Posted in Creekside Cafe, interview, Recipes

Celebrating Pride Month at Creekside Cafe with author, K. B. Davenport

I’m so excited to welcome my friend and fellow southern American writer, K.B. Davenport to my virtual café. Thanks for stopping by Creekside Café, K.B.

K.B.: Thanks for having me, Sherri! I’m really excited to chat with you.

Sherri: Is Magic in Autumn Springs your first published novel?

K.B.: Yes, it is! I released it in November 2020 through Kindle Direct Publishing. I thought about going the traditional route but ultimately decided to self-publish.

Sherri: I’m reading it right now and I’m enjoying it. It’s a slower pace for me but I adore the way you introduce the characters. Who was your favorite to craft? I’m a suspense writer and I often enjoy creating the villains.

K.B.: Thank you! Glad to hear it! I have to agree, villains are fun to write. They became some of my most emotionally complex and developed characters, now that I think about it. They have a lot to offer in terms of flaws and layers. But I also have talking animals in my story, so I have to say they’re my favorites. Marble the wise cat and Harlan the sassy pup. Harlan is a talking animal and a villain, so writing him was really the best of both worlds. And really, Autumn Springs is itself a crucial character. Creating this fictional place was a bit of a love letter to the town where I went to college and to the Natural State where I was born and raised. I wanted to be sure I created a world that represented how I felt about where I’ve grown up and lived within my life. 

Sherri: My town of Leeward is an homage to my hometown as well. I love Marble, she is an amazing character. Animals, like children present a unique perspective to the story. Getting into their minds and seeing the world through their eyes can change a reader as well as the writer.

This may have been your first published work, but you are not a novice writer. I can tell. You are too good for this to have been your first. How long have you been writing? Have you always been a writer?

K.B.: Thank you, I appreciate that! I’ve been writing poetry and fiction since I was a teenager, so almost 20 years now. I’ve written in academic and professional capacities over the last decade or so in my “real life” as well. Writing has always been more than a hobby for me. It’s like a sort of tether to reality. It keeps me grounded or lets me explore, whatever I need. I’ve been a storyteller since I was a kid, too, according to my mom. So, I guess the answer is yes, I’ve always been a writer!

Sherri: It shows. You describe yourself as a romantic at heart and there is a romance in your story, do you consider yourself a romance author? What is the difference between being a romance writer versus other genres?

K.B.: I have a hard time pinning myself to any one genre, but romance certainly plays a big part in many of my stories. Although it may not be in a way some readers are accustomed to. I’ve always been fascinated by Transcendentalist writers like Thoreau and Whitman. Romance has become intertwined and synonymous with nature and spirituality for me. That’s what I aimed to show in my book as well, a sense of longing and nostalgia that transcends companionship and gives reverence to the earth. Almost like being in love with the idea of the world itself. As for the second part of your question, I think being a romance writer requires a big heart and a passion for crafting vulnerable characters unlike any other genre. There is a certain level of pain and pleasure that goes into writing romance, and it takes just the right amount of both to create something truly spectacular.

Sherri: I always thought I was a romance writer but even though I want romance in my books, it often takes a secondary position. Sometimes I shy away from the hard stuff, especially the deeper emotions. My WIP has me crying a lot. I’m so ready to move onto the happier parts.

Is your partner a writer or reader? My husband doesn’t read much anymore but he does a lot of my research and helps me with some of my plot points. I enjoy discussing ideas with him because he gives me a different perspective.

K.B.: Definitely the same for me. Romance is one part of the larger picture. My partner isn’t a writer, but he does enjoy reading my work. He’s an idea man. He helps me work out plot points, too. Partners are great for that, aren’t they? They know you so well that they can connect dots even you may miss. Just don’t tell them that, or they may want their own writing credit!

Sherri: You have a serial you’re working on for Kindle Vella, it looks exciting. Tell us about it.

