Guest blogger Karen Kelley (w/giveaway)

Thanks so much for having me at Books-n-Kisses. I’m really excited to be here. Are you sure you want to know about my typical writing day? LOL It’s crazy. I procrastinate a lot. When I finally make myself get started, I procrastinate a little bit more.

First, I have to be situated just right on the loveseat. It’s in a corner of my bedroom. I put it back there because it’s a quiet place. If I need absolute quiet, I trek outside to my office, but then I have to drag my laptop and all the papers I need and that’s too much of a hassle.

Once I’m comfy I take a few deep cleansing breaths. That’s when I realize I didn’t scent the air. Yes, ridiculous, I know, but there’s something to be said about using certain scents to put your head in the right place. I either drag the Scentsy pot from the living room or light a candle or if I’m running out of time, a quick spray of nice scented air freshener.

Then I sit down and get comfy again. Except I usually remember I’m thirsty so I have to get up again, hurry to the kitchen and fill a glass with ice, a twist of lemon and water.

Now I’m ready, as soon as I have a stick of gum. Except if I’m out then I have to hunt around the house until I find a pack. I’m like a heavy smoker in search of a cigarette.

I have my water, my orange flavor sugar free gum, a comfy spot—and our neighbor’s dog decides to howl. It never fails. The dog isn’t dying, he just sounds like it. I know this because it has been going on for months and the dog is still alive. There’s a cure. No, I won’t shoot the dog. I’m an animal lover. Besides, I have a feeling our neighbor would get another one. This is their fourth animal and they all howl the same way—loudly. Ear buds and Enya singing block out the noise. Now I meditate a few minutes until the next scene begins to unfold.

I’ve engaged all my senses. I see the characters. I hear the soft music that will soon fade into the background. I taste the strong orange flavor of the gum. The aroma of the scent from the room spray, Scentsy pot or candle fills my space. My fingers lightly run across the keyboard and begin to tingle. I know I’ll bring my story to life.

Sometimes I won’t move from that spot for hours. Once I start typing, I get lost in the story. I want to know what will happen next as much as the reader.

And that’s my typical writing day. Revisions, editing, doing a light mapping of the story before I start writing—that’s a different process. I strive to have fun writing, though.

Again, thanks so much for having me today and Happy Reading! (On a side note—I just ordered Zumba CD’s LOL We’ll see)

Best Wishes,

Karen Kelley

www.authorkarenkelley.com

Amazon | B&N 

Release Day Sept 1, 2012

Her Fantasies Were Wild But Buried Deep…

Haley Tillman words hard at being a good girl, hiding her rich fantasy life in the pages of her diary. But being good doesnt’ seem to get her anywhere with men, and her confidence is on a downward spiral. She’s ready to try something altogether different, but hasn’t a clue where to start. In a moment of desperation, she prays for a miracle…

He Might Take Her Beyond Them…

Ryder is the perfect combination of powerful angel plus normal hot–blooded man. Crossing into the mortal world could cost him his existence. But mortals are like a potent drug to Ryder, and Hayley is quickly becoming his drug of choice…

a Rafflecopter giveaway