My final author of the morning takes me all the way out to Moab, Utah. We spend some time rock climbing in a Jeep and enjoying the dry heat of the desert. After awhile, we stop and let the breeze and some cold drinks cool away the sweat. I will have to wash out the sand that’s worked its way into…uh, hey, this is a good time for an interview.
1. Who are you and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?
I’m not sure how fascinating I am—I would describe myself as quirky. By day, I’m a supervisor at a government job, which is similar to herding cats. At night, I listen to Dutch symphonic metal and dream of the day I retire so I can dye my hair blue.
2. Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?
Ha! I’m sure people at work would be very surprised by my musical choices.
3. What interested you to become a writer rather than something else such as rock star? Reading has always been a huge part of my life. As an Army brat, houses and friends came and went, but my books were always constant. About eight years ago, I read an interview about JK Rowling. That inspired me to try and write down the stories that have always been running around my head.
4. Writers are readers. With which author(s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?
JK Rowling, I’d love to meet her but would be too awed to eat.
5. If I were stranded on a deserted island or suffering from a four hour layover at the airport, why would your book(s) be great company?
I wrote Pink Lock Picks and Sequined Witch Hats with the idea to keep the humor running through it. I think the title shows that. It was inspired by Clueless and Ocean’s Eleven.
6. Share your process of writing in regards to: plot and character development, story outline, research (do you Google or visit places/people, or make it up on the spot), writing schedule, editing and number of rewrites.
I always have the first and last chapters set in my mind before I start writing a new story. I also have three chalkboards in my office for an outline, plot threads, and characters. I’m very visual and organized. I do a lot of Googling when I write—sometimes too much as research can take away from my writing time. Usually, I have several plot ideas churning in the ‘ol brain pan. The trick is tying them all together. I have a daily writing goal, but don’t always make it. I’m thinking of adding a word counter widget to my website. If I can get that synched with my Fitbit, then my self-harassment will be complete. For editing, I edit each chapter before starting the next. Then I edit the entire book at least twice. If I get hit with writer’s block, I usually edit the chapters I’ve completed to see if I’m missing something in the plot that’s causing the block.
7. “I think I have a good idea for a story, but I don’t know where or how to begin. Your process may not work for me. Any advice?”
Sometimes just writing down an idea helps. Build off the original thought. It helps to focus on a single character or plot thread.
8. I saw an amusing T-shirt the other day which read, “Every great idea I have gets me in trouble.” What is your philosophy of life?
I so want that T-shirt. My main philosophy is “have a plan. Then have a backup plan. And then have a third ‘Just In Case’ plan.” It has been pointed out to me that I have some OCD issues.
9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing?
What’s next for you? I’m currently writing the sequel: Pink Duct Tape and Glittery Broomsticks.
10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?
I’m on Twitter @CRehse. You can also find me at my website, carlarehse.com
Pink Lock Picks and Sequined Witch Hats
Carla Rehse
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Date of Publication: 7-24-17
ISBN: 978-1546514534
Number of pages: 286
Word Count: 78k
Fashion. Dead bodies. And magic.
In this fantastical and mysterious tale, seventeen-year-old lock pick Gracie Mason finds herself inadvertently caught up in a world involving witches, bizarre rituals, romance—and murder.
Book Description:
Witches must bond with humans in order to produce children—and once the bond is made, it cannot easily be unmade.
Imagine seventeen-year-old Gracie Mason’s surprise when she accidentally bonds with a witch named Asher. Sure, he’s cute, but that’s beside the point. She’s not going to settle for a guy just because she’s magically bound to him.
To dissolve the bond, Gracie must seek out another witch to perform a magical rite. However, matters become considerably more complicated when witches begin turning up dead. Wanting nothing more than to get on with her life, Gracie must now team up with her enchanter and wade deeper into a complex world of enchantment and intrigue.
Pink Lock Picks and Sequined Witch Hats is an enthralling story of magic, mystery, and murder—and each new twist will draw you further under its spell.
Excerpt:
Daddy told me years ago that to succeed in life I need a strong plan, the right tools, and the gumption to follow through. His words of wisdom helped me get elected homecoming queen, become co-captain of the cheerleading squad, and voted on the student council. Now I plan to use them to help me pull off my first burglary.
My plan is solid. I’ve also never backed down from a challenge, not even last year when Brittany Thomas became overly friendly with the entire football team in a sad attempt to deprive me of my crown. People say I started the rumor about the rash of STD cases spreading through the boys’ locker room faster than a brush fire. I didn’t, of course. Why start gossip when the squad of doctors from the local Health Department did it for me?
I take a deep breath as I enter the Trinity Building. At almost four o’clock on a Friday before a three-day weekend, the place is deader than a PTA meeting. It helps that today is the hottest July first on record for Central Texas and the air conditioning in this building is dismally subpar. The Trinity Corporation may claim to have the most upscale rental space in town, but one look at the gold leopard granite floor paired with peach-painted walls shows that’s a downright fib.
The only guard on duty leans back in his chair and sucks down a Sonic Route 44 Coke like his life depends on it. I wave as I pass the security desk, wearing a megawatt smile and fully confident in the strength of my lavender-scented Lavanila deodorant—vegan, of course. Deputy Dawg gives me his usual perv stare before returning to the comic book balanced on his knee.
