It's that time of year again! November is for NaNoWriMo!
I'm participating this year, and am hoping to reach my goal of, well at least 50,000, but I'm hoping for a completed novel. This one has been stewing in my imagination for quite some time. :D
If any of you are participating this year, feel free to add me! My
Nano username is Sally Slayer (may have to look it up as sally-slayer)!
I'm usually up for some word wars!
I am going to *try* to put a NaNo word count app on the site, but please forgive me if I can't make it work. (I'm only on my second cup of coffee today, after all haha!)
Dovey says it's not fair that I did not have to do an interview...so here we are. If it sucks, totally not my fault, blame her lol!!
1) Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in Small-town-USA, TX. I spent a LOT of time reading, so that helped with writing.
2) What are your five favorite books, and why?
First ones to come to mind are: The Count of Monte Cristo, All Harry Potter books, anything by Chanda Hahn, The Black Unicorn (Terry Brooks), and The Vorkosigan Saga (Lois McMaster Bujold).
3) What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
It’s hard for me to write unless Bobblehead Batman is judging...I mean watching me.
4) What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
The most surprising part is that not everyone in the world gets quite as excited by researching some random fact that I need for a book. They tend to stare blankly at me and edge uneasily away.
5) What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Not losing my mind, waiting for it to be finished.
6) Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I learned there are some scary things in my Google search history...
7) How did you come up with the title of your book?
*sobs* It wasn’t easy. I suck at naming things!
8) Does Prince Charming exist?
Yes. No. Maybe...probably. I’m sure you’ll find him if you search hard enough.
9) If parents say, "Never take candy from strangers" then why do we celebrate Halloween?
...Dude! Why IS that?
10) Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
You’re AWESOME! Also, please don’t lynch me cause I WILL finish another book soon.
The lady we spoke to today has been one of my best friends for long enough that it makes both of us feel like old folks. Please give a warm Slayer welcome to: the lovely and talented Dovey Mayali Cralk! Her latest story, Warlock's Kiss, is part of the Twisted Sisters Anthology, Twisted Love. She was also a part of the first TSA, The Twisted Veil.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
-I was going to be an FBI agent!
When did you first start writing?
-haha! When the computer class teacher made us write poems to practice our typing and imagination skills!
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
-short story, no. But I was writing an awesome evil Santa Claus (in the style of Goosebumps) in Jr. High, and even my teacher seemed to be enjoying it as I wrote it!
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
-EVERYWHERE. We moved around a LOT when I was a kid, and the written word my only real source of constant companionship.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
-Five?! FIVE?! Well, I suppose I shall try...The Complete Collection of Jane Austen novels, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, the Slow Burn series, Spark of Light, (dammit this is hard!!), Safe and Sound. Iunno! These are just the first ones that I loved to pop in my head!
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
-that while I suck at writing, I keep doing it anyway?
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
-Writing is the EASY part! Good grief!
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
-wondering if there was any point in even finishing.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
-that writing is HARD. Following through is HARD.
That making yourself push that publish button is HARD.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
-Beta readers, editor, and find people to do the work after the writing is over haha!
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
-hey sexy! All 5 of ya effing ROCK!
Dovey Mayali Cralk
Hi, I'm Dovey, mother of children both with fur and without in Texas. Because of mothering and wifery, I don't get time to write until the wee hours of the morning. Which equals string cheese and copious amounts of coffee and Doctor Who! I've been writing on and off since I was a little tyke, and I hope you enjoy what I love creating.
Besides being one of the absolute coolest and most awesome writers out there, today's inteviewee is an awesome and cool person, too! Let's give our loudest and most welcoming...uh, welcome...to: the fabulous Riley Ross!!! On to business...
Her latest stories, The Getaway and Coming Undone, are part of the Twisted Sisters Anthology, Twisted Love. She was also a part of the first TSA, The Twisted Veil.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I really wanted to be an actress. However my failure to memorize lines for a play that I was in stopped that dream in its tracks.
When did you first start writing?
