Wednesday, May 12, 2010

aLLiSoN WiNN SCoTCH: THe oNe THaT i WaNT BooK GiVeaWay!

Win The One That I Want By Allison Winn Scotch!
 You’re not going to believe this you book lovers you, but amidst all this moving crap, I’ve got another book giveaway, and this is another one you will LOVE by another one of my favorite authors. It’s interesting how I first “met” Allison Winn Scotch online – She was not yet a published fiction author, but had contacted me for a magazine article she was writing about marriage, and I wish I could locate that article now; I know it had something to do with marriage and maybe it was an article on ways of keeping a marriage freshalicious (cuz ya know Mr. Manic and I are soooo in love!), as we will be celebrating our 17th wedding anniversary on a plane as we move to Arizona. That’s what I call love—moving across the country with the man of my dreams.

Anyway, I answered Allison’s Qs way back then and kinda forgot about it until the article came out. But I always remembered Allison, and then her first book came out, The Department of Lost & Found, and it got a TON of buzz in the magazines and on the internet and I remembered thinking, “Hey, I gotta get in touch with HER!” Because I KNEW!

I knew she was gonna be big someday! (Not in the literal sense—ha, but yes, in the literal sense because “literal” is WORD & BOOK right, but literal is also BIG, but not literally literal because she’s teeny tiny, like a cute little peanut tiny, like I would tower over her small frame, but anyway, (Oh boy, I should not have had that skinny cinnamon dolce latte today because MAN am I flying, and yes, this is one of those days where I SHOULD be cleaning out a closet or something!).

So, how about we give away Allison’s third book, shall we? The One That I Want! I do have to admit that I have not had a chance to read it yet, and I hope you’ll forgive me for it, and as soon as I get settled in Scottsdale, I’ll get my “irsky” (nice way of saying ASS) out on my sun-filled pool-side patio and devour the book. Because what else am I going to do out there? READ! I am going to focus on catching up on my reading! And I’m going to write! I want to become a recluse, and just be by myself for a while and figure out my life. So The One That I Want is THE ONE THAT I WANT TO READ AS SOON AS I GET SETTLED!

Here’s my “haven’t-read-the-book-yet” review:

Tilly Farmer has got the perfect life until she receives the gift of clarity from a fortune teller at the local fair and starts having visions of the future. As she starts seeing what’s going to be happening to her perfect life, she must race to change her fate before her destiny changes. Does she want to continue on her life’s path she’s carefully crafted for herself all these years, or should she let the visions happen as they unfurl before her very own eyes? I don’t know what’s going to happen in the book yet, but I have visions of a best seller here!

And enjoy this quick Q&A with the lovely Allison Winn Scotch on her writing and her new book, The One That I Want before we get to the book giveaway!

What is your favorite part of the fiction writing process? What’s the worst part?

The best: finishing the book. The worst: starting it. :) In all seriousness, I dread the empty page of the onset. Usually the first 10k come really easily, but then I have to really push myself until the last third, and from there, it’s a snowball effect where everything slides into place. But there is no better feeling than writing that last word and knowing that you climbed the mountain that is writing a full book!

Before you started writing The One That I Want, was there one incident/scenario that stands out in your mind where you said, “That’s it! This is the next book I have to write!”

Not with this book, actually. With Time of My Life, my last book, yes. I had that BIG MOMENT in which I just KNEW that I had to put this idea on paper. The One That I Want was a real labor of love, a book that took work instead of pure enthusiasm and creativity. Which actually, in retrospect, is a wonderful thing, as weird as that sounds. Every book is a different experience, kind of like every child you raise is a different experiences, and truthfully – again, in hindsight- I’m glad that I was able to prove to myself that I could roll up my sleeves, dive in and get the job done. And after many drafts (and many agonizing hours), still produce a book that seems to be resonating with people and one that I’m equally as happy with as the books that came easier to me.

In TOTIW, Tilly goes to a fortune teller. Have you ever been to a fortune teller? I’m scared to go to them because I don’t want to hear anything bad. Plus, I think they glean info from looking at a person and take clues from a person and go from there. Like they cheat, or we really want them to know the truth and we give them the clues; do you think so?

