It’s great to welcome Alexandra today. Alexandra is a young lady who’s written two books already, “A Little Bit of Crazy” and “A Little Bit of Us” which are two parts of one story. Alexandra is in the middle of writing a third novel which will be about a different character from the first book that her readers voted for.
Alexandra’s Genre: Contemporary Romance (Excerpt at the bottom of the page. *Warnig Adult Content)
Alexandra’s Bio …
I’m 22 and I’ve been writing since I could hold a pen in my hand! I love to write, it’s my passion, and I never stop. In fact I love to write so much I have started over one hundred and fifty different books before finally completing my first ever novel ‘A Little Bit of Crazy’ which I published this month.
When I’m not writing, I love spending time with my family and when I get some spare time (not easy with young children!) It’s either reading or listening to music. You won’t find me without a book or my Kindle in my hand. I read whilst I’m cooking, cleaning, talking, walking … you could say reading is my other passion.
Although I base my books in America I am in fact a British author (I live in the north East of England). I chose to set my books in America as although I love England, I also love all things American too. I have read a lot of American novels and as I love a challenge, I decided to write in an American voice. Studying the differences between Britain and America has been fascinating to say the least, even something as simple as remembering our chips are their fries and our crisps are their chips was a test in itself. I’m pretty sure you’ll still find some Britishisms in my book and if you do, drop me a line. (a.e.murphy@hotmail.com).
A Little Bit of Crazy (Blurb)
I’m strong, I’m passionate, I’m free.
At least I was until my father asked me to marry his handsome, charming and completely gorgeous right hand man who was also a sort of friend to myself. I agreed of course, mainly because it was his last dying wish to see me with someone who he knew would treat me well.
Will I love him? Will I hate him?
Maybe both with a little bit of crazy
I know I’ll fail, I’m selfish, self-centered and shallow. I just hope he’s prepared for when I do.
This is our story, it has: a Channing Tatum poster, a long lost brother, a bony blonde and a promiscuous female friend, plus a hot shot star and the one and only sinus blocker Sylvia. Now throw in a crazy lady and a man who would do anything for her (meaning myself and James) and you have our story. Or the first part of it.
A Little Bit of Us (Blurb)
I remember the time I was free, I didn’t care to love, I only cared about myself.
Now I’m stuck. Stuck with a man who destroyed my heart, stuck in a protective bubble that keeps me from reality.
What happens when that bubble pops?
What happens when reality hits me in the face?
How will I cope with my new life, my new future?
Will I ever forgive James? I want to … but what if I can’t?
So many questions … Read the concluding part of mine and James’ story for the answers. Will we get our HEA?
*Recommended for readers aged 17+ due to some sexual content and strong language*
Now that we know a little more about your books, let’s find out a little bit more about you as a writer …
Q: How did you come up with the title of your series?
A: I wanted something different, something nobody else had. I also wanted something that I could link easily through all of the books in this series. Originally my books were called “The Arrangement” and “Denial” but they just didn’t flow how I wanted them to and these titles had been taken. So I described book one in one sentence and I said out loud, ‘I guess it’s a little bit of crazy and I hope it’s unique.’ Hence the title, “A Little Bit of Crazy”. Score!
Q: Who is your favourite character from your book and why?
A: I would have to say the original character Maya. She was the easiest to write because of the fact she’s quirky and around my age, she’s twenty three, I’m twenty two. Although she’s a lot different from me we do have some similarities in our humour. We’re Marmite, you either love us or you hate us. I also love the pranks she pulls, there are some that I want to do myself but I know I’d probably end up sleeping in the yard for a week so unfortunately I must resist.
Q: How about your least favourite character? What makes them less appealing to you?
A: I would have to say Lucas, who I’m currently writing a story about. It’s not that I don’t like him because I do, he’s an awesome character. My beef with him is because of the fact he’s so difficult to write about. Book three is the most challenging book I’ve written yet because the entire thing is in his point of view. He lost his wife and his first born in an accident a few years ago and writing from a male’s perspective about losing two pieces of his soul is very difficult, especially when I’ve never experienced real loss myself. Another reason is because he’s male and I’m from a different planet to the male species. But he’s an amazing character with a great personality; just a little mixed and messed up. Hopefully readers will still like his darker side after falling in love with him in book two. (Fingers crossed).
Q: If you could change ONE thing about your novel, what would it be? Why?
A: I would probably change the entire book one, “A Little Bit of Crazy”. I was so nervous about letting people read my work, I always write but have never shown anyone my stuff so when I decided to release this book I edited it and took a lot out that I thought didn’t work or would be too much for the story line. This was a mistake, maybe one day I’ll rectify and rewrite it, just edit it better and add more to it.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself: What got you interested in Writing?
It’s not something that I just started to become interested in, it’s literally been my life. I’ve written since before I can even remember. Silly poems and stories that have extremely bad spelling and badly drawn pictures next to them from when I was about nine are some of what my Nan still has in her possession. Remind me to buy some matches for those.
Q: What is your schedule like when you’re writing?
