Wednesday, December 16, 2009

~Author Interview & Book Giveaway~ Miss Mae, author of When the Bough Breaks

The day is finally here! Today I am interviewing the lovely and talented Miss Mae, author of the excellent YA novel, When the Bough Breaks. Discover the reason behind her pen name, the inspiration for her new release, and what time period she prefers. Then find out how you can win a copy of When the Bough Breaks.

To read my 5-pearl review of When the Bough Breaks, click here.

I always ask, have you always wanted to be a writer?

Well, pretty much. When I was younger, my dream was to be an artist. I took art classes in school and was told I had talent. One of my still life drawings was presented at an exhibition. This desire stayed with me until my teen years when I became drawn to romantic suspense from the library books I checked out. After reading those, I dreamed of creating my own worlds and characters.

"Miss Mae" is a pseudonym, I assume. Why did you choose to use a pen name?

Though my name is only four letters, people seem to have the hardest time remembering it, or pronouncing it correctly, or spelling it the proper way. I decided, if published, I needed something really simple and easy!

Give us a little glimpse into how your mind works. Do you think of a character or scene first? How does the story progress from there?

Hmm, you know I'm not exactly sure myself! LOL I think just a seed pops up, and I don't really think about it much. Weeks, or months may pass and over time that seed will take shape and morph into a "formula." So I guess it's the scenes first that appears and then the characters are created to fit.

What was the inspiration behind When the Bough Breaks?

LOL, the concept of the "bad boy" being tamed by his love for the "good girl". But in this particular story, I had to come up with a reason for his supposed "playboy" reputation. So the "rich master of the big house in a small town" was added, and the ensuing secrets that came along just created extra spice!

Do you like to listen to music while you write? If so, what type of music do you prefer?

No, I can't listen to music. Too distracting. I prefer quiet, but that's hard to find with four dogs running in and out of my room!

Just for fun, what's your favorite color? Food? Animal? Time period?

My favorite color is blue, but red comes close to tying it. Favorite food is chocolate...yum! And animal? Wow, I can't say there's a favorite since I adore animals (I can't eat them either). And time period...um, probably 1950's and early 1960's. Seemed like such a fun age then (thinking "Happy Days" here.)

Where can we find your books?

It would really help so much if prospective buyers would buy straight from the publishers' sites. That would be The Wild Rose Press and Whimsical Publications.

Direct book links from the publishers:

Thank you for joining us, Miss Mae!

Want a chance to win a paperback of When the Bough Breaks? Miss Mae has graciously agreed to send a paperback copy to one very fortunate reader.

First, the ground rules:
  1. You must be a follower of this blog. This makes it easier for me to contact you if you've won. Following is not an entry but it is required. I've only done a few giveaways but I've already experienced problems when the entrants don't follow me.
  2. Multiple entries are allowed. Leave separate comments for each entry. For example, if you choose to follow Miss Mae's author blog and her group blog, leave one comment stating that you follow her author blog and one comment stating that you follow her group blog. Any questions?
  3. Make sure your comment(s) are unique, as in, if you are known as Jane Doe, please add something to your comment to differentiate yourself from the other Jane Does out there.
  4. This giveaway is open to US residents only. If you are under 18, please have an adult enter for you.

Here's how to enter:
  1. Follow Miss Mae's author blog, Pure Southern Genteel. You must follow publicly and leave a comment on this post to indicate you're following or we won't know that you are.
  2. Follow Miss Mae's group blog, The Sweetest Romance Authors. Again, you must follow publicly and leave a comment on this post to be entered.
It's that simple. A winner will be drawn Monday, December 28. Entries will be accepted until December 27, Midnight Eastern time. The winner will be announced on this blog on Monday, 12/28. Check back then to see if you won.

Happy reading, writing, and blogging!

19 comments:

Miss Mae said...

Thanks for the lovely interview and holding the contest, Jaimey. You have a beautiful blog here. :)

Maggie Toussaint said...

Lula,
What a nice interview. I'm so glad to see you promoting the publisher's in-house sites for book purchase. And red is my fav color too.

Anne Patrick said...

Great interview ladies! MM, I wish you continued success in all your writing endeavors.

Rebecca J Vickery said...

Hi Lula and Jaimey,
Great interview. I enjoyed learning more about one of my favorite people. I love turquoise blue and am crazy about animals, too, though I must admit I still enjoy eating some tasty chicken or tender beef from time to time. LOL
Best wishes for continued success and Happy Holidays to all of you!!!

Rebecca J Vickery said...

I also follow Miss Mae's blog and would love to win a copy of WTBB.

Joyce DiPastena said...

Wonderful interview with MM, Jaimey! I'd love to win a copy of "When the Bow Breaks", but I'm also wild for a print copy of "See No Evil, My Pretty Lady" to come out! Someone needs to start a campaign. (Print "See No Evil". Print "See No Evil". Print "See No Evil".) :-)

Joyce DiPastena said...

I'm already a follower of MM's group blog, TSRA.

Joyce DiPastena said...

I'm also a follower of MM's personal blog, Pure Southern Genteel.

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone! Thank you for coming over and commenting! :)

Laurean Brooks said...

Miss Mae, since I've already read the book, don't enter me in the contest.

I just wanted to drop by and encourage everyone who has NOT read "When The Bough Breaks" to get a copy of this spine-tingling, hair-raising thriller. It kept me gasping for breath until the very end!

Great interview, Jaimey and Miss Mae.

Redameter said...

Lula,
Wonderful interview and it is nice that you suggest readers buy from the publishing site for several reasons, monetary for one, and the reader can get a feel for more of your work there.
I kept thinking you were the lady on the picture of your banners, and then I saw your truck and you. What a nice surprise. "When the Bough Breaks" sounds wonderful. I haven't had the chance to read it yet, and would love to win!

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Redameter, and all, for coming over. I wish all of you could win! :)

(Thanks for your wonderful words, Laurean. :) )

Alicia Dean said...

Hello Miss Mae, interesting interview and the book sounds fantastic. I am SO happy about the wonderful review and all your success. You're a great writer and I know you'll continue to succeed.

Martha Eskuchen said...

Nice interview! I read the e-book and really enjoyed this book too. I would love to have the pb! I am including the Giveaway in a post at my blog!
I thought I was a follower at MM's blog but I am now! And I am a follower at the group!

Miss Mae said...

Just to clarify...Martha E is a professional reviewer and she received an ARC before the book became available for sale. The book isn't in ebook format, it's in print only. :)

Lori said...

I am following both blogs now. I would love to win a book from Miss Mae, they sound wonderful and very good interview Jaimey!

Lori

Anne Patrick said...

I'm also a follower of MM's personal blog, Pure Southern Genteel.

Anne Patrick said...

I'm also a follower of MM's Sweetest Romance group.

Diane Craver said...

Jaimey,
Your blog is wonderful!

Miss Mae,
I LOVE your books so even if I don't win, I'll still buy When the Bough Breaks!

I enjoyed reading about your writing process. Your photo at the book signing is so lovely.

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