E. Rachael Hardcastle's Blog, page 20

FAQ

This evening I'd like to answer five of your frequently asked writing-related questions!1. Do you set goals of certain number of words a week or just when inspiration strikes?I try not to set myself a word count because I then feel pressured to write anything (even if it's poor) just to meet it. I like to sit and consider what the story needs - what should logically happen next according to my road map/ outline? Then, I write that scene and if I still feel able to continue, I move on to the next. If not, I call it a day. I find I'm more productive that way, and what I write is relevant to the story.2. How did you get connected with so many authors for your interviews?I've joined a lot of writing groups where writers share promotional tips and tricks. I like to offer interviews to authors in those groups because new/ struggling writers need a voice in the publishing industry too. Who better to interview about the stresses of indie publishing than those currently doing it? The interviews are free, so people aren't put off by a fee. The interviews are short and easy to submit, so people aren't put off by boring, lengthy questions. Plus, they can advertise their book and talk about it to someone who is genuinely interested.3. Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns?I know when to let my characters take over and when to tighten my hold. Sometimes characters need to express themselves and it feels right to free/ speed write certain parts. However, most of the time I try to slow my excitement when such moments get the better of me and consider if what that character wants to say is ideal for the story at that time. If not, I make note and use it later if it fits.4. Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?I don't base my characters off people I know. I may use particular traits I have seen in strangers or a name I really like, but that's about as far as I take it. I do like to study people and I think it helps when creating a believable character, but I like to be as unique with them as I can. Despite all this I've been told Arriette Monroe (Finding Pandora) is just like me, so I guess I am subconsciously basing them on myself!5. What genre do you consider your books to be? Have you considered writing in another genre?I write high fantasy and post-apocalyptic fiction (which falls under sci-fi). I consider them to be these genres due to the number of characters, the themes, the plot etc, but there is always wriggle room when it comes to sub-genres. I love to try different ones because it's fun to learn a new skill. I wrote a romance short story and novel in my teens (women's fiction), and I hope one day to try my hand at horror.That's it for today's FAQ but I'll be sure to do another five in the near future. If you have a question to ask, you can email me or catch me on social media. Thanks!E. Rachael Hardcastle

Behind The Scenes with Made In Leeds

This will air on the Lowdown Leeds show on Made In Leeds, 6.30pm and 9.30pm Monday 13th Feb 2017. Catch the full interviews and footage on telly next week!

Organise Your Indie Photoshoot

Why you need a professional headshot.Authors are mostly introverts (I know I am!), so why would you want to pose for a photoshoot? You wouldn't... no matter how beneficial it may be to your career as a writer. Still, getting professional shots of you doing what you love helps to show your readers that you mean business! You're in it for the long run; they can look forward to buying books from you in the future. Although you want to hide behind your words, we still need to be visible to those who will become fans and followers of our work. We write so people can read and despite what you might think, readers like to get behind the scenes of their favourite things and meet the person beind their creation. That person is you... sorry!That's why I'm giving you my top 5 tips to organise your very own indie author photoshoot with the least amount of stress and expense! I recently did this myself as you might have seen on my blog and social media, so I'll talk you through what I did and how.If you would like to see those pictures before you read on,please visit my website's gallery!Here goes...1.Find A Suitable LocationAs you can probably tell, my photographs were taken at home. I write when I'm at home - it's where I am most comfortable and where my writing 'stuff' lives, so why not utilise that surrounding? Home is my office, so it makes sense to shoot there. I decided the most spacious room with nice decoration and a place to sit was the dining room. With a bit of shuffling around and re-organising, I could set up a make-shift workspace in no time. Plus, it didn't cost a penny (bonus!).2.Choose Your OutfitUsually when I'm attending an event I'm in a dress. I'm comfortable in a dress and it looks professional, but you could opt for work pants or a skirt. The colour doesn't have to be black - your clothing can represent your personality and the genre you write. I'm a fantasy and post-apocalyptic author, but dressing as a zombie or a pink unicorn would be pushing it. Think about the photos of the authors you like and what they chose to do.Also, I don't think sweat pants and trainers would give off the right vibe (even if I do sometimes write in them!), so in my shots I'm wearing a plain black dress and I've done my hair and make-up. Using an outfit you already own will save you tons of cash. Oh, and the necklace I'm wearing is a symbol from my high fantasy series!3.Choose Your Time & DateIf your location is outside, you should consider the lighting and how busy that place will be when you take your pictures. If you opted for the local park, you want it to be quiet, dry and preferably sunny, unless you have decided to purposefully get rained on or knee-deep in snow. My photos were taken in the evening as you can tell by the time on the clock I'm stood next to. Dark winter nights weren't an issue for me, but they may be for you. Give this some thought before you make any plans.4.PropsWhat items do you think should be in the photos with you? I chose to include my books for obvious reasons and my journal (because I love my journal!). Yours doesn't have to be the same. If you write horror you may wish to drape some halloween decorations in the background - spider webs, a pumpkin perhaps, you get the deal. In my photos, I wanted to keep the theme general and not tailor it to my genre, so I used what was already in the room. The clock made a brilliant prop and was fitting, because time is an author's worst enemy, especially when you work all day, have a social life, an online presence and a house to run. Use things you already have (journal, books, decorative ornaments etc) to save yourself some cash.5.Your photographerMy photographer was also a member of my family with a passion for taking pictures. She volunteered to help me on social media when I asked if anyone could recommend a photographer. I was looking for someone local who wouldn't charge me a fortune. A few expressed interest and suggested their friends etc, but I wanted someone I could trust. Like I said at the beginning, I'm an introvert and this doesn't come naturally to me, so I suggest you find somebody who makes you feel comfortable and calm.Friends and family members are ideal for this (unless you think they will make you laugh or put you off, in which case perhaps go for someone you know but don't live with or spend a lot of time with). I asked another member of the family to record what was happening for my 'behind the scenes' footage on my phone.Ensure those taking part get something from the experience too, whether this is payment or visibility for their business, a mention on your social media or a gift.And that's it. You can check out my 'behind the scenes' video below.I hope this helps you to plan and organise your own indie author photoshoot. Happy writing!

