Home | About Ara | Review Policy | Contact | Giveaways | YourBookGallery | Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

My Book and My Coffee

Let's all welcome Traci Borum, author of Painting the Moon, Book 1 in the Chilton Crosse series. She is currently on tour to support the newly released novel and I'm very happy to be a part of it! Today, she will shed some light on how she writes characters. It's quite interesting, really. Find out what she has to say about it here. And don't forget to enter the awesome giveaway at the end of this post. :) 

*****

When I’m brainstorming a novel, I usually always find a pretty significant piece of myself inside my main characters.  It’s just easy to relate to them if they have at least one quality that I already possess.

But what about those characters who are nothing like me?  Surprisingly, they’ve become a lot easier to flesh out than I first assumed.

Take Jill Bartleby, for instance.  She’s a minor character in my novel, Painting the Moon, and she’s pretty much nothing like me.  She’s tall and waif-like, outgoing and chatty, confident and fearless.  But I found that when I let go—when I embodied her character, tried to figure out her tone of voice, her thought processes, her decision-making—I could relax into it.  While I wrote her, I became her, in my mind.

I’ve often equated writing a novel to being an actor-director.  I tend to “stage” scenes (picture what’s in a scene, who’s standing where, what they’re holding, what they’re doing).  And I also act.  I play the roles of the characters.  I try to be them, figure out what they’re thinking, how they’ll react to something.  That’s the only way it feels genuine to me.

So, with Jill, I pretended to be her.  I moved aside my own personality as much as possible and played Jill’s role.  I wore designer clothes and enjoyed having tall, skinny legs (in real life, I’m a mere 5’1’’).  I said outrageous things with a posh British accent and lived in a fancy London townhome with a gorgeous surgeon husband.  And it was fun!  I became someone other than myself.


And perhaps that’s one of the biggest joys of writing—escaping who you are, even for a couple of hours a day—to become someone else, entirely.

*****

Know more about her newly released novel: 

Painting the Moon by Traci Borum
Painting the Moon by Traci Borum
Release Date: June 2014
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Amazon Kindle | Amazon Paperback | B&N | Kobo | Google Play

When Noelle Cooke inherits a quaint cottage and an art gallery from her famous British aunt, she’s happy to leave her boring life in San Diego and take a trip to England. A locked room, a detailed diary, and a rich history of eccentricity make her visit even more interesting. Added to that, the art gallery is on the verge of financial ruin.

Noelle is shocked to run into Adam Spencer, her childhood sweetheart. Old feelings stir, and she has to remind herself that she’s only there for a short time. Then, Adam takes on a restoration project in her area and becomes involved in the mystery her aunt has left behind. New love ignites, but Noelle doesn’t know if Adam feels the same way.

Book Trailer: 


About the Author: 


Guest Post @ My Book and My Coffee > Traci Borum, author of Painting the Moon
Traci Borum is a writing teacher and native Texan. She’s also an avid reader of women’s fiction, most especially Elin Hilderbrand and Rosamunde Pilcher novels. Since the age of 12, she’s written poetry, short stories, magazine articles, and novels.


Traci also adores all things British. She even owns a British dog (Corgi) and is completely addicted to Masterpiece Theater–must be all those dreamy accents! Aside from having big dreams of getting a book published, it’s the little things that make her the happiest: deep talks with friends, a strong cup of hot chocolate, a hearty game of fetch with her Corgi, and puffy white Texas clouds always reminding her to “look up, slow down, enjoy your life.”
Connect with Traci: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

.. Enter the Giveaway here: 


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Share
Tweet
Pin
1 Dazzling Comments
Good news, everyone! Today's the official launch of Aimee Salter's book with a major publisher + exciting new program! Check it out! :) 

Today, Amazon Publishing and Alloy Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Television Group, announced a digital-first imprint that will focus on young adult, new adult and commercial fiction. 

The new imprint, named Alloy Entertainment, will be part of Amazon Publishing’s Powered by Amazon program. Powered by Amazon enables publishers and authors to leverage Amazon’s global distribution and personalized, targeted marketing reach.

Alloy Entertainment, a division of the Warner Bros. Television Group, develops and produces original novels, television series and feature films.  All titles in the new Alloy imprint will have the advantage of being part of group that aggressively supports and promotes its properties.  

In fact, more than 75 of AE’s books have been on The New York Times bestseller list, including The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Luxe, Veronica Mars: The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line, and The 100.

Every Ugly Word will be one of the first of three titles to be released under the newly launched imprint.

Alloy Entertainment will also look for opportunities to develop acquired titles as television series, feature films, and digital entertainment.

About Every Ugly Word: 

Every Ugly Word by Aimee L. Salter
Every Ugly Word by Aimee L. Salter

Every Ugly Word follows 17 year old Ashley who is relentlessly bullied at her high school and by her own mother, and his helplessly in love with her best friend, Matt, who is bullied by his father. 

She seeks help by looking to her future self, “Older Me” who supports her through it all and teaches her to love herself. But is she really seeking “Older Me” or is she looking within herself for the answers?

When Ashley looks in the mirror she can see and talk to her future self. “Older Me” has been her support system through her relentless tormentor’s bullying, her unstable mother at home, and her forlorn love for her longtime best friend. But when Ashley discovers “Older Me’s” betrayal, she is targeted in the worst way and impends her last chance with Matt. She’s done with hearing every ugly word.

About the Author: 

Aimee L. Salter - author Every Ugly Word
Aimee L. Salter writes novels for teens and the occasional adult who, like herself, is still in touch with their inner-high schooler. She never stopped appreciating those moments in the dark when you say what you're really thinking. And she'll always ask you about the things you wish she wouldn't ask you about.
Connect with Aimee: Website | Facebook | Twitter


About Alloy Entertainment
Alloy Entertainment, a division of the Warner Bros. Television Group, develops and produces original novels, television series and feature films. More than 75 of AE’s books have been on The New York Times bestseller list, including The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Luxe, Veronica Mars: The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line, and The 100. AE has successfully adapted several of its properties into hit television shows for broadcast across multiple networks, including The CW, ABC, ABC Family and Nickelodeon. Current Alloy Entertainment television series include Pretty Little Liars, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals and The 100. AE feature films include Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 1 & 2, Sex Drive and The Clique, with several additional projects currently in development including Sisterhood Everlasting, The Merciless and The Brokenhearted. 

About Amazon.com
Amazon opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995. The company is guided by three principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, and long-term thinking.  Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire phone, Fire tablets, and Fire TV are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon.


Share
Tweet
Pin
1 Dazzling Comments
Raising Her Hopes Blog Tour

Where and how do you get ideas for your next book? May Williams, author of Raising Her Hopes, is here today to talk about getting that 'next idea'. Check it out! Also, don't forget to enter the nice giveaway below! :) 

****

Writers are always looking for the next idea or trying to refine the ones circulating in their heads in order to get a book from the brain to the page. To help me along, I like to talk to new people and ask lots of questions. When I’m experiencing something new, I’m always thinking about using it in a book. So I ask even more questions. 

Recently, on a family vacation, the kids talked me into zip-lining. It wasn’t a simple one zip and we’re done sort of thing. It was a full-on-get-geared-up (helmet, gloves, the works) and spend hours in the trees zipping about. I smiled through the process of getting ready and the ride to the top of the mountain in a super-modified, super-sized van and wondered what I’d gotten myself into.

Like good parents, my husband and I made the children go first. But then it was my turn, the guide hooked me to the line and released a lever, sending me on a journey over a valley in the North Carolina wilderness for over half a mile. My immediate response (after I stopped screaming) was sheer amazement. Not only was it fun, it was beautiful and I was hooked. I loved the experience and the location so I started asking questions. 

The guide, who had been with the company since it started five years ago, was super-knowledgeable about the construction of the course, the native plants, and, of course, zipping. I tried to make my questions sound like curiosity and not pumping for information, but I still learned plenty. Someday, a zip-lining company is going to end up in one of my books and all because my kids wanted to zip. 

****
Check out the author's book: 

Raising Her Hopes by May Williams
Raising Her Hopes by May Williams
Historical Victorian Romance
Turquoise Morning Press Vintage
Amazon | Turquoise Morning Press  | B&N | ARe

When Sidney White arrives in England, he seems like the perfect man for Belinda Ferguson.  

She wants to love him, but first she must overcome her past before she is free to raise her hopes.

Sidney Ferguson has one objective when he arrives in Bath, England. He plans to leave his daughter with relatives before returning to the United States to embark on a dangerous mission for the Union Army. 

An encounter with the beautiful Belinda Ferguson strikes like lightning at his heart, but she doesn’t give her love or attention freely. Belinda’s past makes her cautious about placing her trust, especially in a man who must leave her to complete his task.

Despite the separation his work requires, Sidney convinces her to risk loving him and she dares to raise her hopes.
About the Author: 


May Williams, author of Raising Her Hopes
May loves romance. Big pink roses, chocolate hearts, sunset walks, but, most of all, she loves romance novels. She’s been reading romances since she first discovered the public library where the librarians didn't notice or didn't care what she was checking out even though she hadn't hit puberty yet. 

Since then, May has continued to read every genre of romance, but she writes mostly historical. Places and time periods have stories to tell. And she likes to listen. Her most recent novels are Victorian era pieces where she can imagine beautiful gowns and elegant teas.

When May’s not writing, she manages a houseful of children, pets, and flowers grown in her garden.
Connect with May: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog 

Here's the giveaway: $15 Amazon Gift Card


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Share
Tweet
Pin
No Dazzling Comments
Newer Posts
Older Posts

Le Blogger



Hello! Hallo! Aloha!

Welcome to My Book and My Coffee blog. I'm ARA, the owner of this blog.
I'm a book blogger and reviewer.

Learn more here: About Ara

I am NOT accepting review requests at the moment. I still have too many books in my queue. Sorry. ~ Check out my Review Policy here.

For advertising inquiries, please email me at ara@mybookandmycoffee.com.

Thank you! Enjoy the blog! ;)

Follow, please?

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Tweet, tweet

Tweets by @MyBooknMyCoffee

Popular Posts

  • Guest Post: Playing Your Opposite by Traci Borum
    Let's all welcome Traci Borum , author of  Painting the Moon , Book 1 in the Chilton Crosse series. She is currently on tour to support ...
  • Book Review: The Deliverers: Sharky and the Jewel by Gregory S. Slomba
    Title: The Deliverers: Sharky and the Jewel Author: Gregory S. Slomba Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy Form: PDF copy Amazon:  Pap...
  • Book Spotlight: Elemental Magic Series
    Today, I'm featuring Brynna Curry's Elemental Magic series, a little more focused on Book 1, Earth Enchanted. This is really exciti...
  • Book Review: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
    Title:  To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Author:  Jenny Han Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance Form: Paperback Book Description:  To All t...

Categories

Giveaways Book reviews Book Spotlight Guest Post Cover Reveal eBook Giveaways Author Interview Book meme Articles

recent posts

Sponsor

Amazon Special

Blog Archive

  • ►  2020 (9)
    • ►  May (1)
    • ►  April (4)
    • ►  March (2)
    • ►  February (1)
    • ►  January (1)
  • ►  2019 (1)
    • ►  January (1)
  • ►  2018 (8)
    • ►  December (1)
    • ►  November (4)
    • ►  June (2)
    • ►  April (1)
  • ►  2017 (18)
    • ►  November (10)
    • ►  October (6)
    • ►  March (2)
  • ►  2016 (15)
    • ►  August (2)
    • ►  June (1)
    • ►  May (11)
    • ►  April (1)
  • ►  2015 (16)
    • ►  October (1)
    • ►  September (6)
    • ►  August (3)
    • ►  July (5)
    • ►  June (1)
  • ▼  2014 (26)
    • ►  August (1)
    • ▼  July (3)
      • Guest Post: Playing Your Opposite by Traci Borum
      • Official Launch: Every Ugly Word
      • Guest Post: The Next Idea by May Williams
    • ►  June (7)
    • ►  May (2)
    • ►  April (11)
    • ►  February (1)
    • ►  January (1)
  • ►  2013 (61)
    • ►  November (15)
    • ►  October (14)
    • ►  September (7)
    • ►  August (7)
    • ►  July (1)
    • ►  June (2)
    • ►  May (4)
    • ►  March (5)
    • ►  February (3)
    • ►  January (3)
  • ►  2012 (41)
    • ►  December (1)
    • ►  November (5)
    • ►  October (5)
    • ►  September (6)
    • ►  August (5)
    • ►  July (11)
    • ►  June (6)
    • ►  May (2)

Commercial?

Lovely Readers

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Bloglovin
FOLLOW ME @INSTAGRAM

Created with by ThemeXpose