Today you're in for a treat! I have Liz Crowe on the hot seat. I'm asking her questions and getting to the bottom of how she writes such amazing stories. Welcome to my blog. I’ll try not to gush too much since I’m a big fan. Thanks Melissa. You were an early adopter of my style and I really appreciate your continued support! We know you have done many other jobs and are the owner of a successful microbrewery, why did you want to begin the journey of being an author? I began both journeys nearly simultanesouly oddly enough. I joined the Wolverine State Brewing Co. as marketing owner in late 2008 and began writing in 2009. I’m not sure how or if these things can be considered serendipitous but I kinda do. As for the “why” it was kind of a “why not?” moment really. I started the first book in the Stweart Realty series in 2009, ended up getting a few things published first, as I worked on Floor Time, took some rejections and finally found a publisher willing to take it. But I will tell you, sometimes I doubt my sanity putting the fruits of my creative blood, sweat and tears “out there” like that! What has been the hardest about being an author? the easiest? The hardest has definitely been the rejection, either from publishers or reviewers. I get my fair share of glowing reviews of course, but because I don’t write books that progress or even end the way many traditional romance reviewers like I have devloped a core of anti-fans that sometimes like to get a little personal with their “twitter attacks.” But I’m learning to ignore it. The easiest? There is nothing easy about this job. But there are many gratifying things: The moment your write “The End.” The moment you finish the 4th round of edits and see you cover art. The moment you see a new fan on facebook. But easy? I can’t think of anything that I would describe that way. What advice would you give other authors or people who might consider this a career? Don’t give up, but don’t think you can do it alone. Get edited, and be willing to take honest, constructive criticism without having a nervous breakdown. I’ve been there, done that and gotten past it. Every editing pass be it in early critique partner stages or as far down the process as “lines” should be taken as a way to make your story/book better. Your stories really hit home with so many readers. Where do you get your ideas for your stories? Real life. I shy away from fantasy characters (and by that I mean mysterious millionaires, cowboys, firemen and rock and roll stars) and storylines, preferring instead to let my books lay out the good and the bad of relationships and how life does not always go to your plans. I’m not saying a hot cowboy story is bad—they are not, if they are written well. I just choose to take my stories from more every day lives. How do you take these stories and weave such gripping tales about characters we all either love or hate? Well, I guess I’m not half bad at what I do? That said, I sometimes get defensive at the vitriol slung at some of my characters even though I created them to be so real as to be both loveable and hate-able at the same time—sort of like real people. I enjoy showing the bad side as well as the good, avoiding forumla plots and standard characters, and tossing in the ocassional “you did NOT just do that” moment. What do you need to be creative? Music? food? Caffiene early, alcohol late. I also work better when I am exercising regularly as it clears my mind so I can think up new plots, or handle a tough round of edits without throwing things. Do you have a favorite book? A favorite of your characters? Or is there a character you most identify with? Why or why not? I am probably fondest of both Paradise Hops and Floor Time for diffeent reasons. Floor Tme becase it represents my original journey as an author, how I learned to take a story, plop it on paper, and then revise it for nearly 2 years before it became exactly what I wanted it to be. And I love Jack Gordon, that hero—he is so imperfect as to be lovable, so annoying as to be real. He figures in Mutual Release a lot, as his early relationship with the main character, Evan Adams, comes at a crucial point in of their lives as they are learning their way around the BDSM lifestyle and discovering what makes them tick as Doms and finally, men. Do you see your characters in your head before they come to the covers? Have you ever had to say “no” to a cover because it didn’t fit the character or story? Oh I’ve said “no” to lots of covers, just ask my publishers! And I think I do see my characters pretty clearly early on and try to describe them that way so readers feel like they can ‘see’ them as well as I do. What story are dying to tell that you haven’t yet? I have a project in mind that will take me more in a mainstream direction, hopefully late this year or early next. It’s a bit of a psycho-sexual thriller with elements of near-term speculative fiction, set in Ann Arbor. I am dying to tell this one and at the same time terrified to try it. Now for some fun questions- Favorite type of beer-Anything hoppy but preferably with some balance Favorite sport-soccer Favorite vacation spot-the southern coast of Turkey Who would you like to play you in the movie of your life? Julia Roberts (we have the same dorky laugh) After a difficult day what do you do to recuperate? Does it work? Drink. Not always. If you had two years left to live from this moment, what would you change about your life starting tomorrow? Oh dear lord the list is endless…but the first thing I’d do is get a facelift, shallow maybe but something I would definitely do. What is the worst advice you have ever given someone? How did it work out? I don’t give advice, if I can avoid it, good or bad. But I guess I did tell someone once that they should start start drinking on the low end of the alcohol scale and work their way up through the night. Which is BAD advice: so here ya go. If you are thinking you will have several drinks in a night, start with the highest alcohol one first and work