Saturday, January 23, 2010

Sing Me To Sleep Blog Tour + Contest!

Hi readers, Angela's latest novel, SING ME TO SLEEP is going to be released on March 4, 2010! I'm sure you're as excited as I am! SING ME TO SLEEP is a sad, beautiful love story that is sure to touch your heart. I love this book! You can read my review for Sing Me To Sleep to know my thoughts about it. You can pre-order the book at Amazon US or Amazon UK.

INTERVIEW

1. How did you come up with the characters and storyline?
When I write a novel, it's like a giant tidal wave hits my life. It takes all the people I've known, places I've been, books I've read, movies I've seen, news I've watched, history I've poured over, and breaks all this experience up into tiny pieces. I sift through them until one gets stuck in my brain--starts to haunt me. I ask myself what if? The answer to that question emerges as a voice that becomes a character. Sometimes the guy arrives on the scene first. Sometimes the girl does. When I get them both, they start talking in my head. I jot down those conversations.

The storyline emerges from their whispers to me and is shaped by the hero's journey archetype. My characters have to do more than fall in love. They are always on a coming of age journey, so they must face tests, overcome obstacles, learn to trust each other and themselves. And they usually have to come to grips with what love really is.

2. The story takes place mostly in Lausanne, London and Michigan. Are any of these places special to you in some way?
We lived in London, Ontario, Canada. While we lived there, my daughter sang with the Junior Amabile Youth Singers--a girls choir. I got to travel with them and loved the competitive choir scene. It was great to get to use that setting. And their boys choir is every bit as amazing as I portray them in the book.

When we moved to Lausanne, Switzerland, my daughter was fourteen and heartbroken. Her friends in Amabile kept in touch and kept her sane. It was great to get to use some of my favorite places in Switzerland for SING. We actually stayed in the mermaid hotel Beth's choir stays in.

I put Beth in Michigan so she'd be close to Derek. We used to shop in Port Huron and fly out of the Detroit airport, so I'm familiar with the area, but I had to do research to be able to write about it convincingly. YouTube was my best friend. You'd be amazed at what people post. I also went on real estate sites and found Beth's house and researched the local high school. I call it "Port" in the book to make it fictitious--I like how that sounds better, too.

3. Derek's secret is very serious. Why do you choose to write about that particular difficulty?
Derek was inspired by my daughter's dear friend, Matt. He was one of those London friends who kept her going when she was so miserable in Switzerland. SING is dedicated to him. His mom is a good friend and helped me so much with this book. I can't let you know too much about Matt or it will wreck Derek's secret. After you read SING, be sure to read the Author's Note in the back. I will have more about Derek's secret posted on my website after SING launches. But I promise to mark it with a great big SPOILER ALERT. I hope SING generates a lot of conversations about this issue--AFTER readers have read the book.

4. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I want readers to find their own messages. I don't think about theme and message when I write. I'm always touched when readers tell me they feel love and hope as they read my work. That experience is what I want them to grasp.

5. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
I am awful at plotting. My editor is amazing at it. Working with her has helped me grasp it a lot more.

6. Please tell us about your next book and when will it be available.
This fall I wrote the sequel to TAKEN BY STORM, my 2009 debut novel. It's called UNBROKEN CONNECTION. Penguin hasn't signed it yet, so I can't tell you when it will be available.

SING ME TO SLEEP is out March 4, 2010, and the paperback for TAKEN BY STORM launches February 4, 2010.

I also have a romantic coming of age historical novel about a Scottish coal miner, who has to leave the love of his life to emigrate to North America that my agent is marketing called, MY ONLY LOVE.

Check in with me on my ChatSpot blog on my website for updates on both UNBROKEN CONNECTION and MY ONLY LOVE.

7. Do you have anything special that you want to say to your readers?
Only that I love writing for them and love hearing from them. I hope they all know how wonderful and amazing they are. Protect and cherish that. Don't let anyone stomp on you and your dreams. If they do, pick yourself, bandage your wounds, and keep going. You are a gift--remember that!

Thanks for taking your time to answer my questions, Angela! I hope Sing Me To Sleep will be a huge success!

CONTEST

To celebrate the release of Sing Me To Sleep, Angela has decided to giveaway a SIGNED hardcover copy of the novel to a lucky reader! Everyone can enter, no matter where you reside! In other words, this contest is international!

To enter:
Please leave your name and e-mail address in a comment.

