Interview with the Author of Rally of a Purple Heart

The road west would lead them to each other… Hilde Graham is an independent-spirited waitress living in the heart of early 1940s America. She is sure that she has found true love with a married man, defying convention to be with him. But WWII and a subsequent turbulent marriage challenge her ideals of love, and she is left alone to raise a small son. Determined to find a future free of past mistakes, she travels west on Route 66 to start a new life in postwar California as a single mother. Patrick West has known only defeat through the horrors of war, time in a German P.O.W. camp, and a failed union. His lonely life is revived when he meets Hilde. Each is uniquely capable of understanding the others’ heart as they fight for a second chance at love—but can they build the trust they need to mend their wounded hearts and find lasting happiness?

   

Authors Bio: Brittany Batong has been hearing and telling stories her whole life, most of them based in and around the Los Angeles area. She grew up in the idyllic coastal farm town of Ventura, California, dreaming of becoming a professional character animator. As a child, she spent countless adventures exploring Los Angeles and the greater Southern California region, where most of her extended family was based. She remembers her first experience tasting escargots as a truly religious one. As a teenager she nurtured interests in theatre, poetry, and the arts. At an early age, she developed respect for the sometimes hidden history that dwells underneath the modern facade of contemporary life. She spent four years at the internationally renowned California Institute of the Arts, studying the art of storytelling through hand-drawn animation, after which she...did nothing with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Instead, she continued to observe interesting people and see new story opportunities working for the Cities of Los Angeles and Santa Clarita. Brittany finds that the most interesting stories lie within the hearts of people who lead lives and work in environments that are seemingly ordinary. Ever in love with local history, she enjoys working and playing in Downtown Los Angeles and uncovering its sometimes less-than-evident treasures. She developed the idea for her first novel, "A Time Apart", in her mind for seven years before fully realizing it. She currently resides in Santa Clarita, California with her husband and two sons; and is grateful for this interdependent web of existence of which we are a part.

Links!

http://www.chancespress.com/BrittanyBatong.html

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chances-Press-LLC/464594523611777

Comment below for a chance to win the e-book!!

Excerpt:

He sits on the steps to the County Courthouse, a pink rubber ball in his hand. His chubby, four-year-old hands can make the ball bounce on the step below—that is not the problem. But to catch the ball before it bounces irretrievably down the steps—now that is another issue. He tried once and it rolled down onto the street, and Mr. Spence of the hardware supply store gave him a sound yelling after nearly running over the ball. Huey saw the tires of the truck barely miss the ball, 'cause he was right there in front of it when it almost happened. Then Mr. Howe didn't even say he was sorry for almost running over the ball. Grown-ups sure are funny sometimes.

