www.ellwynautumn.com
WELCOME TO LEMON DROP LITERARY! Let's take a literary journey together! Here you'll find book reviews, author/teacher interviews, articles with education-related themes, and various fiction pieces I've written.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Monday, January 21, 2019
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Friday, January 18, 2019
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Monday, January 14, 2019
Sunday, January 13, 2019
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Interview With Author Claire Buss
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| Photo courtesy of: Claire Buss |
Claire
Buss loves cake, Victorian Sponge to be precise. She says it's a classic cake
but when made well it's truly scrumptious. She has a wonderful sense of humor
that comes through in her writing and her website.
When she's
not eating cake, Claire pens award-winning books and poetry, bakes, and dotes
on her two young children. She lives in London with her family.
Now that I've introduced you to Claire let's get
to know her a little better.
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| Pin Me Please! |
Hello,
Claire, welcome to Lemon Drop Literary. Thank you for agreeing to do this
interview.
Thank you
for having me.
What
inspired you to be a writer?
I have
always loved stories and reading as many books as possible, being transported
to other worlds with new people and new possibilities.
I always
said I would be a writer but then I did nothing about it until 2015 when I saw
a poster in my local library for a free writing workshop. I took the course and
entered their writing competition placing second overall with my debut novel, The
Gaia Effect.
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| Photo courtesy of: Claire Buss |
Is
writing your full-time profession?
I'd love
to say writing is my full-time profession and I certainly do try to write as
much as possible.
But I'm also a stay at home mum to my little boy, Leo (5) and my little girl, Anabelle (1) so my writing time tends to be crammed into small opportunities at random times in the day!
How
long have you been writing?
I've
always written - funny stories when I was young, angsty poetry as a teenager, a
few dabbles with fantasy ideas in my twenties and then actually committing in
my thirties.
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| Photo courtesy of: Claire Buss |
Have
you won any awards?
The Gaia
Effect won the Raven Award for Best Sci-Fi Fantasy Novel in 2017, The Rose
Thief won a Golden Squirrel Award for Best Book Cover 2018 and Tales from the
Seaside won Reedly's Top 50 Indie Books of 2018 (it placed 26th overall).
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| Photo courtesy of: Claire Buss |
How
many books have you written?
I've
written two books so far in The Gaia Collection, my hopeful dystopia series -
The Gaia Effect (2016) and The Gaia Project (2018). I wrote the first draft for
the third book in the series, The Gaia Solution, during NaNoWriMo in November
2018 so hopefully I'll be editing that later this year.
I've
written two collections of humorous short stories, Tales from Suburbia (2017)
and Tales from the Seaside (2018).
I wrote a
humorous fantasy book called The Rose Thief (2017) and I‘m currently working on
another book in that world, The Interspecies Poker Tournament.
Then I
released a collection of flash fiction called The Blue Serpent and Other Tales
available for free when you subscribe to my newsletter.
I also
wrote four poetry books last year which will become part of a larger series. So
far I've got Little Book of Verse, Spring Fling, Summer Dreaming and Spooky
Little Book of Verse and I hope to add more in the near future.
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| Photo courtesy of: Claire Buss |
I've had
two short stories published, Underground Scratchings in Tales from
the Underground from Inklings Press and Patient Data in The
Quantum Soul from the Sci-Fi Roundtable.
Last year,
my fellow author CH Clepitt and I edited and released a Christmas anthology
called the Sparkly Badgers' Christmas Anthology which also includes our
co-written short story A Badger Christmas Carol.
Which
genres do you write for?
So far I
write hopeful dystopian, humorous fantasy and satire plus the poetry but I‘m
sure that will expand!
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| Photo courtesy of: Claire Buss |
What do
you find most challenging writing for these genres?
To be
honest, I don't really think about the genre I'm writing in. I write for the
characters and the story they're trying to tell. I do read a lot of sci-fi and
fantasy, they are my go-to genre but I do try to read wide as well.
