A Beautifully Broken Author Chat and Giveaway with Sherry Soule

WGladiator's Pen welcomes Sherry Soule to the Ludus! We're going to talk about her newest spell binding book Beautifully Broken hitting shelves on June 30th.  Grab a cuppa and enjoy the chat. Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of Beautifully Broken! The winner will be drawn on Friday to make sure to share the link!

What made you choose Writing as a career?

It chose me. J Can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing. Honestly. It is in my blood. I have always been an avid reader too. When people tell me that they don’t like to read, I look at them sideways and blurt: “Say what?”

You write for both Adult and Young Adult fiction. What’s the difference?

Excellent question. It should seem obvious that teen novels have teenage protagonists, which sets them apart from adult fiction. It is all about VOICE. A YA protagonist(s) should centrally experience and grow by her dramatized choices, actions, and concerns, which drive the plot forward, and is narrated with relative immediacy to the teenage perspective.

You write Paranormal and Horror, what draws you to these genres?

Love scary stuff. I find it equally thrilling and terrifying. I don’t read a lot of horror anymore, but love to read UF, YA, and PR novels. But I still love scary movies (not to be confused with slasher flicks). I go to the movies a LOT in the summer. Love paranormal TV shows, too: SUPERNATURAL, True Blood, Vampire Diaries, The Secret Circle <looks great and very witchy.

Have you ever been on or would like to go on a paranormal investigation? Where would you like to investigate?

Actually, I met some investigators online and I was supposed to go on a haunt with them last year, but it didn’t work out. But I might still do one soon. (If I do, I’ll blog about it!)

Your latest release Beautifully Broken will be released on June 30^th, tell us a bit about it.

Two years of editing, and now it’s finally ready. J

Sixteen-year-old Shiloh Ravenwolf is a white witch from the Broussard family, a family both destined and cursed. When she takes a summer job at Ravenhurst and meets Trent, her new-would-be-boyfriend, she discovers a ghost with an agenda. Finally, Shiloh's met someone who is supercute and totally into her, but now it looks like Trent may be the next victim on the supernatural hit list. And Shiloh is the only person with the power to save him. Complicated much?

Unfortunately, for Shiloh, not all ghosts want help crossing over. Some want vengeance.  

Do you have a favorite scene you can share?

One of my favs:

For a moment, I ignored the shadows, the fog, and the wraith. As if the moonlight and his gaze had transformed me into something brave and beautiful. Something enchanted like a wildflower in the shade of the forest. We gazed at each other with a fierce unrest. The world had gone still with a seething passion, which agitated the space between our bodies. Night contained only the two of us. Trent’s emerald eyes were half-closed, the pupils huge, and I felt myself falling into them. My body ached. My heart swelled with desire. So many words went unspoken as we lingered in the dark. But all thought and words seemed to slip away.

A car drove past and I blinked, feeling slightly dazed, under a spell.

What inspired this story?

An obsession with ghosts and haunted houses. And I love romance.

What are three little known facts about Sherry Soule?

Can type lightning fast with one finger.

Love cats.

Live on peppermint mochas.

Is there anything you would like to say to your readers or advice for fellow writers?

I have a blog devoted to helping unpublished writers at Dark Angel Writing Tools: http://www.darkangelwritingtools.com/

It has tons of writing tips, agent/author interviews, and publishing secrets to share.

Where we can find Sherry Soule or your books

My website: http://sherrysoule.com

My blog: http://sherrysoule.blogspot.com/

My Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100001711927128

My Twitter: http://twitter.com/writersherry


Thank you so much for chatting with us Sherry! Readers don't forget to leave your comment for a chance to win a copy of Beautifully Broken! Winner to be drawn this Friday! 

New York Can Wait

Here's another great blogfest  perfect for any writer. It seems like every time the Muse gets in gear there's an interruption so to celebrate Sash's Secrets Blog created and is hosting this great blogfest. Be sure to visit her blog and check out the other great stories on the list. Below is my entry New York Can Wait.

