Hi Melinda! Thanks so much for having me today. I
enjoyed your post on your top 3 author addictions so much, I decided to
reciprocate with my own. J
Like you, since becoming an “official author” several years ago, I’ve also
enjoyed the interaction with both other author and with readers. On top of
writing, I too have become addicted to certain aspects of this life. Here’s my
list:
My
Favorite Top Three Author Addictions
1. Twitter
I am absolutely with you on the
Twitter addiction. It took me a little while to get into this social media
tool. But once I started connecting with people and using it as a tool, I’ve
really enjoyed it.
On top of regular updates and
links to blog posts that can be helpful and informational, I also enjoy
stalking—I mean following—various industry folks who I am most interested in
working with at some point.
I’ve also discovered the various
pitch contests for authors. Like #PidMad. Those are always fun.
I too enjoy following
celebrities. Other than the occasional moments of insanity, I don’t interact
with them. But some are quite funny or interesting with their tweets. Love
following Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Renner, and Rob Kazinsky.
Are you on twitter? How about
following me… @AOwenBooks
2. Pinterest
I am an online research junkie.
Nothing beats in person, but as an aspiring author I’m not rolling in the big
bucks yet. So Google is my best friend.
I love Pinterest not only as
another search tool in researching, but as a way to help me visualize. I pin
anything I find, image-wise, as I go along. Buildings, clothes, locations,
activities, the actor/models I found who most closely look like my
hero/heroine.
I also love using Pinterest to
share those images with my readers.
3. Workshops
Online, in person, podcasts…I
can’t get enough of writer workshops. I enjoy topics of all kids – character
development, query writing, plot development, the cowboy hero, world building.
I don’t always incorporate everything I’ve learned, as frequently it has more
to do with your own personal writing style. But I ALWAYS learn something new to
try. I have to be careful about how many I sign up for at a time, or I can’t
keep up!
I
love talking to readers! You can find me at:
Now it’s your turn to share. What is your favorite
addiction? Leave a comment below!
ANDROMEDA’S
FALL
(Shadowcat
Nation #1)
Andromeda Reynolds is being hunted. After
witnessing her mother’s violent death at the hands of a pack of wolf shifters,
Andie has devoted her life to protecting her community of cougar shifters from
a similar fate. But now, a greater threat lies within her own dare, and she
must run. If she stays, Kyle Carstairs will force their mating, seeking the
added political power their union would provide.
Andie would rather chew off her own foot than end
up with Kyle. Though, knowing him, she won’t live long either way. Andie’s only
hope of survival is to mate Jaxon Keller, the Alpha of the Keller Dare with
which she is seeking asylum. But before she can get to him, Andie must first go
through A.J., one of the Alpha’s Protectors.
What Andie doesn’t realize is that A.J. has
secrets of his own. All Andie knows is that the incredibly frustrating shifter
insists on challenging her story, her skills, her trust… and her heart.
Excerpt:
When she was satisfied,
she leapt with all the power of her feline form. She didn’t shift exactly—she
was trying to avoid that right now since it would be seen as a direct threat if
anyone caught her—but she used the might of the beast inside her to clear the
distance to the window. She sailed through the opening and immediately tucked
and rolled as she hit the ground.
She found her feet and
returned to her crouch. Using her cat’s hearing, she waited yet again.
Someone
might’ve heard the sound of her landing. Her injured left arm was detracting
from her usual finesse. As she listened, she turned in a slow circle, making
sure the room, which appeared to be a hotel-like bedroom, was as empty as she’d
expected it to be. Many minutes later, satisfied that she was alone and that no
one was coming for her… yet… Andie
moved towards the door.
Cracking it open a hair,
she looked down and saw a long stretch of closed doorways in both directions.
Based on the layout of the building and the location of the window, she
determined she needed to go to her right.
Andie tensed to open the
door all the way and then froze in place when a deep male voice sounded from
directly behind her. “Stop where you are.”
Andie tensed, adrenaline
pumping through her body as swear words went off like fireworks inside her
head. Only her years of training kept her from panicking outright. She didn’t
move by so much as a twitch as she waited to see if he would attack or talk it
out.
“Close the door,” the
deep voice continued. “And then turn slowly and face me.”
Andie rose, taking care
to keep her wounded arm from view. If she could keep the evidence of her fall
from grace hidden, she’d have a better shot at surviving the encounter and
making it to the Alpha. If she could get to him and explain, then maybe she had
a chance.
Once she was facing her
new opponent, she tried to take measure of him. The room was dim, and she dared
not shift, not even just her eyes, in case he took it the wrong way and
attacked. She couldn’t tell much about him other than that he was very tall. At
five-foot-nothing she always had to look up, but with this guy she had to look
way, way up to try to see his face.
He would be a big mountain lion in his cat form, even for a male.
The stranger said nothing
for several long moments, holding eerily still, his eyes taking in every
detail. Andie didn’t move or speak. She knew he was sizing her up just as she
was assessing him. She also knew what he’d see—a slip of a girl who’d inherited
her mother’s bronzed Brazilian beauty. Male cougar shifters rarely saw what she
really was and frequently underestimated her.
“I’m not going to ask how
you got in here. Clearly, our security needs reviewing.”
Andie didn’t betray her
satisfaction at his comment. “I’m sure it’s fine. Very few measures would work
to keep me out. Or in.”
“I found you.”
Andie merely shrugged.
“Off night.” In more ways than one.
About the Author:
Award-winning author, Abigail Owen was born in Greeley,
Colorado, and raised in Austin, Texas. She now resides in Northern California
with her husband and two adorable children who are the center of her universe.
Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through
her writing. A fourth generation graduate of Texas A&M University, she
attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning
a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered
that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.
.jpg)
.jpg)
