Mindful Banter

In-depth Interview with Indie Author M. Malone

June 1, 2013 by ReeseRyan

Outside of writing fiction, one of the things I enjoy most is doing author interviews. First, there’s the excitement of getting to know authors whose work and accomplishments I personally admire. Then there is the thrill of introducing readers to an author they might not have read otherwise. As a reader I’m interested in their characters, stories, and what inspired them. As a novelist I sit as a student at the feet of masters, hoping to glean some knowledge that I can use in my own work and career. My recent interview with Minx Malone is no exception.

As an author of contemporary romance featuring multicultural characters that don’t quite fit into the typical “check here” box, I’m a huge fan of Minx Malone. Recently I had a chance to get the skinny on her current contemporary romance series–The Alexanders–and a chance to ask this hugely successful indie author about the inspiration for her stories and why going indie was right for her. She also gave us a glimpse into what she has planned for the future, and her writing process.

Join me over at the Contemporary Romance Café for an in-depth chat over coffee with indie publishing rock star, M. Malone.

Talking About Inspiration Over at the Contemporary Romance Café Today

May 7, 2013 by ReeseRyan

The theme this month over at the newly launched Contemporary Romance Café is “Inspiration.” It’s been fun hearing the inspiration behind the writing and novels of fellow Carina Press authors.

Today it’s my turn to host the Café and I’m chatting about my inspiration for writing everyday heroines, setting my stories in the my Midwest hometown of Cleveland, OH, and the specific idea that prompted me to write Making the First Move, my debut novel launching this summer.

Grab a cup of coffee and join me for a chat over at the Contemporary Romance Café. While you’re there, don’t forget to enter to win the weekly Amazon Gift Card giveaway and our Grand Prize. I’m saving a space on the couch just for you.

The Contemporary Romance Café is Now Open

May 3, 2013 by ReeseRyan

For at least the past six months I knew I wanted to start a group blog. Initially I thought it would be a blog on writing, like the one I had for many years. But a series of email chats with my lovely, writer friend Julie Luek brought me some clarity on where I wanted to focus my time and attention. So I made the decision to stop updating my old writer blog, Mindful Banter, and instead focus on developing my author’s blog here. But I still wanted very much to be part of a group blog.

Central Perk Set from Friends television show.

During a discussion on the Carina Press authors loop, it occurred to me that while there are many blogs dedicated to historical romance, mystery writing, and erotic romance, there aren’t many group author blogs that focus on contemporary romance. So I floated the idea to my fellow Carina Press authors. The response was thrilling and there are currently 23 founding members of the new group blog we call the Contemporary Romance Café.

We created the Café as a cozy space online where you can dish with resident Carina Press authors and our guests about your favorite novels and characters and get a glimpse behind the scenes of the crazy lives of storytellers. Sample juicy excerpts from new releases. Discover authors and novels that will keep you up all night feverishly turning the pages.

At the Café we’re serving contemporary romance in every flavor. Resident authors write in styles ranging from sweet to caliente heat. So whether you like your romance sweet or savory, we’ve got just the contemporary romance for you.

The Café launched on May 1st and it’s already off to a great start. Check out my welcome message here. Then peruse posts by my fellow Carina Press authors: Jana Richards (sizzling romance), Jeffe Kennedy (red-hot romance) and Amie Denman (sweet romance).

In the coming weeks expect posts from an all-star lineup of guests including Fiona Lowe, New York Times bestselling author, Shannon Stacey. Rock star indie authors: Minx Malone, Kendall Ryan, Jami Alden, and J.A. Redmerski, and more.

We’re delighted to be the new home of all things contemporary romance. To kick off the celebration we’re giving away lots of goodies. During May we’re giving away one $25 Amazon gift card each week, and a grand prize $50 Amazon gift card plus the bundle of contemporary romance titles seen here.

So come on over. Mingle with our resident authors. Enter for a chance to win. Bring your own coffee, but we’ll supply the laughter, fun, and great stories. We’ve got a seat saved just for you.

Central Perk set photo taken at Warner Brothers Studio courtesy of Elentari86. Some rights reserved.

Z is for Zoos and Aquariums

April 30, 2013 by ReeseRyan

Some of my fondest memories of my hometown, Cleveland, Ohio, are from days spent exploring the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The zoo is free to residents of Cuyahoga County on Mondays, making it accessible to everyone.

As a kid I spent many Mondays during school breaks gazing at the animals, learning to appreciate their strength and beauty. When my son was growing up frequent zoo trips were part of our family routine. There was so much to see that we never grew tired of visiting. Later the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo expanded by adding the Rainforest–a beautiful indoor facility that houses tropical animals and fish.

Because the zoo was so accessible, I took for granted that everyone has access to a zoo within easy driving distance. But I was wrong; not everyone does.

For almost four years I’ve lived in central North Carolina. Not long after we moved here I wanted to go to the zoo. I was surprised to learn that the zoo wasn’t in the immediate vicinity of the state capital. Instead the state zoo is about a two-hour drive west. It doesn’t seem like a terrible imposition. Yet, in four years I haven’t managed to venture there.

