Author Guest Post & Giveaway: Jessica Shirvington

10 things I need to have in my writing environment:

1. My notebooks. I have one for each book I write and it becomes my most treasured possession during that time. All my little thoughts, scribbles from scrap pieces of paper, quotes I find, research, chapter highlights - they all go into these notebooks.
2. My character database and previous books - I have a database that holds every character, description, timeline, history, personality traits - everything I can think of. Whenever a character comes back into the story I like to reference the database and then reread their earlier scenes before I start to write them again.
3. Print outs, sharp pencils and highlighters. I can do my first and second redraft from the screen but from there, I have to work off printed copies. Things simply read differently on the page.
4. The internet. It can be a distraction but also a very useful tool for quick cross reference. I rely on it on a daily basis.
5. Research books that I have come to rely on - there are a few that I like to have close by.
6. My multiple backup arrangements. I went through this really annoying time with my laptop - it kept shutting down on me with no warning and I was losing work. You can never get back a great sentence that came in the writing flow. You will write new ones, sure, but every now and then I'd just want to cry when the screen went blank. So now I have automatic backup, share files, regular email updates and usb stick backup - just to be sure!
7. Coffee. Of course.
8. Sugar. I'm not a big chocolate person but I really like chewy candy, so there is usually a bag that sits nearby for whenever I feel the need to congratulate myself (and for my moments of despair!).
9. iTunes. I can't listen to music when I'm writing - it is too distracting - but whenever I'm having a break or need to clear my mind I listen to music. I have a playlist for each book and some songs work so perfectly for some scenes.
10. Bull clips. I use them all the time to hold together sections of my manuscripts. Nothing works quite as well!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessica Shirvington lives in Sydney with her husband of ten years, FOXTEL presenter and former Olympic sprinter Matt Shirvington, and their two daughters. She has previously founded and run a coffee distribution company, Stella Imports, in London, and been involved in managing the restaurants Fuel Bistro, Tow Bar and MG Garage in Sydney.

She is currently a full-time mum, author and co-director in the company MPS Investments Pty Ltd.

Find the author online: website | blog

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ABOUT THE BOOK

It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before.

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her.

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…

Look for the sequels ENTICED in September 2012 and EMBLAZE in March 2013!

website | facebook

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**GIVEAWAY**

Thanks to Sourcebooks, one lucky winner will receive a print copy of Embrace!!

• Giveaway open to US and Canada residents.
• Comments are appreciated, however, you must fill out the Rafflecopter form in order to enter this giveaway.
• Please read the Contest/Giveaway Policy before entering.
• You have until midnight (EST) on Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 to enter.

Good luck to all who enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway