Thursday, September 22, 2011

(The Crossroads Experience) Interviews With Authors: Mary Ting + TWO Giveaways

Hi there!  Today we have another wonderful Interviews With Authors!  In honor of The Crossroads Experience Blog Tour, I have Mary Ting, author of Crossroads, here with us today!  Mary Ting was kind enough to answer my questions on where she got her inspiration for her book and what it is like being an author.  Crossroads is a paranormal romance that takes place on both Earth, and a place between life and death: Crossroads.  Claudia travels to Crossroads in her dreams, only to discover that it is home to alkins, half-human, half-angel beings.  Suddenly Claudia is thrown into an intense battle between good and evil, and she's at the center of it all.  You can read my full review of Crossroads here.

Now in honor of The Crossroads Experience Blog Tour I would like to present, Interviews With Authors: A Talk With Mary Ting!

And don't forget to check out the TWO giveaways at the bottom of the page!

A Talk With Mary Ting

Author of Crossroads

By T.B.

1) How did you get the idea to write Crossroads?

Crossroads was inspired by a dream I had in high school-chapters one and two. I also have to thank Stephenie Meyer for inspiring me. I knew that Twilight was based on her dream so I thought why not do the same with my book.


2) I’ve read that you based many of the characters and incidents in Crossroads on real people and experiences in your own life.  What was it like incorporating your personal life into the book, yet still staying true to the characters and the story?  Was it hard to find a balance?

Yes, this is true. I incorporate my personal life into the book, but it wasn’t hard to find a balance. I created Claudia’s world around my experiences because these experiences happened during my senior year in high school.

3) The alkins and angels have a complex history that intertwines with the fates of the humans.  Was it difficult to express on paper everything that was so clear in your head?

Yes, it was difficult because I didn’t know how the readers would feel. At times, not everything was clear in my head. It wasn’t like I could research and find something that was a part of history. I had to create a world, yet it had to be realistic.

4) Crossroads was a way to help you grieve for your grandmother.  Did writing Crossroads help you channel the emotion that you were feeling after your grandmother’s death into the story?

I started writing because it was a way for me to heal the loss of my grandmother. After the story ended, I cried so much. It was like all these emotions were bottle up into this story. Then it ended and I felt lost. Though I know she is with me through memories, having her part of Crossroads is a way for me to keep her alive.

5) Not only are you an author, but you are also a full time mom and wife.  Is it hard to fit writing into your already busy schedule?

Also, I am a teacher. I teach kindergarten. Yes, it is so difficult to find time to write, especially when I’m trying to promote at the same time. I try to find any spare time. I even sometimes type when I’m brushing my teeth or cooking…lol!!!

6) Is there a particular reason that you chose to write a book for young adults, rather than a story for adults?

I didn’t read many books growing up. I read a lot of pictures books to my students and my own children. One day, I decided to read a book that none of my friends heard of, a black background with two hands holding an apple…sounds familiar…lol!!! Anyway, after that, I found myself drawn to young adult novels. I read as often as I could because not only where they interesting, but books also helped me relieve the everyday stress in life.

7) Are you currently working on any other books?

I am currently working on a sequel to Crossroads.

8) Angels are a large part of Crossroads.  Do you think that a place such as Crossroads and beings such as angels truly exist?

I would like to say that I hope such place does exist because I dreamt it. Though I turned back and I will never know what exist there, I can only imagine. Do I believe angels truly exist? I’m not sure, but I hope they do ☺

9) Lastly, what advice would you give to any young readers who someday wish to become recognized authors?

Get all your thoughts down before you forget. Ask friends to read your draft and get feedbacks. But most importantly, believe that you can!

-This is T.B. with Another Book Back on the Shelf...
Until Next Time, Keep Reading!

