Zora Marie's Blog, page 2
April 29, 2017
Taking A Break
Hey, everyone. It’s the end of the semester here and I need to focus on my final projects and exams. I may be back in a couple of weeks or I might extend the break. There are other reasons for my hiatus, but I’m not going to get into that here.
Thank you all for reading and I hope to see you around at a later date!
Thank you,
Zora Marie
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April 22, 2017
Susan Elliott author of The Collision of Fire and Ice
The author of The Collision of Fire and Ice , Susan Elliott, is here with us today. Tell us about yourself and what inspired you to start writing.
I am a native Texan, finally living in my home state. I began writing at nine years old. My mom lit the fire inside me, and my husband encouraged it to grow. I love telling stories that I want to read, and creating characters that I love.
How did you go about getting published?
I am completely Indie published. I debated on going the traditional route, but so many of my author friends were leaving traditional publishers for Indie publishing. I felt like it was a better fit for me. I love it!
The traditional route does seem to be turning into a thing of the past. What is your writing process? Do you have a time, day or place you like to write?
I usually write in my recliner in the living room amid all the hustle and bustle of everything. I often write with noise canceling headphones on. I tend to write whenever I get a chance.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Full-time job, pets, hobbies?
I am a painter. I paint with acrylics, but I love oils. I’m just not patient enough to create in oils. I also help other people succeed in their publishing pursuits.
Do you have a favorite myth? If so, tell us about it!
I love the story of St. George and the Dragon. In fact, when I taught art history to home school students, I ALWAYS used this story and artwork during the medieval lectures. It’s about a town who is terrorized by a dragon. The townspeople feed the dragon livestock to appease its appetite, but they soon run out of cattle. They then start feeding the dragon to their children — chosen by lottery. One day, the King’s daughter is chosen, and the king is devastated. He begs the townspeople to allow his daughter to live, but they refuse, and they offer her to the dragon. As chance would have it, St. George was riding by, and he rescued the princess from the dragon. There are several different versions of the myth.
That is an interesting myth, I quite like it. 
April 15, 2017
Tomas Liedman author of Perilous Paths
The author of Perilous Paths, Tomas Liedman, is here with us today. Tell us about yourself and what inspired you to start writing.
I have always enjoyed writing but it was not until my late teens that I started writing short stories for friends who eventually managed to persuade me to write a full novel.
I was inspired to this particular novel was inspired by a combination of three different factors. The first was a several years long discussion about the nature of evil and how it was normally petty, narrow-minded and in the long run always on the losing side. The second was a series of books regarding drow elves where i felt that the society did not make sense fully and a desire to try to explore a dark elven society in greater detail. The last factor was feedback from a publishing house that recommended my to write a shorter novel than the 160k one I had submitted to them.
How did you go about getting published?
It was a long process of submissions for my first two books to a number of publishing houses and agents with scant feedback until I finally stumbled on BookBaby.
What is your writing process? Do you have a time, day or place you like to write?
I have the overall picture of the story already finished when I begin writing along with major events etc. Then I just let the characters interact with each other in line with their own motivations and often find myself surprised by events, twists and turns that happen in the book because of these interactions.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Full-time job, pets, hobbies?
I spend a lot of time practicing martial arts together with my family who are all devoted to Kyokushin Karate and Jujutsu, sports that we were pulled into by my daughter who saw Kung-fu Panda at the age of 4 and decided that martial arts was her thing.
What’s your all time favorite animal? It can be mythical.
Black Panther
Black Panthers are pretty cool. Before you go, tell us about your next book project.
I am trying to decide whether I should write a sequel of Perilous Paths or if I should revisit one of my two earlier books and try to get them into shape for publishing.
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April 8, 2017
Wesley Britton author of The Beta-Earth Chronicles
The author of The Beta-Earth Chronicles, Wesley Britton, is here with us today. Tell us about yourself and what inspired you to start writing.
I’ve been writing non-fiction, poetry, and sci fi for a very long time now–since 1983. A writer must write, and so I do. Fiction allows me to have free reign with my imagination, so that’s where I’m at now.
How did you go about getting published?
For non-fiction, I kept submitting to publishers who dealt with sort of thing. For fiction, I went to the publisher of my last non-fiction book who believed in me so we’re still together.
What is your writing process? Do you have a time, day or place you like to write?
I write all the time. I wrote the novels in chunks after th Beta-Earth storyline and characters came to me in a rush some years back. Then I revise, revise, revise.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Full-time job, pets, hobbies?
Read. I read a lot on a number of areas.
What’s your all time favorite animal? It can be mythical.
Dogs and cats, equally.
Do you have a favorite myth? If so, tell us about it!
The story of Persephone in Greek mythology.
Any marketing tips you’d like to share with other authors?
Network, network, network. Like doing this interview.
Aawwe, thanks. I’m afraid that’s about all we have time for. Before you go, tell us about your next book project and give us a couple of links to find you at.
Book six of the Beta-Earth Chronicles, Return to Alpha, is in the hands of an editor friend of mine. Next year, the five ebooks are coming out as paperbacks–really looking forward to that!
http://www.drwesleybritton.com https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/295635.Wesley_Britton/blog
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April 1, 2017
Sandy Frediani author of Reclamation
A fellow author that has been banging at the stall doors, waiting for their work to hit the shelves as sitting idle does not suite. Sandy Frediani, tell us about yourself and what inspired you to start writing.
I began writing in 1999 when access to a keyboard unlocked the imprisoned stories within the music.
How did you go about getting published?
By accident. I joined an online writer’s group in 1999 and in 2000 an epublisher who was also a member asked to publish my novella Emach’s Story, which is the original title of Reclamation. That epublisher ceased publishing in 2003 and closed his doors in 2006. I decided to change the title, add more to the story and am self-publishing.
What is your writing process? Do you have a time, day or place you like to write?
No particular day/time. Whenever the story calls. Place is at the computer keyboard, although I’ve made notes on my tablet…erm…bookmarks, napkins, post-it notes, whatever is handy. Process is to write first, fix later.
At least your list didn’t include tests, assignments, and class sketchbooks… cause that’s kind of how my list looks. So, what do you like to do when you’re not writing? Full-time job, pets, hobbies?
Recently retired from retail. I’m owned by a couple of goofy cats. Hobbies – handspinning (wheel and spindle), weaving, photography, sketching, reading…lots of reading.
A fellow spinner!!!!! I say ‘I spin’ and people either think I ride stationary bikes or I run around in circles… it’s kind of sad really. Before we get off on a tangent… what’s your all time favorite animal? It can be mythical.
I have always loved horses and cats.
Do you have a favorite myth? If so, tell us about it!
I’m not sure I have a favorite.
Awe, come on, your a spinner! You could go with Norse myths about Frigg or Greek myths about Arachne, both of which are spinners and Arachne is a weaver. Personally, I’m kind of partial to Frigg, but I understand as I don’t think I could pick an ALL time favorite myth. Either way, before you go t ell us about your next book project and give us a link to find you at.
Next project is finishing up The Binding and getting the first book of the series out in the world. along with the four books of The Binding, works-in-progress are a sequel, prequel and two companion stories.
http://sandaidh.wixsite.com/mistyworlds
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March 25, 2017
Mark N. Redmayne author of Hybrid: The Great Awakening
The author of Hybrid: The Great Awakening, Mark N. Redmayne, is here with us today. Before we get started, here’s the blurb for his book:
I must say, you’re illustrated cover is a bit refreshing compared to the covers that we are all partial to nowadays. So, tell us about yourself and what inspired you to start writing.
I love conspiracy theories and so I thought I could about them. My character is a female of African heritage and I don’t think that’s been done before. A teacher at primary school told me I might be a writer one day. I was 8 years old.
What is your writing process? Do you have a time, day or place you like to write?
I wait and it comes. It’s pretty random but I have to make sure I have somewhere to write my ideas down at any time.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Full-time job, pets, hobbies?
Apart from teaching English I like to run, go to rock concerts and spend time with my family.
Rock concerts… sounds like you might be a cool English teacher. 
March 18, 2017
TJ Muir author of Before the Luck Runs Out
The author of Before the Luck Runs Out, TJ Muir, is here with us today. Before we get going, happen to have a cover and blurb for Before the Luck Runs Out image for us?
Orphan. Homeless. Half-breed.
For fourteen years Jedda’s home has been in the shadows and alleys of Tatak Rhe- city of the wealthy, powerful, and corrupt. He scrounges for survival in dirty clothes that don’t keep him warm; and he relies in his nimble fingers to keep himself fed. But, buried in his blood lies the gift of magic: an invisible hand guiding his life.
Cold and hungry, he nicks the coin purse of the wrong man. Karrahk is, one of the city’s powerful rulers. The man looks into Jedda’s bright green eyes and sees the tawny-skin that betrays waif the hidden heritage. He makes a decision that will change a hungry boy’s life forever.
Jedda gets drawn into Karrahk’s service: man that most people fear. He learns the deepest and darkest secrets from all over the city. But when his magic awakens, everything changes– as he sees the deeper truth about this lord he has served so well. He was grateful to Karrahk for saving his life. But he realizes his life is in more danger from his saviour than on the streets. Karrahk plays a ruthless game where power is more important than lives. What does this powerful man want, and what will Jedda have to do now if he wants to stay alive?
First off, I love you! You actually knew what I was asking for when I asked for the url link to your cover! Love it, by the way.
March 11, 2017
J.S. Frankel author of Just Another Quiet Little City
The author of Just Another Quiet Little City, J.S. Frankel, is here with us today. Tell us about yourself and what inspired you to start writing.
I started wrting very late–at the age of forty-eight–got published a year later, and I’m still writing. My son, who was around eleven at the time, saw a cartoon and mentioned something about talking trees, and it gave me the idea for my first novel, The Tower. That started it all off!
Awe, talking trees, oh how they’re dear friends of mine. So, how did you go about getting published?
I went to the digital and print publishers, and eventually one of them took a chance on me. I haven’t stopped since.
Sounds like the writing bug bit you.
March 7, 2017
Author Interview with Mark R. Hunter
We have Mark R. Hunter, author of both fiction works such as Radio Red and a few non-fiction works, here with us today. Tell us, what do you do?
I’m a 911 dispatcher and volunteer firefighter. I used to be a weekly newspaper writer/humor columnist, until I got downsized to monthly.
Awe, dispatcher, not as easy of a job as many would have you believe. Tell us about yourself and what inspired you to start writing.
I live in small-town Indiana with my wife/editor/webmaster/cover designer Emily, our cuddly but scary looking dog Baewolf (yeah, that’s the spelling), and Lucius, a cowardly ball python.
I’m not sure I can say what inspired me to start writing: I was six when I dictated to my mother the story of my travels to the Land of Oz (my first fanfiction!) By the time I was twelve I was carving writing time out of my reading time, and by the time I was fourteen I knew I wanted to do it full time. Basically I just love to write stories–and have people read them.
Your wife sounds a bit like me, does way to many things to be considered a sane person… just kidding, kind of. Baewolf and Lucius sound fun, scary looking dogs are the best and ball pythons are pretty cool in their own right.
March 4, 2017
Nita Round author of Knight’s Sacrifice
Today we have Nita Round with us, tell us a bit about Knight’s Sacrifice.
In short: Only one woman can close the gates to hell. But at what cost? There is a much longer version on my website. www.encarna.co.uk
I’ve skimmed over your website a bit, not too bad. Tell us about yourself and what inspired you to start writing.
I have always written stories, but no one saw them, except when I turned them into gaming scenarios. Or I wrote technical articles for the business. I suppose I always wrote something, it just wasn’t always fiction. When I stopped working in the hotel I found I had more time available, so I turned back to fiction. Writing, to me, is like breathing, it is something I must do… Or maybe it is more like an addiction. I can’t stop.
How did you go about getting published?
I submitted a novel to two publishers and they rejected. However, a short story competition came up in a magazine. I entered that and my first short story was published in a short anthology. They asked for more stories so I wrote them.
After that, I wrote a story, “Knight’s Sacrifice” and although the first publishing house rejected it on marketing grounds, the next one, Regal Crest accepted it almost straight away. They accepted the second book even faster, so the next book is available two months after the first one.
I must say, I usually only get indy authors on here and it’s kind of nice to have a visitor from ‘the other side’.
