Sun and Snow, Launches and Spotlights

I woke up this morning to sunshine, only to have a snowstorm roll in by mid afternoon. Drat! I even let my son ride his bike to school because it was kind-of-sort-of-warm I suppose this now means I shall have to take the truck to pick him up when school gets out. Can't have him riding home in the snow, now can I?

In other news, today is Thursday, which means I posted something of meaning and value on the LDS Writer's Blogck. So, if you find this post rather dull and boring, or if you just can't get enough of me--which is most likely the case--you can click here and read about why every novel should have a theme song, and how music can chase away writer's block.

A quick reminder that tomorrow is the day of the big contest announcement. You might see a little blinking picture up on my sidebar. That's the only hint I'm giving, but I will say you don't want to miss this one.


Sigh. I have bad news and good news. The bad news is that the Barnes and Noble in Orem, UT where I was planning to launch The Sharp Edge of a Knife will not have my book in the system in time for me to launch next week. **frowns** BUT the good news is I am still planning to launch this month and will make a big announcement about where as soon as I figure it all out. If you just can't wait to own a copy, don't fret. The Sharp Edge of a Knife is right now, this minute, available online. Go ahead and order it, and if you like it, be sure to leave a review. If you ever meet me, I'll still sign it for you, promise.

And now, before I forget and become all entangled in my own issues, I'm going to move on to this week's author spotlight, Sarah M. Eden, who's newest book, Courting Miss Lancaster, is being released next week.

NG: Hi Sarah, tell us a little about yourself.

Sarah: My family has lived in the arid deserts of Arizona since before the invention of air conditioning. So insanity runs in my family. Not something most people would include on a resume, but it's great for an author. Writing requires a certain degree of mental instability. And a tendency toward insomnia.
             

I write a lot at night and while my kids are at school and any time I am supposed to be cleaning my house. My 6-year-old describes my books this way: “Kissy, romantic books where the people lived a long time ago and talked funny.” Yep, pretty much. I write clean romances that take place in Regency England (think the first two decades of the 1800s: Napoleon, Jane Austen, Mad King George). The endings are always happy, the characters are usually funny.

NG: That sounds, well, achingly familiar. Interesting. And what inspires you to write?

Sarah: Perhaps the single greatest source of inspiration for me lies in the fact that writing gives me an excuse to avoid responsible things. “Wow, I have very large piles of dishes on the counters (yes, plural) of my kitchen. Sorry. I need to write.” “The PTA is hoping I will bake 6 dozen cupcakes for the bake sale in a half-hour. Sorry. I need to write.” “What is that, children? You want dinner? There are frozen waffles in the freezer. Mom needs to write.”
             

Inspiration? Check. 

NG: Hm. Once again, I can relate all too easily. This is almost eerie. Okay, one last quick question and then I'll let the readers check out the trailer. What is your greatest writing challenge?

Sarah: I have a deep and unshakable need to consume large quantities of unnecessary and useless calories (and by this I mean Cheetos). This need creates another need—to exercise my backside, hips and gut off. These very real needs often get in the way of my writing.
             

To my joy, I have managed to invent, in many different versions, a contraption made up of very large books, packing tape and the back of the sofa in my living room which allows me to type while spending some quality time with my elliptical machine while burning calories to which I'd rather not become too permanently attached. I would take a picture, but it's pretty embarrassing. Embarrassingly awesome!
            

 I am also developing a system by which I can type and eat at the same time. I call it “Click, click, click, chew.” Fascinating. I'm thinking of writing a book about it. 

NG: Okay, now you've really got me intrigued. I might have to try that trick with the elliptical. Um, you haven't patented the invention yet, have you? Wait, don't answer that. I don't want to know. Pretend I didn't ask that question.

Thanks, Sarah for that wonderful insight into your life as an author. To order a copy of Courting Miss Lancaster, click here. Or watch this way cool trailer: 

To learn more about Sarah M. Eden, click here.