A chat with The Funeral Singer author Linda Budzinski

I'm delighted to be interviewing Linda Budzinski on Fiction Dreams today. I contacted Linda after she submitted her YA trailer to the YA Trailer Park. I loved the look of the book so much that I invited her for an interview. Speaking of which, let's get on with it!

Can you tell us a little about your latest book, The Funeral Singer?
The Funeral Singer is my debut novel, a young adult romance published in September 2013 by Swoon Romance YA.
Melanie Martin is a junior in high school who sings part time in her father’s funeral home. One day, a video of her singing “Amazing Grace” goes viral on YouTube, transforming her into an overnight star.
The book is about Mel’s rise, fall, and redemption. It is about her friendships, her ambitions, and of course, it includes a romance … or two!

What inspired you to write it?

I wanted to write a book about the differences between real-life heroism and pop-culture heroism. At the time I wrote it, I was working for a non-profit organization in the funeral industry, so I know a lot of funeral directors and I know what a tough job they have.
Imagine working every day, all year long, with people who are having one of the worst days of their lives. But they get up every morning and go into work knowing that is what lies ahead for them. To me, that is real-life heroism, so I decided to set my novel in that world.

How did you come up with the idea for the cover?
My publisher created the cover. Honestly, I had something totally different in mind, but as soon as I saw the design they’d created, I loved it. It was so much better than anything I could have come up with on my own. It’s intriguing and eye-catching and sets the right tone for the book.

If it was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?
I think I would want them to be totally unknown actors and actresses—and singers, because there’s a fair amount of singing involved.
If I HAD to pick someone famous, I would want Zooey Deschanel to play Mel, because she’s fun and sweet and has a gorgeous voice. And Zed, the hot bass player Mel snags once she becomes famous, could be played by Matt Barnes, who plays bass for the UK band You Me at Six (so cute!).

What is it about the YA genre that appeals to you so much?
The teen years are filled with uncertainty and insecurity and conflict—which are not so great in real life, but are lots of fun to read and write about!
I also really enjoy the challenge of creating teen characters that defy the stereotypes we see in so many movies and TV shows: the mean girls, the jocks, the nerds. The teens I know aren’t “types.” They’re people, and they have minds, personalities, and desires all their own.

What made you want to become an author?
I’ve always loved to write. In fact, in the second grade I told my parents I wanted to be a paperback writer, just like in the Beatles song. As I grew up, I left behind that dream and pursued a more “practical” writing career—majoring in journalism in college and eventually going into a career in non-profit communications.
Then, about 12 years ago, I took a community continuing education class called “The ABCs of Writing for Children and Teens.” The first night, our instructor gave us some fun writing exercises, and I could literally feel a part of my brain that I hadn’t used in years. I could feel it physically tingling. I loved that class and couldn’t wait for Tuesday nights. After it ended, I kept going until (voila!) a dozen years later, here I am with an agent and a publisher and a real-live novel.

How do you come up with character names?
For the most part, my characters already have names—meaning, their names are a part of who they are when I first imagine them. I don’t have to come up with them.
The exception in this book was for the band members’ names. I did have to think about those. I found a fun website, www.rockstarname.com, to help generate their names.

Name one of your all-time favourite books?
Charlotte’s Web. I still ugly cry when I read it.

Who, or what, inspires you?
My faith.

Where is your favourite place to write?
In my bed, with my chihuahua, Demitria, by my side.

What is your favourite movie that was based on a book?
Catching Fire. I loved the entire Hunger Games trilogy and loved both of the first two movies. I think the Catching Fire movie may have actually improved on the book.

Name two of your favourite authors.
C.S. Lewis and Gary Schmidt.

If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?
Maybe the American Gothic authors—Poe, Hawthorne, Irving, Salinger—just because it would be cool to see what happens when you put so many brilliantly creepy minds together in the same room.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
The only “C” I got in college was in phys ed … badminton/volleyball. Hand-eye coordination has never been my strong suit.

Who would play you in the movie about your life?

Creative Commons Image courtesy: David Shankbone

No one would ever want to watch, much less produce or star in a movie about my life. The excitement of reading, writing, and solving crossword puzzles simply doesn’t translate to the big screen. But if I were to pick the actress who most looks like me, I would have to say Amy Poehler.

Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
I live about 30 minutes west of Washington, D.C., so of course there’s tons of history here. People who live in this area are so lucky, because we’re within a couple of hours of D.C., Baltimore, the mountains, and the water. And we’re about a two-hour train ride from New York City. So many options, and so of course, as I mentioned, I spend most of my time reading, writing, and solving crosswords.

What are your (writing) plans for the future?
Currently I am working on another young adult novel, something very different from The Funeral Singer. I am about two-thirds of the way finished and hope to have it ready for submission to my publisher in late summer.
Beyond that, I plan to continue writing YA books for as long as people will keep reading them.

Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
When my ancestors—the Eichorns—came over from Europe in the late 1700s, they first settled in Prince Edward Island in Canada (where Anne of Green Gables was set). It’s not particularly easy or cheap to get there, but I would love to make the trip someday and explore the island.

Favourite myth / fairytale?

Cinderella.

Who did you want to be when you were a kid?
A prairie girl, like Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Linda Budzinski's debut novel, THE FUNERAL SINGER, was published in 2013 by Swoon Romance. She is represented by Andrea Somberg of Harvey Klinger Inc. Linda lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, Joe, and their chihuahua, Demitria, and she has two grown step-daughters, Eris and Sarah.
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Get your copy of Linda's book right here:

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M is for Melissa Pearl #AtoZChallenge

It's no secret that one of my favourite YA authors is an indie author called Melissa Pearl. I've read pretty much everything she's written (I'm lucky enough to be one of her proofreaders so I get to read her stuff before everyone else!) and I'm always left gasping for more.
The first book I ever read of hers was called Golden Blood (Time Spirit Trilogy) and I finished it in the middle of the night. Thank goodness for Amazon and Kindle so I was able to download the next book instantly in order to continue reading - yes, I was that glued to the book! She's an amazing author who writes beautifully. I highly recommend her to anyone who loves to read YA.

Golden Blood 

Gemma Hart never knows when her father is going to whisk her back in time. Her toes start tingling and she has a few minutes to find a secret haven where she can disintegrate and appear in another time and place. While “across the line,” her training and skills are put to the test as she completes a mission that will change history for the lucky few her father has selected.
Gemma's parents are adamant that secrecy is paramount to her family’s safety. If people knew what they were capable of, they could be "used and abused", as her mother always says. Afraid she might accidentally utter the truth and break the ancient oath of her people, Gemma spends her school days as a loner. Only one thing can throw her sheltered life askew... Harrison Granger.
Harrison never expected to talk to the strange Hart girl, but after a brief encounter he can't stop thinking about her. He begins a campaign to chisel away her icy veneer and is met with unexpected consequences. As he slowly wins this girl over, he enters a surreal world that has him fighting to keep his newfound love and his life.

Black Blood 

Gemma and Harrison's fight to be together is far from over. With their relationship now exposed, Gemma's parents are looking for any excuse to bring an end to it. Their passionate dislike of Harrison is still a mystery to Gemma until she meets a man that tells her a truth she is not ready to hear. However, ignoring his warnings will do no good. When Gemma's parents take matters into their own hands, altering history and eliminating Harrison, Gemma is forced to trust this new stranger and learn what he can teach her...or she might never get her boyfriend back.

Pure Blood 

Empowered with a new set of skills and knowledge, Gemma is ready to take on whatever her parents throw at her. She is determined to secure her freedom and live the life she so desperately deserves. But underestimating her parents is a big mistake and Gemma soon learns that her only chance at ever being free is to sacrifice the very thing she loves the most...Harrison Granger.

The Betwixt Series

The Betwixt Series includes Betwixt, Before and Beyond.
Follow the lives of two teenagers who have to discover that sometimes to find your way, you have to get completely lost. This emotional series deals with the consequences of bad choices, young love... and the ultimate power of redemption.

The Elements Trilogy

The Elements Trilogy Omnibus includes Unknown, Unseen and Unleashed.
Embark on a treacherous journey into the unknown with two characters who must face their ultimate fears and desires in order to save their world from the impending darkness. This epic fantasy series is set in a medieval world and incorporates elements of magic, prophecy and forbidden love.

