Review: Spells at the Crossroads by Barbara Ashford
Source: qwillery.blogspot.com
Interview with Barbara Ashford & Giveaway - May 30, 2012
Please welcome Barbara Ashford to The Qwillery. Barbara is the author of the Crossroads Theatre series. Spellcrossed, the 2nd book in the series, will be published on June 5, 2012.
TQ: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Barbara: When I’m working on a scene, I sit on the sofa and improvise dialogue between the characters. Definitely a legacy of my years as an actress. It’s amazing how many times the conversation goes in unexpected directions, which changes my original concept of the scene and deepens the emotional conflicts between characters.
TQ: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Barbara: I guess I’m a plontser! I work from a synopsis, but I’ve found that outlining every chapter just sucks the life – and the creativity – out of me. I like to leave room for surprises. Those are often the best moments in a book.
TQ: What is the most challenging thing for you about writing?
Barbara: Adhering to a schedule. It’s either feast or famine with me. When I’m on a roll, I can write twelve hours a day. When I’m not on a roll…oy, you don’t want to know how much time I waste playing computer games.
TQ: What inspired you to write the Crossroads Theatre novels - Spellcast and Spellcrossed?
Barbara: I wanted to write a fantasy that drew on my theatre background. Theatre IS fantasy. Bringing a truly fantastic element into the mix seemed like a natural.
TQ: What sort of research did you do for novels?
Barbara: I relied on my experience as an actress to create the backstage world of the Crossroads, but I did a lot of research on the actual musicals so that the onstage moments would be as detailed and authentic as possible. Although I knew most of the shows, I still needed to read the script; you can’t rely on the movie version or on memory. I sat down with the scores so I knew which instruments were used in the musical numbers. I also looked at set designs and clips from productions on YouTube to get inspiration for the sets.
TQ: Describe Spellcrossed (Crossroads Theatre 2) in 140 characters or less.
Barbara: Maggie’s life is thrown into chaos by a blast from her past that makes her question what she wants and how far she’s prepared to go to get it.
TQ: In Spellcrossed who was the easiest character to write and why? Hardest and why?
Barbara: Maggie was the easiest AND the hardest. Easiest because I knew her so well. Hardest at the beginning of the book. I had to bring readers up to speed on what had happened since the end of Spellcast. I needed to show that Maggie could survive – as a woman and as director – without Rowan. And I wanted her to discover things about herself and her new cast before that blast from the past comes in at the end of Act One.
TQ: Without giving anything away, what is/are your favorite scene(s) in Spellcrossed?
Barbara: Well, I did enjoy writing some of the sex scenes. But my favorite is probably Chapter 11 – the moment when Maggie’s life gets turned upside down. It’s such an emotional roller coaster for her.
TQ: Which character from Spellcast and Spellcrossed surprised you the most?
Barbara: In Spellcast, it was definitely Reinhard. Although Hal claims that Reinhard is “a pussycat,” Reinhard starts off as the gruff, dictatorial stage manager. In the course of writing the book, he morphed into a kind of father figure for Maggie. I had picked Alex (the music director) for that role, but it’s much more surprising – and interesting – when Reinhard steps up to the plate. I guess Hal knew what he was talking about!
TQ: The cover for Spellcrossed is radically different than Spellcast's. Do you believe that the Spellcrossed cover more accurately reflects the novel than the cover for Spellcast did?
Barbara: Absolutely! My original concept for Spellcast was much more like the cover of Spellcrossed: a close-up of the stage, a mysterious figure surrounded in light. I wanted something that hinted at fantasy and mystery and romance. Instead I got a barn.
A lot of reviews of Spellcast had some variation of: “Ignore the cover. It’s what inside that counts!” (I especially liked the one that began: “I picked up this book because I felt sorry for it. Why? Look at the cover!) I think that’s why so many readers were surprised by Spellcast – the cover gave them no idea what to expect.
TQ: What's next?
Barbara: I’m working on two different novels and revising one of my musicals for a production in New York City. Still not sure which of the novels I want to concentrate on first; maybe I’ll try writing both at the same time!
TQ: Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.
Barbara: Thank you, Sally. Always fun to visit. And for any readers who live in the New York City area, the Spellcrossed release party will be held Sunday, June 24, in New Rochelle. (Details on my website.) I’d love to have you drop by!
About Crossroads Theatre
DAW, June 5, 2012
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 448 pages
DAW, May 3, 2011
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 448 pages
About Barbara
Barbara Ashford wrote her first “novel” Cherokee the Wild Pinto when she was eight years old and prepared the final manuscript on her Tom Thumb typewriter. She abandoned a career in educational administration to pursue a life in the theatre, first as an actress and later as a lyricist and librettist. Many of her experiences ended up in Spellcast and Spellcrossed. Barbara lives in New Rochelle, New York with her husband whom she met while performing in summer stock. For more on the Crossroads Theatre series, visit www.barbara-ashford.com.
The Giveaway
THE RULES
What: One commenter will win a copy of Spellcrossed (Crossroads Theatre 2) from The Qwillery.
How: Leave a comment answering the following question:
Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.
You may receive additional entries by:
1) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.
2) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.
There are a total of 3 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), and Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.
Please leave links for Facebook and Twitter. You MUST leave a way to contact you.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Thursday, June 7, 2012. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.
TQ: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Barbara: When I’m working on a scene, I sit on the sofa and improvise dialogue between the characters. Definitely a legacy of my years as an actress. It’s amazing how many times the conversation goes in unexpected directions, which changes my original concept of the scene and deepens the emotional conflicts between characters.
TQ: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Barbara: I guess I’m a plontser! I work from a synopsis, but I’ve found that outlining every chapter just sucks the life – and the creativity – out of me. I like to leave room for surprises. Those are often the best moments in a book.
TQ: What is the most challenging thing for you about writing?
Barbara: Adhering to a schedule. It’s either feast or famine with me. When I’m on a roll, I can write twelve hours a day. When I’m not on a roll…oy, you don’t want to know how much time I waste playing computer games.
TQ: What inspired you to write the Crossroads Theatre novels - Spellcast and Spellcrossed?
Barbara: I wanted to write a fantasy that drew on my theatre background. Theatre IS fantasy. Bringing a truly fantastic element into the mix seemed like a natural.
TQ: What sort of research did you do for novels?
Barbara: I relied on my experience as an actress to create the backstage world of the Crossroads, but I did a lot of research on the actual musicals so that the onstage moments would be as detailed and authentic as possible. Although I knew most of the shows, I still needed to read the script; you can’t rely on the movie version or on memory. I sat down with the scores so I knew which instruments were used in the musical numbers. I also looked at set designs and clips from productions on YouTube to get inspiration for the sets.
TQ: Describe Spellcrossed (Crossroads Theatre 2) in 140 characters or less.
Barbara: Maggie’s life is thrown into chaos by a blast from her past that makes her question what she wants and how far she’s prepared to go to get it.
TQ: In Spellcrossed who was the easiest character to write and why? Hardest and why?
Barbara: Maggie was the easiest AND the hardest. Easiest because I knew her so well. Hardest at the beginning of the book. I had to bring readers up to speed on what had happened since the end of Spellcast. I needed to show that Maggie could survive – as a woman and as director – without Rowan. And I wanted her to discover things about herself and her new cast before that blast from the past comes in at the end of Act One.
TQ: Without giving anything away, what is/are your favorite scene(s) in Spellcrossed?
Barbara: Well, I did enjoy writing some of the sex scenes. But my favorite is probably Chapter 11 – the moment when Maggie’s life gets turned upside down. It’s such an emotional roller coaster for her.
TQ: Which character from Spellcast and Spellcrossed surprised you the most?
Barbara: In Spellcast, it was definitely Reinhard. Although Hal claims that Reinhard is “a pussycat,” Reinhard starts off as the gruff, dictatorial stage manager. In the course of writing the book, he morphed into a kind of father figure for Maggie. I had picked Alex (the music director) for that role, but it’s much more surprising – and interesting – when Reinhard steps up to the plate. I guess Hal knew what he was talking about!
TQ: The cover for Spellcrossed is radically different than Spellcast's. Do you believe that the Spellcrossed cover more accurately reflects the novel than the cover for Spellcast did?
Barbara: Absolutely! My original concept for Spellcast was much more like the cover of Spellcrossed: a close-up of the stage, a mysterious figure surrounded in light. I wanted something that hinted at fantasy and mystery and romance. Instead I got a barn.
A lot of reviews of Spellcast had some variation of: “Ignore the cover. It’s what inside that counts!” (I especially liked the one that began: “I picked up this book because I felt sorry for it. Why? Look at the cover!) I think that’s why so many readers were surprised by Spellcast – the cover gave them no idea what to expect.
TQ: What's next?
Barbara: I’m working on two different novels and revising one of my musicals for a production in New York City. Still not sure which of the novels I want to concentrate on first; maybe I’ll try writing both at the same time!
TQ: Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.
Barbara: Thank you, Sally. Always fun to visit. And for any readers who live in the New York City area, the Spellcrossed release party will be held Sunday, June 24, in New Rochelle. (Details on my website.) I’d love to have you drop by!
About Crossroads Theatre
Spellcrossed
Crossroads Theatre 2DAW, June 5, 2012
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 448 pages
IT’S NOT EASY LOSING THE MAGIC IN YOUR LIFE…
But when Maggie Graham freed Rowan Mackenzie to return to Faerie, she took the first step toward her new life as director of the Crossroads Theatre. A hectic new season of summer stock leaves her little time to moon over the past. She has to balance the demands of her interfering board president and a company of actors that includes bewildered amateurs, disdainful professionals, a horde of children, and an arthritic dog. And while Maggie yearns to give others the kind of healing she found at the Crossroads, even she recognizes that magic must take a back seat to ticket sales.
But magic is hard to banish from the old white barn. Memories lurk like ghosts in the shadowy wings and the unexpected is as time-honored a tradition as the curtain call. And when the tangled spells of Maggie’s past turn her life upside down, it will take more than faery magic to ensure the happy-ever-after ending she longs for….
Spellcast
Crossroads Theatre 1DAW, May 3, 2011
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 448 pages
When Maggie Graham lost her job and her apartment fell to pieces, she decided to flee New York City for a while and hide in Vermont, at the Crossroads Theatre. She hadn't planned to audition, yet soon found herself part of the summer stock cast. But her previous acting experiences couldn't prepare her for the theater's unusual staff-and its handsome, almost otherworldly director.
About Barbara
The Giveaway
THE RULES
What: One commenter will win a copy of Spellcrossed (Crossroads Theatre 2) from The Qwillery.
How: Leave a comment answering the following question:
Which cover do you like better - Spellcast's or Spellcrossed's?
Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.
You may receive additional entries by:
1) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.
2) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.
There are a total of 3 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), and Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.
Please leave links for Facebook and Twitter. You MUST leave a way to contact you.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Thursday, June 7, 2012. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.
*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*
Source: qwillery.blogspot.com
Guest Blog by Barbara Ashford and Giveaway - May 6, 2011
Please welcome author Barbara Ashford to The Qwillery.
A funny thing happened on the way to this blog. Sally (Qwill) and I discovered a theatre connection. She had attended shows at the Southbury Playhouse. I had performed there.
Spellcast – my new contemporary fantasy – is filled with such unexpected connections. The surprising friendships that spring up during a summer stock season. The sense of community that shapes a theatre company that lives and works together. And most of all, the magic that connects a group of strangers and transforms them into a family.
In writing Spellcast, I wanted to capture the magic of theatre for readers: the joy of stepping out of the everyday world into the imaginary one onstage; the sudden tension as the house lights dim; the excitement of knowing that – in live theatre – anything can happen.
But I also wanted to go one step further and throw some otherworldly magic into the mix. What better place than a theatre to combine the two? And to explore what one character in Spellcast calls “the impossible possibilities” of life?
I never intended to cannibalize my life for the book. I was just going to sprinkle in a few memories to add “flavor.” Like the rundown boarding house that our cast nicknamed “Anatevka” after the village in Fiddler on the Roof. The mottled black-and-gray backdrop that we likened to the Shroud of Turin. And the bats that occasionally swooped through the old barn, drawing gasps from the audience and completely stealing focus from those of us onstage.
Before I knew it, I was pouring my life into the protagonist’s. Maggie grows up in Wilmington, Delaware; so did I. She loses her job at a telephone helpline; I worked at one while I was writing for the musical theatre. She falls in love during her season in summer stock; I met my husband there.
Sometimes, I had to remind myself that I was writing a novel, not an autobiography. That helped me keep Maggie Graham and Barbara Ashford separate. But we share a lot of qualities, including a deep love for the magic of theatre.
In Spellcast, Maggie encounters plenty of magic – both theatrical and otherworldly – and discovers more than her share of “impossible possibilities.” I hope readers will enjoy discovering them with her and exploring the magical world of the Crossroads Theatre. And I hope you’ll drop by http://www.barbaraashford.com/ where you can see some photos from my days as an actress, read an excerpt from Spellcast, and get a sneak peek at the sequel coming out next spring.
Thanks for visiting! And thanks, Sally, for inviting me to share my experiences in writing Spellcast.
About Barbara's Books
Spellcast
(May 3, 2011)
Maggie Graham is having a very bad day. First, she loses her job. Then her bathroom ceiling collapses. Hoping a weekend getaway will restore her spirits, she drives to Vermont – and winds up auditioning for the Crossroads Theatre.
Director Rowan Mackenzie is even odder than the misfits who comprise the company. What kind of director casts people in the roles they need? And never leaves the grounds of the theatre? And possesses the power to transform a train wreck of a show into something...magical?
There’s a secret at the Crossroads, and Maggie is determined to uncover it. She never imagines she’ll discover secrets about her past that will change her life – and Rowan’s – forever.
Amazon : B&N : Book Depository : Borders
"The Tale that Wagged the Dog"
After Hours: Tales From the Ur-Bar
(March 1, 2011)
Science fiction and fantasy readers have long shown an affinity for a good "bar story". Now some of today's most inventive scriveners have decided to tell their own tall tales-from an alewife's attempt to transfer the gods' curse to Gilgamesh, to Odin's decision to introduce Vikings to the Ur-Bar, from the Holy Roman Emperor's barroom bargain, to a demon hunter who may just have met his match in the ultimate magic bar, to a bouncer who discovers you should never let anyone in after hours in a world terrorized by zombies.
Amazon : B&N : Book Depository : Borders
About Barbara
Barbara Ashford abandoned a career in educational administration to pursue a life in the theatre, working as an actress in summer stock and dinner theatre and later, as a lyricist and librettist. She’s written everything from cantatas to choral pieces, one-hour musicals for children to full-length ones for adults. Her musicals have been performed throughout the world, including such venues as the New York Musical Theatre Festival and the Edinburgh International Festival.
Barbara lives in New Rochelle, New York with her husband whom she met while performing in summer stock. Spellcast is her first contemporary fantasy and is inspired by her years as an actress.
The Giveaway
THE RULES
What: One commenter will win a copy of Spellcast provided by Barbara.
How: Leave a comment answering the following question:
Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.
You may receive additional entries by:
1) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.
2) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.
3) Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.
There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.
Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Saturday, May 14, 2011****. Void where prohibited by law.
A funny thing happened on the way to this blog. Sally (Qwill) and I discovered a theatre connection. She had attended shows at the Southbury Playhouse. I had performed there.
Spellcast – my new contemporary fantasy – is filled with such unexpected connections. The surprising friendships that spring up during a summer stock season. The sense of community that shapes a theatre company that lives and works together. And most of all, the magic that connects a group of strangers and transforms them into a family.
In writing Spellcast, I wanted to capture the magic of theatre for readers: the joy of stepping out of the everyday world into the imaginary one onstage; the sudden tension as the house lights dim; the excitement of knowing that – in live theatre – anything can happen.
But I also wanted to go one step further and throw some otherworldly magic into the mix. What better place than a theatre to combine the two? And to explore what one character in Spellcast calls “the impossible possibilities” of life?
I never intended to cannibalize my life for the book. I was just going to sprinkle in a few memories to add “flavor.” Like the rundown boarding house that our cast nicknamed “Anatevka” after the village in Fiddler on the Roof. The mottled black-and-gray backdrop that we likened to the Shroud of Turin. And the bats that occasionally swooped through the old barn, drawing gasps from the audience and completely stealing focus from those of us onstage.
