My Guest....Liberty Blake

Liberty Blake's interview is here for your enjoyment today. Make sure to post a comment.

Welcome Liberty, and thanks for being here today. Let’s get started.
Tell us a little about yourself and about your "Hearts and Flowers" Valentine’s
Anthology.
Thank you so much for having me in for a little chat, JM. I would love to tell you about my upcoming release in a Valentine's Day Anthology from Still Moments Publishing. It's
called Valentine Delights Be Mine. My story is "Hearts and Flowers".

What inspired you to write this work?
Melody and Mike met in my Christmas anthology Christmas Treats #1 Santa's Naughty
List. "Christmas Spirit" (the title of my story) is my first fiction credit. Once I finished writing Noelle and Harry's story, Melody kept demanding her turn to find love. She didn't think it was fair to introduce her to a really hot guy and then not let her have some fun, especially after she finally dumped the loser she had wasted years on.

Is this part of a series, or do you plan to write any series books?
I had thought "Christmas Spirit" was a single story, but Melody
insisted. I agreed to let her have Valentine's Day. Let me tell you, she was
not happy. She has a problem with that day.

What’s your favorite genre to write?
Oh gosh! I love romance, mystery, paranormal, and my own specialty, the psychotic
thriller. They all transport me to another dimension and when you live in a house with five children ranging in age from two to fifteen you need to be transported somewhere else on a regular basis to escape the chaos. Don't get me wrong, I love all the kids, but sometimes adult time is very much appreciated.

Who was your favorite character to write and why?
So far Melody from "Hearts and Flowers” is my favorite. In the past she had
the world's worst boyfriend, she hates Valentine's Day, and she is a florist. There
is no way for her to escape on February 14th. It was fun watching her struggle
through the day. She is one plucky woman.

What do your family and friends think about your choice of career?
My children are happy to see me follow my dream and succeed. It validates all the
times I have told them they could be anything they wanted to be. My grandmother
gave me my first typewriter when I was a tiny tot because even then I knew I
wanted to write and I needed the tools of my trade. I appreciate all the love
and support I have received over the years from first my Gran and then from my
children. There is one problem, though, I tend to write spicy/hot and my
children are sometimes afraid to read my stuff.

On a personal note, what’s your favorite television show?
Justified!!!
I love Timothy Olyphant and the way they are handling the Elmore Leonard story.

What’s your favorite holiday?
Halloween.
Costumes, candy, what could be better?

And finally, where can readers find you?

www.libertysspells.blogspot.com

www.writersrunwild.com

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003014966880
Valentine Delights
is Coming in time for Valentine's Day!

Get your Christmas
Spirit (it is never too late or too early) at:

http://www.stillmomentspublishing.com/p/ebook-store.html

http://www.eroticescapesebooks.com/index.php?cat=11

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/117061 Be sure to click on "Adult Content
Rating"
One lucky commenter will win a copy of Santa's Naughty List.

The Ebook Arena

Sharing my stories and artwork in paper format has been an interesting and fun experience. When a friend mentioned she has put her books up on Smashwords and Amazon in ebook form, I got to thinking. I am an artist and a mystery author with books in both genres, so maybe I should go ahead and give it a try....putting my books up there in the ebook world.

While my publisher, Lachesis Publishing, has the Vinnie Esposito mystery series in ebook form, I will put Murder on Spyglass Lane out by tomorrow on both Smashwords and Amazon's Kindle site for a minuscule amount of money. This story takes place in present day west coast Florida, has a sexy hero and a psychic heroine who finds her abiltiy annoying. Then there is always the who-done-it factor and a way too cute Bassett hound. So stay tuned for that.

Next week I plan to try my hand at placing a Zentangle art book in ebook form on Smashwords. Let's hope I don't crash and burn before Christmas gets here.

Wish me luck!! LOL

An Update on Publishing

Life takes unexpected turns now and then. I never know what to expect since I always step off the cliff with the knowledge that I won't crash and burn. The image that comes to mind when I do step off is from the Indiana Jones film where he steps off the cliff and finds his feet are really on a stone path across the ravine. My life is sort of like that scene.

Anyway....I sent Murder on Spyglass Lane to Midnight Magic Press (on a whim, mind you). A member of my writer's group mentioned MMP was seeking submissions. I thought, "What the heck? I have nothing to lose!" So I went to their website, downloaded their submission guidelines and sent the little darling on its way. Within several hours, (yes, HOURS, not days, months, years or NEVER) I had a response. I'd found a home for the novel and I'm on my way. They even assigned an editor to me immediately! I like that! No waiting or messing around. WOW!

