LaDonna Paulette gives us Butterfly Wishes


Hi everyone, Today, I'm excited that we have LaDonna Paulette visiting with us to tell us about her new book. Welcome, LaDonna!! Please tell us about yourself first.

LaDonna Paulette: I’ve always been a dreamer. Growing up, I was the gal with her head in a book, spinning stories long after the lights went out at night. Like many writers, my road to publication was long. Raising two daughters was a delight I didn’t want to miss out on. And I won’t discuss the dreaded day jobs here. Too boring. Thankfully, my stories kept whispering to me until I faced them. And I’m so glad I did.

I share my life with my husband, Randy, and our two daughters and their families. My five grandchildren bring me constant joy. We live in a small town in Tennessee, and the characters I write about share this setting. We live close to Barkley and KY lakes, and enjoy boating with our family. I was born in Arkansas, and come from a family rich in Southern traditions. It runs deep in my bones, and I’m grateful for those memories. My hope is to create stories that live long after the last page is turned.


Vonda Sinclair: Please tell us about you're new book, BUTTERFLY WISHES, out now from Tiger Publications.

LaDonna: I’d love to. Having experienced great personal loss, two children form a deep bond under an old willow tree; a place they believe is a magical doorway to Heaven. Colin O’Brien’s parents died, and he lives with his granny. Fey Wright lost a mama and, having relocated to this sleepy town of O’Dessa TN with her daddy, isn’t expecting much. What Fey and Colin discover together is a magical journey that brings miracles to light, and the power of belief in this world and the one beyond.

When Fey returns to her hometown, years later as a grown woman, she discovers the true magic of her childhood tree, and that love is a precious gift. Butterfly wishes are waiting for those that truly see.

Vonda: Sounds wonderful! From reading the excerpt, I can tell this is a beautiful, charming and special story. What inspired you to write it?

LaDonna: My story ideas come in scene flashes. My first glimpse of Fey and Collin was quite special, and touched me deeply. They were huddled beneath a willow tree together, looking at me. I wanted to know their story. The vision of them wouldn’t let me go. A few days later, I sat down to write their story, confident they would tell me… if I believed.

Vonda: How inspiring! Please tell us about your favorite character in the book, and why they are so close to your heart.

LaDonna: That’s a tough one, since I’m so character-driven. I love all my characters but, for Butterfly Wishes, I’d have to say Fey. She had this determination when I met her, and her voice was always very strong. Having lost a mama, and moving to a new place had to be scary. Her stubbornness and ability to meet life head-on really touched me. As a woman, she’s grown into the promise of herself and I love that. I loved her sense of discovery too, and loyalty to those she loves. Hmmm, Colin is magical too… Okay, I’ll stick with one.

Vonda: I wish you would tell us more about Colin too! (Perhaps in a comment?) What element of story creation is your favorite?

LaDonna: No doubt about it, characters. They are the soul of my stories. When they walk into my imagination, it’s like seeing an old friend but one I’ve never met before; only way I can describe it. The connection is usually instant and, while there’s much to learn about them, I can feel them in a special way. I give them all the freedom they want, and they know I’ll follow. Only once can I remember trying to tone down a character. Once I realized she wasn’t going to budge, I let her have free rein. Best thing I ever did too. She’s one my favorite characters to this day.

Vonda: I agree with you about characters. What’s next for you?

LaDonna: My second contracted novel, DREAMING OF NICK, will be a Tiger Publications fall release this year. I wanted to explore near-death experiences. In my story, two strangers are intrinsically linked after a car accident. Lisa Hope believes an angel saved her life that wintery night. A year later, her imagined angel walks into her little shop in Mills Pond, TN, and proves to be a flesh and blood man. Souls taken hostage become something else entirely. I really loved writing Liza and Nick’s story, and the magic they capture.

RUBY’S DAUGHTER, my third contracted novel, will be released by Tiger Publications in the spring of 2009. A mother desperately tries to make amends to the daughter she left behind. Being dead is the least of Ruby’s worries as she navigates the past, where it all went wrong, and discovers the truth. I’ll be writing a sequel later this year, and just love this character. Ruby wants more books, big surprise there since she’s the character I spoke about above; the one that didn’t want to be toned down!

Vonda: Both books sound wonderful and unique. I love the paranormal aspects. Congratulations on your additional sales! Would you like to ask blog readers a question?

LaDonna: First off, I’d love to thank you all for stopping by. Sharing my journey has brought me great joy, and I really appreciate the writing community. My question to you all is, “What grabs your attention when it comes to debut books; title, book cover, interviews, or blurbs?”

Vonda: Great question. Thanks again LaDonna for being here with us today!! Everyone, please visit LaDonna Paulette's website.

Or read the charming and entertaining excerpt.
You will also find the book at Amazon.

27 comments:

lainey bancroft said...