True Colors

Caitlyn Davis always cruised through life, not being the type to ruffle feathers or involve herself in high school drama. That is, until a chance encounter with a strange, homeless man changes everything.
Suddenly, Caitlyn has the ability to see behind people's masks. She discovers that her life isn’t as simple as she imagined and high school is filled with secrets...some very sinister ones.
Unable to ignore her new gift, Caitlyn embarks on a mission to learn why one of her friends suddenly appears terrified, but masks her fear with a bright, smiling veneer. Will Caitlyn's new ability lead her into hot water? Or is her new found vision a blessing that will expose her friends' true colors?
Her quest will lead Caitlyn to lose friends, stand up for those in need, and even find love.
At Palisades High School every face tells a story...

I Know Lucy

A new book coming out very soon!

For more information, visit http://www.melissapearlauthor.com

L is for Lost Soul #AtoZChallenge

L is for (The) Lost Soul, another book that I wrote myself. Actually it's the third book in The Raven Saga, my biggest selling trilogy. Based in Canada, The Lost Soul was one of my favourites to write because of all the fantasy within it. I mean, it's got everything - Nephilim, Vampires, Ghosts, Witches, Mermaids, hidden worlds :D

The Lost Soul

December and Lilly have got their work cut out for them. Not only are they desperately trying to figure out the identity of the Lost Soul, and track him down, they've also got to investigate why Powell River's newest resident has got all of their men falling at her feet.
But when they learn that the Nephilim might be involved, it becomes clear that they're all in extreme danger...

Grab your copy here.

K is for Kiersten White #AtoZChallenge

K is for Kiersten White, a YA author I discovered a couple of years ago. Admittedly, even though I totally fell in love with her first book, Paranormalcy, I have yet to read her second but I know I will - hopefully sometime soon! After Harry Potter and the Twilight series, Paranormalcy was probably the next YA book that I came across. It was a story after my own heart - just the kind of stuff I like to write myself - urban fantasy with a touch of magic. Perfect :)

Actually I've just been pleasantly surprised... I googled Kiersten and discovered that she's written heaps more than I thought. I really need to download her books!!

Paranormalcy

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only one who can see through glamours.
But now Evie’s dreams are filled with haunting voices and cryptic messages—and she’s realizing that she may be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.
So much for normal.

Visit http://kierstenwrites.blogspot.com for more information.

She's my favourite YA author of ALL TIME... it's Shalini Boland

I'm ecstatic today because I've got my all time favourite YA author with me. I first 'met' Shalini Boland on Authonomy when we were first getting to grips with our writing careers. We've been buddies ever since and I hope that one day soon I'll finally get to meet her. I just love her to bits. Anyway, enough of me blubbering over this fabulous lass, let's get on with the interview ;)

When did you first start writing? And when were you first published?
I’ve always loved to write and had a career as a singer songwriter for years before writing my first novel in 2006. I wasn’t intending to write a book, but had a great idea for a twist and found myself compelled to write the rest of the story. I didn’t publish my first novel until 2011.

Do you only write YA or do you have more up your sleeve?
I feel like Young Adult is where I’m most comfortable, and so all my books are in this genre except for one children’s novel, A Shirtful of Frogs. But even my children’s book has a YA feel and is read by all ages. I’m toying with the idea of writing a New Adult novel, but I have so many YA ideas that I don’t know whether I’d manage to find the time to fit in another genre.

What is it about YA that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres? If so, which?
I love the angsty coming-of-age drama of the Young Adult genre. Where characters are discovering who they are. They’re making mistakes and diving headlong into precarious situations, or they’re too scared to make a move. It’s all messy and wonderful. As I’m writing these stories, I’m imagining being back at that age and how it truly felt to be neither child nor adult, but something in between. In your own exclusive world that no one else really understands.
I read a lot of YA, but I also read a lot of everything else – horror, scifi, chick lit, historical, contemporary. As long as it’s escapist, I usually love it.

