The Creative Writer

I've always been a very creative person. My first job was in a little boutique in Lexington, Kentucky on the University of Kentucky campus. My job was to paint names or sorority symbols on any merchandise that could be painted. That included sorority bows, shirts, socks, cups, acrylic clipboards, vases, and much more!

It was so much fun! And I loved pleasing people. That is when I knew that I had to feed my creative juices and when I realized I'm a giver. The only way I knew how to keep those creative juices happy was to double major in Elementary Education and Family Therapy. That didn't last long. . .I thought I was going to have creative control of teaching and counseling, but the politics wore me out!

So. . .years later I put my creative flow into writing. Of course with all my other duties as a mom, wife, friend, etc. . .I also have a house that I have to decorate. Lucky me! I have that creative flow that is still going strong.

I've always decorated in darker colors, even have black cabinets and black doors. That means that ALL of my accessories are also very dark woods and paints.

Now we are moving! If you missed THAT crazy blog, click here for the down-low! A lot of my reasoning for having such dark colors was to hide all the little dents and dings that my guys have made. Listen. . .with three boys that are VERY active, I have a lot of balls in the air, literally, and I don't have a lot of sit around knick-knacks that can be broken.

GUESS WHAT???

They are teenagers now and know better than to break anything! That means my new house is free reign for new colors!

I'm a very upbeat person! I love quotes! I love to have light and air surrounding me! It feeds my creative flow. This move is going to be great! We are putting in a very cool pool (when I met with the pool company, I had NO idea how many pool designs are out there!) and I think the house decorations should reflect the light, fun, love feel of our family!

Along with writing my novels, I'm repurposing items that I have to add to the new things I have bought (yes, my amazing husband said that we are supposed to be getting rid of items and not buying new....I'm coming home with something new every day for the new house!)

My new decorating style is more Shabby-Chic/French Country look with whites, creams, light grays, and OLD!

(I'm using old shutters, old ladders, skids, old barn wood, and much more to create new furniture! I had an interior decorator came and she LOVED my idea! Plus she gave me some great ideas for window treatments! Much on that later!)

YES! I'm visiting a lot of resale centers, Goodwills, Craigslist and antique stores to get those perfect finds!

Needless to say. . .my creative juices are overtaking my life and that includes my writing time! This week I made a new writing schedule that allows me to take a break and paint an item or just go crazy on Pinterest!

In the meantime. . .I just couldn't wait to decorate with the items that I have already repurposed....I redid my guest bedroom because we aren't moving for another month! And I just couldn't wait!!!

(The new house guest bedroom will have different painted walls and wainscoting on the wall!! PLUS I have a really cool headboard that my hubby is making!)

I'm loving the new airy feeling and I can't wait to share my moving journey with you!!! Cheers!

Have you ever changed your decorating style? Did you get all new items or did you repurpose like me??

Be sure to grab THE DARE ME DATE~#2 in A SMALL TOWN ROMANCE SHORT STORY SERIES! Or give it for Valentine's Day! It makes the perfect romance!!

 FIVE STARS!  "This was a quick, fun, easy read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I liked seeing what the dare was & what would happen. Funny & romantic short story. Great Valentine's story!"

Reader Monday

When I asked Melissa Lapierre to be our guest on READER MONDAY, I knew I had to know all about her history as a book blogger! I met Melissa when she blogged on my book, Carpe Bead 'em. She was such a delight to communicate with. I started following her blog because she has some great authors and books on there!! So be sure to follow the links below to check her out!!

Please welcome MELISSA LAPIERRE to READER MONDAY!!

I can't remember a time when I wasn't a reader.

As a little girl I never wanted to take naps (my how that has changed as I've aged!!!), so my Mom would plop me in my bed with a stack of books and my childhood cat, Patch. 35 years later I'm still happiest surrounded by books and cats.

In middle school I couldn't devour the Nancy Drew books from the school library fast enough. Nancy was the beginning of my love of mysteries. After that I discovered Agatha Christie, then dove into the wonderful contemporary cozies that are so popular today.

I read other genres...I love historical romance particularly, as well as true animal stories, Christmas books, and the paranormal, but mysteries will always be my first love. My Kindle collection (LOL I have three...a Keyboard, Touch, and Fire) has made my book obsession grow exponentially. What did we ever do without modern technology???

In August 2011 I decided to start a book blog (http://www.mochasmysteriesandmore.blogspot.com/) to share my love of books (and cats!) with the online community. I'd always kept paper book journals, but wanted to keep a digital record as well. It has ended up being just about the best decision I ever made.

Blogging has truly changed my life.

I absolutely cherish the friendships I've made with fellow bloggers and authors. Every time I receive a review request in my email it just amazes me that someone is asking my humble opinion on the work they've shed their blood, sweat and tears over. I never fail to be awed and honored, and wouldn't trade that feeling for anything in the world.

My ultimate goal is to someday work in the book industry, either in editing, promotion, or even the bit of writing I've dabbled in myself. It seems that with the rise of indie publishing the sky's the limit, and I couldn't be more excited to be just a small part of it!

What about you? Has your love of reading ever turned into a hobby or job like mine?

Aimee Hicks!! You won a free ebook copy of my latest novel STRUNG OUT TO DIE!! Be sure to email me your email addy so I can send it to you!

Holly Harper’s life is finally getting back on the right track after her divorce from “what’s his name.” She and a group of divorcees have formed a strong bond plotting creative ways to get back at their exes and created a self-help group known as The Divorced Divas where their meetings are held in Holly’s bead store, The Beaded Dragonfly.

It’s no secret that Holly’s ex husband, Sean Harper, and the wealthiest bachelor in Swanee, Doug Sloan, don’t get along because Sean is constantly fixing all of Doug’s shoddy handy man work. Plus all the Divas would love to get their claws in some of Doug’s money.

When Doug ends up dead on the floor of The Beaded Dragonfly with a string of cat eye beads around his neck, it’s up to Holly to figure out whose framing her.

Crazy WRITER Life!

My life has been CRAZY!! I mean CRAZY CRAZY! You know that my amazing wonderful husband just refinished my kitchen and my office!

Seriously! They are gorgeous!

Anyways....my husband had an awakening (due to a few decisions we have been making lately) that life is too short NOT to enjoy what you have and what we don't have is a pool and the five sport carpools that we are in. . .shew!

Okay. . .he had me at the five sport carpools that I DRIVE! Man, wouldn't it be nice not to be in my car all the time and be able to use that amazing new office he did for me?

I smiled because we just don't have room in our back yard for a pool, but still the dream of not being in the car all the time was very appealing. Looooong story short. . .my husband and I found a house! A house that is a couple streets away from my guys school, which means no carpools, AND a . . .

WOW! So we put a full price offer on the house and got it! Then. . .two mortgages?? UH! Wait. . .someone wants to buy my house on the first day it went up for sale! And then another, and another! 

But today, I get to sit in my new office in my old house and write! My guys are home for a snow day, and I get the warm fuzzies listening to them in the house and looking out my windows at the beautiful snow falling while enjoying one of my last writing days in my new office.

BUT. . .the new house has an office that I will create to feed my muse just like I did here!

What about you? Have you ever gotten a wild hair and done something crazy? 

One comment will win an ebook copy of my newest novel, STRUNG OUT TO DIE!

**BONUS BEADED BRACELET PATTERN IN THE BOOK**

Holly Harper's life is finally getting back on the right track after her divorce from "what's his name." She and a group of divorcees have formed a strong bond plotting creative ways to get back at their exes and created a self-help group known as The Divorced Divas where their meetings are held in Holly's bead store, The Beaded Dragonfly.

It’s no secret that Holly’s ex husband, Sean Harper, and the wealthiest bachelor in Swanee, Doug Sloan, don’t get along because Sean is constantly fixing all of Doug’s shoddy handy man work. Plus all the Divas would love to get their claws in some of Doug’s money.

When Doug ends up dead on the floor of The Beaded Dragonfly with a string of cat eye beads around his neck, it’s up to Holly to figure out whose framing her.

Congratulations to Kim Reisdorf! You won the ebook copy of my latest Small Town Romance Short Story, THE DARE ME DATE! Just in time for Valentine's Day!! 

What's With The Short Stories?

Authors have so many irons in the fire these days. My irons include being a GREAT wife (**wink**), raising three teenage boys, raising three fury kids, sister, daughter, niece, neighbor, employee, chauffeur, neighbor, patient, chef, therapist, and on and on. Any author would rattle off a list similar to mine.

So see, my life is really no different than yours. Only I write! And I write in two different genres: chick-lit and cozy mystery.

As you can see from my list, there isn't a lot of time left for me to write, which is why I'm always writing at my kid's practices, school functions, and anywhere I take them.

I have two target audiences for my career, the romance enthusiasts and the mystery lovers. I can't keep them happy all the time, but I can make an attempt.

My writing muse works a little different for me. I can not start a series and stop writing to start a different series. While the characters have taken residence in my head, I have to finish out their story. Currently, I'm in my mystery cave writing away on the Magical Cures Mystery Series and The Divorced Divas, leaving Grandberry Falls and Postcards from Paris in the wings.

I love all my readers and would do anything I can to keep them happy. That is why I decided to write the Small Town Romance Short Story Series.

(The Dare Me Date is the second in the Small Town Romance Series! It just come out in time for Valentine's Day!)

Short stories are hard for me to write. It's a day in the life of a new character in a fictitious small town. They are packed with fun and a bit of romance to wet the mouths of my readers and keep them happy. The idea behind the series is to write one for each holiday (including the Hallmark ones) and at the end of the year, compile them into a book that will be in print and ebook.

This way I will keep all my readers happy while I continue to finish up the mystery series I have started. Then it will be reversed. I will write short story mysteries while I continue to write on the new romance series.

So....what do you think? Would you like your favorite authors to cater to your reading needs?

One LUCKY comment will win a copy of the TWO short stories I have out in the Small Town Romance Short Story Series! Winner will be announced on Friday!!

Reader Monday

Happy Monday! You know what that means! It's READER MONDAY and today I'm excited to introduce you to Teri Filkins! I met Teri on line and she is full of life and fun! Not to mention an amazing teacher, which is probably why we clicked. . .I use to teach and I admire her job! What better guest than a teacher who encourages her students to read??? Take it away Teri. . . .

Thank you for having me here today, Tonya, I am really enjoying your blogs! I am in awe of how you are able to accomplish so much with your days while also entertaining "us" with really great reads!

For several years, I ran the "Reader of the Month" program at our middle school. Once a reader was selected ( not necessarily a straight A student, but more importantly a "book worm"), I would meet with that student to give them a list of pre-interview questions. I've taken pictures of readers laying under the school marquee, kidding around in the library, strutting their stuff by flashy school lockers. The best part was always sitting down and finding out about these kids.

When did they remember first loving to read? Who was the first person that they ever remember having read to them? What didn't their folks know about them and books? Where did they read? What did they read?
What did they read?

Those kids could run off genres and authors to me in a flash! How fortunate I was that never did a one of them flip me that same question. My reading diet was as odd as could be.

Most of the time, I was reading books based upon the grade I'm teaching. Since 1984, I've taught every one of them. Each grade had its own treasures.

Then, came the summers and it would be my turn!! I selected books based upon places I longed to be: beaches, oceans, quaint towns, and pirate ships.

At times, I needed an adventure. I'd get on my spy gear and go some kind of NCIS crazy exploit.

Even now-a-days, I can't always stay in the same genre, even if I love it. I need to explore. I fly from one genre to another. I'm a beach bum, a sassy witch, a torn neglected wife. Yet, I'm more than that. I am the breezy wisps of salty air flowing through the Cape windows. I am the tempest storm pounding the beaten ship.

The biggest change came for me when I was battling an illness. My oncologist therapist warned me to stay away from negative books. She advised reading fun and carefree novels for they would help me to stay happy and uplifted. That was when I entered the realm of chick-lit. Truly, this arena supported me as an optimist. Ah, perfect fit. So perfect, it wouldn't wait for summer to come.

My last Read was The Light Between Oceans,by M.L. Stedman, one of those books that puts me smack dab on a lighthouse in the middle of nowhere, with characters I want to root for. At the same time, I was reading Ashes of Roses, by Mary Jane Auch, for my 8th grade class. This book follows a family from Cork, Ireland to America, through the hard immigration process, to unfair labor practices and into the belly of the horrid Triangle Shirt Factory Fire. Now, I am sliding into the scary Gone Girl ( Gillian Flynn). I am putting on my spy gear. It's all a cycle.

