WRITERS WRITE... WRITING PARTNERS FEUD ~ Interview with Amy McKinley

A:  (Decked out in red, Angelica arrives at the office, singing off-key but exuberantly)  “Just hear those sleigh bells jinglin', ring ting tinglin' to….   Come on it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with yooooou….”

Z:  Someone is merry.

A:  No, my name is Angelica, remember?  Are you having another senior moment?

Z:  (Opens his mouth to explain but then notes the huge sleigh outside the window)  What is that?

A:  Oh, our ride to our interview with Amy McKinley.  Her book HIDDEN was just released November 2, 2015 by CBG!

Z:  Seriously.

A:  Yes, and I heard our friends Tattle and Wrye are going to review it very soon!

Z:  I meant the sleigh.

A:  (Grins)  That’s what being merry is being all about!  Gotcha!

(The two arrive on Amy’s roof, and appear in her kitchen, decorate the table with festive spirit, adding Reindeer mugs and peanut butter cookies as well as gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free, everything free imitation treats just in case.  (Ok, so maybe the sleigh is from Santa’s workshop, and maybe we are fantasying, but it’s the holidays, can’t help ourselves.)

(Amazingly, Amy doesn’t look a bit surprise at the intrusion.  Obviously, she has heard of their antics, and is ready to be interviewed.)

A:  Wonderful to meet you.  (Hands her a mug and points to various hot beverages)  We can’t wait to read HIDDEN.  The tagline:  Cursed since birth, Hunted by Gods, And desperate for Love – Jade never stood a chance, is totally intriguing!

Z:  (Tips his hat.  Yes, a hat appears out of nowhere.)  Greetings and salutations!  Ready to be interrogated… errr… meant interviewed?

Amy:  Ahh, interrogate? (pulls at the collar of her shirt and begins to gather all sharp objects with a shaky smile) Of course, I’m definitely ready to be interviewed. It’s wonderful to meet you both as well.

A:  Now, this is a very serious question, so think before answering.  If you were one of Santa’s reindeer, which one would you be and why?

Amy:  Well, I’d have to say Dasher since I have been known for my knee jerk reactions in situations like interrogations, I mean interview questions, and…we should probably just stop there. (taps fingers on the table) But, giving it more thought, Comet represents my love of world building and, at times, my spacey nature. Yep, Comet is my final answer.

Z:  Ahhh, spacey, eh?  We like spacey.  (Wiggles bushy brows)  As for you, Ang, you have Christmas on the noggin’, m’jingle-bell partner-bud!  (Holds up a hand to still any protest)  I know, ‘tis the season.  Considering that, Amy, what would Jade want most for Christmas?

Amy:  Your response Oh, that’s easy (grins) Roen gift wrapped and tied to their bed. Wait, can I say that here?

A:  (Grins at her response)  Of course, you can, we’re an equal opportunity tie-em-up and enjoy source of entertainment.  Anywho, which of your characters in HIDDEN is most deserving of coal in their stocking and why?

Z:  If someone handed Jade lemons with no sugar to make lemonade, what would she do?

Amy:  Angelica, I’d really like to tell you who’s deserving of coal, but I don’t want them after me. Seriously, he’s one mighty god. There’s still four more books in the series and, um, this god has a terrible temper so I think I should keep that quiet. He still has a few tricks up his sleeve and puppet strings to manipulate; I don’t want to fuel his angst. And Zi, Jade would never give up, no matter the odds.

Z:  (Throws out another question before Angelica can.)  Do you have a funny bone, or are you a serious Gus.  (Looks intense)  Not talking about Gus-Gus from Cinderella.  I know you’re not a mousette.

Amy:  I’m a sucker for most Disney movies (smiles). I’m hilarious…in my head. But in reality? Just not that funny ;)

A:  Me too!  I wonder why others don’t get it?  Hmmmm….  (Places a Santa hat on Amy’s head and then holds up a mirror)  Oh, you look adorable!  Doesn’t she look adorable?  (Looks at Zi for confirmation.  He agrees and mouths an apology to Amy for Ang’s antics) So, if you were interviewing you, what would you ask yourself?

Amy:  (Tucks hair behind ears and fluffs some fuzz from the hat out of her eyes) I’d ask many things, bhwahahaha. Oh wait, I’m freaking myself out a little. Okay, seriously. I’d want to know something about how the book was written. Or something personal like maybe a phobia or I’d ask about a pet, or of there is anything else, writing wise, in the works.

And in answer to a few of those questions I’d say: Of course I have phobias, one is actually in the book—spiders (shudder). I’m a plotter, meaning I love to outline before I write. However, this book did not begin that way. Hidden is my debut novel in the Five Fates Series and I hope you all enjoy it. The second in the series will be released this spring.

I have three cats that are a constant, and much needed, distraction. On occasion, I’ve been known to text my kids pictures of them while they’re at school—hopefully none of their teachers are reading this!

A:  Ooooh, adore cats!  Three is just a perfect number, and five books in such an interesting series sounds like Tattle and Wrye over at CBG are  gonna have a lot of reviewing to do! As for spiders…. Yikes! 

A & Z:  Thank you so much for joining us, and we do hope your holidays are extra sweet.

Amy:  Ending response Thank you for a lovely time Angelica and Zi. Happy Holidays!

Amy McKinley is a freelance writer and author. She lives in Illinois with her husband, their four talented teenagers, and three mischievous cats. Hidden is her first novel in the Five Fates Series with Taken, the second, due to release in the spring of 2016. She is excited to finish the series and begin the next that’s already demanding attention.

Connect with Amy

www.amymckinley.com
https://www.facebook.com/amymckinleyauthor
Goodreads
Amazon
Twitter

Hidden is available for sale:

Champagne Book Group
Amazon
B&N Nook
Kobo
All Romance ebooks

***

We'd love to hear from anyone interested in what we do. Anyone who writes us at writingteamcw@yahoo.com (Write - Blog Dawn - in subject line) and leaves an s-mail address, we will send you a free ebook (choose erotic or romantic thriller) and add you to any future mailings.



Angelica Hart and Zi ~ Vixen Bright and Zachary Zane
www.champagnebooks.com - www.carnalpassions.com - angelicahartandzi.com

WRITERS WRITE... WRITING PARTNERS FEUD ~ REVIEW AWARD WINNER

DONA PENZA TATTLE, ESQ.

AND

ASSOCIATE WRYE BALDERDASH

Greetings!

The couple sweep onto the stage in appropriate attire.  Yes, Associate Wrye Balderdash in top hat, tux and tails, an exceptionally large beaver tail to be exact.  Dona Penza Tattle adorn in a glitter walk-the-red-carpet burgundy slender silhouette style gown.  (She wants all to notice the slender part cause she is wearing a corset that has sucked everything in to the point of her making her eyes buldge and her breathing shallow.) 

(Applauds from the cyber crowd of readers.)

"Thank you, thank you."  Wrye bows graciously.  "The true applauds go to all the nominees and their riveting books.  It has been an incrediably difficult decision, but at last we have found our WINNER and TOP NOMINEE for the Tattle and Wrye Book Award.”  Otherwise known as:

THE FABULOUS FICTION FABRICATOR FEATHER IN THE FEDORA, WRYE TOAST FROM BALDERDASH AND TATTLE... JAM OPTIONAL AWARD, DENOTING THAT BALDERDASH BABBLES AND TATTLE PRATTLES AND GOOD WRITERS WRITE WELL... TAA DAA!  WITH BOW AND CURTSY

(More applauds from the cyber crowd of readers.)

Angelica smiles broadly, trips over the hem of her gown, feels a stitch pop, sucks in her breath and breathes out in one long gasp, “Please find below the criteria we used.

CRITERIA

(humorous)

~Reviewed by Tattle and Wrye, separately and donut free (so as not to create an artificial zone of contentment)

~Dimensional characters who morph over time, and not into dinosaurs (unless that is a plot device)

~Faceted universe like a kaleidoscope that brings flashbacks to psychedelic Tuesdays of our 80s (someone digressed)

~Compelling like chocolate truffles you can't resist (no one can write chocolate, but what if, the world would eat it up)

~Good conflict - think clashing swords or sparing armadillos or Feuding Writing Partners (shameless plug)

~Smart/snappy dialogue, without using finger-snapping or gingersnaps or snapping turtles with red polished toenails unless they speak

~Believable inner voice even if crazy voices.  Note:  Crazies seem to have more fascinating inner voices.

~Memorable, even more so then remembering getting lost in a cupcake factory without your blood sugar testing kit

~Unpredictable plot that brings the cat ate the canary snigger as, get this, the canary ate the cat

~Stunning twists that cause spontaneous "Weoooos!" and pee-pee dances around the Rug Doctor

~Keeper-upper-til-all-too-late, as good as any date, and the perfect purchase avoiding the bad book rebate

~Ultimately, an irresistible urge by both Tattle and Wyre to high five the author

~Bottom line:  Was it good?

 

“Just so you all know, as much as we love our fun and games, we do have a serious side as well.  We truly took our time, and thoughtfully considered everyone’s book as you can see by the following true criteria,” says Wrye, looking somber.

(non-humorous)

~Reviewed by Tattle and Wrye 

~Dimensional characters who change

~Believable universe 

~Passionate (weather humorous, dramatic, or mysterious, etc.)

~Compelling

~Good conflict

~Smart/snappy dialogue

~Credible inner voice

~Memorable

~Unpredictable plot

~Stunning twists

~Page-turner

“Now, for our TOP FINALIST!  The envelope, please.”  A large off-white envelope appears in her hand as Tattle and Wrye announce in unison: "JULIE EBERHART PAINT in recognition of MEDIUM RARE!"

(Cheers and applauds from the cyber crowd of readers.)

 “And, finally our WINNER!  The envelope, please.”  A large off-white envelope appears in Tattles’ hand as the duet announce in unison: "RON D. VOIGTS in recognition of THE WITCH'S DAUGHTER!"

(Cheers, whistles, feet stomping and applauds from the cyber crowd of readers.)

Congratulations to both Julie and Ron!  Your books were fabulous and we were so honor to have read them.  We will be sending you a cyber copy of the certificate as well as an icon for your webpage.  Again, CONGRATULATIONS!

(You can find the reviews in their entirety at http://angelicahartandzi.com/index_files/Page814.htm)

Until next month, keep reading!

Dona Penza Rutabaga Tattle, Esq. and Associate Wrye Balderdash

of Blather City, Wannachat

Created and written by:  Angelica Hart and Zi

Books by: Angelica Hart and Zi

KILLER DOLLS ~ SNAKE DANCE ~

CHASING YESTERDAY ~ CHRISTMAS EVE...VIL

http://www.champagnebooks.com/

Books by: Vixen Bright and Zachary Zane

STEEL EMBRACE

BOOK NOOKIE-A LIBRARIAN'S BUIDE TO THE DO-ME DECIMAL SYSTEM

http://www.carnalpassions.com/

angelicahartandzi.com

***

We'd love to hear from anyone interested in what we do. Anyone who writes us at writingteamcw@yahoo.com (Write - Blog Dawn - in subject line) and leaves an s-mail address, we will send you a free ebook (choose erotic or romantic thriller) and add you to any future mailings.



Angelica Hart and Zi ~ Vixen Bright and Zachary Zane
www.champagnebooks.com - www.carnalpassions.com - angelicahartandzi.com