Thursday, February 21, 2013

The beauty of Cari Kamm...plus a book giveaway!

Interview by Amy Bromberg

**Giveaway is now closed**

Today we welcome back Cari Kamm and her brand new novel For Internal Use Only, which came out on Valentine's Day. Cari Kamm has worked in the beauty industry for over a decade, building brands, working behind the scenes, and even selling her own skin care line. She has a master’s in clinical nutrition from New York University. Kamm currently works in corporate social media management with clients in the beauty, fashion, and restaurant industries. Living in New York City with her mutt Schmutz, Kamm loves finding inspiration in the most unexpected places, being a novelist, and convincing her fiancĂ© that ordering takeout and making dinner reservations are equal to cooking.


Thanks to Cari, we have TWO copies of For Internal Use Only (winners get to choose if they want an e-copy or hard copy) to some lucky readers anywhere in the US and/or Canada.
 
You can find Cari at her website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always been a storyteller or that person that loved to entertain and make my friends and family laugh. It’s a characteristic I get from my father. I was twenty-eight years old and craving inspiration at a specific point in my life. Here I was in New York City living and loving everything, even a shadow. But, something was missing in my life. So… I researched various hobbies from cooking (high burn risk), painting (too messy), volunteer opportunities, and even new career paths. I ended up taking a creative writing class with Mediabistro and it changed my life. During the class, I had no intention of writing a novel. I was more involved with the class because it challenged me, made me insecure, and sparked my spirit. The workshop assignments got me writing in class and at home. Five years and two books later... I’m still hitting the keys!

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
After creating a detailed outline and character sketch, I begin writing and never stop to go back and read until the manuscript is done. I can’t edit and write at the same time.

Tell us five places you would most want to travel to.
I love to travel! I think growing up in a small town in West Virginia (population 3,500) and then moving to New York City with access to JFK International Airport and Penn Station, created the extreme need to be spontaneous and take advantage of the opportunities. I’ve conquered Italy and have stamped my passport with beautiful memories from Buenos Aires, Iceland and Paris. I’m heading to Moscow for my birthday on February 14th! I need to add Greece, the Maldives, Ireland, China and Indonesia. Also, I’ve always wanted to take a train from the East coast to the West coast and stopover in random cities!

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
After creating the outline of the story, discovering where the characters actually took me. It’s amazing to me that I am reading a story they helped me create.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to be a marine biologist. All the unknowns in the ocean, the colors, the life. One major problem ... I’m terrified of the ocean! I won’t go in deeper than my knees.

What advice can you give to aspiring writers out there?
You grow more from criticism than you do from compliments. Never forget that you have the courage to be the writer you want to be and live the life you’ve always dreamed of. I’m amazed each day how much power we truly have inside ourselves to make things happen.

What are 4 things you never leave home without (apart from keys, money and phone)?
1 – Rosebud Salve
2 – Sunglasses
3 – Moleskine notebook & pen
4 – My attitude

What’s next for you?
In November 2012, I participated in National Novel Writing month and completed my third novel. It’s my first romance novel and takes place in Costa Rica. I hope to release it later this year. To learn more, please check out www.carikamm.com.

Thanks to Cari for visiting us and sharing her book with our readers!

How to win For Internal Use Only:
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 ONE thing you never leave home without (apart from keys, money and phone)?
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 February 27th at midnight EST.

25 comments:

TinaB said...

I never leave home without my lip balm!! I follow u on fb and pinterest.
Brannanflooring@aol.com

DD said...

I, too, NEVER leave home without my carmex. I'm totally addicted and have been for 10+ years.

dawndennis66611 at yahoo dot com

Kritters Ramblings said...

I never leave home without a book, call me a dork, but I usually have a book and/or my nook! Can't get stuck somewhere without something to read!

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

Unknown said...

My lipstick.

Greta interview

Like, tweeted, follow.

allieDOTMcsmithATgmail.com

Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields said...

I never leave home without a book. For real. The one time I do not have one is the one time I am somewhere bored and needing something to read!

missamberljohnson at gmail dot com

I follow via gfc, FB, and Twitter! :)

Lisamarie said...

I never leave home without a book, I have a big purse so I can always carry a book with me.

I'm a CLC Blogg follower, FB group member, twitter & pinterest follower

tropicalsunlover05(at)yahoo(dot)com

Maureen said...

I always have tissues.
I follow on GFC - Maureen
twitter - @MaureenCE
pinterest: maureence
tweet: https://twitter.com/MaureenCE/status/304658739116523520
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Jennifer L. said...

I never leave home without chapstick and hand cream.
I follow this blog.
jentam777 at gmail dot com

Lauren McCormick said...

I never leave home without my mints! I hate when I have dry mouth and ya never know if you'll be by a water fountain. Gotta have my mints!!

I am a CLC member. I follow the blog on FB, my email, and Pinterest too. I had my Mother become a member.
I'll post the contest on FB.

Thank you for this chance to win your book!

itzhunic at hotmail dot com

Rita Wray said...

I never leave home without my sunglasses, lipstick and tissues.

Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

rhonda said...

I. Never leave home without a book.email follower lomazow@gmail.com twitter follower at rhondareads will tweet.

susieqlaw said...

I never leave home without my purse.

sendsusanmail at gmail dot com

I follow CLC blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

I tweeted this contest at susieqlaw.

I live in the US.

Bonnie K. said...

I never leave home without my skin care products and lip balm.

bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

I'm a follower of this blog.

I shared on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonnie.karoly/activity/10151299608810233 and twitter:https://twitter.com/grobiemum/status/304749029609324544

I'm already a member of Chick Lit Central on Facebook.

I follow you on twitter. @grobiemum

Linda Kish said...

I've learned I don't need much anymore but, in winter, I carry a lip gloss.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Karen White said...

I never leave home without my phone, rarely without sunglasses, and I try to make sure I have sunblock on.

jmase62@verizon.net

I follow via email and Twitter and I tweeted!

Mrs Mommy Booknerd said...

I never leave without a phone...


Following here, Facebook, twitter

Mrsmommybooknerdsbookreviews at gmail dot com

karenk said...

my glasses :)

thanks for the chance to read this novel

i'm a follower, too

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

bn100 said...

Nice interview. Don't leave home without chapstick.

I follow the blog.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

Erica said...

Never leave home without Blitex. Totally addicted!!

i follow by email
i follow via gfc
i am a fan on facebook
i follow on twitter

wordywon at gmail dot com

Cher B said...

I never leave home without lip balm/ lip gloss for certain and typically not w/o a book, whether it is a hardcover, on my kindle or on my phone. For Internal Use Only just moved to the top of my to-read list. I'm a follower on RSS and FB. Thanks for the chance to win!

cherbasonATgmailDOTcom

Karen said...

I never leave home without a book, tissues, a little mirror, lipstick, lip gloss, aspirin, gum, blank paper, pens, comb, purse calendar, checkbook, some change, a couple of credit cards, debit card, driver's license, insurance card, and I try to remember to grab some water. (I always have a big purse!)

I follow this blog and get email notices.

I like, and definitely like, you on FB and get notifications.

I swear I'm leaving here to post about this contest on FB--I'm a lady of my word.

I keep debating about getting on pinterest and twitter. I'm not good at inviting people. Ever since Amway...

Thanks for this giveaway. The book sounds great!

karen dot dyer at gmail dot com

rubynreba said...

I never leave home without gum!

I am a facebook fan.

I follow GFC.

pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Suzy M said...

I never leave the house without some kind of reading material.

SuzyQ4PR(at)aol(dot)com

I follow the CLC blog
I follow on Twitter
I'm a fan on Facebook

Thanks!

LBK said...

I never leave home without my:
GPS
Nook

lbbkane123ATyahooDOTcom

Hailey said...

Even though it hasn't been a week, I don't leave home without my iPhone and a few books.

fishiegirl22@yahoo.com