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Book-Fiction

The Pinata-Maker’s Daughter Interview with author Eileen Clemens Granfors

Greetings readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors and welcome to The ToiBox of Words. I’m your host Toi Thomas, author of Eternal Curse, and today I’m sharing a special interview with author, Eileen Clemens Granfors, about her fiction book entitled, The Pinata-Maker’s Daughter. Enjoy!

Image provided by author.

Where did the idea for The Pinata-Maker’s Daughter come from?

I wanted to write more about a character from the first book I published, Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead. I thought a lot about going on with the same protagonist (Marisol), but I decided on a prequel. Carmen was my favorite from the first book although I love Joe too. I found a way to work both characters into the new book. So this is Book 1 of the Marisol Trilogy.

How did the title of this book come about?

I chose this title because who can resist a piñata? At the same time, the reader would also know that the family income is not going to be very high so life will be challenging. Several months before writing the book began, I found a picture by Donna Dickson that portrayed the comfortable, loving relationship of a mom and daughter. Donna, who lives and works in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, graciously allowed me to use her art. It is the perfect scene for the book’s cover.

What genre is this book and why did you choose to make it so?

Okay, here’s where I goofed, I guess. The middle book was about a junior high kid, very innocent and often put off by the world’s hardships. In The Pinata-Maker’s Daughter, since Carmen is in college, she gets herself involved in escapades that are PG-13. Compared to other YA, it’s mild, but I have had readers object. I felt that Carmen showed her impulsive side in the worst ways, but a few readers were pretty ticked off. I now call the book women’s fiction although it could certainly be placed as LATE-age YA or New Adult.

What would you say is the overall message or the theme of this book?

When writing this book, I was endorsing the growth kids go through in college. Yes, they certainly do a lot of stupid stuff, but they grow and learn. If they are lucky, they leave home and live in a dorm. They find out that the world they come from is not the only world there is. They learn about hardships of health, of love, and of parental expectations from a variety of sources. This opposition was something I faced as a senior; parents who did not see any reason to go away to college. They were worried about money, and they also didn’t really want me to leave for Los Angeles since our whole family is in San Diego.

Tell me about the experience of writing this book; how long did it take.

Raised by an army major, I am a disciplined person. I write every day, two to three hours. It took about a year to write this book if we include the rewrites, the changes, and the decisions of making things work out logically. I purposely left the ending brief so that if I someday finish the trilogy, the reader will know Carmen, Joe, Marisol, and Franco well enough to be interested in the futures they face. I grew up in a town that edged up to the Mexican border (Imperial Beach, CA) so my classmates and friends were often Mexicans. We were multicultural before the word was used much. That’s how I see the world.

Tell me about the main storyline within this book.

Carmen is accepted to a prestigious college. She lives in a poor Hispanic neighborhood south of San Diego and her mother absolutely opposes her leaving home for college. She goes anyway with scholarship money. Almost at once she feels like an outsider. Her roommate, Shirley, is a special girl, but even money can’t solve her problems. Carmen falls right away for two very different men, one a frat rat who makes her laugh and one a Hispanic rights leader who woos her into joining the campus movement against fraternities and sororities. Carmen is constantly saying the wrong thing to one or the other of them and getting mad at the way she feels used by both men. She has a hard time making herself feel equal although two nuns on a semester’s study break help her a lot. But she turns away from the religion of her youth to look into the religion of love and more freedom to live her way.

Who is the protagonist of this story?

Carmen has grown up as the high school nerd with just a kind of goofy, boy-crazy friend across the street. Kids know she is the piñata-maker’s daughter, and some befriend her just for the candy she gives away. By the time she is 18, she is ready to take on the world. She loves books, art, and her mom. But her mother is such an embarrassment to her! From the way she wears her hair to the coveralls she works in, Lucia is someone Carmen would lock in a closet if she could. Lucia seems to stand in the way of all Carmen’s dreams, but she also has a tender heart. She even loves tomato worms! Carmen knows her mother means well; she simply must have a way to show she is growing up as her own woman and that doesn’t mean being the piñata-maker’s daughter for the rest of her life. A college degree, travel, a job somewhere rich and fancy, that’s what Carmen dreams of.

Who is the antagonist of this story?

Because of Carmen’s insecurities, she finds almost everyone her antagonist. She is possessive about men when she has no right to be, so she is constantly jealous of womanizer Franco and casual flirt, Joe. Both men cause her to question her self-righteousness and tendency to be judgmental. Franco does take advantage of their shared heritage and he’s not as kind as Joe is. He is absolutely dedicated to himself and his causes. College life itself is a conflict for her. She is used to be the best student, and now she’s one of thousands.

What is the major conflict in this story?

Carmen is faced with growing up. She is no longer under her mother’s thumb, and sometimes, she is so impulsive she stirs up more trouble than she can handle. She tries to be a good friend to her roommate, but her roommate also makes her uncomfortable. She is far too fixated on finding romance and lets her studies come second. She has fought hard to achieve this dream, but she is in danger of losing it to her wayward heart.

Where and when is this story taking place?

The story takes place in a fictional college north of Los Angeles. It is not UC-Santa Barbara! But Carmen travels home to San Ysidro, CA often. The time is the present.

Who is your favorite character in this book?

I’m a mom who has had the kid who thinks I’m way too strict, way too old-fashioned, and she really wishes I would get a grip. With that in mind, I absolutely dearly love Carmen’s mother. So I love Lucia and the way that she doesn’t back down to her impulsive daughter. I also love Joe Sneed for his youthful goofiness that contrasts with Carmen’s serious side.

Are there elements of your personality or life experiences in this book?

The most important part of my life experience in this book is my desire to attend a big, well-known, prestigious university. Not one person in my family supported that dream. Not even my college counselor thought a four-year university was worth it. I found a way. The city of San Ysidro, the beach scenes, and many of the people come from my growing up in the San Diego area are part of Carmen’s love of place.

What is one thing from this book you wish was real or could happen to you?

I wish that all students at the cusp of adulthood would take time to learn that life is beautiful and meaningful. Lucia (Carmen’s mom) raises tomato worms because she loves all living creatures. She wants for Carmen to live right, be strong, and to be free, like the mariposa butterfly. If people felt free to act as themselves sooner in life, there would be so much less bullying and fixation on looks. Carmen learns a lot about getting over herself in her first year of college.

What is something you wish wasn’t real and hope doesn’t happen to you?

There is death in this book. There is illness. It is a sad part of the book from which Carmen learns more lessons, but honestly, having taught for 33 years and having students or their loved ones die of disease or their parents or car accidents, I wish no young person ever had to face death without knowing the joys of living life as an independent adult.

Let’s say your book is being turned into a feature length film; quick- cast the main two characters and pick a theme song or score.

Carmen: America Ferrerra

Joe: Josh Hutcherson

Franco: Emile Hersh

Mama Lucia  Eva Longoria

Theme song: La Vida Loco

Do you have any special plans for this book in the near or far future?

I am so lucky! The new film, THE BOOK LIFE, with Diego Luna, Tatum Channing, and Zoe Saldana came out October 17th. So there will be interest in the Day of the Dead, which is the middle book, SOME RIVERS END ON THE DAY OF THE DEAD. And some readers may choose to read THE PINATA-MAKER’S DAUGHTER FIRST!

My plans for this book are to keep it in the view of the readers through Twitter, newspapers, local libraries, my book business cards, my blog, my interviews, and attending book clubs. I have a recipe for a piñata cake on Pinterest. I’d love to bring a cake to your book club discussion!

Okay readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors, that’s all for today. Be sure to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next time. To obtain your copy of The Pinata-Maker’s Daughter, please visit the link provided.

Amazon

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Categories
Book-Fiction

Isolation Interview with author Denise R. Stephenson

Greetings readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors and welcome to The ToiBox of Words. I’m your host Toi Thomas, author of Eternal Curse, and today I’m sharing a special interview with author, Denise R. Stephenson, about her fiction book entitled, Isolation. Enjoy!

Image provided by author.

Where did the idea for Isolation come from?

The germs of my novel Isolation came from 1) the fear of a swine flu epidemic in the fall of 2009, 2) changes in behavior that swept through the country, 3) my concerns about the overuse of 99% bacterial killing soaps and sanitizers, and 4) a line that stuck in my head: “laying a finger aside of his nose.” I imagined a boy who found the The Night Before Christmas in a box from his mother’s childhood. Seeing Santa touch his nose, the boy recognized the book as contraband, since face-touching was not allowed in his world. Suddenly I was thinking about a world in which face-touching was prohibited and I knew the idea was worth following.

How did the title of this book come about?

I was walking on a beach talking with a friend who asked about my working title. With hardly a thought, I blurted, Isolation. At the time, I had no idea it would stick. But as the weeks of writing wore on, I realized more and more resonances of the title in the workings of the novel.

What genre is this book and why did you choose to make it so?

Isolation is a dystopia which puts it in scifi. Dystopias have interested me as long as I can remember. Farenheit 451 was probably the first novel I ever read multiple times. Handmaid’s Tale was the novel that made me an adult reader. The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist may be my favorite dystopia, filled as it is with notions of sacrificing the old at the altar of health research, an idea not too far from Isolation. Let’s face it; the premise of not being able to touch our own faces screamed–Government overreach!–a characteristic common in dystopias. What choice did I really have?

What would you say is the overall message or the theme of this book?

While fiction generally doesn’t deliver a message, my favorite responses from readers are when they tell me that Isolation has made them conscious of what they eat and what bacterial safety means to them now. I want people to think about the choices they make in their everyday lives. It’s not that I want or expect changes in behavior. Though a recurring mantra in the novel is—Habits learned early are habits for life—I recognize that mostly we do what’s easy and cultural. I hope readers ask: Is the easy choice the healthiest choice?

Tell me about the experience of writing this book; how long did it take.

I was fortunate enough to have a sabbatical to write this novel. I wrote the first 300 pages on an island in Kapa’a, Kauai in three months. The following 120 pages I wrote at home over the subsequent four months, a much slower pace. The next two months, I reordered and revised. Then I ran a Kickstarter campaign to fund my indie publishing and a portion of my promotional budget. At that stage, I’d spent 10 months. It would take another 10 months to find a proofreader, walk through the publishing stages of print and e-book versions, provide Kickstarter rewards, and promote the book through venues such as this generous offer. From start to finish it took a year and a half, fast by most standards!

Tell me about the main storyline within this book.

In the first section, “Unsuspected Sources,” bacterial contagion arrives and decimates various individuals and areas. The story moves around covering a number of locales. In “Don’t Touch,” the government begins legislating human behaviors, especially public ones, in an effort to protect people from disease. This section also contains news articles that interrupt the narrative and provide information about the changes taking place. The narrative continues to involve locations throughout the country. In the third section, “The Dangers Within,” a quarantine is imposed and everyone must stay indoors and the narrative becomes confined to a small group of characters in San Diego.

Who is the protagonist of this story?

Like a good indie film, there isn’t a single protagonist in Isolation. Rather, there are a cast of characters whose lives we follow. Like Stephen King’s, The Stand, the action in the early part of the novel takes place in far flung, remote locations in the U.S. By the middle, there are a handful of characters whose lives come together in a single area. The three primary characters are Maggie, a mother who must raise her son in the confines of her home; Gary, a Sterilizer who spends 12 hours a day scouring the infected; and the Professor, who reveals how the dystopia took shape over the course of his lifetime.

Who is the antagonist of this story?

As a teenager, Trevor reports on every infraction his classmates make, no matter how trivial. Trevor believes in following the rules, every rule, all the time. As an adult, Trevor becomes a Chief Enforcer, running the Anti-Bacterial Center where Gary works. He manages Sterilizers, Enforcers, and Cleaners in his efforts to keep Homelanders safe from contagion. Trevor’s OCD leads him to count items incessantly; ensuring good numbers and avoiding dangerous ones. Rule following becomes challenging as new rules emerge quickly as bacteria morph into more and more deadly strains, but Trevor keeps up, even devising ways of observing more rule-breakers all at once.

What is the major conflict in this story?

Escaping contagion is the conflict. This leads to tremendous fear which immobilizes people. When the government stops individuals from touching their own faces, most participate willingly, to the best of their ability. But by the time touching others is forbidden and quarantines begin, the desire to connect grows beyond containment. Eventually, even the most accidental touch between strangers ignites passion.

Where and when is this story taking place?

The timeline is epic. It begins where we are today: contaminated spinach or cantaloupe can sicken the unsuspecting and kill the immunocompromised. As bacterial resistance grows, the government legislates behavior. Eventually the story moves three generations, or roughly 70 years, into the future—real and fictitious.

Who is your favorite character in this book?

I’m going to surprise myself and say Cathy. It certainly didn’t start out that way. In fact, I’ve been accused of not treating her very well, because her daughter Maggie often complains about her incessant talking. But there’s something I like about Cathy’s spirit. She doesn’t let life get her down. She takes things as they come and makes the best of them. That’s certainly not a quality I possess; I wish I had more of Cathy’s easy going nature. I wouldn’t want to be around her for long; don’t get me wrong. She would annoy me like she does Maggie, but I do admire her verve!

