Riley Amos Westbrook's Blog, page 112
August 7, 2015
Brain to Books Blog Jay Norry
Brain to Books Blog Tour
Fast Facts
Author: Jay Norry / J.K. Norry
Genre: Fantasy / Spirituality
Book:
Demons & Angels book 1 of the Walking Between Worlds series
Rise of the Walker King book 2 of the Walking Between Worlds series (New!)
Official Site
Bio
Jay Norry is the author of “Stumbling Backasswards Into the Light”, and the “Walking Between Worlds” series. He writes a monthly blog about spiritually charged subjects, self publishing, or whatever else he feels like writing about.
Jay has been studying metaphysics and philosophy his entire adult life. He is a teacher and practitioner of Reiki, and the creator of Awaken Reiki.
Jay currently resides in Northern California with his girlfriend/partner-in-crime, Dawn, and their dogs, Mammoth & Ximena. When he’s not busying writing, Jay enjoys working in the garden, wine tasting, drawing, painting and fixing things Macgyver-style.
Accomplishment
Owner/Editor-in-Chief, Sudden Insight Publishing. We are putting together the first of what we hope to be several charity anthologies. All proceeds from this volume will be donated to the SPCA.
Blurb
Meet the unsung heroes of the supernatural, those who walk between worlds to help humans battle their demons. This is the spellbinding tale of a special group of people whose lives were changed forever. Watch the ordinary collide with the extraordinary to test the mettle of their souls and the power of their love.
The first book in an exciting new series, ‘Walking Between Worlds; Book I: Demons & Angels’ introduces us to a new way of looking at both the natural and the supernatural worlds. Join Paul Stone and Kris Reed as they walk between worlds in search of answers and themselves.
Interview with Jay Norry
Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get started writing? What do you do when you’re not writing?
I started writing in a deliberate attempt to find myself. One of the most important aspects of fulfillment is identifying what you were born to do and doing it as much as possible, and it was not long before I realized that writing was to be a multi-faceted companion for me forever. Writing is how I define myself and refine myself, but it’s also how I entertain myself. The books I write are books I would love if somebody else wrote them, and that in itself is worth the tremendous effort that goes into seeing each completed in turn and in its time.
Is this your first book? How many books have you written prior (if any?) List other titles if applicable.
My first book is an autobiographical account of my own sacred rite of passage. It is a new age story designed to help those curious about the spiritual path form their own questions and find their own answers, and to remind those that have walked the path for some time that it can be as enriching to look back as it is to look ahead.
My second book is the beginning of a trilogy. “Walking Between Worlds; Book I: Demons & Angels” is the title, and it is a story that is set in modern day, with heroes that use ancient weapons to battle today’s demons as they always have. The best description of the genre I have heard came from a reader, who aptly described the book as “Philosophical Fantasy”. The philosophy is pretty light in both tone and texture, but it is certainly a character in this trilogy.
The book I am currently promoting is the second book in the trilogy, “Rise of the Walker King”. It is important to me that I keep the reader waiting as little as possible in a project of this mature, so releasing this book and the next have been priority one for me this year. I am happy to say that this book was released several months prior to its anticipated release date, and the conclusion is slated for a Christmas release.
What genre do you enjoy writing the most and what is this book about?
There are many facets to my personality, and I can’t do any of them justice by picking a favorite. Sometimes I want to meditate. Sometimes I want to watch a movie where dreams come to life and the good guys alway win. Sometimes I want to hold my sweet love in my arms and murmur sweet somethings in her ear. A good story is often a multi-faceted one, and often there is a personal journey going on within the character or characters that reflects or contradicts their outer journey, as well as a love interest or two that are not the whole story but are integral to it. If a good story finds me and asks me to write it, I’ll write it. If there were a genre for that, it would be my favorite genre to write in.
What inspired you to write this book?
This book was a coming together of many things for me. The story came to me over a decade ago, and has been a part of my thinking and a part of my life since we first met. I knew that I had to figure out a way to write and publish all three installments as close together as possible, and that meant my whole life had to change to create that opportunity.
My need to write it got book one written, but that wasn’t enough to get it published. I was flummoxed by what route to take, so I asked my partner in life and my manager in writing what she thought. It was her that decided that we should start our own publishing company, and it was her that learned how to do all the formatting and graphic design that made book one of this series the first original publication of Sudden Insight Publishing.
“Walking Between Worlds; Book I: Demons & Angels” was inspired by my own desire to bring myself completely to the task of beginning to tell this story. But not it’s sequel.
“Walking Between Worlds; Book II: Rise of the Walker King” was inspired by my Awesome Girl, Dawn. She made the story I wrote into a beautiful book that filled me with excitement and compelled me to throw myself into writing as much as possible to complete this series and watch our publishing company’s library grow.
How did you come up with the title of your book or series?
Titles are like fish. You can stand there on the shore, contemplating and casting your line for hours. It is entirely possible to catch a whopper that way, but I usually don’t. You can take the scientific approach and equip a boat with radar or cast a wide net. Then you can choose from all the little metaphors flopping about in the bottom of your boat and throw the rest back. I prefer to dive into the story or essay, feeling the shock of the water on my skin as I move about in the natural and alien environment. They usually swim right up to me then.
Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?
Covers are like titles for me. They are as much a character in the story as any other, and they speak pretty clearly to me when I ask them what they want. I saw the image for the cover of this book in my mind, described it to my partner, and let her do all the actual work. It turned out better than I had imagined it, another part of working with Dawn that I am pleased to have come to expect.
If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?
I was casting these characters in my head while I was writing. I saw Danny Trejo as Roche right away, though the physical descriptions don’t really match; I think he could embody the old devil like no one else. Brenna is best played by Kristen Kruek, who supposedly looks much like her. I would cast Jaime Lunar as Lilia, the dragon queen; she was the red-headed temptress from Melrose Place. I have always thought that Reese Witherspoon’s face seemed to be the personification of sweetness, and I can see her playing Jessica in all of her varied expressions. For the leads, I think Paul could be played by Henry Cavill perfectly, if he’s not too busy being Superman; and Charlie Hunnam from “Sons of Anarchy” would round out my perfect cast as Kris. That being said, I would be about as happy as happy gets to see any team of artists come together to put this story on the big screen or the little one.
Is there a certain type of scene that’s harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Racy?
I hate killing characters. As a person who puts great stock in the power of hope and the possibilities of redemption, I don’t like to see even the most despicable villain cross that final unforgiving line. That being said, I am not in charge of the stories I write. i am in charge of making sure I tell the story as true to the way I see it as possible; and sometimes that means writing about someone I have become rather attached to as they draw their last breath, or lose their head quite literally, or as they are turned to ash by supernatural flame.
I had to understand this before I could do it, and I hope that my readers understand it as well: I don’t kill characters. Characters may kill other characters, or themselves, or they might just die. It is not my decision when a character lives or dies; my only decision is whether or not to tell the tale.
Is there one subject you would never write about as an author? What is it?
There is only one subject I would not write about, and it is the subject of having one thing I refuse to write about. Writing must address an author’s deepest issues to be authentic, while not being mired in one stagnant viewpoint. Whether in journals or books or stories, the writers truest voice is found by confronting and conquering their greatest pain. If any writer has some subject that they consider off-limits, they should write about that first and foremost.
How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning? Do you have any name choosing resources you recommend?
Most of the names in my books come to me when the stories do. When it’s my decision, I choose a name that seems to fit the character and the way I see them. I hate making names up as much as titles; I prefer when they just swim up to me. When I make them up, I check online to see if it’s common or uncommon enough, and if it means something weird. Names are important to me, and I want to make sure that I am giving everyone the name they deserve as much as I give them the voice they need.
Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the bad?
I haven’t gotten a whole lot of reviews, but I have had a few on each of my published works. There have been a couple of bad reviews, if you go by their star rating. The reviews have been honest, however; and in their honesty they describe books I would want to read even when stating that they didn’t like it. I think that’s about all an artist can ask for, and it’s silly to want everyone to like everything you write. I haven’t ever gotten a three word review that said “piece of crap”, but I don’t see why it would bother me any more than if someone came up to me and said “You have ugly brown eyes!” I don’t have brown eyes, and my book is not a piece of crap. How could that bother me?
What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
There are two things readers can do to help make my book successful. First, please buy a copy and read it. Second, go on Amazon and write an honest review. Write as little or as much as you like, and give the book however many stars you think it deserves. Do that with all your favorite artists and products if you have the chance; people are looking for the things they want and need, and their wants and needs may be similar to yours. Connecting a writer with a new reader can be a great way to help them both.
What projects can we expect from you in the future?
This year has been all about figuring out the best ways to write and publish, and how many books we could complete while meeting our own high standards each year. I am happy to say that readers can expect two to three books from me every year from here on out. This year will wrap up the “Walking Between Worlds” trilogy, and next year will be a whole new story that already waits to be told.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
The hardest part of writing this book, and every other I have written, is just the sitting down and writing part. It’s not that difficult to do; it’s just a lot of time that must be deliberately put aside. It’s easy for me to work without interruption; I kind of disappear from the world when I’m writing, even as it goes on around me. I also schedule time and request that I be left alone, and only allow those who respect that need the opportunity to compromise it. Even so, the time and concentration required to write for long enough to be pleased with the day’s accomplishments is approximately what leaves me happily drained.
What literary character is most like you?
I have only been compared to literary characters twice in my life. One person told me that I was like Howard Roark from Ayn Rand’s “The Fountainhead”. Another told me, in a different time and place and setting, that I reminded her of John Gault, from Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged”. Both times I laughed, for my own reasons, but I took them as two of the highest compliments I have ever received. I don’t see myself as heroically as I do those two classic favorites, but I do see that I am as happily enslaved to my vision of what I need to do as they were.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
My favorite author is Richard Bach, hands down. From his tales of flying airplanes to his classic spiritual masterpieces to his stories about ferrets wiser than any human I know, I’ll read anything he writes at least once. Somehow he writes in a way that makes each person feel like he wrote a passage or a book or a library just for them, and I’m always pleasantly surprised at how many people from different walks of life feel that same way.
Do you have any scars? What are they from?
I don’t notice the scars on my body so much anymore. Most are pretty faded, two dog bites and where a brick that I myself threw somehow found its way back to my head, along with that spot on my leg where I got tangled up one day instead of clearing the barb wire fence. It seems like body scars are different from soul scars; one goes away if you ignore it and the other only goes away if you address it.
Is there one person past or present you would meet and why?
If I could meet anyone, it would be Richard Bach. I have a lot of heroes, but none like him. I understand that he keeps himself pretty busy and doesn’t much care for folks seeking him out just to tell him what they thought of his books, so I would never make it a point to barge in on his life. It would be nice to have a chance to say what I think is always best to say when meeting someone you admire: Hi, I love the thing that you do and the way that you do it.
Links
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Jay’s Blog
Buy the Books
Publisher’s Website
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Goodreads
Click here for additional giveaways on the Brain to Books Blog Tour.
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, SupportIndieAuthors
Fast Facts
Author: Jay Norry / J.K. Norry
Genre: Fantasy / Spirituality
Book:
Demons & Angels book 1 of the Walking Between Worlds series
Rise of the Walker King book 2 of the Walking Between Worlds series (New!)
Official Site
Bio
Jay Norry is the author of “Stumbling Backasswards Into the Light”, and the “Walking Between Worlds” series. He writes a monthly blog about spiritually charged subjects, self publishing, or whatever else he feels like writing about.Jay has been studying metaphysics and philosophy his entire adult life. He is a teacher and practitioner of Reiki, and the creator of Awaken Reiki.
Jay currently resides in Northern California with his girlfriend/partner-in-crime, Dawn, and their dogs, Mammoth & Ximena. When he’s not busying writing, Jay enjoys working in the garden, wine tasting, drawing, painting and fixing things Macgyver-style.
Accomplishment
Owner/Editor-in-Chief, Sudden Insight Publishing. We are putting together the first of what we hope to be several charity anthologies. All proceeds from this volume will be donated to the SPCA.
Blurb
Meet the unsung heroes of the supernatural, those who walk between worlds to help humans battle their demons. This is the spellbinding tale of a special group of people whose lives were changed forever. Watch the ordinary collide with the extraordinary to test the mettle of their souls and the power of their love.The first book in an exciting new series, ‘Walking Between Worlds; Book I: Demons & Angels’ introduces us to a new way of looking at both the natural and the supernatural worlds. Join Paul Stone and Kris Reed as they walk between worlds in search of answers and themselves.
Interview with Jay Norry
Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get started writing? What do you do when you’re not writing?
I started writing in a deliberate attempt to find myself. One of the most important aspects of fulfillment is identifying what you were born to do and doing it as much as possible, and it was not long before I realized that writing was to be a multi-faceted companion for me forever. Writing is how I define myself and refine myself, but it’s also how I entertain myself. The books I write are books I would love if somebody else wrote them, and that in itself is worth the tremendous effort that goes into seeing each completed in turn and in its time.
Is this your first book? How many books have you written prior (if any?) List other titles if applicable.
My first book is an autobiographical account of my own sacred rite of passage. It is a new age story designed to help those curious about the spiritual path form their own questions and find their own answers, and to remind those that have walked the path for some time that it can be as enriching to look back as it is to look ahead.
My second book is the beginning of a trilogy. “Walking Between Worlds; Book I: Demons & Angels” is the title, and it is a story that is set in modern day, with heroes that use ancient weapons to battle today’s demons as they always have. The best description of the genre I have heard came from a reader, who aptly described the book as “Philosophical Fantasy”. The philosophy is pretty light in both tone and texture, but it is certainly a character in this trilogy.
The book I am currently promoting is the second book in the trilogy, “Rise of the Walker King”. It is important to me that I keep the reader waiting as little as possible in a project of this mature, so releasing this book and the next have been priority one for me this year. I am happy to say that this book was released several months prior to its anticipated release date, and the conclusion is slated for a Christmas release.
What genre do you enjoy writing the most and what is this book about?
There are many facets to my personality, and I can’t do any of them justice by picking a favorite. Sometimes I want to meditate. Sometimes I want to watch a movie where dreams come to life and the good guys alway win. Sometimes I want to hold my sweet love in my arms and murmur sweet somethings in her ear. A good story is often a multi-faceted one, and often there is a personal journey going on within the character or characters that reflects or contradicts their outer journey, as well as a love interest or two that are not the whole story but are integral to it. If a good story finds me and asks me to write it, I’ll write it. If there were a genre for that, it would be my favorite genre to write in.
What inspired you to write this book?
This book was a coming together of many things for me. The story came to me over a decade ago, and has been a part of my thinking and a part of my life since we first met. I knew that I had to figure out a way to write and publish all three installments as close together as possible, and that meant my whole life had to change to create that opportunity.
My need to write it got book one written, but that wasn’t enough to get it published. I was flummoxed by what route to take, so I asked my partner in life and my manager in writing what she thought. It was her that decided that we should start our own publishing company, and it was her that learned how to do all the formatting and graphic design that made book one of this series the first original publication of Sudden Insight Publishing.
“Walking Between Worlds; Book I: Demons & Angels” was inspired by my own desire to bring myself completely to the task of beginning to tell this story. But not it’s sequel.
“Walking Between Worlds; Book II: Rise of the Walker King” was inspired by my Awesome Girl, Dawn. She made the story I wrote into a beautiful book that filled me with excitement and compelled me to throw myself into writing as much as possible to complete this series and watch our publishing company’s library grow.
How did you come up with the title of your book or series?
Titles are like fish. You can stand there on the shore, contemplating and casting your line for hours. It is entirely possible to catch a whopper that way, but I usually don’t. You can take the scientific approach and equip a boat with radar or cast a wide net. Then you can choose from all the little metaphors flopping about in the bottom of your boat and throw the rest back. I prefer to dive into the story or essay, feeling the shock of the water on my skin as I move about in the natural and alien environment. They usually swim right up to me then.
Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?
Covers are like titles for me. They are as much a character in the story as any other, and they speak pretty clearly to me when I ask them what they want. I saw the image for the cover of this book in my mind, described it to my partner, and let her do all the actual work. It turned out better than I had imagined it, another part of working with Dawn that I am pleased to have come to expect.
If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?
I was casting these characters in my head while I was writing. I saw Danny Trejo as Roche right away, though the physical descriptions don’t really match; I think he could embody the old devil like no one else. Brenna is best played by Kristen Kruek, who supposedly looks much like her. I would cast Jaime Lunar as Lilia, the dragon queen; she was the red-headed temptress from Melrose Place. I have always thought that Reese Witherspoon’s face seemed to be the personification of sweetness, and I can see her playing Jessica in all of her varied expressions. For the leads, I think Paul could be played by Henry Cavill perfectly, if he’s not too busy being Superman; and Charlie Hunnam from “Sons of Anarchy” would round out my perfect cast as Kris. That being said, I would be about as happy as happy gets to see any team of artists come together to put this story on the big screen or the little one.
Is there a certain type of scene that’s harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Racy?
I hate killing characters. As a person who puts great stock in the power of hope and the possibilities of redemption, I don’t like to see even the most despicable villain cross that final unforgiving line. That being said, I am not in charge of the stories I write. i am in charge of making sure I tell the story as true to the way I see it as possible; and sometimes that means writing about someone I have become rather attached to as they draw their last breath, or lose their head quite literally, or as they are turned to ash by supernatural flame.
I had to understand this before I could do it, and I hope that my readers understand it as well: I don’t kill characters. Characters may kill other characters, or themselves, or they might just die. It is not my decision when a character lives or dies; my only decision is whether or not to tell the tale.
Is there one subject you would never write about as an author? What is it?
There is only one subject I would not write about, and it is the subject of having one thing I refuse to write about. Writing must address an author’s deepest issues to be authentic, while not being mired in one stagnant viewpoint. Whether in journals or books or stories, the writers truest voice is found by confronting and conquering their greatest pain. If any writer has some subject that they consider off-limits, they should write about that first and foremost.
How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning? Do you have any name choosing resources you recommend?
Most of the names in my books come to me when the stories do. When it’s my decision, I choose a name that seems to fit the character and the way I see them. I hate making names up as much as titles; I prefer when they just swim up to me. When I make them up, I check online to see if it’s common or uncommon enough, and if it means something weird. Names are important to me, and I want to make sure that I am giving everyone the name they deserve as much as I give them the voice they need.
Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the bad?
I haven’t gotten a whole lot of reviews, but I have had a few on each of my published works. There have been a couple of bad reviews, if you go by their star rating. The reviews have been honest, however; and in their honesty they describe books I would want to read even when stating that they didn’t like it. I think that’s about all an artist can ask for, and it’s silly to want everyone to like everything you write. I haven’t ever gotten a three word review that said “piece of crap”, but I don’t see why it would bother me any more than if someone came up to me and said “You have ugly brown eyes!” I don’t have brown eyes, and my book is not a piece of crap. How could that bother me?
What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
There are two things readers can do to help make my book successful. First, please buy a copy and read it. Second, go on Amazon and write an honest review. Write as little or as much as you like, and give the book however many stars you think it deserves. Do that with all your favorite artists and products if you have the chance; people are looking for the things they want and need, and their wants and needs may be similar to yours. Connecting a writer with a new reader can be a great way to help them both.
What projects can we expect from you in the future?
This year has been all about figuring out the best ways to write and publish, and how many books we could complete while meeting our own high standards each year. I am happy to say that readers can expect two to three books from me every year from here on out. This year will wrap up the “Walking Between Worlds” trilogy, and next year will be a whole new story that already waits to be told.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
The hardest part of writing this book, and every other I have written, is just the sitting down and writing part. It’s not that difficult to do; it’s just a lot of time that must be deliberately put aside. It’s easy for me to work without interruption; I kind of disappear from the world when I’m writing, even as it goes on around me. I also schedule time and request that I be left alone, and only allow those who respect that need the opportunity to compromise it. Even so, the time and concentration required to write for long enough to be pleased with the day’s accomplishments is approximately what leaves me happily drained.
What literary character is most like you?
I have only been compared to literary characters twice in my life. One person told me that I was like Howard Roark from Ayn Rand’s “The Fountainhead”. Another told me, in a different time and place and setting, that I reminded her of John Gault, from Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged”. Both times I laughed, for my own reasons, but I took them as two of the highest compliments I have ever received. I don’t see myself as heroically as I do those two classic favorites, but I do see that I am as happily enslaved to my vision of what I need to do as they were.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
My favorite author is Richard Bach, hands down. From his tales of flying airplanes to his classic spiritual masterpieces to his stories about ferrets wiser than any human I know, I’ll read anything he writes at least once. Somehow he writes in a way that makes each person feel like he wrote a passage or a book or a library just for them, and I’m always pleasantly surprised at how many people from different walks of life feel that same way.
Do you have any scars? What are they from?
I don’t notice the scars on my body so much anymore. Most are pretty faded, two dog bites and where a brick that I myself threw somehow found its way back to my head, along with that spot on my leg where I got tangled up one day instead of clearing the barb wire fence. It seems like body scars are different from soul scars; one goes away if you ignore it and the other only goes away if you address it.
Is there one person past or present you would meet and why?
If I could meet anyone, it would be Richard Bach. I have a lot of heroes, but none like him. I understand that he keeps himself pretty busy and doesn’t much care for folks seeking him out just to tell him what they thought of his books, so I would never make it a point to barge in on his life. It would be nice to have a chance to say what I think is always best to say when meeting someone you admire: Hi, I love the thing that you do and the way that you do it.
Links
Google+
Jay’s Blog
Buy the Books
Publisher’s Website
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Goodreads
Click here for additional giveaways on the Brain to Books Blog Tour.
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, SupportIndieAuthors
#SupportIndieAuthors, to the heart of the matter edition! *Chance to win a free copy!*
Today I’m featuring one of the other authors at BWN, and her latest work Heart of the Hurricane! I also know romances are popular, and she’s been gracious enough to offer up a few copies (including one paperback I believe) as a giveaway. If this is your kind of work, just leave a comment below and you’ll be entered in a drawing. Without further ado, I give you May!
Author Bio
May’s books explore women’s self esteem, parenting struggles,personal growth, empowerment. and Mother Nature.
