So Much News!

Oh my goodness! I am so sorry that I have left you all without a post for a few days. How thoughtful of me!

Truth be told, though, I have honestly been extremely busy lately. Just this weekend, I was volunteering at a Renaissance Festival. That was pretty fun, but it took up most of my day!

But other than the little things that I have been up to, I have some big news to share with you!

First of all, I am going to be taking part in a BOOK FEST! How exciting is that? I will be signing books and may even be reading a selection from Swept to Sea. That should be super fun! Other authors will be there, so make certain you attend! This is specifically for Christian readers and writers, so please attend and find some new books!

Second. I found out that I am going to be on my local news station, Fox Four News! I will be interviewed later this month and it should air in early October. I am thrilled about this, because I was so excited for my last TV appearance.

How are you doing? What is one good thing that happened to you last week?

Writing Friday: Interview

Hello, everyone!

I did my first-ever interview as an author yesterday. You can find it on Caitlin Hensley's blog. (click on the name to visit it, and leave a comment there if you want)

I'm going to do another interview on another blog later this month. Sorry today's post was kind of short. I'm relying on you to hop over to Caitlin's blog for your daily dose of Heather. :)
Next week, I will let you read a blurb about my novel, Swept to Sea.

What do you think of interviews with authors? Do you love to read them? Are you more likely to pick up someone's book if you have read an interview featuring the author?

Writing Friday: An Interview with Matthew Emery

Last week, you met my character Matthew Emery.
Thanks to all of my awesome readers, I have put together an interview for him, using your questions.

Here we go:
1. How did you become a merchantman? (from Cortney)

I have always enjoyed spending time by the sea. When I was taken in by the church's pastor, he told me about his son who had been a merchantman but died in a tragic storm at sea. I suppose at first I went into the business because of the stories I was told, but I really do enjoy my job. I try to do some mission work on my trips whenever I get a chance to, so that is amazing.

2. What's your favorite color? (from Eden)

I like brown, I suppose. It is simple and pleasant.

3. Where were you born? (from Eden)

I do not know exactly. I have been told somewhere in the east end of London.

4. What's your favorite thing to do? (from Eden)

My favorite thing to do is to spread the Word of God to other people, especially people who live in the far corners of the earth and have never heard of such a thing as a Savior from their sins.

5. Have you ever had a pet? (from Eden)

Unless you count the mice that call my ship home, no, I am afraid not. I would like to have a dog or a cat, though.

6. How long have you known Eden, Ivy, and Aimee? (from Nathan)

I have known them since the age of eight, when I first was adopted by Pastor Dobbs at the church. They attended each and every Sunday service.

7. How did you get your ship? (from Nathan)

Like most of the things I have gotten, it was out of the goodness of someone else's heart. I was working as a rigging man on a merchant ship captained by a jolly old man. He took a special liking to me and I worked my way up and up in position on his ship. Finally, he decided that he wanted to retire to spend time with his wife and grandchildren, and he very kindly gave me his ship. I did not deserve it and I can never repay him.

8. What kind of ship do you have and what does it look like? (from Bookishqueen)
I have a full-rigged pinnace. It is not one of the largest ships out there, but I don't need an immense crew, so it works nicely for me.

9. Why are you reluctant to have women on board your ship? (from Sandy)

I am reluctant because it is simply unheard of. While I am not, most of my crew is superstitious and they say that it is bad luck to have a woman aboard a ship. Personally, I think that it is not only an unsafe but also unpleasant situation for a lady to be in. I think it is best that women avoid sailing  unless it is unnecessary.

10. Do you know who your father is? (from Sandy)

 No, I do not, and my mother always refused to talk to me about him.

11. Do you know why your mother abandoned you? (from Sandy)

I was very young when my mother abandoned me. All I remember was that many days she would be buying herself new hats and gloves while I went to bed hungry. I suppose she did not want a child and valued her vanity over me. I got in the way, so she eliminated me from her life.

12. Do you harbor and ill feelings toward your parents? or have any wish to meet them? (from Sandy)

I know that it is wrong of my, but I think nothing of my parents. I would be much happier if I never met them or had never even known about them. If I was discarded by them when I was an infant I would have been much better off. I do not cherish my memories with my mother and I wish that I could imagine pleasant memories of a mother I had never known. I do not wish to meet them.

