Interview with Kelly Harms, author The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane

Kelly Harms, author of The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane, stopped by Traveling With T for an interview today. She will be back later this week to reveal her #literarycrush and #literaryconfessions!

Interview with Kelly Harms, author of The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane

Kelly, how did the idea of The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane happen?

The premise of the book came through obsessive and certainly excessive viewing of the HGTV network, where they give away a Dream Home every year. I wanted that house, and I knew someone had to win. Alas, it was not me. So I gave it to my imaginary friends. That’s healthy, right?

Is any of the characters in The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane like you, Kelly ?

Hah! They all are, I imagine. They are all seeds of the secret selves of me, grown into full blown people. We all have a shy side, a careless side, a daring side. These three women are expressions of mine—but by page six they had taken off running on their own, and I let them.

How long did it take to write The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane?

It took me six months to write it. And two years to edit it. I liked the writing part much, much better.

Kelly, is there a writing room or a writing space that you use when working?

No! I’m on my sofa right now, looking out over a sea of brightly colored toy construction trucks. My beloved little toddler calls the room in which I write “my living room.” As in, his. I’m just lucky he lets me use it after he goes to bed.

The cover of The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane is really pretty and eye-catching. How did the cover get chosen?

Thank you, on behalf of Thomas Dunne Books. It’s beautiful and I had very little to do with it. Years in publishing have taught me, at the very least, how to stay out of my own way when it comes to all things visual. Left to my own devices the cover would have been an actual shipwreck.

Do you think The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane would make a good movie? Have you ever wondered who could make up the dream cast?

Well, I do love romantic comedies. So would I like to see mine on the screen? Naturally. The dream cast would be any actor who cared for the story. Janey and Nean are very visually amorphous in my mind. They could be anyone who brought their hearts to life. Though, I would tell the director, if she asked, not to make a mockery of Aunt Midge. Old broads deserve respect.

What are you working on next, Kelly? Are you still gathering ideas or do you have a book in mind?

I have been tapping away at something I feel pretty passionately about. But I’m wildly superstitious. I’ve gotten it into my head that if I tell anyone the plot, the story will leak out of me and into the air and I will never be able to pin it back down to the page.

I say things like this and think, my God, what an author I’ve become. Still, there we are. I’m writing, but I can’t tell you what.

*Special thanks to Kelly Harms for agreeing to be interviewed!

When Kelly is not writing in her son’s living room, or watching HGTV- she can be found on Twitter, Facebook and her website. Kelly is currently working on her second novel.

Bloggers Made Of AWESOME: Gina @ Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Another AWESOME blogger feature! Ya’ll that normally read my blog know how I love giveaways. How I love spreading the news during my mash-up posts. During a looking for giveaways to feature, I found Gina’s blog. I started reading and checking her blog out more frequently. Then I decided it was time to feature Gina here!

I hope you enjoy learning more about Gina @ Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers!

Bloggers Made Of AWESOME: Gina @ Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Gina- when did you begin blogging?

May 18th, 2009 – so many moons ago!

How did you come up with the name Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers?

It was actually a play on words when I was just goofing around, bouncing ideas around…and it stuck. 😉

What are your thoughts on blogging today in an ever-changing book-ish world? Are blogs helping other readers connect with good books?

I think the bloggy world of it all is here to stay but I will admit that it takes a certain dedication to stick it out in the long run. You’ll run into highs and lows of readers passing through, comments being made, conversations sparking, even the dreaded writer’s block or reading rut but if you keep it about what you like, keep it personal, it won’t become a chore as opposed to the fun filled hobby it began as.

The “good” or “bad” of a book is really determined by the individual reader so my answer to the connections question is this…it IS connecting the readers of the world with bookish possibilities. Sometimes I’ll run across something highlighted on a site I never would have looked twice at on the shelf…yet I find myself drawn to it.

When you are not blogging (or reading!)- what do you like to do?

Umm…that’s a hard one! Let’s see, working…spending time with family, including my fur-babies (pups, gotta love ‘em!)…indulging my love of music/movies…and of course, buying more books. I’ve a serious weakness for our local stores, and the library’s bookstore. 😉

Do you have any #literaryconfessions?

I have not read, much to the chagrin of my coworkers/friends, and still only have tentative plans to read….THE HUNGER GAMES. Yep. *ducks objects thrown*

Do you have a #literarycrush?

