ADVENT CALENDAR GIVEAWAY

December 1st-25th

Goodies Given Away Every Day Totaling $550

https://ellenmint.blog/advent-calendar/

It’s Christmas every day with this romantic Advent Calendar giveaway. Twenty-Six authors have teamed up to bring you over $550 worth of prizes. Every day another door opens and another giveaway chance for you to win!

Each day, return to the site to click on the calendar and open the door to another fantastic prize. Be swept away this holiday season by gripping romance, pampering treats, cozy gifts, and an amazing offer hidden inside the calendar.

The giveaway is sponsored by these wonderful authors:

Ellen Mint • Jennifer Wilck • Anna M. Taylor • Megan Slayer • Totally Entwined Group • Kara Kendrick • Rosanna Leo • Tanith Davenport • Aurora Russell • Sara Ohlin • TJ Finn • Brooklyn Knight • Katherine McIntyre • Sue London • Jaqueline Snowe • H.M. Shander • January Bain • Liz Crowe • Melissa McClone • Dylann Crush • S. J. Coles • Jayce Carter • Eve London • Seelie Kay • Anise Storm • AE Lister

What sparks my creativity

 As a writer, this topic from Long and Short Reviews was very appropriate, particularly since I'm in discussions for a three-book series at the moment, so needed to be creative at a moment's notice. What does actually spark my creativity?

I've posted previously about how dreams are one thing that I get ideas from all the time. I tend to dream very vividly, and can often come up with full scenes which end up incorporated into stories. My novel Photograph was heavily based on a dream I had about two sisters and their shared dream of escaping into the local theme park, so I will always use dreams as a resource.

Another source is songs. I've often wanted to include a downloadable file with my stories so the reader can play relevant songs for each scene - almost everything I write has its own soundtrack, and often songs will influence the title as well. It's only a shame that I can't actually quote from song lyrics without running up against laws, because I've often wanted to do that as part of a scene.

And finally - films. If I find myself interested in an underused character or plot thread in a film, I may borrow them or it and develop it further in a story, although I'll change character names to avoid getting sued. Films can be a great source of ideas.

So what sparks your creativity?

Paperback, ebook or audio?

 My answer to this topic from Long and Short Reviews has changed considerably over the years.

There was a time when I had a Kindle but never used it, as I preferred paperbacks. I have no idea why. In any event, as soon as I actually started using my Kindle I became addicted to it. Immediate delivery, no need for bookmarks, all the books I need in one place - what's not to like?

That's not to say I don't value any other type of book. I've bought a number of hardbacks recently because they were signed copies, which are always good to have as an autograph collector. And some books still aren't available as ebooks, so paperback is still an option.

As for audio, I've never really got into audiobooks. I bought the audiobook of Doug Naylor's "Last Human" primarily because I had a crush on Craig Charles, who was the narrator - that's about it. That, however, may change soon, as Totally Bound are working on a project to bring their author's novels to audio, so I'm looking forward to mine being in audio form soon.

So which do you prefer - paperback, ebook or audio?

Worst advice I ever received

 This topic from Long and Short Reviews took a bit of time, as initially I was trying to think of writing-based advice and couldn't think of any - other than "You don't want to be writing romance, it's crap!" which obviously I didn't end up listening to.

The advice that kept coming to mind was from my teenage years, when my friends and I went to university. Our parents were full of advice about men and nearly all of it was wrong.

"Don't go to university with a boyfriend. You'll be broken up within six months. " (That friend is now married to him.)

"You were right to stay single. University is for meeting lots of boys." (That friend was engaged within a week of arriving on campus and they're still together.)

And my favourite one was from my dad after I broke up with my ex - I like to think he meant well, but telling a broken-hearted nineteen-year-old "You may as well get used to it, because it will happen again and again for the rest of your life," is not the best way to make her feel better.

If you're wondering, I met my husband two months later and we've been married for fourteen years.

So what's the worst advice you ever received?

Words to live by

 An interesting topic this week from Long and Short Reviews. Which words would I say I lived by?

The first one that came to mind was "variety", closely followed by "experience". I tend to be motivated by experiencing new things - be they new films, new books, new foods or just new experiences in general. It's very easy to get into a rut in life and I think it's important to shake things up and try something new every so often.

I also am motivated by learning new things, regardless of the benefit they'll have on my life in any other way. I'm unlikely to need half the knowledge I have on America, but I carry on reading about it nevertheless.

And let's end on a sweet one - "love". Because we all need that, even if it's not romantic. There's always room for more love in our lives.

So which words do you live by?