Bad Fairy and Author Elaine Kaye

Photo by batel galor on Unsplash
Don't all Fairies live in secret gardens?

An Interview with Elaine Kaye, author of Bad Fairy.

1. What was your hardest scene to write?

The scene with the twisty (the tornado) was the hardest to write because I had to figure out where my fairy characters would go, who would help, and how they’d survive. Of course, the devastation afterward was also tough. Trying to describe all that for kids was a challenge.

2. What makes you run screaming?

One word. Snakes.

3. You’re about to be dropped in a remote spot for a three-week survival test. Where would you go? What three tools would you take?

I would go to a private island off the coast of Key West, because I’ve always wanted to go to Key West. And I would bring a complete portable gas grill/burner, a fishing pole, and a tent. That way I can catch fish to eat and sleep peacefully at night.

4. What behind-the-scenes tidbit in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?

I am a children’s author to date, but I started out writing pioneer/frontier novels. I am still working on these stories, one of which I began in 1982, and hope to one day publish them.

5. If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?

Hawaii. I lived there when I was younger for several years, so I know

quite a bit about Hawaii already, but I’d love to go back. Writing a book set there wouldn’t be so bad, either.

6. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Dreams do come true.

7. What does literary success look like to you?

That’s simple. Happiness. I’m retired. I’m not looking for big bucks or to be a best-seller. All I want to do is publish these books I’ve been dreaming of sharing for decades, see them in print, and know that someone out there is reading them.

8. Tell us about the book you’re working on now.

I am working on more books for the Bad Fairy Adventure series! And Gregory and Sammy (Gregory Green Adventure series) are always getting into trouble, too.

Title: Bad Fairy

Series: A Bad Fairy Adventure (Book One)

Author: Elaine Kaye

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Genre: Fantasy Middle Grade

Length: 66 pages

Age Range: 8-12

BLURB: Thistle Greenbud is not a bad fairy. She simply doesn't like rules, and it's just her luck that her homework is to create a new rule for the fairy handbook. But first, she has more important things to do. Like figure out how to get back at Dusty and Moss for playing tricks on her.

Before she can carry out her plan, though, disaster strikes and she finds herself working alongside the very fairies she wanted revenge on. Can they work together and trust each other, or will things go from bad to worse?

BUY LINKS:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

EXCERPT:

As we watch the boys, the wind picks up, making the fern lay flat, exposing us. We gasp and make a dash for the closest tree. Behind it, we huddle together.

“Boogles! A branch just hit me,” Weedy says.

The sky turns black. Wind swirls dust and leaves, and spits pebbles at us. This is not good. We have to get going now or else our payback will get blown away.

“Let’s go!” I scream and lead the group from behind the tree, but the wind makes it hard for us to move forward.

Rose and Lilly grab hands as they run, screaming, toward the creek. Lacey stumbles over a fallen twig, landing flat and hitting her face hard on the ground. When she doesn’t move, I race to her as sand and pine needles prick my skin.

I help Lacey to her feet. Luckily, she only has a few cuts on her face. A tiny bit of blood streaks down her forehead. She looks at me. Fear is bright in her eyes. She needs help. We all need help. I peer toward the creek. The boys are still there, frantically trying to lift the bag full of stones.

Shouting a warning and waving my arms, I hurry to the creek, trying to get their attention. Finally, Dusty sees me. He looks as if he’s been caught with his hand in the pixie jar.

I point to the sky and wave them to come our way. Rain starts to fall. Dusty pulls Moss from the creek. Fat drops of water pelt my head and wings as I wait for the boys to reach me.

“It must be a twisty!” Dusty screams. “We better find shelter.”

GIVEAWAY:

3 Signed Paperback Picture Books –

Pea Soup Disaster, Doctor Mom, The Missing Alphabet

Eligibility: International

Number of Winners: One

Giveaway Ends: July 1, 2020 12:00am Eastern Standard Time

LINK: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/76132e0220/?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elaine Kaye is the author of A Gregory Green Adventure series. She first created Gregory Green after her son, who loved her homemade pea soup, thus inspiring the story Pea Soup Disaster. Bad Fairy is her middle grade debut and the first of A Bad Fairy Adventure series.

Kaye has worked as a library assistant and teacher’s assistant in elementary schools in the Sunshine State. She currently lives in Florida, but she has called Michigan; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Okinawa, Japan home. She is a grandmother of three boys.

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Thank you Elaine! 

Congratulations!

Readers, have you ever seen a fairy?

Disaster Author Chrys Fey

Chrys Fey is here today to discuss her writing 

and her latest projects via this little interview.
Welcome, Chrys...

         1.   What was your hardest scene to write?

The hardest scene I’ve had to write is in a book that’s unpublished. It’s a battle. A very long battle, so technically it’s several scenes in one, but it was physically and mentally grueling to write.

In the Disaster Crimes series, though, the hardest scene was the tsunami scene (Tsunami Crimes) in Beth’s perspective. Not because it was difficult per se. I actually wrote it quickly. Rather that it was tough to put myself into that as the writer. I’ve had many tsunami dreams (nightmares), and I can’t swim, so my fear came out in that scene.

        2.   What makes you run screaming?

Lizards. Especially if one jumps out at me or, God forbid, on me.

         3.   You’re about to be dropped in a remote spot for a three-week survival test. Where would you go? What three tools would you take?

Hmm…the remote spot I’d chose would be one in the woods by a freshwater lake or river. I would have a tent, a fully-stocked fishing kit, and a two-burner camping stove because let’s face it, I wouldn’t be able to start a fire with sticks. Now ask me if I’d survive. Haha. Probably not. I may write about my characters surviving extraordinary things, but I’d probably cry the first night and want to go back home by dinner the next day.

    4.   What behind-the-scenes tidbit in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?

There are a few things that would probably surprise my readers that I’ll likely never share. However, I’ve shared quite a few secrets to my newsletter subscribers as well as in YouTube videos on my channel.

One behind-the-scenes tidbit I will share is that no one read Flaming Crimes (Book 4) other than my editor before it was published. I didn’t use any beta readers or critique partners, which goes against what I usually tell other writers to do (have at least 2-3 beta readers before an editor). I felt that it wasn’t necessary, that the story was right the way it was, that it was ready. (Side Note: I’m also an editor and had confidence in myself and my editor.) And that book has received the best responses from my readers, many saying it’s their favorite so far. When I submitted Frozen Crimes (Book 5), I did the same thing. No beta readers. Just my editor.

                

                  5. If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?

Ireland. (I didn’t even have to think about it.)

       6.   If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Oh boy. Probably to hang in there, that things will get better, and I’ll come out stronger for it. You see, I went through a lot of hardships and pain. I suffered from depression, poverty, and disability. Many times, I felt as though I was failing miserably at everything and would never achieve my dreams. 

7.        What does literary success look like to you?

Well, it’s definitely not how it’ll look to other writers, which is the point, right? We all have our own ideas of success. My idea of success would be having a literary agent, a book or series that is doing well, and a steady income from publishing that I can count on.

8. Tell us about the book you’re working on now.

Currently, I am editing Frozen Crimes with my editor. After that, I will be publishing a novella for Thorn, a beloved character from the series. I also have a couple of short stories I’ll be providing for free to bring the series to a close. As for what I’m writing…well, I’m not sure I can tell you that. 😉

*****

My latest read of Chry's was
FLAMING CRIMES!

Flaming Crimes

Beth and Donovan are now happily married, and what Beth wants more than anything is a baby. Her dream of starting a family is put on hold as fires burn dangerously close and Donovan becomes a victim of sabotage.

Donovan escapes what could have been a deadly wreck. Their past enemies have been eliminated, so who is cutting brake lines and leaving bloody messages? He vows to find out, for the sake of the woman he loves and the life they're trying to build.

Amidst a criminal mind game, a fire ignites next to their home. They battle the flames and fight to keep their house safe from the blaze pressing in on all sides, but neither of them expects to confront a psychotic adversary in the middle of the inferno.

Their lives may just go up in flames...

Read My Review HERE! 

Chrys Fey is the award-winning author of Hurricane Crimes from the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique concept blending romance, crimes, and disasters. Fey also authored Write with Fey: 10 Sparks to Guide You from Idea to Publication. Catch the sparks you need to write, edit, publish, and market your book! She runs the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Book Club on Goodreads and is also an editor for Dancing Lemur Press.

Website / Blog / Newsletter / Goodreads

Instagram / YouTube / Facebook / Twitter

Thank you Chrys!

We're all looking forward to reading

Frozen Crimes!

Readers where do you think this one will take place?

Chrys, any hints?

TSUNAMI CRIMES

I'm honored to host Chrys Fey on tour with her latest release. 

