The Next Big Thing Blogfest Tour

I was invited to participate in The Next Big Thing Blogfest Tour to tell you about my, well, next big thing! The author who invited me was Jan Morrill at  http://janmorrill.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/next-big-thing-blogfest/ When you're finished here, hop over to Jan's blog to read all about her exciting news regarding the January release of her book, THE RED KIMONO!

Now, back to the tour. Here are the questions that all of the blogfest tour writers are answering because we know you're salivating to know exacty what we're working on, right? Okay, here goes.

What is the working title of your book?
THURSDAYS AT COCONUTS. I actually had a focus group at my house a few years ago, and over wine and pizza, several women read sample chapters and my suggested titles. I had secret ballots for input and the suggested titles tied between THURSDAYS AT COCONUTS and MEET ME AT COCONUTS.

Where did the idea come from for the book?
My brain. I've always had strong friendships with women so I wanted to write about three strong women who were close-knit and professional, yet whose personal lives were unraveling. That's how it is for all women, right? Please tell me it is.

What genre does your book fall under?
Women's fiction with elements of romance, suspense and humor. The hippie parents provide a lot of humor while the cop sets the mood for several suspenseful scenes. In fact, when I was writing this novel, I hadn't decided whether the cop, Tony, was going to be a good cop or a bad cop until the end!

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
That's a tough one but what fun to dream big!

Reese Witherspoon for Alex, the blonde bank marketer who has a touch of OCD.

Julianne Moore is more like the personality of the divorced, redheaded Suzy, the wedding planner, but the women are thirty-something so maybe Amy Adams is closer to the right age.

Melissa McCarthy would be a fabulous Hope who hates her frumpy looks and constantly "babysits" her codependent, albeit hiarious, hippie parents.

Mark Wahlberg would be fantastic as Tony, the cop, but I might have to change his hair color.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Oh, boy. That's a tough one.

A wedding planner who can't find her own wedded bliss, a bank marketer who gets involved with a married cop and a high school counselor who enables her hippie parents will make you cheer for the unbreakable bonds of friendship as the thirty-something women meet every Thursday at Coconuts to deal with betrayal, tragedy, grief, and homosexuality.  Okay, so that's a bit convoluted but you try to write about three protagonists using just one sentence!

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Three agents have requested a partial but I've yet to send it to them. In fact one asked over a year ago. *hangs head in shame* I am always and forever editing. Not really. That's a lie. I haven't touched my novel in two years and have worked solely on children's picture books and short stories due to a family tragedy. BUT I'm ready to get back to it. Rolling up sleeves, rear-end in chair...just as soon as the holidays are over!

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Two years to write and another year to edit but I languished, gave myself several months off for holidays, travel or whatever reward I thought I deserved at the time. I truly work better with deadlines and fire-breathing bosses due to my stressful marketing background.

What other novels would you compare your story to within your genre?
I can't think of another novel per se, but if you like women's fiction books by Carol Snow, Madelaine Wickham or Jane Moore, you'll like this book.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
They say write what you know and I was a bank marketer, do have a touch of OCD and did date a cop. So there! But this is a work of fiction. Yes, it is.

What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
It's set in the Midwest and covers several serious topics including a stroke, betrayal, OCD and homosexuality, so eventhough it's women's fiction and a light-hearted, fun read for the most part, the characters tackle meaty topics. And there is a happily ever after for the romantics out there!

Next week, look forward to hearing about The Next Big Thing from my fellow friends and writers, Stephanie Jarkins at www.gothmomz.com and Shirley McCann at http://shirleymccann.blogspot.com

I hope you've enjoyed this installment of The Next Big Thing. :)

The Life Of A Battery

It's Friday Fictioneer time. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for the cute photo prompt. Here's my 100-word flash fiction. Try it!

THE LIFE OF A BATTERY
By Beth Carter

AAA watched wide-eyed as Mom opened the batteries and dumped them into a big jar. For once, we won’t have a disastrous Christmas without batteries.

“Ouch” AAA whispered as she clanked against 9Volt.

Mom turned out the lights as the batteries elbowed for room.

“Stop snoring," said D.

“Quit shoving me," said C.

“Why’d you wake me? How’s a curvy girl supposed to get any sleep,” said D.

“You’re just jealous of my slim figure,” said AA.

“Ditto,” added AAA with a smirk.

“This is gonna be a long night. Where’s my Prozac?” added D.

“Shhh. How’s a battery supposed to get any sleep?” asked 9Volt.

Nearing THE END

I'm curious. When you near the end of a novel, do you rush to finish or slow down to savor every word? I'm the slow-down type. I almost feel like I'm losing a good friend and can't bear for the book to end. I reread passages, put the book aside for a few days, and even go back to refresh my memory of certain scenes. The only exception to this is when I'm reading a suspense or thriller. The fast-paced action and wanting to know if they catch the bad guy (they always do) makes me speed up.

However, when I'm writing a novel, it's the opposite. I can't WAIT to type "The End."

How about you? Do you rush to finish a novel or slow down?

For A Cold Day

Okay, I'm really late for Friday Fictioneers (so here's my Weekend Writer) offering. As always, we're challenged to write a 100-word story (or haiku) based on a photo prompt. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for this week's beautiful photo. Since I'm so late, I wrote a haiku and a flash fiction piece. Enjoy and please leave links to your stories in the comment section.

SOUP DAY

By Beth Carter

Think I’ll stay inside.

Pinging, lacy crystals form.

Soup sounds best to me.

THAT ISN’T SANTA
By Beth Carter

Six-year-old Dennis pressed his nose against the cold window. Ice pinged against the glass and lacy water froze on the pane. He stared into the dark sky and squinted, rubbing at the crystals to no avail.

“It’s time for bed, honey. Hurry or you’ll miss Santa.”

“But, Mom…”

Emma rubbed Dennis’ new buzz cut, then warmed her hands inside her red, fluffy robe.

“You know Santa won’t come until you’re in bed.”

“But.”

Emma pointed. “Look. I see him. He’s almost here.”

Dennis glanced back out the window and frowned at his mother.

“Since when does Santa drive a car?”

Halloween Snack Mix

My treat for you this spooky day is my favorite Halloween snack mix.

HALLOWEEN SNACK MIX

6 cups caramel corn
2 cups cashews (or peanuts)
1/2 cups raisins
1-2 cups candy corn

Comine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. Optional: Place in clear, individual snack bags for kids or bake sales.

This is colorful, easy and delicious! Serves 8-10. Enjoy!

NEW BOOK CONTEST!

To celebrate the release of my new picture book, THE MISSING KEY, I’m having a CONTEST! I’ll give away three copies of my new book to three lucky winners! I’ll even personalize them for you or your child.

Here are the rules:

• Guess where Mother and Amy find the elusive key.
• To be eligible, post your answer in the comment section of my blog (if you don’t have Google, Blogger or Wordpress, you may post anonymously but be sure and leave your name after you guess!)
• If you absolutely cannot figure out how to add a comment, send me a private message.
• You may guess only once.
• The deadline is Friday, October 19, 2012.

Note: Mother and Amy live in a normal household with everyday items. There’s nothing tricky but they do look high and low for that mysterious key throughout my book. And if you’ve already read my book, no spoilers please. If you do guess correctly, I’ll contact you privately so as not to ruin the surprise for those who plan to purchase my book. Thanks and good luck!

 THE MISSING KEY is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The%20Missing%20Key%20by%20Beth%20Carter 

Details, Details

Okay. I haven't posted in two months. Thanks to my hubby who finally figured out how to sync the darn new Blogspot to the fancy Google Chrome, I am finally back on board!

Whew. Now, for the fun. It's Friday Fictioneer day. As always, writers from around the globe write a 100-word flash fiction piece based on a photo prompt. Read my story below. You'll find many others at www.madison-woods.com. Please post a link to your story in the comments here.
 

DETAILS, DETAILS
By Beth Carter

 The Medleys had been to two open houses. Mildred saved her dream home for last. Glen followed the click clack of his wife’s heels.

“What’s this?”

“A kitchen.”

“With paper lanterns and fish wallpaper?” Glen lifted his Cardinals cap, rubbing his bald head.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Mildred smelled the flowers and caressed the chipped blue vase.

Glen drummed his fingers on the island. “Why the hell is there an Oriental rug on this table?”

“You don’t know nothin’ ‘bout decorating.” Mildred stomped to the window. “See that view?” She folded her arms. “I want this house.”

“There ain’t even a damn coffee pot.”