Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Stains On The Soul by Jamie White Excerpts, Interview, & Giveaway



Bio: Jamie White is an author, blogger, photo geek, music addict, editor, pop culture geek, paranormal junkie, and a pet servant.

She spent more than a decade as a Journalism student, geeking out over Pagemaker, layout design, and other stuff.

In college, she took it a step further and became the only student to be on all three of her college's publications, serving as Editor-In-Chief for two of them. Later, she went on to freelance writing and blogging.

Jamie began her journey into fiction writing in 2010 after joining a writing group. Since that first meeting, she has completed a bunch of short stories, five manuscripts, and several in progress. Her first novel, The Life and Times of No One In Particular, was released in 2012. She followed it up with a story in the Lyrical Muse Anthology in 2013. The end of 2013 will see two releases with Pagan Writers Press.

When Jamie's not writing or blogging, she takes pictures, meditates, practices Reiki and chanting, watches favorite shows/movies, takes walks, and serves as a volunteer for the Florida Writers Association by running their social media and a writing group (Gulfstream Writers).


Social Links:






Book Genre: Paranormal/New Age
Publisher: Pagan Writers Press
Release Date: November 27, 2013





Book Description: 

It’s her last summer before going away to college and Fiona finds herself facing more than she bargained for: A boyfriend she doesn’t want who has a strange hold over her, a friend pushing her to expand her boundaries, and a new guy named Ted whose presence is more than a distraction. 

If that isn’t enough, Fiona is being haunted with horrifying nightmares of burning at the stake—nightmares so real, she feels as though she’s losing her mid. 

Are they only dreams, or are they trying to warn her about this new guy she can’t help but want?







Audio Excerpt:






Excerpt:

The flames from the torches danced around her, creating a terrifying glow on the gathered crowd. The young girl struggled against her restraints in an attempt to escape the fate that awaited her. The jeers of the spectators echoed through her mind like a demonic chorus, sending chills down her spine.
The more she struggled, the tighter the ropes that bound her felt. She knew it was a futile endeavor—even if she did get free, she was in no condition to attempt an escape. Plus, contrary to their insane notions, she had no special powers. Her only power was her knowledge of the earth and how its resources could be used to cure ills. What good would that do against a mob such as this?
Her heart pounded and her breathing came quick and ragged as the men kneeled down to light the kindle piled beneath her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, willing herself to keep calm. Her fate was sealed, but she could at least deny them the pleasure of seeing her fear. She opened her eyes, and her gaze settled on one of the spectators.
***
Fiona Stevens gasped as she sat up in bed. She took a deep breath and shook her head in an attempt to rid herself of the horrifying images that had begun to haunt her sleep. For the past week, she'd been having nightmares so real it took her a minute to realize who and where she was.
“Another nightmare?”
Her sister’s voice brought her back to reality. She was safe and sound in the bedroom she shared with her sister, centuries removed from the days when events like the one in her dream happened. Get a grip already. “Yeah, it’s no big deal.” She reached for the book on her nightstand and tossed it into a drawer. “I think I need to stop reading this stuff before bed. It’s just fueling my muse.”
Rebecca smiled. “Writers—you’re all insane.” The younger girl grew serious as she studied Fiona’s face. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re white as a sheet right now.”
“I’m fine. Seriously; it's no big deal.” Fiona pushed the comforter aside and stuffed her feet into a pair of slippers by the bed. She stood, gra.bbed the robe lying on the end of her bed, and then wrapped herself in the soft, warm material. “I think I’m gonna go downstairs and get something to drink. Sorry I woke you; go back to sleep.”
 Her sister frowned but shrugged her shoulders. “All right. See you in the morning.” Rebecca rolled over and pulled the comforter tighter to her body.


Interview:

Where are you from?
I’m born and raised in South Florida (living in Hollywood). Just for the record, let me tell you that the name “The Sunshine State” is a dirty, ugly lie. LOL. Especially this year.

Tell us your latest news?
Right now, I have been busy getting things ready for this tour, but I also am currently waiting for Beta feedback on a WIP while also trying to get a few other WIPs completed in addition to a couple of Facebook events (details on my website). I also just recently submitted a couple of flash fiction pieces for two different anthologies, so the “biting the nails” phase has started! I’ll be updating my site and newsletter with more as I hear back. ::crosses fingers::

When and why did you begin writing?
I have been a writer since high school but besides a few poems and lyrics, I mostly did pieces for the yearbook. Later on, it was stuff for the college paper and magazine and freelance assignments/blogging after I graduated. Fiction started for me in 2010 by chance. My husband, who is also an author, wanted to attend a writing group and I decided to check it out. I really enjoyed putting the short stories together, so I kept it up and it evolved from there.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve always considered myself a writer. I’ve always enjoyed it, even when I was mostly focused on journalism and I truly believe that if you love writing and you write (whether it gets published or not), you’re a writer.

What inspired you to write your first book?
My first book was The Life and Times of No One in Particular. I used to be part of a role play group online in the late ‘90s/early 2000s based on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. There was a period where a lot of us struggled to come up with RP plots, so we started joking about evil muses. One day, another member and I decided to make muse characters that would cause a bit of trouble within the game. When I decided it was time to write a book, I thought about that character and wondered what a muse would think of the way we talk about them. What would they think about our current pop culture and other stuff? I decided to let that character I made up years ago answer those questions and she took it from there. J Since I wrote that, I have adopted her as my own personal muse. Let me tell you, she is tough!

Do you have a specific writing style?
I’m drawn to the YA/NA style and usually write in third person. Most of my stories have some paranormal or spiritual aspect to them.

How did you come up with the title?
I had signed up yet again for NaNoWriMo and was having a hard time with a title, so I started browsing a topic they had in the forums called “Adopt a Title”. As soon as I saw Stains on the Soul, I thought it would fit, but there were also a few other good ones. To choose the winner, I made a poll on my Facebook page to let my readers pick and Stains won.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I hope, first and foremost, that people just enjoy the story. I did end up working some New Age and spiritual themes into it, so if that inspires people to explore and maybe find something that resonates for them that way Christopher Pike’s Remember Me did for me, that would be amazing.

How much of the book is realistic?

That is an interesting question. If I’d gotten this interview a few months ago, I would have said that there were certain aspects of my and others’ personalities in it as well as some things I love (crystals, meditation, etc.) Then one day, I decided to sign up for an online challenge where you do different meditations and exercises designed to get you in touch with your past lives. Interestingly, I ended up getting some information that seemed to point to the parts that deal with Witch Trials just might be more real than I thought.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

As I mentioned earlier, I definitely put a few little things here and there that were inspired by people I know or my own personality/interests. In the book, Fiona begins having terrible nightmares that might just be more than dreams. I have had prophetic dreams in the past, so I definitely drew from that uneasiness that can come from that.

What books have most influenced your life most?

Christopher Pike’s Remember Me started me on my spiritual journey, so I would say that was a huge influence in my life. I also was influenced by The Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley High in that they sparked my love of reading more than any other books I read as a kid.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Pike, definitely. I really admire the way he doesn’t talk down to his YA audience and he weaves so many different things into his work. I also very much admire a couple fellow indie authors, Marni Mann and Laura Deluca. Their work definitely inspires me and they make me want to improve and grow. I also have to give a shout out to my publisher, Angelique Mrozcka, whose work I really enjoy. She ran a flash fiction workshop that helped me in so many ways.

What book are you reading now?

I have just started Laura’s The Forgotten Pharaoh and am also beta reading for another author friend, Angela Fattig. 
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Laura, Marni, RM Ridley, Karen Booth, Regine Allison Claire, Katheryn Kiden, Scott A. Lerner, and Michael F. Stewart.

What would you like my readers to know?
I’d like them to know that weird is good! Don’t be afraid to think differently than others, to dabble in things that interest you even when people think it’s strange, and to just be you



Schedule



July 11 - Spotlight at Simplistic Reviews

July 13 - Author Interview at My Life, Loves, & Passions

July 13 - Guest Blogging at Coffee, Books, Art

July 14 - Spotlight at IndieWritersReview

July 14 - Spotlight at Debbie Jeans

July 14 - Guest Blogging at Reader's Cubby

July 15 - Author Interview at PubSlush

July 16 - Spotlight at Black Lilac Kitty

July 16 - Guest Blogging at Mythical Books

July 16 - Author Interview at Deal Sharing Aunt

July 18 - Guest Blogging at Lori's Reading Corner

July 19 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words Book Blogger

July 19 - Guest Blogging at The Avid Reader

July 19 - Guest Blogging at Kinky Vanilla Romance



4 comments:

  1. Hi there - Really enjoyed the interview with this author. Thanks for the post! :)
    D. Coto (fictionzeal.com) - Pit Crew

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great Interview! I also agree if you are writing then you are a writer!:O)

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  3. Thanks for the host. :) BK, you rock for organizing this.

    Diane, thank you do much for following the tour. :)

    Michelle, absolutely! Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete