Spotlight Interview with Dani-Lyn Alexander

Spotlight Interview with Dani-Lyn Alexander

Tell us a little about yourself.
I live on eastern Long Island with my husband, three kids and three dogs. I love to read and have had a book in my hand since I was about three years old.

Do you work with an outline or just write?

I start out just writing, but about halfway through a story I set up an outline detailing where I want the story to go.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Getting started on a new story is always difficult for me.

How do you come up with the titles of your books?

At some point the titles just come to me while I’m writing.

Please share an enticing tag line of your current work with us.
When Jess begins to see things she can’t explain, she has to wonder if she’s going crazy, hallucinating, or seeing the figment of a damaged mind.
Ghost in Haunted Shadows Anthology, October 2012

If your book were made into a movie, who would you want to play your main characters?

I would love to see Orlando Bloom play my hero and Julie Benz play my heroine.

Where can we purchase your book?

http://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Shadows-Still-Moments-Publishing/dp/1480164739/ref=la_B007RT5RFU_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354071386&sr=1-1
http://www.stillmomentspublishing.com/p/ebook-store.html

Do you prefer to write with a pen and paper, or computer?

I prefer a pen and paper, but a computer is usually more convenient.

What does your writing space look like?

I have a small office on the landing at the top of my stairway. The desk is littered with folders, paperwork, and scraps of paper filled with story ideas.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?

I love to spend time with my husband and kids, doing just about anything. I also love to dance, and have worked as a dance teacher and choreographer. I enjoy working with kids and have directed and choreographed several high school plays.        

What did you want to be when you were twelve years old?

I wanted to be a dance teacher and an author.

Who in your life has been the most influential?

My husband

What is your favourite colour?

Blue

What is your favourite pleasure food?

Chocolate!

What is your favourite season?

Fall

What is your favourite television show?

Friends

What is your favourite movie?

Gone With the Wind.

Who is your favourite actor?

Mark Wahlberg

What is your favourite song?

Unchained Melody

What is your favourite comfort clothing attire?

Sweat pants and an oversized men’s shirt

What books might we find on your bedside table?

Anything by Nora Roberts or Christine Feehan

 

 

Describe yourself in three words.

Wife, mother, writer.

Thank you for visiting with Still Moments Magazine!

Guilty Pleasures Interview with Tanith Davenport

Guilty Pleasures with Tanith Davenport

What fast food item do you adore?
I have a weakness for pizza. In the past I’d have said Chinese food, but I’ve found a lot of fast food places don’t do it properly any more.

Fuzzy or tube socks?

Fuzzy. Nearly all my socks are standard black ones so if I have a preference, it’d be for some warmth and comfort.

Chocolate or vanilla ice cream?

Definitely chocolate. I have never been a vanilla person.

Dogs or cats?

Cats. I do love dogs, but my two cats would never allow one in the house. I’m lucky they even let me in.

Pen and paper to write or a computer?

Computer. I do my planning on paper and then type it up properly.

Ereader or paper back?

In the past I would have said paperback, but I’ve got very attached to my Kindle. It’s addictive.

Bubble bath or shower?

Shower – I can’t wash my hair in a bath and it’s long enough that it will always get wet!

Chick flicks or action movies?

Action movies, although my favourite genre is actually horror. You can’t beat a good horror film – I just wish there were more good ones out there.

Hot dogs or hamburgers?

Hamburgers, although when I was in New York I did develop a fondness for their chilli dogs.

Cowboy boots or sneakers?

Cowboy boots. Boots are sexier.

Flats or stiletto shoes?

Flats. I have a back condition which means I can’t wear heels.

Boxers or briefs on a man?

Boxers. I don’t know why, but I find briefs a little unmasculine.

Beard or clean shaven man?

Clean shaven. I can’t stand being prickled.

Favourite place to vacation?

My husband and I have a favourite resort in Majorca that we go to almost every year. That said, I would love to go back to the Amalfi coast. We visited it a few years ago and it was breathtaking.

Favourite drink from the bar?

It would have to be a Mojito. I can’t resist them.

Favourite article of clothing?

I’m a great fan of coats. Right now I have a long black coat with raised leaf and flower embroidery which I got on holiday in New York. It makes everything look good.

Favourite time of day?

I’m a morning person. That said, now that it’s winter I do love to wrap up in a snuggli and stare at the stars in the evening.

Favourite season?

Probably winter. I’m the Christmas fairy in our house. We have a German Christmas market in town which symbolizes everything I love about it – dark nights lit with fairy lights, mulled wine and gifts for everyone.

Favourite television show?

Right now, “Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files”. Since I started researching for my paranormal novella I’ve become fascinated with the subject.

Favourite movie you’ve watched more than once?

“Heavenly Creatures”. Nothing else comes close.

Favourite actor?

