One Word Interview with Rachelle Christensen

Today's One Word Interviewee is Rachelle J. Christensen, author of suspense novels, non-fiction, romance, and a new series about a wedding planner who solves mysteries. Doesn't that sound like fun? Welcome to the writing chair, Rachelle.

Stranded on a desert island. What's your must-have item? 
A backpack that's loaded with books, food, and water. :)

Very practical. Especially the books!
 
You have to solve a murder. Which fictional detective do you want by your side? 
Agatha Christie

She would be a good choice for a number of reasons.

What historical figure would you. Most like to have lunch with? 
Jesus Christ

Wouldn't that be something? I'm not sure I'd be able to eat!

You're performing on Broadway. What show are you in? 
My Fair Lady 

(I did play the part of Eliza when I was in high school and my kids love it when I talk "British"!)

That's one of my favorites! I'd love to hear you talk British too. :)

Which one of your main characters is the most like you? 
Hmm, I think Adrielle Pyper is most like me.

Ah. The main character from your new wedding planner mystery series. She must be delightful! (By the way, you can see Adri's creations at www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com)

Thanks so much for being here today, Rachelle!

Rachelle J. Christensen is a mom of four cute kids. She has an amazing husband, three cats, and five chickens. Her first novel, Wrong Number was awarded Outstanding Book of the Year from the League of Utah Writers and was also a 2010 Whitney Finalist. Her second suspense novel, Caller ID was released March 2012. She is also the author of a nonfiction book, Lost Children: Coping with Miscarriage for Latter Day Saints. Rachelle has a novella coming out in the fall with a Timeless Romance Anthology by Mirror Press.

Rachelle enjoys singing and songwriting, playing the piano, running, motivational speaking, and of course reading. Visit www.rachellewrites.blogspot.com to learn more about upcoming books.

One Word Interview with Dave ("D.J.") Butler

Today's One Word Interview is with my friend and fantastic author, Dave ("D.J.") Butler, author of Whitney Award finalist, City of the Saints and the action packed Rock Band Fights Evil series. Welcome to the writing chair!

 You've even backed into a dark alley by a bad guy who wants to kill you. Which of your characters do you want by your side?
Eddie Marlowe.  He doesn't leave anyone behind.

From Rock Band Fights Evil. I love Eddie. I would seriously choose him too.

If you could travel back in time, what era would you visit?
Late 7th century B.C.  I'd like to see what was really going on in King Josiah's Jerusalem.

That would be really fascinating. And possibly dangerous.

We are holding a banquet in honor of your awesomeness. What are we serving for dessert?
Basilisk Etouffe'.

Okay. I think that beats Jaleta's chilled monkey brains for most interesting dessert!

You've been set down in the middle of your latest book. Weapon of choice?
Aagh!  If I'm set down in the middle of almost any book I've written, I pretty much die immediately.  In this case, in horrible ways.  But since I'm working on my Space Eldritch II story, at least I get a couple of shots off with a blaster before I go.

Um, that was a little more than one word, but I'll let it go this time. (Side note: You are right. It would be deadly to be set down in any of your books!)

What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
Ooh, I'm torn.  Benjamin of Tudela.  Or Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton.

They both sound like such interesting adventurers! How fun.

Thanks for being in the writing chair today, Dave! Check out Dave's Whitney Award finalist, Mormon steampunk novel, City of the Saints.

 

 Dave Butler is a lawyer by training, a corporate trainer by profession, and a novelist for the sheer thrill of it.  Dave studies obscure languages (Welsh and Middle Egyptian, anyone?) and plays guitars.  He grew up in Utah and has lived lots of places since.  He, his wife, and their three kids are currently in the process of moving to the New York City area.

One Word Interview with Chantele Sedgwick

Today's One Word Interview is with Chantele Sedgwick, author of the delightful YA fantasy novel Not Your Average Fairy Tale. (A boy fairy godmother. What could be better than that?) Welcome, Chantele!

 You've been set down inside a fairy tale. What character are you? 
Belle

With that huge library? Sign me up too!

If you could have lunch with any historical figure, who would it be? 
Emma Smith

Wife of the prophet Joseph. I would love to meet her as well. She seems like such an amazing woman.

What fictional world would you most like to live in? 
Hogwarts

Oh, I'd love that too. But those shifting staircases would take some getting used to!

You are performing on Broadway. What show are you in? 
Hairspray 

That sounds fun! I'd ask your favorite song or which character you'd be, but you're one word is up for that question.

Which character in your book is the most like you? 
Kendall

I like her. She is able to rise above so many challenges. 

Thanks so much, Chantele! It's been great having you here in the writing chair.

Chantele Sedgwick grew up playing the harp and singing with her sisters. Little did anyone know, she always had stories in her head, and was surprised when someone told her it wasn't normal. After she had her second baby in 2007, she finally realized she should take her daydreams seriously and write them down. The discovery of first love, first kisses, and the many emotions teens go through, pushed Chantele to find her niche in writing young adult fiction. Some of her stories share a few of her own experiences, but most of them are just fantasies she wished happened to her as a teen. She's a sucker for a great love story and always enjoys a happy ending. Her debut Not Your Average Fairy Tale was published in 2012 by Crescent Moon Press, with the sequel coming in 2013. When she's not writing, Chantele can be found spending time with her husband and four silly kids, reading the newest YA novel, or driving her sisters crazy with random story ideas. Connect with Chantele on her blog or on Twitter.

