Wednesday, May 16, 2018

The Sayings of a Character: Lisa

Blogger: Welcome to A Small Gang of Authors, Lisa. We’re all excited to learn more about you. We understand that you’re from a romantic comedy; right?

Lisa: Thank you for having me, and yes. It’s Like the Full Moon, Sayings One is a romantic comedy where I play the main female supporting role. This interview is a nice break from struggling through the sequel my author, Toi Thomas aka Glorie Townson, is currently working on.

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Blogger: Why don’t you start by telling us a little more about your role in this story?

Lisa: Well, I’m BFFs with Rebecca the main character. We are total opposites but totally devoted to each other. I’m an international Business Liaison and have been accused of being a bit vain, but that’s only because I acknowledge how good I look. I work hard on my appearance and feel no shame in taking pride in it.

Blogger: What was it like for you growing up?

Lisa: Rebecca, her brother Teddy, and I all grew up in a small, upper-middle-class New England town. I wasn’t the only black kid around, but there wasn’t a lot of us. My family wasn’t very nurturing. They focused a lot on achievements and were supportive of all my academic and professional goals, but I spent most of what I consider quality time, with Becca and Teddy’s family.

Blogger: Sounds like the highs and lows of your early life helped to make you a success in one way or another. Let’s switch gears to a few fun questions.

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Blogger: What's the one thing you can't live without?

Lisa: Is it bad of me to say ‘men’? I mean, don’t get me wrong. I don’t need a man. I can take care of myself quite well and I’m not the needy type, but geez- I do love to look at a fine man. It’s just too bad I had such bad taste in them for so long.

Blogger: What do you do for fun and relaxation?

Lisa: Well, I’m almost thirty and still look twenty-five, so of course I love to go clubbing. I’m young, smart, and successful. Clubbing is like being at a party you don’t have to clean up after. However, if I want to relax, I listen to soft music and sip wine.

Blogger: Do you have any scars? What are they from?

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Lisa: I have a few small scars from a mountain climbing trip I took in college and a fading appendix scar, thanks to a great cream I discovered. Mostly, though, I have a lot of emotional scars from all the bad choices I’ve made and life lessons I’ve learned. I have no regrets though; they are all part of who I am now.

Blogger: If you could choose a magic power, what would it be?

Lisa: I would love to have the ability to show people that what they are doing is bad or wrong when they think they are right. I’m not talking petty stuff; I mean like, if I had been there, I would have had Hitler realize that killing all those people was clearly wrong… Sorry if I got a bit deep.

Blogger: No need to apologize, but since we’re getting a little deep, would you rather kill or die to ensure the safety of the people you care about?

Lisa: See, my problem with a question like this, is that you can only choose one option, while, in actuality, you’d like to choose both. If it would guarantee that no harm would ever come to the people I love, I’d gladly die. If, however, it only saves them for right now, I’ll kill and live to kill again another day… I really don’t want to kill or die if I don’t have to. 😉

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Blogger: Sensing the passion and level of devotion you have for your loved ones, what's more important to you; to live in a world with a family who respects and nurtures you OR to live in a world where you get to experience one intensely emotional and physical romantic relationship?

Lisa: Damn, that’s a good question. It’s hard to answer for so many reasons. Becca is the sister I never had and wouldn’t easily give that up for any man, but at almost thirty I’m experiencing real love for the first time. If I had to choose, I’d flip a coin and grieve for whatever lost.

Blogger: Let’s lighten the mood slightly before we wrap things up. I know Rebecca is your BFF, but do you think you'd make a good main character; why?

Lisa: Actually, I do, and so does my author, Toi Thomas. The sequel she’s been trying to pull together will focus on me, my family, and my future, but of course, my BFF will be part of that.

Blogger: Since It’s Like the Full Moon is Sayings One in the series, what’s your favorite saying?

Lisa: Don’t know if this is a thing or not, but it suits me. “Family is blood; friendship is love”.


Learn more about The Sayings Series here: The ToiBox of Words | Amazon

#romcom, interracial relationship, #circleoffriends, #lovetriangle
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Find out more about Toi Thomas, her work, and her inspiration at the following links:

Amazon | Goodreads The ToiBox of Words | YouTube | See a list of her other posts here.

COMMENTS

Chrys Fey

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
How did I not know about your other name Glorie Townson? I feel so out of the loop now. lol

Great character interview! And congrats on your book, Toi!
 
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Rebecca Tran

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Toi Thomas interviews her character Lisa from "It's Like the Full Moon" on Our Author Gang.
 
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Ruth de Jauregui via Google+

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Toi Thomas interviews Lisa, the main character's BFF from "It's Like the Full Moon." Stop by and check her out!
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Ruth de Jauregui

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
That's a great interview!! And nothing wrong with going out to party -- age is just a number!
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I agree. Have fun while you can.

Alex J. Cavanaugh

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Some deep questions! She handled them well.
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She's a straight shooter.

Mary Anne Yarde

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Such a fun post, Toi! Great interview!!
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Thanks

Nikki McDonagh via Google+

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
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Nikki McDonagh

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
What a great character! Thanks Toi Thomas for sharing her world.
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Glad you liked it.

Chris Weigand

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Fun character. Thanks for visiting.
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It was fun.

Chris Weigand via Google+

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Come in and meet Lisa from Toi Thomas's It's Like the Full Moon, Sayings One.
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Joe Bonadonna via Google+

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today on A Small Gang of Authors, Toinette Thomas interviews her character, Lisa, from her novel "It's Like the Full Moon."
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Joe Bonadonna

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Great interview, Toi! Lisa is very interesting.
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She's been an interesting character to develope.

Grace Au

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
How exciting to meet you, Lisa. So glad you could join us today.
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A good time was truly had.

Erika M Szabo via Google+

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
A fun interview with Lisa, a supportive character from Toi Thomas 's novel:)
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Erika M Szabo

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
It's interesting that you chose Lisa, the supportive character, for the interview. Lisa sounds like a fun character and makes me want to meet her BFF, Rebecca :)
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Recebba is a sweetheart, and even though Lisa is the supporting character now, she will be the leading lady soon.

Toi Thomas via Google+

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today, we meet the sexy Lisa from It's Like the Full Moon, a romantic comedy.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

A Q&A Session with Adara


Nicola McDonagh


The heroine from my Sci-fi/dystopian series - The Song of Forgetfulness, doesn't do interviews. It took a lot of persuading, and a bag of realchoc, to get her to do this one. I agreed not to take any photos.


Could you introduce yourself? 


Adara. And, before you go all, ‘What, THE Adara…’ Yes, I am THE Adara-Catcher of birds.

Describe what it was like for you growing up.


Scary mostly. What with the Carnies and their not-so-fun show stealing our kiddles, and the Flashlighters spoiling any fun, and me having to keep shutums about my gift, life was full on frightnight.


Tell us something about the religions and politics of your world. 


Yikes! Even with six fingers on each hand, I’ll struggle to count. Here goes: There’s The OneGreatProvider, Cityplace folk believe in, then there’s the Greenman, the Woodsfolk follow. The Baby Cheesus, Prasiebees adore him, the Onegreatbeing, Christfolk worship and Krishna, the Moocow Monks of the order of Mayer look to for guidance. As for politics, well, there’s only the filthy Agro scum, and their laws that all are forced to obey.


Do you see yourself as a hero? Or as someone just doing his/her job, doing what's right?


I’ve saved a lot of folk. So, some might say I am a hero, but many have died because of what I did. Guess I can’t rightly say I am fit to be called that. I did what had to be done because I have a gift that meant I could.


Would you rather kill or die to ensure the safety of the people you care about?


Kill, most def. Can’t righty save anyone if you’re dead, right?



