WINNER of the Roecker Sisters' Giveaway & Interview with author of PERILOUS

An author interview and a book GIVEAWAY, what better way to begin the NEW YEAR?!! Announcing the winner of the Lisa and Laura Roecker Contest!!

And the winner is, chosen by Random. org........ JULIE MUSIL!!

I'll send the fabulous Roecker Sisters your email for the critique. Soda and candy are on me. I'll be in touch for your addy. CONGRATS!!



The GRAFFITI WALL is happy to welcome one of the sweetest authors I've ever met. I had the pleasure of being a part of her blog tour, reviewing her debut novel PERILOUS. She's come back, today, to give us a little insight into her writing and her journey as a writer.

Tamara Hart Heiner

You just held a smashing book blog tour for PERILOUS--which I was blessed to be a part of. What do you feel you learned from that? About marketing (your work and yourself), the industry, readers, fellow writers reviewing, or any other aspect?


As far as marketing goes, I know a lot of people that have someone else set up their blog tours. Personally, I think doing it yourself is a lot more personal and effective. Most people are very willing to help, and if not willing, at least gracious about it. There were some people who didn't even respond... which is rude, but oh well! they must be famous! Getting participation for two months is also hard, but that's why I'm holding such big contests. If people are willing to go through that trouble, I'll reward them!


Now for the real good stuff. PERILOUS! Could you tell the readers a bit about the story.
Well, other than just quoting what's on my blog, it's an adventure/thriller about four teenage girls who see something they shouldn't and end up kidnapped. They get away, only to find that they are being pursued by the kidnapper. It's a story about perseverance, inner strength, and survival.

I know you had this idea some time ago. Was it a solid idea, plotted out or did you have the inkling and then just let the words and story take you where it wanted to go?


It was so long ago, I have a hard time remembering. I didn't outline, and I'm not really sure I knew where the story was going. I knew it was going to have a sequel. The first draft kind of wandered all over the place. I started outlining after that.

You're main girl, Jaci, is awesome. And then there's the twins, Ricky and Neal, along with many more. How did you as a writer develop those characters to be so diverse? What was your method? 


I simply love my characters, especially Jaci. There is a lot of backstory that got left out of the novel, and that backstory helped to define each character. Also I originally wrote the story in 3rd person omniscient (before I knew better), so I was in each person's head often enough to really get to know them. Amanda's character, in my opinion, was even more defined in previous drafts, b/c she really was a bi-otch, kind of a foil to Jaci. We toned her down a bit in the final drafts.I did have two characters that were a little too similar. As a result, I
killed one off.

The book takes the reader on a journey through physical geography located in the North Eastern region of the US and up into Canada--specific places and sites. How much research did you do about these areas and how much did you embellish? 


I did tons of research,and it was really fun. I used Google Earth a lot to get actual street names and places and the geography of the land. I wish I could've actually gone to each location! Of course I used actual facts to lay the foundation, and I created landmarks on top of that.

Favorite adverb? (I know, shiver...)


It's probably probably. :)


Style: do you prefer to write in shorter sentences or longer ones? Do you think style comes naturally or do you think it can be learned?


My style changes depending on my character. I think I prefer shorter sentences in general.

When you were younger, let's say middle grade age, do you think a story hooked you or the characters? 

Definitely. I was quite hooked by "Roll of Thunder, hear my cry." And the characters seriously changed my life.

If you could take only one book and snack with you to the beach, what would they be?


Something fun and easy. Like Percy Jackson.


Need a sneak peek. What are you currently working on?


I'm currently working on the sequel to Perilous, called Altercation (working title). I'd give you a chapter to read, but I don't think I'm allowed!

Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Tamara! Feel free to visit her on her Website , her Blog, Facebook, and Twitter. 

Tamara is also giving away a copy of PERILOUS!! Leave a comment below with your email addy to enter.


Feel free to blog(+5) about this, sidebar post (+3) tweet it(+2 each time), or Facebook(+2 each time), or any other media (+2 each time) for extra entries. Just leave me the links with your comment. Giveaway open until the 14th!! Good luck!

Here's her book trailer, for those of you who didn't see it during her book tour.