Happy New Year, Reading World! It's been a busy month for me as I prepare to release "Murder At Castle Rock," but over the holidays I still made time to talk to popular author, Tonya Kappes!
Tonya writes fun, humorous romance and mystery fiction and is currently conducting a blog tour for the release of her Divorced Divas mystery, "Strung Out to Die." I had the privilege of speaking with her recently about another series of hers, however: The Magical Cures Series. After reading "A Charming Cure," the second book in the series, I reached out to Tonya to learn more about her magical world and her writing career.
For more information on Tonya and her books, check out her website. Until then, enjoy this look into Tonya's world:
Tonya writes fun, humorous romance and mystery fiction and is currently conducting a blog tour for the release of her Divorced Divas mystery, "Strung Out to Die." I had the privilege of speaking with her recently about another series of hers, however: The Magical Cures Series. After reading "A Charming Cure," the second book in the series, I reached out to Tonya to learn more about her magical world and her writing career.
For more information on Tonya and her books, check out her website. Until then, enjoy this look into Tonya's world:
1) Hi Tonya! Where do you draw the most inspiration for your Magical Cures series? Real life experiences, movies or dreams, etc.?
Good question! Growing up in the 70’s I had some great television programs to draw from, especially I Dream of Genie and Bewitched. But I have to say that I absolutely love the movies Bettlejuice and Practical Magic which are funny and that is how I write.
And I have to mention that I have visited a palm reader, psychic a few times in my life. . .okay. . .a couple times a year!
2) Are any of the characters in the Magical Cures series based on people that you know in real life?
No. I do get strange emails from people accusing me of using them/their personality in my books, but until you can prove to me that there are Fairy God Cats, I’m going to have to stick with no.
3) Speaking of June's fairy god cat, Mr. Prince Charming is quite the character himself! What inspired you to make June's pet such a vital and integral member of the series?
I usually write a dog or two in my other novels. I needed an animal that was sneaky and smart. Mr. Prince Charming had to be there when June needed him. A cat was perfect because they have a lot of those qualities.
Since there will be a lot of novels in the series (six planned so far), cats have nine lives, and it was perfect for the journey that June has throughout the series. I wanted a pet that she could rely on and help her through her changing life. Animals are so loyal and forgiving. That is why he’s so important to the series.
4) As your avid writers know, the Magical Cures series is only one of many series that you write. The Olivia Davis paranormal mysteries are my personal favorite :) Is there any one particular series or protagonist that you feel you more closely relate to than the others?
I’d have to pick Hallie Mediate from my stand alone Chick-Lit novel, Carpe Bead ‘em or maybe Holly Harper from my new series A Divorced Diva Mystery with Strung Out To Die as book one.
Both of those characters are jewelry beaders, have great friends, and lost love. I have done all of those. I co-owned a jewelry beading business, Beadnicks, I have a great set of friends, and I’ve been divorced. There might just be a little bit of me in each of those gals. Plus they are fun!
5) If it were up to you and only one of your main characters to save the world, which would you team up with to get the job done, and why would he or she be the best equipped to save the day?
Olivia Davis for sure!. She is a go getter and doesn’t take no for an answer. She isn’t scared to get her hands dirty when she needs to.
6) Here come a couple of writing questions! I know that you write pretty much anywhere and everywhere you can (at the boys' sports practices, at coffee shops, etc.)--still, do you have any particular pre-writing rituals to set the tone for your writing sessions?
This is a good question too! I keep a journal for each novel I write. When I begin a new idea, it sits in my head for a few months, and I gather little ideas/scenes in my head. I jot all of those down. It might range from a character name, flaw to complete scenes.
As for when I actually put my butt in the chair, I don’t have a ritual. I just make myself sit and type.
7) Besides being a prolific writer, you're a whiz at book marketing and promotions! What is your number one tip for other aspiring self-promoted authors?
I’m not going to give the same drab story most writers do about sit butt in chair, we all know that!
Find your target audience and market to them! A lot of writers make the mistake to spend all their time marketing to other writers or spending a lot of their free time on other writer sites etc….writers are very important for networking or being with like minded people, but that is not your target audience!
For example, My newest novel, Strung Out To Die, is set in a bead shop. I target that beading audience by doing guest blogs on beading sites, having book signings at local bead stores etc….TARGET AUDIENCE!
6) If you could collaborate to either co-write a novel or contribute to a collection of short stories along with five of your favorite authors, who would you choose to work with?
I’d have to say no one….UNLESS it was a really sweet relationship we had. Writing is very personal for me and hard. I don’t like people telling me where to take my story. I have been approached, but I quickly found out that the story was already written in their head and no matter what I write, I could never write a story that would absolutely fit their idea or the character they want me to write.
Relationships are too important to me and no story is worth a ruined friendship!
7) You're known for your fun and entertaining street team book release parties and chats. Can you hint at anything exciting you might have in store for your Facebook street team in the coming months?
Um. . .I do, but it’s a secret! BIG PLANS!!
8) Rose Pressey mentioned in a previous interview that she had never been asked her favorite color--so just to make sure we've got all our bases covered, what is *your* favorite color? :)
Orange!
9) Are there any other questions that no interviewer ever asks that you would like to address for your fans?
First, I’m not a big FAN of the word FAN. I do love my readers and I’m so grateful for every single one of them. I think they all know that too :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks Tonya! Now here comes the fun part--A GIVEAWAY!
Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win the Tonya Kappes e-book of her choice!
Good question! Growing up in the 70’s I had some great television programs to draw from, especially I Dream of Genie and Bewitched. But I have to say that I absolutely love the movies Bettlejuice and Practical Magic which are funny and that is how I write.
And I have to mention that I have visited a palm reader, psychic a few times in my life. . .okay. . .a couple times a year!
2) Are any of the characters in the Magical Cures series based on people that you know in real life?
No. I do get strange emails from people accusing me of using them/their personality in my books, but until you can prove to me that there are Fairy God Cats, I’m going to have to stick with no.
3) Speaking of June's fairy god cat, Mr. Prince Charming is quite the character himself! What inspired you to make June's pet such a vital and integral member of the series?
I usually write a dog or two in my other novels. I needed an animal that was sneaky and smart. Mr. Prince Charming had to be there when June needed him. A cat was perfect because they have a lot of those qualities.
Since there will be a lot of novels in the series (six planned so far), cats have nine lives, and it was perfect for the journey that June has throughout the series. I wanted a pet that she could rely on and help her through her changing life. Animals are so loyal and forgiving. That is why he’s so important to the series.
4) As your avid writers know, the Magical Cures series is only one of many series that you write. The Olivia Davis paranormal mysteries are my personal favorite :) Is there any one particular series or protagonist that you feel you more closely relate to than the others?
I’d have to pick Hallie Mediate from my stand alone Chick-Lit novel, Carpe Bead ‘em or maybe Holly Harper from my new series A Divorced Diva Mystery with Strung Out To Die as book one.
Both of those characters are jewelry beaders, have great friends, and lost love. I have done all of those. I co-owned a jewelry beading business, Beadnicks, I have a great set of friends, and I’ve been divorced. There might just be a little bit of me in each of those gals. Plus they are fun!
5) If it were up to you and only one of your main characters to save the world, which would you team up with to get the job done, and why would he or she be the best equipped to save the day?
Olivia Davis for sure!. She is a go getter and doesn’t take no for an answer. She isn’t scared to get her hands dirty when she needs to.
6) Here come a couple of writing questions! I know that you write pretty much anywhere and everywhere you can (at the boys' sports practices, at coffee shops, etc.)--still, do you have any particular pre-writing rituals to set the tone for your writing sessions?
This is a good question too! I keep a journal for each novel I write. When I begin a new idea, it sits in my head for a few months, and I gather little ideas/scenes in my head. I jot all of those down. It might range from a character name, flaw to complete scenes.
As for when I actually put my butt in the chair, I don’t have a ritual. I just make myself sit and type.
7) Besides being a prolific writer, you're a whiz at book marketing and promotions! What is your number one tip for other aspiring self-promoted authors?
I’m not going to give the same drab story most writers do about sit butt in chair, we all know that!
Find your target audience and market to them! A lot of writers make the mistake to spend all their time marketing to other writers or spending a lot of their free time on other writer sites etc….writers are very important for networking or being with like minded people, but that is not your target audience!
For example, My newest novel, Strung Out To Die, is set in a bead shop. I target that beading audience by doing guest blogs on beading sites, having book signings at local bead stores etc….TARGET AUDIENCE!
6) If you could collaborate to either co-write a novel or contribute to a collection of short stories along with five of your favorite authors, who would you choose to work with?
I’d have to say no one….UNLESS it was a really sweet relationship we had. Writing is very personal for me and hard. I don’t like people telling me where to take my story. I have been approached, but I quickly found out that the story was already written in their head and no matter what I write, I could never write a story that would absolutely fit their idea or the character they want me to write.
Relationships are too important to me and no story is worth a ruined friendship!
7) You're known for your fun and entertaining street team book release parties and chats. Can you hint at anything exciting you might have in store for your Facebook street team in the coming months?
Um. . .I do, but it’s a secret! BIG PLANS!!
8) Rose Pressey mentioned in a previous interview that she had never been asked her favorite color--so just to make sure we've got all our bases covered, what is *your* favorite color? :)
Orange!
9) Are there any other questions that no interviewer ever asks that you would like to address for your fans?
First, I’m not a big FAN of the word FAN. I do love my readers and I’m so grateful for every single one of them. I think they all know that too :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks Tonya! Now here comes the fun part--A GIVEAWAY!
Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win the Tonya Kappes e-book of her choice!
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