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Friday, February 22, 2013

Interview with Author Ashlyn Macnamara and Giveaway


Today I am happy to welcome debut author Ashlyn Macnamara to RFTC. Ashlyn is gearing up for the release of her book A Most Scandalous Proposal and has stopped by to answer a few questions. Please give a warm welcome to Ashlyn.

They say that once you reach your forties, you undergo some sort of mid-life crisis. That must have been what happened to Ashlyn Macnamara when she finally made up her mind to set down some of the stories that had been accumulating dust in the dark recesses of her brain for years. As space becomes available, other plots and characters have developed the pesky habit of moving in to take their place.

Ashlyn lives in the wilds of suburbia outside Montreal with her husband, two teenage daughters, and one loudmouth cat. When not writing, she looks for other excuses to neglect the housework, among them knitting, reading and wasting time on the internet in the guise of doing research.

Places to find Ashlyn:

First off, can you tell us a bit about you?
I’m tempted to protest that I’m too boring to bother with, but then no one will want to read about me. I’m married with two teenage kids and a cat. I’ve worked various retail jobs, the most recent of which I quit last year to write full time. I was born in the US but I live in Canada now—the French-speaking part. In fact, we speak more French than English at home, and my daughters grew up bilingual. I started out life with the intention of becoming a French teacher, but it didn’t work out that way. I am an ardent escapist, hence my love of reading, which eventually turned into a love of writing.

Did you always want to be a writer?
Ever since I was able to pick up a pencil, I... Actually, no.

Are you surprised to read that? I have always made up stories in my head. I can recall doing that at a very young age, but write them down? When I was a teenager, I used to run screaming from anything that even vaguely resembled creative writing—possibly because said creative writing usually involved writing a poem, and sticking to a set rhyme scheme and rhythm is way too disciplined for my taste.

I didn’t discover creative writing until I started writing fanfiction somewhere in 2001. At that point, I realized that some people, at least, liked the stories I made up. Eventually I tried making up my own characters, and I kept at it based on the spaghetti principle—write until I found a manuscript that stuck (and didn’t suck).

What kind of writer are you? Panster or Plotter?
I’m mainly a pantser. Part of the attraction is for me to write the story so I can find out what happens. I will often start in a situation, know a little bit about how the characters will get out of it, and as they start to extricate themselves, see a bit more. It varies from book to book how far ahead I can see.

Where do your ideas come from?
The shower, mostly. No, really. I get tons of ideas in the shower, and then I find myself frantically trying to finish washing so I don’t forget whatever lightning bolt of inspiration just struck. One of these days, I’m going to find myself writing plot points on the wall in shampoo out of sheer desperation.

A la Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less.
Sense and Sensibility with sex.

I pitched A Most Scandalous Proposal to an agent via Twitter once, using the above. (Disclaimer: I did not, nor would I ever, do this out of the blue. The agent held a pitch session via Twitter.) My book, unfortunately, did not meet her needs at the time, but I eventually found an agent who was looking for what I write.

If that doesn’t give you enough of an idea, here’s the longer blurb:

After watching her beloved sister Sophia pine over the ton’s Golden Boy for years, Miss Julia St. Claire has forsworn love and put herself firmly on the shelf. Unfortunately, her social-climbing mother and debt-ridden father have other ideas, and jump at the chance to marry Julia off to the newly-named Earl of Clivesden…the man of Sophia’s dreams.

Since resigning his Cavalry commission, Benedict Revelstoke has spent his time in London avoiding the marriage mart. But when he discovers that the Earl of Clivesden has set Julia in his sights, Benedict tries to protect his childhood best friend from the man’s advances—only to discover more than friendship driving his desire to defend her. He surprises them both with the force of his feelings, but when she refuses him and her father announces her betrothal, he fears he’s lost her forever—until Julia approaches him with a shocking scheme that will ruin her for all respectable society…

…and lead them into an exquisite world of forbidden pleasures.

What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read?
Anything where I can escape into another world. Naturally, I love this aspect of historical romance, and this is part of the reason I write it. But I also love high fantasy for the same reason. And I definitely prefer a happy ending.

Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it?
I’m going to have to go with The Lord Of the Rings here. Yes, I did say “the rings” and not “scoundrels.” I have never been swept into another world the way Middle-earth reached out and grabbed me. At one point in my life, I reread that book every year, along with The Silmarillion. I suppose I should have replied to the first question with something about being a geek.

What are the scenes that are the hardest for you to write?
Usually the one I’m working on right this moment. Unless it’s a love scene. I like writing those. :D

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?
JRR Tolkien because he wrote my favorite book. Jane Austen so I could pump her for inside information about the Regency period, along with, hopefully some good gossip and snark. Laura Ingalls Wilder because her series was the very first series I fell in love with and read over and over again—plus she and I have the same birthday. Although I would probably scandalize all three of them when they learned what I write.

