I have recently read some stories written with the tone of the holidays. Today, Monica Garry-Allen has stopped by to answer some questions about her recent release, Christmas Confusion.
Good morning Monica, Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions on my blog.
You, and your alter-ego Siren Allen, have recently written three stories with the holiday Christmas in the title: With Christmas Confusion - Did this story evolve, only to include the holiday season, leading you to choose a title that included the holiday; or did you have the title first, knowing all along it would include a holiday theme?
When I sat down to write Christmas Confusion I knew that I wanted it to have a holiday theme. I wanted my hero and heroine to find love during the holiday season. There is so much chaos and confusion taking place in both of their lives, I felt like Christmas Confusion was the perfect title for their story. I thought about calling it Christmas with Max, but, I felt the word confusion described Bailey and Max’s relationship better.
How did this particular story come about; was it inspired by something in life, or did you sit down and contemplate about what you would like to write about and what the characters would be like?
I wanted to write a Christmas story that was different, unique. So I came up with the characters and made sure they were all unique and interesting in their own way. Once I had them planned out the story just flowed.
When you are involved in the writing process, do you just let the story flow, or do you work on outlining the plots and work on character developments?
I’m a 90% pantser and 10% plotter. I like to plot my characters out on note cards and as the story goes on I add more to their cards. But I like to let the actual story flow naturally. I never know what’s going to happen on the next page. I let the characters tell the story.
You work a full-time job also, on top of writing, correct? When do you find the time to get so much writing in, and does it leave much time for other hobbies and time spent with the hubby?
It’s very hard. All I do these days is work, write and have date nights with the hubby on the weekend. This weekend we are going to the movies to see ‘The Hobbit’. I usually get my writing done in the morning and then I’m off to work. Hobbies, I don’t have time for hobbies, lol. But my New Year’s resolution is to make more time for my family and friends. I’ve become such a hermit since my first book was released.
Tell us a little about these characters; Bailey, Max, and Greg.
Bailey has just moved into her first apartment. She’s graduated college and is working at her first job. This is her first time falling in love. Basically she’s a young woman that is learning how to live on her own. She’s slowly realizing that being an adult is not as easy as she thought it would be.
Max is Bailey’s landlord. He’s fallen hard for her but can’t figure out why she ignores all of his advances.
Greg calls himself the Christmas Cupid. He plans to play matchmaker for Bailey and Max.
I don’t want to give anything away. Can you throw in a little information on Krista and what her thoughts are about her silliness with Greg, knowing he is gay?
Krista thinks Greg is fabulous. They quickly become best friends.
Well, Monica, I appreciate the time you’ve taken to answer some questions for my blog. I know you are involved in a big blog tour for your three releases: Christmas Confusion, Christmas Fantasy (Siren Allen), and Lily’s Naughty Christmas (Siren Allen). Do you know where you will be stopping next on your blog tour?
Today you can find me over at:http://blogspot.aureliabrowl.com/2013/12/christmas-confusion-monica-garry-allen.html (Don’t miss the giveaway)
More giveaways:http://kjreadsalot.blogspot.com/2013/12/naughty-and-nice-tour.html
And where can we find these titles?
Christmas Confusion: Amazon U.S: http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Confusion-Monica-Garry-Allen-ebook/dp/B00H4OI2EQ/
Amazon U.K: www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Confusion-Monica-Garry-Allen-ebook/dp/B00H4OI2EQ/
Christmas Fantasy: Amazon U.S:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H7IZZIU/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_ADKPsb0XFZ7VW
Amazon: U.K -http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00H7IZZIU/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_ADKPsb0XFZ7VW
Lily’s Naughty Christmas: Amazon U.Swww.amazon.com/Lilys-Naughty-Christmas.../dp/B00H7K6KDC/
Amazon U.K: www.amazon.co.uk/Lilys-Naughty-Christmas.../dp/B00H7K6KDC/
Excerpt:
Max sat in the living room on his recliner waiting for Bailey to return. Greg was still sprawled across the couch, but at least now he was wearing a shirt, one of Max’s shirts.
“So you want me to tell Bailey that I’m gay, so that you will have a better chance with her?” Greg said.
When Max thought about it, it made complete sense, yet when Greg said it like that, it sounded…dumb. Why should his brother reveal his sexuality just so Max could get a girl? Frustrated, Max rubbed his hand through his hair.
“Forget it.” There was no way he was going to force his brother to come out to Bailey, just for him. How selfish was that?
“Forget what? I’m just trying to get a complete understanding of what you want me to do. So I need to tell Bailey that I’m gay, so that you can make a move on her, right?”
“No, I don’t want you tell her you’re gay, not for me. I’m sorry that I even asked you to do that.”
“I’m not saying I won’t do it, because I will. I’m not ashamed of who I am, Max.”
“I know, I never said you were. I’m not ashamed of you either. I just…I don’t know.”
“What’s really wrong? Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“She just got me so worked up. I’ve never wanted a woman the way I want her, and I know I could make her happy if she would just give me a chance. What’s frustrating is that, she doesn’t even see me… it’s like she looks right through me whenever I’m around.”
Max got up and began to pace the floor; Gregs eyes followed his every movement. His brother wore a shocked expression on his face.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
“You’re in love with her aren’t you?” Greg said in awe.
Good morning Monica, Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions on my blog.
You, and your alter-ego Siren Allen, have recently written three stories with the holiday Christmas in the title: With Christmas Confusion - Did this story evolve, only to include the holiday season, leading you to choose a title that included the holiday; or did you have the title first, knowing all along it would include a holiday theme?
When I sat down to write Christmas Confusion I knew that I wanted it to have a holiday theme. I wanted my hero and heroine to find love during the holiday season. There is so much chaos and confusion taking place in both of their lives, I felt like Christmas Confusion was the perfect title for their story. I thought about calling it Christmas with Max, but, I felt the word confusion described Bailey and Max’s relationship better.
How did this particular story come about; was it inspired by something in life, or did you sit down and contemplate about what you would like to write about and what the characters would be like?
I wanted to write a Christmas story that was different, unique. So I came up with the characters and made sure they were all unique and interesting in their own way. Once I had them planned out the story just flowed.
When you are involved in the writing process, do you just let the story flow, or do you work on outlining the plots and work on character developments?
I’m a 90% pantser and 10% plotter. I like to plot my characters out on note cards and as the story goes on I add more to their cards. But I like to let the actual story flow naturally. I never know what’s going to happen on the next page. I let the characters tell the story.
You work a full-time job also, on top of writing, correct? When do you find the time to get so much writing in, and does it leave much time for other hobbies and time spent with the hubby?
It’s very hard. All I do these days is work, write and have date nights with the hubby on the weekend. This weekend we are going to the movies to see ‘The Hobbit’. I usually get my writing done in the morning and then I’m off to work. Hobbies, I don’t have time for hobbies, lol. But my New Year’s resolution is to make more time for my family and friends. I’ve become such a hermit since my first book was released.
Tell us a little about these characters; Bailey, Max, and Greg.
Bailey has just moved into her first apartment. She’s graduated college and is working at her first job. This is her first time falling in love. Basically she’s a young woman that is learning how to live on her own. She’s slowly realizing that being an adult is not as easy as she thought it would be.
Max is Bailey’s landlord. He’s fallen hard for her but can’t figure out why she ignores all of his advances.
Greg calls himself the Christmas Cupid. He plans to play matchmaker for Bailey and Max.
I don’t want to give anything away. Can you throw in a little information on Krista and what her thoughts are about her silliness with Greg, knowing he is gay?
Krista thinks Greg is fabulous. They quickly become best friends.
Well, Monica, I appreciate the time you’ve taken to answer some questions for my blog. I know you are involved in a big blog tour for your three releases: Christmas Confusion, Christmas Fantasy (Siren Allen), and Lily’s Naughty Christmas (Siren Allen). Do you know where you will be stopping next on your blog tour?
Today you can find me over at:http://blogspot.aureliabrowl.com/2013/12/christmas-confusion-monica-garry-allen.html (Don’t miss the giveaway)
More giveaways:http://kjreadsalot.blogspot.com/2013/12/naughty-and-nice-tour.html
And where can we find these titles?
Christmas Confusion: Amazon U.S: http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Confusion-Monica-Garry-Allen-ebook/dp/B00H4OI2EQ/
Amazon U.K: www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Confusion-Monica-Garry-Allen-ebook/dp/B00H4OI2EQ/
Christmas Fantasy: Amazon U.S:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H7IZZIU/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_ADKPsb0XFZ7VW
Amazon: U.K -http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00H7IZZIU/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_ADKPsb0XFZ7VW
Lily’s Naughty Christmas: Amazon U.Swww.amazon.com/Lilys-Naughty-Christmas.../dp/B00H7K6KDC/
Amazon U.K: www.amazon.co.uk/Lilys-Naughty-Christmas.../dp/B00H7K6KDC/
Excerpt:
Max sat in the living room on his recliner waiting for Bailey to return. Greg was still sprawled across the couch, but at least now he was wearing a shirt, one of Max’s shirts.
“So you want me to tell Bailey that I’m gay, so that you will have a better chance with her?” Greg said.
When Max thought about it, it made complete sense, yet when Greg said it like that, it sounded…dumb. Why should his brother reveal his sexuality just so Max could get a girl? Frustrated, Max rubbed his hand through his hair.
“Forget it.” There was no way he was going to force his brother to come out to Bailey, just for him. How selfish was that?
“Forget what? I’m just trying to get a complete understanding of what you want me to do. So I need to tell Bailey that I’m gay, so that you can make a move on her, right?”
“No, I don’t want you tell her you’re gay, not for me. I’m sorry that I even asked you to do that.”
“I’m not saying I won’t do it, because I will. I’m not ashamed of who I am, Max.”
“I know, I never said you were. I’m not ashamed of you either. I just…I don’t know.”
“What’s really wrong? Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“She just got me so worked up. I’ve never wanted a woman the way I want her, and I know I could make her happy if she would just give me a chance. What’s frustrating is that, she doesn’t even see me… it’s like she looks right through me whenever I’m around.”
Max got up and began to pace the floor; Gregs eyes followed his every movement. His brother wore a shocked expression on his face.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
“You’re in love with her aren’t you?” Greg said in awe.