Author Name: Minnette MeadorCurrent release: The Edge of Honor
Web site url: www.minnettemeador.com
Blog site: http://minnettemeador.blogspot.com
Favorite holiday memory: My favorite memory of Christmas was the first Christmas morning my kids actually knew what was going on. My twins were about 2 and my oldest was 4. They screamed so loud, the neighbors heard them. There is nothing more infectious than the laughter of children...and now they listen to their own children laugh.
40 comments:
Welcome and happy birthday to our day 7 guest author, Minnette Meador!
Minnette confesses to writing fantasy, adventure, sci-fi, horror, romance--and more! What a variety!
One of our other guest bloggers says she steps into a time machine when she writes, be it historical, contemporary, or futuristic. Minnette, how do you keep all the different genres separate when you write?
It's so nice to be here, Genene. Thanks for inviting me! Writing across genres takes a bit of concentration, but is a lot of fun and very stimulating as a writer. I am currently working on a paranormal/erotic/comedy and my critique partner had to slap my hands a lot for slipping into historical romance and fantasy words. When I edit I have to be careful in this piece not to slip into "the night was so black and diaphorus around them he couldn't see her lithe form in front of him" instead of "the sky was so dark he couldn't see her ass wiggling in front of him." ~LOL~ The other part that proves interesting (in a Chinese curse kind of way) is to try to promote across genres. It's challenging to find audiences for different genres, but it does make it interesting at book signings. If they don't like one, they may like the other. ~grin~
Good morning, Minnette!
A couple things you said struck me in particular: 1) Paranormal/erotic/comedy--but watch out for historical romance and fantasy trying to slip in. This sounds like an incredible challenge. And 2) trying to promote across genres.
Perhaps readers (and that includes us writers!) have come to expect "labels" on books. That can help narrow down our choices from the thousands (millions?) of books available to those we tend to like. However, we might also be missing wonderful stories if a book isn't labeled as something we generally like. Hmm... step outside our own limitations and take a chance on an unknown book. We might discover some treasures!
And, as you said, if a person doesn't like one genre, perhaps they will like another. Interesting!
You also mentioned to me that your son did the original artwork on your Starsight books. I love the detail of those covers! Are there more of the Starsight books in the works? And will your son continue to do the covers?
It can be a challenge and yes, readers do have a tendency to stick with a genre they are comfortable with. I was very fortunate to be raised by voraceous readers (my parents) who liked damned near everything. That gave me a pretty varied background as a reader and therefore helped me to cross genres. I've had several people who never read an epic fantasy before who have given me rave reviews on the Starsight book and now want to read more fantasie. Interstingly enough, romance is a new addiction for me; up until about three years ago, I hadn't read more than a few. Just goes to show an old canine can learn a new act once in a while.
Happy Birthday to one of the most talented ladies I know!!!
Awe shucks, D ~blush~ Thanks! That means a lot coming from you...xoxoxo M:)
Happy Birthday, Minnette!!
And very true about appealing to different audiences by writing across genres. That way you expand your reader base, since a reader may like more than one genre or, at least, know someone else who would like a different one.
BTW, Thank you, I've got your Starsight Series under my tree and my hubby's been eyeing them. So has my 17-year old son!
Julie
Guilty as charged, Minnette! I do like to read in a genre I'm familiar with: romance, because I like that guaranteed happy ending. If there's no happy ending, I'm unhappy. LOL!
I definitely need to broaden my reading, as well as carve out more time to read. Maybe one of those speed reading classes that used to be so popular! And a few of your nonromance books to get me hooked on other genres!
Oh, Genene, thanks for having Minnette. Good questions.
Julie
Happy birthday, Minnette!
I'm always impressed by authors who write to multiple genres. Do you work on more than one project at a time as well?
Thanks, Julie...the cool thing about writing across genres is you DO get people to try other ones. A reviewer in Ireland had never read a romance before. I knew him from one of my fantasy groups. He was intrigued by the Boudicca revolt aspect of The Centurion & The Queen and read the book because of it. He LOVED it! (http://www.thelucidreview.com/centurion.html) So you never know who's going to like your work. That's one of the fringe benefits from writing cross genre; you get people to read outside their normal comfort zone! BTW, I'd love to know what your husband and son think of the Starsigh series...:)
Hi, Mary Lou and thanks for the b-day wishes! As a rule, I usually work on one project at a time. I tried working on more than one, but couldn't get anything done. I find that if I focus on one project at a time, it flows better and I have less mistakes. However, I also edit for my publisher so I guess I really do work on several projects at once. I've been juggling burning cats for years. I was a project manager for almost 15 years and raised six kids. You learn to juggle very well!
