Be the HO HO HO in his Merry Christmas!

I receive email, mostly from women, talking about my books, the characters in my books and often times about their own lives and the struggles or triumphs therein. Today, on the verge of Christmas, I wanted to share an excerpt from one of these letters:

“I’ve read all of your books and your blogs including the really really old stuff [Desire the Fire] about keeping a marriage alive.  No Easy Way is my favorite book because of Tom and Kate’s marriage and how I can relate to the problems they face.  I’ve been married twenty-seven years.  Our kids are grown and gone and I have two grandbabies on the way.  It’s an exciting time in our lives but I sometimes miss the passion I read about in yours and other’s books.  I think it’s that drive for passion that leads people into affairs and I [like every woman out there] am looking for a way to avoid that.  I want to give my husband something special for Christmas to show him that the bedroom doesn’t have to be boring for us just because we’ve been together so long.  What would you recommend?  If you were writing us into one of your books how would you keep our marriage alive?”

Marriage takes a lot of work, but I believe that half the battle lies in wanting to not only keep the marriage alive, but make it thrive.  How do we do that?  If I had a magic answer I’d be among the world’s wealthiest.

Years ago I was working on a project wherein I presented on this very topic.  It was based on the F-word and called the Four F’s.  For men, those four F’s were represented in:  Food, Friends, Football, Fucking.   For women, the four F’s were represented in:  Fine Dining, Friends, Footwear, Fantasy.  The gist of the presentation was that men and women’s desires are quite different and once you understand the differences you will be better able to meet your spouse’s needs.

Disclaimer:  Not ALL men are the same and not ALL women are the same. Thus, I am speaking in generalities here.

My recommendation for surprising your husband with something special on Christmas is to surprise him with you… that is to say, a version of you he hasn’t seen before.  If you don’t normally wear lingerie, wear it.  If you don’t normally light candles, light fifty of them all over the bedroom. (Just don’t burn down the house in the process.)  If your normal sexual activity is confined to the bedroom, do it elsewhere.  Try the middle of the family room floor or the counter top in the kitchen. (Knee pads advised and don’t forget to sanitize the counter top afterwards.)  If you don’t normally participate in S&M activities, go a little Fifty Shades.  If he likes porn, get some magazines or watch a movie together.  If you’ve never added food to the mix, go a little 9½ Weeks. If you don’t normally use sex toys, get some. (Buy batteries too!)  If you don't normally play erotic music in the background, turn some on and turn it up!  When is the last time you massaged his hands, feet and other areas?  

Take a hot, steamy, candle-lit shower together and do stuff to each other that you don't normally do.  (I'm reminded of the lyrics to an Olivia Newton-John song called, Soul Kiss..."I get down on my knees and..."  You get the gist.)  Get creative and think outside of the box.  Ask yourself what gets your spouse going?  What drives him crazy?  What turns him on?  And then do that. 

When I used to present on this topic, some of the most common fears were:  What if I offend him?  What if he’s not “into” it?  What if he thinks I’m crazy?  Let me belay these concerns by saying that most men are more adaptable and open than they are given credit.  Many of them don’t bring these ideas to their wives because they fear the same backlash, but when the wife presents it as her idea, there’s typically little objection.

Key to re-igniting that sexual spark in your marriage is to open your mouth and talk about the things you’ve both thought about, but have been afraid to verbalize. There is no “right” or “wrong” involved in your romantic relationship with your spouse.  You two set the boundaries.  You two decide what is acceptable.  You two create the fantasy.

If you try something and it doesn’t work, you have, at the very least, given each other a memory at which you can share a laugh for years to come.

Everything worth having in life takes work and marriage is no different.  Sex isn't the most important element of a relationship, but it is an element that cannot and should not be ignored.  Physical affection is a manifestation of emotional connection.  The truth is that real life isn’t romantic and mushy-gushy like you see in movies or read in books. But…you can create magical moments in your marriage that are… if you lay down your inhibitions and use your imagination.

I think most men would agree that sensational sex is a great stocking stuffer.  So, for one night, be the HO HO HO in his Merry Christmas!

If it Scares You...

