Tuesday 24 April 2012

LADIES AND GENTS.......HERE'S CARRIE!!!!!

Hi everyone. Have you missed me?  Wow, has April been busy for me personally and professionally.  Personally, I became a Grandmother (Meemaw) to a beautiful little boy called Tyler.  My youngest child started nursery, so for 3 hours a day I have absolute peace and quiet.  Just me and my two mad moggies Merlin and Arthur. 
Professionally, I submitted my first finished manuscript and received a revise and resubmit.  After being told I had talent as a writer...(How fab is that), I will be revising and resubbing also 2 rejections, which has not put me off loving my book and hoping it will be published one day.


Even better news guys............. I have managed to have on the Nook today a wonderful woman and fantastic writer Carrie Ann Ryan.


Carrie, an absolute delight to have you in the Nook.  First off, can you tell us a bit about yourself.

Thank you so much for having me!! Well, I’m a 26 year old chemist by day and a romance writer, wife, and kitten-momma by night.

 How did you start writing? I mean what prompted you to start your first novel. 

Well, I think it was because I went on a romance novel reading kick (2500 books in 2 years). And then the voices in my head wouldn’t stop talking. And no, I’m not crazy. Well, at least not really, crazy. Just writer crazy. Those voices were my characters and wanted their stories told.

I’m a virgin so to speak to the publishing world, and so far I’ve had 1 rejection and 1 revise and resubmit.  How do you deal with them?

I think the best way to deal with that is to make sure what you have is clean and to believe in what you have. Yes, rejections hurt, but you can find something that fits you.

Do you prefer to write in dead silence, with music or with absolute chaos around you?

I need music to drown out the house noises. I have a writing playlist that I’m constantly adding to.

If you could have “anyone” bring you your first mug of something to start the day off, who would it be?

Anyone? So like if I could get Henry Cavil to bring me coffee wearing only an apron? Sure. That’s exactly what I want. LOL

Lol Carrie.  I'm the same with Colin Firth!

Is there any genre you would NEVER consider attempting to write, and what genre have you always wanted to try?

Historical. LOL. I don’t think I could do it. I mean, I could do the research, but I would feel so constricted in some things. However, I LOVE reading it. I’m writing paranormal and contemporary now. But I do have a western in mind.

Do you prefer print or electronic versions of your books?

I’m an eBook girl. Mostly because I own 5000 books and only have room for 500 print ones!

There is a LOT of competition out there between publishers.  What do you feel is a must when starting a new novel?

For me, I think it’s more of a character project. I need to know who my characters are and make them three dimensional. The rest will come.

 A friend of mine says that a writer ‘hears voices’ in her head. Is that true?  If not how do you get your ideas?

LOL. Totally. I hear my characters in my head constantly. They have conversations with each other and me. My writing partner, Lia Davis, calls it my Muse.

Your website is amazing, and wow to your ‘heroes'.  Stops drooling Errr, WOW! 

Why thank you! I love it! It took me a while to make it, but I’m happy. My heroes are sexy. Yum.

Do you have a favorite recipe you could share with us?

Yes! Here is my recipe for Sour Cream Enchiladas:
 
I love this recipe! But it’s not for the diet conscious author and reader – beware. LOL

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 pt. sour cream (normal or light)

1 6oz can chopped green chilies

2 cans (10.5 oz. each) cream of chicken soup
16 oz. shredded cheese (1 med bag)

1 bag med-sized tortillas
Salt & Pepper to taste

½ tsp. Garlic Powder
¼ tsp. Ground Cumin

Preheat oven to 350. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic and cumin. Bake on a foil-lined sheet for 30 minutes.
While chicken is baking, mix sour cream, green chilies, chicken soup and a handful of cheese in a large bowl. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, garlic and cumin. Refrigerate until ready to use.

When chicken is done, cube into bite sized pieces and add to the sour cream mixture. Fill tortillas with two large tablespoons of the sour cream/chicken filling and top with a small amount of cheese. Center the filling, and roll the tortilla, while keeping the ends open. Put the filled tortilla in a greased baking pan. Continue to do this until you run out of room in the pan – or until you run out of ingredients. J With any leftover mixture, spread over the top of the tortillas in the pan.
Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top. It’s up to you how much you want to use. I like cheese, so I make it really cheesy.