Delilah and Julie, so glad you could stop by!
And just for wishing Minnette happy birthday, you have been entered TWICE to win one of the daily prizes I'm giving away between now and Dec. 12, as well as the grand prize drawing on Dec. 12, a fully decorated Christmas tree.
This applies to anyone who stops by today and says "happy birthday" to Minnette. Just a small bonus for spending some time with Minnette, a wonderful person and talented writer!
I forgot to mention the contest on my yahoo posts today! Egad! I'll go over and let everyone know. :)
LOL, Minnette! The focus today is on you!
As I mentioned, the contests are a bonus. However, I've discovered I love giving things away. Hmm...could need treatment for that. :)
And, Mary Lou, it's so good to hear from you! Good question about multiple projects. I'm always interested in hearing how others juggle the pieces of their lives--I can always use more suggestions on this!
Hey, all of my friends love getting free stuff...so it's a perfect relationship! You love to give, we love to receive. Win/Win! :)
Happy Birthday Minnette! It's so nice to see you featured here today!
Corrina
Twice, Genene? Not that I'm complaining :-)
And what a different grand prize! With all this giving, you're in the Christmas spirit.
Here's a confession: We took our artificial white tree out (with Minnette's books under them), but sad to say, we have not gotten around to decorating it. Nor have I put up holiday decorations this year. Nor lights outside. And this is my son's senior year in H.S. What kind of mom am I?? Next year he may be gone living in the dorm. Is anyone else that bad?
Julie
Happy Birthday Minette!!!! I hope you enjoy it to the fullest!
Thanks, Eliza...I'm really glad to see you here.
Julie - Don't feel bad...we haven't even thought about it, but we usually wait until around the 15th to decorate. We're living with my son and his family right now, so I get to spend the holidays with my little angel Fernie (3 years old going on 35). I couldn't be more excited. I haven't been around little ones for Christmas since...well, for many long years. We'll just leave it at that...M:)
Hi Minnette,
Happy Birthday and happy holidays, too. I visited your website, very nice. It seems we both like the same authors. Best wishes, Donna
Hi, Donna...thanks for the wishes and I'm glad you like my site. It is a work in progess, as is pretty much everything else in my life...
I'm curious about what genres everyone likes? I like sci-fi, fantasy, historical romance, paranormal, sweeping epic (think Thornbirds), and mystery. How about everyone else?
Hi, Corrina and Eliza! Glad you could stop by and wish Minnette a happy birthday!
And, yes, Julie--entered twice in the contest! Actually, I am more in the Christmas spirit this year. My shopping is even done--the earliest that's happened in ten years or so.
Don't beat yourself up for no decorations. When my kids were little, they wanted lots of Christmas lights on the outside of the house. I did get some lights around the inside of a window once in awhile. But they also got a stocking full of 25 gifts to start opening Dec. 1 because they "couldn't wait." Yesterday I heard my grandson tell his dad he "couldn't wait" until Christmas to open presents. LOL!
Last night my son and grandson wrapped some presents and we put up a few decorations. More to come, although getting a tree will probably wait until next weekend.
Minnette, you shared one of your favorite Christmas memories as listening to your children laugh with excitement. What do you do on Christmas now? Any special or new traditions?
And here's a question for anyone: do you turn on your computer on Christmas day? Or is that a no-computer day?
I get Christmas morning every year with my kids and their kids, so just the immediate family. It's my favorite day of the year.
I'll probably turn it on in the afternoon...I'm such an addict! The kids have in-laws to go to, so Matt and I just kind of take it easy with anyone wanted to hang out. I make a big Christmas breakfast (usually fresh fruit, eggnog, and sometimes creamed eggs on toast - a family favorite.) :)
Minnette, how awesome that you get to spend Christmas with your little "angel." She's at a wonderful age to make Christmas delightful!
Donna, so good to hear from you again! Any special holiday traditions in your household? Or are you like me and find each holiday season brings something different?
Happy Birthday Minette! This seems like a perfect way to spend your special day. I love fantasy, epic sagas, mystery, sci-fi, paranormal... heck I think I love almost any kind of genre, depending on my mood. I am always reading 3books at the same time. But I can only write on one project at a time. The Starsight series is coming to my Christmas tree as well. So nice to come here and blog with you and your friends.