Before I knew it, I was pouring my life into the protagonist’s. Maggie grows up in Wilmington, Delaware; so did I. She loses her job at a telephone helpline; I worked at one while I was writing for the musical theatre. She falls in love during her season in summer stock; I met my husband there.
Sometimes, I had to remind myself that I was writing a novel, not an autobiography. That helped me keep Maggie Graham and Barbara Ashford separate. But we share a lot of qualities, including a deep love for the magic of theatre.
In Spellcast, Maggie encounters plenty of magic – both theatrical and otherworldly – and discovers more than her share of “impossible possibilities.” I hope readers will enjoy discovering them with her and exploring the magical world of the Crossroads Theatre. And I hope you’ll drop by http://www.barbaraashford.com/ where you can see some photos from my days as an actress, read an excerpt from Spellcast, and get a sneak peek at the sequel coming out next spring.
Thanks for visiting! And thanks, Sally, for inviting me to share my experiences in writing Spellcast.
About Barbara's Books
Spellcast
(May 3, 2011)
Director Rowan Mackenzie is even odder than the misfits who comprise the company. What kind of director casts people in the roles they need? And never leaves the grounds of the theatre? And possesses the power to transform a train wreck of a show into something...magical?
There’s a secret at the Crossroads, and Maggie is determined to uncover it. She never imagines she’ll discover secrets about her past that will change her life – and Rowan’s – forever.
Amazon : B&N : Book Depository : Borders
WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING
“There's a vast but little known overlap between fans of fantasy and fans of musical theater, and Barbara Ashford hits the sweet spot on both with SPELLCAST. It's warm, humorous, emotional, heartfelt, and full of magic. Curse you, Barbara, for making me cry! And for getting ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ stuck in my head all week.” Carrie Vaughn, bestselling author of the Kitty Norville series
“Four stars” RT Book Reviews
“A recently unemployed woman finds herself signing up for summer stock in this charming fantasy novel. Maggie Graham is enchanted and bemused by the Crossroads Theatre in Vermont, from the quaint locale to…its mysteriously charming director, who has a magical knack for pulling great performances out of an inexperienced cast...It takes Maggie a while to really grasp just how magical it is. Readers will figure it out much sooner, but there’s enough mystery (not to mention romance) to keep readers interested in figuring out just exactly what is going on. Fans of musicals will have the most fun, since this theater specializes in musical comedy...A slightly bittersweet but appropriate conclusion left me wanting more, in fine theatrical tradition.” Locus
“(A) wonderful, whimsical, witty tale. The otherworldly elements subtly enhance Barbara Ashford’s tender look at a second chance at making dreams real.” Midwest Book Review
"The Tale that Wagged the Dog"
After Hours: Tales From the Ur-Bar
(March 1, 2011)
Science fiction and fantasy readers have long shown an affinity for a good "bar story". Now some of today's most inventive scriveners have decided to tell their own tall tales-from an alewife's attempt to transfer the gods' curse to Gilgamesh, to Odin's decision to introduce Vikings to the Ur-Bar, from the Holy Roman Emperor's barroom bargain, to a demon hunter who may just have met his match in the ultimate magic bar, to a bouncer who discovers you should never let anyone in after hours in a world terrorized by zombies.
Amazon : B&N : Book Depository : Borders
About Barbara
Barbara lives in New Rochelle, New York with her husband whom she met while performing in summer stock. Spellcast is her first contemporary fantasy and is inspired by her years as an actress.
Barbara's Links
Website
The Giveaway
THE RULES
What: One commenter will win a copy of Spellcast provided by Barbara.
How: Leave a comment answering the following question:
What is your favorite musical theatre show?
Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.
You may receive additional entries by:
1) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.
2) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.
3) Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.
There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.
Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Saturday, May 14, 2011****. Void where prohibited by law.
*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*
**** The giveaway closing date has been extended by one day from May 13, 2011 to May 14, 2011 due to the Blogger outage.
**** The giveaway closing date has been extended by one day from May 13, 2011 to May 14, 2011 due to the Blogger outage.
Source: qwillery.blogspot.com
