Blog Tour: Lucky Charm by Marie Astor (Interview and Giveaway)

This blog tour is being presented by The Bookish Snob Promotions

You can get to the entire blog tour schedule by clicking HERE.

Welcome to The Wormhole and my day of the blog tour!

First please welcome Marie Astor!!!

Marie Astor is a die-hard romantic who wholeheartedly believes in true love, which

is why she writes in the contemporary romance genre. Marie is the author of a

contemporary romance novel, Lucky Charm, and a short story collection, A Chance

Encounter and Other Stories. In addition to being a writer, Marie is an avid hiker, an

excellent swimmer, a good skier, and a capable badminton player. Currently, Marie is

working on her next novel - stay tuned for details!

And Now....the interview!

? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

For fear of sounding unoriginal, I must say that I always wanted to be a writer. As a kid, I used to sneak into my dad’s study and usurp his typewriter – the stories I wrote then, were not very long, but I loved the process.

? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?

I work in the field of technical writing. Let’s seen, I’ve had about seven jobs, not counting the one I have now.

? How long does it take you to write a book?

It usually takes me about seven months to a year to write a book (including all the rewrites).

? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I usually don’t come up with a title until I’m almost finished with a book – not sure if that counts as a quirk, but I thought I’d mention it anyway.

? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?

I don’t really have a specific routine. I find that when I’m interested in the story, I can’t wait to get to the computer to write the next chapter, and when I’m not writing, I’m constantly thinking about the characters and the storyline.

? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?

I draw inspiration from my own experiences and everyday things I notice on the street. Of course, by the time the original idea has made it into a storyline, it has been changed beyond recognition.

? How do you decide what you want to write about?

I’m constantly thinking of new ideas for future books. Usually, when I get an idea, I write it down; then, I’ll come back to it a few weeks or months later, and if I still like the premise, there is a good chance that the idea will grow into a book. I’d say about seventy percent of initial ideas get rejected, with the lucky thirty awaiting further development.

For Lucky Charm, the idea started out as a short story I wrote, entitled Lady Luck, which is part of my short story collection, A Chance Encounter and Other Stories. But by the time I finished the outline for Lucky Charm, the novel turned out to be very different from the short story that inspired it.

? What books have most influenced your life?

I love to read all kinds of genres: contemporary romance, literary fiction, fantasy, thrillers, but most of all I enjoy a book that has an element of a love story in it.

? What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis – this is still one of my favorites.

? What are you reading right now?

I am rereading Sidney Sheldon’s If Tomorrow Comes – it is one of my favorite books – it’s got romance, intrigue, revenge – what more could a reader ask for?

? What do you like to do when you are not writing?

When I’m not writing or reading, I love to be outdoors, so anything from hiking, to skiing, to swimming, to canoeing, depending on the time of the year.

? What is your favorite comfort food?

Macaroni and cheese.

? What do you think makes a good story?

A good love story with an element of intrigue and suspense.

? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?

This is a tough one – there are too many to name, and I refuse to narrow it down to just one!

I suppose because I write cotemporary romance, I’d be expected to name only romance writers, but I love all genres and there are many writers whom I consider my favorites. Some of them are:

From the classics: Edith Wharton, E.M. Forster, Jane Austen.

Contemporary writers: Sidney Sheldon, Nora Roberts, Kristin Hannah.

Fun random questions: 

·        dogs or cats?

Definitely dogs.

·        Coffee or tea?

I am a tea drinker.

·        Dark or milk chocolate?

Depends on my mood – I love both!

·        Rocks or flowers?

Flowers.

·        Day or night?

  

Day – I love to be outdoors.

·        Favorite color?

 Green.

·        Crayons or markers? 

Crayons –they are more fun, don’t you think?

·        Pens or pencils?

Pens – this way, before you write something down, you have to really think it through. 

You can read my review of the book by clicking HERE.

You can buy your own copy by clicking HERE or HERE.

You can enter to win a copy by clicking on this FORM 

*giveaway is International

*following is not required (but I would love to have you!)

The next stop on the tour is: Sept 13 – Knit, Purl, Stitch

Thanks for stopping by! Happy reading!