Smile To Shine - A Guest Blog by Kanchan Choudhary

I'd like to welcome a positive guest blog from another writer today. I highly recommend you check outsmiletoshine.comand get in touch with Kanchan Choudhary.Smile To Shine by Kanchan ChoudharyAs ironic as it may seem, the website through which I love to spread smiles around the world, was started by me at a time when I was low and down in life. It so happened that I had to quit my job as an Editor at the web-publishing firm I was working, and that thing happened so suddenly and shockingly that I was left with a heavy vacuum of sorts in life. I would stay upset at having faced this betrayal of destiny and would desperately find ways to make myself feel better. I did not apply for a new job because I knew I wanted to start something of my own.I had always dreamt of starting my website, based on the entertainment industry, but all of a sudden, I realised I needed to find and spread happiness and positivity around the web world. During the time that I was all upset, I felt a need to feel a heartfelt smile, to feel motivated enough every day and to feel hopeful that humanity still existed in this world. There was not a single webpage which could ever offer all this to me, and then it occurred to me, why can I not create such a space for people and for myself. And that’s it! What I was seeking in those depressing times, set in motion the process of creation of a website, where you would only get things that would make you feel all the positive feels. The website, which I consider as my baby is named, ‘Smile To Shine’.At smiletoshine.com, you will come across real-life stories of human relationships, human-animal connections and inspiring tales of people, apart from the articles through which you can get tips to lead a more positive and a happier life. I also take the freedom of writing Blogs once in a while where I share what motivates me and what makes me happy.Having done Masters in Journalism, I have seen how the media mostly focuses on negative stories, and that always made me feel bad. But, now I feel I am doing my bit to create a space on the web, where people can come up and leave the website with a smile on their face and with a hope in their heart that humanity is alive. I love it when people come up with comments saying that my blog made them feel positively about an issue, and frankly if my creations can make even one person happy, my purpose as a writer gets served.As amazing as it may sound, I also face problems in coming up with those kind of stories and articles. The first problem that I mostly encounter is the need of a constant stream of a happy tone in all my articles. Though, I am a very positive person in general, but life is not always fair, and at times I too get upset, and during those times, maintaining a happy tone is a task. So, what do I do then? Well, I don’t write for that time period. I want to be true to my readers, and faking a happy tone is not what I think they deserve when they come to my website. So, at times there are less postings, but that is only because I cannot feed my baby a half-hearted creation. The next problem that I face is the dearth of positive stories in the world. Now, people love knowing about other people and their relationships and struggles, but not everyone comes out in the open to share the beauty of life.Personally, I like all those stories which give a positive angle to life and give us all, reasons to feel that life is beautiful, even after all the hardships. And I think even people would like to feel motivated through others’ stories and that is why I focus on making people see the beauty of life. But the sad part in all of this is that, I see people gossiping about others, talking negatively about life and then becoming all sad and down in life. Frankly, I don’t really understand that when they breed negativity in their minds, how do they expect to feel the positive vibes! It is always a tough task to find some truly happy and inspiring stories, and when I do, whether through media outlets or directly through people and my experiences, I first feel happy that I got that story and then create my blogposts with a smile on my face. Challenging it all is, but that is why I love doing it even more.Four months after the creation of my website, I feel that my resignation was probably the best thing that happened in my life. The need to feel happiness gave me the opportunity to even spread happiness, and that according to me is the best part of it all now.Hope you like my creations at smiletoshine.com, and if you have any suggestions or queries, you can freely and happily contact me.Website link-http://smiletoshine.com/My Name- Kanchan ChoudharyDesignation- Founder/Editor/Author at Smile To Shine

