***Interview with Author Emily Piland ***
I would like to start with a huge thank you Dina for having on your blog!
1. Let’s start with a little something about you. What do you want the readers to know?
Well, I’m most passionate for music, reading and writing. However, I never much enjoyed writing growing up and I never thought I would grow to love it as much as I do. I started out small by writing synopsis for authors and rewriting what they already to have to make it sound better. With my new found love for writing, I still find it easier to read instead of write. I’m working on a finding a happy medium for both. However, being a mother of four, I find both reading and writing hard to do.
I'm a hopeless romantic. I live vicariously through the books I read, as they are my only escape from reality most days.
I know I'm crazy, but I do enjoy seeing books come to life on the big screen.
I'm a simple girl, who enjoys the simple things in life.
I believe laughter is the best medicine.
You will NEVER see me without a smile. Well, except for the first hour of waking up in the morning. I am so not a morning person.
2. Now? Tell us about your book(s).
I am very excited to announce, my very first publication. I had the pleasure of collaborating with some amazing authors on the anthology Light In the Darkness.
My short story is called ‘In The Arms of Sharmila’. It’s about a 10 year old girl who is being abused by her father. I won’t be a spoiler and tell you how she finds her happy ending, you’ll have to read it and find out for yourself.
Light In the Darkness is an anthology of short stories centered on hope, encouragement, and morality. Each story offers a new perspective on the definition of hope and all its forms.
Several award-winning and best-selling authors participated in this project including Timothy L. Frasier, JP Gibbs, Tabitha Short, DJ Shaw, Elizabeth Loraine, Candy Crum, Casey L. Bond, Carlyle Labuschagne, Dennis Tyler, Will Overby, Stacie Wilson, and introducing Emily Piland.
Light in the Darkness will be available as an ebook on August 11, 2014. Profits from sales go to support Literacy for Incarcerated Teens in New York. LIT has been providing encouraging literature to young inmates, helping to end illiteracy, inspiring young people to read, and creating excellent school libraries and since 2002.
Light In the Darkness can be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks and kobo.
Synopsis:
Being young is hard, especially with a rough home life. Not to mention if you have a special ability that sets you apart from others, leaving you feeling like an outsider or the freak that no one understands. Living in the shadows doesn't have to last forever. Only you can change the road you’re on, just look within yourself and accept who you are. Once you do, you will find your Light In the Darkness.
3. List of favorites…
A. Quote?
“You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book.” By: Dr. Seuss
B. Color?
Unlike most people who have only one favorite color, I am torn between two: purple & yellow. Maybe, because I’m a LSU fan?!?!
C. Food?
I love Mexican food and margaritas & cheesecake and wine.
D. Lucky number?
I don’t necessarily have a lucky number, but if I did, it would be 3.
E. Movie? Actor? Actress?
Chris Hemsworth, Channing Tatum
F. Song?
Crazy Dreams by Carrie Underwood. She sings that dreams do come true and I totally agree with her. I believe, if you want it bad enough, it will happen. No dream is too high or too far out of reach, you just have to want it bad enough.
G. Memory?
My favorite memory is the day my first child was born. Holding my sweet baby boy in my arms was the most beautiful feeling in the world.
H. Way to spend your down time?
I spend my downtime by reading. I have a TBR list that is miles long!
I. Word?
Watonga – It’s a funny word and funny to say. My kiddos always laugh at me, because I do my Indian impression when I say it.
J. Author?
Do I have to choose just one? That is WAAAYYYY too stressful! I have many favorite authors. Elizabeth Loraine, Tabitha Short, Casey L Bond, Julieanne Lynch to name a few.
K. Secret indulgence?
I like to watch Channing Tatum dance. If I am MIA, it's because I am hiding with him pulled up on YouTube, just so I can watch him. OH and I LOVE to see Chris Hemsworth shirtless! I just drooled all over myself!
L. Place you’ve visited?
I’m a rather boring person as far as traveling goes. I used to vacation as a child in Florida with my best friend. This summer, I took the kiddos on vacation to the beautiful Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
M. Guilty pleasure?
I have many guilty pleasures. I love double stuff Oreos and cheesecake, all flavors of cheesecake. YUMMY!!! I love Pepsi like I love my children. Well, not that much, but I love it!
N. Cartoon?
With my daughter only being six years old, I don’t have the opportunity to watch any cartoons except My Little Pony. Just this past year, Netflix added the original episodes that I used to watch when I was her age. It’s funny how things come back around.
O. Musician?
I have a bunch of favorite musicians and can't pick just one. To name a few: Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Justin Timberlake, Celine Dion, Evanescence and The Texas Tenors.
4. Do you have any rituals when you write?
Well, I am new at writing for myself, so I don’t have any rituals as far as writing goes. I am sure with time I will develop some. However, I do reflect on myself; my past, my future, my desires, my wants, my experiences, my hopes and my dreams.
5. What/who encouraged you to be a writer and what/who inspires you to keep writing?
Authors Elizabeth Loraine and Tabitha Short are my greatest inspirations. They both have encouraged me and supported to the moon and back.
6. Writing plans for the future?
I have several writing projects going. Recently, I have decided to put them on hold for a while. I was asked to write a romance based on an idea from a friend. I asked Tabitha her thoughts and she immediately encouraged me to do so. So, my next project is going to be a romance novel.
7. What is your opinion on S’mores? Burnt marshmallow or not?
I really like my marshmallow browned and creamy for S’mores. BUT…I totally LOVE my marshmallow burnt. Once it’s burnt, I eat the burnt off and burn the leftover for my eating enjoyment.
8. Tell us a story about something you’ve witnessed that made you laugh.
When my 16 year old son was 4, per his request, he was walking our previous dog Morgan. Morgan was a miniature schnauzer and extremely spaztastic. Well, as my son was walking her, she saw a bird and took off after it, with my son in tow. Needless to say, he did a face plant and came up with a mouthful of grass.
9. Most embarrassing moment ever?
This is hard to say, because I’m a hard person to embarrass. No, I take that back! Only I can embarrass myself. I met Michael Buble five years ago. Buble hugged me and called me monkey. My one moment to talk to him and all I could think to say was "Monkey?” He just smiled at me and called me baby. I wanted to crawl in a hole for the rest of my life!
10. You can teleport anywhere and any era you wish. You can only bring 3 things with you. Where do you go and what do you bring?
HA! This is a conversation Author Elizabeth Loraine and I have often. She writes paranormal and portals are a big thing in her Royal Blood Chronicles series. We both laughed as I told her that I would portal to Josh Groban's arms. However, I never thought about what I would take with me. If I protaled to Groban's arms, I wouldn't need anything but my personal portal. Well, maybe my kindle and charger.
11. What are your feelings about chocolate milk?
OH I love chocolate milk. It’s the best concoction ever!
12. Pet person? Do you have them? If so, tell us about them?
I have a beautiful but pain in the ass Brittany spaniel named Sam. In a couple weeks, Sam will have a new friend, a black Chihuahua my kiddos named Duke.
13. Tell us about your first kiss.
My first kiss was with a boy nicknamed Duke. He was a good kisser, but he liked to kiss girls so much, that he kissed my BFF behind my back. That was ok with me, she saw him first.
14. Have you ever walked down a toy aisle at a store and pushed all the buttons?
You bet I have! I am one of those annoying people that walked down the little girl isle and found the cutest doll in a playpen. When you pushed the button, they are made giggly/whiny noises and bounced up and down in the playpen. Can you guess what happened next? YEP! I pushed every button. I enjoy making every single Elmo go off, annoying the toy shoppers.
15. It’s raining outside, you’re completely alone, what do you do?
HA! I think of Josh Groban singing Remember When It Rained and wonder what he does in the rain.
16. Words of wisdom for our readers?
Dream big, because no dream is ever too far out of reach.
For those of you who are struggling in life and things aren’t looking up for you, never give up. No matter what you’re going through in life, living in the shadows doesn't have to last forever. Only you can change the road you're on, just look within yourself and accept who you are. Once you do, you will find your Light In the Darkness.
***
Thank you, Emily for sharing your words of wisdom, fun stories and favs with us! I think we should hit the toy aisle together! ;)
1. Let’s start with a little something about you. What do you want the readers to know?
Well, I’m most passionate for music, reading and writing. However, I never much enjoyed writing growing up and I never thought I would grow to love it as much as I do. I started out small by writing synopsis for authors and rewriting what they already to have to make it sound better. With my new found love for writing, I still find it easier to read instead of write. I’m working on a finding a happy medium for both. However, being a mother of four, I find both reading and writing hard to do.
I'm a hopeless romantic. I live vicariously through the books I read, as they are my only escape from reality most days.
I know I'm crazy, but I do enjoy seeing books come to life on the big screen.
I'm a simple girl, who enjoys the simple things in life.
I believe laughter is the best medicine.
You will NEVER see me without a smile. Well, except for the first hour of waking up in the morning. I am so not a morning person.
2. Now? Tell us about your book(s).
I am very excited to announce, my very first publication. I had the pleasure of collaborating with some amazing authors on the anthology Light In the Darkness.
My short story is called ‘In The Arms of Sharmila’. It’s about a 10 year old girl who is being abused by her father. I won’t be a spoiler and tell you how she finds her happy ending, you’ll have to read it and find out for yourself.
Light In the Darkness is an anthology of short stories centered on hope, encouragement, and morality. Each story offers a new perspective on the definition of hope and all its forms.
Several award-winning and best-selling authors participated in this project including Timothy L. Frasier, JP Gibbs, Tabitha Short, DJ Shaw, Elizabeth Loraine, Candy Crum, Casey L. Bond, Carlyle Labuschagne, Dennis Tyler, Will Overby, Stacie Wilson, and introducing Emily Piland.
Light in the Darkness will be available as an ebook on August 11, 2014. Profits from sales go to support Literacy for Incarcerated Teens in New York. LIT has been providing encouraging literature to young inmates, helping to end illiteracy, inspiring young people to read, and creating excellent school libraries and since 2002.
Light In the Darkness can be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks and kobo.
Synopsis:
Being young is hard, especially with a rough home life. Not to mention if you have a special ability that sets you apart from others, leaving you feeling like an outsider or the freak that no one understands. Living in the shadows doesn't have to last forever. Only you can change the road you’re on, just look within yourself and accept who you are. Once you do, you will find your Light In the Darkness.
3. List of favorites…
A. Quote?
“You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book.” By: Dr. Seuss
B. Color?
Unlike most people who have only one favorite color, I am torn between two: purple & yellow. Maybe, because I’m a LSU fan?!?!
C. Food?
I love Mexican food and margaritas & cheesecake and wine.
D. Lucky number?
I don’t necessarily have a lucky number, but if I did, it would be 3.
E. Movie? Actor? Actress?
Chris Hemsworth, Channing Tatum
F. Song?
Crazy Dreams by Carrie Underwood. She sings that dreams do come true and I totally agree with her. I believe, if you want it bad enough, it will happen. No dream is too high or too far out of reach, you just have to want it bad enough.
G. Memory?
My favorite memory is the day my first child was born. Holding my sweet baby boy in my arms was the most beautiful feeling in the world.
H. Way to spend your down time?
I spend my downtime by reading. I have a TBR list that is miles long!
I. Word?
Watonga – It’s a funny word and funny to say. My kiddos always laugh at me, because I do my Indian impression when I say it.
J. Author?
Do I have to choose just one? That is WAAAYYYY too stressful! I have many favorite authors. Elizabeth Loraine, Tabitha Short, Casey L Bond, Julieanne Lynch to name a few.
K. Secret indulgence?
I like to watch Channing Tatum dance. If I am MIA, it's because I am hiding with him pulled up on YouTube, just so I can watch him. OH and I LOVE to see Chris Hemsworth shirtless! I just drooled all over myself!
L. Place you’ve visited?
I’m a rather boring person as far as traveling goes. I used to vacation as a child in Florida with my best friend. This summer, I took the kiddos on vacation to the beautiful Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
M. Guilty pleasure?
I have many guilty pleasures. I love double stuff Oreos and cheesecake, all flavors of cheesecake. YUMMY!!! I love Pepsi like I love my children. Well, not that much, but I love it!
