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The journey of a thousand miles begins with...the perfect pair of shoes.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Post 475! The giveaways begin!

Remember a while back when I said I thought the 500th post shouldn't get to have all the fun and I was going to do some giveaways when I hit post 475? Well that's today my friends! An entire week of goodies are going to be given away to my lovely readers.

I love a good read, don't you? Of course you do, that's why you come to my blog. 

For the first day of my week long celebration, I have a special treat from an author that I personally know and who is funny, witty, and loves a good cookie.

Michele Feltman Strider is an author, actor and bon vivant that I have known since we were in college together back in 1992 a few years ago.   I recently interviewed her (and by that I mean we exchanged many emails) about her book Homecoming:  A Novella, which is part of today's giveaway and this is what she had to say.



Michele, when did you start writing?

I started writing novels in 2009 while on medical leave from my job training attorneys on the use of legal research software. (Imagine such exotic ports of call as Fresno, Bakersfield, and Redding!) I decided I needed a job that was less physically challenging and since writing involves a lot of sitting on the couch, drinking coffee, and surfing celebrity gossip sites, it seemed like a natural transition. (Others tell me the last item is not strictly necessary to the writing process, but they are clearly mistaken.) I was also drawn to the idea of being able to purchase/read as many books as I wanted and call it "research."

Genius. I ♥ you. Where do you get your inspiration and what it your writing process?


In the tradition of so many great writers, I often search for inspiration at the bottom of a bottle. Kidding! (I don't think she is.  I've read her FB updates!)  Actually, I tend to get my best ideas A) in the shower B) during my morning hike, and C) riding on the back of my husband Jim's motorcycle. I get my worst ideas sitting in front of my laptop "trying" to come up with an idea. In fact, when I get writer's block, the best thing I can do is to turn off the computer and walk to my favorite coffee shop for a cookie. Works like a charm... (and even when it doesn't, I still end up with a cookie.) Though I tend to most of the actual transcription in the afternoons, when I'm working on a story it pretty much consumes my thoughts at all times. It is a possibly unhealthy level of self-obsession and leads to many burned dinners.

Self-obsession is a good thing! Or so I tell myself. Can you tell my readers a little about your book?

"Homecoming" is the story of a girl transitioning into womanhood. (Oh, dear god, but that sounds so lame... Take 2...)


"Homecoming" is the story of Caitlin Pearson, a bright, but somewhat naive, college freshman on her first trip home from school for Thanksgiving. In addition to the normal host of challenges presented by a family holiday -- a drunken, controlling mother, a charming scoundrel father, a less charming and more scoundrelly ex-fiance, and an oversexed and under-dressed cousin -- Caitlin must also endure a humiliating ceremony to officially end her reign as her alma mater's Homecoming Queen. So, obviously, it's a romance.

Are the characters based on yourself or anyone you know (who couldn't kill you if you revealed that information)?

When "Homecoming" first came out, people asked me who the characters are based on. Truthfully, I think they are all aspects of my own personality. After I'd finished writing it, I found that the mother "Caroline" was my favorite character, as her insecurities and neuroses (though not her personal habits) are most like my own.

See how awesome she is?  She has graciously offered up a signed copy of her book Homecoming: A Novella to one lucky reader and a $25 Amazon gift card.  A good book and money to buy more?  Who doesn't want that????   The book will be shipped to you (signed!) within 3-5 days of drawing and the Amazon gift card will be sent via email.

I won't make you jump through hoops to enter, simply leave me a comment and tell me your favorite book (Mine is The Good Earth, in case you were wondering).  Easy enough, right?

If you'd like extra entries (and why wouldn't you?):

If you are a follower, let me know in a separate comment.  If you become a follower, let me know.  You don't have to follow me to enter, but if you do, you're in for a treat.  I'm funny.

Blog or tweet about this giveaway for an extra entry.  Leave me the link in a separate comment.

The giveaway is open until noon (EST) Saturday, October 22.  Winner will be announced early next week.  Even if you don't win though, you should get a copy of the book.  They're available in print and electronic formats (the Kindle version is only $4.99!!).


17 comments:

Natalie said...

It's hard to think of the most favorite book I have but currently, one of my favs is The Host by Stephenie Meyer. My favorite classic book is An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser.

Natalie said...

Also, I'm a follower!

Anonymous said...

My favorite book is charlie and the chocolate factory. Its the book that got me hooked on reading.

Anonymous said...

I'm also a follower!!

Amanda said...

My favorite book is 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte...I'm pretty sure I've read it about 100 times!! Love it!

Amanda said...

Oh heck yes I'm a follower!! I love reading your RTT's and the funny take you have on military life!

LMA said...

My favorite book is Sing You Home, by Jodi Picoult. Actually I love all books by Jodi Picoult, and all books in general!

LMA said...

I am absolutely a follower. I don't do much blogging of my own, but I love reading other blogs (I think once I start teaching, and have good stories to tell, other than the same ol'- worked today, did nothing but work and sleep- type of blogs, I will be more willing!)

Thanks for writing, and making my days better! :)

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

This interview made me laugh out loud. Too funny. (Makes me want to read her FB updates now--ha.)

I have a hard time picking a favorite book--sort of like picking a favorite child because I love so many of them. I have probably read "Pride & Prejudice" a million times since I was a teenager, so I'll go with that one. :)

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Oh, and I'm a follower! :)

VandyJ said...

My favorite book is The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey. Great story.

Rhian said...

My favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird...beautiful!

riley said...

You are my favorite blog. I follow you wherever your thoughts take you. I do not have you in my reader, though, because I savor the moment, late in the evening when the stresses of the day are fading from memory, when I sit down at my computer and click on BOOKMARKS, then BLOGS, and finally, when I can't stand the anticipation any longer, click on MIHH. You are my guilty pleasure at the end of a long hard day. You have no idea how many times you have lifted me from the dregs of scowl-dom and have put a smile on my face. Sometimes I even lol. ;)

rockygrace said...

My current fav is The Well and The Mine by Gin Phillips.

Tia said...

so glad you extended the giveaway! My favorite book is Twilight!

haha just kidding.

(KInda.)

It's probably the Anne of Green Gables series. love it.

Tia said...

and I tweeted about it!
http://twitter.com/#!/CleverTia/statuses/129342099563884544

Tia said...

and i follow you on twitter! does that count? haha

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