Hi there!
Welcome back to the site that aims to please the reader in you, and you, and you, and you and yes, even YOU. Today, in fact, should appeal to an even wider audience seeing as how there will be TWO blog tours stopping by that feature titles that couldn't be any more different if they tried; okay, well they probably could but their not in competition with each other so that's a moot point. Anywho...
Today's first blog tour guest arrives courtesy of Buddhapuss Ink (Hi, MaryChris!) and features a book labeled Contemporary Fiction or Women's Fiction but with a story that well, in my mind, seems more general Fiction if I was forced to label it. Alas, labels are for files not books but as much as we'd like to unbox all the reads we love, there has to be some guidance system in place to point us in the right direction of the next potentially fabulous book we interact with...but how's about you be the judge? Let's take a peek at the story itself and get your thoughts on its given genre...
by
Martie Odell Ingebretsen
William’s arrest on suspicion of child molestation is the catalyst that finally puts him back on the road to recovery. For too long he was caught in a web of guilt that turned him from the owner of a successful chain of gas stations, and loving family man, into a homeless alcoholic who spent his time dreaming. What appears to be just one more turn of bad luck turns out to be the turning point that allows him to open the door to the past and, at long last, accept it, and the love of the people around him. Slowly, life welcomes back William, and he is ready to embrace it once more.
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So, whatcha think?
Contemporary? Women's? General?
After rereading the synopsis and glimpsing the cover, I can certainly see where it got the genre slap that it did because often times works in those categories do tend to deal with surface issues that really stem from the heart and a chance to start over one way or another. For me though, I think the darker issue of the supposition is what shades it in a more general light....could be my own disdain for the crime itself leaking in as well.
Your thoughts?
When this tour opportunity circled around, I knew I wanted to take part even if the old schedule was a bit full (okay, it has sand bags up but there's still room for more, right? *-*)...and even though a review wasn't in the works. If not only to satisfy my curiosity as to the author's choice of story, etc, but to help shine another light on something AWESOME that's been cooked up by both the author and publisher.
Curious? Read on, my friend, read on....
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INTERVIEW: Author Martie Odell Ingebretsen
...author of Sweet William
In the synopsis, we learn that William is arrested for a pretty serious crime, or rather for suspicion of perpetrating it as well as other turns of bad luck. Tell me, what made you choose this story line? What felt right about the match up of the man and the fall?
People often jump to conclusions. The police did that with William because he was homeless. William enjoyed the sound of the children's voices and laughter at an elementary school because he wanted to remember a time in his life when his son was alive. I think it's just another way of showing how close we all are to getting caught in life's web. He was only guilty of innocence.
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I noticed your book was categorized as Contemporary Fiction or Women's Fiction. Now, I'm not one for labels one way or the other but generally you find those types of novels with a female lead or predominantly female cast whereas here, it's a man. So, tell me....what do you feel will reach out to readers in the intended audience most that can't be seen, felt or heard from the brief glimpse here?
William rebuilds love and self respect in his life after being caught in a situation that brought him grief and anger. I think many readers will connect with that, and how fragile our lives and relationships are.
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The marrying of poetry and mainstream literature has become more common place in our day and time. What appealed to you about this combination so that it made its way into your work?
I have written poetry for many years. It is my way of connecting to the emotion or deeper meaning in a situation, or in this case, a story.
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Every author starts out as a dreamer with a pen in their hand and a story in their heart. What made you put pen to paper? Any particular person(s) that influence or influenced your writing? Any sage words of advice to future writers in the making out there now?
I started writing to express my feelings and to share my deeper thoughts. I was, and continue to be, influenced by the books that I read. I advise future writers to write in a way that connects the reader to the heart of the characters in the story.
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10% of the profits from sales of SWEET WILLIAM for the first year are being donated to the Coalition for the Homeless. That's a rather generous and commendable motion! Tell me, what moved your heart to make this commitment...
This is a generous gift of my publisher who felt moved by the book to 'pay it forward.'
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About the author...
Martie Odell Ingebretsen was born in Pasadena, California. She studied English literature, creative writing, and child development at various universities. Inspired by her father—whose stories were published in The Saturday Evening Post—she has been writing since the second grade. She strives to create characters who are always learning, growing, and trying to find answers to big questions. Her poetry has been published in journals, magazines, and various anthologies. She and her husband currently live in California, as do their two sons and four grandchildren. Sweet William is her first novella.
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Eye opening, right?
Thank you SO much Ms. Ingebretsen for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer my questions and share a bit of yourself with your readers. I think on speak on everyone's behalf when I say it's truly appreciated. Now, for that extra fabulous part I mentioned in passing ....
Because the protagonist--a guy who might be your neighbor, cousin, or friend--shows how we are all just one crisis away from homelessness, Buddhapuss Ink LLC will donate 10% of the profits from Sweet William for the first year's sales, to the Coalition for the Homeless. The coalition works with
homeless men, women and families, including those affected by recent Superstorm Sandy which devastated our area in October. For more information on this organization, feel free to click through the links listed here or follow along on Twitter.
Pretty cool, no?
I thought so...and so I place the knowledge of it all in your hands.
So spread the word!
Grab a copy for yourself, your friend, your neighbor, your distant cousin twice removed. Let's help get the word out on this new release and make steps with a great cause.
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Special thanks to MaryChris over at Buddhapuss Ink for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as the opportunity to pose my questions to the author. (THANKS!) For more information on this title as well as their full catalog, be sure to visit them online, stop by their blog, or follow along on Twitter.
Until next time...happy reading!
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