tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60509700295861628672024-02-20T16:03:48.416-08:00Interviewing AuthorsInterviews with your favorite authorsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comBlogger158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-69651742105532332192009-09-16T06:41:00.000-07:002009-09-16T06:46:38.678-07:00Leigh Savage Interview - Book Giveaway<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgMaUtbd9VJ-F_cGLSHcViUFkCY0y6YmQsxdpFBy2Csw9c9yyvVhRZu5hoDp8m0wyavjYfNChvViJIi6jj2lXs4T-KpKCqmn4_dVJmieoqP0rI3WHpD2v7OBnZ-ZpYZpQwKARkEhWmok/s1600-h/41l7G2wfYTL__SL500_AA246_PIkin2,BottomRight,0,34_AA280_SH20_OU01_.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 280px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382060424245779858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgMaUtbd9VJ-F_cGLSHcViUFkCY0y6YmQsxdpFBy2Csw9c9yyvVhRZu5hoDp8m0wyavjYfNChvViJIi6jj2lXs4T-KpKCqmn4_dVJmieoqP0rI3WHpD2v7OBnZ-ZpYZpQwKARkEhWmok/s320/41l7G2wfYTL__SL500_AA246_PIkin2,BottomRight,0,34_AA280_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ffff66;">** Book Giveaway ** Details at the end of this interview!</span><br /></span><br />Author Pen Name:<br />Leigh Savage<br /><br />CA: How did you choose your pen name?<br /><br />Leigh: I took Leigh from Vivien Leigh who I’ve always admired. Then Savage came from my Fathers pen name Kain Savage. The combination of the name I thought fit me very well with Leigh showing my romantic side of my writing and Savage being for the dark side that my writing sometimes leads me.<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />Leigh: I write mostly vampire paranormal romance. I’ve had several poems published online and in print. In November I released my first children book The Smile Box (written under my married name Carrie Lea Williams).<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />Leigh: In high school I became a huge Romance junkie and I loved to read any romance that had anything paranormal however at the time those type of books where had to find. So I started writing my own paranormal romance short stories to help get my fix. I remember sitting in my science class and a couple of the boy and girls would want to see what I had written so they’d be sitting in class reading my stories instead of their science books. Our science teacher never said anything to them since they where A students. Those very stories that I wrote while in class are featured in the Bound by Blood novel. I’m trying to keep the stories true to the original so that readers can see how I’ve grown as a writer since those first short stories too my full length vampire novels that I now write..<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />Leigh: I would have to say my Father even though he mostly wrote horror but he took the time to write stories just for me and he would read them to me at bedtime. My Father installed the love and reading and writing into me at an early age. In 2005 I lost my Father and my mentor. I still find it hard sometime when I come up with new ideals I want to pick up the phone and call him and I have to remind myself that he’s no longer there. That’s why the release of Bound by Blood is so important to me it gives me a chance to honor his memory and share his work with the world as he always wanted.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />Leigh: For the most part since I’m working with a on demand publishing company I have no deadlines so I have lots of freedom with my schedule. Once I start writing down ideals I’m very in the zone don’t bother me. Recently our laptops motherboard went out so I’ve found that I’ve gotten spoiled to being able to write using one and find it hard to make myself sit in front of the desk to write. I’m currently saving to get a new one so I can get back to work on the third vampire novel Embrace of the Immortal.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />Leigh: Now that this isn’t my first time it’s more of the aftermath of the release that seems to be never ending. Getting your book in print is really only a very small part of the job. Now that’s it’s out there you have to make your book noticeable among a sea of books.<br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />Leigh: It have’s to be my spelling and punctuation. I got my Father’s love of writing J but my Mother’s horrible spelling abilities L<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />Leigh: I spend time with my husband of 12 years and my daughter who’s 6 and my son who’s 4. I’ve been a stay at home mom since the birth of my daughter. Hang out with my other Mom friends. When I get time to myself *sighs* I love to curl up and read a book, watch TV (mostly anime), and of course surfing the clearance racks for great bargains. I enjoy drawing and painting. This came very handy when designing the book cover for Angel of Death, Shadows of my Past and the illustrations in my children book.<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />Leigh: Shadows of my Past which is my newest release that was hinted at in the end of the first novel Angel of Death. Angel of Death has also been released with a new sexier book cover and both books are available in Print and EBook formats.<br />I’ve also released my children book The Smile Box and had a great response from it so far. The book is currently being used in the South County YMCA Preschool program as part of the teaching Curriculum.<br /><br />I’m currently working on getting a collection of short stories that I wrote with my Father called Bound by Blood getting it ready for print and hope to have it out later this year.<br />It’s really hard to choose a favorite…hummm…well if I have to choose Mika from Angel of Death and Desi from Shadows of my Past because both of them are strong female charters that can kick a** but at the same time be soft and loving.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />Leigh: For the most part my characters tend to create themselves taking on a life of their own while I’m writing. So as I’m writing I get to see my charters develop and grow the same as a reader would the first time they read the book.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />Leigh: Know that getting published is only a small part of the battle. Be prepared to put many hours of work into getting your book noticed by social networking, interviews, reviews, book trailers, signing and so much more that it can make your head spin.<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />Leigh: They can Email: <a href="mailto:leighsavage@sbcglobal.net">leighsavage@sbcglobal.net</a><br /><br />Become one of MySpace friends: www.myspace.com/leighsavage<br />http://www.freewebs.com/thebookhouse/operationbook.htm<br />http://paranormalbookbreak.ning.com/profile/LeighSavage<br />http://www.jacketflap.com/profile.asp?member=d33dlit\<br /><br />Shadows of my Past is currently available at:<br />Paperback:<br />https://www.createspace.com/3378917<br />http://www.amazon.com/Shadows-my-Past-Leigh-Savage/dp/1442131535/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2<br />EBook: http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=4074161<br /><br />Angel of Death at:<br />Paperback:<br />http://www.amazon.com/Angel-Death-Leigh-Savage/dp/1434843017/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251131989&sr=1-5<br />https://www.createspace.com/3337961<br />EBook: http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=4074161<br />The Smile Box A Story About Feelings:<br />Paperback:<br />http://www.amazon.com/Smile-Box-Carrie-Lea-Williams/dp/1438204167/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251132607&sr=1-1<br />https://www.createspace.com/3340332<br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br />I would like to take the time to thank you Crystal for taking the time to have me on your blog and interview me. I’d also like to thank the readers for taking the time to stop in and read the interview.<br />If you’d like to read reviews for my first novel Angel of Death visit:<br />http://themonstersnextdoor.com/angelofdeath.html<br />http://kaseysview.blogspot.com/2008/06/angel-of-death-by-leigh-savage.html<br />http://joyfullyreviewed.com/reviews/Dec08/angelofdeath.LS.html<br />Watch the book trailer for Angel of Death at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy_v5oZAQek<br /><strong><em><span style="color:#66ffff;">If you’ve read the interview and leave a comment I’ll choose one lucky winner to receive a Signed Copy of Angel of Death and Shadows of my Past.<br />I will post a list of name of all winner on MySpace Blog at the end of the contest.</span></em></strong><br /><br />CA: Thanks Leigh for a wonderful interview! Now, like she said, if you leave a comment, you'll be entered to win a signed copy of Angel of Death and Shadows of my Past!! Make sure to leave your email addy so we can contact you if you have won!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-61032489929654064652009-05-10T10:22:00.000-07:002009-05-10T10:22:00.904-07:00Stephen Zimmer *Giveaway*<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqoHeWaVLmBw9vXhF4kPU49Kn8V2_wdgPlS_6vuYZUnMDX7UMIaoXD0WD64uQLscaYHqMd1PGvtrhYjwOF9G-n-bSrV7X7QSq806w6aYZBHQP-V8XT6JTK2FtAvwdBrTdrcAyR1vQYik/s1600-h/ExodusGatgecover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333133871353153394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 173px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 260px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqoHeWaVLmBw9vXhF4kPU49Kn8V2_wdgPlS_6vuYZUnMDX7UMIaoXD0WD64uQLscaYHqMd1PGvtrhYjwOF9G-n-bSrV7X7QSq806w6aYZBHQP-V8XT6JTK2FtAvwdBrTdrcAyR1vQYik/s320/ExodusGatgecover.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffff66;">** Giveaway **</span></strong> </div><div>A signed copy of the book, a poster of the cover art,a set of 7 glossy, full color art cards with illustrations from the book,a bookmark, and an 8X10 of the cover art! That is an awesome giveaway if you ask me! Now, what do you have to do to get your hands on these goodies? Just leave a comment or question for Stephen and at the end of the week, I'll use random.org to choose a winner. Please leave an email address so the winner can be contacted! You really don't want to forfeit this prize! </div><div> </div><div> Author Pen Name: Stephen Zimmer<br /><br />CA: How did you choose your pen name?<br /><br />SZ: I have to say that my name was given, rather than chosen, though I suppose<br />that I have chosen to stick with it so far!<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />SZ: I am primarily a fantasy writer, although elements of horror and science<br />fiction do work their way into my material. As time goes on, I look to do<br />a few things that are more centered in the horror genre, although<br />crossover elements will almost certainly be included.<br /><br />The Exodus Gate, while predominantly fantasy, reflects quite a blend of<br />things. It draws off of lore about the Nephilim, Angelic/Demonic lore<br />from Christian and Jewish Mysticism, Sumerican/Babylonian mythology,<br />Apocryphal texts such as the Book of Enoch, Persian and Asian mythology,<br />and a whole lot more.<br /><br />In terms of why I write the stories that I write, my answer is that I<br />write the kinds of stories that I would like to read myself. My stories<br />are ones that I would buy in a bookstore myself. In this sense, I<br />certainly hope that there are a few readers out there who share my taste<br />in stories and books!<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />SZ: I have always been driven to be a story teller, which is at my foundation,<br />but in high school I began to start getting more serious about writing<br />novels. (Though I definitely could not do anything serious with what I<br />wrote during that period!)<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />SZ: J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. The worlds of Middle Earth and Narnia were<br />the wonderful, magical places that beckoned to me as a youth, and I<br />responded whole-heartedly. It was all thanks to the fact that my mother<br />read me the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit as a small child (when I was<br />about 7), a chapter a night, and then bought me the seven Narnia books.<br />She had a real passion for all of those books, and strongly conveyed it in<br />her readings to me.<br /><br />As I began to become more serious about writing, I also give credit to<br />Clive Barker, George R.R. Martin, Glen Cook, Roger Zelazny, and David<br />Gemmell for providing yet more inspiration.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />SZ: My predominant writing schedule is early morning, or later evening, if I<br />am not feeling too tired. I love to write all day if given the chance. I<br />need to try to shield myself completely from all distractions when I<br />write, as I really immerse myself mentally into the things that I<br />envision, and describe what I see, hear, and feel in my head. Once I am<br />in my writing zone, I try to stay in it until done.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word<br />that describes how you feel?<br /><br />SZ: Grateful!<br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />SZ: Getting the material to where I felt confident enough in it to pass it on<br />to an editor. I have really worked, reworked, and honed this material<br />over a few years, including doing a major overhaul when I felt that it was<br />not where it needed to be.<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />SZ: I am also a filmmaker, and enjoy that medium as a storyteller as well.<br />Though constrained by low budgets, as a writer/director I have one indie<br />feature (Shadows Light, modern fantasy/supernatural thriller) and one<br />short film (The Sirens, horror) in distribution (more information on these<br />movies are on my website). Screenwriting is a very different beast than<br />writing novels, with its own unique set of challenges.<br /><br />I have a wide range of other interests, including sports, exercise,<br />history, traveling, reading, movies, and much more. It is a benefit to<br />have a wide range of interests, as you tend to glean something from<br />everything that you do and experience for your writing.<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />SZ: This is my first book, tentatively planned to be a series of 5. I have<br />also completed the first book in a series that is more of an epic<br />medieval-type fantasy series, which my editor is nearly finished with.<br />The first draft of the sequel to the Exodus Gate is finished, and I have<br />drafts for the 2nd and 3rd books done in the medieval series. I do have a<br />couple of completed novels that I wrote earlier in life, which will not<br />see the light of day unless they go through a major reworking.<br /><br />As far as preferences, I can’t say that I really have a favorite yet. I<br />do have a deep passion for medieval history, myths, and legends, all of<br />which get to run loose and wild in both of these series.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally<br />from your imagination?<br /><br />SZ: There are always inspirations and influences that come from the people<br />that you encounter in this world. They have a way of coloring the<br />characters that you create, no matter how fantastical or non-human they<br />might be. However, none of the characters in The Exodus Gate are directly<br />based on a real person, though a few of the more political figures have<br />been heavily influenced/inspired by some notable figures from our world.<br />I will leave it to the reader to take their own guesses. I placed this<br />story in a parallel world so that people do not get too caught up in<br />direct comparisons.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />SZ: Read. Read often. Truly, a good writer is a good reader, I believe, and<br />I think that it is very helpful to read a number of different styles in<br />the genre that you like.<br /><br />Secondly, don’t view your editor or test readers as adversaries.<br /><br />If you have test readers who are genuinely interested in seeing you<br />succeed, listen to what they have to say. As far as editors, it astounds<br />me how many writers develop a combative approach to their editors.<br />Editors can see what you do not see. That does not mean that you will not<br />have a disagreement with them once in a while, on a matter which you need<br />to discuss and explain further with your editor in the context of the book<br />or series that you are working on, but never forget that your editor is<br />there to make your work better.<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />SZ: I am pretty easy to find, at http://www.stephenzimmer.com where my email,<br />myspace contacts, and other information can all be found. I am also on<br />FaceBook under my name for Lexington, Kentucky.<br /><br />I am making a number of personal appearances over the summer, and love to<br />meet readers in person. After having attended recent events like<br />MidSouthCon 27 in Memphis and DemiCon 20 in Des Moines, I will be at<br />ConCarolinas (Charlotte, NC), Hypericon (Nashville, TN), InConJunction<br />(Indianapolis, IN), Fright Night Film Fest (Louisville, KY), Archon (St.<br />Louis), and more. Check my site to see the most current list, under the<br />Appearances menu.<br /><br />The book itself is available in print, eBook, and Kindle. My site has an<br />online store, and there is also one at my publisher’s site at<br />http://www.seventhstarpress.com<br /><br />The book is available at all the usual online outlets (Amazon, Barnes and<br />Noble online, etc).<br /><br />My publisher’s site also carries a list of bookstores that are actively<br />carrying the Exodus Gate on the shelf. I really encourage people wanting<br />the book to support these stores, as it is not easy for a small press<br />author to get shelf space. The stores willing to allow that should be<br />rewarded! Please buy it off the shelf whenever possible.<br /><br />I also want to mention that really enjoy hearing from readers, and am more<br />than happy to discuss things about the book. Don’t hesitate to reach out!<br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br />SZ: I want to reassure those that are brave enough to give my book a try, and<br />end up liking it, that I really do know where this series is going and<br />that I will not take overly long in releasing new installments.<br /><br />Right now, the plan is to release one book from The Rising Dawn Saga each<br />year, give or take a month. We plan a similar schedule for the epic<br />medieval series (first one due around the fall of 2009). This will result<br />in 2 books a year, so that readers enjoying each series will get a new one<br />without having to wait too terribly long.<br /><br />I also want to mention that I don’t put frivolous sections/threads in my<br />books. Everything in The Exodus Gate has a purpose, is going somewhere,<br />and the threads get tighter and tighter as everything works its way to a<br />spectacular conclusion. Stick with me and find out what happens. I<br />don’t think you will be disappointed in the least if you like your fantasy<br />epic, rich, and deep!<br /><br />Those buying The Exodus Gate will also discover more than a little added<br />value as well. Artist Matthew Perry produced the cover art and no less<br />than 15 full page illustrations in the book. This hearkens back to the<br />good old days when novels commonly came with illustrations, and Matthew<br />really came through with some outstanding images, samples of which you can<br />find on our publisher’s site.<br /><br />I suppose that does it for now, and I want to thank Crystal very much for<br />the opportunity to do an introductory interview, and those who have read<br />it! It is very much appreciated!<br /><br />CA: Stephen, thanks so much for an amazing interview! Good luck with all of your tour this year, it sounds very promising! Your writing style also sounds unique and very interesting, I wish only good things for you in the future with your writing!</div><div> </div><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff33;">**Remember just leave a comment or question for Stephen to be entered in his awesome giveaway! **</span></strong> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-74722778928469603412009-05-10T10:16:00.000-07:002009-05-10T15:57:36.041-07:00Mistress Rae Interview<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkFDuVd21M9ABsTpd3bqGtzaEkC6aZrxX-WAfECQY302_JHxUyGJUB-iLb8lIyZGKBhcQrK3DzO29Zoh0MB1z_ROtUwsssROiJZm4HvLu6tw4elxtFgJ8R1xiY-qCJSkD1B89HdbDwus/s1600-h/candlelight_-cs%5B1%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334333237933783730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 216px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkFDuVd21M9ABsTpd3bqGtzaEkC6aZrxX-WAfECQY302_JHxUyGJUB-iLb8lIyZGKBhcQrK3DzO29Zoh0MB1z_ROtUwsssROiJZm4HvLu6tw4elxtFgJ8R1xiY-qCJSkD1B89HdbDwus/s320/candlelight_-cs%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Author Pen Name: Mistress Rae<br /><br />CA: How did you choose your pen name?<br /><br />MR: It’s simply just an abbreviation of my full name. Folks either spell it wrong or pronounce it wrong, so….lol.<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />MR: I like writing dark paranormal romance, horror, and erotica--sometimes a combination of all three, lol. I enjoy writing stories that are out of the ordinary, which is why I was always fascinated with anything NOT the norm, even when I was a kid. Horror is just plain fun--and not the ‘splatter gore’ and ‘torture porn’ you see nowadays. I enjoy the works of Poe, and a lot of the Roger Corman movies that starred Vincent Price. These are movies that had class! They’re part of my inspiration when I write. I like a lot of the 80’s horror flicks (Freddy, Jason, Michael, Pinhead) and some of the vampire movies of that time as well, like my top fave, The Lost Boys. There’s tons of other horror/vampire movies I like too---these keep my brain revved up, lol.<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />MR: It stared in 3rd grade with a simple writing assignment, using our spelling words for the week.. The assignment didn’t have to be bigger than a paragraph, but I kept writing, and writing, and writing….lol. The teacher was stunned, and handwrote the story on one of those huge sheets of grade school paper, and had it taped outside the classroom door. I was happy for the ‘A’, but just as embarrassed when I got those typical ‘looks’ from my classmates!<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />MR: Poe. King. Nature (the fall season especially). Current events--depending on what they are, and how bad they seem, help me create ‘what if’ scenarios. Non-fiction books that discuss the legends and lore of the vampire and other supernatural creatures.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />MR: I write either in the early morning or very late at night. Rainy days especially. These times are when the business and buzz of the world is at its lowest, and I can concentrate much better.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />MR: Nervous. (But hoping for the absolute best, lol)<br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />MR: Making sure I had the absolute cleanest typo-free manuscript. Just when I think it’s at its best, I STILL find something I overlooked. That’s my biggest and most annoying bane.<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />MR: I LOVE finding subjects to photograph. I like creating dark, ‘atmospheric’ photos, and have a continuously growing gallery at my website. I also like creating digital art, and designing book covers for individual authors. I like checking out movies every now and then, and going to state parks. If I’m not doing that, I’m working on Dark Gothic Resurrected Magazine, which I publish twice a year, along with my Yahoo Group’s bi-annual horror/gothic anthologies.<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />MR: I’ve written over seven so far, my favorite being my current dark paranormal romance series, ABRAXAS. I’m really having fun with this one, and I have loads of free chapter excerpts and trailers at its webpage, <a href="http://bloodtouch.webs.com/abraxas.htm">http://BloodTouch.webs.com/abraxas.htm</a> . I have the latest book in the series coming out this summer, and a special Halloween one coming out this fall.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />MR: A few are inspired by folks I know or used to know, but not that many. Most of my characters already come to me, ready-made and ready to speak, lol.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />MR: NEVER stop doing what you love, even when other try to discourage you. Stay away from dream-killers! Remember: ‘Misery loves company’! Associate yourself with folks who share your interests and dreams and who can help you climb up the literary ladder.<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />MR: They can contact me through Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, my Yahoo Group, blog or through my website. They can also find my books at <a href="http://www.lulu.com/gratistavampires">www.lulu.com/gratistavampires</a>. I have lots of free chapter excerpts and short stories available there too.<br /><br />WEBSITE: <a href="http://bloodtouch.webs.com/">http://bloodtouch.webs.com/</a><br />Yahoo Group: <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Gratista_Vampires">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Gratista_Vampires</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://bloodtouch.wordpress.com/">http://bloodtouch.wordpress.com/</a><br />Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/Cinsearae">www.twitter.com/Cinsearae</a><br />Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Cinsearae-Santiago/766915535">www.facebook.com/people/Cinsearae-Santiago/766915535</a><br />Myspace: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/Cinsearae_s">www.myspace.com/Cinsearae_s</a><br /><br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br />MR: Feel free to explore my website! I have tons of fun things writers of the darker genres might like to know about, especially Dark Gothic Resurrected magazine, which I created especially for ’newbie’ writers, poets, and artists trying to get their feet wet in the literary world. It’s also an outlet for authors to get a free bit of promo for their books, as I have a section dedicated to new and upcoming books from today’s hottest writers. I also invite writers to join my group if they have a love of anything creepy, horrific, or Gothic. My group recently released it’s fourth anthology, “A Look Into The Mirror Darkly”, which is showcased at <a href="http://www.adult.blazingtrailers.com/">http://www.adult.blazingtrailers.com/</a> (just put Cinsearae in the search box) Folks can also check out my own artistic trailers at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Cinsearae">www.youtube.com/user/Cinsearae</a><br />Thank you so much for having me here, Crystal!<br /><br />CA: Mistress Rae, it was a pleasure having you here, I look forward to reading your book and posting the review : ) the interview is very promising and so as I said I look forward to your writing. I am a huge vampire/paranormal fan, so your books are right up my alley! Thanks for being here this week!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-64198367395263195332009-02-15T15:24:00.001-08:002009-02-20T17:46:42.180-08:00Kevin Hughes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPRyqkDJ91-NQQ4C-FlCJplhOYcGGV3wSFPLQVlyvfP7Nr5lErgHwo0VWIrz_HEyUjskYvlul_UB4fiK9l0hW5RY-NX7R8HPlWIGF8WnA38BQlkG4jx3pnlhGQr0bzc6UI15at1AjJbo/s1600-h/dt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303169252858017922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 104px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 166px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPRyqkDJ91-NQQ4C-FlCJplhOYcGGV3wSFPLQVlyvfP7Nr5lErgHwo0VWIrz_HEyUjskYvlul_UB4fiK9l0hW5RY-NX7R8HPlWIGF8WnA38BQlkG4jx3pnlhGQr0bzc6UI15at1AjJbo/s320/dt.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Author Pen Name: Charles Porter for Just Another Shade of Blue, but Kevin Hughes for the latest ones.<br /><br />CA: How did you choose your pen name?<br /><br />KH: It’s a combination of my middle name, a nickname and the nickname of the aunt who raised my mother. But I only used it for my first novel until I found an agent and she convinced me that using my real name was better for marketing, at least on the local level.<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />KH: Well, I suppose the official genre is mystery/ thriller/ suspense, but Casualty Crossing would also fit into the character study category. I write about what I know and my day job affords me a lot of experiences that generate some very interesting plots. Fiction seems to be my forte and one of the reasons I prefer to write a tale versus nonfiction is because I’m the one who decides the ending.<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />KH: I was never much of a reader until I was 18 and read The New Centurions by Joseph Wambaugh. He’s the writer who made me a dedicated reader and it was around that time that I just knew deep inside I would write a novel one day.<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />KH: Hmm … that’s hard to explain. Something inside of me triggered the urge and once I started, I was hooked.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />KH: Absolutely insane.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />KH: Accomplished.<br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />KH: Getting published. The book biz is brutal and although you expose a little of yourself in your work, you can’t (at least that’s what I’m told) take the rejections and criticism personal.<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />KH: I love my day job, so I’m very lucky. When I’m not working, I enjoy reading and traveling.<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />KH: I’ve written three and the fourth will be released in 2010. My favorite? That’s tough, because in a way all of them are my favorite, but I think for now it’s Dogging Truth. But, when Archer is released next year, I have a hunch that might go to the top of the list … at least until I write the one that follows.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />KH: My standard and straight-faced response is that all of my characters are fictional. (Okay, perhaps they’re influenced a little by my life experience.)<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />KH:If you are truly a writer, never give up. Ever. And while you’re at it, find a good editor—it’s worth the expense.<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />KH: Gee, I just happen to have a few links: my email is <a href="mailto:Kevin@kevinhugheswrites.com">Kevin@kevinhugheswrites.com</a>; to order my novels you can hit my website for links at <a href="http://www.kevinhugheswrites.com/">http://www.kevinhugheswrites.com/</a> or through my publisher at <a href="http://www.stonegarden.net/">http://www.stonegarden.net/</a>. Amazon also lists my stuff and most bookstores will be happy to order any of the titles you choose. (Naturally, I suggest you purchase all of them and if you like them, post your comments on the Amazon site.)<br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br />KH: Yeah, Crystal Adkins rocks.<br /><br />CA: LOL, thanks Kevin : ) </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-77591166006629388202009-02-06T04:36:00.001-08:002009-02-06T04:43:31.124-08:00Lucien Black<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34m2pXEuYqaqgiFWPYGfAph3I6g1jEHf3oZgqgnIyvjx4Gnjw3_e3u3VnOSeOBvdVzgqnrR3uzX4A41Z0fBq1Lj4Dx3iGT2QB_3oDcjdLDjBNypjMAZln4hPfLMMUUJHhVtHnfB20uYY/s1600-h/lb1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299663100533431522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 115px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 166px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34m2pXEuYqaqgiFWPYGfAph3I6g1jEHf3oZgqgnIyvjx4Gnjw3_e3u3VnOSeOBvdVzgqnrR3uzX4A41Z0fBq1Lj4Dx3iGT2QB_3oDcjdLDjBNypjMAZln4hPfLMMUUJHhVtHnfB20uYY/s320/lb1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YwCqbgWiushDvzKcaa1nfGWohVJzYwM1jsnwWk4xmjEMSXuV_odkGqiF9p4LUWERjUtTwnYOSKohJ2liiyBE2LGTVDDoJ3i_4NcxaVrRehDiEm5F0QeddUtuIwjG_T-HmZTUjinHYo0/s1600-h/LB.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299663166146834674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 164px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YwCqbgWiushDvzKcaa1nfGWohVJzYwM1jsnwWk4xmjEMSXuV_odkGqiF9p4LUWERjUtTwnYOSKohJ2liiyBE2LGTVDDoJ3i_4NcxaVrRehDiEm5F0QeddUtuIwjG_T-HmZTUjinHYo0/s320/LB.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Author Pen Name: Lucien Black<br /></p><p>CA: How did you choose your pen name?<br /></p><p>LB: Well I once played a game and one of the characters in the game had the name Lucien. I loved the name and combined it with Black, which I thought was a good solid last name. What I later found out was that Lucien means light and well black signifies dark so it turned out to be a very cool play on words.<br /></p><p>CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /></p><p>LB: I write fiction stories, which I classify as Science Fiction/Fantasy. With my series, No Vacancies, I am introducing readers to four completely different storylines; each one with different elements of fiction. For example, One More Sunday is about a detective that investigates the death of one of the city’s superheroes known as the Protector. In Outcast, I blend horror and action adventure. Therefore, readers can experience multiple tales that all have unique characters and storylines. Some of these stories will continue in future volumes and others will be self-contained. I really feel that this format keeps the storytelling very fast paced and makes the reader come back for more.<br /></p><p>CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /></p><p>LB: When I was 19, I fell in love with the notion of writing. Within three years, I had successfully brought together a few creators and we self published a comic book. That was an exciting time and we were thrilled to see it in print. I have multiple titles that I wrote as comic book series, but I am in the process of transforming all of them into the short story/serialized fiction format used in No Vacancies. Volume 1 includes three of those stories (High Stakes, Outcast and One More Sunday) and one unique story that I wrote as a short story.<br /></p><p>CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /></p><p>LB: I had a very long writing dry spell after some long personal strife. I met my wife about four years ago and my life has changed infinitely for the better. She is my rock, my support and my inspiration to keep with whatever I do. She backs me 200% and forces me to stick with it. I could not imagine my life without her.<br /></p><p>CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /></p><p>LB: Well since I work a full time job, I write when I can. I have my lunch hour devoted to either school or writing and that has really focused my energy. Outside of that, I write on the weekends and when I have spare moments.<br /></p><p>CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /></p><p>LB: Exhilarated.<br /></p><p>CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /></p><p>LB: My biggest concern as a writer is definitely confidence in my work. I am without a doubt my own worst critic and tend to be hard on my work. Writing a story that draws the reader in, gives them an exciting ride and leaving them wanting either to know more about a particular character or to read the next part of a story and doing it well is a major obstacle. In the end, I just have to let the chips fall where they may and see what turns out.<br /></p><p>CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /></p><p>LB: I work a full time job and spend my spare time with my wife and family. I try to write when I have the free time and that is usually early in the morning or during lunch hour. That has become my ritual writing and study hall, as I am a part time student as well.<br /></p><p>CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /></p><p>LB: No Vacancies is my first book, but it really contains four different stories. I think my favorite story is One More Sunday, though years ago if you asked me that question that answer would have been different. I had only intended to write OMS as a self-contained story, but because of the feedback, I think the characters from One More Sunday will be back again soon. After that, it is a tossup.<br /></p><p>CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /></p><p>LB: Honestly a little of both. Most of my characters are from my imagination but I try to infuse certain characteristics of other people or myself. I think what personal experiences bring is that absolute sense of realism. One of the main problems in comic book writing is that many writers miss adding in those life experiences. If you are trying to accept characters as real, there has to be that human element. Divorce, death, loss of jobs are all critical aspects of life that should be blended in with the action or horror. When I started re-writing these stories and redeveloping my characters, I added in many elements from my own life that I thought would add that sense of realism.<br /></p><p>There may be a few supporting characters that are thrown in for, let’s say cathartic release, but any similarity to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental.<br /></p><p>CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /></p><p>LB: Stick with it. It can be a long and hard road to get published (even self published). Stay confident and keep writing. I tried so many times to get my writing out there. When I finally saw the finished product in my hands, my knees went weak.<br /></p><p>CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /></p><p>LB: I would love reader feedback. They can contact me at <a href="mailto:lucienblack@gmail.com">lucienblack@gmail.com</a> or they can connect through my website <a href="http://www.lucienblackbooks.com/">http://www.lucienblackbooks.com/</a>. I have links to my blog and various other sites. The book is available on Amazon.com and Lulu.com.<br /></p><p>CA: Thanks Lucien for an awesome interview. I first heard the name Lucien in a movie… maybe Gladiator and loved it as well. LOL I guess your pen name is contradictory but it works right?! </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-77618210045041503092009-01-04T05:54:00.001-08:002009-01-05T07:21:18.701-08:00R. Scot Johns BOOK GIVEAWAY!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Sdj8L3LqBXyPLTBm082cC5IDuWj0Lw_9Tkim0YPf035S5yq1U7h5BjC-mVdGt2_VxpcDtZQx9UpJpqn_I1effmgNd7owsHIcaMbw95Wzp-YithNSeLO-1MK33gKRhqcHE8UdDWBynTM/s1600-h/MyPortrait150x200.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287829779134558274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 198px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Sdj8L3LqBXyPLTBm082cC5IDuWj0Lw_9Tkim0YPf035S5yq1U7h5BjC-mVdGt2_VxpcDtZQx9UpJpqn_I1effmgNd7owsHIcaMbw95Wzp-YithNSeLO-1MK33gKRhqcHE8UdDWBynTM/s320/MyPortrait150x200.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRc8GTHH3zdvDvYriftlYtzLJrtoJqEqfpFOlTkoVXn5OrOuaD4VWsGUMXbd-BUsb8BWChvcTAqWoKpuy2TJNAIUg9BbrYp2fDlHgpj751ZIeuQuCwpT-Nc2j2yYnxUmjFZnyLNWB0qM/s1600-h/Saga_of_Beowulf_Cover_RGB_JPG_975x650_72dpi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287829615523844610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRc8GTHH3zdvDvYriftlYtzLJrtoJqEqfpFOlTkoVXn5OrOuaD4VWsGUMXbd-BUsb8BWChvcTAqWoKpuy2TJNAIUg9BbrYp2fDlHgpj751ZIeuQuCwpT-Nc2j2yYnxUmjFZnyLNWB0qM/s320/Saga_of_Beowulf_Cover_RGB_JPG_975x650_72dpi.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">****CONTEST AT THE BOTTOM OF THE INTERVIEW!!********</span> <div><div><br /><p>Author Email: <a href="mailto:scot@fantasycastlebooks.com">scot@fantasycastlebooks.com</a> or <a href="mailto:scotjohns@cableone.net">scotjohns@cableone.net</a><br /><br />Author Pen Name: R. Scot Johns<br /><br />CA: How did you choose your pen name?<br /></p><p>RSJ: I suppose I ought to have used some clever epithet like Roger the Hermit or Mithridates Meat-Cleaver, or some such thing as that. But sorry to say, I wasn’t that inventive, and just stuck with my real name, boring as that might be. Do you think it’s too late to change it now?<br /><br />CA: Scot LOL if you change it to something ending in Meat-Cleaver then I think I’ll have to ummm… not run this interview. *grin*<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />RSJ: I tend toward what I like to call “historical fantasy,” that is, fantasy fiction set in the real world of a past time period, like Homer or the Arthurian legends. The Beowulf story is a good example of this, although the mythological aspects in the original poem far outweigh the historical references. In my novelization, The Saga of Beowulf, I’ve tried to balance those out somewhat more evenly, developing the historical elements from references within the poem as well as external evidence from chronicle and archaeology. I’m fascinated with ancient and medieval history, and would like to write a work of pure historical fiction, although instead my next book will go the other route and be pure fantasy.<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />RSJ: I actually woke up in the middle of the night some twenty years ago with this full-blown story running through my mind, in that utterly lucid state where it’s just as real as life and you know it like your own life story. I grabbed a pen and paper and wrote until the sun came up. Then - after a lengthy nap - I went out and bought an old manual typewriter that very day and set up a card table in my attic. That was 1988, as I recall, and that story will be my next book. After working on it every day for several months I decided that if I were going to approach writing seriously I should get a proper education in the craft. So I went to college for six years and wrote a completely different book instead, and only now am getting back to that first story.<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />RSJ: Like many fantasy authors, Tolkien is among my foremost inspirations, if for no other reason than the fact that he wrote the book he wanted to regardless of how long it took or what anyone else thought that it should be. Of course, the fact that it’s brilliantly written and immaculately conceived has been a source of wonder (and emulation) for fantasy authors ever since. But also in my ongoing study of history I am always drawn to the works of literature that define their time – from Homer to Asimov, Hamlet to Beowulf – so that it is writers who I most believe to be the foremost chroniclers of the human race. Without writing, in fact, there would be no history, and much of what we know would long ago have been forgotten.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />RSJ: Incredibly erratic. It would be wonderful to be an author full-time and have a steady writing schedule, but I can barely imagine that, so unlike it is my real life. As it is, I write when I can, so that I will go through periods when I have no energy at all left after work and get no writing done for days and months (and sometimes years); and then I’ll get a break or find some inspiration and I’ll write in every spare moment I can manage for a string of weeks and months, barely surfacing for air. Fortunately, I do now have a job with summers off, so that’s become a major creative time for me of late. But oftentimes, when it’s down to rewrites and editing (or publishing and promoting), it’s really just a matter of putting in your time like any other job, plowing through a few hours at a stint until it’s done, whether there’s energy or not. That’s one the biggest surprises I’ve discovered about the writing process that I really didn’t anticipate: a lot of it is just plain hard work, choosing words and piecing sentences together, tedious beyond belief when you’re faced with rearranging 360,000 words as I was with this one. But, in the end you have this world where nothing was before, and that makes it all worth while. It’s like giving birth, but to something solely of your own creation, emerging from your mind and soul to live for all of time.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />RSJ: Trepidation. But mixed with great excitement and anticipation as you wait for the initial response. One word can’t really cover what you feel, there are so many factors involved at that point: enormous relief at being done with it, and that sense of accomplishment is very buoyant and ethereal. But then it’s like rocks being tied about your ankles to bring you back to earth when you send it out, because what you’re bound to get for quite some time – at least if you pursue traditional publishing avenues – is rejection, and lots of it, from people who won’t even read your book. And just when you thought you were done writing, you suddenly have to come up with this wealth of promotional material: queries and blurbs and outlines and letters and synopses and proposals and tons of research into agents and editors and publishers, and all for nothing for the vast majority of us. Writing the thing, it turns out, is a very small part of becoming an author. But having done it, I can say that there is really nothing to compare to it, in my experience at any rate.<br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />RSJ: Overcoming my own doubts, mostly. There were a lot of challenges, not least of which was the fact that this was an adaptation, so that I felt I had a lot to live up to. And there was an enormous amount of research to be done, which took quite a few years in itself. But really, what blocked me most and caused the most grief throughout the long and grueling process that this turned into (ten years from start to finish), were nothing but my own misgivings. Unlike most authors, I had never written so much as a short story before, so I was really starting from ground zero. It was a ridiculous project to undertake, but my experience in college English Lit courses (along with a few professors) prompted me to think that I could do it. At least some of the time, that is. But it was enough.<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />RSJ: Sleep! Actually most of the time I read and listen to music. That’s pretty well how I spend my time. Never too many books, never enough time to read them all. However, I tend to spend as much time daydreaming, as I have one of those minds that likes to wander, as most writers do, I imagine. When I read it stimulates my thought processes, and suddenly hours will go by while I’m staring out the window with the book still at the same page. I get a lot of good story ideas that way, and it’s how I tend to work out my plot complications when I’m stuck.