Today I have Crystal Firsdon visiting. She’s sitting down with me and telling about her debut novel, Almost Wrecked.

Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I’m pushing 40, but still consider myself 29. I never, ever saw myself as a stay-at-home mom until I had

my first child, then quit my teaching job to stay home. Once my kids were in school, I started volunteering

at the school, and somehow ended up President of their parent/ teacher organization. Scary! I’ve been

substitute teaching for a little over a year, and have no idea what other career I want to settle into once

my kids are older. Actually, I’m hoping to win the lottery. (Memo to self: remember to play the lottery.)

So, what have you written?

(*Include books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs, awards or anything of interest.)

Almost Wrecked is my debut novel. I never knew I’d end up being a writer, so never saved any writing

from years ago. I’m pretty sure I had some good stuff back in the day, but they’re long gone.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?

I love smart, strong—yet flawed—characters because they are much easier to relate to. Molly, my main

character, is as real as it gets. On the surface, she’s got it all; great career, the kind of best friend every

woman should have, a hobby she is lucky enough to be able to pursue. But these are things she has

control over. It’s the other issues she can’t control that change her life.

I have to say, though, my favorite thing about Molly is that she’s has a history of kicking ass.

What are you working on at the minute?

I’m finishing the sequel to Almost Wrecked. I’m not letting myself work on any of my other works-in-
progress until it’s done!

When did you decide to become a writer?

Not until about four years ago, but I wish I had started writing seriously a decade ago.

Why do you write?

I love the creativity writing allows, plus the challenge of putting together a story and having it make sense.

What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?

I’ve always spun stories in my head. I’d work them for a week, month, whatever, then be done with them.

The story for Almost Wrecked wouldn’t leave my head. It kept evolving, and driving me nuts! One day

several years ago, I sat down at my laptop and started writing the story thinking that I’d write for a bit and

it would get out of my head. It didn’t, I kept writing, and discovered I loved it. Luckily I didn’t find out until a

bit later that it would drive me insane.

What is the hardest thing about writing?

The self-doubt, knowing that others my age have been writing their entire lives and are much better than

me. Also, the fear of putting myself out there by being published terrifies me.

What is the easiest thing about writing?

Letting the fun and crazy ideas out of my head!

Do you ever get writer’s Block?

I get stuck, but I don’t think I’ve been writing long enough to experience true writer’s block.

How do you relax and beat writers block?

I do one of two things when I’m stuck: I force myself to write, even if what I’m writing is complete, total

crap. If I keep going, eventually an idea appears that I can roll with. I may write ten pages and only one,

lone sentence is good, so I’ll cling to it and try to develop it into something worthwhile.

Sometimes I simply walk away from the story for a while, then come back and re-read, then start fresh.

If this book is part of a series, tell us a little about it?

Almost Wrecked is book 1 of The Song Wreckers series. The Song Wreckers is the band that my main

character, Molly, plays guitar in. Almost Wrecked is from Molly’s POV, as well as the sequel which picks

up where book 1 leaves off. Book 3 switches to The Song Wreckers’ bass player, Heather’s, point of

view.

What are your thoughts on writing a book series?

I LOVE book series! Stand-alones are great, don’t get me wrong, but when I love a story I don’t want it to

end. Molly had more crazy life to live after book 1, so I just kept on going.

Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors.

Now that I write, I read off and on. Sometimes I don’t allow myself to get stuck in a book because I’ll

chose to read instead of write.

There are so many fantastic authors out there, but if I had to start a list of favorites… Janet Evanovich,

Ilona Andrews, J.K. Rowling, Stephanie Meyer, Karen Marie Moning, Jeaniene Frost, Charlaine Harris…

I read a lot of indie authors as well, Karina Halle being my favorite right now. I love her Experiment

in Terror series, and would love to know if anyone else out there who’s read it alone in the dark also

got freaked out. Like, oh-my-god-something’s-going-to-come-out-of-my-wall-and-get-me freaked out.

Anyone??

For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books?

I gave up physical books years ago, and only read ebooks. The only time I attempt a paper book is every

other summer of odd-numbered years. That’s when I get called for jury duty, like clockwork. Even then, I

don’t finish the book and return it to the library the same day.

What book/s are you reading at present?

I’m reading Janet Evanovich’s Takedown Twenty-One and Shannon Mayer’s Tracker.

Do you think that the cover plays an important part for readers when choosing what to read?

Yes and no. A great cover can be the difference between catching your eye and enticing you to read the

blurb and possibly the book. But I’ve also read some awesome books with not-so-awesome covers.

What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?

Everyone’s tastes are different, and as long as the review focuses on the story and the writing, reviews

can be helpful.

Any tips on what to do and what not to do?

Do your homework when it comes to publishing. Learn everything you can about the business side of it.

Don’t think that the hard part is done when you finish your book. It sure the heck isn’t!

What is your favorite book and why?

I honestly don’t have a favorite book (or color or movie or flower for that matter). There are too many

excellent books out there to choose just one!

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Realize that all writers doubt themselves, sometimes write garbage, and need help or advice on their

story from time to time.

Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?

Nope, you covered it all.

How can readers discover more about you and you work?

Website

Facebook

Amazon Author Page:

Goodreads

1 creep. 2 bodyguards. 3 men who change Molly’s life forever.

Guitar player Molly Davis is taunted with disturbing gifts by some creep she hopes like heck is a harmless, misguided fan. The owner of the bar where her band plays isn’t taking any chances, however, and hires Gabe Cooper and Caleb “Ram” Ramsey to stand guard over Molly and the rest of the band.

Cooper is all business and doesn’t mess with Molly’s emotions. She can handle that. Ram is a different story. He’s gorgeous, has a good heart, and is sometimes infuriating. He doesn’t take Molly’s crap, giving him the potential to be the first man to shove his way through her stubbornness and into her life.

But a violent attack proves the creep isn’t going away. And that almost wrecks everything.