Randall Krzak's Blog, page 36

Dangerous Alliance – Coming Soon!

Watch for Dangerous Alliance coming to you soon from Solstice Publishing.

[image error]United Nations’ sanctions are crippling North Korea. China has turned her back on her malevolent partner. The North Korean military machine is crumbling, unable to function. Oil reserves are minimal and the government seeks new alliances.

Cargo and tourist ships are disappearing along the Somali and Kenyan coastline at an alarming rate. Speeches abound, but inaction emboldens Al-Shabab to seek their next prize: Kenya. The terror organization controls land but requires weapons.

Bedlam Bravo team leader Colonel Trevor Franklin (Ret.) leads the small international team into East Africa. Tempers flare as the team is embroiled in a political quagmire. The axis must be stopped to avert an international crisis but at what cost?

© Copyright 2018 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved

An Interview with Author B. Douglas Slack

This week I’d like to introduce you to author B. Douglas Slack. He’s a self-published author began writing in grade school, encouraged my his mother who was a journalist. A U.S. Navy veteran, he retired as a First Class Petty Officer and served in Vietnam. Stationed mostly in the Far East, he spent three years in Japan which provided the spark for his first novel, You Only Love Twice.

He has been married for over fifty-four years. He’s led an exciting life, and has many skills out of the ordinary, such as: Alaskan dog team driving, Steam and diesel train driving and flying. He has called Ohio home for the last twenty-five years.

Let’s find out more about his writing journey.

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What are your ambitions for your writing career? I started my first novel about two years ago as a romantic short story. I kept adding and adding until it became a four-chapter story. Then I joined a writing site and published the chapters. I was encouraged to continue and make it a novel. In October of 2017, I published it under the title of You Only Love Twice. I had reached my first goal. My next goal is to write a trilogy. The first book is published as The Long Trek Home.

Which writers inspire you? In my very early years, before I became a teen, I picked up a Science Fiction book by Ray Bradbury and loved it. From then until my early twenties, I read mostly SF by the giants such as Arthur Clark, Robert Heinlein, Ursala K Le Guin, Larry Niven, and many more. On May 25, 1985 I met and talked with Isaac Asimov for over half an hour following a talk he gave about robotics. I’ve also met Hal Clement at a SF Convention.

So, what have you written? (*Include books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs, awards or anything of interest, professional or hobby.) My first published book is titled You Only Love Twice. I then published The Long Trek Home. Over the years, I’ve written over fifty short stories, poems, and articles and published them on various writing sites for peer reviews.

[image error]Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special? The MC of You Only Love Twice is an interesting character as he is an American working in Tokyo, Japan of the 1980s. He speaks Japanese well and, on the train home from work meets a Japanese girl named Hiroko. He breaks traditions by speaking to her and ultimately inviting her to tea that afternoon. He is a master salesman for his firm as well as quite likeable, with many friends.

The MC in The Long Trek Home, which is set in a post-apocalyptic United States, has an innate ability to do the right thing whatever the circumstances might be. Not given a choice, he takes part in a killing in self-defense and flees west. He is an inventive person with many handy skills which help him and the woman he assists in escaping a slavery ring. Together, they beat the odds and ‘go home.’

What are you currently working on and what is it about? I am now working on the sequel to The Long Trek Home, which is the further saga of the two main characters in the first book. It is in the rough draft version and I hope to get it into shape by the end of the year.

What drew you to write in this genre? I really haven’t chosen a genre. The first book was a romantic adventure, yet the second was a much more gritty and down-to-earth fight for survival on a post-apocalyptic world.

How much research do you do? I research quite a bit for details necessary to bring a story alive. In some cases, I draw from personal experiences and memories. As they say, “Write what you know about.”

When did you decide to become a writer? When I was eleven, my mother gave me a blank journal. At the time, she was finishing a college degree in Journalism and the subject fascinated me. I began writing that very evening and haven’t really stopped yet—and I’m seventy-six now.

Do you write full-time or part-time? Being retired, I am able to write pretty much whenever I want to. I guess you would call this full-time.

How often do you write, and do you have a special time during the day to write? I try to write or at least do some editing every day. I spend on the average of twenty hours a week writing.

Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day? No. I write until I reach a spot where I can take it up again the next session.

Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand? I started longhand, moved to a typewriter, self-teaching myself to touch-type, then switched to a computer in the early seventies.

Where do the your ideas come from? Some from real life, some from my head, and some from my heart. I carry a little notepad in my hip pocket (a habit learned while in the Navy) and jot down every idea as it happens.

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you? My first book detailed the life of the main character and his wife as they lived it. I had a basic start and let it flow naturally to a conclusion. The second book was sketched out—on graph paper, actually—into a timeline for various events. Then I stitched the scenes together.

What is the hardest thing about writing? Editing. It is a horrible thing to spend an hour producing, say, 2,500 words and watch over half of it disappear when editing. Editing and grammar-checking take most of my time.

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book? It went very well, actually. The timeline I created worked by forcing me to pace the adventure and add flesh to the story structure. The hardest thing I faced was making the tension palpable throughout most of it.

What is the easiest thing about writing? The typing itself. I type at over 120 words-per-minute so I can rap out a thousand words in no time at all. I’ve worn out three keyboards over the last two years.

How long on average does it take you to write a book? The first one took about two and a half years. The second just seven months.

Do you ever get Writer’s Block, and do you have any tips for getting through it? Definitely. Whenever it strikes, I move on to my second passion: my virtual train program. I spend time building routes and running trains on them. It keep my interest long enough to flush ideas from the cobwebs.

Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors. I read voraciously. I always have a book with me in waiting rooms, at lunch, before I go to sleep, and most other times. Lately, I’ve been re-reading my military thrillers by W.E.B. Griffin, H. Jay Riker, and Tom Clancy. Woven between them is more lighthearted works by Stuart Woods and John Sandford.

[image error]For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books? I wear trifocals, so reading an eBook on a tiny screen just isn’t for me. I much prefer paperbacks or hardbound books. My library as around four hundred books at present.

Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you? I proofread and edit them myself with the aid of software purchased for that task. Currently, I’m using ProWritingAid which I consider the best so far.

Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit? Yes. You Only Love Twice went through three major editing sessions and a cooling-off period of two months before I did a final format and published it.

Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process? Absolutely. Most people will look at a book cover first, so that’s the initial contact you have with a potential reader. If the cover is uninteresting, they won’t go any further.

How are you publishing this book and why? (*e.g. Indie, traditional or both) I tried traditional by submitting to established publishers. I quit at fifty rejections and self-published through Kindle Publishing.

What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around? I like the freedom of self-publishing. By that, I mean I can fix typos or errors or touch up dialogue, upload a new file, and the next person who orders the book will get the changes. Amazon’s ‘publish-on-demand’ allows this.

Would you or do you use a PR agency? I would if I could afford one.

Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books? Get out there and talk about it. Self-publishing means you have to do all the work.

What part of your writing time do you devote to marketing your book? Not enough. I know I should do more, but can’t find the time.

What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews? I take every review to heart. A bad review can point out something you never considered such as a plot hole, or a bad reference, or even worse, a wrong attribution.

