Why reading is important to writing

I’m thrilled to host Ava Louise while she tours her Intergalactic Matchmaking Services series with WOW! Women on Writing. She discusses one of my favorite topics – how very important it is for an author to read. I’m always reading something – lately books by Philip Roth and John Updike. I’m notorious for buying a new book or two before I’ve finished the to-be-read pile on my bedside table. Before I introduce you to Ava, please make sure you enter to win the Intergalactic Matchmaking Series by commenting here about your own reading list.

Here’s Ava:

Thank you, Madeline, for having me as a guest.

I feel safe in saying that for most authors, the road to writing is paved with books. As my bio says, I came to this writing life much later than many authors. While I joke that it took me over 40 years to figure out what I wanted to do when I grew up, I’ve always known I needed books in my life. I don’t recall a time when I wasn’t an avid reader.

Reading allowed me to escape normal life; to enter worlds created by authors. An acute lack of self-esteem (which I didn’t recognize until I was in my 30s) kept me from even realizing what my dream was.

I wrote the necessary things for classes in college, but never dared to put my own imaginings onto paper for others to read. Until a couple of years ago. While visiting a friend, I mentioned my latest reading kick. The books were about mail order brides in the Old West. Just like a good potato chip, I couldn’t stop at just one.

We started talking about how it would have been for us to go through that experience. As a fan of Science-Fiction & Fantasy, I’ve read books about aliens and alien worlds. So what would it be like to be a modern-day mail order bride? What if the prospective mates weren’t even from our world? How would they interact with humans?

These questions led me to the Intergalactic Matchmaking Services. I created a race of aliens (Nordonians) quite similar to humans¦just more colorful! Think pastels. What would bring aliens to our world? The loss of every female in their society, due to a chemical-warfare attack on their home world.

Once I started writing the first book, Maggie’s Story, things just picked up speed. The world of self-publishing opened up to me. I’m not sure I would have ever been brave enough to go the traditional route. The inevitable rejection slips (I haven’t heard of an author that hasn’t received at least one of these dreaded slips of paper) would have crushed me. My dream would have died before even seeing the light of day.

I read anything I could get my hands on about self-publishing. The success stories and the tales of failures. The ease of self-publishing made things look a little too easy. I hadn’t read up on the HOW to write a story or the WHAT should be in a story. I wrote my first book and published it on Amazon right away. I’ve been blessed with fans that like the world I created.

Nowadays, my reading is split between books on the craft of writing and keeping up with my own favorite authors. I feel I owe it to fans of the Intergalactic Matchmaking Services series to learn as much as I can to grow as a writer. This road to writing has been a definite Trip of a Lifetime.

Thanks so much, Ava. Now here’s some information about the series:

The Intergalactic Matchmaking Services series begins with Maggie’s Story, Ava Louise’s debut novel. In the series, you’ll meet characters that play a role in all of the books of the series, but this cozy Sci-Fi with romance is easily read as a series, or each book as a standalone. The characters are full-fledged and lovable!

Maggie’s Story:  Women Wanted: Must have a sense of adventure and be open to new experiences. Must also be willing to relocate. Please contact…Intergalactic Matchmaking Services. Maggie Cline decides to investigate her romantic possibilities after she becomes a target when she identifies the shooter in a local murder. Can she find a soul mate away from everything she knows and has worked hard for here on Earth? What about her loyal companion? Will she have to give up her cat, Mamzell, for a chance at love?

Genre: Science Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services (January 27, 2014)
ASIN: B00I44AGA8

Shirley’s Story – Just as Shirley decides to try opening herself up to a chance at love, a stalker from her past returns. How does she move forward when her past comes knocking? What’s going on with her young student, Hannah? Will her dog, Oreo, be okay with Shirley looking for love?

Genre: Science Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services (March 4, 2014)
ASIN: B00ISU9RE4

Penny’s Story – Penny was supposed to be dead. At least that is what Claire has believed for ten years. Find out what happens when Claire’s sister comes out of the Witness Protection Program. Penny is fighting a losing battle with cancer and needs Claire to raise Sunny, Penny’s newborn daughter, once the cancer takes its final toll. Why is Penny’s ex-boyfriend, Jason, telling his cronies that Penny has money and information about their illegal dealings? How does the cartel find out she has even left the Witness Protection Program?

Genre: Women’s Fiction
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services (November 30, 2014)
ASIN: B00OV8QBXC

Will Marko have to watch as another woman he cares for dies a horrible death? Will he lose his job as Medical Officer on the starship for bending the rules? Can Pacer finally have the peaceful retirement he desires? How will Claire deal with her quiet life being turned upside down? Catch up with Maggie and Daxon, along with Shirley and Mathenzo.