Next, I know I will be more than hungry for some Indie chick.

It's just too long of an answer for a middle schooler. Eyes would glaze over.

Do you know what you read? Have you ever thought about why you read what you read? It is an interesting look inside of your reading soul.

When I am deciding upon which book to read, I am thinking something even more. The decision is, "Which adventure am I going on next?"

Teri Filkins is a Literacy Teacher at Moreau Elementary School and Oliver W. Winch School in South Glens Falls, New York. In addition, she serves on the Board of the Iroquois Reading Council, part of the New York State Reading Council and an affiliate of the International Reading Association.

I'm on a BOOK BLOG TOUR!

I'm on tour with STRUNG OUT TO DIE and giving away lots of books!!! Be sure to follow along each day and enter to win!

Strung out to Die blurb:

Holly Harper’s life is finally getting back on the right track after her divorce from “what’s his name.” She and a group of divorcees have formed a strong bond plotting creative ways to get back at their exes and created a self-help group known as The Divorced Divas where their meetings are held in Holly’s bead store, The Beaded Dragonfly.

It’s no secret that Holly’s ex husband, Sean Harper, and the wealthiest bachelor in Swanee, Doug Sloan, don’t get along because Sean is constantly fixing all of Doug’s shoddy handy man work. Plus all the Divas would love to get their claws in some of Doug’s money.

When Doug ends up dead on the floor of The Beaded Dragonfly with a string of cat eye beads around his neck, it’s up to Holly to figure out whose framing her.

Here are the details of the tour!

Strung Out to Die Book Tour Giveaway

Jan.14,2013

Today we have a lot to celebrate at Cozy Mystery Book Reviews. It’s the first official day of our very first Cozy Mystery Book Tour. Tonya Kappes is starting her tour with a interview, and visiting six more fabulous blogs on her tour.

Monday 14 January – Interview at Cozy Mystery Book Reviews
Tuesday 15 January – Review at Brooke Blogs
Wednesday 16 January – Guest Post as Mochas, Mysteries & More 
Thursday 17 January – Review at Melina the Reader
Friday 18 January – Guest Post at Read Your Writes Book Reviews
Saturday 19 January – Review at Must Read Faster
Sunday 20 January – Interview at Cozy Up With Kathy

To celebrate we are having a great giveaway!! We are offering to three lucky readers a $25 Amazon.com or $25 Book Depository giftcard. To enter, fill the form in below. For extra entries be sure to follow each blog on the tour. One bonus entry will be given for each blog that you follow.
Giveaway closes at midnight on January 21, 2013, and the winners will be contacted via email.

BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE LINKS AND GET ENTERED TODAY!!

Reader Monday and the Bookaholic!

I'm so excited about our second Monday of the new year and a new series that I'm featuring on Mondays. I'm calling it READER MONDAY (Yeah, creative...I know.)

The one thing that you should know about me is that I'm all about me readers! I love connecting with them here on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, and in person. There is nothing more fun than getting together with people who love to read! Go on over to my website and check out my news and events for places I will be traveling to this year. I hope y'all let me know if you live near these places because I would love to hook up!

So when I decided to move my blog to reader friendly, I wanted to let readers have a day where they can talk about books, why they like books, who they like, how they fit riding into their busy lives, or anything that strikes their fancy! I'm pretty open to anything.

This week I'd like to give a big WELCOME to another one of my STREET TEAM members Crystal Bozeman Cifton!! 

A couple years ago my sister decided I needed to read the Twilight series and promised I would love them. I did, and in fact that is the the series of books that got me back into reading, I choose my books mostly by description but sometimes the covers get me hooked. 

I am in my forties and I love all genres and never turn down a book just in case I may love it. I have a TBR pile so high its unbelieveable and rather comical also. I have met some of the most awesome Authors on FB, Twitter, Pinterest etc and I enjoy enteracting with them all. I also love to do promo pics for them to help get their books out to the public eye. 

Tonya Kappes, Stacey Rourke, Cameo Renae, Cindy Springsteen, and numerous other Authors have inspired me to move ahead and get my childrens books published hopefully this year. 

Reading is a place I go when I don't want to deal with the real world, in the books I am never lost and I am always on an adventure along with anyone else who has read or are reading the same book. I love books that keep me engaged in the story to the point I stay up into the wee hours reading ti to the finish. 

