Sunday, June 15, 2008

Interview with Bekki Lynn *E-BOOK GIVEAWAY*

Bekki is giving away an ARC of A Psychic Hitch in e-book format!!! All you have to do is comment to win, please leave your email address so that we can contact the winner..this will not be used to spam you or anything I PROMISE! The winner will be chosen on Sunday June 22 and the winner will have 5 days to claim their prize or a redraw will be done. Thanks and good luck everyone!!




Author Pen Name: Bekki Lynn

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

BL: I primarily write erotic contemporary whether it’s mainstream or series, all with mild to heavy controversial topics. However, I’m open to anything. I learned a long time ago that saying ‘never’ sealed your fate in doing whatever it is. I’ve just finished a couple paranormals and there was a time I never would have believed I’d go that route.

I’m not sure I know the reason I write the stories that I do. Sometimes, the story doesn’t follow the storyline I had in mind, but what the characters do instead is so much better. And I do love research, which they’ve had me doing quite a bit of.

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

BL: I think this question ties in with my answer of the next question. I was a budding young woman and I needed more than the humdrum lines of the romance I’d been reading. I wanted women who stood up for themselves. Women who had a say and fought to not only to be heard, but to have some control. I wanted the bedroom doors opened and if that meant the woman became aggressive and demanding, hurray.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

BL: My reasons are very simplistic. I grew up in a small town with a small library. When I wasn’t playing ball with the boys or climbing trees, I had my nose in a book. The library couldn’t keep me in fresh reading material and after a while I found I couldn’t reread another book they had. I knew them my heart. So, I started writing similar stories with a twist. I added what they were lacking. Women with guts, determination, and power to stand on their own two feet despite what was thrown at them.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

BL: I’m on my computer twelve – eighteen hours a day, but I’m working on stories half that time. While I write, I’m also promoting A Psychic Hitch and my upcoming release, Last Glass of Wine. As well as critiquing chapters for my critique groups, doing research, checking email and touching base with blogs, groups myspace, author friends, and updating my website. I spend a total of, maybe, twenty-two hours a week over a four-day period at a job away from my computer and the rest of the time is for sleeping.

Oh, and I need the television and music playing all this time or I can’t function worth a darn.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

BL: Devastated.

CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?

BL: Deviating from the character structure I wanted to write in order to conform to what was expected.

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

BL: Not write! Are you kidding! Can you say withdrawals? When I can, or I have to, I relax in a bubble bath with a good book, or tend my roses, do things with the family. I love fishing and baseball, both activities allow you to write, so it’s all good.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

BL: I’m asked this quite often and I still have to use my fingers and name off the titles. J I have eleven where at least the first draft is written. Right now, I’m working on the last two books in the restaurant series currently with Siren Publishing.

I don’t know which one is my favorite. I enjoy writing anything new, but when I sit and think about the ones written, I find I miss the characters and can’t wait to get back to them. They’re all family and though in reality I know it’s possible to favor one member over another, but in my books, I don’t feel that choice is possible.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

BL: When you’re in the line of work that I am, it’s really hard to avoid it. The people I meet are so versatile that they become stored and when you need something, the mind processes through the mental files and pulls something out.

For this reason, I think there is something of everyone I’ve met over the years in my characters. Do I mirror looks and traits? Yes. It’s a base start, but on revisions I remove what I think would be tell-tell signs for those who know the person and myself.

CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?

BL: Join a critique group and critique everything you can get your hands on. This is the best learning tool. What you miss in your work, you’ll catch in someone else’s which will make you more aware.

I recommend joining other author groups to mingle and learn from, but also those groups that include the readers. While it’s nice to network and make great friends you can relate to, the readers who are not authors, are people you need to connect with as well.

And while you think you don’t need it yet, you do. Set up a website, myspace and blog and get it going. When you find yourself with a contract, you’ll be so relieved to have the stress of building these sites out of the way.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

BL: I’d love to hear from my readers.

To contact me they can email: bekkilynn2006@yahoo.com or visit www.myspace.com/bekki_lynn and even at http://www.bekkilynn.blogspot.com/

My book can be purchased at: http://www.sirenbookstore.com/ or www.sirenpublishing.com/bekkilynn/aph.asp

On the buy now page there is a button to click on to write a review. When you’ve finished reading the book, please go back and write one or email me.

CA: Is there anything you would like to add?

BL: Yes. A huge thank you, Crystal, for giving me this opportunity. It was fun to come up with answers to new questions. (smiles) --Bekki

CA: Thank you Bekki for hangin’ out! Also as I mentioned Bekki is giving away an ARC of A Psychic Hitch in ebook format!!! All you have to do is comment to win, please leave your email address so that we can contact the winner..this will not be used to spam you or anything I PROMISE! The winner will be chosen on Sunday June 22 and the winner will have 5 days to claim their prize or a redraw will be done. Thanks and good luck everyone!!




11 comments:

Jami Davenport said...

Great interview, Bekki. Can't wait to read "Last Glass of Wine." I love PH, so does my husband!!

Jami Davenport

Happily Ever After Authors said...

Thanks, Jami. I'm so pleased to hear that.

Might need to take cautionary steps with Last Glass. ;)

Drea said...

What a great interview. I always like to know a little more about the author. I do have one question: can you elaborate on devastated? Just curious. =)

Happily Ever After Authors said...

Hi Drea -

Thanks for stopping by.

Devastated -- I actually broke down about an hour before it went on sale. My baby was going out into the big-bad-cruel-world where it could be hurt. I honestly wanted to yank it back to protect it.

I'd been a closet writer, writing for my own pleasure, for more than twenty-fire years. It was a big step.

It's been an unbelievable ride so far. A Psychic Hitch perched itself on Siren Publishing's Top Ten Bestseller list the day it came out and stayed there for 59 days. During this time, it spent 43on their 30-Day Bestseller list.

My fears were unfounded and I'm thrilled to let my seond book out for others enjoy. Last Glass of Wine will be available July 17.

Bekki

Happily Ever After Authors said...

I received this in my email from a guy who said he didn't want to add another email account to his list.

So, he wondered if I would post for him.

“This was a great interview and the questions and answers were enlightening.

I read the Psychic Hitch and I must say that Bekki Lynn is definitely a good story teller as once I started I couldn't put it down. Thank You!

I was signing it Frank AT FLJ dot NET"


Thanks, Frank - it's terrific to hear a man read it and enjoyed it. I hope you enjoy the next one. :)

Bekki

Savanna Kougar said...

Hi Bekki, I can really relate to wanting that strong heroine, and it's also one reason I began writing seriously. The old thing of writing what you want to ready because you can't find it. At the time.
Congrats on your success with Psychic Hitch. Your baby is doing you proud. And I know Last Glass of Wine will be even more successful. Trust me!

Happily Ever After Authors said...

Thanks, for stopping by Savanna.

And for the kind words.

I'm looking forward to Black Cat Beauty - Halloween hurry up and get here.

Bekki

Anonymous said...

The winner of Bekki's ebook was chosen by a random number picker....Savanna Kougar!! YAY Congrats!!

Happily Ever After Authors said...

Congratulations, Savanna!

Enjoy!

Bekki

Zulmara said...

I love your reason for starting to write...empowered, powerful women...are AWESOME!!!

ADELANTE!!!

Zulmara

Happily Ever After Authors said...

Zulmara -- thank you!

I've been in some mystical pit and just now realizing how long it's been since I've been around the circuit.

Ok, I shouldn't say pit -- but buried in a mystical pull of a spiritual triad who uses gems mined from the Mesa Peridot on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona- to bring two people together.

Bekki