The moral of this story is...just when you think your life has become mundane, think again. Step off that ledge, see where your life will take you. Let the adventure begin!!!! Wait, wait, Indy, I'm right behind you! LOL

Murder On Spyglass Lane

It took three years to finish my psychic novel Murder on Spyglass Lane, but it's done and edited to within an mm of its life. I even got brave enough to send it out to an agent and a publisher. It's a precious thing, a finished book. Like a newborn nestling in the crook of your arm. Even if you don't write, but do some other craft, you know what I'm talking about. Saying The End is just the beginning. The work takes on a life of its own and you are pushing, nudging, and encouraging it on its way to popularity and success.

I have put the first chapter on my website for reading. If the people I have approached aren't interested...I will publish this work on Amazon using their Create Space and Kindle programs. Either way, it will step into reality.

I've been called a lot of things, some good, some not, tenacious, stubborn, obstinate, daring, and such are terms that make me smile. Why? Because it means I rarely accept failure. I keep trying, working, and sometimes...I even win the day.

You can read the first chapter of Spyglass Lane at www.JMGriffin.net The first person who emails me about the book will get a free gift for doing so. Now...the race is on. Go for it!

Rewards of Reading & Writing

As a writer, I don't get to read as much as I used to. I do, however, enjoy a good story just like everyone else does, so when a good book comes along, I drink it up as though I was parched in the dessert sun.

I belong to a writers group in RI. We meet on the first Saturday of every month, except in the summer when we have time off for two months. This month I had the chance to meet a new member, Jayne Omerod. Her new book comes out on the 10th of this month. I read the brief blurb on the back of the book mark she gave me and now I can't wait to read this book as well as the next one she has coming out. Gosh! I really can't wait, but will have to cool my jets, I guess.

Anyway...if you are a writer, an aspiring writer or are just curious about what writing groups do, find a group in your area, visit as a guest, and maybe you'll take the next step in your "I want to write" process. That's what got my engine running and I haven't been able to stop. (By the way...there is no finish line in writing, you just keep going.)

Jayne Omerod's book is "the Blond Leading the Blond", published by Avalon Books and her website is www.JayneOmerod.com

The rewards for reading and writing are great, especially when you get to hang out with like minded folks who are so talented. You also get to know about their books before anyone else does. What a treat!!!

Blogging with the Divas

On Tuesday, this week, I will be blogging at the pop culture divas site. It's a great site with interesting news and articles. Join me tomorrow for a brief encounter. Ya gotta love those mystery writers!!!!! My website has recently been updated, sorry it took so long, but there's a new contest for this month and some other news for you. Take a peek at www.JMGriffin.net

Chapter Beginnings

Have you ever sat in front of the computer screen and wondered how to begin the first chapter of your novel? I faced that situation not long ago. I'd been to Block Island during the summer and fell in love with the island all over again. As I meandered through winding roads, I thought a story featuring my Vinnie Esposito series characters and the island would make for a perfect murder. I gathered as much free info on the island and its history that I could while there and then sat down to write. Nada! Nothing! There was just too much information (TMI) to deal with at once. Too many possibilities, too many ideas bouncing around my brain.

It took some time, some shuffling of info and thought blooms on paper before I finally managed to get an opening. I crammed words onto the pages without worrying about them. My friend and fellow author, Annette Blair, once told me that is the only way to start. "Get it down," she said. "Then worry about sorting it out later." Smart woman!!!

Writing like the devil stood over my shoulder breathing fire down my neck, I got the scene set. Then....three chapters into the story, I stalled. Tired? Maybe. Free thinking? Definitely not. I set the work aside and now, a few weeks later, my engine has started to rev like I am a Nascar driver. Today is the day! I will jump back into the story and hope I can finish a few laps around the track before my motor stalls. Whew! I was beginnning to wonder if it was going to happen. The story had been rattling around in my attic until it jelled, so I'm ready to get back to it.

Share your story with me on how you begin your first chapter. I'd like to know, really!

Check out my website for the latest give-aways/contest/and information on upcoming books. See who won the ereader contest im August. I may even have gotten that first chapter of the newly submitted Exposito novel so you can have a sneak peak. Cold Moon Dead is the wackiest of the Esposito novels and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.www.JMGriffin.net

My publisher, Lachesis Publishing, has my Vinnie Esposito series on sale at their website. Talk a look and read some excerpts. www.lachesispublishing.com