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Author Harvest Re-visited: Whitney K-E as a published author!

Whitney K-EToday I have the pleasure of re-introducing Whitney K-E.

When we posted this Author Harvest back in October last year, I described Whitney as a Harvest Seedling (aka an emerging writer). Well, she’s now fully grown and ready to bloom with her debut novel: What Happens in Ireland.

So as an Author Harvest first, here is Whitney K-E (published author) re-visited!

Jenn today: Well Whitney, the questions are much the same and I usually start by asking if it’s scones and tea or some other homemade delight you have whipped up for me today. But given it’s the second time around, and with you having returned from your jig around Ireland (I see you have cottoned onto the author research thing already!!!) I’m thinking…. Irish Stew with a wee side o’ colcannon, washed down with a good Irish whiskey–or would that be Guiness? I’m fine either way. But be warned, young Whitney, if you come near me with Crubeens and Black Pudding ye best do a quick Irish jig out of the way as I may just throw up on doze curly-toed leprechaun shoes!

Now that we have that sorted… Let’s see how a PUBLISHED author answers today…

At home…

My mum says garden gnomes make a house a home! Last time you said you were not into the cheeky little fellas, so I prepared one for you.  (Scary thing is, I’m not sure which one has more wrinkles!!)

Jenn today: Now tell me you didn’t come home with a Leprechaun of some description. That would surely be counted as a gnome – of sorts – wouldn’t it?

What vegetable (or fruit) have you always wanted to grow at home?

W K-E then: Umm… I suppose a bit of everything. I have fond childhood memories of growing watermelons and cucumbers. But I tell you what, they are a bugger to get rid of. I tried using the ride-on mower. Let’s just say it didn’t go to plan…

Jenn today: Well Ms Published author, some things do go to plan if you work hard enough!

If you sorted your wardrobe by colour, what colour would stand out? (Ahh, do you sort your wardrobe by colour?!)

Then: Black. And blue. And no, I don’t sort my wardrobe. I can’t be bothered haha.

(Just as well you like black and blue. When that publisher picks up your book you will (like me) pinch yourself for months.) 

Jenn today: So are you? Black and blue yet from pinching yourself?

What are you wearing now? (Be honest!)

W K-E: Pj’s. Mismatched ones to be exact… Lucky this isn’t a job interview.

Jenn today: Keep writing those books and job interviews will be a thing of the past!

Whose home would you like to housesit and why?

Then: The McLeod’s daughter’s property, Drover’s Run. But to be honest, I wouldn’t be happy housesitting. I wouldn’t want to give it back!

Today: Whitney now says, having swanned around…errr…I mean researched new story settings in Ireland, that she wants to housesit for Monica McInerney in Dublin. Well, shift over sister! Just coz you’re published now…..! You’ll have to fight me for that.

Country curiosities…

We love a sunburnt country (slip, slop, slap and all that). What’s your ideal hat? Or are you a boots person?

W K-E today: I’m a boots girl. I love my riding boots.

Jenn today: I can see that in your lovely published author profile pic above! Nice boots.

If you were a tree (or animal) what kind of tree (animal) would you be?

W K-E today: Hmm… Well, I just brought a Panda onesie so I guess that is as close as I’m going to get.

Jenn today: Not sure how many published authors could get away with wearing a panda onesie! We may require a picture, Whitney!

Now for the big country question… Why did the chicken cross the road?

Then: I’ve been trying to figure out this since I was a toddler. And the only reason I can think of is to get to the coffee shop on the other side. That’s why I’d cross the road.

W K-E today: To buy my novel and find out what happened in Ireland of course!

Jenn today: Of course!

About you…

Your turning point: when was that point in your life that you realised that being an author was no longer going to be just a dream but a reality and a career?

Then: Well, it’s not quite a reality yet. But I’ve always thought of it as a career. It’s a passion of mine and I see it as something I want to spend the rest of my life doing. That and running a small horse property of course. Those are my two dreams. And for them to work, they need to be careers. They say money can’t buy happiness, but if it makes money, you don’t have to worry about doing something you don’t want to do. I’m aiming for happiness that makes money so that I can continue being happy, I guess.

W K-E today: I’ve always thought of writing as a career. That’s what I wanted it to be. Now that it is, I’m just all the more committed to it. 🙂 Maybe it’s my age? (Don’t rub it in!) I’m still in the dreaming stages of my life.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Then: Plotting. I’m a pantster-by-nature, but in order to prevent writer’s block and a lack of conflict, I’ve been trying to plot. It’s… going ok. 🙂

W K-E today: The doubts. Even after The Call you still have doubts. But you just have to fight them.

Jenn today: Yep, that’s published author speak. Welcome to the self-doubt club!

Fun stuff…

What does your protagonist think about you? Would he or she want to hang out with you, the author, his/her creator.

Then: I like to think my characters are parts of me. And Kate… well, she’s my stubborn side and she has my humour. I think we might clash a little. But as we both share the same opinions, I think we’d be best friends. I can see myself having an amusing chat over a cup of coffee.

W K-E today: I think Kate, Jack and I would love to sit in the Killarney Grand together over a couple of drinks and some good traditional music. And Kate is sort of a piece of my personality. I think we’d agree on a lot of things and we’d have a good time.

If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?

My female protagonist, Kate. I’d love to meet my male protagonist, Jack O’Reilly.

If I said to you, “Just entertain me for five minutes, I’m not going to talk,” what would you do?

Then: I’d probably be silent for the first time in my life. LOL. I would feel very uncomfortable.

W K-E today: I’d probably tell you a story. My latest travels have given me many to tell.

How weird are you? Rate yourself on a scale of 1 (not) to 10 (very).

Then: Define weird? I like to think of myself as a very approachable person, someone who is down-to-earth and easy to have a conversation with. But I can imagine my sense of humour might catch some people of guard. I’ll leave the number up to your readers 🙂

W K-E today: That depends on what’s normal. 🙂 I think I’m either a 10 out of 10 on a scale of weird.

About Whitney K-E – Published author (have I said ‘published author’ enough times yet?)

Whitney K-E is an Australian author writing for Secret Cravings Publishing. Always a WhathappensinIreland_LRG 2 lover of the Romance genre, it was no surprise that she one day began to type her first story of love. Now, three years on, she’s contracted her first novel What Happens in Ireland and bringing reader’s tales from the Emerald Ireland to the Sunburnt Country. What Happens in Ireland releases on the 26th of April, so prepare yourself to be charmed by her story and by her characters.

Ever wondered what happens in Ireland?

When Australian, Kate Barrow, meets a handsome Irishman in a Dublin bar, she has no idea that he’s about to turn her world upside-down and inside-out.

In Ireland to take on a position on a thoroughbred stud, Kate is shocked when her manager-in-co reveals himself to be the same man she’d met in Dublin.

Jack is drawn to Kate. The problem is, she won’t have him. But Jack has always loved a challenge and the intriguing woman from Oz is one he cannot resist.

Harbouring the sting of another man’s betrayal, Kate is certain she wants nothing to do with love and nothing to do with Jack O’Reilly. But when naked torsos, Mother Nature and dysfunctional umbrellas start plotting against her resolve, she realizes the charms of an Irishman are going to be hard to resist.

Congratualtions on your debut novel, Whitney. May it be everything you hope for.

 Readers: See below for GIVEAWAY details.

Read an excerpt

Add it to your Goodreads shelves

Buy from: Secret Cravings Publishing  or  Amazon  or  Bookstrand

For more about Whitney or her novel, you can connect with her on:

Facebook:

Twitter: @whitney_ke

Goodreads:

Her blog: http://whitneyk-e.blogspot.com.au/

And the Romantic Muse:

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment on this blog post or any of the other blog posts celebrating the release of Whitney’s debut to go in the draw to win one of two prize packs including a PDF of What Happens in Ireland, a handmade ribbon bookmark designed by Swagmaster Designs and a coffee mug. You can join in the fun on Facebook. Whitney will contact the winner independent of this blog post.

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Author Harvest ‘bales’ up Helen Ellis

G’day Helen, how about we begin with you telling me if it’s scones and tea or some other homemade delight you’ve whipped up for me today.

Me? Whip up a homemade delight? This is the writer who’s working on a book called “The Totally Rubbish Cookbook – for all those who hate cooking and are proud of it”!

Cookbooks, fiction, children’s stories? Such versatility! Shame that versatility doesn’t extend to scones!

Okay Helen, at home…

My mum says garden gnomes make a house a home! Are you loud and proud in your love of garden gnomes at home, a closet gnomer or with a strict ‘no gnomes’ policy at your place?

Every home should have a gnome. We had one that farted every time you walked past it.

(Oh I soooo did not expect that from a woman who reminds me of my granny! But I want one of those gnomes!)

What vegetable (or fruit) have you always wanted to grow at home?

Well I’m the sort of gardener who has tomatoes in with the lavender, and pumpkins crawling over the lawn, but I did have a thing about growing a dragon fruit cactus. It’s now taken over the back fence and I had six lovely red dragon fruits this year. Who’s a clever girl then?

(Clever? Perhaps if you’d whipped one up into something to eat.)

If I came to your home and looked in the refrigerator, what would I find?

I don’t think that would be a very good idea. Something may fall out onto your foot. Probably the green paw-paw I crammed in there yesterday.

If you sorted your wardrobe by colour, what colour would stand out? (Ahh, do you sort your wardrobe by colour?!)

Er, no, I sort by season. What colour? Hang on a minute while I check… oh dear, not good… it’s pinky/reddy/purple! Oh well, new season coming up. Maybe I’ll change to bluey/greeny/yellow.

What are you wearing now? (Be honest!)

Okay – honest – beige, and pinky/purple. *Sigh*

Whose home would you like to housesit and why?

Hmm. I guess you’re thinking I will choose a celebrity in a mansion overlooking the sea. ‘Fraid not. I would choose my friend’s small flat in Athens where I could ignore the housework.

Country curiosities…

We love a sunburnt country (slip, slop, slap and all that). What’s your ideal hat? Or are you a boots person?

I’m afraid I’m not a hat or boots person. However, living as I do in the Sunshine State, I have a sunhat which I wear outside when necessary. Unfortunately the cat slept on it so it looks a little bizarre. I really only wear sandals. I have two pairs, and a pair of sensible shoes for best, oh and my Titans mascot slippers – that’s the extent of my shoe wardrobe.

If you were a tree (or animal) what kind of tree (animal) would you be?

I’m sure my husband would tell you I would be a sloth, but I think I’d be a squirrel because I hoard everything. You should see my desk!

Now for the big question… Why did the chicken cross the road?

Ah! If he crossed the road to get to the other side, there must have been a good reason. I think it was because he saw a gorgeous, fluff-feathered hen, with a sexy double cluck!

About you…

Your turning point: when was that point in your life you realized being an author was no longer going to be just a dream but a reality and a career?

Seriously – I’ve written things all my life. I once wrote a pantomime for a dance company. I contributed a terrible sketch for a stage Revue. I devised a script adaptation of the lives of Gilbert and Sullivan through their music (actually staged). I wrote a column in an antique magazine about funny things that happened on the way to the Antique Fair, and another about the antique markets in London. I reviewed art exhibitions and edited a motor magazine. Stuff like that. But when we retired from our business, I was confronted with the horrible truth I would be home all day with nothing to do but the housework! Consequently I sat down and wrote my travel odyssey about Greece “Make Mine a Moussaka” and then went on to novels. Now I can’t stop…

(Mmm, yum, moussaka would’ve been nice.)

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

It’s the terrible ‘info dump.’ Being a Virgo I need to have everything set out and explained – so I am continually criticised for too much info gumpf.

(Ah, yes, a fellow Virgo. I hear ya, Helen.)

If someone was to write your biography, what do you think the title should be?

“Aphrodite in Disguise”

What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

Q: “Now that you have reached 100,000 book sales, can I have your autograph?”

A: “Of course. Would you like it in black felt pen across your back?”

Fun stuff…

What does your protagonist think about you? Would he or she want to hang out with you, the author, his/her creator.

I don’t think any of my protagonists would want to hang out with me. For instance they wouldn’t know if I had a one of those pepper spray things in my bag (like Stephanie Plum) or whether I was toting something more lethal. They know only too well that I am able to kill them off willy-nilly. And as I’m somewhat ditzy, this could happen at any time.

If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?

I think it would be with the young Julie Andrews. I always wanted to sing Maria in the “Sound of Music.”

If I said to you, “Just entertain me for five minutes, I’m not going to talk,” what would you do?

(Please, please, please don’t say an impersonation Julie Andrews and the nuns singing ‘MARIA’.)

I would read you the sex scene from my latest novel “The Chocolate Affair.” That would keep you quiet. Hahaha.

(Oh, I didn’t expect that!)

What food would you be?

A huge chocolate mousse cake with chocolate sauce, icing and chocolate shavings, lathered with cream.

(Oh dear! This answer, following on from the sex scene above has me really scared.)

What was the best thing before sliced bread?

My grandmother’s jam sponge.

And in case you are wondering about when we first sliced bread…

In 1912, a jeweller named Otto Frederick Rohwedder began working on the world’s first bread slicer. Several years, and many unsuccessful models, later he devised a machine to slice bread AND also wrap it up to keep it from going stale.

Perfectly timed with the invention of the pop-up toaster, Rohwedder sold his slicing and wrapping machine to the Chillicothe Baking Company in 1928.  

Name 5 uses for a stapler that has not staple pins.

My stapler never has pins! Useless thing! So there isn’t even one use for it, let alone 5!

How weird are you? Rate yourself on a scale of 1 (not) to 10 (very).

Pretty weird. Eight.

Delightfully weird, Helen, and hilarious. Thank you for joining Author Harvest.

How can people get their hands on your yummy new book (with THAT sex scene)?

It’s available on SMASHWORDS

For more information about Helen – novelist, travel writer, photographer (and talent clearly runs in the family – check out both following site. Highly recommended if, like me, you love everything Greek.

http://helenspixandwords.com

http://greekpixandwords.com

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Author Harvest ‘bales’ up Alison Stuart

I first fell in love with Alison’s writing after reading a short story (The Promise). It may have been short (and I mean short) but it packed such a punch that I cried. I have since learned there is much more to this author and definitely time for a cuppa and a chat.

Given I have been less than impressed with the Arrowroot biccies of late, I asked Alison what I might expect of her hospitality at home. She said:

If you were to appear at my place for elevenses you would of course be met by an elegantly dressed woman with immaculate makeup and plied with French champagne and a plate of cucumber sandwiches. The reality is you may well be met at the door by a scruffy personage in tracksuit bottoms, red ugg boots and one of her son’s old rugby jumpers and if you’re lucky we may be able to rustle up a cup of Twinings Australian Afternoon Tea and a rice cracker.

(Crikey! How does one live on rice crackers? I guess it’s a change from Arrowroot!)

At home with Alison…

My mum says garden gnomes make a house a home! Are you loud and proud in your love of garden gnomes at home – or a closet gnomer?

No gnomes but I do have a couple of concrete frogs and some large pretend owls we bought to scare the possums—like that really worked!

(Fake frogs, pretend owls AND crackers masquerading as food! Perhaps leave the rice crackers out, Al. That’s sure to scare the possums away.)

What vegetable (or fruit) have you always wanted to grow at home?

Would love to grow decent tomatoes. Our little inner suburban garden doesn’t get enough light.

(If you had tomatoes right now and sold them at the market price you could retire.)

If you sorted your wardrobe by colour, what colour would stand out? (Ahh, do you sort your wardrobe by colour?!)

I am a Melbournian…what colour do you think stands out? That would be black.

What are you wearing now? (Be honest!)

Trakkie daks, ugg boots and my oldest sweat shirt. A picture of sartorial elegance!

(Ugg boots are trending here in Author Harvest.)

 

Country curiosities…

We love a sunburnt country (slip, slop, slap and all that). What’s your ideal hat? Or are you a boots person?

I am a proud owner and wearer of a classic Akubra for wearing in the country, but in the city I have a black (see answer to clothes above) woollen hat I bought fifteen years ago from a street stall in London.

If you were a tree (or animal) what kind of tree (animal) would you be?

An oak tree of course.

(Okay, am now visualing yellow ribbons and singing that damn song!)

About you…

Your turning point: when was that point in your life that you realized that being an author was no longer going to be just a dream but a reality and a career?

The day my boss told me I didn’t have to come into work on Monday!

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Actually getting around to it. So many other distractions, reasons to procrastinate. Too hot…too cold etc etc. Once I start I’m fine.

If someone was to write your biography, what do you think the title should be?

I rather like “A Life Well Lived”.

Fun stuff…

What does your protagonist think about you? Would he or she want to hang out with you, the author, his/her creator.

I can see my heroes flinching every time I come near them. What did we ever do to you? What is it this time…a sword? A musket ball?

(A rice cracker?)

When my characters are talking back to me, all is well with my writing world.

If I said to you, “Just entertain me for five minutes, I’m not going to talk,” what would you do?

Sing.

(Is this going to be a torturous rendition of ‘Tie a Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Old Oak Tree’? Oh, no, I…I didn’t mean… Sorry, Alison…no, I’m not calling you old…really!)

Name 5 uses for a stapler that has not staple pins.

A hammer

A worry ball (or thing for fiddling with while thinking)

A paper weight

An object for hide and seek (mostly under the paper on my desk)

A bookmark

How weird are you? Rate yourself on a scale of 1 (not) to 10 (very).

Hey, I’m a Capricorn, we don’t do weird…but then again I am a romance writer. That’s pretty weird!

Lovely chatting, Alison.

Alison’s latest release – Gather The Bones – is a stunning book (one look at the cover and the title tells you that).

The horrors of the Great War are not the only ghosts that haunt Helen Morrow and her late husband’s reclusive cousin, Paul. Unquiet spirits from another time and another conflict touch them.

A coded diary gives them clues to the mysterious disappearance of Paul’s great-grandmother in 1812, and the desperate voice of a young woman reaches  out to them from the pages. Together Helen and Paul must search for answers, not only for the old mystery, but also the circumstances surrounding the death of Helen’s husband at Passchandaele in 1917.

As the mysteries entwine, their relationship is bound by the search for truth, in the present and the past.

 

For more about Alison and her writing: www.alisonstuart.com

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