K.B.: Thanks! I’m excited about it. It’s a lot different from Autumn Springs, but I’m hopeful people will enjoy it. I’m calling it Game the Show. It’s a darkly comic look at Hollywood and the game show scene of the early 1980s. The characters are dramatic and flashy, and there are some steamy romantic moments. It centers around two rival game show hosts who vie for the same coveted time slot as well as the same love interest. A bit of a romantic triangle. There’s some bisexual and gay representation as well. I’m also using it as a platform to discuss some of the more sexist and phobic attitudes of the time. I’m a big fan of old game shows, but sometimes I cringe at the way they refer to women, people of color and those in the LGBTQ+ community. So it’s a bit of a satire of that as well. Expect some uncomfortable but hopefully enlightening moments!

Sherri: I grew up watching the 70s and 80s television shows so I’m more aware of what you are talking about but how about younger readers, do you think they will be interested in this series? Who is your target audience? I have to ask myself this question often. When I wrote my Leeward Files series, I was hoping to attract a younger audience, but I’ve come to realize most of my readers are 40 and above even though my characters are mid to late twenties.

K.B.: That’s a great question! It’s interesting to find out who actually reads your work once it’s out in the world. Finding a target audience can be tricky! As a millennial, it feels like I’m straddling generations in some ways. I have close relationships with friends and family who run the generational gamut. I want my work to reflect that. Game the Show may be set in the early 80s, but I think its subject matter will be relatable from contemporary perspectives, especially considering its modern take on problematic social issues. I love historical fiction and seeing behind the curtain, so to speak, so I wanted to incorporate some of that into this project. My hope is that it’ll resonate with early to mid-millennials in America who grew up in a much different political landscape than today, but I want people of all ages and cultures to feel included as well. We’ll see how it goes! I look at writing as an experiment. I love to try new things and see what lands.

Sherri: Do you have any plans for an Autumn Springs sequel or are you writing something different?

K.B.: Yes! I’m currently working on the second book in An Autumn Springs Anthology. I’m calling it Mystery in Autumn Springs. It’s about a young empath and amateur sleuth from up north who has ghostly adventures with her girlfriend during a family reunion in Autumn Springs. I’m also working on a book of southern gothic poetry that I’m really looking forward to sharing more details about soon!

Sherri: Did you say you recently visited New Orleans? I was born not far from there. I went back there after my oldest son was born. We lived about a half an hour from New Orleans. There’s something about New Orleans that you don’t find anywhere else. I bet you found a lot of inspiration for your gothic poetry.

K.B.: Yes, we just visited New Orleans a couple of weeks ago for the first time! That’s interesting you lived near there! You’re so right. It really is a different world there. I definitely feel inspired, so much so that I spent some time there writing in our hotel room. I couldn’t help myself. It’s such a historically rich and vibrant place. Even with all the trials the community has faced, they still thrive. It’s encouraging. We stayed at the edge of the French Quarter near Armstrong Park and the Treme, so we got a good mix of touristy things and local culture. I can’t wait to go back. We’re thinking about visiting again for Jazz Fest this fall. And, yes, I’m absolutely using the experience for my poetry! The architecture alone was the perfect inspiration for gothic romance and drama. I loved it.

Sherri: I hear you like to cook, are you a fancy chef or do you prepare family recipes. I raised six sons and worked in fast food, so, most of my cooking has always been get it out quick. With my sons grown and gone, I like to experiment. I’m an avid Food Network watcher but my husband is more of a meat and potatoes guy, but he’s reforming. Do you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share?

K.B.: That’s great! I think it’s fun to experiment and to try new things in the kitchen. I love to cook. I learned how to cook for my family when I was a teenager. My parents didn’t really care for cooking, so I took it on myself to save us from frozen meals and canned chili. I have to admit, I’m mostly a comfort cook. Fried chicken, pork chops, mashed potatoes, tacos, stir fry, breakfast sandwiches, cinnamon rolls. But my partner and I try new recipes fairly often. We recently made a tres leches cake that was delicious! One of our favorite meals to make is pizza from scratch. I roll a mean thin crust. I’ve made a lot of breads since the start of the pandemic, like most bored home cooks. Here’s a recipe for a citrus bread I made when I ran out of ingredients for banana bread!

Glazed Citrus Bread

For the batter:

  • 1 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/3 cup melted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

For the glaze:

  • 1 cup confectioners sugar
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp water, more if needed
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350. Prepare a standard loaf pan with butter and flour.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine orange juice, lemon juice, buttermilk and melted butter.
  3. In the same bowl, mix in baking soda, salt, granulated sugar, beaten egg and vanilla.
  4. Mix in flour until all ingredients are combined. Do not over mix; the batter should be light so the bread stays soft snd fluffy.
  5. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 
  6. Remove from oven. Pour on glaze, making sure to cover all of the bread. Glaze should melt evenly and cover the sides of the bread as it cools snd separates from the pan. Cool for at least an hour. Enjoy!

Sherri: Do any of your hobbies, life experiences or acquaintances show up in your stories?

K.B.:  Absolutely! While I’m not as much of a green thumb as Damian in Autumn Springs, I love gardens and being in nature. I grew up visiting a lot of watering holes and going on long drives through the Ozarks, so I love to use those scenic experiences in my writing. Hot Springs and Eureka Springs, Arkansas are two big influences in my work. I wanted to pay homage to their natural beauty. Also, I’m a TV buff. Game shows, sitcoms, live events—there’s always been something really fascinating about the way television operates to me. I figured I should put that to use in my writing, so that was sort of the genesis for Game the Show. In terms of people, I feel like most of my characters are composites of a lot of different people I’ve met. While I don’t want to use any one person as direct inspiration for a character, of course, I will pick certain aspects to infuse in my work. Really, I feel like every character I write has a little bit of myself included, too.

Sherri: If you liked this interview with K.B. Davenport, follow him on social media and check out his book Magic in Autumn Springs.

K. B.’s BIO

An independent Southern American writer and designer, K.B. Davenport loves reading and reviewing books by other indie authors. He writes cozy supernatural tales and dramatic stories with LGBTQIA+ themes. K.B. also designs book covers and promotional graphics. He lives with his handsome partner, loves to travel and really wants a pet.

BOOK BLURB

A picturesque small town. A budding romance. A mysterious grimoire.

Welcome to Autumn Springs, a woodsy southern hamlet full of charming folks and scenic beauty. Meet Damian Baxter, a self-professed homebody who works diligently as a librarian at Autumn Springs College. He spends his evenings in his cozy Victorian home on Starry Night Way reading and curling up with his cat, Marble.

After he unlocks his grandmother’s grimoire, Damian begins a magical journey he never could have imagined. With his trusty feline friend by his side, he trains for an incoming threat from a reclusive neighbor and the most powerful dark witch in town, Elias Robicheaux.

Will Damian be able to protect his uprooted life while managing his busy job and a new romance with Bartley O’Dowd, a handsome Irish transplant with a secret of his own? Come along for a moonlit hayride and discover the mystery and magic in Autumn Springs.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Website: davenportbooks.wixsite.com/home

Twitter: @KBDBooks

Reddit: u/KBDBooks

Tumblr: kbdavenport.tumblr.com

Goodreads: goodreads.com/kbdavenport

Amazon: amazon.com/~/e/B08P74BMF6

Posted in Creekside Cafe, interview

Chatting With The Singing Author

Today I’d like to welcome K G Fletcher, “The Singing Author” to Creekside Café. Wow, when I was doing my research for our interview and I came across this moniker, I thought, I need to know more about this. So welcome to my virtual café, and why are you called the singing author?

KG –I am a professional singer/actor as well as a romance author. I was a singer/songwriter in Nashville. I am currently a back-up singer in a national tour.

Sherri: A popular contemporary trope is of the singer/songwriter romance, do you have a novel using this trope?

KG: Of course! Many of my stories incorporate music, singers, band-life. A couple of examples:

  • GEORGIA CLAY (book one in my Southern Promises Series/contemporary romance) – the story of a Nashville songwriter and reuniting with his high school crush at their high school reunion.
  • LOVE SONG – (romantic suspense) the story of two touring musicians.
  • THE NEARNESS OF YOU – (contemporary romance) the story of a lounge singer and a famous British super-model.

