The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

Welcome to the Next Big Thing! What is a blog hop? It’s a virtual event that helps readers discover new authors. The first author tags five others whose work he or she admires, who each tag five more, who each tag five more, and so on. This particular event has been so widespread, covering so many genres and talented authors, that it was impossible to say no to participating.

I have to first mention that I have had the honor of reconnecting with my old college friend Carole Townsend. I am not going to say how may years ago that it has been but lets just say that children have been born and graduated from college since we were in school together. Carole is the one that told me and referred me to this “Blog Hop” and I can’t thank her enough. How fun is this? It’s like Pinterest for writers. Carol has written two books already and I can guarantee they will both put a smile on your face and a chuckle in your heart. I am finishing her book “Red Lipstick and Clean Underwear” and it is just such an enjoyable book to read. Women will love it and identify with it. Men need to read it so that we can begin to pretend to understand what women are thinking. It’s real, it’s raw, and I love it. You can check out her work and blog at www.caroletownsend.com . Thank you Carole for including me in the snowball. My blog is a place where I will drop a story every now and then just to make sure I am still on track connecting and these stories will be part of my future book. I hope you enjoy my stories.

In this particular hop, the authors I’ve chosen and I will each answer, on our respective blogs, the same 10 (predetermined) questions ranging from our current works in progress to our writing processes and beyond. I hope you’ll enjoy learning about our work. Please feel free to share comments and questions.

Now, here is my Next Big Thing!

 

1)     What is the title of your book(s)?

Hmmmm, good question. I actually have two books going (in my head). I thought it would just be one book but the more I think about it, there is just no way that I can link them together. Book number one will be titled, “Leaving My Mark”...or "Connecting The Dots". The title for book number two is still up for grabs. I have a few in mind, “Laugh Lines” is currently at the top of the list. There is also the chance of renaming book number one and using “Leaving My Mark” for book number two. ( I have poor decision making skills.)

2)     Where did the idea for the book come from?

Book #1 (from this point on, #=number, not hashtag) came from a life experience. It was the result of having to rehabilitate from multiple traumatic injuries in a car wreck. I had no reference point for what I was going to experience. I realized after many years that so much of life is about perspective and that random events are often not that random at all. Book #2 came from my friends telling me to write down my daily experiences. I somehow get myself into some really unusual situations and tend to encounter some pretty unusual people. I used Facebook to just write them down and see if people actually found my odd life funny or interesting. A few years later, viola, I have the journal for my book.

3)     What genre does your book come under?

Humor

4)     Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie?

Well, to play me, it would need to be someone freakishly handsome like Johnny Depp or Rob Lowe…ha! Realistically, I would say either Ty Burrell (Phil) from Modern Family , Steve Carell from The Office, or late night talk show host Stephen Colbert….not that I have ever given this any thought.

5)     What is a one sentence synopsis for your book?

#1-A humorous look and perspective on rehabilitating in a nursing home to help anyone going through a challenging time who need encouragement to laugh, journal individual progress, and gain new perspective.

#2- A look into my diary, full of crazy days, zany people and the occasional poignant moment.

6)     Is your book self published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

That has yet to be determined. I guess I need to write it first.

7)     How long did it take for you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Book #1 has sat in the bowels of about three computers, a few memory sticks, a three ring binder and a handful of post it notes for about fifteen years...wow time flies even when you are not having fun. The art of “pulling it all together”  is a skill that I have not yet mastered. I do now have most of it all in one place but have to edit every story and add the glue.

Book #2 started as a trial to just post stories of my life on Facebook. I have continued doing this from time to time over the past three years. I am just now taking it all seriously and am thinking in chapters instead of posts. I am very slow to start out of the gate. One day I will decide, “this is it” and I’ll sit down and tear through it pretty quickly. I am currently seeking out placed to write and blog. I am also doing some public speaking, which I love.

8)     What other books in your genre would you compare you story?

I have no idea. I don't ever read my type of stuff because I live it every day. I look for things to help my escape my every day life. People keep telling me that my stories remind them of David Sedaris. I haven’t read any of his books yet as I am afraid I’ll be tempted to copy his style or something. I will say the Carole Townsend’s books remind me of how I talk. It's really been through reading her books and blogs that I have been able to step back and see how someone might be interested in what I write. I have seen several movies that remind me of my stories. I think "Best In Show", "Meet the Fockers" and National Lampoon's  "Christmas Vacation" kind of capture the odd and awkward people and events that I write about.

9)     What or who inspired you to write this book?

For both books, the inspiration has been family and friends who constantly tell me to hurry up and write my books so they can share my stories with their friends. Carole Townsend, Connie Williams, and Shellie Braeuner are all friends of mine who have recently been published. That has inspired me more than they will ever know.

10) What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

It’s almost every week that someone sends me a note telling me that they read one of my stories and burst out laughing or into tears. It seems that my blog has a few fans in Canada, Russia and Germany; that blows my mind. I think, no matter where you come from in life, you will be able to relate. I have two stories that no one has ever heard, not even my friends. I think they are the most embarrassing, funniest stories I have ever heard. I guarantee you will not be able to NOT repeat them.

Below you will find authors/bloggers who will be joining me by blog next Wednesday, January 23, 2013. These are people that are real. They've done their homework and they write from the heart, sometimes funny, sometimes serious.  Please be sure to bookmark and add them to your calendars for updates on works in progress and new releases! Happy Writing and Reading!

http://www.alanarnette.com/blog

http://www.musingsandmeanderings-mlp.blogspot.com
http://www.thinkingconsciouslyrocks.com
http://www.baes-ictraining.com