13. Where would be your ideal place to do your missionary work? (from Sandy)

I would love to do missionary work anywhere I find myself. I look forward to doing some while visiting the Caribbean, if we find Lady Trenton safely there.

That's the end, Ladies and Gentlemen! Thanks for your questions. See you next week!

Writing Friday

Hi everyone!
Last week's post was about my character Lady Ivy Shaw. If you missed it, you can read it here.
My readers very kindly gave me questions to ask Ivy in a character interview, so I will get to those right away.
1.What is your favorite food? (from Cortney)

Hmm...I like anything sweet, really. Apple pies have always been one of my favorite foods.

2. And do you enjoy sailing? (from Cortney)

I'm afraid that although sailing seems quite pleasant and adventurous, I cannot seem to enjoy it. I am seasick most of the time so I find it awful, but I am happy to do it to help find Eden before she finds herself stranded somewhere in the Caribbean with nowhere to go and no friends to turn to. 

3. What is your favorite hobby? (from Nathan)

I really enjoy knitting. It is something that my mother and I always used to do together and I find it very soothing. I also enjoy that it is something that I can do that is actually productive; I can make blankets and hats for my younger brother.

4. Are you bringing your younger brother with you and your friend to look for Eden? (from Nathan)

Sadly, I am not bringing my brother along. I fear the voyage would be too stressful for him and I don't want him to be harmed should anything happen, especially if we cross paths with Lord Rutger, the man to whom Eden is engaged. I think he wouldn't think twice about hurting a child. I can only pray my brother is safe back home and I can return as soon as possible.

5. Will/does Ivy keep in touch with her mother while away? Does she know how her mother is doing? (from Kedzie)

I have not been able to keep in touch with my mother as of yet. I am considering sending off a letter home as soon as we stop at a port somewhere to let her know how I am doing and I will pray it gets home before I do so my family doesn't worry about me. That won't stop me from worrying about them, though. It is hard for me to be away from my family, but I need to find my friend, Eden. I trust that my mother will be well, however, because although she has been sick, lately she has been stable and hasn't been declining so far. It is my hope that she will remain the same and even return to good health.

6. How do you view your father now, after he took up drinking? (from Ali)

I love my father, and always have, but I wish that he had never taken up drinking. Drinking can really change a person. I am sorry that I wasn't able to do something to prevent this from happening, but I only feel sorry for him; I am not angry at him. I just wish he would stop and take care of us, his family, once again.

7. What's your favorite color? (from Bethany)

I have always liked a pale green color. I think it is soothing.

8. Who is the most important person to you? (from Bethany)

The most important person to me right now is my little brother. Lately my entire life has revolved around him for the last four years and I wouldn't want it any other way. I would do anything to protect him and he just brightens up my every day. I don't know what I would do without him.

Those are Ivy's answers! Thank you so very much, everyone, for asking her questions!

I really appreciate each an every one of my readers, followers, and commenters. 

Have a great weekend and stop by on Monday for my weekly book review!

Writing Friday

Today is interview day for my character! If you missed my description of Gage Thompson, read it here.

I want to say that I really appreciate your comments on last Friday's post! Gage has lots of questions to answer, so thank you so much, everybody!

Okay, here we go.

1. Did you always want to be a sailor, or did you become one because that's what Caspian did? (from Cortney)

Since I was a child, I have always loved the sea. I enjoyed going by the water, watching the waves lap  against the shore. I'm not certain that I would have ended up becoming a sailor if it hadn't been for Caspian, but I am very glad that I did. Now, I cannot imagine myself doing anything else.

2. You have been sailing as long as Caspian, right? So are you ever jealous that he is Captain while you are first mate? (from Cortney)

Yes, I have been sailing as long as Caspian. I am not jealous of Caspian being my captain. I am proud to sail under such a brave man. I know that I would not be able to do what he does every day, and if we were to reverse our roles, we would not be in the same place we are now. I just want to work as hard as I can and make Caspian proud because he has been a brother to me, and without him and his family, I would be miserable. Sometimes, I think it would be nice to be first in command, but I realize how great of a responsibility being a captain is and I don't think that I would fit the role very well.

