Thursday, October 29, 2015

Guest Post- Gretchen Archer

I am so thrilled to have Gretchen Archer with us today. Gretchen is the author of A Davis Way Crime Caper series.Thanks for being here Gretchen, Can you believe we are in the Fall Season already?






An Interview with Gretchen Archer

Shelley: Tell us about yourself, Gretchen

Gretchen: I live at the top of a mountain in Tennessee, the very top, I mean you can’t go one inch higher than where I live. (Southern mountains aren’t like the Colorado Mountains. I don’t have to use the high-altitude directions on the cake mix box.) I have a husband, two daughters, a son, and a Yorkie. And as it turns out, just discovered yesterday, the hard way, I have chipmunks too. Living in my basement. Maybe we’ll talk about that later.

Shelley: I crochet, work out, and frequently hit Starbucks. What do you do with your free time?

Gretchen: What is this free time you speak of, Shelley? Right now I’m finishing the draft of the fifth installment of my Davis Way Crime Caper Series. DOUBLE KNOT releases in April, 2016. Davis and company are in a pickle on the high seas and as most writers will tell you, the end of a draft means no free time. I write in the mornings, hitting my desk at 3:30 a.m. (sadly, this is true) and conduct the business of writing in the afternoon—research, correspondence, marketing. I take two breaks in my work day: one to work out (Writer’s Butt is real and writers wage a strong and ongoing war against it) and another break for The Price is Right. Evenings and weekends are family time.

Shelley: The Price is Right?

Gretchen:Everyone wants to play Plinko, but no one ever wins. Last week a guy had four Plinko chips and only won $600. If I ever get to come on down, I think I’d want to play One Away. Or the games with 50/50 odds. Like Side by Side or Coming or Going or Flip Flop. Not that I need a six-man Jacuzzi. I’d have to put it in the basement for the chipmunks.

Shelley: Tell us something we don’t know about publishing.

Gretchen: Well, let’s talk about social media, pizza, and money. In the fine print of publishing contracts, something writers don’t fully understand until after, is the mandatory social media addiction. I don’t lean Twitter, because for me it feels like a room full of people screaming at each other, but I check my Facebook feed at red lights. Which is to say I get honked at often. So there’s that. And the pizza. Writers get very cozy with their pizza delivery people, because after saving the world at your keyboard all day, you don’t feel much like making meatloaf at night. And lastly, all writers are broke. James Patterson isn’t, but the rest of us are putting everything we make back into the books in one way or another—marketing, appearances, swag and contests, conferences. The takeaway? We’re not in it for the money. We’re in it for the challenge, the joy, the camaraderie.

Shelley: One last question. What’s your favorite breakfast item on the Taco Bell breakfast menu?

Gretchen: Why does Taco Bell even have a breakfast menu? Has anyone tried it?

Shelley: Thanks for joining us today, Gretchen. We’re not sure what to think.

Gretchen: Thanks for having me, Shelley and I understand: Life is curious. I’d love to send one of your commenters a paperback copy of my latest release, DOUBLE MINT. It was fun to write and I hope one of your readers will have fun reading it. So be honest: has anyone tried the Cap’n Crunch Delights at Taco Bell? Tell us about it. Win a book.

22 comments:

  1. Hi Shelley and Gretchen! Gretchen, you gave me my morning laugh! I always love your interviews. If you ever want to try that Taco Bell breakfast, you let me know. We can meet up. LOL

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  2. Taco Bell has a breakfast menu? Who knew? By the way, I lived in a house once which, at different times, had bats and squirrels. Made life exciting. You never knew what was going to come flying or running down the stairs behind the screaming kids.
    Looking forward to the new book!

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  3. Cap'n Crunch is too yummy to waste on a Taco Bell item. The shame of it. SMH.

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  4. I like my standard breakfast of eggs, bacon and toast.

    Dru

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  5. To %(@)^(_#%^_@_% with breakfast items, what does their coffee taste like?

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    Replies
    1. Do they have coffee? I bet Taco Bell breakfast is served with bright pink Mountain Dew.

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  6. Gretchen....TIME IS MONEY ....and what do you think of Dru Carey's hair?

    The last place I would ever want to go for breakfast would be Taco Bell. We don't even have one anywhere close by so that makes it easy to decide.

    Will send you a squirrel remedy later today. You made my day. Now back to the Price Is Right!!!!

    Cynthia

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  7. Gretchen....TIME IS MONEY ....and what do you think of Dru Carey's hair?

    The last place I would ever want to go for breakfast would be Taco Bell. We don't even have one anywhere close by so that makes it easy to decide.

    Will send you a squirrel remedy later today. You made my day. Now back to the Price Is Right!!!!

    Cynthia

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    Replies
    1. I can't figure Dru's hair out. Is it gray or blonde?

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  8. Ahahahaha...Writer's Butt IS real! I just thought the solution was candy corn and Cheetos. No? Hilarious interview--loved it!

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    1. How could we not have writer's butt? I can't write standing up. Can you, Tiffany? Must. Work. Out.

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  9. They do have some kind of cinnabon thing for breakfast, but I'd be afraid they'd serve it with salsa! I enjoyed the interview!

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    Replies
    1. I can't believe anyone would compete with Cracker Barrel. THAT's breakfast. Uncle Hershel's Favorite for me, please.

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  10. Just wanted to say "Hello" to my pals, Shelley and Gretchen! Loved the interview! Gretchen, if you get a cat, no more chipmunks. Well, unless the cat is related to my Gertrude. In theory, Gert thinks hunting chipmunks is a great idea, but when she came face to face with one, she ran the other way. Good luck with the chipmunks. I hope they will share the hot tub with you.

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    Replies
    1. Mary Anne! Thanks for stopping by. I think about you so much. I need to get in touch and catch you up. SO happy you're feeling better. Dagnabit, Lefty.

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    2. I don't want to gross anyone out here, but I are Taco Bell breakfast once & it was GREAT, set, cheese, bacon inside a crunchy hash brown shell. Plus, the coffee was really good.(Not Starbucks, but good.) I loved the interview, BTW.

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  11. No, I haven't tried that delightful sounding Taco Bell treat! I do admit to having a box of Crunchberries in the cupboard however...!
    Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  12. I could never eat breakfast at Taco Bell. First of all, I'd have to get dressed and leave the house early! Woodland creatures in your home is usually not fun. I once had a family of raccoons stuck in my chimney. It was a horror story!
    I loved your interview, Gretchen, and I LOVE your books. I think you are my writing hero! Just the right combo of humor, sass, and mystery.
    As for Writer's Butt-I had to rejoin Weight Watchers and commit to daily walks with my dog, Joe.

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