Any amusing story about marketing books that happened to you? It isn’t strictly about marketing, but I gave several copies of my first book to the local library. They put it on a ‘local author’ shelf and began lending it. I was standing in front of the checkout desk one afternoon and a woman came up to me and asked if I was B. Douglas Slack. When I replied I was, she thrust a piece of paper at me and asked for my autograph. My very first. She’d recognized me from my photo on the back of the book.

What’s your views on social media for marketing, and which of them have worked best for you? I deal poorly with social media. Facebook is about the only one I am on with any regularity. I don’t tweet, or any of the other texting services.

Any tips on what to do and what not to do when writing? I advised a budding writer on a writing site not to overstep the boundary between what he knew about and what he didn’t. If you don’t know what you’re writing about, it will come off a fake and uninteresting. Write what you know.

Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything else to promote your work and did it work? I created an account there, but somehow it ended up getting closed. I never could find out why.

Is there any marketing technique you used that had an immediate impact on your sales figures? I tell all my neighbors when my books are published. They almost always order one and have me sign it.

Did you make any marketing mistakes or is there anything you would avoid in future? Can’t think of any. I’m sure I did, though.

What do you think of “trailers” for books, and do you have a trailer/will you create one for your own work? Mixed feelings about trailers. They’re more for films than books. Any trailer I can come up with usually ends up on the back of the book as a teaser.

Do you think that giving books away free works and why? I give away books occasionally, mostly to libraries in the area. They love to put them on shelves set aside for local authors.

How do you relax? I’ve been working with computers for over fifty years. To relax, I spend time creating web sites, programming, or building a computer. It takes most of your mind to do this and that eases writer’s block handily.

What is your favorite motivational phrase? Write it down.

What is your favorite quote? “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch.” TANSTAAFL, popularized by Robert Heinlein in “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress”, a book I’ve read and reread many times.

What is your favorite movie and why? Tough choice. Most any movie with Cary Grant. I grew up watching his cool take on life. He was a master at comedy (“Father Goose” comes to mind) as well as drama (“Mr. Lucky”).

What advice would you give to your younger self? Very little, as I would be unlikely to take it anyhow. I left college and enlisted in the Navy before Vietnam heated up, yet spent five tours in the war zone. I might tell myself to ease up on the volunteering. I wouldn’t trade the twenty years I spent in the service for anything. I speak a smattering of ten or twelve languages, I’ve been on all continents, I’ve lived in many foreign countries, and loved every minute of it. One daughter was born in the Philippines, the other in Japan, so they have a itchy foot as well.

Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why? I met one famous person already, President John Kennedy. He stopped at the Naval facility at Lajes AB, Azores on his way to visit the Pope. He spent an hour in the Operations building with a dozen of my watchstanders while waiting for a classified message to arrive over our circuits. A very personable man, and the first president I was able to vote for.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers? Keep trying. No matter what, keep trying.

Where do you see publishing going in the future? I fear it is going become electronic and print publications will fall by the wayside.

Is being a writer a gift or a curse? Yes.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing as far as content? Sticking to some form of plot. I tend to go wandering off the path and delving into side-issues. When I catch myself doing it, I have to delete chunks of typing and start over.

Did you come across any specific challenges in writing The Long Trek Home? What would you do differently the next time? Of particular challenge was projecting the current socio-political climate into a post-apocalyptic world. How would a person cope when oil suddenly stopped flowing following a nuclear event in the Middle East? How would anyone deal with oceans rising from the striking of the sun by an anti-matter moon and causing a huge solar flare lasting for years? Coastlines changed, economy’s crashed, civil disturbances become a daily occurrence, and mob rule become the norm.

What do your fans mean to you? Everything. At my age, I love them to pieces.

Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you? On my tenth birthday, my mother handed me The Rolling Stones, a science fiction book by Robert Heinlein which was first serialized in Boy’s Life (A Boy Scout magazine). I loved it and checked out several more by him. When I ran out of Heinlein, I moved on to the other greats like Asimov, Phillip K. Dick, Keith Laumer, Hal Clements, and the rest of classical SF authors.

What motivated you to become an indie author? Fifty rejection notices will do a wonderful job on your ego and motivate the heck out of you to publish on your own.

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote? I wrote one called “I was a Dispatcher for Ten Minutes” when I was twelve. It told a story of a young railroad telegrapher who had to make a decision to let a train pass his station in the absence of the regular dispatcher. I received a “B” on it.

When you develop characters do you already know who they are before you begin writing or do you let them develop as you go? I try to create worksheets on my major characters. Birthdates, general descriptions, likes, dislikes, habits (good or otherwise), and other useful information. I refer to these sheets all the time.

Tell us about your writing process and the way you brainstorm story ideas. I flip through the journals I’ve kept through my life starting at age eleven when I received my first blank journal from my mother. I get ideas all the time from having my memory jogged by an event in them. At other times, things seem to pop into my head and are captured on the pad I keep in my back pocket.

Where is your favorite place to write? In my computer room.

What marketing strategies do you find most helpful? Any resources you would recommend to other authors or aspiring authors? I’m not an aggressive marketer of my own works. I talk it up every chance I get, give away books to neighbors, and generally make it known I’ve written a book, but I don’t hit social media hard. I’m a hobby writer who has found publishing to be fun. I’m seventy-six now and hope to keep publishing until I’m not around any more.

That’s all for this week. Check out Mr. Slack’s work when you have a chance. Join me again next week for another author interview!

© Copyright 2018 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved

An Interview With Author Russell Moran

This week, I’d like to introduce you to Russell Moran, the author of twelve novels and five non-fiction works. A lawyer and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, Russell lives on Long Island, New York, with his wife, Lynda.

Let’s learn more about him:

[image error]What are your ambitions for your writing career? To write as many high quality books as my years allow me. Emphasis on “high Quality.”

Which writers inspire you?  Nelson DeMille, Stephen King, Estelle Ryan, Kristin Hannah

So, what have you written? (*Include books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs, awards or anything of interest, professional or hobby.) The Gray Ship is Book One of The Time Magnet series. (Number one Amazon Best-Seller, and recipient of a Kirkus Best Indie Books of 2013. Also won four other awards.)

The Thanksgiving Gang is Book Two of The Time Magnet series.

A Time of Fear is Book Three of The Time Magnet series.[image error]

The Skies of Time is Book Four of The Time Magnet series.

The Keepers of Time is Book Five of The Time Magnet series.

The Shadows of Terror is Book One of The Patterns series.

The Scent of Revenge is Book Two of The Pattern Series

A Reunion in Time is a time travel novel, but not in The Time Magnet Series.

Sideswiped, a legal thriller, is Book One of the Matt Blake Series.

The Reformers is Book Two of the Matt Blake Series.

The President is Missing is Book Three of the Matt Blake Series.

Robot Depot, published in August, is a novel about our automated future.

A Climate of Doubt, a terrorism thriller. May 2018.

The Maltese Incident, is Book One of the Harry and Meg Series, June of 2018.

The Violent Sea, Sequel to The Maltese Incident – Coming soon.

I also published five nonfiction books: Justice in America: How it Works—How it Fails; The APT Principle: The Business Plan That You Carry in Your Head; Boating Basics: The Boattalk Book of Boating Tips; If You’re Injured: A Consumer Guide to Personal Injury Law; How to Create More Time.

 Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special? All my books include a strong male and a strong female character. Not without flaws (As in Sideswiped, where the two lovers discover they both once had problems with drugs and alcohol.