<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />RSJ: This is my first that’s finished, so I guess that narrows the choices down as to which is my favorite. I’m very excited to write this next one, though, because I think it will be a very different experience from the first. With The Saga of Beowulf, because it was an attempt at doing a thorough and accurate adaptation, I was very restricted in where the story could go, so that greatly limited my free writing, and every choice I made had to be based on a number of criteria not dealt with in pure creative writing. The next one, The Jester’s Quest, will be a very open-ended adventure tale, a hero’s quest type of road trip. And although I know the overall story arc and where it will all end up, there’s a lot of latitude (literally) that I can cover in my literary wanderings. I will also be writing this one online – or more accurately, posting my writing sessions each day on my blog (at <a href="http://authoradventures.blogspot.com/">http://authoradventures.blogspot.com/</a>), so that readers can follow along and comment on it as it grows, and in so doing, very likely effect how it turns out. So join me there for a fun-filled adventure, and see what writing a book is like!<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />RSJ: Definitely from my imagination. I’m sure there are a lot of real-life elements that I borrow from unconsciously, of course, since writing is really reenactment in a lot of ways (or “acting out” as parents like to call it). But I didn’t base them on my friends or anyone I know specifically. And again, since this was an adaptation, many of my characters came pre-made, so to speak, if very thinly sketched. The vast majority of them I had to create wholesale to populate the world. So I built my characters based on the needs of the story rather than building the story to fit characters I wanted to write about. At least for this one, anyway. That might change if I write a true historical work. But with Beowulf there is nothing at all known about the few historical characters involved, in terms of their personalities and whatnot, and even very little about their activities, so that I had to make them up almost entirely from scratch. I had a good idea what I wanted from the outset, and the story fleshed them out as they made their way through it. You hear authors often talk about characters coming to life and taking over their own story, and it’s true, and very weird when it occurs. Whole characters will emerge fully formed from nowhere just as if you turned a corner or walked through a door and there they were, like in real life. So you say hello and let them in.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />RSJ: Good lord, no! Don’t listen to me, I don’t know what I’m doing. Honestly, though, I would say to read: read all the time, read tons of stuff, but most of all read what’s good. Read the classics. “Good stuff in, good stuff out,” I like to say. Sort of a “you are what you eat” philosophy for the mind. We are all very much the products of our environment, and if you read crap that’s what you’ll think good writing is. Be critical of everything your read, and especially your own work. Develop your ability to discern what is good writing, and adhere to it at all cost.<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />RSJ: I have both a website and a blog, as well as MySpace and Facebook pages, so you can look me up. My blog link is <a href="http://authoradventures.blogspot.com/">http://authoradventures.blogspot.com/</a> and the website addy is <a href="http://www.fantasycastlebooks.com/">http://www.fantasycastlebooks.com/</a>, where you can find a vast wealth of resources for your further enjoyment of my debut novel, including free downloads of the first six chapters (the first part of which is also online) and audio readings of several pages, as well as artwork, extensive adaptation notes, a deleted sequence, and a “Norse decoder” for two bits I put into the book in Nordic Runes, but intentionally gave no translation for. You can print out your own bookmarks, too, by the way, with artwork I did for the cover. There’s a page with links to many of the places you can buy the book online, in either print or eBook form, but Amazon has always got the best price so far as I can tell.<br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br />RSJ: Your blog rocks! Everyone should have a feed to Crystal’s fifteen blogs. Leave your comments and I’ll answer them as quickly as I can. And if you read my book, please tell me what you think of it, as readers are the “weighers of a writer’s soul,” as it were. Feel free to contact me at any time, either at my blog or through the contact link on my website. I look forward to hearing your responses.<br /><br />CA: I interrupt lol, I don’t have 15 blogs only 3… but who knows maybe I’ll create another one just because I can… lol!<br /><br />RSJ:Oh, and by the way, we’re doing a drawing here on Crystal’s killer blog for a copy of my book, drawn from among the comments left here to this interview, one week from today. Only one entry per commenter, but feel free to comment many times. Also if you leave a comment on either of my sites saying that you read the interview at Crystal’s place I’ll count that too, but still just once per entrant. And for anyone who leaves a comment, but doesn’t win the book, I will be more than happy to send you an autographed bookmark if you like, just for being a good sport and reading all this drivel.<br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><p>CA: Thanks so much Scot for an awesome interview and for the great giveaway! I’ve told you why Beowulf sticks in my mind, and one of these days I’ll make sure to read your book… but from all the sites I’ve seen you on, it must be really good! Now everyone, like Scot said, he’s going to be giving a way a copy of his book, The Saga of Beowolf to those that leave a comment or question here. The winner will be announced on Monday Jan. 12, so make sure to leave a way that Scot or I can contact you. No way to contact, no win.<br /><br />Happy New Year to you all, may 2009 be the best!<br /></p></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-64789862869582132052008-12-14T11:28:00.000-08:002008-12-14T11:28:01.235-08:00Jacquie Rogers- Contest!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBoSLC54_Vd49rppPuZDOv4KYWVoEc9x0kWIFdDF9BR8Ge-RJ1aKYAWdk2GXP4Jebv3cFOZzw7mcsv_qVM6QZbfpTM2bkEcu11VCW5TSjv4ZBsvwlAwgAafOOsFRFeZuWXACY10SxWmA/s1600-h/Mule230x350.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277874874754683234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBoSLC54_Vd49rppPuZDOv4KYWVoEc9x0kWIFdDF9BR8Ge-RJ1aKYAWdk2GXP4Jebv3cFOZzw7mcsv_qVM6QZbfpTM2bkEcu11VCW5TSjv4ZBsvwlAwgAafOOsFRFeZuWXACY10SxWmA/s320/Mule230x350.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha95KtPJgc_OjnOXX5TAZwk8MHwwoiqvpHZf4oHSMqe_DWJuyT5C2r_aDo5KMBtmWPUThhVGdDeQlUFAQnMgCX_mpAzTpMNIBbsbNQkaD_jLKNejaOOp3XrWuPP60Jx6RBLzJjxAk0fyY/s1600-h/Mule100x152.jpg"></a><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffff00;">*CONTEST* Read the interview to find out how to win some goodies!!!</span><br /><br />Author Pen Name: Jacquie Rogers<br /><br />CA: How did you choose your pen name?<br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">JR:</span> It’s my real name. I was going to use JD Roberts because people are always saying Roberts instead of Rogers, and my first initials are JD. But then I found out about this author named Nora who also writes as JD Robb . . . so I stuck with my real name. That’s the truth—I didn’t read romance at the time and I had no idea who Nora Roberts was. Wow, was I ever missing the boat!<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">JR:</span> My genre is actually humor, then you add in romance and fun settings—different times and places throughout history and into the future. The only thing I don’t write is straight contemporary, vampires, or erotica.<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">JR:</span> I’m not sure I’ve realized it even yet because writing sort of just claims you. My mother wanted me to be a writer so of course I wanted to be a baseball announcer. I ended up a software consultant. Who knew? <br /><br />But then about 10 years ago I dreamed a book, wrote the first 200 pages in three weeks, and decided I’d better figure out exactly how to do this gig. I quit my business and set up an office at home. My dh is very patient with me. He proofreads all my work and finances all the PR without a gripe. Okay, so I’m grounded until January, but that’s because we have four birthdays as well as Christmas to buy for. Internet shopping is my friend.<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">JR:</span> My daughter, Moriah, was the first one to encourage me to give it a shot (meaning, when I actually did start writing fiction). I think she hooked me when she read me a passage from one of her romance novels (I didn’t read romance at all then) and the hero said, “You’re a wanton woman.” Only Moriah said, “You’re a wonton woman.” So now Chinese food reminds me of romance novels.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing? <br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">JR:</span> I write from 3pm to 5pm, and from 10pm to 2am. With Pirate breaks.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">JR:</span> Petrified. <br /><br />But now you have to let me explain. First of all, it’s hard to put a book out just because your heart and soul are now open for criticism. What if someone doesn’t like your book? Readers think books are books, authors think books are a part of them. Big difference. With humor, there’s a double-whammy because let’s face it, humor is very subjective. That’s why I’m scared to death. On the other hand, I’m also excited because my ultimate goal is to give someone a few hours away from their troubles, and put a little joy in their hearts. <br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">JR:</span> Finishing. I have the attention span of a gnat and I keep thinking up new ideas that seem considerably more intriguing. To counterattack, I created an ideas folder and I allow myself two pages per idea. No more. And then I have to get back to the book I’m writing.<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">JR:</span> I play fantasy baseball. My team won the championship in our league this year. Yay! I also play Pirates: Rule the Caribbean on both facebook and myspace. Of course, I love to read and watch movies, although I’m seldom enticed to watch TV programs.<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">JR:</span> I’ve written a bunch of books that haven’t been published and two that have. Any one of them is my favorite for a different reason. Faery Special Romances is my first published book, plus it was a challenge to write for several reasons, so of course it’s near and dear to my heart. Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues is set near where I grew up and is populated with characters who have the same attitudes as my friends and neighbors had, plus I adore Socrates, so I love that book, too. An unpublished western historical romance that may never see light of day, throws out the B-western mythos and features a heroine who’s strong and confident. I love that book but it doesn’t follow the “rules.” I could go on and on. LOL<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">JR:</span> Both. Most of my characters are from my imagination, but some of them do have elements of the people I’ve known. It’s actually difficult to make a real person into a character because fiction has to be two things: plausible, and bigger-than-life. Let’s face it, bigger-than-life is not plausible, so it’s definitely a tightrope to walk.<br /><br />In Faery Special Romances, Princess Keely is an amalgam of my oldest daughter’s tenacity, my younger daughter’s orneriness, and I threw in a big dose of Emma’s (from Jane Austen) confidence that she right with her matchmaking. And she’s always wrong. Also in that book, Sir Darian in the first story is patterned loosely after my own ancestor in 1199a.d. But most of the characters are figments of my imagination.<br /><br />Brody Alexander, the hero in Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues, is imaginary, but his moves are based on two real rodeo clowns: Leon Coffee, one of the best bullfighters of all time; and Jim O’Keefe, a person friend who was a rodeo clown for years. All Brody’s injuries as well as his daring, determination, and slick moves are from Leon and Jim, although I did tone it down considerably because non-rodeo goers couldn’t believe what they really do. Rita, well, she’s a teensy bit autobiographical, except I stayed in the city with my city boy and I like it here just fine. LOL. Rita’s a high achiever and is very goal-oriented, and only Brody can upset her balance sheet. Socrates came out of the blue. He’d resent it highly if I were to attribute his finer qualities to anyone else.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there? <br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">JR:</span> Write, study your craft, and write some more. Follow your own instincts, but stay open to new ideas. Most of all, let your hair down and put your soul on the page.<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /></div><div><span style="color:#33ff33;">JR:</span> Website: <a href="http://www.jacquierogers.com/">http://www.jacquierogers.com</a><br />Myspace: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jacquierogers">http://www.myspace.com/jacquierogers</a><br />Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jacquie-Rogers/18676302690">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jacquie-Rogers/18676302690</a><br />Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/jacquierogers">http://www.twitter.com/jacquierogers</a><br />Gather: <a href="http://jacquierogers.gather.com/">http://jacquierogers.gather.com</a><br />Email: <a href="mailto:jacquierogers@gmail.com">jacquierogers@gmail.com</a><br />I’m also on a bazillion ning sites, but here’s Keely’s special place:<br /><a href="http://faeryworld.ning.com/">http://faeryworld.ning.com</a><br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">JR:</span> I write a weekly article about writing craft or business for Texty Ladies (<a href="http://www.textyladies.com/">http://www.textyladies.com</a>) Magical Monday and a monthly article in Unusual Historicals (<a href="http://unusualhistoricals.blogspot.com/">http://unusualhistoricals.blogspot.com</a>). I’m a member of IWOFA, Infinite Worlds of Fantasy Authors (<a href="http://www.iwofa.net/">http://www.iwofa.net</a>) which is a wonderful place to find out about paranormal books and authors. We’re having a fabulous contest starting Dec. 15th, so please check it out. Lots of prizes are available!<br /><br />I’d also like to mention the cause I work for: neurofibromatosis (NF) awareness. NF is a genetic disorder where painful tumors grow on the nerves. These tumors grow inside and outside the body, so obviously the children don’t make good posters, and those who suffer from NF have kept out of the public eye. More children are born with NF than muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis combined, yet most people have no idea what NF is. I didn’t, not until we found out our oldest daughter has it. All royalties from Faery Special Romances go to the Children’s Tumor Foundation (<a href="http://www.ctf.org/">http://www.ctf.org</a>), ending neurofibromatosis through research.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffff33;">(CONTEST)</span> And finally, I’m not above bribery—no sirreebob. So all you have to do is ask me a question about my books, Socrates, Princess Keely, my book videos, NF, or Justin Saragueta, or make any g-rated comment, and you’ll be in the drawing for these prizes: <br /><br />Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues T-shirt<br />Faery Special Earrings<br />Faery Special Notepad<br />Faery Special Pen.<br /><br />Crystal will choose the winner. <br /><br />Also, the first person to post a comment stating who this Justin Saragueta fellow is will win a Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues T-shirt and a calendar magnet. If you include his myspace page link, you get a signed copy of Faery Special Romances.<br /><br />And finally, finally, if you’re on facebook and you play pirates or dragon wars, friend me, please. Aaarrgh<br /><br />Crystal: I just love Jacquie she’s so much fun and her books are also fun to read. I’ve had the pleasure of reading/reviewing both Faery Special Romances and Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues. You can check out the reviews here, and I hope it will intice you to pick up one of each or more lol to give out as gifts.<br />Faery Special Romances: <a href="http://bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com/2007/06/faery-special-romances-by-jacquie.html">http://bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com/2007/06/faery-special-romances-by-jacquie.html</a><br />Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues: <a href="http://bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com/2008/11/down-home-ever-lovin-mule-blues-by.html">http://bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com/2008/11/down-home-ever-lovin-mule-blues-by.html</a><br /><br />Now as Jacquie said she’s offering up some pretty cool goodies here! SO first person to identify who Justin Saragueta is will win a T-shirt and calendar magnet—if that same person includes his myspace page address they will win a copy of Faery Special Romances!!<br /><br />And you could win her other goodies by asking her questions, or by simply leaving a comment. Here’s what you can win:<br />Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues T-shirt<br />Faery Special Earrings<br />Faery Special Notepad<br />Faery Special Pen<br /><br />To win though, you must leave your email address or a way that I can contact you. I’ll choose a winner by random.org on Sunday night and notify the winner by email( I will not spam your email or share your info it is for this contest only.) You will have 5 days to respond or your prize will sadly be passed on to another.<br />Now get to commenting!<br /><br />Jacquie, it is always a pleasure!!<br /><br /></div><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-39836090212101132992008-12-14T11:26:00.000-08:002008-12-14T18:53:12.538-08:00Dianne Ascroft<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9iSJa_Bdq9r_F8PPrSLupcyXc-Gd2T_sgB6W6zbH2f1yfOsnRClUSjcM0NC2I6JJO_djLjLTSFWgxE1uwD9Rkfk-qURH-3qkiovCRlc9J0feyQUgcpsh8P0xF13oQkZqe3cSb9WrELYI/s1600-h/DianneAscroft.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279843162011195362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 154px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 197px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9iSJa_Bdq9r_F8PPrSLupcyXc-Gd2T_sgB6W6zbH2f1yfOsnRClUSjcM0NC2I6JJO_djLjLTSFWgxE1uwD9Rkfk-qURH-3qkiovCRlc9J0feyQUgcpsh8P0xF13oQkZqe3cSb9WrELYI/s320/DianneAscroft.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDULVZHwA8S9PRuyn4Bj5ERKy4iGp0W9BDwdIIU4jwROiwj5KZKt0BWC83_XaRmdxfYlb-ktUdgRUjl14glUA5qUzVrN0jYYyBLb5GUor5hnZlpBFleXBBFBYdi9txQcnvqFduid95cWo/s1600-h/Hitler_and_Mars_Bars.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279843291322728018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 135px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 194px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDULVZHwA8S9PRuyn4Bj5ERKy4iGp0W9BDwdIIU4jwROiwj5KZKt0BWC83_XaRmdxfYlb-ktUdgRUjl14glUA5qUzVrN0jYYyBLb5GUor5hnZlpBFleXBBFBYdi9txQcnvqFduid95cWo/s320/Hitler_and_Mars_Bars.jpg" border="0" /></a> Author Pen Name: Dianne Ascroft </p><p>CA: How did you choose your pen name?</p><p>DA:I use my maiden name, Ascroft, for my fiction writing. My uncle, George, when he first heard that I was writing a novel, was delighted and very proud to have a writer in the family. Because he was so enthusiastic, I decided to publish the book under my maiden name, the surname we share. </p><p>CA: What genres do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?</p><p>DA:Though my novel, Hitler and Mars Bars, is an historical fiction, I enjoy writing contemporary and historical fiction. It’s the characters that are most important to me rather than the time period that the story is set in. If a writer captures the humanity and personalities of their characters then they write the kind of books I want to read. And those are the kind of books I want to write too. I have ideas bouncing around in my head for both contemporary and historical stories so I plan to write both in future. A lot of my writing is inspired by my own memories and experiences. But I sometimes hear an interesting story about someone else’s life and it sparks an idea that becomes the basis for a story. In the case of my recent novel, Hitler and Mars Bars, I met a man who, as a child, had participated in the Red Cross project, Operation Shamrock, and his story roused my curiosity. I did some research about the project and I eventually used the material to write the novel.<br /></p><p>CA: When did you first realise that you wanted to be a writer?</p><p>DA:It took me a long time to realise that I wanted to write. Since I was a child I’ve always enjoyed reading. I rarely went anywhere without a book and I spent every free minute reading. But, despite having a very active imagination, being an avid reader and enjoying essay writing at school, I never considered writing anything more than school assignments. I enjoyed reading others’ stories but didn’t have the desire to create my own. I was in my thirties before I got the urge to write and it occurred to me that I might be able to do so. Then, for several years after the idea first occurred to me, I yearned to write but didn’t put pen to paper. I was busy with too many other activities. Finally, I was galvanised into action, in the spring of 1998, when I heard an advertisement for a Belfast radio station’s Annual Short Story writing contest. I decided to enter it. There was only one weekend left to submit my entry before the contest deadline so I got started immediately. I didn’t win but my story, The Contest, was short listed and read on air. That success encouraged me to continue writing. I wrote sporadically, without any attempt to get my work published, until 2002 when I enrolled in the Writers Bureau correspondence course. Having assignments to complete focussed me and helped me decide what I wanted to write. Now I fit in course assignments between my other writing projects. One day I may find time to actually finish the course! </p><p>CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?</p><p>DA:When I first began writing I just had the urge to write. I’m not sure who or what prompted it. But I do know what inspired Hitler and Mars Bars - I heard about an unusual childhood. I met a man who was born in the heavily bombed Essen area of Germany during the Second World War. He lived in a Children’s Home until the Red Cross project, Operation Shamrock, transported him along with hundreds of other German children, to Ireland to recuperate from the horrendous conditions in their homeland. His life story opened up a new aspect of German and Irish history for me - one that has been overlooked in history books. I was very curious about Operation Shamrock and began researching it. Besides the German man, I met other people who participated in Operation Shamrock. I spent a lot of time researching the Red Cross endeavour and acquired a large quantity of material. For a history lover, like me, it was exciting to uncover little known facts but I also encountered amazing people (in person and in others’ recollections) - men and women who had survived the horrendous conditions in World War II Germany and kind, generous people who opened their homes to them in Ireland. </p><p>These individuals’ stories moved me and captured my imagination. Images and impressions of them filled my head. So, it only needed a little prompting from my family to set the wheels in motion and I began writing Hitler and Mars Bars. BBC broadcaster and journalist, Brian D’Arcy, when he reviewed my book, understood that these individuals’ experiences were the foundation for Hitler and Mars Bars. He commented that the book was ‘beautifully written with a strong human element running through it’. </p><p>CA: What is your work schedule when you are writing?