Hmm, not in the sense of one guy above all others, but I usually find one in each read that I prefer in some fashion. I mean there’s Julian from The Forbidden Game series, Edward from Twilight (and no, not the vampire aspect of him either), then almost any of the Sullivan brothers from Bella Andre’s series, most recently Gabe….and the list continues. Guess I’m just a sucker for the idea of a great guy….

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2013?

Too many to name! One of the many….THE GIRL WHO SOARED OVER FAIRYLAND AND CUT THE MOON IN TWO by Catherynne M. Valente. This series, aside from the uber fabulous titles themselves, is FANTASTIC! It’s rated for the Kids Fiction genre, but totally works on a higher level as well and helps build vocabulary strength in all!

In your opinion, what book has been the best book you have read (so far!) in 2013?

No fair! I don’t usually pick favorites. If I was hard pressed, my list would include at the very least…anything by Steven Manchester (most recently THE ROCKIN’ CHAIR), LOOKING FOR ME by Beth Hoffman, STORMING THE CASTLE by Christopher Healy, SAND CASTLE BAY by Sherryl Woods, THE SILENCE OF BONAVENTURE ARROW by Rita Leganski….you said this year so far, right? 😉

You have a beach vacation planned. What are the 3 books that you must bring?

Now see, I’m an equal opportunity reader…my only requirement would be that they be different types of books, different genres if at all possible. Variety IS the spice of life after all.

Are you an e-book or tree book lover? Or does it not matter?

Tree book tree book tree book all the way! It’s true, I read SOME ebooks, but they are on a limited basis. I much prefer the experience of reading with an actual physical book. The chance to unplug and unwind with my favorite past time is just heavenly.

What has been your most liked (or shared) blog post? Why do you think it was so popular?

Well of course the MOST popular are always the ones with contests…let’s face it, almost every reader is out to get more books to feed their habit. 😉 Aside from the contests, it really depends on the day of the week. Guest Posts go over well to some degree as do the book spotlights because they are a quick hit and go, but I gotta say, the classic review posts garner some attention too. My site is not one that garners a lot of comments (*sniff sniff*) but the page counts, time spent and interactions with other readers via other social media outlets make it worth my while.

If you could have dinner with any author (dead or alive) who would you pick? And why?

Seeing as how I wouldn’t have any clue what to serve a dead author (not to mention, how awkward would that be?!), I suppose I’d most like to sit down and chat in person with some of my current author acquaintances. Whom specifically? Again with the favorites! (Jk!) No, seriously, I’d want a dinner PARTY with Beth Hoffman, Marilyn Brant, Dorothy Dreyer, Melissa Marr…hey, was there a fire code limit on the number of attendees?

Liked reading about Gina? Find her on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Goodreads. Also visit her blog, Bookbrowser, BlogLovin’ and LibraryThing.

Interview with Joanne Phillips, author of Murder at the Maples

Photo Credit: Escape With Dollycas

Today’s interview with Joanne Phillips, author of Murder at the Maples is part of the MURDER AT THE MAPLES blog tour that is an Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book sponsored blog stop! Read about Joanne here and be sure to visit other stops on the tour for more interviews, reviews and giveaways! Read on for giveaway info!

Interview with Joanne Phillips, author of Murder at the Maples

Joanne- thank you for agreeing to be interviewed at Traveling With T!

Thanks so much for having me on your blog for the very first stop of the tour J

“A reluctant sleuth” is part of the tag line for Murder at the Maples, which I find interesting, because most cozy mysteries I read have a sleuth who is definitely not “reluctant”. How did you decide on a “reluctant sleuth”?

This is the first in a series, and when we meet Flora Lively she has no idea she’s going to end up investigating a murder! In fact, if you told her what she’d soon be up against she’d probably run screaming – Flora has enough on her plate recovering from the loss of her parents and taking over the running of her dad’s pride and joy, Shakers Removals. The odd happenings at the Maples could easily be written off as the ravings of an old lady, and at first Flora is reluctant to see any more to it than this. Of course, once she’s got the bit between her teeth she’s absolutely determined to solve the mystery, and is no longer a reluctant sleuth. By the time book two comes along I’ll have to think of a very different tag line!

Murder at the Maples is the first book in the Flora Lively mysteries. When writing this book, did you know how it would end? Or did the ending reveal itself as you wrote?