Sherri: Are you traditionally or indie published? What are a few things you have learned on your journey to being a published author?

KG: My first 3 books are with a traditional publisher. I learned a TON through that experience, which carried over into my self-published books. Being an indie-author is hard work and not for the faint of heart. It’s totally do-able if you surround yourself with a great team. My readers are amazing, and I have loved getting to know other authors in this amazing community.  Author support is HUGE in the indie world.

Sherri: How many books have you published? What genre? Tell us a little about them.

KG – My eighth book comes out today, October 21. I am a hybrid-author (3 books with a traditional publisher and the other 5 self-published) I write contemporary romance and romantic suspense. My readers say my books are “sweet & spicy” – they are for ages 18+

Sherri: Reader Glitz describes your books as “K.G. Fletcher writes contemporary romance as it should be: Sexy, Steamy, Heartwarming, Story-driven….” That’s pretty awesome praise. So, what comes first, story or character? Are you a plotter or pantser?

KG: I am a pantster – I write by the seat of my pants! Usually the characters come first. I have a BFA in musical theatre, and characterization as an actor was always huge for me. That definitely carried over into my writing career. My characters have been known to keep me up at night, crafting the story, LOL.

Sherri: I’m fairly new to publishing, though I’ve been writing most of my life. I wanted to be a romance author and really hoped to be traditionally published. I realize now, part of my problem is I’m not exactly a romance writer. I have a strong romance and a happy ending, but it doesn’t drive the story. How do you drive a contemporary story with romance being the main vehicle?

KG: There is definitely more than romance that drives my stories; although I am intentional about the romance factor. I love building the relationships and setting for my characters – the conflict and resolution. I adore second chance themes and giving my readers their anticipated “happily-ever-after” but I definitely throw them a few curve balls along the way to keep them guessing. I want my readers to swoon and walk away feeling satisfied and happy for my characters.

Sherri: You’re a Georgia Girl now, were you born and raised in Georgia?

KG: My family moved to Atlanta the summer before my senior year of high school from Kansas City. I consider myself a Georgia Girl now because I have lived here longer than anywhere else. Most of my stories take place in the South.

Sherri: You are a member of Romance Writers of America and Georgia Romance Writers, how has being a part of these groups helped your career?

KG: I met my critique partner at my very first GRW meeting. She is one of my best friends now, and essential in my writing process. We go on writer’s retreats together, brain storm and throw ideas off each other. The GRW group is wonderful – the annual conference, a time of learning and fun with other writers struggling with the same things. I was recently a conference speaker, sharing how music can enhance a writer’s experience and their stories. I think it’s important to keep learning your craft and being around like-minded people who can help you along the way. I definitely encourage other writers to find their tribe. One of my books (GEORGIA PINE ~ Southern Promises ~ Book Three) is a finalist for the 2019 Maggie Award of Excellence. The winners are announced at the GRW Moonlight and Magnolias Conference October 5. This annual conference in Atlanta is chock-full of great speakers, editor/agent appointments, critique sessions and fellowship with other authors. I highly recommend going to a romance writer’s conference!

Sherri: I was checking out your website, oh my God, when do you have time to write? Tell our readers some of the highlights of your artistic endeavors.

KG: I am an indie artist through and through. I did NOT have time to write this past summer because I was an artist-in-residence at my alma mater, Valdosta State University for the 30th anniversary of Peach State Summer Musical Theatre. I got to play the role of Donna in Mamma Mia!, the role of Marmee in Little Women the Musical, and Lottie in Crazy for You. It was a ton of work performing in 3 full-blown musicals in repertoire but SO MUCH FUN! This experience pushed my latest book release back a couple of months, so I’ve been playing catch-up. I also travel a good bit as a back-up singer in the national tour, Remember When Rock Was Young – the Elton John Tribute. We just finished a week of shows at the beautiful Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, AZ. I leave this week for shows in Baton Rouge and Virginia. I write a lot on planes and in hotel rooms, LOL. When I’m not traveling, I have a lovely office in my Atlanta home that overlooks the woods in my backyard

.

