E. Rachael Hardcastle's Blog, page 19

The Author Interviews, Round 2: #3: Alexander M. Zoltai

My Author Interviews series continues withAlexander M. Zoltai, who very kindly featured me on his website. He has also agreed to exchange interviews with me, so be sure to check out his blog for that... coming soon!What made you want to become a writer?I wish I could remember exactly what led me to writing. I know I was an obsessive reader and I'm sure that influenced me heavily. I know I wrote my first poem at 13 - it came from "nowhere" and supremely surprised me.All I know, clearly, is that, when I finally dedicated myself to writing, it came so easily that I knew I was born to do it. Thing is, I didn't dedicate myself to writing till I was in my mid-50s...
What do you think about the ebook revolution?I think it's the modern equivalent of Mr. Gutenberg inventing the printing press - even the poorest kids in Africa and other developing countries are reading e-books, mostly on their phones.
Do you set a goal of a certain number of words a week or just when inspiration strikes?I've never set a certain number of words as my goal in writing and inspiration appears as soon as I sit down to write.I do have a current initiative that demands I write a short tale every week; but, there is no set number of words---some are short stories, some flash fiction, some microfiction...
What do you love most about the writing process?I love sitting down, most times not quite sure what I'll write; and, suddenly, I'm writing like I knew all along just what I needed to put down.I love, just as much, the feeling when I'm done that doubts I'd actually written what I see before me...
Which of your books do you like the best?It's clearly the short novel,Notes from An Alien, even though my co-author disagrees in the Prologue; and, even though my co-author is a character in the book...
Where can we find you online?My major presence is my blog, called Notes from An Alien (yes, same as the novel)---it's the Hub that branches out into other spaces...
You are living in one of the worlds from your latest novel. Where are you? What is it like?I'm on the Silver Beach on the west coast of the territory, Avur, on the satellite world of Belli-Palos, Angla-Palli - immersed up to my neck, slowly sipping water, quickly making connection with the entity, Anglana - letting her see through my eyes and speak through my mouth...It's like nothing else in the Universe - ingesting a microscopic amount of a world-sized entity and becoming an avatar for their wishes...
What is your opinion on the indie vs traditional publishing argument?First, I hope it stops being an "argument"---there are other ways to think about a disruptive trend in publishing.
The way the world seems to be headed, large corporations will soon be having huge dissolutions---breaking apart into smaller, nimbler organizations.The Indie authors and their publishing-aid cohorts will have already learned how to do what all those new, mini publishing businesses will learn...What advice would you give to aspiring writers?Seriously, write "something" every day; but, also read a lot of "something" every day. If that's impossible, make particular days of the week Writing Days and the rest of the week Reading Days.
Do you consider yourself to be a successful writer? If so, why? If not, what would make you successful?
I'm a successful writer and I'm not a successful writer.I'm not successful in the sense of making money from writing - very few authors, in spite of what all the "writing gurus" say, make enough cash to live on - I have books for sale but always keep the option for readers to have them free...I'm a successful writer because I know what my "Voices" are - my writing personae - and, I can finish, to my Muse's satisfaction, whatever I begin.I also think that maintaining a blog about Reading, Writing, and Publishing for the last six years makes me a successful writer.After all, "success" comes from roots that mean "result", "outcome", "a good result", "happy outcome"; and, I have, reliably, good and happy outcomes from my writing :-)Many thanks to Alexander for this interview. If you would like to support his work, please consider visiting his site and purchasing a copy of the below book.

The Author Interviews, Round 2: #2: Ivy Cirillo (Part 2)

Ivy Cirilloreturns with the second part of her author interview.Do you consider yourself to be a successful writer? If so, why? If not, what would make you successful?Not right now, however, I do think that I will get to that point. At the moment, I’m not aiming for success, I’m just aiming for published!What genre do you consider your books to be? Have you considered writing in another genre?Right now, I write mostly YA/NA fiction except for the one nonfiction book that I’m working on. Overall, I think a majority of my works will fall into this category, but I’ve definitely considered writing romance and children’s books before too! I know it’s a weird combination, which is exactly why I’ve stayed away from them for now.What do your friends and family think of your writing? Are they supportive?To be honest, I haven’t told that many people about it. It took a really long time for me to tell anyone that I had started a lifestyle blog and I don’t think anyone knows that I recently started an author site too. I think once I tell people they’d be supportive, but we’ll see :)Planner or pantser?I’m a little bit of both! When it comes to my prose novels, I like to plot all the way down to each chapter. However, when it comes to my verse novels, I just let the words flow through me and I don’t plan a thing!Do you do book tours?Since I don’t have any published books at the moment, I haven’t participated in any book tours. However, I do offer them on my blog for other authors!What do you find difficult about writing?I think my biggest difficulty with writing is trying to find the time to write. I have three fur babies that constantly require attention/supervision along with multiple jobs. I constantly want to write, I just know that I can’t.What is your opinion on the indie vs traditional publishing argument?Honestly, I struggle between the two myself. I’ve read a ridiculous amount of blog posts on the subject and I’ve written more than one pros and cons list. Nevertheless, I still don’t know which publishing route to go with.For me, I think there is a stigma against self-publishing, but what many readers don’t realize is that there are so many benefits for an author to go this route. However, I truly believe that a self-published author must treat their work the same as they would if they were sending it to a traditional publisher, if not harsher. They don’t have as many resources as they would with a traditional publisher, so they need to tighten up their book as much as they possibly can before publishing; otherwise, they fall into the category of the authors that helped form that stigma.Do you have a favourite genre to read?That’s a hard one! I rarely deviate from YA/NA fiction, but within that genre, I normally stick with fantasy books. Every now and then I like to read a couple psychological thrillers and contemporary romance novels too though!What would it take for you to leave a book review?Honestly, I try to write a book review for every book that I read. I then try to upload each of them to my blogs, Goodreads, and occasionally Amazon.Do you ever visit an author's website? If so, what do you look at?Yup! I look for advice for writers & I look to see if they blog about their writing. Personally, I love checking up on Samantha Shannon’s website for sneak peaks regarding her Bone Season series :)Do you use a bookmark or fold the pages?I either use a bookmark or I use the book jacket flaps. My books are my prized possessions and I would NEVER dare fold a page!Many thanks to Ivy for both parts of her interview - all the best with your writing!

The Author Interviews, Round 2: #2: Ivy Cirillo (Part 1)

WriterIvy Cirillostopped by for my Author Interviews series to answer some questions - I'll be splitting her interview in two. Check back tomorrow for more!Tell us a little about yourself - Perhaps something not many people know?I’m a 20-something military wife and spoonie living in East Alabama. I have 18 chronic illnesses and counting and I’m constantly fighting my own body. Nevertheless, I am determined to win and look good doing it. Oh, and maybe publish a book along the way :)Million dollar question, are you working on another book?Another, no. Five at the same time, yes :)What do you think about the ebook revolution?I think it’s great! Although I can’t read e-books myself, due to eye toxicity, I think it’s a great option to have. Not only can authors make additional sales, but it gives readers options too!Pen or type writer or computer?Computer, all the way! I like to plan on paper, but I save my words for the computer!What tactics do you have when writing? (For example: outline or just write)I like to outline and then write. By doing so, I am able to push through any writer's block that might approach because I already know what it is that I’m supposed to be writing about.Do you have a day job in addition to being a writer? If so, what do you do during the day?In addition to writing, I’m also a blogger and a freelancer. For many of my clients, I am a social media manager, a graphic designer, a photographer, a writer, and a virtual assistant. Basically, I do a little bit of everything!Favourite fiction book?The Bones Season by Samantha Shannon! Basically, any book by her right now :)Favourite non-fiction book?Yes Please by Amy PoehlerHave you thought about joining with another author to write a book?Funny you should ask that! I decided two days ago to work with another writer and we’re currently in the stages of outlining our first novel together :)If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose?Tuesday’s with Morrie! Hands down!Please visit her website to show your support!

A Quick Update On...

Finding Pandora(High Fantasy Series)Welcome back to my blog. Thanks for pausing to read this update. I really appreciate your interest and support.So what's changing?If you've visited my homepage today, you'll have seen the new cover for Finding Pandora (left) and may have wondered why the book number and name hasn't been included. Dig a little deeper and you'll see that books two and three have been temporarily removed from popular websites such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.I'd like to re-assure you that the other books in the series are not down permenantly. This is temporary until the fourth book in the series (Eternity) is released, at which time they will all be compiled into a full volume including all four parts of the story. The book will be called 'Finding Pandora'. The next installment of books 5-8 will be released in a second volume called 'The Resurrection of Pandora' and the final four books will be released as a third volume called 'The Rise of Pandora' at a later date.Will this change cost the reader more money?Absolutely not. The first book in the series will remain free and available independantly on all the popular distributors as an e-book, but you will need to purchase the full volume to access the other three books. If you have already downloaded book one for free and want to read on, you are not losing any money by downloading the full volume, so don't worry. You will get the first book in the paid collection, but you can then delete the free version from your device (if you choose to do so).Due to the increase in the book's size, the price of the paperback copy will go up a little (but the e-book will actually be cheaper). The content included in the books will not change much. I may just add some bonus material and a new version of the map.What will happen to the reviews for books two and three?Unfortunately, it's likely that I'll lose them. If there is any way to save those reviews I will of course do my best to save all your kind comments and star ratings. If the reviews do disappear, I'd really appreciate you re-reviewing Finding Pandora when this new volume is released if you have five minutes to spare. I'll post the date closer to the time.On a scale of 1-10 how excited are you to have the first four books out this year?Uhm, 42!? I haven't been this excited or motivated to write and publish in quite a while. Sometimes (if you're a writer you'll know) other ideas steal your attention from ongoing projects. I've had to do a lot of catching up and revising the story for this series, but it has only reminded me how much I love Arriette Monroe. This fourth book will tie up the storyline for the volume and will fill in a lot of blanks and hopefully get my readers excited about The Resurrection of Pandora.I'll take this opportunity to thank all of my loyal readers and followers for your support over the last 12 months. I couldn't have done any of this without you. Keep being awesome (and reading... that's an important one!).E. Rachael Hardcastle

Mystery Thriller Week - Featured Author #3: J Q Rose

My third Mystery Thriller Week guest isJ. Q. Rose, author of Dangerous Sanctuary.You are living in the world from your latest novel. Where are you? What is it like?My latest novel is Dangerous Sanctuary set in contemporary time in a small town in Michigan. The time of year is spring so the grass is beginning to green up, trees are budded, and the spring flowers are blooming. And finally, after a long cold Michigan winter, we are hearing the lovely bird songs.You are your most recent protagonist. Who are you? What is the first thing you do?I am Pastor Christine Hobbs, minister at the Dayspring Church. I’ve been here for about 9 months but I’ve been in the pulpit for over 5 years. I wanted to move from the previous church because my husband and I divorced and I needed to be away from him and all the hurt he caused me. You can find me at my office at the church most days if I’m not visiting the sick or attending a meeting. On this gorgeous spring day, with a little time to myself, the first thing I did after leaving the church was trade-in my heels and black suit for my sandals, tee-shirt and shorts and relax and enjoy the spring breeze while sitting in the screened porch at the parsonage. I’d like to invite Detective Stephens over for a beer and pizza. I really need to discuss why he’s investigating me as a person of interest in the murder of our choir director. I wouldn’t mind sharing a pizza with the handsome detective.Who is your favourite author? Why?Such a difficult question to answer! I decided to write mysteries because I fell in love with the mysteries written by Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich. Not only do they offer twists and humor in their books, but they also develop characters and plots with their talent for storytelling. I want to entertain readers in this way too.Where do you get your ideas?My ideas come from real life stories in the news. A few years ago In FL a camper caught on fire. The occupants included a man and woman and their pig, wallaby, and a goat. They were left homeless so the TV station was trying to raise funds for them. I “embellished” this true story and included it in Dangerous Sanctuary. Well I didn’t have a goat in the story cause that would be unbelievable!Why do you write?I began my career in writing as a freelance journalist to inform readers and introduce them to interesting people. I was honoured to be trusted to tell the stories of the people I interviewed. Just for fun, I decided to write fiction. What a blast. Making up the plots, the characters, the settings is like being a kid again using my imagination to produce entertaining stories.What do you find difficult about writing?Actually sitting in the chair and writing! In order to do that I made an appointment every day after lunch to write because if I didn’t, the days would fly by and all of a sudden I’d realize I hadn’t written one page. It takes planning and time commitment.What advice would you give to aspiring writers?Practice, practice, practice. With anything you love to do—cooking, playing hockey, singing, AND writing—practicing develops your skills. Writing is the same. The more you write, the better writer you become. But, you need to share your writing and get feedback on it. Don’t defend what you do. Just listen to what readers say. Consider taking their suggestions if they make sense to you. Then keep writing!!Do you have a favourite genre?As a mystery writer, I enjoy mysteries, but I also like memoirs.BIO:After writing feature articles in magazines, newspapers, and online magazines for over fifteen years, J.Q. Rose entered the world of fiction. Her published mysteries are Deadly Undertaking and Dangerous Sanctuary released by Books We Love Publishing. With her non-fiction book for girls, Girls Succeed!, she returns to her first love, writing about real people.  Blogging, photography, Pegs and Jokers board games, and travel are the things that keep her out of trouble. She spends winters in Florida and summers up north camping and hunting toads, frogs, and salamanders with her four grandsons and granddaughter.To support this author, please consider purchasing a copy of the book as seen below. Many thanks.

The Author Interviews, Round 2: #1: Judith Kammeraad

The Author Interviews continues withJudith Kammeraad.You are living in the world from your latest novel. Where are you? What is it like?Peanut lives in west-central Florida. His room contains a world of odd treasures. His backyard and the clouds overhead are another universe open to his imagination. The backyard is full of plants and animal life—cockroaches, worms, and armadillos that invite dissection and all sorts of creative play and speculation. Peanut has been known to escape to the sidewalks, gutters, and tree line from time to time, always looking for invertebrate life and looking for signs of the ways of the world.You are your most recent protagonist. Who are you? What is the first thing you do?Little Peanut, a five-year-old boy. I think my parents don’t trust me in Kindergarten. They know how I am. So, I’m home-schooled using third grade materials. They say I’m precocious, which is one of the words I collected on my word list. I am driven to solve the world’s problems. Grandma says I’m very intuitive (another list word). I can follow any path to its logical conclusion. Too bad my lack of experience leads me the wrong way pretty often. My family members think that’s a big laugh.I live in my imagination a lot, but I’m still lonely. I badly want my own brother. Can I buy one?—Mom says no. Make one? I already made a dinosaur that roars at night and wakes Daddy up. Is there a kit for babies? Mommy says we must wait for Daddy to plant a seed. I told him to hop to it, but he put me in time out. I guess it’s up to me. If you want things done right, do them yourself, Grandpa says. The first thing I do in the morning is make my list for the day. Then it’s pet chores and lessons with Mommy. After lunch I read or climb out my window to become a chimp or an eagle. From now on, I’m going to be busy, though, making my baby.Who is your character's favourite author? Why?I like to make up songs and poetry, like Grandma. She reads me Robert Frost. As far as books go…I read FREUD FOR KIDS and MEDICAL BOOK FOR KIDS most days. Freud scares me though. Well, girls scare me too. I remember most of what I read. I love reading, because I need to know everything in the world. I also collect butterflies and cockroaches and dried scabs and make art with my food. Do they do that in school?I asked Grandma to find me a book about making babies. Grandpa laughed and said I’m the apple of his eye. I heard my parents laughing about me in their bedroom. They like to confer in there behind closed doors.By the way, I love watermelon, right down to the seeds. But now I’m afraid eating the seeds might make a baby grow in my belly. Help?Where do you get your ideas?With my romance/psychological novels, it’s often a place, especially a place I see in the real world. With TEACH ME TOO, it was a stream and a dirt road into a hidden ranch. HALF AND HALF ROSE is set on a horse ranch here in Citrus County and in places I’ve seen in Ireland. The book I’m writing now takes place near my home. I also have one set in a Utopian world, because I wanted a different sort of society for my premise.Once I have my world, I think about the sort of person(s) who might inhabit that world. Why are they there? How did they get there? Where were they before the here and now? What happened to them there? What might happen in the new world, given their history. What’s wrong with them? What do they want to achieve? Why? What might help them? What might keep them from success?This leads me to think about the problems/conflicts I want to set up and the universal issues I want to deal with. In TEACH ME TOO: mental healing and unselfish love. In HALF AND HALF ROSE: grief and forgiveness. And so on. By this point I know what I need to do to make my lead character grow progressively stronger and maybe redeem some others.That said, there are so many ideas, people, stories whirling in my head, whether I’m waking or sleeping, that there’s always something to hand when I need it.LITTLE PEANUT MAKES A BABY required a different approach. In addition to the considerations above, this humorous series grew out of my fascination with observing children, especially gifted ones, and trying to figure out how they think themselves into so many blind alleys.I have six young grandchildren, several Peanuts among them, so there’s always plenty of work there.Why do you write?I’ve written since childhood. It’s what I do. I am a story-teller and observer of human psychology by nature. Every person I see on the street becomes a character with a fascinating life for that brief time. I am never bored.Even when I taught full-time, my characters and stories and poems were part of my class-sessions. I couldn’t help myself. Besides, it’s fun when your students find you unpredictable..How do you deal with bad reviews, rejection and criticism?At the beginning of my quest to “get published,” my first book was rejected or ignored by 17 firms. I was lucky to receive very constructive critiques and suggestions. Most of them helped me hone my craft. I am eternally grateful to the dear person who suggested I throw my manuscript under the bed until I learned how to write. Consequently, I read lots of books and articles on craft, read a lot of fiction, and took lots of classes.Finally, when someone I respected said my book might be dead, I took 3 months to reassess and rewrite my story the way I really wanted it to be, not how I was told it should be. Then I submitted to three publishers, two of whom accepted my story within three days. The same with my second novel.I worship people who are willing to critique my work. Even if I don’t agree with criticism, I know at least one person saw something I should take another look at. It’s always worth it.What do you find difficult about writing?I love the challenge of figuring out how I will handle the story, so in that sense, there’s nothing unpleasantly hard about writing. I do have serious issues with publicizing my work. Kudos to the tech savvy like E. Rachael Hardcastle (and this interview) who are willing to help me out with that.What do you love the most about writing?Once an amateur actor, it’s fascinating to become the character and deepen her point of view. I also love the editing and revision, even savor it, which explains why I’m a slow writer.What is your opinion on the indie vs traditional publishing argument?I’ve had two traditional publishers, both of which embraced authors with their own vision and a certain amount of quirkiness. I enjoyed them both. My only problem there is waiting (sometimes a year or more) for my books to get through the queue and go to press.This past year, I’ve also been involved with a hybrid publisher, and I love it. My responsibilities are writing the book, having the book edited, and paying an artist if there are going to be illustrations (LITTLE PEANUT MAKES A BABY). The publisher takes care of the rest, which includes everything which—as I said—cripples me with anxiety. I have a close collaborative relationship with the publisher, who goes out of her way to help me. And the book gets out relatively fast.Talk us through your creative process from start to finish.First, there are the processes under “How do you get your ideas?” which I spoke about already.I have learned the hard way to be more of a planner. Otherwise my imagination spins out of control.So I write a page or two on each character. This is a work in progress, which helps me get to know my people and includes everything about them. Often I find pictures to be my main characters, especially the hero. It helps if every day you can look at a face you can fall in love with. The female, of course, has to be one who could be me in some way. I know how these people think, and I try out their voices.At some point I jot down the main plot points. Usually one event begets another logically. I add details when I can. I keep filling this in over time. I put all this in red and keep it intact in the manuscript until way later in the rewriting process.I work on the synopsis. This can change, but it helps me stay true to my vision.I start writing the scenes that lead from one to another. This doesn’t have to be chronological. I write these in italics or maybe blue. The next day I circle back, and if it’s okay for now it gets black non-italics. I try to write fast, knowing there are many versions to come. I always keep in mind that some of what I write will end up in out-takes or in vastly different form. After I finish the first version, I know a lot more about the story and have become one with the main characters. Now the anxiety is gone. I know this is going to be a book.In the following revisions, I go straight through each time, changing, adding, New insights.. Many wonderful things happen in my brain.Finally, I know I’m not going to change the events or characters too much, so I’m looking for language issues and pacing.Near the end of the first year I am ready to give the manuscript to my critique partners, revise as needed, and ultimately submit.If I’m lucky I’ve already outlined my next book or at least got it in my head.What advice would you give to aspiring writers?Read everything you can. Reading can increase your empathy for characters, and you’ll learn a lot about your craft. Learn from those who critique you. Give consideration to every suggestion. Then act on it or discard it or stick it in the extra pockets of your brain.Write. Write every day, Write a lot. Even if you write crap. Crap is good fertilizer.Never give up. Be a mule.Have something you want to say. I like to think there’s always someone out there who needs to read my story and will get a blessing from it.Give us your top three book marketing/ promotion tips.Find which social media you like. I like working on Facebook, but Twitter makes me anxious.Get your name and face out there. I make use of author events and book-signings as much as I can. I have lots of business cards, magnets, and brochures. You’ll find them all over Citrus County, where I live. I travel a lot, world wide, and these babies go with me. If you can figure out how to do it, get yourself into your local newspaper, alumni magazine, etc. Strike up conversations with strangers.Collaborate and cooperate with other writers. Join writer groups.Would you agree a good book must withstand more than one read?If I really love a book, I tend to go back and read at least parts of it again. I tend to write a complex story with a lot of layers that readers can keep on enjoying.What do you look for when shopping on Amazon for a Kindle book? Are any of them more important to you than others?Cover / Title / Author / Price / Description / Publisher / Sample Chapter / ReviewsSorry, I only buy paperbacks. I’m very tactile.Do you have a favourite genre?I write erotic romance, romantic suspense, women’s issues, family life, psychological romance, humor, coming of age, child development, Utopian romanceWhat would it take for you to leave a book review?I do this all the time when I like the book.What are the biggest giveaways that a book is self-published?Many independent books are well written and well-edited. It these qualities are not intact, you can be suspicious. When I’m attracted by a title or an author and think I may be dealing with an independent book, I may check out the author’s credentials and find out who edited the book.Any other comments or notes?Other books:Teach Me Too (romance, published by Secret Cravings, then I Heart Publishing)Half and Half Rose (romance coming 2017 from Black Opal Press)Ani’s Lover (romance, coming of age, coming 2017 from I Heart Publishing)When Puffy Died (book 2 of the Peanut series, coming 2017 from I Heart Publishing)To support this author, please consider purchasing a copy of their book and visiting the website.

The Author Interviews, Round 1: #15: Melissa L Gibson

This round closes on an interview with writerMelissa L Gibson.Pen or type writer or computer?I’m one of those weird writers in that I bounce between them all; at least, I would if I had a typewriter. Pen and paper works well for me in my planning stages and rough sketches of what I want for my stories while a computer allows me to get the story written faster due to a greater typing speed. This only works when I can shut off the other distractions like Facebook and other social media sites. When they prove too tempting, I’ll switch to pen and paper, writing as much as I can within the few spare minutes I can call my own.Do you write alone or in public?Here again I’m a weird one, I can write almost anywhere. When I was in college and even high school, you could find me working on one story or another instead of taking notes. Certain scenes call for solitude, especially any emotional ones, but other scenes I could be at a sold-out concert and still get the scenes written just as easily.Music or silence?I must have something on in the background whether it’s the television or some music. I can’t function without some type of noise, especially when I’m alone. Silence can be downright spooky and not all that conducive to my writing process.What tactics do you have when writing? (For example: outline or just write)I’m a planner in the beginning, but not so much that my characters can’t have some leeway to direct the story if they believe my ideas won’t work for them. I try to create a general outline of the story with main plot points, but leave the finer details to my characters. I think it provides a greater depth and realism to my stories than if I was a complete dictator over every little detail.What genre do you consider your books to be? Have you considered writing in another genre?They are most definitely romances in terms of genre. I just love the idea of a happily ever after type story and it’s the basis for most, if not all, of my current stories. I have considered writing other genres. I’m even incorporating some fantasy elements into one of the series I’m currently working on. In others, I’m considering some suspense elements as well.If an author offered you a free book, would you sign up to their mailing list?In most cases, I would have to say I would. It would be more likely if the book appealed to me as a reader based on its genre, its blurb, and its cover.Who is your favourite author and why?This is a hard question because I have several throughout different genres; however, if I have to boil it down to one, it would have to be Diana Palmer, a romance writer. Her characters become your best friend. You root for them, yell at them when they’re dumb, and laugh at the wit and humour they possess. One of her novels I read several years ago and still clearly recall most of the story. That’s just how great she is in my humble opinion. I can only hope to be half as amazing as Ms. Palmer.Do you have a day job in addition to being a writer? If so, what do you do during the day?I have a few day jobs currently on top of being a writer. My time is split between my status as a stay-at-home mom, a crafting business I’m trying to build up, my blog where I share all things writing and reading related, and my future service offering of freelance writing. To say I’m one busy woman is an understatement, but I enjoy the challenge and have big dreams for each of these facets in my life.Anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?To my current readers and fans, you are truly amazing and I hope to keep you excited about my stories and their future publications. My greatest hope is write stories that people love and want to share with others. For my future readers and fans, I can’t wait to meet you and interact with you by sharing my work and other insights.Million dollar question, are you working on another book?I’m still working on my first book actually, but I have several other projects going at the same time, including a new series I just decided to write. I believe the count is upwards of 4 series with at least 4 books slated for them, several short stories, a few novellas, and other non-serial novels that I’m currently writing, outlining, and planning for future projects.Many thanks to this author for the interview - to show your support, please follow them on social media and visit their website.

Mystery Thriller Week - Featured Author #2: R Franklin James

The Author Interviews continues withR. Franklin James, author of upcoming release The Bell Tolls (June 2017).You are living in the world from your latest novel. Where are you? What is it like?It is the present day, San Francisco Bay Area. It’s a busy metropolitan area with great night life, good restaurants and a few murders tossed in.You are your most recent protagonist. Who are you? What is the first thing you do?Hollis Morgan is a white-collar ex-con who sought to get her life back on track after her parole. Set up to take the fall for her ex-husband’s corruption, she’s no longer trusting and has built a high/ thick wall around her feelings. Unfortunately, her focus is diverted when she’s a suspect in the murder of a fellow Fallen Angels Book Club member. It’s not likely she’ll get her pardon until she proves her innocence or, as she gets closer, she’s killed first.Who is your favourite author? Why?This is a tough one. My all time favorite is F. Scott Fitzgerald. My favorite mystery authors are Agatha Christie and PD James. I enjoy reading many more authors (ex. Louise Penny, Jeffrey Siger, Susan Span) because they transport the reader with the sound of their words and the depth of their characterizations and plots.Where do you get your ideas?I eavesdrop on conversations and day dream a lot. Both are a great source of fodder for plots.Why do you write?I write what I love to read. So when a plot line strikes me, I want to write it down to share with and entertain others. Once I was really down because I couldn’t get my book published, and I decided not to write any more. I lasted five days. I cannot not write.How do you deal with bad reviews, rejection and criticism?I put a lot of effort into not reading my reviews, good or bad. Usually a friend will contact me and tell me I got a five star review. Or, a reader will come up to me at a book signing and tell me how much they enjoyed my books. I belong to a critique group and I take most of my hard knocks there. However, I take what they say seriously, because it usually makes for a better book.What do you find difficult about writing?Giving it the time it needs to do it right.What do you love the most about writing?I love words. I love how they can be strung together to express the most complicated of life’s feelings, foibles, and tragedies. I love to hear someone tell me that my words were how they felt about things too.Do you ever outsource (editing and cover design) your work?Even though my publisher does my cover design and editing. I will still contract with an editor to “beta” read and/ or line edit my work.What is your opinion on the indie vs traditional publishing argument?I’ve read some absolutely terrible indie books and some absolutely terrible traditionally published books. The idea is to produce a quality piece of literature, however it comes about.Talk us through your creative process from start to finish.I start with a rough idea about what I want to write about (ex. second chances). Then I let my imagination loose and draft a chapter outline. I rough draft outline the first ten chapters with scenes averaging ten pages a piece. By this time I have a better idea what my story will be about (tighten plot lines). Now I’ll write “by the seat of my pants” until I get midway (my estimate) of the book. I stop, go to the end, and write the climax. Then I return to write from the midway point to the end with all the links I need to make the book hold together. Finally, I go back and do a full outline of my written book to make sure the timelines, names, scenes hold together—it’s like a quality check and it makes for a great revision draft.What advice would you give to aspiring writers?Never, ever, never give up. Writers write, so keep writing.Give us your top three book marketing/ promotion tips.a. Seek to speak at the various book clubs/ groups in your genre (see libraries).b. Use Social Media to promote giveaways and book launchesc. Seek out fairs and events where you can piggyback your bookWould you agree a good book must withstand more than one read?A “good” book stays with me. I want to make sure it gets read by all my friends.What do you look for when shopping on Amazon for a Kindle book? Are any of them more important to you than others?First, I’m looking for the author whose work I’ve read and enjoyed. If I don’t know the author I read the description, reviews and price – in that order.Do you have a favourite genre?Yes, mysteries and suspense. I read what I write.What would it take for you to leave a book review?If the book is memorable I’m leaving a review. I’ve never left a “bad” review.After downloading book one of a series for free or discounted on Amazon, do you ever go back and pay more for book two? If not, why?I follow an author, so yes if I like the author I will go back and buy book two. If I don’t buy book two, it’s because the author’s writing didn’t hold me.Do you ever visit an author's website? If so, what do you look at?Sometimes. I’m usually looking for the books in their series or, their personal background (where did they get their expertise).If an author offered you a free book, would you sign up to their mailing list?Yes.Do you ever enter giveaways and/ or order signed copies?Depends, yes.Are you more likely to buy a book if there are various formats available?Yes. I prefer hard copies, but when I travel I’ll buy an ebook in a minute.What are the biggest giveaways that a book is self-published?They’re for free or 99 cents, and it hasn’t been edited for the basics (spelling, grammar, voice consistency, etc.)Thank you to R. Franklin James for this interesting interview. To support the author, please consider downloading a copy of their book as seen below. Many thanks.

The Author Interviews, Round 1: #14: M. K. Williams

Next up is writerM. K. Williams, author of The Games You Cannot Win.You are living in the world from your latest novel. Where are you? What is it like?I’ll answer based on my latest novel, not my latest release which was a collection of short stories. My latest novel, Nailbiters, is an apocalyptic thriller. If I were living in that world I would be in hiding and unwilling to disclose my location for fear of capture. It would be terribly lonely to be living on the run and unable to trust those around me for even the most basic interactions.You are your most recent protagonist. Who are you? What is the first thing you do?If I were Dora, the protagonist from Nailbiters, I would be living in seclusion and would spend my days checking the security measures in and around the shelter that I have found as well as doing daily calisthenics and training. (Note: for fans of Nailbiters who are eager to know more about what happens to Dora next, I am working on a sequel).Who is your favourite author? Why?At present my favorite author if Margaret Atwood. I really enjoy her dystopian literature and how she builds each story very carefully. I’ve been trying to work through her collection of novels and short stories of the past few years. Her writing is excellent and each story has a distinct message about our society, I find her ability to provide that nuanced social commentary very impressive.Where do you get your ideas?From some expected and unexpected places. The idea for Nailbiters came from two very different and very odd dreams.The idea for Escaping Avila Chase, a thriller short story at the end of The Games You Cannot Win, came from a thought experiment I did after Nailbiters was released. I started to think that people who read Nailbiters must think that my husband was married to a crazy women based on the content of the novel. I thought that dynamic would make for an interesting story. Then I thought: wait, what if a man had an ex-girlfriend who wrote thrillers and he was afraid that he would be killed off in her series of books? That spawned what later became the finished story: Escaping Avila Chase.Why do you write?I genuinely enjoy writing and creating scenarios and characters. I think that stems from growing up as an only child and having an overactive imagination. Even if I stop publishing novels and collections of short stories, I think I’ll always write because I enjoy the process.How do you deal with bad reviews, rejection and criticism?I think I handle them as well as can be expected. At first I always feel a slight let down of, “oh no, why didn’t they like that story?” But after a few moments my wounded ego heals and I realize that criticism helps me to grow and helps me to be a better writer.When I went the route of trying to have my original novels traditionally published I welcomed each rejection letter knowing that many great authors received dozens if not hundreds before their big break. Now that I am an indie author I find that the feedback that I do get is very genuine and it comes from a place of wanting to help. The worst reaction I could get to my work is silence, that means that person saw no value in trying to help me along. If someone has taken the time to read something I’ve written and has feedback, positive or negative, I think I owe it to them to listen to what they have to say.What do you find difficult about writing?Not having enough time to write everything down when I think of it. I go through periods where very little inspiration comes to me and then I’ll have periods where every few moments I want to jot an idea down or write out an entire chapter before I forget the details that are in my mind. I’m very fortunate to have a husband who supports my passion for writing, but I still have a day-job so my writing time will always have constraints.What do you love the most about writing?I love that I can create something that no one else has the power to manipulate. When I first write a story I can make it as far-fetched as I would like and because I write for my own enjoyment I can run with that idea until it is exhausted. I may decide it isn’t worthy of publishing so it can just sit in my cave of old stories for me to enjoy. I like having this world of characters that I have been able to meet and get to know over the years.Do you ever outsource (editing and cover design) your work?Yes and yes. I am fortunate enough to know multiple graphic designers in my personal life. The cover art for Nailbiters was done by my one of my friends from high school who is a very accomplished graphic designer and is also a big fan of books. It just felt right to have her work on the cover for my first published work.For editing I ask for the people closest to me and to the project to assist with the first revisions. I am very fortunate to have a mother-in-law who taught 2nd grade for 40 years. She has been able to help me identify grammatical errors with great precision because she used to spend most of her day teaching these rules to youngsters. It also helps that she loves to read so she can give me feedback on the plot as well as the structure of the work.What is your opinion on the indie vs traditional publishing argument?I don’t really take a hard line on the argument except with it comes to those who reflexively turn up their nose at indie books. I’ve read traditionally published books with weak plot lines and grammatical errors, just as I’ve read independent books that I simply couldn’t put down because I had to find out what happened next. I read a book if it catches my attention in the description. If someone really enjoys reading it shouldn’t matter what process the manuscript had to go through in order to get to the reader, it should just matter if it entertains them or makes them think.Talk us through your creative process from start to finish.I carry a notebook with me all the time to write down ideas. If an idea really catches and I can think of some characters and scenarios right away I’ll start a word document for it where I can keep all of the notes for that story. Once I have enough to determine what the plot would be or where the characters would end up I create a bulleted list of plot points. This helps me determine what needs to happen and the order in which those plot points will be revealed. From there I can build out the story and expand on each point as needed. I don’t always know if something will be a novel or a longer short story until I write out those plot points. At that point I can gauge the relative final length. After that it is a matter of time sitting in front of the computer and just writing it all down.What advice would you give to aspiring writers?Keep trying and don’t give up. It sounds basic and cliche, but it is true and the more you hear it the better off you will be. Keep writing, don’t let others discourage you, and have fun with it!Give us your top three book marketing/ promotion tips.Be genuine - think about the voice you are using when you are writing your promos, does it should like you? Does it sound like someone trying to be a big-time author? I think audiences can see through someone who is trying to sound like someone that they aren’t, be genuine because it will come across that way and will resonate better with people.Be grateful - I often take the time to thank readers who have left comments and reviews for my work. Gratitude is something that everyone can appreciate, especially when it is genuine (see point 1). Even if only one person has taken the time to read your book, be grateful and say thank you to them.Think outside the box - I have been lucky enough to know a lot of enterprising people. I was able to connect with a college classmate who now does NailArt on Instagram. She has thousands of followers and her designs are amazing. I reached out to see if she would want to do a design based on Nailbiters. It turned out that she loved the book so much she did a whole series of designs on it that she posted on her account. This exposed my book to a whole new audience of people that I might not have reach through traditional methods.Would you agree a good book must withstand more than one read?Yes, I don’t tend to re-read books often if I just like them. But the books that I really enjoy I would be willing to read multiple times over.What do you look for when shopping on Amazon for a Kindle book? Are any of them  more important to you than others?Cover / Title / Author / Price / Description / Publisher / Sample Chapter / ReviewsI’m a little different than the average reader. I make a point to get all of my books from our local library. We’re lucky enough to have a large public library that has most any book in print and access to a large network of eBooks as well.For me, I select books based on the description, if someone has recommended it, and if it is available to check out of the library. If the cover art grabs my eye I will read the description, from there I decide if I want to read it. My decision isn’t based on the cover alone.Do you have a favourite genre?Hands down thrillers and mysteries are my favorite. I do enjoy books outside that genre from time to time, but I really like a book that will capture my attention away from the day-to-day stresses of my life, will make me think, and will actually surprise me.What would it take for you to leave a book review?If I know the person or if they have asked me to leave a review I will. I try to be supportive of other indie authors, just as I would hope that they would be supportive of me. My reviews are always honest and I try to give feedback that can help them grow as an author.Other than that I do a lot of my review as word-of-mouth recommendations. I can’t go an entire day without recommending a book to someone based on a conversation I am having with them about politics or nutrition or any other topic of the day.After downloading book one of a series for free or discounted on Amazon, do you ever go back and pay more for book two? If not, why?I’ve actually grown very cautious of the books that I start now because I don’t want to get hooked into a series right now. I love a good series, but I have so many books that I want to read I worry that a series will take my time and effort away from the larger list. I was recommended a book - Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood - over a year ago. I loved it but the ending didn’t feel like there was a resolution. I found out that was because it was part of a three book series. I read all three and loved each one, but it wasn’t my intent to get drawn into a series. So, yes I will go back and read a sequel or more books in a series if I like the first one (again I go through the library), but I try to avoid series in general since I have a long list of them on my to-read list right now.Do you ever visit an author's website? If so, what do you look at?I do this more now than I ever did before I published. Before I didn’t really look unless I wanted to see if there was news on an upcoming release. Now I go with a different point of view, I try to see what the best authors are doing and how they are utilizing their websites to stay engaged with their readers. I try to see what they do and figure out if it is something that I can apply to my own site.If an author offered you a free book, would you sign up to their mailing list?Yes I would. If I loved the book I might stay on their mailing list, but if I only liked it or thought it was OK I would unsubscribe.Do you ever enter giveaways and/ or order signed copies?Yes, I like to read a lot and my budget is tight. If I ever actually won I would be totally surprised!Are you more likely to buy a book if there are various formats available?Maybe, I do want to make sure that I am supporting other indie authors and more options are better. I try to keep my household tidy so offering digital formats is what I look for the most. I can access it anywhere and it won’t take up any space in my house, just on my phone.What are the biggest giveaways that a book is self-published?To me the biggest giveaway is the cover art. As I mentioned earlier there are books I’ve read that are traditionally published that have the occasional spelling or grammatical error. (I actually find it very entertaining and appreciate it as a ‘even big time authors make edits too’ moment). When I am scrolling through Goodreads or Amazon, the cover art for a book can usually indicate if the book is self-published.To support this author, please consider purchasing a copy of the book below. Many thanks.

Behind The Scenes With Made In Leeds (E. Rachael Hardcastle Interview)

The show will air on Made In Leeds on 13/02/2017 at 1830 and 2130 hours.