There are times when I am tempted to play it safe, take the path most traveled and lean toward the conservative side when writing; and then, I stand up at my desk, jump up and down three or four times and shake it off.  When I feel this stagnation coming on in life, I jump from a plane, skinny dip or do something else exhilarating to liven things up.

I try to make a conscious effort to live on the edge on paper and in life.  That doesn't mean live dangerously, but purposefully.  It doesn't mean to live carelessly, but care-freely.  I think it means to embrace every chance you're given and whenever you can, choose the path less traveled and leave a piece of yourself on the trail.  That is to say, pour a little bit of yourself onto the pages even if it's scary. 

Writing my novels has taken me into some dark places.  For the Just Call Me Angel series I studied the Mafia and for House of Lies I studied cult groups, past and current.  Writing The Candy Shop took me to a new precipice, as I studied the psychological profiles of serial killers.  It was uncomfortable and, at times, downright creepy.  I dove in nonetheless and I'm thankful I did.  The newly found knowledge I embraced added a depth to each story that otherwise would not exist.  It scared me, but the positive reviews have made those fearful moments worthwhile.  :) 

Trying something new or looking at something from a new perspective can cause trepidation.  Those feelings are normal.  If it scares you a little... you're on the right path.  ~

Before Jumping Into Bed

I received an email over the weekend and in it the writer asked if I thought it was better to self-publish than to sign with a small press publisher.

This is a tough decision and one each writer must make for themselves.

I never wanted to self-publish, not because I thought there was anything “wrong” with it, but simply because I needed a stranger, a publisher, to believe in my work.  I needed that extra-confidence-boost to tell me I was a good enough writer to be published.  So, in 2010, upon completion of my first novel, No Easy Way, I sought out Agents and Publishers.  That’s when Vanilla Heart took interest and offered me a contract.  The fact that a publisher deemed my work good enough to market and promote motivated me to continue to write, which is how I produced eight books in less than three years. 

Other authors don’t need the self-esteem boost that I did.  They feel confident and secure enough to stand alone and thus self-publishing is the perfect path for them.

In the past, self-publishing bore a negative stigma that a writer wasn’t “good enough” to be contracted by a publishing house; but that stigma has begun to fade.  Readers can tell the difference between someone who writes poorly and someone who writes well.  They know that in purchasing a self-published book they run the risk of stumbling upon a lessor quality novel.  However, they also realize that there are self-published authors who write really good books; gems yet to be discovered.  Many readers today are willing to take that risk, especially with the ease and affordability of the Ebook download.  If they download a book for $0.99 and don’t like it, it’s not a big financial loss; but if they get a great one for that price, what a bargain!

If you decide to go with a small press publisher, meaning any publishing house outside of what has now become the Big Five, do your homework before signing anything.  I cannot stress this enough.  Talk to other authors about their experiences with small press publishers.  Interview authors who are currently under contract with the publisher you’re considering.  Ask questions.  Understand that any publisher that is on the up-and-up will be able to give you timely sales and royalty reports and timely payments.  Do not be pressured into signing right away.  A legitimate publisher will not have any reason to pressure an author into an immediate contractual agreement.

Research the Preditors and Editors listing and Writer Beware.  Contact the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General for the state in which the publisher is located.  If there have been complaints about the publisher, they will be made available to you.  Run a background check on the publisher.  Be thorough.

If you do sign a contract, hold that publisher accountable at every turn for every item.  A legitimate small press publisher will not give excuses for late payments, no payments, late reporting, no reporting, etc.  Except NO excuses.  The contract that you sign is a business agreement and it must be upheld by both parties in an ethical manner.  One lie breaches the agreement.  Period.

One advantage to self-publishing is that the author receives sales reports directly from the distributor and a royalty payment that is never late.  There are no lies or hidden agendas if you go the self-publishing route.  This is a huge advantage to the author and one you should seriously consider prior to signing a contract with a small press publisher because there are many ways in which an unethical publisher can take your money.

Not only did my ex-publisher (Vanilla Heart) defraud statements and steal thousands of dollars, but she also blatantly lied about the number of books that were downloaded for free so that she could pocket the money.  I have emails from her to substantiate the falsification of the reports she gave me and the outright lies she told.  For example:  My novel, House of Lies, came with a bit of controversy as three weeks after its release there was a similar murder in the exact area where the story had taken place.  This generated media interest, both negative and positive, and also generated book sales.  Kimberlee Williams of Vanilla Heart told me that someone had gotten a hold of the Smashwords coupon code for House of Lies and 60 copies were downloaded for free.  I couldn’t believe it.  That was royalty money the publisher and I would never see…or so I believed.  After subpoenaing sales records directly from the distributor, the truth was that only 13 copies of House of Lies had been downloaded using a free coupon code. (All 13 of which I identified as contest winners, book club leaders or reviewers because I had given them the free code.)  The other 47 downloads were bought and paid for.  This was money the publisher kept and I never saw.  Unethical.

 

Sadly, it didn’t just happen with House of Lies, but with several of my books from the Just Call Me Angel series and No Easy Way.  Had I never left and had the sales reports sent to me directly from the distributors, I would have had no way of knowing just how deep her deception ran and how much money she had stolen.  Sadder still is the fact that I'm not the only one she defrauded.  

The morale of the story is:  Be careful.  As an author, you’ve poured your blood, sweat, time and tears into your book.  It’s your creation, your baby.  Don’t be hasty to get it out there and settle for something less than what your work deserves.  Look at the quality of work the publisher is putting out.  Are there typos and formatting errors strewn throughout their author's books?  If so, don't sign with them.  That's a red flag.  Are the book covers unprofessional looking?  Are their video trailers novice and unprofessional?  (I don't know the correlation, if any, between video trailers and book sales, but Vanilla Heart's trailers were so awful that I never marketed using theirs and had my own made instead.) 

There are ethical small press publishers.  They’re out there, but companies like Vanilla Heart are sadly giving them a bad name. Companies like Vanilla Heart are tainting the world of small press publishing.   If we turn a blind eye and continue to allow the unethical ones to exist and flourish, we are only hurting the ethical publishers, each other and ourselves.

This is OUR industry and it is OUR responsibility to protect it. 

 

The long and the short of it is this:  If you are in a hurry to get your work out to the masses, then my advice is to self-publish it rather than jumping into bed with a publisher that is literally going to emotionally, mentally and financially screw you. ~

 

 

Mother's Day Mystery

Looking for a last minute Mother's Day gift?  How about giving her the gift of mystery and suspense?  S.R.Claridge novels are available in all downloadable formats from Smashwords.  It's immediate.  It's easy.  And Mom is sure to love it!

Start her out with a romantic suspense, like No Easy Way.  Or start her on the Mafia thrill-ride of the Just Call Me Angel series.  If it's political cult action she craves, House of Lies will keep her on the edge of her seat.  Or Petals of Blood is sure to wet her whistle and make her long for more.  Whichever you choose, or choose them all, you're sure to make this Mother's Day great!

Entertaining Enquiries

I love my readers and particularly enjoy it when they contact me out of the blue to comment about or question something I have said or written.  I laugh out loud reading some of the emails…so let me just say, thank you.  Thank you for reading my books and for taking the time to write to me and share your thoughts.  Keep 'em coming!

One of my favorite things to do as an author is to meet with book clubs.  Most of the clubs with which I have had the privilege of meeting have been predominantly composed of women, and we have spent the evening in a casual environment, drinking wine and gossiping about our favorite characters.  I love these meetings because it not only gives me a chance to meet some phenomenal women, but I get to hear their perspectives on the characters, scenes and circumstances I have created.  What’s more, they keep me quite entertained with their questions; some of which I would like to share. 

 

Here are the three most common questions I am asked with regards to my novels:

·         In No Easy Way, you wrote about a broken marriage, wherein both the hero and the heroine were engaged in inappropriate behavior with other people.  Do you believe a marriage can survive what Tom and Kate’s marriage endured in the book? 