[image error]What are you currently working on and what is it about? The Violent Sea, a sequel to The Maltese Incident. It’s about time travel, and as always, two strong characters who compliment each other.

What drew you to write in this genre? I’ve always been fascinated by time travel, in that it allows the author to completely suspend reality and speculate on what may have been, or what might be.

How much research do you do? A lot. I try to make my fantastic stories believable by anchoring them in solid facts, including history. I don’t know what writers ever did without Google.

Have you written works in collaboration with other writers, and if so: why did you decide to collaborate and did it affect your sales? No. I’ve served as a beta reader and editor for a few other authors but haven’t collaborated.

When did you decide to become a writer? In 2012, after listening for the umpteenth time to my wife asking me, “When are you going to write a novel?” I’ve been a writer all my life, mostly as a legal journalist, but fiction began with The Gray Ship, begun in 2012 and published in 2013.

Do you write full-time or part-time? Yes, full time.

How often do you write, and do you have a special time during the day to write? I try to write every day, except for those days when I’m consumed by marketing. I do not have a specific time that I write. I look at what’s ahead in my day and then decide to hit the keyboard.

Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day? 2,000 words a day when working on a first draft. No number allocation for rewrites.

Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand? Computer. I can’t believe that Nelson DeMille, as great as he is, writes on yellow pads.

Where do your ideas come from? This is a great question and I wish I had an answer. I just sit (or walk) and think. Suddenly an idea shows up. I start to ask “what if,” and a few months later a book shows up. I look back at all my books and for the life of me I can’t recall how the story popped up. Maybe Stephen King is right—stories are like fossils and it’s the writer’s job to unearth them.

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you? I am what I call an In-Betweener, halfway between a strict outliner and a “panster,” who writes from the seat of his pants. I keep trying to outline, but the story suddenly takes me off my outline in a different direction.

What is the hardest thing about writing? Being “stuck,” when the wonderful story idea you had suddenly sucks and it’s hard to repair it. I have a book project like that right now. I hate it. Will I expect readers to like it?

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book? Being stuck. See my above response.[image error]

What is the easiest thing about writing? Getting to know my characters. They become like old friends.

How long on average does it take you to write a book? About six months.

Do you ever get Writer’s Block, and do you have any tips for getting through it? I refuse to acknowledge the existence of writer’s block. See my responses above about “being stuck,” which is different from writer’s block. Once I can see a story in front of me I just charge ahead and the words flow out my fingertips. My tip? Keep on writing.

Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors. See my response to number 2 above.

For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books? I love to read on my Kindle (or iPhone).

Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you? I proof and edit my own books, and also have two editors to find my (many) mistakes.

Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit? Yes, let it stew. When you come back to it it’s a fresh story, and time to murder your darlings.

Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process? I think so, at least that’s what professional cover designers keep telling me. My simple requirement is that it should grab the eye and create intrigue.

How are you publishing this book and why? (*e.g. Indie, traditional or both) My next book will be my first traditionally published novel, thanks in no small part to Randall Krzak, who told me all about the publisher.

What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around? I could write a book on this question alone. Indie publishers have come into their own as the brilliant writer Hugh Howey has noted. I know a lot of writers who signed their rights away to a small publisher and are stuck without marketing.

Would you or do you use a PR agency? I’d consider it, although I haven’t given it much thought.

Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books? Get reviews and keep at it.

What part of your writing time do you devote to marketing your book? 50 percent.

What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews? Most “bad” reviews are really not reviews at all but “hits,” from people with an agenda I can’t control. In three-star reviews, however, there is useful critical information.

Any amusing story about marketing books that happened to you? A woman came up to my table at a book signing and said she had been looking forward to buying my book. She then walked off with it without paying. I later found out that she suffered from dementia. I hope she remembers my book.

[image error]What’s your views on social media for marketing, and which of them have worked best for you? I do Twitter and Facebook all the time, but I’m not sure I see any results.

Any tips on what to do and what not to do when writing? Don’t put it off, just write. You can’t edit a document that doesn’t exist.

Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything else to promote your work and did it work? No, I haven’t but I probably should.

Is there any marketing technique you used that had an immediate impact on your sales figures? Email.

Did you make any marketing mistakes or is there anything you would avoid in future? I wish I paid more attention to my sub-titles. They’re great for marketing.

What do you think of “trailers” for books, and do you have a trailer/will you create one for your own work? I think trailers are great, but just be careful not to spend too much. I did one for The Gray Ship, and it seemed to help. Cost me $250, which I think is cheap.

Do you think that giving books away free works and why? Yes, if you have a reasonable expectation that the done will promote you.

If you hired someone else to format your work, how did you select them and what was your experience? After Createspace got out of the formatting business I’ve hired designers/formatters for about $500. My next self-published book will be done by myself with the software Vellum (but you need to have a Mac).

How do you relax? I read and write.

What is your favorite motivational phrase. “You can avoid reality, but you can’t avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.” Ayn Rand

What is your favorite quote? “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” Anton Chekov

What is your favorite movie and why? The Godfather, I and II. Nothing has come close.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Don’t smoke.

Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why? Abraham Lincoln, the image of greatness. He even made it into my first novel.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers? Always find ways to improve your craft.

Where do you see publishing going in the future? Self-publishing and small publishers will blend in many ways.

Is being a writer a gift or a curse? It’s a gift, but sometimes it feels like a curse. However, I can’t imagine my life without the joy of writing.

[image error]Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing as far as content? Keeping dates and numbers straight. I try to force myself to type in numbers and dates into a separate document that I can search on.

Did you come across any specific challenges in writing?  What would you do differently the next time? No

What do your fans mean to you? Everything. At a book signing, a couple of ladies walked up to me and asked if certain characters, by name, will appear in future books. Made my day. My biggest fan unfortunately is off the grid and doesn’t even own a computer or smart phone. She thinks Amazon is a river. But she always praises me in public whenever we meet.

What inspires you to get out of bed each day? Creating characters and scenes lies before me.

Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you? Yes, The Edge of Sadness, by Edwin O’Connor. I was blown away by the author’s use of words, and the way he wove a beautiful story without a lot of action. From then on I started my library. I was a high school sophomore at the time.

What motivated you to become an indie author? I went through a few weeks of querying and pitching and then decided that I’d go it on my own. My favorite response came 30 seconds after I hit send, saying the usual crap about my fine talent but I was just not a right fit for them. I’d rather talk to myself, because I don’t BS myself.

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote? Yes, The Gray Ship, like it was yesterday.

When you develop characters do you already know who they are before you begin writing or do you let them develop as you go? My characters tell me who they are and create their own dialog. Sound weird but it’s true.

Tell us about your writing process and the way you brainstorm story ideas. Once a story idea pops into my head I jot down “beats” usually asking the “what if” question.

Where is your favorite place to write? My library, which is also my office – With a stand-up desk I might add.

What marketing strategies do you find most helpful? Any resources you would recommend to other authors or aspiring authors? I strongly recommend the Author Marketing Club, amc.com, as well as Writer’s Digest and its tutorials.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this insight into Russell’s writing journey. Follow him at: https://www.morancom.com/

Stayed tuned for another author interview soon!

© Copyright 2018 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved

An Interview With Author Marie Lavender

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This week, I’d like to introduce you to author Marie Lavender. She lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published twenty-four books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, dramatic fiction, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. She has also contributed to several anthologies. Her current published series are: The Heiresses in Love, The Eternal Hearts, The Magick, The Code of Endhivar and The Blood at First Sight.