I think
the most challenging thing in any genre is to be wary of tropes and specific
cliches unless of course you are using that to your advantage. The thing with
writing is someone, somewhere is always breaking the 'rules'.
Sometimes
it works, sometimes it doesn't but the most important thing is that the writing
feels real to you.
What
are you working on now?
I have
just realized that my planned novella, The Interspecies Poker Tournament,
doesn't quite work yet so I need to expand it into a novel. Which isn't a bad
thing except for those readers who are waiting to read it! I'm actually looking
forward to getting stuck in and expanding the universe.
Last year,
during NaNoWriMo, I wrote a very rough draft of The Gaia Solution which
will be the third book in my Gaia Collection series and I hope to get
going with the revision later this year.
I'm also
planning to release another free book of flash fiction this year, title to be
decided!
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| Photo courtesy of: Claire Buss |
Where
do you find inspiration for your characters?
I do a lot
of people watching, but not in a creepy way! My characters tend to tell me what
they want to say. I'm a discovery writer so I never know what's going to happen
until I write it.
I don't
model my characters on anyone in particular but I think I do get a lot of
inspiration from the people around me. Whilst I don‘t like being the centre of
attention, I quite enjoy being on the sidelines and watching others interact,
it's great dialogue fodder.
What
has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?
I think
the most rewarding experience has been when I was in the library and my little
boy said 'Mummy, your book is on the shelf.' Sure enough it was. He's so proud
of me, that's a very motivating and humbling experience.
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| Photo courtesy of: Claire Buss |
What
advice would you give to authors just starting out?
Just do
it. Cliche I know and you should probably avoid those but if you want to write,
write. Don't worry too much about genres or tropes or what you should or
shouldn't be doing.
If you
love writing that's what you should be doing. There's a whole host of advice
out there for what you should be doing and how you should be writing. I would
say take the things that make sense to you, leave the things that don't.
If you try
something and it doesn't work, that's alright. You can't do everything all the
time. The main thing is that you enjoy the writing experience.
Is
there anything else you'd like your readers to know about you?
If you
read one of my books, please post a review. It helps others decide whether they
want to read it or not and that is so important.
I work
really hard to juggle family life and try to keep the writing and marketing
going so I really appreciate knowing that someone has read my book.
I plan to
keep writing for lots more years to come, I've got lots of ideas, I just need
to resist the urge to write them all at once!
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| Photo courtesy of: Claire Buss |
What
message are you sharing in your books and poetry?
Friendship,
love, looking after our planet, the importance of family, being a mum, hope and
a healthy dollop of humour.
What
are your favorite books/authors?
The
Wheel of Time series by
Robert Jordan, The Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch, the Discworld
novels by Terry Pratchett, everything Robin Hobb has written. I think it's fair
to say I love fantasy books!
What
are your favorite movies, TV shows?
Oooh I
love this question. Favourite movies are the LOTR and The Hobbit
trilogies, The Princess Bride, all the Disney animation movies, Constantine,
The Matrix, Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, The Never-Ending Story, Flight
of the Navigator oh I could go on and on and on!
TV shows - I'm a big fan of anything Joss Whedon wrote so Buffy, Angel and obviously Firefly among his other shows. The dialogue and character interplay is so good in those shows.
Currently
we are enjoying the Marvel and DC TV shows as well as things like Suits, The
Good Place, Orange is the New Black.
There is
so much choice out there we've gotten very behind on shows we used to watch
because there is always something new popping up. I would like to add that I've
got two active lists on my iPad - one for TV shows and one for movies so I
don't forget to watch things that look interesting.
When
you're not writing where can we find you?
Usually in
the midst of a huge pile of Legos or trains! #mumlife
Do you
have a website/Facebook page, etc?
