Cloud Nine Girl

In all your life, if you had a choice to sit down at dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would you pick? Doesn’t matter what restaurant, though you can visualize that too, or the choice of dinner, if you like. What matters is the thought of that one person who fascinates you.  For me? I’ll start with an excerpt from a book:

This is the year 1492. I am eighty-two years of age. The things I am going to tell you are things which I saw myself as a child and as a youth.

In all the tales and songs and histories of Joan of  Arc, which you and the rest of the world read and sing and study in the books wrought in the late invented art of printing, mention is made of me, The Sieur Louis de Conte—I was her page and secretary, I was with her from the beginning until the end.

From the chapter: The Sieur Louis De Conte, in Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc by Mark Twain.

Yes, I do love Mark Twain. He would be another choice of mine, if I didn’t already have a first. Joan of Arc is my pick, without a single doubt or a flinch. If I could somehow blink her to the dinner table, an interesting and maybe slightly frightening thought, I couldn’t imagine a more fascinating person to talk to and interview over a favorite dinner choice in an outdoor setting. :0) A moment I would remember (and maybe slightly wonder about my sanity) for all my life :0)

Why Joan?

In the sixth grade, I had a wonderful teacher, Mrs. Dorsey. She was a free spirit, and encouraged me to be one too. She introduced a new unit in class, studying the history of France, the culture, and of course, food.  We were to research a famous historical figure from France and she generated a list for us, saving Joan of Arc for me. She pulled me aside and talked a bit about Joan, and why I should find out more about her.

Mrs. Dorsey thought right. I even wrote Joan a poem much later in High School called, Listener to a Lonely Soul. It printed in Ursus, our high school annual publication, and I wish I could share the poem here, alas, I’m still looking for a hard copy of it. If I find it, rummaging around in my old high school boxes, I’ll post it later on.

So what would I say to Joan if I had the chance?

I would first want to know about her family. Her father. Her mother. Her favorite moments with her siblings. I’d want to know what they’d done to her to make her mad from time to time. I’d want to know all about her, her best friend, her favorite daydream, and of course, I’d want to know about her experience, hearing the voice of an angel, and seeing it. I’d want to know about her courage, and how she drew it up inside of her to do the things she did and face what she faced, because we are all human. We have feelings, a heart, and fears. How did she conquer those things and do the impossible while she lived?

Lastly, Why Am I Writing This Post for the Day?

I’m thinking about dinner and people who intrigue me for one big reason. The questions we generate in our minds about others and understanding them: the behaviors, the language, whatever it is that draws you to this person or figure in history, is exactly what I picture when I create characters as I write. I wonder, what is it about someone that makes me like them so much. I try to guess what they would say, their motives, doubts, anything, and how could I possibly make someone else care about them too?

I’ll dive into this content in more detail as the blog tour for One More Day, takes off, Monday, December 2. That’s what I do best. I write about human character.

What’s Your Pick?

I’d love to know who would you go to dinner with? If you’re up to it, I’d love to know the why. :0) But remember, you can only pick one.

Happy Monday My Friends, and big giant hugs. Erika

http://www.amazon.com/Joan-Arc-Mark-Twain/dp/B005YSURTC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1385324229&sr=8-5&keywords=joan+of+arc+mark+twain

Welcome to a blog stop for Erica Kiefer’s new book, Lingering Echoes.  She’s a fascinating lady, with an unusual story both personally and now professionally as an author. Below, you’ll see my interview questions with her, a review of the book, and a way to win some great stuff, so let’s get started…

Title: Lingering Echoes
Author:  Erica Kiefer
Published:  November 1st, 2013 by Clean Teen Publishing
Word Count:  86,000
Genre:  NA/YA Contemporary Romance
Recommended Age:  14+

Synopsis:

She’s broken with guilt.
He harbors a chilling past.
It’s safer if they keep their distance…
But, the echoes that linger connect them.

Returning to Hidden Pines is the last thing Allie Collins wants to do during her final summer before college. For her, the family cabin she spent her youthful summers in, now holds a dark memory that has haunted her every day for the last year.

