Angels Of The Fallen, The Watchers

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Georgia's Smile by Lee-Ann Graff-Vinson Author


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Hi readers, 
Today we have the pleasure of having Lee-Ann Graff-Vinson Author sharing her work and her writing process. 
Hi Lee-Ann, can you please tell us a little bit about yourself
I am married with two children now finally in school full-time. As a writer working from home, I dreamed of the time when both kids would be at school all day, allowing me silence and solitude to write the days away. Unfortunately, I attended the first PAC meeting of the year and happily volunteered for just about everything under the sun. Those blissful days of writing and reading and basically catching up on all of my “to do” projects are again pushed aside – at least until I can obtain some type of order in my life. Although, I must say, (and I know all you parents reading this will agree with me) having your children in school full-time is like a mini-vacation five-days-a-week.  
How did you decided to enter the world of writing?
I often wonder that myself. As a child, I was creative in many arenas. I loved to sing and dance (at home of course, never in front of anyone.) I put on plays for my family (insert eye-roll here) and loved watching art shows on television. I would grab any supplies I could get my hands on to recreate the project myself. It never turned out looking anywhere close to what the artist made, but I had fun and was proud of my “creations.”
As I got older, I was introduced to my love of writing in English class. The world opened up when you could “pretend” the day away creating magical and silly stories. I think that was when I first thought about “writing” as an art form to add to my list of performances. When I was twenty-nine, my mother passed away. Part of me insisted I tell her story, for her as much as for me. My Mother’s Life, the very first piece I penned, still sits unpublished and unedited. It is a raw account of the life of a sick woman (both mentally and physically) and when I feel I can do the story justice, I will go back and breathe new life into the story that started it all.
What does your family think of your writing?
Hmm . . .well, I’m not sure how to answer this question. What does my family think or what do I think my family thinks? When I started out on my path, I believe most of those who are close to me thought I was taking on a nice hobby. I’m sure some still do think this way. In some aspects, gaining recognition and approval from family members is more difficult than gaining the acceptance of your readers. Fortunately, I am not one to care about what others think about my “hobby.” I believe, one day soon, I will be on the best-seller list for a few of my works. Baby, that’s good enough for me.
Where do you get your ideas?
Topics of interest to me generally stem my plotlines. My daughter takes up the rest of the room in my ideas folder. She is an amazing and creative child and the reason my Queen Emily series was born. I write in many genres as I cannot seem to settle on a stereotype version of who I am supposed to be as an author. I write what I’m in the mood to write. Period. As such, I have penned military/romance; military/suspense; erotic romance and children’s picture books thus far. I am currently working on a YA series which I hope to have published early next year.
Can you tell us a little about your book?      
           Love and Liberty  Love’s Trust

I can tell you a little bit about a few books. Love and Liberty, published under Gypsy Shadow Publishing, is a military/erotic/romance. The novella holds strong scenes of both love and war. My characters are hard core, both male and female. I am currently editing the sequel Love Under Fire, which is a military romance novel – at least I guess that is where this would be marketed.There is little in the way of true romance and more in the way of difficult situations military personnel 
face on a daily basis. Romance does occur, but it is  not the true meaning behind this story.

Queen Emily’s Enchanted Kingdom – Litterbug, published under Great Minds Think Aloud Publishing, is the second in my children’s picture book series. Queen Emily deals with many issues in her kingdom. With the help of her trusty stuffed advisors, she is able to deal swiftly with any problems which arise and teach the citizens of her fair kingdom valuable lessons. Basically, these are fun stories with morals for young children. My daughter plots the stories and draws some of the pictures for the books. I simply write them. 
What is your writing process? 
Oh, look! I have thirty minutes. I’m going to sit down and write/edit/review. There is no process. If I can get to a computer and focus my mind, the words flow. If I’m really lucky, magic happens. 
What was the hardest part for you when working on your book? 
Next to finding the time to sit down and write, I find editing to be incredibly difficult. The process of editing my own work is excruciating. I find errors upon errors in my sentences which weren't there the day before when I looked them over. I find I ruminate on the editing I've already done and waste what time I had to continue through the story on rewriting what I've already edited! 
What influenced or inspired you to write? 
My Mother inspired the ignition. My daughter feeds the fire. 
Was there a scene that you didn't add or you removed in your finished work? 
No, but I wish I had.  
Do you have a favorite character (from you're book)? Why?
So far, I would have to say Danika from Love And Liberty is my favorite. She is tough, no-nonsense and will kick the ass of anyone who messes with her family. She’s my kind of girl. 
Do you already know what to write next? Can you tell us? 
Currently, I have five projects on the go. Two are YA, one is a script, and two more are military/romance. 
Where can we find more information about you and your books? 
You can find me here:








Queen Emily’s Enchanted Kingdom - Sugarland: http://www.amazon.com/Emilys-Enchanted-Kingdom-Sugarland-


Createspace Queen Emily Sugarland:  https://www.createspace.com/3832950


Kindle version of L&L on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-and-Libery-






Createspace: Litterbug:  https://www.createspace.com/3987269




Lee-Ann it has been a pleasure learning all about your book and your writing. Thank you for visiting and sharing with the readers. Do you have any last words?
Yes, but I will save them for my epitaph. J
Fun Questions ~
I love weekends because?
I don’t have to say “hurry up!” to anyone.
I hate?
Lazy people. Not hate per say, dislike would be a better word.
I want to buy?
My house. The day my mortgage line reads paid-in-full is the day the dreams come true.
My favorite song is?
“Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman”, by Bryan Adams. This is the most romantic, heartfelt song I’ve ever heard. I melt every time I listen to it.
My favorite precious stone is?
Sapphire.
I want to travel to? Why?
Everywhere. I want to see the world and experience all it has to offer.
I want to meet?  Why?
The creators, imaginers and inventors of our time and thank them for all they have given to our lives.
I want to invite   -------------- to dinner. Why?
My Mother and Father. They died before getting the chance to meet my children. I would like to have the chance for my kids to meet their grandparents. To have us all sit down together at a table and watch my parents laugh at my son’s jokes and marvel at my daughter’s creativity. This one gift would fill a large void in my life.
My dream is to?
See my name in lights! Or, at least on the best-seller list. I’m not picky.
My favorite book is?
The Peculiar Miss Picket, a Scholastic book my older sister got many years ago. I made her read it to me over and over again. I have it now and have read it to my daughter (over and over again.) This is the book that opened my eyes to the wonderful world of magic and creativity. I hold it dear to my heart. 

Callie’s Fate Love’s Trust  Queen Emily’s Enchanted Kingdom: Sugarland           

3 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to appear on your wonderful blog, Patricia. I wish you the best success with your "Hot & Spicy" saga. :)

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  2. Hi Patricia & Lee-Ann. Great interview and lovely to learn some more about you Lee-Ann. I really liked your honesty about the editing process-I'm the same. All the best with your writing and your books. Long may you keep creating.
    Best
    Suzy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks for stopping by, Suzy! I greatly appreciate your support. Us creative types need to stick together. ;)

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Patricia ♥

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