Welcome Peggy Jaeger to our garden interviews

Hi Peggy

thanks for being here. tell us everything :)

Do you plot or let the story unfold as you write?

Before I became a full-time writer, I was a Registered Nurse for about 175 years. As such, my life was steeped in the Scientific method, devising patient care plans, and scheduling a patient’s daily life. In my own life, I am a planner. I like to know where I’m going, how I’m getting there and when I will arrive, and subsequently leave.

Yeah, I know. A little anal to be sure.

So that’s why I am a huge plotter. Before I ever write a word in a story – be it a full length novel, a novella, or even a short story, I plan/plot everything out on paper. I know all my characters intimately; the setting is described in detail; the goal, conflict and motivation are outlined.

I tried writing a story on the fly once and had such anxiety I deleted every word from my laptop because it was so….awful.

Have you ever cried while writing a book?

Several times, and not only with the scenes of people or pets dying. I cry when I laugh in real life. My husband is always asking me “what’s wrong?” if I’m watching something on TV and crying. 9 times out of 10 I am watching a comedy that is just making my belly shake and my eyes leak. When I write a scene and I cry, I know my reader will be moved as well and that’s a wonderful thing for a writer: to know they elicited an emotion in a reader.

Do you have set times during the day that you write?

I have chronic menopause induced insomnia so I am awake most of the day and night. I typically get the majority of my new writing done between the hours of midnight and four am. After that I do all my daily marketing, answer emails, and read blog posts, etc. for about 2 hours. Then, from 8-11 am I write /revise what I wrote from midnight, have lunch and exercise, and then write until about 2-4 pm. Check out the time stamp in the upper right hand corner on this picture. It says 4:36 am. That’s the time I was writing for this interview!

How much time do you spend writing every day?

Between 8 and 10 hours total. If I have received edits from my editor, it can be anywhere up to 12 hours depending on how much I need to edit/change/revise.

What is your least favorite part of the writing process?

The marketing that has to be done to get your book “out there” and into reader hands.

I am not a salesperson. I have friends who could sell sand to desert-dwellers. Not me. I deplore having to convince someone to buy my books. It’s really hard for me to do it in person, too. I feel so…conceited, saying, “Buy my book! You’ll love it!!”

In the good old days of publishing, the company gave writers publicists who did all that work. How I long for those days….

Do you have a favorite quote?

Many, but the ones I live by daily are two:

“When you know better, you do better.”

And

“People may forget what you said, people may forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Both by the amazeballs Maya Angelu.

If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

Contents may explode under pressure.

This is true. I rarely get mad, but when I do, I blow big, loud, and scary.

What is the one question you wish an interviewer would ask you?

Was it everything you thought it would be?

If you could have three wishes granted, what would you wish for?

I love this question because my WRP novella 3 WISHES asked this same question!

1.        to have enough money to make the lives of everyone I know secure. No bills, no mortgage payments, no healthcare payments.

2.        To eradicate hunger. Everywhere.

3.        (this is the selfish one!) to be on a major bestseller list for every book I write.

Where can we find out more?

Website: http://peggyjaeger.com/

Blog: http://peggyjaeger.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peggy-Jaeger-Author/825914814095072?ref=bookmarks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/peggy_jaeger

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13478796.Peggy_Jaeger

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/peggy-jaeger

      YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDR8RRIlssIyS0FYZWeGqsg/videos?view_as=subscriber

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peggyjaeger_author/Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/peggyjaeger/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-jaeger-296ab878/

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00T8E5LN0

Authors database: https://authorsdb.com/community/15814-peggy-jaeger

Triberr: https://triberr.com/tribe/strong-women--loving-men

Download A PRIDE OF BROTHERS: RICK from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081G7WDP4

and other online retailers

And pre-order  VANILLA WITH A TWIST 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0868XXYQC

Welcome Linda Griffin to our Garden Interviews

Hello Linda

Have you ever cried while writing a book? 

All the time! Especially with The Rebound Effect.

When did you decide to become an author? 

As soon as I figured out that somebody had to create the words I was reading. I wanted to be a “book maker” when I grew up, which I thought meant forming the little printed letters by hand. My older sister instructed me in the proper method: Gaze thoughtfully into space, scribble a few words, repeat. With that improved technique, I wrote my first story, “Judy and the Fairies,” when I was six, with a plot borrowed from a “Nancy and Sluggo” comic book.

Do you have trouble saying goodbye to characters?  