LDS Writer Blog Fest: An Ocean to Cross

Today is Kayleen Hamblin's LDS Writers Blog Fest. Here's my contribution.

It occurred to me recently that when Lehi's family reached the land of Bountiful after eight years of wandering in the wilderness, they probably thought they had reached their promised land. (See 1 Nephi 17:4-7) But the Lord had something better in store for them, and first they had to cross an ocean. No wonder Nephi's brothers were skeptical. I would be too. (Yeah, I have a lot more in common with Laman and Lemuel than I care to admit.)

I think writing (and life) is a lot like that sometimes. We get an agent or get published or achieve some other goal and think we have arrived, but God says, "Hang on. I have something better in store. You just have to cross this ocean."

And crossing an ocean can be tough! Good thing God will carry us across. So, whatever the ocean is in your life, don't be afraid to cross it! Happy sailing!






Don't forget to visit the other participating blogs:

One Word Interview with Tristi Pinkston

Today I am pleased to welcome my friend, author Tristi Pinkston to the writing chair! Tristi writes delightful cozy mysteries and a host of other genres. Welcome Tristi!

You have to solve a murder! What fictional detective do you want to help?

Miss Marple

Oh, excellent choice! You'd figure it out in no time.

What one historical figure would you like to have lunch with? 

Anastasia 

That would be interesting. Solve that mystery once and for all!

Your favorite author is coming over for dinner. What are you serving? 

Catered

Smart. Very smart. More time for chatting and/or going all fan-girl, right?
 
Which one of your MCs do you have the most in common with? 

Addie

From Turning Pages. If she's half as awesome as you, then she must be a wonderful character.

House is on fire! What do you grab first?

 Children

Ah, yes. They are the most important!

Thanks so much for being with us, Tristi! You can learn more about Tristi and her awesome books on her website and her blog.

One Word Interview with Terry W. Ervin II

Today, I'd like to welcome my long time friend and colleague, Terry W. Ervin II, author of the wonderful First Civilization's Legacy series, which includes. Flank Hawk and Blood Sword. Welcome to the writing chair, Terry!

Zombie apocalypse! What fictional character do you want by your side?
Ash (from Army of Darkness)

Sounds awesome. I'm going to have to check him out!

What character trait do you share with your MC, Krish? (One of my favorites!)
Loyalty

An important quality to possess. I love that about Krish.

Which mythical creature would you most like to be?
Sea Serpent

Very cool. Very mysterious!

What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
Winston Churchill

That would be an inspirational lunch!

You're stranded on a desert island. What's your must-have item?
Handaxe 

Very practical indeed. Thanks so much for being here, Terry!

 Terry W. Ervin II is an English and science teacher who enjoys writing fantasy and science fiction.

Terry’s First Civilization’s Legacy Series includes FLANK HAWK and BLOOD SWORD, both released by Gryphonwood Press. He is focused on completing SOUL FORGE, the third novel in the fantasy series.

In addition writing novels, Terry’s short stories have appeared in over a dozen anthologies, magazines and ezines. The genres range from science fiction and mystery to horror and inspirational. Terry’s newest release through Gryphonwood Press, GENRE SHOTGUN, is a collection containing all of his published short stories.

To contact Terry or learn more about his writing endeavors, visit his website at www.ervin-author.com and his blog, Up Around the Corner, at uparoundthecorner.blogspot.com

 

One Word Interview with Jaleta Clegg

Today's One Word Interviewee is science fiction author, Jaleta Clegg. I really enjoy her scifi adventures, The Fall of the Altairan Empire books, as well as her fun and often silly short stories. I'm so looking forward to reading her soon to be released Poisoned Pawn. Welcome to the Writing Chair, Jaleta.

 

Your house is on fire! What do you grab first?

 Extinguisher. If fire's too big, kids.

 

That's very practical.

 

What one trait do you have in common with your MC, Dace? (I love her, by the way.)

 Impatience.

 

Oh, me too. Me too.

 

What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?

 Leonardo da Vinci.

 

Very interesting. I bet he'd be a fascinating person to chat with.

 

You've been plunked down in the middle of your latest book. Weapon of choice?

 Giant blast cannon.

Excellent choice. I could use one of those myself.

 

We're holding a banquet in honor of your awesomeness. What should we serve for dessert?

 Chilled Monkey Brains.

 

Hmmm.... I might be a little afraid to try that! Thanks, Jaleta.

 

 

 

Jaleta Clegg loves to build worlds from words and then share them with people. She also enjoys burning things, making things blow up, or watching fires and explosions on tv. Her stories range from science fiction adventure to silly horror and pretty much everywhere in between. And please don't ever make her choose between her children and her laptop if her house catches fire. 

 

Find more at http://www.jaletac.com or http://www.altairanempire.com

Poisoned Pawn: Dace and Jasyn have everything they ever wanted - their own trading ship and freedom. Except regulations require a second pilot and the only one available on Viya Station is a little too perfect for Dace's comfort. But his credentials check out and everything seems fine. Until Dace disappears and Jasyn learns the truth.