Don’t Touch is in its final stretch on it’s journey being
revamped for re-release. At the time of this books original release I was still
new to this publishing world. Now that I’ve got a few notches in my belt of
knowledge I decided to go back and give my beloved stories a fresh polish and
new life.
It’s given me a chance to fall in love with the story and
characters all over again. Don’t Touch will relaunch the first week of March!
So keep an eye out for the big release announcement. Here’s a the blurb and
revamped cover!
Blurb:
Detective Jackson Prince has to find a serial killer before
he strikes again. Reclusive ex- forensic pathologist Ryan Reign is the only one
who can help him. One problem, she can’t touch without experiencing sometimes
frightening visions. CanJackson
find a way to touch her heart so they can stop the killer?
It’s going to be a fantastic day so mark your calendar to
come and join us!
Now for my ROW80 goals.With the preparation for this event
and working to get Don’t Touch I’m making a few revisions to the goal list. I have to say ROW80 has been an awesome and encouraging experience to share and see other's posting about their own goals and progress. Okay here we go new goals for this week...
Goals for week 5:
Edit like mad
Work on getting promo and table items for event
Start putting together flash collection number one! That’s
right keep your eyes peeled for two upcoming collections of flash stories on
Smashwords and Amazon!
For more about Authors in the Park and the other authors attending with me check out their FB page: Authors in the Park on Twitter you can look for #AIP and #DontTouch for release news.
Whew, I’m worn out from just thinking of all that. Are you
making progress on your goals?
We welcome Mary Ann Bernal to the ludis today She has a very special treat for one lucky reader as well. You have a chance to win a signed print copy of The Briton and the Dane: Legacy. For your chance to win just leave a comment below with your email or twitter handle. On Friday we'll draw the name out of my magic chest and announce the winner!
Now refill that sweet tea and get comfortable as we chat with Mary Ann Bernal....
We’re here today to
celebrate your series The Briton and the
Dane. The books are set in ninth century Anglo-Saxon Britain. What about this period of history that
fascinates you the most?
What intrigued me was how King Alfred managed to keep his kingdom
of Wessex free from Viking rule
despite the odds of conquest. This was
also a time when Christianity was replacing pagan religions, and the role
conversion played in the political arena.
When King Alfred defeated the Danish Viking King Guthrum, one of the
terms of the treaty was baptism, which King Guthrum agreed to, having King
Alfred as his sponsor / Godfather.
Did King Guthrum willingly accept the one true faith? Probably not, but it was politically
expedient to do so. Even though this was
a time of unrest and instability, King Alfred managed to establish a standing
army while he built up his defenses, created and enforced new laws and founded
schools to ensure a competently-ruled kingdom after his death. His reign lasted 28 years, dying at age 50.
King Alfred left a legacy difficult to replicate, deserving the title Great. Yes, I am one of King Alfred’s greatest
supporters.
Tell us a bit about
the book/s..
The Briton and the Dane trilogy follows the adventures of
Lord Richard and his offspring, Stephen, David and Gwyneth. King Alfred has just defeated King Guthrum,
the terms of the treaty have been agreed to, and King Guthrum has already been
baptized. However, the Danish King still
remains onWessex
soil, making preparations to return to his lands in East
Anglia.
The story begins with Gwyneth atop the Keep in the early
evening hours, enjoying the solitude when she sees movement on the beach. Of
course she must investigate, which is how she meets Erik, who is wounded. She hides her Danish Prince from her father,
Lord Richard, who oversees a training camp for King Alfred’s recruits, aided by
his sons, Stephen and David. Gwyneth
tends to Erik’s wounds in secret, while rumors of a Viking invasion are
spreading throughout the countryside.
This epic adventure runs the gamut of deception, treachery,
intrigue, and betrayal during a time of war and conquest, requiring three
novels to complete the story. I enjoyed
every moment writing the saga.
What was your
favorite resource for historic information during your research?
“The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle” and Asser’s “Life of King Alfred
and Other Contemporary Sources.”
Documentation of this era is sparse because monastic libraries were
burned during the Viking raids.
If you were to be
dropped into The Briton and the Dane
for a day what would you do?
In “The Briton and the Dane: Birthright,” we have the
Festival of the Ancient Games, which includes a Roman chariot race. Did Alexander from the Papal City of Rome
defeat Draco of Athens - you’ll have to read the story to find out, but my
champion did win.
Do you have a writing
routine or ritual you follow?
My writing routine varies.
Initially I would write in the morning but soon found myself working
eight to twelve hour days - once in Wessex,
I did not want to leave. Changing the
time to afternoon did not help much either because I found myself burning the midnight oil.
So, I followed Stephen King’s advice to write a few hours a day, every
day, and once your word count goal is reached, you are done, because life
beckons.
