V.K. Tritschler's Blog, page 4

We write because we can

Often I hear people ask the question on social media to writers, when did you know that you were a writer? It seems counterintuitive to ask the question, when what is the alternative for someone who has already scribbled with a pen, or typed words out on a computer? We are all writers, and we write because of it. The harder question would be when did you become an author. This implies specific goals and motivations. The desire to publish and share your works with others, in whatever form that might take. So I am a little of both I think. Yes, I am a writer. I often type away pointlessly at a keyboard, noting words and their format on a page. But equally, I am an author with the goal of sharing my ideas and thoughts with others via the printed (or electronic) page. So I wanted to catch up with some more authors this month and find out when and how they become writers. Or authors. Or both.

This month's authors:

Caroline Angel

Caroline is an author with a dark side, and she specializes in bringing out that in her work. I was keen to discuss with her how she manages.

What drew you to horror and fantasy and what do you enjoy about writing it?

Well, this is a hard one. I think my first horror book was Carrie, by Stephen King, but I didn’t really like it. I read a lot of Sci-Fi and fantasy, and somewhere along the way, horror sci-fi edged its way in. I do love a very good horror movie, and started to read more Stephen King, and a few other horror writers and the attraction to horror grew. I Don’t know if I can answer what I enjoy about writing it, I just do. Like all writers, it’s pretty much a passion, something I have to do. I do write other genres, but horror seems to be my comfort zone.

How do you connect with other remote authors?

Initially, it was on Yahoo, they had mailing lists/email threads. A bit hard to describe it to anyone, but we would communicate by a long, rambling email that we would add to as it flowed back and forth with other writers around the globe. Now it’s mainly social media, predominantly Facebook and Instagram.

When you were looking at publishing, what process did you follow and what would you change if you were to do it again?

I was very lucky, I was submitting short stories to a fiction website and had quite a large fan base. One of them sent a story, only about 3,000 words in, to a few publishers. Three of them contacted me and asked me to turn it into a book and they would publish it. I went with a US-based publisher, thinking that I would get more exposure with an international publisher. Would I change that if I did it again? I don’t think so, it’s very flattering to be offered a contract and it certainly inspired me to write the book.

Who would you like to meet if you could and why?

Joss Whedon or Peter Jackson. I’d pitch my stories and see if they would offer me a movie contract.

Caroline loves to catch up with her readers via her website :

Facebook page :

Instagram :

Twitter :

She also has author pages on Goodreads and Amazon.

I hope you can take a moment to offer support for her by checking it out, and I extend my thanks for being interviewed!

Vikki Holstein

Vikki is an Australian Romantic Suspense author, who survives life in the remote regions of central Victoria by surrounding herself with animals and books. She was kind enough to answer my questions about her life and writing.

How did you get into writing, what inspiration started your writing life?

I have pages somewhere, some handwritten, some hammered out on an old typewriter, of stories I wrote as a ten-year-old. They tell of frightened girls and the horses that saved them. They were escapism, a way of having a normal life when mine was so messed up.

In high school, I loved English class but ran out of time on assignments because a one-page essay couldn’t fit the five pages I needed to tell the whole story. To settle that need, a friend and I would write short stories for each other, escaping into the worlds we created.

After high school, the adventures of life took over, and though the stories in my head never stopped, finding the trust, love, and acceptance I'd craved, eased the need to escape into other lives.

At twenty-three, married to my own hero, and our third child just born, I decided to write the stories I still couldn’t find. Ones where the heroines were emotionally broken, but fought their demons and won. Ones where those heroines were loved even though their emotional cracks hadn't fully healed. After I wrote that first book (and found out how hard writing actually was), I wrote eight more while learning the craft through courses that not only taught me to be a stronger writer but gave me life long friends.

What appeals to you about romantic suspense?

Though I devour romance in all its subgenres, as well as anything else I can get my hands on, romantic suspense has always pulled me in. Maybe because the heroines' fight for what they believe in, chase down their happy ever after, and find their own strength and confidence along the way. Younger me aspired to be them. Older me wants to inspire others and show them it’s possible.

When do you prefer to write, and why does that work for you?

As the wife of a shift worker, and mother to three adult children, my ideal writing day rarely gets realized. When it does, I write for two hours in the morning, then catch up on chores while I let the story brew. I like to spend time with my horse in the afternoon, then get more writing done in the evening. On days that the wheels fall off everything, I grab the time to write whenever I can.

What has been the hardest part of getting published, and what would you change if you could?

The hardest part of getting published was finding the right publisher. I’ve lost count of the rejections for Breaking Storm, but with each one, I took whatever feedback they gave, and rewrote. In the midst of the moving house, and after having a bad experience with another publisher, I tentatively sent a query to Vulpine Press. Soon after, I signed a four-book contract with them, and am both excited and proud of the book they and my editor, Libby Iriks, has helped me to produce.

Vikki has a great website where she keeps fans updated with her life. Check it out here:

W:

I wish to thank you for taking the time to read and engage with me! Happy reading everyone!
VK Tritschler

Mirror, Mirror on the wall...

Who is the fairest of them all, would be the next line in this story and frankly there is hardly a person in the English speaking world who wouldn't have picked up on that. Why? Because there are phrases from stories that transcend time and age.  But here is the kicker - we even wrote that line? The story we know is derived from a fairy-tale once written down by both the brothers Grimm, and a Frenchman called Giambattista Basile.

So as I was working on my next book the other day, I wondered if I would ever have the brilliance to write a simple yet pervasive line in a book. One that would surpass my name and enter the lexicon of known phrases. Or are my words only ever destined to make a hasty exit into the bottomless barrel of literary knowledge within my own lifetime? Time will be the one to tell. But I rather fancy making up a single word in a Shakespearean effort to attach something new to the world. So this month I will be writing again, and fingers crossed it might be the golden ticket. 

Let's find out what some other authors are doing with their time this month.

This month's authors: 

  Corey Toomey

Corey is an American author who has just recently completed his first book. I was keen to see how things have gone for him so far:

With your novel Heather's Mannequin you have a leading character with a disability. What drew you to create this character and why do you feel it resonates with readers? 

As someone with a disability (deafness), I can relate to the debilitating nature of it. I could write about the theme with relative ease, and said ease while writing was important because of this being my first book. My main character is an amputee with prosthetic limbs. I was aiming to create a literal/visual representation of trauma and psychological wounds. As the story goes on, the reader can see there's something seriously wrong with the main character. We all have demons,  whether you're a survivor of childhood abuse, sexual assault, or saw things during wartime, we're all damaged goods somehow. My main  objective with this book is to answer the questions: "How can damaged  people survive in a dangerous world?" and "Should we let our trauma  define us?"

What was the most difficult challenge you faced when writing your first book, and what would you have done differently if you had a second chance at it? 

Definitely the editing process! I put Heather's Mannequin through  13 drafts, each done with a different approach (iPhone draft, audiobook  draft, hard copy draft, etc.) I really had to apply myself to clean up the prose and improve the flow to the best of my ability. It got frustrating at times but I'm glad I put myself through it. I learned a  lot about myself as a writer and a person. One thing I would've done differently is built a social media presence before publishing the book.  Every writer needs a veritable network, and books don't just take off on their own.

Where do you get inspiration to write and what does your writing space look like? 

I've been something of an outcast for much of my life. Subconsciously, I  learned early that the best way to express myself was through writing. I  love creating worlds and characters, it's my high. I have what you call an "on-the-go" workspace. Sure, most of my materials are at my desk but even when I'm outside I have my iPhone with me. This allows me to work on my projects anywhere. I'm very, very mobile.

How much time do you allow for writing in a normal week, and what does that time look like? ie writing, editing, marketing, social media - how do you spread your time? 

It varies. I have a blog that I try to hit a nightly quota for. I do this writing exercise to put me in the habit. I'm still trying to get into the "stream of consciousness" style of novel-writing where I'm not overthinking things during the first draft. At the moment, I'm on  Twitter a lot of the time but I am starting to shy away from it. People in the #WritingCommunity seem to be more interested in self-promotion than helping each other, which is fine. It's not the only tool you should have in the social media shed. I'm still getting the hang of the digital marketing aspect.

Corey loves to catch up with his readers via a range of social media accounts at: 

https://twitter.com/CoreyToomey3

https://www.facebook.com/coreytoomey1

http://instagram.com/coreytoomey1

https://coreytoomey.com/

I hope you can take a moment to offer support for him by checking it out, and I extend my thanks for being interviewed! 

 Kirsty Ferguson

Kirsty is an Australian author who has written several books and is preparing for her next big release in June 2020 of "Never Ever Tell". As the countdown starts, I was keen to chat to her about what is happening in her world and how she got there.

What is your favorite genre to write in, since you are adept at a few, and why?

My favorite genre is crime and always has been. I like to see where the story goes, how and why people do what they do and how the end result and consequences affect them. After five years of mainly writing straight crime, with police procedural as the main focus, I changed to the sub-genre domestic noir. My protagonists are female and are deeply flawed individuals. They are mothers who are fiercely protective of their children. The why? I like to deconstruct characters. I now write character-driven novels as I find it a much better fit for me.

What inspires your stories?

