SOUTHERN BOOK CARNIVAL!! (Part 1) #Spotlight: BEAUTIFUL WHISPERS by ALICE AYDEN + Giveaway!!

Link to Carnival Details

***Other Host: Christy's from Christy's Book Addiction and Rain from Rain's Reading Room

So Excited that this is here already! I'm hoping everyone who makes a stop here on my blog today and through 14th will have an absolute blast and find some fun books to read. I'm going to be post a Secret Word (which may or may not be highlighted a different color) The Secret word will be use for the Giveaway. ( Which will be two ebook of books I will be spotlighting)  Each day You come back there will be a new word to enter for more entries in the giveaway! I hope this is an easy fun challenge that will have you coming back for more! :) 

Now Without Further Ado...

Alice Ayden and her book BEAUTIFUL WHISPERS

(check out my review HERE)

Twenty-one year old Jane lives on a gorgeous Virginia Plantation and carefully manages her quirky family. Everyone assumes she'll marry her rich childhood sweetheart, but everything changes when Alexander returns. There is an instant attraction between the girl from one of Virginia's oldest families and the son of a maid, but Jane is haunted by horrible images from her past. Will Alexander protect her from a past he doesn't even know about?

Where to Purchase:

Amazon

Author's Links

Website| Facebook

When and why did you decide to be a writer?

I was just finishing up my bachelor’s degree in history/english from Indiana University, and I was in the process of trying to find out what I wanted to do for a living. My health had really taken a lot of hits, and I didn’t think I could do a traditional 9 to 5 job. I loved writing and decided to give it a shot. I read every book I could get my hands on, learned about the craft, the story arc, description, narrative, etc and then wrote my first story.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

Toughest Criticism: Don’t be so complicated in my writing. I tend to write long winded stories and have to cut, cut, cut. At first, this was really tough to do, but I have since learned to be concise.

Best compliment: I came from a screenwriter background and one where I didn’t have to write any description. I really had a hard time learning to write description, and I studied the books on it, practiced it, and edited just to include more description. So, it’s always a compliment when someone says they really liked the descriptions.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Be tough skinned. Be true to yourself. Study your craft. Always learn.

How many drafts did you have to write for Beautiful Whispers ? Any scenes that were cut from the original that you want to share?

I wrote Beautiful Whispers very quickly and edited it just as quickly. I cut out scenes from Alexander’s point of view because I thought it bogged the story down.

What inspired the idea for Beautiful Whispers?

I actually wrote Missing 6 first (the sequel to Beautiful Whispers), and I loved the main characters together so much that I wanted to explore their relationship. So, I wrote Beautiful Whispers as the prequel to the story I’d already written.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write in 'Beautiful Whispers and why?

I love writing for Lillia and Grand Maeve because they are such fun characters who will say anything. I love getting into Alexander’s head and hearing his thoughts about Jane. And I love any scenes when they are together.

What is your favorite snack/treat or drink while writing?

I drink tons of water. I feel like a fish when I’m writing because I’m constantly going through my water.

What are you currently reading?

Just finished reading my good friend, Andrea Buginsky’s new book, Destiny.

Who is your fictional character crush?

I really couldn’t choose just one, and it changes daily. I’m afraid of leaving anyone out if I name names, so I’ll have to keep that secret. I know I’m prejudiced, but I still love Alexander from Beautiful Whispers/Missing 6.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

There are thousands of books published every day, so thank you for giving each of us a chance at pursuing our dreams of introducing our stories/characters to the world. Writing is very subjective, and anybody that looks at Amazon reviews can see that people will love or hate the same novel, but thank you for taking a chance.

**I want to take the time to Thank Alice for answering my boring question and for being on Two-Tall-Tales today! We will have another special post that will feature Alice again on the 14th so be sure to come back and check it out :P ***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(**Plus I'm giving away a SIGNED paperback of James Clyde and the Diamond of Orchestra--Find it HERE **)

Other Blogs joining the Carnival Fun..be sure to stop by!