Feature Friday Guest Author ~ Ethan Rice

Today’s guest is Ethan Rice, as Ethan is eight, his mother will be answering the questions instead.

ethan's photo

Ethan Rice is eight years old and lives with his family in Michigan. He is the oldest of five children. He enjoys math and reading, playing basketball and flag football, and being a Cub Scout. When he grows up Ethan wants to be a farmer, and he wants the whole world to know that Jesus loves them.

 

 

Now for the interview:

What’s your inspiration? 

My family

Why do you write? 

Currently, to raise awareness of autism and to spread a message of positivity around the subject. Identifying challenges in life allows strategies for success to be put in place. Books, even children’s books, on the topic often have a negative vibe to them. We have never had a negative attitude toward autism. I bought a children’s book about autism for Ethan to read, and he wouldn’t even read it. I finally asked him why he wouldn’t – he said that everyone in the book was sad. Wow. I looked at the pictures, and sure enough, almost every page is someone looking devastated. Ethan isn’t sad that he has autism, and he doesn’t want others to be sad about it, either. 

Would you write more than one series at a time? 

As a mother of 5, I feel this would be totally feasible as my brain is never in one place ever. But then again, being a mother of 5, finding the time to devote to multiple series would be challenging.

What’s your writing process? Write when inspired? Make time? Daily word goal? Etc. 

The writing process for Ethan’s book was very straight-forward. He was going to tell his first grade class that he had autism. We were concerned about him getting in front of his class and just “winging it.” We didn’t want him unintentionally spreading misinformation about the subject. What an amazing opportunity to spread awareness! We wanted it to be his words, his voice. So we sat him down (Ok, he didn’t sit. He paced.), and asked him a myriad of questions. We wanted to know what HE thought about having autism. What were the differences that HE noticed. Sure, there were things that we as parents knew, but we wanted to know what Ethan felt about things. I asked questions, and wrote his answers down verbatim. Of course we were able to ask questions that would allow informative answers – but the answers were all Ethan. 

Do you write to music, other noise, or have to have silence? 

Silence? What’s that? Oh, the sound that means that something is wrong! There is no silence in our house, ever. There might have been a sound machine going somewhere in our house – we have so many that it sounds like a rainforest at night time. 

Of all your books, which is your favorite?

Currently my favorite is Ethan’s Story: My life with autism

Are you a Mac or are you a PC? 

Definitely PC. The last time I used an Apple, I am pretty sure I died of cholera on the Oregon Trail. 

Thanks so much for being here with me. You can follow Ethan’s online on Facebook.

More about Ethan’s Story; My life with Autism.

Ethan's Story

A children’s book written by eight year old Ethan Rice who happens to be autistic. In this fully illustrated book Ethan explains what autism means to him and why he feels so very blessed that God made him this way.

 

Ethan’s Story; My life with Autism can be found on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.


Feature Friday Guest Author ~ Elizabeth Kirke

This weeks Feature Friday guest is Elizabeth Kirke

Elizabeth Kirke

Elizabeth Kirke wanted to be an author before she even knew what an author was. She used to say that she wanted to be an artist, but that was only because she was too young to write and had to tell stories with pictures instead. She hasn’t stopped writing since she learned how. It wasn’t long before she dreamed of becoming an author and couldn’t be happier now that that dream is a reality.

If she isn’t writing…well, let’s be honest; if she isn’t writing she’s probably on Facebook thinking that she should start writing. But, if she isn’t writing or on Facebook, she’s probably doing something involving books, baking, gardening, or yarn. In an ideal world, she’d be reading and knitting while something from the garden is in the oven. Then again, in an ideal world, she’d have a flock of ducks and a couple of goats.

Here’s my interview with Ms. Kirke:

What’s your inspiration?

My inspiration, for Semester Aboard at least, was a similar study abroad program that I did. I took those experiences and wove a fantasy tale around them. Now, I’ve fallen in love with the characters and the plot. My inspiration now is to keep telling their story, because it’s all in my head begging to come out.

Why do you write?

That, I don’t know. I’ve always wanted to write. Ever since I was little I’ve been a storyteller. I suppose it’s just in my blood, my heart. I’ve written pages and pages that nobody will ever read, but I write them because I can, they call to me.

At the same time, I’ve always wanted to become an author too. Not a Rowling or a Tolkien. But, I’ve always wanted to craft a story that someone reads and enjoys. Maybe they can escape into my world, like I’ve gone into so many others.

Would you write more than one series at a time?

I do and it makes me crazy. Right now I’m working on 2 books from the More than Magic series. I’ve written about a chapter of each a week. I’m inspired (see below), but I think writing both at the same time is affecting the writing. I’m bouncing between POVs, for one thing. One of the books is YA, like Semester Aboard, the other is actually not YA. And I’m having trouble going from writing @%*%@ and %$#@ and dirty jokes to censoring myself.

In addition to that, I have another series I stick a paragraph or two onto once in a while.

What’s your writing process? Write when inspired? Make time? Daily word goal? Etc.

I try to write every day. I only get discouraged if I set a daily goal, but I try to write something. Even if it has nothing to do with my current story, I try to write something. When I’m inspired the words just flow. As I said before, my “prequel,” if I can call it that, has been calling to me more than More than Magic: Book Two has recently. The problem is that I want to publish Book 2 before the “prequel”. So, I’m trying to just write them both. Some days one of them speaks to me, some days neither does.

Do you write to music, other noise, or have to have silence?

Ideally, I write to music. Usually in the mood of what I’m writing. I also pace around and mumble to myself.

If you write to some set noisemaker, list a few, give us an idea of your preferences.

For Semester Aboard, I was writing to nautical music. Mostly the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack, but also the soundtrack from Muppets’ Treasure Island. Wintry music for the sequel. And when there’s no “theme” music to be had, I just put on something like a New Age or Soundscapes station and let that play.

Of all your books, which is your favorite?

That I’ve written? Well…that’s one. Hah!

Semester Aboard will always have a soft spot in my heart as my favorite, because it was my first. I poured my heart and soul into it. That said, so far, I’m very proud of the “prequel” I’m writing. It’s not YA, not at all. It’s dark and violent and I’ve nearly teared up just writing it. It’s almost scary seeing what my mind can come up with. It surprises me, in a way. It’s also a challenge. I suppose that one is my favorite in the sense that it’s really stretching me as a writer. We’ll just see what happens when it’s published…

Are you a Mac or are you a PC?

PC born and raised. I’m totally in love with the iPad, but I know the PC and all related software so well that I can’t imagine ever switching and being comfortable.

Thanks so much for your time Elizabeth, and thanks for answering my questions.

You can find more of Elizabeth Kirke on these sites: Facebook, Blog, Goodreads.

More about More than Magic: Semester Aboard:

mtmsemesteraboardcover

Jen Maddox is a few days into her summer study abroad program and has loved every moment. She just left Mexico and is back on her cruise ship campus, ready to sail to Panama. Everyone tells her that the experience will change her life, but none of them realize just how drastic the change will be.

One night she goes out on deck and encounters five other students. She knows Charlie from one of her classes and he’s a funny, friendly, regular guy. Picture-perfect Dani and his gorgeous wife Mariana live right down the hall from Jen. And she has seen TS, who’s built like a truck, around the ship and recognizes the cute, but quiet Thomas as well.

Then Jen sees something that isn’t humanly possible. Jen would have thought that it was all a dream, if not for the fact that Charlie, Dani, Mariana, TS, and Thomas are making every effort to cover it up. Suddenly, the five of them are everything but normal and Jen is determined to figure out what they’re hiding.

When she does, her life really does change. Jen expected to spend her summer studying new worlds, but she never dreamed she’d learn about a magical one. Or find herself in it.

But Jen’s childhood fantasy come true is about to turn into a nightmare; there’s something on the ship. Something dangerous. Suddenly, everyone on board is threatened by a creature Jen never even believed existed. Jen and her new friends might be the only people who can stop it!

Now Jen has to learn everything she can about her new world before it kills her. And her friends. And maybe everyone on the entire ship.

More than Magic: Semester Aboard can be purchased for Kindle, at Smashwords, and in paperback


Feature Friday Guest Author ~ Monika Pardon

This weeks Feature Friday guest is Monica Pardon

Monica Pardon

I grew up, the youngest of six children, in southern Maine. As a child, I constantly made up stories that entertained my family. As I grew up, I never grew out of my imagination or my fondness for story-telling. Even in school, I wrote a lot of stories, but I never had the nerve to show anyone. I eventually went on to college and graduated from the University of Michigan in 2006. Today I’m back in Maine, living near Portland. I’m happily writing my stories and reading anything entertaining that I can get my hands on.

My interview with Monica.

Your inspiration for Golden?

The idea for Golden came when my mother was reading Goldilocks and the Three Bears to my son while I was braiding my daughter’s hair. I was listening to the story and that’s when Sonora came into my mind and so did Ian. Luke came later. He was originally supposed to be a villain, but when I was writing his profile out (I do that sometimes with my characters), he didn’t seem horrible. That’s when my friend’s brother asked me put him in the story. Sam wanted to be evil, so that worked out well. The part for the spider web came from sitting in front of a camp fire. Everyone around me was talking, eating, and having a great time. I was looking around, and that’s when I saw a small spider web in a tree nearby. The moonlight hit the web, giving off a faint bluish-white glow. That’s when the web and the Realm came into my head.

Why do you write?

I write for myself. I love stories and my imagination is wild. It’s something that has been source of real fear, real humor, and real entertainment. After a while, I started to write things down. I never stopped.

Would you write more than one series at a time?

I have.

Your writing process:

I sit down and outline. I sometimes write character notes. I write down the most important scenes on Post-Its and stick them in my notebook, so that if something needs to be changed, it’s an easy fix. Then I sit down and go for it. Usually, I have water or a Diet Pepsi with me.

Silence vs. Music:

I do both. I like listening to music while I write, and I make playlists. I also like quiet, but that can tire me out quicker. Generally, it’s whatever I’m in the mood for.

Your favorite book that you have written:

So I have a few manuscripts that I have written within the last few years. No one has them. The first manuscript that I wrote, no one will ever see that one! For my favorite, I have two. I have a vampire one that is really creepy. Think Salem’s Lot meets Fright Night. It’s still unnamed. There is another that the idea came from two places, the Iliad (Helen of Troy) and Margret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. I wrote it while in a 20th Century Novel class where I had to read Atwood’s crazy, dystopian novel. Seriously, that is one messed up story!! Anyway, I don’t know if that one will ever see the light of day. I will say that I also love Golden. I love Luke. He’s so vulnerable, but incredibly strong at the same time. I love Sameron, and what I will say, you haven’t seen anything yet from him!

Mac vs. PC:

I prefer Macs, but I can’t afford them, so I have a PC. That’s it.

Thanks so much to Monica for letting me interview her and for her time!

Where can you find Monica?

Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, Smashwords.

More about Golden.

Golden

With her long golden hair and tragic run-in with three impossibly large bears in a remote cabin, seventeen-year-old Sonora Martin is a modern day Goldilocks. Yet her life is no happy, romantic fairy tale. Instead she finds herself thrust into a dark magical world of the fae and shape shifters and questions who she can trust.
After the sudden death of her grandmother, Sonora is forced to live with an aunt that she barely knows, her cousin, and Luke, her aunt’s reluctant boyfriend. A fight with her aunt sends Sonora running into the woods where she inadvertently learns a web of family secrets and of a startlingly pact for revenge with her as the target. Now with the help of a pair of unlikely allies Sonora must travel to the Shadow Realm in search of a way to survive.


Feature Friday Guest Author ~ Christy Sloat

This weeks Feature Friday Guest is Christy Sloat.

Christy Sloat pic

Christy Sloat is a Southern California native who now lives in New Jersey with her husband and two daughters. She believes that reading is a passion and it should be embraced. If she is not reading or writing she is cooking or spending quality time with her children.She believes in past lives and love that can last lifetimes. She is huge Stephenie Meyer and J.K. Rowling fan. Some of her favorite vacation spots are Maine, Massachusetts and California.

Today we have a short interview and a giveaway!!

Hello everyone! My name is Christy Sloat. I am the author of The Many Lives of Avery Snow and the newly published, The Brown House. I am pleased to be featured on this blog. I hope you check out my books and if you read them leave a review. I am an avid reader myself. I enjoy Paranormal, Young Adult, Horror and Romance books. I support Indie Authors, because I know how hard it is to get yourself out there as an author. My books are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords and more.

Why do you write?

I write because I feel that it is a passion that I have always had. I loved to write as a child. I have a very vivid imagination.

Would you write more than one series at a time?

Yes actually I am doing that right now. I have my “Past Lives Series” and my “Visitor’s Series” out at the same time. I like being busy.

What’s your writing process? Write when inspired? Make time? Daily word goal? Etc.

I try to write when I can find time. Being a stay at home mom, it makes it very hard to write during the day. So my writing time is late at night. I am a night owl. You will find me up until at least 1:00 am writing. I love to turn on Pandora and listen to music while I work. It helps the creative process. I do not have a word goal. I write until I can do it anymore. Until my fingers are tired.

Do you write to music, other noise, or have to have silence?

I have been known to write to silence at times, but I prefer music. It helps get me in the mood for my characters. For example when I am writing from Avery Snow’s perspective my music is sad/mellow.

If you write to some set noisemaker, list a few, give us an idea of your preferences.

I prefer to listen to Pandora Radio. I like the Twilight Radio, Indie Rock and Christina Perri stations.

Of all your books, which is your favorite?

I think I am most proud of The Brown House. It’s not that I do not love Avery Snow, but there is just something about The Brown House characters that I adore. Of course I love both my books. But right now, The Brown House wins.

Are you a Mac or are you a PC?

PC. I have no clue how to use a Mac.

Where can you find Christy?  Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon, Smashwordswebsite, blog.

Now for our giveaways. We’re going to give away an ecopy of The Many Lives of Avery Snow.

Avery snow book 1

And one of The Brown House.

The brown house

Available for Kindle, and Nook, and in paperback at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

You can click on the book covers to see more about each book.

Click here to enter the giveaway.  Drawing will be open until August 3rd, winners will be announced on the 4th.