Here's a little about Rebecca and her NA novel Life.
Author Bio:
Rebecca Lund Belliston is the author of the romantic suspense novel, Sadie, and it's sequel, Augustina. Rebecca also composes piano and vocal music. When she's not writing fiction, music, or chasing her five kids, she can be found cuddled up with a good book. She and her family live in Michigan.
Find her online: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
Her home. Her parents. Her freedom. Gone.
His dreams. His sister. Himself. Lost.
Two people.
One future.
The economy crashed, the country is floundering, and Carrie Ashworth struggles to keep her siblings alive. She has two jobs in her newly-formed, newly-outlawed clan: growing crops to feed thirty-six people, and keeping Oliver Simmons, their local patrolman, happy. Carrie’s life is almost content when Greg Pierce shows up. A man with the ambition to help them survive. A man determined to hate her.
When a government raid nearly wipes out their clan, Greg realizes the true reason behind their safety. Patrolman Simmons has fallen for Carrie. Greg takes it upon himself to give the socially-awkward patrolman what he wants. Only Carrie doesn’t like Greg throwing her in Simmon's path, especially when Greg’s brusque exterior melts, and she catches a glimpse of the real man underneath. Carrie is forced to choose: follow her heart or save her clan.
Life won’t let her choose both.
*****
Now on to the interview! Welcome, Rebecca!
Thanks for having me! I’m excited to be here and share a little about my new book.
Tell us a little about Life. Is it a stand alone book or part of a series?
This is the first book in a trilogy about a little band of neighbors in a small Midwest town who pull together after a global financial disaster wipes out their money, jobs, transportation, food supply, and basic way of living. At the heart of the story is quiet, unassuming Carrie Ashworth (23) who struggles to raise her siblings after her parents’ deaths. Without meaning to, she’s caught between two men: one with the power to destroy her clan, and the other with the power to crush her will to survive.
The series is entitled Citizens of Logan Pond, and the books are subtitled Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit.
*Oh wow, I love the premise of this series! -K.S.
What inspired you to write the series Citizens of Logan Pond?
Six years ago, I got stuck on a single question. “What if the end of civilization as we know it doesn’t come from some huge war or catastrophe? What if it comes from the absence of one small thing: the dollar?” This question wouldn’t leave me alone and has grown into this series.
I also wanted to explore what kinds of things would survive if everything is taken away from a person. Namely family, friendships, and love.
*What a great 'what if' question! And those can lead to some stellar novels! -K.S.
Is there a message in your novel you want readers to grasp?
Definitely! I want readers to remember that the human spirit is strong and amazing. That love goes on, regardless of circumstances. That people can be good, in spite of what life throws at them. As a race, we are natural-born survivors. I want my readers to believe in people and themselves.
*Love this message! -K.S.
When writing a novel, do you ever experience writer’s block? If so, what do you do to overcome it?
Yes. More often than I like. A few things have helped me push through it.
1) Walk away and let the scene stew in my mind for a while. Sometimes months.
2) Jump ahead and write what comes next in the story. This works really well. Usually after I figure out what happens later in the story, the earlier parts come more easily. I can go back and fix the scene that has me stumped.
3) Stop and dissect what I’m trying to write. The best advice I heard is that when the writing is coming slow, it’s probably not good writing. This is because when the story is awesome, amazing, and engaging, we can’t wait to get it onto paper. We can’t type fast enough. So if the story isn’t coming, the key is to figure out why. Easier said than done, right?
When writing a novel, do you ever experience writer’s block? If so, what do you do to overcome it?
Yes. More often than I like. A few things have helped me push through it.
1) Walk away and let the scene stew in my mind for a while. Sometimes months.
2) Jump ahead and write what comes next in the story. This works really well. Usually after I figure out what happens later in the story, the earlier parts come more easily. I can go back and fix the scene that has me stumped.
3) Stop and dissect what I’m trying to write. The best advice I heard is that when the writing is coming slow, it’s probably not good writing. This is because when the story is awesome, amazing, and engaging, we can’t wait to get it onto paper. We can’t type fast enough. So if the story isn’t coming, the key is to figure out why. Easier said than done, right?
*I tend to jump ahead too! It does help, doesn't it? -K.S.
If you had a book club, what would they be reading, and why?
Hmmm. I have so many favorite books. I’m not sure I’m intelligent enough for many book clubs, though. They often read really deep, or profound books. Personally, I love reading sweet YA romances, so I’d have to have friends in the book club who also enjoy those. My favorite series I’ve read lately is “Cinder” by Marissa Meyer, or “The False Prince” by Jennifer Nielsen. Both are well written and fun reads, so I’d start with them.
If you had a book club, what would they be reading, and why?
Hmmm. I have so many favorite books. I’m not sure I’m intelligent enough for many book clubs, though. They often read really deep, or profound books. Personally, I love reading sweet YA romances, so I’d have to have friends in the book club who also enjoy those. My favorite series I’ve read lately is “Cinder” by Marissa Meyer, or “The False Prince” by Jennifer Nielsen. Both are well written and fun reads, so I’d start with them.
*Oooh, sweet YA romances are the best. Good choice! -K.S.