Made In Leeds TV Filming

Made In LeedsIf you have been following my social media and previous blog posts, you might remember that in November 2016 I visited Low Ash Primary School and delivered a creative writing workshop to their Year 6 students.After writing some short stories of their own, the children were then surprised with the news that they would soon become published authors! After I received the finished stories I collated them into two separate books for each class entitledChildren Of Warand had them published for the school's library.Shortly after, having been in and delivered the books, I was asked if the children could each have their own copy to show their families and friends. I managed to get hold of a large quantity and once again surprised the children with an unexpected delivery!It wasn't long until Made In Leeds heard of the childrens' success and we arranged to do some filming today (08/02/2017) where five children and myself would be interviewed about the workshop and their books. Seen in the images on the left are the lucky five children with their Deputy Head Fiona Meer and two very kind interviewers in the school's library - a welcoming reading sanctuary.Over the next few days I will be uploading and sharing lots of 'behind the scenes' footage on my website and hopefully on social media so you can experience this exciting event with us! Please join me in congratulating the children on their success. I'd like to offer my thanks to Made In Leeds for giving us this opportunity, to the school for welcoming me back time and time again over the past 6 months, and to the children for sharing this fab experience with me.Check back this week for updates.E. Rachael Hardcastle

Blogging Is Murder by Gilian Baker

As you all know I'm a huge supporter of indie authors, and Gilian Baker is one of them. She is a talented mystery writer who stopped by to tell me all about her latest release. Please check it out and show your support!Synopsis:In the first book in the Jade Blackwell Mystery Series, Blogging is Murder, we meet Jade, mystery aficionado and former college English professor turned blogger. When Jade finds out that her friend and fellow blogger, Liz Collins is being stalked by a crazed fan, Jade promises to help. But before she knows it, the stalker is dead and Liz is in the frame for her murder. Little did Jade know her initial offer to help would require her to save Liz from being convicted and to save her own life.Scene:Set in Gabby Langdon’s office. Gabby is Liz’s pro tem lawyer and Jade’s friend. Jade has convinced Gabby to temporarily take on Liz’s case. They’ve just finished discussing the evidence that Ross Lawson, the local sheriff, has against Liz and are now trying to decide what to do next.Excerpt:Gabby sighed. “The evidence is circumstantial. Ross insinuated that Liz is the only real suspect they have. She has motive and after searching her home and computer they now know she also has the means and opportunity.”“What are we going to do, Gabby?” I sounded desperate and pathetic, even to my own ears.“What we won't do is give up, Jade. All the defense has to do is provide other possible scenarios—other possible suspects who could have done the deed. We don’t have to prove Liz didn’t do it. The burden of proof is the prosecution’s burden.”“So, by ‘we’ do you mean you will take the case?” I crossed my fingers under the desk where she couldn’t see.She moved to the front of her desk and sat back on the edge. I could feel myself holding my breath. I forced myself to pull my shoulders down and exhale.Gabby methodically arranged things on the front of her desk. “Only on one condition.”I felt my pause quicken as I sat up on the edge of my chair. “What is it? You know I’ll do whatever I can to get you on Liz’s side… but I may need to renegotiate what I said about paying Liz’s legal fees.”She had the grace to laugh a little. “No, it has nothing to do with my fee. I have other clients to attend to, so I will need help taking care of some of the details, interviews.”I grinned. “Oh, I’m sure we can find someone to help, Gabby. Let’s not let that stand in the way of Liz’s freedom.”“Oh, I think I’ve already found the perfect person… you.” She smiled at me like the Cheshire Cat.My grin sagged as my stomach tightened. “Oh no, no, no. What can I do? I don't know the first thing about the law or investigating. And don’t you have to get a private investigator to handle that kind of stuff? I’m just not qualified, even though I want to help. Surely there’s something else I could do that is more my bailiwick.”Frantically, I ran through possible ways I could think of to get out of it. I’d already done more damage than I thought imaginable when I was only trying to help. Wouldn’t my being so involved in the case put it all in jeopardy?“I thought of that, so I double checked before you got here. In this state, you don’t have to have a P.I. license to investigate.”Hoping to lead the conversation in a different direction, I exclaimed, “Well, that’s scary, don’t you think? Do we really want just anyone to be on the loose gathering sensitive information?”“That may be true, but the fact stands—that’s the way it is in Wyoming. Most states have strict laws and policies in place for those seeking a P.I. license.” She smoothed down the front of her shirt. “There's a lot of courses and procedures to go through, including logging in a bunch of hours with a seasoned P.I. We are one of the few states that have no such statues.” A self-satisfied smile shone on her face as she cocked up her eyebrows, defying me to come up with a justified reason why I couldn’t do this.“B… b... but I have a business to run. I can’t just take off whenever I want to poke around. I wouldn’t even know where to start,” I whined.“It seems to me you’ve had no trouble so far. And I wouldn’t just turn you lose. I’d come with you when I could, and we’d have a strategy laid out, including interview questions.”I was running out of “but’s.” She went on before I could object further, “And need I remind you that I too have a business to run? My dad can’t handle all the cases himself. And I know one reason you started your own business was to have more control over your schedule. I know you have a team of people who help you. After all, I am your attorney. I know your business inside and out.”“But, I…”“Nope, Jade. That’s the deal. I can’t do it all on my own and there’s no one else I’d trust more. I can’t think of any better training for an investigator than someone who’s spent years in the trenches of academia. You understand the way people think, and you have a great B.S. meter. You can read people, you are analytical and you thrive on digging into the details and finding patterns. All the things that made you such an outstanding scholar and professor are the same ones that make you the ideal candidate to be my P.I.”She smiled satisfactorily at me, knowing I couldn’t turn her down after talking her into this job and claiming I would do anything to help Liz. Well, shoot!I looked at the ceiling wondering how this had happened. She’s railroaded me and I hadn’t seen it coming. I drew in a long breath of air and then blew it out skyward, “Okay, you have me over a barrel. Which I guess serves me right since I did the same to you.”“You betcha!”“But you must promise that we will be a team. I was serious when I said I don’t know how any of this works, and that I’m worried I will screw something else up.”Gabby slapped her hands on her lap and stood up, “We’ll be a full-fledged team: Langdon and Blackwell, defenders of the innocent!”“Sounds like a disaster,” I muttered. “Nope,” Gabby said with a light in her eyes I’d never seen before. “It sounds just about perfect.”Commentary:For the most part, I’m a ‘pantser’—I write by the seat of my pants instead of creating extensive outlines for a book before writing. This allows my characters to decide what happens next. Chapter nine came in a rush, and while other parts of the book have changed dramatically through revisions, this section has changed very little.Jade feels responsible for Liz’s incarceration and so enlists lawyer Gabby to help. In the following chapters, we get to watch Jade learn the ropes of amateur sleuthing, while putting her knowledge from years of reading mysteries into action.If you want to see how it all begins, gohereto grab the first chapter free.To support Gilian, please grab your copy below:

52 Questions To Ask An Author!

Following the start of myAsk An Authorblog series, I often get asked what the best questions to ask a writer are.I did not come up with these questions; I found them atTHIS WEBSITEand I think they are 52 fab examples, but if you need any others, you can also refer to my ongoing Twitter #50questions50days listHERE.I am hoping to answer some of these on the blog in the upcoming weeks - I will perhaps answer 10 per day. :)If you want to add to this list you can send me an ask here  -EMAIL ME.1. Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?2. What made you want to become a writer?3. Million dollar question, are you working on another book?4. Have you written any other books that are not published?5. What do you think about the ebook revolution?6. What is your advice to Indie Authors? On writing? Marketing?7. Do you still write? If so, what does your typical day look like?8. What is your writing style?9. Pen or type writer or computer?10. Do you write Alone or in public?11. Music or silence12. Goals of certain # of words a week or when inspiration strikes13. What tactics do you have when writing? (For example: outline or just write)14. What has your experience been like as an new Indie Author? Bruises, Highlights, and lessons?15. What have you put most of your effort into regarding writing?16. How did you get connected with so many authors for your interviews?17. What is/are  your book(s) about?18. Does your book have a lesson? Moral?19. What is your favorite part of the book?20. 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?21. Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?22. If you could spend time a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?23. What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author?24. What has been the best compliment?25. What is something memorable you have heard from your readers/fans?26. What book that you have read has most influenced your life?27. Who is your favorite author?28. What is the most amusing thing that has ever happened to you?29. Anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?30. Do you have any hidden or uncommon talents?31. What gives you inspiration for your book(s)?32. Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?33. Could you tell us a bit about your most recent book and why it is a must-read?34. What do you love most about the writing process?35. Of all the characters you have created, which is your favorite and why?36. What is the biggest surprise that you experienced after becoming a writer?37. Do you have a day job in addition to being a writer? If so, what do you do during the day?38. Tell us a little about your plans for the future. Where do you see yourself as a writer in five years?39. Favorite book?40. Where can we find you online?41. Any website or resources that have been helpful to you as a writer?42. Have you thought about joining with another author to write a book?43. If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose?44. Do consider yourself to be a successful writer? If so, why? If not, what would make you successful?45. What genre do you consider your books? Have you considered writing in another genre?46. What do your friends and family think of your writing?47. Do you do book tours?48. What character in your book are you least likely to get along with?49. What would the main character in your book have to say about you?50. Who is the most famous person you have ever met?51. If you could write about anyone fiction/nonfiction who would you write about?52. How did you get to be so witty, funny, and good looking?