3. What is your favorite thing about being out on the sea? (from mustlovereading)

I enjoy every aspect of being out at sea, but what I really love is the unpredictability. The water and winds change constantly, and anything can happen. I love that aspect of the sea. One day, everything can be tranquil, and the next, a violent storm can brew. 

4. What is the scariest thing about being out on the sea? (from mustlovereading)

Ironically, the scariest thing about being at sea for me is also my favorite thing about the sea. The unpredictability has proven to be deadly. At any given moment, a storm could take both your life and your ship, or an enemy vessel can sneak up on you without warning. 

5. What is something (besides sailing) that you and Caspian enjoy doing together? (from mustlovereading)

I enjoy doing everything with Caspian, because he is my best friend, but I think that our favorite thing to do together is to talk. I cannot count how many times we have been up late at night, discussing the events of the day on the deck of the Dawn's Mist. 

7. How well do you get along with Reed? (from Nathan)

I really enjoy spending time with children, so I get along very well with Reed. I do believe the dear lad mentioned a time when I allowed him to climb into the rigging when Caspian was below decks. Reed is a very sweet little boy, and I like to keep an eye on him for Caspian when the captain is preoccupied with captaining the ship.

8. What is/was your favorite adventure out at sea? (from Nathan)

One of my favorite memories of being out at sea was the very first time I was on a ship. Caspian and I were employed on a merchant ship, and I was climbing in the rigging. I was very clumsy and still am, and I ended up entangling myself in the ratlines! I was frightened for quite some time, but Caspian came to my rescue and aided me.

9. Do you think Eden and Caspian like each other? (from Eden)

Aye, I do believe so, though the two seem unwilling to admit it. I know Caspian very well and can tell he views Lady Trenton very specially, and I suspect Lady Trenton has similar feelings. Sadly, however, the two don't seem to let each other know of this.

10. Is there anyone who you admire? (from Eden)

Yes, I admire my captain Caspian very much. He has helped me through everything in my life and I don't know what I would do without him.

So, what do you think of Gage's answers? Thanks once again for asking him questions! Stay tuned next week for another post about my writing. Have a great weekend!

Writing Friday

Last week, you asked Reed Archer some questions. This week, he'll be answering them!

If you missed my description of Reed last week, look at it here.

Alright, without any further ado, let's start on this interview!

1. I hear you like to help the cook on your Dad's ship. What's your favorite food? What do you like to cook? (From Cortney)
Well, my favorite food has to be pralines. They are so sweet and yummy! but for cooking, I like to help roast pork. We don't do that very often, especially on the ship, but when we do, it is very tasty.

2. What do you call your Dad? Daddy? Papa? Father? (from Eden)
Are you Miss Eden, the lady stowaway that my Papa found? Hmmm. Anyway, I call my papa "Papa".

3. What is your favorite thing (or task) to do on your Dad's ship besides cook? (from Nathan)

Papa really doesn't let me do much around the ship except help cook. He says I am too young to climb up in the rigging, even though I know I can do it! One time, when Papa was in his cabin, Master Thompson, the first mate, allowed me to climb a little ways up the rigging. It was the most fun that I ever had! Other than that, I like walking around on the decks and looking at the ocean. Sometimes, I get to see dolphins swimming by, and Papa lifts me up so I can see them better over the rail!

Reed only got three questions this week, but that's okay, because he was getting a little fidgety by the end of the interview. ;)

I hope you enjoyed this. See you Monday!

Writing Friday

First, I want to mention that I have chosen a working title for my manuscript. I will call it Swept to Sea. Anyway, today my male main character, Captain Caspian Archer, will be answering the questions some of my readers posted last week
If you missed the description of this character, check it out here.

Here is the interview!

1. Why is your ship called Dawn's Mist? Did you name it? (from Cortney)

I named my ship Dawn's Mist because of my late wife, Isabelle. Almost every single morning, we used to go outside and watch the sunrise. I especially loved to watch the sun rise over the ocean from the bow of my ship when it was a foggy day, and I enjoyed the mysterious sight of the mist creeping over the water.