</p><p>DA:Like many writers, writing has never been my primary occupation. I’ve always held a day job and written in the evenings after my household and farm chores are complete. I don’t manage to write every evening but I usually spend a couple hours, several evenings each week, writing. I’m up early each morning but I have chores to do so I don’t manage to do any writing before I leave for the office. But I do carry with me the piece I’m currently working on and spend any quiet times during the day revising it. When I sit down to write later, I look over what I’ve already done and then continue on. On the weekends, after the chores are done, I also find time to write. </p><p>CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?</p><p>DA:Amazed. </p><p>CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book?</p><p>DA:Sometimes I borrow traits from people I know when I create characters. They are often taken from several people and no character is based completely on one person. Characters will also have traits that I have invented for them. I used to worry that a friend or family member reading my work might think a character was modelled completely on him. Even worse, I worried that people I know might mistakenly identify with an unpleasant character. It made me hesitant to create memorable characters. Eventually I realised that I wouldn’t be able to write anything believable if I didn’t stop worrying whether others would see themselves in my characters. Admirable and despicable characteristics are universal. I had to trust that my friends and family would realise this and understand that my characters ultimately come from my imagination. If I do sometimes throw in a bit of someone I know, I don’t mean to be insulting. </p><p>CA: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?</p><p>DA:Music is an important part of my life. I especially enjoy folk, Celtic, Americana and bluegrass. I played the bagpipes in a pipe band for many years and now I am learning to play guitar. I really enjoy it and wish I could devote more time to practising guitar than I do. Since I was a child I’ve enjoyed crafts and quilting is my favourite. Lap and baby quilts are my specialities. Whenever I have a reason (birthday, baby gift etc) to make a gift I start work on a new quilt. I’m not a sporty person but I love to walk. I find it very relaxing, especially if I am surrounded by beautiful scenery. My husband and I often walk in a forest near our house and it is a great way to spend an afternoon. </p><p>CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?</p><p>DA:Hitler and Mars Bars is my favourite - but then, it is the first novel I’ve written! I have contributed a short story and poems to the Fermanagh Authors Association’s Fermanagh Miscellany 2 which was released this month. But I haven’t written any other full length novels - yet…The ideas are dancing in my head, just waiting to leap onto paper. </p><p>CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?</p><p>DA:As I said earlier, although I do sometimes borrow traits from people I know, I try not to base characters too closely on real people. A lot of my writing is inspired by my own memories but, although I do draw traits from people I know, I try to use these details to create different fictional characters. But Hitler and Mars Bars was an exception because the story is loosely based on real events. So I did draw some of the characters from real people who were involved in the initiative. It would have been very difficult not to do so. But, although some characters are based on real people, they are not identical to them. The characters are also partially drawn from my imagination and I added other details to make each character unique. </p><p>CA: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers out there?</p><p>DA:Characters are central to every story. A writer must create believable characters that the reader will care about. Capturing the humanity of characters is crucial. I read authors such as Maeve Binchy, Jodi Picoult, Adriana Trigiani and Diana Gabaldon because they make me care about their characters. I would suggest that new writers should read widely and find writers who they feel create good characters. They should analyse why they like these characters and try to use their observations in their own writing. Although every writer has his own voice, we can learn from reading each other’s work. </p><p>CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?</p><p>DA:If a reader would like to learn more about Hitler and Mars Bars, please drop by my website at <a href="http://www.geocities.com/dianne_ascroft">www.geocities.com/dianne_ascroft</a>. If they have any questions my email address is <a href="mailto:dianne_ascroft@yahoo.co.uk">dianne_ascroft@yahoo.co.uk</a>. My Virtual Book Tour continues until December 24. The full schedule is posted on my blog, Ascroft, eh? at <a href="http://www.dianneascroft.wordpress.com/">http://www.dianneascroft.wordpress.com/</a>. Hitler and Mars Bars is available to order from Trafford Publishing (<a href="http://www.trafford.com/07-1955">www.trafford.com/07-1955</a>), Amazon and other online retailers and my website. </p><p>CA: Is there anything you would like to add?</p><p>DA:Let me tell you a little about my novel. Hitler and Mars Bars is the story of a German boy, Erich, growing up in war-torn Germany and post war rural Ireland. Set against the backdrop of Operation Shamrock, a little known Irish Red Cross project which helped German children after World War II, my novel explores a previously hidden slice of Irish and German history. Erich, growing up in Germany’s embattled Ruhr area during World War II, knows only war and deprivation. His mother disappears after a heavy bombing raid, leaving him responsible for his younger brother, Hans. After the war the Red Cross initiative, Operation Shamrock, transports the boys to Ireland, along with hundreds of other children, to recuperate from the devastating conditions in their homeland. During the next few years Erich moves around Ireland through a string of foster families. He experiences the best and worst of Irish life, enduring indifference and brutality and sometimes finding love and acceptance. Plucky and resilient, Erich confronts every challenge he meets and never loses hope. </p><p>Thanks for chatting with me, Crystal. I enjoyed visiting your website today.<br /></p><br /><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-79626421653769866242008-11-17T06:34:00.000-08:002008-11-17T06:36:59.080-08:00Bobby Ozuna<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeaRIAUhDQEyS2jyYIo7a8nBhkhvv137gMVGtLSqULVaBpCgKebP9AVI1BHV22FiPS9vJFf1jrCLEs5BAt8780lG4x8nOzwrbFw4bn04MMff23rZiwCQ-AwjhkKGyl58LtN3eLR4UvLE/s1600-h/bobby1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269635178461400386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 201px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeaRIAUhDQEyS2jyYIo7a8nBhkhvv137gMVGtLSqULVaBpCgKebP9AVI1BHV22FiPS9vJFf1jrCLEs5BAt8780lG4x8nOzwrbFw4bn04MMff23rZiwCQ-AwjhkKGyl58LtN3eLR4UvLE/s320/bobby1.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArnHDJQEGXBTIJswulFT4ckVaGK2kJfoMN8VkbHwSdSeOMITVkZJXoxEfkPxwe1hKDCLjRm78qSFSW4FAwO_gOwcLnEdIqG07XBhgFsZC9BW37NmnP1uSltPryCsYj8YSHZd8GC99WOU/s1600-h/bobby+o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269635328775737858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 165px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArnHDJQEGXBTIJswulFT4ckVaGK2kJfoMN8VkbHwSdSeOMITVkZJXoxEfkPxwe1hKDCLjRm78qSFSW4FAwO_gOwcLnEdIqG07XBhgFsZC9BW37NmnP1uSltPryCsYj8YSHZd8GC99WOU/s320/bobby+o.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /><br />Author Pen Name: Bobby Ozuna<br /><br />Author Interview Questions:<br /><br />CA: How did you choose your pen name?<br /><br />BO: By birth, I am the second Robert Ozuna in my family. When I was younger—and apparently when my father was younger—everyone called me (us) Bobby. When I was in grade-school, I went by Bobby. When I grew older I had people start calling me Robert—you know, the whole “I’m a big kid now” stage—and I suppose in an attempt to remain youthful later on (because Bobby’s are so much more fun than Robert’s) I had people start calling me Bobby again when I joined the US Marines. Those new friends didn’t know me anyhow, so it was easy for it to stick. Robert is too official and now I only answer to it when I’m in trouble!!!<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />BO: I write literary fiction and my only novel thus far (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Proud-Souls-Bobby-Ozuna/dp/0615145272/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224346834&sr=8-1">PROUD SOULS</a>) and even my short-stories have never been classified or confined to a “genre.” I understand categorizing a person’s work is critical to help the publishing world sort out their clients and help facilitate bookstores and libraries with locating the millions of works on the market, but I personally prefer not to label my work anything more than fiction.<br /><br />I am very fond of saying, “all fiction stems from some form of truth within the author” and never has that been truer than with my personal works. I think the greatest artists of our time are those who dared to walk the unbeaten path. Robert Frost said it best when he said, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” Writing is as therapeutic for me as it is pure pain. I live with these stories in my head and I am forced to sit and write them to quiet the voices within my mind. I am a fan of the human struggle. The moments that define us as individuals, groups, a race, a species—are the moments we overcome the greatest of individual adversities. Peace and joy and happiness are what we strive for, but in order to obtain those small moments that make life worth living, we have to go through the struggles of life. And how people choose to overcome their pains, hurts and roadblocks has always intrigued me. That and my willingness to take the risks others only talk about...<br /><br />I have openly walked two paths in my life, the road most civilized people might call “right” and “proper” and the one those same individuals might call the “wrong” one. I do it without shame or regret and in total disregard for the consequences. Instead, I drink water from two wells and live to tell the tale. I think to better understand and relate to an audience, in a world so dark, you have to be willing to take the chances other authors will not. It has become the staple by which I exist. And in the end...I confess my sins through my characters...<br /> <br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />BO: I can't say there was any definitive moment in my younger years when I knew I wanted to be an author, but I can say I have always had a wild imagination and once my writing ability caught up to my imagination...well...apart from being an actor in Hollywood...writing was the next best thing for me.<br /><br />I was the kid in class who stared out the window and daydreamed; I would definitely be classified as ADD today but who really cares right? I always viewed the world from a different perspective than everyone else around me. Discovering that truth led to some of my early insecurities knowing I was “different” but later it would become a driving force in the development of my stories and my often choice to opt the road less traveled. The choices I made in life helped develop the other side of Bobby Ozuna, the part of me who is free to speak his mind, daring enough to write about topics most people won't and witty enough to justify the creativity of my fiction. In a nut-shell, you can say I have been writing all of my life...not always on paper...<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />BO: That's always a tough question for me. I worry every time that question is posed that someone—somewhere—will say, “Hey! That isn't true!” I can't say there was any one person who inspired me to pick up the pen and write. There were several people throughout the course of my early years (<18) who nurtured my creative spirit, such as my older brother Joe; He is a painter. Being 12 years apart we weren’t very close growing up, but it was always a magical moment for me when I was able to sit around and watch him work, with his dirty fingers and the smell of oils and thinners and ready canvas enveloping the room. There were many moments he took me and our youngest brother to art stores and would let us walk around and see the various types of creative possibilities. It was a real eye opening experience for me. He is still a huge supporter of my creative ambitions to this day. So if I had to mention a person who sparked my creative sense, it would be my brother Joe. Later on in life, it was my eleventh grade English teacher—Kenneth Polito—who charged that creative spark by introducing me to the symbolism, passion and poetry within the literary world.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />BO: I write daily, or at least do everything I can to write something new everyday. Now that can vary from a blog post, a short-story, or work on my upcoming novel: The Other Side of Glory. Being an independent author I am responsible for ALL aspects of my writing career, varying from promotional work, marketing research and salesmanship. And before that I am a father and a husband and my family does come first. I work part time within the IT field and I help develop websites with my partner, Jeff Sneed of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Proud-Souls-Bobby-Ozuna/dp/0615145272/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224346834&sr=8-1">Onsite Computer Repair</a> where I develop graphics for business logos and website and blog banners. I work for a small logistical company in Southlake, Texas and from there it's off to school to pickup my kiddos—Elizabeth and Dominic—and then home where we do homework for about one hour, help my wife Michele with dinner, eat and do whatever is required around the house. Then later in the evening when the kiddos are winding down, I work on my writing career. Most of the work I do happens between moments or late at night when the kids get to bed. It makes for a very busy schedule—one I would not recommend to anyone not serious about their work. People have a bad tendency to call my work a hobby and let me be quick to say, with the intensity and quantity of time it takes to be successful in the literary world...I wouldn't do it if I wasn't intent on writing the rest of my life.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />BO: Let me tell you how I felt when <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Proud-Souls-Bobby-Ozuna/dp/0615145272/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224346834&sr=8-1">Proud Souls</a> hit the Amazon storefront in November of last year (2007). It's an amazing feeling to see your book in print and after all the struggles I had—not just learning the publishing business—but overcoming the initial setbacks because of the controversy with my original book printer, I was ecstatic! It was the only thing I could talk about for about the first twelve months because I worked so hard to do everything right the first time. Not a day goes by (still) that I don't get online in the morning and check the Amazon storefront to see my book on display. <br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />BO: Time. I work hard to promote my work because I take my writing career extremely serious. I research for hours on end (sometimes up to 6 hours per day) and I plan on working as an author the rest of my life. There are still many more stories to be told! But considering my responsibilities as a father and husband and still working (part time), it seems there aren't enough hours in a day to accomplish all the minute tasks I require of myself on a daily basis. If I knew a way to squeeze another hour or two of daylight within a day...I'd be outside doing a dance right now...<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />BO: Haha...I think about writing every moment I am not writing! Seriously, it's what I do. Every moment I am awake I am working on some new material and I even work while I am asleep! You wouldn't believe my dreams. But I do spend a lot of quality time with my kiddos. Because they range in age from 13 to 2, I am constantly having to switch modes between the protective and teaching father of my daughter Elizabeth, to baseball coach and reading tutor for Dominic and lastly, wrestling partner to my baby, Damian. Then, there is baseball and softball practice during the Spring and Fall seasons. I love watching movies and listening to music with my family while we sing and dance and act like rock stars.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />BO: Every character I create is a figment of my imagination. But let me add one important disclaimer. I never write about anything I haven't experienced. I could sit by a window and write a story, because I am that creative, but I wouldn't dare try. I don't write about the ocean unless I've tasted it myself. I take my experiences, both good and bad, and use them to my advantage. For everyone who has ever told me no, tried to hold me back or dared to conspire against me, well, they are lucky I don't write science fiction. But if you ever came across a homosexual cowboy with a bad back, a hairy-lipped insecure female boss who wears open toed shoes or perhaps a corporate manager with chronic hemorrhoids, well, let's just say, they should keep their private business to themselves or perhaps find another person to mess with. NOTE: Never mess with a creative mind. You never know how you will be eternally remembered... Thank God for the words, “...any relation to people or places is completely coincidental.”<br /><br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />BO: Yes….Dare to be different…dare to be yourself…and above all else...be prepared to work hard. Success builds on success. What that means for me is this: If you are not working EVERYDAY towards advancing your knowledge of your respective field (writing, painting, photography, etc.), or working to better your abilities, then you aren't preparing for a successful future. I would say to imagine yourself a farmer. If you expect a crop the next season, then you are going to have to first prepare the soil a season or more in advance. Then, you will have to plant the seeds, tend to the watering and finally, reap the reward. If you miss any of the steps along the way, you are only hindering and delaying the moments of success down the road. For everything I do today, may not benefit me right now, but it will, some day and some time along my journey.<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />BO: I am easy to get in touch with! I am always online and I use various social networking sites, such as Facebook, MySpace, the Book Marketing Network, Gather and The Odd Mind community on Ning. The best way to get in touch with me is via my blog: “<a href="http://inotauthor.blogspot.com/">Drawing Stories...With Words</a>.” I love helping others as much as I enjoy being an author. I collaborate with many types of artists online and I am great at pointing people in the right direction. Being I spend so much time online reading a wide range of blogs, I feel I am a resourceful friend to have.<br /><br />My book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Proud-Souls-Bobby-Ozuna/dp/0615145272/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224346834&sr=8-1">Proud Souls</a>, is available online via Amazon.com. You can walk into any Barnes & Noble and have them order a copy. You only need the authors name, the book title and/or the ISBN number.<br /><br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br />BO: Yes, I want people to know that apart from working to promote my own material, I spend as much time working to find material that will be helpful to my fellow artist. I am an advocate for the arts and I believe in tapping into your creative side, whether that be for a living, for profit or just to find a balance in your life. I offer marketing tips and tricks, character development help, and insight into how I (either) created my characters and storyline for Proud Souls or how I am working to develop my second book, The Other Side of Glory. I love answering questions from readers. I post a segment on my blog called: PS, We Wanna Know, where I answer any questions posed by my fans. If you send them in, I will answer them.<br /><br />Again, I network a lot and I reside on many social networking sites. Below is a breakdown of where I am and how someone can find me. Feel free to connect with me, I'd love to hear from you!<br /><br />Bobby's Homepage: <a href="http://www.bobbyozunaonline.com/">www.BobbyOzunaOnline.com</a><br />Bobby's Blog: <a href="http://inotauthor.blogspot.com/">http://inotauthor.blogspot.com</a><br />Bobby on Gather: <a href="http://inotauthor.gather.com/">http://inotauthor.gather.com/</a><br />Bobby on MySpace <a href="http://www.myspace.com/inotauthor">http://www.myspace.com/inotauthor</a><br />The Book Marketing Network: <a href="http://bookmarket.ning.com/profile/BobbyOzuna">http://bookmarket.ning.com/profile/BobbyOzuna</a><br />Bobby on The Odd Mind: <a href="http://theoddmind.ning.com/profile/BobbyOzuna">http://theoddmind.ning.com/profile/BobbyOzuna</a><br /><br />The book is PROUD SOULS and you can find it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Proud-Souls-Bobby-Ozuna/dp/0615145272/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224346834&sr=8-1">here..</a>.<br /><br />Thank you!<br /><br />CA: Thank you Bobby for hanging out here this week! I don’t think anyone would have a hard time finding you with all of your networking connections : ) Have a great week!<br /><div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-54954894410067511802008-11-17T06:32:00.001-08:002008-11-17T06:34:01.090-08:00Aasiyah Qamar<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC6ZGuVQFejUk17iVoKz_vBrKuT7kiPM9VxeDYJmOwmSTbIQYNeNBF2sQ_J2zGo_571tbhHBvVbM9UQuZ_K_OAWf7S92iqrmyYw-Mm2rA2hXYLf3W7BV4yD4iWRGpJ3uztU-eZDCpmus/s1600-h/assiyah+qamar-zayna.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269634611091640530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 209px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC6ZGuVQFejUk17iVoKz_vBrKuT7kiPM9VxeDYJmOwmSTbIQYNeNBF2sQ_J2zGo_571tbhHBvVbM9UQuZ_K_OAWf7S92iqrmyYw-Mm2rA2hXYLf3W7BV4yD4iWRGpJ3uztU-eZDCpmus/s320/assiyah+qamar-zayna.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />Author Pen Name: Aasiyah Qamar<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />AQ: First of all, thanks for this lovely opportunity to be interviewed on your blog.