New York Can Wait

by Elise VanCise

Cynthea walked though the airport and sighs. He’s late, he wanted me to come to New York and he’s late.

Five more minutes she decided to give him before getting a taxi. Then she heard him call her name and wave as he hurried though the crowd. In his hand was a large bouquet of white roses. 

He rushed to her, his arms sliding around her as his lips pressed to hers in a passionate kiss. Cynthea sighed into the kiss hugged him back. Emotions and memories flooded though her.

His fingers curled into the back of her hair as the kiss deepened… and a small child plowed into them skating on his Heelys. 

The boy grabbed around their legs to keep from falling. Connor tried to keep his balance and hold onto Cynthea at the same time. The magic of the moment interrupted Connor peeled the boy from their legs.

The boy’s mother rushed over. “Bobby, Bobby honey, are you alright?”

Connor sighed a bit aggravated. He wanted the moment to be special, it had already been delayed by a traffic accident on the way. “We’re fine too, thank you for asking.” 

The mother gave him a look as though they shouldn’t have been in her son’s way. Cynthea nudged him and grinned. “You’re late.”

He laughed that wonderful staccato laugh and offered the flowers with a hand over his heart. “I’m sorry, there was an accident on the freeway and we were held up for miles.”

Cynthea took the roses inhaling their sweet scent as she watched him pick up her suitcase. She missed him, maybe they should give it another try. Maybe.

They settled in the back seat of the taxi. As they make their way though the streets Connor covered her hand with his and laced their fingers. “Have you missed something, in New York?”

She turned her from her view of the cityscape Cynthea nodded with a grin. “That pizza place on 8^th. I could really go for a slice right now.” When Connor’s head tipped forward to hide his grin, she reached over and gently pulled her hand though his hair. “I kind of missed you too.”

His dark eyes looked up at her as he leaned forward. Their lips almost touching as the cabbie slammed on the breaks. The cab skidded forward on the pavement, Cynthea slipped off the seat into the floorboard and who knows what had been there before her.  “Arrgh… gross.”

Connor helped her up back to the seat and glared up at the cabbie. Not for the rough stop. He opened his back door and handed their fare to the driver. “You’ve got a suitcase with wheels don’t you?”

Cynthea stepped out and looked at him.” I didn’t pack that much, but yes.”

When she turned to step up on the sidewalk, he saw the back of her coat. Connor looked at her softly. “Um, sweetheart… “

She looked back and then tried to see what he’s pointing at. He helped her off with her coat and she grimaced seeing the back. “I don’t even want to know just toss it in the trunk. He can have it as a bonus.”

He pulled off his coat for her, he grined softly as he helps her roll the sleeves up. “This one is cuter on you anyway.”

She grinned and kissed his cheek. “It smells like your cologne.”

They laugh it off and start down the street hand in hand. After about two blocks, Connor slid his arm around her waist and walked with her against his side. She relaxed against him and everything felt right again.

They stopped at the corner across from his building. He reached over and pressed the crosswalk button. “We’re almost there.”

She grinned and stepped forward nuzzling his neck. “Finally.”

He looked down into her eyes; they were dark shimmering pools he could get lost in for hours. His fingertips caress her cheek as his lips brush over hers before….

A car sped around the corner and splashed them with water from the earlier rains. Cynthea squeaked in surprise then looked down. They were both drenched.

Connor swore, he couldn’t even get a kiss in edgewise. The light changed and they could walk across. He took hold of her hand and case hurrying to the center of the street.

Cynthea was thoroughly aggravated now. This was an omen that this whole trip was a bad idea. When he stopped half way across the street she wasn’t in the mood for anything else. “Connor…”

He stopped her speech when he turned and pulled her close. His lips pressed to hers gently then deeper until her arms wrapped around him. They kissed passionately in the middle of the street. Their hearts racing, cars honking, people yelling and whistling.

Cynthea didn’t hear any of it only the beat of his heart the feel of his kiss. This is why she fell in love with him. He made her feel as though there were nothing else in the world.