 

Yes.  Marriage is a lot of work and no relationship is or ever will be perfect.  People make mistakes…painful, awful, life-altering mistakes…but those errors don’t necessarily have to destroy the marriage.  Sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t.  It’s a choice only the two persons involved can make.  The whole point of No Easy Way was to show that real couples can experience real heartache and come out stronger in the end…but there’s “no easy way” through it.

 

·         If you were Angel Maratinzano from the Just Call Me Angel series, would you pick Tony or Andrew?

This is one of the most popular questions I am asked and it also happens to be one of the first questions I ask my readers, as well.  Who would YOU pick?  Andrew is logical, stable and romantic.  Tony is passionate, fiery and strong-willed.  Both are tall, dark and handsome with a muscular physique and an appealing sense of humor.  Both are excellent lovers, cherish Angel deeply and would die to protect her.  Tony calls her “babe” and Andrew calls her “sweetheart.”  Surely if we could mesh the two together it would create the perfect man; but we can’t. 

If I can’t choose between them, how can I expect Angel to pick one? 

 

·        Do you find Angel’s promiscuity (i.e. sleeping with Grayson, Tony and Andrew) to be inappropriate?

I LOVE this question!  Here’s why…  Angel hasn’t slept with Tony in the series…yet.  She and Tony met in college, fell in love and were engaged to be married; then his family found out who she was and forced him to leave her.  In Tetterbaum’s Truth, Angel reminisces about making-love with Tony, but they have never again indulged in sexual activity beyond a passionate kiss now and again.  Furthermore, she has only made-love with Andrew one time during the course of four novels.  I would hardly call this promiscuity.  Grayson Galante was her only promiscuous fling and that was birthed out of her broken heart after Tony left.  Well, that, and the fact that she was driven by pure lust for his body.  For an un-wed, unattached, attractive, young woman, I’d say she hasn’t been very promiscuous at all.  J

 

 

 

If you would like to have Author S.R.Claridge visit your Book Club, click Here for contact and booking instructions.

A Novel & A Bottle

I have recently learned that George Clooney has released his own line of high-end Tequila, called Casamigos. It is a small batch of ultra-premium tequila that has been tasted and approved by not only a master distiller, but by George himself.   The batches are numbered and signed. 

I love the name...a simple combination of Casa (home) and Amigos (friends).  The name alone makes me want to invite some friends to my home and drink up.  

 

Another idea...why not sit down with a good book and a bottle of Casamigos?  Lose yourself in the suspenseful twists of a Claridge novel and the passionate throes of a Clooney bottle. 

What can I say… he’s a man after my own heart.  Cheers, George!

What Will Santa Bring YOU?

Looking for something suspenseful this Christmas... Want to add some mystery to your life?  What does Santa have in his bag for you?

 

 

 

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Smashwords

"S.R.Claridge novels are a non-stop ride of action and adventure."  BookWatchMagazine

 

 

"S.R.Claridge writes bona fide suspense thrillers." Apex Reviews

 

 



Kindle WINNER

Congratulations to Kindle winner:   MELISSA SOPRI

Melissa's name was randomly selected from my list of blog members and subscribers.  In addition to the kindle, Melissa will receive a free download of any one of my novels.

As a thank you to my readers I will periodically draw names for more gifts, so make sure your name is on my list; and tell your friends too! 

Either join as a member or as a subscriber today!

Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!

Comedic Interlude

Instead of blogging today, I wanted to take a comedic interlude.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boomerang of Shame

Here is an excerpt from a letter I received after I posted yesterday’s blog, entitled “Don’t Quit: Re-new It!”  

“You claim to be a Christian but you write books about murder and on your blog you’ve condoned spanking, which is a form of abuse, and abortion which is killing.  The fact that you refer to yourself as a follower of Christ is apprehensible.” 

There was a time when receiving an email of this nature would have reduced me to tears.  Thankfully, those days are gone.  I have reached a point in my life where I am confident in who I am and in my relationship with God.  He loves me…everyone else doesn’t have to.  So, it is with a comical grin that I respond to this email.  

First, let me point out that I believe the word she meant to use was "reprehensible" and not "apprehensible." 

In regards to my books, the Just Call Me Angel series is a suspense series centered on the Mafia.  It would be virtually impossible to write a story about the mob that didn’t involve killing.  These books are fiction and in no way voice a personal conviction that murder is acceptable.  They are simply written to entertain readers.

Likewise, my debut novel, No Easy Way, and my short story, Petals of Blood, are also murder mystery/suspense novels.  I don’t want to point out the obvious, but when writing a murder mystery one sort of has to include an actual murder into the plotline.

Just because I am a Christian does not mean I should write books that fall into the Christian genre.  It’s neither my desire nor my calling.

As for the picture of spanking that was included in yesterday’s blog, I placed it there because I was talking about the Fifty Shades series, wherein spanking is an integral part of the story; not because I was in any way condoning physical abuse.  That being said, I do believe there are those that include spanking in their bedroom activities and I do not condemn them for doing so.  To each their own.  Live and let live. 

On the topic of abortion, you may read my blog, “Out-Of-The-Closet Confessions” if you’d like to better understand my thoughts.  

This email is a prime example of judgmental, holier-than-thou people, with whom (Christian or not) I disassociate myself.  It is this exact type of condemnation that drove me away from the church for twelve years of my adult life.  It is this attitude that I find UN-Christ-like, and I don’t want people to think ALL Christians are similar to the elitist few among us.

All Christians are not radical bigots.  All Christians don’t cast judgment and point fingers. 

Reading murder mysteries or writing murder mysteries doesn’t make me less of a Christian.  The fact that there may be whips and chains in someone’s bedroom, doesn’t make their heart less committed to Christ.  BUT… the fact that you judge others based solely on what you think you see or how you think things should be, tells me YOU are the one that should refer to your Bible and look up the passages about not judging others. 

So, if you’re without blemish, cast that stone; but, first, let me give you a piece of advice.  If I were you I’d duck, because I think your stone is a boomerang of shame...and it's headed right back-atcha! ~

 

 

 

Subscribe to Win!

Subscribe To - OR - Follow my blog and you will be entered to win a FREE copy of one of my books... any book you choose.  So spread the word, there's nothing to lose!  :)

Winner will be announced on Monday, October 1st.

 

No Easy Way to End a Stalemate

Have you ever been involved in a relationship that was at an impasse?  Let’s face it, over time every relationship encounters some degree of conflict; but more times than not, people are able to resolve the conflict or agree to disagree and let the matter die. 

In reality, there are only three options toward conflict resolution:

1.  Agree to disagree and never discuss the matter again.  (Ignore it)
2.  Continue to argue over it and let it bring an end to the relationship.  (Avoid it)
3.  Open-mindedly discuss the root of the issue and work together toward resolution.  (Fix it)

But, what happens when one person refuses to discuss the root of the conflict?  How, then, does the stalemate end?

Even more difficult is when one person, in trying to avoid the topic of conflict, pretends that the root of the problem is something entirely different.  This blame-shift, in essence, opens up a can of worms that didn’t need to be opened, causing nothing but more hurt and turmoil. 

For example, in my novel, No Easy Way, Kate and Tom’s relationship is at an impasse because neither of them can bring themselves to face the root of the problem.  Tom dives into work and avoids the conflict and Kate pretends his work IS the problem; when it isn’t.  Their marriage doesn’t become fixable until everything blows up and they are forced to face the real issue beneath it all.

Just like in the book, there is no easy way, through life’s conflicts; and sometimes it takes everything blowing up around you to make you realize what’s really important.  Sometimes you have to let people go and give up the fight until they are ready to discuss the root of the problem.

But…giving up the fight doesn’t mean you’ve given up the hope of one day ending the stalemate.  The challenge is... there's just no easy way.

 

 

FREE Read

Please enjoy a FREE sample of several of my novels, and if you like what you read, please leave a review and share this with your friends.  There is nothing more fulfilling or rewarding for a writer than to hear that people are enjoying their books.    :)

Nail Gnawing Submissions

Whenever I submit a new manuscript to my Publisher, it is with both trepidation and excitement.  My hand hovers over the SEND button for several minutes, as I read and re-read what I have written; and then ask myself the same nagging questions over and over.  Is the manuscript ready to send?  Did I edit it enough?  Did I format it correctly?  Did I tie in all of the loose ends?  Did I define the characters well enough?  Is the story clean of redundancy?  Is it the best work I could give? 

