For Jerry and Lindsey: After serving two terms in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, as a Security Police K-9 handler, my brother spent many years trying to expunge the memories. Many thanks to his wife Lindsey who loves him just as he is, scars and all. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cam_Ranh_Bay Thank heaven it is Friday. My plans for the weekend are to kick back and read. I will light a fire in the wood stove and curl up on the couch with my blanket and dogs. I have three books to finish. As usual I've over committed myself to reviews, but hey, I get to read free novels. In my mind that is pure bliss. <----- If you have the opportunity, please click on Blog Love and check out our publisher, Crescent Moon Press. They carry Sci-fi, Paranormal Romance, Young Adult, and New Adult fiction. I'm sure you will find something to your liking. The best part of my week came when I finished Gemini Rising, book two. For now the title is The Light and the Flame, though last week it was Into the Light. Feel free to chime in if you prefer one title over the other. I just can't make up my mind. As the electricity continues to cycle from on to off on the weary East Coast, I bring to you another wonderful author from Crescent Moon Press, Shannon Eckrich. Shannon has this to say about her experience during the hurricane. I know most people in the U.S. have seen pictures of the destruction Hurricane Sandy left behind, and even though the little state of Delaware was barely mentioned on the News channels, our beaches and water communities were unable to escape the wrath of Sandy. I’m not going to highlight the extreme flooding and devastation from Sandy after the storm, because people across the country were made aware of that. I want to make them aware of what took place during the storm. What I, and tons of other people, had to worry about besides loss of electricity and heavy winds. It was worrying about our husbands, children, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, friends and grandparents, people who are dedicated to rescuing others no matter how dangerous the situation becomes. My husband and son are both volunteer firefighters, which means they do not get paid for risking their lives to save others. During Hurricane Sandy, instead of being home or in a shelter, my husband and son, along with tons of other rescue workers, were out risking their lives to save residents in the water lying communities who were told to evacuate the day before Sandy hit. For some reason or another, these people believe that their houses or property are more important than not only their lives, but the lives of others who have to come out into the storm to save them. I mean, when you have waves crashing through your living room, why would you insist on staying? It makes no sense to me. So, I would like to extend my thanks to all of the rescue workers, their families, and all the other emergency personnel (including the utility personnel) who risked their lives helping complete strangers during Hurricane Sandy. Thanks Shannon. We appreciate the time and effort you took to make us aware of the situation. We also know you have been on a PR blitz with your book, The Other Side of Forever, which I might add, is a beautiful title. Thank you for sharing with us. The Other Side of Forever by Shannon Eckrich Purchase e-Book Purchase Print Genre: Paranormal ISBN-10: 1937254372 ISBN-13: 978-1937254377 Length: Novel Publication Date: January 23, 2012 Cover art by Taria Reed Seventeen-year-old Allie Anderson's telekinetic powers are anything but useful--she can't bring her father back, can't stop her mother's downward spiral into alcohol, and can't keep her from falling in love with Ethan Bradley. Loving Ethan is easy, but it comes with a hefty price: Ethan is prohibited by his people from interacting with mortals--because he isn't mortal himself. When Allie and Ethan's love is discovered, there's someone who will do anything to keep them apart. If Allie can't learn to control her powers and fight to save Ethan, this dark entity will make every attempt to stop her beating heart. And if that happens, not even the energy of an immortal can bring her back. If you'd like to read the excerpt click here. Now my interview with Shannon: How long does it take you to write a novel? It normally takes me three months to write the rough draft to a novel, but it can take me from a month to possibly a year to make it publishable. When I begin the edits, more ideas come to me, and most of the time it leads to multiple rewrites. Then I usually let it sit for a week or two before I read over it again so I’m not so emotionally attached to my characters. I have a serious case of OCD when it comes to my writing. What do you think makes a good story? To me, a good story has to have its emotional ups and downs. I have to be able to relate to the characters and their problems. I want to feel what the character is feeling. Make me cry. Make me laugh. Make me scream at the heroine or hero because they made a wrong decision (I’ve actually done this). Make me…have some kind of reaction to the story. I also think plot, structure, and voice are key components in a good story as well. When I read a novel, if it doesn’t catch my attention within the first few paragraphs, I’ll toss it aside. I know that sounds pretty harsh, but I can’t continue reading something that has no interest to me. I just can’t do it. What do you do when you are not writing? When I’m not writing, I’m usually spending time with my family at home or at the local firehouse where we volunteer. Or finding ways to reach new readers. Busy. Busy. Busy. Do you have a day job as well? Yes, I work in a high school cafeteria. It’s the most wonderful job in the world besides writing novels. Not only do I interact with some wonderful teens, but I also get plenty of vacation time. What is your work schedule like when you're writing? Chaotic. When I’m writing I just want to drop everything else. But I can’t. I still have to work, feed the family, and take care of things around the house. It’s exhausting at times. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? I guess my biggest challenge in my writing is finding the perfect words to describe the visuals I get in my mind. You know, when you can clearly see the picture of that far away land you have created in your head, but when you’re trying to describe it to the reader your mind sort of goes blank. Writer’s block is another challenge. But I think every writer has to deal with this on occasion. What does your family think of your writing? At first, my family was a little jealous of my laptop, but when they saw the physical copy of Other Side of Forever, I guess the reality of what I accomplished set in. Now they are very supportive. I have a wonderful husband who tells his coworkers and friends to buy my book, and my daughter is now in the process of writing her own book (with lots of help from Mommy, of course). What books have most influenced you the most? Okay, so don’t laugh, but Twilight is my biggest influence. I actually didn’t read the book first, although, it was recommended to me. I was never really into Vampires, except, Bram Stoker’s Dracula (the movie with Winona Rider), so I had no interest in reading Twilight. So I thought. The movie happened to be on Demand one night, so I watched it (yeah, I cheated). Then the next day I went out and bought the DVD, and watched it some more and some more and some more. I was totally hooked. A few days later, I went and bought the book. Needless to say, I read the entire Saga in a month. When I was finished, I decided I wanted to write a book. Granted, I had no idea what I was getting myself into since that was the first attempt EVER to write a book. I’m not going to lie, it was a total disaster. But I figured if Stephanie could do it, so could I. And, that’s what pushed me along. After I started the writing process, a few books that kept me going were Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, If I Stay by Gayle Foreman, and I Heart You You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder. I love the voices in all of those books. And, last but not least, Stephen King has been a huge influence. I’ve been watching his movies and reading his books ever since I can remember. Not only do his novels give me nightmares, but he is a totally awesome story teller. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? Wow, I’m not really sure. I don’t think I can choose just one, since all of the authors listed above have helped me in different ways. What book are you reading now? I’m reading Darke, by Angie Sage. There are currently six books in her series and I’m totally hooked. I would consider it more MG than I would YA. It’s filled with wizards, dragons, ghosts, and magic. Everything I love! Do you work with an outline, or just write? I just write. I attempted to outline before, and it just doesn’t work for me. I let my characters take over, even though sometimes they tend to get away from me. What a great interview! Thanks again, Shannon. I wish you the very best on your book and am sending prayers that your life will soon be back to normal. (((hugs))) Louann
Avery Olive
11/9/2012 02:38:52 am
Another great post! I'm a huge fan of The Other Side of Forever, and hope there's going to be more!
Louann
11/9/2012 03:18:41 am
It is a great book. And the cover is one of my favorites.
Pat L.
11/9/2012 04:10:22 am
Hey ladies. Always enjoy reading these posts. Kudos Shannon for bringing into perspective what's important in the world. Glad to hear your family stayed safe.
Kate Lutter
11/9/2012 07:39:32 am
Shannon, I love reading how writers become inspired to write. And I love the story you told. I think we're all influenced in some ways by the films and books around us. Their stories inspire our stories! Good luck with The Other Side of Forever. I have you on my website!!! Comments are closed.
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