Today I am most pleased to welcome Angela Archer to WIP Wednesday here on Comptonplations.

Angela, what are your top three dream destinations and why?

ANGELA: Ireland, Bora Bora, and Alaska. I’ve always wanted to see Ireland to see the beauty of it. In all the pictures I see, it just looks like such beautiful countryside. Bora Bora, is my dream beach destination, or really any of the Islands of Tahiti. And, lastly, if I don’t do anything else on my bucket list, or go to any of the other places, one thing I will do someday is see the Northern Lights.

MJ: If you didn’t write, what would be your creative outlet?

ANGELA: I don’t know about creative, but my other stress outlet is riding my horse. I wish I had more time in the day to write and ride, but alas, time evades me most days. I also love cooking and baking–especially from scratch. I’m working on adding a bunch of yummy, healthy, homemade recipes on my blog.

MJ: If you ever need a taster . . . okay, other than writing, what would be your dream job?

ANGELA: When I was young I wanted to be a marine biologist and study whales. When I found out how much school that job required I reconsidered. 🙂 I was never really one that loved school. I don’t know why, I just didn’t like it.

MJ: Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version of the story?

ANGELA: The Last of the Mohicans. I fell in love with the movie before I read the book. When I started the book, everything was different and I freaked out and stopped reading it. Probably not the best thing to do, but I just couldn’t wrap my head around all the changes.

MJ: What do you normally eat for breakfast, of do you skip it and get straight to work?

ANGELA: I’ve been trying to live a more healthier life and lose a few pounds, and since to do that you should eat a breakfast, I eat one. Usually, a banana, Greek vanilla yogurt, and raspberries.

MJ: Plotter or pantser?

ANGELA: I’m a plotter. I have an insane outlining process. I don’t just write a few sentences, I do paragraphs about each chapter and scene. If I don’t, I get lost with what to do next and then weeks go by and I haven’t touched my manuscript because I’m stuck.

MJ: Do you believe in writer’s block?

ANGELA: I believe in writer’s block with my own personal writing. Every author is different, though so while I might get stuck or write myself into a corner, or head down a direction I didn’t plan that sends me slamming my head into the wall or my desk, other writers might not ever experience that. To those lucky enough to never have it, I bow down to their awesomeness.

MJ: Name three things on your desk right now.

ANGELA: Haha. Seriously? A Jessie doll from Toy Story, stencils, markers, and paper, and a bowl of my homemade potato salad. What? I’m hungry, and I have a 21 month old and a 7 year old.

MJ: Would you consider self-publishing?

ANGELA: Yes, I would. I’ve gone back and forth with it, though. As with everything I believe there are pros and cons with traditional publishing and self publishing. Each writer is different and has different goals for their work. If a certain writer thinks self publishing is the better route for them, then I say bravo for doing what is right for them. I have a few friends who are self published and their books are doing really good.

MJ: Do you listen to music when you write? Explain.

ANGELA: I listen to instrumental music, it helps me immensely. While I prefer Celtic music, really any instrumental music works, and I really love soundtracks. A few good ones are The Last of the Mohicans, Braveheart, Secretariat, and Harry Potter.

MJ: Thanks for sharing that! Now, for the lightning round. Beer-can or bottle?

ANGELA: Bottle

MJ: Last movie you saw in a theater?

ANGELA: How to Train Your Dragon 2

MJ: Favorite TV show?

ANGELA:  Game of Thrones

MJ: Paper or e-books?

ANGELA: Paper.

MJ: Favorite band when you were in high school (Marching band doesn’t count).

ANGELA: Def Leppard (And they are still my all time favorite ever!)

MJ: Would you be willing to share the first five to ten sentences of your current work in progress?

ANGELA:  Of course! This is from When the Black Roses Grow, a Historical Romance set in 1692 during the
Salem Witch Trials.

The gentle breeze blew the soft flower petals against my chest. Laying
against my black, cotton dress and clutched in my arms, the bouquet
fluttered from side to side as my feet crunched through the twigs and
rocks along the dirt path. Of course, the flowers were nothing more than
the wild vegetation that bloomed around my home, not like the pretty
sprays of flora most set upon the crosses of their departed loved ones.
Nice flowers weren’t allowed in this part of the cemetery.

I tiptoed down the path past other mourners crying over different
headstones or huddled in the arms of another while they prayed—their
whispers the same echoed prayers I’ve heard dozens of times. Tightening
my grip on the stems, and tucking my chin deeper toward my chest, I
lifted my hand to my face to block my eyes and continued down through
the maze of overgrown weeds, debris, and the broken, rotten wood gate.
A few of the mourners watched me, knowing where I traveled to, and
judging me for my betrayal to God, the Church, and to everyone in Salem.
How dare I mourn my loss. How dare I visit her, my mother—the condemned
witch.

Along the outskirts of town, near the peddlers road, and buried in the
plot of land furthest from the church, the damned and cursed lay in
shallow graves, unmarked, unless a family member willing to bear the
burden of the shame bestowed them with one. Outlined by overgrown brush
that never received care, this cursed part of the cemetery was rarely
visited.

In all honesty, I shouldn’t have traveled here.

MJ: Oh, my! You’ve certainly hooked my attention here. Where can readers purchase your current release?

ANGELA: The Woman on the Painted Horse is available on Amazon. (Click the title for the link.)

MJ: And where can readers follow you?

ANGELA:  I have a website– http://www.angelachristinaarcher.com/,

a blog–http://authorangelachristinaarcher.wordpress.com/

a Face Book page–https://www.facebook.com/pages/Angela-Christina-Archer/121833387901997?ref_type=bookmark

plus I’m on Twitter https://twitter.com/AuthorACArcher and

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8073551.Angela_Christina_Archer

MJ: Thanks a lot for stopping by today. Good luck with your writing and your sales!

 

 

I am absolutely delighted to have my great friend and critique partner, Kris Fletcher, here at Comptonplations today.  Kris, do you have a life memory you recall often and that you’d be willing to share with us and tell us why it stays with you?

KRIS: Our adoption of our second daughter, from Russia, involved a rather grueling court session with many difficult questions. It was nerve-wracking and intimidating, and her future literally hung on what we would say – but there came a moment when I realized I was kind of enjoying it. The judge and ministry representatives had many questions, HARD questions, but I was handling them all and staying calm. I remember looking at the officials and thinking, go ahead, try to trip me up – I’ve got this. It was a rather empowering moment and reminds me that I can do more than I think I can.

MJ: I can see why that one sticks with you. It also sounds like you’ve done a bit of traveling. Do you have any dream destinations you’d like to visit?

KRIS: Wherever my kids are at the moment. I really hate traveling, so the only reason I ever want to go someplace is to see people I love. 

MJ: Do you have a secret talent?

KRIS: Coming up with fun and sometimes honest answers to interview questions. 

MJ: OUCH! Okay, what’s the top book on your TBR pile?

KRIS: At the moment, The Last Original Wife, by Dorothea Benton Frank

MJ: Do you have any recurring dreams you could share with us?

KRIS: I’m in a house and discover a secret room that keeps opening into other rooms. And they’re all awesome.

MJ: If you didn’t write, what would be your creative outlet?

KRIS: Singing. Knitting and other needlework. And I would love to learn how to play the piano, saxophone, and bagpipes.

MJ: If you had a theme song, what would it be?

KRIS: “Just a Gigolo”

MJ: Name one thing you won’t leave home without.

KRIS: Clothing.

MJ: I wish more people felt that way! If you could trade places with anyone for just one day, who would you be and why?

KRIS: Hillary Clinton. I think she has accomplished some amazing things in her life, and I would love to know how it feels to operate at that level.

MJ: Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version of the story?