At this point, I usually save my email as a draft and go back through the manuscript one more time.  Then, I retrieve the email and, once again, hover over the SEND button; conflicted by my own emotions.  I'm excited that it's done and scared that it will not be accepted.

I recently submitted my seventh manuscript (six full-length novels and one short story), wherein I went through the aforementioned process.  Once the SEND button was depressed, the agonizing nail gnawing began.

Thankfully, she didn't make me suffer long.  Yesterday, I received an email that my manuscript has been accepted.  In fact, she not only accepted it, she loved it.  This brought a huge sigh of relief and a smile that hasn't left my face.  

Now... it's time to grow my nails back and begin working on the sequel.  :)


 

I'm Really A Dog

Have you ever felt like the dog in this picture... like you’re trying so hard to blend in but no matter how much you look and act the part, you’re still different?  I have.  In fact, I feel this way most of the time.  I’m surrounded by other parents whose methods of parenting are far better than mine.  I’m amid team moms that are more dedicated to the sport and to the team than I am.  I’m amongst PTA members who are way more obsessed with their child’s education than I am.  I’m in a Bible study with ladies that trump me in the department of morality and purity.   It’s not that I don’t care about my children’s education or if their team wins or about being a good mom… it’s moreso that I don’t talk about these things constantly or regularly voice my opinion on them.  Trying to look and act the same often requires a certain level of either silence or faking or both.

Blending in can be exhausting.  I think that’s why I seek solace in writing, for on the pages of a novel I can live vicariously through each and every character.  When I’m deep in the throes of writing a novel, I don’t feel the unspoken (and sometimes spoken) condemnation on the way I live my life or the choices I make.  On the page, I can simply be the dog.    

In real life, I often want to scream, but that, too, would be considered an abnormal reaction amongst the herd of sheep.  So, I sit quietly, stifeling my bark, and wondering if anyone will notice I’m really a dog.  ~

Baby Love

 There are moments when I look at myself in the mirror and wish I was twenty-nine again.  Oh, to have a flat stomach; one without c-section scars and the extra layer of flesh that rounds me out.  But then, I gaze at my kids and think, the scars and the extra pounds were more than worth it.  Babies change your body in ways that...well, let's just say, that aren't flattering.  BUT, babies change your heart, mind and soul in ways that are awe inspiring.

There's just something magical about the bond of mother and child... something that makes every sacrifice well worthwhile, even the extra bulge.

I may not look as good at the pool, but I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.  :)

 

 

Scary Stuff

I’m working on a new book.  Actually, I began this book last year, after spending three years researching a worldwide cult group…a group that shrouds themselves under the blanket of pseudo-evangelical Christianity, but spreads its tentacles deep into the political world under the guise of pushing “God’s Agenda.” This group believes in falsified prophetic visions and has built their foundation on prophetic words that have already been proven untrue.  They blindly follow their leader, despite the well-known fact that he consorts with demons and has twisted Scripture to fit his teachings.  His charisma and ego knows no bounds, as he manipulates the minds of his followers through contemplative prayer, group hypnosis and mantra, mandatory mortifications and many other tactics.  He feigns humility but his ego is powerful.  He teaches his flock that THEY are to build God’s kingdom on Earth so to usher in the second coming of Christ, and must thereby take control of every element of society….socially, economically, politically and spiritually.  His tentacles run deep and spread across the globe.  The Bible warns us against him:

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.  2 Corinthians 11:13-15."

  It is scary stuff, to say the very least.

 

Meeting Your Match

The other day I was asked if I publish my own books and if I publish other writer’s books.  I’ve been asked this question A LOT.  The answer is no.  In fact, I know little about the literary world from a publishing aspect.  I have several writer friends who have chosen to self-publish their books through Amazon and other outlets; some are happy with their decision and others are not.  I have friends who have signed with literary agents and those who have signed directly with publishers.  I don’t believe there is a right or wrong path.  Each avenue presents positives and negatives.  Each route has challenges.  I think the important thing is for every writer to ask themselves what they want and then pursue the avenue that best matches that outcome.  One must realize that writing is a subjective field, just as all other facets of entertainment.  A book that I may love, the next person may deem mediocre.  Getting published is a matter of finding the right “fit” for your work and for yourself.

