Sonia Stanizzo's Blog
April 5, 2021
Release day coming soon!
I have a few ARC copies to give away. Click on the link to get your copy.
https://booksprout.co/arc/62221/the-t...
August 12, 2019
3 Things that have helped with my writing
I’m a huge procrastinator. I will do one hundred things before I sit myself down to write. But I’ve learned three things that, when I’ve stopped checking emails, social media, cleaning the house and all the other things that seem to be so important, have helped me write a lot of words. They’re not always great words, probably not even good. But it’s a start and I can always fix them when I have my story written.
So here are the three simple things that have helped me.
1. Turn OFF the Wi-Fi
The internet is such a time waster! Every time I pause in my writing because I need to think of what comes next, for some strange reason it’s that moment I HAVE to check emails or social media. Then I get sucked into cyberspace and don’t come out for ages.
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2. Set a timer
I time myself for one-hour intervals and have a break in between. But I would just keep tabs on the time on my computer. What I was finding by doing that, was I kept looking at the time. As the minutes counted down, I did less and less because I knew time was just about up. So I now use my phone, I put it in another room so I can’t see it and keep writing until it chimes. And I am always writing when it goes off. I even have to turn if off so I can finish what I’m doing.
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3. Don’t focus on getting the right word or description
This has helped me so much. Every time I couldn’t think of the right word, I’d sit and stare at my screen trying to figure it out and my train of thought would get forgotten, stopping my writing. Then I’d go onto Thesaurus.com until I found the word. What happened from there was now I’m on the internet so… let’s see what’s happening on Facebook or who has emailed me with super important information? Same as when I need a description for a place or person or I need to research something. I go on the internet and I get distracted with lots of other pretty and wonderful things. Now as I’m writing, if it’s not the right word, I put in a question mark. If I need a description, I write put description here in brackets. I keep a notebook with the things I need to research. All that stuff is not important when writing a first draft. I’ll get back to it when I’m editing.
These things have helped me so much. Give it a try, it could help you too! And I’d love to hear what strategies you use to help with your writing. 
July 17, 2019
Meet Jade & Nate from Trouble in Disguise.
[image error]Jade Brennan
[image error]Nate Miller
Jade is a quirky primary school teacher.
BELIEFS: Jade believes in a family curse that is stopping her from finding love.
STRENGTHS: Warm, loving and friendly.
FLAWS: Stubborn
FAMILY: Comes from a family who likes to put their noses in Jade’s business.
Nate is a rock star with a double identity.
BELIEFS: Nate believes he needs to follow in his father’s rock-n-roll footsteps.
STRENGTHS: Honorable, loyal and sensitive.
FLAWS: Moody
FAMILY: Raised by his grandmother who likes to wear bright coloured clothing and take pole dancing lessons.
The post Meet Jade & Nate from Trouble in Disguise. appeared first on Sonia Stanizzo.
July 8, 2019
How I come up with story ideas.
I often get asked how I come up with story ideas. Where does my inspiration come from? I wish I had a solid answer for that. Because it would make it a lot easier to come up with something new for my next book.
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It’s not the same formula for each book. For The Trouble with Mr Pretty, I had a dream of a scene and quickly wrote it down when I woke up before I forgot it. That scene turned into a story. I thought I’d only write one book. But then while writing The Trouble with Mr Pretty, secondary characters I wrote in that story put their hands up and said, ‘excuse me, I want a book too!’. And that’s how Chasing Trouble and Trouble in Disguise (book to be released soon) were born.
Other times, a sentence will randomly pop into my mind and I’ll work from that. This is the sentence that’s started the story I’m working on at the moment and I must tell you, I had no intentions of writing anything for a while because I was out of ideas.
Here it is:
If
Holly had a dollar every time someone called ‘how much?’ to her as she walked
through Sydney streets, she’d have a first-class plane ticket to the Bahamas.
June 10, 2019
4 Things I’ve Learned About Writing.
1. Socializing
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When I decided to write, I thought that’s all I needed to do was write—right? Wrong. The introvert in me was happy I could stay secluded in my writing cave but to get my work out into to the world, I had to become more social. Although I don’t physically have to go out and do this, I’m being more active on social media. It took me a long time to get comfortable with that. Actually, I’m not sure if I really am yet.
April 8, 2019
10 Questions with MV Ellis
Today I’m chatting with MV Ellis about becoming a writer, what famous writer she’d like to have coffee with and much more. And check out her friends to lovers rock star romance book, Finding Marnie. The gorgeous cover alone makes me want to read it! 
March 18, 2019
10 Questions with Kristine Charles
I have the lovely award winning author Kristine Charles answering my 10 Questions talking about her favourite characters she’s written, what she’s reading now and lots more.
How long on
average does it take you to write a book?
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Eek! My current WIP – Debauchery – which has just been sent into the wilds of submission, took about 18 months. I’ve been working on another, as yet unfinished WIP (London Calling) for about four years. I’m planning on my new one (Emerald Heart) taking about 4-5 months but we’ll see how that goes. I’m trying to be more disciplined, and plot more at the outset. And, on a good weekend, I can knock over a reasonable short story … so it’s all relative!
2. What’s the hardest scene to write?
That really depends. As an overall comment, I often struggle with the soggy middle… I’ll go into a story with the beginning and end fully formed, but the characters often make me work to get them from A to B. It’s weird. As to particular scenes, sometimes the beginning is hard to find, other times the black moment is all but impossible (because I love and hate making characters suffer in equal measure). I usually find the fun ending scenes a breeze (because by that point it’s all rainbows and unicorns, right!)
3. Do you have a favourite character you’ve written? If so, who and from what book?
I have to say, I’m fickle when it comes to favourites… I don’t have just one, and I love different characters for different reasons. At the moment I have a soft spot for the hero in a short I’m working on. He’s young, and fun and just a really good bloke, perfect for a slightly older and more jaded heroine. And while I love my MCs in Debauchery, one of the side characters – Julia – who is loosely based on a close friend of mine – makes me really happy. Like the actual friend, she makes me laugh all the time.
4. Do you have any unique or quirky writing habits?
Um, I don’t think so. I’m a shocking procrastinator, but that’s not new to writers across the globe.
5. What are you reading now?
I’ve
just picked up the New Camelot series from Sierra Simone. I heard her on the
Wicked Wallflowers Club podcast and was really intrigued… so I immediately went
to Amazon and… well, you know how it goes!
I’m also juggling D.I.L.F by Amy Andrews and Snowed in with the Cowboy by Maisey Yates. And my TBR list is just getting longer… Kristen Proby, Clare Connelly, Avery Flynn, Jennifer Probst, Samantha Young… it goes on!
6. Do you prefer ebook or paperback?
I’d
like to say paperback, but e-book is just so much more practical for me
nowadays – and given my 2-3 hour commute each day, audiobook is even more
practical.
I have my iPad, or my phone, with me all the time and e- or audio is so much easier than lugging around actual books. That being said though, there are a pile of paperbacks on my bedside table, and I have quite the book nook in my loungeroom. There are some books I just have to be able to hold.
7. Who are your author auto buys?
Amy Andrews and Christina Lauren. And my friends L. Simpson, Melanie Coles, and Tanya Kean… 
March 4, 2019
10 Questions with Tamara Martin
Today on 10 Questions with… I have award nominated author Tamara Martin here discussing writing, what she likes to do when not writing and her favourite childhood books.
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What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
I’ve just binged Penny Reid’s Beard series and Knitting in the City but I also love Markus Zusak’s Bridge of Clay and Katherine Scholes’ The Hunter’s Wife.
2. Are you working on anything new?
I’m working on a new Harrington book, well, a Harrington Friends story and I’m so in love with it. It’s got some saucy bits and a mystery and is set in a health retreat. Jo (who we first meet in Mrs May’s Tea and Toast), has such a wonderful, sassy voice, I can’t wait for everyone to read it when it comes out in May. You won’t have needed to read Mrs May’s Tea and Toast first though, all my books are standalone but like any series, you might enjoy them a smidge more if you do.
3. What is your favourite childhood book?
The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton and Five Dolls in a House by Helen Clare. I liked a little magic.
4. Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what do you listen to?
Sometimes. Sometimes I like to write in dead silence because my brain is already too full and then sometimes I need the noise to quieten all the other thoughts and I crank it loud. It’s usually something like Kasey Chambers or some great 80’s ballads. My Ipod’s usually on shuffle though so really, you never know what random tune’s going to pop up.
5. When did you start writing?
As soon as I learnt to write words, I began writing stories. Storytelling has been a part of me since birth. It feeds my soul and fills my heart.
6. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not writing I watch way too much television, way too many detective shows and hospital shows. Netflix is my kryptonite. I try to garden now and then but I’m terrible and everything dies so I’m in a sulking period but I did just plant some lime trees so fingers crossed. When I do leave the house, I love the movies, any excuse to break the diet, hiking rejuvenates me and well, I live in Adelaide so I’m very friendly with the Barossa.
7. Do you edit as you write or wait until the first draft is finished?
I’m a pantser which means I don’t plan what is going to happen, I sit down, it falls out of my head and then I go back and fix it and fatten it up and smooth out the wonky bits later.
8. Do you have a favourite writing space? If so, where is it?
I have a gorgeous study full of books and a big giant computer on my replica Victorian writing desk. The windows open up to my garden and it’s just lovely, especially on a nice day with all the windows open. But sometimes, particularly if I’m writing emotional scenes, I do like the laptop on my bed.
9. Do you struggle to come up with book titles?
Absolutely! Sometimes it takes the whole book and edits before I can figure out the title, it drives me mad. But I get there in the end. Sometimes I get lucky and I start with the perfect title but it doesn’t happen very often. There’s often a lot of brainstorming amongst my friends.
10. If your book was made into a movie, who would play the hero and heroine?
I’m not the kind
of author who has particular celebrities in mind when I write so this took some
thinking but I’ll say Margot Robbie and Chris Hemsworth because I love them,
they can be anyone, would look amazing together and well… Chris Hemsworth!
Running from Me
From Romantic Book of the Year finalist, Tamara Martin, comes a brand new standalone story about love and friendship.
I’ve been alone a long time, even when I’m not alone, I’m alone. I have too many secrets. On paper I don’t even exist. I’ve never been more than a fictional person because no one can ever find out who I really am or what I did. But I’m tired, I don’t know how long I can keep running, from my past, from myself. I just need to rest, to stop pretending before everything inside me breaks. When I find the perfect place with the kindest people I sleep better than I can remember but when my past starts to close in I’ll need to run, I can’t put them in danger. But then there’s MD, a beautiful man and a skilled detective and he’s not going to make it easy to walk away. But can I trust him, can I trust him with my life and my freedom?
BUY THE BOOK
Tamara Martin
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Writer, hiker, tv addict, book nerd, Tamara lives in Adelaide and is fuelled by Doritos, Chocolate Sultanas and Shiraz. She writes stories of young women finding their place in the world, making choices, sometimes in difficult circumstances, there’s suspense and romance and maybe a few laughs. Tamara is a finalist in the 2018 Romantic Book of the Year Awards for her novella The Rise of Jaz.
Connect with Tamara
The post 10 Questions with Tamara Martin appeared first on Sonia Stanizzo.
February 11, 2019
10 Questions with Michelle Dalton
1. Have you always wanted to be a writer?
No. never crossed
my mind. But, I’ve always been a story teller since a child and I used to type
out my stories and photo copy them and share them with my friends… Mmm, this
does seem like I have always been writing, but I never actually thought of
being a writer until a few years ago.
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2. How many books have you written?
Five. But I am
currently undergoing a re-brand so my first book as Michelle Dalton was
published in January 2019 
February 4, 2019
10 Questions with Cheryl Adnams
Today my guest author is Cheryl Adnams and she’s here discussing her favourite characters, writing habits and what she’s currently reading. Her new book, The Girl from Eureka is available now to pre-order.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
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It can take up to
a year or more for me to write a first draft. I work full time so finding time
to write and squeezing in a life that isn’t work related is a challenge. Some
books flow faster than others and now that I am writing historical stories
there is a lot more research involved which adds time.
2. What’s the hardest scene to write?
I often find the
first chapter the hardest. It’s just as important as the rest of the book, because
it needs to hook readers without giving away the whole story. I don’t think I
have ever started writing a book from Chapter 1. I always start with the
climactic and turning points and flesh out the lead up chapters around them.
3. Do you have a favourite character you’ve written? If so, who and from what book?
That’s like
choosing a favourite child. In my Muller’s of McLaren Vale series, it was the
patriarch, Harry, who I came to love the most despite all my sexy heroes. But
now with the release of my latest novel, “The Girl from Eureka”, I admit Indy
is my favourite heroine. She’s feisty, independent and completely no nonsense.
So when she meets her hero, there are many verbal jousts and battles of wit and
ideals.
4. Do you have any unique or quirky writing habits?
Some people think
it’s odd that I always write first drafts by hand. I handwrite a scene, usually
at a coffee shop in the morning before my day job, and then transcribe it to
computer and expand on it over the weekend. It works for me because it means I
don’t self-edit which allows the ideas and story to flow freely.
5. What are you reading now?
I just finished
Tess LeSue’s “Bound for Sin”. After having read multiple non-fiction books
about World War 2 as part of research for my next book, Tess’ wild west story
was so much fun and an emotional rollercoaster that had me laughing and crying
on the same day. I’m now starting to read Hannah Kent’s “Burial Rites”. Iceland
is on my bucket list to visit so I’m looking forward to hearing some of the
history.
6. Do you prefer ebook or paperback?
I’m happy with
either. Although I prefer a larger print these days, so ebooks are great for
that and you can’t beat ebooks for travel. I think I took 18 books on my Kobo
to Italy with me in 2017 and read all of them.
7. Who are your author auto buys?
I have a lot of
favourite authors but I don’t necessarily just buy for the author I know and
love or I’d be buried in books that I never get to read. If a story sounds
unique and interesting to me and I have never read the author, chances are I
will go to the library first. If I do know the author and their latest story
sounds like a fascinating read then it goes to the top of my buy list. My “to
be read” pile is completely out of control just now.
8. How do you choose your character’s names?
Funny you should
ask me that. I am currently struggling with a character name in a new story.
She just doesn’t fit her name and I am having trouble typing it. I’m
persevering but I wouldn’t be surprised if she ends up with a different name by
the end of the manuscript. On the other hand, one of the heroes in the same
story got his name due to a very definite plotline in the story (which I can’t
give away, of course).
9. Who’s your celebrity crush?
I guess I’d have
to say Henry Cavill is my number one just now. He’s so lovely to look at and he
makes me laugh on Facebook with his video posts. But I’d take Ryan Reynolds,
Scott Eastwood, Hugh Jackman or a Hemsworth sandwich any day of the week too.
10. Is your writing a full-time career? Or would you like it to be?
Writing full time is the dream. Sadly I have a very busy full time day job that is required to pay the mortgage. It’s also a job that takes a lot of creativity which doesn’t help as my creative well gets depleted during the week. I would love to be able to work part time and write the rest of the time. Perhaps the shorter amount of time you have to write, the better use you make of it. I’d like to think I make the most of the time I have to write but I know that’s probably not true. If anyone has the secret to work-life balance I’d love to hear it.
The Girl from Eureka
A wonderful story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the lives of the characters. The author weaved a great story and made the historical era of that turbulent time in Australia’s history really stand out.
I would read another book by Cheryl Adnams. I highly recommend. 5 Stars – AnneMarie, Goodreads
On the sun-drenched
goldfields of Eureka, a wild colonial girl and an honour-bound soldier will
break all the rules to claim a love worth more than gold …
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Ballarat, Australia 1854
Gold miner Indy Wallace wants nothing more than to dig up
enough gold to give her mother an easier life. Wild and reckless, and in
trouble more often than not, Indy finds herself falling for handsome,
chivalrous, British Army Lieutenant Will Marsh. But in the eyes of immigrant
miners, soldiers are the enemy.
Will has been posted to Ballarat with a large contingent of
Her Majesty’s Army to protect the Crown gold and keep the peace. But once he
meets rebellious Indy, he doubt’s he’ll ever be at peace again. As Will and
Indy’s attraction grows, their loyalties are tested when the unrest between
miners and the military reaches breaking point.
On opposite sides of the escalating conflict, can their love
survive their battle of ideals? And will any of them survive the battle of the
Eureka Stockade?
Cheryl Adnams
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Cheryl Adnams lives in Adelaide, South Australia. She has
published four Australian rural romance novels and a Christmas novella. Cheryl
has a Diploma in Freelance Travel Writing and Photography and has lived and
worked in the United States, Canada and spent two years with a tour company in
Switzerland and Austria. Her passion for Italy, volcanology and cycling have
made their way into her stories and her favourite writing retreats include
Positano on the Amalfi Coast and Port Willunga Beach just south of Adelaide.
When she’s not writing, Cheryl is still creating in her busy full time job as a
trainer and learning designer.
Buy the book
PRE-ORDER NOW
RELEASE DATE 12 FEBRUARY 2019
Amazon.com.au
Amazom.com https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JMMS5XV/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i5
Kobo
https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/the-girl-from-eureka
Itunes
https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/the-girl-from-eureka/id1439820711?mt=11
GooglePlay https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cheryl_Adnams_The_Girl_From_Eureka?id=g_NnDwAAQBAJ
Contact Cheryl
https://www.facebook.com/cheryadnamsauthor
Twitter: @cadnams
The post 10 Questions with Cheryl Adnams appeared first on Sonia Stanizzo.
