Cege Smith joins us for Writer Wednesday!

 It's Writer's Wednesday! 
Today we have with us

Cege Smith who is the author of
Edge of Shadows

Welcome Cege!!

Tell us a bit about yourself:

Do you work another job when you are not writing? 

For the last 14 years I’ve worked in the assessment/HR space. Currently I am a Strategic Account Manager and so I sell my company’s products and services to a small portfolio of existing clients. It’s something that I enjoy, and I’ve been told I’m pretty good at. :)

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t writing? 

I am an avid reader, which I think is pretty common for writers. I try not to watch a lot of TV as a general rule of thumb, but there are a few series that have sucked me in and I love the DIY renovation shows.

Finding time to do everything that I want to do is always a challenge, but I do enjoy volunteering for organizations that have programs focused on leadership development for women. It’s another passion of mine.

What is your favorite color? Why?

I’ve always been drawn to Yellow because to me it was the color of optimism and happiness (two things I always aspire to have in my life).

What is your favorite season? Why? 

I love Fall. I live in Minnesota so we have the brilliant fall colors as part of the changing seasons. Halloween is also my favorite holiday, so it all goes together.

If you could live anyplace on earth, where would it be? Why? 

I love where I live and I can’t really imagine living anywhere else. There are lots of places I want to visit, but home is here in MN.

If you could have any car, what would it be? 

I leased an Infiniti G35X for several years and loved that car. I’d get one again without thinking twice about it.

Tell us about your writing:

How long have your been writing? Was it a dream, a goal or is it just a hobby?

I’ve been writing in some way, shape, or form, since I was twelve. It was a favorite hobby that has grown into something more, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.

How many hours a day do you devote to writing? Do you have a set routine or do you write when the mood strikes?

I journal longhand everyday. I usually schedule blocks of time to write when I have a specific project in mind or one of my self-imposed deadlines.

Is there some place special you like to be when you write?

I like to write in my office or at my kitchen island.  The biggest thing for me is that there aren’t any distractions and I can sink into the words.

Do you listen to music or do you need a quiet place to write?

I listen to classical music when I am writing, and early jazz when I’m editing. Music helps soothe my creative spirit and quiets any other distractions around me or in my head.

Tell us about your book:

What is the name of it and is it part of a series or a stand alone novel?

Edge of Shadows was the very first novel I released and so it is near and dear to my heart. It is the first in its series.

Where did the idea come from? 

It all started with my main character, Ellie and the fact that she lived and worked in Uptown (which is a neighborhood just south of downtown Minneapolis). I saw Ellie and I saw where her coffee shop in my head. In the Uptown area, there are many large homes around the lakes there, and suddenly I had an idea for a ghost story. It all grew from there.

How long did it take to write?

From the first draft to when to the point where I published it, it took six years. But much of that time was spent exploring different publishing paths. I had a marketable draft in 2009, but some things happened and I completely refreshed it (including a new ending) in 2011.

What is it about?

Here’s the book description:

Fresh off a marriage that spiraled into a dangerous self-destructive tailspin, Ellie Coulter doesn’t believe in fate or luck. She’s been surrounded by darkness since her parents’ untimely death, and harbors a secret that never lets her forget that she’s different.

Ellie builds a safe bubble around her life that includes nothing but her coffee shop, her few friends, and her dog. Then a handsome young doctor, David Mitchell, starts to break through her protective shell and Ellie realizes there may be a risk worth taking.

Then one of Ellie’s friends abruptly leaves town; entrusting her home to Ellie’s care. The house has its own mysterious past that draws Ellie into a new darkness. Her ex-husband resurfaces with premonitions of Ellie’s death. And suddenly Ellie’s life is being turned upside down yet again, and even David can’t help her make it right.

Ellie is running out of time. Something old and evil has awakened and it wants Ellie all to itself. She must solve a century-old mystery and keep a grip on her sanity in order to survive.

Your other work:

Do you have any upcoming projects in the works or other books that have been published?

I released a novella called The Soul Garden (a dystopian non-traditional zombie story) in January, and Heiress of Lies (a vampire dark fantasy story) in February.  I’m starting work on the Edge of Shadows sequel now.

Where can readers connect with you?

I’m easy to find at www.cegesmith.com or on Facebook.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cegesmith

Twitter: www.twitter.com/cegesmith

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/cegesmith

Where can we buy your books? 

 All three of my books are available on Amazon.

Video Trailer Tuesday

Video Trailer Tuesday!

Each Tuesday we bring you a few new video trailers and some great info on some books you might not know about.  Enjoy your visit and enjoy the videos!

My Blood Runs Blue

Stacy Eaton

Just Released  - New Video

Book Blurb: “I’m still a cop, and my blood runs blue.”

Officer Kristin Greene has always felt that something was missing from her life. Although her job with the Fawn Hollow Township Police Department keeps her busy, she still feels like there is something else out there for her. She soon finds herself investigating a homicide where a young woman has had her throat ripped out. As she begins to dig for the answers, she finds herself thrown into a world she didn’t know ever existed. When the two strong and silent men walk into her life, she finds herself being pulled into a love triangle that has been going on longer than she has been alive. Who are they and why do they keep calling her Calista? Join Kristin as she fights to learn the truth about the recent murder, the two seductive men who have entered into her life and the real truth about herself.

My Blood Runs Blue is book one of the series. Blue Blood for Life... is the second book in the Series and was released on September 30, 2011. Book 3 is in progress and will be released on 2012.

My Blood Runs Blue is an adult Action/Romance Series and is intended for mature audiences.

 Available at Amazon:

Follow Stacy Eaton on Twitter at @StacySEaton
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Redemption Song
Melody Murray

Book Blurb:When seventeen-year-old pop sensation, Ethan Carter, drives drunk and almost kills a man, his livid mother pulls the plug on all things celebrity. Banished to his granny’s house on the Alabama coastline, Ethan is subjected to an extreme dose of normal.

Ethan views normal as a synonym for boring, but things take a turn when he meets Alaina, the spunky Christian from Granny’s church. With her brutal honesty and complete disregard for his rock-star status, Alaina is beautifully different, and for the first time, Ethan is finding it very difficult to get what he wants.

The closer Ethan and Alaina become, the more obstacles seem to come between them. And as Ethan’s punishment draws to a close, he knows that a decision is inevitable. He can return to the life of his dreams, or he can leave it all behind for Alaina. Maybe normal's not so boring, after all . . .

Available on Amazon:

Follow Melodie Murray on Twitter at @murraymelodie

Visit Melody on her blog: www.murraybooks.blogspot.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Following Polly

Karen Bergreen

Book Blurb: When lovable loser Alice Teakle gets fired from her job, her life hits bottom.  No career, no boyfriend, toxic family. to make matters worse, her college nemesis Poly Dawson is doing a little too well. Cool business, hot husband and public adulation.  With free time on her hands, Alice follows Polly day and night to learn her secret to success.  As luck would have it, Polly is murdered and Alice, having left a trail of evidence, is the main suspect.  Believe it or not, this is when the fun starts. . .


Available on Amazon:

Follow Karen Bergreen on Twitter at @karenbergreen

Visit Karen on her website: www.karenbergreen.net

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Moonlight on the Nantahala
Micheal Rivers

Book Blurb:   His life began deep within the mountains of North Carolina. Edward Caulfield was a dedicated craftsman who appreciated the finer things in his life. As a young man he fell deeply in love and married a beautiful young woman he did not want to live without. Fate took her from him early in his marriage and he lived the rest of his life as a shrine to her. In the twilight of his years he met a troubled young woman and their relationship turned the tide for them both. In his efforts to help her, their lives were changed forever learning from each other. In a world filled with romance, deceit, and sorrow Edward left her a legacy fulfilled with the promise of finding, "The Perfect Rose." 

 
Available on Amazon:

Follow Micheal Rivers on Twitter at @micheal_rivers

Visit Micheal on Goodreads: 
 http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/894765.Micheal_Rivers

 Make sure to visit us again next Tuesday for more Awesome Video Book Trailers!

Charlotte Miller the star and Ghost of Malice & Murder speaks today

Please welcome character 

Charlotte Miller

to our blog today!
She is the star of the book Malice & Murder

Created by Nancy M. Popovich

Let's welcome her to the blog and find out what her story is all about!

As I watch Charlotte enter the studio here, the guys are staring at her.  Maybe it is how smartly dressed she is or maybe it is her incredible long ash grey hair.  

Welcome Charlotte!  Thank you for stopping by today! Have a seat and tell us what Malice & Murder is about.  

My name is Charlotte Miller. I lived the good life in London, England, successfully running the art gallery in which I worked, until I inherited it from my uncle.  That is, before I was murdered and became a ghost. 

A ghost?  Wow! You look pretty good for being a ghost! What did you do after you were murdered?

I wandered alone for five long years until my lifelong friend, Steven Hunter, was badly hurt during an intelligence mission. He is a former MI5 agent, assigned to an operation in Paris. 

What did you do? 

The universe allowed me to seek help from his mind and spirit to find my murderer, while his body was under anesthesia to repair the damage.  Our spirits meet in our favorite childhood rendezvous, a supposedly haunted glen with a slow moving stream. Unfortunately, this is also the place where I was murdered.

Wow, what an interesting way to catch a killer! 

Stevie and I had a hot and heavy relationship for a few years. The wrinkle is that our affair ended suddenly—my reluctant choice given my secret life—which seriously hurt him.

A part of my request for help required honesty in revealing my secret criminal life.

A secret criminal life huh? 

Regrettably for me, Stevie's sense of honor is somewhat rigid.  I hoped he would let bygones be bygones and help me, but he takes the law very seriously.

Most people do. 

Finally, I discover the identity of my murderer, who by now has racked up three deaths, including that of a Metropolitan Police murder detective (a shy hottie named Rupert). We are able to follow a Metropolitan Police Detective Inspector work the murders, because of his connection. 

Interesting twist to the story. 

I've never before seen anything like what happens to the murderer. It still sends shivers down my spine. But if I reveal the ending, my creator will undoubtedly become angry with me and may not consider a sequel.  

lol... Well don't do that!

Charlotte, We all want to be different, so what is the one thing you wish your creator had done differently with you?

She could have made me tall and glamorous like a model, instead of petite and waif-like. Who thinks of a hero as a child-like woman?

If you could have added something to the story, and your creator would have let you, what would that have been?

More earthly powers would have been so convenient. A fling with Rupert would have been such fun. But, it's possible she is still planning our futures.

Isn't he dead? Oh wait.. you are too. Never mind. Let's go to the next question. 

What do you love best about yourself? What do you like least?

I love that I'm strong, competent, and loyal. I don't like that I threw caution aside and ignored the warning signals in my head for the thrill of a job. It got me killed.

Yeah - I wouldn't like that either. 

What part of the book was the hardest for you and your creator to work through?

It was learning that the British Justice System's penalty for my murder (and the other three murders) wouldn't be satisfying enough for us, or we thought, for readers. Once my creator decided the direction that would satisfy, I considered it as just and appropriate. Although I was completely shocked at the turn she took, I was satisfied that justice prevailed.

Is there a sequel for this book? If so, what do you want to accomplish in the next book.  If not, do you wish you could continue your story? 

No sequel is in the works at this moment. But, now that I have a sidekick, there are many journeys we could take. I may have to prod my creator a little to give us a chance to shine, as I know we can.

That sounds like a great idea!  Thank you Charlotte for coming today! You're story is going on my To Be Read Pile!!   