The ninth century is
vastly different from today from language, customs, even the every day
activities. Do you find it difficult to write in a historic period or is it
easy to submerse yourself there?
After three novels I am so immersed into ninth century Wessex
that I sometimes have to reword emails or letters, but occasionally I just keep
a favorite word. I find I have used “I
am not privy to this information” quite a bit lately, but for the most part,
when I return to this century I make a concerted effort to remain here.
What are three things
ever present in your writing space?
My children found an electronic typewriter table that is
adjustable, which is fantastic for keeping back and neck issues to a
minimum. If I sit too long, I can raise
the table and stand - how great is that!
I am also surrounded by my characters - I did cast every person in my
novels, all dressed in period clothing, all demanding more dialogue. No wonder my characters take over! My IPod constantly plays period music, which
keeps me in Wessex. Some of the soundtracks are from King Arthur,
Beowulf, The Last Legion, Centurion, The Eagle, Outlander, Tristan &
Isolde, Merlin - and the list goes on and on, and yes, I am really into this
stuff.
What do you do to get
past the dreaded “writer’s block”?
In my opinion writer’s block does not exist. There may be a day you are unsure of the
direction you wish to take in the story, which may cause a delay in writing. I think if you are staring at a blank piece of
paper, you should just write whatever pops in your head and take it from
there. If it is not needed for the
story, delete it. If you find yourself
agitated, take a mental health day. If
you are not having fun, then you need a new career.
Do you have any
upcoming releases or events?
Since I could not say goodbye to the trilogy, I am currently
writing “The Briton and the Dane: Concordia,” available 2013.
Where can we find
Mary Ann Bernal and The Briton and the
Dane?
Thank you Mary Ann for stopping by for a chat. Readers don't forget to leave your comment below (with your email or twitter) for a chance to win a signed print copy of The Briton and the Dane: Legacy!
Part of the Blogging from A to Z challenge 2012 for the letter L
Everyone thinks of themselves as likeable chicks and chaps.
Facebook as given us a way to express our likes with that cute little thumbs up
button. We get posts and emails from friends and colleges asking us to ‘like’
their pages. Does a writer really need a fan page if they already have a
personal profile?
I believe fan pages are one of the most essential tools in a
marketing toolbox. Especially for writers, they give opportunity to reach more
readers than are attached to your friends list. These pages are publicly listed
and search friendly than a personal profile where hopefully you’ve locked down
every privacy setting known to man.
Why not just have someone ‘friend’ your regular profile?
While someone may enjoy your blog, books, etc. they may not want to be your
‘friend.’ While we want to get personal
with our readers there is a line of T.M.I.
For example: At a book signing an author will share
information about books, events, and might share that a son or daughter
graduated from high school, engagement, or an inspiring personal story.
The same author entertaining a guest in the home would share
more intimate details about themselves. Such as, “Oh Aunt Bertha called. She
had that pesky corn removed today.” Or photos of Frisky the cat sleeping in the
pillowcase again.
Having a ‘fan page’ or ‘business profile’ lets an author
separate that information they don’t want the general public to know. Moreover,
allows Freddy and Freda Fan to get the scoop on information relative to their interest.
A writer can get instant review from an excited fan who
posts how much they liked a book on the page. Fan interaction is a huge benefit,
Freddy will tell Freda, she will tell her friends to like the page and so
forth. Spreading an author’s writing virtually world wide. Like having a
virtual book signing 24 hours a day.
So yes, make a fan page for your books, blog, cat, or even
Aunt Bertha’s corn. If you already have a page how has it been helpful to you?
Yup that's me... sorry if I cracked your screen : D
This past Saturday, I did a book signing event at Raintree Books. It's a wonderful new/used book store in Eustis, Florida. Being able to sign here was a very special moment for me. Raintree was the first book store I remember going to.
At about 7 or 8 yrs old. I can remember finding out that magic was real. My mom and I walked into the small storefront and looked at all the books in the little nook right where my table sat on Saturday.
Right in the heart of Historic Down Town Eustis, Florida
There's a long counter that curves around a corner on the other side of the small storefront. You follow that counter around the corner and the magic happens. The small store becomes this huge one.
With rows and rows of books to explore. They have something for every subject you can imagine. The first time I saw it I was sure there was a wizard in there somewhere.
From the outside the shop looks average size, not big at all. Until you walk around that magical corner into pages of wonder.
Raintree's small storefront where the magic begins.....
Not only did I get a day of signing books. the chance to meet readers, and see my books on a store shelf for sale. I was given a chance to relive that special magic again.
And see a few other first time visitors experience it too. It was a magical afternoon at Raintree Books. I can't wait to go back.
Poof you have a book store 3x as big as the front part.
There has to be a wizard in this place somewhere. Maybe some
fairy dust involved?
Something that makes every writer's heart skip Their books
on a store shelf. Truly awesome sight. :)
