Welcome, Alexis. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
There’s about maybe 50 percent of myself in each of the
heroines for my stories. They have similarities to my personality and outlook
on life. Sometimes, they even share the same career. It’s easier to follow the
number one rule of writing fiction, “Write what you know” in that respect, but
it’s also fun to create and write characters who are nothing like me.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
Not talking while I eat. I tend to prefer to focus on and
savor the food, rather than to carry on a conversation.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
At age 9 during an impromptu storytelling game with my
brother and grandpa while my grandma fixed lunch (we were at their house while
our parents were working).
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I enjoy reading contemporary and inspirational romance. My
favorite authors are Becky Wade, Betsy St. Amant, JoAnn Durgin, Sarah Monzon,
Sarah Jio, Kimberly Stuart, Kristin Billerbeck, and Melissa Tagg.
I also enjoy non-fiction books by my favorite journalists
like Sophia A. Nelson and Soledad O’Brien. Christian Living books by the likes
of Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Lysa TerKeurst and Joyce Meyer are also
enjoyable.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
I make time for God. My pastor says, “Mornings are better
when you talk to God first,” and I’ve found that to be true.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
I visit baby name sites online. Sometimes I go with whatever
name comes to mind. But it helps to visit those sites that list baby names and their meanings. It helps me to
choose the perfect names for my characters.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I’m most proud of an accomplishment that God orchestrated
and that was getting my first writing contract with a traditional publishing
company. Cynthia Hickey of Forget Me Not Romances offered me a contract at the
perfect time. I was about to commit to a writing career as an indie author and
hope that eventually, I’d get an agent and become a traditionally published
author. But God sent Cynthia at just the right moment to get me to reconsider,
and I am so glad that I accepted her offer.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’d be a deer because they’re my favorite adopted pets! Deer
play in our backyard and eat the flowers in our front yard where I live, that’s
why I’ve “adopted” them as my unofficial pets. I’ve always loved deer for their
beauty and elegance.
My parents retired to
Fort Clark Springs in Southwest Texas . It’s a
former frontier fort, which is now a resort community, and a certain percentage
of the property can’t be developed. It’s a preserve where deer, wild boars, and
other wildlife are in natural habitat. My dad fed the deer that came into their
back yard from the woods. What is your favorite food?
Now that’s a tough choice to make because I have a long list
of favorite food! But if I had to choose just one main dish, I’d say that I
love “curry chicken” the way that they fix it in Jamaica.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
My greatest roadblock in my writing journey was creating
deeply layered characters. Working with my God-sent editor, Liz Tolsma, helped
me to overcome that obstacle because she taught me about things like GMC charts
and character layering techniques. After applying the techniques that she
taught me, my skills as a fiction writer grew and I am now able to create
characters that are deeply layered and more captivating than before in my
previous stories.
Tell us about the
featured book.
My featured book, A Second Chance, is a Contemporary
Romance about characters that are in need of a second chance in life and love.
There’s Traci, a journalist who is struggling to “pay dues” and her bills from the wedding that
never happened (her fiancé left her at the altar and ran off with her Maid of
Honor). There’s Marc, also a journalist who is struggling to pay his dues. He’s
known as Mr. Nice Guy and while his kindness leads to his broken heart (because
his girlfriends “just want to be friends”), it brings joy to his newly widowed
sister Gina. She’s a bestselling romance novelist who is trying to raise her
two kids in the wake of her firefighter’s husband’s death. Marc steps in and
helps out by babysitting when she’s working on a deadline or needs a break.
Readers will find that with God’s guidance and Gina’s natural matchmaking skills,
there is hope of a happily ever after for Traci and Marc.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Knee-deep in debt from
wedding expenses, Traci Hightower sighed as she filed through the credit card
statements. She should be married now, back from her honeymoon in Bali, and
settled into her new home with her husband.
Happy.
Not single and broke.
She slapped an envelope
against the desk. Five months of struggling to survive and pay off the debt.
Her meager, entry-level journalist salary didn’t stretch far enough. She’d been
paying her dues for seven years. She rubbed her temples. The numbers on the
credit card statement blurred in front of her eyes.
The doorbell rang. A
little thrill rushed through her. She stood from her cross-legged position on
the floor and hopped over the mess of papers and laundry that decorated her
living room.
“Who is it?”
“The woman who gave you
birth.”
For the first time
today, Traci smiled. She opened the door and reached for a hug from the one
person who never left her hanging. “Hi, Mom.”
