Saturday, March 5, 2016

STEPHANIE FARIS - CUTE CHILDREN'S AUTHOR - PART 2

Ironically, the last time we met the very funny Stephanie Faris was on my birthday in August 2015,
and that's the same month she'll be releasing two brand new books this year in 2016. In addition, she'll release Piper Morgan to the Rescue in November. I met Stephanie via someone else's blog and we've been hanging out on the blogosphere ever since.  When visiting Stephanie's blog, you're going to get a really hilarious view on everyday things that happen in life, and some of the things she discusses have me laughing out loud. AND, she writes children's novels! Yay - let's get to this juicy interview and blurb!

Piper helps some four-legged friends find the perfect home in the third book of the brand-new Piper Morgan series.

Piper is super excited to help out at Bark Street, a local animal shelter in town. Who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by adorable puppies and dogs all day? And when Piper sees Taffy, the cutest dog she has ever seen, Piper is determined to find a way to bring Taffy home. But it won’t be easy—especially when she finds out someone else wants to make Taffy a part of their family, too!



1.  In August, the best month of the year because that's when I was born (lol), you'll be releasing two new children's novels.  Piper Morgan in Charge and Piper Morgan Joins the Circus.  Did you plan to do that, and is it difficult to release two books on the same date?

The publisher handles all of that, but I believe the logic is that many kids will buy both books at once. I think marketing will be tricky in some ways, but easier in many others. If I have an event, for instance, I can promote both books and maybe even sell both at the same time. I’m currently trying to figure out how to do a postcard that includes both books without confusing schools and libraries.

2.  Do you actually know someone like Piper?

She reminds me quite a bit of my niece, who everyone says is very much like I was at that age. It’s hard not to think back to how you were as a child and try to get back into that mindset.

3.  You live in Nashville, so have you ever tried any of their super famous and extra spicy fried chicken?

I don’t like anything spicy, but I have heard we’re known for that! I don’t like sweet tea or grits, either, so I may have my “Southerner” card revoked!

4.  What guilty treat do you like to eat all the time?

Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate! It’s definitely my weakness.

5.  Is it true that you actually have NO print novels at home?  Say it isn't so! (lol)

I think I have some packed away in storage somewhere. I have hundreds of books on my Kindle. It’s so hard for me to read print novels on my treadmill because turning pages is a nightmare, so I switched to Kindle several years ago. I love the fact that I can download a novel and start reading it immediately. Plus, how fun is it to pre-order a book and have it magically show up on your Kindle on release day? It’s like the gift you forgot you were getting.

6.  How do you handle writer's block?

I’ve personally found if I’m stuck, there are two great ways to get the wheels turning: take a shower or go for a walk. I think walking helps get oxygen flowing, which improves blood flow to the brain. I’ve yet to figure out the scientific reason behind getting great ideas in the shower.

7.  You maintain your own blog, write in other places, and still have time to write books.  How do you keep everything so balanced?

I have no idea! Honestly, I think being able to switch between writing my books, writing fun stuff for my blog, and writing about technology and business for my clients keeps it all fresh. Otherwise, I’d probably get burned out.

8.  What are you watching on television these days?

At this very moment I’m watching a series on Netflix called Forensic Files. Crime and murder. It doesn’t fit very well with children’s writing, does it? If you checked back with me tomorrow, I’d probably be watching something like The Wonder Years, though. I think my interest in crime ties into my interest in human nature and what makes people tick.

9.  What 3 items would you take on a deserted island?

My Kindle (of course), my MacBook, and a big bag of chocolate! Without electricity or Wi-Fi, those first two things wouldn’t work very well for long, though. Maybe I do need print books, after all.

10.  LOL! Can we expect more children's novels in the next five years?


I sure hope so! I’m writing, writing, writing, so fingers crossed!

Thanks so much for taking time out of such a busy schedule to chat with us.  We love you, your books and your view on stuff.  'Til next time!.  Be sure to visit Stephanie here:


Now, in celebration of hanging out with Stephanie, here's a chocolate treat from Real Simple Magazine!

CHOCOLATE TOPPED CRISPY BARS


INGREDIENTS

  1. 2tablespoons unsalted butter
  2. 110-ounce bag marshmallows
  3. 6cups rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies)
  4. 12ounces chocolate


DIRECTIONS

  1. In a large saucepan, over medium-low heat, melt the butter and marshmallows, stirring until smooth, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the cereal and stir until coated and combined. Press into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
  2. Roughly chop the chocolate and place it in a heatproof bowl set over (but not in) a saucepan of gently simmering water. Spread the chocolate evenly over the rice mixture.
  3. Cover and refrigerate 45 minutes. Cut into 24 squares.