I have written for as long as I can remember. My stories come from a variety of places such as dreams and nightmares, a random line in a newspaper article, a song lyric. Sometimes just sitting in front of a blank document sparks an idea. I don’t tend to suffer from writers’ block so I am very fortunate that way.

As a prolific writer, what process do you use to stay on track with your work?

I’m one of these people that when I start a novel that I can’t wait to write, I have the need to finish it. I get so caught up in the story that sometimes I just write until it’s done. Sometimes I give myself a self-imposed deadline, or I write a certain amount of words per day to keep me honest. I love world and character building and I have a desire to see how they develop, what the characters think and feel and how it affects their relationships with people around them.

Who is your favorite author and why?

That’s a tough question. I very much admire Gillian Flynn, the way she can weave a plot in and out of the character’s lives making it seem real enough that you truly believe. When I read Gone Girl, I was completely captivated. The twists, the turns, the ending.

I also love Loreth Anne White. Her novels are set in Canada and I swear when reading them, you can actually feel the frozen crunch of snow under your feet, feel the biting air nipping at your face. Her psychological thrillers are on point, the plots are tight and the main characters well rounded.

Primarily, Kirsty likes to use her social media accounts to engage with her readers and followers. She writes about her books, the creative process, and a few funny memes. She also sells books at markets where she can meet and greet people, and have a chat.

www.kirstyferguson.com

www.facebook.com/authorkirstyferguson

www.twitter.com/kfergusonauthor

www.instagram.com/kirstyfergusonauthor

Amazon.com.au https://www.amazon.com.au/Never-Ever-Tell-unforgettable-page-turner-ebook/dp/B0861PLLPZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=never+ever+tell+ferguson&qid=1588834301&sr=8-1

Amazon.com   https://www.amazon.com/Never-Ever-Tell-unforgettable-page-turner-ebook/dp/B0861PLLPZ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=never+ever+tell+ferguson&qid=1588834363&sr=8-1

I hope you can take a moment to offer support for her by checking them out, and I extend my thanks for being interviewed! 

I wish to thank you for taking the time to read and engage with me! Happy reading everyone!

VK Tritschler

 