The Author Interviews, Round 1: #13: Ien Nivens

Writer number 13 in my Author Interviews series is the talentedIen Nivens, author ofTangible Angels.You are living in the world from your latest novel. Where are you? What is it like?You won’t find Keening on most maps of Oklahoma, but if you take Route 60 at Fairview and head west toward Seiling, then north on N2370 and take a left at some point, you’re apt to come across an old boy making lazy circles on a riding lawnmower in the front yard of his daddy’s farmhouse. It’s the one with black shutters and a barn that lists in the direction of the ceaseless wind. He might be able to point you the right way. He likes walnuts if you have any.You are your most recent protagonist. Who are you? What is the first thing you do?My name’s Vanessa. I own and operate a shop out south of town called Tangible Angels. First thing I do of a morning? Especially now that Jeannie’s gone, you’re liable to find me wandering down to the canyon like my grandma did in her old age, though I’m only pushing forty and I ain’t half as suicidal as she was. Just mystified. Folks say all sorts of things about me, a few of which hold some semblance to fact. Believe what you choose, but no, I do not pine for Jeannie Ivory’s return. I worry myself half to death she might is more like it.Who is your favourite author? Why?That covers a lot of territory. Lately, I wish I could write stories as charming and as odd as Raoul Dahl’s, but write them for adults and give them titles that do not alliterate. Ursula LeGuin and John Gardner (the one who wrote Grendel and October Light) win my all-time admiration. Gardner taught me how to carve a sentence as sturdy as a walking stick and to trust my sense of rhythm. LeGuin’s the one who, for me, made writing fantasy seem a useful thing to do.Where do you get your ideas?I am of two minds, one of which does not go looking for story ideas because it doesn’t put much stock in them. I’m more interested in people and in their ideas—that is, in the beliefs, values and desires that drive them into conflict with one another and cause them to do crazy, sometimes noble, things. That’s where stories come from in my view, from the collision of ideas already at play in the world, not from new ideas I need to come up with or root around for. I watch politics. I spy on the neighbors. I practice armchair psychology.On the other hand, I can trace Tangible Angels back to a specific conglomeration of ideas and try to describe how they came together to make a story. So let me do that.As an assignment for a correspondence course in writing for children, I explored a memory from my childhood in Oklahoma, an excursion down North Boggy Creek to find a cable swing my Cub Scout den mother had mentioned. I combined that memory with several others, including a lie I told about making arrows and shooting them at a neighborhood kid from a tree house, and my fascination with the storm sewer system in my town and the possibility of getting lost down there and never finding my way out. As I was developing these memories and exploring the character of a young girl who perhaps shared a few of my less appealing qualities as a human being, I read a passage in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (I forget which edition) that described a delusion (that is, the holding of a demonstrably untrue belief) as symptomatic of mental illness, unless the delusion is shared by a group of people. In other words, the psychiatric community has decided that mental illnesses are not communicable. If two or more people hold a delusional belief in common, we don’t get to call them crazy. This loophole fuelled my imagination and created in me both a deeper sense of mystery around, and a more compelling reason for, the telling of Jeannie Ivory’s story. It provided an essential source of conflict—between Jeannie Ivory, who holds a private set of untenable beliefs, and the members of a local congregation, who hold an equally untenable set of beliefs but get to call it their faith.Why do you write?Probably because someone told me I was good at it when I was impressionable enough to think it meant I would never want for love, acceptance, notoriety, and dates. It became a habit, and as with any drug, as returns diminish, demand accelerates. I write because I need to, and because I’m introverted enough to abhor twelve-step programs.How do you deal with bad reviews, rejection and criticism?I pout. I throw things. I blame the cat.What do you find difficult about writing?Ignoring Facebook.Stories that don’t write themselves.Outlining.Characters who won’t adhere to an outline.Straddling the gulf between the story I outlined and the one that emerges from the unprescribed and unauthorized behaviour of intractable characters.Spellcheckers with limited vocabularies.Not using big words.What do you love the most about writing?Using big words.I get to kill people who think they’re the boss of me.The English language is insanely beautiful and difficult and has rules galore that make the construction of a single meaningful sentence an act of defiance as satisfying as flying without wings or a jetpack, even.Writing is a form of lucid dreaming. I love a good lucid dream, but I can make pictures in my head more predictably when I’m awake than when I’m asleep. And stories are easier to remember, because unlike my dreams, I write them down.It gets me off Facebook.Do you ever outsource (editing and cover design) your work?I should. I really should. Make that, yes, I will hire an editor for the next book. But the thing is, for Tangible Angels, I didn’t know anyone who could edit Oklahoman English without screwing up all the lovely idiomatic rhythms left over after Appalachia flattens out under those big, gorgeous, cumulated skies.What is your opinion on the indie vs traditional publishing argument?I’ve been indie publishing since my brother and I printed the inaugural issue of a religious magazine on the offset printer at our church. Our covers featured the evangelist Orifice Edifice. Inside, we included Scratch ‘n Sniff Anointing Oil in the palm of Reverend Edifice’s Xeroxed hand for those in need of healing and little DIY Communion packets for shut-ins. We didn’t sell a lot of subscriptions.I will say this: CreateSpace is way more accepting of innovative ideas.Talk us through your creative process from start to finish.Hoo boy. My calendar book says I write from 9 to 11 am daily. That’s a lie I’d like to believe in. In fact I often wake at 3 am because I have to pee, then can’t get back to sleep, so I make coffee and draw until my eyelids get heavy. I might wake up at 7, drink more coffee and sit at the computer, figuring I’m ahead of the game and might as well check my email. That takes until noon. After lunch, I do things for money, mostly related to other people’s websites. On days when I actually write, it goes something like this: I open Word and read what I wrote last Thursday, edit a little, then try to push the story I’m working on in the direction of something important I hope is about to happen. Important things I hope will happen are what I believe writers grounded in narrative theory refer to as plot points.What advice would you give to aspiring writers?Forget everything anybody ever tried to teach you about plot points. Write your heart out. Believe in your characters. Kill the ones you have no faith in. When I say “have faith in your characters,” I mean: in their ability to get themselves into impossible situations. Getting them out alive is optional. Happy endings are plentiful in fiction, and therefore cheap. Endings that rip the heart out of the reader’s chest and devour it while it’s still beating are more dear.Find a rule, break a rule.If you can find one, join a local, sit-down-together-face-to-face writing group with people capable of offering informed, helpful critique. If you can’t find one, start one. Learning how to give informed, helpful criticism will make you a better writer.Log out of Facebook. Turn off Twitter.Give us your top three book marketing/ promotion tips.Log back in to Twitter and Facebook.Meanwhile, understand that book jacket copy is the hardest kind of writing you will ever do. You have to get the blurb right. There is a science to it, and it’s worth studying. If I were you, I’d start working on your blurb as soon as you think you’ve got a novel worth writing. First lines get all the glory, but if the back-cover copy doesn’t do its job, nobody’s going to read that awesome first line.Be a kind human. Care about people who are not your characters. Why? Because self-promotion won’t get you very far. You need other people to promote you, and nobody promotes an emotional miser.I find it easier to promote other people’s books than I do my own. I think I’m not alone in that. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could find a way to promote other writers, like Rachel does?Would you agree a good book must withstand more than one read?So much depends on the reader’s age, developmental level, and life experience. There are great books that made me laugh and cry when I first read them but that no longer move me, because I’ve absorbed them, or they’ve finished with me in some significant way. A lot of Twain is like that for me. He was important to me as a young man. I read and re-read him. Hemingway, Sherwood Anderson, John Gardner, Ursula LeGuin, John Cheever—they still do it for me. My ability to draw from the same well twice may or may not be related to how good a book is--how important, how relevant across time, and so on. Sometimes I just don’t have, or no longer have, what a reader needs to bring to a certain book. There’s no friend in the world like a book you can come back to again and again, though. One you share old memories with, that still has more to give and still can still surprise you.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 tend not to browse Amazon the way I do the shelves of a brick-and-mortar bookstore. I follow a link or search for a title because somebody has recommended a specific book or because someone I know (virtually or otherwise) has published a book that interests me. I shop blogs, not online bookstores. Which means, I suppose, that when it comes to purchasing fiction online, I shop authors, not necessarily books. It’s something I hadn’t thought about in quite this way before, so thanks for the question!But I think I may not have answered in a way that’s helpful, so let me say a bad cover is the hardest thing for me to get past. I’m so judgmental that way. If a book looks like an amateur put it together, it’s hard to get me interested. A provocative title is almost as good as a great first line. Price? I’m a fool with my money. I think I’ve said how important I think a book’s description is, but I couldn’t care less who published it. Sample chapters are nice, but I’ll probably only read a couple paragraphs before I’ve decided to buy or not. Reviews? No. I rarely scroll down the page that far. As a writer, I know how important Amazon reviews are, but honestly I don’t understand it. They are meaningless to me as a reader. Reviews written by people whose opinions I respect (usually on a blog or in a magazine) are another matter.Do you have a favourite genre?Fantasy or, more broadly, speculative fiction. But I say that because nobody quite gets what slipstream is. I like fiction that wears corrective lenses. The world-as-it-is, is a distorted reality, but because it is co-created by so many of us, it has gravity and it can kill you. Escape requires velocity. The best fiction looks back at us with eyes wide open, because we are such a surprise to ourselves.What would it take for you to leave a book review?I would have to love your book and want to help the world beat as many paths to it as possible. I used to review books for several review sites and, depending on the site’s policy, post them to Amazon and Goodreads. But I’ve stopped taking ARCs or free copies in exchange for reviews. I no longer review books by friends, because who needs enemies?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 never take advantage of free offers except for very specific non-fiction books that promise to teach me something I want to know, usually with the understanding that the book is an advertisement for more knowledge or expertise that costs money. When it comes to fiction, I want to pay. I don’t want free. I don’t like free. If writing fiction is how you want to make a living, please find something else to give away. I know everybody says you have to give books away, and I know they have statistics to prove me wrong, but giving away your core product is bad business, and I don’t want you to do it. I’d rather you convince me I need your book enough to give you money for it.Do you ever visit an author's website? If so, what do you look at?Yes. I look at the pictures. Then I look at the words. If the pictures are more interesting than the words, I go back to the pictures. If the words are more interesting than the pictures, I look for a tab that says “Books”.If an author offered you a free book, would you sign up to their mailing list?Nope.Do you ever enter giveaways and/ or order signed copies?Yes, and I have a pair of goggles and a leather aviator’s cap to prove it.Are you more likely to buy a book if there are various formats available?Not necessarily.What are the biggest giveaways that a book is self-published?A lousy cover and a book description that reads like a synopsis.If you would like to support this author, please consider purchasing a copy of the book as seen below.

The Author Interviews, Round 1: #12: Charlotte Summers

My next featured writer isCharlotte Summers, author ofSupernatural World (Different Kind of Hell Series).You are living in the world from your latest novel. Where are you?I'm England, I'm in the present however we know that werewolves exist. We don't really like them.What is it like?It's not that bad, you would think the world was normal-ish. That is until You see werewolves running round, running from hunters. I'm not going to take part in it though.Who is your favourite author?My favourite author is called Cheree Alsop. Why? Her books saved my life...... she is also a great fiction wiriting and the books pull me in and want to stay forever.Where do you get your ideas?I get my ideas from everyday life. I also get ideas from my dreams.Why do you write?I write escape the real world, I write to create a world where I can go and get lost without a care for the world.How do you deal with bad reviews, rejection and criticism?Because I'm such a new author, I haven't really gotten any reviews yet however if I did I would take them on board and try to write better.What do you find difficult about writing?I find it difficult when my ideas stop, my characters won't talk to me and when I don't have enough time to write.What do you love the most about writing?I love the way you can create your own world, how the words leap from the page and into your mind.What advice would you give to aspiring writers?KEEP WRITING! It might be hard however if you keep at it you will get there.Give us your top three book marketing/ promotion tips.1) a Facebook page. 2) get your friends and family to spread the word. 3) keep trying, put your titles on websites, other books and even try asking other wiriting groups.Would you agree a good book must withstand more than one read?Yes!What do you look for when shopping on Amazon for a Kindle book? Are any of them more important to you than others?I look for books with a look page length, this means I will have a new good with a good amount in it. When I look on Amazon, I am willing to give anything ago. Once I find a good book they become important however the most important is the books by my favourite author: Cheree alsopDo you have a favourite genre?FantasyWhat would it take for you to leave a book review?The book has to touch my heart in a way that nothing else can.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?If I like the first one then yes. If I don't like it then no becuase I cannot read something that I didn't enjoy the first book of.Do you ever visit an author's website?If so, what do you look at? Yes, I look at their book covers and the reviews.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?No becuase by the time the author does giveaways, I've already got the book.Are you more likely to buy a book if there are various formats available?Not really, I have a kindle so put everything on that.To support this author, please consider purchasing a copy of the book. Many thanks.

The Author Interviews, Round 1: #11: Brittany Lewis

The Author Interviews continue with the lovely Brittany Lewis, who has some fantastic advice for us on anxiety and depression as well as giving us some information about her writing.This topic particularly resonates with me having suffered from anxiety, so be sure to check out her links below.When did you start writing poetry?The first poem I ever wrote was when I was in middle school. I think I was in second or first grade. Ready for a laugh? Here it is:The Rat Went SplatThere once was a ratWho ran under a mat.A cat came and satOn the mat.Then, SPLAT!The rat was quiet after that…Why do you write poetry now?To try to make sense of my feelings- to escape.Do you have a process for writing your poetry?Not at all. I write what comes to mind. I write what I feel.Who are your favorite poets to read?If I had to name some I would say Edgar Allen Poe and Robert Frost, but believe it or not I don’t really read poetry.Do you have any books to recommend on anxiety & depression?This isn’t really related to anxiety or depression but I try to live by the Bible as best I can. It’s my guidebook for life.What other projects are you working on (that you can tell us about)?I’m writing a YA series, I have one book completed that is getting ready for publication and I’m writing the first draft of the second book in that series, and I’m writing a children’s series. The children’s series is targeted toward preschoolers and special needs children/youth. I’m hoping to help teach self-help and daily living skills. I only have one book written so far and my graphic artist is doing the pictures for it now. There are twelve books so far that I have outlined for that series and my son Jeremy is the main character. He has autism and developmental delays.What is your blog about?My blog is written with teens and young adults in mind. I have only done two posts so far as I have been busy with my books and I write articles and ghostwrite books for clients (I actually have a list of ten articles waiting for me when I finish here), but they are about recognizing unhealthy relationships and perseverance. I plan to write more on building strong support systems and self-esteem/confidence.How is depression different from feeling sad? What is it like to live with anxiety?It’s much easier to go about your day-to-day life when you just feel sad. When I’m depressed I feel like I’m drowning. I cry a lot. I withdraw completely and don’t want to be around anyone. When you have depression and anxiety you battle your own mind. It’s like you are your own worst enemy, you’re fighting the feelings and thoughts you’re having, and you often feel like you’re losing.What is someone’s day-to-day life like when they suffer from depression and/or anxiety?I can’t speak for everyone but I often feeling like I have difficulty breathing. I go back and forth between wanting closer relationships and not wanting to be involved with people, or wanting to get out of the house but not really wanting to at the same time. I worry a lot- about everything. I clean a lot when I’m anxious and when I’m depressed I just sit around and cry a lot. When it gets really bad sometimes people don’t take care of themselves very well. I lose my appetite and forget to eat. I either won’t want to shower or want to just sit in the tub for a long time. I will want to lay in bed but be too worried about whatever it is that’s causing my anxiety that I can’t rest. So to put it simply- life with depression and anxiety is hard. I feel isolated a lot of the time.How old were you when you first started feeling this way?I can remember having these feelings as early as five years old. I would have really bad stomach aches and go to the nurse’s office at school every day. I was always extremely tired and lethargic but couldn’t sleep at night. I’ve never really slept through the night my whole life. My mind races at night and I frequently have anxiety attacks when I’m trying to settle myself down to try and rest.How do you manage your symptoms?I try different things. If I’m depressed and I feel like I have to cry, I start by just letting myself do that. Then I try to shower and straighten my hair and put on a nice outfit. Usually chocolate helps me feel better and talking to a friend. If I’m anxious I clean my house. When my house is messy is makes my anxiety worse so that helps and I usually feel anxious when I have a billion things I need to do, so I make a to-do list. I’m sort of weird about that so then I’ll go through the list and number the things I need to do in order of importance and then re-write it on a new piece of paper so it’s neat. Sometimes my anxiety gets so bad that I can’t do any of that and all I can do is pace back and forth through my house praying and trying to take deep breaths. Chamomile tea helps with my anxiety also. Counseling has helped me a lot. It helps just knowing someone is there when you need them, even if there’s no crisis going on- someone to tell you that you aren’t crazy and help you organize your thoughts and brainstorm solutions to whatever problems you might be having.I also strongly recommend writing. I’ve always been a very creative type of person and a big introvert. Writing has always helped me cope with my feelings- and sometimes- escape them. If you don’t like writing, I suggest painting, sewing, quilting and cooking. Creating something is relaxing and can give you a confidence boost when you need one!What is life like for you now?In short- crazy, haha. I am a stay-at-home mom, mother of two. I have a seven year old daughter and a two year old son who is autistic with developmental delays. My husband is a Marine. I have multiple physical disabilities. My son has anywhere from four to five and a half hours of therapy a day and we usually have multiple adults at the house working with him. I am always working on multiple projcts at once. Right now I am promoting my book of poetry,Shine Through the Darkness, which focuses on depression and anxiety and how I got saved (available as an ebook and paperback on Amazon), preparing my first YA novel Finding Freedom for publication, writing the second novel in that series and I began writing a children’s series targeted toward children with special needs to help teach self-help and daily living skills. My son is the main character. I also write articles for websites and ghostwrite books for clients. My depression is usually better because I’m busy, but lately my anxiety has been through the roof. I’m a huge introvert, so doing interviews and going to bookstores and libraries to pitch my book is hard.Have you felt embarrassed to tell people about your depression or anxiety?Sometimes I do but not always. I don’t usually talk to people I’m not close with. I’m a big introvert and don’t usually enjoy talking very much. That’s a big reason why I became a writer.Do you have any advice for women struggling with depression and anxiety?Know that you ARE NOT alone. Get counseling. Reach out, even though you don’t want to. Find some way to force yourself to keep taking care of yourself and keep your relationships intact even if you don’t want to. And please, PLEASE if you EVER have thoughts of suicide- tell someone immediately!A huge thank you to Brittany Lewis for this brilliant advice and for sharing her story. If you would like to purchase a copy of the book, please follow the link below and show your support.BUY NOW FOR 99C.