I didn’t know how it would end when I started writing – I just had Flora’s character and the initial scene, and an idea of a sixty year old secret that would rear its ugly head. When I got to the end of the first draft I saw that the ending I’d arrived at wasn’t powerful enough and it needed a completely different ending, and that was when I had the most fun, planting clues and plotting the trail that would lead to the new climax.

Do you have a writing space? A writing routine?

I have a lovely office in my home, but I’m also really lucky to have a brand new summerhouse that we’ve just built in the garden where I can go and write. I plan to get it set up so I can write out there all year round – blankets and a heater a must! My routine is fairly flexible as I have a five year old daughter to look after too, and I work part-time as a freelance indexer for publishers, but I do write every day, or work on some book-related task like marketing or reaching out to readers.

If Murder at the Maples was made into a movie- do you have a dream cast in mind?

I think it would make a great TV series J Well, we can dream … But no, I don’t have a cast in mind. I see Flora as very petite and quite quirky-looking, physically a lot stronger than she looks, pretty but also someone who doesn’t try too hard with her looks. Marshall – one of my favorite characters – is gorgeous, a real charmer, but scruffy as they come. That said, I like for my readers to imagine characters for themselves, and I expect any TV producers would reinvent them completely anyway!

What can readers expect next from Flora? Can you give any hints about the next book in the series?

The next book is called ‘A Date With Death’ and is due out next year. Flora’s best friend Celeste returns from her travels abroad, but when her new boyfriend dies in mysterious circumstances, Celeste is under suspicion and Flora finds her investigative skills in demand once again. I’m really excited about Book 2 because I think in the first book of a mystery series there’s a lot of setting up to do – particularly with characters who aren’t actual private detectives or police officers: you have to explain why they would even be investigating in the first place. But with the rest of the books in a series you can just dive right into the action! In ‘A Date With Death’ I’m planning an Agatha Christie-esque set up, where the reader has to try and work out who’s guilty from a narrow cast of characters all holed up in one place. Oh, and Flora goes undercover, which should be a lot of fun.

*Special thanks to Joanne Phillips for agreeing to be interviewed!

Photo Credit: Escape With Dollycas

Joanne is hard at work on the second book in the series- A Date With Death! Look for it in 2014! Joanne can be found on Twitter and Facebook, as well!

*Giveaway: 1 Lucky winner will win a copy of Murder at the Maples by Joanne Phillips. Just comment, leave you email (you may us the AT and DOT) and GOOD LUCK! Giveaway runs from October 8- October 14th at 11:59pmEST. Winner will be notified October 15th. **NOTE: This is an e-book giveaway!

Looking for more stops on the tour? Here is the list! Want to win a $10 Amazon gift card? Visit the Rafflecopter giveaway!

Interview with Suzanne Redfearn, author of Hush Little Baby

A few weeks ago, through a set of happy circumstances for a California friend of mine, I was asked to consider for review Hush Little Baby. Intrigued, I looked for information- and was quite pleased by what I saw. Mother-bear? Good vs evil? A mystery/suspense story? Yes, please!

I’m reading Hush Little Baby right now- and it is very good. My review will be posted in the next few days, but I have an interview with Suzanne Redfearn to get you, my readers of Traveling With T, interested in Hush Little Baby!

Interview with Suzanne Redfearn

Suzanne, thank you for agreeing to be interviewed!

Thank you for asking me.

What was the inspiration for Hush Little Baby?

A friend of mine was going through a divorce. Until she separated from her husband, the two seemed like the picture of happiness. But the story she told over drinks one night of the abuse and cruelty she endured behind closed doors was so frightening it made me wonder how many other marriages are not what they appear.

The curveball came about a month later when we went out again and my friend’s story had changed, the tale altered and now with glaring inconsistencies from the earlier version that caused an alarm to blare in my brain. What if she was making it up? Custody of the kids was at stake. Could she be setting her husband up? For over 10 years, I’d known her husband as a stand-up guy, the baseball coach who never yelled, the neighbor who happily carted your Christmas tree home in his truck, the kind of guy who always showed up and did his part. Yet, how quickly I dismissed all that based on a story over drinks; how quickly everyone dismissed it, so easily accepting that he was abusive and dangerous.

So I got to thinking; how easy it is to sabotage a life, that if my husband set out to destroy me, to preemptively strike before I realized what was going on, he could do it. He knows my weaknesses, my failings, my vulnerabilities. If he had the inclination, he could easily undermine my reputation and portray me as unstable or a bad mother, ensuring that if we divorced, he’d get custody of the kids.

My friend loves her children above all else, three beautiful boys. At the time they were 4, 9 and 12, and their futures, as well as her own, hung in the balance. To this day, nearly three years later, I don’t know if she was telling the truth or manufacturing lies. Either way, her story was a captivating cautionary tale that made me wonder how far someone might go to keep their spouse from getting custody of their kids, and then, if the kids were in danger, real danger, how far the other spouse might go to get them back.

Hush Little Baby is your debut novel. As a debut author, are you finding social media as a powerful tool in connecting with fans or potential readers?

Absolutely. It is an amazing way to reach out to your audience. Blogs, Facebook, and Twitter allow me to get the word out. It’s grassroots marketing at its best. I love the enthusiasm of the readers and how they share their perspective and spread the word. It’s extraordinarily powerful. I feel like I’m connected to this incredible community and they’re connected to me, both of us able to interact at the click of a button.

What is the best advice that you have received in the course of writing Hush Little Baby?

I stumbled upon this quote, “Drama is anticipation with uncertainty.” I was about halfway through the novel and I pasted the saying to my computer. It drove the novel.

Domestic violence is a part of Hush Little Baby. As a woman, did writing about something serious as domestic violence trouble you ?

I did extensive research on the subject of domestic violence and it was very troubling. What I found most disturbing was the psychological subterfuge that creates the entrapment. It made me realize that every woman is susceptible to that kind of fear and manipulation, and that any woman could be a victim. I became incredibly sympathetic to the victims and much more understanding of their plight.

How do you create characters? Are the characters based on people you know?

The story was inspired by a couple I know and the difficult divorce they were going through, but Jillian and Gordon are not them. I keep photos from the internet beside my computer to give me a physical reference for my characters, but aside from that, the characters evolve organically. There are lines I’ve taken from people I know as well as ticks and habits, but each character is a compilation of different characteristics that emerge as the story develops and meld together until the character is as real and unique as any actual person I know.

When writing Hush Little Baby, did you know how it would end? Or did the ending reveal itself as you were writing?

I never have any idea where my stories are going to lead. I start with a big idea, “How far will a woman go to save herself and her children from her abusive husband?” then I begin. I was right there with Jillian throughout her struggles, and there were nights I couldn’t sleep as I wondered how I was going to get her out of the trouble she was in.

Any ideas as to what the next book will be about?

I am working on an exciting new story about another mother protecting her kids. Though the mother-bear theme is similar to HUSH LITTLE BABY, the story is entirely new and the protagonist wonderfully different from Jillian. She is more of an every-woman – a young, single mom, bumbling her way through life who finds herself in an extraordinary circumstance that quickly spins out of control. One kid thrives while the other two struggle, and difficult choices need to be made, this mild-mannered mom faced with the daunting challenge of taking the reins of the her runaway life before they all go over the edge, and she loses everything.

*Thanks to Suzanne Redfearn for agreeing to this interview!

Want to connect with Suzanne Redfearn, author of Hush Little Baby? Here is Suzanne’s website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

Linky Love Party hosted by Love at First Book!

The genius behind Love at First Book (you might know her as Rebecca!) is spreading linky love this week. Linky Love- it’s a good thing!

Here is the post and the guidelines for joining in the fun!

I couldn’t decide which 1 to post- so I posted 2. One is a personal thought, making you think about blogging post- A Million and 1 Ways to be a Blogger.

The other- my book-ish friend, Keetha, gave me the nudge to add my link- she commented on my review of The Husband’s Secret– telling me I did a “masterful job with the review”!

Be sure and check in this week at Love at First Book- see what links are getting some love!

Literary Friday ya’ll….

It’s Friday- what’s your weekend plans?

1. Deep South Mag and their #literaryfriday: Fannie Flagg, Vampire Books, Lee Smith, book festival news and so much more!

2. #giveaways this week include:

Always With a Book is giving away the latest Laura Childs book, Gilt Trip!

Book-Alicious Mama is giving away Grounded by Angela Correll!

Traveling With T is giving away Strangled by Silk by Barbara Jean Coast!

3. Traveling With T was visited this week by Angela Correll- her debut novel, Grounded, was released this week! Read the Interview or Author Spotlight about Angela for more information!

4. Reviews posted this week on Traveling With T: Grounded by Angela Correll, Wedding Belles by Beth Albright, The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty & Rose Harbor in Bloom by Debbie Macomber.

