Eva Pasco's Blog - Posts Tagged "highlights"
2016 Author Interview Highlights
Tis the season to “wrap it up,” whether holiday presents or one of the final chapters in 2016 pertaining to my authorship of Contemporary Women’s Fiction novel, AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE, launched shortly after the Kindle Edition was published on September 20th. To my delight and appreciation, a Goodreads screen snapshot indicates my novel is holding its ranking in 9 nominated categories, 2 of which I’ll proudly share:
1st out of 11 books in the category “Must Reads by New Authors”
1st out of 70 books in the category “Books Set in Rhode Island”
https://www.goodreads.com/list/book/3...
Since it behooved me to rise above the ashes of obscurity as an author revving it up for my second novel, I took advantage of every opportunity available on social media—one of them—graciously accepting invitations to participate in a total of 19 author interviews! On that subject, I’m providing 5 Author Interview HIGHLIGHTS which I feel shed the most light on my writing, publishing, and me:
*From Jill Brock: https://jillbrockbooks.wordpress.com/...
1.What do you think makes a good story?
For me, it’s the blurred lines of distinction between fact and fiction by infusing and overlapping both so they’re indistinguishable.
*From AWESOME GANG:
http://awesomegang.com/an-enlighening...
2. Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
At the age of twelve, I pounded the keys on my girly-pink Tom Thumb typewriter to compose several mysteries and serial spy thrillers under the auspices of a fictitious organization—I.N.T.R.I.G.U.E. Who knew I had a leg up on the popular Sixties TV series, ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’!
In high school, I wrote a romance novella which earned its place on a library shelf. The book, a sheaf of orange typing paper fastened together with mod magazine cutouts on the cover, caused quite a stir until it disappeared. The bulldoggish librarian who reluctantly allowed my Chick Lit in the library at the urging of several classmates, told me it was stolen. Years later, when thinking back, I believe she trashed my enterprise.
The rigors of college, and the demands placed on a rewarding teaching career, shelved further creative writing ambitions until I retired from the profession. With time on my hands, midlife restlessness reactivated my imagination.
Thus far, as a result of that revival, I’ve written two books in the genre of Women’s Fiction:
UNDERLYING NOTES (First Printing – 2007; Second Printing – 2009; currently available as a Kindle Edition at Amazon):
Carla Matteo copes with life by "taking to the bottle"--glass goddesses funneling perfume! During a midlife renaissance the "juice" offers incentive for Carla to find her own niche, while the ominous rose note in ‘Paloma Picasso’ forces her to confront a troubled past, redefine friendships, sort out matters of the heart, and come to terms with the tenets of her life.
AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE (Paperback – August 22, 2016 & Kindle Edition – September 20, 2016):
More than meets the eye at face value, Augusta Bergeron, stuck in a holding pattern, engages in morally destructive behavior she attributes to maternal abandonment. In for a rude awakening upon eggs-huming her mother’s QUICHE recipe, she unravels its significance and forsakes erroneous assumptions. ENLIGHTENED, Augusta feels compelled to redress all the havoc she’s wrought in the aftermath of a tragedy.
*From Mercedes Fox:
https://mercedesfoxbooks.com/meet-aut...
3. What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?
If finding the right words to tell my story isn’t already hard enough, my latest book employs alternating first-person narratives through the eyes of two protagonists. Therefore, their voices must be true to characterization and their walks in life. My latest novel also demanded I be a stickler for details pertaining to backstories and the skeletal framework of history which I took liberties to deviate from for the story’s sake.
*From E. Rachael Hardcastle:
http://www.erachaelhardcastle.com/sin...
4. For Indies, book cover design and editing can be stressful and expensive. When I looked at yours on Amazon I initially thought of a cookbook due to the cover, however then realized it was far from. Can you tell us a little bit about your cover design (choice of image, etc.) and whether this was outsourced externally? Also, how did you cope with your editing process and did this go to an editor following your own amendments? Do you think the cost of editing puts Indies off outsourcing? Do you feel Indies are capable of doing everything themselves? Do you think that covers should reflect the genre they are to sell books?
Emma, you’re not the first to mention that my book cover made you think of a cookbook. The glossy cover design is entirely my doing, incorporating: a stock image; letter font, style, and color. I purposely avoided a “gendered” look, which, in my opinion, denigrates the genre of Contemporary Women’s Fiction treading on the territory of Literary Fiction rather than Nit Wit Chick Lit. (Slapping myself silly). Besides, the word “Novel” and the front cover blurb serve to dispel the notion ‘An Enlightening Quiche’ is a cookbook. Ever the optimist, I’m hoping its literary reputation will leave no doubt in anyone’s mind!
It is a matter of preference for the author to have their covers reflect book genre as a lure to sell. While potential readers may judge a book by its cover, and I have received many compliments on mine, content is what holds the reader’s attention to the last page.
