Jacquie Rogers- Contest!!

*CONTEST* Read the interview to find out how to win some goodies!!!

Author Pen Name: Jacquie Rogers

CA: How did you choose your pen name?

JR: 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!

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

JR: 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.

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

JR: 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?

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.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

JR: 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.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

JR: I write from 3pm to 5pm, and from 10pm to 2am. With Pirate breaks.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

JR: Petrified.

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.

CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?

JR: 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.

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

JR: 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.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

JR: 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

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

JR: 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.

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.

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.

CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?

JR: 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.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

JR: Website: http://www.jacquierogers.com
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jacquierogers
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jacquie-Rogers/18676302690
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jacquierogers
Gather: http://jacquierogers.gather.com
Email: jacquierogers@gmail.com
I’m also on a bazillion ning sites, but here’s Keely’s special place:
http://faeryworld.ning.com

CA: Is there anything you would like to add?

JR: I write a weekly article about writing craft or business for Texty Ladies (http://www.textyladies.com) Magical Monday and a monthly article in Unusual Historicals (http://unusualhistoricals.blogspot.com). I’m a member of IWOFA, Infinite Worlds of Fantasy Authors (http://www.iwofa.net) 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!

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 (http://www.ctf.org), ending neurofibromatosis through research.

(CONTEST) 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:

Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues T-shirt
Faery Special Earrings
Faery Special Notepad
Faery Special Pen.

Crystal will choose the winner.

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.

And finally, finally, if you’re on facebook and you play pirates or dragon wars, friend me, please. Aaarrgh

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.
Faery Special Romances: http://bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com/2007/06/faery-special-romances-by-jacquie.html
Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues: http://bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com/2008/11/down-home-ever-lovin-mule-blues-by.html

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!!

And you could win her other goodies by asking her questions, or by simply leaving a comment. Here’s what you can win:
Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues T-shirt
Faery Special Earrings
Faery Special Notepad
Faery Special Pen

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.
Now get to commenting!

Jacquie, it is always a pleasure!!

Dianne Ascroft

Author Pen Name: Dianne Ascroft

CA: How did you choose your pen name?

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.

CA: What genres do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

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.

CA: When did you first realise that you wanted to be a writer?

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!

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

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.

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’.

CA: What is your work schedule when you are writing?

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.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

DA:Amazed.

CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book?

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.

CA: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

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.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?

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.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

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.

CA: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers out there?

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.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

DA:If a reader would like to learn more about Hitler and Mars Bars, please drop by my website at www.geocities.com/dianne_ascroft. If they have any questions my email address is dianne_ascroft@yahoo.co.uk. My Virtual Book Tour continues until December 24. The full schedule is posted on my blog, Ascroft, eh? at http://www.dianneascroft.wordpress.com/. Hitler and Mars Bars is available to order from Trafford Publishing (www.trafford.com/07-1955), Amazon and other online retailers and my website.

CA: Is there anything you would like to add?

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.

Thanks for chatting with me, Crystal. I enjoyed visiting your website today.

Bobby Ozuna

Author Pen Name: Bobby Ozuna

Author Interview Questions:

CA: How did you choose your pen name?

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!!!

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

BO: I write literary fiction and my only novel thus far (PROUD SOULS) 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.

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...

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...

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

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.

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...

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

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.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

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 Onsite Computer Repair 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.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

BO: Let me tell you how I felt when Proud Souls 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.

CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?

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...

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

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.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

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.”


CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?

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.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

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: “Drawing Stories...With Words.” 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.

My book, Proud Souls, 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.


CA: Is there anything you would like to add?

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.

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!

Bobby's Homepage: www.BobbyOzunaOnline.com
Bobby's Blog: http://inotauthor.blogspot.com
Bobby on Gather: http://inotauthor.gather.com/
Bobby on MySpace http://www.myspace.com/inotauthor
The Book Marketing Network: http://bookmarket.ning.com/profile/BobbyOzuna
Bobby on The Odd Mind: http://theoddmind.ning.com/profile/BobbyOzuna

The book is PROUD SOULS and you can find it here...

Thank you!

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!

Aasiyah Qamar

Author Pen Name: Aasiyah Qamar

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

AQ: First of all, thanks for this lovely opportunity to be interviewed on your blog.

The genre I write? It’s basically culture-based romantic fiction, with a slant on Indo-Mauritian culture.

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.

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

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!

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.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

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.

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.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

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!

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

AQ: Jittery. In an ecstatic but also nervous way. Stage fright feels a lot like it.

CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?

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.

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

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.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

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.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

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.

CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?

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.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

AQ: My website can be found at the following address: http://www.freewebs.com.aasiyahqamar/
My book can be bought from the following site http://www.lecygne.com

CA: Is there anything you would like to add?

AQ: I have enjoyed this very much. Thanks again for the opportunity! I love hearing from readers, so don’t hesitate to contact me.

CA: I am so glad you’ve enjoyed yourself! I hope you have a great week here!

Marcello Milteer

Author Pen Name: Marcello Milteer

CA: How did you choose your pen name?

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)

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

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!).

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

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.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

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.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

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.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

MM: Blessed.

CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?

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.

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.

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

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.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

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.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

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.

CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?

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.

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.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

MM: You can E-mail me at: artstateofmind@gmail.com
or visit me on the web at: http://cello-man.blogspot.com

To purchase my Children's Book, Karate Cat, it is available for sale at Amazon.com. You can find the link here:
http://www.amazon.com/Karate-Cat-Marcello-Milteer/dp/1440415161/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222873010&sr=8-1

CA: Is there anything you would like to add?