your way down and NEVER EVER EVER drink red and white wines in the same night or have brown liquor before beer. Thanks for stopping by Liz! Now everyone must check out her latest book in the Stewart Realty Series. And don't forget that Liz is giving away prizes! Grand Prize: Paperwhite Kindle (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GEKXUO/ref=fs_cl) 1st Prize: Signed set of first 6 books (Includes all books in the series *except for* Mutual Release) 2nd Prize: boxed set of first 3 Stewart Realty ebooks (Floor Time, Sweat Equity, Closing Costs) 3rd Prize: Zazzle store Stewart swag pack (including canvas tote bag, mug, t-shirt, keychain) Follow the tour and comment; the more youcomment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/02/virtual-tour-mutual-release-by-liz-crowe.html MUTUAL RELEASE By Liz Crowe BLURB: Disclaimer: This is an 18+ book with erotic BDSM scenes and explicit language. Can two dark souls ever make a light? As president of her own distribution company, Julie Dawson has all she ever wanted -- money, power, and respect. But her carefully crafted façade conceals a torment of abuse and helplessness. After years remaining emotionally aloof, she is finally independent, but alone. Because she refuses to rely on anyone but herself ever again. Evan Adams is no stranger to success, or personal demons. The horrific trauma that destroyed his twin sister, and tore his family apart, forced him to craft a new life from the ashes of the old. He's content enough, focusing ahead and not dwelling on his murky past. But something important is missing. He knows what that thing is but refuses to acknowledge it. When a chance encounter brings these two strong-willed but damaged people together, what seems like a long, erotic journey through hell could lead them to a match made in heaven. MUTUAL RELEASE A coming of age novel about trust...on the long road to love. ~~~~ Excerpt: Monday dawned bright, clear, and cold, even for an October morning. Evan ran his usual route around the west side of his newly adopted town, relishing how strong he felt and looking forward to his workday – the one where he had a tight grip on his own destiny for a change. After a long hot shower, two huge cups of coffee, and an apple, he grabbed his presentation thumb drive and laptop and headed out. One of the things he’d inherited from his father was a love of classic English cars. He had sold two of the three Jags, kept his favorite and bought an MG Spyder, not giving a shit at how much it cost to keep the damn thing running properly. As he sped in his sports car across Interstate 96 on his way to the far-flung Northern Detroit suburbs to sweet talk, finagle, and wow the big-time distributor, he was on top of his own personal mountain. Nothing would spoil the day. He refused to allow it. He pulled into a visitor’s parking spot, tucked his Ray-Bans over the visor, and smoothed his hair before jumping out and striding to the glass front doors. “Dawson” was etched in the glass, nothing more or less, as if it were a boutique law firm or ad agency. Nothing out front indicated that it was one of the most successful craft beer and domestic wine distribution companies in the Midwest. Tucking away a shiver of intimidation, he pushed the door open and saw a small shrine to Michigan craft beer. The front receiving area was full of faux six packs, cases, kegs, and displays representing every brand, including some that were nationally known. A single desk sat near another set of doors. Through its clear glass he could see a bustling group of people, men and women, all dressed in top-notch suits, getting ready to go out on their sales day. The place oozed professionalism, even a bit of snootiness that surprised him. But he shook it off, walked up to the stunningly attractive blond woman at the front desk. She sat frowning at a large computer screen. He stood for a few seconds, thinking she would acknowledge him. Finally he had to clear his throat to make her look away from whatever had her mesmerized. “Oh, hello. Sorry about that.” Her smile made her already gorgeous face light up and left him slightly breathless. Looking back, he figured he must have looked like a complete ass as he stood there, unable to form coherent words, his brain awash in sensations he had not allowed himself to experience in a damn long time. She arched one perfect eyebrow. He gulped, knowing he should say something. “Uh, so, I have an appointment?” He winced at the upturning of his sentence as if he were asking her a question. Clearing his throat, he started over, pasted on his best “Evan Adams, Charmer” smile and held out a hand. “Evan Adams, owner of Big House Brewing in Ann Arbor, here to see Mr. Dawson. I’m a little early.” She tilted her head, then shook his hand matter-of-factly. But he had to stop himself from stumbling backwards at the thoughts coiling up in his lizard brain at her touch. His mouth dried out and an odd yet familiar roaring sound fired up between his ears. She frowned. “You okay, there, Evan?” Her lips caressed his name, making him repress a shiver. “Yeah, sorry. So, anyway, I’ll just sit… over here… until Mr. Dawson is ready. You know, since I’m, uh, early.” He winced, marveling at the depth of his dorkiness. She put her elbows on the desk, eyeing him closely. He observed that she seemed a little overdressed for a receptionist but figured this place must have a strict dress code. “Sit here,” she said, patting the seat nearest her desk. “Keep me company for a while.” “Um, sure,” he said, flushing red to the tips of his ears, then moving closer to her while trying to look cool, casual, not ready to jump up and escape. She smiled. “So, tell me about your company. You know, while we wait for Mr. Dawson.” He relaxed and launched into the tale, thankful to have a reason to talk and not sound like the world’s oldest high school geek trying to flirt with the prom queen. She asked a lot of questions, kept him talking. And after about a half hour, he was laughing with her at his tale of trying to empty a brewing vessel full of wet grains and dumping about ten pounds of the stuff all over himself. At one point she brushed her hair back, and his breath caught in his throat at the glimpse of her long neck and the small indent between her collarbones. He had no idea what that was, that soft spot that seemed to pulse with her heartbeat. But he wanted to put his tongue there very, very badly. Allowing his eyes to flicker over her profile, the striking angles of her face, he gulped, looked away. Getting a grip, he pulled a business card from his portfolio and handed it to her. “I’d love to talk with you more,” he said, trying to ease his voice down from its high-pitched nervous whine to a sexier, more natural tone. “But since I don’t even know your name…” He looked at the nameplate on the desk. It was blank. She leaned back, propped her high heels on the desk in a strange move that had him instantly on edge and practically panting with horniness. “Uh, so,” he glanced at his watch, his nerves dancing up and down his spine once more, “if you are interested, maybe we could, you know, go out. Have a beer? Keep chatting?” He closed his eyes, unable to bear his own flop sweat another minute. “Never mind.” He slumped back in his seat. Where the "Master Dom" Evan Adams had hidden he did not know, but damned if the guy was staying there and leaving this ridiculous, stuttering loser in his place. The silence spun out about a minute longer than was truly polite. He finally looked up at her. She was staring at him over the tops of her shoes, her head tilted to the side as if wondering why the hell he was even cluttering up her space. Finally, the doors to his left opened and a tall, good-looking guy in a suit stood there, surprise clear on his face. “Julie,” he said. “We’ve been looking all over for you. Your nine o’clock appointment isn’t here yet but…” The woman held up a hand, silencing the man but keeping her eyes pinned on Evan’s. His heart sped up and that familiar, yet nearly forgotten, roaring sound started up in his ears once more. Julie Dawson. J. Dawson. The person he’d been communicating with through his… or her… secretary. Holy. Fucking. Shit. He stood, furious that she’d sat there and let him babble on like a bloody idiot for nearly forty-five minutes. “Well, that was fun,” he said, staring her down, or attempting to. But his skin was both on fire and cold at once. Something about the woman made him have to hang on to his laptop case tight, just to keep from stepping close and kissing those full red lips so hard she would be his in an instant. “Or not. Thanks for your time.” “No, no, don’t go,” she said, getting to her feet in one fluid, sexy move. She was over six feet tall in her shoes, curvy, womanly, and sending out the sort of signals he had not intercepted in a long time – too long, if the way he was overreacting was any indication. “Really, I want to know why you think my company would be in any way interested in yours.” He processed her barb, clenched his jaw, and poured out the reasons behind why Dawson would benefit from jumping on his bandwagon now, in the early days, so they could grow the brand in a key market together. She listened, standing behind the stupid receptionist’s desk, her assistant wildly typing notes on his tablet. Finally, she held up a hand again. “How very… creative.” She walked around to the front of the desk, giving him an eye-popping full view of her. She was like sex on two perfect female legs, the exact body type he craved – full breasts and hips, cinched in but not obnoxiously small waist, long hair, and legs that went on and on… and on. “And, um, Evan?” He jumped back, hearing his name again. “Yeah, my eyes are up here. But never mind. I’m used to being ogled, and by way more successful brewery owners than you.” She held his business card between thumb and forefinger, as if it were made of dog shit. “Tell you what, why don’t you let me ponder your… proposal. And assume that your eye-fucking session won’t happen again.” She turned from him and walked away without a word. Her assistant shrugged and followed her back in, leaving Evan breathless, furious, and never more aware of his neglected libido. Amz: http://www.amazon.com/Mutual-Release-Stewart-Realty-ebook/dp/B00C5TO154/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1364999101&sr=1-1&keywords=Mutual+Release ARe: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-mutualrelease-1145557-147.html B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mutual-release-liz-crowe/1046376041?ean=2940016573205 AUTHOR INFORMATION: Microbrewery owner, best-selling author, beer blogger and journalist, mom of three teenagers, and soccer fan, Liz lives in the great Midwest, in a major college town. Years of experience in sales and fund raising, plus an eight-year stint as an ex-pat trailing spouse, plus making her way in a world of men (i.e. the beer industry), has prepped her for life as erotic romance author. When she isn't sweating inventory and sales figures for the brewery, she can be found writing, editing or sweating promotional efforts for her latest publications. Her groundbreaking romance subgenre, “Romance for Real Life,” has gained thousands of fans and followers who are interested less in the “HEA” and more in the “WHA” (“What Happens After?”) Her beer blog a2beerwench.com is nationally recognized for its insider yet outsider views on the craft beer industry. Her books are set in the not-so-common worlds of breweries, on the soccer pitch and in high-powered real estate offices. Don’t ask her for anything “like” a Budweiser or risk painful injury. www.lizcrowe.com www.brewingpasssion.com www.a2beerwench.com www.facebook.com/lizcroweauthor www.twitter.com/beerwencha2 www.facebook.com/groups/romanceforreallife www.facebook.com/jackgordonrealtor Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win some amazing prizes. Please leave your email address in the post. Thank you for stopping by and make sure you pick up Mutual Release!
Jen Gerschick
4/10/2013 12:29:13 am
Great interview! Mutual Release is a great book, and the Stewart Series is my favorite. Hope you follow through on your new book idea Liz, would be an interesting read. Great advice about the drinking LOL. Also, I like that your books are more like Real Life, I saw one reviewer of MR say the characters are all rich, but that's not true, and the money they EARNED was after schooling, and working their butts off! I love the characters in your books, keep writing, and I'll keep reading, your books are amazing! 4/10/2013 12:55:30 am
I agree Jen! Liz is amazing! I do have to say that there is nothing wrong with a character having money because they worked their behinds off for it! :) 4/10/2013 01:22:40 am
I love this excerpt! I'm a fan of Liz's books and can hardly wait to finish the Stewart Realty series:) 4/10/2013 11:55:31 am
Kenzie,
Jen Robbins
4/10/2013 04:09:48 am
Great interview Melissa! Mutual Release is my favorite book in the series. Evan is freaking amazing! I love the back story about him before Julie. Julie is just awesome. Her tragic childhood made me cry. Of course, being a Liz fan I should know im going on an emotional ride reading her books! Im addicted to Liz's "real life" mantra! I can't wait until her next book Good Faith. Mrs. Crowe you are fabulous! 4/10/2013 11:57:11 am
Thanks for visiting Jen! I adore Liz's books as well. I wasn't a Jack fan but certainly loved Rob! I can't wait to read about Evan!
Liz Crowe
4/10/2013 04:12:40 am
Thanks guys. Kenzie red wines contain tannins that clash with the sugars in white wine. Too much of them together leads to unhappy next morning. Pick one and stick with it. As for "brown liquor" (scotch, bourbon, whiskey) they are typically so high in alcohol content that mixing them with anything is a recipe for killer hangover. But for me personally mixing them on a drinking night wig beer really messes with my stomach. As for "rich characters" at least my book titles aren't "anything with a billionaire" as is the trend lately. My characters have money but I show where they got it and how hard they work to keep it. 4/10/2013 07:04:36 am
Okay; I'm not a heavy drinker, but when I do have several drinks a night (usually during karaoke, lol!), I tend to stick with the same mixed drink, and maybe a shot or two. 4/10/2013 07:10:17 am
I loved your comment about showing the bad side of characters--too often romance heroes are just sooo perfect you want to throw up. I knew I'd done well when my reviewer (and my editor!) said she wanted to strangle one of the characters (in Triptych)! Thanks for sharing. M. S. 4/10/2013 11:58:35 am
I agree M.S. Feeling very strongly about characters is an important clue about how great a story is! Thanks for visiting! 4/10/2013 08:48:43 am
Liz, you are amazing. I don't see how you have the time to do all the things that you do. 4/10/2013 11:59:27 am
I agree Janice! She is a busy lady and makes me want to be a better writer! :)
Amber S.
4/10/2013 12:16:52 pm
Great series and great interview. No brown liquor before beer - great to know. Lol 4/11/2013 12:43:21 am
Thanks Amber. Liz is always such a fun person to talk to! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Catherine
4/10/2013 02:08:38 pm
You're working on "a psycho-sexual thriller with elements of near-term speculative fiction"? I don't even understand what that means! LOL. I'll have to read it just so I can understand the lingo. Comments are closed.
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