<br /><br />The genre I write? It’s basically culture-based romantic fiction, with a slant on Indo-Mauritian culture.<br /><br />I grew up and live in this cultural setup, with one foot in the world of tradition and ancestral ways, and the other foot in the mainstream world of modernity and globalization. My stories are about finding your place as a young person of distinct cultural origin in the gap between these two, apparently irreconcilable, worlds. My books are also about finding love in today’s age.<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />AQ: I don’t think it ever came as a lightbulb moment. I loved reading since I was very young, and I always loved playing with words. I took to language classes like a duck to water and was already writing twice as much as I needed to in primary school. Many a time, my teacher would warn me before I started an essay – “Don’t go writing a novel, you hear?” Lol, he didn’t know how prophetic his words were!<br /><br />I wrote in a diary every day when I was growing up, and now when I look back, I realize a lot of what I penned resembled a chick-lit or YA kind of rehashing. In secondary school, I loved story-writing essays as I got to let my imagination run wild. In a way, I’ve always written. It’s only lately that I started doing it fully. <br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />AQ: I grew up on a steady diet of soap operas and Indian movies. Indian movies always have a happy ending, so is it a wonder I write romance? I always looked for the HEA everywhere.<br /><br />If I needed to point towards a person as my inspiration, I would say my father. He always encouraged me with reading and writing. We loved to sit down on quiet weekends and play Scrabble, which helped me hone my vocabulary. We discussed books, news, everything. Both he and my mother never pushed me to become something big like a doctor, lawyer, etc. They always allowed me to find my way and become my own person.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />AQ: I used to have a very rigorous schedule when I started. One day a week fully to writing, no distractions, silence, and 4-5 half-day skeds during the working week. But my son was a toddler then and as he grows up, I find it harder to stick to a schedule. The key to being a housewife-mom-writer is to be flexible, and that’s what I try to be. Basically, I write when I can now, trying to fit in a couple hours here and there. Depending also on whether I’m in the writing stage or the editing stage, I spread my time accordingly. If I am actively writing, I try to clear two mornings a week to focus only on writing. Edits are done when I can snatch some time at the PC. Having a plot outline helps me do this. If I was simply waiting on inspiration to strike, well, I’d be chasing the rainbow!<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />AQ: Jittery. In an ecstatic but also nervous way. Stage fright feels a lot like it.<br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />AQ: Trying to balance the writing life with the ‘normal’ life. It is so tempting to just stay in the zone when you’re writing and are on a roll. I sometimes have problems breaking away and not feeling resentful towards my husband and son because they also need me and all I want to do is keep on writing. I know, it sounds harsh of me to say so, but hey, that’s the life of a writer. Torn between the passion for writing and the ‘curse’ of the real life outside.<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />AQ: Enjoy some silence, which is utopia when you have a small kid! I make do though, and I lose myself in Sudoku puzzles or in a good book. I also like to catch up with the people in my house, get to know how their day was, that sort of thing. I find this contact keeps us bonded, and maybe allows me to feel less guilty when I leave them on their own when I’m writing.<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />AQ: I have written 3 full-length novels, a handful of novellas and a few short stories. I can’t say I have a favourite as each story has something that drew me to it and this makes it special to my heart. Each story has characters that appealed to my feelings, and as such, each one is unique and valued as such.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />AQ: When I first started writing, I found a lot of myself flowing into the heroines. I also found echoes of people I know in the supporting cast. But as time goes by, I find that this happens less and less. They always say your first stories are the most autobiographical, and I think that’s true. At the time being, I can say that yes, everyone stems from my overactive imagination.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />AQ: Never give up. Believe in yourself always. Plunge ahead, never stop at the first hurdle. As much as anyone doesn’t want to hear this – hurdles will be there all the way, everywhere, all the time. Buck up and face them head on. Hone your skills too, learn the craft. Practice by writing, even if what you’re writing will end up under the bed.<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />AQ: My website can be found at the following address: <a href="http://www.freewebs.com.aasiyahqamar/">http://www.freewebs.com.aasiyahqamar/</a><br />My book can be bought from the following site <a href="http://www.lecygne.com/">http://www.lecygne.com</a><br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br />AQ: I have enjoyed this very much. Thanks again for the opportunity! I love hearing from readers, so don’t hesitate to contact me.<br /><br />CA: I am so glad you’ve enjoyed yourself! I hope you have a great week here!<br /><br /><br /> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-89230571934994563692008-11-10T06:15:00.000-08:002008-11-10T06:20:11.783-08:00Marcello Milteer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GYmS49jPYRR-ipE3Az3TvJM2AYN2rCUQHZR9PbEC65dQzZM62Ba6jntIrn51VCRatbHnRWJ5ZpLojYzTPShqEmIlhRMu0CfNGvCvoRbFwlhbxOJSgYUlHwz1tjaY2BuvHxQQiDFIUEg/s1600-h/marcello.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267032834212457602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GYmS49jPYRR-ipE3Az3TvJM2AYN2rCUQHZR9PbEC65dQzZM62Ba6jntIrn51VCRatbHnRWJ5ZpLojYzTPShqEmIlhRMu0CfNGvCvoRbFwlhbxOJSgYUlHwz1tjaY2BuvHxQQiDFIUEg/s320/marcello.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0I3UMrfQ5mO8jtudD9hrHiXaUOS-L3HhhtlGLkqxZotn3MHB4YgMOcg37zl7OvsLTXBooqFPoZKV0AVt5zMDvqU0Enjr8YfrtEsne05iL6dJ2xR7krOAEvccH2lm3auUyS8KuGlfHkPQ/s1600-h/marcello1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267032955786825330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0I3UMrfQ5mO8jtudD9hrHiXaUOS-L3HhhtlGLkqxZotn3MHB4YgMOcg37zl7OvsLTXBooqFPoZKV0AVt5zMDvqU0Enjr8YfrtEsne05iL6dJ2xR7krOAEvccH2lm3auUyS8KuGlfHkPQ/s320/marcello1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Author Pen Name: Marcello Milteer<br /></p><p>CA: How did you choose your pen name?<br /></p><p>MM: I don’t necessarily use one. I stuck with using my real name. I think For a writer who writes in only one genre, a pen name would actually be harmful. I don't want to let a pen name make it that much more difficult for readers to find me. But if you meet me in person, feel free to just call me 'Cello'. =O)<br /></p><p>CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /></p><p>MM: I write and illustrate Children Books. I try to aim from ages 3-9 because honestly, that was the time in my own life where I was most interested in books. I feel especially attached to this age group, partly because I so keenly remember my own childhood, so it's familiar territory. I also think it's an important developmental stage in that age range of kids. The conflicts and the ways they see the world are extremely interesting. A good message or an engaging image is most likely to have the most impact on kids because they are so impressionable. This gives me a bigger stage to convey my story and to spread a good message to the people who will get the most out of it (children!).<br /></p><p>CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /></p><p>MM: I've always wanted to be an author deep down. I remember writing an autobiography at age 7 on my moms computer =). In college I wrote independent movie reviews that had a fairly large audience. But I never really took it seriously until now. Something that has gotten me closer and closer has been choosing things that I'm naturally good at instead of things that seem like what I ought to do or that would be very cool or pay a lot. The thing is, the things you're naturally good at might seem kind of pedestrian to you and so you may resist them. Maybe you really want to be a rock star but are really good at accounting. Do the accounting and play in a weekend band. When you start to do the things you're naturally good at, you get into the flow zone. I came to realize that I was really fighting myself before when I was trying to do other things. Now I feel a lot more comfortable with myself and I felt this book was something I HAD to write and share with people.<br /></p><p>CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /></p><p>MM: I thought about my future, and a better life for myself while making this book. 8 months ago I was a college educated person working at Papa Johns making pizzas. Although there is nothing wrong with that scenario, I knew that there had to be more to my life and I felt I wasn't utilizing my talent as much as I could have. Fast forward now and I still use that thought process to get out of the bed every morning and have my work ethic remain top notch. Since then, my life has improved 1000% and this book is visual proof and a reminder that dreams do come true.<br /></p><p>CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /></p><p>MM: I work an unrelated 9-5 and usually when I get home I take some time to unwind. During the process of this particular book, if I wasn't working, I was at home illustrating and writing on average 3 hours a day. I kept this pace up for 10 weeks. One would conclude that this took a toll on me, but I loved the process of making this book and it's the same as involving yourself in your favorite hobby after work. The only rule I set aside for myself was to never write on a Sunday.<br /></p><p>CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /></p><p>MM: Blessed.<br /></p><p>CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /></p><p>MM: I wanted to write a book that I could envision myself enjoying when I was a child. I was one of the most stubborn kids in my class. If a teacher assigned a book and I didn't like it, I wouldn't read it knowing full well I would fail the assignment. I started reading when people stopped telling me to. And yes, I do think my teachers were not giving me stories I could relate to.<br /></p><p>I wanted to create a kids story that had a simple uplifting message, but at the same time, illustrate the scenes on a mature level. In other words I want kids to read my book but not feel like they are reading a watered down/junior version of some other book. There is as much thought, effort, and imagination in this book as you would find in any other 'mature' book. Then, at the same time, make sure kids can identify with the story.<br /></p><p>CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /></p><p>MM: I am an artist by trade, so if I am not illustrating a book, I am doing other things art-related. I design websites, graphics, vector portraits, etc. which You can find on my Myspace Page (www.myspace.com/celloman). I am also a huge movie fan and I spend a lot of my time listening to music. Both are great sources for creativity.<br /></p><p>CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /></p><p>MM: As of May 2008, the idea of writing and illustrating a book wasn't even conceived. It wasn't until a turn of events sparked the idea in June. This is my first book and I feel it is one of the best things I have produced in my lifetime. If I do decide to create another book it, I have to make sure that the product turns out better than the first, which will be a hard thing to accomplish.<br /></p><p>CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /></p><p>MM: Imagination. I wanted to write this book the same way a child tends to think. I used the method of 'Freewriting'. Freewrites are where you just sit and write whatever words come into you head for a set period of time with as little thought as possible. Then re-read and see if you like and of the sentences or ideas you've come out with. From there, I created storyboards from those freewrites and then created full color illustrations around the storyboard ideas. The outcome is a totally clear, spontaneous, creative, visual story that isn't cluttered with too many components.<br /></p><p>CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /></p><p>MM: Realize that you deserve to do this! For years I was crippling myself with the fear that I shouldn't write a book because nobody would read it. Fear of success is the lack of belief in one's ability to sustain personal progress and accomplishments. A doubt that you are not as good as others think you are and that you can be replaced by just about anybody else. It is also the fear that once you have achieved what you had set out to, you still may not be happy or satisfied. Fear that your motivation levels will dip.<br /></p><p>Once you release these fears that you had set for yourself you can do anything you set your mind too. The internet give you all the tools you need to self publish a book and it is easier now to reach an audience then it has ever been. Ignore the critics and focus on self motivating yourself, because hard work definetely pays off. <br /></p><p>CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books? <br /></p><p>MM: You can E-mail me at: artstateofmind@gmail.com<br />or visit me on the web at: <a href="http://cello-man.blogspot.com/">http://cello-man.blogspot.com</a><br /></p><p>To purchase my Children's Book, Karate Cat, it is available for sale at Amazon.com. You can find the link here:<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Karate-Cat-Marcello-Milteer/dp/1440415161/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222873010&sr=8-1">http://www.amazon.com/Karate-Cat-Marcello-Milteer/dp/1440415161/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222873010&sr=8-1</a><br /></p><p>CA: Is there anything you would like to add? <br /></p><p>MM:Thank you for interviewing me. I had a blast!<br /></p><p>CA: You’re very welcome : ) glad you had fun!!!<br /><br /></p><br /><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-82722378446489639962008-11-10T06:07:00.000-08:002008-11-10T06:21:11.407-08:00J.C. Wilder<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CUNC1YK-JlLqTP_VnUS_3kuLO0BqmylqhB-fwLwq1NtBa-_aXdW1cDv93ki4yeXiSVV8YY0gT0TXEYCgHOdbBsWcYfRQP1uSMveNQPhKpO1YN6zk1XGZm23amzaSePijTHdUjR8uWjQ/s1600-h/jc.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267031982167074514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CUNC1YK-JlLqTP_VnUS_3kuLO0BqmylqhB-fwLwq1NtBa-_aXdW1cDv93ki4yeXiSVV8YY0gT0TXEYCgHOdbBsWcYfRQP1uSMveNQPhKpO1YN6zk1XGZm23amzaSePijTHdUjR8uWjQ/s320/jc.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Author Pen Name: J.C. Wilder<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />JCW: I write in all sorts of genres. Paranormal, erotic romance, futuristic, contemporary…<br />Basically I write what appeals to me at the moment. J<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />JCW: Seventh grade – or that’s when I wrote my first novel.<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />JCW: Most definitely my father. He gave me a love of reading and my desire to write came from that. He encouraged me to read anything and everything so I did.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />JCW: I don’t have a set schedule even when I’m writing. I either write first thing in the morning or in the evenings – those seem to be the times when my creative juices are flowing. If the writing is coming along then I have a tendency to cancel any outside commitments and hole up in my house like a hermit…or serial killer. J<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />JCW: I don’t know that there is one. Excited would probably come the closest.<br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />JCW: Keeping my backside in the chair. Even though writing is a sit down job, one of the issues I keep running into is back pain. I find the older I get the more I have to keep the body moving and that’s tricky when I’m typing. J<br /><br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />JCW: I’m really into gardening so in the summer I spend a lot of hours outside. I also am an avid movie watcher and reader. Right now I’m working on redoing several rooms in my house so there’s always some sort of busy work to do.<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />JCW: I think I’m in the thirties now, I don’t know for sure. My favorite is usually my last book and in this case it’s Winter’s Daughter. It comes out in paperback in October, 2008.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />JCW: Well, usually someone will say or do something that will inspire me to create a character. When I was writing a series of vampire titles several years ago a friend said to me, ‘is that a crucifix in your pocket or are you happy to see me’ and a character was spawned from that sentence. I never know where my imagination will take me.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />JCW: Sit your butt down and write the book. Almost everyone I meet tells me they’d love to write a book but they just never sit down to do it.<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />JCW: My books are available at your local bookseller or online at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/">http://www.amazon.com/</a> or any other online bookstore.<br />You can contact me at <a href="http://www.jcwilder.com/">http://www.jcwilder.com/</a>.<br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br />JCW: Thanks for having me, Crystal!<br /><br />CA: JC, it was a pleasure having you, and glad you took time out of your “hermit” phase to hang out this week lol! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-68057520990556579452008-11-07T06:50:00.000-08:002008-11-10T06:51:03.095-08:00Contest<a href="http://www.consumerqueen.com/?p=522" rel="bookmark">New Contest!: Win a Flip Video Camera</a><br />October 30, 2008 <br /> <br /> <br /><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_player_link?p=746a4b37c994b8f705a640&skin_id=1805&source=emplay" target="_blank"></a><a style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt2" target="_blank">Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com</a> <br /> <br /> We are giving away a Brand new in the box Flip Video Camera $150 Value.<br />Technical Details<br />Simple to use, pocket-sized camcorder with one-touch recording and digital zoomHolds 60 minutes of full VGA-quality video on 2GB of built-in memory; no tapes or additional memory cards requiredConvenient USB arm plugs directly into your computer for easy viewing and sharingBuilt-in software lets you easily e-mail videos, upload to YouTube and AOL, and capture still photos from videoWatch videos instantly on TV with included cable<br />TO ENTER:<br />1. You must be registered for our Message Boards (register on the right hand side)<br />2. You must be a subscriber to our blog (subscribe on the right hand side)<br />3. You must post 2 Deals on our message board that have not been posted. Deals can be freebies,grocery deals,frugal tips,clearance shopping etc.<br />4. Post this contest on the internet some where and post the link here to exactly where you posted it at so its easy to find.<br />5. Do the above and then Post Here that you want to enter using your member name that you registered with.<br />*** Bonus***<br />Earn 5 extra entries.Make a Frugal Tip or Shopping Trip or maybe why you like ConsumerQueen.com Video,mention ConsumerQueen.Com and Upload it to your You Tube Account and post your link here! www.youtube.com<br />DETAILS:<br />Winner will be picked by a random number generator. Your Number will be the number in which you post here.If you enter the Bonus Round you will make 5 seperate replys for your extra numbers.<br />Winner will be announced on this blog and will have 5 days to claim their prize!After 5 days we will choose a winner!<br />If you have questions please ask. 1 Entry per household Please!<br />*** NEW BONUS ENTRY***<br />Get a Bonus entry for each extra site you post the contest on up to 4 extra sites max.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-34502308397376846852008-11-02T16:27:00.001-08:002008-11-02T16:27:52.428-08:00Dylan J. Morgan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-JsA7y-x4VdA14OTZ_l1K6ZAUlnvpFbeW1KGE8_sFQ-hyAsrzyPscbNlhG5qdnRi8eHImdEHadudCw2_r6e2PUDfz8rAUVhJ8vlZg6PWtlHYvtLKi8bfO19xY1wV69etfyqsfr4ocl0/s1600-h/dylan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264221421643490546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-JsA7y-x4VdA14OTZ_l1K6ZAUlnvpFbeW1KGE8_sFQ-hyAsrzyPscbNlhG5qdnRi8eHImdEHadudCw2_r6e2PUDfz8rAUVhJ8vlZg6PWtlHYvtLKi8bfO19xY1wV69etfyqsfr4ocl0/s320/dylan.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Author Pen Name: Dylan J Morgan<br /><br />CA: Your debut novel has just been released, can you tell everybody a little bit about it?<br /><br />DM: Sure, it’s a fast-paced horror novel set in a ski resort called Snow Peak located in the Canadian Rockies. A team of archeologists have made a fantastic discovery on a mountainside near town: a First Nation family-of-four superbly preserved and frozen in ice. The team removes the male but what they find inside his icy torso is a horror unlike anything ever seen before. Snow Peak is overrun by a mutant organism and it’s up to Sheriff Richard Wade and Doctor Lauren Kemper to battle not only the species, but the worsening weather in an attempt to rid Snow Peak of its terror. However, by a cruel twist of fate, Lauren’s past comes back to haunt her, throwing her into a life-and-death situation even more shocking than the creatures sliding through town.<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />DM: As you can gather by my answer above, I predominantly write horror, although I would prefer to classify my work as ‘dark’ or ‘speculative’. Horror is narrow, but dark fiction, speculative fiction, covers a wider range. I’m not going to be limited by a genre and will write what I want to write, which in some instances may be viewed as more speculative rather than horror.<br /><br />I guess I write these stories because that’s the kind of plotlines manipulating my mind. If I had a plotline forming about a romantic western that I felt was strong enough to be told, I suppose I’d write a romantic western story, but so far monsters and frightening elements are the subjects that seem to be plaguing my subconscious the most.<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />DM: I can’t pinpoint an exact time, but I know I was young, not even ten years old. With that said, I’ve only been writing seriously for a few years, but I always remember those early efforts of writing a four page story—which was basically just crap—and then stapling the pages together to form my own book. I’ve always had stories in me that I’ve wanted to put onto paper, and it’s only now I’m starting to realize that dream.<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />DM: I’ve been inspired a lot by Stephen King’s early works and a lot of Dean Koontz’s books too. Koontz has such a way with his words that holds me from page one until the end—and there’s not many authors out there who can manage that. Once I realized I could competently formulate a plot and write a story, my own imagination has kept me inspired.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />DM: I have a full-time job and a full-time family so my writing time is limited. My problem is I need calm to write to the best of my ability, and with a house-load of noise I tend to write at night when things have become quieter. I try to maintain an output of one thousand words a day, but I’m also a firm believer that if all you can produce is a paragraph, then as long as it’s constructive towards the completion of the novel you’ve achieved for aim for the day.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />DM: Excited. Strangely, I don’t feel nervous at all, I’m just excited to see what people think of the story. Good or bad, I’m anxious for feedback because it will help me grow as a writer. So yeah, I’m excited, I can’t wait for the reviews to come in and the messages (if any) to be sent. Of course, I’m hoping for some sales too, but that’s a given.<br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />DM: I guess my biggest challenge writing this book was developing the story into a novel length work. I’ve had about a dozen short stories published in various venues over the last four years, but there’s a big difference between 2,000 word stories and 75,000 word stories. Since writing Hosts, I’ve faced newer challenges in the form of developing myself and my craft into becoming a better novelist and a better story-teller. I’ve written a second novel and am currently working on my third, and so the challenge is to keep learning and keep improving.<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />DM: I like to spend time with my wonderful family. I have a beautiful girlfriend who’s very supportive and two lovely daughters aged twelve and nine; I enjoy spending quality time with them. I play guitar, enjoy listening to rock music, so sometimes I put the headphones on and jam to my favorite songs. I read and play Playstation to relax.<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />DM: I’ve completed two novels: Hosts, which is available now in e-book format through Wild Child Publishing, and Flesh which is currently going through revision drafts before I’ll send it out to agents. I’m currently working on my third full-length novel. My favorite is the one I’m working on now. While writing Hosts it was my favorite, while writing Flesh that was my favorite, and the new one is now my favorite of all three. I hope that means I like each one better than the previous because my writing is improving, but I can’t be the judge of that.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />DM: Totally from my imagination. I don’t think I’ve ever created a character and thought he/she reminds me of this/that person. I’ve been told that some writers put a little piece of themselves in their characters, but I’ve never subconsciously or consciously done that either. I never try to inject my own, or anyone else’s, mannerisms into my characters, but I let the characters control me.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />DM: Aspiring writers? Ha, I am one! All I can say, I guess, is never give up and above all else believe in yourself. As an author you need to have a bit of arrogance or else you wouldn’t be bold enough to send your stories out to publishing houses. With that said, don’t for one minute think you’re the bees-knees because writing is a continuous learning curve.<br /><br />One other thing: you need to have broad shoulders and be able to accept criticism and then learn from it. If a critique, or a review, has a negative comment about your story, work out why it elicited that negative remark and work to improve your writing.<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />DM: Readers can contact me by email at <a href="mailto:freaksauthor1@yahoo.com">freaksauthor1@yahoo.com</a>, and if they need to find out the latest about whatever project I’m working on at the moment they can visit my website at <a href="http://www.dylanjmorgan.com/">www.dylanjmorgan.com</a>. Alternatively, if they have a myspace account, they can add me as a friend: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/dylanjmorgan">www.myspace.com/dylanjmorgan</a>. Readers can also purchase my novel by visiting the publisher’s website: www.wildchildpublishing.com.<br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br />DM: Yeah, for everyone who purchases my novel Hosts, there’s the opportunity to receive a free .pdf of five of my previously published short stories. Just forward the confirmation email you receive from Wild Child Publishing to my email address listed above, and I’ll send the stories post-haste!!<br /><br />Thanks for taking the time to interview me, Crystal. It’s been a pleasure.<br /><br />CA: Thank you Dylan for sharing a little bit of you with me and the readers! Have a wonderful visit!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-75272479648923973592008-11-02T16:22:00.000-08:002008-11-02T16:27:09.913-08:00David Boop<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerCGIaQiXFVJXp3uCIv6hcYxiz5wFIwKqzQlkwxBWeXzalX0HCmc2CLgrJY8HKV7Vx0C2-kQIambQ4axUyJThms-Ek_cazpWQRSSwvc0r8FisW6uOdKDcndF3HaWjfU_wrXG57-JAsfI/s1600-h/519SFFWqPGL__SL500_AA240_.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264221207560774274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerCGIaQiXFVJXp3uCIv6hcYxiz5wFIwKqzQlkwxBWeXzalX0HCmc2CLgrJY8HKV7Vx0C2-kQIambQ4axUyJThms-Ek_cazpWQRSSwvc0r8FisW6uOdKDcndF3HaWjfU_wrXG57-JAsfI/s320/519SFFWqPGL__SL500_AA240_.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Author Pen Name: David Boop<br /><br />CA: How did you choose your pen name?<br /><br />DB: No pen name. I was born that way. No, my mother’s name is not Betty, nor is my sister’s, my daughter’s, or my wife’s. I did have a great aunt Betty, so who knows? Maybe she’s the inspiration. I could be a billionaire and don’t know it.<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />DB: I write across the board. I have science fiction, fantasy, mystery, horror and children’s stories. However, I seem to get my cross genre stuff published the most; sci-fi noir, ghost westerns and such. She Murdered Me with Science is a science fiction mystery.<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />DB: I’ve been writing my whole life, but hated the process of revision. When I first started, everything was on typewriters, which meant rewriting whole pages when you edited. It turns out that I have ADD and that’s a trigger; repetitive actions. Along comes the word processor and now I can write like a dream.<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />DB: I don’t sleep. I get most of my ideas from a half-dreamlike state. The idea for the novel came from there. I dreamt of a hairless man running down an alley in the rain, pursued by something. He escapes into a crowd of partiers and thinks he’s escaped when his head explodes. I woke up and wanted to know what killed him, so I invented someone to solve the crime. Other times ideas come from the everyday. I wrote a children’s story after watching fireworks over a lake one 4th of July. My son also inspires me. He’s got a great imagination.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />DB: I write whenever I can. I work a 50 hour week, go to school part time and am a single parent. I write during lunch breaks, at night, on weekends, wherever I can.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />DB: My novel came out in August. My shipment was late, so people got it before I do. It was weird thinking other people were holding my book, reading it, before me. I think because of the galley process, I was already over the awe by the time it came out. It’s seeing it on shelves that still gives me a chill.<br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />DB: The 100th revision! LOL! I get numb during the revision process, even if it is easier. My mind fills in a lot of blanks, and while I think I’ve caught every mistake, I don’t. It’s those deeper details, the ones that paint such a colorful picture that I need to spend the most time on. I think I’ve explained everything, but my first reader always asks me for more. Heh, heh.<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />DB: Spend time with my son, play video games, travel, camp, watch movies/television, art shows, theater and read.<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />DB: I have one novel out, so it’s my first child. It’ll always be my favorite. I also have three anthologies coming out. The first, Space Pirates, is already out. It’s part of a series I came up with called Full-Throttle Space Tales, a harkening back to the old style of sci-fi story telling where there was still a sense of wonder in the writing. I wanted authors to write the type of stories that inspired them.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />DB: Both. Some characters are amalgams, bits of one person, a smidgen of another. Some are straight out of the truth. I use real historical people in SMMS. I wanted the reader to feel as if this could have really happened, so I name dropped. My favorite was Art Shay, the famous photojournalist who showed us the real Chicago for the first time. I saw an exhibit of his at the Chicago History museum and it blew me away.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />DB: Surround yourself with people who will give you good critical feedback. Learn how to take it. Nothing in your story is so precious that it can’t be edited out. Remember, once you remove the bad stuff, the good stuff can be seen clearer.<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />DB: My books can be bought at Amazon, BN.com or directly from the publisher. They can be special ordered through almost any store. I have a myspace: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/shemurderedmewithscience">www.myspace.com/shemurderedmewithscience</a>. Add me as a friend, then send me a quick hello, and I’ll send you a discount code to save 20% off the publisher’s price.<br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br />DB: I’m touring throughout 2008/2009. If you’d like me to come to your town/convention/ or school, drop me a line. I love this stuff!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-59597770273851865782008-11-02T16:21:00.001-08:002008-11-02T16:22:43.898-08:00Ann Raina<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9aEft8qDzE5q5LjOxEbIlLEYymz7kJuBQCCOR7y15GyCmdLvkoiOvel4acmmkPZfOkKdrT4Wzjbj_YJZTHXAoOix3BluF37DFbbeC-mCUgkoR9eWz4lc0OZsx3BL6Ziq7CQ_ahz4kow/s1600-h/ann+r..jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264220044151583538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 208px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9aEft8qDzE5q5LjOxEbIlLEYymz7kJuBQCCOR7y15GyCmdLvkoiOvel4acmmkPZfOkKdrT4Wzjbj_YJZTHXAoOix3BluF37DFbbeC-mCUgkoR9eWz4lc0OZsx3BL6Ziq7CQ_ahz4kow/s320/ann+r..jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />Author Pen Name: Ann Raina<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />AR: Usually, I write Science Fiction with a deep erotic, sometimes BDSM touch such as “Freedom in Chains” which was published with eXtasy books at the beginning of 2008.<br /><br />I have loved writing for as long as I recall. I wrote fanfiction, I wrote action stories and a lot more. It’s one of my favorite wastes of time.<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />AR: I’ve been a writer for many years, but only last year I dared to send my manuscript to eXtasy to have it checked for publication. Many of my other stories were read by friends and they pushed me to try and become an author.<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />AR: I have a lot of imagination that needs a vent. I’m lucky to say that I’ve got a girlfriend who shares my points of view and who helps me creating storyline and characters.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />AR: I don’t have a schedule. I write when I find the time between being a parent, working, doing housework etc. Some weeks I write page after page while other weeks I don’t find a minute to put down a line.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />AR: Lucky.<br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />AR: To make ends meet. To never lose focus on the important moments in the story. To keep the story interesting and entertaining. I read it several times to make sure I took down all important details.<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />AR: I’m a mother of two, that keeps me quite busy. And it my spare time I like to ride.<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />AR: I wrote several books during the last three years, most of them rather long stories. I favor my latest SF novel because it’s funny, it got moments you can laugh about but there are also tragic and dramatic scenes, which will – hopefully – touch the readers’ soul.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />AR: Every character comes from my or my girlfriend’s imagination. I feel much better if I don’t try to characterize some known people in my novels. I tend to refer to actors in their outer appearance (hey, who doesn’t?) but not concerning their characters in or out of the movies.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />AR: Write down a storyline first. You are the only one who knows where you want to go with your story – from action to drama to children’s book. Ask yourself what you want to write and how to keep suspense throughout the story. And don’t be shy to ask bystanders to read it and be honest with you (after all, publishers won’t take your story if they think it could be better…). And one more – don’t be discouraged if you don’t find a publishing house soon. Jack London needed years to find a publishing house and he became very famous… So it’s your chance to be next in line!<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />AR: “Freedom in Chains” is available through eXtasy books. My next two novels will be published with the same company. My website is <a href="http://www.annraina.com/">www.annraina.com</a>. You’re welcome to leave a message on my contact sheet. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.<br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br />AR: When I was asked by a German publisher why I write, I told him that I just love to tell stories. If I can make one person happy who reads my book it’ll be very satisfying. I hope to brighten people’s days.<br /><br />CA: Thanks Ann, I hope you have a great week hanging out : )<br /> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-82297479469654426272008-10-26T16:57:00.000-07:002008-10-26T17:58:38.314-07:00*Contest* Leigh Savage<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMUPLp3viLUOGzmNuU3d8bdReaLwI-SslOzPrnkvTugLPcS4enqiKX1QoCRjczLJR8KxcKl9AqT2oA12YwceawL45ltMeq0TEP0CI4EqBJs2oVhVp7MDCaHBbX_PDIClirGNWG6ixZ98/s1600-h/leigh+s..jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261260478508137666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 192px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 236px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMUPLp3viLUOGzmNuU3d8bdReaLwI-SslOzPrnkvTugLPcS4enqiKX1QoCRjczLJR8KxcKl9AqT2oA12YwceawL45ltMeq0TEP0CI4EqBJs2oVhVp7MDCaHBbX_PDIClirGNWG6ixZ98/s320/leigh+s..jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;">**Contest**</span> For a chance at winning a copy of Leigh's book, all you have to do is leave a comment and she'll pick a winner at the end of the week, you don't want to miss out so make sure to leave an email addy so we can contact you :)</div><div></div><div>Author Pen Name: Leigh Savage<br /><br />CA: How did you choose your pen name?<br /><br />Leigh: I took Leigh from Vivien Leigh who I’ve always admired. Then Savage came from my Fathers pen name Kain Savage. The combination of the name fits me very well with Leigh showing my romantic side of my writing and Savage being for the dark side that my writing sometimes leads me.<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />Leigh: I write mostly vampire paranormal romance. I’ve had several poems published online and in print. In November my first children book The Smile Box (written under my married name Carrie Lea Williams) will be available to buy.<br />I would say that even at a young age I was drawn to anything paranormal and that carried over into my writing.<br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />Leigh: In high school I became a huge Romance junkie and I loved to read any romance that had anything paranormal however at the time those type of books where had to find. So I started writing my own paranormal romance short stories to help get my fix. I remember sitting in my science class and a couple of the boy and girls would want to see what I had written so they’d be sitting in class reading my stories instead of their science books. Our science teacher never said anything to them since they where A students.<br />After graduating and entering the work force I had given up writing. I had seen over the years the ups and downs that my Father had gone though trying to get published and decided that I wasn’t going to put myself though that. Then in 2002-03 writing found me again with the story Angel of Death. I had to get it out…I remember at the time I was working as a waitress and ideals would come to me while at work so I’d write whole chapters of the book on napkins. Everyone that worked with me would get a kick out of me standing in the waitress station trying to hurry up and write my ideals down before I’d get a new table.<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />Leigh: I would have to say my Father even though he mostly wrote horror but he took the time to write stories just for me and he would read them to me at bedtime. My Father installed the love of reading and writing into me. My Father was also the one person when I first started writing that I could run all my writing through for guidance. In some ways he was my first Editor. In 2005 I lost my Father and my mentor. I still find it hard sometimes when I come up with a new ideal I want to pick up the phone and call him and I have to remind myself that he’s no longer there.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />Leigh: For the most part since I’m working with a on demand publishing company I have no deadlines so I have lots of freedom with my schedule. Once I start writing down ideals I’m very in the zone don’t bother me. My kids will come up to me and ask for something and I’ll tell them to wait just a minute and the next thing I know it will be a hour later.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />Leigh: Mixed…I can’t just choose one emotion there are too many.<br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />Leigh: It has to be my spelling and punctuation. I got my Father’s love of writing J but my Mother’s horrible spelling abilities L<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />Leigh: I spend time with my husband of 12 years and my daughter who’s 5 and my son who’s 3. I’ve been a stay at home mom since the birth of my daughter. Hang out with my other Mom friends. When I get time to myself *sighs* I love to curl up and read a book, watch TV (mostly anime), gaming, chatting online with MySpace friends and of course surfing the clearance racks for great bargains. I also enjoy drawing and painting. This came very handy when designing the book cover for Angel of Death and the illustrations in my children book.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />Leigh: Angel of Death is my first in print novel. Soon to follow will be my children novel The Smile Box.<br />Still in the works is the follow up novel to Angle of Death called Shadows of my Past I also have a collection of short stories that I wrote with my Father called Bound by Blood and A book of Poetry that I’m still working on to get them ready for print.<br />It’s really hard to choose a favorite book…hummm…My favorite characters would be…Mika from Angel of Death and Desi from Shadows of my Past because both of them are strong female charters that can kick a** but at the same time be soft and loving.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />Leigh: For the most part my characters tend to create themselves taking on a life of their own while I’m writing. So as I’m writing I get to see my charters develop and grow the same as a reader would the first time they read the book.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br /><br />Leigh: I don’t know if I’m one to give advice…but I will say that this is one of the best times to become a writer there are so many ways to get your work out there that only a few years ago weren’t available. Now with E books, print on demand, blogs as well as more traditional methods of getting published. If you have the will you can find a way to get your work out there.<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />Leigh: They can Email: <a href="mailto:leighsavage@sbcglobal.net">leighsavage@sbcglobal.net</a><br /><br />Become one of MySpace friends: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/leighsavage">www.myspace.com/leighsavage</a><br /><br />You may buy Angel of Death at:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1434843017/ref=cm_pdp_arms_dp_img_1">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1434843017/ref=cm_pdp_arms_dp_img_1</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.createspace.com/3337961">https://www.createspace.com/3337961</a><br /><br />Coming Soon: The Smile Box<br /><br /><a href="https://www.createspace.com/3340332">https://www.createspace.com/3340332</a><br /><br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br />Leigh: I would like to take the time to thank you Crystal for taking the time to have me on your blog and interview me. I’d also like to thank the readers for taking the time to stop in and read the interview.<br /><br />If you’ve read the interview and leave a comment I’ll enter you into a drawing for a chance to win a Signed Copy of Angel of Death. I’ll choose one winner a week for the remainder of October.<br /><br />If you buy a copy of Angel of Death and email me at <a href="mailto:leighsavage@sbcglobal.net">leighsavage@sbcglobal.net</a> with the confirmation of the order I’ll enter you for a chance to win a Signed Angel of Death T-Shirt. I will choose one winner a week for the remainder of October.<br /><br />I will post a list of names of all winners on MySpace Blog at the end of the contest.<br /><br />CA: You heard the lady, a chance at winning her book! All you have to do is leave a comment for your chance to win!! Thanks so much Leigh for hanging out this week : ) </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-69542579415369063752008-10-26T16:50:00.000-07:002008-10-27T05:54:11.241-07:00Hubert Mullins<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdW-4KGltZklOSb2c1Qu9uBrrPC7Ayy_TyHKWQeXTu0A6DPIjcsZHUGBMrj89Yshvi41qFIW46zp-46WUwvZUTJV-R-9aHtCXyjbE5FsIW4fAG8HP7_Y4B_RA-2GrFMwd-a0tJ5d9gadE/s1600-h/warcover2%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261816103844414818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdW-4KGltZklOSb2c1Qu9uBrrPC7Ayy_TyHKWQeXTu0A6DPIjcsZHUGBMrj89Yshvi41qFIW46zp-46WUwvZUTJV-R-9aHtCXyjbE5FsIW4fAG8HP7_Y4B_RA-2GrFMwd-a0tJ5d9gadE/s320/warcover2%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqotQjBf_tsEodkO6uaDLLdtdJaEQ1etVFVFBuk6BC_zI2Esc8rjRSUu0uBQC3swV_D5ldNByLE6p30iiYdXefNiFS_ieXWIUBaS4sMSBH-x6jmGJI-voa-H0lRS2aIsJSBhUDuCmWBU/s1600-h/cover_final.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div>Hubert Mullins Interview<br /><br />CA: So Hubert since the last time we spoke and I reviewed your last vampire novel, Rage of the Vampire what have you been up to?<br /><br />HM: I’ve been hard at work on the third and final book of the trilogy titled ‘War of the Vampire’. I’ve just begun work on my newest book, a prequel called ‘Birth of the Vampire’.<br /></div><br /><div>CA: Where do you get your inspiration for your novels?<br /><br />HM: Usually just every day life. If you pay attention to people and situations, you can come up with really interesting things. I can create a whole character simply by cobbling together personality traits and mannerisms of real people around me.<br /><br />CA: Why vampires? What makes them more attracting than say… werewolves?<br /><br />HM: For me, it was the idea of breaking the ‘cookie-cutter’ mold that has plagued vampires in common literature and media. I wanted to make them different, or at least rewrite the rules for their being. This idea fascinated me. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll give the same treatment to werewolves.<br /><br />CA: How do you balance your writing with your daily life?<br /><br />HM: It’s all about scheduling. I’m a very systematic person. If I can squeeze in just one or two hours a day of writing, I can make that go a long way. At the end of the week, I try to schedule in at least a whole day of writing or world-building.<br /><br />CA: If you could accomplish one thing with your writing, what would that be?<br /><br />HM: Just to entertain people. I’m not trying to change the world. If I can make one person forget their problems for a few hours, then I’ve accomplished my goal.<br /><br />CA: What age group do your books fall in?<br /><br />HM: Generally my age group is around 18-25, but recently I’ve discovered this has opened up. Lots of older people have started enjoying my books and I’ve even talked with a few children as young as 12 who have read them.<br /><br />CA: Who is one person living or not so living… that you would like to meet? Why?<br /><br />HM: I would love to have met H.P. Lovecraft. He is one of the few authors who dabbled in dark fantasy. That is such a rare thing today and Lovecraft did it like no other.<br /></div><br /><div>CA: Are you planning more vampire novels in the future?<br /><br />HM: I’m currently working on a prequel novel that revolves around the life of famed vampire Kersey Avonwood, titled Birth of the Vampire and should be released next fall.<br /><br />CA: How can readers learn a little more about you and your books? Do you have websites they can visit?<br /><br />HM: Sure, I invite readers to visit my website at www.HubertLMullins.com or my MySpace at www.myspace.com/hopescovenant<br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add? Maybe an exerpt?<br /><br />HM: I have just posted the first chapter of my new book War of the Vampire on my website. I encourage everyone to check it out.<br /><br />CA: Hubert, thanks so much hope you enjoy the interview!<br /><br />HM: Thank you!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-81949472908467383232008-10-26T16:42:00.000-07:002008-10-26T17:57:57.344-07:00J. Walt Layne<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbQJqENYDYYhyphenhyphenSGoRcf8kaI_As0L0nvJlZtZAbSzT10GWQLwcp9T_OBGmRdtNtsYk028o5LRQUCTNtkO7WnsVX5O0XW1KlN2_dbnjwpTa3Vtbz8hSwRoryKnqZy1_xedeNYhmTNQiuXQ/s1600-h/m_80aa554ee8fd2adcd3ae75c636c83c6e.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261258383312357586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 255px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbQJqENYDYYhyphenhyphenSGoRcf8kaI_As0L0nvJlZtZAbSzT10GWQLwcp9T_OBGmRdtNtsYk028o5LRQUCTNtkO7WnsVX5O0XW1KlN2_dbnjwpTa3Vtbz8hSwRoryKnqZy1_xedeNYhmTNQiuXQ/s320/m_80aa554ee8fd2adcd3ae75c636c83c6e.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />Author Pen Name: J. Walt Layne<br /><br />Author Interview Questions:<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write?<br /><br />JWL: I guess you could say I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, I’ve written a legal thriller (Frank testimony, featured here), co-authored a Cthulhu Mythos tale, a trilogy of espionage/ techno thriller screenplays, and I’m currently working on a series of old school pulp detective novels, written in the hard boiled style.<br /><br />CA: Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />JWL: This is a good question, I’m never happy with the way I answer it. In some cases, I’ve resurrected stories forgotten or in progress, or tied them together to help out a writing friend, as in the case of The Coming of T’Loal (more on this later). In another case, with Frank Testimony, I didn’t even know the story was inside me until I got a prompt from a flash fiction group I belong to, I blew that flash, but 40 days and 144,000 words later I had a novel, my first work over 100,000 words.<br />It isn’t always clear to me why I am writing a story, sometimes not until long after it’s done. Writing is a compulsion with me, and when I sit down to write I can usually tune in to the muse within a couple of paragraphs and then it just sort of takes care of itself.<br />With the pulp series, I think it is a combination. I love the pulps and have wanted to do some detective stories for a while. I think this is part tribute to my favorite writers; some of it is just a fascination with the language, and curiosity at whether or not I can actually pull it off. All in all I guess I write the kind of thing I hope I’d like to read.<br /><br />CA: Tell us about your most recent release:<br /><br />JWL: Frank Testimony is the story of Frank Burchill. The road to death row at the notorious Parchman Farm Penitentiary is long and difficult for Frank. He inherits a fortune when Mae, the woman he loves dies, but throws it away in the blink of an eye to square up with the guy who killed her. Bobby Lee Russell the antagonist in the book is that mean kid everyone knows from grade school. He’s mean because he’s ignorant and unsophisticated. He never grows out of it and becomes the perfect recruit for the grand old hate club. I set the story in the rural town of Bedford in Nathan County Mississippi; I like to think that the location is a very important character in the story.<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />JWL: Oh, I’ve been writing stories since I learned to spell the words. I had and entire bookshelf full of notebooks and legal pads full of stories I’d written through the years and actually lost a lot of it during various moves and purges of excess stuff over the course of my younger years. I started thinking seriously about writing and being a writer when people who didn’t have a vested interest in not hurting my feelings were telling me that my stuff was solid. When other writers said so, it really meant something to me and I wanted to write more.<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />JWL: I think somewhere inside me is a very angry person who needs a lot of therapy. My inspiration aside from that voice I refer to as the muse, comes from mileage, life experience, walking a lot of miles in my own boots, and having a lot of overbearing influences in my young life telling me what I couldn’t do and assuring me that I’d fail… They were right; I sucked at doing it their way.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />JWL: Ha, I’m a mad man… I get up early and write before work, sneak in some time to write at work, take my laptop and write before class, and then if I’m not too exhausted after helping kids and myself to homework I write before bed time.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />JWL: Excited and maybe a little scared. I’ve had several people who’ve read it email me and tell me how much they like the story, including two of my professors. I don’t expect everyone will like it, but that’s the beauty of being human beings, everyone’s taste is different. I do hope that people read it all the way through before they pass judgment.<br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />JWL: Time- I have four full time commitments family, work, school, and writing. Luckily my wife and I own our business. Before I left my job to help build our business (Independent Accounting & Bookkeeping Service, Inc) I would sometimes write through the night and then try to work on no sleep… It was crazy. I certainly never suffer from writer’s block, if anything I have more trouble turning it off so I can get some rest<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />JWL: Spend time with my wife and kids, I read a lot, I like movies and we watch the crab show on Discovery. We do lots of family stuff, it’s the second marriage for both of us and we are making the most of it. We have three girls between us (hers, mine, and ours) and we do as much as we can with them, building a good crop of stories to tell the grandkids, which better not get here for another 20 years. Cooking, my wife and I love to be in the kitchen together. We believe that teaching the girls to cook helps them learn responsibility. They’ve made everything from dill pickles to chicken enchiladas.<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />JWL: I’ve completed maybe a dozen novel length stories, and I’ve published two of them… My current favorite is Frank Testimony, my legal thriller. It came about in an odd way, and I guess that’s why I’m attached to it.<br />I belong to the writing community at <a href="http://www.zoetrope.com/">http://www.zoetrope.com/</a>; I used to participate in a couple of flash fiction offices there. In the more active of the two, there was no flash planned for the weekend of new years (2006). Another member of the office, posted a challenge, the prize was going to be publication in her online magazine The Redrum Tavern (no longer online). The prompt was Death. As I mentioned earlier, I really blew that flash, but I managed to write my best work to date… Happy accident that.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />JWL: I like to think that my characters are themselves, born entirely from my imagination, but I know that the influence had to come from somewhere. Most all of my characters have their own distinctive voice and personality, very few of them have I sat and done painstaking character studies on. I like for them to live and breathe so you can get attached to them, so when I kill them off you’ll genuinely feel bad for them and want to keep reading and see the antagonist get his, or hers.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />JWL: Yes, absolutely. If you want to write and publish your work to sell, you have to read and write a lot. Don’t be afraid of writing the wrong thing. It’s a dumb idea, but I hear new writers say it a lot. I had a professor who dearly loved reading and writing, a PhD and lots of hours of post doctoral study on writing… She couldn’t write because the rules were in her way, she said she envied the ability to just write on impulse… I told her the same things I’ve said here- read and write a lot, don’t be afraid of writing the wrong thing… There is no right and wrong when it comes to telling your story. Right and wrong come into play when you are talking about grammar, and diction, and structure. You’ll know when they do; if you’ve done this part wrong it will hit your ear like nails on a chalkboard. The first draft is for the writer, tell the story, and let it unfold, listen to the story as it plays in your mind and just type or write it out…. In the second draft you tighten up the language and the grammar. This is where you’ll spackle over any small pits to answer any vague questions. You’ll know if something doesn’t work when you proceed through this. Then print a copy to farm out to a few people to read. I like to give each reader a different color pen to make notes with on the hard copy, if they’re reading it from a word document, then the comments tool is brought into use. You’ll get there, its all trial and error.<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />JWL: Readers and fans, if I have any (READ ADORES THOSE WHO LIKE HIS WRITING) can contact me through my website at <a href="http://www.jwaltlayne.com/">http://www.jwaltlayne.com/</a> or <a href="http://www.myspace.com/crimewriterguy">www.myspace.com/crimewriterguy</a> to purchase Frank Testimony please go to <a href="http://www.lulu.com/jwaltlayne">www.lulu.com/jwaltlayne</a><br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br />JWL: Yes, I’d like to thank you for the opportunity to share with your readers about myself and my writing. I’d also like to thank my wonderful wife, Paula for all the most precious gifts in my life.<br /><br />CA: J. it is always a good thing to thank your wife, more men need to learn that! And thank you, for taking time out to hang out at the blog with me this week! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-73183352025928084222008-10-20T01:57:00.000-07:002008-10-20T05:44:05.364-07:00Pamela S. Thibodeaux<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnulYpdN_4K4jSYzUfGRKaZ3yuvFhE1__KTW5OKMMfahYaweboHSuyjx-IUTBPuvDca2ZRYFW6rBjtohM04ErfwSlqQC89buUVLj3hmDfzr49GB0xHTd3GIQf2ffdL2O8qnlb_t7ObHo/s1600-h/pam1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258849025588540130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="143" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnulYpdN_4K4jSYzUfGRKaZ3yuvFhE1__KTW5OKMMfahYaweboHSuyjx-IUTBPuvDca2ZRYFW6rBjtohM04ErfwSlqQC89buUVLj3hmDfzr49GB0xHTd3GIQf2ffdL2O8qnlb_t7ObHo/s320/pam1.jpg" width="99" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrxAchbIMwATAK1DJnRj5pye2eKq3cY6AARAJ78PAAhHz4iopWjWlMUgEWj26-tP9X7mMXHhPeAD0PNH46Jjb8oWCoz-Qr_OFUUYJJD1crlELRQpd2oNR_TSWgY4BOZx54PZtP36MZwA/s1600-h/pam2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258849117520857138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 110px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 154px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="168" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrxAchbIMwATAK1DJnRj5pye2eKq3cY6AARAJ78PAAhHz4iopWjWlMUgEWj26-tP9X7mMXHhPeAD0PNH46Jjb8oWCoz-Qr_OFUUYJJD1crlELRQpd2oNR_TSWgY4BOZx54PZtP36MZwA/s320/pam2.jpg" width="170" border="0" /></a> ** FREE STUFF **</p><p>*Free Stuff*<br />Also, everyone who posts a comment will receive a .pdf file called Thib’s Teaser which contains blurbs and excerpts of all my published books/stories, a Free short story and discount coupons worth over $20 in savings when they purchase books directly from me! </p>Author Pen Name: Pamela S Thibodeaux<br /><br />Author Interview Questions:<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />PST: I write Inspirational ‘with an edge’ romantic and women’s fiction. I write romance because I love – LOVE and all those gooey emotions that go with it. I write Inspirational to share my faith and God’s goodness with the world.<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />PST: I don’t remember ever ‘wanting’ to be a writer. I’ve always been an avid reader and after reading one too many disappointing books, thought I could do better. A bit arrogant as it turns out that writing well is a lot harder than I initially imagined.<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />PST: As I mentioned in the previous question, thinking I could do better than what I currently read was the impetus for me to begin writing. However, in 1989 I recommitted my life to Christ and my writing to Him and that’s when my focus changed from secular romance to what I write today.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />PST: Well, like many I maintain a full-time job so my writing is limited to mornings, evenings and weekends. When I’m actively writing or editing a book or story, I try to focus mainly on that in the time that I have. If I’m between projects, I use that time to promote, blog, write articles, etc.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />PST: Humbled.<br /><br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />PST: Read. I sometimes watch a good movie with my husband but I LOVE to read!<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />PST: I currently have 5 published novels, 1 contracted novel, and 1 not-yet-contracted, which is a total of 7 full-length novels (70K words or more). My favorite is the one I haven’t written yet. J Seriously, it’s hard to pick a favorite out of those I’ve written as I become attached to the characters and story so much during the writing/editing stage that I can’t pick just one! I love the creating process. I also love when the story is over because then I can move on to the next one.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />PST: I’m sure each character has traits similar to those of someone I know, but they are all totally imagination. Each one takes on a life of his or her own.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />PST: Whatever you write, write well. Strive for excellence. Stay teachable, pliable, and flexible. Never believe that you know it all because knowledge is power and the more you know the more valuable you become. Above all share what you learn with others and make someone’s load lighter to bear.<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />PST: Readers can email me at: <a href="mailto:pthib-7@centurytel.net">pthib-7@centurytel.net</a> or <a href="mailto:pthib07@yahoo.com">pthib07@yahoo.com</a> or <a href="mailto:pthib07@hotmail.com">pthib07@hotmail.com</a><br />My Website is: <a href="http://pamelathibodeaux.com/">http://pamelathibodeaux.com/</a><br />My Blog: <a href="http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com/">http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />My E-books are available through <a href="http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=142">The Wild Rose Press</a> and <a href="http://www.comstar-games.com/csg-store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=25_27&zenid=7f60535d9be0a0cc07cbd66fe5e9fdbf">ComStar Media</a> and the print books are available through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/002-3165282-8434425?_encoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Pamela,%20S%20Thibodeaux">Amazon.com</a> and other book stores online.<br /><br />Readers can also read some of my articles at <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/27703/pamela_s_thibodeaux.html">Associated Content</a> and/or Rate them at <a href="http://www.helium.com/user/show/15981">Helium!</a><br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br />PST: Yes, I’d like to THANK YOU, Crystal for interviewing me for your blog. I’d also like to THANK my faithful readers for their continued support and to WELCOME new readers into my world. Most of all, I’d like to THANK GOD, for His continued blessings and faithfulness in opening doors for the publication of my work.<br /><br />*Free Stuff*<br />Also, everyone who posts a comment will receive a .pdf file called Thib’s Teaser which contains blurbs and excerpts of all my published books/stories, a Free short story and discount coupons worth over $20 in savings when they purchase books directly from me!<br /><br />CA: Thank you Pamela, I’ve not read your books yet but I hear good things, so you must be doing something right : ) Hope you have a wonderful week!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVuWPJZi94wDTHArZ3nb1LpmHxHopaZANp9t_EZ1_ZXkF3t2ZN2UnRmDmghy6yNrDdcK4WjBVsI5jjs5AVYi38hgiW5Mi3tgS5sVsV_ZDztIgHyZLLHTmLCEjL7Db0Jqlqxlp1RCggTw/s1600-h/pam1.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXxQUJFvzcv49hGib6hUsns83uyxUdoo3J7MXqilqQqhX8Hy5ctoRlZeOtRT7tV58WiQXe4cbsN8CIhNXR2x-ozhdwNwDV1OSyY0kutEYZmHUSm2qem4xuzvkJMnEHrs59eiwuVLmd9I/s1600-h/Pamela.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-59313748831069400142008-10-20T01:52:00.000-07:002008-10-20T07:31:17.194-07:00Shawn Oetzel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesbU10G1IeszLGt5P2mCRFMWnGrtXGNQjBWgCwpCrmPhc0E0Yk2l0I5ejxY6v31d6KA-sHMWaKviRPB12v0241kYZXJNhv6NVoS5Th3y-RPIwlHozIrP1fpp-es2lhLr0TBrYUz1M3-4/s1600-h/shawn+o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258847097925284386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="196" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesbU10G1IeszLGt5P2mCRFMWnGrtXGNQjBWgCwpCrmPhc0E0Yk2l0I5ejxY6v31d6KA-sHMWaKviRPB12v0241kYZXJNhv6NVoS5Th3y-RPIwlHozIrP1fpp-es2lhLr0TBrYUz1M3-4/s320/shawn+o.jpg" width="153" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Author Pen Name:<br /><br />I use my real name, Shawn Oetzel<br /><br />Author Interview Questions:<br /><br />CA: How did you choose your pen name?<br /><br />Shawn: I worked too hard on my writing to let some unknown entity take credit! I use my real name, Shawn Oetzel.<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />Shawn: I tend to stick more with speculative fiction though I do dabble into crime fiction, fantasy, and horror. I write the stories I do because if I ignored them I am fearful my head might explode! Seriously though, I just have a passion for the craft and an incessant need to write. It is the one thing I do which brings me true happiness.<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />Shawn: I think deep down on some primal level I always knew. I learned to read at a pretty young age. When most of my peers were reading See Spot Run, I was already reading novels. This led to a natural curiosity to try and write my own stories. I really started my writing seriously about six years ago. I got my fist short story published around that time, and from then on I was hooked.<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />Shawn: Terry Brooks has always been an inspiration. I was given his novel The Sword of Shannara the summer my parents got divorced. I was in the third grade. Whenever things got too heavy I could always lose myself in the worlds Mr. Brooks had created. I always hope I can have that same kind of effect on a young reader, and this is what continues to drive me.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />Shawn: I do not have any kind of set schedule for when I write. I know some writers try and write everyday, and I tried doing that when I started out. It was a complete disaster however and my writing suffered. I have these creative moments or frenzies which is more accurate that come over me and that is when I sit down and write. There is no rhyme or reason to it. I do tend to write better at night and I never sit at the computer to write. I ink all my work on to legal pads and then type them into the computer. I find if I sit and stare at the monitor I freeze up and can’t write a word.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />Shawn: Jubilant!<br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />Shawn: Fighting myself. I don’t get writer’s block per say, but I do experience writer’s laziness from time to time. Plus I have three kids that range in age from 3 to 13 so life tends to get in the way sometimes as well.<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />Shawn: I love to read and go to the movies. I think those are two natural hobbies for writers. I am also a huge sports fan. I have been a die hard Chicago Cubs fan my whole life and have been savoring every minute of this season!<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />Shawn: Dying Moon is my only novel being published at this time, but I am hoping to change that soon. I also have a middle grade/young adult novel entitled The Adventures of Captain Kitchen which I am shopping around to agent and publishers. I am in the process of putting the finishing touches on a project tentatively titled “The Agency”in the speculative fiction genre, and I honestly believe it is my best work to date and therefore my favorite.