Saturday, April 27, 2013

Lori Verni-Fogarsi stops by Penny's Tales






“A Love/Hate Relationship Between an Author and Her Characters”

Growing up, whenever I visualized “a writer,” it always seemed like a purely intellectual undertaking. There I would be, intermittently scribbling notes and pounding away at the keyboard as my mind emptied onto the pages.

In reality? Sure, there are times when it’s like that but, surprisingly, there are also times when the emotions become overwhelming! I’ve been known to say to friends, “Man, these people are driving me crazy!”

“Who?” they ask.

“The characters!”

“You mean the fictional ones in your book?”

“Yes!” (This is usually followed by them turning one finger in a circle on the side of their head, making a coo-coo sign, then asking if I’d like a glass of wine.)

I confess that my poor husband has also fallen victim to me being mad at him because of things the husband in my book has done, and I’ve had no patience for my kids even at the beginning of a weekend because “they” have already been testing me all week in my imagination.

Conversely (thank goodness!) I also sometimes have warm and fuzzy feelings toward my real life family members and friends due to niceties with the characters at times. I think it would be safe to say that my cat, Indy, who insists on being ON my lap and/or desk EVERY MINUTE that I am working, is probably still on my good side only because Frick (the cat in the book) is so docile.

Come to think of it, I would imagine that most careers cause mixed emotions at times. Social worker? Both rewarding and frustrating. Salesperson? Both elating and disappointing. Professional dancer? Both exhilarating and exhausting. I could go on and on, but I’ll stop now. (If you’d like to comment below about your career and any mixed feelings you might have, I’d love to know!)

Overall, I do find it worth it to have to put up with all of these mixed feelings. In ways, I actually feel like I’ve grown as a person from writing my books and with “Unexpecting” in particular, I feel like I’ve tackled some parenting issues, feelings, and dilemmas that haven’t even come up yet (some of which hopefully never will!).

I hope you’ve enjoyed this perspective and look forward to getting to know you a bit too. Thanks for reading!



AUTHOR BIO: Lori Verni-Fogarsi has been an author, speaker, and small business consultant since 1995. She has been featured in media including “Lifetime Women’s Network,” the “My Carolina Today Show,” and “Boston Globe Forums Live.” Her public speaking has occurred at many prestigious venues including “North Carolina State University,” “Nassau Community College,” and many more. She has received two awards for her novel, “Momnesia,” and her nonfiction, “Everything You Need to Know About House Training Puppies and Adult Dogs,” continues to be one of the most highly recommended in its genre since 2005. Lori is a happy married mom of two, step mom of two more, and has two cats, both rotten. She is very excited about the release of “Unexpecting,” and enjoys getting to know her readers via social media and in person. She invites you to learn more at www.LoriTheAuthor.com.

“Unexpecting”: Shelley and David are a couple of almost-empty-nesters preparing to embark on the next stage of their lives. They just ordered white furniture and planned the vacation they’ve waited their entire lives to take when Alexandra, seventeen and pregnant, shows up on their doorstep and announces that she’s the daughter they never knew they had!


“Momnesia”: Feeling invisible under all the responsibilities of caring for her family, a suburban mom sets about finessing a new version of her old vivaciousness… seeking balance between her “momminess” and her “sexiness!”


“Everything You Need to Know About House Training Puppies and Adult Dogs”: Whether you have a puppy who is first learning, an adult dog with ongoing confusion, or simply want to teach your pet to use a designated area, this book answers literally every housebreaking question!

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Saturday, April 20, 2013

Dan Wright's Legacy of the Dragonkin is featured on Penny's Tales!





PAGE TURNER BOOK TOURS PRESENTS…

   


Legacy Of The Dragonkin

Blurb:

Benji Dragonkin aspires to be a hero, just like his mother - Queen Daniar Dragonkin. He wants to become a famous warrior so that he can save the day - and win the heart of his long time friend, Lydia Taurok. But with his mother being overly protective of him, and a dark side to his father that threatens to tear their family apart, Benji has a long way to go just yet.

Zarracka Dragonkin, still a prisoner of Daniar, plots her revenge against her sister - and Benji may just be the key to her victory.

And in the land of Drewghaven, the Kthonian Knights arise once more, determined to once again bring forth their revenge against the men of the world. Their leader, Jihadain, seeks to settle old scores with Daniar - and break her spirit in the process.

