1. How old were you when you got your first tattoo?
2. How many tattoos do you have? If only one, do you want more?
I have five: the aforementioned fairy, a band of Celtic knot work around my right ankle, a rendering of Yggsdrasil on my upper left arm, a Vevsiger (Viking compass) on my left forearm, and a full back piece based on this image from Elfquest: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/489766528198134416/
3. What inspired you to get your first tattoo or favorite tattoo? Tell me your tattoo story.
Oh, I don’t know if I have a favorite. My first (the fairy) is based on a mural I painted on my bedroom wall when I was about fourteen. (You could say that my grandmother was unpleased by that.) My most recent, the Vevsiger, holds a special place in my heart; the symbol means that you will always find your way, even when the way is not known. What writer couldn’t use that?
4. Tattoos on a significant other, like or dislike? Explain why?
Love it! My husband has two full sleeves and a smattering of other tattoos, which I find incredibly sexy 😉
5. Do the characters in your books have tattoos? If so, pick a character and tell me his or her tattoo story? Why was this story incorporated in the book?
My characters don’t have tattoos exactly; they’re Elementals, and as such have been marked by their elements. My main character, Sara, is a metal elemental, and has a copper raven emblazoned across her back. Micah, the Lord of Silver, has silver wings arching across his back. So, instead of having to go out and get a tattoo, Sara and Micah were born with theirs. How cool is that?
That is so cool. I wish I was born with tattoos, but half the fun is picking them out and designing them, too.
Thanks so much Jennifer.
If you want to learn more about Jennifer, check out her stuff:
I’ve got a good Tattoo Tuesday post for you today.
Laura Jamez, your five questions start now:
1. How old were you when you got your first tattoo?
I’d always wanted a tattoo but due to how I was brought up, in that tattoos weren’t acceptable especially on women, it took me till I was 29. At that point I thought to hell with it, I want one and stuff everyone I’m going to get one. Obviously I was still a little bit of nervous about what people would think so got it on my lower back to keep it hidden lol
2. How many tattoos do you have? If only one, do you want more?
I currently have three, two on my back one on my foot. I have a new one planned for my inner left wrist, a bat design I’m still working on.
3. What inspired you to get your first tattoo or favorite tattoo? Tell me your tattoo story.
My favourite tattoo is the one on my foot. It’s a quill drawing a small line. I got this when I decided I was happy writing short stories and wanted to have a permanent reminder that, despite not having much work published, I am a writer and I love it.
4. Tattoos on a significant other, like or dislike? Explain why?
I’d love my other half to get a tattoo but so far he hasn’t. I love seeing them on men, especially the rugged dirty looking blokes – makes them seen even more dangerous – I know it’s such a stereotype but hey what can I say I’m shallow lol
5. Do the characters in your books have tattoos? If so, pick a character and tell me his or her tattoo story? Why was this story incorporated in the book?
When I first read this my immediate response was no, none of the characters I have ever written has a tattoo but then I remembered a novel that I have shelved. The main character has a stamp on the back of his hand that allows uploading of data to his subconscious. The symbol is celtic in design and is created by an extremely painful process involving the “stabbing of a thousand needles”, everyone in the world has them to allow data transfer.
Thanks Laura for sharing your tattoo story. My favorite is the quill on your foot, too. Be sure to connect with Laura James:
Super excited to bring you today’s Tattoo Tuesday. Not only is the author a New Adult author, like me and she has a book coming out in June, like me, but I actually got to meet her last week at RT in New Orleans.
Welcome Megan, your five questions start now:
1. How old were you when you got your first tattoo?
My son had recently turned one in the beginning of 2012 and that writing bug was buzzing around me hard. But I couldn’t seem to put pen to paper — or fingers to keyboard — and actually DO it. So at 27, I went to get a tattoo to kick my butt into gear.
2. How many tattoos do you have? If only one, do you want more?
I have three tattoos. I’m sure I’ll get more.