Tsunami Crimes

The 3rd book in her Disaster Crime Series.

Tsunami Crimes was released on January 20th, so be sure and pick up your copy!

As part of her tour she's agreed to answer one question!

My Question for Chrys: If you couldn't be a writer what other creative outlet would you pursue?

Imagining not being able to write at all is a frightening thing. I can’t fathom a life where I’m not writing. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t even be Chrys Fey! But there are a couple of creative outlets I would love to pursue if I had the time and means.

One pursuit is fashion designing. Ever since I was a teen, I’ve loved to draw dresses. I’ve dreamed of having them made, but I’m not a dressmaker. I can barely stitch. And I don’t have the sort of investment it would take to pay someone.

So, the creative outlet I’d pursue is the one I enjoy doing now . . . photography. I love to capture images with a camera, specifically nature. I’ve fantasized about going on a road trip across the United States to capture stunning snapshots, and also traveling to other countries. Instead of walking around with a pen and notebook, I’d have an expensive camera handing from my neck. That’s a visual I like. The funny thing is, I don’t even have a camera now, and yet, photography is one of my passions outside of writing.

BLURB:

Beth and Donovan have come a long way from Hurricane Sabrina and the San Francisco earthquake. Now they are approaching their wedding day and anxiously waiting to promise each other a lifetime of love. The journey down the aisle isn’t smooth, though, as they receive threats from the followers of the notorious criminal, Jackson Storm. They think they’ll be safe in Hawaii, but distance can’t stop these killers. Not even a tsunami can.

This monstrous wave is the most devastating disaster Beth has ever faced. It leaves her beaten, frightened. Is she a widow on her honeymoon? As she struggles to hold herself together and find Donovan, she’s kidnapped by Jackson's men.

Fearing her dead, Donovan searches the rubble and shelters with no luck. The thought of her being swept out to sea is almost too much for him to bear, but the reality is much worse. She’s being used as bait to get him to fall into a deadly trap.

If they live through this disaster, they may never be the same again.

On SALE for $2.99!

BUY LINKS:

Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA

NOOK / KOBO / The Wild Rose Press

P.S. Hurricane Crimes and Seismic Crimes are on sale for 99 Cents!

Chrys Fey is the author of the Disaster Crimes Series. She is a blogger, reader, auntie, vegetarian, and cat Lover. Get Lightning Crimes (Disaster Crimes 2.5) for FREE!

FIND CHRYS:

Facebook / Twitter / Blog / Website / Amazon / Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How about you readers?

If you couldn't work in your chosen field -

what would you do instead?

MAKING THE WEATHER A CHARACTER

Bet you'll never guess who's here today!

You've got it! Chrys Fey!

She's sharing her secrets to success 

and her latest 

Seismic Crimes!

Chrys Fey's Blog

1.             Welcome to Defending the Pen, Chrys, can you tell your readers something about why you chose this particular topic to write about? What appealed to you about it? Why do you think it is different, and your approach is unique?

The disaster theme was an easy one for me to get into as a writer. Being a Floridian, I’ve gone through my share of disasters from hurricanes to wildfires.

Years ago, I had just finished reading a book set during a blizzard when I realized I’ve read so many like it, but it was hard to find stories set during weather I knew…hurricanes. So, I set off to write that story. And I did: Hurricane Crimes. After readers asked for more, I jumped on the chance to write a disaster series. Each book would follow the same couple as they experienced a new disaster. Aside from the children’s I Survived series, I had never heard of a concept like this for adults, so I really do feel like I am doing something different. On top of the disaster theme, each story is full of crimes.

2.             How long does it take to research a topic before you write? And for this book?

I took about 2-4 weeks to research earthquakes and San Francisco before I wrote the seismic parts in Seismic Crimes. See what I did there? ;) I researched a lot more than that, though. I also researched monster trucks, monster truck driving, and self-defence techniques.

3.             How do you handle the marketing required to succeed? Any tips or tricks that you can share here?

Handle marketing? I think marketing handles me. Haha. I make a marketing plan as soon as I get an acceptance for my new book, which could be 6-12 months in advance. I always jot down blog tour ideas, giveaway ideas, where I can try to purchase ads, awards to submit to, and how to make the marketing for this release bigger for than the marketing for my last release.

