I'm really hoping you guys are taking notes and that you'll find some wonderful new books as a part of this Book Lover's giveaway...we're nearing the end, but not before I share a very special Christmas treat with you.
There is just something so special about a story that takes place at Christmas time, isn't there? I'm so thrilled to introduce you to my friend Annalisa Daughety and her new, beautiful book:
Doesn't that look absolutely perfect? Read on to find out how you can win this and several other books...and discover a bit more about the beautiful Annalisa.
Courtney: Where'd you get the idea for your book?
Annalisa: I wrote the historical story in Love Finds You at Home for Christmas and Gwen Ford Faulkenberry wrote the contemporary. Our stories are connected--they center on different generations of the same family. My story, Sweet Southern Christmas, takes place at the Arkansas Ordnance Plant during World War II. I wrote the story as a gift to my 93-year-old grandmother. She worked as a WOW at the ordnance plant during the war and met my grandpa there--he worked as an electrician. I was able to learn about their courtship--some of the dates they went on and such--and include some of those real stories within my fictional story. It was so much fun to be able to take a piece of my grandmother's life and include it in a novel.
Courtney: Do you have any "rituals" you do when you write?
Annalisa: Well...this might sound a little strange. :) I need some background noise, but I don't like to write to music. And if I have the TV on just anything, I run the risk of getting sucked in to whatever show it is. So when I start writing a new book, I put in the first season of the show FRIENDS and keep playing season after season until the book is finished. I've seen the show so many times, I can pretty much say the dialogue along with the characters. But it doesn't distract me to the point of stopping writing to watch. So it provides just the right amount of background noise.
I also pace the floor a lot when I'm plotting. I put giant post it pads all over my walls and plot, pacing back and forth--scribbling details and re-arranging scenes. I know when people come to my house and see those big post it pads all over the walls, they probably think I'm nuts!
Courtney: Favorite writing snack and/or beverage?
Annalisa: I'm a coffee girl, so a fresh cup of coffee is a must. And I like Peppermint Mocha creamer year round. As for snacks/food...I will confess that I gained 5 pounds with each book for my first few books. (I'm not going to share how many books...) I used to do the fast food/pizza thing while on deadline, but those pounds taught me a lesson! Now during those last couple hectic weeks of a deadline, I go and get a fruit tray and a veggie tray so I'm not tempted to get every meal from a drive thru window.
(I am SOOO stealing that idea!)
Courtney: How would you describe your writing style/books?
Annalisa: My books are lighthearted and fun--I don't shy away from tough issues, but I do it in a way where there are still funny moments. For the most part, my characters are flawed and quirky. I love it when readers write me to say that they felt like they could be friends with a character in one of my books. I think if I had to put a label on my books, I'd probably call them romantic comedies.
Courtney: Something people don't know about life as a writer?
Courtney: Do you have any "rituals" you do when you write?
Courtney: Favorite writing snack and/or beverage?
Courtney: How would you describe your writing style/books?
Courtney: Something people don't know about life as a writer?