2. What's your favorite color, Caspian? (from Eden)

Hmmm. I suppose I have not given much thought as to having such a thing as a favorite color. I suppose I like blue a lot, since it is the color of the ocean and it comes in so many different shades.

3. What is your favorite place to visit? Is it a country, an island, a building, etc.? (from Eden also)

I suppose my favorite place to visit would be the island of Jamaica, but my very favorite place to be is anywhere on my ship. There is nowhere I would rather be than on Dawn's Mist, having the freedom to go where ever I please whenever I please, with the ocean beneath me and the wind guiding me. Aye, my ship is my favorite place to be.

4. Who is the person you admire or look up as a role model? (from Nathan)

I look up to Isabelle, my late wife, because she was everything that I never was. I wish I had her here with me to help me raise our son, for I fear that I am doing a terrible job of it.

5. Why do you take your son with you if you plan on killing the man who murdered your wife and your son's mother? (from Sandy)

Egad, you are just as bad as Lady Trenton bothering me about the way I raise my child! I understand that I am probably not doing what I should with the boy, but I do not need strangers telling me I am wrong in their opinion. I take Reed with me on all of my voyages, as he has no other place to stay. He knows nothing other than life at sea, and I know that some day he will make a great captain. I attack other vessels, including other pirates, regularly, as it is my occupation as a privateer for the King's Navy. To me, this is no different than any other voyage, and Reed is safer with me than with a stranger at some port.

Thank you so much for your questions, everyone, and thanks, Caspian! 

Sorry that Caspian got a little rude in that last question...he is very touchy when it comes to the subject of how he treats his son. :)

Thanks again for your participation, everyone. What do you think of Caspian's responses?

Writing Friday

First of all, I wanted to share with you something one of my awesome readers, Cortney drew for me! This is a picture of Eden, and I absolutely love it!!!! Thank you!
Anyway, on Writing Friday I am going to interview Lady Eden Trenton, who you met last Friday. If you missed my description of her, you can find it here.

Okay, these questions come straight from my readers, so here we go!

1. What do you think of the new window tax in your country?  (From Cortney)

 I have heard my father complaining about the window tax. He says that the King is charging two shillings for each house, and four more shillings if we have more than ten windows, and eight more if a house has over twenty windows! I personally think the king should be taxed for all of the windows in his castle, but I suppose there is nothing I can do about it.

2. What is the thing you miss most about your brother? (From Cortney)

I miss most that Adam was always there for me, telling me funny stories whenever I was worried to get my mind off of whatever was bothering me. I miss his adventurous spirit and being able to see him every day.

3. If there were one place in the world you'd like to visit, what would it be? (From Nathan)

I would love to visit the Caribbean and hint for my brother, Adam there. Besides, I hear it is beautiful there! Sandy beaches, glistening water, clear blue skies, lush green trees...that would be a nice change of scenery compared to rainy, gray London!

4. First, why did your parents name you Eden? (From Eden, who is not Eden Trenton and whose name I love!)

My parents named me Eden because my mother loved the Bible. She insisted on naming me Eden after the garden of Eden, and she also named my brother Adam after Adam in the Bible.

5. What's your favorite food? (From Eden)

I enjoy variety of foods, but one of my favorites are oranges. I love how sweet and tangy and refreshing they are, and I have always been very excited when a new ship comes to town with a supply of the exotic fruits.

6. Is there a famous person you would love to meet (even if they're from a different time than you)? (From Eden)

There are no famous people I would really want to meet, but I would give anything to meet my dear brother, Adam!

7. Do you find the sea and ships interesting? (From Sandy)

I have always enjoyed Adam's stories about the sea, but now I am somewhat frightened of the whole idea. Everything is so unpredictable, and the battles can be terrifying! However, I love standing out on the deck of a ship at night, watching the stars and the inky waves. It has become one of my favorite things to do.

Thanks Eden! Those are all the questions she will answer today. Next week, we will learn about my male main character, Captain Caspian Archer.

What do you think of Eden's answers?