My only tip is to TRY. Don’t know if a blog tour/hop will bring you sales? Try it! Don’t know if a $25 ad in a newsletter will make a difference? Try it! Never done a Facebook party? Try it! There’s no harm in trying. If it doesn’t work, then you know. If it does, then you have something you can do again.

4.             Does writing provide you a sufficient income to live on? If so, how long did it take before this happened? Is it your goal to be financially successful, or do

you write and publish solely for the 'satisfaction of sharing your stories'?

Income? What income? No, I don’t get income I can live on from my writing. I get a tip. Yup. That’s how I look it. The royalties I get for my sales are like a tip. One tip from a reader (like one tip for a waiter/waitress). I hope to reach financial success with my writing, but right now I am just happy to be published and to be sharing my stories with others.

5.             What's the next step for you? Television, movies, a new genre? Tell us what the future holds - what can your fans expect?

My future holds movie deals, TV deals, awards, and great success. Okay, so not really. But a girl can dream, can’t she? My readers can expect more from the Disaster Crimes series. Book 3 is currently with my publisher for consideration—Tsunami Crimes. Also, later this year I expect to publish 30 Seconds Before, the prequel to 30 Seconds (a romantic-suspense novella).

Chrys Fey's Amazon Page

Blurb:

An Internal Affairs Investigator was murdered and his brother, Donovan Goldwyn, was framed. Now Donovan is desperate to prove his innocence. And the one person who can do that is the woman who saved him from a deadly hurricane—Beth Kennedy. From the moment their fates intertwined, passion consumed him. He wants her in his arms. More, he wants her by his side in his darkest moments.

Beth Kennedy may not know everything about Donovan, but she can’t deny what she feels for him. It’s her love for him that pushes her to do whatever she has to do to help him get justice, including putting herself in a criminal’s crosshairs.

When a tip reveals the killer's location, they travel to California, but then an earthquake of catastrophic proportions separates them. As aftershocks roll the land, Beth and Donovan have to endure dangerous conditions while trying to find their way back to one another. Will they reunite and find the killer, or will they lose everything?

Excerpt:

The moment she realized Buck was shooting under the cars to hit her, the tire she hid behind blew. She squeezed her eyes shut as she tried to make herself smaller by pressing her body into the SUV. The Morse code of bullets hitting metal started up again. She could've sworn she felt the SUV shaking with the continuous beat of bullets slamming into it, except the shaking was below her feet. It started gentle but as soon as she noticed, it became violent.

Earthquake!

She fell backward and struggled to get back up. Her body bounced up and down and rolled from side to side simultaneously, which told her the quake's epicenter was close. The origin could've been beneath the hotel for all she knew. A light came crashing down from the ceiling and slammed into the concrete floor with such power it exploded into a trillion stars. Glass shot out in all directions like the Big Bang. Beth screamed and covered her face with her hands as tiny pieces of glass bit the skin on her arms.

She fought onto her hands and knees and hugged the tire to keep from falling over again. The intensity of the tremors grew. The concrete below her feet didn't feel solid anymore. It felt alive, as if two gigantic gophers burrowed through the earth. The truck behind her slid with the vicious shock waves and bumped into her, pushing her roughly into the tire. She let out a cry of panic.

Read my review HERE!

Digital:

Amazon US: http://amzn.com/B01CRJSPIU

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01CRJSPIU

Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01CRJSPIU

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seismic-crimes-chrys-fey/1123508790?ean=2940158028380

KOBO: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/seismic-crimes

Print:

Amazon US: http://amzn.com/1509207252

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1509207252

Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/1509207252

The Wild Rose Press:

http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/paperback-books/3838-seismic-crimes-paperback.html

Chrys Fey is the author of Hurricane Crimes, Book One in the Disaster Crimes series, as well as these releases from The Wild Rose Press: 30 Seconds, Ghost of Death, and Witch of Death. She is an administrator for the Insecure Writer's Support Group and has participated in the Blogging from April A to Z Challenge.

When Fey was six years old, she realized she wanted to be a writer by watching her mother pursue publication. At the age of twelve, she started writing her first novel, which flourished into a series she later rewrote at seventeen.

Fey lives in Florida and is always on the lookout for hurricanes. She has four adopted cats who keep her entertained with their antics, and three nephews who keep her entertained with their antics. You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and through her blog, Write with Fey. She loves to get to know her readers!

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

Well readers, what do you think? Can the weather or a natural disaster work as a character?

Do you make a living on your royalties?

Or is Chrys right, it's just a tip for a job well done?