6 Questions With… Gabriella Messina

 

Please welcome Gabriella Messina to the blog.  She is the author of the Bloodline and Kate Gardener Series, as well as many other books.  Her genre’s of choice are Mystery, Fiction, & Paranormal.

Thanks for sitting in the hot seat for these 6 very difficult questions!

I appreciate you taking the time from your busy writing schedule to answer for me.

1. Do you aim to complete a set number of pages or words each day?

It depends… If I’m doing something like NaNoWriMo, I’ll have a set amount, or if I’ve set a personal target date to finish, I’ll try to reach a particular number every day. I’ve had goals as high as 2k words per day, and as low as 500… it just depends on what I’m writing and on what’s going on around me. I try not to push too hard… I know it puts me at some disadvantage when so many authors turn out books so fast, but the way I write… I’m kind of a perfectionist, so my drafts don’t need a lot of editing when I’m done. I go for quality rather than speed.

 

2.  What, according to you, is the hardest thing about writing?

Hardest thing? Finding the time can be really difficult. Between work and my design business starting out and my child, there can be days when your mind is just drained, and you can’t get anything down.

3.  Did you ever think you would be unable to finish your first novel?

Oh, jeepers, yes! My son was really young then and I had to spend a lot of time holding and carrying him, he was so fussy. At one point, about 6 chapters in, my inspiration just dried up… I couldn’t see or hear the characters at all. It was like that for about six months, and then I saw an actor that just embodied my man male character, and something clicked, and I could see and hear everyone again and finished the rest of the book over the next five months or so.

 

4.  Do you read any of your own work?

During editing, of course. I have gone back, though, when I get my paperbacks. I have to say it’s pretty cool to look at those familiar words on paper, with formatting and such, and appreciate it in another way, in a finished way. Gives you the same chill that writing it the first time did… You just go, oh, that is really cool!

 

5.  Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?

Absolutely. My experiences, my worldview, find their way into the characters and situations in my stories. The grandfather character in my Bloodline series is essentially my late grandfather, even down to the silly story about the lentils. In my Kate Gardener Mysteries series (book 7 coming out in May!), there’s a lot of personal experience and viewpoint that I bring in through the characters and situations.

6.  What books have influenced your life the most?

Pride and Prejudice/ Jane Austen… Witty writing, multi-dimensional characterization, and the archetype for nearly every leading man I’ve ever loved, whether I wrote them or not.

The Godfather/ Mario Puzo… I’m Sicilian, in part, so in many ways reading this book, while fiction, is like reading a history of family. It’s also a brilliant picture of organized crime and the immigrant story in the early part of the 20th century.

Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc/ Mark Twain… This book is certainly not what you would expect from Mark Twain, but seriously no one else could have done it better. It’s not a religious book and it’s not a history… it’s just truth. He spent years gleaning the information from the trial records. It’s a remarkable biographical work about a young woman who changed the world, and the people around her who loved her best.

 

About the Author –

Gabriella Messina grew up in Northwestern Pennsylvania, where her early ventures in writing consisted of 30-page book reports. Though her writing began in prose, it was screenwriting that first captured her attention. After a trip to the UK during her sophomore year in college, Ms. Messina began teaching herself the basics of screenwriting. By 2005, she had completed her award-winning first screenplay, “The Devil Inside”, which she later adapted into her debut novel, “Bloodline”. recently, she published the second book in the Bloodline Series entitled “Quicksilver”, and will be penning a third book as well.

Ms. Messina is also the creator of the Kate Gardener Mysteries, a series of stories revolving around an American forensic photographer cracking cases with London’s Met Police. The series is based on the television series “Yard Work”.

In addition to her creative writing, Ms. Messina writes freelance articles and web content. When not writing, she enjoys reading, catching up on favorite films and television series, traveling and spending time with her family.

https://gabriellamessinawrites.wordpress.com/

6 Questions with…Jennifer Lane

Welcome to the Q & A portion of the blog.  Today we have the lovely and talented Jennifer Lane in the hot seat for her 6 questions.

 

1. If you could choose three people to invite for a dinner party, who would they be and why?  Buddha, Abraham Lincoln, Brené Brown

2. What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book(s)?  I was most surprised that I had so much to say! My first novel was over 200,000 words, more than double the length of a typical novel.

3. What was your favorite part, and your least favorite part, of the publishing journey?  My favorite part of publishing has been meeting fun, cool readers and writers. I have also loved learning how to become a better writer. The help of professional editors like the amazing Jessica Royer Ocken has been invaluable. Still, there’s so much to learn! My least favorite part has been unleashing my competitive nature onto the publishing journey. I want to worry less about marketing, sales, and comparisons.

4. What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk? According to my friend, I make all kinds of faces as I write. I act out the characters’ emotions to try to get them just right, and apparently, it looks rather ridiculous to innocent bystanders nearby!

5.  What advice would you give a new writer, someone just starting out?  Your first manuscripts will likely suck. But stay with it! And be sure to hire a great editor if you are self-publishing.

6. What is your work schedule like when you are writing?  My day job as a psychologist is rather consuming, so I write only on the weekends. When words are flowing, I write about four to five-thousand words in a weekend.

 

Jennifer Lane, Author
Psyched Publishing
Sports Romance and Romantic Suspense With a Psychological Twist

Twin Sacrifice Psychological Thriller
Blocked New Adult Volleyball Romance
Aced (Blocked #2) New Adult Sports Romance
Spiked (Blocked #3) New Adult Sports Romance
Streamline New Adult Swimming Romance
Swim Recruit New Adult Novella (free!)
With Good Behavior (The Conduct Series #1)
Bad Behavior (The Conduct Series #2)
On Best Behavior (The Conduct Series #3)

Website: http://jenniferlanebooks.com
Twitter: JenLaneBooks
Facebook: Jennifer Lane, Author Jennifer Lane
Goodreads: Jennifer Lane
Pinterest: JenLaneBooks
Instagram: JenLaneBooks

6 Questions with…Yajna Ramnath

Thanks for stopping by today.  Yajna Ramnath is an author of many genres, including contemporary romance, urban fantasy to erotic thrillers.

I picked up her book Tainted Blood – free on Amazon KU.  Vampires – I’m in!

Welcome to Dramir, a city where the blood never stops flowing.

The streets of Dramir have always been protected under the rule of the reigning King. It was all because of his not so secret weapon. 
A weapon they called the assassin. A weapon with long-dark hair, savage soulless eyes and a body built for sin. 
She wielded a sword as one would breathe air. She danced in blood as one would dance in rain. She laughed in the face of death as one would laugh at a bad joke. 
It was believed that the day the assassin experienced emotion, the world of Dramir as they knew it would crumble under the force of her shattering heart. 

How could you break the heart of someone who had long since lived without one? 

How could you fight against the darkness when she forced light to do her bidding? 

Most importantly how could you hide, when she came looking for you? 

 

Here she is in her own words!  Good luck with your reading challenge, I’m sure you will make it!!   Don’t forget to check out Yajna’s books.  Her links are below.

 

1.      Describe your writing space: I write on a small black table in the corner of my room. My back faces the room so I’m not distracted by anything. Most of the time, I’m on my bed tapping away at the keys. I usually cannot write anywhere else other than my room.

2.      What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk: I’m OCD when writing. Everything has to be in its place, simply because if I see something out of place, I lose my concentration. Also, I cannot stand if anyone speaks to me while I write. I turn into this dragon like person, that if disturbed, I could breathe fire. (Not cool, I know.)

3.      Do you have a favorite character that you have written…: it’s difficult to choose since I’ve written so many, but the one closest to my heart has to be Atalia from Tainted Blood. I started writing her character back in 2010 and she’s been with me through every story change. I think it’s because I’ve put a lot of myself into her. She’s quirky, fierce, loyal and has the perfect comedic timing. Also, I’ve put her through so much, it’s a wonder she’s still lurking around for book two.

4.      Tell us about your first published book? What was the journey like?  My first published book, Beneath Her Beautiful, was an incredible journey. After being rejected from traditional publishing houses, I started posting chapters on Fiction Press. When I learned of Kindle Publishing, I was over the moon. I was nervous because it was my first published book and an erotic one at that. BHB was done entirely on my own. It isn’t edited, its cover was an image I bought on Shutterstock and made with Createspace. Up until this day, Beneath Her Beautiful is my little imperfect achievement which I haven’t changed one bit.

5.      What book is currently on your bedside table?  I’m currently reading Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost.

6.      What do you like to do when you are not writing?  I love reading. I currently have a reading challenge of 100 books for the year and I’m book 25.

My books are all currently at 99c which can be found under this link: https://linktr.ee/authoryajna

My social media links are: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authoryajna/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoryajna/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/authoryajna

 

6 Questions with…E.S. McMillian

This week we have the lovely E.S. McMillian here to answer 6 questions.  She is featured in several anthologies and just stepped out on her own recently.  Congratulations!!  Without further ado, here is ES McMillian in her own words……

 

1.  What comes first the plot or the characters?

For me, the plot comes first.  Once I have a story idea in mind then the character names and personalities come.

2.  How do you come up with the titles to your books?

My titles just kind of hit me.  Usually, they come as I am writing the story.

3.  When did you consider yourself an author?

I first considered myself an author September 15, 2018.  The day my first solo short story ~ The Weekend Getaway was published.

4.  Where do you get your inspiration from?

Life is my inspiration.  I write what I know and feel.  All my stories have a touch of truth to them hidden somewhere 😉

5. Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?

Leah (from The Weekend Getaway) will also be special to me.  I put a lot of my frustrations and yes desires into her.  She is the person that I wish I were brave enough to be.

6. How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one?

I have more plot bunnies floating around in my head than I can count.  I am working on a bunch of short stories for some upcoming anthologies.  I also have some fuller length stories plotted and planned for 2020.  One thing that I can tell you is that we will see Leah and Dean (from the Weekend Getaway again.)  They will be back and getting away to Escape, Colorado to figure out what the future holds for them 😉

E.S. McMillan is a self-proclaimed Superhero. She is a mom to 4 amazing boys. Married to one of her best friends and has plans to take the world by storm.

