Monday, November 08, 2010

MEANDER SCAR - Lisa Lickel - Free Book

Welcome back, Lisa. Why do you write the kind of books you do?


Thank you, Lena, for allowing me to visit with you and your readers. Why do I write what I do? I write what I like to read, of course, which are stories that not just let people know what I believe in, but make the reader think about life challenges in a realistic manner. But it’s important that the reader gets entertainment value for his fiction money.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

One of the days that come to mind is when we bought and moved into our first, and only, house. This house has defined me and my family, and spurred me on this writing adventure in a round-about way.

How has being published changed your life?

I choose now to work at writing full time, instead of trying to piece together a number of other jobs. I’m given a certain leeway for being distracted and eccentric.

What are you reading right now?

I’m entranced with Laura Frantz’s Courting Morrow Little. Also, Venom and Song by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper and Jeanette Walls’ The Glass Castle.

What is your current work in progress?

I’m editing a full-length mystery for the same publisher of Meander Scar, and working on the third installment of the cozy mystery series that began with The Gold Standard.

What would be your dream vacation?

Oh, I’d love to spend two or three months roaming the British Isles with a guide who knew and loved the place.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I’m still in write what I know mode, so my settings are familiar: Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan. I’ve been fortunate to travel widely and visited every state but Hawaii, so I feel comfortable researching and referring to notes about places I’ve been or can return to. I prefer to create communities based on or near familiar places so I have more freedom to develop businesses on my own that aren’t subject to known places and names that possibly change.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

I’m not incredibly social. Would I want to learn something? Could I trust someone to tell the truth. Or would I want to have fun? Or just be quiet? If I didn’t think James Cameron would be a jerk, I think I’d like to pick his brain for a few hours on how he can make same-old stories breathe fresh air through mind-boggling technology and fantastic cinematography.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I like to hand quilt, but in the last year my hands have gotten too stiff to really enjoy it much. I think I’ll pick up crocheting again. I love to tinker with my former profession of desk-top publishing by making cards, posters, taking pictures and tinkering with them. My husband and I travel a lot. I have a big yard and we garden. I bake some.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

I tend to get through my drafts so quickly that I miss words and have a hard time proof-reading myself. I’m not too bad with other people and I’m a pretty fair critique partner, but I struggle editing my own work. I’m learning to take the time to read aloud and not cheating at it (too much), and as I edit for others, I’m becoming more deliberate with my writing.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

If you’re serious about it, more than just as a hobby, find a published mentor, learn all you can. If you enjoy writing for fun, then have a good time, continue to learn, but don’t sweat the small stuff. Build your reader base intentionally and spend more time on marketing and networking than you think necessary.

Tell us about the featured book.

Meander Scar, by Lisa J Lickel
c. 2010 Lisa J Lickel
Black Lyon Publishing LLC
ISBN 978-1-934912-23-2
retail: $16.95

Ann Ballard has lived in limbo since the disappearance of her husband years earlier. Fighting her mother in law for a finding of death left her drained emotionally. When a younger man from her past, Mark Roth, shows up and offers his skills as a lawyer to help settle her case, how can she accept not only his help, but his love? When Ann accidentally discovers the truth of her husband's absence, how can she tell the secret without ruining more lives?

Please give us the first page of the book.

“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its ardor unyielding at the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters can’t quench love; rivers can’t wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” Song of Songs 8:6-7

Chapter One

Ann Ballard jerked awake, shaken by a rumble she felt clear to her bones. A dazzling flash of light burned her retinas when she glanced through the living room window. She jumped and felt her heart stutter at the roll of thunder that rattled the panes of glass.

At least she’d been saved from sinking into the nightmare again. Three times in a row, whenever she’d closed her eyes she dreamed of being trapped in a swampy pool on the banks of the winding Black Earth Creek, helplessly watching her son Ritchie and his friend Trey struggle against a current. The fact that the creek was not that big in real life didn’t seem to matter in her dream.

Ann tossed aside the afghan that had been covering her feet and stood. Only little old ladies took naps in the afternoon. What was the matter with her? The magazine she’d been reading slipped to the floor, sending the photograph she used as a bookmark spilling out. She snatched up the picture before it bent. She knew what sleeping during the day would lead to: wandering her big empty house at night, wide awake and scaring herself silly at every creak.

Probably another headache, too. One that would take two days of head-banging and nausea to get over.

Another crack of lightning sent her scurrying to the kitchen. Dinner. Make dinner. Anything to distract herself from the storm. Speaking of which …

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is http://lisalickel.com/
I blog at http://reflectionsinhindsight.wordpress.com, http://wisconsinauthorreview.blogspot.com/
and http://favoritepastimes.blogspot.com/
I’m on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lisalickel  and Shoutlife: http://www.shoutlife.com/lisalickel , as well as a few other places like Author’s Den, SheWrites, Goodreads, Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers, and I have Amazon and BN author’s pages.

Thank you, Lisa, for spending this time with us.
 
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. New information: Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. I’m trying to get a good idea of where the people live who leave comments on my blog. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)


Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

35 comments:

Shawna K. Williams said...

Well, Lisa you know that I loved Meander Scar. I loved that the story was original, with characters that felt real.

Is it bad that it makes me happy to read that other writers have trouble editing their own stuff? It makes me feel normal! Lately I've been using the 'read to me' feature on my Kindle, and that's been incredibley useful b/c it doesn't instinctively add in the little articles and conjuctions like my brain does.

Michelle Massaro said...

Great interview, Lisa! It's a pleasure getting to know more about you and what makes you "tick". Thanks for sharing your first page, too!

Diane Reed Loew said...

OK - now I have yet another book I MUST read! I am looking forward to it.

Anne Payne said...

I would love the opportunity to read one of Lisa's published books, and I look forward to more of her cozy mysteries!

Anne, NC

Joanne Sher said...

I can't edit my own stuff either, Lisa. And I WANT to read your book :)

I live in Michigan.

(And I won one of YOUR books, Lena, from Patterings, and it came in the mail today :D Thanks!)

Pam K. said...

I haven't yet read any of Lisa's books but I found the interview and first page of "Meander Scar" interesting. The title is intriguing also. Please enter me in the book giveaway. Thanks.
I live in Kansas.

pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

rubynreba said...

I look forward to reading this book. Thanks for the chance to win it.

Linda Kish said...

It sounds really good. I hope I win it.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

sounds very interesting! and its christain? hmmm

Patty Wysong said...

I enjoyed the interview, Lisa--good to get to know you more!

Lisa Lickel said...

Good morning, old friends, just-getting-to-know-you friends and new friends. Ann, I look forward to our interview later. I love seeing the I conquered COTT button on your site, Lena.

I'm open for questions,too. This is not your mom's romance - there's some juicy stuff that I just let go and wrote and it felt good.

apple blossom said...

oh thanks for the giveaway love to win

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

charlie said...

I just read the review of Meander Scar and really am looking forward to reading it. I live in London, Ontario, Canada. It is always nice to meet new authors. God bless you!

Jo said...

Great interview, Lisa. The book sounds quite interesting and would love to read it. By the way, I live in Southern Arizona.

Blessing,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Edwina said...

Lena & Lisa, this was a great interview and Lisa, your book sounds fantastic! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!

edwina(dot)cowgill(at)yahoo(dot)com

I live in Newnan, GA

April Gardner said...

Lisa, you've been to all the States but Hawaii? Very cool. Loved getting to know you a bit! Oh and Meander Scar is AMAZING!! Loved it.

grannyvon said...

Great Interview. I will have to put Lisa Lickel on my must read list. Thanks for the chance to win this book. ybutler@oppcatv.com

Coolestmommy said...

Ahhh--that first page is just hanging there. Can't wait to read where it goes.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
live in midwest

Lisa Lickel said...

Good afternoon! From all over the northern part of America - Canda, too - and yes, I'll been all over except for Nunavik. My next trip goal is to drive to Hudson Bay, but my husband just shakes his head. I really want to back and sit on the shores of Fundy Bay again,though; and visit mainland Newfoundland.

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Please enter me! Sounds like a great book.

dancealert at aol dot com

Jan Marie said...

I would love to read another book by Lisa Lickel - she is so thorough in her characterization and plot development. It is always a pleasure to read her books. Please add my name in the drawing.

Thanks!

janmarien[at]embarqmail[dot]com

misskallie2000 said...

Great interview Lisa. I would really like to win this book as it has the mystery I love. I love your book The Gold Standard.
Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Ann Lee Miller said...

Please put my name in the hat.
Ann Lee Miller

Lisa Lickel said...

Aw, JanMarie and MissKallie - sweet of you to say. Thanks so much.

Merry said...

Meander Scar sounds so intriguing, I'd love a chance to win it. Thanks, Lena!

karenk said...

please count me in...thanks :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Robin Steinweg said...

Great interview! I'm especially interested to know how your house influenced you to write.

I know from several of Lisa's books how gifted she is, and prolific as a writer. Lisa is the queen of creating titles, too.

I can hardly wait for the rest of the Gold Standard series.

Nancye said...

This book sounds very intriguing! One that would keep my interest for sure! Count me in!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Kentucky

grannyvon said...

Great Interview and I would love to win this book and have it sent to Opp, Alabama where I live. ybutler@oppcatv.com

Unknown said...

Lisa's interview is enjoyable. Her book sounds real and sad, but I think the glory of God will shine in the end of the book. I'd like to read her book. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win her great book. I hope I do win.

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Jennifer said...

Sounds like a really great book! I have not read one of Lisa's books but would love to.
Thanks for the chance to win
jenmmcclure(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jennifer
North Carolina

MaureenT said...

I Love a good mystery! This really sounds heartbreaking in parts.
I live in the Boonies in Upstate NY...between Syracuse and Utica!

Emma said...

Good interview.Meander Scar sound wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.

Bakersdozen said...

I really liked this interview. I also am interested in reading the book. I live in S. California vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

wmmahaney said...

I love the story line. I would love to read this book.