I love to laugh, cry, get excited and just down right mad when I am reading and I just can't explain the pictures I see in my head while reading. When an Author can make you picture the landscape or even an outfit on th echarater well they have just gone above and beyond for me. 

Reading is a wonderful escape for everyone and yes I am a Bookaholic and proud to be.

What about you, are you a bookaholic too??

Reader Monday

I'm so excited to welcome the first Monday of the new year and a new series that I'm going to be featuring on Mondays. I'm calling it READER MONDAY (Yeah, creative...I know.)

The one thing that you should know about me is that I'm all about me readers! I love connecting with them here on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, and in person. There is nothing more fun than getting together with people who love to read! Go on over to my website and check out my news and events for places I will be traveling to this year. I hope y'all let me know if you live near these places because I would love to hook up!

So when I decided to move my blog to reader friendly, I wanted to let readers have a day where they can talk about books, why they like books, who they like, how they fit riding into their busy lives, or anything that strikes their fancy! I'm pretty open to anything.

I'm excited to have my first guest reader today. Lori Hickey is a member of my STREET TEAM and she is so much fun! When I asked her to guest blog as a reader, I didn't know she was going to talk about me...little ole me;) But I loved it! This is exactly how I want my readers to feel when they meet me or read my novels! Lori summed it up perfectly!

Over a year and a half ago I found a new Author (with a little help from a friend) who writes fun, quirky, magical and laugh out loud stories where you fall in love with the characters. 

Since then I have read all of her books and am eagerly waiting for her next one. Tonya Knappes is her name and let me tell you she is so much like her characters. 

Since reading and finding Tonya, who lives in Kentucky while I live in Vermont, we have become friends. She is very involved with her readers and really cares about them.

She has her Street Team on Facebook which I am a part of. Tonya has book release parties that last for hours giving away lots of wonderful goodies including books that her author friends have written. 

So not only is she sharing herself with us she shares her friends with us too. This is a win win for everyone.  We have book group meetings on our Kindle Fires with Tonya. Not many authors do that. 

We’ve even had fun as a “Big Brother” group during the summer months.

I wake up every morning and turn my iPad on and go to Facebook for our morning hello and fun cartoons. This has become such a part of my routine. I would miss it if it was all gone tomorrow.

I could go on and on about Tonya and her books and everything else that she does for us but I’ll end here and hope that you will read her books and find them as enjoyable as I do.

What about you? Do you have authors that reach out to their readers?

Clean House, Clean Soul!

Gosh! I absolutely love the new year! Not only does it bring a new beginning to a lot of people, but it brings a new sense of hope, love, and life!

Last year my guys and I had a few health scares along with a couple deaths in the family, but we didn't dwell on those things. We took care of business (as my adorable husband says!) and moved on.

Last year was also the year we decided to upgrade out thirty year old house! Talk about a mess! And I'm so excited to start the new year with a new kitchen, bathroom, and office!

AND starting the new year as a full time writer is an AMAZING FEELING!!!

Plus all the great things that I have lined up are now starting to fall into place! I've got a lot of wonderful things happening for readers in 2013 and can't wait to tell you all about it....it's super secret right now....

Anyways, starting Monday January 7, 2013, I will sit down at my desk and begin my 2013! It's been having a couple weeks off, but I love writing, writing for you! It makes me a better wife, mom, and friend!

Cheers!~to a great year!

What about you? How does the new year affect your life? Be sure to leave a comment for a print autographed copy of my newest novel, STRUNG OUT TO DIE!

"Strung Out to Die is a very memorable, highly entertaining debut novel in this series. While I have really enjoyed the other series that Tonya Kappes has written (the Olivia Davis Paranormal mysteries and the Magical Cures mysteries) I will say that Strung Out to Die is my favorite so far." ~Cozy Mystery Book Review

AND be sure to pick up your FREE ebook copy of BEAD OF DOUBT ( a short story to introduce you to the Divorced Divas in STRUNG OUT TO DIE) AND A NEW TRADITION (a small town romance short story). These books will NOT be free much longer!


Have a happy new year!! AND remember to sign up for my newsletter to get the latest Tonya Kappes news!