A Spark of Magic (Chosen Saga #1)

by J.L. Clayton

Magic is stirring up lust, romance, danger—and revealing long-hidden truths.

Charlize, aka Charlie, is moving yet again, to a new city, a new school…new everything. Her family is always moving, but this time, it doesn’t seem so bad! Charlie is turning sixteen, finally making friends, and crushing on some seriously hot guys. Plus, said hot guys’ feelings seem to be mutual… This is the happiest Charlie has been in a very long time. But she does have a little problem.

Charlie is having bizarre, dark, eerie dreams, and she knows deep down that the feelings these dreams provoke, which seem to consume her, cannot be normal. There is a sexy male voice invading her dreams, and now it seems it is invading her waking hours too. The voice is compelling, hauntingly mesmerizing, and overwhelmingly beautiful. Charlie doesn’t care if this dream voice is good or bad; she just knows she wants to hear more.

Now, Charlie is on a journey to discover who and what she really is, and to uncover the reason her family moves so frequently. Charlie knows this is going to be one crazy, fun ride. But something big is about to happen, and it will end up changing what she believed was real and what truly is…

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR J.L. CLAYTON:

Welcome all.

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing J.L.Clayton, author of the Chosen Saga.

Hi author JL, thank you for agreeing to this interview.

Me: Awww, thank you for having me.

Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

Me: I am 5"4, I have blue eyes, blond hair and I love to laugh. Haha.

I have a husband of 17 years, and a 16 year old beautiful daughter.

I work at the post office by day and try to write at night.

What were you like at school?

Me: I am pretty much the same, I always considered myself friendly and outgoing. People have told me that I have never met a stranger. I love to hug , I love to laugh and I always try to get to know the person I'm talking to.

Were you good at English?

Me: Wow, this should be a easy answer. I should say why yes, I was good at English in school because I am a writer. Unfortunately no. I sucked at English, spelling and reading. I didn't even finish high school, which I wish I would have now. I do have my GED, so that's a good thing. I actually didn't start reading a book until I watched the Twilight movies. A friend of mine told me the movies were books and I should read them. I hated reading, but I was only ever reading the books my school had me to read. I am so lucky that I decided to read, if I wouldn't have read the Twilight Saga, I don't believe I would have started writing. Twilight open my eyes to reading, I started reading all kinds of books after that.

What are your ambitions for your writing career?

Me: It would be amazing if my books were on the big screen, but I think that's everyone's dream to see their hard work be recognized. Yet my strongest desire is for my readers to be passionate about my writing, as I am.

Which writers inspire you?

Me: Honestly, everyone that goes out for what they want inspire me. If you are a writer even more so, because I know how much work and time it takes. For some people it takes even a little more time.

So now you are writing a book, and therefore you have inspired me! You are going after your dream, you are inspiring.

So, what have you written?

Me: Oh I have written 3 books in the Chosen Saga, I am also working on short story's and other genres.

Plus I have a Facebook blog and page so I write on there... Sometimes!

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?

Me: To me Charlie is so special in many ways, she is also clumsy and unsure of herself. She is sarcastic and beautiful. If I told you that she could take any magical ability from another supernatural being, would you believe me?

But I can't be giving all my secrets away! If you knew what she was and could do... Where would be the fun in that?

What are you working on at the minute?

Me: I am working on a short story. It's my character Crispin's story from the Chosen Saga: A Darkening of Magic.

What genre are your books?

Me: YA, but I am into writing all kinds of different genres.

What draws you to this genre?

Me: Actually I love all kinds of genres, but I guess it's because Twilight was the first book I read and it's in the YA genre.

Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?

Me: Haha. I love this question, but I never thought of who everyone would really be. I only always really saw Jace, one of my characters and who I'd love to play him would be: Matthew "Matt" Lanter. But to even have someone playing a character in my books would be amazing, so I'm not picky.

How much research do you do?

Me: I don't really do research, other than looking up how to spell words the right way.

Have you written any other novels in collaboration with other writers?