Last question, are you working on anything right now?
I’m madly working on revisions for my second book, A Most Devilish Rogue. The hero of my first book has a best friend, you see, and he’s a bit of a smart-aleck and a bit of a dandy, who has a penchant for landing himself into trouble. He’s in big trouble in his book and about to fall very, very hard at the worst possible time. It doesn’t hurt that he looks like a Regency version of Russell Crowe, either.


Why do you read? Is it to escape like me, or do you have a different reason?


After watching her beloved sister Sophia pine over the ton’s Golden Boy for years, Miss Julia St. Claire has foresworn love and put herself firmly on the shelf. Unfortunately, her social-climbing mother and debt-ridden father have other ideas, and jump at the chance to marry Julia off to the newly-named Earl of Clivesden…the man of Sophia’s dreams.

Since resigning his Cavalry commission, Benedict Revelstoke has spent his time in London avoiding the marriage mart. But when he discovers that the Earl of Clivesden has set Julia in his sights, Benedict tries to protect his childhood best friend from the man’s advances—only to discover more than friendship driving his desire to defend her. He surprises them both with the force of his feelings, but when she refuses him and her father announces her betrothal, he fears he’s lost her forever—until Julia approaches him with a shocking scheme that will ruin her for all respectable society…

…and lead them into an exquisite world of forbidden pleasures.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |

Check out whats up for grabs.

Up For Grabs:

To Enter:
  • Please answer Ashlyn's question: Why do you read? Is it to escape like me, or do you have a different reason?
  • Please fill out the Rafflecopter form
  • US/Canada Shipping ONLY

Good Luck =)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

65 comments :

  1. Hi Ashlyn yes same like you , I read to escape time :),

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    1. It's a great way to escape, isn't it? Much cheaper than a vacation.

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  2. I love to read to just relax and escape all the things going on around me

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  3. Reading is as natural to me as breathing, and not just because I'm a librarian! Although that gives me access to many books (and news about books!). I've only been reading historical romance for a little over a year now--so many I want to read! I love to write, too, mostly my personal blog (www.chocolateonion.blogspot.com) and my library's blog (http://eleventhstack.wordpress.com). I admire the romance authors that I read for their ability to come up with wonderful stories I can't wait to read! Congrats on your first book & I hope to read many more!

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    1. "Reading is as natural to me as breathing." So well put. And if you've just started reading historical romance, you have so many classics to discover. But I've been reading it for 25 years now...

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  4. Reading is my way to escape and relax. The former pushing me towards romance. I love all the emotions along the journey - tortured souls, fear, tears, suspense, anger - as long as I know story will end in a HEA. Season finale of "Downton Abbey" only reinforced why I love romance.

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    1. OMG, I don't want to talk about the season finale of Downton Abbey, and only partly because I don't want to spoil it for anyone. But yes, HEA all the way!

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    2. Chris, I just saw this link on Facebook and thought of your comment. (Downton Abbey season 3 spoilers--don't click if you haven't seen it.) http://www.buzzfeed.com/lyapalater/how-it-felt-watching-season-three-of-downtown-abbey-as-told

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  5. I read to escape real life. We all need time to ourselves to relax and reading is how I do it.

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    1. I so agree, both on the necessity and that reading is an ideal means.

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  6. Reading is not just an escape for me it is almost like therapy. If I am having a bad day reading always makes me feel better.

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  7. When I was younger, I read to increase knowledge and find out about the world and what other people were thinking. Now, I read for escape and nothing does it better than a good historical romance.

    Ashlyn, congratulations on your release!!

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    1. Thanks, Ella. Even when I was a kid, I read for escape, although I never minded those textbooks that made learning fun, either. And it's true even now, I can get lost if I need to research something.

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  8. I have a very stressful day job and the last thing I want to do when I read for enjoyment is become depressed. I love Historical Romances for those HEA's. Congratulations on a wonderful book!

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    1. Thank you! And yes, real life is stressful enough. We don't our reading material to remind us of that. That's possibly why I tend to prefer historicals over contemporaries. HEA aside, the heroines of contemps are often dealing with stressful situations that are too close to my real life.

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  9. Yes, it is an escape to another place and to leave the every day problems for a little while.

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  10. Hi Ashlyn yes same like you , I read to escape time :),

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    Replies
    1. I'm noting a trend here. :) Hurray for the moments we can steal for ourselves!

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  11. Watching TV for some people is like reading to me. I get away from everything and relax for awhile. I love how the story and characters build in my head.

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    1. Yes, I love how reading allows you to participate in the story a little more actively. Sure, the author gives you a description, but you still have to imagine the characters based on that.

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  12. Congrats Ashlyn on the new release! it's so pretty and I've got major book lust for it :) I read for pleasure so I guess it's like an escape for me. I've always done it ever since I was young so it's always been my addiction.

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    1. Thanks, Erin. I love the cover, too. I've escaped into books pretty much since I learned to read.

