"When I'm not writing" with Jessica Spotswood + giveaway!

Our guest this week is Jessica Spotswood. She's the author of The Cahill Witch Chronicles and is here today to celebrate the release of the second book in the series, STAR CURSED! Please join me in welcoming Jessica to the blog.

Let's be honest. When I'm not writing, I'm...usually doing something else related to writing! Blogging. Checking Twitter or Facebook. Critiquing a manuscript for a friend.  Reading a manuscript for a potential blurb (or a book just for fun - that's why I became a writer, after all!). Researching something. Reading blogs. Teaching a writing workshop for teens or tweens through Writopia. Going out for drinks and brainstorming and gossiping with my writer friends. Going to signings or on writing retreats. All these things take up a tremendous amount of my time.

But when I'm not doing any of that...well, I might be shopping.

I was not interested in fashion as a teen - or as a twentysomething. Throughout my twenties, I worked an office job in a small office - the university press - at Catholic University, where the dress code was business casual. I couldn't wear jeans, but no one else was wearing dresses, which left me in the awkward land of ill-fitting slacks -- so hard to size right for a curvy girl on a nonprofit paycheck! - and sweaters or polo shirts - because I refused to iron button-downs. After college, I also chopped my hair short - not the most flattering look for this curly-haired girl. And being a night owl trapped in a 9-to-5 job, I seldom did my makeup or bothered with jewelry until my lunch break. The girl in the mirror was decidedly not the artsy, whimsical girl I felt like.

I think it was around the time I turned thirty that I decided I didn't care what my conservative coworkers thought of my style. I dyed pink streaks in my hair and got a tattoo. I discovered Modclothand Anthropologie and Betsey Johnson and started buying bright, colorful dresses in fun patterns. To be honest, when I'm working from home, I'm often in my yoga pants and t-shirts that say things like CINNA TOLD ME TO WEAR THIS SHIRT. When I go out to the coffee shop to write, I tend to favor headbands, jeans, pink Converse, and either literary tees or bright colors. (I'd never be a good black-clad New Yorker; my closet is a rainbow of bright yellows, reds, pinks, oranges, and blues.) But when I do book events, I'm all about the fun dresses.

One of my recent favorite finds is Vera Bradley. I'm such a sucker for bright patterns! I started off looking for a laptop bag and somehow ended up with that plus a ginormous tote bag that was great for tour, a makeup bag, a wristlet, and a regular Vera bag that's the perfect size for a book or my Kindle. I love how squishable and washable and easy they are. It's kind of a problem.

Another recent favorite is the subscription box. I've been getting Birchbox for awhile now. Basically, they send me makeup samples every month and it's big fun. But even better, imho, is Julep. Like Birchbox, for a small fee, they send me a package of beauty goodies every month. But Julep focuses on nail polish and you get to choose which colors you feel like (within certain parameters). They also do this thing every month where you can sign up for a Mystery Box full of who knows what products for $25 (but it claims to be worth $75 to $200). Who can say no to that? Unfortunately for my bank account, not me.

So there you have it. When I'm not writing, I might be painting my nails, or trying a new product that swears it will tame my frizzy curls, or switching my signing pens and wallet from one bag to the other before I head out, or trying on a new dress, or exclaiming over a package that just came in the mail! (I'm still most excited when it contains books, though.)

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Thanks for stopping by, Jessica! =)

For more information about Jessica and her books, check out her website or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

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Here's the scoop on STAR CURSED:

With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate's friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers—if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves.

Cate doesn't want to be a weapon, and she doesn't want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood's schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she'll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war.

In the highly anticipated sequel to BORN WICKED, the Cahill Witch Chronicles continue Cate, Maura and Tess's quest to find love, protect family, and explore their magic against all odds in an alternate history of New England.

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

Here's the first book in the series:

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Jessica is graciously offering one (1) signed copy of STAR CURSED to a lucky reader!

To enter the giveaway, listen to the Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Do you guys have suggestions for who you’d like to see featured on the blog? If so, you can make your suggestions on this page. No guarantees that your favorite authors will be able to participate but we’ll try!

Authors, would you like to visit and share with us? Please email me at jennblogs (at) gmail (dot) com and we’ll set it up!

Posted by jenn at 08:48

 giveaway, Jessica Spotswood, When I'm not writing  27 People left their mark

Born and raised in the Toronto area, Jenn moved to St. John's, Newfoundland, eight years ago for school. She's still in school (thankfully on another degree!), now trapped in her dissertation. When she's not dissertating, which happens more often than it should, Jenn spends her time reading, watching movies, playing volleyball, travelling, and enjoying the local music scene. Her latest addictions: yoga and Almond Crunch cereal.