Are there elements of your personality or life experiences in this book?

One aspect that’s recognizably me is the way the Professor contemplates possible influences in how the world has come to function as it does. I ponder the culture around me constantly. Another part of me comes in the middle of the book when Maggie starts to develop a conspiracy theory about agri-business and the government working in cahoots. I don’t lie in bed at night with aluminum foil on my head to protect me from telecommunication waves, but I do see patterns in the movement of Monsanto’s top execs into a variety of government posts as less than ethical.

What is one thing from this book you wish was real or could happen to you?

I think I’d like to experience the Stir-Ball I created which provides a means of generating energy. It’s the equivalent of a hamster ball with a gyroscopic control to limit upside-down inversions as desired. I think it would be fun to drive a Stir-Ball if I had a large enough space to not hit walls often, something Pele isn’t given the luxury of in the novel.

What is something you wish wasn’t real and hope doesn’t happen to you?

I hope there are never Enforcers patrolling the streets keeping me from touching my face. I don’t want to live in a world in which government lackeys are dressed in various colors of burqa-like cover-ups hiding their features in an effort to protect them from contagion. Just the outfits provide a vision of the world falling apart in ways I hope to never see. It’s not unlike some of the street scenes in Ebola-ridden West Africa and that’s downright frightening.

Let’s say your book is being turned into a feature length film; quick- cast the main two characters and pick a theme song or score.

Isolation as a film would be a kind of the 1995 Outbreak meets Soderbergh’s 2011 Contagion.

Maggie would be played by Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Gary would be played by Billy Crudup.

Trevor would be played by Josh Malina.

Philip Glass would write the score. It would be in the vein of Koyaanisqatsi.

Do you have any special plans for this book in the near or far future?

My plans for Isolation involve finding more ways of promoting it. One of those may be my plans for writing, not a sequel exactly, but rather a variety of possible “next stages.” I want to pen several follow-ups that create different possible outcomes for readers to enjoy their visions of what could happen. In fact, if readers want to share ideas with me, I’d be thrilled to hear about their ideas on Isolation’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DeniseStephensonIsolation

Okay readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors, that’s all for today. Be sure to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next time. To obtain your copy of Isolation, please visit the links provided.

Electronic copies can be purchased directly at:
Denise Stephenson

Soft cover print versions can be purchased at the following links:
Amazon | Barnes and Nobel

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Categories
Fiction Author

Juliann Troi Interview – Fiction Author

Greetings readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors and welcome to The ToiBox of Words. I’m your host Toi Thomas, author of Eternal Curse, and today I have a treat to share.A while back, I had the pleasure to interview a wonderful author named, Juliann Troi. A good time was truly had by all, and here’s how it went down.

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Toi Thomas: Hi there Juliann! It’s so awesome to have you here at the ToiBox Blog. I’m excited to learn more about you and your work.

Juliann Troi: Hi Toi, I’m thrilled to be in the ToiBox!

Toi Thomas: So tell me, who is Juliann Troi?

Juliann Troi: Born and raised in Oklahoma, I’m a former teacher with a passion for learning and history.  In the seventeen years I’ve been writing, I’ve penned everything from prayer guides and blog posts to newsletters, Bible studies and several internationally published novels.

While the crafting business I started in 2005 allows me to express creativity in a variety of mediums, it is writing that truly gives wings to my dreams.  My favorite thing in the whole world is taking a pile of beads, paper, yarn or even words and turning it into something beautiful.

Toi Thomas: I loved that last statement. I like people who overflow with creativity. I can tell this is going to be a great interview.

Toi Thomas: Well before we dive into your special message today, let’s get to know you, the person inside the author.

Toi Thomas: Who is so you and why?

Wikipedia

Juliann Troi: I’ve actually been compared to James Mitchner as a writer but since it was in relation to the length of one of my early books (having 726 pages), I’m not sure it was a compliment. In truth, my role model is Jane Austen.  I love that she was told by the society of her day that she couldn’t be what she dreamed of being, but she did it anyway and did it well. She was a mold breaker and in the process changed her world.  That’s what I want to be and do as well.

Toi Thomas: Ya know, I do get an Austen-esque feeling about you, but I have a feeling this is only the beginning of a something much stronger like: artistry, grace, and mastery.

Toi Thomas: So, what makes you geek out?

Juliann Troi: I’m a fanatic crafter.  I LOVE making stuff.  Unfortunately, I’m A.D.D. as well so I usually have at least a dozen projects going at once.  Right now, I’m working on three books, four dolls, Christmas cards, jewelry, a quilt, a couple of afghans, and three cross stitch projects.

Toi Thomas: I thought I took on a lot, but you are something else…I mean that in the best possible way. I’m truly impressed. Writing, blogging, and creating video content seems minor in comparison to what you’re doing, but I do what works for me and you do what works for you.

Toi Thomas: Well now, what was your favorite book or story, pre-teen years?

Goodreads

Juliann Troi: My favorite books were Ann McCaffrey’s The Dragonriders of Pern series.  Today, as a professional author, I greatly admire McCaffrey’s talent for crafting a realistic setting and relatable characters, but as a kid I only knew she made Pern feel real and believable and set my imagination on fire.

Toi Thomas: You have a way with words, but as a writer, how could I expect less. You are so right about authors creating realistic worlds and people. I think that’s why I love fiction so much. I like the idea that something that’s not real can feel just the opposite. It can feel natural, real, and tangible.

Toi Thomas: In terms of interviews, whose brain are you just itching to scratch?

Wikepedia

Juliann Troi: I would like to interview Mark Twain.  Having been born little more than a generation after the Revolutionary War and growing up in the South, Twain experienced the best and worst of young America. He saw her grow and fulfill some of her vast potential, then saw her mauled and broken by Civil War and, eventually, saw the tattered remains mended and stitched into a new, stronger nation that surged ahead during the Industrial Revolution. I would love to hear his thoughts and insights on all that he witnessed over the course of his life.

Toi Thomas: I must admit I have a love-hate relationship with Twain’s work. I think if I hadn’t been forced to read his work in high school I would have a greater appreciation for him, but in spite of that, it’s clear that he possessed a great talent and powerful insight into his times. I do actually quite enjoy the story of Huckleberry Fin now, but it has had to grow on me.

Toi Thomas: Now that we know a little more about you, the person, let’s learn about you, the author, and dive into your special message.

Juliann Troi: Okie doke.

Toi Thomas: So whacha got for me today?

Juliann Troi: I’ve got my latest release: Green Pearl, book 2 of The Dragonfly Saga.

Unaware that they’ve been betrayed, Ty and Kathryn enjoy a blissful honeymoon in Shaoguan. All at once, their peace is shattered by bitter jealousy and attempts on Kathryn’s life. The couple is forced to flee in a desperate attempt to stay a step ahead of General Cheng and the would-be assassins. After being discovered and fearing that Ty has been captured, or worse, Kathryn goes on without him. Alone and hunted, she must somehow find a way to get off the mainland alive and in time to stop her father from starting a war.

Toi Thomas: Wow, this synopsis screams drama and suspense and I like it.

Toi Thomas: So who’s starring is this 2 dimensional script read of The Dragonfly Saga?

image provided by author

Juliann Troi: Kathryn Hopewell is the pampered, Harvard educated daughter of a powerful American trade lord raised in China.  She is strong and smart but hindered by a society that forbids her to inherit her family’s trading company.  After being taken prisoner by the ruthless warlord, Cheng Jiong, Kathryn is broken and transformed as she faces and overcomes adversity.

Ty Wang, who saves Kathryn from Cheng Jiong at great cost, was being groomed to rule China when revolution toppled the empire. An American educated doctor, he risks everything to prevent his beloved homeland from being destroyed by warlords and foreign invaders.

Toi Thomas: I get the sense that this is a love story surrounded by a much bigger message; perhaps there are lessons to be learned concerning international trade and the makings of wars.

Toi Thomas: Tell me, what’s so special about this story that’s going to reel in the readers?

Juliann Troi: Attracted to the exotic mystery of Imperial China?  Relish forbidden love in the midst of revolution? Adore political intrigue and heroes/heroines overcoming impossible odds to survive only to be betrayed by someone close and trusted? Then you’ll love The Dragonfly Saga!

Toi Thomas: What a plug! If someone can answer yes to any, let alone, all of these questions, I do believe they are in for a treat.

Toi Thomas: Now back to you; past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?

Juliann Troi: I always have stories in progress, usually working on several at once. When one story isn’t flowing, I move on to another that is.  I guess I have a very fertile imagination because I don’t have to try very hard to generate a storyline and rarely suffer from writer’s block. Stories play like movies in my head and plot threads just seem to grow and develop as I research and work them.  If I need to capture mood or need an emotional nudge I’ll turn on a certain period/topic-related movie or listen to the soundtrack.