Great interview LaDonna! I love how passionate you are about your characters.

Great question, too. A few years back I likely would have said a blurb grabbed my attention. Since entering the writing community, I'd definitely say it is now interviews/blogs etc. If an author can convey likable characteristics in everyday interaction, it is almost a given the likable traits will carry over into their writing.

I know I'm going to love Butterfly Wishes!

Anonymous said...

Lainey, thanks so much for stopping by, and your kind words. You're a character-gal too, and it shows in your work.

Don't ya just love this fantastic community of ours?

Pat McDermott said...

So nice to see Butterfly Wishes ready to explode onto the writing scene at last! You'll never be lonely with "friends" like Ruby to keep you company, LaDonna! As for your question, book covers and titles catch my attention first. I wouldn't seek out an interview or blog if I didn't know something about the book first. Sometimes knowing too much about an author spoils a story for me, though not in this case! Good luck with BW! And thank you, Nicole, for bringing us this special author.

Anonymous said...

:) Great interview, LaDonna! Looking forward to getting my copy of Wishes.

Karin Tabke*

Holly Greenfield said...

Wonderful interview, ladies! Ladonna, your heroine sounds wonderfully strong. Reading about her made me want to read the book. :0)

Anonymous said...

Pat, it's a fact Ruby keeps me company, a little too loudly at times, but that gal is persistent! :) I wouldn't have it any other way, though...and she knows it.

Thanks for sharing my Butterfly Wishes celebration with me. I loved your interview here last week btw. Your debut release sounds fabulous! Cheers! Happy Days are here!

Anonymous said...

Karin, thanks for stopping by, GF! And I hope you enjoy BUTTERFLY. :)

Anonymous said...

Holly, thank you for those kind words! Fey is definitely a special gal. She's exactly as I described, with maybe a dash more sass! :)

Edie Ramer said...

LaDonna, I'm eager to start reading BW too. I'm not surprised that the characters come to you first. I love great characters, and I love great stories to fit them.

I usually pick up a book someone else recommends. But I was just at the library today. I scanned the new book shelves. The title and the cover attracted me first, then the blurb. As usual, I ended up taking too many home.

Shannon Robinson said...

Great interview ladies! I love Fey's character - strong and determined. All of your books sound wonderful.
I have to say that what catches my attention is the blurb. If that catches my interest, then it gets my money. LOL!
Shannon

Anonymous said...

Edie, so true about great stories to fit those special characters that come to us.

And title and cover sounds about right. Those are very first things we see, and that's what grabs my attention too on that first pass.
Thanks for the mention at Magical today too!

Anonymous said...

Shannon, thanks for stopping by! So glad thse blurbs grabbed your attention too. Sometimes it's difficult describing the characters we love, and sometimes it comes easily. Today was easy, and I'm grateful for that. As long as I do them justice, I'm a happy camper. :)

Carol Burnside aka Annie Rayburn said...

The book sounds interesting, and the cover is gorgeous.

Congrats, LaDonna!

Anonymous said...

Carol, thanks so much stopping by! I was really pleased with Tiger's cover, and just love the artist's work. She's amazing!

Cynthia Eden said...

Fabulous interview! :-)

Nita Wick said...

Wonderful interview!

It's the blurb that's most important for me. A nice cover is good. A catchy title is good. Interviews and reviews are good. But if the blurb doesn't interest me, I won't buy the book.

Chicks of Characterization said...

Great interview, ladies and the book sound wonderful! For me, a wonderful cover and a catchy blurb can draw me right in!

I love the title of your book and will definitely have to add it to my must have list!

ShawnaMoore said...

Ladonna, your book sounds wonderful. I really enjoyed reading your interview :) Congratulations on your three contracts with Tiger Publishing, and here's to many more books in your writing future!

Blessings and all the best,

Shawna

Anonymous said...

Cindy, thanks so much for stopping by! Glad you enjoyed. :)

Anonymous said...

Nita, thanks for the insight! Blurbs do need to grab ones attention, I agree. :)

Anonymous said...

Chicks of C, thanks for stopping by! I love that you're adding me to your list. A big thank you! :)

Anonymous said...

Shawna, thanks for the congrats! I'm still on cloud nine. :) And all the best to you too!

Kath Calarco said...

Hey, LaDonna! This is the first time I read an excerpt from your book. You must be so excited! I'm looking forward to reading one from my fellow Tigress, and hope mine shines as much as yours. Best wishes for a huge success!

Vonda Sinclair said...

Thanks so much, everyone, for dropping by! It was a great pleasure to interview you, LaDonna!

Anonymous said...

Hey Kathy, thanks for stopping by! And I'm sure you'll shine! :)

Anonymous said...

Vonda, it was so great meeting you! Thank you for making it such a terrific experience. :)

Anonymous said...

the cover and the colo r of the cover attracts me qickly