All of the Intergalactic Matchmaking Services books are available as an e-book on Amazon 

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About the Author:

Ava Louise was born a U.S. Army brat overseas, in France. She is the proud mom of two wonderful young men. It’s taken her a while to figure out what she wanted to be “when she grows up,” but Ava has finally found her niche in the writing world. Since writing came to her later in life, she likes to think she is living proof that it’s never too late to reach for a dream or to achieve it. Before writing her own stories, she usually reads from a wide array of genres. She loves Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Mysteries, Thrillers, and Young Adult.

Ava Louise can be found online at:

Email: AvaLouise@AvaLouise.net
Website: http://avalouise.net/
Blog: The Road to a Dream: http://avalouiseauthor.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ava.louise.35
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@avalouiseauthor

Ava’s WOW blog tour dates:

Monday, May 4  @ The Muffin

Stop by for an interview and book giveaway! http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

Tuesday, May 5 @ Choices with Madeline Sharples

Join author Ava Louise as she stops by Choices with fellow author Madeline Sharples. Today’s topic is “Reading as the Road to Writing” and Ava Louise will share some insight and ideas as well as telling readers more about her Intergalactic Matchmaking Services series. And (drum roll please) one lucky reader will win a set of their own so they can explore the Intergalactic Matchmaking Services series – don’t miss this #giveaway !https://www.madelinesharples.com/

Wednesday, May 6 @ Katherine Hajer

Kather Hajer reviews one of the Intergalactic Matchmaking Services series books by Ava Louise and offers her thoughts about this sci-fi romance. http://www.katherine-hajer.com/

Thursday, May 7 @ Katherine Hajer

Kather Hajer hosts a guest post titled It’s Never Too Late to Dream by Ava Louise, author of the Intergalactic Matchmaking Services series. Don’t miss this exciting post and your chance to learn more about Ava and her writing. http://www.katherine-hajer.com/

Thursday, May 7 @ Hott Books

Gina Hott at Hott Books reviews one of the Intergalactic Matchmaking Services series by fellow author Ava Louise and shares her thoughts with readers. Don’t miss this insightful blog stop! http://www.hottbooks.com/

Friday, May 8 @ Selling Books

Ava Louise shares her thoughts on the topic of: Short Stories and Their Role in the Big Picture while visiting Kathy Stucker’s blog talking about the Intergalactic Matchmaking Services series. http://www.sellingbooks.com/

Monday, May 11 @ Lauren Scharhag

Join Lauren Scharhag as she hosts a guest post by author Ava Louise who writes on the topic of “The Review is Critical”. Stop today and find out more about Ava Louise, her topic, and her series: The Intergalactic Matchmaking Services. http://laurenscharhag.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, May 12 @ All Things Audry

Author Ava Louise and her series The Intergalactic Matchmaking Services visits All Things Audry. Ava shares her thoughts on the topic of: Why hiring an editor is important in a post titled Even an Editor Needs an Editor.  Don’t miss this great blog stop and giveaway! http://allthingsaudry.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, May 13 @ M.C. Simon Writes

M.C. Simon reviews the Intergalactic Matchmaking Services Series by Ava Louise. You’ll enjoy learning more about this talented author and her romantic sci-fi series. http://www.mcsimonwrites.com/

Thursday, May 14 @ Bring on Lemons

Cathy Kirby Contino reviews the Intergalactic Matchmaking Services Series by Ava Louise and one lucky reader of today’s blog post will win their own copy of this ebook series through a Rafflecopter giveaway. You won’t want to miss this stop! http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

Monday, May 18 @ Create Write Now

Join Ava Louise as she blogs at Create Write Now with Mari McCarthy. Today’s topic is: Therapeutic Writing, and how Ava’s writing career has changed her life. Learn more about Ava Louise and her Intergalactic Matchmaking Services series. http://www.createwritenow.com/

Tuesday, May 19 @ I’d So Rather Be Reading

Ava Louise joins Kelli Nash at I’d So Rather Be Reading. Ava Louise shares her thoughts about what she learned in a house full of men. Don’t miss this informative post as well as an opportunity to win your own copy of Ava Louise’s Intergalactic Matchmaking Series. http://www.idsoratherbereading.com/

Thursday, May 21 @ Slay the Writer

Fellow author Trisha Slay reviews book 1 in the Intergalactic Matchmaking Services Series by Ava Louise. http://trishaslay.com/

Friday, May 22 @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews

Ava Louise makes a stop at Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews and shares her thoughts on “Lifelong Learning” and talks about her Intergalactic Matchmaking Services series. Don’t miss this insightful and educational blog stop! http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/

Please make a comment about your reading list for a chance to win a copy of the Intergalactic Matchmaking Book Series.

 

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