After years in social services and early childhood education, she has now carved out time to explore her new passion: writing.
https://www.facebook.com/MayBWilde
http://mayrising.blogspot.com/
https://www.twitter.com/MayWoodworth
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8343187.May_Woodworth
Heart of the Hurricane, May Woodworth, Big World Network
[Historical., Contemporary, Romance, LGBT] Three generations. Three romances. Oh wait, four if you include Eliza and her ghost. Past and Present collide when Niki retreats to a cottage in Nova Scotia that she inherited from her grandmother Eliza and great aunt Johanna. After a recent divorce, with her teenage daughter Melissa in tow, Niki struggles with decisions of what to do next and whether or not an entire career change is in order. At the cottage, she discovers her grandmother’s diary and is whisked back into the past, into Eliza and Johanna’s world during the Great August Gales of Nova Scotia, casting a light on her own life she never saw coming.
Available in Audiobook, Paperback, eBook
Audible
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Hurricane-May-Woodworth-ebook/dp/B00LDMSJ70/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Big World Network https://bigworldnetwork.com/site/store/heartofthehurricane/
CreateSpace https://www.createspace.com/4863503
Coming Soon to iTunes store & app!
https://www.linkedin.com/profile/public-profile-settings?trk=prof-edit-edit-public_profile
1. What do you do to keep your spirits up through a bad review?
I allow any emotional reactions to pass through me, and then I carry on. You will not be in sync with everyone. Some people get you, some people do not. Everyone has an opinion. I do address any real nuggets of advice in reviews, such as grammatical or research errors, and try to fix those.
2. What has been your greatest inspiration for writing your stories?
The people I love inspire my characters. If you have touched my life, you are in my books.
As far as what inspires me to wite in general, that would be attributed to my need to stay as sane as possible. No writing time for May= insanity.
3. Are there any people you feel need a shout out for supporting you?
Ironically, two of my biggest supporters are non-readers: my mom and my Larry. Their lack of reading led me to the audio-book market. I figured if they would not read my books, I would make them listen.
4. Has self-publishing taught you any lessons that you feel will help you in life?
My one attempt to self-publish reinforced my need for a publisher. Due to my editing inadequicies, and need for deadlines, I have gone with established publishers for all of my books .
And last, What’s your favorite color?
Purple!
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Support Indie Authors
August 6, 2015
8/6/15 first paint plus
Beautiful Texture
Originally posted on Expressions of my life - An evolution of art.:
With each passing day I regain my confidence in being alive. In being a person who expresses their passion through word and paint. When I was very young just as the world started to tear my world apart for the second time I realized I loved art, creating and simply dreaming/feeling in colors. Words made music in the air and my whole world changed. Please enjoy a first look at an “Untitled” work in progress .
This piece is 24″ x 24″ 60cm(2) I’m using a standard trowel palette knife and my classic painters rag so far. Later in the development of this piece I’ll do the detailed hand shading. In this photo the upper right hand corner is deffused due to an artificial light source. I hope the world has been kind to you all and you to it. Please remember to be kind to each other for if…
View original 25 more words
Filed under: Uncategorized
Brain to Books Blog Tour db Nielsen
Brain to Books Blog Tour
Fast Facts
Author: db nielsen
Genre: YA, NA, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Book: SEED: Keepers of Genesis I, and SCROLL: Keepers of Genesis II
Official Site
Bio
db nielsen was born in British Hong Kong and immigrated to Australia in childhood. db likes to travel the world with family; dividing time between residing in Sydney and visits to the cathedrals, crypts and museums the world over, doing research for new projects. The author is a university lecturer in Linguistics and Semiotics, and continues to teach English Literature and Language whilst writing fiction.
Blurb
Introducing Keepers of Genesis, a gripping new epic adventure series from talented debut author D B Nielsen. A magical blend of romance, fantasy and fascinating ancient history, this captivating four-part series comprising SEED, SCROLL, SWORD and STONE is already enthralling a legion of young adult readers and crossover fiction fans alike.
Twilight meets A Discovery of Witches in this addictive, fast paced series featuring inquisitive seventeen-year-old twins Sage and Saffron Woods who become embroiled in a thrilling quest when an artefact, long sought after, suddenly reappears in present day southern Iraq – a land long considered the cradle of civilization, ancient Mesopotamia. With its unearthing, a centuries-old conflict is reignited; a conflict that takes the sisters from the British Museum to Paris to the Vatican Secret Archives and the catacombs in Rome. In a race against time the twins discover not only deeply hidden secrets of the ancient world but embark on a journey of self-discovery and coming of age that uncovers their own passionate feelings for unearthly immortals.
One daring quest, twin sisters and their sweeping and adventurous romances, a perilous rivalry, mysterious Nephilim (offspring of Fallen Angels), intriguing exploration of some of Western culture’s greatest mysteries, a magical tale of angels and demons throughout the ages. Incorporating well researched historical facts intertwined with myth, fantasy, fascinating esoterica, literary allusions and a love story, Keepers of Genesis is a compelling read which marks the arrival of a wonderful new voice in the young adult crossover fiction genre appealing to fans of Becca Fitzpatrick’s Hush, Hush saga, Lauren Kate’s Fallen series and Deborah Harkness’ bestselling All Souls trilogy.
Seed Blurb
A powerful, hidden artifact is unearthed and, with its discovery, an ancient conflict is reignited. Seventeen-year-old Sage Woods, the daughter of an eminent archaeologist, uncovers the artifact’s disturbing secret and is placed in terrible danger. Unwittingly, she has stumbled into an invisible war between two primordial dynasties of a supernatural order – a war in which she has a fateful role to play in a race to control the power of the SEED.
Embroiled in a quest that takes her from the British Museum to the Louvre to the Vatican Secret Archives, Sage realizes that her blossoming romance with the mysterious, alluring St. John Rivers is inextricably tied to the artifact. Up until now, St. John has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Sage is determined to delve deeper to uncover his dark secret and his connection to the SEED.
It is a decision that will have a devastating effect on humankind…
SEED is the first book in the Keepers of Genesis series
Scroll Blurb
IDENTICAL TWIN SISTERS. POLES APART. LIGHT AND SHADOW. THEIR DESTINIES INTERLOCKED IN A QUEST THAT WILL DETERMINE THE FATE OF HUMANKIND…
Seventeen-year-old Saffron Woods, twin sister to Sage, is haunted by strange voices as if from some distant past. With the SEED’s sentience awakened, these mystical voices intensify, forcing Saffron to acknowledge that she has also inherited its legacy of dark secrets, intrigue and death. Venturing out alone, Saffron is driven to locate an ancient manuscript, the other half of a Cosmic Map charting the location of the only undiscovered Wonder of the Ancient World, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon; gateway to the Garden of Eden. But last seen in the Library of Alexandria, the SCROLL is thought to be lost to humankind.
Then Saffron meets the compelling caretaker of Satis House who appears to know more than he is willing to reveal. Knowing she cannot trust him, Saffron is still drawn to this rebellious boy who seems to both threaten and protect her. But her feelings for Finn are complicated by the charming yet inscrutable Anakim, Gabriel Chevalier, who offers her his invaluable assistance in locating the elusive manuscript.
Torn between competing passions and facing an increasingly implacable enemy, the Grigori, Saffron struggles to find the SCROLL which holds the secrets to the past and the key to the future…
SCROLL is the second book in the Keepers of Genesis series
Book Reviews
Seed
Seed: Keepers of Genesis 1 by d.b.nielsen
Scroll: Keepers of genesis II
Excerpt from Seed
It was because I was so transfixed with my find that I initially failed to notice that I was being scrutinized from across the room. The first I became aware of it was a prickling sensation down my back, the hairs on my neck and arms raised giving me goose bumps. I turned my head round nervously, looking back over my shoulder.
He stood at a distance, a young man in his mid-twenties perhaps, taller than average. No mere accident of lighting, his slightly curly locks, the colour of polished brass, formed a halo around a face that was much too beautiful to be called handsome. The only way to describe him was golden. His skin was golden, his hair, which he wore slightly longer than was fashionable, curling into the nape of his neck, was golden and I suspected his eye colour was, if not golden, amber like mine.
When I caught him staring at me intently, he neither looked away in embarrassment nor did he pretend to know me. Instead, he continued to assess me with an unblinking, hypnotic gaze. It was I who broke contact first; flushing with embarrassment, I dropped my eyes at once.
This can’t be happening! I thought, feeling panicky. Dragging in a deep breath, my eyes skittered back to his. He was still staring at me, his indescribably beautiful face unmoved.
My heart fluttered in my chest. I didn’t know what to think – was this some random stalker or had he seen me before around the museum and couldn’t place my face, seeming familiar to him? No serial killer looked the way he did. He was dressed immaculately all in black; a pair of black trousers was topped by a fine woollen black turtleneck. He wore the sleeves rolled up, exposing his sun-kissed skin. And the black only accentuated the perfection of his face. Of course, I had no idea what a serial killer looked like, but I was fairly certain it wasn’t this golden god.
As curious as I was, I did the only thing that made sense; I ignored him – or pretended to. Deliberately turning my back on him, I tried to refocus on the tablet in front of me. But I was merely staring blankly, nothing was registering. It was all so unreal.
‘It’s not real.’ A low, attractive voice remarked by my side.
Character Bio
Name: Elijah St. John Rivers (prefers to be called St. John)
Born in ancient Phoenicia, St. John is over six foot tall; buff; has slightly curly locks, the colour of polished brass. He wears it slightly longer than is fashionable, curling into the nape of his neck. He has unusual jade green eyes with flecks of gold in them (they turn emerald when he’s in a passion).
Father (Elijah): a member of the Grigori (or Watchers) and a fallen angel.
Mother (Miriam): a human female from a family of sheep-herders.
Their love was considered illicit and led to Miriam being disowned by her family and ostracized by her tribe. She died in childbirth and her child was left to die on the road to Canaan. The infant was found by the Anakim (a race of Nephilim) and raised by the leader, Anak.
Being immortal, St. John passes himself for twenty-five years old. Over his three thousand year existence, he preferred to keep his past a secret and much of what he did/ where he travelled/ his activities are unknown. But there are a few facts that have been reported about him: he was a member of the Templar Knights and, later, became an advisor to Charlemagne. His foster father, Père Henri, is a priest who works at Notre-Dame de Paris. St. John is the Keeper of the Seed; a role requiring him to protect an ancient artefact of significant value and power. As such, he met the writer, Charlotte Bronte, who named a character after him in her novel, Jane Eyre. During the Victorian era, it is known that he travelled to India.
St. John is now considered an eminent archaeologist; having completed high school at Eton College (UK) and studied Middle Eastern archaeology and history at Oxford University. He has a vast property portfolio (from The Golden Triangle in Paris to New York), and is extremely wealthy. He resides in both Paris and London.
He works as the Assistant Keeper, Ancient Mesopotamian Culture at the British Museum in London. He was assigned to spend three days in Basra, surveying eight of southern Iraq’s most important archaeological sites from Ur to Tell el-Lahm on a mission to preserve the area’s cultural heritage where he worked with Professor Woods. When Professor Woods’ family moved to London, St. John finally met his soul mate, Sage Woods.
Links
Amazon
Goodreads
Twitter
Facebook
Google+
Official Website
Reviews
Buy books by db nielsen
Amazon
Via IndieBooksBeSeen Shop
Click here for additional giveaways on the Brain to Books Blog Tour.
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, SupportIndieAuthors
Fast Facts
Author: db nielsenGenre: YA, NA, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Book: SEED: Keepers of Genesis I, and SCROLL: Keepers of Genesis II
Official Site
Bio
db nielsen was born in British Hong Kong and immigrated to Australia in childhood. db likes to travel the world with family; dividing time between residing in Sydney and visits to the cathedrals, crypts and museums the world over, doing research for new projects. The author is a university lecturer in Linguistics and Semiotics, and continues to teach English Literature and Language whilst writing fiction.
Blurb
Introducing Keepers of Genesis, a gripping new epic adventure series from talented debut author D B Nielsen. A magical blend of romance, fantasy and fascinating ancient history, this captivating four-part series comprising SEED, SCROLL, SWORD and STONE is already enthralling a legion of young adult readers and crossover fiction fans alike.
Twilight meets A Discovery of Witches in this addictive, fast paced series featuring inquisitive seventeen-year-old twins Sage and Saffron Woods who become embroiled in a thrilling quest when an artefact, long sought after, suddenly reappears in present day southern Iraq – a land long considered the cradle of civilization, ancient Mesopotamia. With its unearthing, a centuries-old conflict is reignited; a conflict that takes the sisters from the British Museum to Paris to the Vatican Secret Archives and the catacombs in Rome. In a race against time the twins discover not only deeply hidden secrets of the ancient world but embark on a journey of self-discovery and coming of age that uncovers their own passionate feelings for unearthly immortals.
One daring quest, twin sisters and their sweeping and adventurous romances, a perilous rivalry, mysterious Nephilim (offspring of Fallen Angels), intriguing exploration of some of Western culture’s greatest mysteries, a magical tale of angels and demons throughout the ages. Incorporating well researched historical facts intertwined with myth, fantasy, fascinating esoterica, literary allusions and a love story, Keepers of Genesis is a compelling read which marks the arrival of a wonderful new voice in the young adult crossover fiction genre appealing to fans of Becca Fitzpatrick’s Hush, Hush saga, Lauren Kate’s Fallen series and Deborah Harkness’ bestselling All Souls trilogy.
Seed Blurb
A powerful, hidden artifact is unearthed and, with its discovery, an ancient conflict is reignited. Seventeen-year-old Sage Woods, the daughter of an eminent archaeologist, uncovers the artifact’s disturbing secret and is placed in terrible danger. Unwittingly, she has stumbled into an invisible war between two primordial dynasties of a supernatural order – a war in which she has a fateful role to play in a race to control the power of the SEED.Embroiled in a quest that takes her from the British Museum to the Louvre to the Vatican Secret Archives, Sage realizes that her blossoming romance with the mysterious, alluring St. John Rivers is inextricably tied to the artifact. Up until now, St. John has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Sage is determined to delve deeper to uncover his dark secret and his connection to the SEED.
It is a decision that will have a devastating effect on humankind…
SEED is the first book in the Keepers of Genesis series
Scroll Blurb
IDENTICAL TWIN SISTERS. POLES APART. LIGHT AND SHADOW. THEIR DESTINIES INTERLOCKED IN A QUEST THAT WILL DETERMINE THE FATE OF HUMANKIND…
Seventeen-year-old Saffron Woods, twin sister to Sage, is haunted by strange voices as if from some distant past. With the SEED’s sentience awakened, these mystical voices intensify, forcing Saffron to acknowledge that she has also inherited its legacy of dark secrets, intrigue and death. Venturing out alone, Saffron is driven to locate an ancient manuscript, the other half of a Cosmic Map charting the location of the only undiscovered Wonder of the Ancient World, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon; gateway to the Garden of Eden. But last seen in the Library of Alexandria, the SCROLL is thought to be lost to humankind.Then Saffron meets the compelling caretaker of Satis House who appears to know more than he is willing to reveal. Knowing she cannot trust him, Saffron is still drawn to this rebellious boy who seems to both threaten and protect her. But her feelings for Finn are complicated by the charming yet inscrutable Anakim, Gabriel Chevalier, who offers her his invaluable assistance in locating the elusive manuscript.
Torn between competing passions and facing an increasingly implacable enemy, the Grigori, Saffron struggles to find the SCROLL which holds the secrets to the past and the key to the future…
SCROLL is the second book in the Keepers of Genesis series
Book Reviews
Seed
***** With all of the zest and determination of a teen, ignoring the fact that she has been told NOT to disturb her archeologist father in his office, Sage plows through his door and her life becomes the thing of myth, the supernatural and ancient history coming to life. So, maybe not her best move, but a highly secret artifact is communicating with her, she feels the secrets it keeps locked away. What does it mean for her? Sage becomes fascinated by the inhumanly handsome and charismatic St. John Rivers, who is also part of her father’s team of experts, but he runs hot and cold, one minute the dashing flirt, the next he is the absent-minded professor, ignoring her while lost in his thoughts. But is her really just another brilliant human or is their more to how he always seems to show up in Sage’s life? The artifact is part of a supernatural war between two dynasties and Sage has been chosen by fate to become part of this war. What if she chooses wrong in her quest for answers and to understand this ancient piece? She and St. John will travel across Europe in search of clues to save the world, do they lie in the archives at the Vatican? Will she discover St. John’s true identity, as well as the identities of the warring factions? Winner takes all, including the fate of the world’s souls, and the clock is ticking as each hour becomes more dangerous for Sage and her guardian, St. John. Their feelings must be set aside, possibly forever, but is that fair?
Action, adventure, mystery and a touch of the supernatural, a battle going back in time thousands of years, is there some mystical secret held within the artifact; does it touch on religious beliefs from long ago? Seed by D. B. Nielsen is more than a fast-paced journey into the unknown, the unimaginable. D.B. Nielsen has blended truth, suppositions and an author’s imagination into a read that becomes spell-binding, to say the least!
Do you like the hunt for ancient treasures with unexplainable powers and dark secrets? Do you get chills from knowing an artifact holds the future of the world in its secrets? D.B. Nielsen has a feast for your senses with Seed. With characters and scenes that scream, can you believe this? There is no choice but to answer YES!, the writing is that powerful, the tale that intense. If this is the future of N/A reading, I would say, the literary world should be celebrating with gusto! Get ready for one of the best games of supernatural cat and mouse to hit the decks running!
Seed: Keepers of Genesis 1 by d.b.nielsen
I absolutely loved it. It has all of my favorite things…some kind of quest (usually religious), a love story, mystery, thriller, adventure, twins!, family, evil bad guys, good bad guys(?), heroines, heroes, history, excitement, fear, animals, fancy cars and places, fashion, strained and strong relationships, mentors, other things I can’t mention(spoilers). Did I mention twins?!! I read the little teaser of the next story (at the end of this one) and I can tell you I am on it the moment it releases!
So, so good! I hope they make movies someday!
I also enjoyed the various lovely words to look up in the dictionary. Not to say I didn’t understand what they meant in the context but I do enjoy words and sometimes I just want to know more. Does that make me a dictionary nerd?
Highly Recommended if this is your thing :)
I borrowed this book from Amazon’s Prime Members Lending Library so I could read it with Goodreads Indie Book Club. Thanks, it’s been great :)
Scroll: Keepers of genesis II
The second is even better then the first. Sage finds out her twin is also the wise one! Her twin has all the qualities she does not so the compliment one another. There is m o re adventure and Fi is very spirited, could she be in love with the wrong one? Danger, battles,love and adventure what more can one ask for. I totally enjoyed this story the sense of humor, heart ache it has it all. I am so excited to read the next book! I rate this book a 5 stars!
Excerpt from Seed
It was because I was so transfixed with my find that I initially failed to notice that I was being scrutinized from across the room. The first I became aware of it was a prickling sensation down my back, the hairs on my neck and arms raised giving me goose bumps. I turned my head round nervously, looking back over my shoulder.
He stood at a distance, a young man in his mid-twenties perhaps, taller than average. No mere accident of lighting, his slightly curly locks, the colour of polished brass, formed a halo around a face that was much too beautiful to be called handsome. The only way to describe him was golden. His skin was golden, his hair, which he wore slightly longer than was fashionable, curling into the nape of his neck, was golden and I suspected his eye colour was, if not golden, amber like mine.
When I caught him staring at me intently, he neither looked away in embarrassment nor did he pretend to know me. Instead, he continued to assess me with an unblinking, hypnotic gaze. It was I who broke contact first; flushing with embarrassment, I dropped my eyes at once.
This can’t be happening! I thought, feeling panicky. Dragging in a deep breath, my eyes skittered back to his. He was still staring at me, his indescribably beautiful face unmoved.
My heart fluttered in my chest. I didn’t know what to think – was this some random stalker or had he seen me before around the museum and couldn’t place my face, seeming familiar to him? No serial killer looked the way he did. He was dressed immaculately all in black; a pair of black trousers was topped by a fine woollen black turtleneck. He wore the sleeves rolled up, exposing his sun-kissed skin. And the black only accentuated the perfection of his face. Of course, I had no idea what a serial killer looked like, but I was fairly certain it wasn’t this golden god.
As curious as I was, I did the only thing that made sense; I ignored him – or pretended to. Deliberately turning my back on him, I tried to refocus on the tablet in front of me. But I was merely staring blankly, nothing was registering. It was all so unreal.
‘It’s not real.’ A low, attractive voice remarked by my side.
Character Bio
Name: Elijah St. John Rivers (prefers to be called St. John)
Born in ancient Phoenicia, St. John is over six foot tall; buff; has slightly curly locks, the colour of polished brass. He wears it slightly longer than is fashionable, curling into the nape of his neck. He has unusual jade green eyes with flecks of gold in them (they turn emerald when he’s in a passion).Father (Elijah): a member of the Grigori (or Watchers) and a fallen angel.
Mother (Miriam): a human female from a family of sheep-herders.
Their love was considered illicit and led to Miriam being disowned by her family and ostracized by her tribe. She died in childbirth and her child was left to die on the road to Canaan. The infant was found by the Anakim (a race of Nephilim) and raised by the leader, Anak.
Being immortal, St. John passes himself for twenty-five years old. Over his three thousand year existence, he preferred to keep his past a secret and much of what he did/ where he travelled/ his activities are unknown. But there are a few facts that have been reported about him: he was a member of the Templar Knights and, later, became an advisor to Charlemagne. His foster father, Père Henri, is a priest who works at Notre-Dame de Paris. St. John is the Keeper of the Seed; a role requiring him to protect an ancient artefact of significant value and power. As such, he met the writer, Charlotte Bronte, who named a character after him in her novel, Jane Eyre. During the Victorian era, it is known that he travelled to India.St. John is now considered an eminent archaeologist; having completed high school at Eton College (UK) and studied Middle Eastern archaeology and history at Oxford University. He has a vast property portfolio (from The Golden Triangle in Paris to New York), and is extremely wealthy. He resides in both Paris and London.
He works as the Assistant Keeper, Ancient Mesopotamian Culture at the British Museum in London. He was assigned to spend three days in Basra, surveying eight of southern Iraq’s most important archaeological sites from Ur to Tell el-Lahm on a mission to preserve the area’s cultural heritage where he worked with Professor Woods. When Professor Woods’ family moved to London, St. John finally met his soul mate, Sage Woods.
Links
Amazon
Goodreads
Google+
Official Website
Reviews
Buy books by db nielsen
Amazon
Via IndieBooksBeSeen Shop
Click here for additional giveaways on the Brain to Books Blog Tour.
