You're Stuck With Me

This has been an amazing month of guests, and I'd like to thank each and everyone who took time to appear here.  Unfortunately, my guest today is a no-show so I guess you're stuck with me.  As I'm ancient and my brain doesn't work in a snap, I'm replaying a post I used on Danielle Raven's Blog some time ago.  Hey...people watch TV reruns, why not enjoy one on my blog?  *lol* I've added a few updated notes, so enjoy.

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I retired in 2003 from a large educational institution after years of working with graduate students, staff, and faculty.  The experience was priceless, and I truly loved what I did.  I was born and raised in California, so moving to TN was a real cultural shock.  I came here in 2004 so I could be close to my grandson.  He was diagnosed with Autism and I intend to make a difference in his life.  I’ve been married for 14 1/2 (now fifteen) years to my second husband, Kelly, who is also my biggest fan.

2. How did you become a writer? Did you always want to be an author when you grew up?

I’ve always like writing…poems, crazy family Christmas letters, even redesigning forms and publications where I worked, but I never dreamed I’d be an author.  I started writing by accident.  One weekend I brought home a laptop from work to complete a project, and when I finished, I felt as though my body has been taken over by Cecile Palmer.  She started typing her story, using my fingers, and I couldn’t stop because I wanted to see how it ended.  That’s how my debut novel, Prairie Peace, came to be.

3. In your own words, what is First Degree Innocence about?

FDI is about a naïve and innocent young woman who finds herself in a terrible situation.  She’s home sick from work when two uniformed police officers and a guy in a suit barge their way into her apartment, searching for cash from a bank robbery.  Someone has fingered her as the driver of the “getaway” car.   My heroine Carrie Lang is tried and convicted of a crime she didn’t commit, and no one believes in her innocence.

My goal in writing this story was to put people behind bars along with her and have them sense what lock-up feels like.  I think I pulled it off. (Notice I’m speaking convict…fingered, getaway, pulled it off.)  See if this works for you:


 The corridor seemed endless. Beneath overhead lights, the tiled floor glistened with a freshly waxed sheen.  Painted block walls displayed the same dismal gray as the holding cell, and the distinct smell of bleach hung in the air.  The chlorine did little to mask the odor of unwashed bodies and co-mingled with the aroma of the most recently-served meal.  Bile rose in her throat and she struggled not to retch.  The same question kept echoing in her head. How could this have happened?  She didn’t belong in this place.

Ogden unlocked yet another steel door and, holding it, motioned for Carrie to enter.  Foggy disbelief clouded her mind, but she did as instructed, waiting for the guard and staring down yet another endless passageway.  The slamming door sliced the silence and made her jump.  At once, the desolate area came to life with a cacophony of catcalls and lewd comments directed at her. Reaching hands stretched through the bars from the confinement of the cells, grabbing at the air as she passed.  She gulped and tried to keep her eyes forward, but found it difficult to ignore the myriad of strange faces that peered between the bars and vied for her attention.  She hunched her shoulders and gripped her prison issue, trying to draw into a ball to avoid being touched.  She had nothing in common with these women.

Run away, run away.   The voice in her head drowned out all other noises and encouraged her to do something she knew wasn’t possible.  Cement, steel doors, and endless hallways stood between her and freedom.  Not one person had believed her when she’d proclaimed her innocence.

With the turn of a key, a single cell swung open, and Ogden shoved Carrie inside.  “Sweet dreams.  If you need anything, just call room service.”  Again, the woman’s taunting guffaw pierced Carrie like a knife.

4. Falling in love while in prison can’t be easy, and is definitely different. What motivated you to toss your main character, Carrie, in jail? What was the most challenging part of using prison as the setting?

I worked as a Correctional Officer for a year after moving here, and everyone in the place claimed to be innocent.  My interactions with inmates provided the impetus for this book, and when Carrie showed up and suggested I tell her story, I couldn’t deny her. It was easy to write about how prison felt, how the food was served, the smells, the chain of command, etc. Of course in romance, you need a hero, and being naïve and inexperienced, it only made sense that she would fall for the first handsome guy who paid her attention.  Oh, and romance in jail flourishes.  The most popular request was, "please, please give so and so this note."  Of course, passing anything between inmates is taboo, so I always politely refused.  I agreed to pass verbal "love notes," but that was it.

5. Jet and Ogden make quite the nasty duo. What was your motivation for these two antagonists? Are they based on anyone you know in real life?

Again, this nasty duo came from all the animosity displayed between guards, inmates and one another during my tenure.  It’s not a happy environment, and as much as it pains me to say this, law enforcement attracts a lot of jerks.  I was married for thirty-two years to a policeman, and thankfully, he wasn’t like the majority of his peers. (Sadly, my ex-hero died in April of this year...I miss him.) I witnessed the same type of bad behavior displayed by the majority of those I worked with..  People with low self esteem make themselves feel better by beating up on those who can’t run away from them.  I’d like to think I’m much more fair minded, and I believe I showed compassion and kindness to those who showed respect to me.  I never viewed the job as a way to take advantage of people, but there were guards who did.  I worked with someone just like Ogden, and if you’ve ever watched movies or TV shows about inmates, you know that every jail has a bully.

6. Carrie learns to stand up for herself in prison. Tell us about a time in your life where you had to develop a thick skin.

Strangely enough, I learned to develop a thick skin when I became an author.  Every book I write is my “baby,” and disparaging words can cut deep if you let them.  It takes time and effort to convince yourself that your work is never going to be everyone’s cup of tea.  I’ve been fortunate…I’ve only been raked over the coals once, and even then, I reminded myself that somewhere in the reviewer’s expectations were positive remarks I could use.

7. Let’s talk about the hero, Seth. If you and Seth went on a date, where would he take you? What would you do or talk about?

Well, that’s a far stretch.  I can’t see handsome Seth with an old bag like me.  I imagine if I twisted his arm enough and played on his sympathy, he might pity me and take me to Taco Bell.  Since he is one of the “good guys,” I imagine we would talk about work and share thoughts on what we think we could contribute to improve the environment. I definitely wouldn’t be his best date ever.

8. I heard you have eleven titles coming out in 2011, is this true? How do you juggle writing and promoting so many stories at once?

I’ll let you know once I master it.  What happened was I wrote several short stories, never expecting to contract them.  Muse It Up Publishing liked what they read, and all of a sudden I have almost a book a month coming out.  I’m doing a blog tour and presenting a different release on each site.  I’m hoping to garner enough interest that people will visit my website, see my videos and admire my beautiful covers and tantalizing blurbs.  (NOTE:  This month marked the final release from Muse It Up).


9. What’s your writing process like? Do you plot and outline or are you a pantser?

Totally a pantser.  Can’t plot to save my life. If I could, I would be able to finish my current WIP and move on, but as a pantser, I have to wait until my characters speak.  Everything except one book I’ve written is character-driven. Sometimes it sucks.  And that one book...The Locket was the hardest thing I've ever written because I had no "tour guide."


10. Tell us a little bit about what’s in store for the future (upcoming releases, etc).
So far, Hurricane Warning, A Wing and a Prayer, White Heart, Lakota Spirit, and Odessa have released along with First Degree Innocence.  March 1, I look forward to Shortcomings, my first attempt at a YA. Oh, and I can’t forget Beside Myself, which is a re-release in an improved format…using all the things I’ve learned over the years to make it better. Then comes:
May 2011 – The Forget-Me-Nots
July 2011 – Masked Love
Sep 2011 – Joy’s Revelation
Nov 2011 – Just The Right Fit


11. Where can our readers find you (website, facebook, etc)?

http://www.gingersimpson.com
http://www.facebook.com/mizging
http://www.twitter.com/mizging


12. Finally, where can we buy a copy of First Degree Innocence?

FDI is offered on Amazon, at Smashwords, by Books We Love , and in print via Createspace.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/28751 or https://www.createspace.com/3496548
I also have print copies if anyone wants one personalized.  Yes, people still like autographs and that always amazes me.  Unless my signature is on a check, it's never been considered valuable.  For those who are interest in personalized ebooks, you might want to check out http://www.kindlegraph.com

Monday Mania

Sometime ago, I was scheduled to be interviewed on a podcast. As usual, any time I plan anything in advance, something screws it up. So, since I wasted a entire afternoon thinking of, and then answering questions about myself, I decided to share my interview of me with you.

So without further ado...Stepping up to the microphone...Ginger Simpson, the author: *Thundering applause*

1. What prompted you to become an author?
Years and years of reading historical romance and wondering if I could write a story myself.

2. Assuming you succeeded, how did you go about finding a publisher?
The same way every author does...endless hours of query letters, a good synopsis and a blurb that hooked the submission editor into wanting to read more.

3. Once you found a publisher, what presented the most difficult challenge?
Knowing there were a million things I need to ask but now knowing how to form questions to get the right answers. I blogged about this very thing sometime back because I know there are tons of new authors out there who feel just as lost as I did.

4. How did you get the answers? I joined the author's loop for my publishing company and I lurked, hoping someone would stimulate a conversation that helped me. From there, I branched to otheer,m and now I'm on so many I can't manage them all. It's a vicious but necessary circle.

5. Do you have a blog? Of course... (sorta obvious). Blogging is a valuable tool for promotion, plus it gives readers and fans good insight into me as a person. Maintaining a blog provides me with immediate interaction to those leaving comments. Of course, I've recently become a ranting idiot over issues best not mixed with my writing side, so now I have two blogs.

6. Have you suffered any major disappointments since you began? Who hasn't? If you don't have a tough skin, you really need to cultivate one before you begin this journey. I've been luckier than most, though, only receiving two rejections at this publishing level. I'm finding it much more difficult to break into mainstream, but then competition is tough and the numbers vying for the same honor grows every single day. And then there are book review to death with.

7. Reviews? Tell us about them.
Book reviews play a major part in promoting ones work. Once is book is signed, the author sets about sending out PDF copies to review sites to request someone read and comment on the novel. The response time has greatly increased since I first started, but even then, it was a nerve-wracking ordeal. You sit and chew your nails to the nubs while waiting to read one person's opinion. We all know how varying those can be, so you learn to glean the good from the bad if someone didn't quite love your baby as much as you do. It's amazing what reviewers pick up on to nitpick or glow about. I've been so fortunate to have reviews on the higher end of the scale. I've read some that weren't and I really felt horrible for the authors. Unfavorable reviews are another reason to grow that tough skin I talked about earlier.

8. Has it all been worth it?
Of course. I've now published eight novels and five novellas, and have five in the works. My final goal is to see at least one book in Walmart next to Nora Roberts, but that may never happen. Still, it never hurts to dream. The friends and colleagues I've met on this journey have made my life so much richer, so there's the true reward. It's hard to explain how one can develop such a fondness for people I've never seen, but my internet friendships are every bit as real and tangible as those I've established face-to-face. Of course, if I'm being honest, you meet a few people best avoided.

9. If hear you've been nominated for an EPPIE? What is that exactly?
Why funny you should mention that. The nomination came as a pleasant surprise. EPIC, an organization for internet-published authors, has done a tremendous amount of work in helping establish the industry as a legitimate business and recognized achievement. Each year, a competition is held for books published during that period. Embezzled Love finaled in its category, and although I didn't win, the nomination in itself is quite an honor given the competition.

10. Any words of advice to those contemplating publication?
Write from your heart. Use your own voice and don't let anyone change it. Be open to advice, but take what enhances your story and leave the rest. Of course...remember the skin hint.

A Previous Interview I Came Across

Name: Ginger Simpson

Tell us about yourself – where you are from, how you got started writing, what you do when you are not writing (or anything you want our readers to know)

I’ve always loved reading historical romance and was inspired to try my hand at writing one of my own. In 2002 I sat down at my computer and started typing. I felt as if I was telling myself a story and couldn’t wait to see what happened next. That’s when I discovered that I write by the seat of my pants. My characters drag me wherever they want to go and I never know the outcome until I’ve written it.

What inspired you to write your first book?

As I said, I was inspired by my love of reading. I ran out of books that had ‘savage’ in the title and decided to write one of my own.

How many books have you written?

I currently have six books and five novellas published with two more contracted and soon to be released. TODAY'S NOTE: This has changed as some of my contracts have expired. Eternal Press is re-releasing three of my novellas, and I'll be adding two more to the lot to create a book. I'm just moving a little slower than I'd expected.

How do you decide on their topic?

I don’t really decide. Storylines come to me from no where in particular and I name my characters and let them run with the idea.

What works best to keep you focused and on track?

Finding quiet time when I can sit without interruption and get in touch with my characters. I try to have coffee with them occasionally to ask the questions to which I need answers.

Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?

I’d love to make money writing, but since my royalty checks barely cover the cost of a McDonald’s happy meal, I do it for the love. It’s actually a stress release for me. I can let my characters act in ways that I don’t dare. TODAY'S NOTE: If I wrote something today, it would turn out to be a Murder Mystery because I'd have to have my heroine or hero choking someone to death. Too bad virtual fingers don't work. *lol*

What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used to gain visibility for you and your book(s)?

Many of the same that all authors are advised to utilize: personal website, participation in writing, publishing and review loops, handing out promotional materials such as personalized key chains, bookmarks, pens.

What are some unique methods?

For my first release I prepared a trifold containing an excerpt. The front displayed the cover, ISBN and ordering information, and I left these wherever I went. I also included them in things I mailed. I created a book bag with pictures of all my book covers and an invitation to "ask me about my books." I carried it when I went to car shows and public places. Anything that stirs interest is helpful. I also started a newsletter group that has now grown to over 500. Every month I share information, personal and professional with my fan base. One of my favorites was ordering business-card-sized CDs and downloading excerpts from several books and offering them as a reward for those who enticed others to join my newsletter. TODAY'S NOTE: I gave up my newsletter in favor of blogging. It seemed a much better way to connect with people on a more personal level. I don't have the subscription rate that I had, but my numbers continue to increase. I'm hopeful that most people who read my blog enjoy it.

Do you sell through a website?

I can only do that with one book since I exclusively hold the print rights to it. My other contracts stipulate that I can only sell through the publisher’s site or my own.

Do you plan on writing additional books?

Of course. Writing is my life and I’m not happy unless I have at least two works-in-progress. Now writing has become a challenge. Every new work is my hope for achieving a little more notoriety than I did with the previous one.

This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh, Author of Book Promo 101 - www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm.

TODAY'S NOTE: Not much has changed. I'm still plunking along, following my characters and hoping someone will stand up and take notice of me. I have some new releases coming very soon and I'm excited about being back in the 'newly-released' category. It's been a long dry spell. Here are my new covers, and I'm hoping no one takes exception to any of them this time.