Rarely. Most of the time they are finished with me before I am finished with them. I’ve written one sequel, mostly because it was the only way I could stop rewriting the ending of the first one.

Did you have to research forensic science or criminal psychology for your latest suspense? 

I did research on police procedure, DNA technology, and related matters for Guilty Knowledge. A particularly useful source was Police Procedure & Investigation: A Guide for Writers, by Lee Lofland. I’m a retired reference librarian, so I love research.

When you wrote this book, did you have an idea of how it would end at the beginning?  

Not with this one. Sometimes I do, but except for assuming the mystery would be solved, I was pretty much at the mercy of the characters.

Now lets get personal

If you were going to commit the perfect murder, how would you go about it? 

I was once voted most likely to commit the perfect crime, but I’m not sure a perfect murder is possible. Murder is messy. One important thing is to do it alone, without any accomplices. Nobody can betray you if you don’t trust anyone with your secrets. Make it look like an accident or natural causes so that you will never be a suspect.

What is your favorite drink? 

Swiss Miss Indulgent Collection Dark Chocolate hot chocolate.

What makes you cry?  

Everything! Songs, TV commercials, sad movies, happy endings. I’m particularly partial to mother and child reunions.

What is your favorite time of year and why?  

I love rain, so anywhere from early autumn to April showers.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would be the most essential for you?  

Books, chocolate, and somebody who knew how to cook.

Where can we find out more?

Website: http://www.lindagriffinauthor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindagriffin.author/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LindaGriffinA

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/lindagriffinauthor/

Download Guilty Knowledge on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Guilty-Knowledge-Linda-Griffin/dp/1509230459

and other online retailers

Photo by Laurens Antoine

Welcome Colleen O’Connell to our Garden Interviews

Welcome Colleen

thank you for stopping by

Do you plot or let the story unfold as you write? 

Primarily, I let the story unfold.  I see the story as a movie playing in my mind.   I write from start to finish.  I may have ideas for plotting scenes, but as the story unfolds, some of those plotted scenes will change as the characters drive the story.

When did you decide to become an author?

Although as a child, I had an active imagination with creating stories, I didn’t seriously start writing until I was in my 20’s.  When reading romance novels, I would invariably consider ways I would have done something differently with the storyline.  That triggered putting my ideas to paper.  The idea of becoming an author wasn’t a conscious thought until I began crafting that first book my way and received positive feedback from those reading the rawest draft.

Who is the biggest influence on your writing?

My mother was an English teacher, so I was inspired by her to appreciate words and phrasing.  My father was a voracious reader.  For me, the two came together early on.  Even as a child, without conscious design, I always had some sort of story in mind with ‘what if’ scenarios.  In my early school years, I began writing mini-biographies of my family, which contained a few sentences on notebook paper with taped on pictures of whomever I was writing about.  My imagination was always working, and nothing has changed over the years.

Do you have set times during the day that you write? 

I have a full-time day job that is all encompassing regarding focus and time constraints.  The evening is when I tend to write as that is when I am most creative in my thought process.  Sleep becomes nearly secondary with many nights garnering only 5-6 hours at best.

What tips would you give a new writer?

If you are receiving positive feedback even if associated with a rejection, keep writing and don’t give up.  As disappointing and upsetting as rejections can be, allow it to drive you to make your story stronger and always take the feedback constructively.

now lets find out something personal

What did you want to be when you grew up?  I wanted to be an actress.  I majored in Theatre Arts, moved from the Midwest to Los Angeles and studied briefly at a theatre workshop.  Then reality set in.  I was working as a waitress (what else?) and had no connections and not a clue how to break in.  My creativity began shifting to writing and that overrode my initial choice.

Are you jealous of other writers?  Jealousy doesn’t come to my mind.  I find myself very curious regarding successful authors as to how they broke the barrier to cross over the threshold to have their books best sellers – was it luck, marketing, connections, the story alone or a combination?  I’m in awe of great writing.

If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

Beware of Clutz.  A trait I was born with.  I tend to trip over my own feet.  It’s made for some interesting pratfalls.  It’s amazing I still have functional kneecaps.

What is your favorite comfort food? 

Without a doubt, chocolate.  Technically, this would likely not be considered a food group, but in my world, it’s a definite staple.  To compensate for it, I exercise daily.

What is your favorite time of year and why?

Christmas is my favorite.  Aside from the beautiful decorations, it’s the feeling generated by the holiday and the season leading up to the actual day.  Everyone seems to be in better spirits, more considerate of others, and excited about life.   