Female – either Sara Paxton or Katharine Isabelle. Male – Johnny Depp. There aren’t many actors you can always rely on to do a good job so when I find one, I watch them in everything.

Favourite song you listen to over and over again?

“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen. It’s a long-standing favourite – it’s so happy.

Favourite candy your sweet-tooth craves?

I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but I do love violet creams.

What books might we find on your bedside table?

Right now I’m reading “Frankenstein” and “Tarzan of the Apes”, but I also keep a copy of “Royal Blood” by Bertram Fields near my bed. I’m fascinated by the Princes in the Tower.

What would your first thought be if you won a lottery?

“I can write full time!”

Thank you for sharing your Guilty Pleasures with Still Moments Magazine!

Tanith Davenport began writing erotica at the age of 27 by way of the Romantic Novelists' Association New Writers' Scheme. Her debut novel "The Hand He Dealt" was released by Total-e-Bound in June 2011 and was shortlisted for the Joan Hessayon Award for 2012. Tanith has had short stories published by Naughty Nights Press and House of Erotica. Her paranormal novella "I Heard Your Voice" was released in October 2012 as part of Total-e-Bound's anthology "Haunted By You".

 

 

Spotlight Interview - Heather Sharpe

Spotlight Interview with Heather Sharpe

Tell us a little about yourself.

Hi! I am an ex elementary teacher turned stay at home mom.  I live on six acres out in the middle of nowhere with my husband, toddler, and way too many cats and dogs.  I’m a softie, though, and can’t kick them out in the cold, so our bed gets pretty crowded at night.  J I’ve been writing for three years, and am overjoyed to have three books coming out over six months this year.

Do you work with an outline or just write? 
I usually just write, but on longer works sometimes I’ll open another document to use to make notes of things I want to remember to tie up later in the book.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? 

The hardest thing for me is transitions. I know where I want my characters to go next, but sometimes struggle getting them in position.  As a reader, sometimes I skim through these parts to get to the next action, and I tend to want to write the same way—skipping straight to each action scene.  The best writing advice I got once was to type TRANSITION in my manuscript and keep writing while I have momentum, then go back later and fill in the blanks instead of letting myself get stuck and dropping the ball just because I can’t figure it out at the moment.

How do you come up with the titles of your books? 

Titles are very hard for me. Many times I’ll ask my husband for help. He writes as well, and has come up with the title for two of my manuscripts.

Please share an enticing tag line of your current work with us.
Double Trouble anthology, available now: Will she ever determine which is Tanna’s Twin?
My book releasing January 8, For the Love of a Sphynx: When time’s the enemy, there’s no room to pussyfoot around.

If your book were made into a movie, who would you want to play your main characters?

Hmm. I’ve never really thought about it! I guess probably Jake Gyllenhaal because I can’t get enough
of seeing him!) and Zooey Deschane.

Where can we purchase your book?

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Double-Trouble-ebook/dp/B00A28RW7E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354037354&sr=8-1&keywords=heather+sharpe

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/252003

Do you prefer to write with a pen and paper, or computer?

I prefer paper, but use a computer so I don’t have to rewrite it later.  I keep paper handy, though, when we are in the car because that’s when I invariably get some of my best ideas. 

What does your writing space look like?

Most of the time I write sitting on the couch in front of the TV while my baby sleeps on the cushion beside me.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?

I used to read a lot, but now if I’m not writing, I’m playing with my son. He is fifteen months old, and very busy!  

What did you want to be when you were twelve years old?

Either a teacher or a vet. To be a vet, I was going to be one that never put animals to sleep. J

Who in your life has been the most influential?

Easily my husband. We’ve been together since I was fourteen, and he has been the greatest influence on my life. He’s the one that finally convinced me to start writing, and encouraged me every time I doubted myself.

What is your favourite colour?

Yellow-I love how cheery and happy it is.

What is your favourite pleasure food?

Goody bars-chocolate brownies topped with white frosting, then chocolate covered rice crisp cereal on top.  Yum.  Now I have to go make a pan… 

What is your favourite season?

Spring, when everything starts to turn green, and the air has a slight chill but is warm enough to not need a jacket.

 

What is your favourite television show?

Big Bang Theory

 

What is your favourite movie?

The Avengers

 

Who is your favourite actor?

Heath Ledger

 

What is your favourite song?

Nickelback’s Burn it to the Ground

 

What is your favourite comfort clothing attire?

Fuzzy pajama pants and an oversized T-Shirt

 

What books might we find on your bedside table?

Christine Feehan or Gena Showalter (any of either of their books!)

 

Describe yourself in three words.

Tired, happy, and hungry (now that we’ve talked about goody bars!)

 

Thank you for visiting with Still Moments  Magazine! 

Thank you for having me!

Learn more about Heather, visit her web site:
http://heathermsharpe.webstarts.com/index.html