Author S.L. Pierce Writing What’s On Her Mind

Join me in welcoming author S.L. Pierce as the special guest blogger here today as she makes a stop on her virtual book tour.

S.L.’s latest release is SECRETS, a mystery/thriller. Here’s a brief synopsis: Secrets…we all have them.

A woman with a hidden past…

Two men who weren’t supposed to be seen together…

A cop who won’t let go…

Industrial espionage….

Deception…

Betrayal…

SECRETS is a fast paced thriller that will keep you guessing to the very end. Gwen Michaels moved to California two years ago to start fresh, hoping her past could stay secret forever. But when a hired killer shows up, she assumes her cover is blown. When it turns out the man knows nothing of her past, the search is on for who wants her dead, and why.

S.L. joins us today to talk about writing on short notice and what’s on her mind.

With short notice to write a guest blog (which shouldn't be a problem, right? I am a writer) I can only write about the one thing on my mind right now. The stupid, trivial, all consuming thing I can't get over? Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher?!

For those of you not familiar, Jack Reacher is the character created by Lee Childs and star of fifteen books, 40 million copies sold, so far. Jack Reacher is 6'5” 230 pounds, blond and blue eyed. Need I say more about why Tom Cruise doesn't work?

Well, I will. I'm sure there are lots of characters out there portrayed in movies by actors who didn't exactly fit the look of the book character. But in this case, Reacher’s size is not a trivial part of his character. It is his character. It's what makes him, him. Since he was a kid it has been his ability to fight that made him what he is, shaped his beliefs and actions. Yes, he is also a smart guy, solving mysteries but still...

So, as a writer, I had to consider, would I sell my soul (yes I am going that far) to have my book made into a movie. Lee has been quoted as saying he thinks Tom Cruise can play Reacher. Seriously? I have to believe, deep down, that I wouldn't let Hollywood destroy my character. Before I let Hollywood have Gwen Michaels (the main character in SECRETS), I would have to have final say. Because, not for any amount of money, would I let them turn her into some Hollywood version of a strong woman. Which, from what I have seen, means she would still need to be rescued by a man in the end. And need to be in a bikini or bra and underwear at some point.

No, No, Never. Not for any amount! Otherwise, what was the point of writing her in the first place? And, if SECRETS is ever a bestseller, optioned for a movie, you can hold me to it.

S.L., thanks for guest blogging today. I totally agree with you about Cruise being able to play Reacher. He in no way resembles the image I have of Reacher.

Now for a bit of background on S.L. She spent ten years earning a PhD in engineering before deciding she would rather be a writer. She currently lives in Colorado with her husband and four children. She is always at work on her next novel. Her other work includes THE HATE (2011) and THE WARNING (April, 2011) – which is available FREE! For more on S.L. and her writing, drop by website or her blog.

Click on the widget below to read a full sample (28 pages) of SECRETS

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SECRETS is an e-Book only and can be purchased at Barnes & Noble – NOOKbook, Smashwords, Amazon.com – Kindle, and Amazon.co.uk – Kindle.

What are your thoughts on Cruise playing Reacher? If you’re a writer, how would you feel about the movie industry changing your main character when your book becomes a movie?

Guest Blogger: Amanda Wolfe

Please join me in welcoming debut author Amanda Wolfe as the special guest blogger here today at Thoughts in Progress as she makes a stop on her virtual book tour.

Amanda is the author of the autobiographical novel, BENEATH THE SILVER LINING TRILOGY: SECRETS OF THE BLACK BOX.

Here’s a synopsis of the book: “On the outside, her family appeared to be a one big, happy family. Their house, with her parents, three sisters, and two brothers, is an epitome of the simple yet fulfilling life lived in a humble town. But as the author would soon discover, her childhood was in fact a nightmarish phase that she would always be running away from. Growing up as a carefree girl, Wolfe was struggling to comprehend why she was reared in a family where children are deprived of their right to know the truth, adults are always right, and smoothing out a misunderstanding is never an option.

At the young age of nine, she started experiencing cruelty at the hands of her father, the man who had not only abused her emotionally, but physically and sexually as well. Her mother, whom she tried to acquire love from, was a stern woman who refused to see her husband’s mistakes. As if her odd relationship with her parents was not enough, Wolfe also had to deal with inner secrets that involved creepy characters from the afterlife. Feeling tormented, confused, solitary, and even filthy, this naïve girl was yet to be transformed into a strong-willed woman who was cynical about love and who had to depend on no one but herself in facing more of life’s bitterness.

The first of a series of three, BENEATH THE SILVER LINING TRILOGY: SECRETS OF THE BLACK BOX chronicles the author’s journey through a perplexing road of growing up. It was originally written as a therapy to heal her inner wounds and to let go of the pains and anger, however, it is now shared to bring inspiration to readers, especially women.
Amanda joins us today to talk about writing and how this inspiring story came about.

In the beginning, the whole purpose of this book, well, journal really, was to allow me to come face to face with and rid myself of what I had stored up in my black box. It is what I call the place in the pit of your stomach where you hide all your secrets; good, bad or ugly. My box was filled with ugly: quilt, embarrassment and a lot of shame and confusion. In short, it was just to painful to face head on.

It all started when my husband and I were having one of our ” OK, it’s time to bare your soul” conversations. He is the only one person who could ever make me do that, because I knew he would never use what I say against me in any way. He has always given me the space to get angry, cry, rant and rave like a lunatic when I needed to. Believe me, it has happened more than once!

It took a lot of years of his patience and understanding to get me this far, allowing me to face and rid myself of all these bad feelings I carried around with me always. They made me hard on the outside. He called it my wall and little by little it has crumbled. I’m not saying I don’t feel things from my past anymore, I do, but now they don’t paralyze me. I still have trust issue from time to time! but they no longer rule my life.

During this conversation I laughed and said I should write a book about all of this, but who the heck would believe it? He told me he thought that is exactly what I should do. I should start writing it all down, because writing was a great way to release feelings that you have difficulty talking about. We both agreed it would be a great outlet.

So I began writing it all down and, once started, I had a difficult time stopping. The emotions started pouring out of me. Sometimes I would come out of my office so angry I could spit. The memories that came flooding back were unbelievable. The sky in my world was not as rosy as I had made it out to be. My siblings’ annoyance with me remembering my past through rose-colored glasses was finally realized and understood.

My husband was right there for all of it, lending his understanding and support. I don’t think I could have done this without him. I’m very grateful to him for being there in all the craziness I went through.

After reading some of what I had written, he told me I should make it into a book, because it could really help other girls and women to know that they can go through bad things and still come out on top. I decided that if I was going to make it into a book that I wanted to bring the reader right along with me on the journey that I was going through in my emptying out process. I wanted them to come out the other side with me feeling a little inspired and wanting more. More importantly, I wanted them to know that if they themselves have been or are being abused that they are not alone.

There are options out there for everyone, even though you may think there are none for you. Trust me, I’ve been there. There are many, many forums out there with people who are willing and want to help you get the help you need. Even if it is just an anonymous voice at the other end of the phone.

A friendly voice can go a long way.

Amanda, thanks for being here today. Yours is an amazing story. I can see how it can give others strength and hope when they think they are all alone. I’m glad you took your husband’s advice and decided to share it with others.

For more information on Amanda and her writing, check out her website at http://beneaththesilverlining.com/. She and her husband reside in Texas.