On Winning the Lottery—And A Contest To Win A Book!
Lois Winston is the author of the critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries published by Midnight Ink. Assault With a Deadly Glue Gun, the first book in the series, received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist. The new year brings with it the release of Death By Killer Mop Doll, the second book in the series. Read an excerpt at http://www.loiswinston.com/excerptap2.html. Visit Lois at her website: http://www.loiswinston.com and Anastasia at the Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers blog: http://www.anastasiapollack.blogspot.com. You can also follow Lois and Anastasia on Twitter @anasleuth.
Thanks for inviting me to visit at Buried Under Books today, Lelia!
Someone asked me recently, if I won the lottery, would I continue to write? I laughed. The most I’ve ever won from a lottery ticket was $7. When it comes to raffles, lotteries, and games of chance, my luck is non-existent.
To give you an example, for several years now, my local Trader Joe’s has had a weekly drawing for a gift card for people who bring their own shopping bags. A firm believer in recycle/reuse/repurpose, I always bring my own bags with me, and each week I dutifully fill out the little slip of paper with my name and phone number. Not ONCE in all the years I’ve filled out that little slip of paper have I won!
Me, win the lottery? Fat chance! But if I did…
No, I wouldn’t stop writing. I couldn’t. I’m currently writing an ongoing mystery series, and the characters I’ve created have become too much a part of my life. In many respects, they’re my second family — just as dysfunctional at times and equally stubborn — but family all the same. And just like my real family, I couldn’t live without them.
As a matter of fact, Anastasia has become so real to me that when I was making out my Christmas shopping list last month, I added her name! 
However, unlike my real family and friends, Anastasia doesn’t take a dent out of my wallet. Too bad I couldn’t buy all those other gifts with virtual money!
Whether you’re a reader or a writer, have you ever formed a personal attachment to a character, or am I more than a little bit crazy? (Don’t worry, you won’t be the first to think so!) If you’re a writer, would you stop writing if you won the lottery?
Post a comment, and you could win one of 5 signed copies of Death By Killer Mop Doll I’m giving away as part of my blog tour this month. The full tour schedule can be found at my website, http://www.loiswinston.com, and the Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers blog, http://www.anastasiapollack.blogspot.com. In addition, I’m giving away 3 copies of Death By Killer Mop Doll on Goodreads, http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/15173-death-by-killer-mop-doll
Also, for anyone attending The American Library Association’s Mid-Winter conference January 20-24 in Dallas, Midnight Ink will be raffling off the hand-crafted mop doll shown in the photo during the opening reception Friday evening. Register for the drawing at the Midnight Ink booth #1459.
Leave your comment below to enter the
drawing for a copy of Death By Killer Mop Doll.
Winners will be announced in late January 2012.
January 10, 2012
Posted in: Contests/Giveaways, Guest Blogs
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20 Responses
Actually, I routinely fall in love with the heroes of books. It may have started with James Bond-I’m old, but went on and on and of course, there’s always Darcy. that may have a lot to do with Colin Firth. I like your Anastsia too. She’s just perfect. A not too perfect 42 year old-I got a headache from her ride in the … oops, no spoiler intended.
Hmm…James Bond? I’ll admit to a crush on Pierce Brosnan and the older version of Sean Connery, but I can’t say I cared much for Bond’s womanizing attitudes. Never was a Darcy fan. I think it has to do with the time period. Those people back in Regency England were bound by too much convention for my taste. Now, I just hope all the Austenites won’t come after me for that comment!
Not to wax all rhapsodic, but I feel as if getting to write books *is* winning the lottery. And from your many fans and great reviews and what I’ve read of your work, you’d better not stop writing, Lois!
No, Lois, I wouldn’t stop writing. I just finished my fourth book and the thrill I get from working and writing is like nothing I’ve ever had at a “regular” job. And about the characters…I have become attached to some of my characters. A few of them became very real to me. Not like I talked to them or anything like that, but they seemed like they could have been someone I knew well, like best friend and I’ll always carry them in my heart and mind. I don’t know why. It just happened. And I’m about as lucky as you are. I never won anything until I started writing and then I’ve won several online giveaways. But the lottery? You’ve got to be kidding me!
Patti
Thanks, Jenny! And good point.
Patti, I’m getting to the point where I do talk to my characters. Or more precisely, they talk to me. Especially, when I try to move them in a direction they refuse to go!
I agree with Jenny. Writing books is like winning the lottery. I just finished “Assault With a Deadly Glue Gun” and loved it, so I’ll certainly be reading the next entry in the series whether or not I’m lucky enough to win a copy.
Thanks so much, C.K.! Having readers say such nice things about my books is also better than winning the lottery.
There have been characters with whom I’ve formed an attachment. The best continue to have meaning when I re-read my favorite books.
Glad you’ll continue writing, regardless of the lottery.
What did you decide on for Anastasia?
I handed over part of my royalties to her, Liz. With all the financial troubles I heaped on her, it was the least I could do!
Absolutely, I have become attached to characters in a book. That’s part of what makes a book interesting and memorable. And, sometimes I find myself worrying about them after I’ve finished the book. But, so far, none of them have appeared on my gift list! Too funny!
So here you are!
Good question today.
No, winning a sizeable lottery would NOT make me stop writing. The characters and stories compel me to write and they would not likely be silenced by money.
What winning the lottery WOULD do is make it possible:
* to hire some help (household, grounds, & clerical)
* to build a climate-controlled ‘barn’-with-office (so I could get my books and papers — and my junk — out of storage and have it nearby)
* to replace my two aging vehicles
* to take a ship trip (don’t want to fly) to the British Isles for a summer
Just wait, Jane. Those characters might just hand you a gift list one of these days!
As they say, Jeff, money can’t buy happiness, but it certainly makes life a lot easier. I hope you get those things sooner rather than later.
I’m a reader, not a writer, but I’ve grown attached to many of the characters in the mysteries I read. Opening a new book by a favorite author is kinda like going home. Keep up the good work!!
I’ve never been very lucky either. I’m not a writer but I feel like I win the lottery every time I get a chance to escape with a good book. I have the first book & I’m anxious to start reading it.I love that your lead character’s name is Anastasia. That is my youngest daughter’s middle name.Thanks for the awesome giveaway your new release looks like fun.
scouts579(at)aol(dot)com
And if I won the lottery (a BIG one), I’d be right back selling books again
Thanks for being here today, Lois!
Thanks, Penny and Stacie!
And Lelia, thanks for inviting me to visit at your blog.
It’s not a seasonal question, but what did you get Anastasia for Christmas? Will she get a little something for Valentine’s Day? I liked this so much I think I’ll add it to my rounding out the character worksheet.
I like your books. I always smile a bit when reading them. Keep up the good work.
Just think how much writing time you would have if you could pay someone to do all the non fun stuff that you have to do when you’re not writing.
Chris, as I mentioned to Liz, I handed over part of my royalties to Anastasia. With all the financial troubles I heaped on her, it was the least I could do! As for Valentine’s Day? I’ll have to give it some thought. I’m still recuperating from Christmas.
Thanks so much, Pat!
Shelley, I’d love a personal assistant. Maybe someday if I ever make the big bucks…
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