Guest Post & Giveaway with author Terri Ann Armstrong

Writing has always been in my blood. It’s only been over the last ten to fifteen years where it’s been cathartic for me. Inspiration comes from every corner of my life from health, to family and friends, to even a lack of inspiration at times. Writing is not what I do, it’s who I am. My characters drive me, they steer their stories and show me where it’s supposed to go as opposed to where I “think” it should go. 

Writing in first person has been an eye-opening experience and one that is not as easy as I thought it would be, but is indeed as rewarding as I hoped it would be. I have learned more about my characters and myself writing this way. POV, whether it be first, second or third person is very important no matter which one you use. It’s as important as tense and time-frames. Writing in first person POV is harder because the reader should feel like you’re talking directly to them, telling only them a story and if you can accomplish that, they trust what they’re reading. When trust comes into focus, the story and characters become real and that’s where the fascination with your story begins and hopefully doesn’t end until the end. It will also leave them waiting with baited breath for the next book. 

On a POV side note, I will say I also pepper it lightly with second person POV because I feel it solidifies to my readers that I’m speaking directly to them, because in fact, I am speaking right to the person reading my book. I’ve had countless positive comments about doing so. If it’s done right, different POV’s can work in the same story. I believe I’ve found that balance.

Lily is very important to me as is Falcetti, Joey, Angel and the whole Aster family. Even the customers that visit the flower shop have found a place in my heart because they give credence to Lily and her story. They make everything more real and easier for my readers to become lost in what I’ve created, which is where I want them and more importantly, where they want to be. After all, isn’t that the reason why we all pick up the books we do…to get lost for a while in something other than ourselves? I know I do and I hope to continue to bring you stories you enjoy getting lost in. No matter who the author is, find a book and allow yourself to become surrounded by make believe. It’s just like the movies only better. Your own imagination does a lot of the work for you. 

Have you read any good books lately? If you’d like another and to meet a new family, pick up “How to Plant a Body”. The second book, “How to Bury a Body” will be out later this year. There are two more books planned in my How To series. Enjoy!

Giveaway

- One e-book copy of "How to Plant a Body"

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

About the Author

         Terri Ann was born and raised and live in Pittsfield, Massachusetts; a city of approximately 36,000 people. 

A 1982 graduate of Pittsfield High School, with some college through the University of Phoenix on-line courses of study, she was going for a BA in Human Services to become a licensed social worker. However, after loosing her job of seventeen years, Terri Ann had to quit college due to the high cost.

Ashley, her daughter and Tyler her grandson are Terri Ann’s pride and joy. She also has a brother and a sister, both whom have been part of her writing in one way or another.

Two years ago, she signed with Suspense Publishing and finished her Menacing Trilogy. The first book, “Morning Menace” was published in e-book format in June 2010. The second book “Medieval Menace” was published, also in e-book format in February 2011. The third “Maternal Menace”—for which she has received rave advanced reviews—was released, November 15, 2011.

Terri Ann is also an Executive Editor for Suspense Magazine. 

Her latest endeavor is her How To cozy series featuring Lily Aster and Detective Anthony Falcetti beginning with “How to Plant a Body” (April 17, 2012). She has received several favorable reviews including one from a New York Times bestselling author. Terri Ann plans on it being at least a four-book series. The second book is already in the first stages of editing (“How to Bury a Body”), the third is being written as you read this and the fourth’s plot is planned. 

There’s another cozy series in the works to come after the How To series called the Who’s Who series.

You can find Terri Ann on Facebook, Twitter (TerriAnn125), Goodreads, Library Thing, LinkedIn, Shelfari, Red Room, Google +, Word Press and at http://www.suspensemagazine.com/terriannarmstrong.html.