I was lucky enough be tagged in a blog hop by Patricia Mann, my friend, fellow Booktrope author, and writer of the best-selling new novel, Is This All There Is? If you’re not familiar with the book, here’s part of the blurb from the back cover:

Beth Thomas’ seemingly perfect life is about to take a detour. At thirty-five, she’s married to her college sweetheart, has two adorable kids, and finds fulfillment teaching part time at the local university. But when a friend persuades her to go dancing on a rare night out, a chance meeting with a handsome former student changes the course of her life….

Is This All There Is is tops on my summer reading list, and I can’t wait to read it. It’s available through multiple channels, including here at Amazon.

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Anyway, in the tradition of blog hops, here are the interview questions…

1) What am I working on? 

A few different things. I’m promoting my book Leaving the Beach, and starting to work on edits for Living by Ear, which is being republished by Booktrope. I’ve also begun work on a new novel about a friendship between a twenty-five year old woman and her much older neighbor, a Vietnam veteran and experienced ham radio operator.

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Well, I write women’s fiction, which is a pretty diverse genre. But my books are all set in the Boston area. At least so far.

3.) Why do I write what I do?

I’ve always been drawn to stories about friendships, family relationships, and romantic relationships. Sometimes I think about trying to write science fiction, and I made one attempt at a mystery, but it didn’t turn out very well.

4) How does your writing process work? 

Recently, I’ve become much more conscious of plot, thanks to a friend’s recommendation that I read Robert McKee’s Story. That book really made me rethink the way I write. I used to just come up with an idea for a story, then think about various scenes that might fit in somewhere. The problem was, I’d often reach a point where I had no idea what would happen next. Then, things would fall flat, and I’d have to go back to the beginning and start rewriting. I’m hoping that by figuring out a basic plot first—with turning points, and character arcs, and all that good stuff–I’ll become a faster, more efficient writer.

Now for the best part. I get to tag two other bloggers. And the winners are . . .

Sheila Moeschen, a member of my Badass Writing Group, a crazy good writer, and a great friend. She’s also Senior Editor for I AM THAT GIRL, an amazing organization that empowers young women to authentic self-worth and self-purpose. Sheila holds a PhD in Gender & Theatre Studies from Northwestern University, works as a consultant for women’s non-profits, and is currently working on a kickass non-fiction book, but you’ll have to read her blog Little Kicks to learn more about that. Sheila says Little Kicks is “A Blog About Nice Nothings” but she’s being way too modest. She blogs about writing–did I mention she’s a crazy good writer–women in television, media, inspiration, YouTube, Seinfeld, and so much more. Every time I go on Sheila’s blog, I’m blown away by her talent.

–and–

Jennifer Hotes, a wonderful new friend, fellow Booktroper and author of Four Rubbings, the first book in The Stone Witch Series. I’ve got Four Rubbings on my summer reading list as well. Here’s a bit of the back cover blurb: Fourteen-year old Josie, haunted by the death of her mother, leads her best friends to an ancient cemetery to rub graves. Convinced she will come away with proof of her mother’s spirit at last, the evening takes an unexpected turn as the teens gravitate four ways into the haunted grounds. Set against the backdrop of the rainy Pacific Northwest, four graves will be rubbed, touching off a series of events that will rattle their once mundane lives. And here’s what Kirkus Reviews has to say about Four Rubbings: “Hotes masterfully brings her characters to life, both the living and the dead, each of whom is vivid and involving. The supernatural is present but it’s as subtle as a shadow on the moon.”

Want to learn more about Jennifer? Her blog is here. 

Please take a moment to check out these bloggers and their work. I promise, they’re awesome!