Her mom returned her
daughter’s embrace, then dragged her suitcase inside. She glanced around. “Oh,
my.”
Traci locked her door,
then turned and shrugged. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve been looking forward
to this. Can’t you stay for more than two days though?”
Mom stopped picking up
the bills from the floor and faced her daughter. “No, honey. I’m sorry, but I
need to return home by Wednesday morning. Dad and I have an important meeting
later that day.”
Traci’s heart dipped.
Mom paused and placed the bills and the stack of paper she’d picked off the
floor on Traci’s kitchen counter. “Oh, sweetie.” She cocooned her daughter in
another embrace.
Traci snuggled close.
She inhaled the familiar scent of her mother’s favorite perfume. It smelt like
coconut and lime.
“You always were a
cuddler.” Mom stroked her hair. “Still up to your eyeballs in debt?”
Traci nodded.
“Why don’t you let me
and your father help?”
Traci took a step back
and made eye contact with her mom. “We’ve been through this. I got myself into
this mess. I’ll get myself out.”
Mom smiled. “Your
father and I were talking. We hate to see you struggling.”
“You don’t exactly live
in a palace either. I know you want to retire soon, and I won’t have you
dipping into that money.”
Mom reached into her
purse. “Living in the nation’s capital area is expensive.” She rummaged through
her handbag’s contents. “Have you considered moving home?”
“I can’t do that. I
don’t ever want to live anywhere else. My life and career are here.”
“How’s that going for
you?”
Traci picked at her
fingernails. “It could be better.” Better
boss, better pay, better office space. The works.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Readers may connect with me online via the following sites:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PennedbyAlex
Website: http://www.screenwriteralexis.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/capturingidea/
“God is Love” blog: http://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com
Thank you, Alexis, for sharing this book with us. I'm eager to read it.
Readers,
here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this
blog.
A Second Chance - PaperbackA Second Chance - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.
You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us
where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America . (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 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz,
Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave
your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
23 comments:
Hello, Lena and Alexis. A very nice interview. Your characters sound very believable, Alexis. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for hosting me on your blog today, Lena!
I enjoyed answering your great interview questions.
Take care and God bless you! :)
Enjoyed the interview and the book sounds like a good one. Abilene, Texas
Good job making me care about your main character, dear Alexis. I enjoyed learning about your writing journey and your book plotting process.
Blessings ~ Wendy
This sounds like a story I would enjoy.
Linda in So Cal
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
This sounds like a story I would enjoy.
Click Here
This first page makes me want to read more! Thanks for sharing.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds really good. north platte nebraska.
Hi, Linda! I am happy that you liked my interview and that you think that my characters are believable! :)
Does that mean that you're going to buy my book? ;)
Dear Ann,
Thanks for sending in a comment about my interview and my book!
Let me know what you think if you buy "A Second Chance" and read it. :)
Hi, Wendy!
Thanks for the compliment about my main character's believability! :)
I'm happy that you enjoyed the interview.
Let me know if you buy my book! Would love to know what you think after you read it.
Hi, Linda from SoCal!
I'd love for you to buy my book and read it! :)
Since it already sounds like a story you would enjoy! ;)
Thanks for leaving a comment. Take care and God bless you!
Hey, Connie from KY!
If you want to read more then you should go buy my book! :)
Would love to hear what you think after you're read it.
Take care and God bless you! :)
Dear Kim,
Thanks for leaving a comment!
I'm happy to hear that you think my book sounds good!
Would love to know what you think after your read it (if you buy it)! :)
God bless you.
I know I would enjoy this book. Alexis Goring is a new author to me. Thank you for introducing her.
Hi, Judy!
I am so happy to hear that you think you'd enjoy reading my book! :)
I hope that you will buy it.
Take care and God bless you!
Hey Lena and Alexis! Thank you for the wonderful interview. I can't wait to read A SECOND CHANCE! Cute cover.
Caryl K in TEXAS
Hey Caryl!
Thanks for your kind words about my interview.
I hope that you get a chance to read my new novella! :)
Take care and God bless you.
This looks like such a great read! I love contemporary romance. Gives me a little reprieve from the day to day hustle and bustle of everyday life! Hailing from Hanover, Maryland!
Everyone always deserves a second chance! Love to read this book. It looks very good.
Beth from IA
Hey, PhDMama!
I love to read contemporary romance too, that's why I write it! ;)
Good luck in the book giveaway!
Hey Ruby N Reba!
I agree with you about how everyone deserves a second chance. So true! :)
Good luck in the book giveaway!
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