Guest Post by Nonnie Jules!

Something a little different for you today. I'm honoured to say that my blog plays host to its first guest author, the lovely Nonnie Jules. Hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!

Hello and thanks for having me here at RandomtoRandom, Lauren.  This is the 2nd stop on my STILL ALL ABOUT DAUGHTERS Blog Tour which runs 7/20/13-7/27/13 and I'm hoping that your readers will join in on every leg of this tour.

Although I'm touring to promote my book "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS", 100 Tips To Raising Daughters Everyone Can't Help But Love! and my upcoming, highly-anticipated novel "Daydream's Daughter.  Nightmare's Friend", I want to share with all of you some things that I've learned on this writing journey of mine.  In the beginning I didn't find much support, so what I'm sharing will probably appeal to those who are just starting out on their own writing journey.  I hope all that I leave you with, somehow guides you in a positive direction for your writing.

I began writing "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE..." in April, 2013.  It only took me 17 days to pen this book from start to finish, with a few more days of proofing, editing, formatting and tears, it was ready to hit Amazon on the 7th of May.  I was very proud of this piece of work and even prouder that I had the opportunity to share it with the world.

In speaking with another author, she mentioned that Authors sort of frowned on books that were written in such a short period of time.  My response to her was "that was their issue and not mine."  I am very aware that it takes some writers many years to write books, and that is great.  There is no way I could have written my novel in 17 days, but each book is different.  I didn't have to do much research for "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE..." as I had lived the book.  I was writing directly from my own experiences of having raised my two beautiful daughters. 

As a new writer on this journey, you will encounter many who want to give you their wonderful advice.  I say take it all in, process it and if it doesn't feel right to you and for you, go with YOUR own gut feeling.  There's nothing at all wrong with that.  I now know that some of those that were trying to advise me, had no knowledge whatsoever in the art of writing.  Perfect example, one was a high school student!  Do you see the point that i'm trying to make?  Lots will have Lots to say and to share.  But it is up to you how you will handle it.  My advice, take it all in with a grain of salt....very cautiously.

Then you will encounter those who want to do nothing but see you and your book fail.  Yes, there are some.  How will you be able to pick them out of a crowd?  Well, they will be the ones front and center, yelling very loudly that "Writing is SOOOOO hard!  Get out now while you can."  Thing is, you'll never see them leaving.  These are the folks with the very small minds who think that this is some major competition.  It is not.  There is enough room for ALL OF US in this big pool of writing.  I suggest you learn early on how to decipher who is there to help you and those that are out to harm and derail you.  I don't need to tell you to steer clear of the latter.

Finally, put yourself on a writing schedule.  To my detriment, I have found that writing can consume your life.  It has mine.  I have not slept very well since I became an author, sometimes I forget to eat and my family has all but forgotten that I live in their house.  Why, because I'm always tucked away in my office, door closed, at my computer......WRITING.  I started off too fast and now have come to realize that I need to slow the pace.  I am tired.  I am sleep deprived and I'm sure I'm probably hungry.  I want to rest.  So my best advice to you is to carve out some time each day and keep yourself on that schedule if at all possible.  Writing is fun and it's supposed to be, but if you let it take over every area of your life, it can quickly lose it's luster.  I have now decided to take my own advice.  I will sleep, I will resume my perfectly tuned every 3 hour eating schedule and I will live outside of the world of writing, if only for a little while to breathe.  You do the same.

Before I leave let me share a little about this new AWESOME parenting guide called "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS".  The 5 star reviews that are coming in on this book, are so greatly appreciated and so well written.  I am receiving wonderful email correspondence from readers who are thanking me for this book, who wishes that this book had been around when their daughters were children and even those who say "These tips even work well for sons!" I'm happy to hear it all.  But what I have to say about this book is this:  It can truly change the world!  If every parent, young and old, who now has charge of raising a daughter, a niece a granddaughter or son, had this book in their possession several things could happen:  1) the world would be a much safer place;  2) the world would be filled with respectful, kind daughters who grow into respectful, kind young ladies who have much to offer society;  and  3) our legacy left behind for our children would be a world filled with kindness, love, understanding and acceptance.  What parent wouldn't want to leave this kind of world to their children?  I for one, am all for it!

"THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE..." is in ebook and paperback form athttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CP62O56 and paperback editions can also be purchased athttp://www.createspace.com/4355124.  Looking for the PERFECT baby shower gift?  "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE..." would be a hit!

My upcoming novel "Daydream's Daughter. Nightmare's Friend" has a release date of August 22, 2013.  Watch for it and read an excerpt here at http://wp.me/P3sUCq-gj.  There is a one-question poll there and I would like your opinion of the piece so please, take a quick second to share.

You can find me on Twitter @nonniejules, on FaceBook (Nonnie Jules) and if you enjoy a variety of really good writing, do FOLLOW my blog at WATCH NONNIE WRITE! at http://www.nonniewrites.wordpress.com.

Lauren, thank you once again for having me and to all the readers, I hope that you got what you came here for...some very useful information.  Please get your copy today of "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE..." even if you don't have a daughter and even if you're not a parent.  We all know someone, somewhere who could use a little help, and this guide was written solely for that purpose.  That parent will be ever so grateful and the world will be a much better place because of your little purchase.

Take care and if you keep reading, I will definitely keep writing!

Aspiring Author: Jason Mueller

I got an interview with the very creepy Jason Mueller, writer of horror/supernatural fiction!

Hi Jason, tell us a bit about yourself.

What do you want to know? I've seen things, I've done things and I've thought a lot worse....

Lol that's very helpful....why horror?

Why horror? They say write what you know, so I do. I had a crazy childhood and looking back on things, I believe that the house I grew up in may have had spirits in it.

I've seen shadow people, seen things move, had strange feelings in various places and I tend to be somewhat empathic. I also used to play as a kid in some of the areas that were known to be haunted and are talked about in the Troy Taylor book, Haunted Decatur. I also saw one of the places on the Most Haunted TV show.

Also, in the woods in that area, my friends and I would frequently find goat skulls. Why would there be goat skulls and pentagrams painted everywhere, hmmmm?

I look at it all differently than most. Before getting derailed, I studied for the Ministry for a long time. I am on my 8th time through the Old Testament and my 16th time through the New Testament.

I have read countless books on theology and possession.

You clearly know your subject well and are very passionate about it. Are you working on anything right now?

I'm working on another short story and a full length novel, called "Soul Whispers", a frolicking tale  of when the Old Testament demon god Molech possesses a ten year old boy. I also have several other starts on books and over 30 titles ideas for books.

Wow, that's a lot! Where can we find your stories?

My work can't be found at the moment. Getting ready to take all the short stories down, redo them and release an anthology.

Cool. So, apart from religion and the paranormal, what else are you into?

I play bass, I'm an excellent cook (even though I hate doing it), and I have a real desire to make knives, swords and armor.

Thanks for the interview, Jason!

You can find Jason on Twitter: @jasonmueller71 and Facebook: Jason Mueller a.k.a. Jake

The satisfying John Satisfy.....

I'm very pleased to say I got to interview author John Satisfy. Find him on Twitter...John Satisfy@jsatisfiction. He won't disappoint....

Hi John, tell us about yourself and your writing.

Hello Lauren, well that's kind of a broad topic. :)

I've been writing for most of my life, I've explored all sorts of genres, from drama, to sci-fi, to humor, and of course erotica. I've always enjoyed reaching out to people and being able to touch them with my words. It wasn't until recently that I decided to try publishing my work. It has been an amazing experience thus far, and I'm honored at how much praise I've received. My guiding philosophy is to write from at least one character's point of view and bring their emotions into the actions. And I feel that surprises are extremely important, especially with erotica, because it's those surprises that keep the reader engaged and wanting to turn the page to find out what will happen next.

When I'm not writing I enjoy reading and cooking. My specialties in the kitchen are baked goods, and I love to experiment with new recipes or tweak existing ones. I love a good challenge and push myself to excel at new activities. I get a thrill at exploring the outdoors and travel in general. There is something invigorating about going on a trip and seeing a different part of the world, even if that part of the world is only a few hours away. If that travel just happens to involve an amusement park with roller coasters, or a chance to speak with the locals, well, so much the better.

Creative AND adventurous!

Who or what inspires you? Especially when it comes to erotica.....;)

I find my inspiration in many different places. As far as writing style, I am influenced by whoever I'm reading at the time. Michael Crichton is one of my favorite authors and I appreciate his simple style and driving narrative, and I think he's influenced me a bit, even if the genre isn't the same. I've tried to craft my own style, so that I can have a unique voice in the erotica realm.

I have a tendency to continue with something, a movie or a book, even if it's not very good. The "train wrecks" are are fascinating to me, especially when it comes from a creative mind that I respect. I think I learn as much from the horrible as I do from the sublime works of art. Trying to see where these things fail, and often it's not the general concept because it caught my attention in the first place, is helpful in avoiding those same pitfalls.

Sometimes I see a glimpse of my inspiration and the story just flows from that. It's kind of like having sex, it's not planned out completely, but something, an article of clothing, a look, a mood, inspires the way the night is going to unfold. Often my stories are formed by an idea of where I want to push things, although I don't outline it, I just let it happen naturally. Many times I've tried to force a story into a place that I want it to go and it rebels. So the idea just doesn't work, so I have to drop them from it. However, I do try to remember the best ones and they will find their way into future stories.

You currently have a book out, Sin City Stripping. Tell us a little about it and where readers can buy it.

I actually have two eBooks out, Sin City Stripping and The Ravishing. Sin City Stripping is the story of somewhat shy Jessie who decides to throw her husband, Ryan a birthday party he will never forget. Ryan's fantasy has always been to be with Jessie's two best friends; strong, dominant Nicole and fun, bubbly Erin. So Jessie sends Ryan down to Las Vegas, puts him and his two friends, Neil and Kyle, up in a luxurious suite. They think they are just there for the pleasures of Vegas, but Jessie and her two friends surprise them at their suite and put on a little show for them. Nicole and Erin have no problem loosening up and by the end of the night, Jessie has managed to put the Sin into Sin City as well.

While it might sound like a male's fantasy, it's really from Jessie's point of view and it's written so that the female readers can get into her head space and escape the confines of their everyday lives. Erotica is a safe outlet for the mind and I like to give readers that escape. It is available on Amazon (US, UK, CA, etc), B&N, Smashwords, Kobo, Diesel, the major retailers.

So what's next for you?

Right now I'm working on my first anthology. Something a little different than the long form stories that I've published to date. The first one is "Teased and Pleased" and will be out in a week or two. The underlining thread connecting these stories is a little power/control play, a little pampering, and a lot of hot scenes.

Also, every Thursday morning, eastern time, I publish a new story, or story snippet, on my blog, eroticsatisfiction.com. Everything on my blog is free and there are links to my books there as well. It's been great to have received a few comments and to interact with the readers there. So between writing new stories, editing books, promoting and working on the blog, I've got a pretty full plate. However, you can still expect a lot more content in the upcoming months.

That's good to hear and the anthology sounds like something to look forward to.

Thanks for the interview John!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Ravishing-ebook/dp/B00CXEG1YK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372942429&sr=8-1&keywords=the+ravishing+john+satisfy

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sin-City-Stripping-ebook/dp/B00CTXUL6E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372942927&sr=1-1&keywords=sin+city+stripping+john+satisfy