Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Alana Stewart is top dog...plus a book giveaway

Interview and introduction by Tracey Meyers

**Giveaway is now closed**

The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and Hart to Hart. All of these shows were favorites of mine when I was a child growing up in the 80s.  I would spend hours on end watching them week after week after week.  So, I'm sure you can only imagine how it must feel for me today to introduce the internationally known model/actress, Alana Stewart, who amongst her many, many roles guest starred on the aforementioned shows that I couldn't be peeled away from. Furthermore, Alana appeared in one of my favorite movies, Swing Shift.

(Yes, I'm a bit star-struck at the moment.)

Alana Stewart is an actress, author, talk-show host, former model, and president of the Farrah Fawcett Foundation to support cancer research. She is the author of the New York Times best-selling My Journey with Farrah: A Story of Life, Love and Friendship and producer of the Emmy-nominated documentary Farrah's Story. In 2011, Stewart received the prestigious True Grit Humanitarian Award from the John Wayne Cancer Institute for her contribution to the fight against cancer. She tours the country regularly, speaking about cancer, addiction, women and beauty, health and aging, and her four decades experience in Hollywood.

Today she joins us to discuss her thoughts on pets and the process of writing her latest memoir, Rearview Mirror (reviewed here).

Thanks to Get Red PR, we have TWO copies of Rearview Mirror to giveaway to some lucky readers anywhere in the US and/or Canada.

You can find Alana at her website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

What role have pets played in your life?
I’ve had a few dogs over the years, all of which are very memorable. A dog’s love is so unconditional and they enable us to love them in return and care for them. My last dog, Lolita, a French Mastiff was, after my children, the “love of my life”. I could swear she was almost human, and when she died in 2009, I was devastated for a very long time.

The best pet name I've ever heard is:
For me, it’s Lolita, my most beloved dog.

What is the most interesting thing you've observed in terms of how people interact with their pets?
I think you can tell a person’s character by the way they treat animals.

How would you describe your personality - are you a cat person or a dog person?
I’m definitely a dog person. I’m allergic to cats, but even if I wasn’t, I prefer dogs. Cats are so independent while dogs need you much more.

What inspired you to write about the adversity you've faced in your lifetime?
When I first got into 12 Step programs many years ago, listening to other people share their stories really helped me in my healing process. I think when we hear others talk (or write) about their challenges and how they got through them, it’s helpful and we often learn tools that support us in our own lives. That’s the reason I decided to share my story. I’ve faced a lot of challenges and been through some very difficult times in my life and hopefully people who read the book will take away something positive that might help them in some way.

What was the easiest and hardest part about writing Rearview Mirror?
Ha! There was no easy part! The hardest part was being totally open and honest and not hurting anyone else. I went back over the book many times because I didn’t want to disregard anyone else’s feelings or invade their privacy, yet I wanted to tell my story truthfully. Hopefully, I was able to accomplish that.

Do you feel you have more to prove as a writer since you are better known as an international model/actress? Why or why not?
I think any time a person is in the public eye, they’re certainly scrutinized more than perhaps someone who isn’t. But I’m very proud to say, unlike many celebrities, I wrote every word myself without the help of a co-writer or ghost writer.

You have three grown children. How did they feel about you sharing your story with the world?
My children were fine with it as long as I didn’t invade their privacy too much. I sent them the book before my final edit to see if there was anything they objected to. I really wanted to respect them in that area.

Thank you to Alana for taking the time to visit with us and to Get Red PR for sharing Rearview Mirror with our readers!

How to win Rearview Mirror:
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.) 

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: What is the best pet name you've ever heard?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

5. Follow us on Twitter and/or Pinterest.
6. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.


US/Canada only. Giveaway ends January 13th at midnight EST.

30 comments:

Marthalynn said...

I agree, you can tell a lot by how someone treats their pet.

One of my favorite pet names was a teacup chihuahua named Harley. It seemed like such a big, intimidating name for such a tiny little thing.

I follow :)

marthalynn16 at gmail

Kritters Ramblings said...

Well, I am pretty proud of my own dog's name - she is Charlotte. she is named after the city where my husband and i met and we miss that city very much.

kdurham2@gmail.com
i am a fan on facebook
i follow via gfc
i follow on twitter

rubynreba said...

I always liked my dog named Tippy since he had a tip of brown color on his tail.

I am a follower.

Like you on facebook.

pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

PoCoKat said...

My favorite pet name is Mac..my cat is quite large...thus Big Mac.

Fan on FB

Follow on GFC

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

PoCoKat said...

Also follow on Pinterest

Sara said...

My cat, Tank, hands down. When I first adopted him from the Humane Society, he was a tiny, scrawny little thing. So, the name didn't fit him physically, but personality-wise, a perfect name!

I follow. :)

coversaralea@yahoo.com

rhonda said...

Our guys name is Henry. They gave him that name in the shelter to perfect. To change.email follower lomazowr@gmail.com.twitter follower at rhondareads.will tweet

Lauren McCormick said...

My favorite pets name is my dog's name Mira pronounced with short vowel sound and you'll see why with my story. Mira fought for her life when she had Parvo as a pup. After 2wks and a lot of money it was clear her fight had come to an end and per our Vets suggestion we gave consent to put her out of her misery. I cried so much! An hour later my Hubby had a change of heart and thankfully they had not done the deed yet! That evening our vet called and said for the first time she'd eaten and drank water plus stood up!! Our vet exclaimed she's a Miracle and thus her name was given. She is a try Miracle! BTW our vet paid for the next week of her stay because of what happened!!

I follow CLC in email, Pinterest, and FB
itzhunicAThotmailDOTcom
Thank You for this opportunity and for reading about my Miracle!

fredamans said...

I love Alana Stewart... I remember I used to watch her show with ex-hubby George Hamilton.... oh, the laughs.

Okay so pet names... best I have heard would be my Shih-Tzu's name is Ewok. If you've ever seen a Shih-Tzu before they get groomed, you will see the uncanny resemblance.... Seriously!

I follow via GFC.

tweet; https://twitter.com/fredalicious/status/288697977059557376

Already part of FB group. (Freda Mans)

Follow on Twitter @fredalicious and Pinterest as Freda mans

freda.mans[at]gmail.com

Rita Wray said...

I am looking forward to reading the book and have added it to my list. Alana was a wonderful friend to one of my favorite actresses.

I had a bunny named Truffy, she was a sweet and smart and I still miss her.

I'm an email follower.

Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

Nova said...

sparkle40175@hotmail.com

My favorite pet name is the name my son gave to his cat : Charles Sebastian (calls him Chaz) . Idk where he came up with it from but ...

I follow CLC by email.
I follow CLC by GFC.
I am a CLC fan on facebook.
I follow CLC on pinterest.

pippirose said...

Great interview!
pippirose59 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

1. I think Haley is the best pet name because that's my dog's name. =]
2. I follow this blog through GFC.
3. I tweeted this. https://twitter.com/xxpaperhearts/status/288742418814226433
4. I'm a member of Chick Lit Central on facebook.
5. I follow through twitter and pinterest. twitter username= xxpaperhearts

Thanks!
-Jessica M
walkingcorpse11@hotmail.com

pippirose said...

1.Best pet name--our dog, Chewbacca.
2. I Follow this blog via GFC (pippirose59 at gmail dot com
3.I tweeted--https://twitter.com/pippirose77/status/288720581505990657
4. I Joined Chick Lit Central on Facebook. (Rose Hertz)
5.I Follow on Twitter and Pinterest. (@pippirose77) (pippirose)

Linda Kish said...

My son's cat's name is "M"...I think that is a pretty interesting name.

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

faithspage said...

Hotsy Totsy, was the name of my dog when I was a little girl. 1st and last dog.
kyfaithw at aol dot com
follow on gfc, twitter, and fb

Thanks

Maureen said...

When I was a kid our dog was named Goliath.
I follow on GFC - Maureen
follow on twitter - @MaureenCE
tweet: https://twitter.com/MaureenCE/status/288822208636284928
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

karenk said...

i love the name 'molly'

thanks for the chance to read alana's story

i'm a follower, too

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

The name Brewster.
gloriawalshver@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I follow by GFC
Gloria Walshver
gloriawalshver@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I posted this contest on Twitter
GlorWal64 is my Twitter ID
gloriawalshver@yahoo.com is e-mail address.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

A Rottweiler down the street was named Thor. He was HUGE and FEROUCIS. But a Teddy Bear with their little boy!

debbiemathews1@gmail.com

susieqlaw said...

The best pet name I have heard is Butterscotch the cat. Butterscotch lives at a local bed and breakfast and even has her own business cards.

I shared this contest on twitter at susieqlaw.

I follow CLC blog, Facebook, twitter, and pinterest.

sendsusanmail AT gmail dotcom

Jennifer L. said...

I love the pet name "Kirby".
I follow on gfc as Jennifer L.
jentam777 at gmail dot com

TinaB said...

My golden retriever is named Cooper...of course I think that's the best name! Ha!
I'd love to win a copy of this book! I already follow u on fb and pinterest.
Tbbrannan72@gmail.com

Heather said...

The best pet name I've ever seen is Oscar Meyer a little dacshund.

I follow on FB, and the blog.

I Tweeted the giveaway @booksvitalibri

goweezie AT aol DOT com

Thank you,
Heather

bn100 said...

Coconut for a white dog

I follow the blog.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

Frases de amor bonitas said...

this very interesting article, thanks for the clarification

Anonymous said...

Our German Shepherd "Anna" loves popsicles, especially the red ones!We like the orange and grape, so made the cherry ones her favorite! ;-) Sometimes she will even hold it by the stick in her front paws and lick, then eat! So funny!!
English Bulldog Puppies