Book Synopsis: Meet Lola, Pudgy, and Jazzy, three canine cuties that will warm your heart and make you laugh. In Thank Dog It's Friday, Lola and her human mommy, Trisha trade bodies for a day! Can they cope with their new bodies and prevent Trisha's husband from throwing her into a mental institution? Pugnacious introduces Pudgy, a very pugnacious pug. She takes her job in a dog bakery very seriously and when the bakery is robbed, it's up to her to save the day, the cash, and the canine cookies! In Tail of Terror, Jazzy does the unthinkable and she runs away. If she can survive the mean streets, there may be a lesson in store for her and she may make a new friend. Dog Tails is intended for dog lovers everywhere, but even cat lovers will smile and fall in love with Lola, Pudgy, and Jazzy. |
| Author Tara Chevresett |
I had this story idea for some time, Thank Dog, but it wasn't novel material. When I discovered that you could now publish short stories on kindle, I went for it. And after I wrote that one, I felt guilty that my other two dogs didn't have a story... so I wrote one for each!
Did the personality of each of your girls play into their stories?
Yes. Lola is very arrogant and sassy. She has a "don't mess with me attitude." Pudgy is so aggressive, we wonder if she was meant to be a boy. She's a bit of a bully and very protective. Jazzy seems to have obsessive compulsive disorder. She has some strange habits such as constantly licking her feet and circling a particular chair before going outside and acts like a cat.
How have they reacted to the publication of Dog Tails?
Except when I run around the house cheering because they got another good review, they couldn't care less. LOL!
Is there any chance you will publish more stories featuring Lola, Pudgy and Jazzy?
No. I think the ones I already penned would be hard to beat. I actually sat there staring at them before writing each one.. trying to capture their personality. Also, I think if I wrote more, they may come across as repetitive. I would like to insert one of them into a novel or something that I may write in the future, however.
Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?
I do. I think all authors do. I don't check very often though. It's something that may dawn on me once a month or so. I need to know what people think, if I am having the desired effect on my audience..l if I even have an audience. LOL I don't comment though, or "like" any of them, good or bad, because obviously I'm a biased person and that's not cool. People are entitled to their opinions and what works for some, won't work for others. I do appreciate, however, when a person provides a reason for a low rating. I like to know why. What didn't work? I feel authors cannot improve without criticism.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging when writing?
I find historical fiction challenging. Having to stop and do research, keep my facts straight. With my contemporary fiction, I have no difficulties. It's pure imagination and fun. I actually have a strange writing style.. Most authors will tell you to make a plan, jot notes, create a timeline, whatever. Me, I just sit down and type and see what flows. I make up the story as I go. I call it "being bitten on the ass" with a good story. It won't let me stop till I'm done.
Do you ever experience writer's block?
Yes, I do. Sometimes the flow doesn't come. I just sit there and frown at my computer. I think part of it for me is... I can't write a historical manuscript one min and work on edits for my contemporary romance the next.. It's two different wavelengths and my mind gets jumbled. Other times, I simply don't feel like writing. I work full time, have a husband and my little dogs, and I'm also a book reviewer. Sometimes, I just need a break from writing. That's when I sit and watch classic movies. :)
When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
I think I've always been a writer. In school, at all ages, I love writing assignments. I especially loved essays and book reports. Looking back, I find that funny as I now review books in my free time.
Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
I went the agent route and queried fifty agents. I had a fancy query and all and I even paid to have my manuscript professionally edited. Only two agents responded and they didn't like the first 25 pages and I had no luck. I pursued that avenue for months and finally said, "screw it." A friend of mine told me about Muse It Up and now the book is coming out in February. They seem to like my work as I have two contracts with them.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
I have made up a quote of sorts and I stand by it myself. "If you don't love what you are writing, readers won't love what they are reading." Love what you're doing, love the topic you are writing about. Don't force it.
What do you do when you are not writing?
I read, play with my dogs, dabble in the kitchen, go on bike rides with my husband (weather permitting), and I'm an aircraft sheet metal mechanic. I also write for an online literary magazine, Lit Asylum.
What are you working on now?
Nothing this minute. I just scrapped two manuscripts. One, I don't want to finish because it requires me to submit to a publisher I can't stand. Two, I just decided to start over. It wasn't flowing. I'm starting it over this weekend and it is a historical romance that takes place in MT. I'm hoping this one gets finished. I have edits on two of my other manuscripts coming up as well so at this moment, keeping my schedule clear to avoid that "crossing of wavelengths." I will be doing edits on my memoir and my erotic noir, Sinful Urges.
For more of Tara and her work, please visit her blog. Dog Tails is available here and be sure to watch out for Tara's memoir, Deaf Isn't Dumb!
6 comments:
I hope to come back and celebrate my memoir's release later this month. Thanks for having me!
Love the photo of them in the pink car :)
Congrats on Dog Tails, Tara. You must really love those dogs! Always fun to have a peek inside a writer's working process. Good luck with your new projects.
It was great having you Tara! Can't wait for the memoir. :)
I may be late in stopping by to show my support to my classic movie buddy, fellow book lover, and furry kid parent, but that has no bearing on how excited I was to hear of this last week. Reading this interview was so much fun, getting a different glimpse of Tara and seeing more pics of the furry kids was an added bonus.
Wonderful job by both parties!
Dawn
Thanks Dawn. :)
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