I’m proud to divulge that I edited my own book in its entirety as I did my first novel published by an Independent Press in 2008. At the time I received my edited manuscript to implement suggestions, I noted edits which would have sorely compromised the integrity of my story. When I mentioned this to my publisher, he gave me carte blanche to proofread and edit my own work. I then went on to edit one of his works in progress. The experience served to make me even more proprietary of my work. Trust me, I can be my own harshest critic.
For me, proofreading and editing are an ongoing part of writing both during and afterward. I’ve lost count of how many times I had poured over the manuscript prior to submitting it for publication, and then three more times before I gave my publisher the go ahead to print.
Editing is a costly, but necessary expense for those who don’t have the stomach for it.
*From Laura Smith:
https://www.facebook.com/laurasmithau...
5. What’s the best compliment that you’ve ever received about your writing?
Honored to have received many compliments which I treasure, I’ll cite one of my most recent put forth in a review of AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE by Joel R. Dennstedt for READERS’ FAVORITE (recipient of a 5-Star Seal):
“One cannot know if such writing comes naturally to the author, or if she suffers from the agony of meticulousness required to produce such an exquisite work. The end result hearkens to the classics for its resemblance to such deeply thoughtful plotting, characterization, and the gorgeous prose used in its exposition.” https://readersfavorite.com/book-revi...
1st out of 11 books in the category “Must Reads by New Authors”
1st out of 70 books in the category “Books Set in Rhode Island”
https://www.goodreads.com/list/book/3...
Since it behooved me to rise above the ashes of obscurity as an author revving it up for my second novel, I took advantage of every opportunity available on social media—one of them—graciously accepting invitations to participate in a total of 19 author interviews! On that subject, I’m providing 5 Author Interview HIGHLIGHTS which I feel shed the most light on my writing, publishing, and me:
*From Jill Brock: https://jillbrockbooks.wordpress.com/...
1.What do you think makes a good story?
For me, it’s the blurred lines of distinction between fact and fiction by infusing and overlapping both so they’re indistinguishable.
*From AWESOME GANG:
http://awesomegang.com/an-enlighening...
2. Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
At the age of twelve, I pounded the keys on my girly-pink Tom Thumb typewriter to compose several mysteries and serial spy thrillers under the auspices of a fictitious organization—I.N.T.R.I.G.U.E. Who knew I had a leg up on the popular Sixties TV series, ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’!
In high school, I wrote a romance novella which earned its place on a library shelf. The book, a sheaf of orange typing paper fastened together with mod magazine cutouts on the cover, caused quite a stir until it disappeared. The bulldoggish librarian who reluctantly allowed my Chick Lit in the library at the urging of several classmates, told me it was stolen. Years later, when thinking back, I believe she trashed my enterprise.
The rigors of college, and the demands placed on a rewarding teaching career, shelved further creative writing ambitions until I retired from the profession. With time on my hands, midlife restlessness reactivated my imagination.
Thus far, as a result of that revival, I’ve written two books in the genre of Women’s Fiction:
UNDERLYING NOTES (First Printing – 2007; Second Printing – 2009; currently available as a Kindle Edition at Amazon):
Carla Matteo copes with life by "taking to the bottle"--glass goddesses funneling perfume! During a midlife renaissance the "juice" offers incentive for Carla to find her own niche, while the ominous rose note in ‘Paloma Picasso’ forces her to confront a troubled past, redefine friendships, sort out matters of the heart, and come to terms with the tenets of her life.
AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE (Paperback – August 22, 2016 & Kindle Edition – September 20, 2016):
More than meets the eye at face value, Augusta Bergeron, stuck in a holding pattern, engages in morally destructive behavior she attributes to maternal abandonment. In for a rude awakening upon eggs-huming her mother’s QUICHE recipe, she unravels its significance and forsakes erroneous assumptions. ENLIGHTENED, Augusta feels compelled to redress all the havoc she’s wrought in the aftermath of a tragedy.
*From Mercedes Fox:
https://mercedesfoxbooks.com/meet-aut...
3. What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?
If finding the right words to tell my story isn’t already hard enough, my latest book employs alternating first-person narratives through the eyes of two protagonists. Therefore, their voices must be true to characterization and their walks in life. My latest novel also demanded I be a stickler for details pertaining to backstories and the skeletal framework of history which I took liberties to deviate from for the story’s sake.
*From E. Rachael Hardcastle:
http://www.erachaelhardcastle.com/sin...
4. For Indies, book cover design and editing can be stressful and expensive. When I looked at yours on Amazon I initially thought of a cookbook due to the cover, however then realized it was far from. Can you tell us a little bit about your cover design (choice of image, etc.) and whether this was outsourced externally? Also, how did you cope with your editing process and did this go to an editor following your own amendments? Do you think the cost of editing puts Indies off outsourcing? Do you feel Indies are capable of doing everything themselves? Do you think that covers should reflect the genre they are to sell books?
Emma, you’re not the first to mention that my book cover made you think of a cookbook. The glossy cover design is entirely my doing, incorporating: a stock image; letter font, style, and color. I purposely avoided a “gendered” look, which, in my opinion, denigrates the genre of Contemporary Women’s Fiction treading on the territory of Literary Fiction rather than Nit Wit Chick Lit. (Slapping myself silly). Besides, the word “Novel” and the front cover blurb serve to dispel the notion ‘An Enlightening Quiche’ is a cookbook. Ever the optimist, I’m hoping its literary reputation will leave no doubt in anyone’s mind!
It is a matter of preference for the author to have their covers reflect book genre as a lure to sell. While potential readers may judge a book by its cover, and I have received many compliments on mine, content is what holds the reader’s attention to the last page.
I’m proud to divulge that I edited my own book in its entirety as I did my first novel published by an Independent Press in 2008. At the time I received my edited manuscript to implement suggestions, I noted edits which would have sorely compromised the integrity of my story. When I mentioned this to my publisher, he gave me carte blanche to proofread and edit my own work. I then went on to edit one of his works in progress. The experience served to make me even more proprietary of my work. Trust me, I can be my own harshest critic.
For me, proofreading and editing are an ongoing part of writing both during and afterward. I’ve lost count of how many times I had poured over the manuscript prior to submitting it for publication, and then three more times before I gave my publisher the go ahead to print.
Editing is a costly, but necessary expense for those who don’t have the stomach for it.
*From Laura Smith:
https://www.facebook.com/laurasmithau...
5. What’s the best compliment that you’ve ever received about your writing?
Honored to have received many compliments which I treasure, I’ll cite one of my most recent put forth in a review of AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE by Joel R. Dennstedt for READERS’ FAVORITE (recipient of a 5-Star Seal):
“One cannot know if such writing comes naturally to the author, or if she suffers from the agony of meticulousness required to produce such an exquisite work. The end result hearkens to the classics for its resemblance to such deeply thoughtful plotting, characterization, and the gorgeous prose used in its exposition.” https://readersfavorite.com/book-revi...
A Rave Review!
Just prior to and since the publication of my second Contemporary Women’s Fiction novel—'An Enlightening Quiche' (September 20, 2016), my blogs starting from #45 (Letting Go) - #120 (WIP!) pertain to aspects of my life as an Indie author. Not so with #121, a departure, whose title actually refers to the 5-Star rating I’ve allocated for vacation time spent with my mother and sister this week.
Pacific meets Atlantic Coast!
Highlighting a few of our favorite pastimes:
MONDAY
We hit the ground running by embarking on a girls’ day out which entailed hunting down bargains at Burlington, an off-price retailer. Afterward, we enjoyed a lavish lunch at our favorite restaurant, The Old Grist Mill Tavern, where we dined by a window overlooking the waterfall on Burr’s Pond which pours into the Runnins’ River. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that my mother and sister ordered baked stuffed shrimp for their main entrée, and I opted for lobster sauté.
In keeping with our follow-up tradition, we stepped inside Vinny’s Antiques, just next door, and wandered amidst all the nooks and crannies of yesteryear.
We capped off the afternoon by browsing the aisles of Marshalls.
TUESDAY
In the aftermath of enjoying lunch at Chelo’s on the Waterfront in East Greenwich, the three of us made our own way aboard a high-speed, sightseeing catamaran for a 90-minute, narrated, lighthouse tour viewing 60 miles of coastline. We cruised by ten lighthouses along Narragansett Bay, sailing under the Jamestown and Newport Bridges.
Back on land, we dug into ice cream sundaes at Newport Creamery. There are currently 12 of them—10 in Rhode Island and 2 in Massachusetts.
WEDNESDAY
Having saved money by splurging on bargains at Burlington and Marshalls earlier in the week, we made a pit stop at the upscale Garden City Center in Cranston and browsed inside Ann Taylor, L.L. Bean, and Talbots. We enjoyed a sumptuous lunch at the largest independent dining operation in Rhode Island, and ranked number 66 in the United States—Twin Oaks, overlooking Spectacle Lake. Worthy of mentioning, the rice pudding and tapioca pudding my mother, sister, and I had for dessert.
THURSDAY
Before saying our final farewells, we ate breakfast at The Modern Diner, a red-and-cream-colored Sterling Streamliner shaped like a locomotive. The first diner to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located in Pawtucket.
After we hugged good-bye, my sister’s parting comment resurrected a memory preserved in a photo taken during the summer of 2013—“Let’s continue to maintain what we have moving forward!”