Here are
my social links:
Website - www.cbvisions.weebly.com
Facebook
page - www.facebook.com/busswriter
Facbook
group - www.facebook.com/BussBookStop
Twitter - www.twitter.com/grasshopper2407
Pinterest:
www.pinterest.co.uk/grasshopper2407/
Where
can we find your books?
All my
books are on Amazon - www.tinyurl.com/ClaireBussBooks
Thank you, Claire, for spending
time with us to share your story. We wish you continued success and lots of
luck!
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| Photo courtesy of: Claire Buss |
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Guest Post Rosemary A. Johns: Vampire Mage
VAMPIRE MAGE (REBEL ANGELS FOUR) by Rosemary A Johns
VAMPIRE MAGE is a new novel in the addictive #1 bestselling urban fantasy/paranormal romance series REBEL ANGELS by USAT Bestselling author Rosemary A Johns!
It contains epic battles, steamy love scenes, magic, vampires, angels, shifters, and a badass heroine. Dive into the action-packed magical ride with irresistible vampire and angel lovers and a supernatural world like you’ve never seen it before…and binge read your next series on Kindle Unlimited!
http://viewbook.at/VampireMage
In the supernatural war of angels vs vampires, magic is a savage prince.
Nothing could’ve prepared Violet for initiation into the Legion of the Phoenix. Perilous. Nightmarish. Deadly.
If the training doesn’t kill her, the sly hot shifter probably will for not saving their world from the fanatical cult leader. The lone female apprentice mage, Violet is trapped in the Brotherhood with an army of angels brainwashed to annihilate vampires.
When three wishes offer her deepest desires, she should know better than to trust them. Even if she lives through the hellish magic Initiation alongside the harem boy angel, she still must face the vicious Mage Challenge. If she doesn’t, the seductive vampire geek she loves will be kept forever as their pet, whilst her snarky angel lover will be executed, only to be resurrected as a slave.
Violet must fight beside her monstrous half-brother, the prince, who hungers to force the world to kneel…or battle against him to become a hero to those she loves. Either way, dangerous magic is unfurling inside her, and new realms are about to open that threaten them all…
FACEBOOK EASY SHARE:
ღ˚ •。* ˚ ˚✰˚ ˛★* 。 ღ˛° 。* ° ˚ • ★ *˚ .ღ 。
˛˚ ░O░N░E░-░C░L░I░C░ K░░N░O░W░!░˚ ✰ ★ VAMPIRE MAGE
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In the supernatural war of angels vs vampires, magic is a savage prince.
http://viewbook.at/VampireMage
Nothing could’ve prepared Violet for initiation into the Legion of the Phoenix, or being trapped in the Brotherhood with an army of angels brainwashed to annihilate vampires.
Even if she survives alongside the harem boy angel, she still must face the vicious Mage’s Challenge. If she doesn’t, the seductive vampire geek she loves will be kept forever as their pet, whilst her snarky angel lover will be executed, only to be resurrected as a slave.
Violet must fight beside her monstrous half-brother, the prince, who hungers to force the world to kneel…or battle against him to become a hero to those she loves. Either way, dangerous magic is unfurling inside her, and new realms are about to open that threaten them all…
“I am blown away! This series is full of action, snark, and love. Each book has such epic battles, trials, and emotions but I swear that this is my FAVORITE book... In no way can someone read ANY of this series and not be drawn in! Absolutely amazing!” – Rebecca, Goodreads, 5 Stars
http://viewbook.at/VampireMage
ONE-CLICK YOUR COPY OF THIS BUFFY MEETS LUCIFER ADVENTURE TODAY!
TWITTER EASY SHARE:
“This series is addictive!” Discover the magical USA Today Bestselling world of REBEL ANGELS in the new release VAMPIRE MAGE: if three wishes offered your deepest desires, would you trust them? http://viewbook.at/VampireMage #amreading #paranormalromance #NewReleases #BookWorm #vampires
EXCERPTS:
1.
“You’re in Hogwarts the X-rated version but you can learn here. The Slytherins, who treat me as the class mascot, see you as a champion.” Ash reached as if to touch his gold collar, but only hovered his fingers over the front of it, afraid to touch: it flared warningly, and he winced. “I’m the creature, not you. I wish I could be more than that, and I was once. But I’ve played the pet before and I can do it now, if it means that you’re free.”
I rocked, light-headed, whilst static crackled up and down my skin, spitting to escape and blast the world for letting Ash believe that. “Family means,” I replied, each word as sharp as a polished shank, “that I love you.”
Ash blinked at me.
Then I dived at him, howling with violet and black that blurred the kitchen to nothing but Ash, Ash, Ash…
I snatched him by the shoulders, tumbling him over, until we were yanked by the chains at our throats with mirrored yelps. Then I straddled him, licking down the line of his long neck, whilst he gasped.
My steel nails shot out, gouging thin lines down Ash’s chest. He whined, arching into their touch, as I groaned at the intensity of the sensation: trembling shocks that radiated from their sensitive tips. I quaked, biting my lip at the overload. My wings burst to flames at the rush.
Then I lapped at the trails of crimson, juddering at the bursts of rich power and longing.
Home.
Hell, Ash’s blood was home, and I hungered to drink every drop of him and live in his scarlet…
My eyes widened.
Ash’s dazed gaze focused, as if he’d caught my thought, then he slammed his lips against mine: hard and possessive. His fingers tangled in my hair, holding me still. Here was the dark solider of the Under World, who’d dominated the Devil’s Trident in a dance with death that’d paled even mine.
No one’s pet.
I burnt to sear away the mages’ touch on him, the lonely days, and his doubts, as well as to prove my love, which tottered new born. I crawled over him, stroking his right wingtip, before sucking it hard between my lips.
Ash’s back bowed, as he howled. Yet then he snatched my hand, sucking my claw into his mouth.
Electrified, it was my turn to howl, as I closed my eyes, slamming my other fist, nails out, screeching across the slate. The winding coils from my gums to my wings built to a wailing crescendo, until finally nothing but black…
2.
I knelt next to Mischief, pushing back his hair. “What about your magic?”
He flinched. “The infernal brand will always be with me, but the witches’ deaths have freed my magic.” He met my gaze, levelly. “I may not kneel for you, but you have my eternal gratitude for unbinding me. For a magic user that means I’m coupled to you in ancient customs, which are stronger than any oath. In every way, I am yours, queen.”
I stared at him, shaking at his intensity and the way my silver reached to his, stroking and intimate.
Yours…
When had Mischief called me queen? It hadn’t felt as if he’d been calling me his queen but acknowledging I was worthy of the title. And why should that matter so much that my eyes burned with tears?
At last, Mischief knocked his forehead gently against mine. “Come now, let us return to trading insults and blows or we’ll spook your faithful lovers. Do you imagine these chains will fall from us by fairy wishes?”
I smirked. “You’re rusty. You’ll have to up your Snark-O-Meter.”
His eyes glinted. “I do so love a challenge.”
3.
“I’m not adorable,” the Cat Vampire hissed, “I’m Tiger.” He nuzzled his chin against the studs in Rebel’s jacket, scenting them. He peeked at Mischief. “And I’m not the one with sparkly hair, angel.”
Mischief arched a brow. “Meow, the cat has claws. I hope he knows that I scratch back?”
TESTIMONIALS:
“Rosemary A Johns scores another home run. Rebel Angels has piqued my imagination page after page, book after book. Go ahead and treat yourself today and jump into the world of Rebel Angels along with the rest of us.” – Books, Books, and Ahh Books Blog
“You'd think kicking butt and taking names in heaven and hell would be enough, but no: Violet and her fam must also suffer the whims of a great mage. Secrets are revealed and new adventures are to be had. Love this series!” – Goodreads, Lori, 5 Stars
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