Wednesday, December 22, 2010

FEATURED AUTHOR: T.L. Clarke

T.L. Clarke (TLC) is a middle-grade and young-adult author. Her debut mystery and adventure novel, THE SECRET OF THE SCARLET STONE (A Gabby Girls Adventure Novel) weaves a sleuth tale that embraces the true meaning of "Girl Power". The next installment of the “Gabby Girls Adventure” novel series will be released next year, summer 2011. TLC grew-up in New York and now lives in the Washington DC area.

Visit T.L. Clarke at http://tlclarke.blogspot.com

THE SECRET OF THE SCARLET STONE

Can you help the Gabby Girls solve the clues?

The Gabby Girls are drawn together by the only thing that they have in common, which is the mysterious scarlet pendant they each possess. But things seem even stranger when they find a clue that tempts them with the answer to the question they have longed to know.
After all, Gabby Girls always stick together, and every day is a…Gabby Girls Adventure!

Book Trailer

http://tlclarke.blogspot.com/

http://youtu.be/nsk-ofw9ico

How did you start out your writing career?

As a teen, I started writing whenever I had a spark of inspiration for a short story. As an adult the inspiration for writing THE SECRET OF THE SCARLET STONE came from my sense of adventure and also my almost geeky obsession with anything related to mysteries. I had been thinking about the concept of THE SECRET OF THE SCARLET STONE for a long time, jotting down characters and plots all along.

What did you learn while writing this book?

I learned a lot about balancing the intensity of the plot with the humor of the Gabby Girls characters in THE SECRET OF THE SCARLET STONE. I also discovered that there are a lot of helpful resources for writers.

What did you hope to accomplish with this book?

I wanted to write a fun mystery adventure novel with strong, interesting, multi-cultural characters that work together throughout the Gabby Girls Adventure. I also wanted to offer something totally different from what’s already out there in the publishing market right now.

Is the “writer’s life” what you thought it would be?

The “writer’s life” is exactly what I thought it would be. It’s a combination of writing and connecting with readers through social networking (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) which to me is very important.

Which five characters (can be from books, movies, or tv shows) would you invite over for dinner and why?

Lara Croft from Tomb Raiders, Wonder Woman, Oprah Winfrey, they are smart, resourceful and witty. Patrick Jane from The Mentalist and Adrian Monk from Monk, they are brilliant detectives and very witty.

What are three things you wish you’d known before you reached where you are now?

That patience is truly a virtue; adversity is a stepping stone to success; that the publishing business is a roller-coaster filled with distractions/noise, so filter out the bad and revel in the good.

Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?

Do…keep inspired, write a little every day and sharpen your craft.
Don’t…be discouraged by criticism, in fact, learn from it.

What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?

That writing is about putting your heart-and-soul into your book(s) and there is a lot of work that goes into it.

What was the best advice you’d ever gotten about the publishing industry? The worst?

Best advice: Always stay connected with your readers.
Worst Advice: Write stories geared for the current/popular book trends (i.e. Vampires, wolves, etc.).

What is something readers would be surprised you do?

That I am a Zumba (salsa) dance class enthusiast.

If you could be a character from any book you've read, who would you be?

The intelligent, lively, attractive, and witty Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Our theme for this month is Children Books. Can you recommend three books for children?

I would recommend the following books for ages 9 - 12: The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz, The Heroes of Olympus, Book One: The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney.

Oprah always asks, what do you know for sure?


That you should live life to the fullest….

Can you give us a sneak peek of your next book?

In the next installment (book 2) of the “Gabby Girls Adventure” series, the battle against pure evil begins, friendships are betrayed, rivals bond, and powers collide. There will be more of everything…..more adventure, more mystery, and a whole lot of drama as the plot thickens between the Gabby Girls as they press forward into a new Gabby Girls Adventure. The next installment of the “Gabby Girls Adventure” novel series will be out next year, summer 2011.

How can readers get in contact with you?

They can contact me through my blog: http://tlclarke.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TLClarke_TLC
Facebook: Facebook - T.L. Clarke

Giveaway package THE SECRET OF THE SCARLET STONE

I would like to giveaway a copy of my book (the paperback release of my book is January 27, 2011), a t-shirt and a key chain. The winner of this giveaway will be mailed their package after January 27, 2010.



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