Extra entries:
+1 Name Angela's debut novel
+1 RT this contest (sample below)*
+1 Link this giveaway anywhere else (Facebook, Plurk, etc.)*
+2 Comment on my review for Sing Me To Sleep
+2 If you are a new follower
+3 If you are a old follower
+3 Put the trailer on your blog. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivJoBStwJhM*
+5 Blog about this contest*
+10 Pre-order a copy of SING ME TO SLEEP

Sample tweet:
"Sing Me To Sleep Blog Tour + Contest on Friends & Family! Contest is open worldwide and ends 23/2 http://bit.ly/70tiYd"

*Links should be included in your comment or else it won't count.

Notes:
All the entries can be left in one comment, since I will jot down every entry. A winner will be chosen via Random.org. Remember, please leave your e-mail address or you will be disqualified. You can use this format to prevent spammers: aikychien at yahoo dot com

Contest ends 23rd February, 2o1o @ 8 pm Malaysian time. (Open internationally)

Lovely links:
Angela's Website :: Angela's Facebook Page

I'm also having another giveaway on my blog:
Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors (US ONLY)


78 comments:

Stacey Brucale said...

Please enter me!

+3 old follower

squiggles87(at)aol(Dot)com

Dani. said...

Oooh I am dying to read Sing Me To Sleep ever since i have read the first chapetr online! :]

+1: Debut- Taken By Storm
+2: New Follower!

-Dani
lightningstreak123[at]comcast[dot]net

Rebecca Orr said...

Rebecca Orr
bekki1820cb at gmail

Thanks for the chance Aik!

Angela Morrison said...

Hi Aik and followers! I just wanted to stop by and thank Aik for all her support. I used to live in Singapore--right next to Aik in Malaysia I do have an exciting update for all my friends in Asia. Penguin just sold SING into China! I don't have the details of what languages they will be translating it into. I'm guessing Mandarin. Pretty exciting. Maybe Malay will be next.

Rebecca Orr said...

+3 for being an old follower

Rebecca Orr bekki1820cb at gmail

Rebecca Orr said...

+1 Debut novel: Taken By Storm

+1 RT: http://twitter.com/bekki1820cb/status/8118973937

Rebecca Orr bekki1820cb at gmail

MadeInCanarias said...

Ave
madeincanarias at yahoo dot es

Kirthi said...

+1 Debut novel: Taken by Storm
+1 Linked to sidebar: http://the1bookblog.blogspot.com/

+2 Commented on your review
+3 Old Follower

raokiki6(at)gmail(dot)com

MadeInCanarias said...

+1: Angela's debut novel: Taken by Storm

+1:Retweeted: http://twitter.com/MadeInCanarias/status/8123826400

+3: I'm an old follower

madeincanarias at yahoo dot es

brizmus said...

Ohhh, count me in!! :-)
That was such a fabulous interview; I am now totally dying to read this book! :-) I love how she said that she wants readers to find their own messages. I think its great to be an author and understand that people can take your work in many different ways.
+1 Taken By Storm
+1 tweeted here: http://twitter.com/brizmus/statuses/8125406309
+1 in my sidebar under the contest list - http://brizmusblogsbooks.blogspot.com
+3 old follower

zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com

YA Book Queen said...

+1 Taken by the Storm
+3 old follower

yabookqueen@yahoo.com

Thanks to Aik and Angela! :D

Angela Morrison said...

Hi all! I'm glad to see how excited you all are about SING! So am I!

Thanks, Brizmus. I was a reader before I was a writer and feel like you do about finding my own meaning in books and art. I think that's always the artist's goal. don't you?

justpeachy36 said...

juatpeachy36@yahoo.com

Please enter me in the giveaway.

+1 Angela's Debut novel was Taken by Storm

+2 Commented on review

+3 Old follower

Unknown said...

Hi :)
Thank you for the interview with Angela & thanks to Angela for sharing. I hope UNBROKEN CONNECTION is signed soon.
+1 TAKEN BY STORM
+3 Old Follower
:)
All the best,
RKCharron

Brodie said...

Great interview! I especially love her answer to question 7 - so sweet and inspiring! I can't wait to read Sing Me To Sleep and the cover is just gorgeous too!

+1 Her debut is Taken By Storm
+1 Tweeted - http://twitter.com/peacelovevegan/status/8146218980
+2 Commented on review
+3 Old follower

Thanks!
hanging.by.a.moment_@hotmail.com

Precious said...