Yeah, I’ve never been, but I share the same sentiments as you: a) that I’m not sure that I’d believe it but b) I’m not sure that I’d want to find out. It’s funny, I never really considered it: the gravity that would come with knowing your future, but after writing this, I’m 100% convinced that it would NOT be a good thing. Fate is fate. What happens happens. That has to be enough.

I give Time of My Life as gifts to my girlfriends – it’s the type of book all women can relate to and appreciate. In that book, and I’m sure in TOTIW, you write time-travel scenes that are so believably real. Are flashbacks and scenes where Tilly has visions hard to create? How do you make them real for the reader without the cheesiness?

I think the key to pulling of those fantastical scenes – whether it’s sending my heroine back in time seven years or allowing her to see into the future – is to keep them as emotionally real as possible. The fantasy is there, sure, but the heart of those scenes – and these books – plays out very truthfully (or so I hope). They’re ultimately about women who are striving toward more complete lives and the fantasy element works because it’s fiction...but if writing well (and I hope I’ve done so!), it shouldn’t take away from the core honesty of the lives that these characters are living.

As a writer, wife, mother, how do you turn it off? Are you able to say, “OK, it’s 5 p.m. I’m going to shut my writing brain off and go make dinner now, and be with the kids and my hubby.” Or are you constantly dreaming up the next scene?

It’s very difficult, and when I’m really in the guts of my writing process, I’m not sure that I do it so well. That said, I impose a pretty strict schedule on myself such that when my kids are with me, for example, at dinnertime, I’m absolutely not working. If I’m efficient during the day – in the hours they’re at school and I have my sitter – I shouldn’t really need to be thinking about work. All working moms know how to eke out the most from their hours, so I don’t think I’m much different in that respect. That said, when I’m really gung-ho about the book, I definitely find myself thinking about it when I should be sleeping, etc. One thing that’s really helped me over the years is to give myself an outlet, and for me, that’s running and/or exercise. If I can take off for an hour or so and just tune out my world, with my iPod and sneakers, I find that my brain really frees up and goes places creativity-wise that it otherwise wouldn’t. And by ensuring that I’ve given myself that creative time, I’m pretty okay not having it at other times.

Are you working on the next book yet or thinking about it?

Yes! I just finished the first draft of my next book, out in 2011. (Yikes!) It’s called (as of now) The Memory Of Us, and tells the story of a woman who survives a plane crash but who loses her memory in the process. She’s forced to piece her life back together by the stories that other people tell her about herself, which of course, raises the questions: who are you really and are we defined by everyone other than ourselves? I’m really excited about it.

Any movie news to share?

Nope. :) Well, maybe a little. The Weinstein Company renewed their option for Time of My Life in March, which is a good sign, as basically, they had the choice to extend their deal with me or let me go. That they opted to pay me some dinero rather than not is always a good thing, as – logically – people tend not to shell out for products they’re not interested in.

If you couldn’t be an author, what career would you choose?

Rock star. Movie star. Either one, and I wouldn’t complain. :)

And now, yes, A BOOK GIVEAWAY! We'll be giving away TWO copies, so that just DOUBLED your chances!!!

Leave a comment with your email address, (IF YOU DON’T LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, HOW CAN I LET YOU KNOW YOU’VE WON?) or some other identifying trait, like your blog, telling Allison and me about The One That You Want! It doesn’t have to be a person. It can be a banana. What do you want right now? (And DUH, we know you want the book!) Be creative, although the drawing will be completely random!

Winners will be announced on Monday, along with ANOTHER FABULOUS BOOK GIVEAWAY!! Yep, cuz why not! I'm MaNiC that way!

GO!

And yeah, you know, PeaCe uP, cuz PeaCiNG down is dull.

~ MaNiC MoMMy

46 comments:

Cheryl said...

A ripe banana does sound good but I think a hummingbird cupcake from Trophy Cupcakes in Seattle sounds oh so yummy!!!

Emily H. said...

Right now, I really want lunch. I'm very hungry and it's lunch time. :)

treerose AT yahoo DOT com

Mary said...

What I want right now is for the show Lost to not be ending. What will I do without my Sawyer fix?!

mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Right now, I would like to eat lunch. And then take a nap. With Derek Jeter.

lavidalori{at}gmail{dot}com

Leira Carola said...