3. What inspired you to get your first tattoo or favorite tattoo? Tell me your tattoo story.
My first tattoo is on my ribs (ouch!) and it is a feather quill and ink bottle, with the words, “Carpe diem.” I got that tattoo so that every day, when I looked in the mirror, I was reminded to seize the day, make it count, and WRITE. Two months after I got that tattoo, I wrote my very first book.
My other writing related tattoo is an ellipsis on the inside of my left arm. I got it after I signed my first publishing contract.
4. Tattoos on a significant other, like or dislike? Explain why?
I love tattoos on guys! My husband doesn’t have any, though, and I’m okay with that. 🙂
5. Do the characters in your books have tattoos? If so, pick a character and tell me his or her tattoo story? Why was this story incorporated in the book?
In MAKE IT COUNT (out June 3 with William Morrow/HarperCollins), my hero, Alec has a tattoo. I’m not saying where (haha), but it does have a significance. He got it after a breakup and the tattoo symbolizes what he wants to do with his life. It also ends up symbolizing a lot about his relationship with the heroine, Kat.
Thanks so much Megan and good luck with your new release. To find out more about Megan Erickson, connect with her:
I hope you all are ready for this one. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Ms. Jones.
Tomara Jones, your five questions start now:
1. How old were you when you got your first tattoo?
I was 18 when I got my first tattoo… I was a freshman in college and needed my tramp stamp lol.
2. How many tattoos do you have? If only one, do you want more?
I had five but the massive piece on my back covered my original lower back tattoo so I guess it’s just four now.
3. What inspired you to get your first tattoo or favorite tattoo? Tell me your tattoo story.
A few years ago my daughter’s father passed away. While we weren’t in an intimate relationship we were great co-parents. It was a very hard time for my daughter and me. I had this great idea to get his name tattooed with his sunrise – sunset dates, much to the disliking of my boyfriend at that time. So I did some thinking and as the months went by I finally decided what I wanted to do. The one thing my daughter’s father taught me is that pain is temporary… So while his memory is very much alive, the pain doesn’t hurt as much, almost to the point now I only smile when he crosses my mind. I grew past the pain and evolved into someone a little bit stronger, a little bit wiser. The phoenix is one of the most symbolic creatures of change and rebirth. Going through that tragedy was almost like a rebirth for me. It was my chance to do what I wanted to do with my life. So I did. This phoenix on my back is symbolic of a very pivotal point in my life. I changed direction, I started my company Phoenix Jones Publishing, and I’m doing what I love to do. And I think I’m pretty damn good at it too. Some of an artist’s best work comes out of those feelings of sadness and pain.
4. Tattoos on a significant other, like or dislike? Explain why?
I love ink on everyone, especially significant others. I’ve been judged by non-tattooed guys like there was something wrong with me because I chose to express a moment in my life on my body. If you’re tattooed, I feel like you have a fairly open mind which is the kind of people I love to be around. I know that if even for a small moment you decided to add some permanent art to your body you can grasp why I love what I do so much. As an author, a painter, an illustrator, my art is a direct correlation to who I am and if you understand that freedom of expression, and undying dedication to creativity we’re kindred spirits.
5. Do the characters in your books have tattoos? If so, pick a character and tell me his or her tattoo story? Why was this story incorporated in the book?
My latest release Loving Blake spawned a sequel Loving Nina which is set to be released July 2014! The character Wren is a lover of the main character Ana, in Loving Nina. Wren has an enormous chest piece of a wolf fighting a snake. The piece is meant to symbolize the struggle between the man he used to be and the man he has become. He’s always been a protector, especially with the women in his life, but now it’s slightly different. The piece is also there to cover up some scars he got while on the job as a bodyguard. He didn’t want to keep looking at it as a constant reminder that he had failed at what he was hired to do. It was incorporated into this story because his character is pivotal to the plot and once his truth is revealed it makes the story come full circle.
Thanks Tomara Jones for sharing your tattoo story. The phoenix is beautiful. To fine out more about Ms. Jones and Phoenix Publishing, connect with her:
AJ is probably still out celebrating her new release, If Only, which came out yesterday. I am honored to have her visit Tattoo Tuesday. AJ, your five questions start now:
1. How old were you when you got your first tattoo? I was 24.
2. How many tattoos do you have? If only one, do you want more? I have two. I just got my second one, and YES, I want more! I can understand people saying tattoos are addicting. Yes it hurts, but it’s also a ton of fun. Is it weird that I enjoy getting inked? 🙂
3. What inspired you to get your first tattoo or favorite tattoo? Tell me your tattoo story. My first tattoo was just because I wanted one. Not a huge story. But my recent one is all about story. My debut novel, IF ONLY, a New Adult contemporary romance, just released yesterday. Yay! I promised myself I’d celebrate writing milestones with more ink, and I wanted there to be meaning attached to this one. My favorite poem by Emily Dickinson poem that, since her poems aren’t titled, starts with the line, “Hope is the thing with feathers–“, and for me it’s this idea of hope being this selfless entity that is always there, silent and unquestioning. When it comes to writing and publishing, it’s really easy to get discouraged. Not losing hope is so vital to keeping at the writing game. While I was querying my first book, I was writing IF ONLY. When the first book didn’t get the response I hoped for (see…I hoped), I got IF ONLY ready and started querying and entering it in contests…and it won one, an Editor in the Alley pitch contest on the NA Alley Blog. Fast forward a year later, and my book is with a fabulous publisher, Entangled, and my story is out there. The idea of hope, and the poem I love, those are the reasons for the feather tattoo on my arm. Putting that first book out there, letting it go and become something that doesn’t belong only to me anymore, that’s the reason for the bird breaking off from the feather.
4. Tattoos on a significant other, like or dislike? Explain why? I like tattoos on anyone. They are hot. ‘Nuff said.
5. Do the character’s in your books have tattoos? If so, pick a character and tell me his or her tattoo story? Why was this story incorporated in the book? Both my hero and heroine get tattoos. My main character, Jordan, gets the Hebrew word, Ahava, tattooed on her wrist (in the Hebrew characters). She’s studying abroad in Scotland, and while visiting family in London over the holidays, her cousin takes her to a tattoo shop as a surprise. Ahava means love, and it has multiple connections to the story–to Jordan’s relationship with her best friend as well as Jordan’s own self discovery. And of course, the book is a romance, so the tattoo ties in there as well. Like I said, the hero gets a tattoo as well, but I can’t reveal his without revealing too much about the book. You’ll just have to read. I included the tattoo story line simply because I love ink and the idea of permanence in this type of expression…as long as you choose art you know you’ll want forever!
About AJ Pine:
AJ writes stories to break readers’ hearts, but don’t worry—she’ll mend those hearts with a happily ever after…maybe. The first book she wrote was YA, but now she’s two-timing her first love with NA. She’s always in the middle of reading two to three books, adores online shopping (everything from groceries to shoes), and she still loves vampires, whether it’s Eric Northman or the Salvatore brothers. When she’s not writing, AJ is sneaking off to her day job as a high school English teacher or hanging with her husband and kids in the Chicago burbs.
Available for .99 cents.
Sometimes it takes crossing an ocean to figure out where you belong.
It’s been two years since twenty-year-old Jordan had a boyfriend–which means it’s been forever since she, well, you know. But now she’s off to spend her junior year in Aberdeen, Scotland, the perfect place to stop waiting for Mr. Right and just enjoy Mr. Right Now.
Sexy, sweet (and possible player) Griffin may be her perfect, no-strings-attached match. He’s fun, gorgeous, and makes her laugh. So why can’t she stop thinking about Noah who, minutes after being trapped together outside the train’s loo, kisses Jordan like she’s never been kissed before? Never mind his impossible blue eyes, his weathered, annotated copy of The Great Gatsby (total English-major porn)…oh, and his girlfriend.
Jordan knows everything this year has an expiration date. Aberdeen is supposed to be about fun rather than waiting for life to happen. But E.M. Forster, Shakespeare, and mistletoe on Valentine’s Day make her reconsider what love is and how far she’s willing to go for the right guy.
If you have a book coming out or just want to tell your tattoo story and want to be featured on Tattoo Tuesday, let me know by leaving me a message in the comments.
Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 