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />Shawn: I would say it’s a combination of the two. Usually my main characters are an amalgam of people I know or have met. I take bits and pieces of family, friends, and acquaintances and incorporate them into my characters, but I also put my own spin in there as well.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />Shawn: Write! If you have a story or an idea write it out. It’s the old axiom of practice makes perfect. Study the craft and write…write…write!<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />Shawn: Sadly as of yet I have not joined the modern age and have my own website, but I can be found at my MySpace page at: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/dogfarmer73">http://www.myspace.com/dogfarmer73</a>. My email is oetzel@verizon.net, and I would love to hear from your readers.<br /><br />My book will be available January 28, 2009 through LBF Books. It will of course be available through their website: <a href="http://www.lbfbooks.com/">http://www.lbfbooks.com/</a> as well Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the other major chain websites.<br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br />Shawn: First let me thank you for having me. I greatly appreciate this opportunity to tell a little about myself. I would also like to ask your readers to look for my short story “Scrunchies from Hell” which will be appearing in The Horror Express’s anthology later this year. Also please check out the latest issues of Tales of the Talisman magazine and Shroud Magazine which will have some of my book reviews as well as an interview I conducted with David Lee Summers. And of course keep your eyes open for my debut novel Dying Moon from LBF Books due out January 28, 2009!<br /><br />CA: Thanks Shawn for taking the time out to do the interview, I’m sure the readers will enjoy : )</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-922748752522993602008-10-20T01:46:00.000-07:002008-10-20T01:46:01.023-07:00Lawrence Watt-Evans<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmMCI4KLiKIsc5TXkf8dkhwiE9kLLuGt1MYvjVmUcv2no0F0Be9IK2kWwzyp7ysDAu14BVGGjM7FTRn4LUlmdkT_bw8momofmwGv6bIu1Y5rv7Z-GqtSBdvp-yDKAie4F9XppcNcgCyc/s1600-h/Lawrence+Watt-Evans.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258845622062140882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmMCI4KLiKIsc5TXkf8dkhwiE9kLLuGt1MYvjVmUcv2no0F0Be9IK2kWwzyp7ysDAu14BVGGjM7FTRn4LUlmdkT_bw8momofmwGv6bIu1Y5rv7Z-GqtSBdvp-yDKAie4F9XppcNcgCyc/s320/Lawrence+Watt-Evans.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br />Author Pen Name:<br />Lawrence Watt-Evans<br /><br />Author Interview Questions:<br /><br />CA: How did you choose your pen name?<br /><br />LWE: I didn't; the editor of my first novel did. I wanted to use another pen name he thought was stupid. I explained that I couldn't use my real name unless we included the middle name because there was another author with that name (who, it turned out, was never going to publish another word after 1978, but I couldn't know that in 1979), and Lester, my editor, came up with the current hyphenated version as a compromise.<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />LWE: I write fantasy. I like the freedom of fitting the world to the story, rather than making the story fit the real world.<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />LWE: Second grade. My teacher praised a writing assignment I'd done – my very first creative writing assignment, actually – and said maybe I'd be a writer someday, and I realized yeah, I wanted to do that. A lot.<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />LWE: Haven't a clue. I've just always wanted to tell stories.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /> <br />LWE: My wife goes to bed around 11:00; when she's asleep I go down to my office and start writing. I quit around 3:30 in the morning and go to bed.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />LWE: Depends which book, but really, I mostly don't worry about it because I'm already focused on the next one.<br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />LWE: Well, for this one, which is my first book-length non-fiction, I had no idea how time-consuming the research would be. It wasn't all that difficult or unpleasant, but going through everything over and over to make sure I had it all straight and hadn't missed anything significant ate up a lot of hours.<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />LWE: I'm boring. I watch TV and mess around online.<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />LWE: I lost count, and it depends how you figure it – do collaborations count as one or as fractions? Do reprint collections of short stories count? What about novelizations?<br /><br />But it's more than forty, fewer than fifty.<br /><br />My favorite is probably Dragon Weather. I think I got it right with that one.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />LWE: They're mostly out of my own head.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />LWE: Don't quit your day job. Even more than in times past, writing's a very precarious source of income; the web is changing everything.<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />LWE: My books are in bookstores everywhere, and all the usual online outlets, but if you can't find them or want to reach me, my website's at <a href="http://www.watt-evans.com/">www.watt-evans.com</a>. New readers are always welcome in my discussion area.<br /><br />CA: I have a copy of Mr. Evans’ book for review so check out my blog site within the next few weeks for that : )Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-235219325964433902008-10-13T06:38:00.001-07:002008-10-13T06:41:30.264-07:00J.S. Marlo * GIVEAWAY*<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BbKuvBTbMnFy2wo9JfC2rk3pERHJ9TylrhV50g56B6QcaMos_X6K8W2ONhqLjgEdBR-lOXiGuty6HFNo78dNxR0conVWJK4XYsPA0hbfEmz5Q51A-ikiqog5sBO6b4Uj8bPENPUCGYk/s1600-h/JS.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256632976876596258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BbKuvBTbMnFy2wo9JfC2rk3pERHJ9TylrhV50g56B6QcaMos_X6K8W2ONhqLjgEdBR-lOXiGuty6HFNo78dNxR0conVWJK4XYsPA0hbfEmz5Q51A-ikiqog5sBO6b4Uj8bPENPUCGYk/s320/JS.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff33;">Ebook giveaway!</span> All you have to do is leave a comment with your email addy to be entered for a chance to win Salvaged. I’ll draw a winner next Monday, the more comments the better chance you have to win.<br /><br />Author Pen Name: J.S. Marlo<br /><br />CA: How did you choose your pen name?<br /><br />JSM: Marlo is a nickname my hubby gave me a long time ago, and J. and S. are the initials of the two people responsible for getting me to write again.<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />JSM: I write romantic suspense. Why? Well, I can either thank or blame my overactive imagination for that. What can I say, I like to take my readers for wild rides and keep them holding on to their seat, but at the same time, I also believe in true love and happy endings.<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />JSM: Always and never. I’ve always dreamed of writing, but I never thought it would become a reality.<br />As a child, I loved to read and imagine different endings to my favorite books. I used to write short stories in my math class. My teacher turned a blind eye on my creative activities as long as I let her read them (and finish my homework). Since I was raised to be practical, I let writing slip away to earn a business degree. Then, four years ago, by accident, I stumbled on a writing site and rediscovered my passion for writing, except this time, I held on to it.<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />JSM: As a military wife and mother of three spirited children, I’ve had the pleasure to travel over the country, to live in wonderful places, to meet “memorable” people and to experience “unforgettable” adventures. Notice the words in brackets and the wicked smile on my face? Okay, you can’t see the smile, but it’s there. I guess every day life was an inspiration.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />JSM: Totally random! My laptop follows me everywhere. I’m writing this sitting in a restaurant for breakfast. I try to write 1,000 words a day. Sometimes the words I labored over are gone the next day. I find I’m most productive between midnight and 2am when the house is asleep and the wind is blowing against the windows. Unfortunately, I’m usually too tired to stay up that late more than once or twice a week.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />JSM: TERRIFIED!!!<br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />JSM: Language. English is my second language. I’m French Canadian and I only learned English in my late teens. Twenty-five years later, I still struggle with the language…and I never lost my accent.<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />JSM: Does eating chocolate count? I love to walk, read and travel to go see my children scattered over the country.<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />JSM: “Salvaged” is my first original novel and very special to my heart. I’ve also written two dozen stories for an online romance site. They’re all my babies, some more rambunctious than others. I’ve learned a lot from each of them, and I had fun writing every one of them.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />JSM: Mostly from my imagination, though some of my characters share a few traits with people I’ve known over the years.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />SJM: First, NEVER GIVE UP. If I made it that far, you can. And second, write for yourself, have fun with your characters and love your story. It will show in your writing.<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />JSM: People are welcome to visit my webpage at <a href="http://members.shaw.ca/JSMarlo">http://members.shaw.ca/JSMarlo</a> and email me at <a href="mailto:JSMarlo@shaw.ca">JSMarlo@shaw.ca</a><br />To purchase my book, follow the link to my publisher or go directly to <a href="http://sapphirebluepublishing.com/">http://sapphirebluepublishing.com</a><br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br />JSM: Grab a book, buckle up and enjoy the ride. You’ll love the destination. Thank you!<br /><br />CA: Thanks J.S. it has been fun reading your interview!<br /></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;">**Ebook giveaway!</span> All you have to do is leave a comment with your email addy to be entered for a chance to win Salvaged. I’ll draw a winner next Monday, the more comments the better chance you have to win.<br /> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-91308389414498234062008-10-13T06:36:00.000-07:002008-10-13T06:38:09.954-07:00Kara Griffin *Giveaway*<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF_-uRZfR0-5iq7Yvy9W9MjBhRCASSRtWgjc3P5cSJt2Nq_0iRI37F0FHGv-aGfgDJTqcnM79u24J5myYVErPquvHhizLtTXQX7mHOfDzYkLkixT0BKoKcEPvBv6cECIMlWnczWWqNJ0/s1600-h/kara.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256632112144780738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF_-uRZfR0-5iq7Yvy9W9MjBhRCASSRtWgjc3P5cSJt2Nq_0iRI37F0FHGv-aGfgDJTqcnM79u24J5myYVErPquvHhizLtTXQX7mHOfDzYkLkixT0BKoKcEPvBv6cECIMlWnczWWqNJ0/s320/kara.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">* GIVEAWAY*</span> If you’re reading this post, leave a comment and I’ll enter you into a drawing to win one of two jump drives preloaded with ebooks. You’ll get my latest release, Cosmic Hearts, a sci-fi romance. You’ll also get stories from Lizzie T. Leaf, Maura Anderson, and Celia Kyle. Not bad, eh? I’ll check periodically to add names to the drawing and we’ll choose a winner next Monday. Good luck!<br /><br />Author Pen Name: Kara Griffin<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />KG: I write in many genres, whatever strikes my fancy. I love sci-fi romances, historical/paranormals, erotic contemporary, and even vamp romances…or other paranormals. My first love is historical/paranormal. I suppose I write it because I love history and revisiting it even if it’s only in my mind. But when I need a break from it, I delve into sci-fis. For me sci-fis are fun and I can be zany.<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />KG: I’ve always had stories floating around in my brain, but seriously writing for me began in 2000 when a story just wouldn’t go away until I began typing it. I’ve been writing ever since.<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />KG: It’s funny…none in my family are really big readers. I have always been, since I was young. I’ve been inspired by many authors whose stories delighted me so much that I sometimes reread them again and again. For me there is nothing more inspiring than opening a book.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />KG: Grumbles… I wish I had more time to write. From September to June, I work in school so my time is crunched, especially when you add in family things. So during the summer I’m usually writing from sunup to sundown and beyond. I sometimes forget to eat—which is probably why I only weigh…well…a girl should never tell. I can spend hours on the computer, and the kids tease that that’s when they ask me the questions I’ll say no to.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />KG: Excited!<br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />KG: Getting published. Seriously, lol, writing is the easy part. Finding a publisher is a difficult thing, especially a publisher with whom you can develop a relationship with. I’m very lucky to be with Aspen Mountain Press and Midnight Showcase. My advice to aspiring authors…don’t give up – no matter what. Your dream is reachable.<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />KG: Hmmm…that’s hard to answer because when I’m not working in school…I’m writing. The only thing that takes me out of my writing world is my 3 teenaged daughters. So I’d have to say spending time with them or helping them with something…or heaven forbid, cleaning their rooms.<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />KG: I’ve fully written about ten books so far including anthologies. There’s about twenty more started, waiting on my laptop. My favorite would have to be Claimed By A Charmer, the second book in the Pith Trilogy, a historical/paranormal. The reason…I can so connect to the heroine and there’s a lot of me in her – except she’s more courageous that I ever have been. If I could be one of my heroines, it would definitely be Isabel. And I suppose that even though I’m happily married…having Douglas wouldn’t be bad either.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />KG: My characters are solely based on my imagination. The only thing I might include are expressions or the way a person moves, or basic gestures. Non-writers might think this is strange (can’t help being a bit eccentric), but the characters tend to control who they are and what they do. I’m just along for the ride.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />KG: Writing is one of the most pleasurable things a person can do. Enjoy it, and write what makes you smile or happy. Write from the heart and you can’t go wrong. And as I said earlier, don’t give up on your dream if you’re having a hard time. Keep working, keep submitting, keep moving forward.<br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /><br />KG: I always love to hear from readers. They can contact me at <a href="mailto:karagrif66@comcast.net">karagrif66@comcast.net</a> and to find my books, check Fictionwise or my publisher <a href="http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/">www.aspenmountainpress.com</a> or they can always visit my website for a complete look into my books at <a href="http://www.karagriffin.webs.com/">www.karagriffin.webs.com</a><br /><br />CA: Is there anything you would like to add?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">KG: *Giveaway*</span> If you’re reading this post, leave a comment and I’ll enter you into a drawing to win one of two jump drives preloaded with ebooks. You’ll get my latest release, Cosmic Hearts, a sci-fi romance. You’ll also get stories from Lizzie T. Leaf, Maura Anderson, and Celia Kyle. Not bad, eh? I’ll check periodically to add names to the drawing. Good luck!<br /><br />And, thank you, Crystal for such a fun interview and for allowing me to share on your blog! It’s been fun.<br /><br />CA: Thank you Kara for doing an awesome giveaway and for a great interview! I wish you tons of luck and keep it up : )<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050970029586162867.post-4249019712576558412008-10-13T06:34:00.000-07:002008-10-13T06:36:18.095-07:00Elyse Draper<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHpwU_ad-Q3e8Tlj3WLiNg7PpQvWPnqfm-utxVJNJmlWgwORB58ZC1Acr-3zkGDWfg1DGW1RkgCmqwGhnAlxK48DzuTxsBsQ_deFL-NziiA5l1ac-zzQmrv-9Q80iu1a3v5bZXey9_r8/s1600-h/Elyse1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256631465770111922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 168px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 217px" height="263" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHpwU_ad-Q3e8Tlj3WLiNg7PpQvWPnqfm-utxVJNJmlWgwORB58ZC1Acr-3zkGDWfg1DGW1RkgCmqwGhnAlxK48DzuTxsBsQ_deFL-NziiA5l1ac-zzQmrv-9Q80iu1a3v5bZXey9_r8/s320/Elyse1.JPG" width="198" border="0" /></a> <br /><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfUQp4W_SkO2aSc07QSh0ypV6iZmDvOtzMh24wGY5Ymww1OxJqmikbNrf-OVCzxIGo3kwSdZvT4byYxphfc3IAObLBc4JOMyJFC6TJcDH7_Tyy2m0fsVuPJjKQYBaOArm-UKAHdwQNJI/s1600-h/Elyse.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256631586446321090" style="CURSOR: hand" height="220" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfUQp4W_SkO2aSc07QSh0ypV6iZmDvOtzMh24wGY5Ymww1OxJqmikbNrf-OVCzxIGo3kwSdZvT4byYxphfc3IAObLBc4JOMyJFC6TJcDH7_Tyy2m0fsVuPJjKQYBaOArm-UKAHdwQNJI/s320/Elyse.jpg" width="212" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div><br />Author Pen Name: Elyse Draper<br /><br />CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?<br /><br />Elyse: I’ve actually written in both Non-Fiction and Fiction. In Non-Fiction I wrote for an anthology entitled “Voices of Autism”, a reference guide and support book for families and care providers dealing with autism. Why? Well I’ve worked with children for about seventeen years and over the last three specialized in working with those that have special needs. Having the opportunity to write for such a wonderful group as The Healing Project, who have published many “Voices” anthology books covering issues from cancer to Alzheimer’s, was too important to pass up.<br /> In Young Adult Fiction, I am writing a series that falls into the genre-bending categories of a paranormal, science-fiction, fantasy. The inspiration for the series came from dreams that started soon after my latest stint of hospice work. The idea of good people dying so young left me sore from the unfairness of it all. In my dreams I created a world where special people, lost too young and traumatically, weren’t really lost. That proposal grew into a story about a world intersecting with ours, and explains all sorts of mystical questions. Playing in parallel myths, teenage angst, and wonderful characters both dramatic and independent, this is turning into a ghost story that has been truly exciting and compulsive to tell.<br /><br />CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?<br /><br />Elyse: To tell the truth, I never really thought of my writing as anything more then a creative outlet. After encouragement from family, friends (one old, very good friend in particular) and a Philosophy professor who has became a wonderful friend as well…I decided to take the chance that my writing could be more then just an outlet. I’ve always been self conscious about my spelling, but with Spell-check… I didn’t have any excuses not to try. I’ve learned that this is not an easy business, but with patience, perseverance and a good support group you can accomplish anything.<br /><br />CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?<br /><br />Elyse: I’ve had many sources of inspirations for writing…most have come from watching very tough people cope with very difficult situations. In particular my mother, with her philosophies, internal strength, and a remarkable writing talent of her own; she inspired me to always keep pushing forward.<br /><br />CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?<br /><br />Elyse: I still work regularly with my Special Needs Children, and I’m a mom and wife; so finding time can be difficult. I have learned though, that in treating my writing as a full time job, I find time…at least 36 hours a week to write. If the novels aren’t flowing, I still sit in front of the keyboard and free write in my journal until something clicks.<br /><br />CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?<br /><br />Elyse: Relieved<br /><br />CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?<br /><br />Elyse: Finding time, and then sticking to that schedule no matter what.<br /><br />CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?<br /><br />Elyse: I love to read, swim, box, paint, and enjoy the outdoors. When doing any activities, including writing, I always have music playing.<br /><br />CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?<br /><br />Elyse: Three. I’ve enjoyed them all for different reasons, but my favorite so far would be my second book in the “Free Will” series; “Consequences”.<br /><br />CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?<br /><br />Elyse: I do tend to base my characters on real people…but then they develop personalities outside that foundation. By the end, they are completely different creatures built almost entirely out of imagination.<br /><br />CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?<br /><br />Elyse: When I started writing fiction… I had to switch the gears of my imagination from drawing and painting to writing; a smoother transition then I thought. Book finished, I thought the hard part was over…WRONG. Finding representation, queries, self marketing, promotions…I still feel the aggravation. So, I developed a theory that helped curb the frustration.<br /> There is a farmer in the UK who loves his cattle so much he actually paints with their manure. The truly crazy part is; he actually has a following. There are people that genuinely like his stuff. Just goes to show; if you find the right market, you can actually sell excrement on a canvas.<br /> -Moral of the story, frustration aside…if you believe your work is sellable; with patience and perseverance you will find a market.<br /><br /><br />CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?<br /> <br />Elyse: Amazon and Barnes and Noble both carry “Voices of Autism”, and please check out The Healing Project at <a href="http://www.thehealingproject.org/main.html">http://www.thehealingproject.org/main.html</a>. I’m am still in the process of selling the novels, but I do have sneak peeks at both “Free Will” and “Consequences” on my MySpace blog. If you would like to contact me, just send me a message on my MySpace page, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/authorelysedraper">http://www.myspace.com/authorelysedraper</a>.<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8