You can watch the video trailer here: 

 http://animoto.com/play/034l274SwSuoeFABt6XbGQ

To Purchase Malice & Murder:

Amazon:

Smashwords:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/134180

To contact the creator Nancy Popovich

Blog & Website: http://nancypopovich.com

Twitter: @NancyP48

Facebook:www.facebook.com/nancy.m.popovich

Google + https://plus.google.com/?utm_source=bk&utm_medium=ha&utm_campaign=plusgeneralb2c-ca&utm_term=%2Bgoogle%2B

To Watch a video interview with Nancy, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iONbI0YU3T4&feature=plcp&context=C363e3deUDOEgsToPDskIxWG-01-Kf2Omv3Hthv6sL

Michael Charney visits for Writer Wednesday

 It's Writer's Wednesday! 
Today we have with us

Michael Charney who is the author of
Chasing Glenn Beck: A Personal Experiment in Reclaiming Our Hijacked Political Conversation

Welcome Michael!!

Tell us a bit about yourself:

Do you work another job when you are not writing?

Two, actually, though both are for myself.  First, my wife and I work together in an HR consultancy that works with corporations to promote leadership and team building.  Secondly, I’ve established a publishing company, Riddle Brook Publishing, that has just signed a new author from here in New Hampshire. Working on her book—and reviewing other query letters and manuscripts—takes up a chunk of my time as well.

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t writing?

Reading. I know that sounds trite for a writer, but it’s true. I constantly have several books going, and I might be reading Dickens in the morning and Atwood in the afternoon.

What is your favorite color? Why?

Blue. It used to be green, but it changed. My wife doesn’t like blue so we have almost none of it in our house. She actually talked me out of buying a blue car at one point. Turns out I miss it. 

What is your favorite season? Why?

I live in New Hampshire, so I’m obligated to say, “autumn.” It really is devastatingly gorgeous up here during that time of the year.

If you could live anyplace on earth, where would it be? Why?

I’ve never really thought about it. I’ve lived in California (both southern and northern), in New Jersey, and now in New Hampshire. I’ve made many trips to Europe and to Israel. What I’ve found is that when you’re working, “here” is just “here.” So I’ve never really had a preference as to location. I guess I would most want to live wherever my wife lives; she’s my rock, despite her aversion to blue…

If you could have any car, what would it be?

One that never needs repairs, or oil changes, or new tires, or a tune-up. I just hate taking care of all that mundane stuff.  Oh, and if it used air for fuel, that would be great, too.

Tell us about your writing: 

How long have your been writing? Was it a dream, a goal or is it just a hobby?

I’ve been writing most of my life, starting way back in grade school, where it was a dream. Then, in my twenties, I wrote a couple of novels—which I’m happy to say have remain unpublished, since they weren’t good at all. At that time it was a hobby.  Then, in my thirties I started up again, and writing for publication became a goal. I started in earnest on short stories, essays and technical articles, and had great success, placing quite a few pieces both in North America and in Europe, and winning a number of awards. One story I wrote even ended up in a high school English textbook—I’m very proud of that.  Chasing Glenn Beck is my first book-length publication, and that was dream, goal and hobby all wrapped up together.

How many hours a day do you devote to writing?

When I’m in the middle of a project, the actual writing gets 2-3 hours of my time each day. Since I’ve been working in non-fiction, of course, there’s additional time for research, fact checking, etc. During the writing of Chasing Glenn Beck, I probably devoted about 30-40 per week to the project.

Do you have a set routine or do you write when the mood strikes?

When I’m working on a project I try to stick to a set routine because, oddly, I don’t actually like writing all that much. It’s more of a compulsion for me, and I would procrastinate (and then feel guilty about it) if I didn’t work to a schedule. I prefer to write in the mornings and mid-afternoons; that’s when I feel most productive.  By the way, while I don’t love to write, I love having written.  I suspect more authors feel that way than would care to admit it.

Is there some place special you like to be when you write?

I write in my home office because that’s where my computer is—the one with the full-sized keyboard and the overlarge monitor.  While I love the freedom that laptops bring, I just find that I prefer the size. I don’t suppose it’s a particularly special place, but I do have a few internet radio stations that soothe me and make the writing a bit easier.

Do you listen to music or do you need a quiet place to write?

As it turns out, I write best when I listen to quiet music. I find that Brian Eno works well, as does mellow jazz. I tried classical for a while, but the intricacies proved distracting. Even with the music playing, though, I need the remaining surroundings quiet. Someone talking on the phone in the next room, for example, leaks through and makes it difficult to concentrate.  I really envy those people who can completely tune out everything around them; it’s a skill I’ve never acquired.

Tell us about your book:

What is the name of it and is it part of a series or a stand alone novel?

My book is entitled Chasing Glenn Beck: A Personal Experiment in Reclaiming Our Hijacked Political Conversation, and it’s narrative non-fiction.

Where did the idea come from? How long did it take to write?

The idea, unfortunately, emerged from tragedy. Shortly after the earthquake and tsunami disasters in Japan last spring, Glenn Beck came out and said that if perhaps we had all been just a bit better at following the Ten Commandments, then maybe this particular Act of God might never had happened. I couldn’t believe it: an entertainer with no particular background—a former shock-jock and self-proclaimed rodeo clown—had crossed some line I didn’t even know I’d drawn. And this guy seemed to have tremendous influence!  It was my anger, my sheer incredulousness, which drove me to the keyboard and started the project.

What is it about?

The book describes the three months I spent on Twitter chatting with thousands of political junkies in an effort to find out why the loudest, most raucous, most illogical voices seem to have taken over all the political conversation.  As I began to throw my own crazy ideas out there, certain themes started to emerge; those themes—along with what was happening in the world at the time—allowed me to tie everything together. 

 

Along the way I found that on many topics people were very funny, and that was only one of the surprises that emerged. So the book has quite a bit of humor in it, as well.  We found out, for example, why Rush Limbaugh should have asked for a bigger loan from God, and why Aristotle was never invited to any of the really cool parties.

Your other work:

Do you have any upcoming projects in the works or other books that have been published?

This is my only book to date, but I do have another project in the works.

In establishing my own publishing company for Chasing Glenn Beck, I came to the realization that there were many other talented writers out there looking for an opportunity. So I decided to use my new company, Riddle Brook Publishing, as a vehicle for that. I’ve just signed a wonderful writer from New Hampshire who is writing about her experiences raising an autistic son.  She has a wonderfully unique take on the topic. We expect her book to come out through my company at the end of this year.

Where can readers connect with you?

You can read my blog (and some book excerpts) at www.chasingglennbeck.com. 

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chasing-Glenn-Beck-Exposing-Political-Marketing/145533028860364. 

Twitter  @BeckIsALib

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13347103-chasing-glenn-beck

Google +: https://plus.google.com/117913982161028421320/posts

Where can we buy your books?

The book can be ordered at any bookstore (and found in some of them), and online the book is in all the usual places: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. You can get the book both in trade paperback and electronically.  Please note, though: don’t skip the footnotes! That’s where most of the humor ended up!

Website: Blog: www.chasingglennbeck.com ; www.riddlebrookpublishing.com

AMAZON

Barnes and Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chasing-glenn-beck-riddle-brook-publishing-llc/1036535783?ean=9780984792702&itm=1&usri=chasing+glenn+beck

Indie Bound

http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780984792702

Travis Benson shares about Drift - the book he stars in

Please welcome character 

Travis Benson

to our blog today!
He is the star of the book Drift

Created by Cyrus Hudson

Let's welcome him to the blog and find out what his story is all about!

Welcome Travis!  Thank you for stopping by today! Have a seat and tell us what Drift is about. 

Drift is a novel about reunions and redemption amidst self doubt and serial killings in a small town.

Wow... what a combination! What else?

It's about Travis Benson (that's me), a record producer turned marketing director, who travels from Hartford, Connecticut back to a small town called Greenwood, Colorado. 

That is quite a change in scenery.

Although my journey back isn't on a whim as you might expect. Let's just say I have a very bad feeling something tragic is about to happen in Greenwood. 

That is very intriguing...