Sherri: You recently released a new book, Stars Fall From the Sky October 21st. This is a bit different from your other books. Can you give us a little insight into this story?

KG: Stars Fall From the Sky is Book Two in my Reigning Hearts Series. All of my books can be read as stand-alones. This book was a tough one. It deals with grief. I can’t say much about it without completely giving away the full story. The book is dedicated to one of my best friends who died unexpectedly over the summer. It was a cathartic process writing this book and dealing with my own grief. I hope that this love story will resonate with someone who needs to know that they are not alone – that love is never forgotten.

Sherri: It has been such a pleasure to have you at Creekside Café, if you’re ever in eastern North Carolina you’ll have to stop by for real. Until then, I can’t wait to read your books and see what else you have going on.

Stars Fall From the Sky

Reigning Hearts ~ Book Two

KG Fletcher

(can be read as a standalone)  ARC sign up link: https://forms.gle/BrxsfzDn6uDgFUG8A

Pre-Order Link:  https://www.amazon.com/Stars-Fall-Reigning-Hearts-Book-ebook/dp/B07XXF9QDT/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=kg+fletcher&qid=1568654191&s=digital-text&sr=1-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=itbibobi-20&linkId=0b8cacb395ce2c7acc283cf3f3c17acd&language=en_US&fbclid=IwAR3lAFERooKCjTLPWqCPTtX-c5Z1tLmwXMTCEMWVtddGs0-BVGhw-t7VVYM

Hashtags to use:

#kgfletcherauthor #singingauthor #secondchanceromance #bookstagram #bookish #standalone #addtoyourtbr #contemporaryromance #romancebooks #newrelease #sweetandspicy #lovestory #bookpassion #romancelandia #igreads #igbooks #readandreview #starsfallfromthesky #reigningheartsseries #booktwo #swoonworthy #romancenovel #romanceauthor #indieromance #yournextbookboyfriend #happilyeverafter #lovealwayswins

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Page Count: 312

GoodReads TBR Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44639729-stars-fall-from-the-sky

Cover Designer: Eva Talia Designs

Self-published: Kelly Genelle Fletcher

ISBN-13: 978-1-7320240-4-5

TAG LINE: Grief brought them together. Will love tear them apart?

BLURB/mini-synopsis:

Ginger McCormick is living her very own happily-ever-after. With her precious newborn daughter and handsome firefighter husband by her side, life couldn’t be any sweeter in Sandersville Beach. When a freak accident occurs, and her world is suddenly turned upside down, Ginger can no longer bear to be near the ocean that anchored so many happy memories. Nevertheless, her best friend’s beachside wedding is on the horizon, and Ginger must face her biggest fears to be there for Emeline on her special day.

Across town, Doctor Jonathon Walden struggles to move on from his former life and career in Atlanta after relocating to the sleepy beach town. He mostly keeps to himself and yearns for the day when the ghosts of his past will no longer haunt him.

When Ginger and Jonathon both realize they need outside help to mend their broken hearts, the two run into each other at a local meeting and develop an instant friendship. Can they resist the undeniable connection they feel for each other as they navigate their grief together? Or will they decide to go it alone and walk away from a second chance at love?

Main Characters:

Ginger McCormick (Brown eyed-dirty blonde- Southern Girl with newborn daughter.)

Dr. Jonathon Walden (Tall, dark haired, hazel-eyed, glasses-wearing, tie-wearing, small-town doctor. He is very professional and keeps things to himself.)

Author Bio:

Dubbed, “The Singing Author,” KG Fletcher lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband Ladd and three sons. She is an active member of RWA and Georgia Romance Writers. She was a singer/songwriter in Nashville, TN and a recipient of the “Airplay International Award” for “Best New Artist” showcasing original songs at The Bluebird Café. She earned her BFA in theater at Valdosta State College and has traveled the world professionally as a singer/actress. She currently gets to play rock star as a backup singer in the National Tour, “Remember When Rock Was Young – the Elton John Tribute,” www.almosteltonjohn.com and recently finished an artist-in-residence at her alma mater performing roles in three musicals for the Peachstate Summer Theatre 30th Anniversary (Donna in Mamma Mia!, Marmee in Little Women the Musical, and Lottie in Crazy For You.)