Now he is unsure whether he should try again. Daddy always says you can't learn anything new unless you practice...but Mommy said to behave while she and Daddy are away; and he doesn't want anyone else to yell at him. These things always have a way of getting back to Mommy. Anyway, he wasn't supposed to leave Gramma's house at all. But he likes to explore, and figures as long as he doesn't do anything too bad, he'll be able to get back before anyone knows. He decides to keep the ball safely clutched in his hand while he instead tries to jump from step to step on just one foot. He's seen some of the older girls in town do it before, and he's pretty sure that even though he's younger he can do anything a stupid girl can do. With one hand holding the ball and the other holding his left leg behind him, he starts to give it a try. He makes it down the first eight steps successfully (counting all the way, 'cause Mommy taught him to count to ten already). But then he loses grip of his ball, and it throws him off balance as he tumbles to the bottom of the steps, right in front of Mrs. Muller and Mrs. Simpson. Mrs. Muller stumbles. “Hugo Brewer, you naughty little boy! You've nearly tripped me.” Mrs. Simpson is crouching down to help Huey. “Now, Clarissa, you're fine. We need to see if little Huey is okay...Why, Huey, you've scraped your chin!” Feeling jarred but not wanting to show that to crummy old Mrs. Muller, Huey holds in the tears that are starting to form and stands as tall as his 3-foot figure will allow, chin jutting forward and blond hair shining in the afternoon sun. “It's all right, Miss Simpson. I'm awful sorry about trippin'.” “Where on earth is your mother?” Mrs. Muller shakes her head. Huey scowls at his interrogator with icy blue eyes. “Gramma said they're here.” “Well, as if it wasn't bad enough that she's flouting at God's will, she leaves her young son outside to wreak havoc on the town!” Mrs. Simpson pulls at Mrs. Muller. “Clarissa, don't make a bad situation worse. I'm sure she had little choice, given her people are all the way in De Soto. It probably didn't seem right to have Mrs. Brewer look after him, given the occasion.” “What's a 'casion?” asks Huey inquisitively of Mrs. Simpson. Ignoring his question, Mrs. Muller pulls away Mrs. Simpson. “Come now, Nancy. We don't want to be mixed up in any of this business.” With an apologetic look, Mrs. Simpson follows her less sympathetic friend. Huey watches them go, until he realizes that now his ball is gone completely. Aw, nuts. It must have rolled down into the sewer from the gutter. Darn that old Mrs. Muller and her fussin'. No way Daddy's gonna get him a new one now. He tromps up the stairs and sinks once again onto the top step. There's gotta be some way to get into the sewer. He looks hopefully over at the manhole cover, and then over to the courthouse. Doggone it. Mommy is just now coming out of the courthouse. Huey frowns to himself—he has to get back to Gramma’s before Mommy finds him gone. It’s now or never. He makes a purposeful stride towards the manhole. He does not know that a pink ball is the second thing he will lose today. He does not know that, inside, his parents are finalizing the papers that will change his life forever. As he looks over at a nearby tree, devising a way to break off one of the branches in order that he may use it as a lever, he does not know that in two week’s time he will never again sit on these steps, never again get yelled at by Mr. Spence, never again have heads shaken at him in this small county seat. And he does not know that this is the last day he will ever spend with his father.

Interview!

Tell us the story behind that cover!

Originally, the Purple Heart was the primary focus of the cover, with the two people facing each other in silhouette taking the place of George Washington's profile. But it came off cold and unappealing. I wanted to be careful if using an image of real people. It was important to me that the main characters looked like regular people, not polished models. I wanted there to be an honesty to it. My publisher Michael found this great website of stock photos with some period images, and this image really spoke to me. The man especially looked somewhat like I imagined the character. We purchased the rights to the image and superimposed it onto the modified Purple Heart, and then I played with it in Photoshop to make it look like an illustration. I'm really pleased with the result. There is a joy in that couple, which I think is important in conveying the overall idea of this story of two people relieved to find love as a second chance.

What can we learn from your main character?

I think a lot of Hilde's story is about overcoming the implications of decisions she made in the past. Sure, these decisions we make inform what we do moving on--but you shouldn't have to deny yourself happiness because of past mistakes. Society sometimes confuses us as to how we're supposed to rate our own successes in life and love; when really as women our lives are multi-faceted and anything but conventional. We play different (sometimes competing) roles, and make choices as a result. It takes a strong woman to do the thing that society frowns upon but that ultimately makes her stronger. I think this is a strength that she doesn't realize she has, and she has to be comfortable with herself before she can really be happy with someone else.

What has been your greatest compliment as an author, your worst criticism?

The greatest compliment on this novel was that my dad really felt moved by the story. It was based partially on his mother, and so that it moved him was a true validation of the work. The worst criticism I got was for my first book, A Time Apart. It was rejected by the all the conventional publishing houses I sent it to, and ultimately I self-published until Chances Press picked up the extended distribution. So I suppose everything ultimately happens for a reason.

What part of the story was the hardest to write, the beginning, the middle, the climax?

It was difficult to figure out how to resolve the issues between the couple, after they have a major falling out. It was my husband who really triggered the idea for the resolution centering around both of their relationships with the little boy. When you have children, you often find it is they who see the simple truth in a difficult situation.

Is your main character based on anyone in particular? Did you have a muse for this book?

I based the story partially on what I knew about my paternal grandmother, who came out to California with my dad when he was just 5 years old. What struck me, even though I do not have a similar life experience per se, was how much I related to her once I got inside her head, so to speak. How much I sympathize with women who have been challenged by a perceived failure at convention's expectations.

Fast Round Names of your pets

My cat, Jedi, and my dog, Rosemary (Rosie).

Favorite ice cream, color, book, and television show

Soft spot in my heart for Thrifty's Chocolate Malted Crunch. Blue. Jane Eyre. Once Upon A Time (current); Buffy (all-time).