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, SupportIndieAuthors
Brain to Books Blog Tour Kristin Talgø
Brain to Books Blog Tour
Fast Facts:
Author name: Kristin Talgø
Genre: Sci-fi
Book: Escaping the Caves
Official Site of Kristin Talgø
BIO
I’ve always loved to read and write, and did Creative Writing the summer of 2010 at the University of Edinburgh. That was a real eye-opener as I got to meet so many wonderful people who also wanted to write. They inspired me to ‘just go for it’. Even so, I spent some years doing other things. I got a degree in social work, worked and lived in Ghana for a while, before I realized that I’m better suited for what I really want to do, which is write. I’m currently studying journalism in Oslo, while I continue to write stories in my spare-time. (Not sure how long this was supposed to be, if you want me to change or add something let me know!)
Author Accomplishments
“Escaping the Caves” is my first published novel, but I’ve been writing short stories and books for the past eight years. Attending the Creative Writing Course at the University of Edinburgh in the summer of 2010 was a real turning point for me . That’s when I admitted to myself and others that being a writer is who I am, what I want to do. I’ve always thought about starting a website and a blog as a way of sharing thoughts about writing and life in general. Once I got a publishing contract, I finally got the push I needed to do just that. I’ve just started out, but hope it can be a way for me to connect with readers and others who enjoy writing. In addition to blogging about life and literature, the website is a place where I can post small short stories, as well as writing about my own up-coming books. Apart from the happiness writing gives me, I’d just like for people to get as much joy from reading my stories as I enjoy writing them.
Blurb
This is not the story of how the world ended. No one really knows how it ended. All that is certain is somehow, somewhere, someone screwed up.
Big time.
For generations, Jess and her tribe have guarded the entrance to the caves, protecting the human world from the demons within. The bloodthirsty creatures, once the cause of humanity’s downfall, seek nothing more than to finish the task.
Caught in a web of grief, Jess flees the tribe for the outside world, becoming an ‘outcast’. She crosses the desert, seeking out a new home away from the fight, but her warrior’s scars make it a difficult life, the center of a propaganda-fuelled hatred unparalleled in her old world.
But when Jess finds a home, she finds that her old life will not be forgotten so easily. The demons have found a new exit to the cave.
They’re ready.
Read an excerpt
Angela B. Chrysler Interviews Kristin
Angela B. Chrysler: Tell us a little about yourself. (How did you get started writing? What do you do when you’re not writing?
Kristin Talgø: I would say I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, but it’s closer to the truth to say I’ve been writing stories since I was seven. I kept writing through my teens, but didn’t start taking it seriously until I was nineteen. I attended a Creative Writing Course at the University of Edinburgh summer of 2010, and the writing environment and support I found there really encouraged me to stick to what I wanted to do; namely write.
I’m currently studying journalism in Norway, I’ll be in my third and final year come this fall. Apart from that, I’m obviously very fond of reading; I also enjoy drawing though that isn’t one of my strong suits. I have a lovely three year old daughter, who keeps me busy. In between writing, working and caring for her, I try to make room and time for my friends and the rest of my family.
Angela B. Chrysler: Is this your first book? How many books have you written prior (if any?) List other titles if applicable.
Kristin Talgø: “Escaping the Caves” is not the first book I’ve written, but it’s the first to be published and the first I’ve attempted to publish. I’ve written five others and am currently working on my seventh. I consider the first book I wrote a sort of trial run, but the other four I hope to revise and edit, as I think they could really work, but they’re still a work in progress.
Angela B. Chrysler: What genre do you enjoy writing the most and what is this book about?
Kristin Talgø: I enjoy writing sci-fi, fantasy or books with an element of the paranormal about them and those are the genres in which I write.
“Escaping the Caves” is a futuristic novel set in a post-apocalyptic word. The world was overrun by monsters that nearly wipe out humanity. After a devastating war, it was left to a chosen few to keep the monsters confided to a set of caves. The task of keeping the monsters from once again roaming the earth has been passed down through the generations. It’s a small community governed by strict rules. There is no room for the people living there to show their pain and fear. If one person starts to crack up, it’s only a reminder that they’re all cracking up a little every day. Whoever decides to leave the community becomes an ‘outcast’. They’ve betrayed humanity and so are shunned in the outside world as well. Jess, a trained monster hunter turns her back on the family tradition. No longer wanting to live with the possibility of being killed by those monsters, or living with the ghosts of those who have, Jess leaves the only life she knows and travels across country to find herself. As she attempts to escape the death of her sister, and the ghosts that dwell inside her mind, Jess finds more than what she bargained for. Monsters come in all shapes and sizes, even human ones…
Angela B. Chrysler: What inspired you to write this book?
Kristin Talgø: Generally speaking, I get my inspiration from everything from music and movies to books, poetry and articles. It gets mixed up with my imagination and the strange inner workings of my mind. In this case, and I know it sounds corny, the idea came from a dream I had. In the dream I was having an argument with someone. I was desperate for that person to listen to me, to understand me, but when the person turned around there was nothing but disdain and contempt on his face. We were standing on a street, people gathering to see what the commotion was about and when I tried to seek their understanding and acceptance for my pain, I was met with the same distaste. In their eyes I was weak for crying, for revealing my hurt. In the distance there was a huge, dark mountain range stretching for as long as I could see. When I woke up, my mind automatically started building on it. The scene from the dream blended together with my imagination.
Angela B. Chrysler: How did you come up with the title of your book or series?
Kristin Talgø: The original title was “Cavemen”, but having read through the book my publisher suggested “Escaping the Caves” as it works better with the theme running through the book where the main character, Jess, tries to escape the caves, both literally and mentally.
Angela B. Chrysler: Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?
Kristin Talgø: It was my publisher who commissioned the cover art. Once the artist had made a mock-up, I got to see it and get my input on it. As this is my first published book I didn’t know what to expect, but I loved the cover the moment I saw it. I think the artist really captured the sinister and malevolent presence in the caves. It’s dark and eerie, just the way I like it!
Angela B. Chrysler: If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?
Kristin Talgø: I really don’t know what to say to that. My characters, the way they look and act, are so firmly fixed in my head; it’s difficult to picture actors putting on their faces, so to speak. But I suppose to play Jess; I think Mia Wasikowska could be a good fit, both in the way she looks, but also because I think she’s really good at taking on strong, independent and complex characters. To play John, it would have to be someone who can pull off that kind and considerate, yet manly combination. Ryan Gosling maybe? He’s quite good at that isn’t he? Not to mention, he’s always popular and about as handsome as they come!
As for Kyle, that’s a difficult one. Kyle as a character is the kind of man who can be cold and closed off, but has that spark in his eyes, knows how to turn on the charm. I suppose, based on movies I’ve seen him in, someone like Chris Hemsworth might’ve worked.
Angela B. Chrysler: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
Kristin Talgø: For as long as I can remember, even as a quite small child, I used to make up imaginary worlds in my head. I never had a problem playing on my own as a kid; I would just make up different scenarios and play them out. When I played with my friends or sister, I remember I would often be a bit of a director, I wanted things to play out the way I’d pictured them in my head. I must’ve been a bossy playmate, at least with my sister. But it was this joy in creating different worlds and universes in my head that sparked my desire to write. To put them down on paper and have them come to life.
Angela B. Chrysler: Are you a plotter or do you write by the seat of your pants?
Kristin Talgø: I’m not much of a plotter. Once the idea for the book had been formed in my mind, the people, scenes and dialog are usually quite clear to me. That being said, the story develops as I write it. I usually have a sense of where the story is headed, but I never really know what’s going to happen until I get there. That’s part of the fun. Discovering a story as I go along, discovering the twists and turns as I write them. It’s an exciting process, as I can sort of ‘feel’ the whole story at the back of my mind, but I have to dig it out, one word, one sentence, at the time. I like not knowing entirely where it’s headed, that way anything is possible.
Angela B. Chrysler: Who is your favorite character from your book and why? How about your least favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?
Kristin Talgø: My favorite character is probably Jess. I really liked how she turned out. She’s strong, capable and independent, knows her own mind and doesn’t take bs. from anyone. At the same time, I like how she has her weaknesses too. How she’s vulnerable and fragile, she desperately wants to be loved and understood, to find someone and somewhere to belong. Where she can be accepted for who she is, all of her, both the good and the bad. She’s also stubborn and she’s got an attitude, but a kind heart. To sum it up, I like the complexity of her. How she’s proof that there doesn’t have be any disparities between being strong and vulnerable at the same time. How that’s just part of being human.
My least favorite character is probably Marjorie, John’s ex-wife. She’s the epitome of everything I dislike and would hate to be. She’s selfish and self-centered, with very little empathy and understanding for any pain but her own. She can feel very sorry for herself, but she’s not capable of much sympathy for those around her. She sees the people in her life as pawns she can move around to her advantage, not as humans with their own needs and desires.
Angela B. Chrysler: What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?
Kristin Talgø: Do it. There’s no reason why anyone who wants to be a writer shouldn’t do just that, as long as they’re prepared for a bumpy road. People always tell you that you need to work hard for the things you want in life, but that can never prepare you for just how hard you’ll need to work. If you want to be a writer, you’ll probably have to work twice as hard as you thought and at least twice as hard as you’d like. But if that’s really what you want to do, then that’s just the price you’ll have to pay. You’re going to have to work hard in life no matter what you do, so you might as well work hard for the things you really want. If being a writer is what you really want, then all that hard work is worth it. At the end of the day, if that hard work means you get to do what you feel you’re meant to do in life… What’s there to think about?
And don’t let anyone belittle your desire to write. Being a writer is just as legitimate a profession as wanting to be a plumber, nurse or teacher. We all got our parts to play in this world. If you feel writing is where you’re abilities are, then write is what you should do.
Angela B. Chrysler: What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
Kristin Talgø: Recommend it to friends! Spread the word; lend it to a friend or both. I think that’s probably the best way of making sure people who might enjoy reading it get the chance.
Angela B. Chrysler: Why did you write a love story?
Kristin Talgø: “Escaping the Caves” is a dystopian sci-fi novel, but there is a love story within that. Two actually. The book is in many ways character driven, the story revolves around Jess and the process she goes through, even if her process is affected by outside events. The reason why I wanted there to be a love story within the sci-fi story, apart from me being hopelessly romantic at heart, is because I think love is such a rich and complex subject. You can really go to town with it. Stretch it, inspect it and look at it from all sorts of angles.
Love, especially romantic love between two people can be so extraordinarily wonderful, but also so painfully complicated and cruel. I think love stories are a great way of examining the human psyche, understanding people and why we do the things we do.
Also, love is full of contradictions. It’s irrational. It’s perfectly possible to be head over heels in love with someone who’s terribly mismatched for you, and not being able to feel that crazy rush with someone who on paper should be your ideal match.
It’s this complexity and those contradictions that make love stories so interesting and fun to write about.
Angela B. Chrysler: What can we expect from you in the future?
Kristin Talgø: More stories and more books! Where I’ll be in the future as a writer is, just like with everything else in life, difficult if not impossible to predict. All I know is that I spent far too long doing other things, when what I really wanted was to write, to be a writer. Life’s too short not to do what makes you genuinely happy. So I’m in it for the long haul. I don’t expect it to be easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. I intend to keep writing and I hope there will be people who’ll want to read my books and enjoy them. Stories only truly come to life when they’re shared.
Angela B. Chrysler: And now for the zanier questions! Are you a compulsive shopper/hoarder?
Kristin Talgø: When it comes to books, yes. I physically can’t walk by a book store without going inside for a look. I keep telling myself to get one, but I always get three. Also, the buy with one click option on Amazon is decidedly dangerous… At least for my bank account.
Angela B. Chrysler: What do you want your tombstone to say?
Kristin Talgø: “Man, that was a lot of fun! Can I go again?”
Angela B. Chrysler: What is something you want to accomplish before you die?
Kristin Talgø: I’d like to travel as much as possible and experience as many different places as I can. I’d like to show my daughter that there is a whole world out there, and that there is a lot of different ways of living. It’s easy to lose perspective when all you see are the same things and same people every day. Sometimes we need to take a step back to see the bigger picture. Also, I love travelling simply for the sake of travelling. I’m a lot happier when I’m on the move and not in the same place for too long at the time. I’m hoping to pass on my love for travelling to my daughter, as well as my love of books. If I can raise a self-reliant girl with a love of books and adventure, then I will feel I’ve done something right as a mother.
Angela B. Chrysler: What is your favorite Fiction/Non-Fiction book?
Kristin Talgø: My favorite Fiction is “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë; I know whole passages of that book by heart. My favorite Non-Fiction is “Tracks” by Robyn Davidson. That book went straight to my heart, a great inspiration for the possibilities in life. That there’s more to life than what everyone expects of you. That you can make up your own life as long as you have the guts to do it.
Angela B. Chrysler: What books have most influenced your life most? A mentor?
Kristin Talgø: There are so many books that have meant and mean so much to me. That being said, Stephen King is probably the writer that has influenced me as a writer the most. I started reading his books when I was about thirteen and I’ve been hooked ever since. I greatly admire him as an author and his ability to describe events and emotions using the exact right words and the exact right amount of them. Not to mention his ability to create characters not based on descriptions, but on how they act and how they speak. I love the way a lot of his books are all connected somehow, a whole universe filled with different stories, worlds within worlds. There are times when I’ve skipped pages in his books, when the story has become too gory and gruesome for my taste, but I think he’s at his best when he writes about the simple things in his stories. The human condition and the way people connect and communicate with each other, or fail to. Despite writing horror, Stephen King has written some of the best love stories, in my opinion!
Also, I figure that if he could have two kids and write ‘Carrie’ in the laundry room of a doublewide trailer, then I can certainly write in an airy kitchen with only one kid.
Kristin interviews her characters
Jess
Author: Hi, Jess. Thanks for taking the time to do this. Go ahead and tell the audience a bit about yourself.
Jess: Ehm, hi… I’m Jess. I used to be a fighter in the Caves. I was good at it; it was what I was born to do. What I’d been trained for. But losing my sister and best friend kind of messed with my head, though it was pretty messed up to begin with. The Caves will do that to you. So I left. I wanted to find myself again, if possible. And now…I’m still trying to figure that out, I guess.
Q: Okay, I know you’re not entirely comfortable with this sort of thing, but why don’t you tell us where and when you were born.
Jess: Sure. I was born December 12th 2097, in the settlement around the Caves. What childhood I had was all right. They start prepping you for a life in the Caves when you turn four so it didn’t last very long, but those first few years, what I remember… It was good.
Author: I know your life in the Caves was a strained one; it must’ve shaped you in a lot of ways. How would you describe yourself?
Jess: Describe myself? I don’t know, I’ve never really thought about it. We don’t spend a lot of time on introspection around the Caves. Soul-searching isn’t advisable when your soul is killed off a little every day. I used to think I was brave, now I’m not so sure. Maybe I’ve become selfish.
Author: I suppose a life like that might do that to you. Why don’t you tell us a bit more about where you grew up?
Jess: Look, I spend most of my time trying to forget about where I grew up. If you hadn’t already done so, I could’ve written a whole book about what the Caves are like. But words are never going to explain what it’s like growing up in a place where all you are trained for is killing. To live your life never knowing who’s going to have their head ripped off next… All everyone teaches you are how to keep your fear and grief to yourself. But trust me, that’ll eat you up.
Author: I can’t imagine what that must be like. Or I can; I wrote the book after all, but tell everyone what it is you do when you’re not fighting in the Caves.
Jess: I don’t fight anymore, you know that. But back by the Caves, when I wasn’t in them trying not to get mauled, my main hobbies were drinking, smoking and… Well, you can say what you want about the men around the Caves, cave-mentality and all, but they know how to have a good time, I’ll give them that.
Author: Talking about men, are you serious with anyone?
Jess: What? I… What does that have to do with anything? Look, are we done here?
Author: Almost, tell us about your worst fear.
Jess: Listen lady, I didn’t want to do this in the first place. The only reason I’m doing it is to get you off my back, but this is where I draw the line. Worst fear? I think I’ve experienced them all. There’s not much left to fear. Except maybe… No, never mind. Can I go now?
Author: Sure, Jess. Thanks for coming. I wish you all the best.
Kyle
Author: That was Jess, and now it’s time to talk to you Kyle. You were a hard one to talk into coming, but thanks for doing this. Go ahead and introduce yourself. Tell the audience a bit about who you are.
Kyle: I’m Kyle. Second Commander of the Caves.
Author: Okay… Brief and to the point as usual. Try to elaborate a bit. Tell us where and when were born.
Kyle: I don’t see how this is relevant, but fine. Just like my ex-wife who you just met, I was born in the settlement around the Caves. Born July 2nd 2091. Unlike Jess, I didn’t waste my time on longing for a happy childhood. I was born for a reason, with a purpose. Which is more than I can say for any of you.
Author: Okay, no reason to be rude to the audience. You’re a hard man to figure out, tell me, how would you describe yourself?
Kyle: I would say I’m efficient, determined and unsentimental. Other people think I’m hard and uncaring. Makes no difference to me. Compassion isn’t going to do you any good in the Caves. When those monsters come at you, you can’t worry about the people around you. You just got to trust they can handle themselves. Those who can’t… I’m sorry for them, but breaking down isn’t going to help anyone. Jess used to know that.
Author: We’re not talking about Jess, we’re talking about you. Tell us more about where you grew up.
Kyle: Seriously? Didn’t you already ask Jess that? The Caves are bad and bloody. If you want any more details, tell people to read the damn book.
Author: Kyle, please be nice. Why don’t you tell everyone what it is you do when you’re not fighting the monsters in the Caves?
Kyle: I do what most people do when they’re not fighting. I’m not a drunkard, but I drink, sure. Everyone does that. Gamble? Probably a bit of that too. Smoking? I leave that to Jess; she’s like a damn chimney when she’s stressed.
Author: And women? I understand that you have quite a reputation. Are you serious with anyone?
Kyle: Why? You interested?
Author: Sorry, you’re not really my type anymore. Okay, final question. Tell us about your worst fear.
Kyle: Fear? Fear is useless. It’ll cripple you, destroy you. If you let it, it’ll kill you. No. I’m not afraid. Maybe… Seeing Jess, after she lost her sister… Losing your mind like that… I’d rather let the monsters have me.
Author: Well, let’s hope it won’t come to that. Thanks, Kyle. And good luck. You’re going to need it…
John
Author: John, hi, thanks for coming. I know you have things to do, so let’s get started. Go ahead and introduce yourself. Tell the audience a bit about who you are.
John: Hi, I’m John. I run a diner, my father’s really, in a small town called Havensfield. I met Jess not long after she’d left the Caves, but didn’t see her again until she strolled into town one day. Maybe not strolled. She… She’d been through a lot. When I’m not working, I take care of my daughter Eve. She’s four.
Author: A hard-working family man. Gotta love that. Tell us where and when you were born.
John: I was born in Havensfield. April 14th 2095. I grew up there, that’s where I met my wife, now ex-wife, Eve’s mother. After the divorce, I took Eve and moved to one of the larger cities. Been working as a journalist, writing some books, none published yet. But Dad’s older now, and so I’m working at his place for the time being. Trying to keep it going and keep an eye out for Dad.
Author: You strike me as a responsible, caring kind of man. But how would you describe yourself?
John: Caring? Sure. Becoming a father will do that to most men I think. As for responsible? I don’t think I’m any more responsible than most people. I like to think I’m easy-going though. Live and let live, and all that.
Author: Tell us a bit more about where you grew up.
John: Havensfield? Okay, it’s a small town. It’s sitting at the bottom of a large mountainrange, surrounded by forest. An idyllic sort of place, at least I think so. Maybe a bit boring for some folks. Like every other town it has it faults, but we take care of each other around there. Look after one another.
Author: Sounds like a good place. Tell everyone what it is you do when you’re not working at the diner or taking care of your daughter?
John: The usual I guess. I like to read, write. Spend time with…friends when Eve is with her mother.
Author: The way you said ‘friends’ makes me think there’s someone in the picture. Someone who’s a bit more than a friend maybe? Are you serious with anyone?
John: Oh, ehm… I… Well, I’m not sure what she’s thinking, she likes to keep her feelings to herself, but… Serious? I hope so.
Author: Okay, final call. Tell us about your worst fear.
John: Worst? I’m a father. It goes without saying what I fear the most. I don’t even want to think about it, let alone say it out loud.
Author: No worries, John. There’s no need. Thank you for coming, and say hi to Eve from me.
Click here for additional giveaways on the Brain to Books Blog Tour.
Links
Official Site
Facebook
www.kristintalgo@hotmail.com
http://scififantasypublications.com
https://daowenpublications.ca
The book will be available in ebook format at:
Barnes & Noble
iStore
Kobo
Scribd
Inktera
tolino
Google Play
Page Foundry
Amazon Kindle
The book will be available in print format at:
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Chapters
All book stores worldwide can order the book off the Ingram list. Several book stores in Ontario will hold stock.
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, SupportIndieAuthors
Fast Facts:
Author name: Kristin TalgøGenre: Sci-fi
Book: Escaping the Caves
Official Site of Kristin Talgø
Jess runs away from a life of violence to become an outcast only to find Escaping the Caves is harder than she thought.
BIO
I’ve always loved to read and write, and did Creative Writing the summer of 2010 at the University of Edinburgh. That was a real eye-opener as I got to meet so many wonderful people who also wanted to write. They inspired me to ‘just go for it’. Even so, I spent some years doing other things. I got a degree in social work, worked and lived in Ghana for a while, before I realized that I’m better suited for what I really want to do, which is write. I’m currently studying journalism in Oslo, while I continue to write stories in my spare-time. (Not sure how long this was supposed to be, if you want me to change or add something let me know!)
Author Accomplishments
“Escaping the Caves” is my first published novel, but I’ve been writing short stories and books for the past eight years. Attending the Creative Writing Course at the University of Edinburgh in the summer of 2010 was a real turning point for me . That’s when I admitted to myself and others that being a writer is who I am, what I want to do. I’ve always thought about starting a website and a blog as a way of sharing thoughts about writing and life in general. Once I got a publishing contract, I finally got the push I needed to do just that. I’ve just started out, but hope it can be a way for me to connect with readers and others who enjoy writing. In addition to blogging about life and literature, the website is a place where I can post small short stories, as well as writing about my own up-coming books. Apart from the happiness writing gives me, I’d just like for people to get as much joy from reading my stories as I enjoy writing them.
Blurb
This is not the story of how the world ended. No one really knows how it ended. All that is certain is somehow, somewhere, someone screwed up.
Big time.
For generations, Jess and her tribe have guarded the entrance to the caves, protecting the human world from the demons within. The bloodthirsty creatures, once the cause of humanity’s downfall, seek nothing more than to finish the task.
Caught in a web of grief, Jess flees the tribe for the outside world, becoming an ‘outcast’. She crosses the desert, seeking out a new home away from the fight, but her warrior’s scars make it a difficult life, the center of a propaganda-fuelled hatred unparalleled in her old world.
But when Jess finds a home, she finds that her old life will not be forgotten so easily. The demons have found a new exit to the cave.
They’re ready.
Read an excerpt
Angela B. Chrysler Interviews Kristin
Angela B. Chrysler: Tell us a little about yourself. (How did you get started writing? What do you do when you’re not writing?
Kristin Talgø: I would say I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, but it’s closer to the truth to say I’ve been writing stories since I was seven. I kept writing through my teens, but didn’t start taking it seriously until I was nineteen. I attended a Creative Writing Course at the University of Edinburgh summer of 2010, and the writing environment and support I found there really encouraged me to stick to what I wanted to do; namely write.
I’m currently studying journalism in Norway, I’ll be in my third and final year come this fall. Apart from that, I’m obviously very fond of reading; I also enjoy drawing though that isn’t one of my strong suits. I have a lovely three year old daughter, who keeps me busy. In between writing, working and caring for her, I try to make room and time for my friends and the rest of my family.
Angela B. Chrysler: Is this your first book? How many books have you written prior (if any?) List other titles if applicable.
Kristin Talgø: “Escaping the Caves” is not the first book I’ve written, but it’s the first to be published and the first I’ve attempted to publish. I’ve written five others and am currently working on my seventh. I consider the first book I wrote a sort of trial run, but the other four I hope to revise and edit, as I think they could really work, but they’re still a work in progress.
Angela B. Chrysler: What genre do you enjoy writing the most and what is this book about?
Kristin Talgø: I enjoy writing sci-fi, fantasy or books with an element of the paranormal about them and those are the genres in which I write.
“Escaping the Caves” is a futuristic novel set in a post-apocalyptic word. The world was overrun by monsters that nearly wipe out humanity. After a devastating war, it was left to a chosen few to keep the monsters confided to a set of caves. The task of keeping the monsters from once again roaming the earth has been passed down through the generations. It’s a small community governed by strict rules. There is no room for the people living there to show their pain and fear. If one person starts to crack up, it’s only a reminder that they’re all cracking up a little every day. Whoever decides to leave the community becomes an ‘outcast’. They’ve betrayed humanity and so are shunned in the outside world as well. Jess, a trained monster hunter turns her back on the family tradition. No longer wanting to live with the possibility of being killed by those monsters, or living with the ghosts of those who have, Jess leaves the only life she knows and travels across country to find herself. As she attempts to escape the death of her sister, and the ghosts that dwell inside her mind, Jess finds more than what she bargained for. Monsters come in all shapes and sizes, even human ones…
Angela B. Chrysler: What inspired you to write this book?
Kristin Talgø: Generally speaking, I get my inspiration from everything from music and movies to books, poetry and articles. It gets mixed up with my imagination and the strange inner workings of my mind. In this case, and I know it sounds corny, the idea came from a dream I had. In the dream I was having an argument with someone. I was desperate for that person to listen to me, to understand me, but when the person turned around there was nothing but disdain and contempt on his face. We were standing on a street, people gathering to see what the commotion was about and when I tried to seek their understanding and acceptance for my pain, I was met with the same distaste. In their eyes I was weak for crying, for revealing my hurt. In the distance there was a huge, dark mountain range stretching for as long as I could see. When I woke up, my mind automatically started building on it. The scene from the dream blended together with my imagination.
Angela B. Chrysler: How did you come up with the title of your book or series?
Kristin Talgø: The original title was “Cavemen”, but having read through the book my publisher suggested “Escaping the Caves” as it works better with the theme running through the book where the main character, Jess, tries to escape the caves, both literally and mentally.
Angela B. Chrysler: Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?
Kristin Talgø: It was my publisher who commissioned the cover art. Once the artist had made a mock-up, I got to see it and get my input on it. As this is my first published book I didn’t know what to expect, but I loved the cover the moment I saw it. I think the artist really captured the sinister and malevolent presence in the caves. It’s dark and eerie, just the way I like it!
Angela B. Chrysler: If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?
Kristin Talgø: I really don’t know what to say to that. My characters, the way they look and act, are so firmly fixed in my head; it’s difficult to picture actors putting on their faces, so to speak. But I suppose to play Jess; I think Mia Wasikowska could be a good fit, both in the way she looks, but also because I think she’s really good at taking on strong, independent and complex characters. To play John, it would have to be someone who can pull off that kind and considerate, yet manly combination. Ryan Gosling maybe? He’s quite good at that isn’t he? Not to mention, he’s always popular and about as handsome as they come!
As for Kyle, that’s a difficult one. Kyle as a character is the kind of man who can be cold and closed off, but has that spark in his eyes, knows how to turn on the charm. I suppose, based on movies I’ve seen him in, someone like Chris Hemsworth might’ve worked.
Angela B. Chrysler: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
Kristin Talgø: For as long as I can remember, even as a quite small child, I used to make up imaginary worlds in my head. I never had a problem playing on my own as a kid; I would just make up different scenarios and play them out. When I played with my friends or sister, I remember I would often be a bit of a director, I wanted things to play out the way I’d pictured them in my head. I must’ve been a bossy playmate, at least with my sister. But it was this joy in creating different worlds and universes in my head that sparked my desire to write. To put them down on paper and have them come to life.
Angela B. Chrysler: Are you a plotter or do you write by the seat of your pants?
Kristin Talgø: I’m not much of a plotter. Once the idea for the book had been formed in my mind, the people, scenes and dialog are usually quite clear to me. That being said, the story develops as I write it. I usually have a sense of where the story is headed, but I never really know what’s going to happen until I get there. That’s part of the fun. Discovering a story as I go along, discovering the twists and turns as I write them. It’s an exciting process, as I can sort of ‘feel’ the whole story at the back of my mind, but I have to dig it out, one word, one sentence, at the time. I like not knowing entirely where it’s headed, that way anything is possible.
Angela B. Chrysler: Who is your favorite character from your book and why? How about your least favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?
Kristin Talgø: My favorite character is probably Jess. I really liked how she turned out. She’s strong, capable and independent, knows her own mind and doesn’t take bs. from anyone. At the same time, I like how she has her weaknesses too. How she’s vulnerable and fragile, she desperately wants to be loved and understood, to find someone and somewhere to belong. Where she can be accepted for who she is, all of her, both the good and the bad. She’s also stubborn and she’s got an attitude, but a kind heart. To sum it up, I like the complexity of her. How she’s proof that there doesn’t have be any disparities between being strong and vulnerable at the same time. How that’s just part of being human.
My least favorite character is probably Marjorie, John’s ex-wife. She’s the epitome of everything I dislike and would hate to be. She’s selfish and self-centered, with very little empathy and understanding for any pain but her own. She can feel very sorry for herself, but she’s not capable of much sympathy for those around her. She sees the people in her life as pawns she can move around to her advantage, not as humans with their own needs and desires.
Angela B. Chrysler: What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?
Kristin Talgø: Do it. There’s no reason why anyone who wants to be a writer shouldn’t do just that, as long as they’re prepared for a bumpy road. People always tell you that you need to work hard for the things you want in life, but that can never prepare you for just how hard you’ll need to work. If you want to be a writer, you’ll probably have to work twice as hard as you thought and at least twice as hard as you’d like. But if that’s really what you want to do, then that’s just the price you’ll have to pay. You’re going to have to work hard in life no matter what you do, so you might as well work hard for the things you really want. If being a writer is what you really want, then all that hard work is worth it. At the end of the day, if that hard work means you get to do what you feel you’re meant to do in life… What’s there to think about?
And don’t let anyone belittle your desire to write. Being a writer is just as legitimate a profession as wanting to be a plumber, nurse or teacher. We all got our parts to play in this world. If you feel writing is where you’re abilities are, then write is what you should do.
Angela B. Chrysler: What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
Kristin Talgø: Recommend it to friends! Spread the word; lend it to a friend or both. I think that’s probably the best way of making sure people who might enjoy reading it get the chance.
Angela B. Chrysler: Why did you write a love story?
Kristin Talgø: “Escaping the Caves” is a dystopian sci-fi novel, but there is a love story within that. Two actually. The book is in many ways character driven, the story revolves around Jess and the process she goes through, even if her process is affected by outside events. The reason why I wanted there to be a love story within the sci-fi story, apart from me being hopelessly romantic at heart, is because I think love is such a rich and complex subject. You can really go to town with it. Stretch it, inspect it and look at it from all sorts of angles.
Love, especially romantic love between two people can be so extraordinarily wonderful, but also so painfully complicated and cruel. I think love stories are a great way of examining the human psyche, understanding people and why we do the things we do.
Also, love is full of contradictions. It’s irrational. It’s perfectly possible to be head over heels in love with someone who’s terribly mismatched for you, and not being able to feel that crazy rush with someone who on paper should be your ideal match.
It’s this complexity and those contradictions that make love stories so interesting and fun to write about.
Angela B. Chrysler: What can we expect from you in the future?
Kristin Talgø: More stories and more books! Where I’ll be in the future as a writer is, just like with everything else in life, difficult if not impossible to predict. All I know is that I spent far too long doing other things, when what I really wanted was to write, to be a writer. Life’s too short not to do what makes you genuinely happy. So I’m in it for the long haul. I don’t expect it to be easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. I intend to keep writing and I hope there will be people who’ll want to read my books and enjoy them. Stories only truly come to life when they’re shared.
Angela B. Chrysler: And now for the zanier questions! Are you a compulsive shopper/hoarder?
Kristin Talgø: When it comes to books, yes. I physically can’t walk by a book store without going inside for a look. I keep telling myself to get one, but I always get three. Also, the buy with one click option on Amazon is decidedly dangerous… At least for my bank account.
Angela B. Chrysler: What do you want your tombstone to say?
Kristin Talgø: “Man, that was a lot of fun! Can I go again?”
Angela B. Chrysler: What is something you want to accomplish before you die?
Kristin Talgø: I’d like to travel as much as possible and experience as many different places as I can. I’d like to show my daughter that there is a whole world out there, and that there is a lot of different ways of living. It’s easy to lose perspective when all you see are the same things and same people every day. Sometimes we need to take a step back to see the bigger picture. Also, I love travelling simply for the sake of travelling. I’m a lot happier when I’m on the move and not in the same place for too long at the time. I’m hoping to pass on my love for travelling to my daughter, as well as my love of books. If I can raise a self-reliant girl with a love of books and adventure, then I will feel I’ve done something right as a mother.
Angela B. Chrysler: What is your favorite Fiction/Non-Fiction book?
Kristin Talgø: My favorite Fiction is “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë; I know whole passages of that book by heart. My favorite Non-Fiction is “Tracks” by Robyn Davidson. That book went straight to my heart, a great inspiration for the possibilities in life. That there’s more to life than what everyone expects of you. That you can make up your own life as long as you have the guts to do it.
Angela B. Chrysler: What books have most influenced your life most? A mentor?
Kristin Talgø: There are so many books that have meant and mean so much to me. That being said, Stephen King is probably the writer that has influenced me as a writer the most. I started reading his books when I was about thirteen and I’ve been hooked ever since. I greatly admire him as an author and his ability to describe events and emotions using the exact right words and the exact right amount of them. Not to mention his ability to create characters not based on descriptions, but on how they act and how they speak. I love the way a lot of his books are all connected somehow, a whole universe filled with different stories, worlds within worlds. There are times when I’ve skipped pages in his books, when the story has become too gory and gruesome for my taste, but I think he’s at his best when he writes about the simple things in his stories. The human condition and the way people connect and communicate with each other, or fail to. Despite writing horror, Stephen King has written some of the best love stories, in my opinion!
Also, I figure that if he could have two kids and write ‘Carrie’ in the laundry room of a doublewide trailer, then I can certainly write in an airy kitchen with only one kid.
Kristin interviews her characters
Jess
Author: Hi, Jess. Thanks for taking the time to do this. Go ahead and tell the audience a bit about yourself.
Jess: Ehm, hi… I’m Jess. I used to be a fighter in the Caves. I was good at it; it was what I was born to do. What I’d been trained for. But losing my sister and best friend kind of messed with my head, though it was pretty messed up to begin with. The Caves will do that to you. So I left. I wanted to find myself again, if possible. And now…I’m still trying to figure that out, I guess.
Q: Okay, I know you’re not entirely comfortable with this sort of thing, but why don’t you tell us where and when you were born.
Jess: Sure. I was born December 12th 2097, in the settlement around the Caves. What childhood I had was all right. They start prepping you for a life in the Caves when you turn four so it didn’t last very long, but those first few years, what I remember… It was good.
Author: I know your life in the Caves was a strained one; it must’ve shaped you in a lot of ways. How would you describe yourself?
Jess: Describe myself? I don’t know, I’ve never really thought about it. We don’t spend a lot of time on introspection around the Caves. Soul-searching isn’t advisable when your soul is killed off a little every day. I used to think I was brave, now I’m not so sure. Maybe I’ve become selfish.
Author: I suppose a life like that might do that to you. Why don’t you tell us a bit more about where you grew up?
Jess: Look, I spend most of my time trying to forget about where I grew up. If you hadn’t already done so, I could’ve written a whole book about what the Caves are like. But words are never going to explain what it’s like growing up in a place where all you are trained for is killing. To live your life never knowing who’s going to have their head ripped off next… All everyone teaches you are how to keep your fear and grief to yourself. But trust me, that’ll eat you up.
Author: I can’t imagine what that must be like. Or I can; I wrote the book after all, but tell everyone what it is you do when you’re not fighting in the Caves.
Jess: I don’t fight anymore, you know that. But back by the Caves, when I wasn’t in them trying not to get mauled, my main hobbies were drinking, smoking and… Well, you can say what you want about the men around the Caves, cave-mentality and all, but they know how to have a good time, I’ll give them that.
Author: Talking about men, are you serious with anyone?
Jess: What? I… What does that have to do with anything? Look, are we done here?
Author: Almost, tell us about your worst fear.
Jess: Listen lady, I didn’t want to do this in the first place. The only reason I’m doing it is to get you off my back, but this is where I draw the line. Worst fear? I think I’ve experienced them all. There’s not much left to fear. Except maybe… No, never mind. Can I go now?
Author: Sure, Jess. Thanks for coming. I wish you all the best.
Kyle
Author: That was Jess, and now it’s time to talk to you Kyle. You were a hard one to talk into coming, but thanks for doing this. Go ahead and introduce yourself. Tell the audience a bit about who you are.
Kyle: I’m Kyle. Second Commander of the Caves.
Author: Okay… Brief and to the point as usual. Try to elaborate a bit. Tell us where and when were born.
Kyle: I don’t see how this is relevant, but fine. Just like my ex-wife who you just met, I was born in the settlement around the Caves. Born July 2nd 2091. Unlike Jess, I didn’t waste my time on longing for a happy childhood. I was born for a reason, with a purpose. Which is more than I can say for any of you.
Author: Okay, no reason to be rude to the audience. You’re a hard man to figure out, tell me, how would you describe yourself?
Kyle: I would say I’m efficient, determined and unsentimental. Other people think I’m hard and uncaring. Makes no difference to me. Compassion isn’t going to do you any good in the Caves. When those monsters come at you, you can’t worry about the people around you. You just got to trust they can handle themselves. Those who can’t… I’m sorry for them, but breaking down isn’t going to help anyone. Jess used to know that.
Author: We’re not talking about Jess, we’re talking about you. Tell us more about where you grew up.
Kyle: Seriously? Didn’t you already ask Jess that? The Caves are bad and bloody. If you want any more details, tell people to read the damn book.
Author: Kyle, please be nice. Why don’t you tell everyone what it is you do when you’re not fighting the monsters in the Caves?
Kyle: I do what most people do when they’re not fighting. I’m not a drunkard, but I drink, sure. Everyone does that. Gamble? Probably a bit of that too. Smoking? I leave that to Jess; she’s like a damn chimney when she’s stressed.
Author: And women? I understand that you have quite a reputation. Are you serious with anyone?
Kyle: Why? You interested?
Author: Sorry, you’re not really my type anymore. Okay, final question. Tell us about your worst fear.
Kyle: Fear? Fear is useless. It’ll cripple you, destroy you. If you let it, it’ll kill you. No. I’m not afraid. Maybe… Seeing Jess, after she lost her sister… Losing your mind like that… I’d rather let the monsters have me.
Author: Well, let’s hope it won’t come to that. Thanks, Kyle. And good luck. You’re going to need it…
John
Author: John, hi, thanks for coming. I know you have things to do, so let’s get started. Go ahead and introduce yourself. Tell the audience a bit about who you are.
John: Hi, I’m John. I run a diner, my father’s really, in a small town called Havensfield. I met Jess not long after she’d left the Caves, but didn’t see her again until she strolled into town one day. Maybe not strolled. She… She’d been through a lot. When I’m not working, I take care of my daughter Eve. She’s four.
Author: A hard-working family man. Gotta love that. Tell us where and when you were born.
John: I was born in Havensfield. April 14th 2095. I grew up there, that’s where I met my wife, now ex-wife, Eve’s mother. After the divorce, I took Eve and moved to one of the larger cities. Been working as a journalist, writing some books, none published yet. But Dad’s older now, and so I’m working at his place for the time being. Trying to keep it going and keep an eye out for Dad.
Author: You strike me as a responsible, caring kind of man. But how would you describe yourself?
John: Caring? Sure. Becoming a father will do that to most men I think. As for responsible? I don’t think I’m any more responsible than most people. I like to think I’m easy-going though. Live and let live, and all that.
Author: Tell us a bit more about where you grew up.
John: Havensfield? Okay, it’s a small town. It’s sitting at the bottom of a large mountainrange, surrounded by forest. An idyllic sort of place, at least I think so. Maybe a bit boring for some folks. Like every other town it has it faults, but we take care of each other around there. Look after one another.
Author: Sounds like a good place. Tell everyone what it is you do when you’re not working at the diner or taking care of your daughter?
John: The usual I guess. I like to read, write. Spend time with…friends when Eve is with her mother.
Author: The way you said ‘friends’ makes me think there’s someone in the picture. Someone who’s a bit more than a friend maybe? Are you serious with anyone?
John: Oh, ehm… I… Well, I’m not sure what she’s thinking, she likes to keep her feelings to herself, but… Serious? I hope so.
Author: Okay, final call. Tell us about your worst fear.
John: Worst? I’m a father. It goes without saying what I fear the most. I don’t even want to think about it, let alone say it out loud.
Author: No worries, John. There’s no need. Thank you for coming, and say hi to Eve from me.
Click here for additional giveaways on the Brain to Books Blog Tour.
Links
Official Site
www.kristintalgo@hotmail.com
http://scififantasypublications.com
https://daowenpublications.ca
The book will be available in ebook format at:
Barnes & Noble
iStore
Kobo
Scribd
Inktera
tolino
Google Play
Page Foundry
Amazon Kindle
The book will be available in print format at:
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Chapters
All book stores worldwide can order the book off the Ingram list. Several book stores in Ontario will hold stock.
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, SupportIndieAuthors
Brain to Book Blog Tour Ed Ireland
Brain to Books Blog Tour Ed Ireland
Fast Facts:
Author: Ed Ireland
Genre: Epic fantasy
Book Title: A New Dawning
Series: The Chronicles of the Free People
Accomplishment: Mr. Ireland is very active in helping promote other Indie authors via his website. Also through #Indiebooksbeseen, a great group dedicated to bringing indie works into the light. He will also offer free copies of his books in exchange for donations to Autism Awareness and Runningwiththewolves.org.
BIO
Ed Ireland is a very proud product of the streets of South Philadelphia. He draws on his memories of people, places and events from his life there as well as the rest of the world he has known.
His list of home territories includes Pennsylvania, Nevada, Texas, California, Colorado, New Jersey New York, North Carolina and currently, Florida. He has been a sometimes frequent visitor of Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Arizona, and Maryland. Every one of these locations has provided him with people and places that inspire his work. Countless memories from them, some good and some bad, fuel his passion for building people, not just characters in his tales.
Confucius once said. “Wherever you go, go with all your heart”. It has become his mantra and an ideology he embraces fully. His age has not diminished his urge for wandering, although he promises his move to Miami, Fl is the last. He claims he will settle down for good in Florida. Maybe the spirit of Hemingway is calling…
Perhaps the people are drawing him. He has always been a people-person for the wealth of opportunity they provide. He says that “a good variety of people in one’s life is like a rich tapestry of inspiration to a writer. People come equipped with personalities, quirks and tales that keep writers in material for a lifetime.”
Ed was born in 1954 in Philadelphia. He is a doting father of two and is fiercely loyal to the Philadelphia Eagles, The Beatles and classic horror films. He enjoys time in the kitchen as of late, saying that cooking is fun for him now that he understands that it too, is an art. He enjoys photography, playing in Photoshop and he freely admits to his vice of being addicted to World of Warcraft. His passion is animal rights and he campaigns to end the persecution of wolves. His religious and political views are private; nevertheless, they make themselves known throughout his work.
So, that is the author, for all it’s worth. He explains that his sarcasm is described as epic, but also that he is a caring and good man. He says that he’s not sure of that. He says this on the subject…
“I think a good man treats others well no matter what. I treat others as I want them to treat me, but if they don’t then I treat them as they treat me. I prefer to think of myself as a just man. Nevertheless, when we reach our end, what we think of ourselves is worthless. In the end all that matters is what our judges, whoever or whatever they may be think of us. In the meantime, I’ll live life the way I enjoy, I’ll write what I enjoy and I’ll be a smartass for as long as I like.”
Book Blurb:
For twenty years the Clans have kept the peace. They have spent their days and nights away from the boundaries imposed by the Goddess. They kept true to her word and allowed the years to pass without incident.
In Rahz Ahmoon, the old order is about to pass and the greatest threat the Clans ever faced returns, bringing depravity and terror to the destruction. Along the tranquil shores of the Shimmering Seas, another threat looms. A threat the Clans have been dreading for twenty years. These two incidents will return them to the most savage days they have ever seen.
In Bandashar, rebellion and plague rise to defeat the loyal. Hol stands ready to defend the fair lands of Dagor as Bandashar dies amid flames of prejudice and hate while purgatory fills the world with flames of tyranny and betrayal. In Wraithwood the Queen is abducted as a mysterious journal in Var Libra hints at both the creation of the world so long ago and the destruction of it so close to the present.
Hellion and Fire must do the best they can amid all of these waves that are about to crash onto the Clans. As the climax draws closer, they both wonder many things. They wonder, that when the last secrets of Var Libra are exposed, when the last cities have scattered their ashes, when the last echoes of a world at war are silenced and when the last breaths of the Clans are drawn…
Who will remember their story? Who will insure that the world will know what happened? Who will keep them alive in story and song so that the world does not forget? Or will the world cease to exist as well?
LINKS:
Friend on Facebook
Follow on Google+
Follow on Twitter
Find on Pinterest
Ed Ireland on LinkedIn
END POST
May the kindest of words always find you.
Fast Facts:
Author: Ed Ireland
Genre: Epic fantasy
Book Title: A New Dawning
Series: The Chronicles of the Free People
Accomplishment: Mr. Ireland is very active in helping promote other Indie authors via his website. Also through #Indiebooksbeseen, a great group dedicated to bringing indie works into the light. He will also offer free copies of his books in exchange for donations to Autism Awareness and Runningwiththewolves.org.
BIO
Ed Ireland is a very proud product of the streets of South Philadelphia. He draws on his memories of people, places and events from his life there as well as the rest of the world he has known.His list of home territories includes Pennsylvania, Nevada, Texas, California, Colorado, New Jersey New York, North Carolina and currently, Florida. He has been a sometimes frequent visitor of Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Arizona, and Maryland. Every one of these locations has provided him with people and places that inspire his work. Countless memories from them, some good and some bad, fuel his passion for building people, not just characters in his tales.
Confucius once said. “Wherever you go, go with all your heart”. It has become his mantra and an ideology he embraces fully. His age has not diminished his urge for wandering, although he promises his move to Miami, Fl is the last. He claims he will settle down for good in Florida. Maybe the spirit of Hemingway is calling…
Perhaps the people are drawing him. He has always been a people-person for the wealth of opportunity they provide. He says that “a good variety of people in one’s life is like a rich tapestry of inspiration to a writer. People come equipped with personalities, quirks and tales that keep writers in material for a lifetime.”
Ed was born in 1954 in Philadelphia. He is a doting father of two and is fiercely loyal to the Philadelphia Eagles, The Beatles and classic horror films. He enjoys time in the kitchen as of late, saying that cooking is fun for him now that he understands that it too, is an art. He enjoys photography, playing in Photoshop and he freely admits to his vice of being addicted to World of Warcraft. His passion is animal rights and he campaigns to end the persecution of wolves. His religious and political views are private; nevertheless, they make themselves known throughout his work.
So, that is the author, for all it’s worth. He explains that his sarcasm is described as epic, but also that he is a caring and good man. He says that he’s not sure of that. He says this on the subject…
“I think a good man treats others well no matter what. I treat others as I want them to treat me, but if they don’t then I treat them as they treat me. I prefer to think of myself as a just man. Nevertheless, when we reach our end, what we think of ourselves is worthless. In the end all that matters is what our judges, whoever or whatever they may be think of us. In the meantime, I’ll live life the way I enjoy, I’ll write what I enjoy and I’ll be a smartass for as long as I like.”
Book Blurb:
For twenty years the Clans have kept the peace. They have spent their days and nights away from the boundaries imposed by the Goddess. They kept true to her word and allowed the years to pass without incident.In Rahz Ahmoon, the old order is about to pass and the greatest threat the Clans ever faced returns, bringing depravity and terror to the destruction. Along the tranquil shores of the Shimmering Seas, another threat looms. A threat the Clans have been dreading for twenty years. These two incidents will return them to the most savage days they have ever seen.
In Bandashar, rebellion and plague rise to defeat the loyal. Hol stands ready to defend the fair lands of Dagor as Bandashar dies amid flames of prejudice and hate while purgatory fills the world with flames of tyranny and betrayal. In Wraithwood the Queen is abducted as a mysterious journal in Var Libra hints at both the creation of the world so long ago and the destruction of it so close to the present.
Hellion and Fire must do the best they can amid all of these waves that are about to crash onto the Clans. As the climax draws closer, they both wonder many things. They wonder, that when the last secrets of Var Libra are exposed, when the last cities have scattered their ashes, when the last echoes of a world at war are silenced and when the last breaths of the Clans are drawn…
Who will remember their story? Who will insure that the world will know what happened? Who will keep them alive in story and song so that the world does not forget? Or will the world cease to exist as well?
LINKS:
Friend on Facebook
Follow on Google+
Follow on Twitter
Find on Pinterest
Ed Ireland on LinkedIn
END POST
May the kindest of words always find you.
Angela B. Chrysler
www.angelabchrysler.com
Founder of Brain to Books
“Broken” soon to release
“Dolor and Shadow” now available
Like my Facebook
Pin me on Pinterest
Follow me on Twitter
Add me on Google+
Friend me on Goodreads
Filed under: Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books 
August 5, 2015
Brain to Books Blog Tour Ed Ireland!
Brain to Books Blog Tour
Fast Facts:
Author: Ed Ireland
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Book: A New Dawning from the Chronicles of the Free People Series
Official Site
BIO
Ed Ireland is a very proud product of the streets of South Philadelphia. He draws on his memories of people, places and events from his life there as well as the rest of the world he has known.
His list of home territories includes Pennsylvania, Nevada, Texas, California, Colorado, New Jersey New York, North Carolina and currently, Florida. He has been a sometimes frequent visitor of Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Arizona, and Maryland. Every one of these locations has provided him with people and places that inspire his work. Countless memories from them, some good and some bad, fuel his passion for building people, not just characters in his tales.
Confucius once said. “Wherever you go, go with all your heart”. It has become his mantra and an ideology he embraces fully. His age has not diminished his urge for wandering, although he promises his move to Miami, Fl is the last. He claims he will settle down for good in Florida. Maybe the spirit of Hemingway is calling…
Perhaps the people are drawing him. He has always been a people-person for the wealth of opportunity they provide. He says that “a good variety of people in one’s life is like a rich tapestry of inspiration to a writer. People come equipped with personalities, quirks and tales that keep writers in material for a lifetime.”
Ed was born in 1954 in Philadelphia. He is a doting father of two and is fiercely loyal to the Philadelphia Eagles, The Beatles and classic horror films. He enjoys time in the kitchen as of late, saying that cooking is fun for him now that he understands that it too, is an art. He enjoys photography, playing in Photoshop and he freely admits to his vice of being addicted to World of Warcraft. His passion is animal rights and he campaigns to end the persecution of wolves. His religious and political views are private; nevertheless, they make themselves known throughout his work.
So, that is the author, for all it’s worth. He explains that his sarcasm is described as epic, but also that he is a caring and good man. He says that he’s not sure of that. He says this on the subject…
“I think a good man treats others well no matter what. I treat others as I want them to treat me, but if they don’t then I treat them as they treat me. I prefer to think of myself as a just man. Nevertheless, when we reach our end, what we think of ourselves is worthless. In the end all that matters is what our judges, whoever or whatever they may be think of us. In the meantime, I’ll live life the way I enjoy, I’ll write what I enjoy and I’ll be a smartass for as long as I like.”
Accomplishments
Mr. Ireland is very active in helping promote other Indie authors via his website. Also through #Indiebooksbeseen, a great group dedicated to bringing indie works into the light. He will also offer free copies of his books in exchange for donations to Autism Awareness and Runningwiththewolves.org.
Book Blurb:
For twenty years the Clans have kept the peace. They have spent their days and nights away from the boundaries imposed by the Goddess. They kept true to her word and allowed the years to pass without incident.
In Rahz Ahmoon, the old order is about to pass and the greatest threat the Clans ever faced returns, bringing depravity and terror to the destruction. Along the tranquil shores of the Shimmering Seas, another threat looms. A threat the Clans have been dreading for twenty years. These two incidents will return them to the most savage days they have ever seen.
In Bandashar, rebellion and plague rise to defeat the loyal. Hol stands ready to defend the fair lands of Dagor as Bandashar dies amid flames of prejudice and hate while purgatory fills the world with flames of tyranny and betrayal. In Wraithwood the Queen is abducted as a mysterious journal in Var Libra hints at both the creation of the world so long ago and the destruction of it so close to the present.
Hellion and Fire must do the best they can amid all of these waves that are about to crash onto the Clans. As the climax draws closer, they both wonder many things. They wonder, that when the last secrets of Var Libra are exposed, when the last cities have scattered their ashes, when the last echoes of a world at war are silenced and when the last breaths of the Clans are drawn…
Who will remember their story? Who will insure that the world will know what happened? Who will keep them alive in story and song so that the world does not forget? Or will the world cease to exist as well?
Interview with Ed Ireland
Tell us a little about yourself. (How did you get started writing? What do you do when
you’re not writing?
Well, I’m not too complicated. I have a touch of the Gypsy in me but I think my rambling
days are behind me for good now. Writing for me was a pleasant surprise. I started really late
in life and am still honing this gift for storytelling. When I’m not writing, I love cooking,
exploring new places and I have an unhealthy addiction to World of Warcraft.
Is this your first book? How many books have you written prior (if any?) List other titles if applicable.
This is actually my eighth book. Ninth if you count the release of the full trilogy in one book.
For this tale, we started the series with Fire At Dawn, shifted into The Stormrider and now
fnish with A New Dawning.
What genre do you enjoy writing the most and what is this book about?
I enjoy bringing new worlds to life, so fantasy is my favorite genre. A New Dawning is the
final book in a trilogy started so long ago. The entire series was designed to mirror societies
woes and place them in a fantasy setting. This book continues that trend. The story spans
more than 20 years in the lives of Hellion, Fire and their clan. Some people might say it’s a
war story with a good amount of romance in it while others might see a romance with a war
setting. There’s no getting around it, the Chronicles of the Free People is filled with
interesting characters, villains you’ll love to hate and a storyline that brings you across a
lifetime of love, hate, romance, honor and betrayal.
What inspired you to write this book?
The original concept was a glance at a picture entitled “Spirithunter” by artist Christy
Grandjean. As soon as I saw it, I knew this character had a tremendous story behind him. My
wife also was an inspiration for the co-protagonist. She’s unlike any other woman I have ever
known and I felt she needed to be immortalized in some way.
How did you come up with the title of your book or series?
The first book, Fire At Dawn was just a play on the character’s name. The series title was
difference. I looked at the characters and tried to fnd the one thing they prized above
everything else. It was their freedom, hence the title Free People. Like all freedoms, it’s never
guaranteed and often very costly.
Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that
particular image/artwork?
The cover is all me. My concept, my work, my design. I spent hours in Photoshop
transforming a tiger’s eyes to a woman’s eyes. When I was satisfied, I used that as the
background for all 3 books. I recently put them up for critique and they don’t trend favorably.
Oh well, I wanted the uniform look to the series so maybe I’ll dabble with them in the future.
If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?
Maybe it’s a writer thing or maybe I’m just nuts, but as I write, I can “hear” the character’s
voices. From his frst syllable, Titan has always been Sean Connery. Fire has always been
Jane Seymour and Hellion was Harrison Ford. Thankfully, these characters would be CGI so
there would just be voice actors.
Just as your books inspire authors, what authors have inspired you to write?
Of course, J.R.R. Tolkien was the first serious writer I read. The Hobbit and LOTR books were
almost required in the late sixties, and he taught me to stretch my imagination to the limits.
Among today’s writers, I’m a big fan of Gregory Maguire. His Oz books have taught me to
always look at both sides of the story.
Do you have any strange writing habits (like standing on your head or writing in the
shower)?
I do have my ritual. I like to wake at the crack of dawn when the rest of the world is still
asleep. I put on the water and make my Bigelow’s Earl Gray tea and eat 3 Chips Ahoy
cookies. At that time, my muse is satisfed and we get to work.
Are you a plotter or do you write by the seat of your pants?
Oh, I am a pantser all the way. I start the story and let the characters take over and drag me
through whatever fun they can think of. I am quite fond of saying I’m not so much a writer as
I am a stenographer.
How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on
liking the way it sounds or the meaning? Do you have any name choosing resources
you recommend?
Names are definitely important. Who’s going to read a book where the protagonist is called
“that guy”? Sometimes I like a name based on how it rolls around in my mouth. Other times
I’ll search for a name through international baby name data mines to fnd an exotic name
with meaning.
Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any
advice on how to deal with the bad?
There are no bad reviews. Well, except the ones that say “Your book sucks! You suck!” If it
looks and sounds as if a lesser ape wrote it, I simply toss it. Other than that, there are no bad
reviews. People are either telling you why they loved your work, or they are offering
suggestions as to how to improve your work. Either way, you don’t walk away empty handed.
Do you see writing as a career?
No, I’m fond of eating and sleeping indoors. There are certain sacred cows in the author feld
and no matter what, they will never be replaced. Even though self-published indie writers are
making their way at a much better rate, I think the majority of people still hold on to their
cows. I watch book clubs on Goodreads rehashing Sherlock Holmes and books like East of
Eden. Until that changes, I don’t see this as anything but a passionate hobby.
Which of your books was the most fun to write and why?
No need to think on it. For pure fun it was Crime Scene. It was a subject I enjoy going over
(the Kennedy assassination) set in a city I love (Philadelphia) featuring characters I grew up
around. I got to talk like I normally do, foul-mouthed and angry and I got to bring out all the
stops. Memories of when I was a kid, of my Uncles and the way they did things…despite my
last name, I’m Italian. Ireland is my step-father’s name. Plus I got to research 3 diferent
cities and I’m a sucker for research work.
What is your favorite snack food?
The aforementioned Chips Ahoy are a favorite. Potato chips are another vice. At the other
end of the spectrum, I can sit and eat a bucketful of ripe strawberries.
What do you want your tombstone to say?
“Go Away! You Had Your Chance!” I have this feeling that after I kick it, some asshat
publisher will read one of my books and declare me to be “a genius wordsmith” and every
scrap I ever wrote will go on to be a best seller. My heirs will live a great life and eventually,
my daughter will write a tell-all book and I’ll be vilified.
What is your favorite Halloween costume you’ve ever worn? Provide photos if
available!
Wish I had photos. We were doing a haunted house to raise funds for my son’s little league. I
found a werewolf mask that came in 4 pieces. Each piece had to be set with spirit gum and
then make up across the face and all four pieces. Took me almost 4 hours to get everything
perfect including the teeth, hair, hands and the rest of the costume. Drove like that from
Philly to Jersey and scared the crap out of the toll collector on the bridge. Well, I was on the
2nd fLoor with a breakaway chain holding me and a strobe light. About an hour into the
event, I get a yell from the hallway…”Police…we’re coming in.” The police came in,
complimented me on the makeup and then told me I had to stop. Their reasons made
sense…outside, the front lawn was filled with very angry mothers and their crying children. I
had to apologize and show all the kids it was makeup.
Do you have an embarrassing moment you’d like to share?
I was sick, let me make that perfectly clear. The medicine was making me gassy. I was in
WalMart with my wife, daughter and my wife’s aunt. Well, at one point I sneezed and lets
just say the gas leak was louder than the sneeze. About 6 people all snapped their head
around to look at me. Embarrassed, I looked for the comfort of family and all I saw was the 3
of them ducking into an aisle laughing their asses of.
What makes you laugh/cry?
In my post-menopausal state, I find almost anything can get me to cry now. I have this weird
empathy now where thinking about Dumbo’s mother singing “Baby Mine” gets the eyes
watery. Forget watching “Old Yeller” or “Marley”. Hell, a good Hallmark card can get me
there. Conversely, things that shouldn’t be that funny have me in stitches. Watching a
zombie catch a victim is always good for a chortle. Traditionally, if you want to hear my best
laughs, just slip the Honeymooners or the Three Stooges into the Blue Ray.
Character Interview
Our interview today is with an enchanting lady with a heart as big as the world and the ability to take down a squad of angry Repticans in minutes. Please welcome Fire, Mistress of the White Tiger Clan and wife to Hellion. How would you describe your Clan?
My clan is the center of my world. Filled with good people who would do anything for
each other. My clan is the life work of Hellion and the other clan members. It is what
the model of a caring and well balanced society should be. Everyone is responsible for
their lives and actions.
Your bravery at Kre’een has been described as legendary. How would you
describe it?
I would not describe it as legendary. I get no joy out of fighting. No one wins in a war,
both sides lose. I fought because I was backed up against a wall and I was not going
to see more of my people die. Given the option I would always want to try to resolve
things peacefully, but here there was no peaceful solution.
You have been linked to the Goddesses Bastet and Sekhemet. How close are
you?
I view them as my mother figures. I get strength from them. They are my guides on
how I will live my life. They have taught me balance. I once struggled with how to live
my life, wanting only to have peace and only see the goodness in people. I came to
realize through them, that in this life there must always be dark and light, good and evil
to keep a balance.
Describe Hellion and don’t leave out any of the good parts.
Hellion is the other part of my soul. They say that in the beginning we all had one body
with two heads, four arms and four legs. The Gods began to fear the potential of our
power and split us in two condemning us to spend our lives looking for the other
half….My search ended many years ago the day I met Hellion. His heart, his bravery
and his selflessness know no bounds. Any one who calls him friend or family is lucky.
What were your early days in the Clan like?
I was scared. I was very young and felt out of place. I had a fear that no one would
accept me because I was not born into the clan. I felt afraid to get close to anyone
because I thought they would be taken away. Lucky for me all the clan members
opened their hearts to me. And Hellion was never far from me, he made himself the
one constant I could always count on.
Tell us about your relationship with Lavrine.
Lavrine has been many things to me. She’s been a teacher foremost, insuring that I
learned as much from her as possible. She taught me everything from the basics as in
how to perform ritual to the more complex healing arts. She taught me which herbs
treat which symptoms and how to prepare them. She was also a second mother to me
when the situation needed a mother’s gentle touch. I think her wisdom and kindness
helped shape me into the person I am today.
Tell us about your elemental power. What is it like to wield such a power?
I have the power of fire. I have markings on my hands that begin to smolder and then
fire will form. It was scary at first to have that happen. At first I could not control it, and
sometimes even now I think it is still beyond my control. I feared that I would
accidentally hurt someone. As time went by I learned to manipulate it. I realized that
the Goddess had given me this power so that I might be able to help my people and
others.
Of all the assets you bring to the Clan, what do you think is your best?
I think my best asset is my nature. My nature is to be the voice of balance. I feel I instill
that balance in others. I want there to always be peace, I want others to see the good
in themselves and everyone else. I also understand that there will be times when
peace is not attainable with out a fight.
How was raising Luna different from raising Ember and Firestorm?
It was no different in my eyes. She is my child just as if I had given birth to her. I
always made her understand that. I treat her no differently than I treat Ember and
Firestorm. She is loved equally and disciplined equally. I never allowed anyone to treat
her as anything other than the daughter of Hellion and Fire.
Things change in life. Where do you see your life in ten years?
In 10 years I see myself and Hellion still blissfully in love, surrounded by our friends
and family. I can see myself living out the rest of my days in peace with my love. There
will be adventures, of that I am sure because when your husband is the great Hellion,
adventures are never far off. In this life or the next, Hellion and I will be together and
doing the things we love together.
LINKS:
Friend on Facebook
Follow on Google+
Follow on Twitter
Find on Pinterest
Ed Ireland on LinkedIn
Giveaways
Everybody can grab a free copy of Fire At Dawn, the first book of the series. Just visit
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/398349 and use the code QT36N for a free copy.
Everyone that visits my website and signs up for my mailing list will get a copy of The Stormrider, the
second book of the series for free. I’ll send the code via the first newsletter after the tour ends.
Finally, the first three people that can tell me the names of the original five clans will receive The
Chronicles of the Free People Trilogy Box Set, containing the entire story of Hellion and Fire. Mail
your answers to me via the member’s area on my website. To help, there will be a map of the Freelands
that shows the locations of the five clans on the website for 1 day only. You can see it on August 6th.
Good luck and have fun.
Click here for additional giveaways on the Brain to Books Blog Tour.
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, SupportIndieAuthors
Fast Facts:
Author: Ed Ireland
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Book: A New Dawning from the Chronicles of the Free People Series
Official Site
BIO
Ed Ireland is a very proud product of the streets of South Philadelphia. He draws on his memories of people, places and events from his life there as well as the rest of the world he has known.His list of home territories includes Pennsylvania, Nevada, Texas, California, Colorado, New Jersey New York, North Carolina and currently, Florida. He has been a sometimes frequent visitor of Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Arizona, and Maryland. Every one of these locations has provided him with people and places that inspire his work. Countless memories from them, some good and some bad, fuel his passion for building people, not just characters in his tales.
Confucius once said. “Wherever you go, go with all your heart”. It has become his mantra and an ideology he embraces fully. His age has not diminished his urge for wandering, although he promises his move to Miami, Fl is the last. He claims he will settle down for good in Florida. Maybe the spirit of Hemingway is calling…
Perhaps the people are drawing him. He has always been a people-person for the wealth of opportunity they provide. He says that “a good variety of people in one’s life is like a rich tapestry of inspiration to a writer. People come equipped with personalities, quirks and tales that keep writers in material for a lifetime.”
Ed was born in 1954 in Philadelphia. He is a doting father of two and is fiercely loyal to the Philadelphia Eagles, The Beatles and classic horror films. He enjoys time in the kitchen as of late, saying that cooking is fun for him now that he understands that it too, is an art. He enjoys photography, playing in Photoshop and he freely admits to his vice of being addicted to World of Warcraft. His passion is animal rights and he campaigns to end the persecution of wolves. His religious and political views are private; nevertheless, they make themselves known throughout his work.
So, that is the author, for all it’s worth. He explains that his sarcasm is described as epic, but also that he is a caring and good man. He says that he’s not sure of that. He says this on the subject…
“I think a good man treats others well no matter what. I treat others as I want them to treat me, but if they don’t then I treat them as they treat me. I prefer to think of myself as a just man. Nevertheless, when we reach our end, what we think of ourselves is worthless. In the end all that matters is what our judges, whoever or whatever they may be think of us. In the meantime, I’ll live life the way I enjoy, I’ll write what I enjoy and I’ll be a smartass for as long as I like.”
Accomplishments
Mr. Ireland is very active in helping promote other Indie authors via his website. Also through #Indiebooksbeseen, a great group dedicated to bringing indie works into the light. He will also offer free copies of his books in exchange for donations to Autism Awareness and Runningwiththewolves.org.
Book Blurb:
For twenty years the Clans have kept the peace. They have spent their days and nights away from the boundaries imposed by the Goddess. They kept true to her word and allowed the years to pass without incident.In Rahz Ahmoon, the old order is about to pass and the greatest threat the Clans ever faced returns, bringing depravity and terror to the destruction. Along the tranquil shores of the Shimmering Seas, another threat looms. A threat the Clans have been dreading for twenty years. These two incidents will return them to the most savage days they have ever seen.
In Bandashar, rebellion and plague rise to defeat the loyal. Hol stands ready to defend the fair lands of Dagor as Bandashar dies amid flames of prejudice and hate while purgatory fills the world with flames of tyranny and betrayal. In Wraithwood the Queen is abducted as a mysterious journal in Var Libra hints at both the creation of the world so long ago and the destruction of it so close to the present.
Hellion and Fire must do the best they can amid all of these waves that are about to crash onto the Clans. As the climax draws closer, they both wonder many things. They wonder, that when the last secrets of Var Libra are exposed, when the last cities have scattered their ashes, when the last echoes of a world at war are silenced and when the last breaths of the Clans are drawn…
Who will remember their story? Who will insure that the world will know what happened? Who will keep them alive in story and song so that the world does not forget? Or will the world cease to exist as well?
Interview with Ed Ireland
Tell us a little about yourself. (How did you get started writing? What do you do when
you’re not writing?
Well, I’m not too complicated. I have a touch of the Gypsy in me but I think my rambling
days are behind me for good now. Writing for me was a pleasant surprise. I started really late
in life and am still honing this gift for storytelling. When I’m not writing, I love cooking,
exploring new places and I have an unhealthy addiction to World of Warcraft.
Is this your first book? How many books have you written prior (if any?) List other titles if applicable.
This is actually my eighth book. Ninth if you count the release of the full trilogy in one book.
For this tale, we started the series with Fire At Dawn, shifted into The Stormrider and now
fnish with A New Dawning.
What genre do you enjoy writing the most and what is this book about?
I enjoy bringing new worlds to life, so fantasy is my favorite genre. A New Dawning is the
final book in a trilogy started so long ago. The entire series was designed to mirror societies
woes and place them in a fantasy setting. This book continues that trend. The story spans
more than 20 years in the lives of Hellion, Fire and their clan. Some people might say it’s a
war story with a good amount of romance in it while others might see a romance with a war
setting. There’s no getting around it, the Chronicles of the Free People is filled with
interesting characters, villains you’ll love to hate and a storyline that brings you across a
lifetime of love, hate, romance, honor and betrayal.
What inspired you to write this book?
The original concept was a glance at a picture entitled “Spirithunter” by artist Christy
Grandjean. As soon as I saw it, I knew this character had a tremendous story behind him. My
wife also was an inspiration for the co-protagonist. She’s unlike any other woman I have ever
known and I felt she needed to be immortalized in some way.
How did you come up with the title of your book or series?
The first book, Fire At Dawn was just a play on the character’s name. The series title was
difference. I looked at the characters and tried to fnd the one thing they prized above
everything else. It was their freedom, hence the title Free People. Like all freedoms, it’s never
guaranteed and often very costly.
Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that
particular image/artwork?
The cover is all me. My concept, my work, my design. I spent hours in Photoshop
transforming a tiger’s eyes to a woman’s eyes. When I was satisfied, I used that as the
background for all 3 books. I recently put them up for critique and they don’t trend favorably.
Oh well, I wanted the uniform look to the series so maybe I’ll dabble with them in the future.
If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?
Maybe it’s a writer thing or maybe I’m just nuts, but as I write, I can “hear” the character’s
voices. From his frst syllable, Titan has always been Sean Connery. Fire has always been
Jane Seymour and Hellion was Harrison Ford. Thankfully, these characters would be CGI so
there would just be voice actors.
Just as your books inspire authors, what authors have inspired you to write?
Of course, J.R.R. Tolkien was the first serious writer I read. The Hobbit and LOTR books were
almost required in the late sixties, and he taught me to stretch my imagination to the limits.
Among today’s writers, I’m a big fan of Gregory Maguire. His Oz books have taught me to
always look at both sides of the story.
Do you have any strange writing habits (like standing on your head or writing in the
shower)?
I do have my ritual. I like to wake at the crack of dawn when the rest of the world is still
asleep. I put on the water and make my Bigelow’s Earl Gray tea and eat 3 Chips Ahoy
cookies. At that time, my muse is satisfed and we get to work.
Are you a plotter or do you write by the seat of your pants?
Oh, I am a pantser all the way. I start the story and let the characters take over and drag me
through whatever fun they can think of. I am quite fond of saying I’m not so much a writer as
I am a stenographer.
How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on
liking the way it sounds or the meaning? Do you have any name choosing resources
you recommend?
Names are definitely important. Who’s going to read a book where the protagonist is called
“that guy”? Sometimes I like a name based on how it rolls around in my mouth. Other times
I’ll search for a name through international baby name data mines to fnd an exotic name
with meaning.
Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any
advice on how to deal with the bad?
There are no bad reviews. Well, except the ones that say “Your book sucks! You suck!” If it
looks and sounds as if a lesser ape wrote it, I simply toss it. Other than that, there are no bad
reviews. People are either telling you why they loved your work, or they are offering
suggestions as to how to improve your work. Either way, you don’t walk away empty handed.
Do you see writing as a career?
No, I’m fond of eating and sleeping indoors. There are certain sacred cows in the author feld
and no matter what, they will never be replaced. Even though self-published indie writers are
making their way at a much better rate, I think the majority of people still hold on to their
cows. I watch book clubs on Goodreads rehashing Sherlock Holmes and books like East of
Eden. Until that changes, I don’t see this as anything but a passionate hobby.
Which of your books was the most fun to write and why?
No need to think on it. For pure fun it was Crime Scene. It was a subject I enjoy going over
(the Kennedy assassination) set in a city I love (Philadelphia) featuring characters I grew up
around. I got to talk like I normally do, foul-mouthed and angry and I got to bring out all the
stops. Memories of when I was a kid, of my Uncles and the way they did things…despite my
last name, I’m Italian. Ireland is my step-father’s name. Plus I got to research 3 diferent
cities and I’m a sucker for research work.
What is your favorite snack food?
The aforementioned Chips Ahoy are a favorite. Potato chips are another vice. At the other
end of the spectrum, I can sit and eat a bucketful of ripe strawberries.
What do you want your tombstone to say?
“Go Away! You Had Your Chance!” I have this feeling that after I kick it, some asshat
publisher will read one of my books and declare me to be “a genius wordsmith” and every
scrap I ever wrote will go on to be a best seller. My heirs will live a great life and eventually,
my daughter will write a tell-all book and I’ll be vilified.
What is your favorite Halloween costume you’ve ever worn? Provide photos if
available!
Wish I had photos. We were doing a haunted house to raise funds for my son’s little league. I
found a werewolf mask that came in 4 pieces. Each piece had to be set with spirit gum and
then make up across the face and all four pieces. Took me almost 4 hours to get everything
perfect including the teeth, hair, hands and the rest of the costume. Drove like that from
Philly to Jersey and scared the crap out of the toll collector on the bridge. Well, I was on the
2nd fLoor with a breakaway chain holding me and a strobe light. About an hour into the
event, I get a yell from the hallway…”Police…we’re coming in.” The police came in,
complimented me on the makeup and then told me I had to stop. Their reasons made
sense…outside, the front lawn was filled with very angry mothers and their crying children. I
had to apologize and show all the kids it was makeup.
Do you have an embarrassing moment you’d like to share?
I was sick, let me make that perfectly clear. The medicine was making me gassy. I was in
WalMart with my wife, daughter and my wife’s aunt. Well, at one point I sneezed and lets
just say the gas leak was louder than the sneeze. About 6 people all snapped their head
around to look at me. Embarrassed, I looked for the comfort of family and all I saw was the 3
of them ducking into an aisle laughing their asses of.
What makes you laugh/cry?
In my post-menopausal state, I find almost anything can get me to cry now. I have this weird
empathy now where thinking about Dumbo’s mother singing “Baby Mine” gets the eyes
watery. Forget watching “Old Yeller” or “Marley”. Hell, a good Hallmark card can get me
there. Conversely, things that shouldn’t be that funny have me in stitches. Watching a
zombie catch a victim is always good for a chortle. Traditionally, if you want to hear my best
laughs, just slip the Honeymooners or the Three Stooges into the Blue Ray.
Character Interview
Our interview today is with an enchanting lady with a heart as big as the world and the ability to take down a squad of angry Repticans in minutes. Please welcome Fire, Mistress of the White Tiger Clan and wife to Hellion. How would you describe your Clan?
My clan is the center of my world. Filled with good people who would do anything for
each other. My clan is the life work of Hellion and the other clan members. It is what
the model of a caring and well balanced society should be. Everyone is responsible for
their lives and actions.
Your bravery at Kre’een has been described as legendary. How would you
describe it?
I would not describe it as legendary. I get no joy out of fighting. No one wins in a war,
both sides lose. I fought because I was backed up against a wall and I was not going
to see more of my people die. Given the option I would always want to try to resolve
things peacefully, but here there was no peaceful solution.
You have been linked to the Goddesses Bastet and Sekhemet. How close are
you?
I view them as my mother figures. I get strength from them. They are my guides on
how I will live my life. They have taught me balance. I once struggled with how to live
my life, wanting only to have peace and only see the goodness in people. I came to
realize through them, that in this life there must always be dark and light, good and evil
to keep a balance.
Describe Hellion and don’t leave out any of the good parts.
Hellion is the other part of my soul. They say that in the beginning we all had one body
with two heads, four arms and four legs. The Gods began to fear the potential of our
power and split us in two condemning us to spend our lives looking for the other
half….My search ended many years ago the day I met Hellion. His heart, his bravery
and his selflessness know no bounds. Any one who calls him friend or family is lucky.
What were your early days in the Clan like?
I was scared. I was very young and felt out of place. I had a fear that no one would
accept me because I was not born into the clan. I felt afraid to get close to anyone
because I thought they would be taken away. Lucky for me all the clan members
opened their hearts to me. And Hellion was never far from me, he made himself the
one constant I could always count on.
Tell us about your relationship with Lavrine.
Lavrine has been many things to me. She’s been a teacher foremost, insuring that I
learned as much from her as possible. She taught me everything from the basics as in
how to perform ritual to the more complex healing arts. She taught me which herbs
treat which symptoms and how to prepare them. She was also a second mother to me
when the situation needed a mother’s gentle touch. I think her wisdom and kindness
helped shape me into the person I am today.
Tell us about your elemental power. What is it like to wield such a power?
I have the power of fire. I have markings on my hands that begin to smolder and then
fire will form. It was scary at first to have that happen. At first I could not control it, and
sometimes even now I think it is still beyond my control. I feared that I would
accidentally hurt someone. As time went by I learned to manipulate it. I realized that
the Goddess had given me this power so that I might be able to help my people and
others.
Of all the assets you bring to the Clan, what do you think is your best?
I think my best asset is my nature. My nature is to be the voice of balance. I feel I instill
that balance in others. I want there to always be peace, I want others to see the good
in themselves and everyone else. I also understand that there will be times when
peace is not attainable with out a fight.
How was raising Luna different from raising Ember and Firestorm?
It was no different in my eyes. She is my child just as if I had given birth to her. I
always made her understand that. I treat her no differently than I treat Ember and
Firestorm. She is loved equally and disciplined equally. I never allowed anyone to treat
her as anything other than the daughter of Hellion and Fire.
Things change in life. Where do you see your life in ten years?
In 10 years I see myself and Hellion still blissfully in love, surrounded by our friends
and family. I can see myself living out the rest of my days in peace with my love. There
will be adventures, of that I am sure because when your husband is the great Hellion,
adventures are never far off. In this life or the next, Hellion and I will be together and
doing the things we love together.
LINKS:
Friend on Facebook
Follow on Google+
Follow on Twitter
Find on Pinterest
Ed Ireland on LinkedIn
Giveaways
Everybody can grab a free copy of Fire At Dawn, the first book of the series. Just visit
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/398349 and use the code QT36N for a free copy.
Everyone that visits my website and signs up for my mailing list will get a copy of The Stormrider, the
second book of the series for free. I’ll send the code via the first newsletter after the tour ends.
Finally, the first three people that can tell me the names of the original five clans will receive The
Chronicles of the Free People Trilogy Box Set, containing the entire story of Hellion and Fire. Mail
your answers to me via the member’s area on my website. To help, there will be a map of the Freelands
that shows the locations of the five clans on the website for 1 day only. You can see it on August 6th.
Good luck and have fun.
Click here for additional giveaways on the Brain to Books Blog Tour.
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, SupportIndieAuthors
Brain To Books Blog Tour Kristin Talgo
Brain to Books Blog Tour Kristin Talgø
Fast Facts:
Author name: Kristin Talgø
Book: Escaping the Caves
Genre: Sci-fi
BIO
I’ve always loved to read and write, and did Creative Writing the summer of 2010 at the University of Edinburgh. That was a real eye-opener as I got to meet so many wonderful people who also wanted to write. They inspired me to ‘just go for it’. Even so, I spent some years doing other things. I got a degree in social work, worked and lived in Ghana for a while, before I realized that I’m better suited for what I really want to do, which is write. I’m currently studying journalism in Oslo, while I continue to write stories in my spare-time. (Not sure how long this was supposed to be, if you want me to change or add something let me know!)
Author Accomplishments
«Escaping the Caves» is my first published novel, but I’ve been writing short stories and books for the past eight years. Attending the Creative Writing Course at the University of Edinburgh in the summer of 2010 was a real turning point for me as a writer. That’s when I admitted to myself and others that being a writer is who I am, what I want to do. I’ve always thought about starting a website and a blog as a way of sharing thoughts about writing and life in general. Once I got a publishing contract, I finally got the push I needed to do just that. I’ve just started out, but hope it can be a way for me to connect with readers and others who enjoy writing. In addition to blogging about life and literature, the website is a place where I can post small short stories, as well as writing about my own up-coming books. Apart from the happiness writing gives me, I’d just like for people to get as much joy from reading my stories as I enjoy writing them.
Links
Official Site
Facebook
www.kristintalgo@hotmail.com
http://scififantasypublications.com
https://daowenpublications.ca
BLURB
This is not the story of how the world ended. No one really knows how it ended. All that is certain is somehow, somewhere, someone screwed up.
Big time.
For generations, Jess and her tribe have guarded the entrance to the caves, protecting the human world from the demons within. The bloodthirsty creatures, once the cause of humanity’s downfall, seek nothing more than to finish the task.
Caught in a web of grief, Jess flees the tribe for the outside world, becoming an ‘outcast’. She crosses the desert, seeking out a new home away from the fight, but her warrior’s scars make it a difficult life, the center of a propaganda-fuelled hatred unparalleled in her old world.
But when Jess finds a home, she finds that her old life will not be forgotten so easily. The demons have found a new exit to the cave.
They’re ready.
Read an excerpt
The book will be available in ebook format at:
Barnes & Noble
iStore
Kobo
Scribd
Inktera
tolino
Google Play
Page Foundry
Amazon Kindle
The book will be available in print format at:
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Chapters
All book stores worldwide can order the book off the Ingram list. Several book stores in Ontario will hold stock.
Angela B. Chrysler Interviews Kristin
Angela B. Chrysler: Tell us a little about yourself. (How did you get started writing? What do you do when you’re not writing?
Kristin Talgø: I would say I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, but it’s closer to the truth to say I’ve been writing stories since I was seven. I kept writing through my teens, but didn’t start taking it seriously until I was nineteen. I attended a Creative Writing Course at the University of Edinburgh summer of 2010, and the writing environment and support I found there really encouraged me to stick to what I wanted to do; namely write.
I’m currently studying journalism in Norway, I’ll be in my third and final year come this fall. Apart from that, I’m obviously very fond of reading; I also enjoy drawing though that isn’t one of my strong suits. I have a lovely three year old daughter, who keeps me busy. In between writing, working and caring for her, I try to make room and time for my friends and the rest of my family.
Angela B. Chrysler: Is this your first book? How many books have you written prior (if any?) List other titles if applicable.
Kristin Talgø: “Escaping the Caves” is not the first book I’ve written, but it’s the first to be published and the first I’ve attempted to publish. I’ve written five others and am currently working on my seventh. I consider the first book I wrote a sort of trial run, but the other four I hope to revise and edit, as I think they could really work, but they’re still a work in progress.
Angela B. Chrysler: What genre do you enjoy writing the most and what is this book about?
Kristin Talgø: I enjoy writing sci-fi, fantasy or books with an element of the paranormal about them and those are the genres in which I write.
“Escaping the Caves” is a futuristic novel set in a post-apocalyptic word. The world was overrun by monsters that nearly wipe out humanity. After a devastating war, it was left to a chosen few to keep the monsters confided to a set of caves. The task of keeping the monsters from once again roaming the earth has been passed down through the generations. It’s a small community governed by strict rules. There is no room for the people living there to show their pain and fear. If one person starts to crack up, it’s only a reminder that they’re all cracking up a little every day. Whoever decides to leave the community becomes an ‘outcast’. They’ve betrayed humanity and so are shunned in the outside world as well. Jess, a trained monster hunter turns her back on the family tradition. No longer wanting to live with the possibility of being killed by those monsters, or living with the ghosts of those who have, Jess leaves the only life she knows and travels across country to find herself. As she attempts to escape the death of her sister, and the ghosts that dwell inside her mind, Jess finds more than what she bargained for. Monsters come in all shapes and sizes, even human ones…
Angela B. Chrysler: What inspired you to write this book?
Kristin Talgø: Generally speaking, I get my inspiration from everything from music and movies to books, poetry and articles. It gets mixed up with my imagination and the strange inner workings of my mind. In this case, and I know it sounds corny, the idea came from a dream I had. In the dream I was having an argument with someone. I was desperate for that person to listen to me, to understand me, but when the person turned around there was nothing but disdain and contempt on his face. We were standing on a street, people gathering to see what the commotion was about and when I tried to seek their understanding and acceptance for my pain, I was met with the same distaste. In their eyes I was weak for crying, for revealing my hurt. In the distance there was a huge, dark mountain range stretching for as long as I could see. When I woke up, my mind automatically started building on it. The scene from the dream blended together with my imagination.
Angela B. Chrysler: How did you come up with the title of your book or series?
Kristin Talgø: The original title was “Cavemen”, but having read through the book my publisher suggested “Escaping the Caves” as it works better with the theme running through the book where the main character, Jess, tries to escape the caves, both literally and mentally.
Angela B. Chrysler: Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?
Kristin Talgø: It was my publisher who commissioned the cover art. Once the artist had made a mock-up, I got to see it and get my input on it. As this is my first published book I didn’t know what to expect, but I loved the cover the moment I saw it. I think the artist really captured the sinister and malevolent presence in the caves. It’s dark and eerie, just the way I like it!
Angela B. Chrysler: If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?
Kristin Talgø: I really don’t know what to say to that. My characters, the way they look and act, are so firmly fixed in my head; it’s difficult to picture actors putting on their faces, so to speak. But I suppose to play Jess; I think Mia Wasikowska could be a good fit, both in the way she looks, but also because I think she’s really good at taking on strong, independent and complex characters. To play John, it would have to be someone who can pull off that kind and considerate, yet manly combination. Ryan Gosling maybe? He’s quite good at that isn’t he? Not to mention, he’s always popular and about as handsome as they come!
As for Kyle, that’s a difficult one. Kyle as a character is the kind of man who can be cold and closed off, but has that spark in his eyes, knows how to turn on the charm. I suppose, based on movies I’ve seen him in, someone like Chris Hemsworth might’ve worked.
Angela B. Chrysler: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
Kristin Talgø: For as long as I can remember, even as a quite small child, I used to make up imaginary worlds in my head. I never had a problem playing on my own as a kid; I would just make up different scenarios and play them out. When I played with my friends or sister, I remember I would often be a bit of a director, I wanted things to play out the way I’d pictured them in my head. I must’ve been a bossy playmate, at least with my sister. But it was this joy in creating different worlds and universes in my head that sparked my desire to write. To put them down on paper and have them come to life.
Angela B. Chrysler: Are you a plotter or do you write by the seat of your pants?
Kristin Talgø: I’m not much of a plotter. Once the idea for the book had been formed in my mind, the people, scenes and dialog are usually quite clear to me. That being said, the story develops as I write it. I usually have a sense of where the story is headed, but I never really know what’s going to happen until I get there. That’s part of the fun. Discovering a story as I go along, discovering the twists and turns as I write them. It’s an exciting process, as I can sort of ‘feel’ the whole story at the back of my mind, but I have to dig it out, one word, one sentence, at the time. I like not knowing entirely where it’s headed, that way anything is possible.
Angela B. Chrysler: Who is your favorite character from your book and why? How about your least favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?
Kristin Talgø: My favorite character is probably Jess. I really liked how she turned out. She’s strong, capable and independent, knows her own mind and doesn’t take bs. from anyone. At the same time, I like how she has her weaknesses too. How she’s vulnerable and fragile, she desperately wants to be loved and understood, to find someone and somewhere to belong. Where she can be accepted for who she is, all of her, both the good and the bad. She’s also stubborn and she’s got an attitude, but a kind heart. To sum it up, I like the complexity of her. How she’s proof that there doesn’t have be any disparities between being strong and vulnerable at the same time. How that’s just part of being human.
My least favorite character is probably Marjorie, John’s ex-wife. She’s the epitome of everything I dislike and would hate to be. She’s selfish and self-centered, with very little empathy and understanding for any pain but her own. She can feel very sorry for herself, but she’s not capable of much sympathy for those around her. She sees the people in her life as pawns she can move around to her advantage, not as humans with their own needs and desires.
Angela B. Chrysler: What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?
Kristin Talgø: Do it. There’s no reason why anyone who wants to be a writer shouldn’t do just that, as long as they’re prepared for a bumpy road. People always tell you that you need to work hard for the things you want in life, but that can never prepare you for just how hard you’ll need to work. If you want to be a writer, you’ll probably have to work twice as hard as you thought and at least twice as hard as you’d like. But if that’s really what you want to do, then that’s just the price you’ll have to pay. You’re going to have to work hard in life no matter what you do, so you might as well work hard for the things you really want. If being a writer is what you really want, then all that hard work is worth it. At the end of the day, if that hard work means you get to do what you feel you’re meant to do in life… What’s there to think about?
And don’t let anyone belittle your desire to write. Being a writer is just as legitimate a profession as wanting to be a plumber, nurse or teacher. We all got our parts to play in this world. If you feel writing is where you’re abilities are, then write is what you should do.
Angela B. Chrysler: What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
Kristin Talgø: Recommend it to friends! Spread the word; lend it to a friend or both. I think that’s probably the best way of making sure people who might enjoy reading it get the chance.
Angela B. Chrysler: Why did you write a love story?
Kristin Talgø: “Escaping the Caves” is a dystopian sci-fi novel, but there is a love story within that. Two actually. The book is in many ways character driven, the story revolves around Jess and the process she goes through, even if her process is affected by outside events. The reason why I wanted there to be a love story within the sci-fi story, apart from me being hopelessly romantic at heart, is because I think love is such a rich and complex subject. You can really go to town with it. Stretch it, inspect it and look at it from all sorts of angles.
Love, especially romantic love between two people can be so extraordinarily wonderful, but also so painfully complicated and cruel. I think love stories are a great way of examining the human psyche, understanding people and why we do the things we do.
Also, love is full of contradictions. It’s irrational. It’s perfectly possible to be head over heels in love with someone who’s terribly mismatched for you, and not being able to feel that crazy rush with someone who on paper should be your ideal match.
It’s this complexity and those contradictions that make love stories so interesting and fun to write about.
Angela B. Chrysler: What can we expect from you in the future?
Kristin Talgø: More stories and more books! Where I’ll be in the future as a writer is, just like with everything else in life, difficult if not impossible to predict. All I know is that I spent far too long doing other things, when what I really wanted was to write, to be a writer. Life’s too short not to do what makes you genuinely happy. So I’m in it for the long haul. I don’t expect it to be easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. I intend to keep writing and I hope there will be people who’ll want to read my books and enjoy them. Stories only truly come to life when they’re shared.
Angela B. Chrysler: And now for the zanier questions! Are you a compulsive shopper/hoarder?
Kristin Talgø: When it comes to books, yes. I physically can’t walk by a book store without going inside for a look. I keep telling myself to get one, but I always get three. Also, the buy with one click option on Amazon is decidedly dangerous… At least for my bank account.
Angela B. Chrysler: What do you want your tombstone to say?
Kristin Talgø: “Man, that was a lot of fun! Can I go again?”
Angela B. Chrysler: What is something you want to accomplish before you die?
Kristin Talgø: I’d like to travel as much as possible and experience as many different places as I can. I’d like to show my daughter that there is a whole world out there, and that there is a lot of different ways of living. It’s easy to lose perspective when all you see are the same things and same people every day. Sometimes we need to take a step back to see the bigger picture. Also, I love travelling simply for the sake of travelling. I’m a lot happier when I’m on the move and not in the same place for too long at the time. I’m hoping to pass on my love for travelling to my daughter, as well as my love of books. If I can raise a self-reliant girl with a love of books and adventure, then I will feel I’ve done something right as a mother.
Angela B. Chrysler: What is your favorite Fiction/Non-Fiction book?
Kristin Talgø: My favorite Fiction is “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë; I know whole passages of that book by heart. My favorite Non-Fiction is “Tracks” by Robyn Davidson. That book went straight to my heart, a great inspiration for the possibilities in life. That there’s more to life than what everyone expects of you. That you can make up your own life as long as you have the guts to do it.
Angela B. Chrysler: What books have most influenced your life most? A mentor?
Kristin Talgø: There are so many books that have meant and mean so much to me. That being said, Stephen King is probably the writer that has influenced me as a writer the most. I started reading his books when I was about thirteen and I’ve been hooked ever since. I greatly admire him as an author and his ability to describe events and emotions using the exact right words and the exact right amount of them. Not to mention his ability to create characters not based on descriptions, but on how they act and how they speak. I love the way a lot of his books are all connected somehow, a whole universe filled with different stories, worlds within worlds. There are times when I’ve skipped pages in his books, when the story has become too gory and gruesome for my taste, but I think he’s at his best when he writes about the simple things in his stories. The human condition and the way people connect and communicate with each other, or fail to. Despite writing horror, Stephen King has written some of the best love stories, in my opinion!
Also, I figure that if he could have two kids and write ‘Carrie’ in the laundry room of a doublewide trailer, then I can certainly write in an airy kitchen with only one kid.
Kristin interviews her characters
Jess
Author: Hi, Jess. Thanks for taking the time to do this. Go ahead and tell the audience a bit about yourself.
Jess: Ehm, hi… I’m Jess. I used to be a fighter in the Caves. I was good at it; it was what I was born to do. What I’d been trained for. But losing my sister and best friend kind of messed with my head, though it was pretty messed up to begin with. The Caves will do that to you. So I left. I wanted to find myself again, if possible. And now…I’m still trying to figure that out, I guess.
Q: Okay, I know you’re not entirely comfortable with this sort of thing, but why don’t you tell us where and when you were born.
Jess: Sure. I was born December 12th 2097, in the settlement around the Caves. What childhood I had was all right. They start prepping you for a life in the Caves when you turn four so it didn’t last very long, but those first few years, what I remember… It was good.
Author: I know your life in the Caves was a strained one; it must’ve shaped you in a lot of ways. How would you describe yourself?
Jess: Describe myself? I don’t know, I’ve never really thought about it. We don’t spend a lot of time on introspection around the Caves. Soul-searching isn’t advisable when your soul is killed off a little every day. I used to think I was brave, now I’m not so sure. Maybe I’ve become selfish.
Author: I suppose a life like that might do that to you. Why don’t you tell us a bit more about where you grew up?
Jess: Look, I spend most of my time trying to forget about where I grew up. If you hadn’t already done so, I could’ve written a whole book about what the Caves are like. But words are never going to explain what it’s like growing up in a place where all you are trained for is killing. To live your life never knowing who’s going to have their head ripped off next… All everyone teaches you are how to keep your fear and grief to yourself. But trust me, that’ll eat you up.
Author: I can’t imagine what that must be like. Or I can; I wrote the book after all, but tell everyone what it is you do when you’re not fighting in the Caves.
Jess: I don’t fight anymore, you know that. But back by the Caves, when I wasn’t in them trying not to get mauled, my main hobbies were drinking, smoking and… Well, you can say what you want about the men around the Caves, cave-mentality and all, but they know how to have a good time, I’ll give them that.
Author: Talking about men, are you serious with anyone?
Jess: What? I… What does that have to do with anything? Look, are we done here?
Author: Almost, tell us about your worst fear.
Jess: Listen lady, I didn’t want to do this in the first place. The only reason I’m doing it is to get you off my back, but this is where I draw the line. Worst fear? I think I’ve experienced them all. There’s not much left to fear. Except maybe… No, never mind. Can I go now?
Author: Sure, Jess. Thanks for coming. I wish you all the best.
Kyle
Author: That was Jess, and now it’s time to talk to you Kyle. You were a hard one to talk into coming, but thanks for doing this. Go ahead and introduce yourself. Tell the audience a bit about who you are.
Kyle: I’m Kyle. Second Commander of the Caves.
Author: Okay… Brief and to the point as usual. Try to elaborate a bit. Tell us where and when were born.
Kyle: I don’t see how this is relevant, but fine. Just like my ex-wife who you just met, I was born in the settlement around the Caves. Born July 2nd 2091. Unlike Jess, I didn’t waste my time on longing for a happy childhood. I was born for a reason, with a purpose. Which is more than I can say for any of you.
Author: Okay, no reason to be rude to the audience. You’re a hard man to figure out, tell me, how would you describe yourself?
Kyle: I would say I’m efficient, determined and unsentimental. Other people think I’m hard and uncaring. Makes no difference to me. Compassion isn’t going to do you any good in the Caves. When those monsters come at you, you can’t worry about the people around you. You just got to trust they can handle themselves. Those who can’t… I’m sorry for them, but breaking down isn’t going to help anyone. Jess used to know that.
Author: We’re not talking about Jess, we’re talking about you. Tell us more about where you grew up.
Kyle: Seriously? Didn’t you already ask Jess that? The Caves are bad and bloody. If you want any more details, tell people to read the damn book.
Author: Kyle, please be nice. Why don’t you tell everyone what it is you do when you’re not fighting the monsters in the Caves?
Kyle: I do what most people do when they’re not fighting. I’m not a drunkard, but I drink, sure. Everyone does that. Gamble? Probably a bit of that too. Smoking? I leave that to Jess; she’s like a damn chimney when she’s stressed.
Author: And women? I understand that you have quite a reputation. Are you serious with anyone?
Kyle: Why? You interested?
Author: Sorry, you’re not really my type anymore. Okay, final question. Tell us about your worst fear.
Kyle: Fear? Fear is useless. It’ll cripple you, destroy you. If you let it, it’ll kill you. No. I’m not afraid. Maybe… Seeing Jess, after she lost her sister… Losing your mind like that… I’d rather let the monsters have me.
Author: Well, let’s hope it won’t come to that. Thanks, Kyle. And good luck. You’re going to need it…
John
Author: John, hi, thanks for coming. I know you have things to do, so let’s get started. Go ahead and introduce yourself. Tell the audience a bit about who you are.
John: Hi, I’m John. I run a diner, my father’s really, in a small town called Havensfield. I met Jess not long after she’d left the Caves, but didn’t see her again until she strolled into town one day. Maybe not strolled. She… She’d been through a lot. When I’m not working, I take care of my daughter Eve. She’s four.
Author: A hard-working family man. Gotta love that. Tell us where and when you were born.
John: I was born in Havensfield. April 14th 2095. I grew up there, that’s where I met my wife, now ex-wife, Eve’s mother. After the divorce, I took Eve and moved to one of the larger cities. Been working as a journalist, writing some books, none published yet. But Dad’s older now, and so I’m working at his place for the time being. Trying to keep it going and keep an eye out for Dad.
Author: You strike me as a responsible, caring kind of man. But how would you describe yourself?
John: Caring? Sure. Becoming a father will do that to most men I think. As for responsible? I don’t think I’m any more responsible than most people. I like to think I’m easy-going though. Live and let live, and all that.
Author: Tell us a bit more about where you grew up.
John: Havensfield? Okay, it’s a small town. It’s sitting at the bottom of a large mountainrange, surrounded by forest. An idyllic sort of place, at least I think so. Maybe a bit boring for some folks. Like every other town it has it faults, but we take care of each other around there. Look after one another.
Author: Sounds like a good place. Tell everyone what it is you do when you’re not working at the diner or taking care of your daughter?
John: The usual I guess. I like to read, write. Spend time with…friends when Eve is with her mother.
Author: The way you said ‘friends’ makes me think there’s someone in the picture. Someone who’s a bit more than a friend maybe? Are you serious with anyone?
John: Oh, ehm… I… Well, I’m not sure what she’s thinking, she likes to keep her feelings to herself, but… Serious? I hope so.
Author: Okay, final call. Tell us about your worst fear.
John: Worst? I’m a father. It goes without saying what I fear the most. I don’t even want to think about it, let alone say it out loud.
Author: No worries, John. There’s no need. Thank you for coming, and say hi to Eve from me.
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, Support Indie Authors
Fast Facts:
Author name: Kristin TalgøBook: Escaping the Caves
Genre: Sci-fi
Jess runs away from a life of violence to become an outcast only to find Escaping the Caves is harder than she thought.
BIO
I’ve always loved to read and write, and did Creative Writing the summer of 2010 at the University of Edinburgh. That was a real eye-opener as I got to meet so many wonderful people who also wanted to write. They inspired me to ‘just go for it’. Even so, I spent some years doing other things. I got a degree in social work, worked and lived in Ghana for a while, before I realized that I’m better suited for what I really want to do, which is write. I’m currently studying journalism in Oslo, while I continue to write stories in my spare-time. (Not sure how long this was supposed to be, if you want me to change or add something let me know!)
Author Accomplishments
«Escaping the Caves» is my first published novel, but I’ve been writing short stories and books for the past eight years. Attending the Creative Writing Course at the University of Edinburgh in the summer of 2010 was a real turning point for me as a writer. That’s when I admitted to myself and others that being a writer is who I am, what I want to do. I’ve always thought about starting a website and a blog as a way of sharing thoughts about writing and life in general. Once I got a publishing contract, I finally got the push I needed to do just that. I’ve just started out, but hope it can be a way for me to connect with readers and others who enjoy writing. In addition to blogging about life and literature, the website is a place where I can post small short stories, as well as writing about my own up-coming books. Apart from the happiness writing gives me, I’d just like for people to get as much joy from reading my stories as I enjoy writing them.
Links
Official Site
www.kristintalgo@hotmail.com
http://scififantasypublications.com
https://daowenpublications.ca
BLURB
This is not the story of how the world ended. No one really knows how it ended. All that is certain is somehow, somewhere, someone screwed up.
Big time.
For generations, Jess and her tribe have guarded the entrance to the caves, protecting the human world from the demons within. The bloodthirsty creatures, once the cause of humanity’s downfall, seek nothing more than to finish the task.
Caught in a web of grief, Jess flees the tribe for the outside world, becoming an ‘outcast’. She crosses the desert, seeking out a new home away from the fight, but her warrior’s scars make it a difficult life, the center of a propaganda-fuelled hatred unparalleled in her old world.
But when Jess finds a home, she finds that her old life will not be forgotten so easily. The demons have found a new exit to the cave.
They’re ready.
Read an excerpt
The book will be available in ebook format at:
Barnes & Noble
iStore
Kobo
Scribd
Inktera
tolino
Google Play
Page Foundry
Amazon Kindle
The book will be available in print format at:
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Chapters
All book stores worldwide can order the book off the Ingram list. Several book stores in Ontario will hold stock.
Angela B. Chrysler Interviews Kristin
Angela B. Chrysler: Tell us a little about yourself. (How did you get started writing? What do you do when you’re not writing?
Kristin Talgø: I would say I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, but it’s closer to the truth to say I’ve been writing stories since I was seven. I kept writing through my teens, but didn’t start taking it seriously until I was nineteen. I attended a Creative Writing Course at the University of Edinburgh summer of 2010, and the writing environment and support I found there really encouraged me to stick to what I wanted to do; namely write.
I’m currently studying journalism in Norway, I’ll be in my third and final year come this fall. Apart from that, I’m obviously very fond of reading; I also enjoy drawing though that isn’t one of my strong suits. I have a lovely three year old daughter, who keeps me busy. In between writing, working and caring for her, I try to make room and time for my friends and the rest of my family.
Angela B. Chrysler: Is this your first book? How many books have you written prior (if any?) List other titles if applicable.
Kristin Talgø: “Escaping the Caves” is not the first book I’ve written, but it’s the first to be published and the first I’ve attempted to publish. I’ve written five others and am currently working on my seventh. I consider the first book I wrote a sort of trial run, but the other four I hope to revise and edit, as I think they could really work, but they’re still a work in progress.
Angela B. Chrysler: What genre do you enjoy writing the most and what is this book about?
Kristin Talgø: I enjoy writing sci-fi, fantasy or books with an element of the paranormal about them and those are the genres in which I write.
“Escaping the Caves” is a futuristic novel set in a post-apocalyptic word. The world was overrun by monsters that nearly wipe out humanity. After a devastating war, it was left to a chosen few to keep the monsters confided to a set of caves. The task of keeping the monsters from once again roaming the earth has been passed down through the generations. It’s a small community governed by strict rules. There is no room for the people living there to show their pain and fear. If one person starts to crack up, it’s only a reminder that they’re all cracking up a little every day. Whoever decides to leave the community becomes an ‘outcast’. They’ve betrayed humanity and so are shunned in the outside world as well. Jess, a trained monster hunter turns her back on the family tradition. No longer wanting to live with the possibility of being killed by those monsters, or living with the ghosts of those who have, Jess leaves the only life she knows and travels across country to find herself. As she attempts to escape the death of her sister, and the ghosts that dwell inside her mind, Jess finds more than what she bargained for. Monsters come in all shapes and sizes, even human ones…
Angela B. Chrysler: What inspired you to write this book?
Kristin Talgø: Generally speaking, I get my inspiration from everything from music and movies to books, poetry and articles. It gets mixed up with my imagination and the strange inner workings of my mind. In this case, and I know it sounds corny, the idea came from a dream I had. In the dream I was having an argument with someone. I was desperate for that person to listen to me, to understand me, but when the person turned around there was nothing but disdain and contempt on his face. We were standing on a street, people gathering to see what the commotion was about and when I tried to seek their understanding and acceptance for my pain, I was met with the same distaste. In their eyes I was weak for crying, for revealing my hurt. In the distance there was a huge, dark mountain range stretching for as long as I could see. When I woke up, my mind automatically started building on it. The scene from the dream blended together with my imagination.
Angela B. Chrysler: How did you come up with the title of your book or series?
Kristin Talgø: The original title was “Cavemen”, but having read through the book my publisher suggested “Escaping the Caves” as it works better with the theme running through the book where the main character, Jess, tries to escape the caves, both literally and mentally.
Angela B. Chrysler: Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?
Kristin Talgø: It was my publisher who commissioned the cover art. Once the artist had made a mock-up, I got to see it and get my input on it. As this is my first published book I didn’t know what to expect, but I loved the cover the moment I saw it. I think the artist really captured the sinister and malevolent presence in the caves. It’s dark and eerie, just the way I like it!
Angela B. Chrysler: If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?
Kristin Talgø: I really don’t know what to say to that. My characters, the way they look and act, are so firmly fixed in my head; it’s difficult to picture actors putting on their faces, so to speak. But I suppose to play Jess; I think Mia Wasikowska could be a good fit, both in the way she looks, but also because I think she’s really good at taking on strong, independent and complex characters. To play John, it would have to be someone who can pull off that kind and considerate, yet manly combination. Ryan Gosling maybe? He’s quite good at that isn’t he? Not to mention, he’s always popular and about as handsome as they come!
As for Kyle, that’s a difficult one. Kyle as a character is the kind of man who can be cold and closed off, but has that spark in his eyes, knows how to turn on the charm. I suppose, based on movies I’ve seen him in, someone like Chris Hemsworth might’ve worked.
Angela B. Chrysler: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
Kristin Talgø: For as long as I can remember, even as a quite small child, I used to make up imaginary worlds in my head. I never had a problem playing on my own as a kid; I would just make up different scenarios and play them out. When I played with my friends or sister, I remember I would often be a bit of a director, I wanted things to play out the way I’d pictured them in my head. I must’ve been a bossy playmate, at least with my sister. But it was this joy in creating different worlds and universes in my head that sparked my desire to write. To put them down on paper and have them come to life.
Angela B. Chrysler: Are you a plotter or do you write by the seat of your pants?
Kristin Talgø: I’m not much of a plotter. Once the idea for the book had been formed in my mind, the people, scenes and dialog are usually quite clear to me. That being said, the story develops as I write it. I usually have a sense of where the story is headed, but I never really know what’s going to happen until I get there. That’s part of the fun. Discovering a story as I go along, discovering the twists and turns as I write them. It’s an exciting process, as I can sort of ‘feel’ the whole story at the back of my mind, but I have to dig it out, one word, one sentence, at the time. I like not knowing entirely where it’s headed, that way anything is possible.
Angela B. Chrysler: Who is your favorite character from your book and why? How about your least favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?
Kristin Talgø: My favorite character is probably Jess. I really liked how she turned out. She’s strong, capable and independent, knows her own mind and doesn’t take bs. from anyone. At the same time, I like how she has her weaknesses too. How she’s vulnerable and fragile, she desperately wants to be loved and understood, to find someone and somewhere to belong. Where she can be accepted for who she is, all of her, both the good and the bad. She’s also stubborn and she’s got an attitude, but a kind heart. To sum it up, I like the complexity of her. How she’s proof that there doesn’t have be any disparities between being strong and vulnerable at the same time. How that’s just part of being human.
My least favorite character is probably Marjorie, John’s ex-wife. She’s the epitome of everything I dislike and would hate to be. She’s selfish and self-centered, with very little empathy and understanding for any pain but her own. She can feel very sorry for herself, but she’s not capable of much sympathy for those around her. She sees the people in her life as pawns she can move around to her advantage, not as humans with their own needs and desires.
Angela B. Chrysler: What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?
Kristin Talgø: Do it. There’s no reason why anyone who wants to be a writer shouldn’t do just that, as long as they’re prepared for a bumpy road. People always tell you that you need to work hard for the things you want in life, but that can never prepare you for just how hard you’ll need to work. If you want to be a writer, you’ll probably have to work twice as hard as you thought and at least twice as hard as you’d like. But if that’s really what you want to do, then that’s just the price you’ll have to pay. You’re going to have to work hard in life no matter what you do, so you might as well work hard for the things you really want. If being a writer is what you really want, then all that hard work is worth it. At the end of the day, if that hard work means you get to do what you feel you’re meant to do in life… What’s there to think about?
And don’t let anyone belittle your desire to write. Being a writer is just as legitimate a profession as wanting to be a plumber, nurse or teacher. We all got our parts to play in this world. If you feel writing is where you’re abilities are, then write is what you should do.
Angela B. Chrysler: What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
Kristin Talgø: Recommend it to friends! Spread the word; lend it to a friend or both. I think that’s probably the best way of making sure people who might enjoy reading it get the chance.
Angela B. Chrysler: Why did you write a love story?
Kristin Talgø: “Escaping the Caves” is a dystopian sci-fi novel, but there is a love story within that. Two actually. The book is in many ways character driven, the story revolves around Jess and the process she goes through, even if her process is affected by outside events. The reason why I wanted there to be a love story within the sci-fi story, apart from me being hopelessly romantic at heart, is because I think love is such a rich and complex subject. You can really go to town with it. Stretch it, inspect it and look at it from all sorts of angles.
Love, especially romantic love between two people can be so extraordinarily wonderful, but also so painfully complicated and cruel. I think love stories are a great way of examining the human psyche, understanding people and why we do the things we do.
Also, love is full of contradictions. It’s irrational. It’s perfectly possible to be head over heels in love with someone who’s terribly mismatched for you, and not being able to feel that crazy rush with someone who on paper should be your ideal match.
It’s this complexity and those contradictions that make love stories so interesting and fun to write about.
Angela B. Chrysler: What can we expect from you in the future?
Kristin Talgø: More stories and more books! Where I’ll be in the future as a writer is, just like with everything else in life, difficult if not impossible to predict. All I know is that I spent far too long doing other things, when what I really wanted was to write, to be a writer. Life’s too short not to do what makes you genuinely happy. So I’m in it for the long haul. I don’t expect it to be easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. I intend to keep writing and I hope there will be people who’ll want to read my books and enjoy them. Stories only truly come to life when they’re shared.
Angela B. Chrysler: And now for the zanier questions! Are you a compulsive shopper/hoarder?
Kristin Talgø: When it comes to books, yes. I physically can’t walk by a book store without going inside for a look. I keep telling myself to get one, but I always get three. Also, the buy with one click option on Amazon is decidedly dangerous… At least for my bank account.
Angela B. Chrysler: What do you want your tombstone to say?
Kristin Talgø: “Man, that was a lot of fun! Can I go again?”
Angela B. Chrysler: What is something you want to accomplish before you die?
Kristin Talgø: I’d like to travel as much as possible and experience as many different places as I can. I’d like to show my daughter that there is a whole world out there, and that there is a lot of different ways of living. It’s easy to lose perspective when all you see are the same things and same people every day. Sometimes we need to take a step back to see the bigger picture. Also, I love travelling simply for the sake of travelling. I’m a lot happier when I’m on the move and not in the same place for too long at the time. I’m hoping to pass on my love for travelling to my daughter, as well as my love of books. If I can raise a self-reliant girl with a love of books and adventure, then I will feel I’ve done something right as a mother.
Angela B. Chrysler: What is your favorite Fiction/Non-Fiction book?
Kristin Talgø: My favorite Fiction is “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë; I know whole passages of that book by heart. My favorite Non-Fiction is “Tracks” by Robyn Davidson. That book went straight to my heart, a great inspiration for the possibilities in life. That there’s more to life than what everyone expects of you. That you can make up your own life as long as you have the guts to do it.
Angela B. Chrysler: What books have most influenced your life most? A mentor?
Kristin Talgø: There are so many books that have meant and mean so much to me. That being said, Stephen King is probably the writer that has influenced me as a writer the most. I started reading his books when I was about thirteen and I’ve been hooked ever since. I greatly admire him as an author and his ability to describe events and emotions using the exact right words and the exact right amount of them. Not to mention his ability to create characters not based on descriptions, but on how they act and how they speak. I love the way a lot of his books are all connected somehow, a whole universe filled with different stories, worlds within worlds. There are times when I’ve skipped pages in his books, when the story has become too gory and gruesome for my taste, but I think he’s at his best when he writes about the simple things in his stories. The human condition and the way people connect and communicate with each other, or fail to. Despite writing horror, Stephen King has written some of the best love stories, in my opinion!
Also, I figure that if he could have two kids and write ‘Carrie’ in the laundry room of a doublewide trailer, then I can certainly write in an airy kitchen with only one kid.
Kristin interviews her characters
Jess
Author: Hi, Jess. Thanks for taking the time to do this. Go ahead and tell the audience a bit about yourself.
Jess: Ehm, hi… I’m Jess. I used to be a fighter in the Caves. I was good at it; it was what I was born to do. What I’d been trained for. But losing my sister and best friend kind of messed with my head, though it was pretty messed up to begin with. The Caves will do that to you. So I left. I wanted to find myself again, if possible. And now…I’m still trying to figure that out, I guess.
Q: Okay, I know you’re not entirely comfortable with this sort of thing, but why don’t you tell us where and when you were born.
Jess: Sure. I was born December 12th 2097, in the settlement around the Caves. What childhood I had was all right. They start prepping you for a life in the Caves when you turn four so it didn’t last very long, but those first few years, what I remember… It was good.
Author: I know your life in the Caves was a strained one; it must’ve shaped you in a lot of ways. How would you describe yourself?
Jess: Describe myself? I don’t know, I’ve never really thought about it. We don’t spend a lot of time on introspection around the Caves. Soul-searching isn’t advisable when your soul is killed off a little every day. I used to think I was brave, now I’m not so sure. Maybe I’ve become selfish.
Author: I suppose a life like that might do that to you. Why don’t you tell us a bit more about where you grew up?
Jess: Look, I spend most of my time trying to forget about where I grew up. If you hadn’t already done so, I could’ve written a whole book about what the Caves are like. But words are never going to explain what it’s like growing up in a place where all you are trained for is killing. To live your life never knowing who’s going to have their head ripped off next… All everyone teaches you are how to keep your fear and grief to yourself. But trust me, that’ll eat you up.
Author: I can’t imagine what that must be like. Or I can; I wrote the book after all, but tell everyone what it is you do when you’re not fighting in the Caves.
Jess: I don’t fight anymore, you know that. But back by the Caves, when I wasn’t in them trying not to get mauled, my main hobbies were drinking, smoking and… Well, you can say what you want about the men around the Caves, cave-mentality and all, but they know how to have a good time, I’ll give them that.
Author: Talking about men, are you serious with anyone?
Jess: What? I… What does that have to do with anything? Look, are we done here?
Author: Almost, tell us about your worst fear.
Jess: Listen lady, I didn’t want to do this in the first place. The only reason I’m doing it is to get you off my back, but this is where I draw the line. Worst fear? I think I’ve experienced them all. There’s not much left to fear. Except maybe… No, never mind. Can I go now?
Author: Sure, Jess. Thanks for coming. I wish you all the best.
Kyle
Author: That was Jess, and now it’s time to talk to you Kyle. You were a hard one to talk into coming, but thanks for doing this. Go ahead and introduce yourself. Tell the audience a bit about who you are.
Kyle: I’m Kyle. Second Commander of the Caves.
Author: Okay… Brief and to the point as usual. Try to elaborate a bit. Tell us where and when were born.
Kyle: I don’t see how this is relevant, but fine. Just like my ex-wife who you just met, I was born in the settlement around the Caves. Born July 2nd 2091. Unlike Jess, I didn’t waste my time on longing for a happy childhood. I was born for a reason, with a purpose. Which is more than I can say for any of you.
Author: Okay, no reason to be rude to the audience. You’re a hard man to figure out, tell me, how would you describe yourself?
Kyle: I would say I’m efficient, determined and unsentimental. Other people think I’m hard and uncaring. Makes no difference to me. Compassion isn’t going to do you any good in the Caves. When those monsters come at you, you can’t worry about the people around you. You just got to trust they can handle themselves. Those who can’t… I’m sorry for them, but breaking down isn’t going to help anyone. Jess used to know that.
Author: We’re not talking about Jess, we’re talking about you. Tell us more about where you grew up.
Kyle: Seriously? Didn’t you already ask Jess that? The Caves are bad and bloody. If you want any more details, tell people to read the damn book.
Author: Kyle, please be nice. Why don’t you tell everyone what it is you do when you’re not fighting the monsters in the Caves?
Kyle: I do what most people do when they’re not fighting. I’m not a drunkard, but I drink, sure. Everyone does that. Gamble? Probably a bit of that too. Smoking? I leave that to Jess; she’s like a damn chimney when she’s stressed.
Author: And women? I understand that you have quite a reputation. Are you serious with anyone?
Kyle: Why? You interested?
Author: Sorry, you’re not really my type anymore. Okay, final question. Tell us about your worst fear.
Kyle: Fear? Fear is useless. It’ll cripple you, destroy you. If you let it, it’ll kill you. No. I’m not afraid. Maybe… Seeing Jess, after she lost her sister… Losing your mind like that… I’d rather let the monsters have me.
Author: Well, let’s hope it won’t come to that. Thanks, Kyle. And good luck. You’re going to need it…
John
Author: John, hi, thanks for coming. I know you have things to do, so let’s get started. Go ahead and introduce yourself. Tell the audience a bit about who you are.
John: Hi, I’m John. I run a diner, my father’s really, in a small town called Havensfield. I met Jess not long after she’d left the Caves, but didn’t see her again until she strolled into town one day. Maybe not strolled. She… She’d been through a lot. When I’m not working, I take care of my daughter Eve. She’s four.
Author: A hard-working family man. Gotta love that. Tell us where and when you were born.
John: I was born in Havensfield. April 14th 2095. I grew up there, that’s where I met my wife, now ex-wife, Eve’s mother. After the divorce, I took Eve and moved to one of the larger cities. Been working as a journalist, writing some books, none published yet. But Dad’s older now, and so I’m working at his place for the time being. Trying to keep it going and keep an eye out for Dad.
Author: You strike me as a responsible, caring kind of man. But how would you describe yourself?
John: Caring? Sure. Becoming a father will do that to most men I think. As for responsible? I don’t think I’m any more responsible than most people. I like to think I’m easy-going though. Live and let live, and all that.
Author: Tell us a bit more about where you grew up.
John: Havensfield? Okay, it’s a small town. It’s sitting at the bottom of a large mountainrange, surrounded by forest. An idyllic sort of place, at least I think so. Maybe a bit boring for some folks. Like every other town it has it faults, but we take care of each other around there. Look after one another.
Author: Sounds like a good place. Tell everyone what it is you do when you’re not working at the diner or taking care of your daughter?
John: The usual I guess. I like to read, write. Spend time with…friends when Eve is with her mother.
Author: The way you said ‘friends’ makes me think there’s someone in the picture. Someone who’s a bit more than a friend maybe? Are you serious with anyone?
John: Oh, ehm… I… Well, I’m not sure what she’s thinking, she likes to keep her feelings to herself, but… Serious? I hope so.
Author: Okay, final call. Tell us about your worst fear.
John: Worst? I’m a father. It goes without saying what I fear the most. I don’t even want to think about it, let alone say it out loud.
Author: No worries, John. There’s no need. Thank you for coming, and say hi to Eve from me.
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, Support Indie Authors
A thank you to everyone who deserves one! Back now that the heat isn’t trying to fry me! #RRBC #IAN1 #IARTG #SupportIndieAuthors!
Soo….I’ve been avoiding Twitter and a few other social media sites while this heat wave carries over. Because of my computer frying last year in the heat, I’m so afraid to have the same thing happen with my laptop.
First I want to thank Amanda Muewissen (again), because she deserves it! You guys should check out her series, The Incubus Trilogy, if you’re into m/m romance stories. I don’t know where she finds the time to wear all the hats she does, but I’m thankful she’s awesome enough to do it.
Next, I’d like to thank the editors behind the scenes. I’m sure with my writing there’s a need for more than one of them. Just know that I appreciate every single one of you!
The narrators of my series, Eliza Enea and Michael James Thompson. You both have done a fantastic job reading my works. Eliza, your voice fits Everyone Dies At The End perfectly to me. And Michael, I couldn’t imagine anyone else voicing Urban Punk and carrying the voice of the writing through.
Then there’s the wonderful people of the Independent Author Network, the RRBC, and Indie Author Retweet Group. These are great, cheap, services if you’re an author looking for the best retweet groups.
Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the other awesome retweeters. BookBoost, IndieBooksBeSeen, and of course Philipsmith.eu. These are the true saints of the twitter world, as they love to help and retweet at no cost to you!
Next is the Book reviewers/bloggers, of which 19! have already reviewed Everyone Dies At The End. That only leaves me with 81 more to go before next year, and it won’t be possible without you guys!
The authors that have submitted their books to my blog. If I’ve told you I’ll read it, I’m slowly working the list down. I thank you for the reads, good or bad, and know that I support you in your endeavors to become a bestseller.
And last, the other Mods of Support Indepentent Authors. These guys I see on a daily basis work their butts off for our growing community of Indiependent Authors.
So thank you Ann. How you manage to read so many books, write, and help your husband with his work all while taking care of a 2 year old, I’ll never understand.
Thank you V.m. Of the eloquent prose, and tireless research. May the corporate overlords fall to their doom, leaving you much free time to write.
Thank you Dwayne. Just a laid back guy, who likes to keep things simple. What else can you say about him. (Oh yeah, he’s written a ton of shorts, too.)
Thank you Christina. I think you do the most policing of the board. A thankless job, that probably has you painted as a villain, but someone has to do it! Just know we other mods see, and greatly appreciate it.
Thank you B.B. Your cheerfulness is just plain infectious! I’m still hoping one of these days I can get you to paint me a portrait of Lovonian.
Thank you G.G. A woman all over GoodReads, but in a good way. Spreading encouragement and goodwill everywhere, what more can people ask for.
And thank you Anthony. He may be our newest mod, but he’s been in the thick of it for awhile now.
There’s just one last group of people to thank. And that’s you, the readers who come to the blog on a regular basis. Hopefully the heat index is going to cool some, so I don’t have to worry about my electronics! But either way, know that you all are in my thoughts with nothing but well wishes. You guys all rock! #SupportIndieAuthors!
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: SupportIndieAuthors, Thank you!
August 2, 2015
Brain to Books Blog Tour Les Lynam!
Brain to Book Blog Tour
Just the Facts
Author: Les Lynam
Genre: YA Science Fiction (Time-Travel)
Book: …Before You Leap from the Time Will Tell series
Bio
Les Lynam (1954- ) was born in Creston, Iowa, into a farming family which also included an older brother and two older sisters. The family farm was near the tiny community of Corning, Iowa, (birthplace of Johnny Carson). After graduating from Corning High School, he attended Central Missouri State University (renamed University of Central Missouri in 2006), graduating in 1976 with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications. After a short, mostly unsuccessful, attempt at running a print shop, he refocused and returned to a life of studies at the University of Missouri. He received an M.A./M.L.S in 1986 and began a new career as a librarian at Ward Edwards / James C. Kirkpatrick libraries at UCM. He took an early retirement on December 31, 2012 to pursue his lifelong dream of writing Science Fiction. His premier novels, “…Before You Leap” and “…Saves Nine”, were first published in 2014 with hopes and dreams of many more to come. His favorite sub-genre of Science Fiction is Time-Travel, with Martian Colonies a close second. He has one son and three grandchildren.
Blurb
Two teens from two centuries apart, one the direct descendant of the other. Einstein’s Theory didn’t cover THIS relativity.
Sean Kelly considered himself an average 16-year-old, living in an average neighborhood in a small University town. Nothing too exciting ever happened in Grover’s Corners, Missouri; some might even label it boring. His ordinary life was disrupted when a distant relative dropped by at the beginning of his Junior year in high-school. A distant relative from the 23rd Century.
Review
Excerpt
At the end of class, Sean was one of the first out the door. He went as far as the stairs to the main sidewalk and waited at the bottom, exchanging “hey” with a few people as they passed him, then his eyes met Megan’s. She was chatting with Ashly as they approached. When she saw Sean, she started to purse her lips.
“I swear, Megan,” Sean growled, “if you do any more air kisses I will smack you!”
Megan unfurled a catlike smile. “Really, Sean? Principal’s Office on the second day for hitting a girl?” They walked past him, laughing as they went up a couple of steps. “Maybe you can get some real kisses from Alexis,” Megan said over her shoulder. Ashly giggled. Sean closed his eyes and imagined Megan’s head exploding.
He waited and watched as nearly everyone from the outside classrooms went up the steps. The over-achievers were already heading the other way, early for their second class of the day. At last Alexis appeared. In the sunlight, Sean could see that she was wearing blue jeans and a simple blue shirt with three-quarter sleeves. He wondered if the color reflected her mood. She stepped past him and started up the steps.
“Really, Alexis?” Sean said as he quickly gained the same step that she was on, “today I don’t even exist?”
“Of course you exist,” Alexis stated flatly, still looking straight ahead.
“So yesterday you were stalking me, and today you give me the cold shoulder?”
“My shoulder is the same temperature as…” She stopped abruptly, then continued, “I am making no attempt to ignore you.”
“What do you call it, then?”
“I believe you said, ‘Just dial it back a little, huh? Maybe more than a little.’”
It took him by surprise. She had perfectly mimicked his cadence and inflections, almost as if she had recorded him and played it back in her own voice.
“Will you stop a minute?” he demanded.
“I will be late for my next class, as will you,” she said as she maintained her pace.
“Thirty seconds then.” He grabbed her shoulders and spun her to face him. “I just don’t want to feel like I’ve ruined your life because I don’t have feelings for you the way that you want.”
“Then you should not,” she stated flatly. Her face showed no emotions.
“Not what?”
“Not feel like you have ruined my life. You can select an alternate emotional state.”
“Look, I just want us to be OK,” he insisted, “Can’t we start over and just be friends?”
“Yes, we can be friends, and I have already determined that I must ‘start over.’”
“You have? Good.” Sean paused as he examined Alexis’ eyes for any telling signs. She was silent, and too much silence always made him uncomfortable. “So… you never know… maybe with a little time… and not rushing anything… you never know,” he babbled as he tried to assemble a coherent sentence.
She smiled. Nearly a believable smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Sean dropped his hands from her shoulders.
“No, I believe I do know,” she said. “I have committed numerous mistakes. Alexis Townsend is not the girl for you, Sean Kelly.” She turned and started walking to the main building. Sean fell back into step with her.
“Ummm… OK. So… all right… friends… and yeah, OK… good talk.” They entered the building, and Sean started up the steps to his next class. Alexis remained on the ground floor and started down the hall. He stopped four steps up and called over the rail. “Hey, Alexis… um… you know, Raj really does think you’re cute and all… so… you know….”
Alexis looked up to see him shrugging. “You truly are a fascinating person, Sean Kelly.”
She smiled. It was a genuine smile this time.
Sean continued up the steps, but called down, “Right… umm… yeah… OK… good talk!”
Links
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Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, SupportIndieAuthors
Just the Facts
Author: Les Lynam
Genre: YA Science Fiction (Time-Travel)
Book: …Before You Leap from the Time Will Tell series
Bio
Les Lynam (1954- ) was born in Creston, Iowa, into a farming family which also included an older brother and two older sisters. The family farm was near the tiny community of Corning, Iowa, (birthplace of Johnny Carson). After graduating from Corning High School, he attended Central Missouri State University (renamed University of Central Missouri in 2006), graduating in 1976 with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications. After a short, mostly unsuccessful, attempt at running a print shop, he refocused and returned to a life of studies at the University of Missouri. He received an M.A./M.L.S in 1986 and began a new career as a librarian at Ward Edwards / James C. Kirkpatrick libraries at UCM. He took an early retirement on December 31, 2012 to pursue his lifelong dream of writing Science Fiction. His premier novels, “…Before You Leap” and “…Saves Nine”, were first published in 2014 with hopes and dreams of many more to come. His favorite sub-genre of Science Fiction is Time-Travel, with Martian Colonies a close second. He has one son and three grandchildren.Blurb
Two teens from two centuries apart, one the direct descendant of the other. Einstein’s Theory didn’t cover THIS relativity.Sean Kelly considered himself an average 16-year-old, living in an average neighborhood in a small University town. Nothing too exciting ever happened in Grover’s Corners, Missouri; some might even label it boring. His ordinary life was disrupted when a distant relative dropped by at the beginning of his Junior year in high-school. A distant relative from the 23rd Century.
Review
What a terrific combination of science fiction, nostalgia, and just “good ole fun”. Lynam’s graphic depiction of adolescents in the mid-1990’s, and the way he skillfully develops them within his sci-fi theme are masterful. It has been years since I have read a book where I felt so attached to so many characters.
While I don’t consider my well-versed on the “science” of time travel, his depiction seems very rational and logical. I’ll let the time travel experts weigh in on that subject.
This book is so much more than a science fiction book. If you were an adolescent in the 90’s, your heart will be warmed by the authors skillful description of the unique qualities of that generation. If you are not from that generation, Lynam has skillfully depicted how the details of adolescence have changed, but the basic themes are constant. He has done so with respect and well placed humor.
You would be missing a “great read” if you passed on this book because you “are not a science fiction fan”. It is unfair to have to put this book in a category because I believe it appeals to everyone. Historical references are accurate, characters come alive, humor is well placed, and the science fiction is believable.
In his first attempt, Lynam has written a book that exemplifies why a well-written book is so much better than any movie ever made.
I can’t wait for more from him. — Bryan L. Jackson
Excerpt
At the end of class, Sean was one of the first out the door. He went as far as the stairs to the main sidewalk and waited at the bottom, exchanging “hey” with a few people as they passed him, then his eyes met Megan’s. She was chatting with Ashly as they approached. When she saw Sean, she started to purse her lips.
“I swear, Megan,” Sean growled, “if you do any more air kisses I will smack you!”
Megan unfurled a catlike smile. “Really, Sean? Principal’s Office on the second day for hitting a girl?” They walked past him, laughing as they went up a couple of steps. “Maybe you can get some real kisses from Alexis,” Megan said over her shoulder. Ashly giggled. Sean closed his eyes and imagined Megan’s head exploding.
He waited and watched as nearly everyone from the outside classrooms went up the steps. The over-achievers were already heading the other way, early for their second class of the day. At last Alexis appeared. In the sunlight, Sean could see that she was wearing blue jeans and a simple blue shirt with three-quarter sleeves. He wondered if the color reflected her mood. She stepped past him and started up the steps.
“Really, Alexis?” Sean said as he quickly gained the same step that she was on, “today I don’t even exist?”
“Of course you exist,” Alexis stated flatly, still looking straight ahead.
“So yesterday you were stalking me, and today you give me the cold shoulder?”
“My shoulder is the same temperature as…” She stopped abruptly, then continued, “I am making no attempt to ignore you.”
“What do you call it, then?”
“I believe you said, ‘Just dial it back a little, huh? Maybe more than a little.’”
It took him by surprise. She had perfectly mimicked his cadence and inflections, almost as if she had recorded him and played it back in her own voice.
“Will you stop a minute?” he demanded.
“I will be late for my next class, as will you,” she said as she maintained her pace.
“Thirty seconds then.” He grabbed her shoulders and spun her to face him. “I just don’t want to feel like I’ve ruined your life because I don’t have feelings for you the way that you want.”
“Then you should not,” she stated flatly. Her face showed no emotions.
“Not what?”
“Not feel like you have ruined my life. You can select an alternate emotional state.”
“Look, I just want us to be OK,” he insisted, “Can’t we start over and just be friends?”
“Yes, we can be friends, and I have already determined that I must ‘start over.’”
“You have? Good.” Sean paused as he examined Alexis’ eyes for any telling signs. She was silent, and too much silence always made him uncomfortable. “So… you never know… maybe with a little time… and not rushing anything… you never know,” he babbled as he tried to assemble a coherent sentence.
She smiled. Nearly a believable smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Sean dropped his hands from her shoulders.
“No, I believe I do know,” she said. “I have committed numerous mistakes. Alexis Townsend is not the girl for you, Sean Kelly.” She turned and started walking to the main building. Sean fell back into step with her.
“Ummm… OK. So… all right… friends… and yeah, OK… good talk.” They entered the building, and Sean started up the steps to his next class. Alexis remained on the ground floor and started down the hall. He stopped four steps up and called over the rail. “Hey, Alexis… um… you know, Raj really does think you’re cute and all… so… you know….”
Alexis looked up to see him shrugging. “You truly are a fascinating person, Sean Kelly.”
She smiled. It was a genuine smile this time.
Sean continued up the steps, but called down, “Right… umm… yeah… OK… good talk!”
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Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Blog Tour, Brain to Books, SupportIndieAuthors
