with the story until about half an hour before the competition deadline on the 31st December 2005. I quickly cobbled together a synopsis and sent it off along with my only chapter.
I didn't give it another thought until I got a call in February 2006 to say I'd won the North East fiction round of the competition...and when could they have the complete manuscript. Oops!
This is honestly the first time I have ever simultaneously laughed and cried. It was all very surreal (and still is) as things like this don't usually happen to me.I was given the beginning of May as a deadline and completed the 100,000 word manuscript 3 minutes before the 5pm deadline. Even then, I didn't know if it was going to be published - if the manuscript wasn't up to scratch, I wouldn't even have received my prize. I had an anxious few weeks' wait before I got the news that it would be published. I was SO happy, but was still waiting for someone to pinch me and I'd wake up.
I was just very lucky, and still feel my success was somewhat of a fluke - maybe that's why I haven't completed anything else yet!
As I'm among friends, I'll sign off with my real name:
Kerri
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I read it a while ago and really enjoyed it. I didn't want to like the main character, since she was having an affair, but couldn't help myself
Jane's doing a webchat on the Richard and Judy book forum tomorrow after 6pm, I think.
Kerri
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On Tuesday, my friend's book shop (Henry's Books) will pull down its shutters for the last time. Despite a valiant effort by Sarah, the owner, to compete against the large chains and internet book stores, she just could not continue any longer.
Every time an independent book shop closes, I feel a little twinge of sadness (obviously magnified in the case of Sarah's shop) and feel that we will soon lose them altogether. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy browsing at Waterstones and Borders, but nothing beats a little, quirky book shop. I have come across many gems I probably wouldn't have seen in the big chains (as they probably would have been tucked away somewhere, if they had even been stocked at all).
I will always have fond memories of Henry's, as the place I did my first ever book signing, and hope that there are still some independents that can buck the trend. Especially those second hand and specialist stores that smell so lovely... Amazon can't offer me that!
Does anyone still have an independent book shop in their area, and do you use it (despite the fact the prices are often far higher than Amazon, etc).
Kerri
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I only bought this particular book because I was looking for something that was a little light-hearted and didn't centre around someone's search for the perfact man! I'm SO glad I did (that one and Amy's Honeymoon by Julia Llewelyn).
Anna Maxted is a very gifted, insightful writer, and 'Getting Over It' is one of the best books I have read in this genre. Maxted has the ability to tackle very gritty (and often sensitive) topics with humour whilst still conveying the complexity of emotion involved. This is why I picked up 'A Tale of Two Sisters' - I knew I wouldn't be disappointed.
This book revolves around the lives and relationships of two sisters, who are as different as chalk and cheese. It is written from both sisters' perspectives and, as someone with a sister, is very believable. Both sisters are dealing with individual issues which impact on the sibling relationship.
This is not a review, as such, because it would be easy to give too much of the story away. I just wanted to recommend it.
Kerri
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I used to use my local library quite a lot, but kept forgetting to return my books! I tend to use it more for research/text books than ordinary reading matter.
The better of our two local libraries has just been closed down, despite protest and petitions...
Kerri
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For the first time in I don't know how long, I have NO books to read. Can't afford to buy any for a while, and not able to get to the library - think I'm going to have to do some re-reading!
Kerri
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Finally made my way to the end of the book. I've come to the conclusion that it was my utter dislike for the main character which tainted the whole book for me. The thing is, I think you were supposed to warm to her as you read through the story, finding out more about her background - that just didn't happen.
Just glad I borrowed this book, rather than bought it.
Kerri
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That's the one.
I'm still plodding on with it, as I haven't got anything else to read at the moment, but can't say I'm particularly enjoying it.
I've read Adele Parks' books before sure I enjoyed them - perhaps it's just because I don't like the main character, and it's put a negative slant on the book!
Kerri
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Husbands by Adele Parks was recommended to me by a friend, but I feel like I'm not getting absorbed by it, like I usually do with a good book.
I'm finding the Australian character unbelievable - it's as though Adele reseached Australian dialect and then threw some token Aussie sayings in here and there. I hate it when I don't feel as though the characters could be real. In addition, the main character comes across as self-centred and it is difficult to like her (despite the fact that you know she has had a hard upbringing).
I want to get to the end, but it is proving to be difficult - usually I read a book in a day or two. I've had this one on the go for several weeks...
Featured Author - Jennifer McKenzie
in Author Interviews and Forum Visits
Posted
Hi
I just wanted to ask you if you encountered any difficulties when writing erotic romance? You mentioned having kids' tv in the background wasn't conducive to writing certain scenes...
Also what drew you to the erotic romance genre?
I must admit that I decided against a detailed sex scene in my book - not because I was embarrassed about writing it - but because I didn't like the idea of my mam reading it!
Kerri