Where do you write?
I’ve just moved house, so I’m still trying to discover where works best for me. I’ve tried the study and that’s pretty good when the house is chaotic (husband/children madness etc). But when everyone’s out and the house is quiet, I find myself sitting on the sofa in the back room which looks out onto the garden. It’s always nice to see a bird or squirrel through the window when I look up from my laptop.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wasn’t one of those children who had a fixed idea of who or what I would be. I was always baffled by children who absolutely one hundred percent knew they were going to be a vet or a dentist or a journalist or whatever. I didn’t have a clue and if anyone asked me that question, my mind would come up blank. I guess I never saw myself in a regular job.

What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it? Is it part of a series?

 

My latest novel is Book 3 in The Outside Series. It’s called The Perimeter and is a dystopian adventure set in Britain in the near future. All three in the series feature Riley Culpepper, a sixteen year old girl, who lives a privileged life inside a ‘Perimeter’, a futuristic version of a gated community, which keeps her safe from everyone on the outside. It’s part thriller, part romance, with a few twists along the way. The Perimeter will be released in November 2013.

YAY!!!!!! I can't wait :D

What inspired you to write it?
Book 1 in the series, Outside, was the first novel I ever wrote. I had a great idea for an original ending and wrote the whole story around that initial idea. I’ve always been fascinated with post-apocalyptic stories – scary end-of-the-world scenarios - and so it was logical for me to make that the setting for my first series.

Have you ever spotted anyone reading your books anywhere?
Only online, lol! I’ve stumbled across forums where they’re discussing one of my books and in those circumstances I tiptoe away quietly.

Who designs your covers?
I always design my own covers and spend literally hours … days trawling the internet to find the perfect images. I have a great graphic designer friend who puts up with my terrible rough drawings and garbled instructions, managing to turn them into something wonderful. Thank you, Simon Tucker!

If your latest book was made into a film, who would you cast?
I would have to cast complete unknowns in my movie. They would be strong, understated actors and would be propelled to fame by the film’s runaway box office success, going on to have long illustrious careers, but never quite recreating the magic of The Outside Series . . . Sorry, nodded off there for a moment.

In the movie of your life, who would play you?

Image courtesy: Tony Shek

Tough question. Hmmm, I think it would have to be someone who didn’t take themselves too seriously. Someone left-of-centre like Marisa Tomei (pictured) or Zooey Deschanel.

I can so see that, Shalini!!

Are you a fan of chick lit?
I adore chick lit. All women do don’t they? And if they say they don’t, they’re probably lying ;) To me, chick lit is pure indulgence and must be enjoyed with either a glass of wine or an enormous slab of chocolate and a cuppa.

What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen?
Bridget Jones. I could watch those movies a gazillion times and whenever they’re shown on TV, I always get sucked right in.

What were the last two books you read?
Second Shift by Hugh Howey, a prequel to the terrifying and brilliant Wool series. And Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. Her writing is awesome. Awesome I tell you!

Name one female author who you think deserves to be better known.
Paullina Simons, who wrote The Bronze Horseman trilogy. I LOVE her. And of course, the imaginative and talented Suzy Turner whom I adore.
Awww thanks Sha :D

Speed Round...Top drink to make you tipsy? Southern Comfort or a good red wine.
Shopaholic or shopadon't? Shopa-definitely-do
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? I’m a boots and flipflops kinda gal. Love the idea of heels, but I don’t do ‘uncomfortableness’.
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? Love me a bit of Jilly. Haven’t read James.
Cry baby or tough cookie? Cry baby. Ask my husband – I’ve been known to sob at some of the adverts.

Shalini, you're not the only one!

Author Bio
Before kids, I was a singer songwriter signed to Universal Music. But writing fiction has taken over my life and now I’m a mother of two noisy boys and an author of teen novels. I write the kinds of books I love to read - gripping young adult adventures with a sprinkling of romance and a spattering of horror.

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Note from Suzy... if you're after an amazing vampire read, you really should check out The Marchwood Vampire series by Shalini. It's THE BEST YA vampire series I've ever read.

Please say hello to... Megg Jensen

Megg is a fantastic author of YA books. I've read Anathema and it was amazing!