While struggling to forget her past, Allie runs into Damien, a local rebel with secrets of his own. He’s dark, dangerous and he keeps showing up when Allie least expects him to. She has every reason not to trust him. So why does she find herself opening up to him in a way she hasn’t been able to with anyone?

As pieces of Damien’s identity emerge, answers to a rumored mystery begin to unfold. By the time Allie unearths the secrets of Damien’s past, she realizes just how intricately they are connected. Now she is caught in a dangerous battle that threatens her life and those she loves.

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And Now For The Interview …

1. Where did the idea for this book begin?

One day while I was in a college class—humanities 101 I believe—the topic lost my interest. Instead, my walk through BYU campus, with the chilly fall weather and wind blowing crisp leaves around my feet, inspired a scenario in my head. It was about a girl walking through a forest and coming upon a river that brought back painful memories for her. I wrote about this girl grieving a loss, while wind blew around her and brushed leaves into the water. I didn’t know it at the time, but this scene would become the basis for chapter two of Lingering Echoes, and describe the prominent theme of grief, loss and healing.

2. Tell me a little about your desire to write. When did you know it was something you really wanted to do?

Second grade was the first time I voiced that I wanted to be an author. I remember the first book I “published” at school, entitled The Unicorns, and how I felt flipping through my very own laminated, spiral-bound copy. In my bio page, I proudly read the line, “This is Erica’s first published book” (back when I thought publishing was that easy!). All through elementary school, becoming an author was something I knew I would accomplish. However, as I became distracted with athletics and singing, I didn’t put as much thought into writing as a career move in the future—though my love for writing stayed strong, as evidenced by my fourteen detailed journals and now my family blog. Lingering Echoes was the first story I began to write where I felt the drive to make it into something bigger that could be shared with the world. (That “drive” is also attributed to my two sisters and my husband who kept me motivated through the whole journey!)

3. How long have you been working with this story line and the characters?

Lingering Echoes began in its infancy during the fall of 2008 when the market crashed and I lost my job, due to the shutdown of the residential treatment center where I worked. With all that time on my hands, I began to write! The first draft wasn’t completed until fourteen months later, while I juggled a couple part-time jobs and pregnancy. I have been trying off and on to get this book published since 2010, so these characters have been in my life (mostly hanging around anxiously on the sidelines!) for a few years now. I’m so happy they finally get some game time in the publishing world!

4. Where do you write? An inspiring safe place?

Since my toddler contributed to the destruction of my laptop over this past year (including using it as a trampoline any chance she gets), my writing space is limited to the computer and desk in my room. Before I had kids, I used to write outside occasionally, sometimes driving to serene nature locations for inspiration. Not so anymore! While my two kids nap, I shut myself in my room and utilize the limited quiet while I can.

5. What is your favorite color?

Purple. I’ve loved it for years, which is why my wedding colors eight years ago included various shades of purple, including lavender.

6. While writing this book, did you have a song that helped you write your main character? If so, what was that song?

I didn’t use a song during Allie’s creation but since publishing the book, I’ve thought of a couple song tributes to her character. The first is “Runaway Train” by Soul Asylum. It’s a song that I’ve interpreted as a person running from a past full of hurt and sorrow,  due to not knowing how to handle these emotions: “Bought a ticket for a runaway train . . . it’s just easier than dealing with the pain.” As Allie’s character grows, develops and heals, another song I give her is Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger,” which talks about how “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, stand a little taller.”

7. What 1-2 surprises came up while writing this story?

The love-triangle between three of the main characters was unexpected! I had a role in my head for one of the young adult males (do I dare say his name and spoil it??) that was supposed to be that of a protective older brother. However, as I discovered his character the more I wrote, and as Allie’s relationship with him developed, it almost became a natural transition. The conversations and time they spend together allows for that close bond. I have a huge heart for this character because he demonstrates support and tenderness throughout the book!

8. Briefly tell me a memory of you growing up, and how it helped define who you are today.

I attended 10^th – 12^th grade at an international school in Bangkok, Thailand. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, I was definitely a religious minority among my peers. Everyone knew who the Mormons were, though their understanding was often based on what we “couldn’t do.” i.e. smoke, drink, drugs, etc. There were less than a dozen Mormon youth in my high school, so everyone seemed to carefully watch us because we didn’t participate in some of the seemingly normal teen activities. Explaining that I chose to follow the “Mormon rules” because I believed in the standards we were taught helped define me and set me on the path that I’m currently on today. I didn’t follow the rules because I had to—I chose to put myself outside some of the rings of peer popularity because I understood my values, even though the experience was difficult at times. As a youth, making those small decisions and sacrifices to commit to my beliefs prepared me to continue living these principles as an adult—principles that I have leaned on during the most difficult challenges in my life. I most definitely would not be the same person had I chosen differently.

9. How have your experiences on growing up overseas translated into your writing?

Growing up overseas, I moved every two-four years of my life from one country to another, although I completed most of elementary and high school in Thailand when we returned there. I haven’t yet pulled cultural aspects into my writing yet, but I do address the topic of “change” in Lingering Echoes, as well as in the novella I’m working on (which will serve as a prequel to Lingering Echoes soon!). I faced a lot of change in my childhood, especially every time we moved to a new country. My siblings and I learned to adapt and do it fast, no matter how big of a change we faced. We didn’t have a choice in what new experiences came our way, but we agreed to acclimate as best as we could. This concept of change is something Allie from my book is forced to face when dealing with her grief, as well as some challenging family dynamics. In her words, “Change was a scary concept. Whether you were ready for it or not, sometimes it crept up on you, ambushing without warning, and no matter if you wanted it or not, you had to figure out how to accept it and adapt to its insistent nature.”

A Bit More About Erica …

Erica Kiefer was born on Christmas Eve in Southern California to an American father whose ancestors arrived from Europe during colonial times and a Thai mother who moved to the US during high school. Adding to her rich and varied heritage, Erica grew up living abroad in Asia, including Taiwan, Fiji, Thailand and Indonesia. She gained a great respect for the beautiful mosaic of cultures found in various parts of the world. After graduating from International School Bangkok, she attended Brigham Young University in Utah, where she earned a degree in Recreation Therapy. Her career as a Recreation Therapist has allowed her to work with at-risk youth since 2007.

Erica made the best decision of her life by marrying her husband in 2005 and is currently a mother of three, one of whom awaits her in heaven. Erica also loves singing, reading, writing, and satisfying her sweet-tooth with chocolate-chip cookies. Playing collegiate rugby was one of the most memorable experiences of her life, thus far.

Erica’s first book, Lingering Echoes, was signed by Clean Teen Publishing and is scheduled to release in early November 2013.

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And My Review?

3 stars.

Lingering Echoes has a Stephenie Meyer Twilight edge crossed with Sarah Dressen’s fictional style, and there is plenty of character chemistry, suspense, and a sweet protective feel to push the pages along.

The Good.

Scene development. I love nature. I have been on many family vacations to campsites as a kid in my summers. Erica brought back some wonderful memories for me. I could see the cabins on Allie’s family vacation, the lake, the fun on the basketball courts and definitely, all the places in the woods she ventures with the boy she couldn’t seem to stay away from.

The Great.

Character chemistry. Every character has their own feel, quirks and ways to deal with life. They’re real. They relate back to Allie, the main character, and they help push her different sort of character arc as a traumatized girl who can’t live with her past, or give anyone else the chance to help her.  Will she grow? You’ll have to read to find out.

The Ohmigoodness.

Voice. Voice means more than words. It’s a feel you get when you read and the story becomes more like an account of someone’s life, no matter the genre. Author Erica Kiefer speaks to the reader in a storytelling fashion I like to read. Allie, the Main Character, jumps off the pages—alive.

Last thought.

I noticed a few places when time and word choice didn’t read as clearly as I would have liked, but the characters won me over and left me wanting to turn the page. I loved each and every one of them.

Thank you for dropping in. You can visit the official blog tour stop to find out more about Erica by clicking this link. Don’t forget to enter below, to win some great stuff. :0)

Clean Teen Publishing Links:

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Giveaway Details:

There is an international tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:

• GRAND PRIZE:  $15 Amazon Gift Card, bookmark prize pack, eBook of reader’s choice from Clean Teen Publishing catalog.

And Now For A Way To Enter…

a Rafflecopter giveaway