Me: I haven't did that yet, I would love to write a book with other authors. I have given my prologue to another author so that they could put it in their novel, but I don't consider that a collaboration.

When did you decide to become a writer?

Me: About 3 1/2 years ago.

Why do you write?

Me: I love it, I have so much going on in my head... Millions of story's just waiting to be freed! It's an amazing feeling to be able to write a story for someone to read, and love. It is a wonderful feeling, knowing that I can write words and those words can transfer feelings into a persons life.

What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?

Me: Are you ready for the cheese factor?! Haha!

I had a dream about Charlie, from there I knew I had to write. See very cheesy!

Do you write full-time or part-time?

Me: Oh how I would love to be a full time writer, but unfortunately I have to work so I can live. Yet, that would be amazing.

Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?

Me: I am one of the worlds worst procrastinators, I have no structure.

Do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?

Me: I write when I can. I have a family and a job, so sometimes it's hard making time... Plus all those social network sites kill me!!

Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?

Me: No, I just write until I feel like I'm finished.

Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?

Me: My PC, but sometimes my phone.

Where do your ideas come from?

Me: Everything comes from my brilliantly crazy mind.

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just to see where an idea takes you?

Me: No, I normally see where it's going to go, but the story is pretty much already written in my head. Like literally, I have so many story's in my head it's crazy.

How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?

Me: Oh I think I have evolved tremendously, for one my spelling is so much better. Haha.

What is the hardest thing about writing?

Me: I would say for me, making the time to do it.

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?

Me: Just getting time to finish it. Writing is easy for me, making time... Not so much!!

What is the easiest thing about writing?

Me: Just writing, I feel it flows so easy.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

Me: My first book, took about 6 months and it has around 137000 words, but I wasn't on Facebook!

Now it seems like it takes a year. (Puts head down in shame) Sigh.

Do you ever get writer’s Block?

Me: Lucky for me I've never had that.

What are your thoughts on writing a book series.

Me: I love writing a books series, I feel you get to know the characters better and fall in love with them deeper.

Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors.

Me: I read a lot, and honestly my favorite author is the one I'm reading at the moment.

For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books?

Me: I love eBooks and audio books!

What book/s are you reading at present?

Me: Innuendo A Romantic Comedy, By V. Kelly! I love her, she is so sweet.

Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?

Me: I do it myself and I pay for it as well.

Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit?

Me: Nope, I jump right on that baby, but maybe the next day or so!

Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?

Me: I actually did a blog on this very question, and sadly yes I do.

How are you publishing this book and why?

Me: I self-published, I just like having control of my own books.

What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?

Me: With self-publishing the way I did, I have all control of how much I charge from my eBooks. When I want to change the price. I can even see when someone has purchased an eBook, but I have to do it all myself and it takes up time.

How do you market your books?

Me: Twitter and Facebook.

Why did you choose this route?

Me: I like to interact with my readers.

Would you or do you use a PR agency?

Me: I probably wouldn't use one, but you never know.

What do you do to get book reviews?

Me: I do giveaways!

How successful has your quest for reviews been so far?

Me: Sadly, it's really hard to get a review. It takes 5 to 20 minutes out of your life to say I love this book and show the author that you love what they do. But I have some amazing people that have taken the time to do that and I appreciate them more then they will ever know. Every review moves your book up the line to get noticed.

Do you have a strategy for finding reviewers?

Me: No not really, I just hope that when the reader wins a giveaway they will leave me a review.

What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?

Me: Haha. Every one loves a good review, but I guess a bad review will build character. Yet, it gets under my skin a little when a person leaves a bad review do to spelling or grammar. I read a book for the enjoyment of reading, if I wanted to critique something, I would get paid for it and become a editor.

Any amusing story about marketing books that happened to you?

Me: No, I guess I'm boring. Haha.

What’s your views on social media for marketing?

Me: I think it's an excellent idea, I believe Facebook is the best format, because you can connect with readers easier.

Which social network worked best for you?

Me: Facebook.

Any tips on what to do and what not to do?

Me: I just think you should be nice to your readers, I have encountered some rude authors. I just think, how do they have fans! But I guess I just think everyone should treat each other with a kind heart.

Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything else to promote your work and did it work?

Me: I do Goodreads when I have paperback, I believe it worked out.

Did you get interviewed by local press/radio for your book launch?

Me: I did have a radio station do an interview on me and my local paper.

Why do you think that other well written books just don’t sell?

Me: Writers are a dime a dozen, your book can be the most beautifully written, next big hit, but if it's not in the right hands you will never be known! Word of mouth goes a long way. If one person told this other person to read this book, they may and if they like it and tell another person the cycle continues.

What do you think of “trailers” for books?

Me: I love them, I think they are a really good attention getter. I have one and it was done from the lovely Sara Schoen.

Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book/s?

Me: I have some trailers that I did myself and one that I love that, Sara Schoen did for me.

Do you think that giving books away free works and why?

Me: I think it does, well it has so far for me and it's free... Everyone loves free.

How do you relax?

Me: Sleep!!

What is your favourite motivational phrase?

Me: You can do it! You can do it! Jen, you better do it, or I'll kick your butt!!

What is your favourite quote?

Me: Life has to have cracks in it so that the sun can shine through.

Where can you see yourself in 5 years time?

Me: I see myself on vacation.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Me: Nothing, you can't change what has already happened.

If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?

Me: I don't want to be any other author then just me. Why, because I love my work.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Me: Never give up on your dream.

How can readers discover more about you and your work?

Me: They can always come ask me, I love to chat.

Facebook author page link: https://www.facebook.com/J.L.ClaytonBooks/

Street Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/15255258344

Amazon author link: http://www.amazon.com/J.-L.-Clayton/e/B00L2P0LW4

10742/UK link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s//ref=mw_dp_a_s?ie=UTF8&i=digital-text&k=J.L.+ClaytonMy blog:https://www.facebook.com/Blogging-with-Author-JLClayton-1013383125386828/

Twitter: @JLClaytonBooks

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/JLClayton

Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1525525834410742/?__mref=message_bubble

Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.

Me: Thank you so much for having me.

A Blaze of Magic (Chosen Saga #2)

by J.L. Clayton

New world. New friends. New dangers. New sexy guys!

The second installment of the Chosen Saga…
Charlie’s back and hotter than ever… Literally! This time she’s going up in flames.

Finally learning the crazy, insane truth was one thing, but crossing over into a supernatural world was something not even Charlie could fathom. In a world of magic, beauty and danger, the unthinkable has happened. She has been captured and held prisoner by a mad person out for all their powers. There isn’t much time left before she’s hooked up to “the machine”! And she isn’t the only one.

Willing to do whatever it takes to get herself and the others out safely-even if that means trusting a sexy stranger-which could condemn her soul. But Charlie will fight with everything she has to see her family, friends, Tru and Jace before she falls prey to this power-hungry psycho.

With her newfound powers, escape should be a walk in the park. But Charlie soon finds its more like a crawl through quicksand. The stakes are high and times running out. Will Charlie ever see her family again? Is the guy in her dreams a savior or executioner? She doesn’t have time to question, only to choose.

A Ghost of Magic (Chosen Saga #3)

by J.L. Clayton

New dangers, new surprises, and a romance that is tangled in a web of uncertainty.

After losing Nikko in the physical world and gaining his spiritual connection, Charlie’s life continues to spiral out of control. Faced with betrayal from one she loves, Charlie must find the strength to protect herself and the lives of everyone around her, but it won’t be easy. Charlie learns her soul is plagued with forces that draw people—well-intentioned, ill-intentioned, and those under the power of her natural spell—to her. These forces make it hard to differentiate friend from foe and love from lust. Deciphering what is real is becoming a difficult task.

With her new-found knowledge, Charlie decides she is willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to free those she cares about from the evil that seeks what only she holds, even if it means facing her greatest fears and putting it all on the line. Embarking on a journey to learn more about her past, her powers, and the forces within her, Charlie battles the tasks set before her and makes a deal that could turn out to be the biggest mistake of her life.

Find out what happens in this nonstop, action packed novel.

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