Thank you so much Mary for stopping by for the Crossroads Experience Blog Tour!  Wow, that's so interesting how so much of your book was based on your dream and experiences in your personal life.  I really think that makes it easier to get your story across in a way.  I love your reasons for writing YA as well!  I feel the exact same way, and YA books really are my escape.  I'm looking forward to the sequel of Crossroads!  Again, thank you so much for being a part of Interviews With Authors, and taking the time to answer my questions.  Don't forget to visit the other stops on the blog tour.  This was Interviews With Authors: A Talk With Mary Ting!


You can find my full review of Crossroads here.

Interested in more Interviews With Authors?  Check out my Interviews With Authors page here to find more exciting interviews!

But don't click away just yet!  I have TWO giveaways for you today!

Can't wait to read Crossroads now?  Thanks to Mary and The Experience Tours you have a chance to win one e-book copy of Crossroads!

Now here are the rules:

-You must be 13 years of age or older
-Open Internationally!
-You DO NOT have to be a follower to enter, but following is always appreciated!
-Comments do not count as entries, but feel free to leave any if you'd like!
-Winner will be chosen by Random.org
-Giveaway ends October 15, 2011 at 11:59 PM (PST)
-Winner will be announced on October 16, 2011
-Winner must respond within 48 hours, or a new winner will be chosen



To enter all you have to do is simply fill out the form below.  Good luck!  But, don't leave just yet!  Keep scrolling down for a chance to win a signed paperback copy of Crossroads and a Swarovski crystal heart necklace and a Crossroads bracelet!




Mary is hosting a giveaway of her own!  

You could win:


-A signed paperback copy of Crossroads

-A Swarovski crystal heart necklace

-A Crossroads bracelet

The giveaway will go on for the duration of the tour, so you have until September 28 to enter.  All you have to do is fill out the form below.  Good luck!



Don't forget to check out the other stops of The Crossroads Experience Blog Tour, where you can read reviews, interviews, and enter giveaways!




Sept.15 : Books Ahoy (Giveaway) www.books-ahoy.blogspot.com
Sept.16 : Keeping Up with the Rheinlander's (Guest Post) http://mnmrheinlander.blogspot.com
Sept.17 : StephLikesBooks (Review & Author Interview) http://stephlikesbooks.blogspot.com  
Sept.18 : Books Like Breathing (Review & Guest Post) http://bookslikebreathing.blogspot.com
Sept.19 : Jen @ A Books and A Latte (Giveaway & Guest Post) http://bookandlatte.blogspot.com 
Sept.20 : Le'Grande Codex (Review, Author Interview, & Giveaway) http://le-grande-codex.blogspot.com
Sept.21 : Cup of Tea Reviews (Review & Guest Post) http://cupofteareviews.blogspot.com
Sept.22 : From the Bookshelf of T.B. (Review, Author Interview, & Giveaway) http://www.ftbotbblog.blogspot.com
Sept.23 : SeeitORreadit (Character Interview & Giveaway) http://seeitorreadit.blogspot.com
Sept.24 : After the Book (Author Interview & Giveaway) http://afterthebook.blogspot.com
Sept.25 : A Casual Reader's Blog (Review & Guest Post) www.ellsey.blogspot.com 
Sept.26 : Mom Reads My Books! (Review & Giveaway) momreadsmybooks.blogspot.com 
Sept.27 : YA Books: Beyond the Cover (Guest Post) http://yabooksbeyondthecover.blogspot.com
Sept.28 : The Magic Attic (Review, Character Interview, & Giveaway) www.theawesomemagicattic.blogspot.com

4 comments:

  1. Great Interview! I have not heard of this book, but it sounds really interesting, especially that the author put so much of herself into it. And from a dream. I love your author interviews, T.B.

    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great Interview! I love the book series and I'm glad that Crossroads has a sequel.
    Thasnks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Can I just say how awesome it is that Crossroads was inspired by a dream? Because I ADORE that! I'm really big on dreaming, and I think some of the coolest things happen in dream worlds! :)

    Awesome interview, Tessa! :) And congrats on having your book published, Mary! I'm definitely going to try to get my hands on a copy!

    Thanks so much for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awesome interview, Tessa! :) And congrats on having your book published, Mary Thanks so much for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete

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