Beth Kery

Cyberspace is a big, wide world, and so whenever I meet someone that I really enjoy chatting with, I like to make a point of getting to know them better. Many of you already know Lea from the Closetwriter blog, and if you don’t, here’s your chance to get to know her a bit. I think those of you who ‘go’ to Lea’s agree that she runs a very “comfy,” friendly romance blog. Like they used to say in the “Cheers” song, Lea’s is the kind of place where everybody knows your name.

And just for fun, I’ll give away either a copy of Daring Time or Sweet Restraint to one commenter!

So, with no further ado, here’s Lea!

BK: Howdy, Lea. Thanks for agreeing to answer a few questions. Usually a book blogger is asking questions to an author, so I thought it would be fun and informative to switch things up.

L: Hi Beth, thank you for inviting me to chat with you; I am really honored to be asked.

BK: My pleasure to have you. I figured readers, authors and bloggers would all like to read what you have to say. How did you end up hosting the Closetwriter site?

L: In the early summer of 2008, I read “Pleasure Unbound”, by Larissa Ione and loved the book so much I wrote a review and posted it on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca sites.

BK: That's an amazing story. Larissa's book really inspired you, and rightfully so. Great book; awesome lady. Anything else get you moving as far as starting up Closetwriter?

L: It was through that Yahoo group that I met my good on-line friend Blanche from “There’s No Such Thing As Too Many Books”, blog, who I think, is one of the sweetest people on the planet. To make a long story short, Blanche set up her blog and at that point I had started to write more reviews. Blanche was kind enough to post one or two of them at her blog. Then, with her encouragement, I decided set up closetwriter last fall. It started out to be a place to chat about this and that; I really didn’t know what I was going to do with it. However, once I got more familiarized with the various book blogs and chatted more with authors I decided to focus mainly on sharing thoughts about my love of romance novels and trying to help promote some of my favourite author’s work within the blogging community.

I really had no idea how much is left up to the author with respect to promotion. I was always under the misconception that it was the publisher that did all of that leaving the author to create.

BK: How long have you been up?

L: It will be a year in October.

BK: What special qualities do you possess that make you a good romance blogger?

L: Well, I really try hard to acknowledge everyone that takes time to visit closetwriter because I truly appreciate each and every commenter and the other bloggers in the romance community as a whole. I’ve also tried to reach out to other bloggers and share what I’ve learned in the short time I’ve had my site. I guess it is just like anything else in life when you are dealing with people, you have to earn their respect and trust, and vice versa. So, I just try hard to keep a “welcoming” cyber atmosphere at closetwriter. J

BK: Do you ever fantasize about the perfect romance novel?

L: I don’t think I really fantasize about the perfect romance novel. However, after I’ve read one that I’ve found exceptional, emotional and special I always feel bereft when it’s finished. I often think “it doesn’t get any better than this”. Sometimes re-reading and writing a review helps. It takes me a while sometimes to enjoy another book. I do have favorite authors that I return to time and again because when a voice moves me that much, I need to revisit their work.

BK: If so, can you mention a few characteristics?

L: Strong characters usually with issues to work through be it from a traumatic life experience or their own insecurities. Riveting plot and sub-plots that make a reader want to keep turning the pages. Love scenes that are not only erotic but also emotionally charged.

BK: What do you wish authors realized was a challenge, in regard to publishing a romance blog?

L: Oh, the time it takes to craft the posts, upload the graphics and keep a blog current. I don’t know about others but I try to update the sidebars on mine on a weekly basis as well as writing the posts. Some posts are quicker to write than others certainly, however bloggers put their heart and soul into their posts just like authors do when creating their stories.

BK: Man, I can only imagine. I can't even get your blog banner to show up on this post! But seriously, it takes a lot of time, effort and dedication to do what you do. Thanks!

BK: What would be your dream feature for your blog?

L: HA! Honestly, I’d like to have a closet door on it that opens when someone visits my little corner of cyberspace. lol However I don’t know that I will ever become proficient enough with the coding language to be able to engineer something like that.

I’m always playing with new widgets and gizmos that are already available. I’m astounded at the creativity out there in web and blog design.

BK: You are so good at those widgits, too. I adore the ones you have made for me. Some day, I'll put up a display of book widgits a la Lea. I think you have such a relaxing, reader friendly...'comfy' blog. Did you give much thought to how you wanted your blog to 'feel' or is it just a manifestation of your personality?

L: Thank you, Beth, it’s really nice to hear that. I don’t know if it’s a manifestation of my personality or not. I do relate to the purple haired lady with the ceramic dog on my banner… lol I saw her and thought, “that’s me”. Tori is such a part of my life that I’ve always had her front and center there. So I guess closetwriter is a manifestation of my personality in some respects.