Where can we find out more

website:    www.colleenoconnell.org

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/colleen.oconnell.313371

 Download Pirate’s Prey on Amazon and other online retailers.  https://www.amazon.com/Pirates-Prey-Colleen-OConnell-ebook/dp/B07TTVKPJ7

Welcome Robert Herold to our garden interviews

Hello Robert

lets chat about you and your books

Do you plot or let the story unfold as you write?

            I tried plotting everything once, and I found I was not having as much fun in the act of writing. Now I only plot minimally. I always come up with an ending first, to provide direction, then have at it. Later, as I realize I’m juggling too many ideas in my head, I jot them down, but only as beats along the way. The details I save for the moment.

Are your characters based on real people?

            Yes and no. I have actual people in my supernatural series, notably William James , the father of psychology in America & brother of the famous writer William James (author of Turn of the Screw). William James heads the team of ghost hunters followed in The Eidola Project novels. He was actually a paranormal investigator and wanted to apply the scientific method to a search for the afterlife.

What's your favorite book you've written? 

            So far it’s the second book in the series, which involves a werewolf, titled Moonlight Becomes You (I’m hoping to have it out before Halloween of this year). I’ve always been interested in werewolves and wanted to be one as a boy!

How did you do in English as a kid?

            It was a mixed bag. I always struggled with spelling (hey, I hear that F. Scott Fitzgerald did too!) so I was always dreading spelling bees and would only advance due to attrition at the top. When I finally got an English teacher in junior high who loved my creativity I was in heaven. (In fact, the idea for The Eidola Project began as a story I wrote for that teacher!) I was always a voracious reader.

When did you decide to become an author?

            I flirted with it earlier in life, but set it aside in favor of music, raising a family, and my career as a middle school history teacher. Once the kids were grown, I realized how much I wanted to put writing back into my live. I decided to pursue becoming an author about seven years ago. I first began writing pilot scripts for television and did well in several contests. I had lots of script requests from agents and producers, but didn’t get much further. A former television writer and showrunner suggested writing a novel as a way of breaking in. As it turns out, I love writing novels. I’m having a ball!

now for a bit of fun

What's the most blatant lie you've ever told?

       

     I landed a job in college delivering pizzas in a pickup truck, when I hardly knew how to drive! I had managed to get a driver’s license two years earlier, but hardly drove in the meantime. Driving around an unfamiliar city delivering pizzas, often in the rain or fog, made me a hazard. (I did bump into a few things—a parked car in a narrow alley, and a bush—fortunately no people.) The worst was when I was relying on a map to get to a house on a foggy night. I turned right as the map indicated and ended up in someone’s soggy front lawn. (The road didn’t exist.)

Who do you see as a hero/heroine in your life?

            Especially in this time of the coronavirus, my wife, who runs a homeless women’s day program in Seattle and is exposed to many people daily. Likewise, healthcare workers and the local checkers at the grocery. Heroes all.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

            I wanted to be a werewolf. As I mentioned in my bio, when it snowed, I would walk halfway out onto neighbors’ lawns and then make paw prints with my fingers as far out as I could stretch. I would then work my way backwards out to the street and fetch the neighborhood kids, trying to convince them someone had turned into a werewolf right here on this lawn. Most were skeptical.

            Alas, I never became a werewolf, but came as close as possible by growing a beard as an adult.

Do you have a favorite quote?

            “Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” Groucho Marx

If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

            WARNING: Incurable punster.

Do you have any hobbies?

            I play saxophone and flute in a local blues group. I collect albums, especially jazz or those with wacky covers (e.g., Snack Attack by Godley & Creme). I also collect books, toys and cultural oddities.

Where can we find out more?

Website: https://robertheroldauthor.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RobertHeroldauthor/

Twitter:  https://robertheroldauthor.com/

Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52742958-the-eidola-project

Download The Eidola Project on Amazon  https://www.amazon.com/Eidola-Project-Novel-ebook/dp/B07YRB4F99

and other online retailers

New Releases from the Wild Rose Press

Cadence McShane, free-spirited nonconformist, yearns to escape the rigid code, clothes, and sidesaddles of 1880s military society in Fort Davis, Texas. She finds the daring new lieutenant exhilarating, but as the daughter of the commanding officer, she is expected to keep with family tradition and marry West Point graduate James West. Orphaned, Comanche-raised, and always the outsider looking in, Ben Williams yearns to belong. Cadence embodies everything he craves, but as a battlefield-commissioned officer with the Buffalo Soldiers instead of a West Point graduate, he is neither accepted into military society nor considered marriageable. Can two people of different worlds, drawn together by conflicting needs, flout society and forge a life together on the frontier?

