Blogger of the Year Nominee: Lisa Beth Darling

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Welcome the first of five special
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Book Boost Blogger of the Year Nominees!

Today, we welcome nominated author Lisa Beth Darling to the blog. We chatted with her recently and asked 21 questions, here's what she had to say...


TBB: How and when did you become a professional author?

LBD: On the basis of all technicality, I became a professional author sometime around 1989 when my local paper began paying me to submit 'articles of interest' on topics ranging from local politics, federal politics, gun control, religion, and more.


TBB: What do you find to be the most difficult aspect of writing a book (the creation/concept, writing, achieving publication, sales/promotion, etc…)?

LBD: Oddly enough, since losing my job in October and now having oodles of time on my hands to write—something I'd always wanted!—I find gathering up the inspiration is the hardest part. Just the plain desire to even open the file…yeah, I'm spending way too much time on FaceBook these days!


TBB: Which of your books is your favorite and why?

LBD: The Heart of War because the Muse and I just went crazy and did whatever we darn well felt like doing. We didn't have any preconceived notions or expectations, we just had a whole bunch of fun. Lucky us, a lot of people thought it was wicked good fun too and bought a few copies!


TBB: If you had to describe that book using ONLY ONE word what would it be?

LBD: Thrilling


TBB: Looking back on your writing career thus far, if you could change one thing, what would it be and why?

LBD: I'm not one of those people who likes to look back and play 'what if' so, I wouldn't change anything at all.


TBB: Is there a message imbedded into your stories you hope readers will get? If so, what is it?

LBD: I'm not Aesop, I don't tell fables for children, and my stories don't have morals. If there's any message in the things I write it's simply this; no matter what life throws at you or how bad it gets it WILL PASS and there IS light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to hold on and know that you will get there.


TBB: What has been your favorite fan letter or fan comment ever?

LBD: I have two of them and I'll never be able to decide between them. One kind person wrote to tell me that my stories saved their marriage and another kind person wrote and told me that my stories saved her life. She did not commit suicide one night simply because she had to find out what happened to one of my characters. I don't know about anyone else out there but I think those two statements are worth more than silver, gold, or a fat publishing contract.


TBB: What is your top writing career goal?

LBD: Just to tell a good story.


TBB: Give me one quote (from yourself/by yourself) about being a writer.

LBD: "Forward, ever forward."

No matter how little distance I may make in a day, if I've taken at least a few steps forward with a story then I'm a happy camper.


TBB: What do you dislike the most about being a writer?

LBD: Now that I've 'turned pro' I hate grinding the promo wheel the most. It takes so much time away from writing and the creative process that, at the end of the day, sometimes I'm so drained that I can't see the point in trying to write anything.


TBB: What other author would you most like to meet & have lunch with?

LBD: Stephen King!


TBB: Who, in your life, is your biggest source of inspiration and why?

LBD: Life is my biggest source of inspiration, just being here on planet Earth and observing human behavior, which can be quite baffling most of the time.


TBB: What is your favorite breakfast food?

LBD: I don't eat breakfast. Wait, I DO eat breakfast, I just like to have at say 6pm. Scrambled eggs, French toast, bacon, and coffee…please.


TBB: What is your worst habit?

LBD: Most people would probably say smoking but I think it's the pang of self-doubt I struggle with on a daily basis especially since losing my job.


TBB: What song lyrics get stuck in your head most often?

LBD: "Take It To The Limit" by The Eagles


TBB: If someone wrote a biography about you, what should the title be?

LBD: "Crazy Bitch, Good Stories"


TBB: If you were a t-shirt, what slogan would appear on you?

LBD: I AM Viagra


TBB: Favorite place to visit?

LBD: My bed!


TBB: Favorite time of year (or fave holiday)?

LBD: Autumn, my birthday's in October and I just love Halloween.


TBB: If you were a cartoon character, which one would you be and why?

LBD: I don't watch a lot of cartoons anymore but I suppose I'm either 'Sally' from "Peanuts" or 'Velma' from "Scooby-Doo". I'm usually the quiet, gentle, reserved, hippie in any group. Mostly, and I know this isn't a cartoon character, I'm 'Pippin' from "Lord of the Rings"; always getting into trouble with the best of intentions at heart.


TBB: What is your least favorite interview question to be asked?

LBD: I don't really have one but I suppose it's the old 'tell us about yourself'…I never know what to say!


TBB: Thanks for joining us today, Lisa and congrats on your nomination. We enjoyed getting to know you better and appreciate your appearance at the blog in 2011.


If you'd like to learn more about Lisa and her books, visit her on the web here:

http://www.moonsmusings.com/lbdarling

And don't forget to pick up a copy of The Heart of War, click cover to purchase:























Be sure to check back for our next nominee interview on January 10th with Margaret West!


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