[image error]So, what have you written? (*Include books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs, awards or anything of interest, professional or hobby.)

I wrote the Heiresses in Love Series (a Victorian romance trilogy), as well as some of the books in The Magick Series (lighthearted fantasy), Blood at First Sight Series (paranormal romance) and The Code of Endhivar Series (science fiction romance). All of them were released through Solstice Publishing. Besides that, I have standalone works. I have been writing since the age of nine, but I’ve only been published since 2010.

I host three blogs: Writing in the Modern Age, the I Love Romance Blog, and the MLB blog. With two of those, I often blog about the titles of other authors and accept guest posts.

One of my recent writing accolades is the fact that I reached the TOP 20 Authors of 2018 on Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews blog.

What are you currently working on and what is it about?

I am working on a romantic comedy that lightly covers the topic of body-shaming. I think it’s important that we realize how much damage it can cause to our self-esteem. Approaching it in a more comical fashion might take some of the dramatic edge off the problem while still getting the point across. Anyway, it’s something I’m trying out.

What drew you to write in this genre? [image error]

I’ve always been drawn to romance novels, both as a reader and a writer. But now and then, the muse really surprises me. That’s why I label myself multi-genre, since I published a children’s fantasy a few years ago, and some of my works in progress include mysteries, psychological thrillers, dystopian and time travel tales, even horror.

How much research do you do?

I do what is necessary, but I also go a bit beyond that. I don’t want to bog the story down in details, yet I try to aim for authenticity.

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?

A little of both, actually. I let the muse take me to a point, and then when I get stuck I write a full outline and try to fill in some of the blanks to bring focus back to the story.

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?

Blood Instincts is a paranormal romance/urban fantasy with a futuristic angle. I guess I struggled with the time difference between book one and two. But once I figured out the reason for it, the story just fit.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

Tough question. It usually depends on the book I’m working on. Some take longer than others, especially if they’re more detailed and part of a series. A regular novel often takes a year to write. But historicals take a lot of time, since I do extra research.

[image error]For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books?

I am still a bit of a Luddite in that sense. I like the accessibility of an ebook, but I prefer a physical format over anything else. I love paperback because it’s more compact on the shelf, but hardback is one version I’ll always have a lot of respect for. I think that’s because it makes me think of the times when I used to hang out at the library and comb through the stacks, worshipping the spine of each title. What can I say? I’m a total book nerd!

Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?

I will never send my work out into the world unedited, at least on some level. I keep it really close to the vest until there have been numerous passes at it. I edit my own book as much as I can, then I hand the manuscript over to a trusted proofreader and some beta readers. After it’s as clean as possible, my publisher has the book and they assign their own editors.

Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit?

A month is preferable, but on a time crunch? I’ll let it sit for at least two weeks before looking at it from a different angle. You don’t want to be too in love with your own story.

Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?

Oh, yes! It is essential to help potential readers make a decision. Not that the blurb isn’t also important; it certainly is, but I think a lot of factors go into the buying method, a great cover being imperative to the whole. Yet with certain publishers, authors have very little control over the cover.

Any tips on what to do and what not to do when writing?

Listen to your characters. Don’t plan it all out so much that you can’t keep an open mind for a few surprises.

What do you think of “trailers” for books, and do you have a trailer/will you create one for your own work?

I think they’re helpful as a sales tool for readers. They offer a glimpse into the book without giving too much away. I make a book trailer for every release. You can discover them all on my YouTube channel.

[image error]What is your favorite quote?

This one both thrills and inspires me as a writer. Natalie Goldberg said, “Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open.”

I think it is apropos for the situation. With the act of writing, we delve so deeply into our inner selves, and it can be a little terrifying at first. But it always results in something magical.

Is being a writer a gift or a curse?

Some of both. It can feel like a gift most of the time, this rampant need inside to express yourself, to go out and tell your characters’ stories. But now and then, when the muse isn’t working with you, or whenever the outside world doesn’t understand you as a writer, a dark cloud comes over your rainbow.

Marie’s accolades include: Reached the Top 10 Authors list on AuthorsDB.com for the last 3 years. TOP 20 Authors of 2018 on Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews blog. DIRECTIONS OF THE HEART was nominated and made it past the first round in the 2018 Author Academy Awards. UPON YOUR LOVE and THE MISSING PIECE placed in the TOP 10 on the 2017 P&E Readers’ Poll. DIRECTIONS OF THE HEART was nominated for the 2017 Reader’s Choice Awards. The I Love Romance Blog became a finalist in StartDating DK’s Romance Blog Awards of 2017. ILRB landed on Feedspot’s 2017 TOP 100 Novel Blogs and TOP 100 Romance Blogs. DIRECTIONS OF THE HEART placed in the TOP 10 Books of 2017 on Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews blog. TOP 20 Authors of 2017 on Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews blog. Mystery Blogger Award for 2017. A to Z Blog Challenge Survivor in 2016. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title – winner of the “Broken Heart” themed contest and the “I Love You” themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers’ Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers’ Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial’s Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader’s Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013, 2014 and 2016. 2013 and 2014 Amazon Bestseller Ranking for UPON YOUR RETURN. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.

You can find out more about Marie’s work and follow her progress via the following:

Official Website: http://marielavender.com/Blogs: http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/

http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/

http://marielavender.blogspot.com/

Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58

https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender

https://twitter.com/marielavender1

https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a

Stay tuned for another author interview shortly!

© Copyright 2018 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved

 

An Interview With Author M.D. Neu

This week I’d like to introduce you to author M.D. Neu.  He’s a LGBTQAI Fiction Writer with a love for writing and travel. Living in the heart of Silicon Valley (San Jose, California) and growing up around technology, he’s always been fascinated with what could be. Specifically drawn to Science Fiction and Paranormal television and novels, M.D. Neu was inspired by the great Gene Roddenberry, George Lucas, Stephen King, Alice Walker, Alfred Hitchcock, Harvey Fierstein, Anne Rice, and Kim Stanley Robinson. An odd combination, but one that has influenced his writing.

[image error]Growing up in an accepting family as a gay man he always wondered why there were never stories reflecting who he was. Constantly surrounded by characters that only reflected heterosexual society, M.D. Neu decided he wanted to change that. So, he took to writing, wanting to tell good stories that reflected our diverse world.

When M.D. Neu isn’t writing, he works for a non-profit and travels with his biggest supporter and his harshest critic, Eric his husband of nineteen plus years.

Let’s learn more about him:

 What are your ambitions for your writing career? It’s funny to think about this question, because until recently I never thought this would even be in the cards for me. Sure, I’ve always enjoyed writing and telling stories, but the idea that this could become a career for me. Nope, never even crossed my mind.

Who would think that someone who could barely spell in school because of his dyslexia would even have this as an option? It’s pretty amazing!

I know I’m rambling a bit sorry. To answer the question, I want to be realistic. I wouldn’t mind having a steady income coming in from my writing. Perhaps, even being able to work at it full-time. But if I’m honest, for me, I want my writing to be enjoyed by people. For people to want to come back and re-read my stories again because something speaks to them, that would be the best.

Oh and did I mention a steady flow of income, that would be great as well.

[image error]So, what have you written? (*Include books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs, awards or anything of interest, professional or hobby.) There is more than I realized but at the same time it’s not a huge amount. I have a novel out, The Calling, which came out at the beginning of the year. I have two short stories that came out at the end of last year, The Reunion (a ghost story) and A Dragon for Christmas (a young adult Christmas Fantasy story). Also, I have a weekly blog, I write poetry (also posted on my blog), and I co-wrote a play ‘The Faux Play – Stereotypes’ with a friend of mine who passed away. I’ve also co-wrote a Home Remodelling Workbook. Lastly, I do some script writing for a community access show, ‘Change Lives for Good’.

 Also, January and March of next year I have two more books coming out, A New World – Contact (Part 1) and T.A.D (The Angle of Death). So that is very exciting.

Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand? Really, typewriter? Longhand? Um… nope. My spelling sucks and being dyslexic makes writing that much harder. I’m grateful to technology and use it to its fullest advantage. I have my laptop and I love it.

 Where do the ideas come from? This is gonna sound crazy, and I might just be a little nutty, but my ideas come from all over. The Calling started off as a dream I had, crazy right, but that is how it started. I wrote down what I could remember and started crafting the story. A New World – Contact started out as a play about a family and their drama. And then it morphed into a Sci Fi epic incorporating all the family drama and expanding on it. T.A.D. came to be as a ‘what if’ scenario. My two short stories, The Reunion and A Dragon for Christmas kind of fell into my lap, both the main characters popped into my head and started talking to me and wouldn’t shut up until I wrote down their stories. So, um… there ya go.

It’s odd because, most of my stories come to me in random ways. Some come to me, as I said, in dreams. Others start as a thought. I may be out at the mall and think ‘what if’ or I’ve been on vacation and a character will start talking to me about their story. I’ll put the notes down on the computer (which I never travel without) and see if something comes of it. Right now I have two additional novel ideas stewing away as well as a bunch of random thoughts that may or may not turn out to become something.

[image error]Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit? I totally let my books sit and stew. I have to otherwise I get so wrapped into what is happening that I miss things. Even after letting it sit, I still miss things in the editing process. That is why I love the writer’s group I belong to. They catch some of the stupid silly stuff I miss (as well as bigger things), which helps with the editing process. Then I can feel pretty confident when I send it to my editor, for the actual editing. For me it’s the only way I can work.

 What is your favorite quote? “Illegitimus non carborundum est.” I think that’s correct. Anyways, it means “Don’t let the bastards grind you down!”

 Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you? As a kid, I hated reading. Having dyslexia and not being able to see words and letters right made reading a chore. Not knowing how to make the letters come together as words sucked. So, I liked books with lots of pictures that helped tell the story. Sometimes it was the only way I knew what was happening.

 The first two stories I read (that I really read) were The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton and The Wump World by Bill Peet. These two kids stories meant the world to me because I could actually read them. They were written with words I knew and I could make out. Plus, they had beautiful artwork. I was so excited that I could read them. They were children’s book meant for kids younger than me, but it didn’t matter I was able to read them and I loved them. I would go to the library, sit and flip through the pages, read the words, and not feel stupid like other books made me feel. They felt like they were written just for me.

Even to this day, I love the books. I don’t own them, but I’ll go and look them up just to see their covers and smile at the wonderful memories they bring up for me. They remind me I’m not a stupid kid who can’t read.[image error]

What motivated you to become an author? I wanted to tell stories that reflected who I am. As a gay man, growing up in the 70s and 80s there weren’t a lot of people like me who were visible. I’m not saying I had an awful life or was traumatized, because I wasn’t. But, I never saw anyone that I could relate to. When we did start to see gays in the media, it was in the middle of the AIDs crisis so they were all tragic characters. That wasn’t who I was either. I just wanted to see a normal guy, who happened to be gay, have an amazing adventure, be the hero, save the day. Be Luke Skywalker blowing up the DeathStar to an audience full of cheering fans, that’s what I wanted and that’s what I wanted to create for other people.

I don’t want to write stories that beat the drum of being LGBTQIA or whatever. I’ll leave that to others. For me, I want to create characters that people, all people, can support and get behind and cheer for. Who they love is secondary and not an issue.

That’s what motivates me to write and that’s what motivates my writing. Does a little of the gayness slip in, of course, but it’s part of the story just like you might see straightness, or minoritiness (I don’t think that’s a word, but you get the point) slip into any number of stories. If the story telling is good, and I hope mine is, then people should be able to look past the ‘gay’ parts and still enjoy the story, because overall I’m going for good story telling.

You can check out M.D.’s sites and follow his work at:

Website: http://www.mdneu.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mdneuauthor

Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/authormdneu/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/66488958-md

Until next time ….

© Copyright 2018 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved

 

New Release – Aeon Rises By Jim Cronin

Author Jim Cronin is pleased to announce the release of Aeon Rises.

[image error]What’s it about? Justin Madrid always considered himself an average nerdy freshman in high school, and an outcast because intense migraines prevent him from playing video games or watching television. Even looking at a phone screen hurts. But when the aliens, disguised as local librarians, started trying to kill him, everything changed. And now it is up to Justin and his cool new power to save the earth from invasion.

Let’s learn more about him.

Jim is a retired middle school science teacher, working part-time as an educator at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. He’s been married for forty years to the love of his life. They have two sons and four grandchildren. [image error]

He was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in Arlington, Virginia before moving to Denver where he attended high school and eventually college at Colorado State University, graduating with a degree in Zoology and a teacher certification. Jim and his wife currently live near Denver in the small town of Parker.

Which writers inspire you? The writers who inspire me most are the classic science fiction authors: Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein, etc. I have always loved their work and can only dream of writing a pale imitation of what they accomplished.

So, what have you written? (*Include books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs, awards or anything of interest, professional or hobby.) My most recent novel, Aeon Rises, has just been released on Amazon and is my first attempt at a Young Adult science fiction story. My previous work includes The Brin Archives trilogy: Hegira, Recusant, and Empyrean, all available on Amazon as well. I also have a couple of published short stories I hope to include in an anthology someday when I have more of them.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special? Justin Madrid is your average nerdy teen, living in Aurora, Colorado. He is bullied and an outcast due to his inability to even look at any electronic video screen without getting intense migraines. On his 15th birthday, Justin learns he is not at all who he has always believed himself, and it is also the day the aliens tried to kill him. He learns his migraines are only the symptom of a developing ability which puts the fate of all humanity in his hands.

[image error]What drew you to write in this genre? Science fiction has always been my favorite genre, and I am a retired science teacher (35 years in the classroom), and an educator/performer at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, so I guess it was inevitable that I wrote something sciency.

When did you decide to become a writer? After I retired from teaching, I needed something to occupy my time, so I started helping my brother with a book he was writing. We started brainstorming ideas for something I could write, and the result was The Brin Archives trilogy.

How long on average does it take you to write a book? So far, each of my books has taken about a year to complete from initial concept to published date. Not too bad for only doing this part-time.

Do you ever get Writer’s Block, and do you have any tips for getting through it? For me, I am a very inspirational and seat-of-the-pants writer. If I get stuck, I have to give my brain time to rest. I take a few days off and usually find inspiration out of the blue on how to break through the block I was facing.

Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors. I read constantly. There are always at least two or three books lying around at some stage of completion. My favorite authors are the classic scifi guys, Assimov, Heinlein, etc…. But I also love many other genres. Fantasy, historical fiction, action adventure, science content, even an occasional mystery.

Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you? I am a terrible proof reader of my own work. I need others to proof read and edit all my work.

How are you publishing this book and why? (*e.g. Indie, traditional or both) I was fortunate enough to get picked up by Solstice Publishing. This was a stubborn part of me that always considered it a part of being a successful writer was to be traditionally published. To me, it meant another professional liked my work enough to work with me.[image error]

What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews? An author, like a teacher, needs to develop a thick skin. People will like your work, or not. Everyone has different tastes, some are simply more diplomatic about voicing their opinions than others. Plus, there are always those out there who made it their mission in life to tear down everyone else. I don’t enjoy the bad reviews, but fortunately they are few, so I can enjoy the good ones.

Did you make any marketing mistakes or is there anything you would avoid in future? This is my big nasty learning curve right now. I am still trying to figure out the marketing game. If any of you out there have something that works well, I would love to hear about it.

What do you think of “trailers” for books, and do you have a trailer/will you create one for your own work? I actually love making trailers and teaser videos for my books. I think they are fun to create and have quite a few.

How do you relax? To relax, I read, watch movies or baseball, go for walks and the occasional bike ride.

What is your favorite quote? Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and disguised as hard work. – Mark Twain

You can find more out about Jim and his novels at:

Webpage: http://jimcroninscienceedutainer.weebly.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/JimCroninScienceEdutainer/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/authorjimcronin

Stayed tuned for another author interview coming soon!

© Copyright 2018 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved

Randall’s Ramblings, September 2, 2018

For those living in the United States and Canada, Happy Labor/Labour Day! Do you know the origins of what is considered the unofficial end of summer? A day set aside to honor the labor movement, in 1887, Oregon was the first state to recognize a day for the workforce. There was a push by labor unions for eight-hour work days. By the time Labor Day was recognized as a federal holiday in 1894, thirty states had already made it an official holiday.

The origins of Labour Day in Canada go back to 1872, when a parade was held in Toronto to support a union strike for a 58-hour work week. It became an official holiday in 1894. Many of the traditions associated with the day are similar in both countries.

Anyone celebrating a birthday today? If so, you’re in good company with the following people associated with the writing world, compliments of http://www.onthisday.com/today/birthdays):

William Somervile, English poet; Caroline von Schelling, [Michaelis], German author; Esteban Echeverría, Argentine writer; Henry George, land reformer/writer (Progress & Poverty); Giovanni Verga, Italian writer (Eros); Eugene Field, author/journalist (Little Boy Blue); Paul Bourget, French novelist and critic; Hans Jæger, Norwegian writer and political activist; Joseph Roth, Austrian journalist/writer (Hotel Savoy); Andreas Embirikos, Greek surrealist poet; Johan Daisne, [Herman Thiery], Belgian writer (magic realism); Allen Drury, author (Advise & Consent-1960 Pulitzer Prize); Peter Mansfield, British political journalist and author; John S. Hall, American poet and spoken-word artist; Jon Berkeley, author and illustrator; and Chris Kuzneski, American bestselling author.

Recognize anyone? I did, but not as many as in some weeks. Even if you didn’t spot any familiar names, I hope you have a great birthday and many more to follow.

News About My Published Work

[image error]

My second novel, Dangerous Alliance, will be released soon by Solstice Publishing. This week, I received the manuscript back from the editor and we are collaborating on a variety of small changes.  Stay tuned for more information about its release!

United Nations’ sanctions are crippling North Korea. China has turned her back on her malevolent partner. The North Korean military machine is crumbling, unable to function. Oil reserves are minimal and the government seeks new alliances.

Cargo ships are disappearing along the Somali and Kenyan coastline at an alarming rate. Speeches abound, but inaction emboldens al-Shabab to seek their next prize: Kenya. The terror organization controls land but requires weapons.

Bedlam Bravo team leader Colonel Trevor Franklin (Ret.) leads the small international team into East Africa. Tempers flare as the team is embroiled in a political quagmire. The axis must be stopped to avert an international crisis but at what cost?

My Work in Progress

With the editing work on Dangerous Alliance and a myriad of external requirements, work on Carnage in Singapore took a backseat this week. I did spend a bit of time on the next chapter, but decided another chapter was needed first to bring readers up-to-date with the activities of two characters.

Books I’m Reading

I recently read Ernest Dempsey’s The Norse Directive: A Sean Wyatt Archaeological Thriller (Sean Wyatt Adventure Book 5). As with the first four novels in the series, we once again meet up with Sean Wyatt and his longtime friend, Tommy Schultz. In search of a relic deemed to be an ancient weapon, the duo battle wits with a Frenchman who is also seeking this item.

As with all of Mr. Dempsey’s novels, this is another action-packed thriller, filled with realistic characters and plenty of twists and turns. Once again Sean and Tommy have taken be on a whirlwind ride, visiting numerous countries and encountering one obstacle after another. Who will recover the prize? That would be telling—but you won’t be disappointed in this story. I look forward to Book 6!

Blogs/Author Pages/Writing Sites I’d Like to Share

I’ve expanded this section from being only about blogs that I follow but will also introduce you to some new authors and a few writing sites. While I spent hours reading through various links doing research and preparing to post my interview with author Preston Holtry (posted earlier this morning), I didn’t have time to find anything to include here.

This brings us to a close for another week. I hope you found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing.  If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading.

© Copyright 2018 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved

An Interview With Author Preston Holtry

This week I’d like to introduce you to author Preston Holtry.  He’s an avid traveler, former alpine ski instructor and VA hospital volunteer.

[image error]

Preston received a BA degree from the Virginia Military Institute and a graduate degree from Boston University. He was a career Army officer, and served twice in Vietnam in addition to a variety of assignments in Germany, England and the United States.

Let’s learn more about him.

Which writers inspire you? For non-fiction – William Manchester, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Robert Massie, Stephen Ambrose and David McCullough; for fiction Colleen McCullough, Sharon Kaye Penman, Ivan Doig.

[image error]So, what have you written? (*Include books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs, awards or anything of interest, professional or hobby.) Four period mysteries set in the southwest during the period 1915-1917 featuring the detective Morgan Westphal; one contemporary mystery/thriller with an international setting; the ARRIUS Trilogy set during 120-137 C.E. in Judea and Britannia.

What are you currently working on and what is it about? I’ve been working on a two-book historical novel set 1855-1865 along the Missouri/Kansas border. The first vol is about the build-up to the Civil War and Vol 2 covers the war in both states during the War. I’ve always been fascinated by the Civil War, but most of my reading and research has tended to focus on the eastern and southeastern states until I stumbled on the tales of Bloody Kansas and the Missouri Border “Ruffians” and realized the beginnings of the fighting predated Fort Sumter by five years.

What drew you to write in this genre? I write different genres but all my novels have one thing in common – they draw upon history either directly or indirectly or in some context.

[image error]How much research do you do? A lot!! I spent an entire year researching the Roman Empire before writing a single word of ARRIUS, and part way through the trilogy went back to England to walk the ground in Northumberland where Hadrian’s Wall is located.  I want the tactile feel of scope, terrain etc. to make the setting as real to the reader as it was to me. Since all my novels have historical roots, research is absolutely critical. Readers of historical novels demand that you get it right!

When did you decide to become a writer? I cannot remember a time when I didn’t want to write, but by early high school I vowed one day I would get a book published. Reality of course requires you do not quit your day job until you’re a frequent visitor to the New York Times Best Sellers list. I had to retire before I began writing seriously and the first book wasn’t published until years after that.

[image error]Do you write full-time or part-time? Mainly part-time, a few hours a day and usually early morning. I do not set a minimum number of pages/words. More typical I schedule a specific time to detach from the world to write – sometimes the result is multiple pages or just a single paragraph when I have to research some factoid “to get it right!”

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you? I never outline. I first develop a concept of a plot/setting and some kind of situation, event(s), usually based on some historical occurrence. From there, I’ll write a half page general synopsis with the main character identified and other suggestive characters just to get started. This paragraph will probably under 5-7 times before I’m finished with the book. When I write a mystery, the plot can go in multiple directions. As I say on my website, I’m only a few pages ahead of the reader in figuring out who the culprit is, since there’s enough stuff to point the finger at multiple people. The latter is also a result of developing characters that become so believable (at least to me) I occasional become conflicted who I finally decide is the real villain. If the characters aren’t telling the story, then chances are the story isn’t going to resonate. I believe a mistake many fiction authors in particular make is they don’t listen to their characters; consequently credibility, believability are the casualties.

Wh[image error]at is the hardest thing about writing? Overcoming the tyranny of the first blank page then knowing when you’ve done your best before you nickel and dime it to death. The obverse of the question is defining the “easiest thing” about writing. For me, there’s nothing easy about writing. I approach the first 50 pages as if it’s a slab of granite, which requires me to hammer and chisel away until something like a vision finally appears.

Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors? I’m a voracious reader. I read mainly non-fiction history/bios. See the first question above.

Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you? I do, but I also depend on others after I’ve given it my best shot. Almost without fail, the writer is the worst editor of them all! Before I let beta readers have a go at it, I do let the book percolate for a few weeks, then go back and take a third or fourth look. It’s amazing the sterling tale you spent 8-9 months writing is so full of spelling, syntax, punctuation errors not to mention missing words and format issues!!

Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process? Y[image error]es, I do. The old adage is “Don’t judge a book by its cover” may be true, but we all do. I’m drawn to both a title and a cover suggestive of what the book is about. If I’m not drawn to it, then I probably won’t even read the synopsis, let alone by the book. Having said that my favorite authors could have a plain cover, and I’d go for it simply because of name recognition. The latter cuts both ways and the most interesting cover and title on the shelf if written by authors I’ve read and have no intention of reading again will remain on the Amazon shelf.

What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews? Yes, I’ve gotten some mediocre reviews, which are disappointing, but it goes with the reality of putting your stuff out for the public to love it or hate it. If you dread bad reviews, you may be too thin-skinned to take the inevitable heat. There have been occasions I could understand and accept the criticisms. What I can easily disregard are criticisms that tell me the writer either didn’t understand or finish reading the novel. Hey. No one likes criticism; however, if it’s constructive, then it’s more bearable.

[image error]Now retired, Preston lives with his wife, Judith, in Oro Valley, Arizona. Read more about his interests and writing approach at www.presholtry.webs.com.

Stayed tuned for another author interview next week! Until then, why not check out some of Preston’s novels:

Arrius Volume I – Sacramentum (Oath), Arrius Volume II – Legacy, Death in Emily 3, A Troublesome Affair, Seal of Confession, or The Good Thief.

© Copyright 2018 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved

Randall’s Ramblings, August 26, 2018

Today started out again with a bit of gloom, caused by low-hanging clouds and some fog. The temperature’s a bit cooler, but we certainly can’t complain as it’s still warm—just the sizzle has been reduced.

Earlier this morning, I posted my first author interview with AJ Wallace. I decided to keep the interviews separate from my regular blog postings as they’re about the authors, not me. Hope you’ll check it out.

Anyone out there celebrating a birthday today? I had one earlier in the week—even received a buy one ticket, get another one free offer from the Detroit Tigers!

Here’s a few people from the writing world who share today with you. (compliments of http://www.onthisday.com/today/birthdays):

William Joseph Behr, German writer; Aleksander Kuprin, Russian author (Pojedinok); Zona Gale, American novelist; John Buchan, Gov-Gen of Canada/writer (Battle of Somme); Guillaume Apollinaire, French poet/movie critic (Alcoola); Johannes Lindeboom, vicar/church historian (Neth Archives); Earl Biggers, author (“Charlie Chan” detective series); Jules Romains, French novelist/playwright/poet (Men of Good Will); Emmy van Lokhorst, Dutch author; Christopher Isherwood, English novelist (Goodbye to Berlin); Julio Cortázar, Argentine writer (Blow-Up, Underground Game); Humphrey Searle, England, writer (20th Century counterpoint); Ben Bradlee, American editor, journalist, executive (Washington Post); Alain Peyrefitte, French politician and writer; Naïm Kattan, Canadian novelist and essayist; Gordon Greig, journalist; Cornelis B Vaandrager, [Cor Vaan], Dutch poet (Long Live Joop Massaker); Will Shortz, American crossword editor; Daphne Caruana Galizia, Maltese journalist (Panama Papers); and Eric D. Snider, American humor columnist / movie reviewer.

Recognize anyone? I did, but not as many as in some weeks. Even if you didn’t spot any familiar names, I hope you have a great birthday and many more to follow.

News About My Published Work

My debut novel, The Kurdish Connection, moved up to 50th on Goodreads’ Political Thrillers list! However, if you ignore books from such best-selling authors as Vince Flynn, Tom Clancy, Dan Brown, Robert Ludlum, Frederick Forsyth, David Baldacci, John Grisham, John le Carré, Ken Follet, Jack Higgins, Nelson DeMille, and Stephen King (combined, they account for forty of the top fifty novels), then The Kurdish Connection would be tenth!

[image error]My second novel, Dangerous Alliance, will be released soon by Solstice Publishing. It’s currently with an editor. Stay tuned for more information.

United Nations’ sanctions are crippling North Korea. China has turned her back on her malevolent partner. The North Korean military machine is crumbling, unable to function. Oil reserves are minimal and the government seeks new alliances.

Cargo ships are disappearing along the Somali and Kenyan coastline at an alarming rate. Speeches abound, but inaction emboldens Al-Shabab to seek their next prize: Kenya. The terror organization controls land but requires weapons.

Bedlam Bravo team leader Colonel Trevor Franklin (Ret.) leads the small international team into East Africa. Tempers flare as the team is embroiled in a political quagmire. The axis must be stopped to avert an international crisis but at what cost?

My Work in Progress

Efforts continued with Carnage in Singapore during the past week. Four chapters were completed and posted to the two online subscription writing sites I use. Carnage in Singapore received another fifty-three chapter reviews over the past week, bringing the total to 366. Watch for another snippet in next week’s post.

Books I’m Reading

I recently read a book of short stories by Brad Carl. the author of the four-volume series, Grey Areas has Brad turned his writing talents to a series of captivating stories in 6 in the Styx. Each well-crafted story provides a glimpse into Brad’s the zany sense of madness which make’s his genius shine through. Fast-paced, I read the entire collection in less than two hours.

Experience his humor and sense of adventure as we explore these plots through a mixed cast of characters which would fit into any genre. Brad makes it seem so easy, yet it’s quite a switch from writing novels to exhibiting the vision needed to create such complete and spell-binding scenarios. Well done!

I also completed Megalodon by Scott Skipper. This is a delightful tale about a prehistoric shark who’s attacking whales in modern times. A Salvage expert learns of the monster and takes off in pursuit, along with a cast of quirky characters.

The storyline is good and there is plenty of action. As with most stories, there’s also a villain, who wants the shark for himself. Simple to read, if you’re looking for a story with characters who fit the story and not worry about intricate twists and turns, this is the one for you.

Blogs/Author Pages/Writing Sites I’d Like to Share

I’ve expanded this section from being only about blogs that I follow but will also introduce you to some new authors and a few writing sites. While I spent hours reading through various links doing research and preparing to post my first author interview, I didn’t have time to find anything to include here.

This brings us to a close for another week. I hope you found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing.  If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading.

© Copyright 2018 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved

An Interview With Author AJ Wallace

An Interview with AJ Wallace

I mentioned last Sunday I would begin including author interviews in my blog. I’ve decided to make them stand-alone posts. Crime thriller writer AJ Wallace is up first. AJ is an Air Force veteran and has been an avid reader since a young age. A few years ago, AJ decided to pick up the pen (or in modern times, a keyboard) and begin writing.

What are your ambitions for your writing career? To take it as far as it will go or nowhere.

Which writers inspire you? So many of those: Patricia Cornwell, Alex Berenson, Catherine Coulter, David Baldacci, Harlan Coben, Michael Connelly to name a few.

[image error]So, what have you written? (*Include books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs, awards or anything of interest, professional or hobby.) Sideways Eight Series: Mindfield, Devil’s Door, Fortitude

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special? Charley Faraday is an FBI Special Agent – Behavioral Analyst. Sean Murphy is an FBI Special Agent Investigator.

What are you currently working on and what is it about? Book 4 of SES: Waterlogged. Murphy and Charley travel to Tampa to investigate the gruesome death of a young woman.

 What drew you to write in this genre? Personal preference.

 How much research do you do? I do more research than the amount of words written.

 Have you written works in collaboration with other writers, and if so: why did you decide to collaborate and did it affect your sales? No.

When did you decide to become a writer? After the death of my mother in 2012. She had encouraged me my entire life. I owed her that much to try.

Do you write full-time or part-time? I write when I’m inspired.

How often do you write, and do you have a special time during the day to write? I don’t write daily, due to research and other responsibilities. I write when it strikes me.

Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day? No.

Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand? PC MS Word.

Where do your ideas come from? My head. LOL! A lot comes from my dreams.

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you? Mostly, I’m a pantser. I have a general idea. I’ll make notes and then hit the keyboard. Most of the time I know the ending. The rest comes from ideas and creativity. Such as, I wrote the finale to a book titled Tangerine five years ago. I have to do the rest. Those who read my novels are familiar with Tangerine, the obscure character who’s an unknown serial killer.

What is the hardest thing about writing? Editing

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?  I’m not sure if you mean my current manuscript or the last book published. I’ll go with the last book published, since my current writing is in its infancy. To answer: Detail and the research it required.

What is the easiest thing about writing? Nothing is easy about writing.

How long on average does it take you to write a book? It depends on the content and the amount of research needed.

Do you ever get Writer’s Block, and do you have any tips for getting through it? I’ve been lucky so far. I become frustrated, but that goes away and I return. [image error]

Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors? I read a lot and I listed my favs, who are my inspiration in question 2.

For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books? I like both. But I enjoy the feel of turning the page.

Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you? No, I have help.

Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit? Yes, by chapter not book.

Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process? A cover should provide a clue to the story and capture the eye. Which is subjective.

How are you publishing this book and why (*e.g. Indie, traditional or both)? Independent publishing – because I don’t have the time or patience to jump useless hoops for publishers. From what I’ve seen so far, smaller publishers don’t provide marketing, their editing is substandard, and the art isn’t any better than some I have seen which were created by the writer.

What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around? I have total control over my work. I don’t view it as a disadvantage.

Would you or do you use a PR agency? No.

Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books? No.

What part of your writing time do you devote to marketing your book? None. I’m not in this to make money.

What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews? I haven’t paid much attention to them since my first novel.

Any amusing story about marketing books that happened to you? No.

What’s your views on social media for marketing, and which of them have worked best for you? For the amount of work and time it takes to use this method, the return in minimal.

Any tips on what to do and what not to do when writing? I don’t know how to answer this. Vague question. Each writer is an individual and I don’t think it’s possible to copy how others manage their time or procedure.

Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything else to promote your work and did it work? I did giveaways with Amazon. But I don’t think it had any impact on sales.

Is there any marketing technique you used that had an immediate impact on your sales figures? None.

Did you make any marketing mistakes or is there anything you would avoid in future? No.

What do you think of “trailers” for books, and do you have a trailer/will you create one for your own work? I’ve never purchased a book due to a trailer.

Do you think that giving books away free works and why? Not much. Tried, added little to my pocketbook.

[image error]If you hired someone else to format your work, how did you select them and what was your experience? N/A

How do you relax? Video games, such as RPGs, shooters, listening to music.

What is your favorite movie and why? I don’t have a favorite. There are many I enjoyed.

What advice would you give to your younger self? This would take a book for me to answer. Plus, what I would say could hurt someone I know.

Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why? I’m not much of the groupie type. I appreciate those who contribute to society but sitting down with them in person isn’t a goal.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers? Don’t stop.

Where do you see publishing going in the future? Perhaps the day is coming when printed books will be obsolete.

Is being a writer a gift or a curse? I don’t consider myself a gifted writer, nor is it a curse.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing as far as content? Pleasing my readers.

Did you come across any specific challenges in writing?  What would you do differently the next time? In all my works, the largest challenge is making sure it’s realistic. Which is why I do a ton of research.

What do your fans mean to you? I don’t have ‘fans’. But I’ve conversed with a few who have followed with me in Charley and Murphy’s journeys. I appreciate their feedback whether good or bad.

What inspires you to get out of bed each day? Insomnia

Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you? I don’t remember. I assume it was an elementary requirement.

What motivated you to become an indie author? It wasn’t about becoming an author, but fulfilling my mom’s request. If she had never encouraged me, I wouldn’t have made the attempt.

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote? Not really. In school we were required to write short stories, but I don’t remember it.

When you develop characters do you already know who they are before you begin writing or do you let them develop as you go? My characters tell me who they are.

Tell us about your writing process and the way you brainstorm story ideas. Writing process? Do you mean an outline, etc? An idea will come to me, and I’ll write a short synopsis and go from there. I don’t brainstorm. I ponder.

Where is your favorite place to write? In my cave (Private home office).

What marketing strategies do you find most helpful? Any resources you would recommend to other authors or aspiring authors? All the marketing questions were above. I don’t market. I don’t do this to make money, I do it because I enjoy it. Basically, it’s a hobby, a stressful one, but if I never published another novel it wouldn’t bother me.

There you have it–a glimpse into the mindset of author AJ Wallace. Check in again next week for another author interview. Until then, why not check out one of AJ’s novels? Sideways Eight Series: Mindfield, Devil’s Door, Fortitude

© Copyright 2018 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved