E. Rachael Hardcastle's Blog, page 17

The White Room Ep.2: Tim Heath

The White Room Ep.1: Katie Masters

The Author Interviews, Round 2: #9: Brittany Lewis

Brittany Lewisstopped by to answer some more of your writing questions.Welcome back! Tell us, do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?My characters are most definitely in charge of the story. My books seem to write themselves. My characters often surprise me by the things they do.If you could spend time with a character from your book who would it be? And what would you do during that day?It would be Michael, Katie’s brother and we would go for a walk and talk about our anxieties.So what is the toughest criticism given to you as an author?I was told by an atheist reviewer that my writing style was “annoying.”And what has been the best compliment?When one person said “I hate reading but YOU make me WANT to read.”What is something memorable you have heard from your readers/fans?“You make me want to read”,” you’re writing is amazing”, and “you are a very talented writer.”Talk to us about a book you read that has most influenced your life.That’s a difficult question to answer. I would have to say the Bible has influenced me the most and my favorite fiction book is The Giver, but it didn’t influence my life.Who is your favourite author and why?I don’t have a favorite author but there are many authors I enjoy. Some of them include Lios Lowry, BJ Hoff, and Beverly Lewis."I would have to say the Bible has influenced me the most."Can you tell us about the most amusing thing that has ever happened to you?I can’t really think of anything super amusing. I hope that doesn’t mean my family boring…Is there anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?Thank you so much for all of your support and encouragement. It is truly humbling. All of the messages, poems, songs and words of encouragement that are sent to me every day helps me to keep going with my writing career, knowing that what I am doing really is making a difference.Finally, do you have any hidden or uncommon talents?I’m double jointed in my fingers so I can arch all of my fingers almost all the way back and hold things on the backs on my hands.Thanks to Brittany for answering another chunk of my author questions. To support her you can check out the book below.

The Author Interviews, Round 2: #8: Brittany Lewis

AuthorBrittany Lewisreturns to answer another 10 of my writer questions.Music or silence?Silence.Do you set goals of certain number of words a week or just when inspiration strikes?I set a goal of at least 500 words a day, seven days a week.What tactics do you have when writing? (For example: outline or just write)I write a general outline for the book and then I figure out what I want my word count to be for the book. Then I figure out about how many chapters I want and write outlines for each chapter. The outline usually changes a few times as I’m writing.What has your experience been like as an new Indie Author? Bruises, Highlights, and lessons?It’s a lot more work than I had originally thought. I spent several months writing and editing the book, a lot of back and forth with my graphic artist and now it will be several months of talking to book stores, setting up signings and author events and talking to librarians and my readers are already asking about the next book. I have sixteen more interviews to do this week as well. It can be a bit overwhelming at times.What have you put most of your effort into regarding writing?Most of my effort goes into writing the  rough draft.How did you get connected with so many authors for your interviews?I met a ton of authors on Facebook and Twitter and then I googled “indie book reviews” and got a list of over 300 book reviewers/bloggers and a lot of them offered interviews.What is/are your book(s) about?My poetry book Shine Through the Darkness is about dealing with depression and anxiety (how I dealt with it) and my YA novel Finding Freedom is about a girl who was born and raised in a cult and broke away to start a new life.Does your book have a lesson? Moral?Yes, Finding Freedom is about how there is freedom through Christ and your works don’t save you, only Jesus can do that.What is your favourite part of your current book?My favorite part is when Katie decides to leave Zion.If you were running the 100 yard dash with a new writer, what writing, publishing wisdom would you bestow upon him/her before you reached the 100 yards?Don’t give up. This is a difficult career and not many make it to financial success but it is possible. Just keep going. Don’t get discouraged.

What's Going On?

Those of you following me on social media will have seen some posts and updates about my book signing in July 2017. Since arranging this with a local library earlier this month, I've been working really hard to spread the word. I'm also in the process of adding a second venue and date, which will hopefully be announced in April 2017, so if you're unable to make the first one, you don't have to miss out.Where & When?July 1st 2017 - Wrose Library, Wrose, Shipley, Bradford, UK - between 1100-1430hours on the day of Wrose Carnival (and during Bradford Literary Festival)What's going on?I'll be inside Wrose Library displaying and signing copies of my book Finding Pandora. I'm also bringing along copies of Aeon Infinitum: Run For Your Life and two short story books published with the local school, Low Ash, as seen on Made In Leeds TV in February. The books will be on display and at the end, I will be donating them to the library along with a signed copy of one of my own novels. Depending on how busy the event is, I may also have time to do a reading from Finding Pandora.What's in it for me?If you've already purchased a copy of any of my novels, I would be more than happy to sign anything you bring along. I'm hoping to meet and greet lots of local readers and aspiring writers, so it'll be an ideal time for you to speak to an experienced indie author. As well as books, I'll also be bringing along other goodies such as bookmarks and balloons, so it's worth visiting to say hello (if only for the free stuff!).Who's going to be there?The signing is being hosted by the hard working volunteers of Wrose Library, so they'll be present to answer questions and help if you just want to check out their selection. I'll also be bringing along three fantastic assistants - if they're wearing a white hat, they're one of mine! If you need help and I'm with another guest, please feel welcome to grab one of them. They'll do their best to help you out.Can I take pictures?Yes, of course! One of my lovely assistants will be taking photos for me throughout the day and capturing some video, so if you want to be in one of those you'll need to sign a permission form to say you are happy for the image/ footage to be shared on my online platform. If you're taking pictures of your own, I'm happy to pose for/ with you. If you're as rubbish at selfies as I am, one of my assistants will help you.Who does this benefit?The signing is part of my first official book tour, but more than anything I want to draw people back to the library to use its facilities and meet the volunteers. I'm also really looking forward to getting to know my readers and other writers out there, so if you're an author or an aspiring writer, come say hello - I'm always happy to talk!I want to help. What can I do?There are lots of kind people on Twitter and Facebook who have already agreed to share and retweet any book signing related posts. This will be a massive help! Bloggers have offered to cover our story as a news article or a featured guest post, too, so if you run your own blog I would be happy to send you the information and some pictures if you've got a spot to fill! If you have something else in mind, contact me and we'll chat.Alternatively, please see (left) the digital poster I'm circulating. If you want to grab a copy of that and blast it across your platform, I'd really appreciate your help!Are local media covering the story?Yes! I've been in touch with a local radio station, magazine and many others about the event. I have plenty of media lined up to help us spread the word, but if you think you can help us further, please let me know!Is that all?Would I disappoint you? Wrose Carnival will be kicking off that very same day and will make for a great day out.Also, it's Bradford Literature Festival and I know they've got plenty going on!That's all I can tell you right now, but I'll be posting regular updates on my blog and insider's gossip about the books I'll be featuring. I look forward to seeing you all - catch you later!E. Rachael Hardcastle

Guest Post, A Poem by Joseph Deliah

Thank you to writerJoseph Deliahfor sending me this poem earlier in the week.Oh Grey Wolf! how can you move to the mountains when you are beautiful..no!.. There must be something you can say...No Grey Wolf! school bells ring again, the unstoppable marching of time is hurting my imagination, I really want you to stay...Oh Grey Wolf! how can you call me faithless and you were with me all the time, I was carrying you onto my heart, I do not want to remain this way...My dear Grey Wolf, time will clean up this mess, I have no intention to unfriend you, please do not tell me you will be okay...Big Grey Wolf, instead of trying to be someone, I will try to be all of you and I in one person, Art cannot be lost I know exactly what I play...My beast Grey Wolf, time does not pass we pass through it, is there anything I can do to make you appear the next day...-Joseph Deliah.

The Author Interviews, Round 2: #7: Helen Pryke

The next Author in my series isHelen Pryke, who stopped by to answer a few writing related questions.Tell us a little about yourself - Perhaps something not many people know?I’ve been living in Italy for 27 years and speak fluent Italian. I’ve also published my book in Italian and the fact that I translated it myself means that it is faithful to the original version.Something that not many people know is that I have an auto-immune disease, which can make it difficult to write some days. Apart from the pains and tiredness, there are days that my brain just doesn’t want to work! I try to take it easy and write as much as possible when I can. Working at home as a freelance translator means that I can programme my days according to how I feel.What made you want to become a writer?I’ve always wanted to be a writer, ever since I was little. I had an article published in my school magazine when I was 10, and I remember writing stories even before that! When I left school, I wanted to be a journalist but unfortunately that didn’t happen. I started writing seriously about 20 years ago, and managed to get a couple of articles published in some women’s magazines in the UK. Then I wrote a children’s book one summer while on holiday, and never really stopped writing.Million dollar question, are you working on another book?Of course! I’ve been working on my new book for the last few months. It takes me about a year to finish a book, and then I need to translate it into Italian, so it takes me quite a long time. The new book is also set in Italy, in Tuscany this time. Not for any particular reason other than it’s a very beautiful area, and it’s given me an excuse to go on holiday there this year, for research purposes! I’m also working on some short stories so that I can try writing in other genres for a change, maybe something a bit lighter every now and then.Have you written any other books that are not published?I’ve written two books for children, which I hope to publish later this year under a different name. I loved reading the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis and anything by Enid Blyton when I was little, which is evident in both these books. Dreamland (working title) has giants, dragons, unicorns and witches, while Adventure in Malasorte Castle has a group of children who must defeat an evil demon that’s taken up residence in an abandoned castle.Do you write alone or in public?Always alone. I need total peace and quiet, no TV, no music, and definitely no family interrupting me! I hate having to stop mid-sentence, I never seem to be able to pick up again where I left off. I love the romantic image of the solitary writer going to a café to write, but I don’t think it would work for me!What tactics do you have when writing? (For example: outline or just write)I tend to write a rough outline of the story and then get on with the writing. I find that as I write I have to change certain things, either because it doesn’t fit the character’s personality or because the story deviates from my original idea, so I don’t write down a rigid outline and just trust my instincts. I jot down any ideas for the storyline I have during the day so that I don’t forget them, so I usually have lots of pieces of paper lying around. My first draft is also full of little notes, to add pieces here, change things there… my latest story is based around a large, Italian family, so I have to keep referring to the family tree I’ve made up for them! I love it when I have that lightbulb moment while writing, when I suddenly find a solution to something in the storyline that’s been bothering me. It can sometimes be very worrying waiting for that moment to arrive, though!What has been the best compliment?For me, the best moment was when a friend phoned me after reading my book and told me that I’d made her cry. We then stayed on the phone for half an hour, talking about the characters as if they were real people. It was incredible that someone could be affected by something I’d written, after reading it only once. I’ve read it so many times that the characters are like my best friends now!Could you tell us a bit about your most recent book and why it is a must-read?Walls of Silence is a story about a young girl who is sexually abused by her step-uncle and then abandoned by her family and everyone she knows. I wrote the book after suffering years of psychological, emotional and economical abuse from my first husband. While Maria’s story is not my own, there are some similarities, emotionally. I feel that this book is a must-read not only for women but also for men, so that they can understand just how a woman feels when she is derided, insulted and made to feel stupid, how she will turn her hatred and disgust towards herself and take the blame for everything. Everyone who has read it, both men and women, says it has been an eye-opener.Where can we find you online?I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Goodreads. I also have an Amazon author page and I’m on Smashwords.Do you use a bookmark or fold the pages?I always use a bookmark, or any piece of paper lying around. I can’t stand folding the pages – my husband does it and it drives me crazy. The worst thing you can do is bend the spine right back so that the book lies flat – I feel like crying when I see someone do that!Thank you to Helen for this interesting interview, and if you would like to support her, please click the link below. Many thanks.

The Author Interviews, Round 2: #6: Pragya Vishnoi

E. Rachael Hardcastle welcomes Pragya Vishnoi to the blog.Million dollar question, are you working on another book?Yes, I am writing the sequel of The Wiccan Waltz, titled The Wiccan Sonata.What is/are your book(s) about?The book is about a young girl Anika in an ancient town Nemtenh who chooses the path of Wicca to find answers to the mystery of life. She experiences the joy of first love when she sees Ryan and she understands herself a little more with the help of her Wiccan teacher, Aparajita. Just as Anika is a step away from understanding the real meaning of her life, she witnesses the murder of her best friend, Shruti along with other innocents of Nemtenh, which changes Anika’s life forever.Does your book have a lesson? Moral?The book encourages us to discover our inner courage and strength, no matter how hard the life may seem.What is your favourite part of your current book?The date between the protagonist Anika and Ryan. It is ethereal and spiritual. Their love story will change the perception about love. Love is not the attraction of two hearts; it is the binding threas which brings together two fragments of the same soul.If you could spend time with a character from your book who would it be? And what would you do during that day?I would spend the day with Aparajita. She is an amazing woman who is both spiritual and practical. I love the doses of wisdom she gives to Anika.What has been the best compliment?Once a fellow writer told me that after reading my story, she would never lose her hope and will face each problem of her life with courage.Favourite fiction book?The Kite RunnerWhat genre do you consider your books to be? Have you considered writing in another genre?My book targets the young adult and new adult audience though I have got messages from their parents that they too enjoyed reading the book. The Wiccan Waltz is a paranormal thriller with spiritual and gothic tone.Planner or pantser?I am a pantser. Planning doesn’t suit me.What would it take for you to leave a book review?If the book touches my heart, I would definitely leave a review.To support this author, please consider checking out the book below. Many thanks.

Guest Blog Post - A Poem by Rick Haynes

Rick Haynes stopped by to share a poem with us as a guest post on my online journal. Thanks so much for this Rick! If you would like to support the writer, you can visit the origin of this poemhere on his blog!Bastion Boys by Rick HaynesWe saw a message about the boys away.How long to go, how long to stay.With the dust and the heat,and the boot sore feet.Of the longing to be home again.We saw the need of a comfort or two.From a reading book to a sweet to chew.And thought of the need,of the warrior creed.And the longing to be home again.So here we send to the boys away.Some small comforts for their day.On that foreign sand,in that hellish land.Of the longing to be home again.So we pray to god and wish you well.In that place you know, that living hell.With knee unbowed,it makes us proud.And the longing to be home again.

Guest Post on Book Cover Design by Mahwish Javed

This is a really interesting guest post on designing a book cover. Thank you to Graphic DesignerMahwish Javedfor sending it in.Love at First SightTips and tricks for a breathtaking book coverDon’t Judge a book by its cover! How often have you heard this advice? All lifelong! Yes that’s true! When dealing with people this is the best advice that can be given. But in case of book covers reverse is mostly true. It takes only one glance and in a second either the book is sold or it will waste away at a back corner of the bookstore. So the question is how to make your client fall in love with your book at first sight? What are the super secrets that the top designers won’t share with you? How to determine what is proper and what is not?Here are some super simple tips to keep in mind while designing your book cover!Develop the IdeaYes! A book cover is not simply a combination of picture, fonts, title and colors. In order to have an eye catching book cover you have to work on the idea development. This is the basic step in book cover design. Do it right and you will have no problem in getting your book sold.How to develop an idea? Its super simple take the theme/main idea of you book. What is it about? Now take a note book and write down any thing you can think of that relates to your main idea. For example if your book is about a journey you could have following things on your brainstorming list:RoadRail trackAirplaneExhaustingHustleJoyVacationAnd the list goes on...Select and improve the IdeaThe next step would be to improve the idea. Pick one of the list and think of things and images that will relate to them. For example if I choose exhaustion from the list the first image that will come to my mind is of a tired mom. But we won’t stop at the first image, we will dig deeper. Other things that come to mind are someone sleeping, sweat, mess, blistered feet etc. Choose what will best describe the content of your book.Image selection/IllustrationWhile choosing the image or making the Illustration you should always keep the mood of the book in mind. Mood not genre. There is a difference! A genre may be romance but a romance can be hot and steamy or soft and cuddly. You are going to showcase the best parts of your writing to attract your customers.Fonts, Title, ColorsAnd at last choose the fonts and colors that reflect the mood of your book. Brush up on color theory to choose the appropriate colors.It’s like this - the mood of the book determines the image while the image determines the font title and colors of the cover. A good designer can always justify the placement of every single thing in his/her design. If they cannot do it the design will have a very short life and will go out of trend very quickly. I have often seen designers picking up the first font that comes in front of them and using it without giving heed to whether the font goes with the theme or not. Every little thing matters!So the next time you go out to get your cover design, keep these tips in mind and you will have perfect sales! Have any more questions? I am here to answer do not hesitate!