N. Cartoon?
With my daughter only being six years old, I don’t have the opportunity to watch any cartoons except My Little Pony. Just this past year, Netflix added the original episodes that I used to watch when I was her age. It’s funny how things come back around.
O. Musician?
I have a bunch of favorite musicians and can't pick just one. To name a few: Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Justin Timberlake, Celine Dion, Evanescence and The Texas Tenors.
4. Do you have any rituals when you write?
Well, I am new at writing for myself, so I don’t have any rituals as far as writing goes. I am sure with time I will develop some. However, I do reflect on myself; my past, my future, my desires, my wants, my experiences, my hopes and my dreams.
5. What/who encouraged you to be a writer and what/who inspires you to keep writing?
Authors Elizabeth Loraine and Tabitha Short are my greatest inspirations. They both have encouraged me and supported to the moon and back.
6. Writing plans for the future?
I have several writing projects going. Recently, I have decided to put them on hold for a while. I was asked to write a romance based on an idea from a friend. I asked Tabitha her thoughts and she immediately encouraged me to do so. So, my next project is going to be a romance novel.
7. What is your opinion on S’mores? Burnt marshmallow or not?
I really like my marshmallow browned and creamy for S’mores. BUT…I totally LOVE my marshmallow burnt. Once it’s burnt, I eat the burnt off and burn the leftover for my eating enjoyment.
8. Tell us a story about something you’ve witnessed that made you laugh.
When my 16 year old son was 4, per his request, he was walking our previous dog Morgan. Morgan was a miniature schnauzer and extremely spaztastic. Well, as my son was walking her, she saw a bird and took off after it, with my son in tow. Needless to say, he did a face plant and came up with a mouthful of grass.
9. Most embarrassing moment ever?
This is hard to say, because I’m a hard person to embarrass. No, I take that back! Only I can embarrass myself. I met Michael Buble five years ago. Buble hugged me and called me monkey. My one moment to talk to him and all I could think to say was "Monkey?” He just smiled at me and called me baby. I wanted to crawl in a hole for the rest of my life!
10. You can teleport anywhere and any era you wish. You can only bring 3 things with you. Where do you go and what do you bring?
HA! This is a conversation Author Elizabeth Loraine and I have often. She writes paranormal and portals are a big thing in her Royal Blood Chronicles series. We both laughed as I told her that I would portal to Josh Groban's arms. However, I never thought about what I would take with me. If I protaled to Groban's arms, I wouldn't need anything but my personal portal. Well, maybe my kindle and charger.
11. What are your feelings about chocolate milk?
OH I love chocolate milk. It’s the best concoction ever!
12. Pet person? Do you have them? If so, tell us about them?
I have a beautiful but pain in the ass Brittany spaniel named Sam. In a couple weeks, Sam will have a new friend, a black Chihuahua my kiddos named Duke.
13. Tell us about your first kiss.
My first kiss was with a boy nicknamed Duke. He was a good kisser, but he liked to kiss girls so much, that he kissed my BFF behind my back. That was ok with me, she saw him first.
14. Have you ever walked down a toy aisle at a store and pushed all the buttons?
You bet I have! I am one of those annoying people that walked down the little girl isle and found the cutest doll in a playpen. When you pushed the button, they are made giggly/whiny noises and bounced up and down in the playpen. Can you guess what happened next? YEP! I pushed every button. I enjoy making every single Elmo go off, annoying the toy shoppers.
15. It’s raining outside, you’re completely alone, what do you do?
HA! I think of Josh Groban singing Remember When It Rained and wonder what he does in the rain.
16. Words of wisdom for our readers?
Dream big, because no dream is ever too far out of reach.
For those of you who are struggling in life and things aren’t looking up for you, never give up. No matter what you’re going through in life, living in the shadows doesn't have to last forever. Only you can change the road you're on, just look within yourself and accept who you are. Once you do, you will find your Light In the Darkness.
***
Thank you, Emily for sharing your words of wisdom, fun stories and favs with us! I think we should hit the toy aisle together! ;)