Fame or Fortune

Neither leads to true happiness. But a little extra money wouldn't hurt.

Grapes or Raisins

Grapes.

Zombies, Vampires, or neither

Vamps, but the kind that eat people, not the kind that shimmer and whine.

Dream Cast and Blog Tour for Waking Up Dead!

The Book!

When Dallas resident Callie Taylor died young, she expected to go to Heaven, or maybe Hell. Instead, she met her fate early thanks to a creep with a knife and a mommy complex. Now she's witnessed another murder, and she's not about to let this one go. She's determined to help solve it before an innocent man goes to prison. And to answer the biggest question of all: why the hell did she wake up in Alabama?

 Excerpt

As Molly straightened up, the man slipped the wire over her head and twisted it around her neck. She struggled, but he pulled the garrote tighter and tighter.

I was screaming at the top of my ghostly voice, for all the good it did me. I moved up behind the man and beat at his back with closed fists--fists that slipped in and out of his back without ever making real contact. He shuddered a little--clearly he was one of the very slightly sensitive ones--but he didn’t loosen his hands.

I reached up and tried to grab the wire, tried to pull against the pressure he was exerting on the wire and it did loosen for an instant. But only for an instant. The living have more control over solid objects than the dead do. I never resented that fact more than at that moment.

But I kept trying. I kept trying as Molly’s face turned purple, then blue, then black, kept trying even as she drooped in the man’s grip.

Then he loosened the wire and it was too late. I watched that wispy, light-on-fog life force slip out of Molly and move on to wherever it is that other people go when they die. I was glad she didn’t show up next to me as a full-blown ghost. At that moment, I wouldn’t have wished my impotent half-existence on anyone.

I couldn’t help thinking that if I’d been alive, I might have been able to save her.

If I could have cried real tears, I would have. As it was, I was sobbing hoarsely and calling the man every dirty name I could think of.

I was still cursing as I followed him around the kitchen. First he opened the pantry and pulled out a box of Hefty garbage bags. Then he grabbed a knife out of the block on the counter. And finally, he picked up Molly’s body and carried it to the bathroom.

Author’s Bio: Margo Bond Collins lives in Texas with her husband, their daughter, several spoiled cats, and a ridiculous turtle. She teaches college-level English courses online, though writing fiction is her first love. She enjoys reading urban fantasy and paranormal fiction of any genre and spends most of her free time daydreaming about vampires, ghosts, zombies, werewolves, and other monsters. Waking Up Dead is her first published novel. Her second novel, Legally Undead, is an urban fantasy, forthcoming in 2014 from World Weaver Press.

Links

Email: MargoBondCollins@gmail.com

Website: http://www.MargoBondCollins.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MargoBondCollin  @MargoBondCollin

Google+: https://plus.google.com/116484555448104519902

Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/vampirarchy

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MargoBondCollins

Facebook Novel Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Waking-Up-Dead/502076076537575

Tumblr: http://vampirarchybooks.tumblr.com/

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

Be sure to add Waking Up Dead to your Goodreads bookshelves: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18428064-waking-up-dead

Book Trailers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j_TmvpxxBw

http://youtu.be/KUBg83s4BOU

Waking Up Dead Dream Cast

 

Callie: Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence has the perfect girl-next-door vibe, and if you’ve seen the clip of her joking with Jack Nicholson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJmhsJ5T5L0), it’s clear that she can also do funny and snarky, which is an absolute necessity for any actress who plays Callie!

 

Ashara: Kat Graham

I just love Kat Graham. I love it that she’s beautiful and smart (she speaks something like five languages!). Ashara has to be strong and kind, too, and having seen Graham’s work in Vampire Diaries, I think she would make the perfect Ashara.

 

Maw-Maw: Ruby Dee

There was never any question about my dream actress to play Maw-Maw. The first time I saw Maw-Maw in my mind, she had Ruby Dee’s face (and my grandmother’s way of moving and my great-grandmother’s voice!). Maw-Maw is canny and wise and smarter than anyone gives her credit for being.

 

Stephen: Chris Hemsworth

Because who wouldn’t want Chris Hemsworth in a movie?! Seriously—Hemsworth’s blond good looks will suit Stephen nicely. Also, he can do quiet and strong nicely; Stephen often takes a supportive role, keeping Callie, Ashara, and Maw-Maw safe and working to help all of them as they solve the mystery surrounding Molly’s death.

 

Clifford Howard: Billy Burke

The villain needs to be creepy! Burke isn’t ugly like Howard is in the book, but he can do an amazing sneer. I think he could play up the psychopathic elements of the book’s villain.

 

Molly McClatchey: Jessica Alba

Although Molly has only a small appearance in the book, as the victim, it’s an important one. I think Jessica Alba would be perfect for this role—her dark hair, dark eyes, and olive skin are important to the plot, and Alba’s sweet demeanor would play nicely, too!

 

Rick McClatchey: Jared Padalecki

Jared Padalecki does emotionally distraught so perfectly that he would be a great candidate for the role of Rick McClatchey, a man wrongly accused of killing his beloved wife.

 

 

Mamaw's Cactus

It's funny how we put such significance on little things. We expect them to live up to these monumental roles we have given them, and when they don't measure up, we are angry. 

My Granddaddy's Lily
My Mamaw's Rose
My Mamaw's Cactus

Kept by me after their deaths not too long ago. It helps me and I feel like they are a part of me, and with me. I know it's silly to hold such stock in material things. I don't get to keep a lot, our house is almost museum quality clean. I do get to keep these things though.

Mamaw's Cactus is dying, and a picture fell over and crushed the rose I took from her casket. My uncle passed away right after and I didn't take a rose, just a picture. The rose rode around in my car for a couple of months, until I had my car cleaned, and then it came in. 

The succulent survived for a year. My Mamaw had the greenest thumb out of anyone. She had kept the succulents, the roses, and all the flowers alive for years.

As it wilts, it's petals turn mushy and wet falling off sadly in the little planter, I can't help but feel sad. The rose crushed, the cactus dying, but she lives on in my heart. I have some of her jewelry  and a Cameo to remind me of her. I water Granddaddy's lily everyday and it seems to appreciate that. 

You see what I mean. We put a lot of pressure on little things, at least I do, and expect them to live up to our expectations, only to be mad when they don't.

I know I am the World's Worst Blogger

I know that I really don't do the best job when it comes to keeping up with my blogs {that's a big plural} There are some things I have been doing in the promo world that I would like to share with you.

LIBBOO'
The jury is still out on Libboo - Zombified is being buzzed, but I haven't really seen an improvement in my sales. I appreciate being invited to participate in the paid program, but I feel like I am not really benefiting that much from it.

AUTHOR BLOG HOP!

This is an amazing way to get followers and fans. Amber at Lady Amber Tours {who you should go and like now because she is amazing} is putting it on.
Here is my link and I am giving away some fun stuff, but so is everyone else!!!

http://www.selfpublishordie.com/2013/07/03/authors-blog-hop/

This and That

For those of you who like reading about what I have been doing on the marketing front, I apologize for being MIA. I was finishing edits on one book, and completing the writing on another.

I have joined a couple of new opportunities I wanted to share. The first is the now free http://www.webook.com. I am being honest, I don't know how it works. There is a Page-to-Fame section where you post your first page and others can rate it. I have one rating on the first page of Julie's Ascent and I rated another writer's story. I am 1 for 1 right now. I gave a four, received a four, and had a friend request.

There is another section Agent-In-A-Box which allows you to query agents within the program. Having recently started querying agents which is a whole other stress attack, I am not comfortable doing it this way even though they say it's fine. It feels impersonal, but that could just be my thoughts on the matter.

The WEbook site is supposed to get you noticed by agents and readers by getting ratings, and eventually if you are good enough your book is elevated. So we will see how that goes, but it might be fun to check out if you are looking for some opportunities to share your work.

I also signed up for the Writer's Market. There is a lot of good information on there for writing queries, and things agents are and are not looking for. You can also search for agents in your genre and see what they are looking for. It's a little over five dollars for a month, or you can pay for six months off the bat.

http://www.writersmarket.com/ There is also the site - http://www.writersdigest.com/ which gives you a lot of valuable information about writing and agents.

Another great site that I discovered when I first started writing for people to read and rate your work is http://www.fanstory.com/ There are lots of people who will tell you what is good, and what isn't. Mind you, no one is an expert but it helps to get feedback for your stories.

