Sunday, July 24, 2011

Blog Tour: Dark Corners by Liz Schulte

This blog tour is being presented by The Bookish Snob Promotions.
Please click HERE to go to the ENTIRE tour schedule.
You can read my review by clicking HERE.
Welcome to The Wormhole! and my day on the tour!
I am pleased to bring you......Liz Schulte!
Many authors claim to have known their calling from a young age. Liz Schulte, however, didn't always want to be an author. In fact, she had no clue. Liz wanted to be a veterinarian, then she wanted to be a lawyer, then she wanted to be a criminal profiler. In a valiant effort to keep from becoming Walter Mitty, Liz put pen to paper and began writing her first novel. It was at that moment she realized this is what she was meant to do. As a scribe she could be all of those things and so much more.
When Liz isn’t writing or on social networks she is inflicting movie quotes and trivia on people, reading, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family. Liz is a Midwest girl through and through, though she would be perfectly happy never having to shovel her driveway again. She has a love for all things spooky, supernatural, and snarky. Her favorite authors range from Edgar Allen Poe to Joseph Heller to Jane Austen to Jim Butcher and everything in between.
 Liz would love to hear from you and what you thought of Dark Corners.
Please stop by and visit at any of the below mentioned networks:
http://enteringbatcountry.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/liz.schulte
http://twitter.com/lizschulte
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4755336.Liz_Schulte

And now...the interview you have all been waiting for:

? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
            I can't really pinpoint an exact moment I knew. I have always loved reading and making up stories, but I never even considered being a writer until one day I had this idea--rooted somewhat in reality--and I thought now that would be a book I would read.  So in complete secrecy I sat down and began writing. Now I am completely addicted.
? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?
            I have had several jobs in my lifetime, but sense college I have had three.
? How long does it take you to write a book?
            It depends on the book and how much the muses are talking to me and the amount of time I have. It can be anywhere from four weeks to four months for me to write a first draft. Then, probably, another two months in editing time and a month in beta reading phase for the book to be publishing ready. I would say beginning to ending a book takes me around six months.
? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
            I am not sure if this is a quirk or not, but my characters and stories surprise me all the time. I will have one thing in mind for them then they go off and do something completely different that I never saw coming.  I often feel as they only give me the illusion of control as the author, and they're really the ones running the show.
 ? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?
            Not really. Normally, I will have the story constantly running through my head until it is on paper. Sometimes, if I hit a snag, exercise helps me clear my mind or just talking it out with someone who will ask me questions that force me to start explaining things to them will put me back into the story.
? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?
            I would say it's a mix of life and imagination. There are definitely parts of Dark Corners that are identifiable as me, but there is also a lot that has just been made up. Obviously, the things you see day to day and the interactions you have will always be an influence on your perception of life which will in turn color your writing.
? How do you decide what you want to write about?
            My books are based almost solely on scenes or first lines that pop into my head. I have never sat down and thought I would like to write a book about being haunted then came up with an idea. It is more like this idea pops into my head while I am doing a mundane activity, and I let it sit for a while to see if it takes root. Once it does then I know I have found my next project.
? What books have most influenced your life?
            I think the early reading I did as a kid influenced my taste in and style of books a lot.  I read all of the R.L. Stine Fear Street books, Christopher Pike, and L.J. Smith. Since then I see a very similar tastes in what I like to read. I still gravitate towards scary, paranormal, and/or mysteries. My tastes have also expanded though. Now I like to throw in some Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte,  and Henry James.
? What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?
            I am sure it was one of the books I used to make my mom read to me, but I don't really recall. As for chapter books I think it was either Babysitter's Club or Sweet Valley Twins. I don't remember which came first. I remember when I talked my mom into buying me my first Sweet Valley Twins books. I read the back and the main characters names were Elizabeth (my name) and Jessica (my best friend's name). I thought it was fate. With Babysitter's Club I was given a set of the first four books and before I knew it I was spending all of my allowance money on the books.
? What are you reading right now?
            I haven't had a huge amount of time for leisurely reading lately. I have a book that was lent to me call Weird Sisters that I intend to read. I also have A Tale of Two Goblins by HP Mallory in line, and the new Dresden Files books Ghost Story (squee!).
? What do you like to do when you are not writing?
            I try to spend as much time with my family and friends as I can.  I love to travel and play trivia. I also am a huge movie and tv addict.
? What is your favorite comfort food?
            Iced vanilla chai lattes. Mmmmmm
? What do you think makes a good story?
            Strong, identifiable characters who are flawed. I like to read about people I feel like I could know in my life. I don't want to read about perfect people. The character is in the flaws and how they are dealt with.
? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?
            Jane Austen. I have read every Jane Austen book more times than I can count. They are my go to books when I have nothing to read or don't know what I want to read. I find her style and voice comforting. It is so easy to fall into the world she created and lose myself to characters she brought to life.
? What book, if any, do you read over and over again?
            If I like a book, I read it multiple times. I have read so many books repeatedly. They become like friends that I have to stop and visit every now and again.
Fun random questions: 
  • dogs or cats? Both
  • Coffee or tea? Tea
  • Dark or milk chocolate? Dark
  • Rocks or flowers? Rocks
  • Night or day? Night
  • Favorite color? Black
  • Crayons or markers? Crayons
  • Pens or pencils? Pens
Thanks so much for stopping by!
The next stop on the tour is: Jul 25 – All Things Books
You can buy a copy of this incredible book HERE and HERE!
***don't forget to check out the giveaway on July 29 at the author's site!
Click HERE or on the words author's site above to go to her site!