I’ve driven well beyond the zoo for a weekend trip to Charlotte or the mountains. I’ve even driven nearly five hours to Atlanta where I visited the phenomenal Georgia Aquarium (a must see if you visit Atlanta). And still I haven’t made it to the North Carolina Zoo. But this year I plan to.

Do you have a zoo or aquarium near you? Do you visit it frequently?

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo entrance photo courtesy of sfgamchick; some rights reserved. Parrot photo courtesy of schinkerj; some rights reserved.

Y is for Yellow

April 29, 2013 by ReeseRyan

I can’t believe how long ago it was when I first heard the song “Yellow” by Coldplay. I liked the song, but wasn’t exactly sold on the group. But by the time their next album, A Rush of Blood to the Head, came out I purchased it and was a hardcore Coldplay fan. (Well, not as hardcore as my neighbor. It’s the only album he listens to apparently. Ever.)

Recently I took advantage of my Amazon Prime account and watched Coldplay Live 2012. So now, of course, I’m obsessed with the idea of flying to a European country to watch the group perform live, and darnit, I really want one of the glowing bracelets. Like really.

Who are your favorite bands? Which musicians are on your To Be Seen list?

X is for X Factor (that unidentifiable trait that makes someone truly special)

April 27, 2013 by ReeseRyan

You already know I love storytelling, books, movies, music, and singer/songwriters. But I’m also quite fond of dancing. (Said with a jazz hands finger flourish like the lady in the State Farm/Aaron Rodgers commercial here.)

I’ve always fancied myself a crazy good dancer with mad skills. (I also refer to myself in my head as Princess and imagine that I have minions who wait upon me. But the two aren’t related. Or, are they?)

So, the other day it had gotten too late to go for a walk and I was determined to get my thirty minutes of exercise in. Rather than go to the community gym, I opted to pull out the Kindle Fire HD, slip on the Bluetooth headset and dance my way to fitness.

I turned on JT’s 20/20 Experience and started dancing. And dancing. And dancing some more. Before I realized it, thirty minutes turned into an hour. My knees didn’t much appreciate the pivots, turns, and imagined ballerina moves. But the rest of me felt exhilarated, every muscle singing (or groaning), thanking me for not giving into the comfy couch or my not-so-comfy computer chair.

The next day I told my young adult son, Chef Boy RD, that I was going to dance again. He–who had tried his valiant best to videotape my AWESOME moves from around the corner the previous day–rubbed his hands together and smiled with glee.

“This is gonna get tons of hits on YouTube.”

Of course, I did what any other mother would do. I reminded him that he’d have to find somewhere else to live if it did. He then proceeded to mimic my dance moves from the day before in something that looked less crazy good and instead was just…crazy. (Imagine a hip-hop dance contest consisting only of people who normally move around with walkers. Yeah…it looked something like that.)

The next day my husband–GQ Jones–commended me for working out after he ~~flaked on me~~ was too tired to go walking with me the previous night.

“I worked out for an hour,” I said proudly.

He smiled at me the way people often do right before they pat you on your head…when you’re five. “Babe, you were dancing for like six hours. You danced through two basketball games. And every time I came into the room you were doing the same move. But it’s good you worked out. I’m proud of you.”

So perhaps I don’t have have mad dance kills; instead I’ve gone slightly mad. Whatever. They’re kind of the same. And at least I worked out.

Maybe I don’t have the X Factor, that unknown, truly amazing thing. At least not where my dancing is concerned. But Marquese Scott, a brilliant dancer who’s been featured in iRobot, Peugeot, and One Coke ® commercials, and on Ellen definitely does. One of his dance videos is posted below. You can view more dance videos and commercials on his YouTube channel here.

What writers, musicians, actors, or dancers have that X Factor? How would you define what makes them so special?

Photo above is a still from the State Farm commercial on YouTube. Visit link above.

W is for The Words (The Movie)

April 26, 2013 by ReeseRyan

The Words is a complex, layered tale. A story within a story within a story. I admit that the ending left me confused with more questions than answers. Still, I enjoyed the ride just the same.

Bradley Cooper plays Rory a writer who is struggling to make his mark in the literary world. He’s newly married, in debt to his father who has been supporting his habit as a writer, and forced to take a corporate job. When his wife, Dora, played by Zoe Saldana, buys him a lovely, old leather satchel during their honeymoon in Paris, he discovers a manuscript inside. It’s the most beautiful thing he’s ever read and he decides to type the entire story, in the hopes that it will inspire his own work. When Dora discovers the manuscript on his computer and mistakes it for his work, Rory doesn’t have the courage to tell her the truth. It is the first false step down a rocky path of lies and deception.

This is one of those films people seem to love or hate. Some critics have proclaimed it ambitious or preachy. But I loved it, and I thought Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Jeremy Irons, Ben Barnes, Nora Arnezeder were quite brilliant. I found the third storyline with Dennis Quaid and Olivia Wilde distracting and confusing. However, I loved the first two threads enough to overlook the third.

Did you see The Words? If so, what did you think of it? Do you like books and movies that incorporate clever, ambitious story elements as this one does? If so, which one is your favorite?

Publicity photo from The Words.