MM:Thank you for interviewing me. I had a blast!

CA: You’re very welcome : ) glad you had fun!!!

J.C. Wilder

Author Pen Name: J.C. Wilder

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

JCW: I write in all sorts of genres. Paranormal, erotic romance, futuristic, contemporary…
Basically I write what appeals to me at the moment. J

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

JCW: Seventh grade – or that’s when I wrote my first novel.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

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.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

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

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

JCW: I don’t know that there is one. Excited would probably come the closest.

CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?

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


CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

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.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

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.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

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.

CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?

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.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

JCW: My books are available at your local bookseller or online at http://www.amazon.com/ or any other online bookstore.
You can contact me at http://www.jcwilder.com/.

CA: Is there anything you would like to add?

JCW: Thanks for having me, Crystal!

CA: JC, it was a pleasure having you, and glad you took time out of your “hermit” phase to hang out this week lol!

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Dylan J. Morgan

Author Pen Name: Dylan J Morgan

CA: Your debut novel has just been released, can you tell everybody a little bit about it?

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.

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

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.

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.

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

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.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

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.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

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.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

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.

CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?

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.

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

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.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

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.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

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.

CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?

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.

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.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

DM: Readers can contact me by email at freaksauthor1@yahoo.com, 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 www.dylanjmorgan.com. Alternatively, if they have a myspace account, they can add me as a friend: www.myspace.com/dylanjmorgan. Readers can also purchase my novel by visiting the publisher’s website: www.wildchildpublishing.com.

CA: Is there anything you would like to add?

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!!

Thanks for taking the time to interview me, Crystal. It’s been a pleasure.

CA: Thank you Dylan for sharing a little bit of you with me and the readers! Have a wonderful visit!!

David Boop

Author Pen Name: David Boop

CA: How did you choose your pen name?

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.

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

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.

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

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.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

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.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

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.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

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.

CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?

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.

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

DB: Spend time with my son, play video games, travel, camp, watch movies/television, art shows, theater and read.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

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.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

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.

CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?

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.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

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: www.myspace.com/shemurderedmewithscience. 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.

CA: Is there anything you would like to add?

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!

Ann Raina

Author Pen Name: Ann Raina

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

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.

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.

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

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.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

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.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

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.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

AR: Lucky.

CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?

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.

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

AR: I’m a mother of two, that keeps me quite busy. And it my spare time I like to ride.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

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.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

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.

CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?

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!

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

AR: “Freedom in Chains” is available through eXtasy books. My next two novels will be published with the same company. My website is www.annraina.com. You’re welcome to leave a message on my contact sheet. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

CA: Is there anything you would like to add?

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.

CA: Thanks Ann, I hope you have a great week hanging out : )

*Contest* Leigh Savage

**Contest** 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 :)

Author Pen Name: Leigh Savage

CA: How did you choose your pen name?

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.

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

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.
I would say that even at a young age I was drawn to anything paranormal and that carried over into my writing.
CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

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.
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.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

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.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

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.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

Leigh: Mixed…I can’t just choose one emotion there are too many.

CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?

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

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

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.




CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Leigh: Angel of Death is my first in print novel. Soon to follow will be my children novel The Smile Box.
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.
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.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

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.

CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?


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.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

Leigh: They can Email: leighsavage@sbcglobal.net

Become one of MySpace friends: www.myspace.com/leighsavage

You may buy Angel of Death at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1434843017/ref=cm_pdp_arms_dp_img_1

https://www.createspace.com/3337961

Coming Soon: The Smile Box

https://www.createspace.com/3340332


CA: Is there anything you would like to add?

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.

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.

If you buy a copy of Angel of Death and email me at leighsavage@sbcglobal.net 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.

I will post a list of names of all winners on MySpace Blog at the end of the contest.

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 : )

Hubert Mullins

Hubert Mullins Interview

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?

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’.

CA: Where do you get your inspiration for your novels?

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.

CA: Why vampires? What makes them more attracting than say… werewolves?

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.

CA: How do you balance your writing with your daily life?

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.

CA: If you could accomplish one thing with your writing, what would that be?

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.

CA: What age group do your books fall in?

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.

CA: Who is one person living or not so living… that you would like to meet? Why?

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.

CA: Are you planning more vampire novels in the future?

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.

CA: How can readers learn a little more about you and your books? Do you have websites they can visit?

HM: Sure, I invite readers to visit my website at www.HubertLMullins.com or my MySpace at www.myspace.com/hopescovenant

CA: Is there anything you would like to add? Maybe an exerpt?

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.

CA: Hubert, thanks so much hope you enjoy the interview!

HM: Thank you!

J. Walt Layne

Author Pen Name: J. Walt Layne

Author Interview Questions:

CA: What genre(s) do you write?

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.

CA: Why do you write the stories that you write?

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.
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.
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.

CA: Tell us about your most recent release:

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.

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

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.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

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.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

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.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

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.

CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?

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

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

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.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

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.
I belong to the writing community at http://www.zoetrope.com/; 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.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

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.

CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?

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.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

JWL: Readers and fans, if I have any (READ ADORES THOSE WHO LIKE HIS WRITING) can contact me through my website at http://www.jwaltlayne.com/ or www.myspace.com/crimewriterguy to purchase Frank Testimony please go to www.lulu.com/jwaltlayne

CA: Is there anything you would like to add?

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.

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!