Awesome interview!

+2 I'm a new follower (found your blog through Brodie's tweet)

+1 tweeted: http://twitter.com/precious_shusky/status/8146341719

+1 Taken by Storm is her debut

+2 I commented on the review!

Total: 6 entries

precious_shusky@yahoo.com

Thanks for making this international!

Benita said...

+ 1 The review is great and really makes me want ot read this book.

+3 olf follower

+1 debut novel - Taken by Storm

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

please count me in...thanks

+1 debut novel 'taken by storm'
+2 commented on review

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

KayeDean said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
KayeDean said...

+1 debut novel is 'Taken by Storm"
+3 old follower

sandym204@gmail.com

debijackson said...

sounds like a great read....jacksond@nhr3.net

debijackson said...

google freind connect follower

debijackson said...

dubet novel "taken by storm" jacksond@nhr3.net

mrsshukra said...

I would like to be entered!

+1 Angela Morrison's debut novel: Taken By Storm

+2 New follower

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

+2 Left comment on your review of Sing Me to Sleep!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Heidi said...

heidi donahue
heidilynndonahue@gmail.com

Winning Readings said...

I'd love to read this!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

+1 Name Angela's debut novel
"Taken By Storm"

wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

+2 Comment on my review for Sing Me To Sleep
DONE!

wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

$uper $avin' Momma said...

Cathy Snow White's Blog Shop!

snowwhitesblogshop at yahoo dot com

$uper $avin' Momma said...

I'm a new follower!

Cathy Snow White's Blog Shop!
snowwhitesblogshop at yahoo dot com

Adaptable Kay said...

I'm always on the lookout for new reading material! Thank you for this contest :)

TheEclecticElement AT yahoo DOT com

+1 Taken by Storm
+1 Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/TheEclecticE/status/8174040575
+1 Listed on my Linky:
http://theeclecticelement.blogspot.com/2009/03/current-contests-going-on-past-contests.html?
+2 Commented on your review
+3 Already a follower!

Angela Morrison said...

You are all so sweet. I wish you could all win!

Linda Kish said...

count me in please.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Debut book..Taken by Storm

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

PerfectBlueMoon said...

fantastic giveaway! I would love to enter! :)

Anna
perfectbluemoon@gmail[dot]com

Diana D said...

Would love to read this. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.

dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com

Jessica said...

Wow this book sounds amazing, I hope I win!
Jessica Kelly: embellishedbyjessica[at]yahoo.com

+1 Tweeted http://twitter.com/fashiondiva304/status/8190474699

+1 Debut novel Taken By Storm
+1 I have linked this on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/jkelly2?v=feed&story_fbid=264318621378&ref=nf

+2 New follower! So glad to find a great Blog for Readers!

+2 Review: This review is really great, I love reading and to hear the background from the author gives such an insight into the story. Great questions!

Anonymous said...

Enter me too please :)
Marci
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Her debut novel was "Taken By Storm."
Marci
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me :) Many thanks,
bethnaf[at]hotmail[dot]com

Angie said...

I love to hear the story behind the story!! Great interview...

Thanks
Angie
rennieangie@gmail.com

Jennifer said...

What a nice giveaway! - Jennifer jk(dot)gorcery(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer said...

I tweeted: https://twitter.com/jkgorcery/status/8190579633

Jennifer said...

I am a new follower to your blog #1

Jennifer said...

I am a new follower to your blog #2

debijackson said...

I'm dying to own this book jacksond@nhr3.net

Sylvia said...

I would love to win! Thanks a lot:)

+1 Debut novel: Taken by Storm
+2 I follow!

sylvia_uy4@yahoo.com

Wicked Walker said...

Great contest!

+1 RT:http://twitter.com/raycee3/statuses/8325864237
+2 new follower

booknerdd(at)gmail(dot)com

sRy_ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
urban craft said...

very cool, want to win the book please!
Thanks!

yourkaren at hotmail dot com

Sara said...

Cool giveaway! Please count me in :)

+1 Name Angela's debut novel- Taken By Storm
+3 Old follower
+2 I already Commented on your review of Sing Me To Sleep
+5 Blog about this contest - http://yavampirebooks.blogspot.com/2010/01/contests-around-blogosphere-week-4.html

-Sara
sosarora_11(at)hotmail(dot)com

pippirose said...