And now for some FUN questions! :)
If I came to your home and looked in your fridge, what would I find?
A mess. Sorry, but it’s true. I’m getting to it eventually, I really am. Just not until after I get this book release out of the way.
Oh, you meant food? Milk. Cheese. Fruit. You know, the basics. Hopefully enough to keep my kids out of my hair. ☺
And now for some FUN questions! :)
If I came to your home and looked in your fridge, what would I find?
A mess. Sorry, but it’s true. I’m getting to it eventually, I really am. Just not until after I get this book release out of the way.
Oh, you meant food? Milk. Cheese. Fruit. You know, the basics. Hopefully enough to keep my kids out of my hair. ☺
*Lol. Too funny! -K.S.
What is your favorite quote?
Non-writing quote: Men are that they might have joy.
What is your favorite quote?
Non-writing quote: Men are that they might have joy.
Writing quote: Good books aren’t written. They’re rewritten.
*Love both of these quotes! -K.S.
If given a chance, what would you like to be for a day?
Do I have to pick one thing, because it’s really hard to choose? You didn’t specify, so here are a few: A sky diver, a film-score composer, a world traveler, and a NYT bestselling author. All at the same time. ☺
*Haha! Yes, all at the same time. Although with your plethora of talents, it might be possible... ;) -K.S.
What takes you out of your comfort zone?
Social settings. I’m not exactly shy, but I’m not a big-group kind of person. I tend to sit on the edge of the crowd and find one or two people to talk to.
If given a chance, what would you like to be for a day?
Do I have to pick one thing, because it’s really hard to choose? You didn’t specify, so here are a few: A sky diver, a film-score composer, a world traveler, and a NYT bestselling author. All at the same time. ☺
*Haha! Yes, all at the same time. Although with your plethora of talents, it might be possible... ;) -K.S.
What takes you out of your comfort zone?
Social settings. I’m not exactly shy, but I’m not a big-group kind of person. I tend to sit on the edge of the crowd and find one or two people to talk to.
*I'm not a big group person either! I prefer small groups or one-on-one. ;) -K.S.
What’s your favorite thing to do in the summer? Fall? Winter? Spring?
Summer: beach with the family and a good book
Fall: park with the family and a good book
Winter: couch with the family, blanket, and a good book
Spring: starting my flower garden
What’s your favorite thing to do in the summer? Fall? Winter? Spring?
Summer: beach with the family and a good book
Fall: park with the family and a good book
Winter: couch with the family, blanket, and a good book
Spring: starting my flower garden
*I get the feeling you like books... :) -K.S.
Thank you, Rebecca! It was great having you on Unicorn Bell today!
Thanks for having me, and thanks for the fun questions!
You can follow Rebecca on her Blog Tour. And be sure to sign up for the Giveaway and a chance to win a signed copy of Life AND a $25 Amazon gift card! Sounds awesome, right?
And now for the Giveaway!
Thank you, Rebecca! It was great having you on Unicorn Bell today!
Thanks for having me, and thanks for the fun questions!
You can follow Rebecca on her Blog Tour. And be sure to sign up for the Giveaway and a chance to win a signed copy of Life AND a $25 Amazon gift card! Sounds awesome, right?
And now for the Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Best of luck to Rebecca! I agree 100% that we are survivors. It's good to see a book that sees the good in our human nature.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It's something I've seen over and over, both throughout history and just in my small little life. People amaze me.
DeleteA nice conversation and good luck with the book. I don't understand anyone who doesn't like to read..to me that makes no sense:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, and ditto on the reading thing. :)
DeleteFun questions! And I'd totally take being a NYT best-selling author for a day. You can keep the sky diver though. ;) And I agree, this premise sounds amazing- and much plausible than zombies or the like! =)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Lol on the sky-diving thing. My hubby thinks I'm crazy too, but it's on my bucket list. :)
DeleteLovely interview, ladies! The premise and world of this story is intriguing. Social settings and crowds...yeah, not my favorite thing either.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was a fun interview with fun questions which got me thinking. Always love those.
DeleteGreat interview! The message Rebecca likes to instill in her work sounds so inspiring...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Heather! It's been a fun series to write. Probably my favorite book I've written so far.
DeleteFun interview! How you spend your seasons sounds wonderful. :)
ReplyDeleteBooks and family. What else is there, right? The only thing I forgot to add was chocolate. That's kinda a year-round thing. :)
DeleteThanks again for having me on your blog, Kristin. Loved the fun questions!!!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy a story about the human spirit overcoming insurmountable odds. Very cool:)
ReplyDeleteMe, too. People amaze me. I hope I captured some of that in this story.
DeleteGreat meeting you Rebecca! Love your advice on solving writer's block. the first part of course is just admitting it. LOL
ReplyDeleteI really like examining and also following ones write-up when i locate them incredibly beneficial and also fascinating. That write-up is usually just as beneficial along with fascinating. Thanks for facts you already been putting on doing your web site such an fascinating.Interview Preparation
ReplyDeletefun interview! Rebecca's fridge sounds eerily similar to mine..
ReplyDeleteYeah! High five to another composer/author! Now the question is, which do you love more? (Can you even answer that?)
ReplyDelete