BK: Do you have any blogger idols?

There are a number but I wouldn’t be a blogger without the ones I’m mentioning here.

Blanche at “There’s No Such Thing As To Many Books”, she blogs nearly every day and has such a warm welcoming atmosphere. I love her voice. Blanche is so well read and has given me advice with respect to romance books many times. She is extremely generous and kind. She has also kept me “grounded”, when I occasionally become “unhinged”… lol

AmyC at “Romance Book Wyrm”, I love the layout of her blog and theme. After Blanche, she was the next person to visit me at closetwriter and has been amazingly supportive over the past months. Amy loves fantasy and is always exploring other sub-genres of romance as well. I’ve learned so much from her about romance and blogging in general. She is also a writer and very creative.

Barbara at “Happily Forever After”, blog was also one of the first folks to stop by and welcome me. Another extraordinarily creative lady who has run countless contests and promotions, her blog is just beautiful. Barbara has been extremely helpful with respect to learning the language and setting up an aesthetically pleasing site. Barbara’s love is mainly historical romance, but she also spotlights some great contemporary work as well.

Anna at “Anna’s Book Blog”, has another beautiful site. Anna is a prolific blogger and has a wealth of information with respect to paranormal romance and urban fantasy. She was another of the early visitors to my blog.

Ms. Moonlight, at “Moonlight to Twilight”, blog is another of my favorite haunts. We both love British sitcoms and relate with respect to our enjoyment of many of the same sub-genres of romance. In addition, she gives me the best laughs in our little cyber corner.

VampFanGirl from “Lovin Me Some Romance”, has another beautiful spot and we established a cyber friendship early on. She also shares a love of paranormal romance, and has, um, encouraged (coerced) me into reading at least one historical that was actually very good a while back. lol

BK: What about reviewer idols?

L: I can’t say I have any specific reviewer idols. I try and read as many reviews as possible in an effort to improve my own and of course to get other readers opinions of specific books.

However, I believe very strongly that each reviewer has their own style and voice, just like an author. There is no right or wrong, it is a sharing of thoughts. The thing is, it’s just like food, or a vacation spot, or a movie, what appeals to one person, doesn’t to another. So I always try and digest the essence of the review and read more than one if I’m deciding on purchasing a book because even though the particular reviewer may not like the novel, I may think the story is worth a try.

I feel all authors should be respected for their work, just because it isn’t my cup of tea doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be for another reader.

BK: What are your future plans in regard to closetwriter?

Aesthetically, I would like to completely redesign it. However, I have to become more educated and capable with respect to working with HTML and CSS formatting to redesign the template with any efficiency. I’m hoping to perhaps take a course in the fall and have been trying to do more reading specific to the language.

I’m not planning any huge change with respect to the nature of the posts. I would like to get back to writing more reviews, which I’ve fallen behind on lately.

BK: Excited about any upcoming events?

Yes, I’m hosting a week-long contest the first week in August promoting Devyn Quinn’s upcoming release “Possession” and she has offered a number of ARC’s for the giveaway. Devyn is EXTREMELY generous and I just love her work.

In the fall, I’m going to be holding a “Favorite Kissing Scene” poll again, this time focusing on television kissage. lol

My blogger anniversary is coming up in early October so I’m planning a celebration for that including a Gift Card giveaway and hope to plan it in tandem with the release of “Paradise Rules”.

I’ve also discovered Sprouts and absolutely love working within that software environment, I actually find it quite soothing. It was actually Barbara (who as I mentioned is extremely creative) from “Happily Forever After” who first utilized that medium to make a promotional Sprout for one of her favourite authors and I, again, followed the breadcrumbs. I’ve made a few since and am looking forward to making more in the coming months.

BK: What’s your absolutely most favorite ‘down-time’ activity?

L: I have two actually, immersing myself in a really great novel, and walking my pooches while plugged into my iPod. I’m looking for new music by the way if anyone has suggestions. lol I think I’m going to do a post soliciting ideas. ;)

BK: Describe yourself in three words.

L: LOL Okay, here goes: Tenacious. Introverted. Eccentric. (I mean, really, how many people do you know who covet a “blowfish bikini top” and relate to a purple haired woman with a ceramic dog?)

BK: Wonderful descriptors there, Lea. Yep, we really need an image of the purple haired woman wearing the blowfish bikini top…in a closet. Well, knowing your tenacity, we’ll probably see it someday. :)

BK: Thank you for taking the time to let your readers get to know the woman behind the computer better, Lea!

L: Thank you, Beth, I was delighted to be asked. I enjoyed chatting with you.