V is for Villain (Best Movie Villains of All Time)

April 25, 2013 by ReeseRyan

What would the heroes we love–James Bond, Ethan Hunt, Sherlock Holmes, and James West (YES, I said James West) be without the villains who made them shine–Goldfinger, Owen Davies, Professor Moriarity, and Dr. Loveless?

The video below is one of countless lists compiled of the greatest movie villains of all time. Many of my choices were on the list, including Javier Bardem as Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men (that was a seriously creepy, weird film), Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes in Misery (I grab my knee caps every time I think of her), Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz, Daniel Day-Lewis as Bill the Butcher Cutting in Gangs of New York, and Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight.

There are a few I’d add to the list. Javier Bardem–proving he is a masterful at portraying complicated, creepy villains–for his role as Silva in the most recent James Bond film, Skyfall. Daniel Day-Lewis for his role as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood (I don’t care if he was the protagonist, that guy was definitely a villain). Sean Penn as Mickey Cohen in Gangster Squad (Shivering, just thinking about the opening scene). Leonardo Dicaprio as Calvin Candie in Django Unchained.

Who are your favorite villains of all time? Why do we love to hate them?

Publicity photo from Django Unchained.

Unafraid (or Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway)

April 24, 2013 by ReeseRyan

I was at a complete loss about what to cover in today’s post. None of the “U” words I’d been scrolling through spoke to me. I was this close to posting a picture of an umbrella and calling it a day. But then I was reflecting on a motivating video I watched earlier today, and suddenly it hit me. The word for today is unafraid.

Fear has held an unhealthy place in my psyche for as long as I can remember. Fear of heights and water kept me from flying, or learning to swim until I was a married adult and had powerful motivation to do so. Fear of rejection held me back as an entrepreneur, from joining a critique group, and from submitting my work to agents and editors.

Even now–with my debut novel being published this summer–I still peek through my fingers, hesitant to post an excerpt. Feeling both joy and dread that my work will be published. I have many more goals ahead, including a desire to establish a career in magazine writing (in addition to fiction writing). But that pesky, old friend fear perches on my shoulder and whispers in my ear.

You’ll never be good enough. Why set yourself up for failure? What will people think?

But this morning I got the most wonderful gift delivered to my inbox from local writer, Linda Formichelli. In a post on her site, The Renegade Writer, she shared the link to a Skype talk she and her partner-in-crime, Carol Tice, gave on overcoming fear.

The video is a half hour long, but completely worth it for anyone who struggles with fear of failure or rejection. Two of my favorite quotes from the video:

“Fear is natural. Action based on fear is a choice.” ~ Carol Tice

“If you get out there and do what an unafraid person, a motivated person, would do, it will start to change your attitude.” ~ Linda Formichelli.

There were so many juicy nuggets of motivating goodness in the video. Carol and Linda also shared their experiences with fear, and how they’ve dealt with them. Had I heard parts of their message before? Sure. You probably have, too. But we often need to hear a message multiple times, delivered in a variety of ways before it takes root. Then sometimes it’s a matter of timing. We have to be prepared to receive the message. Maybe that’s why hearing it from Carol and Linda, in the manner they delivered it, on this day seemed to flip a switch for me. Maybe it will, for you, too.

During the video I jotted down a new mantra that I am hanging over my workspace:

I choose not to take action (or inaction) based on irrational fears.

Check out Carol and Linda’s fear-busting chat here. What fears do you struggle with? How have they held you back? How did you overcome them?

T is for Timer (The Movie)

April 23, 2013 by ReeseRyan

I saw a review for the movie, Timer, on another blogger’s site several months ago. (Sorry! I can’t remember who it was.) She included the trailer, below. Immediately I was intrigued. A rom-com with a touch of science fiction and angsty characters? I was hooked. So I added the movie to my Blockbuster queue and forgot about it.

Then it arrived. My husband gave me the usual “Not another chick flick” eyeroll. But I was excited. More excited than I’d been about the arrival of a movie in awhile. I put it on the speaker next to the TV and went about my day, figuring I’d watch it over the weekend. Only that was three or four weekends ago.

So finally, after a little pouting from GQ because I was hogging up the Blockbuster movie queue with my unwatchable girly flicks (my words, not his) I decided to watch the movie. And I wasn’t disappointed.

The story of smart, anxious orthodontist Ooma (Emma Caufield) and her family was sweet, funny, and made me think. How would we approach life differently if life, love, or success came with a guarantee?

I have a thing for movies that examine alternate realities, like Butterfly Effect and Sliding Doors. And while this movie didn’t follow alternate possibilities, I couldn’t help but think in terms of them the entire time.

In addition to an interesting plot the movie is filled with deliciously flawed characters who make all degrees of questionable choices. Yet, we know enough about them to understand their behavior and still care about them.

The movie didn’t end the way I hoped, but that was okay. Because Ooma’s actions were in line with her character and I could understand the decision she didn’t make.

The story made me laugh, cry, and think. Most of all, it made me a little envious. I want to tell stories like that.

Have you seen the movie? If so, what did you think? What kind of stories do you enjoy reading, watching, or spinning?

Note: This post originally appeared on my old blog, Mindful Banter.