When I began my journey toward getting my debut novel (No Easy Way) published, I received thirty-six rejection letters and did about a million re-writes.  Then, I entered a contest and my book was nominated for The Heart of Molly award through Heart of Denver Romance Writers.  Before I knew it I had found the right publisher for my book…the right “fit” for my work and for me. 

Since then I’ve had five novels published and one short story and I couldn’t be happier.

If you’re a writer who is considering getting your work published, ask yourself what you want, research the available outlets and then don’t give up.  Finding that perfect publisher for your work can feel like online dating… you might have to jump through a lot of hoops and kiss a lot of toads before you finally meet your perfect match. ~

Boasting About Books Interview by Janet Leibert

BOASTING ABOUT BOOKS   by Janet Leibert

AUTHOR INTERVIEW with S.R.Claridge

POSTING DATE of May 22, 2012

_____________________________________________________________________________________

I’ve read some of your other interviews and will try not to ask you the same questions.  Let’s start easy and random.  Do you dream and if so, do you dream in color?

Wow, that is random.  Yes, I dream almost every night; and I usually wake up remembering at least a portion of my dream.  I always dream in color.

Do you have any reoccurring dreams?

I do, though I haven’t dreamt it in a long time.  When I was younger I used to have a reoccurring dream that I was being chased through the woods by cannibals.  Up ahead was a tree root that stretched across my path.  I tripped over the root every time….every time…despite the fact that I saw it coming and would tell myself not to trip this time.  It is quite frustrating.  I also have a reoccurring theme in my dreams.  Whenever I shoot a gun in my dreams, my bullets always travel in slow motion.  I can’t hit anyone because my shots are easily dodged.  It’s exasperating!

Do you have many dreams where you’re trying to shoot people?

LOL!  Now you’re do a psychoanalysis of me, aren’t you?   Yes, actually I do, but I’m always trying to shoot a bad guy and always out of self-defense.

Maybe this is why so many people are shot in the Just Call Me Angel series?

Oh, so you think I’m overcompensating for the inadequacy I feel in dream.  Hmmmm, I’ll have to think about that one.

If you could have lunch with one person, who would it be and why?

God.  Because I have lots of questions.

Okay, if you could have lunch with one human being, who would it be and why?

That’s hard because there are too many to choose from.  For example, if I want to pick a highly motivated, excellent business mind in the entertainment world, I might choose Madonna.  But, if I want a brilliant brain from the political realm, I might ask Bill Clinton to lunch.  On the other hand, if I want to laugh through lunch I might ask Tim Allen or Ben Stiller or Adam Sandler.  If I want to lust my way through the meal, I’d ask George Clooney, Cary Grant, Patrick Dempsey or The Rock.  If I want some older, female wisdom I might seek out Betty White, Judi Dench or Julie Andrews.   And if I just want a lunch with some fun girlfriends, I might ask Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz.  If I get the urge to kiss a girl, I’d ask Angelina Jolie to join me.  So…. it’s impossible for me to choose one person… there are too many things that factor into my decision.

Holy Cow!  No one has ever answered that question that way.

It seems like a pretty straight forward answer to me.  J

Onto your personal life…

I have to interrupt your sentence…sorry…but it bugs me when people differentiate between “personal” life and some other sort of  life.  The very word “life” is personal, right?  I mean, everything about your life is personal to you… so whether it’s something going on in your business or in your family or in your neighborhood, school, church, etc…. it’s “personal” to you because it’s about your life. I hate when people say, “it’s not personal” or “don’t take it so personally.”   If life should be anything, it should always be personal.  I think if more people lived that way, we’d all hurt each other a lot less.

(You’re right, I’ve never really thought about it that way.)

You have a husband and children, correct?

Yes.  My husband and I are celebrating twenty years together this year, and we have two incredible kids.