5. Book Lovers Unite is reading The Life List for October! Here is Week 1 questions!

6. Another AWESOME blogger: Helen at My Novel Opinion!

7. Yesterday, I posted a blog post that I had written- A Million and 1 ways to be a Blogger. In it, I consider things that bloggers think about- but mainly, the question is “Am I Blogging Right?” Is there a right or wrong way to blog? I don’t know- but I’m loving hearing what others are thinking!

8. Bloggers Recommend just posted their October newsletter: 26 Must Reads for October 2013. Check it out and find you a read!

9. My #fridayreads The Last Winter of Dani Lancing by P.D. Viner. At first it was hard to get into- but I hit a groove the other night. Let’s hope that continues!

10. October 10th come chat with Literary New England and myself- it’s a combo chat between Literary New England and She Reads- we’ll be discussing The Movement of Stars by Amy Brill. There will be giveaways! 8pmEST #LNEChat

Author Spotlight: Angela Correll

Today Angela is back to reveal her #literaryconfessions and her #literarycrush (it’s 1 that readers of Traveling With T have seen before- but no one ever complains 🙂

Author Spotlight: Angela Correll

What are some of your favorite books, Angela?

So many! Wendell Berry’s Port William novels, Jan Karon’s Mitford books, the Believers by Janice Holt Giles and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

If you could choose to be a character in a book- who would you choose?

Dorothy Gilman’s Emily Pollifax. Mrs. Pollifax is always getting into something while traveling the world.

If you were not an author, what would you like to be?

A history detective. I love unsolved mysteries and history is a passion, so what could be better than combining the two?

Do you have any #literaryconfessions?

I must confess I am a southerner who has never read William Faulkner. Absalom Absalom! Is on my bedside table, does that count?

Do you have a #literarycrush?

I wish I could be more original but it’s always been Fitzwilliam Darcy.

What is your favorite song?

Have I told you Lately by Van Morrison

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

I love the reality show, Flying Wild Alaska!

*Special thanks to Angela Correll for agreeing to this author spotlight!

Want to connect with Angela Correll? Here’s the information: website, Facebook and Twitter.

Book Lovers Unite Week 1 Discussion Questions: The Life List

It’s time! It’s here! All October long we will be discussing The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman- a fantastic debut novel that is heartwarming and made of wonderful!

This is Week 1 of the discussion- here is the Reading Schedule! Need to know more about Lori Nelson Spielman? Read the interview and author spotlight that was featured on Traveling With T over the summer!

Questions for Week 1:

1. Did you ever make a “life list” for yourself? If so (and if you feel like sharing) what were some of the things on the list?

2. When The Life List begins, we know that Brett has lost her mother. Brett is filled with grief and sadness- but does have to smile a bit that her mother has taken some steps to make this day easier (the champagne and the journal for later). Would you read the journal today or wait?

3. “Who’s going to boost my confidence now that my mom’s gone?”- Brett, pg 7. Is this a normal mother-daughter relationship? Or an extra-special relationship?

4. Is it cruel or loving what Elizabeth has in mind for Brett to receive her inheritance?

5. Brett’s friends try to think of ways that Brett can technically complete the list- is this what Elizabeth was thinking when she stipulated the list in her will?

6. Why is Brett so hesitant to contact Carrie?

7. Elizabeth asks “Where did she go, that fearless, self-assured girl who loved to entertain?” Why is Elizabeth so worried about this? People change- so why can’t Elizabeth accept this is not part of Brett’s personality anymore?

8. Elizabeth gives Brett a deadline as to when to finish the goals. Why? Should the deadline be negotiable? Shouldn’t Brett have time to grieve?

9. Brett loves Andrew. Can she cross the “falling in love” off her life list?

* These are just some questions to get you thinking- feel free to answer all or just some! If you have a question ask- just don’t ask about anything that did not happen between pages 1-96 #nospoilersplease!

A million and 1 ways to be a Blogger….

Some of the things in this post have been on my mind for awhile- I don’t have all the answers (nor do I pretend to).

My first book love was The Monster at the End of the Book- Grover is worried about the monster- and as you turn pages, he tries to prevent you- because there is a MONSTER at the end of the book. My fav kid book- and one that I still remember fondly because it was time spent with my dad.