Myself and several other amazing authors have started a blog that will kick off on June 1st and each author will have a day to tell you about writing, and all the fun stuff that goes along with it.
Here's the link for when it's live!! http://thenotsofamousauthorsblog.blogspot.com/





This was just a catch up on some sites I have tried lately. My Goodreads campaign went well it is over now, but 81 people have added Long Road Full Speed Ahead to their TBR which is cool for only 20 books and literally thousands of views.



Long Road is coming back with a vengeance and a new cover on June 19th. It will be free that day!!! Can't wait.



Take care writers and readers,
Emily

Inspiration from Jean Booth!

Today's Inspiration comes from Jean Booth a talented fellow zombie and paranormal writer, let's see what she has to say....

Writer's Inspiration - working with your muse

I've recently been getting quite a few questions about writers block from some of my author friends. If you haven't experienced this wonderful phenomenon, just wait. It'll happen.

For those of you who may not know, I write a Paranormal Romance series (Choice,Changed, Created, Consumed) and a Zombie series (The Beginning, Little Apocalypse on the Prairie), sometimes concurrently. Some people are flabbergasted that I can switch between the two completely different writing styles and topics so easily, sometimes even in one day. My answer: My muse has ADHD.
My muse isn't content in just one genre. She likes to flip flop and flit all over the place. Once I say I won't write about a subject, she comes up with this brilliant idea and tries to prove me wrong. My challenge: Keeping her focused.

"How do I do this and deal with writer's block?" you ask.

My answer is simple and complicated. I personally work best with deadlines. Most of the time I manage to reach them, other times, life gets in the way and I have to push my deadline back a bit. My muse kinda hates this. If she had her way, we'd start a hundred projects and never finish any of them, but she'd be happy with the results anyway. When I have my deadline settled, I try not to read anything during the writing process. Instead, I watch movies pertaining to the subject matter, doodle outlines, walk, drive listening to the music that fits the particular scene I'm writing, and then I write. I've found I write better when I hand-write things and then type them into the computer. When I stick with the genre I'm trying to write about, flood my mind and my senses with the differing ideas, I find my muse becomes almost over stimulated and focused. Words and ideas fly through my head faster than my fingers can type.

We work hard, for long periods of time, exhausting both her mental reserves and my physical strength. Once we're done with a subject, sometimes she's ready to move on to something else, sometimes she's just done.

My point to this post is to learn and get to know your muse on a personal level. How does it work with you? What are its breaking points? How do you nurture and reward your muse?

I overcome writers block by giving my muse the rest she deserves. During these times, we read for fun, we simply enjoy the music, not look for the inspiration it provides, and we simply enjoy the pleasure of each other's company, in a restful, quiet way.

I know I sound schizophrenic. Believe me, I know. I've had a difficult time trying to find a way to describe my muse as anything other than another entity inside of me, but that's how she feels to me. She's part of me, but not entirely me. She's that little voice inside of me, inspiring me, encouraging me, and allowing me to entertain the childish fantasies that have inspired my writing.

My challenge for you today: Find a way to show your muse you appreciate it. Let it relax, recharge and just simply be content to live inside your psyche. You'll be amazed at how it rewards you.

Thank you for popping by Jean!!

Emily

Marketing Update

Some of my marketing efforts have gotten some attention for my book and my blogs.

Lowering the price of Long Road Full Speed Ahead to $1.99 to celebrate the release of Zombified sold one copy. That wasn't really enough to get excited about. I am excited about it though, because I gained a new reader.

I am getting more into using LinkedIn to connect with others and post blog updates and news. Here is my profile. I have been re-vamping all of my profiles from Twitter to and other social media network so that they are uniform and all have the information people need to find and contact me.

Traffic Adbar has been a site I have used on occasion to bring viewers to my blog. It really doesn't do much but let people see it. I have it attached to my Long Road page in the hopes that some people who see it will purchase the book.


I signed up and put myself in the author's database here - http://authorsdb.com/ and I am waiting for confirmation that they accepted my listing. Oh they just did!! - http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1852-emily-walker I am going to write some press releases today and send them out to different journalists. I also plan on putting the prologue and first chapter on Wattpad to give some new readers a little taste. 
I have to go to work now that the snow has kind of melted. Thanks for reading, and I will keep you updated.

Emily