I'd love the chance to enter to win this book.

+1 Debut novel: Taken By Storm
+2 New follower.

pippirose59 at gmail dot com

Queeny said...

Count me in.

+1 Debut novel: Taken By Storm
+3 Old follower

angelqueenyding at gmail dot com

chocowafer said...

Count me in! :)

+1 debut novel - Taken by Storm
+1 tweeted:
http://twitter.com/austenfanblogs/status/8453320629
+3 old follower

Thanks for the giveaway!

austenfanblogs[at]gmail[dot]com

Alyssa Kirk said...

Sounds like a good one! Please enter me.

demonicattractions@gmail.com

+2 new follower
+1 tweet http://twitter.com/teensrandw/status/8461439830

Mariana S said...

Sounds great! Please count me in

+1 Taken by Storm
+1 Tweet: http://twitter.com/SmartGirls_Read/statuses/8461591904
+2 Comment on your review for Sing Me To Sleep
+2 New follower

-Mariana S
sarima89(at)gmail(dot)com

Sharli said...

+1 Debut novel: Taken By Storm
+1 RT this contest: http://twitter.com/Entre_Libros/status/8462279720
+1 Sidebar link:http://blogentrelibros.blogspot.com/
+2 If you are a new follower

Thanks!
entrelibros_blog(at)hotmail(dot)com

JJ said...

Give me a good ole' love story anytime. :)

Thanks,
gahome2mom/at/gmail/dot/com

Gaby G said...

+1 RT @magabygc: http://twitter.com/magabygc/status/8467007958
+2 new follower

magabygc AT gmail DOT com

rem said...

great contest!!!!

+1 Debut- Taken By Storm
+1 RT the contest http://twitter.com/rem_pdg/status/8467189815
+3 old follower

Thanks

Irene
rem_pdg(at)yahoo(dot)es

Anna said...

Great idea for a giveaway. I'm a new follower and her debut was Taken by Storm.

Anna, movetheneedlecreations@yahoo.com

Llehn said...

I'd love to play please!

+1 Angela's first book is Taken By Storm
+2 New follower

Lesley
lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com

Lauren E said...

Please enter me in the contest! I would love to read this book.

Spav said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Spav said...

Count me in!

+1 Debut Novel: Taken by Storm
+1 Tweet: http://twitter.com/Sparima/status/8608179716
+2 New follower

spav05(at)gmail(dot)com

Justine said...

Great giveaway! I've always wanted to read this :)

+1 Angela's Debut - Taken By Storm
+1 retweeted this contest here
+1 Linked on sidebar here
+3 old follower
+5 posted about this contest here

Justine
justeena_25(at)yahoo(dot)ca

ninefly said...

+1 Angela's debut novel: TAKEN BY STORM
+1 tweet
http://twitter.com/angeltyuan/status/8737180003
+1 sidebar
http://angeltyuan.blogspot.com
+2 new follower

total: +5
thanks!

ninefly(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Kate
kpic724 (at) gmail (dot) com

+1 RT this contest: http://twitter.com/kpic724/status/8773936106
+2 If you are a new follower (kpic724)
+3 Put the trailer on your blog. http://ijustwannasithereandread.blogspot.com/p/book-trailers.html

Thanks!! :)

Elisabeth Marie said...

Elisabeth - http://www.ysprincess.blogspot.com
soccer64@bellsouth.net

Bachuchay said...

This is great giveaway. Please count me in

Bachuchay
huggie0109(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bachuchay said...

+1: Angela's Debut Novel - Taken By Storm

Sarah said...

Great interview and giveaway!

+1 Debut novel: Taken By Storm (which I read a couple of days ago and am desperate for a sequel!)
+2 New follower

Sarah
sarahdc22 at gmail dot com

Shy said...

Fantastic interview and tbh, I've been looking for this book everywhere. Hence I would like to thank you for think contest as well =)

+1 Debut novel: Taken by Storm
+2 New follower
+1 Tweeted here
+1 Sidebar link here
+2 Commented on review

Thanks again!

Shy said...

Ooops, sorry, I forgot the vital detail over there...

Name: Shy
Email: shy8629 at gmail dot com

Thank you =)

Ginny said...

Looks like a great book, email is in profile

+2 new follower

Angela said...

Hi again, Aik and friends! I'm back with good news: "Beth's Song" is now on iTUNES!!!

Here's the link:
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/beths-song/id361318915