When did you first start writing? And when were you first published?
I started writing at the age of seven and was first officially published in 5th grade. I won a national writing competition. If you mean professionally, then I'd admit to getting my first short story published back in 2007 when I was fresh out of college. At the time I was writing fantasy short stories and getting some great feedback. In 2002, with the birth of my daughter, I became a freelance parenting journalist and had over 400 articles published in the next nine years (under my real name, Megg is a pen name). Then I switched to fiction again. It's my first love.

What is it about YA that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres? If so, which?
YA has such an innocence about it. Even though it can deal with tough subjects, YA has that hope that everything will work out in the end.
I read widely. My favorite modern authors are actually thriller novelists James Rollins and the team of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. I can't miss a release from these guys.

What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it?

My latest novel is Shucked. It's basically Indiana Jones meets Suburgatory, but on a farm. A girl who has lived across the world with her archaeologist mother is forced to spend the next year living with her grandparents on their farm. There's a lot of crazy stuff that happens (nothing paranormal, it's straight-up contemporary), but I can assure you, it's all possible. My BA is in medieval history, but I minored in anthropology, so I know quite a bit about it. Plus, I grew up on a farm. Shucked is an amalgamation of many odd elements in my life.

What inspired you to write it?
Shucked has been tickling the back of my brain since 2008, but I wanted to focus on fantasy, so I put it aside. When my husband was facing a stressful health challenge earlier this year, I found I couldn't concentrate on my fantasy novel. It was too dark, too overwhelming. Shucked was my light-hearted haven in a very difficult time.

Is it part of a series?
Not yet. Never say never. ;)

Have you ever spotted anyone reading your books anywhere?
Oh no, I haven't! I'd probably giggle and walk away. I can't even imagine that.

Who designs your covers?

Shucked was designed by the impeccable Steven Novak. He also redesigned the ebook covers of Anathema, Oubliette, and Severed, as well as original covers for The Initiate and The Song of Eloh Saga. Robin Ludwig made my amazing paperback covers for Anathema, Oubliette, and Severed. PhatPuppy created Sleepers, Afterlife, and The Sundering.

If your latest book was made into a film, who would you cast?
For Shucked, I would cast Chloe Moritz as Tabitha and Cole Horibe as Alex.

Do you ever read Chick Lit? If so, what is it about this genre that you enjoy?
Chick Lit is just plain fun! It's a great escape for the reader.

What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen?
Does The Notebook count? *swoons*

What were the last two books you read?
The Book Thief by Zusack
Grave Mercy by LeFevers

Name one female author who you think deserves to be better known.
Sarra Cannon. She has such an effortless style. I love her muchly.

Where do you write?
Everywhere. At my desk on my iMac. On my iPad in cafes or libraries. In the car. In bed. Pretty much anywhere.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A writer or an archaeologist.

In the movie of your life, who would play you?

Photo Courtesy: vagueonthehow

Oh wow! Hmmmm....well, it has to be a natural redhead. Karen Gillan (pictured) or Bonnie Wright.

Speed Round...
Top drink to make you tipsy? Grey Goose, but I hardly ever drink. ;)
Shopaholic or shopadon't? If shoes are involved, shopaholic
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? Sky high!
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? I haven't read either
Cry baby or tough cookie? Tough cookie

Megg Jensen has been a freelance parenting journalist since 2003 and began writing YA novels in 2009. She owns 80 Pages, Inc., is a PAL member of SCBWI, speaks frequently at conferences and small groups, while juggling freelancing, volunteering, and family life. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two kids, and their two miniature schnauzers, Ace and Tanu.
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Cover Reveal: The Sentinel by Holly Martin

I'm so excited to be a part of Holly's reveal because it's gorgeous!! Now, if you missed it, I had a chat with Holly earlier today so scroll up to find out more about this fab author :)