Everyone else wanted to interrupt their moment. He was going to take it right there and the rest of New York could wait.

Defining Inspiration

inspiration  (ˌɪnspɪˈreɪʃən) — n

1.      stimulation or arousal of the mind, feelings, etc, to special or unusual activity or creativity

We can’t wait around for inspiration to hit like lightening during a storm. We have to go looking for it. If we open our eyes there’s something to arouse your mind everywhere you go. (not that kind of aroused… get your mind out of the gutter)

How do we get it? Put in a favorite piece of music,  pull up a Google search of your favorite artist’s work, or pop in that movie that makes you cry. Take all of the thoughts, sensations, and emotions that string of notes, or the painting stirs in you and turn it into inspiration. Define it into a story with your voice. 

There are times in every writer’s life we get into a rut. Nothing seems to work or we have ideas that burn bright then die out quickly. Maybe we need a new definition. Try going some place you haven’t been before. Even if it’s just a new restaurant or coffee shop.

We can’t all be world travelers, but we can armchair travel on some pretty fantastic websites. Walk the halls of the Louver, see Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower, or explore a haunted castle. There are so many ways to seek and define our inspiration.

All that is well and good but how do we know when we’re really inspired? According to Webster’s Dictionary inspiration is physical and mental reaction to something that stimulates our mind.

If your heart races, you can see something so vividly in your mind, you can almost feel it under your fingertips. Perhaps it brings stirrings of an emotion. If you’ve had a reaction with both mind and body then you know you’ve truly been inspired.

So get out there and find an idea that not only sounds good but also gives you chills and fills your mind with imaginings.  

This post is part of the Fellow Writers Blog Hop. Just click on the image below to visit more great blogs in the hop or add your own and join in the fun!  

  

Book Blogger Blog Hop 6/10 to 6/13

This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! This weeks Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Lori’s Reading Corner

This weeks Book Blogger Question is:

WHO IS THE ONE AUTHOR THAT YOU ARE DYING TO MEET?

 This is a good question. I have a list of them I’d like to meet. Stephen King would be at the top of my list. I’ve seen some videos of a few of his lectures and seen some interview appearances. He's always very honest about his work and the writing craft in general. 

King has written several books on writing as well. I think I’ve learned the most from his writings than any other. It would be awesome to hear him speak in person.

That’s my answer what’s yours J

   

It's All Fun and Games Blog Fest

I’m joining in today on the It’s All Fun and Games Blog Fest hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh to tell you about my three most favorite games. So here we go….

First I love word games. Maybe it’s the writer in me but my son will whip out the Up Words box and I get a big smile.  The idea is similar to scrabble you have a grid to place letter tiles. Only here you stack them up to five high to make your words. Not always an easy task.  I also love Boggle. You can even play Boggle on line at Pogo.com.  It’s really amazing some of the words people come up with on the puzzles. I’m always saying… I didn’t see that one!

I also have to admit to a new addiction to Hidden Object games. I’ve found quite a few that I’ve enjoyed solving the puzzles and seeking out the objects hidden in the scene. You can get hundreds of them for free at FreeRideGames.com. They have other types of games as well all the full versions for free but these happen to be my favorites.

Lastly I must say I do have a bit of a violent side. I love shooters. Yes, as in Half Life, Doom 3D, Painkiller in the beginning. Now I can’t get enough to f the Call of Duty games and Medal of Honor series. I just saw the new Duke Nukem game in the store and have started my penny jar saving for a copy. (Hey, I’m a writer.. .I’m poor :P) I can’t wait to blast away and laugh at Duke’s smartass taunts to the enemy. 

Believe it or not some of these games can actually inspire writing. Okay so hunting monsters in the halls of a Maritain space station is more stress relief than story building. But word games build your vocabulary or give you a word list to play with in a story.  Most Hidden Object games will have a story to them that you follow as you solve the puzzles and unlock each chapter. There may be something in that story that sparks one of your own.

So go ahead and play guilt free. All work and no play makes for a grumpy writer J