In second grade we had to write short stories. Writing always stuck with me after that. I would go through notebooks of short stories. I stopped for an extended period of time but picked it back up in 2009.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes and it was horrible. It was about how I hated being picked last for kickball. I was a menace to everyone when it was my turn to kick.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in a small town in Virginia. My location didn’t really influence my writing.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
French Silk by Sandra Brown, Dragon’s Portal by Sally Slayer (*blushes* Shucks), The Chronicles of Valen by Dovey Mayali Cralk, Becoming Us by Amy Daws, and Smother by Lindy Zart. These are my favorites because they are so well written and you can immerse yourself into these books and forget about all of your troubles.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I can plan out the course of the story but the characters take over. When I get into the writing zone, I lose track of time and I forget everything else around me.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
I think what surprised me the most was how twisted and dark my sense of humor can be.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Writing the final chapter for my characters. It is hard for me to say goodbye to the characters that I created.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I learned that you should have fun with writing. It should not be a chore to churn out words. Go at your own pace and be in competition with no one.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Write the story how you want to write it. Do not let others tell you that you should not write.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you for reading my stories.
Riley Ross
While growing up in rural Virginia, I dreamed of making my escape. Don’t get me wrong I loved the beauty of Virginia but I didn’t have the happiest of childhoods. It was a struggle to survive an alcoholic and abusive father but reading was my escape to a happier place. I was reading Jackie Collins books before the age of 12. Jackie Collins, Sandra Brown, Danielle Steele and others were my inspiration to write stories. I would love to thank them for providing me with a safe haven to escape to. Also a huge thank you goes to my grandparents for introducing me to wrestling and romance novels. My grandmother would always read a Harlequin romance novel; I got my love of books and wrestling from her. I joined the Air Force when I was 18 and I didn’t look back. I was in the service for twelve years and on my first day, I met my version of Prince Charming, we are parents to two little Siberian Huskies, Sammie and Demon. Our furbaby family has grown to include Brutus, Shy, and Fluffy. So for those that are in dark situations dreams do come true.
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Be sure to stick around this week for more interviews with more wonderful writers!!! (Not to mention a giveaway!)
We have with us today an amazing (not to mention one of my favorite) up and coming authors: Kaydence Rayne! Let's give her a warm Slayer welcome! (And by that, I mean like clapping, cheering and happy stuff.) Her story is called, Forget About Me, in the second Twisted Sisters anthology, Twisted Love. The first anthology, The Twisted Veil, can be found here.
Hopefully you will all love her as much as I do! (both are Amazon links) 1. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? Be an astronaut ballerina on mars. 2. When did you first start writing? When I could hold a writing utensil. 3. Do you remember the first story you ever wrote? No. But I remember being in 2nd grade and having my teacher throw away my story because she didn't like it. 4. Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing? Houston. I have access to a ton of libraries and book events. 5. What are your five favorite books, and why? What kind of cruel question is this?! There's 7 Harry Potter books, alone. 6. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? I've no idea. 7. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? Editing sucks. 8. What was the hardest part of writing your book? Motivation. 9. Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? I learned things that made me afraid of the NSA tracking me down for a bit. 10. Do you have any advice for other writers? Find a group to help motivate you. And GET AN EDITOR. 11. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? How you doing? *wink*
Kaydence Rayne
Kaydence Rayne is a self proclaimed nerd who spends way too much time on the computer. She's also a wife, mother, blogger, nanny, professional hooligan, and is currently working on her first full length novel. Connect on Facebook Connect on Twitter Be sure to stick around this week for more interviews with more wonderful writers!!! (Not to mention a giveaway!)
So we've heard from some awesome authors this week, and I think we can all agree that each has an amazing story to tell.
Which of these Twisted Sisters is your favorite? (Personally I pick ALL of them) Are there any questions I missed or that you want to ask? Ask away in comments!!
Again I'd just like to thank all of you for showing up. I have a huge bear hug with your name on it! Lots of love from all of us at Twisted Sisters. Don't forget to come visit us on our Facebook page!
I am going to *try* to put a NaNo word count app on the site, but please forgive me if I can't make it work. (I'm only on my second cup of coffee today, after all haha!) 
