A Little Q&A with S. A. Jones

McKenzie takes over the blog again today, with a Q&A with S. A. Jones, author of Love Something Fierce, part of the Harvest Treats compilation. Not only did I get to work with S.A. hand in hand to design her book cover, I have also known this talented author her entire life – she’s my niece. She and I have always shared a kindred spirit, as we both have a deep love for literature. Here is her Q&A with Kenna -

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McKenzie: How do you get your mindset to write a young adult theme?

S. A.: As it is, I still am a young adult, so getting into the mindset isn’t that hard at all. Romance has always been a favorite genre of mine to write, and still being a young adult, many of the troubles faced are still fresh in my mind.

McKenzie:  How are you able to get a good plot without over-explaining?

S. A.: It’s hard. It really is. I always want everyone to know everything about a character, a lot of times I have to stop and go back through, especially in a novella like “Love Something Fierce” and say, “Huh, now, does that really need to be in there?”

McKenzie: How much time do you put into an average story?

S. A.: A lot. *laughs*. Including where I edit myself multiple different times, and then my actual editors get a hold of it to edit, it generally runs, from start to finish, a couple of months, if not a year.

McKenzie: When and why did you start writing?

S. A.: I’m not really sure when I started writing, but my mother says that it started at a very young age. I guess the why would have to be because I love the joy that reading and books bring to me, and I wanted to share that with other people.

McKenzie:  Has there ever been a time when you couldn’t think of any ideas?

S. A.: Honestly, I probably spend more of my time NOT thinking of ideas, than I do thinking of them, lol. A lot of times an idea comes into my head, but then I pick it apart because I can’t remember if I’ve written it somewhere before. Halfway through reading my other works though, I forget what the idea was to begin with!

McKenzie: How hard is it to keep your writing from interfering with your personal life?

S.  A.: It’s pretty hard. Thankfully with my oldest son in school, and the youngest in frequent naptime stage, it makes it a bit easier. Generally weekends are dedicated to spending time with them versus writing. With my husband being a submariner in the Navy, it can help and hurt all at once. Sometimes it gives me inspirations for feelings in a character when he’s gone, but with how hectic his schedule can be when he’s home, it’s hard to reorganize everything else around that. In the end though, we manage! We usually do some bonding time when the boys are in bed where he’ll play video games for a bit, and I’ll write for a bit, which works out pretty well.

McKenzie: Do you tend to use your kids/friends’ names in your stories?

S. A.: YES. Okay, well, sort of! *laughs* In “Love Something Fierce” the names go as follows:

“Seeley” – Was originally the name of our youngest son (before we realized it wasn’t the “right” name)

“Hope” – Was originally the MIDDLE name of our youngest, had he been a girl, and actually will be the middle name of our next child, if it’s a girl

“Aiden” – Is my oldest son’s name. I had to get him in there, for sure! <3

McKenzie: How do you stay committed to your writing?

S. A.: It’s hard. It’s really, really hard. Generally I designate a time at the end of the night, after the kids are in bed, and if hubby is home after he’s COMPLETELY engrossed in a game, put in my headphones, and write. Just for a straight hour. Generally it’s from about nine to ten, and it really is hard, but if you want it bad enough, you keep on doing it! Trust me, I wanted it, and I wanted it bad!

Thanks to my little cousin, McKenzie, who took the time to come up with questions for the authors of “Harvest Treats” and giving an inside look to questions young readers have!

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Tomorrow wraps up my blog invasion by McKenzie. If you’d like to hear from her again, let me know, and I'll see what we can do in the future! Join us tomorrow for a sit down with Michele Richard, and the release of Harvest Treats. To celebrate its release, the Harvest Treats authors will be joining Ali on Ali Talks Live tomorrow morning at 11am EST, then hosting a release party on Twitter tomorrow evening. We hope you will join us.

Harvest Treats will be available on Nook, Kindle, Apple, Sony, Kobo, and Smashwords in assorted ebook formats, and also Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Joseph Beth in paperback.

A Little Q&A with Elizabeth M. Lawrence

McKenzie is back again with another author interview. Today’s post features Elizabeth M. Lawrence, author of My Apple Tree from the Harvest Treats compilation. While this is her first published piece, Elizabeth is no stranger to the intricacies of publishing – she is the Head Editor at Renaissance Romance Publishing. Here is her Q&A with Kenna -

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McKenzie: How do you get your mindset to write a young adult theme?

Elizabeth: I didn’t really set out to write a YA story originally. My initial idea did deal with a young boy and girl, but it followed them into adulthood. I revised and expanded the story quite a bit, and in the end, it seemed to fit into the YA category. I think that if I had an idea for another story or book that was YA, it wouldn’t be hard to get into that mindset. You’d be surprised by how many adults vividly remember what it’s like to be a teenager. It’s a tough period in life, and the memories of the feelings and thoughts you had tend to stick with you, no matter how much you grow and change.

McKenzie:  How are you able to get a good plot without over-explaining?

Elizabeth: One tip they give often in writing style guides and writing workshops is “Show, Don’t Tell.” It’s a delicate balance. You have to give the reader enough background to understand the events in the story, but it’s better to let the characters reveal things through their actions, their facial expressions, and their interactions with each other. When you’re hanging out with your friends, one might tell you a story about something that happened, but you’re going to be able to visualize what she’s describing by the words she uses, her body language, and even the pitch of her voice. You can tell before she says it that she was angry or embarrassed or excited from those clues. Writing works the same way – if the writer shows the reader what the characters are feeling, it allows the reader to be right there in the moment with the characters. That makes the entire reading experience and the reader’s understanding of the plot much more dynamic and exciting.

McKenzie: How much time do you put into an average story?

Elizabeth: Months and months and months. I can write a first draft pretty quickly in maybe a month or two, but shaping and honing and polishing and reworking it takes a lot longer. I usually will put a manuscript away for awhile and work on other things so that I can come back to it with a fresh perspective. Sometimes years pass before I will consider a piece really finished.

McKenzie: When and why did you start writing?

Elizabeth: I’ve always written stories as long as I can remember. Even if I don’t actually write them down, I get ideas everywhere I go – whole characters and scenes will just pop into my head as I go about my business throughout the day. I think most writers have that experience, and we start writing the stories down just to get them out of our heads!

McKenzie:  Has there ever been a time when you couldn’t think of any ideas?

Elizabeth: Not really – I have tons of ideas all the time, but they’re not always “complete.” I might have an idea for a scene but not the full story around it, and that’s when I get stumped and have to wrack my brain for more ideas that are specifically for that particular set of characters in that particular situation. That’s the situation in which I will really find myself stuck until a solution occurs to me.

McKenzie: How hard is it to keep your writing from interfering with your personal life?

Elizabeth: I think usually my personal life interferes with my writing – and I don’t mean that in a negative way. Most writers would love to just write all the time. It is personal relationships and housework and bills and families and errands that pull us away from our computers or notebooks and force us to be in the real world. That’s not a bad thing. I love my husband and kids and friends, so I’m not sorry to have to spend time with them. Also, writers need to interact with the real world and real people, otherwise we wouldn’t understand real life enough to write about it. My family and my responsibilities to them will always be the most important thing, so it’s not hard to put them first (unless I’ve got a REALLY good idea!). Writing’s like any other job; you’ve got to get the work done to make a living. Going to work physically takes you away from your family if you have a “traditional” kind of career – the only difference is that as a writer I’m still home while I’m working.

McKenzie: Do you tend to use your kids/friends’ names in your stories?

Elizabeth: Rarely. I will use names that I associate with certain types of people, but I tend to stay away from namesakes. It’s tough for me to imagine writing a love story in which the male lead is named after my son, for example. Especially since I’m not going to let him date until he’s at least thirty-five. I’m much more likely to base characters’ personality traits on people I know; depending on what those traits are, I may or may not actually tell the person about it. Very close friends might recognize the inspiration behind a scene or a character, but I do try not to make it obvious.

McKenzie: How do you stay committed to your writing?

Elizabeth: I’m very fortunate to have a career that I love. Writing is something that’s in my blood, and I enjoy it tremendously. It’s challenging and a lot of work and often heartbreaking, but it is a part of who I am. Even when it looks like I’m just staring out into space, I’m working on my writing. It’s easy to stay committed to something that you love, that brings you joy, and that helps you be the best version of yourself possible. For as much effort as I put into it, it gives back so much to me in return. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

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These answers are great! Thanks, Elizabeth, for humoring McKenzie and me. To my readers,  stay tuned tomorrow to hear from another Harvest Treats author. 

Don’t forget, Harvest Treats will be released on September 25^th, and be available on Nook, Kindle, and Smashwords in assorted ebook formats, and on Amazon and Barnes & Noble in paperback.

A Little Q&A with Lisa Bilbrey

Since I have been tied up in formatting two books due to be released in the next few weeks, time has been at an absolute premium. In addition, when I find free time, I’ve been pecking away (if you ever saw me type you would realize PECK is definitely the operative word!) at a new short story of my own. With the stories for the new Candy Collection Compilation, Harvest Treats, all featuring a YA storyline, I thought who better than to ask blog questions than my own new teenager.

McKenzie turned 13 on September 15^th. She is an avid reader, and has a lot of interest in what it is that I do all day with regards to my writing and my work at Renaissance Romance Publishing.. For a change of pace, I decided to let her handle my next four blog posts. She decided on the questions and interviewed each of the four authors who contributed to Harvest Treats. I hope you enjoy the Q & A as much as I did. I knew she was bright, but her insightfulness was refreshing.

Today’s post features Lisa Bilbrey, author of The Journey Home from the compilation, as well as many other great stories. On to the interview:

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McKenzie: How do you get your mindset to write a young adult theme?

Lisa: I don’t try to do anything differently, really. With every character I write, I try to put myself in their shoes and let them tell me their story. Sometimes that’s easy — other times, not so much. For me at least, the most important part is just to keep pushing forward.

McKenzie:  How are you able to get a good plot without over-explaining?