KG is a hopeless romantic continuing her work on her original cabaret act called, “The Novel Romantic – an unexpected evening of sweet & spicy love” to help promote her romance novels. Her Amazon best-selling romance novel, Georgia Pine is a 2019 Maggie Award of Excellence Finalist. KG is a GRW board member and conference speaker, and shares how music can enhance a writer’s experience.

Find KG online:

Website: www.kgfletcherauthor.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/@kgfletcher3

Instagram:  www.instagram.com/kellyf9393/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kgfletcherauthor/

Amazon: www.Amazon.com/author/kgfletcher

Audio/Video: https://www.kgfletcherauthor.com/audiovideo.html

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/kfletcher3

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44639729-stars-fall-from-the-sky

Spotify Playlist:  https://www.shorturl.at/uRT03

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kg-fletcher

YouTube Channel with book trailers: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxD4r0_mOYWWiVmlT_JSSdg

Book/Story Quotes:

  • She needed to be there for her friends on their wedding day—even if it meant standing near the dark water that stole her forever against her will. She needed to be brave.
  • “I only want two things in this world. I want you. And I want us.”
  • Grief brought them together. Will love tear them apart?
  • “…grief is the last act of love we have to give to those we lost. Where there is deep grief, there was probably great love.”
  • “…she found no comfort looking up into the night because her stars had fallen from the sky…”
Posted in Book Review

Review of Sleeping Mallows

Sleeping Mallows by Tammera Cooper

Sleeping Mallows is the second in the Water Street Chronicles, the sequel to Drenched Sunflowers. The story of Beth Pearse, her husband and Sam are simmering in the background while a mysterious woman turns up the heat and everything threatens to boil over.

A dog, a boy, a ghost, a hurricane and an unplanned romance come together to add to the rich tapestry Tammera Cooper has woven. Set amid the backdrop of little Washington on the banks of the Pamlico and Tar Rivers, the town, the swamp and the river are as much characters as the people and dog who populated this story.

While this is a continuation, Savanna’s story adds another layer to the drama begun in Drenched Sunflowers. Ms. Cooper twines Savanna and Charlie’s stories with those of Beth and Brad, ratcheting the intrigue to another level.

I feel that Sleeping Mallows is even better than Drenched Sunflowers. As with the first in the Water Street Chronicles, the ghost of Abram is an import piece of the puzzle.

Rich with history, atmosphere and drama, if you like an old-fashioned southern gothic with a modern twist, check out the Water Street Chronicles. You will want to start with book one, Drenched Sunflowers.

To learn more about Tammera Coooper and her books, check out the interview I did with her earlier this year.

On The Porch with Tammera Cooper

Posted in Creekside Cafe, interview

Marie Savage’s visit to Creekside Cafe

I am so excited to have Marie Savage with me today. I understand you are a coffee lover. How do you drink yours? I like mine with just a little half-and-half but I’ve skipped to 2% milk to cut a few calories.

Marie: I like mine with Heavy whipping cream (part of the keto diet) My coffee addiction is pretty much in every book I write.

Sherri: I’ve confessed my aversion to tea in a few of mine. I see the shock on your face, can she really be a southern girl and not like sweet, iced tea? <sigh>I’m afraid so.

You’ve had an interesting life.

Marie: I joined the US Air Force. I was stationed at Castle AFB in Atwater California. It was there I met my soul mate and spent the next twenty-four years.

Sherri: How long have y’all been married?

Marie: My husband and I have been married for twenty-eight years now.

Sherri: It’ll be twenty-eight years for me and the mechanic, come July.

How did we meet (real or virtual)?

Marie: (me and you?) We met on Cain Raisers (virtual) If you meant me and my husband. We met in a bar. LOL 

Sherri: Where are you from? Are you still in the Air Force and living in California?

Marie: I’m originally from the panhandle of Florida. Empty nester syndrome was about to hit us, so we decided to leave the west coast and move back to my southern roots. We are currently living in Hartford Alabama. I’ve always been a southern girl at heart so I’m home.

Sherri: I’m a southern girl, despite my aversion to sweet tea. I was born in Louisiana when my dad was stationed a Barksdale Air Force Base.

Have you ever been to eastern North Carolina/east coast United States?

Marie: Yes. I have cousin in North Carolina. I hope to visit them again real soon. The Carolinas are so pretty.

Sherri: Do you write full-time or do you hold down another job as well as write?

Marie: Right now, I still have a fulltime job. When I left the military, I worked my way up to a corporate job with a grocery store chain in California. After twenty years, I decided it was time for my next chapter in my life so we moved to Alabama to be closer to family and I took a job that was less stressful so I could pursue my writing. I have a five-year plan to be a full-time writer at the end of year five. Right now, I’m on year two. <Crossing fingers > three more years!

Sherri: How long have you been writing?

Marie: I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I was the kid everyone hated in school (not seriously) because I loved doing essays and reports. I always loved reading romance and one day back in 2015 my husband suggested I start publishing my stories. I published my first book at the end of 2016.

Sherri: What do you enjoy about writing?

Marie: I love when the muse hits and the story just flows onto the screen. It’s my escape.

Sherri: What do you despise about writing?

Marie: Edits!!

Sherri: When is your best time to write?

Marie: I usually get my best writing in the mornings, (when I say morning, I mean 3am to 6am) but usually it’s just when I have time.

Sherri: What are your writing strengths and weaknesses?

Marie: Not sure on the strengths, I guess you would have to ask my readers. I like to keep them turning the page and from the reviews of my books, I seem to do that. My weakness is easy, deadlines. LOL

Sherri: Who are some of your favorite authors? What genres do you like to read?

Marie: Robyn Carr and Janet Evanovich are my two all-time favorite authors. I tend to like contemporary romance more, but I can get caught up in a historical from time to time. Unless it’s a recipe or self-help book, I tend to only read romance.

Sherri: Are you published? Indie or traditional or hybrid?

Marie: Yes. I’m Indie published but in September I will have my first published book with Sweet Promise Press. I super excited about that.

Sherri: Do you have any other hobbies or interests? Do these show up in your stories?

Marie: I love to go to thrift shops and outlets, (I’m always looking for a bargain) One of my characters in my WIP loves to thrift shop. I love gardening but I haven’t added that to my stories yet.

Sherri: Who or what has most influenced your writing?

Marie: My life. Each story I’ve written, so far, has been based on something that has happened in my life or the life of a loved one.

Sherri: What are your plans for the future (writing)?

Marie: My plan is to be a full-time writer either self (Indie) published or traditional published.  I have many stories in my head left to write.

Sherri: Tell me your journey to getting published.

Marie: Once I decided to do this, I just asked some author friends and basically learned by making mistakes. I still do.  It’s a lot of work to Indie publish because you not only have to write the book and get it ready to sale, but you have to promote yourself. I love it though.

Sherri: Aw, are time is running out, I do hope you’ll come back to Creekside again soon. Until then, if you want to know more about Marie Savage check out her links below. Y’all have a great day and keep reading and writing.

About the Author

Marie Savage is a self-published contemporary romance author who has a love for family, friendships, patriotic spirit, and hometown pride.

Born and raised in the Florida Panhandle, she has always had a love for reading and writing, with the romance genre being her obvious favorite. Her desire to expand her horizons, led her to join the United States Air Force and proudly serve her country for six years.

While stationed in Atwater California, she met her true love and together they have shared life’s beautiful joys and tragic losses. After spending over half her life in the Central Valley of California, she has moved back home to the Wiregrass area of Alabama, where her passion for writing first began.

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

Marie’s Savage Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/179874162575500/?fref=nf

Arc Review Team Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/936004753236376

Twitter: https://twitter.com/msavagebooks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16041473.Marie_Savage

Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01M25CCKP

Book+mainbites: https://bookandmainbites.com/Msav2016

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/marie-savage

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

Website: http://mariesavageauthor.com

Email signup: http://eepurl.com/di_jor