Author Guest Post & Giveaway [CLOSED]: Gabi Stevens

I am excited to have Gabi Stevens here with us today for a guest post and to giveaway a copy of The Wish List and As You Wish to one lucky winner.

Take it away Gabi!

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Top Eleven Weird Things about Writing and Writers

Okay, so I don’t really know if these are true. They are from my observations and definitely not from any kind of scientific research. In fact, I can’t even say they are universally true, except that they all do apply to me. So here is the disclaimer: this may or may not be a list of eleven weird things about writers. In fact, this blog’s title probably should have been Top Eleven Weird Things about Me, but that sounded way too egotistical.

1. Scariest thing in the world is a blank page, which is also the greatest thing in the world.
   A blank page: can anything be more intimidating? We’re suppose to fill it with words, stories, and ideas. What if we don’t have any? What if it’s crap? On the other hand, when we get it filled, it feels GREAT! Something we created. You just can’t beat that.
2. We LOVE office supply stores.
   I have yet to meet a writer who doesn’t like Staples or Office Max or that one row at Costco. Pens (chills). Paper (goosebumps). By the carton (drool). Sticky notes (pretty). Laptops and tablets (Mmmm). Highlighters (more, more). Organizers, binders, and file folders (oh, yes). Office furniture (yes, yes, yes). Hey, I told you this was a list of weird things.
3. We read. A lot.
   At least we should. I’ve met writers who say they don’t read, but I don’t believe them. How else can you learn about the beauty of words unless you devour them? It isn’t through school or classes.
4. We know writing is a business; we just don’t like to think that way.
   Yes, I have to keep receipts for taxes; yes, I have deadlines and contracts; yes, I have to promote myself, but really, I like to pretend I’m just telling a story. And when the occasion calls for it, I act like a grown-up and take care of business.
5. We do not have to be like our characters. It’s called research.
   I often wonder how many times Agatha Christie was asked how may people she’s killed for research. Of course the research for romance novels would be a heck of a lot more fun. I’ve written short characters (I’m not), blond characters (I’m not), British characters (I’m not) magical characters (I’m not) and male characters (I’m not).
6. We do forget to eat. And sleep, and bathe. (TMI?)
   When I’m in the zone, I can write for hours and hours without interruption. Not that the “without interruption” part happens all that often. With two dogs and a daughter and a husband who think I have all the answers (which, of course, I do), interruptions happen. You’d think, though, with the forgetting to eat part, I could lose weight.
7. We are technologically pretty savvy for non-technical people.
   I’m not a computer genius, but I do know my word processing program pretty darn well. So much so that when I was working, my colleagues would often ask me for help rather than the tech guy. We writers are often the first to embrace the new thing—e-publishing, readers, social sites, tablets—provided the technology is writing or reading related.
8. We have voices in our heads, and that’s a good thing.
   We are never alone; we talk to ourselves, which might be a problem if we were normal people, but we’re writers. ‘Nuff said. I have made myself laugh and cry with my writing. And I still say that’s a good thing.
9. There is no correct way to write a book.
   Or anything else for that matter. If you’re interested in writing, you will hear people say (or you’ve heard teachers say), “this is how you do it.” Uh-uh. Everyone has their own process. The most you can learn from anyone are possible tools that may or may not work for you. The weird thing about writing is that everyone thinks they can do it because it’s using language and we all have language. We all took English in school; we all speak our language. How many people have you heard say they have a book in them? Now how many people have you heard say they have a symphony in them? We all listen to music, don’t we?
10. Anything can trigger an idea.
    Anything. I mean any thing. A tree, a child, a news story, an overheard sentence, chocolate, a dream...well, you get the idea. I once saw a story on a man who found an injured owl. The owl’s wing had to be amputated. The man received permission to keep the owl. He would strap on rollerblades, place the owl on his shoulder and take the owl “flying” along Lake Michigan (this was in Chicago). The man also lost a ton of weight, but that’s not part of my story. That incident triggered a story idea for me. About a pirate. Hey, I didn’t say you had to keep the original trigger. It’s about getting ideas.
11. We are a weird combination of total insecurity and outrageous ego.
    We put our work out there and are frightened that people won’t like it. Are we any good? Can we write? Does anyone enjoy our stories? On the other hand, I love to talk writing to anyone who will listen. I love meeting readers, writing blogs, and getting recognition. See? Ego and insecurity. It’s enough to drive one mad. Good thing I have friends in my head who will talk to me.

