Back to School Blog Tour Sept. 2-6 Featured Authors: Vivienne Mathews and W.N. Rae

For a list and link to all the authors participating and tour giveaway, link to the Back To School Blog Tour Page here.

Remember, this is the last day of the blog tour. So, you got until the end of Sept. 6 to enter. Good luck! The winner will be announced on Monday Sept. 9.

The 2013 Back To School Blog Tour Big Book Giveaway

Vivienne Mathews is a nerdy ice queen who talks with her hands and owns far too many hats. A beekeeper with a bee allergy, no one would ever accuse her of being sensible. She spends most of her days in Hermitville, just past Nowhere, with her loving husband, two dogs, and a child who won’t stop growing, no matter how desperately she tries to keep him young. More than anything, she hopes you enjoy her books as much as she enjoys writing them.

Vivienne Mathews is the author of The Sons of Masguard series.

That’s a tough one. Teachers are so incredibly important and I’ve been lucky to have had many wonderful instructors over the years. (My former psychology professor is now one of my dearest friends!) In terms of writing, I’d have to say the kindest, most influential one of the lot would be my high school English teacher, Mrs. Weston. I missed a lot of school for a variety of reasons, but – where many teachers would have written me off as a slacker – she was always so encouraging. Years later, I was thrilled to be able to return to her classroom to speak with her kids and involve them in the beta reading process for the first installment of The Sons of Masguard. It meant so much to me to be able to show that her faith in me wasn’t wasted or unnoticed.

2) What advice would you give children for the beginning of school?

Be kind. It the simplest and most vital thing you can do for yourself and for those around you. If you see someone having a hard time, give them a smile. If you’re confronted by a bully, ask them if they need a hug. (You’re allowed to be sarcastic about that last bit. It serves the secondary purpose of embarrassing them to the point that they leave you alone!)

3) Did you have any role models growing up? Who were they? Why did you admire them?

Do fictional characters count? I adored the 1982 film version of Annie. She was clever and sarcastic and managed to be optimistic, despite her crummy circumstances. She was determined to make the best of every situation.

4) Do you do anything to help organize your writing or inspire a story?

I keep a whiteboard in my office. Whenever I’m stuck on a scene or character profile, I draw it out. Seeing it (or him, or her) as an image often helps me suss out the proper way to describe it (or him, or her *cheeky grin*) in words.

5) What is the kernel of wisdom you have learned about writing?

A lot of people will tell you to believe in yourself, which is never a bad thing. The truth is, though, you don’t have to believe you can do it. You just have to sit down and DO it. Both the inspired writer and the working writer get to the end of the book the same way — one word at a time. So, whether you believe in yourself or not, just put in the work and keep at it.

6) What other projects or books are you working on right now?

Currently, I have two novels in the works, one of which is the third installment for The Sons of Masguard. I’m also in the process of illustrating several picture books that I hope to release next year. So, plenty of projects on the table!

For stopping by, you are in on the special coupons being offered by Vivienne Mathews. Below are the links to Smashwords ebook coupons. Her books are free or on massive discount this week. Enjoy!

The Sons of Masguard Book II is available on Smashwords with the special coupon code until Oct. 1, 2013.

**For more information on Vivienne Mathews, please visit her blog at: http://viviennemathews.blogspot.com/ .

Our second featured author is W.N. Rae.

1)Who was your favorite teacher, and how did they influence your writing?
My favorite teacher ever was Mr. Johnson, and though he taught another subject, his belief and encouragement made me aware of being “acceptable.” I was a tragic-though-lovable-nerd and very unaware of my finer points. I cannot remember a teacher being as encouraging as he was.

2) What advice would you give children for the beginning of school?
The wonderful thing about your mind is its ability to find something to learn at every turn. When the less stimulating subjects arise, you might find you enjoy them more when you give them a context that fits into your areas of interest. If you’re a gamer, can your history class help you flesh out an RPG campaign you’re designing? If you’re an artist, can your math class help you to understand dimensions in the architecture of some of your visual stories? The more you know, the more you’re capable of in the practical sense. How can you make your education work for your interests and the path you have in mind for your future?

Author W.N. Rae creates a edgy, steampunk world through her blog and short stories.

4) Do you do anything to help organize your writing or inspire a story?
My stories begin as a glimmer of energy that I expand in a direction that’s true to the “feel” of the original line of thought it emerged from. I don’t have any pre-story rituals, but if it doesn’t “feel” right, it doesn’t get written.

5) What is the kernel of wisdom you have learned about writing?
The best writing emerges from a relaxed place. I think this is the true reason why seasoned writers do well. Technique aside, after writing umpteen amounts of words, the old fear of writing unpalatable tripe falls away, and the storyteller emerges without the fetters of doubt on its wings.

6) What other projects or books are you working on right now?
I’m finishing a few series’ written for a different genre and focusing on the potential expansion of the ‘The Night Clock.’

Link to W. N. Rae’s short stories

***For all of the featured author blog links and blog tour giveaway information, link to the Back to School Blog Tour 2013 Page.