Lisa: That is very hard and really the only way is with lots of work. I like to use outlines. With them, I can plot out the chapters so that I am not showing all my tricks at once. The most important advice I give writers is to draw their readers into their stories by making them feel like they are inside the book. You do that by keeping your characters real, their reactions to situations, and making sure that they have a solid foundation. It’s not easy, but amazing when you do it right.

McKenzie: How much time do you put into an average story?

Lisa: For my shorter stories — those around 25k — I spent a good 2-3 weeks working on them. With my longer novels, like Angel’s Heart: The Keeper, I spent around 6-8 weeks. I try not to focus on the time spent and just turn my attention to what my characters have to say.

McKenzie: When and why did you start writing?

Lisa: I started writing several years ago when I found myself lying awake for all hours of the night with these flashes running through my head. After about two weeks, I gave up and started writing my first story. From there, everything just blew up and now, I can’t go a day without writing.

McKenzie:  Has there ever been a time when you couldn’t think of any ideas?

Lisa: Not really. I always have little scenes and flashes to work on, but I have had periods where I struggled to get the words right and found myself flopping from story to story. Probably why I have so many works in progress.

McKenzie: How hard is it to keep your writing from interfering with your personal life?

Lisa: As a Mom, it’s very hard. These kids actually think they need attention! Can you believe that? On a serious note, my kids and husband understand when I need to focus. I try to find the balance and sometimes I have days where I don’t get a single word written. It’s hard, but my family needs me and when all is said and done, they are my everything.

McKenzie: Do you tend to use your kids/friends’ names in your stories?

Lisa: I tend to use my kids names because, well, I love their names. But, I try to find the name that fits who my characters are going to be. Sometimes that is easy, and other times, I find myself scanning baby name lists trying to find something that feels right.

McKenzie: How do you stay committed to your writing?

Lisa: Writing is a part of me — who I am, and how I function. Without it, I don’t know what I would do every day. I mean, there’s cleaning, but, yeah, that is not going to happen. I put a lot of pressure on myself to meet my deadlines, to make each story the best it can be. Sometimes, that’s easy, and sometimes it feels like pulling teeth. I try to focus on getting the story out and hoping that someone out there will want to read it.

McKenzie: A couple questions about your publishing house, Renaissance Romance Publishing. What genres do you feature? 

Lisa: Renaissance Romance offer stories from every genre — from supernatural romances to contemporary romances and everything in between. Mainly, we look for solid storylines that showcase strong relationships and growth within the characters. We want our readers to be able to relate to our characters, and see bits and pieces of themselves in each and every one of them. And if they can’t, then we hope that they get to live in a fantasy world that takes them away from the real world for a few hours.

McKenzie: Do you have a hard time finding new authors, or are they all over the place?

Lisa: We’ve been very lucky so far and found amazing authors — who have incredible talent. I’m a big believer that nearly anyone can tell a story, they just need help learning how to write it out.

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Wow! Great questions! Much love and thanks to Lisa for indulging me, and to McKenzie for coming up with some excellent questions. Stay tuned tomorrow to hear from another Harvest Treats author. 

Don’t forget, Harvest Treats will release on September 25^th, and be available on Nook, Kindle, and Smashwords in assorted ebook formats, and on Amazon and Barnes & Noble in paperback.

Cover Reveal: Harvest Treats

 It's Time! 

Renaissance Romance is proud to present the third book in the Candy Collection. This anthology features short stories from four talented authors, including two making their debut in print. But before we get to that cover - let's take a peek at what's inside: 

 

The Journey Home

by Lisa Bilbrey

The Sharks’ star quarterback, Travis McCoy has it all, until an injury ends his season early. When he receives an invitation to attend the big homecoming game from his alma mater, Travis decides it’s time to face his past. The journey home sends Travis down a path that he never expects. Will he be able to come to grips when everything around him is spiraling out of control?

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Love Something Fierce

by S. A. Jones

Claire Beausejour is a single mother working two jobs, and putting up with the daily antics of her three roommates, as she tries to better the life she leads for herself and her daughter, Hope. That is until she meets Dawson Williams, best friend to Hope’s father. Despite the circumstances, a friendship begins to develop between Claire and Dawson, leading to events neither could have ever expected.

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10 Days to Love

by Michele Richard

Richie Graham and Danielle ‘Dani’ MacDonald have been best friends for four years. Now that the time has come to leave Old Orchard Beach for college, the countdown begins to say goodbye. The race to close down her family’s motel for the season and for their hearts begins. With ten days left, will they see what’s always been right in front of them? Or is there too much left unsaid?

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My Apple Tree

by Elizabeth M. Lawrence

David Cleary and Katie O’Connell had the perfect love. When they are separated by tragedy, David is devastated and refuses to move on — until he meets Emily “Mel” Wallace. Gun-shy Mel understands how a heart can break in the aftermath of violence. Although neither of them want to love again, the attraction between them is difficult to resist. David wants to keep Mel safe, but first he will need to risk his heart.

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Here's that cover - one more time!

I have had the pleasure of reading every story and they are fantastic! The blog tour kicks off tomorrow and ends Sept 25th with the book's Twitter release party, so stay tuned for more insight to these stories and writers!

For information on tour stops check out

 Renaissance Romance Publishing's blog 

and Facebook page.