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  13. It's just so relaxing to get somewhere quiet and get lost in someone else's life for awhile. I guess that's a way to escape although my life isn't bad just sometimes stressful :)
    You're a new author for me and your book sounds amazing.
    Thanks,
    Lori

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! And I agree, it's great to get lost in someone else's life for a bit.

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  14. Mostly to relax I think and really just for pleasure, I love letting my imagination to take over and I love to read <3

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    1. Yes, I love how reading engages my imagination, even after I've finished a good book. I always like to think about what happened next.

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  16. I read to escape and go to another time and place that I can only imagine.

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    Replies
    1. It's fun, isn't it? And then you can always come back to the present when you miss your modern conveniences.

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  17. I read to escape and relax. There's nothing like immersing yourself in a story.

    Marcy Shuler
    bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  18. Congrats on the upcoming release, Ashlynn. I do read to escape and sometimes it's to learn more about a subject I'm interested in.

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    1. Thank you! It's the best when you can learn and escape at the same time, IMO.

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  19. I love to read because its like my very own movie in my head. It takes my away to a different time, place or world. I can't get enough.
    Congrats on the new release it sounds great.

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    1. Thank you. And I know what you mean about the movie in your head. It happens when I read and write.

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  20. I love to immerse myself in a book to relax and escape.....

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  21. I read because it relaxes me (most of the time) and it does take me away to other worlds. I'm sometimes a bit surprised where I am when I stop reading.

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    1. Oh, but I bet that's how you know it's an extra good book--when it can make you forget where you are.

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  22. I read to escape my normal dull life. Looks like a great read. Thanks for the post!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! Characters in books always get the best adventures.

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  23. Escape, definitely escape. To be in someone else's life instead of my own--especially when their problems seem worse than mine and yet it all ends in HEA...eventually :)

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    1. Yeah, that's an advantage romance has over life. You know it's going to work out well.

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  24. I read for escape but even more for enjoyment. I can go anywhere, be anyone, go back in time (or forward) . I don't know what I would do if. I couldn't read.

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    1. I couldn't imagine not being able to enjoy my little escape.

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  25. I most definitely read to escape. I only like sure-thing HEA, because I don't want to be stressed out wondering! There is enough stress in real life!

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    1. You're like me, needing to know how it ends. I have been known to read the last few pages of non-romance books, because it's too stressful not knowing.

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  26. Hi Ashlyn -

    I fell in love with reading in grade school when my teacher read the class a Dr. Suess book and haven't stoped not only loving to read but longing to have more to read.

    I can remember walking to our local library the summer I was 9 years old in 1952 and finding a section that was full of books about famous women and reading every one of their stories that I could that summer from Marie Ccurie to Amelia Earhart and since this was in the year 1952 and I was 9 at a time when you knew that being a "professional" woman wasn't what most of my friends thought they wanted to grow up to be!

    I read for many reasons, sometime to learn more about the history of the past because how can we understand what's going on around us in the world today if we don't understand what happened in the past and how it affected what came after! I also read sometimes for escape to be taken away for a calgon moment where in the end you know everything is going to end up "just as it's suppose to be". I also read to learn about other customs and to under stand situations that I've never experienced and alwasys try to put myself in that person's "shoes" and think about what I would have done in the same circumstance. Would I have been brave enough to face what they did? Would I have had the same reaction?

    And yes, at other times I want to have that moment of enveloping myself in a wonderful love story when the past is forgotten and the future looked forward to, where sins are forgiven and a second chance is within reach.

    I read because it opens up the world, past, present and future and always give me a new perspective of my own life.

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    1. Wow, excellent answer. I think that about sums it up, really. And how inspiring it must have been to read about those famous ladies who broke the mold when you were a child. I'm of a slightly younger generation than you, and I try to explain how things were different when I was young to my teenage daughters. I'm not sure they always get it.

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  27. I was able to find good advice from your blog posts.


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  28. I read mainly for the hours of entertainment I get from a good book. As a young child, there were no other children my age in my neighborhood and as a result, I became an avid reader. Books were my main source of entertainment. Your book is right of my reading alley. It's going on my btb list! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  29. I've always loved reading, since my mom said I taught myself to read around 3 or 4 years old. I love reading because it opens my eyes to another world, whether it's fictional or not. Sometimes I do use it as an escape, but there's nothing wrong with that.

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  30. Hi

    I do read to escape but I also read because books take me to places I would never get to see and events I would never get to experience - I love historicals for this reason.

    Thanks
    Pam
    tpibrew@msn.com

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  31. I read for entertainment, and to keep my brain occupied as I exercise.

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  32. I read because it's an addiction. :D I love to escape and roam other times, other worlds, other places and live other's lives in the fiction I read.

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  33. I read for the escape!
    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  34. I read for the escape, the relaxation, the enjoyment, the titillation... oh dozens of reasons... but mostly just because I can. (I was - I guess technically still am - dyslexic as a child...) I read a book or more a day, because I can!

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  35. Escape!!! LOL, I love to read for the escape, the relaxation, the thrill, the joy everything that a book can give me! Thanks for this giveaway!

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