Author Interview & Book Giveaway: Death Whispers & The Pearl Savage by Tamara Rose Blodgett

Welcome to Author Tamara Rose Blodgett.

Bio:

Tamara Rose Blodgett is a “thinking-out-of-the box” paranormal enthusiast who believes there's a 95% chance zombies do not exist; but loves to write as if they do. I'm from Alaska and have worked as an online journalist in the past. I enjoyed writing, Death Whispers, and am hard at work on book two, Death Speaks, (pub. Aug. 2011). My paranormal romance, The Pearl Savage, published on June 15. In my spare time I'm a [reluctant] serial-re-modeler, project-slave and big time, in-my-pants reader (surprise!). I do a great deal of day-dreaming about impossible scenarios and events, writing books to capture them in stories for you~ Side note: Gnomes should be exterminated.

Blog: http://tamararoseblodgett.blogspot.com

Interview:

If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?

Absolutely the past! There are so many fascinating eras to choose from...

If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?

Jesus Christ, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Albert Einstein and my mom. ( I know they're gone...but that's what I want anyway ;)

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

Wonderbar, Kindle (with unlimited battery, of course), and a hatchet( remember how handy that was in Paulsen's book?)

What is one book everyone should read?

Lone Survivor.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

Healing.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Bubblegum.

If you could meet one person who has died who would you choose?

Elanor Roosevelt.

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?

Peanut butter toast (w/butter!).

One food you would never eat?

Beets...they are the GROSSEST.

Pet Peeves?

Icky feet.

Skittles or M&Ms?

M&M's with peanuts.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

“Death Whispers” is a book that has a unique premise, lots of action and dialogue that is not contrived; reading naturally.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?

“The Pearl Savage,” ( a YA paranormal romance) was published on June 15 and the sequel to DW, “Death Speaks,” will be published on August 15. My “loose” goal is to publish a book every two months through the end of 2011. 

What inspired you to want to become a writer?

It was the thing I felt most compelled to do since I was a teen. I always had stories ricocheting around in my head like a pinball!

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

By far, my readers loving the book! Without their feedback, it would mean so much less. It's thrilling to have a reader say they spent their time being entertained by something you made up! I appreciate each and every one of them!

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world.. which would it be?

I want to be in Anita Blake's world ( Laurell K. Hamilton series).

What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?

The Chronicles of Narnia. 

Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?

Sully Erna (Sinner's Prayer)

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Edit. It is so critical to have your novel formatted correctly and free of typos. They will still slip in but try to eradicate those! Less or none is the goal, absolutely.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Italy sounds completely cool! But, I'd have to learn Italian!

What is your favorite Quote?

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?

A journalist. Which I was for about four years. It was a terrific job. One that prepared me for writing fiction. That said, a writer can never have enough preparation or practice!

Who are your favorite authors of all time?

Stephen King. He's my all-time inspiration.

Can you see yourself in any of your characters?

I can't. Maybe people that know me can! :D

What's the craziest writing idea you've had?

Actually, they're all crazy. I've been told my ideas are unique and it's only after I've written them into a book that they become cohesive and make “sense” to the reader. I am like some authors where they put two ideas together that come at separate times but eventually combine into a story. All my stories started out with one idea. Then something else would come along; they'd collide and a new story was born.

What's the best advice anyone has ever given you?

Keep on, keeping on. My husband has encouraged my tenacious tendencies. (Maybe I'm overstating it...I probably didn't need a lot of encouraging. Huh.)

Hidden talent?

I am an okay finish carpenter.

Favorite Food?

Steak (rib eye).

Favorite Candy?

This is so weird, but I don't like candy.

What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?

J.R. Ward's new release, Laurell K. Hamilton's and Charlaine Harris'. I also just heard that Tess Gerritsen just released her new one as well. (She can't write a bad book.)

What was your favorite children's book?

I ADORED the first book in the trilogy for The Hunger Games. Wow...just, wow!

Nickname?

* Sighs *, Tami.

How do you react to a bad review?

Honestly...I feel kind of defensive. Once I calm down ( I shouldn't admit that but...it's the truth!) I look to see if there is an effective criticism I can apply to my work, fix or use in the next book. Sometimes, I've seen negative reviews that don't offer anything for the author to gain or use? How is that helpful? In my case, I really appreciate a little constructive criticism and have used it to improve my work for my reader(s). I am motivated by my reader receiving the best work I am capable of.

You have won one million dollars what is the first thing that you would buy?

Super-boring: I'd pay off debt...then, I'd buy something cool for my husband!

Which authors have influence you most how?

Stephen King definitely influenced me most. His works taught me the importance of tight and natural dialogue and making the ordinary seem edgy. Comedic dialogue was well-done by King and I have used it in my own work and had fun doing it!

What do you do in your free time?

I LOVE to read...always have. 

Give us a glimpse into a typical day in your day starting when you wake up till you lie down again.

I wake up and “come to myself,” for about five minutes. Get up, fix coffee and breakfast, get on my computer and check all my social networking sites including my blog and goodreads, run off to the gym to abuse myself in the hopes of not getting saddle bags or “bat-wings.” I return home, do laundry, dishes, think about cleaning (huh), and get started writing after lunchtime for three hours. Start supper at four o'clock, eat with the Fam at 5-ish, go on my computer and hit whatever I missed in the AM. Some days when it's sunny, I will work in my yard, which I love. On the weekend I make pancakes for the boys and hang out with the Fam or my crazy friends by the fire pit.

What's your favorite season/weather?

I love Indian summer from when I was a kid and lived in Seattle. Now that I live in Alaska, I totally prefer summer. The crazy amount of daylight that we receive in AK is wonderful during that season.

Who or what inspired you to become an author?
I'll answer that Amanda Hocking put the seed in my head about “going Indie.” I was already an author before I caught wind of her tremendous success.

What TV show/movie/book do you watch/read that you'd be embarrassed to admit?

I am unfortunately not embarrassed by things I should be. If I dig it, I watch/read whatever. I absolutely LOVE International House Hunters. We haven't had TV for about 4 years now and when I visit my folks, I am totally glued to their TV [for that show] whenever it's on!

Favorite places to travel?

I'd love to someday visit Europe, especially Norway.

Favorite music?

I have so many but mainly I like alternative or “head-banger” rock. I am really enjoying all the contemporary music that my son's have introduced me to. My third son is always sending me you tube links!

Death Whispers:

Almost fifteen-year-old Caleb Hart is a Cadaver-Manipulator in the year 2025.
When teens receive a government-sanctioned pharmaceutical cocktail during school, paranormal abilities begin manifesting... making the teens more powerful than the adults.
After Caleb discovers he has the rare, Affinity for the Dead, he must do whatever it takes to hide it from a super-secret government agency whose goal is exploitation.
Caleb seeks refuge in his new girlfriend, Jade, until he realizes that she needs as much protection from her family, as he does from the government.
Suddenly, Caleb finds that hiding his ability while protecting Jade and his friends is a full time job; can he escape the government, protect Jade and lose the bullies that are making him miserable?

The Pearl Savage:

Seventeen-year old Clara Williamson, reluctant princess and daughter to Queen Ada, lover of wine…who exchanges Clara’s liberty for free trade of grapes with another sphere…Bracus, who as a protector of the Band, must save his clan’s people from extinction Outside…Charles, Clara’s long-time companion, keeps his love for her tightly veiled…Prince Frederic, her sadistic betrothed…bent on having her, and she, escaping his grasp…Suddenly, with both the clan and sphere peoples’ destiny in her hands, Clara finds herself torn between love and duty…

Giveaway Details:
1 winner will receive an ebook copy of both Death Whispers & The Savage Pearl
Open Internationally
Ends 8/7/11

To enter leave a comment on this post, make sure there is a way to contact you if you win.