The holy grail of marketing

In the last year, I have been reading and learning a range of things about marketing for books. It's confusing, and it's complicated. Every time you crack a code, a new update or hurdle comes along and changes client behavior. So I was thinking this month about where an author can garner information about how to promote books, and I got swamped in the detail. As I trudged my way through another raft of webpages, books and promotional suggestions I came across the holy grail of marketing. Previous readers of your work. Which makes it hard in a sense, for a writer with only one book cannot leverage the grail for their own purposes. They must forge a path untrodden and try to not get distracted or tangled in the undergrowth. But for the next book, and the next, and the one after that, there is a guiding light. A path that you can follow to help propel you towards the next goal. So I am busy writing this year, to make my path next year a little lighter underfoot. I was keen to chat with my next two authors to see what challenges they were facing in their writing quest. This month's authors: Carol James Marshall Carol is a lover of horror but that's not her only talent. She also has a memoir of her day's bartending in the middle of nowhere California desert.  The memoir is titled Barflies: A Bartender's Memoir and it is her best seller.  So I was keen to chat with Carol and find out how she got to where she is now. What appeals most to you about horror and science fiction? It’s often said that writers write what appeals to them. What thrills them. What interests them. What terrifies them. I’m very guilty of that. I’ve loved horror, especially science fiction horror since I was a kid.  My first taste of that genre was the Twilight Zone. The Twilight Zone gave me my first glimpse into a world that was different, scary different but different from the suburban Los Angeles where I grew up. Before I talk about what I find appealing about horror I’d like to clarify that horror is a spectrum. By that, I mean that the horror genre has many branches to it. Many people put “horror” all in one box. That just isn’t correct. I love science fiction, monsters, and vintage horror. That is the branch of horror that you’ll most likely see me swinging from. What appeals to me about that is subjective. It’s not one thing, it’s all of it mushed together into something that I consider a great time. Yes, a good time. I think horror is fun. It’s fun to get jump scared then sigh with relief that you are not in that situation. It’s fun to cheer for Ridley has she battles the Alien queen. Horror and some of its subgenres can give the everyday Joe a scary thrill that will also make them giggle. What is the biggest lesson (either positive or negative) you have learned in the writing process and why? Learn to take a punch. By that I mean if someone criticizes your work either positively or negatively instead of getting defensive pay attention to what they are saying, learn from it, evolve from it. How do you decide what to write next and what inspires you the most? Believe it or not, I have notes for over 30 books. As new ideas come in, I write them down. Then I systematically go through the list. I’m not kidding. Once I finish a book/series, I will go to the next one on my list. I will confess that some book ideas get bumped ahead of others. My current manuscript is a novel, but after that, I am writing a series I bumped in front of a series that was next on the list. I wish I had an answer to what inspires my story ideas. Honestly, they just pop up randomly at different times triggered by many things. It helps that I have a very overactive imagination. Of all your characters, who has been your favorite and why? I’m a big Frankenstein fan. I’m a sucker for a monster that isn’t evil to the core and has some good in them. My favorite character so far is Ella from Ella Is One of Many. Ella is terrifying yet at her core, she only wants to love and be loved. Ella Is One of Many is a science fiction thriller with horror elements but it's really a story about love in many forms. Carol loves to catch up with her readers via her website at: linktr.ee/science_fiction_horror_author_ She also encourages readers to email her, as she loves to hear from them. caroljamesmarshall@gmail.com I hope you can take a moment to offer support for her by checking it out, and I extend my thanks for being interviewed! Mark Love Mark is a talented multi-published author with a range of genres to his name. So I was keen to hear from him about his process of writing books ad this is what he told me. How long to write a book and the process used to pick a story? Well, that depends! I’ve written one of the Jamie Richmond stories (Fleeing Beauty) in about three months. Working a full-time job, I don’t have the luxury of spending eight hours a day or more writing. But I make the most of my free time. When I’m driving, I will put the stereo on low and work out details for a scene or dialogue. Then when I’m able to get to the computer its already at the top of my mind. Others can take longer, from the original idea to completion, if other projects demand more of my time. I don’t work with an outline. It’s too restrictive for me. Instead, I’ll start with an idea for a story and one or two main characters. Then I turn them loose and see where it takes me. Often I’ll write scenes as they come to me, then go back later and figure out where they will fit into the story. When most of it is done, I’ll go back and write those that tie it all together. Are there lessons you learned as a reporter that you still use today? Be observant. Pay attention to the details. I may witness a couple across the aisle at a restaurant and watch how they interact. Do they talk to each other? Hold hands? Or are they both on their phones? When quoting someone as a reporter, you had to have it exactly right. Most people don’t speak in full sentences, so when I write dialogue, I keep that in mind. And you never know what I observe that might end up in a story. What's the greatest compliment you have received lately, and why? This was at an event last summer, where I had a booth at a big art festival. A lady approached who had bought “Why 319?” the previous summer. She told me it was the first novel she’d purchased in years and was intrigued about the story, where homicide victims are found in room 319 of different hotels, and the title message is written in lipstick on the bathroom mirror. When she arrived at the festival, it was her mission to track me down. She told me that she loved every---single---word and couldn’t wait to read the next book in that series. That’s a great compliment. It gives me the motivation to keep writing. Who inspired you and why? I was inspired at a young age by authors John D. MacDonald and Elmore Leonard. I had the good fortune to meet Leonard a couple of times and he was supportive of new authors. It was encouraging to hear. We talked for twenty minutes about characters and motivation. Nowadays, I’m inspired by John Sandford, Michael Connelly, and Robert Crais, all great mystery authors. Someday I hope to write as well as they do. Mark writes a blog that he uses to engage his readers with updates on his projects, snippets from his books and ideas. He also loves music. So drop him a line at either his email or one of his many social media contacts, he would love to hear from you! E: motownmysteries@gmail.com.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkLoveAuthor Blog: https://motownmysteries.blogspot.com Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B009P7HVZQ Twitter: Motownmysteries@twitter.com I hope you can take a moment to offer support for him by checking it out, and I extend my thanks for being interviewed! I wish to thank you for taking the time to read and engage with me! Happy reading everyone!
VK Tritschler

The changing world of print

I am of the generation that existed before the internet (though I don't often admit it). A time when people sold books of information called an encyclopedia to your family, and it cost a fortune and couldn't be downloaded. You had to open pages to see the pictures, it was an alphabetical order which didn't make sense all the time; and unless you could afford to buy a new version each year, you would potentially be stuck with outdated knowledge. Now the use of print is being questioned for everything. Do you even want to print that email that you just sent or received? How about the book you want to read, could you not just get it downloaded to your iPhone or listen to it as an audiobook from your tablet? Probably. But I will tell you this, that the feel of those words and images under your fingertips as you flip through the solid set pages of an encyclopedia taught me one thing. There is nothing better than the feel of a solid book in your hand. So as I maneuver my way through the minefield of options to distribute my stories as an author, I was keen to hear about how others feel about their books and characters, to help inspire me to print some more of my own. This month's authors: Kellie Wallace As a resident of Sydney, Kellie surrounds herself with a busy lifestyle and a range of genres. From historical fiction to dystopian new-adult, she has probably got a book under her belt for that style. So I was keen to discuss with Kellie about how she manages to juggle all those roles and ideas. Here is what she told me: What is your favorite genre to write, and why do you prefer it? I love writing historical fiction, particularly the 1940s as I have a fascination with that era. The fashion, the movies, the movie stars. It was so glamorous. How much time do you dedicate in a week to your writing, and how do you like to organize your time spent? I try to write every day. I work full time and have a toddler so I don't get a lot of time to myself! I dedicate a few hours a day to write as it's a distresser for me. Once my son has gone to bed, I flick on NetFlix and hammer out a few paragraphs. What has been your proudest moment as an author so far? My proudest moment as an author was to have my book published. It's a huge accomplishment to finish and publish a work as so much time goes into it. Any time I finish writing a story, I sit back and think about how far I've come. Every book is something to be proud of. Who has been the hardest character you have ever written, and what about them was difficult? Male characters are hard to write because it's difficult for me to relate. I try to remain unbiased and not fall into stereotypical traps. I love the freedom of writing a female character, so creating a believable and likable male character is a positive challenge. Kellie loves to catch up with her readers via her Facebook page at:
www.Facebook.com/Kelliewallacebooks I hope you can take a moment to offer support for her by checking it out, and I extend my thanks for being interviewed! Kailash Amesur Kailash is an Indian based author and entrepreneur who has recently written a suspense novel. I was interested to learn more from him: What inspired you to write a suspense novel and where did the concept for it come from? I am been always fond of suspense and mystery. Writing fiction needs a lot of imagination. First, you come with an idea and then characters’ and then you imagine those characters' life. Every time when I write I imagine the character in-depth giving it different shades. Do you plan out your writing or do you prefer to free-write? I prefer planned writing but I always end up free writing. Suspense readers are very inquisitive they have a great craving to solve the mystery, anytime if the books become predictable it becomes boring, so idea is to write every next page unpredictable. How has writing affected your working life? Did it help you to become an entrepreneur? Yes, a lot, in fact, my first book after I left my last job was the journey about being an entrepreneur. Where is your favorite place to write and why? It’s always GOA. It's one of the places I can engage myself writing for months Kailash loves talking with readers via: https://authorkailash.com/ I hope you can take a moment to offer support for him by checking it out, and I extend my thanks for being interviewed! I wish to thank you for taking the time to read and engage with me! Happy reading everyone!
VK Tritschler

Going Global

When I was a kid, global meant something entirely different from what it means now. Global mail came as an aerogram and took an age to arrive and was covered in stamps and stickers. Likewise, if you traveled your passport bore witness to your adventures in a physical way. Global phone calls were expensive and required your other family members to wait while you chatted because there was only one cord into the phone and one cord out of the phone. Global meant time and effort. Now, global means instant and it means everyone. From the top of the world to the bottom we can connect, chat, skype, share and discuss at a rate never seen before. So this week I am reaching out to two very different parts of the world to see how they support their writing. This month's authors: LaToya McCray LaToya began by writing short stories and now specializes in street fiction. I was interested to learn about her development: What drew you to start writing street literature, and how would you define that genre? What drew me to start writing street literature was that I was so inspired by major, crime, suspenseful, and movies that are in the action genre that made me a better author. That is why I wanted to create these complicated and bold characters just to fulfill my passion in the street literature genre. It is a hard process and it is rewarding to write street literature. Who is your role model in writing and why? My role model is the publisher I had worked with named Platinum. She had owned Platinum Presents at one point before we had discrepancies. I did not know that there was street literature until I met Platinum, whose real name is Bridget. She had seen something in my first manuscript that I had sent to her while I was trying to find a publishing home as a new author. How has your writing changed and developed over time? Ever since I worked for Platinum Presents my writing had changed for the better. My creativity wasn't limited and my marketing projects weren't too broad as you can say. But, I know that there is a lot of work to be done to be a bestselling author. I know that I would be an author full-time. What part of being self-published is the hardest? The hardest is marketing. But, promoting is so rewarding. I knew that marketing is so broad and is not all about a wide range of an audience. Being consistent with promoting my work to my target audience is the end of the battle. If I focus on my target audience along with my genre, then I wouldn't compete on displaying professionalism with the brand. LaToya updates her books via Amazon which you can check out here: https://www.amazon.com/LaToya-McCray/... I hope you can take a moment to offer support for her by checking it out, and I extend my thanks for being interviewed! Ernest Enabulele: Ernest from London is both a writer and an inspirational speaker. I was keen to find out how he got involved in both: As both an inspirational speaker as well as an author, if you could give writers one piece of advice what would you tell them? Writers need to write books tailored to the type of audience in that niche. What has been the highlight of your writing career and what has been the hardest part so far? The highlight of my writing career has been that the books have been a solution to job candidates unable to ace job interviews or to prepare for job interviews etc. The hardest part is to write my books and get the attention required. How do you like to prepare your books? Are they planned out years in advance or do you like to write down your learning as you go? I like to write my books as the ideas come to my mind and therefore l write the ideas down and prepare a draft for the table of contents. Ernest loves to engage with readers via his website. You can find out more at: www.ernestenabulele.com Please look him up and say hello as a show of support, and I extend my thanks for being interviewed! I wish to thank you for taking the time to read and engage with me! Happy reading everyone!
VK Tritschler

It's all a point of view

I was walking along our local beach today (which is fabulous by the way and worth the visit) and I was struck with how the visage must have both altered through time and yet remained largely unchanged. New jetty's have been added to the landscape, houses, cars, and families have sprouted like trees along the foreshore, but the sands and shoreline have remained the same. I wondered as I strolled, if one could travel back in time, would it be the similarities or the differences that would be most startling? Likewise, if I was transported to another planet, with the same sand and similar shoreline, would I look up and notice the extra moon, or would I be content to accept the familiarity of the surroundings that have become my home? Perhaps we all get complacent with the similar and forget the notice the differences? I wanted to ask my next two authors how they perceive the world around them to find out what they think. This month's authors: Elgon Williams Elgon is an author of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Mystery with Pandamoon Publishing and currently lives in Orlando, Florida. I was keen to learn from him what drives him to write: When you are looking at submissions from authors, what excites you when you pick out a script? The directors and managers at Pandamoon get involved in acquisition screening from time to time, due to the volume of submissions directly after pitch parties. What I look for first is the suitability for the major genres and categories we have designated for our books: Women’s Fiction and Romance, Mystery/Thriller/Suspense, and Science Fiction/Fantasy. Second, is the story engaging and does its pacing maintain interest throughout? Third, are the main characters well developed and are their dialogues realistic. Fourth, does the story arc build to a climax and are all the threads of the story sufficiently resolved at the conclusion. How do you juggle both writing books and publishing books? Does one influence the other? Scheduling the workload is challenging at times. Fortunately, I’m semi-retired. What I do is write and assist our authors with their marketing needs. I tend to write better in the morning, so I spend the first four or five hours of each day working on new material or revisions. I also monitor our internal communications and respond to anything directed to my attention. The area directors of Pandamoon communicate and coordinate directly with one another. The publisher has weekly meetings with each of us and our groups. And, of course, we communicate directly with her whenever there is a problem. Some periods of the year are busier than others, but usually, everything fits well into my schedule. I enjoy seeing other authors work progressing through the publishing process and share in their excitement at reaching milestones, like a book cover reveal, the availability of ARCs, and especially the first time they hold a physical copy of their book. It always makes me want to hurry up and finish a new manuscript of my own. What do you find most difficult about the publishing process, or what part of the process utilizes the most of your time? T he part of the process that takes the longest is substantive editing. The cover is designed concurrently with this process because both steps must be completed before the book can be advanced to final content editing and an ARC is produced. It is also the longest period of perceived silence for the author. As Director of Marketing, I reach out to the authors several times to ensure they know what is going on in the background, reassuring them that their book isn’t stuck in limbo. Once the ARCs are issued things speed up and I find that most authors aren’t prepared for that change of pace. But one of the things we do is provide each author with a checklist of marketing activities they can do prior to the release of their books. This checklist also indicates some of the steps in the publishing process so that they have a better idea of what is going on in the background. If you could visit any book event in the world, which one would you like to attend and why? It seems like every major city has a festival. I’ve attended a few. I prefer smaller events because it is more likely to find the less well-known authors there. If you want to hear the truth about the publishing industry and the challenges of the current climate in the marketplace, this is where you go. Also, the smaller events allow for much greater interaction between the authors and the readers. For anyone starting out, perhaps self-publishing a book or marketing a book published through a small publisher, it is always best to begin your journey to success at a local level where it will be easier to establish a supportive fanbase and branch out from there. Attend the big city shows to meet major authors and perhaps listen to panel discussions for the experience and have your questions answered. But at a smaller festival, you may be asked to sit on a panel. That will help establish your credibility as a published author to your readers.
