I would like to introduce Christine Brant to all of my followers.  Please give her a warm welcome by checking out her novel titled Red and Grey.  I have read it and highly enjoyed it, and you can read my review here. 

Thank you so much for having me. I truly appreciate the opportunity to stop by your blog and share a little bit about myself and my writing.

Christine, thanks for taking time from your writing to give me an interview.  Red and Grey is your debut novel.  Have you been writing for years, or like me, it just recently became your passion?

That is actually a complicated question to answer, because it is a combination of both. I have been a storyteller all my life, but writing has only become my passion in recent years.

Allow me to clarify.

I have been telling stories since I was a young child. I used to tell my older sister stories at night when we were falling asleep in bed and I used to record stories on tapes (I just gave away my age) and play them back to myself. Just recently, I found a note from my fourth grade teacher encouraging me to write my stories down. However, it was not something I pursued until about seven years ago. At that time I was inspired after reading Kelley Armstrong’s novel Bitten and exploring her web site.

When I learned about her I felt motivated, and I began to write down some of the stories I told. In 2007 the first short story I wrote won the Surrey International Storytellers Award. The next year I started writing Red and Grey.

Congratulations on that award.  Please tell us a little about Red and Grey.

Red and Grey is a reimaging of the fairytale Little Red Riding Hood. During the story we see all the classic characters, Red, the wolf, the grandmother, the woodcutter, but I have tried to use them in ways that will intrigue the reader and keep them involved in the story of Connor and Melody. There is magic and good versus evil, plus a few twists and turns that I hope will keep the readers interested and excited.

What inspired you to write such a creative story with hints of Little Red Riding Hood?  You really did an amazing job on tying it all together and keeping it full of suspense and intrigue.

Thank you, I am honored that you feel that way. I first got the idea for Red and Grey at a writer’s conference. In a session about Point Of View, the facilitator asked us to write a few sentences of Little Red Riding Hood’s story but from the wolf’s POV.

As I listened to what everyone had written I realized that they all had the story wrong. That the wolf did not want to steal the basket for nefarious reasons, he needed that food, and I desperately wanted to know why.

I went home and immediately started to write Red and Grey intending to tell a short story just to find out the answer for myself. What I envisioned as a short story, evolved and developed into the novel Red and Grey.

I was thrilled to learn why Grey needed the food.  🙂

When do you expect the next book in the series to be out, and do you have a name for it yet?

I have no idea when the next book will be out. I am writing it now. It is a long process to go from the initial draft to final published version. There is a great deal of editing and rewriting involved. However, I can tell you that there are some familiar faces in the next book and that it does continue the story of a few characters that we met in Red and Grey.

As far as a title, I have a few ideas but nothing firm. I call it something in my head but what it ends up being called in print depends in part on the publisher.

How many books do you expect will be in the series? 

I am not sure. It depends on how many I need to tell the whole story. I have at least three more plot lines in this universe that I want to explore. Possibly more, I will not make any firm statements.

Do you have any plans for future projects once finished with this series?

I have several other ideas that I want to explore. My problems is less about coming up with new ideas and more about staying focused on the world I am writing in at the present moment.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I heard cats and children. I also work a day job to make money, writing doesn’t pay the bills.  I do that because it is a compulsion. I need to tell stories.

I also love to read. I have always loved to read. I devour books. I like everything from teen fiction to mysteries. I love fantasy and science fiction.  I read as much as I can get my hands on and as much as time allows.

What changes have you and your family had to make since you’ve become an author?

I’m not sure that my family has had to endure any major changes. Now instead of “shhh…mommy is reading.” My children occasionally have to endure “shhhh…mommy is writing.”

In all seriousness, my children are my best sales people; they are thrilled that I am a published author. They tell everyone that I have a book and advise everyone to buy it. I am often embarrassed by their effusive praise especially since they have not read the book.

I also do take the occasional weekend to go to writer’s conferences to learn more about my craft and the industry.

For me personally, I have had to learn to be more internet savvy, get a website, a keep a twitter account. Two things I would not do for myself personally but that I do maintain professionally.

What is something fun or interesting about you that you could share with the readers?

I love to ride horses. In fact, I have worked with Quarter horses and Thoroughbred race horses in the past. Even though I live in the city, I still try to make time once in a while to “run away” on the weekends to go riding.

And lastly, where all can you be found online and people buy your book?

My web site is www.christinebrant.com there are links to where you can buy Red and Grey on the site.  I can also be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/christinebrantwriter on Twitter @Christinebrant

If you go to a romance novel convention, you will quickly discover that the romance genre covers a broad spectrum of writing.  You’ll most likely see everything from Christian romance to erotica.  With my experience, it’s mostly erotica, and I do have some erotica author friends.  I’ve been told that is where the money is.  The steamier, the better.

I guess this is a good time to let my readers know what they can expect from my writing.  I consider myself a PG-13 author and won’t cross certain lines.  What do I mean by that?  Well, I have two young daughters that want to read my novels one day.  That is one thing that keeps me accountable to what I write, as does my somewhat conservative lifestyle and beliefs.  People that know me can tell you I don’t curse; therefore, I’m not going to be typing out curse words.  That doesn’t mean some of my characters don’t curse.  If you read Unexpected Metamorphosis, you may have noticed I subtly addressed that in one situation.

As for sex, my characters haven’t gotten to that point, but when and if they do (it’s all a secret), I promise it will be behind closed doors.  I will not be describing every little detail.

Do my beliefs mean that my writing is squeaky clean, and everything is all unicorns and daisies?  No, of course not!  Where’s the story in that?  Within the first chapter of Unexpected Metamorphosis, you learn that Alissia is well aware of physical abuse, alcoholism, and rape.  There’s also a gory death scene in the novel.

I try to keep it real, even when it comes to the sexual tension.  I don’t ignore it when I write.  I just try to find creative ways to write about it.  I put my characters in certain situations, and I even gave each of them their personality for a reason, especially Alissia.  She’s not an easy person to get close to, emotionally or physically.

Although I won’t be writing out sex scenes, I do try to put a lot of passion and description into the kissing scenes.  That’s where the PG-13 rating (along with the violence) comes in.

So, now you know what to expect from me.  I won’t type out sex scenes or curse words; however, my writing includes violence and passionate kissing.  If you were hoping for erotica, sorry.  If you like it steamy, yet somewhat clean, then that’s me.

I’d also like to take this time to say thank you to all of my readers that have reached out to me to let me know they enjoyed the story.  I know I will eventually get bad ratings and words (all authors get them) so I will try to focus on your positive words when that time comes.  If you have a chance, I ask that you leave a rating either at Goodreads or Amazon.  That’s the best way to support a new author.

Most of you already know that I’ve started on the second book in the Alissia Roswell series, and although I had anticipated a spring release, it may be much sooner.  I have stayed focused and love to write.  However, I’m now in a bit of a dilemma.  I introduced a character in this novel, and he’s a wealthy ladies’ man, aka very eligible bachelor.  He’s charismatic and charming.  All that good stuff.  Sounds great, right?

Well, I’ve been married for over fourteen years and have not been around men like that since my single days.  I am struggling on getting his words right.  I have to think like this character, and I’m having a hard time doing that.

I called Melissa, who is my right hand when it comes to writing, and now we’re both struggling with this man’s words.  Here’s his first appearance in the novel:

Although my parents spoke of your beauty, I find myself at a loss for words.”  He let go of her hand and added, “It is an honor to meet you, Lady Alissia.  I have heard much about you, as you seem to have won the hearts of my parents.”

I called Melissa and told her to help me finish his first sentence, and she came up with something about a sunrise and colors and beauty…  I don’t know.  It was worse than mine.  In the end, out of frustration, I gave up and blurted out, “He’s speechless, Melis!  I have no words, so he has no words!”  Well said, right?

Since Melissa is my highly trusted beta reader that gets my writings at the end of each night, I have to listen to her opinion.  (Well, I don’t have to listen to her, but she’s the only person that can tell me how lame something is without me getting mad at her.  Strange, but true.)  Last night she texted me saying the book was great, but we have to do something about this guy’s speech.

Ugh!  Now I have to research how a man like him would talk.  I have to think like he does, and I am not a charming people pleaser.  I’m more like Alissia and Luke, the aggressive, don’t really care type.

I had to research wolves, knife throwing, and formal clothing for my last novel.  Now I’ve got to research charming men?  For the love of my readers, I will do this.  But, if you know of a charmer or are one yourself, feel free to contact me.  I’m asking you to charm me.  Give me some words to knock me off my feet.  Bring it on!  Yes, I’m feeling desperate 🙂  (My poor husband.  He puts up with me.)

I’ve started on the second book in the Alissia Roswell series, and once again, writing has consumed my life.  Unlike the editing process, when I’m in writing mode, I think about the story nonstop, which is a blessing and a curse.  The good part about having the story in my head is that it’s like a movie playing nonstop in my mind.  By the time I’ve written major scenes in the book, I have replayed it continuously and have plotted out every detail to make sure I’ve left no loose ends.

The curse of being in writing mode is that I’m so focused on the story that everything else becomes a bothersome distraction.  I want the story out of my mind as soon as possible, and that means I want to be able to type nonstop until it’s on paper.  That can be a problem when I’m also a mother and wife, and I’m supposed to be handling marketing and having public appearances.  I have a life outside of writing, but it’s very hard to think of anything else.  This week has been filled with afternoon dental, doctor, and orthodontist appointments, and I have taken my laptop to each one of them and continued the typing while in the waiting rooms.  It’s really hard for me to stop.  I want it finished.

With that said, the second book is coming along at a much faster rate than the last novel.  Unexpected Metamorphosis has already described how the world works, so I don’t have to create anything new.  However, I am bringing in a lot of new characters in this book, and I’ve had to think about their personalities.

I have received a lot of great feedback from both friends and strangers on Unexpected Metamorphosis, and it warms my heart that everyone seems to love Alissia and her story.  I know I will eventually get negative feedback (all authors do), but right now I focus on the good.  Everyone seems to say they can’t put it down, and they’re eager for the second book to come out.  Well, I’ve listened to the feedback, and I’m trying my best to get the next one to you as soon as possible.

If you have not signed up for my newsletter, you may want to do so, as I will be sending out monthly sneak peaks from my current writing.  I’m big on not giving away too much detail, so I’ll have to think hard on what to share in the newsletter.  However, I plan to do my cover reveal a week earlier in the newsletter, so you really should sign up.

Speaking of the cover, it’s coming soon.  I plan to call the designer this afternoon with the details of this novel.  I can’t wait to see what he does with this one, as I am very pleased with the cover of Unexpected Metamorphosis.

If you have an ereader, be sure to sign up for the mega giveaway going on right now.  There are a lot of novels listed by many authors, and you can enter more than once.  Also, please feel free to share it with your friends so that we can get the word out.

If you have read Unexpected Metamorphosis and liked it, please leave a review on Goodreads, Amazon, or Barnes & Nobles.  Ratings and reviews are the best way to support an author.

I’ve joined with some other authors for a mega eBook giveaway, so be sure to sign up for your chance to win.  Below the raffle is the list of authors involved, and you can click on their names to learn more about them.  If chosen, you will be contacted by the author via email to select the type of device you will be reading on.  You can enter more than once, and all winners will be chosen randomly via Rafflecopter.  Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tianna Holley

Lindsey J. Parsons

Patricia Arnold

Tina Pollick

Cynthia Hill

Dianne Gallagher

Samantha LaFantasie

Constance Williams

Lillian Bishop

Many authors are seeking beta readers and reviewers for their novels, and if you have an e-reader and love to read, you can be of service to them.  Although you won’t get paid, you will get plenty of free books to read.

How does it work?  If you contact me letting me know what types of books you like to read, I will add your name to my list of readers.  When an author needs their book reviewed, I will then go to my list of readers and get them connected.  If the book sounds interesting to you, you can choose to read it.  However, in return, you must give an honest review on Amazon and Goodreads, and even Barnes & Noble if you really want to make the author happy.  This review should be given within a two-week time frame.  If you have a busy month, don’t apply to read a book that month.

What do I mean by honest review?  If you love the book, great!  You know what to do.  If you don’t love the book, don’t lie about it, but there are professional rules to follow.

If the book is not for you and you can’t finish it, please contact the author privately with your opinion.  You don’t have to finish the book.  Also, if you finished reading it but you hated the ending to the point you want to give a one-star review, please contact the author privately with your opinion.  Feedback to authors is very important.  We don’t ignore what our readers say.  In fact, we seek it out.

I will soon be writing a post on how to give a proper review.  Those stars have a meaning, and all reviews are opinions.  With an opinion, you need to state why you like or dislike the book.

I want this to be a safe and honest place for authors, so that means author bashing on a review won’t be tolerated.  You’re job is to support the authors, not tear them down.  As I typed earlier, if you don’t like their book, let them know privately and nicely why it was not for you, not in a public review bashing them.

If you are interested on being an e-reader for this site, please click on the “contact me” button in the menu above.

Just thought I’d do a quick post letting you all know about a multiple author giveaway that’s coming soon. I’ve got a list of authors that want to share some e-books and signed bookmarks, and I’ll soon have the raffle ready.

I’ve started on book two of the Alissia Roswell series and have been busy with it this week. The story is complete in my mind. I just have to get it all typed out, then edited, edited again, edited again, and again, and again, and again… By the time it gets printed, it will have been completely dissected repeatedly until it’s suitable for print.

Once I go into the editing phase, I plan to have the designer start on the book cover. I talked with him yesterday, and we know what we want it to look like. Jason Orr over at JERA Publishing did an amazing job on Unexpected Metamorphosis, and I can’t wait to see the next cover. I think I get more excited over the cover than anything else.

As soon as the novel goes into its last editing phase, I plan to start on the novella. I want it released within three months of book two. So, lots happening in my world of writing. I’m considering having t-shirts designed and hopefully will have that worked out soon.

I’ve also got two new features on this blog. The monthly newsletter will be where I share important information first. I’ll do the cover reveal there prior to Facebook, and I’ll send out some samples of book two, which I won’t do anywhere else. The newsletter won’t be used as much, but I believe you’ll love the information in it.

Also, you can now buy signed copies directly from this site. A lot of people have asked about that and want me to ship them out. I’ve decided that I can go to the post office once a week with any orders. They would make great gifts, and the $14.00 charge covers shipping and Georgia tax. All you need to do is click on the link in the side column or in the Where to Purchase menu at the top of this page. You will need a Paypal account to take part in this new feature.

Well, I’m off to the post office before the children get home from school, and then I hope to get some more typing in. Hope everyone has a blessed Labor Day weekend!