(Free at Amazon, iTunes and Smashwords; $.99 at B&N!)
Thank you, Lisa, for sharing with Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.Q1. What inspired you to write this particular title?
LM: I love Christmas stories. Who doesn’t ? Each year I would stock up on Christmas books and read them one after one during the holidays. I was caring for an injured stray kitten who’d been hurt by a neighbor’s dog and I started singing All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey. It was August, so yes, I was a little early for the holiday. But from that moment, that stray kitten became a stray dog and a family of foster kids and a displaced single mom.Q2. What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?
LM: A teen? I remember reading the book Always, a reincarnation romance story. I loved it! I must have read it five times when I was in high school. I lost the original book when I went to college, but I managed to track down a used copy a few years ago.Q3. What are some of the best tips you’ve received on writing?
LM: Keep writing. And writing. Then finish it. There are a lot of writers who have parts of books on their hard drive but nothing complete. You can always revise a manuscript that needs work. So even if it doesn’t feel like it’s great when you’re writing it, keep writing and finish it.Q4. Is there any one thing you struggle with in your writing?
LM: Confidence. I’m never confident I’m going to pull the story together until about 80% of the way through the story. This comes from the fact that I’m a puzzle writer and I write in pieces. I’ve always wished I was more linear in my writing, but I’m not. My brain doesn’t work that way.Q5. Do you have any strange habits when you write?
LM: Strange? No. I’m just a coffee fiend. I have to have a cup of coffee on my desk even if I’m not drinking it. Okay, so maybe that’s strange.Q6. Which authors have influenced you most how?
LM: There are way too many to even list. I’d say that the type of author who influences me is the kind who can make me forget that I’m a writer. If I’m critiquing the story, either good or bad, as I’m reading a story, then I’m not fully engaged. But if I can get so wrapped up in a story that I forget about the craft of writing, I love it.Q7. Please share your most rewarding experience since being published.
LM: There are steps and I don’t think any one of them is any less important than the last one. Getting your first contract is always a rush. Finally in your first contest, another rush. Winning, even nicer. It brings validation because writers are such insecure creatures. Getting reader mail is awesome! Getting paid is always nice, too! I don’t think any writer ever sits back and says, “I’ve made it.” Made what? There is always something more to strive for, either in her career or creatively. I’m always reaching for that next thing, which is why I write all over the place. I don’t stick to one type of writing. That keeps me fresh and I hope the readers see that in the stories I create.Having just enjoyed All I Want for Christmas... I'd say that that story is fresh and wonderfully enjoyable.
About the Author:
Lisa Mondello (a.k.a. LA Mondello) has held many jobs in her life but being a published authors is the last job she'll ever have. She's not retiring! She blames the creation of the personal computer for her leap into writing novels. Otherwise, she'd still be penning stories with paper and pen. Her first book, All I Want for Christmas is You, was the winner of the Golden Quill contest for Best First Book and to date has had over 400,000 downloads worldwide.
She is currently the author of 14 novels under the name Lisa Mondello and LA Mondello. You can find more information about Lisa Mondello at http://www.lisamondello.blogspot.com
www.LisaMondello.blogspot.com
@LisaMondello
http://www.facebook.com/lisa.mondello.1
VISIT THE FULL BLOG TOUR TO CHECK OUT OTHER FEATURES AND GIVEAWAYS.