Egon is a social media whizz and has a range of options to connect with readers: www.elgonwilliams.com www.twitter.com/elgonwilliams www.facebook.com/elgonwilliamsauthor https://www.instagram.com/elgonewolf/ www.pandamoonpub.com/our-books I hope you can take a moment to support him, and I extend my thanks for being interviewed! Christina Hamlett Christina is a prolific author with a range of books and theatrical scripts. With over forty years of knowledge and experience I was interested to know how she managed it: What do you enjoy most about writing non-fiction/self-help books for writers? It’s a joy to be able to help my fellow wordsmiths’ journeys by sharing tips and insights I’ve gleaned in 40+ years. When I started out, there weren’t nearly the resources which are available now. Accordingly, much of what I learned was a combination of trial-and-error plus being blessed with editors and publishers who took the time to teach me what I needed to know. Along with how-to books for writers, I have also penned two business books (Media Magnetism: How to Attract the Favorable Publicity You Want and Deserve and Office For One: The Sole Proprietor’s Survival Guide) which impart advice on how to go it alone without getting lonely, maximizing one’s resources (including time), and dealing effectively with the media. And although non-fiction has always come easily to me, I have just as much—if not more—passion for theatrical scripts and novels. (To date, 182 plays, and 43 books.) Even works of fiction call for serious investment in research whether this translates to history, architecture, food, classic literature, fashion or pop culture. Likewise, I’m fortunate to have a husband who enjoys doing table reads of my new scripts over adult beverages in the dining room. Since we have both been on stage, we throw ourselves with gusto into doing different voices and accents. When the windows are open, I’m sure the neighbors think there are at least 17 other people living with us. What drew you into becoming a playwright? It was a natural extension of having trodden the boards for 16 years as an actress and theatre director. For eight of those years, I ran my own touring theatre company and wrote all of the original one-act and full-length scripts we produced. Having both a cadre of actors and season-after-season of enthusiastic audiences, it was a great way to test new material. I disbanded the company in 1986 to devote full-time to my writing, explore new markets and mentor aspiring playwrights through online classes. Who is your favourite playwright of all time and why? Two of them, actually. The first is William Shakespeare. Had he lived in the 21st century, I have no doubt he’d have made an incredible screenwriter. His characters are compelling, his themes are timeless and his observations about the human condition still resonate over 400 years after they were written. And why else would it have been standing-room-only at The Globe with audiences returning time and again to watch plays they had already seen? It’s because they knew a good story when they saw it. As for my second fave playwright, it’s my own writing partner, Jamie Dare. Jamie was an online screenwriting student of mine in the summer of 2012 and I so loved her imagination, wicked sense of humor and expertise with snappy dialogue that I brought her on as a partner. We have since written 10 scripts, a chick-lit novel, and have several new books in the works. It should also be pointed out that our writing styles are completely seamless; not even my husband can tell our pages apart. How did you organise this co-writing venture and what challenges did you face? The most unusual aspect of our writing partnership is the fact that although we both live in Los Angeles County, we have spoken only once on the phone and have never met in person. All of our brainstorming and writing is done via email. Yes, seriously. Whether it’s a scene in a script or a chapter in a novel, I’ll write the set-up and then—when I hand it off— let her know what the “reveals” are for the next portion she’s going to write. There is a lot of latitude within this quirky but effective framework for her to edit my scenes/chapters, introduce new characters, and add depth and twists to the existing storyline. Since we never completely know what the other person is going to come up with, it makes it a very exciting process for both of us. Think of it as two people taking a cross-country trip. They know where they ultimately want to be but there are so many sights and unexpected side-trips one driver can take while the other is napping in the backseat. I completely trust her—and vice versa—to take us someplace fun. As for challenges, we just have to make sure we are never in the same zip code at the same time. If we were to accidentally meet each other, I am sure there would be a ginormous rip in the cosmic fabric of the universe and nothing would ever be the same. Christina loves to catch up with her readers via her website http://www.authorhamlett.com
I hope you can take a moment to support her by checking out one of her pages, and I extend my thanks for being interviewed! I wish to thank you for taking the time to read and engage with me! Happy reading everyone!
VK Tritschler