And even if it doesn't happen, I'd like to try and fix some broken bridges I left behind. But as to what bad things are going on and what bridges did I burn? Well, you're going to have to read the novel to find out.

lol.. Okay fine... We will just have to check out your story!

Travis, we all want to be different, so what is the one thing you wish your creator had done differently with you?

I'm not sure if I'd like my personality to be changed. I certainly want to wake up and suddenly find myself to be a bore or a stiff. However, I wish he had changed my circumstances. Especially when it comes to broken bridges.

If you could have added something to the story, and your creator would have let you, what would that have been?

I would like to have a brand new vehicle. Maybe another truck or perhaps a sports car. But something, anything, that wouldn't break down at the worst possible moment.

lol... What do you love best about yourself? What do you like least?

I love that I'm an easy going person. It makes me relatively easy to get along with. I also hate the fact that I'm an easy going person. It means that sometimes I get scared and let things drift away.

What part of the book was the hardest for you and your creator to work through?

I'm sure the toughest part for him to work through is a lot different than the toughest part I had to live through. Especially since some of the chapters he wrote don't involve me at all. However, as for myself, it would definitely be the moment I was back in Greenwood, Colorado. Breakups and walkouts are tough but coming back and asking for forgiveness is even harder.

Very true. 

Is there a sequel for this book? If so, what do you want to accomplish in the next book. If not, do you wish you could continue your story?

I'm not sure if there's going to be a sequel. However, if there is one, he better not put anymore murders in it. And I better be a lot happier in the next book, that's for damn sure.

Well I will wish for the best for you!  Thank you for coming today Travis.  For those of you who wish to learn more, all the links are right below! 

To Purchase

AMAZON

To Contact the creator:

Website & Blog: http://bit.ly/Anys31

Twitter: @hudsonian

Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Andrew-Cyrus-Hudson/238373312878581

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5355429.Andrew_Cyrus_Hudson

Writer Wednesday brings us Matt Patterson and his book My Emily

 It's Writer's Wednesday! 
Today we have with us

Matt Patterson who is the author of
My Emily

Welcome Matt!!

Tell us a bit about yourself:

Do you work another job when you are not writing?

I write and write some more!  I’m a free-lance writer, primarily doing news releases, corporate publication and annual report copy.

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t writing?

It seems as though writing is all I do, but when I’m not trying to promote my book, I’m writing.  When I do step away from the laptop I like to workout. I’m also a big sports and movie fan, so heading to a ballpark or theater is a nice getaway for me.

What is your favorite color? Why?

I would have to say blue.  I really don’t have a reason, but would guess it’s because some of my favorite teams have blue in their colors.  I wear a lot of light blue shirts, navy suits and ties with a variety of blue shades in them.  After all that – I have no idea why I’m saying blue is my favorite color. 

What is your favorite season? Why?

Football and baseball!  Oh, if you’re talking weather-wise, here in Arizona it’s pretty much the same – clear and warm.  Now if I lived in a normal climate I would have to say fall.  I have to say there’s nothing like cool temperatures and watching the leaves change colors. I have to say I miss that big time.

If you could live anyplace on earth, where would it be? Why?

I would say there’s no particular location.  I believe each of us can make that “anyplace on earth” by being with the ones you love, and by doing what you want to do.  Am I there yet?  Not quite, but I’m working on it. 

If you could have any car, what would it be?

I would love to have my 1968 Mustang from high school back in my possession, for sure.  Of course, I would have to summon the folks from Pimp My Ride to give her the once over.  Was a great car, especially for some tall, skinny kid in high school.

Tell us about your writing: 

How long have your been writing? Was it a dream, a goal or is it just a hobby?

I’ve been at it for about 20 years in some form or another.  Back then, I don’t look at it as having been a dream, goal or even hobby.  My goal coming out of college was be the next great anchor at ESPN.  My degree was in communications with a broadcast journalism emphasis.  I worked as an anchor and reporter for a handful of stations and came to the conclusion that this career wasn’t the best for a newly-married couple.  I left the bright lights (if you want to call them that) for the written form of communication.

It was some 20 years later I was moved to put my name to the cover of a book.  I guess then I can say it was a dream fulfilled.  Now, it’s a passion to help others through my writing.

I want to make a connection with the reader.  I want to gain their trust.  Do they “hear” me?  Can they understand me?  I want someone to crack open my book and feel like we’re in their family room and I’m telling them my story.  I want them to nod in agreement with me.  I want my readers to laugh with or at me.  I want them to cry with me as well.

How many hours a day do you devote to writing? Do you have a set routine or do you write when the mood strikes?

As many as I can, but it seems I can easily get turned in 40 different directions. I’m fortunate enough to work from home in most cases, so I try to keep a routine as if I’m headed to “the office”.  I’m up, I work out, shower, (sometimes shave), and dressed at the same time every day.  I check my phone for voice mail, text messages and then it’s off to the laptop for emails, and to send twitter cross-promotion messages or  facebook posts.  I also do this before going to bed every night (or early morning).  Then I try to write.

Is there some place special you like to be when you write?

Now that we’re empty nesters I actually use our large and high-standing kitchen table as my desk/writing area.  Lots of room combined with good lighting, not to mention it’s quiet.  There are times though where I venture off to a local coffee shop and seem to be productive as well, but those trips are rare.

Do you listen to music or do you need a quiet place to write?

Well, I just mentioned I like my work area because it’s quiet, so for the most part, I do like it quiet. If there was a way I could stay focused, write meaningful copy while listening to Bruce Springsteen or U2, I would most certainly incorporate that in my writing routine.  I have yet to master it though.  I sometimes have the television in the adjoining room as some background noise, but for the most part I need less noise to be more productive.

Tell us about your book:

What is the name of it and is it part of a series or a stand alone novel?

The name of my first book is My Emily and for the time being it is a stand-alone book, but I do have plans to perhaps create a companion to it.

Where did the idea come from? 

I guess I should say first and foremost that this is a non-fiction book.  It tells the story of our journey with our first daughter, Emily.

Emily was born with Down syndrome and just two years later was diagnosed with leukemia.  I try to take the reader by the hand and walk them through our time with little one – from birth, diagnosis, treatment, her eventual passing and our efforts to move on without her.

 The actual idea came from a newspaper column I wrote almost 20 years prior.  This column’s publication date was set for Emily’s birthday.  My beat on the newspaper was to follow the courts and crime. I spent most of my time with city, state or county law enforcement officers, as well as prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges.  I made it a point that my weekly column would be as far away from that arena as possible. I wanted my readers to know I was a regular guy – a soft-hearted father with cute kids and mildly hilarious sense of humor.

Writing this column turned out to be a very good release for me.  By the time I finished it, I was crying.  I sent it to my editor and she called me into her office.  She was crying.  When the paper came out and copies were delivered around the newsroom – I looked around and people were crying.  I then began to receive calls, notes, cards and letters thanking me for the piece. Others would tell me, “This story needs to be a book.” I started to think that I could have something here. I agreed, but never felt the time was right.  Better said, there wasn’t a sense of urgency.

How long did it take to write?

I would kill me to say 20 years, but I have to agree the timing was right for it to finally come to pass.  In actuality, it took me three to four months to write, edit, rewrite, edit, rewrite, edit and finally have friends say, “Let it go for crying out loud.” 

Your other work:

Do you have any upcoming projects in the works or other books that have been published?

I do have plans for an upcoming companion book to My Emily, but I don’t want to burst the bubble at this moment.  I can say that it will be a book for and from its readers.

Sorry to be a party pooper, but I am excited about the project.

Where can readers connect with you?

There are a number of places where people can track me down.  I invite them to make contact with me.  I enjoy hearing from readers and writers, alike.

Website:  mattpatterson and My Emily

Twitter: @myemily_thebook

Facebook:  Matt Patterson, Author

Where can we buy your books?

The print version of My Emily can be found on a lot of websites – particularly Amazon and Barnes & Noble.