There's so many things I want; like becoming a mom, a mechanical engineer and completing the novel I'm currently working on. However, right now I would be at peace if someone would bring me food while I slave over the blueprints of the toy boat my team has to build for our Creative Design II class. I'm hungry and there's NADA in my kitchen. If I go out in this Puerto Rican sun I might pass out.

The one that I want is FOOD!

email: watching07planes@aim.com

http://leiracarola.blogspot.com

fortunecookiejunkie said...

Right now I'm out of town visiting my two best friends and I know I'll be leaving in two days. What I want more than anything is MORE TIME.

http://not-a-fortune.blogspot.com

christy said...

Hmmm...What do I really want right at this moment? A maid! Looking around at this dirty house trying to get motivated, but going to go play a hot game of memory with my little ones first!

christy said...

I tried to leave my email address:
so here it is again
christy DOT hubert AT insightbb DOT com

jpetroroy said...

A housekeeping service would be nice :)

jpetroroy at gmail dot com

Kristin said...

I want to meet my little boy - BUT not until after Friday night! You can link to my blog and my email address.

xo

Sunny Bravin said...

I really want a little pug. I know its quite random but that's my thought or want of the day

sunnybravin@gmail.com

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

Loving reading all these, but feeling a bit guilty because while I'm reading these, my cleaning ladies are here and many of you want maid service!! Plus, I am hungry too! I want food! What I want right now--to go watch the Madonna episode of GLEE that I missed! AM going to do that RIGHT NOW! Keep these fun entries coming! They are fun!

Shannyn said...

What I'd like right now is a VACATION!!! Like, a really long one. Or maybe win the lottery, that one would really work. I'm ready to READ and need less 'work' time to do it! I absolutely love that you are giving books away. There's something very comforting about books for me!!

My email is on my blog... or, in your delete folder of your email, one or the other. :)

My Two Army Brats said...

I want a diet pepsi! But the new baby girl is sleeping in my lap and she isn't feeling well and is restless so I'm afraid to move and wake her up. I tried to talk the dogs into getting me one from the fridge but the 12 year old dog just rolled his eyes and basically told me to shut up and the 1 year old puppy wagged his tail like I was supposed to be doing something for HIM! Ugh, so thirsty...

Christine in NJ said...

I want someone I can't have! Scandolous - I know! HAHAHA... And I'd really like this book... gotta run - trying to finish Heart of the Matter!!! GREAT BOOK!

And what a great way to spend your 17th Anniversary!... We celebrated our 17th 6 months ago and I can't remember what we did... but YOU will always remember!

Chistine dot Casano @ gmail dot com

Allison Winn Scotch said...

Thanks so much for hosting this contest, Steph! Love ya!

Moll said...

I love AWS! Let's see, right now...this very instant...I want to be reading in a big comfy chair with an ottoman in front of a crackling fire.

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

Allison, right back atcha! xo

Denise in MA said...

Another new author...yay! Can't wait to sit my "irsky" in the sun and read this one! But what I want right now is for this cold that's slowly taking over my body to go away and my kids not to drive me crazy this afternoon :-)

Allie said...

I want Jon Bon Jovi to realize that I am the love of his life:). Or I want someone to make some big decisons (for me) I have to make pretty soon, cause I don't know what to do!

allie

allie.smith@att.net

Anonymous said...

What I really want is for the French vanilla iced coffees at 7-Eleven to be calorie-free, instead of 624 calories. I could then indulge my cravings five times a day and not wonder why my jeans are getting so tight.

kristendkirk AT hotmail DOT com

Heidi @ Decor & More said...

What I REALLY want right now is some good ME time, complete with sleep, a stack of great books to read (hint, hint), and a chef to prepare meals for my bottomless pits that I call My People! A girl can dream right? Have a great day-- thanks for these fun giveaways, Steph, especially in the midst of all your packing! You can probably link to my blog, I imagine, but just in case:
heidimilton at comcast dot net or heidi dot m dot milton at gmail dot com. Ciao!

Juliet Farmer said...

i want more hours in the day. i need at least 9 hours of sleep to be functional, but that doesn't leave enough time for play, work, family, etc. why couldn't they have round up to 30 back in the day?

juliet DOT farmer AT att DOT net

angie said...