With villains gathering and allies faltering, Benji sees this as a chance to prove himself a true warrior. But even more harrowing is a warning that his mother receives, forshadowing a greater evil:

"She is coming..."




About Dan Wright:
 
Dan lives in the UK, his hometown being Canterbury, Kent. A huge fan of both Fantasy and Manga, he has a style that combines both within his writing, which lets him tell stories that are both dramatic and tongue-in-cheek at the same time.

Dan also runs his own website, blog and even a wiki page that goes into detail of the world of Draconica. He is also a reviewer for the website Read2Review and also reviews books independently on his own website.

Authors who have inspired Dan are Douglas Adams, J.R.R Tolkien, Harlan Ellison, Alan Moore, Joss Whedon, H.P Lovecraft, George R.R Martin and Hiromu Arakawa.

You can connect with Dan Wright at the following places:



Character Interview – The Man in Shadow

A huge thanks to Penny’s Tales for having me today. For this part of the blog tour, I was asked to do a character interview for a character of my choice. I decided to interview, who I consider to be, the one that is the cause of all the chaos in the book. The Man in Shadow.



The Man in Shadow is somewhat of an enigma. Very little is known about him and his motivations – but he is responsible for releasing the Kthonian Knights and sending them on their path of destruction. But just who is the Man in Shadow really?

I managed to get some time to speak to him today and it was an – interesting talk to say the least.


Dan: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

MIS: Hmmm, let’s see. I may or may not have been born to a mother I may or may not have had. I may or may not have lived a life of pain and suffering. I may or may not have been married, had kids and seen them all taken away from me. And I may or may not have a deep seated hatred for all life and seek to destroy them. Or I may or may not just be a complete evil person just may or may not just enjoy messing with the lives of others. There. Does that answer your question?


What do you like to do in your spare time?

Oh, the usual. Pillage, destroy, burn everything, seek the death of all life, fart in public places – you know, the usual activity that all villains like to do!


Why do you release the Kthonian Knights from their prison?

The Kthonian Knights play a key story in my plan. With them causing chaos in Drewghaven, it allows me to focus on other things. Plus, I kinda like the Kthonian Knights. Sure, they are gendercidal maniacs that seek the death of all men, but they’re nice girls really. All they need is a cuddle now and then. Sure, they’ll probably rip your spine out for so much as touching them, but it’s only because they care!


Are you working with other people or working alone?

Well... there is a group of people that have hired me, called The Kabal. And I may or may not be working with them. Tell the truth, I haven’t decided yet.


What are your motivations for your actions?

Sigh. This is the problem. People ALWAYS think you need to have a reason for your actions. What’s wrong with doing things just because I can? Do you think a God needs a reason to cause death and destruction – no, they do it because they have the power to do so.

And besides, if you knew what I knew – how meaningless and pointless life is – then you wouldn’t need any motivations for your actions. You’d do it just because you feel like it.

Hell, I could carve YOU up into a million pieces just because I wanted to. But I won’t. Anyway, who would clean the mess up afterwards? Hehehe.


People call you the Man in Shadow because you tend to hide in the darkness. Can you tell us your real name?

If I told you that, I’d have to kill you. Well, I’d probably torture and then tickle you first, but I WOULD end up killing you eventually. It just depends of how happy I’m feeling at the time.


Every so often, we notice that you have to vent some kind of black gas from your mask. Can you tell us the reason why you need to do that?

I just have a bad case of gas! Hahaha!

But seriously, it’s void gas. Something left over from my imprisonment (which I could tell you about but it’s a very long and boring story and I’d probably just bore you to death telling it). Unfortunately, Draconica air doesn’t agree with me, so I have to wear the mask to be able to breathe. But occasionally, some of this left over stuff can clog my lungs. It’s a pain, but something that I have to do now and then.


At some point in Legacy of the Dragonkin, there is reference made to an entity known only as She and eludes to something called Final Ragnarok. Who is She?

Oh I couldn’t tell you that. I do so hate spoilers after all. You’ll find out what Final Ragnarok is when everyone else does. But by then it will be too late!

As to who She is? Well, I think I can give a little teaser...

Let’s just say that She is a being of immense power and hatred. She’s been living in the darkness for centuries – a living, boiling mass of hate. A hatred that has been brewing for such a long time it’s all she’s known. She is the one who, when released, will bring Draconica to its knees. Draconica will burn, people will die and all your worse fears will come true.

Or, she may just be a misunderstood soul that just needs a little loving. Who knows? Well, I do, but like I said, I hate spoilers.