Ask the Author: Martha Sweeney
Answered Questions (10)
Martha Sweeney
Hi, Kaye88. I'm so glad you enjoyed Emma's story.
To answer your question about releasing more books in the future, that is a DEFINITE yes! I have a mystery/suspense romance entitled "Killmore scheduled" to be released Nov. 15, 2016. I'm also working with several authors on an anthology that will be out Nov. 1, 2016 where all profits will be donated to charity. With fifteen other book ideas shouting in my head, I plan to be publishing all of them - hopefully 2 to 3 books a year.
I happy to hear that you found some of the things I've mentioned in the Just Breathe series interesting enough to research them, not only that, but to incorporate them into your life. Many of them I myself do. There are pieces of me in every story I write.
If you're interested to get updates on my upcoming releases, giveaways and more, feel free to connect with me via social media (links on my GR author page). You can also sign up for my newsletter too which I'm currently doing a giveaway for my Bookish themed adult coloring book: http://tinyurl.com/z68sjt9
Thanks again for reading and your awesome questions. I look forward to answering more. :)
To answer your question about releasing more books in the future, that is a DEFINITE yes! I have a mystery/suspense romance entitled "Killmore scheduled" to be released Nov. 15, 2016. I'm also working with several authors on an anthology that will be out Nov. 1, 2016 where all profits will be donated to charity. With fifteen other book ideas shouting in my head, I plan to be publishing all of them - hopefully 2 to 3 books a year.
I happy to hear that you found some of the things I've mentioned in the Just Breathe series interesting enough to research them, not only that, but to incorporate them into your life. Many of them I myself do. There are pieces of me in every story I write.
If you're interested to get updates on my upcoming releases, giveaways and more, feel free to connect with me via social media (links on my GR author page). You can also sign up for my newsletter too which I'm currently doing a giveaway for my Bookish themed adult coloring book: http://tinyurl.com/z68sjt9
Thanks again for reading and your awesome questions. I look forward to answering more. :)
Martha Sweeney
Ha ha. It's funny that you caught this detail. :)
When the body experiences a flight or fight response, there comes a point where that built up of energy and emotion(s) are released. This 'release' can come in different forms, some appearing at the same time or soon after. Other than just crying, the body can also 'release' such tension in other forms such as flatulence, burping, hiccups, body shaking (convulsions) and even the sudden need to urinate.
I studied human and animal behavior in college. It's an interesting thing how there can be vast amounts of similarities in how people respond or react to emotional trauma on the opposite ends of the scale, while also having some enigma cases where people fall in a different category altogether from the two most common extremes.
I hope this helps.
There will be more details revealed as the story continues.
When the body experiences a flight or fight response, there comes a point where that built up of energy and emotion(s) are released. This 'release' can come in different forms, some appearing at the same time or soon after. Other than just crying, the body can also 'release' such tension in other forms such as flatulence, burping, hiccups, body shaking (convulsions) and even the sudden need to urinate.
I studied human and animal behavior in college. It's an interesting thing how there can be vast amounts of similarities in how people respond or react to emotional trauma on the opposite ends of the scale, while also having some enigma cases where people fall in a different category altogether from the two most common extremes.
I hope this helps.
There will be more details revealed as the story continues.
Martha Sweeney
Great questions! First, thank you for taking the time to read my books.
Someone who had gone through several tumultuous events in just the matter of a few months since her sixteenth birthday; loss of her parents, thrown into foster care, almost raped by the male caregiver and feeling like she's responsible for the death of her own parents, Emmas has ultimate shut down from the world. Her flight to leave the east coast and move all the way out to California at the age of 16 is huge and taxing. She's ultimate on the run from the authorities, fearful of being put with another family that may be just as bad or worse as with Dean and Amber. The feeling of no control and wanting to take that back consumes her and fuels her actions.
Emma does remember her father. You're only seeing a small figment of her memory from the day of the accident. Did she really wake up right at that exact moment when the accident occurred? To Emma, she did, so the last few seconds of what she remembers plays over and over in her head. There's guilt, sadness and a myriad of other feelings she's having since the day of when she lost them. The inability to cope, let alone to have closure with the event haunts her. She misses them and is haunted by the dream anytime she has to face an emotional point in her life. The dreams play several roles, but I won't reveal that just yet since you're only in book one of the series.
It is an interesting thing what people hold onto with regards to situations and emotions to different events. Some people are able to continue forward while others get stuck in their own head. As you'll start to see, Emma has put forth a number of habits (some may seem neurotic to some extent), all because of what happened to her. For most, something major can trigger change and for the habits to suddenly alter to something you wouldn't expect - this is the case for Emma. Anytime the feeling of something changing that might be out of her control, Emma panics. Part of her panic attack is the reoccurring nightmare. With the new habits in place, which Emma uses as a wall to protect herself, it is very hard for those habits to alter in the slightest form let alone change altogether. Her nightmares are the result of sensing and knowing that things are changing - things her unconscious knows she has not power over.
Don't hesitate to ask more questions. I love being able to share!
Someone who had gone through several tumultuous events in just the matter of a few months since her sixteenth birthday; loss of her parents, thrown into foster care, almost raped by the male caregiver and feeling like she's responsible for the death of her own parents, Emmas has ultimate shut down from the world. Her flight to leave the east coast and move all the way out to California at the age of 16 is huge and taxing. She's ultimate on the run from the authorities, fearful of being put with another family that may be just as bad or worse as with Dean and Amber. The feeling of no control and wanting to take that back consumes her and fuels her actions.
Emma does remember her father. You're only seeing a small figment of her memory from the day of the accident. Did she really wake up right at that exact moment when the accident occurred? To Emma, she did, so the last few seconds of what she remembers plays over and over in her head. There's guilt, sadness and a myriad of other feelings she's having since the day of when she lost them. The inability to cope, let alone to have closure with the event haunts her. She misses them and is haunted by the dream anytime she has to face an emotional point in her life. The dreams play several roles, but I won't reveal that just yet since you're only in book one of the series.
It is an interesting thing what people hold onto with regards to situations and emotions to different events. Some people are able to continue forward while others get stuck in their own head. As you'll start to see, Emma has put forth a number of habits (some may seem neurotic to some extent), all because of what happened to her. For most, something major can trigger change and for the habits to suddenly alter to something you wouldn't expect - this is the case for Emma. Anytime the feeling of something changing that might be out of her control, Emma panics. Part of her panic attack is the reoccurring nightmare. With the new habits in place, which Emma uses as a wall to protect herself, it is very hard for those habits to alter in the slightest form let alone change altogether. Her nightmares are the result of sensing and knowing that things are changing - things her unconscious knows she has not power over.
Don't hesitate to ask more questions. I love being able to share!
Martha Sweeney
I had a suggestion to have the book released on the date of Joe's & Emma's birthday in November . . . depending on the editing process it may be out then or just before the Christmas holiday for 2015. :) More information coming soon.
Update: Due to holidays and Bibliobules, 'Just Breathe' will be coming out in early 2016!
Update: Due to holidays and Bibliobules, 'Just Breathe' will be coming out in early 2016!
Martha Sweeney
I've been reading a lot more lately, especially for pleasure. I admire other authors for their hard work, time and dedication to the craft, but I want to project a message to women that is empowering when it comes to erotic romance novels. Self-expression, for any person, is vital to life and especially with regards to sex -- albeit alone, with a consenting partner or partners. A woman should love and feel confident in her body, no matter her size. A woman should explore her body and know what she likes and doesn't like when it comes to sexual desires and have the confidence and freedom to share those fantasies with her partner(s).
Martha Sweeney
Life. Everything around us can be a spark of inspiration. It's just a matter of molding the words into the story or message you want to say.
Martha Sweeney
Breathe Out, book #2 for the Just Breathe series which is scheduled for release in November 2015.
Breathe In, book #1 of the Just Breathe series is scheduled for release May 2015!
Breathe In, book #1 of the Just Breathe series is scheduled for release May 2015!
Martha Sweeney
Start. There's no better time than NOW!
Martha Sweeney
You think you have the power and control over the story until the characters tell you otherwise in your head. I've had certain situations play out in my head to only change because a character does something I least expect.
Martha Sweeney
It's not a matter of writer's block, but a matter of getting from the point where I am in the story to a later point that I already see in my head. It's a matter o determining what I want to occur in between those to distinct places. Inspiration is all around, and in order to capture it, my mind must be distracted with other things that cause it to wander -- like exercise or physical activities of some sort. When in doubt, move your body and the ideas will flow.
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