Centex Therapy, LPC occupies most of the first floor office space. A small bell tinkles when I open the frosted glass door. What decorum the overall building lacks, the waiting room has in spades. Brown leather chairs sit on a bamboo rug and pastel paintings from local artists brighten the walls. A tall grandfather clock in the corner softly chimes four times. This late on a Friday means the room is empty of other patients. Perfect.
Jane, the receptionist, fans herself with a copy of Country Living. “Cutting it awfully close, Gracie. Go on in.”
Dr. McDozzle gives me a pained smile as I enter the room.
“Good afternoon, Miss Mason. Have a seat.” For a head shrinker, he’s incredibly formal. And a non-Texan, who hates football and sweet tea. I haven’t learned much more about him in the last month, but that’s enough to get him tarred and feathered if word got out.
The leather recliner squeaks when I sit down. “Thanks for seeing me on a Friday, Doc.” I twirl a strand of newly highlighted platinum hair around my finger. It goes wonderful with my bubblegum pink manicure. “Mr. Anderson, Daddy’s new lawyer, is now insisting I have two sessions a month with you. Of course, Mama’s lawyer says once a month is just fine, seeing how I’m such a well-adjusted high school senior and all. Almost a senior, I guess, since school’s not started.”
Dr. McDozzle straightens his glasses. “Yes, well, your parents do seem to have quite the barrage of attorneys involved in their divorce. Have you worked on the homework I gave you during our last session?”
This is such a waste of time. My parents have spent the last five years embroiled in a divorce dirtier than a greased pig-wrestling contest. Both sides of the family have more money than sense, much to the delight of every lawyer in the tri-county area. Not that I want my parents to get back together. Anytime they’re within spitting distance of each other, the tension between them gives me a migraine. Besides, if they hadn’t split up, I never would’ve met Ben.
Ben’s the son of Daddy’s ex-girlfriend. Until four months ago, they all lived together in Daddy’s condo. Ben is a sophomore at the local college and is truly hot, in a geeky, stud muffin, save-the-world, kinda way. Crushing on my almost stepbrother might seem a bit sketchy, but it’s legal—I Googled it twice.
Which means it’s time to start step one in my Get Ben Plan.
I toss my hair over my shoulder before pulling out a pink glitter notebook from my Eiffel Tower-shaped mini-purse.
“You wanted me to write down my feelings about my parents’ shared custody thing. Honestly, I don’t understand why the lawyers are so panty-twisted about me spending a week with Mama and the next with Daddy. It means I get double the wardrobe. Hello? What girl would say no to that? It’s way better than Heather’s situation. I told you about her last time, I think. The girl with the hideous frizzed-out curls but drives a cute BMW Z4 roadster? Anyway, her parents are insane.” I continue a steady stream of babble until Dr. McDozzle’s eyes glaze over.
There’s no clocks in the room, but Dr. McDozzle keeps checking his watch. I’m sure the poor man created a nice therapy plan for me, but I’ve completely derailed it. Mama always says a girl has many tools to choose from in her arsenal—perfectly curled hair, well-placed boobs, and endless chatter are my faves. Besides, Daddy’s been paying therapists a fortune for years to show the divorce court how concerned he is about me. Dr. McDozzle’s earning his car payment today.
About the Author:
Although not a native Texan, Carla prides herself on having mastered the correct usage of “y’all” and “bless your heart.”
Carla is owned by a persnickety kitty, who rules the computer keyboard and only allows Carla to write when demands for cat treats are met.
Tour giveaway
2 $25 Amazon gift cards.
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Through Her Eyes![Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000035_00023]](https://stephenbrayton.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/cover.jpg?w=470)
Excerpt: 
About the Author:
Through Her Eyes
This week I pick up not just my featured author, but his family, too. We take a short hop to Cape May, NJ. Sunning on the beach, his children (the Ninjas), playing in the sand, the wife working on her tan. Out farther, dolphins play. What a cool place for an interview.
2. Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?
5. If I were stranded on a deserted island or suffering from a four hour layover at the airport, why would your book be great company?
7. “I think I have a good idea for a story, but I don’t know where or how to begin. Your process may not work for me. Any advice?”
10. 
Last week, I invited readers to ask me questions regarding my experiences with Uber. During my time as a driver I talk with passengers and they also have questions they like to ask. I’ve noticed many, many repeat questions. Today I’d like to mention some and give my answers, which, unfortunately, have become pretty standard. Not sure how to answer the same question week after week with different words.
A couple years ago I kept hearing advertisements for Uber. You know, the taxi’s competition, where citizens drive their own cars, and pick up passengers through an application. So, I invested in an upgraded phone, signed up and have been driving since September 2015.
Inclement Gods
About the Author:
This morning I receive the knock on the door and when answered, I’m whisked away to Florida…okay, not quite, but this week’s guest blog loves Florida and sun and summer…as do I.
I love summer. There. I said it.
Ruin
About the Author:
Once again I bring you short essays on monthly themes from Brayton’s Black Belt Academy. This time around is Loyalty
This morning I enter the transporter to pick up this week’s featured author. Where are we going and what will be our experience when we get there? Well, here’s what happened, straight from the author:
Where On Earth? An Alaska Adventure