Today I’m happy to be hosting J.A. Howell and her book Mistaken. She will be giving away 5 Prize Packs which include Signed Trade Paperback with deluxe Mistaken bookmarks, magnet and Mistaken charm necklace (Open to US, Canada and UK shipping) and a $10 Amazon Gift Card. Please see the picture of the swag bag below.
She has written a great post on where she gets her inspiration from as a writer, and then we’ll take a look at the book.
Take it away, J.A.!
People often ask me where I get inspiration from. For Mistaken, I’ve shared that it came from an event in my life that I struggled with for a while. In the next book, Possess, it also has some real-life inspiration hidden within the fictional parts. But as to how the full story develops and where I find inspiration to weave it all together, there is a million different places that I find it. I find inspiration all around me, and usually when I least expect it.
I’ve resorted to downloading an app on my phone that lets me record audio notes because so often I get ideas when I am driving to and from work. Generally those are the better ideas too. I suppose there is something about clearing my mind as I head into work, the long drive added with my music. This also happens on the elliptical at the gym. I think when you’re struggling with a part of the story, sometimes you just have to clear out all the noise in your head. Driving, and exercise seem to accomplish that for me.
Another big inspiration is music. Sometimes I find the perfect song to suit what I am writing. Just the other day one song I heard seemed to help me completely piece together the big climax of Possess. I love songs that feel heavy with emotion and deeper meaning, as well as darker more violent sounding music. Those seem to inspire me most, but it just depends on what I am trying to write.
Other times, inspiration just strikes, out of nowhere. At the store, in the shower, or as I’m falling asleep at night. When that happens, it’s best to jot it down otherwise you are sure to forget it. Sometimes it will be something so small that triggers it too. Possess started out because I wanted to write a story about a haunted apartment. The idea for the ghost to mainly appear in the mirrors came from me staring in my own mirror going, “Hmm, wouldn’t that be creepy if my face suddenly started shifting into someone elses?” With Mistaken, some inspiration came when I wondered what it would be like to figure out your dead lover had an identical twin (very awkward hehe).
Quietly observing the world around you can spark such interesting ideas and thoughts, and given some time and further pondering, these little sparks can grow into bright burning flames, some of which you cannot control. Flames that threaten to consume you if you DON’T turn them into a story. When they hit that point, it’s time to write.
Swag Prize
Mistaken
J.A. Howell
Genre: General/Mainstream Fiction/Suspense
ISBN: 1477456368
ASIN: B0092HDIXS
Number of pages:198
Word Count: 61,448
Cover Artist: J.A. Howell
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/46XSH5oXYzA
Purchase Links: http://amzn.com/B0092HDIXS
Book Description:
One year ago, two bullets from a .45 caliber pistol ripped away any hopes Dillan had of a future with her fiancé, Jamie. On the anniversary of Jamie’s death, the appearance of his estranged twin brother, Trey, leaves Dillan wondering what other secrets her prefect fiancé was hiding. When Trey learns of his brother’s death, Dillan takes pity on him and gives him a place to stay.
Trey’s erratic behavior and a series of suspicious phone calls lead Dillan to believe that Trey knows more about the circumstances surrounding Jamie’s death than he’s letting on. With all leads exhausted and Jamie’s murderer still on the loose, Trey is Dillan’s last hope for finding the truth.
Sometimes the truth hurts… but in Dillan’s case it could kill her.
Author Bio:
J.A Howell is an office drone by day, and a writer by night. Her love of writing took off when she was eleven years old and decided to fill a composition notebook with stories to read to her friends. Many years (and notebooks) later, not much has changed. She still loves writing and sharing her works with others. When she isn’t writing, she can often be found trying her hand at whatever artistic pursuit strikes her fancy. J.A. Howell resides in Apopka, FL with her husband and their menagerie of animal children.
http://midtown–underground.com/
http://www.facebook.com/JenniferHowlz
https://twitter.com/JenniferHowlz
Carly,
Thanks so much for having me on your blog today! 🙂
You’re welcome – the book looks great and I’ve put it on my TBR list.