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Easter Contest - and - World of Writing Interview


 -- Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop --

We are thrilled to participate in this years Easter Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader Not a Writer blog, who has partnered with Once Upon a Twilight blog to make this event happen. There are over 200 blogs involved in the 6-day event that you can visit to discover the prizes they are offering and how you can enter to win some of them.

*You can enter as many of the blogs' individual prize offerings as you want by leaving a comment on their blog - via this link:


Our contest details are: 

 Wednesday, April 20th to Monday, April 25th

We will be offering 2 sets of 8 bookmarks 
For 2 winners of the draw here on this blog
Enter by leaving a comment (include an email address)
 
These bookmarks are produced right here in the province of BC, Canada and are created using:

100% recycled content
100% all veggie ink (some soy inks have petroleum ingredients)

These durable bookmarks have nature photography backgrounds taken by award-winning photographer: Dave Brummet. He is also a graphic designer and his artistic touch is featured on the bookmarks as well - since he created them. 

Since we will be shipping these to the winner - we would prefer to have entries from individuals based in North America, but we'll honor all entries regardless of where they come from. 

Names will be entered in a random draw and the winner will be notified immediately - where upon they will be requested to email their mailing address to us... which will be used solely for the contest. 
So be sure to leave your email address here as well in your entry.


-- World of Writing Interview --

Stacy Juba is the author of the mystery novels Twenty-Five Years Ago Today and Sink or Swim (Mainly Murder Press), as well as the patriotic children’s picture book The Flag Keeper. Her young adult paranormal thriller Dark Before Dawn will be released by Mainly Murder Press in January 2012. She is a former journalist with more than a dozen writing awards to her credit. You can read more about her work at http://stacyjuba.com/blog/

Q: How have your books gotten published? 

A: I wrote my first book, Face-Off, at age 16, entered it in the Avon Flare Young Adult Novel Competition for teenage authors, and to my delight, it won first prize and was published when I was 18, back in the early 1990s. Mainly Murder Press published my two new novels, the adult mysteries Twenty-Five Years Ago Today and Sink or Swim, and will publish my young adult paranormal thriller Dark Before Dawn in 2012. Initially, I submitted a few sample chapters of Twenty-Five Years Ago Today to Mainly Murder Press and they requested the rest of the manuscript. They offered me a contract for the book, and later we went through the same process for Sink or Swim and Dark Before Dawn. It took many years of persistence to find a publisher. I independently published the e-book versions of my mysteries, and I independently published my patriotic children's picture book The Flag Keeper.

Q: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I am a definite planner. I need to have most of the book fully outlined to ward off writer's block - I find the blank page nerve-wracking! My outlines have gotten longer and more detailed with each book. They used to be just a few pages of handwritten notes, but then I'd find myself doing a lot of rewrites after the first draft to flesh out characters and subplots. Now my outlines are about 20 typed pages, and I also do detailed character charts for the most important characters.
What has been the most surprising thing you learned from creating your books?
After I finish a book, I feel great relief, as well as a bit of sadness and uneasiness. After spending so much time with my characters, it's hard to start from scratch with brand new characters and a brand new book. The most surprising thing is how the next book always manages to fall into place. Even though the characters are strangers to me when I start out, after a couple of chapters they are like old friends.

Q: How many books/stories have you written?

I've been writing stories since third grade so there are too many to count. I wrote dozens of short stories and novellas when I was a child, and then in my late teens and early twenties, I wrote about a half-dozen young adult novels that weren't strong enough to be published, but were a good learning experience. So far, I have four novels, either published or under contract, and a published picture book, with more to come.

Q: Do you have any suggestions to help others become a better writer?

I strongly recommend joining a critique group or finding a couple of critique partners, either in-person or online. There are so many writers organizations and writers web sites out there, that it's easy to find other writers who are willing to exchange manuscripts. It might take a few tries to find partners that you click with, but once you do, their advice can be very helpful. Even published authors have editors, so it's important to get feedback. I also suggest that writers develop their editing skills, to help fine-tune their instincts for what needs to be cut and what needs fleshing out. This can be accomplished by doing critiques for other writers, taking a couple of writing classes, as well as reading books about writing and editing.

Q: Do you hear from your readers? / What do they say?

Yes, several readers have e-mailed me through my web site or "befriended" me through Goodreads. I love it when readers take the time to tell me that they enjoyed my book. Usually they say they liked the main character and found her realistic, or that they thought they'd figured out whodunit only to be surprised by the ending. After all that time spent writing books alone on my computer, it's wonderful to hear from readers that my story entertained them.


Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, information about their radio program, newsletter, blogs, and more at: www.brummet.ca

* Support the Brummets by telling your friends, or visiting the Brummet's Store - & remember... every sale raises funds for charity as well!

Comments

  1. Great interview.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    blackplum3 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'd like to be entered into the Easter giveaway.
    I'm a new GFC

    leanne_gag@hotmail.com

    Leanne109

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for the interview, Lillian, and I wish everyone good luck in the Easter giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the giveaway~

    my email add is serenekua AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for the giveaway, please count me in:))

    Nikita
    bookworm.nikita@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. enter me please
    mihaela.mihordea(@) gmail(.) com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great blog. Thanks for the giveaway.
    msuck27@hotmail.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  8. Please enter me in the great giveaway! now who doesn't love some bookmarks?
    veltara(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. followin on GFC!

    americangirlie1991 AT yahoo DOT com

    thanks for the giveaway! =]

    ReplyDelete
  10. Count me in please =) I'd love to win some bookmarks.
    Tanyaw1224(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you for this amazing opportunity<3

    GFC follower from Canada :)

    moonlightgleam(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I would love to have these.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you for the Easter giveaway.

    ladyofnarnia(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ooh, bookmarks!

    jo.tee35 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm in serious need of bookmarks!
    marynellie8 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'd love to be entered. I love bookmarks!

    sauvadeavelle @ yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Awesome, I would love to win a bookmark! :)

    justeena_25 at yahoo dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for the giveaway. I love collecting bookmarks.

    jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a neat giveaway! I've been needing some bookmarks..
    BrittanylovesbooksATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks for a great giveaway!

    AmethystDaydreams at zoho dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love your blog layout!

    kksliderclub@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wooo I adore bookmarks, no, I love them!!
    Please count me in!

    librosdevida1 at hotmail dot com

    thanks, thanks, thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I enjoyed the interview!
    Best wishes and thanks for a chance to win this Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop!
    Chanticlear1 (at)gmail (dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thank you so much for the giveaway, <3 bookmarks.

    catarina_romeira at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. am a follower via GFC

    FairyWhispers


    would love this

    regards,

    maidenhealer@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks for the giveaway. Happy Easter!!!

    artgiote at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Ohh bookmarks are always lovely since I always misplace mine *grins* or read several books at once and lose them XD

    following on GFC and email is swtlilangel4jc@yahoo dot com thanks for the giveaway and Happy easter!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I would love to be entered in your giveaway. I collect bookmarks so I would really enjoy them.

    GFC follow as seriousreader
    USA
    seriousreader at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks for the giveaway :). I happen to collect bookmarks.

    monagargATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thanks for the chance to win!!

    jmluker(at)winco(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks for the giveaway..I am in the US
    mk261274 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Happy Easter! Thanks for the chance to win giveaway.
    I never dog ear a book to keep my place. Bookmarks are the only way to keep your place. Great giveaway.
    I'm a GFC follower - Cindy Macbeth
    cindymacbeth at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thank you for the giveaway :)

    New GFC follower-Christine Davis

    ceeenndee at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. thanks, great giveaway!!

    GFC follower

    bookworm1494@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. GFC follower (jennifer).
    I live in Canada.

    jlkalman26 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Enjoyed reading the interview. :)
    And thanks for the giveaway!

    Gian Faye
    mynameisgianfaye *at* gmail *dot* com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thanks:) I'm a GFC follower.

    sarah.setar@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Holly wright
    GFC holly wright
    hollybwright at comcast dot net
    boudoirbooks.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love bookmarks!
    rickimc[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Great Interview!

    & Please enter me into the Giveaway! Thanks for the chance!

    GFC: Adam
    roofbeamreader(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thank you for the giveaway!!!
    GFC Shannon Johnson
    shannonjean14(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Awesome giveaway and interview!
    Would like to be entered. ty

    Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. WOW! Fantastic givaway!

    justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Please enter me in your giveaway
    chaarmedone1512(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Please enter me. Thanks!
    ruthaw_1974@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Your bookmarks sound amazing! Please enter me in the giveaway. Don't Stacy's books sound great?

    GFC -- Kimmie, Nola
    blazesandbubbles AT gmail DOT com
    readingwithbakingoddess.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Thanks for the giveaway:)

    scouts579(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Awesome! Happy Easter!

    shakespeareanlover1215@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Enjoyed the post, thanks for a different kind of giveaway, looks good.

    I am a follower-GFC-judy

    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I'm a follower.

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Would love to win the bookmarks.

    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  52. Thankyou for the giveaway!
    velvethubler(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I love her books! Great advice for writers.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Lindadao2060 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  54. Thanks for the chance!

    simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Thanks for the giveaway! (:

    ejhtan at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Oh, I love bookmarks! Please enter me. Thanks!
    lusravesandrants AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Thanks for such a great giveaway! amazing_alex.0818[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Mary

    mary_reiss @ hotmail.com
    following GFC.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Thanks for the giveaway! contact AT bibliosaurustext DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Interesting post/interview. Thanks to you for participating in the hop.

    librarypat AT comcast DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  61. Thanks for the giveaway! Those bookmarks sound good! :]

    Sierra
    ittssierraily(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Sounds lovely!

    N.Lee.0288 @ gmail.com

    GFC Nicole L

    ReplyDelete

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