Madhatters Month

Author interview with best-selling author and publicist Christine Gabriel and historian D.Elliott

Madhatters Month

It's about this time of year that I discover that a third of the year has gone, and I have got a stack of writing left to do. As we swing into March, I fondl...

Finding the love this month

They say that February is the most romantic month of the year, primarily due to the arrival of Valentines Day. A date, which if history tells the story correctly, is less based on love and more based on the specific love of a criminal (soon to be Saint) with a jailers daughter. But I was thinking as I read about the background about the less factual and more romanticized version of events. In a romance book he would have swept her into his arms, declared his undying affection before they both rode off into the sunset. And it got me thinking about how we, as authors, portray the facts. Are all stories factual, or all facts story worthy? I got the chance to speak with an author who writes in both genres and another who writes across timelines to find out what they think.

This month's authors:

Katherine Cobb

Katherine began her writing career as a columnist, and now has a vast range of writing from fiction to non-fiction. I was keen to know how she did it and this is what she told me:

What skills do you feel are required to write non-fiction as opposed to fiction?

I started writing nonfiction first after I became an editorial columnist and branched out into writing articles and features for several newspapers and magazines. All writing takes practice, but the learning curve for fiction was much steeper. What’s important for nonfiction is to find ways to make it creative instead of dry. Journalism often follows the standard who, what, when, where and why format, which is why I gravitated towards features and telling more personal stories. No matter what you’re writing, it’s about making it interesting while getting across your ideas easily and effectively.

Which are your favourite type of books to read and why?

I gravitate toward fast-paced novels. I don’t read by genre, meaning anything is fair game as long as it’s well written. Now that I’ve been writing so long, I find I am a more discerning reader and I won’t keep reading something I don’t enjoy or is full of mistakes. I absolutely love it when I come across something breathtakingly original with plot twists I don’t expect. I also enjoy a book that can take me through various emotions. I want to laugh, cry and be astonished. And I’ve been known to praise a well-formed sentence or two out loud!

If you could only write one more book in your entire life, what would you want it to be?

I know exactly what book lies in my mental queue that is most important, and I’ve been waiting to write it until I feel good enough to tell the story. It’s going to be epic, and I want to do it justice. I can’t reveal the plot but I will say it’s set in the U.S. back in the 60s, 70s and 80s and will be literary fiction with a strong female lead.

Who are your support people and how do they help you?

I used to belong to a writer’s group and still tap into them on occasion. I also belong to some writer’s groups on Facebook, one that provides some nice support when I’m active. I have a steady group of beta readers, and of course, my husband and mom (do they count). While it’s not a huge group, I appreciate those I have greatly.

Katherine loves to engage with readers via her website, Facebook pages, and email. She feels it’s what makes the entire writing gig worthwhile.

Web:

Facebook:

J. SCHLENKER

J is an artist and writer who not only writes, but also offers a range of services to other authors. I was interested to learn more from her:

When you are writing historical fiction, what do you feel is the most important thing to focus on for research?

While of course names and dates are important, I want to get at the essence of the person, their legacy, what remembrances they left others. This is what I think should be at the root of the story. When I did research for my book Sally, I tried to find people who had remembered her. I asked them to relate their stories about her, even the smallest, most mundane things. This is something I wrote at the beginning of Sally.

Is the world constructed of atoms or stories? I think stories,

but if it’s constructed of atoms, then the

atoms surely weave themselves into stories. There

are so many stories, with lights still flickering that

won’t be dampened.

I embark upon a pilgrimage of sorts, not a pilgrimage

to distant places to find answers, but on a

pilgrimage exploring my own soil. As Dorothy

tapped her ruby slippers and said, “There is no

place like home,” I too awaken to the realization

that our roots provide our greatest and wisest

vantage point.

Sally walked through these same woods that I now

walk through. The most satisfying pilgrimage is

finding those sacred places in our own back yard.

This is a quest to awaken the spirits who once

toiled, shed tears, laughed and loved here and to

connect with them.

When you started writing fantasy fiction, what drew you to it?

I never even “fantasized” about writing fantasy. Nor, would I have thought I would write about animals, yet one day I was walking out in the woods and began hearing the voice of a peacock and a lion in my head. As soon as I got back home I began writing. A Peculiar School was born. It has been my favorite book to write. I am currently working on a sequel for it. I believe it will probably be a three-book series eventually.

You also offer cover design and editing, what do you think is the most important part of a cover when a reader picks up a book?

I do not do editing. I have an editor for my own work and highly recommend that writers find a qualified one that fits their work. What I do is formatting (designing the interior) and cover design. My degree is in art which makes those two aspects of a book very important to me. It’s hard to say what aspect of a cover is the most important. Certainly, the colors are. People are drawn to certain covers. In the covers I design I strive for a good color combination and good composition, as well as uniqueness. Last, but not least, there is the font. Not getting the font right can make or break a cover. I only take on covers I feel I’m right for the job.

What process do you take when you write, are you an avid planner?

I always hated outlining in school. At the time, little did I know I would one day be a writer, what they call a pantser. The only planning I do comes in my mind, during those quiet times out in the woods or during meditation when I’m supposed to clearing my mind. But both of those times are when my muse speaks to me.

J loves talking with readers on multiple platforms.

I wish to thank you for taking the time to read and engage with me! Happy reading everyone!
VK Tritschler

Finding the love this month

Author interview with J.Schlenker and Katherine Cobb