A: Schedule? What’s that? Unfortunately I can pretend to be organized and set up my day from times to clean and times to sit down and type but I would never follow it. I’m so flaky it’s unreal. Some days I feel like writing others I feel like staring at the screen and refreshing Facebook every five seconds. I’m awful at keeping up with things, my memory is bad and I never plan anything because I change my mind so frequently. This is why I was scared of getting my work out there because once I HAVE to do something it usually becomes a chore. So far so good though. I still enjoy writing and I’m writing when the mood hits me as per usual :D.
Q: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
A: Umm … I once filmed myself writing. Don’t ask why, I’m just weird like that. Anyway, so when I watched it back I noticed that when I was writing for e.g. ‘She smiled broadly’… I’d be smiling broadly without realizing it. I copy the expressions of my characters whenever I write about an emotion. That’d be classed as a quirk right? Either that or … I sometimes do a little victory dance when I write a paragraph to my version of perfection. Sadly enough this happens quite often.
Q: Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
A: I wish I could answer this one … I can’t because I don’t know. I have so many unfinished books and so many ideas scribbled down in my journal. Ideas just come to me all the time, some good, some not so good. At the moment I’m sticking with contemporary romance but I have so many ideas for so many other genres I can’t wait to get started on them. As for information, if there’s something I don’t know I’ll Google it or set the question as my Facebook status and pray for an accurate answer.
Q: Do you like to create books for adults?
A: Yes! Call me a sexual deviant if you must but I love it when you get to read a sexy scene after a full book of angst, drama and romance. So I definitely put it in my own. Not much but just enough to make it more realistic. If you’re writing about an adult they’re probably going to have sex. Some authors just hint at it, like the Twilight series. I almost screamed when I read the marriage part and there was no sex there. I get it, a lot of young people read the book but I was still absolutely gutted. It was something all of us older readers waited for through the first three books. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who cried at this too! Sometimes a steamy scene is just what a book needs, sometimes a little less steam is what it needs. I try to be right in the middle.
Q: As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
A: A writer. I wanted to write but I also wanted to be a princess, a barrister, a racing car driver or an actress but the only one that stuck with me was to be a writer. I’m honestly living that dream, I may not be as successful as Steven King or Jackie Collins, authors everyone has heard of, but I’m trying. The feeling I get, knowing I’m actually doing this is amazing, euphoric and totally and completely awesome! (Adds a victory dance on the end).
Links to Alexandra’s Books:
“A Little Bit of Crazy”
A Little Bit of Crazy (*Excerpt from Chapter 6)
“Channing Tatum, fuck me,” I mumble as the half-naked man walks on screen, his chest all oiled and slick. Hubba, hubba, nom, nom, nom.
“Will you stop obsessing?” my husband hisses in my ear.
I shake my head, “Sorry, who are you? I’m too busy obsessing about Mr. Oiled perfection to pay attention.”
“So you think he has a better body than me?”
“No, but he’s forbidden… so it’s much more enticing than you are right now.”
He scoffs and elbows me in the arm, causing me to spill my popcorn.
Who cares about popcorn? Channing Tatum… hello!
Got it libido, thanks for the commentary.
“Look what you made me do.” I sigh and push the popcorn from my lap. “Oh my god, he’s back.”
“Shhh,” someone hisses. The cinema is relatively empty, save for about five people.
“Yes Maya, shhh,” James grumbles, his body shaking with silent laughter.
“Not a chance, I think I might go hump the screen.”
“You are vulgar. Seriously, I drew the short straw with you. Why can’t you be a normal wife?”
“Sorry what was that? Channing is talking to me. You want me to get divorced Channing? And marry you! Oh, well, definitely,” I turn to James, my cheeky grin in place.“What was that about straws?”
“I hate you.” He scowls playfully and kisses my nose. “Is my body seriously that defective?”
“Hell no baby, your body is fucking golden. It’s just, I can look at that any time I want. Channing is my forbidden fruit.”
“As long as he stays forbidden fruit.”
“Yeah,” I giggle quietly. “Wouldn’t want to get kicked out of Eden. Eden being your bed baby. You being my god. Man Channing makes me horny. Will you spank me? Can I call you Channing?”
“I’ll spank her if you don’t,” someone shouts from the front making me and his friends burst out laughing. James grunts and folds his arms across his chest, “You may not call me Channing.”
“What about Damon?”
“Who the fuck is Damon?”
I snort and point at the screen, “his character’s name is Damon asswipe. Aren’t you watching?”
“I’m trying but unfortunately my short straw won’t stop talking.”
“I know! You can call me Elle.”
“Who the fuck is Elle?” he sighs, half growling in exasperation but I can feel his body still shaking with laughter.
“The girl he’s screwing. Will you shut up and watch and maybe you’ll understand it.”
“Worst movie buddy ever,” he gripes and I laugh. “If it’s any consolation, next time I promise to be quiet.”
He turns to look at me, I see his green eyes round with disbelief, practically glowing in the dim light. “I’d like you to be quiet now.”
“And I’d like Channing to jump outta the screen and saddle up but we don’t all get what we want.”
“Incorrigible. Damn,” he chuckles and pulls me into his side. “Now shut up and watch the damn movie before I shut you up.”
“With your willy?”
“Oh, now that sounds like a brilliant idea Maya.”
“Elle, Elle, call me Elle.”
He laughs and I decide to focus on the rest of the movie.
“A Little Bit of Us”
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