Not
many people know, that I, Eevie Lawson, have a problem. An addiction. To
Romance novels. I eat them for breakfast. I hide it the best I can, but I need
them. To breathe. It’s how I cope.
This was a good read. I had a little trouble getting into the story. It didn't hook me from the start. When I was reading it, I did skip to the end and read a little of the ending and the guy Eevie was talking about in the beginning of the book was not the same guy she was talking about in the end. That's when I knew I had to go back and read the story because I really wanted to know how Aidan fit into the story.
Aidan is the perfect guy. He definitely one to add to the boyfriend list. You do have to read quite a bit before you get to Aidan and he's hotness but it's well worth the wait.
There are some crazy moments in the story where you will be like OMG. I was surprised at some of the twists through in. The ending is not a cliffhanger but there will be a second book called Spike. There is a sneak peek of Spike at the end of Spark. I can't wait to read more of Eevie and Aidan in Spike, I'm sure there will be some great twists and turns in it.
4 Amazeballs Stars!!!
Get
to know you interview – Jennifer Ryder
- When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
About
eighteen months ago. I’d always been a big reader, but never
thought I would write. Inspiration struck, and I couldn’t stop once
I started putting the words down. ‘Spark’ became an obsession,
festering inside, characters taunting me in my sleep, until I got it
out!
- How long does it take you to write a book?
Other
books in the series, I have been able to finish a first draft within
6 weeks. It’s the editing and polishing that then takes the time,
as well as incorporating any changes as a result of beta reader
feedback (which might I add, is invaluable!).
- What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
I
also work full-time, so I manage to get in an hour in the morning,
while the kids are having breakfast and arguing over lost shoes, and
squeeze in a couple of hours at night when everyone is asleep.
Weekends I can spend a bit more time with my writing, but it’s
never for long stints (unless hubbie is away fishing!).
When
I’m in writing mode, I try and aim for 1K or more words a day, but
if I’m getting along with my characters, I can manage a lot more.
It all depends! Some days I can barely manage a couple of hundred,
but it’s better than no words at all.
- What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Writing
can be a lonely business, so I don’t know if the way I write is
different to most people. I am happy to share with you something I
find helpful. When doing the final edit, I find it easier to print
out the MS. I grab a couple of different highlighters, and assign a
colour to each character. I highlight each character’s dialogue and
review one by one. It just makes sure that the way they speak is
consistent, and not too similar to other characters. It also means I
can give each character a few turns of phrase that only they use.
- How do you plan to publish? (self or publisher)
I
plan to self-publish the Spark series, but I have other stand-alone
books I’m working on which I may consider submitting to a
publisher. At the moment, Indie publishing feels right for me. I’m
surrounded by so many other supportive Indies, and with
self-publishing I get more freedom.
- Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Personal
experiences were a big source of inspiration for my first book,
Spark, but anything can inspire me. After a girl’s weekend away in
Melbourne recently, within a week I had a new book plotted out. It
was an awesome weekend! A big day at the horse races, an Irish pub
and shenanigans at night! Did I mention a sexy bar owner?
I
also read a lot (at least 2 books a month), and have a few favourite
TV shows. Right now I’m hooked on Chicago Fire, but my favourites
are Revenge, Grey’s Anatomy and Arrow. And a warning to friends and
family… I listen intently to everything you say! Where else do I
get inspiration for my dialogue!
- When did you write your first book and how old were you?
That
would be giving away my age! I started writing Spark eighteen months
ago, and I’m in my dirty thirties!
- What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Read!
My Amazon library is bursting with so many good books, and quite it
helps motivate me in my writing. It also helps when I’m a bit burnt
out. I’ve completed a couple of 50K in 30 day challenges (like
NaNoWriMo), and they have been tough! After doing one of these, I
have to take a break otherwise I’d go insane! This is where I take
some time to relax, and nine times out of ten, turn to a good book.
Apart
from reading, when we can we take the kids down the South Coast of
New South Wales. Jervis Bay is a particular favourite spot. We also
love to entertain, as we are big foodies!
- What does your family think of your writing?
My
family are very supportive, although my mother understands that she
may never read them! My seven year old daughter Ashlee is my biggest
fan, telling anyone and everyone that I write books. It’s adorable,
but she knows she has to wait until she’s eighteen to be able to
read them!
- What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
My
own personal strength.
Writing
is a mental (and physical) challenge, and giving up is SO easy. But
when things get hard, you take a break, and come back and give it
another go. Just finishing the draft of my first book was a huge
accomplishment in itself. A lot of people start out, but never get to
that point. The feeling of finishing it, was worth the late nights,
tears and heartache! No really, I make it sound like it was torture,
but it was just something I had to finish. I tend to be a person to
start a hundred things and not follow through.
- How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
Spark
will be my first full length novel published, although I have written
three in the series. They are all different, but I love them just the
same.
I
have had a short story published, having placed Third in the
International Stringybark Erotic Short Fiction Award 2013. My story
'Heart Rate' is published in an anthology titled 'Valentine's Day'.
I’m certainly attached to this story, as it was so flattering to
have my writing recognised when I was only relatively new at it.
- Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Plan
to write every day. Even if it’s only 100 words. I know it’s not
always practical, but if you keep your head in the story every day,
the words come easier, and of course, typing ‘the end’ on your MS
happens that much quicker.
Another
tip is not to self-edit when you’re writing your first draft. Even
if you think your writing is complete drivel. The idea is to let the
words flow while you have the inspiration, and not get bogged down
with commas, and formatting, etc. That slows you down, when you’ll
be editing down the track anyway. So gag and tie-up that inner editor
until it’s time to edit! Then let her haver her way.
- Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I had a great response
from the short story ‘Heart Rate’. Readers loved that I could
tell a story with just 2,000 words, and also wet their appetites! It
was certainly a challenge with such a small word count, and I love
the story. Oh, the steamy
things that happen behind closed doors in offices.
- Do you like to create books for adults?
Absolutely!
I get a real kick out of people reading my work!
- What do you think makes a good story?
Relatable
characters, a unique storyline and a good flowing writing style. I
love a book that you can’t put down (the pacing is just right), and
you don’t care that time passes by, because you are inside the
book! This kind of book tends to give you a book hangover, but it’s
worth it, every time.
- As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
A
hairdresser, a panel beater and a police officer. I really couldn’t
make up my mind! As a child I did have a vivid imagination, which got
me into plenty of trouble. I was good at telling stories!
Spark Playlist
- Enter Sandman, Metallica
- Yeah, Yeah, Yeah by Chris Brown
- Stronger, Kelly Clarkson
- Fighter, Christina Aguilera
- I will wait, Mumford & Sons
- One Crowded Hour, Taylor Henderson version
- Feel so close, Calvin Harris
- Feel the love, Rudimental
- Army of two, Olly Murs
- RIP, Rita Ora
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