The Sentinel
When Eve is rescued from a horrific coach crash by her teachers, she is shocked to discover they possess super strength and speed. But what happens next is even more harrowing.
In the aftermath of the crash she discovers that everyone in her life from neighbours, doctors, dentists, teachers, shop keepers and even her family and friends are actually super strength Guardians sent to protect her. They all have one thing in common, a single minded ferocity that she must be kept alive at all costs.
However, she is surrounded by secrets and lies. Those in the know deny all knowledge of what happened that fateful night. Everyone else carries on as normal, seemingly unaware of the new strange world that she has stumbled against.
With the help of Seth, her best friend, Eve discovers the prophecies surrounding her true identity and the super strength she too holds. With her Guardians pledged to protect her, her closest friends ready to die for her, her own hopes and dreams are put on hold whilst she battles to control the amazing powers she has been bestowed with.
But those that seek to destroy her move ever closer. Will the Guardians be enough to protect her when so many are prepared to stop at nothing to see her dead? And will she be strong enough to fulfil her destiny when the time comes?
A fast paced fantasy adventure for young adults. 
With high speed car chases, airborne fights, amazing stunts and super powered beings, this is a story of loyalty, friendship and love. 

hollymartinwriter.wordpress.com
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Say hi to... Holly Martin!

Please help to welcome the lovely Holly Martin to Fiction Dreams...

You've worked in a hotel, a bank, a school and now something intriguing called History Off The Page. Do tell us more!

I do history workshops in schools around the country, one day I'm a Viking, the next an Ancient Greek. I dress up, the kids and teachers dress up, the children make things of that period, it's great fun.

When did you first start writing? And when were you first published? 

I started writing about four years ago, I love it, it's complete escapism into a world where the characters do exactly what I want them to do. My first published work was my winning short story in the Belinda Jones Sunlounger anthology. My YA, The Sentinel will be published on October 16th.

What is it about this genre that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres? If so, which? 

I love chicklit because its a rose tinted world, where happy endings are aplenty. Happy endings are a must for me, the girl gets the man, the perfect job, the perfect house, with more than a few laughs along the way. I know real life isn't like that, the man you love marries someone else, the man you marry is not the man you fell in love with, but when I read I want to escape into a world that makes me smile and when I close the book I want that heart warming feeling because everything works out in the end. Real life is hard enough, that's why we read, to escape from it. Diversely, as my YA is out soon, I've been reading quite a bit of that genre too. There is something wonderful about a YA book that can transport you to another world, where the laws of physics do not apply, books filled with magical beings or powerful stones, stories of ghosts, zombies, and real friendship. There are some hugely talented writers out there in the YA world, Jack Croxall, Sharon Sant and Jaimie Admans to name but a few.

Your work has been shortlisted for awards. Congratulations! Can you tell more?
My second chicklit novel Changing Casanova and my third novel The Chainsaw Masquerade were both shortlisted for the New Talent award at the Festival of Romance last year. I was thrilled and I got to go along to a big swanky do to hear the results. I didn't win but I had a great night and met some truly lovely people. The Chainsaw Masquerade will be published next year.

Name one of your favourite Chick Lit books?
One? Just one? That's so hard. The Love Academy and Winter Wonderland by Belinda Jones, The First Time I Saw Your Face by Hazel Osmond and probably one of my favourites is Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it?
The Sentinel is my YA, released October 16th, it's a fast paced, action adventure for teens. It's about a seventeen year old girl that finds out, after a horrific coach crash, that she is charged with saving the world, that she has great powers and that her family, friends and even her teachers were actually super strength beings sent to protect her.
My Chicklit, out in January, is called The Guestbook, a love story with a unique twist. It tells the story solely through the messages left in the guestbook of a holiday cottage. Annie Butterworth is the landlady and lives next door and it is her story that is told through her interactions with the other guests.
Stay tuned to Fiction Dreams because we've got the Cover Reveal for The Sentinel this afternoon!!

What inspired you to write it? 

The Sentinel was just something I wanted to write for a long time. I loved the idea of a hidden identity, that everyone in Eve's life were actually part of this elaborate ruse to hide her from those that wanted to hurt her, to ensure she is alive at the end. When I get an idea, I just have to write it down and sometimes those ideas grow and sometimes they don't. The idea for the Guestbook came from staying in a hotel with a guestbook and there were little messages from people, these little snapshots of people's lives at that moment and I wanted to do a story like that.

How did you come up with the titles to your books? 

Titles are the hardest. For many months, I just name the document after the main characters. Friends and family help, sometimes I've even drawn names out of a hat, but in the end you just go with your gut and what feels right.

Who designs your covers? 

Both my covers are being designed by Scarlett Rugers, she's very professional and has some wonderful ideas.

If your latest book was made into a film, who would you cast? 

As romantic male lead in the Guestbook I would have to have Orlando Bloom.

What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen? 

Bridget Jones, the humour is brilliant

Who is your all time favourite Chick Lit character? 

Again, I'd have to go with Bridget Jones

Name one female author who you think deserves to be better known. 

Through Sunlounger and the lovely people I've met afterwards, I've come across lots of very talented self published female authors, Laurey Buckland's A Girl's Guide to Fairy Tales was fantastic and definitely as good as anything out there in chicklit world. Sharon Sant is an incredible writer. It's sad that there is so much talent out there, but they are just not getting the exposure they deserve because they are not traditionally published.

Where do you write? And do you ever wish you could write elsewhere? if so, where?
I always imagined myself writing in some kind of summer house, with lots of cushions, and big windows over looking rolling countryside or beautiful sea views, in reality I write wherever and whenever I can, normally at my dining table or on my bed.

In the movie of your life, who would play you? 

Image courtesy: Daniel Dormann

Someone beautiful of course, if I get to choose, it would be someone stunning. Liv Tyler, probably, I don't look anything like her apart from the dark hair, but I'm sure she'd do a great job, Sandra Bullock is lovely so if Liv couldn't do it, what with other film commitments, Sandra would be a great understudy.

Speed Round...
Top drink to make you tipsy? Pimms and Lemonade
Shopaholic or shopadon't? Shopadon't
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? Flats all the way for me
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? EL James although I actually really enjoyed Sylvia Day recently too.
Cry baby or tough cookie? Um I don't cry very often, but when I do it seems to be over very silly things.

Author bio

I live in sunny Bedfordshire in a house with round windows. I studied media at university which led to a very glitzy career as a hotel receptionist followed by an even more glamorous two years working in a bank. The moment that one of my colleagues received the much coveted carriage clock for fifteen years service was the moment when I knew I had to escape. I quit my job and returned to university to train to be a teacher. Three years later, I emerged wide eyed and terrified that I now had responsibility for the development of thirty young minds. I taught for four years before History Off The Page came to my school to do a Tudor day. I now drive round the country in my little white van, dressing up as a Viking one day and an Egyptian High Priestess the next.
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thesentinelseries.wordpress.com.

Guest post by YA Author Patti Larsen: Switching Siblings

My most popular series is the Hayle Coven Novels, and its lead character, Sydlynn Hayle. Dragged from her desire to be ordinary into almost more supernatural mess than she can handle, Syd perseveres through the series, evolving from a troubled and frustrated teen into a powerful and confident 22-year-old woman.
But what of her little sister, Meira? Always second, eight years younger and never in line to take over her family’s coven leadership, Meira is not only handicapped as the second daughter of an immensely powerful family, her heritage—half demon—has left a physical toll. Her red-tinted skin, glowing amber eyes and cute little black horns have forced her to wear a magical disguise her entire life—as well as an emotional one.
From Syd’s point of view, her little sister is a happy-go-lucky, charming and brilliant girl. But, is that Meira’s reality? As the younger sister of two older and much more charismatic women, I can empathize with Meira. No matter how kind your more advanced siblings are (or not so kind!), being the younger and out of the running for any amount of attention can lead to frustration and anger toward the older sibling.
In The First Plane Trilogy, I leave Syd’s point of view to explore just what it’s like to be Meira—what she’s really felt as she’s grown up with her “handicap” of hiding her demonness, being in Syd’s constant shadow. Now that she’s taken over as Ruler of her father’s plane, Demonicon, her experiences as Syd’s kid sis impact everything she does. Exploring her old hurts and the different ways she approaches challenges has been fun and eye opening for me. And really makes me think about my older siblings and how being their little sister has shaped who I am.

About Patti

Patti Larsen is an award winning young adult author with a passion for the paranormal. Now with multiple series in happy publication, she lives in beautiful Prince Edward Island, Canada, home of Anne of Green Gables and the most beautiful red sand beaches in the world, with her very patient husband and six massive cats.
You can find her all over the Webz:
www.pattilarsen.com
www.facebook.com/pattilarsenauthor
www.twitter.com/PattiLarsen
www.bit.ly/PattiLarsen