Blog Tour & Giveaway - Naturally Charlie by S.L. Scott

Welcome to my stop on S.L. Scott's Virtual Blog Tour for Naturally Charlie.  Please be sure to leave a comment or question below for S.L. to let her know you stopped by.  You can enter my giveaway for 1 of 3 copies of S.L.'s latest book by leaving a comment below.  I will be posting my review for Naturally Charlie this weekend.  

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 Interview with S.L. Scott 

Me:  Did you base "Charlie" Barlow on any woman in your life or perhaps yourself?

S.L.:  I didn't base her on anyone specific, but I know she gets some of my quirky views on life and words. You know when you say a word and suddenly it just doesn't sound like it is a real word or the right word? Yeah, I do that and of course Charlie Girl has what we call Charlie-isms - it's like her own language that just fits her outlook, zest, and humor in life.

Me:  What message do you hope readers get from "Naturally Charlie"? 

S.L.:  Follow you heart. Those instincts buried way down deep inside, that's your heart speaking to you. It doesn't always match your heads thoughts on the matter, but it's important. Take the time to listen - it's usually guiding you in the direction of your destiny.

Me:  How has your degree in journalism influenced your writing?  Are you more of a plotter or a "panster"?

S.L.:  I write like how we speak - more modern terms, more adverbs, more sarcasm. In Journalism I always remember you would never say 'It's a four alarm blaze.' You would say 'It's a four alarm fire.' Saying blaze is pretentious. lol You say fire. I say fire. We all say fire. You use blaze when writing newspaper articles. But that's not how we talk. My main characters aren't pretentious, so I try to make them sound normal, more their age. That way readers can relate to them more and since it's in first person, I want them to feel with them and to understand them.

I'm a total panster. I hated writing outlines in school. I find them too confining and restrictive. I think they are great for people who like that little extra discipline in their routine and it can keep them on track. Those are great things. Generally, I think of a beginning, an arc, and an end. The characters decide how they get to that point and I find it feels more them when they are acting of their free will instead of being told what to do or feel to make something work. I like the more organic writing process. I sound insane talking about my characters like that, but they are a part of me. I'm just recording the story they want to tell.

Me:  What is a typical day in "the life" like for you? 

S.L.:  Take my kids to school, come home, work on all things computer related such as emails, social networks (okay, so maybe this one is playtime too). Then I edit, edit, edit. Run a few errands, pick my kids up from school. Do more editing or writing, more emails. My evening routine varies a lot depending on what's going on in my family's life at the time or scheduled for that evening. I write a little late a night and bed. Did I bore you? Written out like this sounds plain boring, but I have a great family that makes me smile and get to follow my passion. No complaints here.

Me:  Looking back on your life and path to becoming a published author - what 2 pieces of advice would you give your teen self ?

S.L.:  I find this a hard question because I have a really great life and knowing what I know now back then, I probably would have made some different choices and then I would be where I am.

Okay, but to answer, I would tell my teen self to take that trip to Europe after high school and to move to California like I wanted to.

Me:  You did a play list for Naturally Charlie - is this something you plan to do for other books or was this a one time thing?  Out of all of the songs on the play list - which is your personal favorite?  Mine was These Times by SafetySuit.

S.L.:  Music inspires me so heavily when I'm writing. It's sets a mood or a tone and allows me to feel that emotion of the scene when matched up with the perfect song.

I want to do that for all of my books. I already have a few playing regularly in the background for my next story.

Tough one because all of the songs remind me of a certain part in the two Charlies journey, but I'll go with Rufus Wainwright "Sometimes You Need." It just feels like the whole story to me. Music is so personal, but I'd love to hear what song reminds you of Naturally, Charlie that isn't on the play list. I've started a readers play list. Send in those songs. I love new and old music and love to share the greats.

Me:  Your bio states that you love eating home made guacamole.  Do you have a favorite recipe you would be willing to share?

S.L.:   I wing it. I guess you could say I'm a panster guacamole maker too.

Here's a great tasting recipe from one of my favorite guacamole serving restaurants: 

DOS CAMINOS TRADITIONAL GUACAMOLE

Makes 4 servings

2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro leaves

2 teaspoons finely chopped white onion
2 teaspoons minced jalapeño or Serrano chilies, seeds and membranes removed, if desired
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
2  large ripe avocados, preferably California Haas, peeled and seeded
2 tablespoons cored, seeded, and finely chopped plum tomatoes (1 small tomato)
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice

In a medium size bowl, use the back of a spoon to mash 1 tablespoon of the cilantro, 1 teaspoon onion, 1 teaspoon of minced chile, and 1/2 teaspoon salt together against the bottom of the bowl.

Add the avocados and gently mash them with a fork until chunky-smooth. Fold the remaining cilantro, onion, and chile into the mixture. Stir in tomatoes and lime juice,  taste to adjust the seasonings, and serve with a basket of warm corn tortilla chips.

Me:  What can we expect to see from you in 2013?

S.L.:   More novellas and books. I recently put out a short story on Amazon Kindle called Morning Glory and it was such a fun and informative experience. I have books in the works too.

Quick Get to Know You Questions:

1. Favorite color? Blue

2. Favorite snack? Caprese salad - mozzarella, basil, tomatoes. A little olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper. Fast and easy to make and super delicious.