Toi Thomas: OH MY GOSH!…Are you inside my head? I’m seriously not playing around when I say this is exactly how my writing process works. I don’t even want to ask about outing and character development. I’ll save that conversation for another day.

Toi Thomas: Now I’m intrigued; what author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how?

Juliann Troi: I can’t say that any one author has influenced me more than another.  I feel like I get something from every book I read, whether it be something I would like to emulate or something I wish to avoid. I’m always growing and changing as an author, always evolving.

Toi Thomas: I like this answer and also share this sentiment. I can name specific ways I’ve been influenced by others in my writing, but I don’t know that just one writer has left an impression on me other that the one who got be interested in writing, but that is something for another day  as well.

Toi Thomas: Now this is where the questions get a little kooky; are you ready?

Juliann Troi: Yep.

Toi Thomas: If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Wikipedia

Juliann Troi: That’s a hard one.  I love movies and to watch only one from now on would be like having only one window in the room and seeing the same view day after day.  If I could only choose one, I think I would choose Galaxy Quest to keep me smiling.

Toi Thomas: Nice! That’s definitely a good choice to keep the laughs coming.

Toi Thomas: When the soundtrack of your life is playing in your head, what songs express your glee and what songs bring out your rage?

Wikipedia

Juliann Troi: I enjoy many different kinds of music from swing, to rock, to pop, to movie/game soundtracks.  Just about anything by Earth, Wind & Fire, Elton John or Hans Zimmer works. I’m NOT a fan of Elvis Presley’s ‘Blue Christmas’.  Like fingernails on a chalkboard, it makes me cringe.

Toi Thomas: I must say that I’m partial to Brenda Lee’s ‘Blue Christmas’ myself. I like that your musical interests are so varied. I like meeting music fans, whatever their preferred musical genre(s) may be.

Toi Thomas: Let’s play zombie urban survivor. What 3 things do you need to survive a black-out in Central Park the day zombies attack?

Juliann Troi: At the top of my ‘Zombie Apocalypse’ wish list would be a flashlight, plenty of fresh water and someone who knows how to kill zombies.

Toi Thomas: I hear that. I think I could do pretty well with survival skills, but killing Zombies may require a learning curve I might not be able to reach depending on whether they are the slow moving brain eater type or the super-fast eat any flesh that gets in their way type. 

Toi Thomas: Now, can you think; what’s the most fun experience you’ve ever had, to date?

Juliann Troi: Just about any time I get to spend with my young adult children is a fun experience for me.  They always make me laugh.

Toi Thomas: Classic answer. I don’t think enough people truly value the precious times they are able to spend with loved ones.

Toi Thomas: Now this is where the questions get a little philosophical and start to wind down. You ready?

Juliann Troi: Okie doke.

Toi Thomas: Not that you can see into the future, but in your opinion, what does the future hold?

Juliann Troi: Frankly, I have no idea what the future holds.  Today has more than enough to keep me busy and if I look too far ahead I start fretting and worrying, which is a waste of what could be productive time and is detrimental to my health. My plan is to continue writing books and enjoying success as an author. Maybe in five years I’ll have “internationally acclaimed, best-selling author” as part of my moniker.  Go big or go home, right?

Toi Thomas: You said it. I like your thinking. Keep it moving or get out of the way. 🙂

Toi Thomas: Before I conclude, is there a question you would like to ask me?

Juliann Troi: Q: What is your favorite part about being an author?  Your least favorite part?

Toi Thomas: A: I think I’m a lot like most authors when I say finishing that first draft is magically wonderful. Coming up with an idea is good, but being able to complete that and develop it into a story is great. It’s no secret, at least is shouldn’t be, but I do not like editing. It’s so hard to go back over my work force myself to add and remove things…oh and then there’s the grammar. Not my cup of tea, but part of the process.

Toi Thomas: Thank you so much Julian for spending time with me today.

Juliann Troi: Thanks for having me.  It’s been fun!

Okay readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors, that’s all for today. Be sure to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next time. For more fromJuliann Troi, check out these great links:

Website:Author Juliann Troi.com

GoodReads:www.goodreads.com/julianntroi

Facebook:www.facebook.com/authorjulianntroi

Twitter:@julianntroi

LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/julianntroi

Purchase links for The Dragonfly Saga: Tate Publishing

This has been a

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Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords