Author Interview: Samantha Clarke

It's been a busy couple of months in the book world, peeps!

Part of it is getting to meet new authors just about every day! There are indie authors, and traditional authors, and every genre you can imagine! It's a pleasure, every single time I meet one!

Today's blog is an interview with Samantha Clarke: a lovely, young author who has writing coursing through her veins!

So, let's get to it...ladies and gents...Samantha Clarke!

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I was probably twelve or thirteen, it was my freshman year of high school.


How long does it take you to write a book?

I’ve only published one book so far, but after I sat down and became serious about finishing it I was in the final stages of editing after four months.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
On days that I’m able to I will write for an hour or two in the morning, go about my day and then write for another hour or so before going to bed.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I write everything down in a notebook, including backstories, world building etc. before I type anything out.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
From reading or from the world around me.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?
As I mentioned I recently just published my first book, but the first book I have ever written I was the last part ninth grade, so I was probably thirteen at the time.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I like to read a lot but between school, work and writing I don’t get to read very much at all.

What does your family think of your writing?
My partner and their family is a lot more supportive than my own. The only people in my family that are supportive are one of my cousins, my mother and her parents. The rest of my family doesn’t take my writing very seriously at all.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
I pay very little attention to grammar when I’m ‘in the zone’. It took me ages to edit my book and finish all of my grammatical errors.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I’ve written three, but only one has been published. I don’t plan on publishing the other two, as they were written when I was much younger.

Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Since I’m still learning the tools of the trade, I feel like I need advice more than I would be able to give it.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I’ve heard from a couple. They’ve all asked me when my second book is coming out and have told me that they can’t wait to read it.

Do you like to create books for adults?
Yes, however my target audience is young adults.

What do you think makes a good story?
Good world building and consistency.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
When I was very young I wanted to be a teacher and own a farm.

Thank you, Samantha!

If you'd like to find out more about Samantha, visit her here:

Website

Facebook

Amazon Author Page

The Teen Book Festival As a Hopeful Author

This past weekend I went to our local Teen Book Festival. It was their 10th year at one of our local colleges (one I attended for a semester back in my college days). I had been there before, because of my bookworm daughter. She introduced me to the world of Young Adult books years ago, and this time I was attending as not only a young adult book fan, but also a hopeful, new author. I had spent the week before preparing bookish swag to hand out to every eager teen I came across. My daughter and youngest son volunteered to help me, and we were all set!

I thought I would share the top 10 things I learned while there in a different capacity than just an attendee. So, here we go!

1)    It wasn't as crowded as I thought it would be. I don’t know why I thought there would be more people, there were already plenty.

2)    It was confusing how to tell the volunteers from the festival goers. There were groups of people in the same colored shirts, but there were so many of them. It was hard to tell whether they were volunteers, or just there with a group. I wasn't sure whether to hand them some swag, or ask them directions.

3)    There are so very many Young Adult Authors! It really amazes me every time I see/meet more!

4)    I am better at meeting people online than in real life. I am really quite awful at trying to strike up a conversation with…well…anyone. I should really write questions down ahead of time or something. I gave it thought for weeks before, but I couldn't come up with anything. Quite awful.

5)    It’s always really great to see how many types of “booky” teens there are. They are their own, very unique species, and they should be well cared for.

6)    Always wear my hair up when in a crowd. Dang it was hot! Even if it’s not hot, my stress level rises in crowds, which then makes me hot. I should have remembered this and dressed accordingly.

7)    I definitely over prepared. Not that it’s a bad thing, but I came home with more of my swag than I intended. So, it felt disappointing, even though it went fairly well. I keep telling myself it was better to have too much than run out too early.

8)    Seeing the range of reactions to me walking up and asking someone if they wanted something free was, and is always interesting. We had the full range of reactions. From, “Sure, thanks!” all the way to, “Mmm, no thanks.” I can’t imagine refusing a bookmark at a book festival, but to each their own.

9)    Next festival I really have to find out how to get a table set up. We met a lovely young author with a table set up at the area where you buy the other authors’ books. I wanted to do that, but I wasn't sure how. I really have to get more aggressive when it comes to finding out information.

10)    I was very grateful to my daughter and youngest son for coming with me. Not only did they help, but they kept me company, which was invaluable throughout the day. My oldest son decided he couldn't handle talking to strangers in any capacity, which I thoroughly understood. Apparently it’s a gene.

All in all it was a very good day. My children were so helpful and fun, and even found books to enjoy. My son had his signed by the author, and it made his day, he was so excited! Thank you, Greater Rochester Teen Book Festival! Perhaps one year I will be asked to be a participating author there!

Death: It Happens

I think about death. A lot.

I haven't always been that way.

As a child I would think about it when we talked about Jesus, in school or home. When you are about 6 or 7 and learn that there was a person who sacrificed himself for you, even though they didn't know you or even about your existence, it makes you think about it.

But when you're 6 or 7, death to you is a concept, a notion, an idea. It's something that only happens to very, very old people, or very special people for some strange reason. It is distant. It does not have to do with me. Not now.

I used to hold my breath to see what it would be like to be "dead". What does it feel like to stop living? What did Jesus feel like? (Yeah, I was a bit devoted in my Catholic upbringing.)

The thoughts were fleeting, as only they can be at that age. It was a mere curiosity and then it was gone.

Years go by.

Teens feel invincible. They go off and do crazy things because they feel death can't happen to them.

This is a stereotype. It wasn't me.

I purposely avoided things to avoid death. I didn't smoke, or try drugs of any kind. I was the goodie-goodie kid. As I got older, I never let anyone drink and drive me anywhere. I was the designated driver. I knew death could happen to anyone, but it was unlikely that it would happen to me. Not now.

When I was 27 one of my best friends in the whole world died. Suddenly and without warning, his heart failed and he was gone. His sister was the one who called to tell us. To this day I don't know how she did it. To this day I feel his absence. Death can now happen at any time, to anyone of us. Hopefully not now.

My thirties brought on a new level of death thoughts. My husband and I now had three children and they were still very young. My family often talked to me about my weight and how it wasn't healthy. My husband mentioned that he wanted me around for a long time, so he wanted me to be healthy. Health versus death. Something new that entered my brain. With every year that passed, death was creeping closer. It is, after all, inevitable. It is going to happen some day.

The panicked thoughts would creep into my mind, ready to paralyze me. Then I thought of something. My children are small. They need me. I need to be here for them. I will be here for them. I am not going to die in my 30's. Not yet. It is too important for me to be here. Raising my children is my purpose here.

Paralyzing death went quietly to a place far back in the recesses of my mind. To haunt me another time.

I can't pinpoint the exact day or moment, but some time around 39 or 40 the death thoughts visited again. This time with a new sense of purpose. With a whole new sense of fear to share with me.

It's not that something dramatic happened to me. It wasn't one thing that sent death spiraling through my head. It was simply life happening. Life happens so consistently, it's sometimes hard to keep up.

Life goes on and people pass on. People who have lived good, long lives. They made it to a nice old age and died of natural causes. They've left us to move up the ladder of life.

Now, in my 40's, I have moved up a good few rungs of that ladder. I see others around me move up as well. Some are very close to the top. Death is welcoming them in like a long, lost friend.

Death visits my thoughts now like an annoying creature. He's noisy and loud and colorful. Too much so for my comfort. he comes into my head and stays for too long. He likes to make my heart pound, palms sweat and thoughts race. It's like he's mocking me by enhancing the things he will one day take away. I feel the life in me more clearly in those moments. I feel how I don't know what I will do without them. I panic. He stays and parties for a while, thinking it's all fun and games.

I've learned to push him away. I've learned to distract myself to quiet him. Not now.

I welcome distractions like I never have before. I like keeping my head busy, louder than death partying in the not-so-back of my mind.

Why does he paralyze me so? Does he do that to everyone?

Not now, please. Shhh.

I know it has to happen. I just hope that it is easier than it seems. The piece of wisdom I will take with me this decade is from my father; we are always afraid of the unknown. He is right. I am always afraid of what I don't know. Yet that hasn't stopped me from doing things I don't know.

Death will be one of those things. I will rise up to shake hands with him one day. Even though afraid of what I don't know, I will be confident that I will follow the millions of others who have done it and I will make it through.

Just not now, thanks.

Winging It

Today I'm just gonna write.

Right here.

Right now.

Writing.

I'll see where it takes me.

Where I end up.

What is my brain thinking about?

So many thoughts swirl through at once.

I glimpse a piece of something...

Then it's gone.

What was that?

Writing.

It's Labor Day.

Do I need to blog about it?

I think not.

Not that I've read anyone else's,

But I don't want to write about that.

Right now.

Right here.

Writing.

I'm hot and muggy.

Sweating for no reason.

I've wiped my brow more times than I can count.

I'm just sitting.

Writing.

Did I really just write about the weather? 

Oh man.

I guess I did.

But that's how it is...

Right here.

Right now.

Winging it.

A Few of My Favorite Things: The Best Cobbler In the World

A few summers ago, probably more than a few, I made my first peach cobbler. I used a recipe I found in one of my favorite and trusted cookbooks. I went by the book, as I do every time I try a recipe for the first time. It turned out well, and was easier than I thought.

A while later, perhaps the next summer, someone had left some sugar cookie dough in the fridge at our cottage. My mother didn't know what to do with it, as she knew that no one who was there at the time would want to eat the cookies from a store bought dough (some of my fam are kind of baking snobs since I like to bake from scratch a lot). I thought a minute, and then came up with something kind of fun. I used it as a topping for a peach cobbler. (By now I was happy to adjust and tweak the recipe to my liking.) It was a hit! Even those who snub the store bought dough liked it!

So, I got to thinking...what other types of toppings could I use on a cobbler? And what else could I put in with peaches? At one point, I saw a recipe for blueberry/peach cobbler, and at some other point (they all have smooshed in my head at this time) I decided to use a recipe I received from my husband's grandmother for molasses cookies as a topping, and combined them into the most wonderful cobbler recipe in the world! I have been making it ever since, every time the peaches and blueberries are looking ever so beautiful in the markets!

Because I made this recipe up, I had to come up with approximate measurements for an actual recipe. Before that, I didn't really measure anything except for by sight. So, if anything sounds like it could use a little more, or a little less for your own liking, feel free to tweak it to your pleasure.

Here we go!

First I make the molasses cookie dough. You can use your favorite recipe here if you have one. This is mine from "Grandma B" (of course, I tweaked it a bit).

1 1/2 cups melted butter

1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar

1/2 cup molasses

2 eggs

Sift together:

4 tsp baking soda

4 cups flour

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground cloves

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp salt

Add sugar, molasses and eggs to melted butter, mix well. Add sifted ingredients to wet mixture, blending well. Chill for 1 hour (can be overnight as well).

These are perfectly delish on their own, and I use any extra dough I have to make cookies! Roll into 1" balls and roll in sugar. Bake @350 degrees for 10 mins. These never last past the day I make them!

Now onward to the cobbler!

I make this when the peaches and blueberries look like this! I can't resist! They are gorgeous! That's when I know it's time...

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Peel and slice 8 to 10 peaches (the ones in the picture were huge, so I used 8 of them). Wash up 2 pints of those little blue beauties, and put them in a large bowl with the peaches.

Add the following into the fruit:

1/4 cup molasses

1/2 - 3/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark, whatever you like)

1 tsp. cinnamon

2-3 tbsp honey

3 tbsp maple syrup

(I use both honey and syrup if they are on hand, otherwise use whichever one you have, and make it about 4-6 tbsp total.)

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp flour (for thickening)

Butter the pans. Mix the fruit until all the ingredients are blended together. You'll know when the juices start to flow, as the sugar mixes into the fruit.

Pour the fruit into a 9" * 11" and about a 9" square pans. (So, yes, I make two pans for our large lake family.)

Next take the cookie dough from the fridge, and roll 2" balls. Flatten them into little patty shapes, and dip into sugar. Place each dough round on top of fruit, slightly overlapping each one on another.

Once covered completely with the dough, place in oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Keep an eye out for bubbly juices, that's when it's done. It may drip in your oven, this is good for the dish, meaning it's deliciously juicy, but you can place a tray or pan on a level under your dishes if this bothers you.

You can serve this dish warm or cold, but everyone in my family seems to prefer it warmed with ice cream and or whipped cream.

It's such a pretty dish, makes the whole house smell like a piece of heaven, and it's not going to break your calorie count, as it's mostly fruit, with a little cookie! (Of course, that's not counting what you might want to put on top of it!)

Every time I make this, I get compliments galore! I hope you do too! Of course, if this is too much for you, feel free to cut the recipe right in half, and enjoy it for a smaller gathering! We just never have that problem in the summer time!

Summer Family Time

Yesterday was spent at the lake. Like so may other days in summer.

We met up with my whole, nuclear family to celebrate two next generation birthdays.

The next generation. They are here, and they are awesome.

I mean awesome in the true meaning of the word. They evoke awe in me and my generation.

Life is an amazing thing. When you can watch it happen, from the beginning, it is a privilege. So many changes, so much chaos. All as time goes consistently by.

Two births celebrated. One on her fifteenth year, the other on her third. A span of twelve years, but celebrating together. Watching my two nieces, my two Godchildren celebrate their lives was awesome.

I am appreciative of celebrations at the lake in the summer. We cram dozens of family into that tiny kitchen to sing happy birthday, and it’s always amazing to me. It’s a magic home of love and life.

There, you can see so much. There are all the stages of growing up, growing old, and many memories of those who have gone. They always come to join us for the celebrations. They are with us in words, stories, jokes, even poking fun at them in a happy, beautiful, funny way, bringing them to life at our parties.

I look at the children around the large, wooden table, whose faces are barely above the table’s horizon.

I smile.

That used to be me. Peering over to see the birthday guest blow out their candles. Having a grown up snap a candid shot. Feeling a little embarrassed by the moment.

I see the same feelings through my lens, but experience now the new feelings of the grown up who snapped the candid shot.

Awesome. Truly full of awe to live such a moment.

This week we will also celebrate my mother’s birthday. So many great people born this month! It will be another great day of celebration. Another great day of life.

It has become a popular phenomenon to write out a beautiful moment in your life here in the world wide web, and hash tag it, “blessed”. It is a wonderful thing that so many people out there are appreciating the little things in their lives. Of course, it gets abused, misused and overused. That’s the nature of us, after all. I still appreciate seeing people being thankful for what they have.

Happy even.

Blessed.

It’s those little things in our age of technology, plastics, fast services, instant gratifications, that make it come together in a way that no technology can do.

It is life.

Happening.

Consistent, but changing.

Always.

From the Front Door

From the front door I see the lake.

It's large, obvious, and beautiful.

I see the sun shining down on everything in its path.

I feel like I just entered a new world,

One which is peaceful, wonderful, alive.

It sends a shiver down my spine, despite the heat of the day.

The grass, trees and bushes are lush green,

And flowers show themselves like tiny dots of color all around.

There are other colors too...

Childrens' chairs, and water toys,

Flags and bathing suits,

Kayaks and boats and other floaty things.

Making a most amazing rainbow across the ground.

I want to just ride it to the water,

Leave my troubles behind.

Question everything.

Question nothing.

Go where everything is new and fresh and good.

Then I remember...

I am already here.

More of My Favorite Things

It happens.

I completely forgot to blog yesterday.

I am amazed I made it this far into blogging, before I forgot.