3. Favorite vacation spot? Hawaii - it's so relaxing there to me. I love the beach.

4. Favorite romance movie? Sliding Doors

5. If you had to describe yourself as a shoe - what would you be? I quite like knee high boots. They are dependable and practical, and the styles today have a really cool edgy feel to them that I dig.

6. Favorite childhood book? The Ramona series.

7. What are you currently reading? Easy by Tammara Webber - I just started it last night.

8. Earth is invaded by aliens - what would you tell them is the best thing about our planet? Mexican Food and nature.

Thank you so much for having me here, Maria. I really enjoyed the questions and had a great time.

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Naturally, Charlie

by S.L. Scott

The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House

Release Date: November 1, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-612131-31-3

Length: 230 Pages

Contemporary Romance

Amazon

Blurb:

 

Twenty-five year old Charlotte "Charlie" Barrow is caught between her old life, and the one she is beginning to build, when she crosses paths with a handsome stranger on the subway. Not looking for romance, she closes her heart off to the possibilities of love. With a knack for mishaps, Charlie maintains her sense of humor while befriending the kind stranger who seems to be there at all the right times.

New York freelance writer, Charlie Adams, is forging his own path beyond the expectations of the society circles of his childhood. Rejecting family money, and fast-lane friends, he is snubbed by his family as he follows his own compass to a life more extraordinary. Through a coincidence of events, they come to rely on each other for comfort. This is the tale of two Charlies learning to trust again while fighting their fates to create their own destiny.

 

Excerpt:

I grab my uninteresting meal out of the microwave, and carry it on my oven-mitt-clad hand over to the couch, but I don’t make it there before someone knocks on my door. I detour and look through the peephole. I see him and feel the giddiness bubble up inside. Charlie knows I can see him, because he’s all smiles and funny faces. I unlock the door and open it wide.

“And to what do I owe the pleasure?” I put my free hand on my hip, and sway them with sass.

“I couldn’t wait until Saturday.” He smirks, holding up two white bags in his hands. “I come bearing food.”

“So what you’re saying is that you find me irresistible?” I present my awful, tasteless meal to him. “Anyway, I’ve already got dinner covered.”

He laughs, but says nothing as he walks past me straight into the kitchen.

“And the market on worn-out workout pants,” he says, unpacking the bags on the counter, “but I won’t hold those against you. By the way, that’s not dinner.”

I kick the door shut and lock the deadbolt, following behind him. “Don’t judge my comfy leggings. There are only two holes. And if this isn’t dinner, what is it?”

He looks over the little black bowl of steaming food still sitting atop my mitt-covered palm. “I don’t know,” he replies, scrunching his nose. “But you’re not eating it.” He picks it up and tosses the tray into the garbage can before I have a chance to protest. “I have food. Go sit over there in your holey pants and I’ll serve.”

I’m liking this idea a lot. “Who am I to argue with that?” I toss the mitt over my shoulder without care, and hurry to the couch to wait and be served.

I smile because he makes me want to smile, sometimes too much, making my cheeks hurt. Very much like right now. Flopping onto the couch, I cross my legs like a pretzel. I hear drawers opening and closing, silverware clanging together, and a wine cork pop open.

“You need any help?” I holler because I see him turning in circles looking for stuff.

“I got it,” he says then flashes me a self-assured smile. “Hope you like lo mein.” He hands me a plate along with a fork and napkin. “And I bought a sauvignon blanc because I have no idea what goes with Chinese food, and I like this one.”

“Thank you. This looks great. I’m starved.”

“Dig in.”

When he joins me on the couch, that comfortable silence exists between us again, surrounding us as we eat. But tonight, I find myself wanting so much more, wanting to talk, even if just to joke. He’s quick and clever and makes me laugh.

“Did you know you have a bull’s-eye on your chest?” He lifts his gaze from my chest to my eyes as he takes a bite of the saucy noodles.

“Oh,” I say, looking down at my T-shirt, “it’s from college. My roommate has one, too. We made them as an experiment.”

He chuckles. “I’m sure you proved your hypothesis true if the experiment was to draw every guy’s attention straight to your breasts.”

I cover my mouth with my hand so it doesn’t get ugly when I burst out laughing. After catching my breath, I ask, “So it worked?”

“One hundred percent, baby. By the way, you don’t need a bull’s-eye to get a guy’s attention.”

“Are we still talking science here?”

“Maybe chemistry…”

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Please be sure to leave a comment or question below for S.L. to let her know you were here and to enter my giveaway for a Kindle copy of Morning Glory, S.L.'s newest release.  I will be awarding 3 Kindle copies - giveaway will end on Saturday, November 10, 2012.  

Hayley Harper has a great marketing job with a Los Angeles television station and a huge blind spot for one of her coworkers, a cameraman named Nick. The two have been best friends since college, but have always been out of sync romantically. As Hayley maneuvers her way through one bad relationship after another, Nick is always right there picking up the pieces of her shattered heart.


When Nick hints that he might be interested in someone new, Hayley begins to see how blind she’s really been to the one person she can’t live without. As the door of opportunity with Nick begins to close, Hayley must decide if she’s willing to risk what she already has with him in order to have it all.


Engaging personalities, witty banter, and steamy love scenes make for a modern day fairy tale in this short story romance