google-site-verification: google935433b691795853.html KRISTY BERRIDGE: 2011-10-16

Saturday 22 October 2011

Author Interview with Katie M John

Hey there everyone. Well, I have been hanging out to do an author interview, perhaps talk to someone else other than my fictitious characters or harping on about my daily intrigues. And it just so happens that I found Katie, author of The Knight Trilogy, a blogger and writer as equally interested in the delights of the written word as I am. 
Katie has been an avid supporter of mine on Twitter and Face book, and generously organised an interview with me on her own blog http://katiemjohn.blogspot.com/
I figured since I've been browsing through her site often enough, that returning the favour and promoting her fantastic books would be the perfect round off to my recent cyber-stalking.
I'm kidding, but I do want everyone to have a look into Katie's world, check out her site and blog and see just how talented this author is. Why don't you start by reading her interview below?

1. What inspired you to become a writer?
I've always been a reader; reading is a complete passion in my life. I suppose it was only a matter of time before I felt the need to write my own story. There are some stories which stay with you after reading; change the way you perceive the world and feel about others - I wanted to see if I could accomplish the same.
 
2. Describe why you chose to focus on writing a young adult novel.
I've taught English to 11-16 year olds for the last ten years and  I love the energy, passion and extreme sense of feeling that is linked to being a young adult. It seemed natural to me to tell my story to 'my' kids. I also had an extremely intense young adulthood and I felt compelled to address some of the issues.

3. Does 'The Forest of Adventures' and your latest book 'Immortal Beloved' portray any important messages for its readers?
I didn't set out to write a moralistic tale - but I did want to share a secret with my readers; and so there is a secret contained within the pages of The Knight Trilogy. The message is important but it's for the reader to discover not to be told. I've littered it with clues and to reveal the truth all the reader has to do ... is follow them.
 
4. If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Eccentric, kind and passionate.
 
5. Who are your favourite authors and why?
George Orwell because he taught me to be wary of the world.
Alfred Lord Tennyson because he taught me the real world was not the only form of existence
Stephanie Meyer because she taught me that storytelling is the way into the heart - not to be pretentious and over ernest.
 
6. If you had one day left to live, how would you spend it?
I'd play on the beach with my husband and daughter on a perfect autumnal day, then come home to do an hour or two of writing and say goodbye to my twitter friends. I'd  drink a good bottle of red-wine, eat venison casserole with horseradish mash; kiss my daughter before bed and go to sleep holding hands with my husband. I'd dream of being in Belle Epoch Paris, eating oysters and listening to opera at the Moulin Rouge.
I have simple but rich dreams.
 
 
7. If you could slay any fictional character from another book in your own novels, who would it be and why?
I'm a pacifist so I leave the killing to my characters. If I could reform any character it would have to be Voldemort - I think he's just terribly misunderstood and clearly traumatised. He also evidently has a very low self esteem LOL!

You can find Katie at: http://www.theknighttrilogy.com/

Friday 21 October 2011

Follow Friday #4

Hey Everyone,
Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop that expands your blog following by a joint effort between other bloggers. 
It's hosted by Rachel of http://www.parajunkee.com/ and Alison of http://www.alisoncanread.com/
How does it work? You first need to ensure that you follow this blog, then follow the blogs of our two extraordinary hosts. For information on how to enter your own blog into the hop, please check out the websites above.

This weeks #FF question: What would your superhero alter ego be?

Answer? Well, I loved the X-Men when I was growing up. So I have to say that it would be Rogue. Perhaps just wishful thinking on my part, but I'd like to fly and have the power of life and death within my touch. I also like her crazy ass hair (it's a little how mine looks first thing in the morning) and I have a slight crush on Gambert. Plus, I'm pretty sure that in the dark while everyone's heads are turned, I'd look super fantastic in the green leather.

Wednesday 19 October 2011

Head Case

Well, I'm going to keep this short and sweet today, mainly because I'm positive I'm suffering from some kind of brain damage. No I wasn't wrestling a sumo or taking on a semi trailer, I'm simply a freaking idiot with a sorry case of coordination.
I'm calling myself a head case. Not that crazy old lady that talks to her invisible cats, or your weirdo neighbour who strokes his V8 engine and calls his car 'princess'. I'm talking about self inflicted assault. Yes, my name is Kristy Berridge and I walk head first into every situation - literally.
This blog has come about because of my husband's consistent teasing. Yesterday, when I slammed my forehead into the side of the printer trying to unplug my mobile from the charger, he lost it. He was clutching his stomach and roaring with laughter as I rubbed my forehead feeling pretty damn sorry for myself. Ironically, he always asks if I'm alright, but clearly the answer is no - I'm partially concussed.
So, because of said injury, I started to think of all the other places I'd hit my head in the past, coming up with quite a hefty list that my neurologist would gasp at if I had one.
So here they are, and not necessarily in any particular order;
1. Front door and back door - both on glass slider and fly screens.
2. Car and boot, numerous occasions and often while I'm still climbing into the car.
3. The dryer and the washing machine, also the cupboard above the washing machine.
4. The bathroom cupboard - every time I put the towels away.
5. The power box while I was painting it.
6. Edge of the bathtub.
7. The oven door - damn chicken dinner!
8. The ironing board, thankfully not while the iron was on it.
9. The dining room table.
10. The toilet seat - don't ask.
11. Public transport.
12. Other people.
13. My laptop, was due to extreme sleepiness and did not intend to face plant the keypad.
14. The overhead fan
15. The refrigerator and freezer doors. I was not binge eating at the time, just super excited.
Look, truthfully, there are so many more that it's embarrassing. I have no idea how I'm still alive, but I suspect it's to amuse my husband. If there is something in the world I can hit my head on, I will find it. So, with that being said, I'd like some reader response. Why don't you tell me what you always do that makes you feels like a total cluster f@#k?
Have a good one

Kristy :)