Inklings
book launch!
Yay! It’s happening!
GLIMMERING LIGHT will hit stores sometime toward the end of this week. Oh goodness, I can hardly believe it.
The official book launch party is March 15, 1-3PM, at the Centerville Seagull bookstore. I would adore it if you would stop by. I can’t say enough about how much that would mean to me. Let me know if you need directions. (It’s in the cluster of stores just north of Target)
No need to buy anything…just come and say hi…and eat one of my auntie’s famous cream cheese brownies.
Other stuff: I spoke at the Viewmont High School creative writing classes last week, and both were tons of fun. I am so impressed with the high quality of these classes. I would have LOVED having such classes back in the olden days when I was in school. They are learning much the same things that are being taught at high level writing conferences that cost $$$. I also am constantly amazed and impressed by the talent of these young people.
cover reveal
I’m thrilled to show you the cover for Glimmering Light, coming out in March from Covenant Communications.
I don’t believe it gives away too much to tell you that the cover depicts Zack Allman. The story features alternating points of view between Amèlie and Zack, so when you look at it this way:
It sort of all makes sense.
My favorite part is the way the designer took a modern day view of a Salt Lake City street and made it desolate. Cool!
Covers for me give me so much anxiety since I don’t get to give input on them. I was ever so nervous to see this cover but the more I look at it, the more it grows on me. Neither of the main characters look quite like I pictured them but I realize that would be pretty much impossible. So I’m excited. It’s happening!
(Inside joke: perhaps there is a red bicycle in that street scene somewhere)
League of Utah Writers class
Come and hear me speak on using setting to make your story sparkle.
January 21, 2014Â 6:30 pm
Home of Deloa Sharp
315 N 400 E, Bountiful
I’d love to see you there. Nonmembers are welcome to visit free of charge and see how they like the group.
Titles. Not my job.
One of the things people are the most surprised about when they ask me about traditional publishing is that the author doesn’t select the title. The author can SUGGEST a title, and is usually asked to suggest more than one, but ultimately–with most publishers, that is–the title is a marketing decision.
When it was time to pick a name for my first novel, they picked the title for the sequel at the same time. Like this:
The End Begins: Sudden Darkness
The End Begins: Glimmer of Light
Apparently they can also change their minds. They’ve named the sequel The End Begins: Glimmering Light. I don’t like it as well but it’s okay. Best part of all is that the book is turned in and it’s out of my hands. Whew!
I had a little book signing for the Christmas anthology (With Wondering Awe) that I’m a part of. Krista Jensen was there with me and it was way fun. One of the favorite parts was meeting an internet friend in real life…Annette Jensen, who drove all the way down from Tremonton to meet me. I was so touched.
author interview–Room Recipes by Tonya Skubic-Olsen
I’m excited to share my friend Tonya’s beautiful new book.
Tonya and I were once part of an Author’s Way study group and I loved her instantly. So talented..yet kind, honest, and real.
Tell us a little about yourself. Family, education, hometown, etc.
I’m originally from Minnesota but I grew up in Oklahoma, so technically I’m a midwestern girl. I grew up in a small town in western Oklahoma called Weatherford. After graduating high school, I attended St. Cloud State University and earned a degree in Public Relations. Eventually I moved to Utah (for a job) and met my husband, Jeff. I went back to school at Utah State University and earned a Master’s degree in Interior Design. We have three wild and crazy boys, Spencer (23), Zach (14) and Aiden (13). I also own an interior design/furniture showroom in Bountiful called LIV Showroom and I am the lead designer for Rainey Homes.
How long have you worked with interior design?
I have always, always enjoyed interior design. On my blog, myroomrecipes.com, I talk about my first design project, my bedroom, when I was 8. My parents always let me decorate my bedroom and eventually relied on my direction for decorating the whole house. I had second thoughts about interior design when I was in college because I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to make a living at it. So, I got my undergraduate degree in public relations and got a “safe” 9-5 office job with a steady paycheck, benefits and a 401K. I was miserable! After getting married, I was able to go back to school and get my Master’s degree in Interior Design, and I have never looked back. It’s interesting how life works out because my degree in public relations, which requires a large amount of writing, came to benefit me when I was approached by my publisher, Cedar Fort, to write a book.
How long did it take you to create your new book Room Recipes?
It took me approximately three months from start to finish! This was during Christmas, New Year’s and two bouts of the flu!
What was the biggest challenge in writing the book?
The biggest challenge was finding projects for the book that were complete. I originally only wanted to include projects I’d done, but most of them were only partially finished. I even attempted an entire home renovation with a client during the time I was writing the book, hoping it would be ready and meet the deadline, but it didn’t get finished in time. I also had another designer lined up for the book, but the project she worked on was a nightmare! She’d designed a gorgeous bathroom for one of my clients but it seems that everything from the paint, to the tile, to the plumbing, to the electrical had issues so her project didn’t make it in the book either.
Do you have any other writing projects in the works?
I have two or three ideas that I will be proposing to Cedar Fort for my next project, but I’m so busy with my store, Rainey Homes and the book launch that it may be a few weeks (or months?) before I can officially put something together.
What’s your favorite thing to do besides your interior design work?
Wow. That’s a good question! Hmmmm… I love to hang out with my family, read, shop and sleep!
How does the look and feel of an interior space affect the people who use it?
Interior design affects every space whether we know it or not. We intuitively know when a space “feels” right or wrong. It comes down to the basics elements of design including balance, proportion, color, etc. Interiors, especially in our homes, is vital to our overall comfort, happiness and peace of mind. That doesn’t mean our homes have to be filled with expensive, worldy items. In fact, it’s the opposite. Our homes should reflect who we are, what we represent and our personal character.
In your opinion, how have the popularity of TV shows like “Trading Spaces” changed the interior design world?
There’s certainly a renewed interest in interior design! But similar to how Photoshop and Instagram have affected graphic design and photography, HGTV and similar networks and shows have influenced interior design – everyone thinks they can do it themselves! Which they can, which is why I wrote my book, but it’s still good to be aware when a job requires the assistance of a professional interior designer.
In your experience, what is the most common error people make in decorating their homes?
I’m not sure if there’s one common error, but I do see a lot of people try really hard to match everything with the intent of making their home feel and look like a model home. Homes should be personal and eclectic. The items in a home should reflect the people who live there. Homes should include a collection of items with history, personality and uniqueness. Stuffy, matching, boring homes lack character!
Buy Room Recipes here: Amazon. It’s also available on Kindle.
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