When I was 9-ish, I was introduced to the Babysitters Club series- and thus a real love of reading began. I still remember how my mom told everyone in the family “If you are going to the library, pick T up a couple of BSC books” because there was 2 book limit (which proved to be a cross for my mom to bear during the 3 weeks of school I missed with chicken pox). Hence the pleas to family members about the books. Other books came and went in my life- Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley Twins and on and on- even Fear Street. I was a reader- and was proud of it!

I don’t think if you told the 9 year old me that one day I would be a blogger who received books for review that she would have believed you. My 9 y/o self would have thought that I had to live in the big city (that is NYC, btw) and have a connection with the publishing world. To be honest, sometimes, my adult self tends to not believe that I get to read and review books as part of my blogging hobby.

But, I do. I’m not saying the road has been easy (it hasn’t). I didn’t start this blog and instantly get 1 million followers. The New York Times is not quaking in it’s boots about my reviews.

I still remember the first request from a big NYC publisher- to this day, I have no idea how they found my book blog. But I have loved it- and look forward to each email I get from them!

There are 500+ million blogs in this world (I don’t know- I’m just guessing) and with each blog, people have things to say. Books, fashion, make-up, personal lives,- blogs are devoted to topics (and the sky is the limit when it comes to topics for your blog). When I first started Traveling With T– I wanted a place to talk about book signings, road trips, fun events and more. I had considered opening another blog devoted to books- and then decided 2 blogs would be more trouble, Hence, Traveling With T became a book blog (with talk of book signings and fun events mixed in). Some days, I’m personal- talking about the loss of my beloved dog or the happiness of seeing my baby brother getting married. In just a few months, I’ll be a first time aunt- that’ll be an experience.

What I’m saying is this- my blog is a mix. Mainly books- but other things get mixed in. Life gets mixed in. It works for me.

My 2 year blog anniversary is fast approaching. December will be here before I know it. But, I still feel like such a newbie in some ways regarding my blog. And I am. I’ve been book blogging for a year- give or take a couple of months. How did I start book blogging? First, I started just talking about books that I LOVED- I basically took what I was doing on Twitter and expanded it into a more than 140 character version! Then, through a series of good luck and serendipity, I was able to become a She Reads blogger- a group of women bloggers who I adore (and frequently support!) Then I slowly started receiving requests from others about reviewing books, made some connections with people who I really admire, and just focused on making Traveling With T fun.

Blog tours are fun ways to connect with other bloggers- and I enjoy them quite a bit. Sometimes, though, for certain reasons- your blog is not a fit for them. Maybe you don’t have enough followers, maybe it’s other reasons. It sucks (it really does when you want to be a part of a certain tour), but it happens. Pull your chin up, and just move on. It’s happened to me before and it’ll happen again. You, as a blogger, won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. Just remember that. And when you find some blog tours that you do fit in with- well, that’s a beautiful thing.

I used to would not ask for interviews from authors- I thought “why bother? My blog is just teeny.” Bother to do it. The worst they can say is no- and it will happen. But not as much as you think.

Over the summer, I had the great fortune of interviewing more than half of the Deep South Magazine Summer Reading List authors. My blog was BUSY- interviews and giveaways going on- which made me happy. I like to have things posted pretty much everyday (and yes, there are days when I post multiple times). Did I over-schedule my summer? Maybe. Maybe not, though. A Summer Reading List interview would have looked silly being posted in the fall for the first time, am I right?

After talking to many blog friends (but 2 in particular- that I owe a depth of gratitude to for all they do), my head spins a bit from all the rules and guidelines they use for their blogs. Some post 1x a day. Some will only read 1 post a day per blog they follow. Some do not read interviews. Some only read interviews. Some read only book reviews. Some like reading book reviews, but will only read if the sky is blue that day 😉 Each person has their own rules and ways- what works for them and what does not. What works for me? I like to schedule a set amount of posts per week- a mix of reviews and interviews. On Tuesday and Thursday, I like to have a mashup- it’s news about giveaways and other things going on in the internet world. Some days, there is not enough to post about- if not, I just don’t worry! Friday is my #literaryfriday- it’s where I support my fav online magazine, my #fridayreads and other things. Some days, I have a chunk of time and a pile of reviews to catch up on- and I just blog, baby, blog. Because, while one day I would LOVE to be a part of the publishing world- maybe a publicist- at this point, I blog in my spare time. I look over the blog for a month or 2 ahead of time and try to plan posts. Most of the time it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

Here, though, is what I wonder some days: Am I blogging right? And the answer is: YES! Maybe some days there is an interview and a review- and maybe you only like to read reviews. So, read the review, ignore the interview. Or vice versa. The thing is, the thing that 2 people helped me realize is this: IT’S YOUR BLOG. Blog how you want, how you feel. If 1 post a day, feels good- do it. If you only want to post 3 times a week- hey, it works. There are going to be people who don’t like the way you do things. There are going to be people who love the way you do things. There are going to be people who don’t care either way.

I’m not saying there is (or isn’t) a right or wrong way to blog. I’m sure people who have been blogging a lot longer than me have more of this figured out. Maybe in a year, I’ll have a different idea about blogging. However, I think that the most important thing about blogging is this- be comfortable with your blog. Love your blog. If you don’t, change it up.

You, as a blogger, can drive yourself nutty looking at statistics- blog views, comments, and more. Some days, you’ll be on top of the world with X amount of visitors. Some days you’ll have so few that you’ll be convinced the internet is broken. You can’t go into blogging expecting the be the next big thing- you can hope; but for all the stories you hear about “this blogger turned her blog into a book deal”- it happens. It just does not happen all the time. For me, blogging is a fun way to connect with others. To find people with similar reading tastes, to find books that I may not have known about- to expand my reading taste.

At the end of the day, what I hope people think of me as blogger is this: A fun place to chat about books. An enthusiastic book worm. A proud supporter of various blogs and book-ish things.

Blog because you love to blog. Support other blogs. Comment. Retweet. See a blog you love? Share that! Be a blogger who cares.

Interview with Angela Correll, author of Grounded

Angela Correll is a debut author- her first book is GROUNDED. One of the best things about blogging is finding debut authors (or having people assist you in the finding of new authors!) Angela graciously allowed me to interview her at Traveling With T- so here is the interview. Check back later this week- because even the debut authors have to answer the #literarycrush and #literaryconfessions questions at Traveling With T!

Interview with Angela Correll, author of Grounded

What was the inspiration for the book Grounded?

Fifteen years ago, I left Lexington to marry and move to a farm outside of a small town. This was like coming home for me since I grew up in a neighboring town and most of my family members farmed. However, I hadn’t lived on a farm since I was five years old, so this was a new experience for me as an adult. My recent city mindset made me see the differences in rural and urban environments, city vs. small town, and the value of both. That experience was the original inspiration for Grounded.

Angela– Grounded is your first book. As a debut author, is social media playing a role in promoting your book?

Facebook has been huge for getting the word out to friends from different seasons of my life. I can’t imagine doing this without it. I am blogging and tweeting, so yes, it is important. Part of me wants to retreat to a time when there is no technology and I am pecking away on an aged typewriter, but in order to be relevant in today’s age, it’s important to do.

What is the best advice you have received in regards to writing?

It’s a little talent, but mostly perseverance. Stay with it day after day, learn, grow, improve, and always be willing to revise. In the beginning writers want to know if they have enough talent to invest a huge chunk of time writing. That’s not the question as much as do you want to put the time and effort that it will take to do this? Can you persevere?

Do you have a writing space? Or a writing routine?

The early morning is my favorite writing time. I sit in my den with my feet propped up on an ottoman, a laptop in front of me, a lapdog beside me, and a steady stream of coffee.

Will you be going on a book signing tours for Grounded?

Yes! I have lots of dates lined up in Kentucky and friends in Texas, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina are working on dates there. You can check out the events page on the website for updates (www.angelacorrell.com).

The characters in Grounded– are any based on people you know or are they created from your imagination?

They are all based on parts of people I know or have known in my lifetime. Each character is like stained glass, a melding of this piece and that piece, to make something unique.

Do you have a favorite character in Grounded?

I have always been partial to Beulah. She was the easiest to write.

If Grounded was made into a movie- do you, Angela, have a dream cast in mind?

I don’t watch enough of TV or movies to know the possibilities, but I hope whoever is picked will come to Kentucky and soak up the culture and the accents before taking on the job.

Can you give any hints about what you are working on next, Angela?

My hope is to continue to write about different characters from Somerville so that when readers invest in the place, they will get to visit it over and over through the eyes of different characters. Next up is a sequel for Grounded.

*Special thanks to Angela Correll for agreeing to be interviewed!

Angela Correll is working on her second novel- which is a sequel to Grounded. When not writing or reading- Angela can be found on Facebook, Twitter and her website.

Traveling With T

Bookish Thoughts, Book Reviews & Tales of Small Town Charms

Month: October 2013