What are your hopes for the future?


That the Meeks can save us all and the Agros are driven far from our shattered land. Plus, I’d like to see the ocean, they say it is dead, but there are those that say they’ve seen things slither and swim below it’s lapping waters.


Do you have a hero or heroine that you pattern your life after? If so, who and why.


Easy, that would be my Santy Breanna. She’s a S.A.N.T. one of the best. If it weren’t for the Agro war thingy, I would have gone into training to be just like her. She’s the bravest, smartest, and fastest fem I now. Kind as well. Yep most def my Santy.


Tell us about the villains you've encountered.


I’ll choose just two, otherwise I’d be talking till my doom. Both, Agro spy scum. Brother Jude, real name, Atyhtan. He was supposed to be my tutor, teach me how to hone my skill, but he just wanted to use my power before doing me in. His pal, Brother Dominic, real name, Ryce, betrayed us to the Agros, got a lot of folk killed.




What is your biggest regret?


Not getting the chance to spend some proper smoochy time with Marcellus.


What's the one thing, you can't live without?


My Synthbag.



To learn more about Adara and her world please visit The Song of Forgetfulness website:



Visit Nicola McDonagh's Amazon Author page: 





Monday, May 14, 2018

An Interview With Bitter

The hard copy cover of Bitter - WIP


Thanks so much for agreeing to this interview. Firstly, could you introduce yourself? My name is Bitter. Juanita Bitter. I'm a homicide detective in Sacramento, California.

Describe your family. I have two sons. One is in the US Air Force and the other has a government job. They both play ice hockey. I have a large family; my brother and his wife and kids live in Vallejo and my other siblings live in the Bay Area and in Southern California.

Favorite beverage? Coffee. (She flashes the interviewer a tight smile.) I'm a cop. We all live on caffeine. 

If you could have any accents from anywhere in the world, what would you choose? (Bitter gives the interviewer an irritated look.) I don't need an accent, I'm a woman of Color. I face idiots who think that makes me less-than every day. I speak English (of course), Spanish, Tagalog and a smattering of Choctaw. 

How did you get interested in your line of work? Papá was a cop. I grew up surrounded by cops, he often had friends over to eat. He liked to cook, especially in summer when he'd fire up the grill and they'd hang out in the backyard and talk about their cases.

Name one thing that drives you crazy. One of the officers, O'Malley, is always peering in corners at shadows. He says there's ghosts hiding in the shadows. (She shakes her head, irritated at the thought.) There's no such thing as ghosts. 

What makes you angry? Criminals. Evil people who hurt children or animals. It's my job to find them and give their victims justice. 

If you could choose a magic power, what would it be? Don't be ridiculous. There's no such thing as magic or brujas. Witches are not real. 

Do you see yourself as a hero? Or as someone just doing his/her job, doing what's right? I'm just like everybody else. I get up and go to work every day. My job is to find criminals, and that's what I do. 

The Kindle cover for the short story "Bitter Blood"
Bitter is a tough homicide detective in a Sacramento that's two blocks down and one dimension over from the river city that exists in this reality. She doesn't believe in magic or witches or ghosts, but there's more to her city that she wants to know. Though she's not a believer in the supernatural, she's the cop that cleans up the messy aftermath of murder – and other strange things that happen in the city at night.

Bitter came to life after a conversation with my author friend, Neal Litherland. We were talking about bitterness and the difficult life and choices you have to make when you write for a living, and she sprang into being. I was about 40,000 words into a planned four book urban fantasy/contemporary fantasy series when she elbowed it all aside and demanded that I work on her story first.

While the first Bitter novel is still a work in progress, you can read the introductory short story on my sneak peek website: www.ruthdj.weebly.com. You can also read the first chapter of the fantasy series and some other story beginnings that are waiting on Bitter to be finished.

#Bitter  #RuthDJ  #ASmallGangOfAuthors

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