Genene, I will be back often to your site, as I have bookmarked you. What fun you are having with this contest. I find I love giving things away, as well. Earlier this year, I gave away a house! It was so much fun.
Happy Holidays to everyone.
wanda
Whoa, Wanda! A house? How did you give away a house? A doll house? A weekend at a beach house? A real, live, honest-to-goodness house that someone could live in? OK, I'm hooked and want to know details! :)
Thanks for adding me as a bookmark. I look forward to seeing you again!
Hi, Wanda...I'm so thrilled you're here and even more thrilled you've got Starsight under the tree ~blush~ I'm with Genene...what house?!
Minnette,
I hope you have had a glorious birthday. A little bird let the news fly (thanks, Genene) and this is the first moment I've had to visit.
Leaving you with wishes for a wonderful evening...
Debi Sullivan
EPIC's EPPIE Chair
Thank you so much, Debi! This has been a wonderful way to spend my birthday and I really appreciate Genene inviting me. We're off to dinner in about an hour, so I'll hang out as long as I can. :)
I gave away my double-wide mobile home when I married Bill. We were going to sell it but to fix it up so that I would feel comfortable with the asking price would cost almost as much as I was going to spend. So I put the house on Free Cycle and gave it away to a nice retired couple with family in the area. They were thrilled to have it, even with the fix-ups neede. And I was thrilled to have it go to someone who really needed it. A real win-win all around and gave me such a terrific feeling. A couple of weeks ago I gave away my van. It needs some cosmetic work, new carpet and a tune up. My son knew of a guy who needed a transporation rig and so I gave it to him. I think giving of what you have makes you feel as blessed as the one who receives it.
Thanks Genene and Minnette. I don't feel so much like a bad mom. And I'm with them, Wanda, what kind of house would you give away for a contest?? I mean that's a LOT!
Minette, I don't expect we'll hear much from you now, since you probably out with your hubby and closing up for the day. Enjoy your holldays with little Fernie (what a CUTE name).
And in answer to your questions:
My favorite genre is Romantic Suspense---contemporary and historical
Okay, so maybe that's actually 2 categories.
My husband will undoubtedly turn his computer on Christmas Day. He is a computer guy and that's what he does for a living.
Thanks Genene. It was a fun bday blog. I'm bookmarking Feathers so I'll remember to check back in other times. Julie
Yep...we're headed out the door. Thank you ladies so much for making this day extremely special to me. Congrats to Delilah for her RT Reviewer's Choice nomination, too! I had a wonderful day thanks to you all. I'll be back when the next author goes up, Genene. Take care everyone! M:)
Wanda, how very cool that you gave away a house AND a van. That does feel good, doesn't it?
Julie, it was nice to meet you and I look forward to hearing from you in the future. No mom guilt! Do the best you can, give lots of hugs, and keep those blackmail pictures of your son when he was little to show to his girlfriends. :)
Debi, so glad you could stop by. Time gets even shorter during the holidays, doesn't it? And I'm not just talking about the shorter daylight hours here in the northern hemisphere!
Minnette,
Thanks soooooo much for spending your birthday here! It has been delightful to have you!
And many thanks to everyone who stopped by to wish Minnette a happy birthday.
Today's prize drawing is at 6:00 p.m. PST (in about 30 minutes). So you still have some time to enter. Even if you don't win today, you're still in the contest hat to win the other daily prizes up through Dec. 12. Then everyone's name who has entered (even if you've won a daily prize) goes back in the hat for the grand prize of a fully decorated Christmas tree.
I'll have the pleasure of hosting more guest authors all this week. However, there just weren't enough days between December 1 and 12 to fit in all the wonderful authors I know and would like to know, so Friday, December 12 will be OPEN PROMOTION DAY for authors. You can post writing tips, suggestions for last minute gift giving, book covers, links to your site or blog, or other creative promotion. However, please keep your posts rated PG to keep this site's family friendly rating.
I'm going to feed my dogs, then will be back with the name of today's contest winner.
Once again, Minnette, many thanks and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
P.S. to Delilah--CONGRATULATIONS on your RT Reviewer's Choice nomination. You have been racking up the kudos and glowing reviews!! I hope you have the time to post something on Dec. 12 for open promotion day.
Happy Birthday, Minette! I enjoyed your posts.
Sarah
Sarah, thank you so much for stopping by! I am so pleased that Minnette chose to spend her birthday with us and delighted that so many people stopped by to wish her a happy birthday!
I hope you stop by again and say hello to our other guest authors.
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