E.S. was born in California, raised in New York, and now resides in Connecticut.

E.S. is a lover of the written word and cannot remember a time when there was not a book in her hand or an open notebook waiting to be filled with her stories.

Follow E.S. on social media:
Amazon ~ https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B07FZCLC6T/
BookBub ~ https://www.bookbub.com/profile/e-s-mcmillan
Facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/ESMcmillan1/
Facebook Fan Group ~ https://www.facebook.com/groups/E.S.McMillan/
Goodreads ~ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18246996.E_S_McMillan
Newsletter Sign Up ~ http://eepurl.com/dDmIHT
Pinterest ~ https://www.pinterest.com/ebonysmcmillan/the-weekend-getaway-by-es-mcmillan/

 

 

6 Questions With…DD Prince

DD Prince!  Hi and welcome.  Thank you for answering my 6 Questions.  About a month ago I read DD’s book – Nectar.  It’s a dark romance between a vamp and his pot of gold.  Can he control himself around her?  Does she want him too?  Yes, I’ll be reading book #2 and #3 in this series.

DD Prince writes dark, dirty, and deliciously addictive romance novels with alpha antiheroes.

When you start a DD Prince book, you rarely get a quick read. Most books 400+ pages.
She loves talking about books she wrote, her favourite books (she reads A LOT), sharing eye candy, etc.

Her most popular series to date is the Dominator series, a dark mafia romance that currently consists of 3 books and 1 spin-off (Saved). On the 4th anniversary, she released a book 1.5 (novella).

1. Do your novels carry a message?

Definitely. I usually write antiheroes and sometimes they change. Sometimes, they find peace with their decisions and remain who they are at their core. My stories are all about love, but life lessons and messages tend to naturally come through, too.

2. If given the opportunity to do it all over again, would you change anything in your books?

I see my growth as a writer in my later books, but I expect I’ll see it in another few years when I look at today’s books, so I think it’s all part of the journey and I’ve tried to learn from it all. I’ll keep learning, too. I look forward to gathering wisdom along the way!

 

3. How do you see writing? As a hobby or a passion?

Both.  And more. It’s an outlet. It’s fun. My favourite part of the process is  The Zone, where I get to the point in writing a story that’s a lot like reading a book you just can’t put down. For me, when I get to a certain point,  I can’t wait to get back to it each morning and have to tear myself away to go to sleep. That’s my favourite part! And beyond a hobby and a passion, it’s a living, too. Writing is so many things to me. And, I’d do it for free so it’s absolutely fantastic that I get paid to do this.

 

4. Do you believe attractive book covers help in its sales?

Definitely. My first book was hideous. Redoing the covers kicked the sales up a notch.

 

5. What do you do in your free time?

Read. Plan more books 🙂

 

6. Are you friends with other writers?

Yes. Over the internet at least. And I’m about to attend my first signing so some of those internet friends are about to become in-regular-life friends. I’ve got a few great writing pals that help with the feelings of isolation. It’s awesome to have writer friends to bounce ideas off, to collaborate with on marketing, to commiserate with or share exciting news with. 

DD’s book Nectar is Free on KU

Want a new book boyfriend that bites? Come and meet Tristan.
Like captive dark romance? Jealous & possessive alphas who will chase down the wayward heroine who thinks she needs to escape? Get hot and bothered by sexy vampires? The Nectar Trilogy could be right up your street!Kyla Spencer refuses to feel. Feelings are messy;
they’re painful;
they hold you back.Due to a painful past she keeps everyone at arm’s length. When the going gets tough, Kyla can deal. But when the going makes her try to feel…she gets going.

But when she is abducted and presented as a gift to Tristan, a bored vampire prince who is destined to become something akin to a king, she has to face a few facts. Beyond facing that vampires are real Kyla has to face emotions that Tristan won’t let her run from. And why the heck does he smell and taste like dessert, anyway?

This is a dark romance.
Tristan is a vampire with a ravenous but insatiable appetite. For ten years he hasn’t once had his hunger sated. He feeds constantly, looking for satisfaction and because his favourite way to feed is during sex he goes through a lot of women. But when Kyla is brought to him as a gift to celebrate a surprise promotion that gets him to the last rung of the ladder before becoming king his world is turned on its axis.

From the second their eyes lock he knows there’s something different about her. After he gets a taste of Kyla, neither of them will ever be the same.

This is the first book in a series about blood, lust, bloodlust, danger, sex, deceit, inner turmoil, love, and finding your true self.

“Between the taste of you, the taste of your blood, and the way you look at me, I haven’t felt this… alive… in… maybe ever.”

“Dimples, blue eyes, tall, dark, and movie-star beautiful? The man was almost totally constructed out of kryptonite. Almost. The fangs? Yeah, not so much…”

This book is book #1 in a trilogy and it does end on a cliffhanger.
Books 2 and 3 (or a discounted box set) are also available.