Meet Andrea from Chicks of Characterization. You might just win a PRINT copy of The Pride of the Lions!!!

Welcome everyone! I’m thrilled to have a very special guest visiting this weekend. None other than my dear friend, Andrea, co-founder of a fantastic blog called, The Write Life of Andrea and Corrina-Chicks of Characterization. We were introduced years ago by our mutual friend, talented author, Skhye Moncrief. We shared the same mad obsession when it came to all things Scotland and of course, a great love for books!

Andrea is such a fabulous and kind person. Not to mention she bends over backwards to help authors promote their work. So, I say it’s way past time she gets a little recognition! My way of giving back? I’d like to host a contest. It’s pretty simple, all you have to do it head over to The Write Life of Andrea and Corrina-Chicks of Characterization and become a follower. Then swing back to this blog and leave a comment. The prize? A print copy of Andrea’s all time favorite Highlander novel, The Pride of Lions by Marsha Canham!

The Spotlight is on Andrea!

Let’s get to know her a little better…

Andrea Snider is an aspiring writer, author promoter, and an avid reader. Once she was old enough to grace the halls of a library she was hooked. By the time she reached her teen years she was whipping through every Sweet Valley High novel she could get her hands on. And as she got older she moved on to more adult romance novels. Though she reads many genres, Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Christian, chick-lit and contemporary, her heart belongs to Romance. Who can resist a happy ending? Andrea can’t. And if you add a sexy Medieval Highlander in the wilds of Scotland you’ve got a fan in her!

But it was only after her second child was born that she decided to try her hand at writing her own Happy Ending. So some years later, and one completed manuscript, she is still testing the waters of the publishing industry. And after seeing how tough the writing business is, she realized quickly that you cannot do it alone. Because of that she created her blog, The write life of Andrea & Corrina, to help other writers like herself promote their books. She hopes to be promoting her own one day!

And when she’s not reading, writing, promoting, or critiquing a writing partner’s manuscript, she is busy taking care of her husband and three sons and dreaming about her next trip to Scotland! Andrea is also a member of the RWA and the Membership Chair for the Celtic Hearts Romance writers.

Contact Andrea at: chicksofcharacterization@hotmail.com

Andrea tells all. Interview time!

SKY: Andrea, great to have you over to my blog for the weekend! Gotta say, you and Corrina are incredible. You do SO much for writers! I have to ask, what inspired you to start such an informative and supportive site for authors?

ANDREA: Thank you so much for having me Sky! I have to say I was a little surprised that anyone wanted to interview lil ole’ me! To answer your question, in all honesty, and I know it sounds cliché, I love a good book, and I just enjoy helping other people. The writing business is tough, I believe most people think it’s so easy, but it’s not. A new author needs all the help they can get promoting their stories and so I thought, why not. If I could help someone out, maybe one day if I ever become published they would return the favor. Plus having an internet presence is crucial in this business.

SKY: Isn’t that the truth! I know when it comes to writing, reading, anything in the literature world, you’re all over the internet. Have you found a few sites that you feel are especially beneficial to our field? A ‘head’s up’ is always most appreciated!

ANDREA: There are so many wonderful sites out there! And it depends on what exactly you are looking for but if it’s about writing or promotion- Author Kris Tualla has a vast amount of great information on her Website; as does Joanna Waugh. History Undressed is a fabulous blog. 1st turning point is another great site for everything you would want to know about promotion-and for reference books you have to visit Skhye Moncrief; And if you are talking about my favorite subject, Scotland there are tons and tons of sites, here are a few of my favorites- Electric Scotland.com, Rampant Scotland.com; AND a must need for anyone who writes Scottish historicals - www.scots-online.org/dictionary/engscots.htm - I frequent many great blogs including this one! (Sky’s blog is awesome!) But I won’t post them all here! If you go to my Blog-they are all listed!

SKY: Super, there are a few in there I didn’t know about. Thanks! I have to ask, as you were a book reviewer in the past, what would be your advice to aspiring writers? Even published writers ‘en project’?

ANDREA: Write the best book that you can, write from your heart and tell your own story, with your own voice! It’s so hard for a new writer to find their voice. With all the rules that go along with writing, I know from personal experience that most new writers are trying to follow them all, rewriting and rewriting until the story is no longer their own. So, practice your craft, grow a thick skin, learn to take criticism, write, write, write and if you want it bad enough, with a few bumps in the road and allot of patience you’ll get there!

SKY: Wow, nicely said, Andrea. I’ve been down that road of writing and re-writing, following all the rules and indeed losing my ‘voice’ along the way. And as to the ‘thick skin’ definitely great advice, bloody crutial really! Getting personal. While I know you adore Scotland as much as me, what would you say is your all time favorite Highlander story of the past? Why?

ANDREA: That’s an easy one! My all time Favorite Highlander story is The Pride of Lions by Marsha Canham. Oh my, this was soooooo good that I read it in one sitting. I had never heard of Marsha Canham and the only reason I picked it up was because of the plaid that was on the cover. As you mentioned I adore Scotland and so the cover drew me right in. AND, if you’re wondering if I will buy a book based on its cover? INDEED I will!

I loved this book because it provoked so much emotion from me. Ms. Canham does her homework and shares Scotland’s history in vivid detail! You feel like your there, fighting along side them at Culloden! And it doesn’t hurt to have a sexy Highlander willing to risk all for his clan and the woman he loves, and a beautiful heroine who gives him a run for his money!! This book has it all, and the best thing? It’s the first in a series!!!!

SKY: I haven’t read any of her work yet but you sold me on it. Marsha Canham’s, The Pride of Lions just went on my TBR list! It’s been a pleasure having you visit, my friend. Thanks for being here!

ANDREA: Thank you so much for having me! I appreciate you taking the time to interview me! Sky you are a great friend and I am honored that you think enough of me and my little blog to take the time to shine your light on us. I appreciate it more than you know! You help so many people promote their trades and that’s a wonderful thing! Keep up the good work!!!

*SKY: Please, lady! You're a boon to this trade and when you publish your first novel, I'm sure you'll have one heck of a backing!*

ANDREA: On a side note, if there are any published authors out there who would like a little extra help promoting their book- feel free to leave me your E-mail address and I’ll see what I can do!

Thanks again for having me!

Sky here. Isn’t Andrea great? Don’t forget, for a chance to win a print copy of The Pride of Lions by Marsha Canham, be sure to head over to The Write Life of Andrea and Corrina-Chicks of Characterization and become a follower, then swing back to this blog and leave a comment by Monday, August 2nd, 6 AM EST! NOTE: If you're already a follower of Andrea's blog, please say so in your comment. You're still eligible to win.

Thanks for joining us this weekend. See you Monday morning as my Sizzling Hot Heroes of Scotland, Ireland, England & Wales summer blog event continues.

~Sky