Sunday, June 12, 2011

PIOUS - Kenn Bivins - Free Book

Welcome, Kenn. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

 Every character I create comes from some experience I’ve had, either from within or externally. That’s not to say that every character is a facet of me but every character comes from something that has touched my life experience in some way or another.

 What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

 I tend to be quirky by nature so I’m not sure how to isolate answering that.

 When did you first discover that you were a writer?

 I’m not sure that there was ever a “light bulb” moment of realization that I loved writing. I’ve just always done it in some form – even when I was drawing. I’ve always loved crafting and telling stories.

 Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

 I love crime and suspense novels but since I’ve become more serious as a writer, I’ve learned to read everything. I can read (and enjoy) anything from historical fiction to urban fiction to classic literature to chic lit.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

 I’ve found that writing helps center me. I’m able to channel my frustrations and expressions into writing and often times, work out some pretty good work to share with others.  It’s very rewarding to find through sharing with others that they may have felt a similar emotion or frustration or point-of-view at some point, so through the isolation of writing, I fond community. Weird, I know.

 How do you choose your characters’ names?

 Most of my characters’ names have some degree of metaphorical significance. I tend to build the character in my head and on paper and then name him/her based on how the personality ties into the story.

 What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Completing my first novel, PIOUS, was a big accomplishment for me because it was the first project of my career where I was solely responsible for the presentation from cover to cover.

 If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

 I tend to have a lot of characteristics of a cat – but not the “creepy, appear out of nowhere, I want to eat your soul” kind.

What is your favorite food?

I love sushi. I don’t have it that often so it has become a “celebratory” food. When I accomplish some personal goal or need comfort after a long work week, sushi is usually the reward.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I’m still learning a lot so my roadblock today may be totally different tomorrow. For example, writing dialogue can be challenging at times but I’ve overcome this by reading out loud whatever dialogue is in question. If it doesn’t sound natural hearing it aloud, I rework it.

Tell us about the featured book.

PIOUS is about an esteemed man is confronted with all that he has tried to hide of his past when a registered sex-offender moves into his neighborhood.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Carpious Mightson is not who he appears to be while portraying all that he isn’t. The appearance of friendliness and virtue suits him comfortably as he moves about his yard one Saturday morning, raking leaves as the autumn breeze lulls the branches above him.

Carpious, looming wide-shouldered at six foot two inches, is not much different from the three towering and massive trees that dominate his lawn as he gathers leaves into modest piles at the end of his yard. His two-hundred-twenty-pound frame is dressed with blue, baggy sweat pants and a black jersey while his yellowish-brown skin gives off a glow that is much like the leaves that are all about him. His close-cropped salt and pepper hair is exposed to a cool autumn breeze as he, like every Saturday for the past month, busies himself in his yard, a chore that allows him a semblance of a social outing where he can spend time talking with his neighbors.

“Why don’t you just use a leaf blower?” says a voice from behind Carpious. He’d had his back to the street and was looking toward his house at the work he’d done thus far. His thoughts were distant enough from… (end of first page)

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’m everywhere. The official website for PIOUS is at http://piousbook.com. I blog regularly at http://musing.kennbivins.com. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and many other locations that only Google can avail.

Thank you, Kenn, for dropping by.

Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (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 if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

18 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi, Lena and Ken...am anxious to find out why the title was chosen for Ken Bivins book! Thanks for the great interview and post, and the chance to win! mitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com from Peace River Country

kenn bivins said...

The title is a play on the actual word, pious, which means pure and dutiful. It is also a play on the main character’s name, Carpious, and his state of mind regarding the registered sex offender that moves into his neighborhood.

Linda Kish said...

This sounds like an interesting story.

Califorina

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Sarah said...

Would love to win!

Sarah H.
Oklahoma

Mozi Esme said...

I'd enjoy reading this!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Charlotte Kay said...

Oh, I love the reasoning behind the title, Kenn!!!! I am so glad that you shared it!
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!
Gratefully,
Charlotte Kay, OHIO

Marion said...

Would like to win this book, please enter my info.

M. Greer/Oh.

PatriciaW said...

Sounds like a very interesting read.

pwriter1[at]yahoo[dot]com

Coolestmommy said...

This story sounds fascinating. Lots of layers to delve through it sounds like. Can't wait to read.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

kenn bivins said...

Pious is indeed layered. It's one of those reads where you get something extra every time you read. I wish you all luck in winning.

Miss Angela said...

Would like to win this book, sounds like a great one.

Angela C./OH

DeDe's Grandma said...

This book sounds like a wonderful book. Hope I win it.
Thanks.

S.T.Illinois

Bakersdozen said...

I am interested in sampling work from this author who is new to me. I live in S. CA.

peachykath said...

Please enter me in the drawing for this book. This new author sounds interesting. Thank you

peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]com

Katherine from Northern California

Kristie said...

Hi!! Your plot sounds very intriguing. There are not too many male inspirational authors. Hope this is just the first book of many. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

kenn bivins said...

This is indeed my first book of many. My second novel will be released in November.

Unknown said...

Hi, Kenn Bivin's first published novel is quite appealing to me. I'm not snoopy, just interested as to what Mr. Carpious's (perfect name for this character) past is being hidden.
Thanks for the giveaway of this book and the chance to win it. I hope I win! I live in Arlington, TX.

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

kenn bivins said...

Congratulations to Linda Kish on winning a signed copy of Pious!

The rest of you can still be winners and get your own copy of Pious, a page-turner of a tale about an esteemed man who is confronted with all that he has tried to hide of his past when a registered sex-offender moves into his neighborhood.

Available on Kindle and nook for only $2.99
http://amzn.to/piousKindle and/or http://bit.ly/piousNook

Also available in paperback.