It seems hard to imagine but the novel Frankenstein written in 1818, was based on a competition between  21 year-old Mary Shelley, her hubby and a family friend to see who could come up with the scariest story.



38 comments:

  1. Thank you SO much for interviewing me. I had a blast. I love that you worked some chocolate into the post, too. I didn't realize we met on your birthday. How cool is that?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Always enjoy hanging out with you, and with your super busy schedule, glad you could fit me in. Yes, yes, yes to chocolate! Hugs...

      Delete
  2. I'm a total eBook convert as well, but we still have a lot of print books. All are hardbacks though.
    I'm not a fan of fried food, grits, collards, or any of that stuff. I guess we'll both be turning in our Southerner cards.
    And as for the Did You Know - I actually knew that one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I should explain that I'm the opposite of a hoarder, whatever that is! I have no problem throwing things out or (in the case of books) donating them. However, I do seem to have trouble deleting books from my Kindle after I've read them--every book I've read since 2010 is still on the thing!

      Delete
    2. Yay Alex - another trivia buff! I know I shouldn't, but I've been known to do the fried food thing for sure, even though I'm from Maryland. DEspite being from that area, I'm no fan of seafood at all. I can't get into the Ebook thing at all. Something about holding a book just seems cool to me. So glad you stopped by to say hello! Hugs...

      Delete
    3. Wow! Funny you mentioned that Stephanie. I just found some Erotic novels from 2008 that I had saved on a Flash Drive, and deleted them. The books, not nearly as easy. (lol) Wish I had your guts to "just do it", however, it awesome that you are giving those books the chance to find new friends in new homes to enjoy.

      Delete
  3. "Bark Street" -- that's so adorable. I love the premise of this book. And, RO, thanks for the yummy recipe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't that a cool name for a street? I remember paying off a mortgage loan for a customer who lived on Cookie Monster Lane in Maryland, a zillion years ago, and the customer's name was Lovely Elaine Stork! Can never forget that. You're quite welcome for the recipe, Angela and big hugs...

      Delete
  4. I learned so much about Stephanie today. I knew she loved chocolate, but I didn't know she didn't have any books. I love the smell of a good book.

    I now have Forensic Files in my cue in Netflix.

    Great interview.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay--I introduced someone to a new show! I do miss print books, but I had to finally admit that reading them while walking on a treadmill was just impossible. And I try to get 10,000 steps in a day...reading keeps me on there when I otherwise would stop.

      Delete
    2. Hey Sandee and great to meet you! Isn't it neat to learn new things about friends and authors? While I love my print books, too, I agree with Stephanie about having a reason to stay on a treadmill. (lol) I'd be lucky to stay on that thing for more than 2 minutes! Thanks so much for stopping by to say hello! Hugs...

      Delete
  5. This is a great interview! I learned a lot about you. :) interesting about your exclusive ebook reads. I'm turning into that kind of reader too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Megan! Glad I'm not the only one.

      Delete
    2. Hey Megan! Fun to find out new tidbits, and glad you have a kindred spirit when it comes to books! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs...RO

      Delete
  6. I love visiting Stephanie's blog. I was curious about how she was planning the release for both books at one. I agree that there will probably be a lot of people who buy both books at once. I don't know if I have ever heard of two books coming out at once. I am wishing Stephanie the best of luck and can't wait to hear more about this process.

    Amazing about now having any print books at her house. All I have is print books- no ereader- yet. :)

    I did not know that about Frankenstein!

    Thanks for sharing.
    ~Jess

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I should have also mentioned I listen to books on Audible...but mostly true crime stuff. With chapter books, it's a little easier because they're 40 manuscript pages each...not even half the size of one middle grade. I am having some, "Do I just push the first one and mention the second one?" moments while planning promotion.

      Delete
    2. Hey There DMS. It doesn't matter how much we read, it's always fascinating to hear about the actual process of how the publishing process works when it comes to our fave authors. I have a e-reader, but very rarely use it, and I have a hard time staying awake while listening to a book on tape. (lol) Isn't it cool about Frankenstein? Love fun trivia news. Hugs... and thanks so very much for stopping by to say hello!

      Delete
  7. Oh those chocolate bars sound really good. I love the Frankenstein stories. Congrats to Stephanie on the release of her new books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, right? I like Rice Krispy Treats but they'd be even better with chocolate.

      Delete
    2. Yes, yes and more yes to chocolate, right Mary? Stephanie is definitely doing her thing with these adorable stories! Hugs...

      Delete
  8. Fun interview, ladies! Entertaining and informative. And so with Stephanie on the chocolate love.
    Thanks for the Krispie recipe, Ro! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Sophia! Hope all is well! Stephanie is such a fun person, and super talented, and her blog is amazing! Yes, yes, yes to chocolate! Hugs...

      Delete
    2. We went to The Melting Pot for our anniversary and they had Rice Krispie Treats as one of the things you could dunk in chocolate. I was telling my husband about this recipe!

      Delete
  9. Well that's just a fabulously yummy way to celebrate a visit :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anna, I don't know how in the world you do it and stay sane, girl! Between your blog, Treading tons of books, fighting with the postperson when your mail doesn't come, The Herd, cooking fab treats, your day to day life, visiting hundreds of blogs, and God know what else, you're my hero! HUGE Hugs to ya!

      Delete
    2. I love Ro's dessert recipes...one of these days I'm actually going to try one. I'm always afraid to make dessert because I know I'll eat it all.

      Delete
    3. If I can find a simple recipe that includes chocolates, I'm so there. Of course, if I must, I'll give a way some of the treats, but I'm not sure I'll want to. *heh*

      Delete
  10. Congratulations on your new books, Stephanie...how wonderful for you!
    Yummy looking, chocolate recipe, RO. Unfortunately I gave-up chocolate, along with many other sweets, about six years ago when my hubby was diagnosed as a diabetic. Both my hubby and I have worked very hard to get his condition under control. He used to have to take insulin shots 5 times a day. He now takes one pill a day! Miracles do happen, thankfully...they just need a helping hand :)
    I did know about the contest between Mary Shelley and the others. I saw it on a documentary years ago. I love watching documentaries!!!

    Big Hugs~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jan. Yes, good health is definitely more important than a few seconds of eating pleasure.

      Delete
    2. Aren't documentaries fun, Jan? Learn so much! What fantastic news that your hubby was able to get his condition under control. BIG Kudos!

      Delete
  11. Stephanie, your books look really cute! Sometimes I pick up books that I think the kids I babysit will enjoy, so I will have to investigate them further. I've always enjoyed true crime/crime tv shows and have thought about giving Forensic Files a shot. Maybe once I'm done with The Big Bang Theory and season 11 of Bones!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aren't those covers totally amazing and fun? Really make you want ti pick one up to read. Crime stories are fascinating to watch. I find that I learn quite a bit and have been known to watch Law and Order reruns over and over again. LOL Hugs...

      Delete
  12. Great interview.
    I don't really like virtual books. I LOVE to have a library at home. Of course, most of my library consists of Doctor Who or other science fiction or comic book graphic novels, but probably a quarter of it is filled with other books. Beer, reference, local (Milwaukee) history, travel and a few novels make up most of the rest.
    PS - I'm always amazed how much Stephanie put on her blog and still find time to read too. I wish I could figure out how to manage my time so efficiently.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephanie is a Superwoman for sure! She's one of the people I would love to have a cup of tea with one day. I'm so glad to have met a kindred spirit. Yay! My library has traveled with me, and grown so much. Ca't imagine life without it! Thanks so much for stopping by Jeffrey! Hugs...

      Delete
  13. Wow, no print books at all? I do like my Kindle because I can adjust the print size, but I can't afford to buy all the books I want to read, so I borrow many from the library.

    And hello to Ro! It's nice to meet you. My mom's name is Ro, short for Rosemarie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey There Dianne, and it's great to meet you! I've heard from lots of people who say the Kindle and others like it, are much more convenient, but I'm not there yet.(lol) Say hello to your mom, who sounds like an awesome person. What a cool name, huh? (lol)

      Delete
  14. Awesome interview, Ro!! And I mostly buy e-books, because I don't have room for many more print-books in my house.
    And those crispy cookies look so good :)
    I just had my students read Frankenstein not long ago, so I did know that little tidbit :) Did you know that Mary Shelley wrote the story while she was in Geneva, Switzerland, and that we have a statue of Frankenstein in town? If I bring my students there, I'll take some pictures and share.
    I hope you're having a fantastic week!
    *hugs*
    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Lexxie, and hope all is well! Oh my goodness, I did not know that she wrote the classic of Frankenstein right there in Switzerland, and that there's actually a statue of him right there. Now I'm super excited and hope you can get some pics!!!! That's truly fascinating! Hugs...

      Delete

We love comments, feedback and YOU! Hugs...