How do you make your marriage work?  Like, how has it lasted twenty years when so many marriages fall apart within the first few years?

Sex. 

(LOL!  Once again, I didn’t expect that to be your answer)

Can you elaborate on that?

Obviously, you have to love each other, respect each other and like each other.  But even with all of that in place, marriages….especially in today’s world….are difficult.  Couples have less time together because both work or one or both travel for work and it’s easy to grow apart.  That’s why I emphasize the importance of having a lot of sex.  See, it’s virtually impossible to be intimate with someone and not feel close to them.  It’s hard to make-love and stay angry at them.  Sex between a couple, who already shares a solid foundation of love and respect, becomes a conduit that opens communication and keeps their connection strong.

So, do you believe in divorce?

Of course.  Even Jesus, Himself, said there is just cause for a couple to divorce.  I wish couples would try to stay together because I think when you make it through the hard stuff, you come out stronger on the other side.  But I also realize there are circumstances where divorce is the best choice.  I don’t judge anyone based on whether they stay together or not.

This is a great lead in to your first novel, No Easy Way, where Tom and Kate are separated and both engage in some questionable behavior with other people.   Do you think a real marriage can survive what Tom and Kate’s marriage survives in your novel?

Absolutely.  In every marriage there are a hundred justifiable reasons why each spouse has a right to walk away; but just because you have the right to do something doesn’t make it the right thing to do.  Sometimes you have to dig down deep and find the one reason to stay.

If you could describe your husband in just a couple words, what would they be?

Logical. Strong.  Intelligent.  Devoted.

How do you think your husband would describe you?

Creative. Emotional. Passionate.

Is it safe to assume you are opposites?

Yes, extreme.  We are a testament to the statement that “opposites attract.”

Let’s talk about you, the writer.  You have a background in entertainment, commercials, films, stage, songwriting, do you think all of that helps you be a better writer?

Definitely.  I think anything creative in your life enhances your creative productivity.  With every new experience you acquire new tools that help to equip you for the next experience.

What is your favorite outlet for entertainment?

Right now, it’s writing novels.  In the past, it was performing on-stage, which I still love to do, but don’t have the time. 

Will you perform again sometime?

I think so, maybe.  I don’t have a great desire to do it right now…. I think because my life is just so busy and I don’t want my schedule to be a strain on my family.

Is your writing ever a strain on your family?

Yes and no.  I can write anytime, anywhere so I can easily work it around everyone else’s schedule.   That’s one of the wonderful things about being a writer.

You’ve written five novels and one short story, all published since October 2010.  That’s a lot of writing!  When do you write?

Usually during the day while the kids are at school and sometimes late at night after I put them to bed and my husband is traveling.  Summer is harder to write because there is constant interruption, but I manage to sneak away every now and then and drop a few thousand words from my head to the page.

Do you ever feel like you’re coming apart at the seams, and if so, what holds you together?

No, I’m always calm and completely stable.  LOL!!  NOT!!  I’m usually one thread from coming apart at the seams, but it’s my faith in God that holds me together.  That, and He has blessed me with an incredible family and friends that love me and are supportive and there to strengthen me whenever I need it. 

Do you believe things happen for a reason in life and can you look back and see how you got to where you are today with your writing?

Definitely.  Everything happens for a reason and I love the verse in the Bible that says, “God makes all things come together for good for those that love him.”  Sometimes things look and feel devastating, but if we hold on and we walk through them, I believe we’ll come out in a better, stronger more peaceful place.  There were many ups and downs with my writing.  I received a lot of rejection letters and critiques that were less than encouraging.  You just have to keep putting yourself out there and keep getting back up every time someone or something knocks you down.  It’s hard sometimes… but it’s worth it.

Tell our readers where they can find your books:

All of my books are available in ebook and paperback from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Smashwords, OmniLit and AllRomanceEbooks.  You can order them into any local bookstore by calling and requesting the books.  For detailed information on each one, including a free read of the first several chapters, visit my website at:  www.AuthorSRClaridge.com     You can also join me on my blog site:  www.FeelingTheFiction.blogspot.com    

Thank you so much for allowing me to chat with you today.  J