Happy Thursday! Today I’m honored to have Nonnie Jules, a lovely lady I had the pleasure of meeting on Twitter, as my guest. Before we get started with the heavy stuff, Nonnie, what can I get you to drink?
I’m so boring, I will have a sweet tea, if at all possible.
Anything is possible in my virtual hammock, Nonnie. One sweet tea coming up!
Thanks so much for hanging out in my hammock. Enjoy the view while we chat and give my visitors a chance to get to know you.
What genre do you write?
I consider myself to be a multi-genre writer. I love writing poetry, fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, you name it. If it can be read, I love to write it!
Have you ever based a character (good or bad) on a real person? (Do they know?)
I tend to write from experience…things going on in my life but mostly things I see going on around me and in the world. In my upcoming novel “DAYDREAM’S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE’S FRIEND”, the majority of my characters are based on real-life individuals although the characteristics of that particular character, may not be the same of the real-life person. I merely borrow bits and pieces from real-life people to create my characters. It’s fun and some of them know that I’ve created a character off of them, but some of them don’t.
What is your favorite way to celebrate the completion of a book?
Sleep. Breathe. Eat. Repeat. Things that I don’t typically get to do when I’m writing.
What is your favorite book and author?
I have said this so many times in my writing, in other interviews, etc. that people are probably sick of hearing me say it. My favorite book and author of all times (and this has been the same story since I was in 6th grade) is LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott. I love this story, I especially fell in love instantly with the characters and could read this book over and over and over again. It’s simply classic for me.
What social media are you most addicted to?
I don’t do social media in my private life, I only use it as a medium to publicize and promote my writing. That being said, although there are now tons of different social media forums, I only use two of them. The one that I enjoy and find the easiest to maneuver would be Twitter. I wouldn’t say that I’m addicted to it, but I do find it (professionally) enjoyable.
Best dessert you’ve ever had and where you ate it?
Now, I’ve had lots of desserts in my lifetime but the one that stands out as THE BEST for me would be Zeppoli from Olive Garden. Where did I eat it? Well, there in the restaurant for the first time, but now I eat it under the covers in my bed, in my car, sitting outside on a blanket in the park, in the closet….these things are so dang delicious, I can and DO eat them anywhere! You guys should try some if you haven’t already.
What is your dream vacation?
My dream vacation is anywhere my family is!
Is this your first book or are there others that we can get our hands on?
No, this will be my second piece of published work. “THE GOOD MOMMIES’ GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT
DAUGHTERS, ” 100 Tips on Raising Daughters Everyone Can’t Help but Love! was published in May, 2013 and I’m proud to say that it is doing so well, that it is now flying off the shelves in select Barnes and Noble Booksellers stores! If you haven’t heard about it or gotten a copy, you can do so here on Amazon, Createspace, and for signed copies, Nonnie’s Book
Store
BLURB
Marisa was a good girl, until someone made her mad. Living in hell with her mother and step-father was nothing short of a daily struggle for survival. When Marisa can’t stand the abuse any longer, she snaps and does the unthinkable. Will she be able to survive leaving one hell being forced into another? Will the man she married be able to understand and forgive her secrets and her past? Stay tuned for the bumpy ride of “DAYDREAM’S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE’S FRIEND.”
EXCERPT
Marisa grew up in a very love-less home. She had 7 siblings, a mom who she felt didn’t love her and a step-father who loved her a little too much.
Violence was the norm in that house and all that she knew. Her mom, who had given birth to eight children by a slew of different men, was an alcoholic by anyone’s measure. Marisa was the child who felt the brunt of her rage when she was under the influence of the bottle. And when she wasn’t drinking, Marisa could almost feel as if her mom actually “liked” her. But, how does a mom merely “like” her child? Isn’t there supposed to be a special, very loving bond between mother and child? Especially between a mother and her daughter? Well, it wasn’t there in Marisa’s case. In all honesty, most of the time, Marisa felt that her mom hated her. Her step-father always intervened on Marisa’s behalf when she was being attacked either verbally or physically by her mom. Marisa would soon come to realize why.
Looking back, Marisa could never pinpoint when it all began. She remembers one night being in bed, lying awake in the dark, when the bedroom door opened very slowly and very quietly. From the hallway light she could make out his silhouette and she wondered why he would be coming into the room this late. Marisa shared this single bedroom with 5 of her siblings, brothers and sisters, bunk-beds stacked high.
As he came nearer to where she was (pretend) sleeping, Marisa closed her eyes with only a tiny crack so that she would be able to continue to follow his every move. He sat softly on her bed and then…that’s when she felt it! His hand moving very slowly, very deliberately up her thigh towards her most private place. Marisa felt herself almost stop breathing. What was he doing?! She didn’t understand. He was her mother’s husband. She lay there, still as a soldier hiding in the brush behind enemy lines until it was all over. But sadly, it wasn’t over….
Revised release date: August 31, 2013 on Amazon.
For advance pre-release, paperback signed copies, at the incredible low price of $9.99 (only thru the end of this blog tour, which ends Sept. 5th) please visit Nonnie’s Book Store.
Author Bio:
Nonnie Jules, who is the youngest of five children, was born in Texas but was relocated to Louisiana with her family when she was a toddler. She grew up loving books and everything about them. She has traveled the world, jumped out of planes and climbed many mountains all thanks to the wonderful world of literature. She still lives in Louisiana today on a quiet strip of land in the country, where red dirt and pick-up trucks go hand in hand, with her husband, their two daughters and many animals. She continues to write from many different genres and hopes to teach and touch minds and hearts alike with her very unique style of writing. She loves positive feedback on her writing and personally responds to each and every email here at nonniewrites@yahoo.com. She finds simple pleasures in just being in a book store.
Connect with Nonnie on:
Twitter: @nonniejules
FaceBook: Nonnie Jules
Blog: nonniewrites.wordpress.com
Book store: nonniesbookstore.com
Thanks so much for helping me kick-start my blog tour, Elke. It was so much fun!
Elke, thanks so much for inviting me to hang out in your hammock with you! I know you only invite very special people so I’m honored! You did a great job with this interview! Way to go!
It’s my pleasure, Nonnie! Thanks for agreeing to hanging out in my hammock. Okay, not such as hard feat, but thanks for letting us get to know a little about you and what you write.
It’s always good to learn more about a fellow writer and blogger friend. I too write pretty close to the bone by incorporating bits and pieces form my life (past and present) into my fiction.
Daydream’s Daughter sounds intrigueing. I can’t wait to read this book!
Nonnie, your newest book sounds intriquing. I am sharing it on my facebook page. Thanks Elke for allowing us into your page. I think all of this is wonderful.
Thanks for stopping by, Shirley, and for sharing Nonnie’s books! Wonderful to have you visit!
Hi Elke!
How’s my favorite aspiring Caymanian astronaut?
Thought I’d stop by to say hello since we’re both hosting the lovely Nonnie Jules on her whirlwind tour through the blogosphere. Every time I stop by your website and see that beautiful water and those palm trees – a tinge of jealousy surges through my body. Hard to keep it in check. Please tell me you don’t get out much – that your days are filled with drudgery and weeds – I can’t bare to think of you enjoying the sunshine, cocktail in hand. Just doesn’t seem fair to the rest of us, ya know?
Hi Nonnie Jules! Great blog post. Enjoy your trip around the blogosphere – hope you packed a lot of clean clothes in your suitcase. You’ll be on your blog tour for what, 15 days? Who’s watering your plants back home while you’re gone?
Hi Julie,
Thanks for stopping by and supporting, Nonnie!
I’m working hard to sell books to pay for my ticket to space. 🙂
Rest easy, Julie. I haven’t been to the beach since July, and that was for my daughter’s birthday. The only alcoholic beverages I’m sipping is a 1/4 glass of wine. I’m a lightweight and wouldn’t get any work down if I had more than that. LOL!
I’m off with my son this week (preparing for school and spending time with him), so I will be soaking up sunshine and cocktails. I’ll make sure to have one in your honor. 🙂