Watching Willow Watts Launch Day!

Today is the celebratory launch of Talli Roland's second novel, Watching Willow Watts and I've joined the parteeeeyyy!!!!

Almost 150 bloggers have joined the If I could be Anyone, I'd be...Websplash and this is what this is all about! Woot!

So who would I be?

*Holds breath*

I'd be Samantha played by Nicole Kidman in Bewitched (2005)!  Why?  Because she's stunning and wears pretty dresses in the film!  And of course, magic!  Yes!  I'd like to have magical power to...to...I don't know - hmmm...turn bad people into toads?  Hee hee.  I'd like to be a beautiful witch with only the face of Nicole Kidman but please let me NOT be married to Darrin played by Will Ferrell?

Now, about Willow Watts:

For Willow Watts, life has settled into a predictably dull routine: days behind the counter at her father's antique shop and nights watching TV, as the pension-aged residents of Britain's Ugliest Village bed down for yet another early night.  But everything changes when a YouTube video of Willow's epically embarrassing Marilyn Monroe impersonation gets millions of hits after a viewer spots Marilyn's ghostly image in a frame.

Instantly, Willow's town is overrun with fans flocking to see the 'new Marilyn'. Egged on by the villagers -- whose shops and businesses are cashing in -- Willow embraces her new identity, dying her hair platinum and ramming herself full of cakes to achieve Marilyn's legendary curves.

But when a former flame returns seeking the old Willow, Willow must decide: can she risk her stardom and her village's newfound fortune on love, or is being Marilyn her ticket to happiness? 


The good news!  You can buy a copy of Willow on Amazon UK for £1.71, or on Amazon.com for $2.99. Paperback coming in November!


And, one more EXCITING part of today is seeing the beautiful Talli Roland as Marilyn Monroe!!!

Congratulations, Talli!

The Door Swung Open

Rachel Harrie is hosting the First Campaigner Challenge. 


Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title.  It can be in any format, including a poem.  Begin the story with the words, "The door swung open."  These four words will be included in the word count.


Here's my attempt:


The door swung open.  Alice did not even hear it when it shut as she bowed down her head, staring at her jeans and her hands still clasped together in between her legs.  She felt a hand on her shoulder.  Startled, she looked up to see Adrian.  His face was flustered and sweaty.  He knew.  He didn't have to say a thing.  They just looked at each other.


She was the one who broke the silence.  "He's gone,"  she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.


He nodded with eyes closed and sat next to her.  Adrian could hold it no longer.  He covered his face with his hands and sobbed.  Alice wrapped an arm around him, leaned on his shoulder.  And she wept, too.  


The suffering was over.  Their only child was finally at peace.

Interview with Author Amber Argyle

Thank you to all who have left a comment on my last post.  Yes, that was a review of the enthralling novel, Witch Song.  Today, I bring to you the author behind it, Amber Argyle!

What was your job before you became a writer?


The same job I have now - a full time mom.  I love being at home with my kids (most of the time).  One of my favorite parts is reading them stories.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?


Spare time?  What's that?  LOL  With three kids, cleaning, cooking, writing, editing, and marketing; I really don't have much spare time. Although I have been doing Zumba aerobics.  I'm terrible.  Really, really terrible.  But it's so much fun.  I love it when you get an amazing workout and you don't even realize it.

If I had a spare time, I'd scrapbook and play basketball.

Did you struggle to get published?  Can you tell us your experience on getting published?

Long, long story. I’ll try to give the short version. Being an author meant so much to me that I didn’t pursue it for a while for fear of failing. After the birth of my very colicky baby, I desperately needed some sort of stress release and started writing January of ‘06. I was offered a publishing contract for my first book (Priestess Prophecy) fall of June of ’08. I turned that contract down because the terms were rotten. Shortly after, I found an agent who subbed Priestess. I broke up with my agent after about a year. I shelved Priestess and started circulating Witch Song. Rhemalda Publishing offered me a contract August of 2010. I’m so grateful/lucky to have such a fantastic publisher.

Where’s your favourite place to write - is it inside your own home or do you have to go out somewhere - into the woods, by the beach or in a cafe - to find the inspiration?

I’m trying to imagine myself writing in a café with my three kids tipping over the displays and running out into the road. It’s making me very tired. ;) I write at home, in my family room so I can keep an eye on my chillins.

Let’s talk about your debut novel, Witch Song – how long ago was it when you began to write this novel?

I started writing Witch Song summer of ’07. I finished the first draft in a month. I edited it pretty steadily for another 6 months. Then I worked on it off and on when the muse struck.

Can you tell us about Witch Song?  What is it about?

My 14 year old protagonist, Brusenna, is the last Witch left. All the others are being held captive. And without the Witches to control nature, seasons are crossing hardened boundaries, seeds rot in the soil, and the heavens are sealed shut. If Brusenna doesn’t find and free the others soon, there might not be anything left to save.  

Did you have to research to write the story?

There’s an epic sea battle near the middle of the book, so I had to do a lot of research on cannons, ships, and sailing. I also had to do a lot of research on tropical climates.

Are you working on another novel right now?

I’m editing Daughter of Winter, which should come out next year (finger’s crossed). I’m trying to fit in the first draft of The Forbidden Forest, but I just can’t find the time.

What would you like to read? Any favourite books?  Favourite authors?

I absolutely love Shannon Hale and Kristin Cashore. Let’s face it, the girls can write an write well. I also like Brandon Mull, Tolkien, David Farland, Jessica Day George, Clare B Dunkle, Jennifer Roberson, Suzanne Collins, Clare B Dunkle, Aprilynne Pike, and Robin McKinley. I could probably go on forever.

Do you think any of your favourite authors has influenced your writing?

Absolutely. David Farland has taught me so much about the craft of writing. When I get stuck, I read a great book and that usually propels my writing into high gear.

Do you have any tips to share with aspiring writers out there on how to get published?

Worry more about becoming a great writer than about getting published—because being published is a byproduct of great writing. Also, improving your writing is something you can control. Being published is not (unless of course you self pub).

****


Thank you very much, Amber.  It’s been a pleasure to have you on my blog. 

Witch Song by Amber Argyle

Summary:


The world is changing.

For thousands of years, witch song has controlled everything from the winds to the shifting of the seasons. But not anymore. All the Witches are gone, taken captive by the dark Witch, Espen.

As the last echoes of witch song fade, Espen grows stronger as winter and summer come within the space of a day. Now she’s coming for the one she missed—a shy, untrained girl of fifteen named Brusenna.


Somehow, Brusenna has to succeed where every other Witch has failed. Find Espen. Fight her. Defeat her.


Or there won’t be anything left to save.

My thoughts:

This is a world where witches do not use wands.  Instead, they sing.  I find the beginning very slow-moving but right in the middle and throughout the end, it was full of suspense and action.  


I wasn't able to connect to/with Brusenna and I feel sad about that.  I wish there were more flashbacks in the story, more thoughts that would have made me feel closer to the MC.  Her behaviour and reactions to things confused me at times.  Nevertheless, I must say that this is a creation of an extraordinary world of magic and music.


This is a story of love and loyalty.  It ended in an unexpected way which made it even more interesting.  


Amber Argyle has created an enthralling world. A unique story of witches. An impressive debut novel.  


Disclaimer:  I received an ARC of the book above from the publisher for an honest review and I was not compensated for this review.