KRIS: How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The animated version, never ever ever the Jim Carrey one.

MJ: What do you normally eat for breakfast, of do you skip it and get straight to work?

KRIS: Some peanut butter & grape jelly slapped on a slice of whole wheat bread & eaten as I get folks ready for school – and then a blissful, solitary iced latte once they’re all gone.

MJ: Describe your ideal or dream writing space.

KRIS: A cabin in the woods, on a not-too-hot summer day, with no Internet or family expectations, surrounded by other writers. Also chocolate.

MJ: That sounds heavenly. Briefly describe your writing day/process.

KRIS: Procrastinate. Procrastinate. Panic. Write frantically. Lather, rinse, repeat.

MJ: Is there a book you wish you could have written:

KRIS: Bet Me, by Jennifer Crusie.

MJ: Plotter or Pantser?

KRIS: Planter working to become a plotter.

MJ: Ha! Do you believe in writer’s block?

KRIS: Yes. It’s very, very scary. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

MJ: Name three things on your desk right now.

KRIS: Hand lotion, my Kindle, and the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man.

MJ: Do you listen to music while you write?

KRIS: Yes, but only soothing instrumentals – lots of Bill Leslie and Jim Brickman. Otherwise I end up singing instead of writing.

MJ: Do you collage your story before writing?

KRIS: Not with pictures, but I do make a soundtrack, which I consider a musical collage.

MJ: Synopses: love them or hate them?

KRIS: They’re like exercise: I hate them while writing them, but once they’re done, I am ever so grateful.

MJ: Now it’s time for the lightning round. Addams Family or Munsters?

KRIS: Addams Family.  Mostly because every time I speak French, I imagine Gomez kissing his way up my arm.

MJ: Wine-red or white?

KRIS: Whatever tastes most like Welch’s Grape Juice.

MJ: Beer-can or bottle?

KRIS: Can. Shoved inside a chicken on the grill.

MJ: Cinco de Mayo or St. Patrick’s Day?

KRIS: Cinco de Mayo for the food, St. Patrick’s for the leprechauns.

MJ: Last movie you saw in a theater?

KRIS: Muppets Most Wanted. And I loved it.

MJ: Favorite TV show?

KRIS: Now: Big Bang Theory. All time: BBT, Soap, and Alienation.

MJ: Paper or e-books:

KRIS: Both!

MJ: Coke or Pepsi?

KRIS: Coke when I want high-test, Pepsi for diet/uncaffeinated.

MJ: Introvert or extrovert?

KRIS: Introverted all the way.

MJ: Favorite ethnic food?

KRIS: Canadian. Bring on the poutine and doughnuts!

MJ: Now’s the moment! Will you share the first five to ten sentences of your current work in progress:KRIS: The man hovering at the entry to Ian North’s garage was very tall, very blond, and very late.

KRIS:

“Hey Ian. Long time no see.”

“Xander?” Ian tugged his work gloves from his hands and set them on the anvil where, moments earlier, he had been happily pounding the hell out of a piece of hot iron. With a quick glance to make sure everything in his home forge could be safely ignored for a few minutes, he ventured toward his old college roommate. “What are you doing back here?”

Xander pulled sunglasses from his face and hooked them casually over the neck of his silky black tee. “I came to get my dog.”

MJ: Oh, I can’t wait to read this! Do you have buy links for any current releases?

KRIS: Oh, yes.

http://www.amazon.com/Dating-Single-Dad-Harlequin-Superromance/dp/0373608616/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393961863&sr=8-1&keywords=dating+a+single+dad+kris+fletcher

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dating-a-single-dad-kris-fletcher/1118053063?ean=9781460335338

http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=52559

MJ: And where can people find or follow you?

KRIS: Here you go!

Website: http://krisfletcher.com/

Blog: http://krisbooks.wordpress.com/blog/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/krisfletcher

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kristhelatest/

MJ: Thanks, Kris! Good luck.