Lesa Trapp of The Odd Mind Magazine is going to have me on her Blog Talk Radio Show!
The show is March 26th, at 9pm Eastern.
We'll talk about writing, books, guys...whatever comes up!
It's sure to be a blast, so stop by!
You can call in with your own questions and comments at 347-945-7025 or you can log into the chat room at www.blogtalkradio.com/theoddmind
Hope to see (or hear) you there!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Learning To Let Go...
I visited with my sister today. She stopped by on her way to San Antonio, Texas, where she is moving to be closer to her boyfriend. This might not seem like a big deal to most people, but it is for me.
You see, she's my baby sister - ten years younger than me. I also have a brother that's fourteen years younger than me. I helped raise them, and spent alot of my adolescence changing diapers, giving baths, reading stories, making meals, and babysitting.
My relationship with my siblings has always been more parental than big sister. So even though I do not have children of my own, I consider them my kids.
It is because of that bond that I've always been very protective of them. Even when I moved out and started a life of my own, I always came back for holidays, sent gifts, and made sure I made it home to celebrate their birthdays.
So when my sister told me she was moving to Texas, I kind of freaked out. All that went through my head was a million reasons why it was a bad idea. Our family has never really been more than two or three hours apart. EVER.
But then I got to thinking. She's 24. I moved away to college when I was 18. I got married and moved again when I was 22. No one tried to talk me out of any part of it. And I'm glad - because I learned to depend on myself and create my own life.
Yet here I was, working to convince my sister to stay put - to take the "safe" route, when she obviously wasn't happy, or she wouldn't be thinking of leaving in the first place.
And then it hit me. All that talk that parents spout about learning to let go of their kids, and how it hurts to see them stand on their two feet, even though that's what you raise them to do their whole lives, suddenly made sense.
I was being selfish. She was ready to start a life of her own - and I had to let her, no matter how much it hurt.
So when she called to tell me she was stopping by on her way through, I told her to disregard everything I'd said earlier. If this was what she wanted, then she should go for it and make the most wonderful life she could. I would always be here for her if she needed me.
She sounded the happiest I've ever heard her, and that happiness continued to when I got to see her today.
They say letting go of the one you love is one of the truest expressions of love there is.
And when she hugged me goodbye on my doorstep, a little piece of my heart went with her as I let her go.
Love never ceases to teach me things as I get older.
You see, she's my baby sister - ten years younger than me. I also have a brother that's fourteen years younger than me. I helped raise them, and spent alot of my adolescence changing diapers, giving baths, reading stories, making meals, and babysitting.
My relationship with my siblings has always been more parental than big sister. So even though I do not have children of my own, I consider them my kids.
It is because of that bond that I've always been very protective of them. Even when I moved out and started a life of my own, I always came back for holidays, sent gifts, and made sure I made it home to celebrate their birthdays.
So when my sister told me she was moving to Texas, I kind of freaked out. All that went through my head was a million reasons why it was a bad idea. Our family has never really been more than two or three hours apart. EVER.
But then I got to thinking. She's 24. I moved away to college when I was 18. I got married and moved again when I was 22. No one tried to talk me out of any part of it. And I'm glad - because I learned to depend on myself and create my own life.
Yet here I was, working to convince my sister to stay put - to take the "safe" route, when she obviously wasn't happy, or she wouldn't be thinking of leaving in the first place.
And then it hit me. All that talk that parents spout about learning to let go of their kids, and how it hurts to see them stand on their two feet, even though that's what you raise them to do their whole lives, suddenly made sense.
I was being selfish. She was ready to start a life of her own - and I had to let her, no matter how much it hurt.
So when she called to tell me she was stopping by on her way through, I told her to disregard everything I'd said earlier. If this was what she wanted, then she should go for it and make the most wonderful life she could. I would always be here for her if she needed me.
She sounded the happiest I've ever heard her, and that happiness continued to when I got to see her today.
They say letting go of the one you love is one of the truest expressions of love there is.
And when she hugged me goodbye on my doorstep, a little piece of my heart went with her as I let her go.
Love never ceases to teach me things as I get older.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Interview and Contest!
Through this writing journey, I've been lucky to meet some very talented people who also happen to be extremely gracious! One of those people is author Leslie Ann Dennis. Leslie agreed to chat with me about her writing, and even give away a PDF copy of her awesome book, Reason To Believe, so enjoy!
What made you want to be an author?
My answer is so NOT unique to authors. I read so much as a kid and throughout my adult life. It was the coolest escape EVER. I wanted to create the sort of places readers like myself would want to go and I also wanted to create characters that readers wanted to be like or be around. It's such a thrill to have readers nowadays tell me that's what I've managed to do with my stories. YAY!
How long did it take to get your first novel published?
That's a toughie. I have been through the slush pile with one version before. They asked me to cut 10,000 words and resend. I resent and the editor had left and the new editor passed on my sub w/all the new changes. I shelved the story. But as in many cases with writers, you can hide the book under your bed and hopes it stays quiet -- but it never does. So I pulled it back out in 2007 and rewrote it with a spicier slant. It sold in 3 months after I sent it in to the publisher.
Tell us about Reason To Believe.
Ahhh.. the book of my heart. It's got characters who I hope we can all identify with. Lane is strong-willed (a little hard-headed) but she's got a good heart and she loves her only living relative (her grandfather) enough to chase down a landowner in Scotland in order to save a tree that was planted in her grandfather's name 75 years ago. And it you love Scotsmen (and let me just say I adore them!), then I hope you'll fall in love with
Conlan MacGregor in this story. He's perfect in my opinion. And I was a wee bit jealous he didn't really exist in real life. At one point tho, as I was writing about him, someone asked if I'd ever been to Scotland, and I ALMOST said, "No, but my friend Conlan lives
there." Thank Goodness I caught myself before I slipped up and let everyone know how crazy we writers can be. In my heart, Conlan will ALWAYS be real.
Do I sense a weakness for Scottish men?
Oh Lord, yes. From the tartan to the accent, I'm in love with them all. :)
What do you do when you aren't writing?
I'm thinking of plots and characters that I can write about. I wish I was more disciplined and could actually write ALL the time when I have a second free, but I'll be honest and tell you I'm addicted to lots of television shows (which I can't watch all the time either, but I'm a heavy TiVo'er) and I also play MMORPGs (Online games like World of Warcraft, Dark Age of Camelot, etc). If I have "free" time... it's usually doing one of the above.
I want to now about your alter ego, Paisley.
... Ooooh Paisley Scott? She's something else, all right. She writes the steamier stuff (and
yes, there is actually a level of steam hotter than what Leslie wrote in Reason to Believe!). She has 3 novellas out with The Wild Rose Press. If you'd like to learn more about Paisley, you're welcome to drop in on her site: www.PaisleyScott.com (although, it's in need of an update). I'm sure she's got a cabana boy that'll help her out with that.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I'm hard at work on a Sci-Fi Futuristic. I've never written one before, but I'm a sci-fi nut. I love books and movies that deal with it -- but don't smack me upside the head with all the different terminology. I inject a lot of humor into my writing, so with this one, you can expect more... The Jetsons meet I, Robot. Something like that.
Anything else you'd like to share with your readers?
I'm a sucker for email. I LOVE to hear what folks think about my stories. I'm also a major animal lover, so feel free to talk about your fur-babies with me. LOL! Oh, and drop by my website too! It's got a guestbook and everything (hint... am I being too obvious here? LOL). www.LeslieAnnDennis.com
Lovely talking with you, Christle! Thanks for taking time to interview me. It's been fun!
*HUGS*
Leslie (and Paisley too)
Want to win a PDF copy of Reason To Beleive for yourself? It's easy! Just go to the forums page on my website ( www.christlegray.com )and find the Contest room. Tell us about something you were given a reason to believe in - and feel free to be creative! Each post will grant you one entry into the contest, and you can enter up to three times. I'll pick a winner randomly March 25th.
Good Luck, and Happy Reading!
What made you want to be an author?
My answer is so NOT unique to authors. I read so much as a kid and throughout my adult life. It was the coolest escape EVER. I wanted to create the sort of places readers like myself would want to go and I also wanted to create characters that readers wanted to be like or be around. It's such a thrill to have readers nowadays tell me that's what I've managed to do with my stories. YAY!
How long did it take to get your first novel published?
That's a toughie. I have been through the slush pile with one version before. They asked me to cut 10,000 words and resend. I resent and the editor had left and the new editor passed on my sub w/all the new changes. I shelved the story. But as in many cases with writers, you can hide the book under your bed and hopes it stays quiet -- but it never does. So I pulled it back out in 2007 and rewrote it with a spicier slant. It sold in 3 months after I sent it in to the publisher.
Tell us about Reason To Believe.
Ahhh.. the book of my heart. It's got characters who I hope we can all identify with. Lane is strong-willed (a little hard-headed) but she's got a good heart and she loves her only living relative (her grandfather) enough to chase down a landowner in Scotland in order to save a tree that was planted in her grandfather's name 75 years ago. And it you love Scotsmen (and let me just say I adore them!), then I hope you'll fall in love with
Conlan MacGregor in this story. He's perfect in my opinion. And I was a wee bit jealous he didn't really exist in real life. At one point tho, as I was writing about him, someone asked if I'd ever been to Scotland, and I ALMOST said, "No, but my friend Conlan lives
there." Thank Goodness I caught myself before I slipped up and let everyone know how crazy we writers can be. In my heart, Conlan will ALWAYS be real.
Do I sense a weakness for Scottish men?
Oh Lord, yes. From the tartan to the accent, I'm in love with them all. :)
What do you do when you aren't writing?
I'm thinking of plots and characters that I can write about. I wish I was more disciplined and could actually write ALL the time when I have a second free, but I'll be honest and tell you I'm addicted to lots of television shows (which I can't watch all the time either, but I'm a heavy TiVo'er) and I also play MMORPGs (Online games like World of Warcraft, Dark Age of Camelot, etc). If I have "free" time... it's usually doing one of the above.
I want to now about your alter ego, Paisley.
... Ooooh Paisley Scott? She's something else, all right. She writes the steamier stuff (and
yes, there is actually a level of steam hotter than what Leslie wrote in Reason to Believe!). She has 3 novellas out with The Wild Rose Press. If you'd like to learn more about Paisley, you're welcome to drop in on her site: www.PaisleyScott.com (although, it's in need of an update). I'm sure she's got a cabana boy that'll help her out with that.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I'm hard at work on a Sci-Fi Futuristic. I've never written one before, but I'm a sci-fi nut. I love books and movies that deal with it -- but don't smack me upside the head with all the different terminology. I inject a lot of humor into my writing, so with this one, you can expect more... The Jetsons meet I, Robot. Something like that.
Anything else you'd like to share with your readers?
I'm a sucker for email. I LOVE to hear what folks think about my stories. I'm also a major animal lover, so feel free to talk about your fur-babies with me. LOL! Oh, and drop by my website too! It's got a guestbook and everything (hint... am I being too obvious here? LOL). www.LeslieAnnDennis.com
Lovely talking with you, Christle! Thanks for taking time to interview me. It's been fun!
*HUGS*
Leslie (and Paisley too)
Want to win a PDF copy of Reason To Beleive for yourself? It's easy! Just go to the forums page on my website ( www.christlegray.com )and find the Contest room. Tell us about something you were given a reason to believe in - and feel free to be creative! Each post will grant you one entry into the contest, and you can enter up to three times. I'll pick a winner randomly March 25th.
Good Luck, and Happy Reading!
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