I tend to forget things easily.

Especially if life gets in the way.

Which happens a lot in the summer.

Summer is life.

It can get in the way all it likes.

It gets in the way, and I am glad.

Glad for the sun, the warmth, the greenery all around.

Glad for the lake, the cool, beautiful, fresh water.

Glad to sit by the water and catch up with family, friends and good books.

Loving fresh, locally grown produce.

Loving the many celebrations of life and love throughout the summer time.

Loving watching my children grow up next to their cousins, as I grew up next to mine.

I even love making sure there is time to do everything we want to do in the summer!

What do you look forward to in summer time?

What things do you love about summer?

I love life, so I love summer.

Summer is life.

Personal Week: Yep, I’m Still Fat, But…

Trying for the past 15 weeks to get into shape has been rough. It’s no longer the go outside and walk, walking more and faster every week. No. I’m in my 40’s now, and that just didn’t happen like it used to. It’s been a slow, tiring progress, but a progress nonetheless.

Through these 15 weeks, I've had many sore spots, many back tracks, with lots of ice and chiropractic to help me walk on.

Walking.

Just walking.

People do it every day. Then, why is it so hard?

Oh, right, because I’m fat.

Walking every week day, or at least most of them, my daily reminders that I am fat are louder than ever. Yes, I get at least one daily reminder that I am fat. Something happens, usually I run into something with my wide self, or move a certain way that hurts, or simply, my fat gets in my way. It could be any of dozens of different things that can happen on any given day. You can usually hear me simply say out loud, “Yes, I know I’m fat,” in reply. It always boggles my mind when I meet someone fat, who doesn’t realize they are so, or in denial about it, or whatever. I get at least one daily reminder a day, don’t they?

My shins screamed at me to the point of wanting to quit after the first few weeks, despite the stretching. A new pair of sneakers, and some terrific advice from friends helped that immensely. I waited the usual 4 to 6 weeks to see some improvement, to feel stronger, more limber, to be able to walk further for longer.

There really wasn't much to see.

I am a patient person, so I waited another few weeks. I know that being in my 40’s, and out of shape, things are going to take longer than ever.

I looked for the little things. Can I stretch a bit further? Yes. Good. Can I get through the walk with less pain? Yes. 

Good.

Keep going.

10 weeks came and I felt pretty good. I was still tired, when I was finished, but I recovered well, and could go about my day without feeling drained.

Good.

Keep going.

Here I am on week 15. It’s been a long process, but I can take a longer walk in the same amount of time, and I’ve added some crunches and push ups to my workout routine. Even those have increased. Finally! Some noticeable progress!

Keep going!

Up to this point, I haven’t expected significant weight loss, or to look smaller or better. I do feel better, and that’s a great start. I love it when my muscles respond to my moving without moaning and groaning about it. When I want to get up and do something, I don’t have to mentally prepare for pain. It’s dwindling, and that feels good. I want to get up and do things much more, now that it’s not so hard.

Good!

At this point, I look forward to walking on week days. I love the music on my ipod, and I got some new shorts to walk in, so I truly look forward to it. I’ve also noticed that I look better. I am only down about 5 pounds on the scale, but I know that I have built muscle too, so there is more than 5 pounds of fat that has gone. I can see it myself in the mirror, because I am looking for it. I haven’t heard anyone else tell me they’ve noticed, but I know that I am usually the first to do so. I’ve been down this road many times before. I am patient. I know it will come eventually. It’s not the reason I’ve chosen to do this, but it’s a nice perk.

Keep going.

I’ve decided to walk to be healthier. Losing fat is a side effect of healthy living. Walking has brought many things in my life to a better point. I am grateful that I can do it any time I choose. That my body will still move and respond in a positive way, even though I have spent many years avoiding taking very good care of it. I want to keep walking as a part of my health care routine. It’s not a weight loss thing, it’s a health thing. It is as good for my mind as it is for my body.

Good.

Keep going.