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes – or until tortillas are crispy and any sauce is boiling on the bottom.
Take out of the oven and cool for 5 min.

Serve with salsa or more sour cream and enjoy with a margarita!
Is there a favorite book that you read as either as a child or an adult that you read over and over again?
I read Patricia Briggs Alpha and Omega over and over again. I’m in love with Charles!

Do you have any tips for new authors at all?

Sit down and write. Don’t talk about it. Do it. And find a friend.

Finally, can you leave us with a teaser and lovely picture of your new book or one your favorite books please?




Here is an excerpt from Trinity Bound!

Hannah put her hand on Josh’s arm, a jolt of electricity flashing between the two. She gasped and he held back the urge to do the same. She gave him a smile and he desperately wanted to brush the curls from her face, soothing the bruises that couldn’t hide her radiant beauty. Reed crouched behind her, still protective. He too was beautiful, his chiseled cheekbones pronounced against the shadowed, healing bruises.

Crap. He could understand thinking sexy thoughts about Hannah, but since when did he think males were attractive in any way? Either that weird connection confused him, or he really was falling for Reed. He didn’t know which one, if either, he wanted to be true.

Reed bent over Hannah to whisper to them both. “Camera.”

“Don’t worry about them now. We have about ten more minutes and then we’d have to worry.”

They both looked curious with a similar tilt of their heads, but didn’t say anything, merely nodding.

“Who are you?” Reed whispered, leaning closer.

“Josh.” Why the hell did he say his name? He was never a name, just a presence, on any other mission. Why did he want them to know his name? Know him? “I’m no one. Just a friend.”

“You’re human.” Hannah’s surprised gasp was still whispered.

Carrie Ann.  It has been an absolute pleasure to have you here in the Nook, and I wish you every success for your latest and future releases. 

Thank you soooo much for having me!

Carrie Ann Ryan is a bestselling paranormal and contemporary romance author. After spending too much time behind a lab bench, she decided to dive into the romance world and find her werewolf mate - even if it’s just in her books. Happy endings are always near - even if you have to get over the challenges of falling in love first.

Her first book, An Alpha's Path, is the first in her Redwood Pack series. She's also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She loves meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens.

Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. You can find her at:


Twitter: @CarrieAnnRyan | Tumblr

An Alpha’s Path Amazon  Barnes & Noble ARe A Taste for a Mate Amazon Barnes & Noble ARe Trinity Bound Amazon Barnes&Noble ARe



Trinity Bound Blurb

Hannah Lewis, a rare earth witch, is taken from the only life she’s ever known. Held at her will by a sadistic wolf, she almost gives up hope that she’d ever see her real life again. But as her fellow captive, a werewolf named Reed, tries to calm her fears, she begins to feel a spark of something she never thought she’d feel – love. But is Reed, alone, enough to get her out of this dark basement so she can move on with her life?

Reed Jamenson, the artist of a werewolf Pack of Alpha males, knows instinctually that Hannah is his mate. Thus, despite their imprisonment, he will do all to protect her and then worry about their hearts. But is he strong enough to find a way for both of them to escape? And why does he feel as though something else is missing?

Josh Kolb, an ex-military human, stumbles upon Reed and Hannah and finds he must trust this new world of supernatural beings to survive. But that desire will lead the three to a triangle of attraction that will test the boundaries they all possess and its consequences in defeating the enemy. Can they all trust one another to save themselves and life as they know it? Even at the cost of their own hearts?


I hope you enjoyed my chat with Carrie today, and there is an added extra.  Leave a comment below and you could win a swag bag thanks to Carrie.

Guys, until next week.  KEEP IT KOOKY!!!!!!!!!!!!

6 comments:

  1. I really need to read this book!!!!
    Great interview.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Have you any advice on making a story character based rather than plot based?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Taylor!

      With me, its more of getting to know your characters. SOme people start with a plot and forget they need characters to do it. So I make sure I know who my H/h are. Like what their dislikes, likes, hobbies, job, attitude, thoughts, they way they curse, the way the walk, a nervous tick...

      All of those come to me as I'm developing a character and it helps drive how my plot will come out.

      The plot and action usually comes to me from there.

      Delete
  3. Thank you Carrie, I don't think I am doing Character analysis
    properly :)

    ReplyDelete