So there you have it: my list. What kind of weird idiosyncrasies do you have (and are willing to share—keep it clean)?

One lucky winner will win a copy of THE WISH LIST and AS YOU WISH, the first two books in my Time of Transition Trilogy. WISHFUL THINKING comes out in March 2012. I’ve pledged ten percent of my royalties from AS YOU WISH to Best Buddies International. Best Buddies™ is an organization that supports friendships for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Read the afterword in my book to find out why.

--Gabi Stevens

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I was born in Burbank, California, the oldest child of Hungarian immigrants. Except during that early episode with the gum, I lived mostly in the San Fernando Valley (Yup, I’m a “Valley Girl.”). At fifteen, I attended boarding school…for the education, not because my parents wanted to get rid of me. Then came college in New York and California, with a year long stint in Göttingen, Germany. Met my husband at UCSD, graduated, then he took me to Illinois where we both continued our education—me in German, he in Robotics. He’s a doctor now, but not the real kind. (Just kidding, honey. You know I love you)

I got my Masters in Teaching German, and when he finished, we moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where I had twins and a spare. We’ve been there ever since.

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t telling myself stories, so it’s pretty surprising that I found writing so late. I am not in that group of writers who wrote down their stories from the age of six. I didn’t start until after my twins were born and I realized if I didn’t do something for myself, my brain would turn to Jell-o. So I wrote down one of those stories I was telling myself, and, voila, a career was born.

I have to supplement the writing with a day job. I teach eighth grade gifted language arts and literature, where I subject my students to Latin, the English language, and other tortures. I don’t have many hobbies: I kill most plants, so gardening is out; I’m an adequate cook—I have burned water—but not great or creative; don’t do needlework, although I tell myself I’ll get back to my cross stitch project that remains unfinished seventeen years later; I used to play volleyball until my knees couldn’t take it any longer (I miss volleyball); I don’t travel as much as I would like; and I will learn Italian before I die. I love games (Don’t play with me unless you are serious—I’m not nice) and have even appeared on the Family Feud and Jeopardy! I read like crazy and enjoy lots of movies.

But my greatest joy (other than the family of course) is writing. I love to put a story to paper (OK, to keyboard) and escape to my own world. And I am lucky enough to share that world with my readers. So thanks for coming along on the journey with me.

Find the author online: website | blog

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ABOUT THE BOOKS

Kristin Montgomery is more than a little shocked when her aunts inform her they’re fairy godmothers. Worse, after dropping that bombshell they hand her a wand and head off on a world cruise. Now Kristin’s uncomplicated life as a CPA in San Diego has disappeared like magic and she not only has to deal with her burgeoning magical powers, but also a reluctant—and distractingly sexy—magical arbiter.

Tennyson Ritter is a historian. A scholar by choice, he is yanked from his studies to act as arbiter for the newly chosen fairy godmother. He doesn’t want to waste his time with a woman who doesn’t know anything about magic or the magical world, but soon the beguiling Kristin draws him away from his books and into her life.

But before Kristin can hone her skills and pass the tests necessary to fully claim her powers, she and Tennyson must work together to defend the world – both magical and human – against those that would claim her powers for their own.

Born into a magical family, Reggie Scott is content to live out her life as a normal human until the moment she’s informed that she’s a newly appointed fairy godmother. Left struggling to deal with powers the never thought she’d have, Reggie faces a curse, a plot to overthrow the Arcani, and an entirely too enthusiastic mother—all in a matter of days.

Jonathan Bastion is a man of power and wealth—and a dangerous secret. He desperately hopes that Reggie's new powers will hold the answer to his problem and he isn't above using her to achieve his goals. What he doesn't expect is how much Reggie will affect him. Her honor, her honesty, and her strength quickly make cracks in his ruthless exterior.

As danger from the Arcani swirls around them both, Jonathan realizes that what was once a ploy to get Reggie to assist him has become a battle to keep her safe and protected…in his arms.

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GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Thanks to Gabi Stevens, one lucky winner will receive a print copy of The Wish List and As You Wish by Gabi Stevens!!

• Giveaway open Internationally.
• ONE entry per person! Those with duplicate entries will be disqualified.
• To enter the giveaway, leave a comment answering Gabi’s question and fill out the form below.
• Please read the Contest/Giveaway Policy for complete list of rules.
• You have until midnight (your time) on Thursday, September 1, 2011 to enter.

Good luck to all who enter!