I love your giveaways! What great books!
Right now if I could have anything it would be a job that I enjoy and love going to everyday! Boy that sounds like something I would need a fairy godmother for:)
Thanks for the giveaway! I can't wait to get my book by Emily:)
bangersis(at)msn(dot)com

The Book Chick said...

Right now I want a break from my kids- just a short one! I love them more than anything, but at the moment they're driving me crazy. A beach vacay would be nice....with a stack of delicious-looking books to read!

jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com

Mom'sLove said...

What do I want? I want two things.. A cure for my daughter's type one diabetes and cute hunky boyfriend... And a slice of cake... ok, that's three things... For the fourth, I wanna read this book!!!
;-) Amanda
Byacourt@gmail.com

Thea said...

"Fate is fate. What happens happens. That has to be enough."

now, that is the truth! t

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

Mom's Love (Amanda) ... What kind of CAKE?!?!

lisa adams said...

What do I want? More people to read my blog. I think "more readers" are the wish of every writer...
Best wishes, Allison. I love chatting with you on Twitter.
adamslisa@mac.com

St.Lucia said...

I want someone to grade my papers so I can have some uninterrupted time in a tub with a book, a LARGE glass of wine, and the ability to stay in until sufficiently pruned. :)

Courtney said...

What I want right now is Dex Thaler from "Something Borrowed" to be here in real love. I love his character so much! The second thing that I want is for my stupid sinus infection to go away.

gortney@hotmail.com

MaBunny said...

Right now, this late in the evening, I would like a good ending to my birthday. Day hasn't been bad, and I would like to end it on a good note.

I also would LOVE to finally win a book from one of your give aways! lol
so my email is ma_bunny@tx.rr.com, just in case:)

Dawn from CA said...

Hi Manic! Dude, you rock for doing these giveaways in the midst of moving madness!
What do I want??
To find some really fabulous shoes to wear to my dear friend's 40th birthday bash, and for my kids to go to bed. Oh, and world peace. :)

dawndifiore(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bunny B said...

Right now, I just want to get well. I'm having a sore throat and a runny nose :( This book would do good in bed!
bunnybx at gmail . com

Nichole Bernier said...

I just love the "what ifs" about life.... Congratulations in advance to Allison on her next book!
Nichole
www.beyondthemargins.com

Coleen L. said...

I really could go for a new kitchen right now!!! We are currently in the midst of renovations and all I really want to do is cook an awesome meal in my awesome new kitchen. Unfortunately, I will have to wait another month or so for it to be done. So at this very moment I really want some mexican food with ooey gooey sour cream drizzled on top!!!
cata63@hotmail.com

keltban said...

I love that you have these book giveaways...SOO COOL!!

I want some candy right now... I almost bought some for lunch, but I didn't. Trying to cut back and of course that is what I am thinking about now.

I would also want a nice long vacation...somewhere on a beach where I could relax!

kgrady75@gmail.com

Melissa said...

I want to go on a cruise or to an all inclusive resort. Disney World would be nice too. :)

mbamster0720@gmail.com
http://chicklitcentraltheblog.blogspot.com

Mom'sLove said...

Manic, lemon cake with cream cheese frosting..... Yummm ;)

Erin G said...

I just want my kids to have a fuss-free bedtime. While my wish is simple, I suspect I am out of luck ;)
erinaaron616@bex.net

Kristan said...

Haha. The One That I Want right now is a toss up... between cookie dough and a literary agent! Okay, it's obvious which one I want more, right?

Anyway, great interview. I adore Allison, and I'd love a copy of her book. Thanks for doing this, y'all!

kristanhoffman.com - writing dreams into reality
khoffman [at] gmail.com

Trish Ryan said...

I want to visit Manic by her pool in AZ...does that count???

Great interview...thanks for this, both of you!

Sarah said...

for a new job! fingers crossed. o

Movie Passenger said...

What I want more than anything is just some peace and quiet! And a free book would be an added bonus.

Mrs4444 said...

What I want right now is to feel well--I am SICK.

JODI said...

I really want to go to the gym but hell it's 511pm and the gym closes at 6pm...guess I'll eat the lasagna I made instead.