Financier Alyn Templeman has two choices. She must bail out her stepbrother's business or shut it down for good. She's used to dealing with high-class clients, but the sexy and former Navy fighter pilot Matt Barrett, is a class of his own. He thinks she's there to give him a loan, but his sweet-talking has her mind on other matters. Accidents at his company evolve into attempted murder and treachery. Matt, who is falling fast for Alyn, needs to keep her safe. Yet, neither one knows who to trust. When it comes down to business or love will they get a chance to make it work, or will betrayal bankrupt their relationship?

Aden House, successful but driven chef and TV personality, refuses to slow down. His life implodes one night, damaging him both physically and emotionally. He's rescued by a woman he thinks of as his angel. Shay McDowell has rebuilt her life after her divorce. She juggles volunteer EMT duties and her job, while dreaming of becoming a chef. She finds her way to Rock House Grill and back into the life of the man she helped save. Can love be the ingredient needed to survive the many obstacles they face?

Tycho, a cleric in the Order of the White Sun, is a scientist, not a spy, yet he agrees to go undercover in a secret lab owned by criminal mastermind Webster Griffin. His only contact with the outside world is Nadya, a cleric from the Blue Order, an experienced operative—and a sensual temptation. Nadya is delightfully drawn to her new partner, but she can't afford distractions. She has to support him and pass his findings along to her superiors…without getting them both killed. Will they uncover Griffin's secrets or become more victims in his bloody rise to domination?

Welcome CJ Zahner to the garden interviews

Hello CJ

I'm so glad you could join us today. tell us about you and your books.

Are your characters based on real people?

Yes! Many of my minor characters are. Sometimes, with their permission, I use actual names. I’ve used people whom I’ve worked with, good friends, and neighbors for minor characters. It helps me remember them.

In The Suicide Gene, I created a character, Giff Johnson, completely after my son, Zak. I intended him to be a minor character. As the book was written, of course, I began to like Giff more and more. He morphed into a main character, and I will never pattern another main character after a loved one. There were things I could not do, like give him idiosyncrasies or include him in love scenes. Yikes! Never again.

Do you have set times during the day that you write?

Honestly, when I am in the middle of writing a book, I spend half of the night tapping my cell phone to see if it is time to get up and write. I try not to rise before five, but sometimes I’m so excited to get back to my characters I can’t help myself. So, obviously, I’m a morning person.

Who is the biggest influence on your writing?

I watched my mother read book after book for years. She sparked my interest in reading. Additionally, I had one sibling who was eleven years older than me, and both my mom and dad were hard workers, so I spent much time alone in my teenage years. I began writing stories at age thirteen. Then, in high school, an English teacher, Mrs. Patsy Root, influenced my desire to write. With both her and my mom’s encouragement, my journey toward writing a novel began.

How did you do in English as a kid?

Terrible. I had a horrid memory and couldn’t answer any questions about what I had read. I remembered concepts about the story’s tales of life, love, or a character’s journey, but I couldn’t, for the life of me, remember anything about eye color, what characters wore, or where they lived. Hence, at the beginning of each school year during elementary school, my reading was tested and I failed most of those initial exams and was placed in the lowest reading group. Orange! They graded by colors. Orange was the lowest level, and I began each year in the dreaded orange.

This infuriated me but also inspired me to read and write more. My hard work helped my writing so much that by the time I received my first assignment as a freshman in a college writing class, the professor told over one hundred and twenty students that only three students had writing essays worth reviewing. Mine was one of the three. After years of struggling with reading, to say I was shocked is an understatement.   

What tips would you give a new writer?

Read, read, and read more. I’ve learned more from reading than I have from classes. That being said, immerse yourself in any free class you can. If you have the advantage of going to college, take as many writing classes as possible. And research free online classes, there are a myriad of good courses literally at your fingertips.

Most importantly, hang on to your dream of writing. You may fill a room with rejection slips, but let each one re-spark that love you have. Work harder. You’ll find your place. Never give up.

Who do you see as a hero/heroine in your life?

My father. Though he dropped out of school in ninth grade to help support his family, he impressed upon me the importance of education. A World War II veteran, he often said, “People can strip you of your money, material goods, hope, dreams, and dignity, but they can never take away your education.”

He was the smartest, kindest, most giving person I have ever known. He loved me unconditionally.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a mother and a writer. I never wanted anything more. I worked many years before retiring early and fulfilling my dream of writing novels. I also have been blessed with a wonderful husband, three children here and one child, a little girl who only lived one day, in heaven. And now? I have something I never even knew how much I wanted: a granddaughter.

What is your favorite drink?

I LOVE this question because I am addicted to coffee. I try to limit myself to five cups a day because I sometimes have trouble sleeping. I can drink any coffee drinkers under the table if I have to, though.

Secondly? I love the wine my husband makes. Red or white, he concocts a sweet wine better than any other!

Are you fun to go on vacation with?

I have excess energy so I may tire some of my vacation partners out, but I do think I’m fun. I travel with a group of five or six couples, annually. Sometimes more than once a year. They can count on me for a run in the morning and a long day of hiking. I’ve also been known, at the end of the day, to beg, “How about one more hike?” But most of the people I vacation with welcome a challenge. They are hard-core runners/hikers/vacationers.

And when we are done for the day? It’s into the hot tub with a glass of wine!

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would be the most essential for you?

I’m sorry. I could only survive if I was allowed five items. Coffee, chocolate, wine, cheese, and my Kindle, filled with novels. Then I’m good—for a long, long time.

find out more on ...

website: www.cjzahner.com or I www.cyndiezahner.com

Facebook: http://bit.ly/FBcjzahner

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TweetyZ

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/cjzahner/

Download  The Suicide Gene on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G6XVMZG

See all of CJ's books at http://bit.ly/CJ_Zahner

Welcome Laura M. Baird to our garden interviews

Hello Laura

thank you for visiting with us today

When did you decide to become an author?

I started writing a novel in 1995 while working as a dental assistant, wanting to emulate Nora Roberts. Between family life and returning to school to become a dental hygienist, I wrote off and on, thinking one day I’d do more. It wasn’t until 2016 after attending my first writers conference that I said, “This is what I’m going to do!” I dedicated time to writing, polished several stories, and started submitting. When my first acceptance came, then another, and another, I was ecstatic, and knew this was my dream coming true.

Do you have set times during the day that you write?

I try to dedicate my afternoons/evenings to writing. Some days I may only get an hour of writing completed, depending on my inspiration. Other days I may sit for hours when on a roll, and I have to force myself to take a break. If an idea comes to mind anytime throughout the day, I’m prepared with pen and paper to make sure I don’t forget.

How do you deal with writer's block?

If I want to progress on the story but I’m stuck, I’ll begin to reread the manuscript to get me back in the flow. I imagine it’s a movie playing out and I try to visualize what’s going to happen or be said next. If I’m truly blocked and cannot make any progress, I’ll walk away and come back in a day or more (again, depending on inspiration) and look at it with a fresh perspective. In that down time, I’m reading more.

Are your books or characters based on anyone you know, or events in your own life?

I don’t base a character on any one specific person from my life, but I’ll definitely take certain characteristics from many and blend them together. Even my own traits or habits. As for events, I’ll take an incident and change it up a bit, or embellish something that may have happened to myself, a friend, or family member. I’m slowly naming characters after family and co-workers, simply because I’ve told them they’d have a spot in a book. That character could be the complete opposite of the person they were named for, but it’s been fun to let my imagination go wild.

Do you have trouble saying goodbye to characters?

I do! That’s why I like series so much! I imagine, like many writers, I hold my characters very near and dear, and like a good friend or family member, I don’t want to say good bye. If I can continue stories in a series that’ll be unique, fun, and romantic, while bringing back characters that’ll blend seamlessly, I will. As a reader, I know it’s comforting to read a series, and I really want to know what happens to the next couple, and the next. So as an author I offer that to my readers.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Oh, the list is long! I wanted to be a teacher, a photographer traveling the world, the next ‘Jacques Cousteau’ exploring the ocean, a helicopter pilot flying search and rescue, the operator of an animal sanctuary, a surgeon, and the best mother to a dozen kids. (I became a wife, a mother of two sons, an Army veteran, a dental hygienist, and an author.)

Do you ever wish that you had an entirely uncreative job, like data entry or working in a factory?

At times, yes, I think I’d like to be working in a research laboratory running experiments and collecting data; and having little interaction with others. (My introvert personality at its finest.)

If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

Short fuse with a tendency to care too much. There are times when I make a rash judgement, only to regret it and wish I’d taken another moment to really consider the situation. I’m also a very giving person who tends to make others happy even at my own expense. Hubby has taught me that caring is fine, but not if I have to sacrifice myself.

What is your favorite comfort food?

Sourdough toast with gobs of butter!

What makes you laugh?

My husband, my grandson, funny dog videos

Where can we find out more

Website: https://www.laurambairdauthor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraMBairdauthor/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LauraMBaird

Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/laura-m-baird

Download Fantasies Abound (Awakened Desires 2) on Amazon  https://www.amazon.com/Fantasies-Abound-Awakened-Desires-Book-ebook/dp/B07PJDBJQ2

and other online retailers

Welcome D. V. Stone to our garden interviews

Welcome D. V. , Donna :)

thank you for joining us today

Have you ever cried while writing a book? 

I have a work in progress called Tuilelaith, The Breaking of a Bond. There’s a scene that makes me bawl like a baby every time it read it. Her pain touches me in a very personal way.  

When did you decide to become an author? 

Reading has always been my passion. My mom says I never wanted toys or dolls. Only books. I’ve written press releases and training manuals for jobs. Over the years, I tried to write, but it wasn’t until I was laid-off from a job I cared about that writing took. Further down, you ask about a phrase from my book. We all have choices about whether to take the bad, and make the best of a situation, or let the situation steer our life. I wallowed in self-pity for a bit but then decided not to let it control my life.

What was the hardest chapter/book to finish and why? 

I usually start out with a bang. Also, I know where I want my stories to end. Often it’s the middle chapters where I often find myself mired down.

Does working to deadline inspire or annoy you? 

Lol, I’m task-oriented. As Sheldon Cooper would say, “I’ve been tested.” Tell me what you want done and by when, and BAM, you’ve got it.

Which phrase in the book are you most proud of? 

“Circumstances change us. We can either curse them, and let them control us, or allow whatever happens to make us better.”

Do you write under a pen name? 

Yes. My real name is Donna Van Stone. I’ve always signed my name D. V. Stone. I figured it was easy when I do book signings. Many of my past co-workers also call me DVS. Sound it out devious. I’m not, though, really—wink.

and with that lets have some fun

Do you have a favorite quote?

Your thoughts of God are too human~ Martin Luther

Has the dog ever eaten your manuscript?

My girl Hali didn’t eat my manuscript, but I worked for many hours creating gift bags for a book signing. She got into ALL of them and trashed the entire lot, even chewing the magnets up.

Have you ever found true love?

 I’m married for the second time. Peter is the love of my life. We became engaged within two months of knowing each other, and twenty-six years later, we are still lovers and best friends.

If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

Lack of kindness to people and animals may cause an explosion.

Do you have any hobbies?

 I love the outdoors. Traveling in my 5^th Wheel camper is my happy place. Cooking over the open fire and enjoying a glass of wine and a good book next to that same fire. I love to garden and this year planted herbs in pots so I can take them with me on my adventures.

where can wee find out more

website:  https://www.dvstoneauthor.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/D-V-Stone-Author-375747643036438/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/donnavstone

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/D.-V.-tone/e/B01N154Y9U

Find Rock House Grill on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Rock-House-Grill-Impact-Book-ebook/dp/B084VCWRXR/ and other online retailers

Welcome Beverly Torres to our garden interviews

Hello Beverly

Do you plot or let the story unfold as you write?

I do both. I usually get the plot to start with, but as I write, the characters take on a life of their own, so my original plot changes as the characters develop.

Have you ever cried while writing a book?

Yes, I did. When one of my characters went through so much pain from humans that he became a nemesis to Quentin.

Do you have trouble saying goodbye to characters?

Always. They become so much a part of me, an extension, that I become so involved in their lives. When their story ends, it’s a letdown as I enjoyed their journey!

Who is the biggest influence on your writing?

My mother. Although I always have to block out the sex scenes in the draft because she just can’t read those parts!

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Yes, there is. In “The Moon’s Pull,” I wanted what we’re doing to the environment to be the message and how it affects the animals, who have no say in this world.

And a little fun

Who do you see as a hero/heroine in your life?

My mother. She always encouraged me to try things, like writing. She supports me in everything, and for me, she’s the best mom I could’ve wished for.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A doctor, but I was always terrible in math and chemistry, so that was definitely the wrong choice.

What is your favorite drink?

Margarita on the rocks. There’s nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day, drinking with the girls!

Do you laugh at your own jokes?

Always! I love humor, so laughing is a big part of who I am.

Find The Moon's Pull on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Moons-Pull-Beverly-Torres-ebook/dp/B003TO5G7G
and other online retailers