Alex Cord's Blog, page 3

Something Special For Your Children And Grandchildren!

I want to share this interview with you all. MRS. D is an award-winning children’s author who moved from the Ukraine to the United States of America. She brought with her some wonderful ideas about children’s books and the desire to write them. It’s important that we teach our children to read and I think I’m safe when saying that MRS. D agrees with me when I say that books can be the best friend of a child.

Enjoy this interview and don’t forget to download a copy of her charming book “The Trees Have Hearts.” It’s FREE at the moment on Amazon and every download will make more children aware of the wonders of reading.

How would you describe your books? Do you write in more than one genre? What are they?

When I write, I never think into what genre my story will fit. A good story always finds its place and reader. I often mix realistic fiction with modern fantasies. I think these two styles describe my books best. I twist true events with unrealistic characters, which teach children to conquer problems, build self-esteem, and overcome challenges in their lives. They also show young readers the beauty and power of nature and help them learn about the true meaning of friendship and family. It also helps them better connect to the surrounding world and care for our younger friends, the animals. I do not think that mixing two genres confuses young readers. Children easily connect to imaginary characters and often see themselves or their behavior from a different perspective.

I also like to write short stories for adult readers. I am presently working on my first novel, The Chinese Princess, and a short story, A Taste of Bread. Let’s see where my restless imagination takes me.

How long have you been writing? How long did it take to write your book? And what motivated you to write it?

I have been writing since I learned to hold a pen. I wrote my first poem when I was six. Throughout my school years, I wrote many short stories and poems in both Ukrainian and Russian. I started writing in English in 2011. Since then, I have published five children’s books. Three more are coming this year and a few more will be published in the near future.

I do not have a particular plan or schedule. I write when I feel the story, when I can’t think of anything else—just the words transforming into sentences, filling my brain until I cannot sleep. That’s how I know I have something to share. I write because I love to get lost in the imaginary world full of beautiful characters, words, and phrases.

I write because I want the same experience for the reader. I never treat writing as a job. The story should come from the heart, from the soul, from emotions, and ripen over time. Before I put my story on paper, I must feel it in my whole being. Then I know I can bring it to the reader.

I don’t look for motivation, either. I am a child of the post-WWII generation. I grew up in the Soviet Union. Each day of my life was a story. Sometimes I feel I have already lived a hundred lives. My life is my story. I am not sure if I am lucky or cursed.

Do your books stand alone, or are they part of a series? If they are part of a series, how long will the series run?

We all know that no matter how many children’s books are already written, there will never be enough stories for young readers. Most of my children’s books are published as separate stories, but any of them could be part of a series if I chose to develop them further. The problem is, I have too many stories; and is it unlikely they will all be a series. However, I gave Carlo the Mouse the chance to develop into a series.

In 2012, I published my first book, Carlo the Mouse on Vacation. It is about a hospital mouse who dreams about life outside the hospital. I was quite delighted when children started asking me what Carlo did when he was a baby. I thought about it, and then I wrote six more books about Carlo growing up in the hospital. You must already get the feeling that things did not go well for the restless and always hungry mouse. Last year I published Carlo the Mouse, Book 1: Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse. Carlo the Mouse, Book 2: Now We’re Talking! is coming at the end of 2014. So far we have illustrated six books, which will be published between 2014 and 2016.

Five more books on Carlo the Mouse are already written, edited, and ready to go to the illustration stage. I think we will have 11 books by the end of 2017. I have the feeling this series will go on, because the last letter I received from a little boy was titled: May the Story of Carlo the Mouse Never End.

I have a surprise for older readers, as well. The Little Girl Praying on the Hill will be published this summer. I am already working on the sequel for this book, A Taste of Bread. These are short stories, which I will continue to write as long as I have memories of my life in the Soviet Union.

Describe the main characters of your stories.

Usually I turn for help to nature. It never refuses to give me the inspiration for the characters I am looking for in my stories. I am fascinated by the wonders of nature, especially with the wind, trees, palms, and all kind of animals. They are wonderful characters for children. With the help of these characters, children will learn about how things change and behave in nature, and sometimes how they misbehave.

Is there any symbolism in your books that you’d care to share with potential readers?

I write children’s books that have meaning. My books are not simple; they are intended to make the young reader stop and think about the message that the story is delivering. I am a strong believer in good-quality illustrations—calming, but fun. Nothing drastic or overpowering. My books are colorful and represent the story before a child starts reading it. They are creative and perfect for a child’s growing mind. Parents can easily discuss or explain them to a child who cannot read yet.

Do any of the characters resemble you? How about friends or relatives?

Authors are often advised to write what they know best. That includes family, children, cats, and me. The Trees Have Hearts is based on my younger daughter, who could not speak English when we arrived in the United States. She was five years old, and it was heartbreaking to see her friendless because she did not fit in.

The City Kittens and the Old House Cat is based on my family and Nyda the cat, who plays some role in the Carlo the Mouse series, as well.

Runaway Clothes is a story about a little girl who did not like to take care of her clothes. As you’ve already guessed, this story is based on my children when they were young.

Good Morning, World! is an observation of my first grandson, Baby Thomas, and some people I know. We will keep their names secret.

Carlo the Mouse on Vacation is about a mouse that fell inside our car trunk when we visited our father in a Florida hospital.

The Royal Palm was unfolding in front of my eyes when I witnessed a hurricane. This is a great teaching story about a beautiful but very self-centered royal palm that learned a lesson about the real meaning of friendship when a massive storm struck.

The Little Girl Praying on the Hill has a very close connection to my early childhood in Ukraine. As you can see, I write about what I know best—life.

What is the worst thing reviewers or critics have said about your book?

Appalling! I lost sleep over this review. I felt crushed for weeks! This was my first book, and I worked so hard to bring this story to the readers. I created this book so that it could appeal to children and grown-ups. It is a fun, whimsical story, with a few unusual twists that should make readers smile. The problem is that the person who wrote that review took this story out of context. The funniest part is that whomever wrote this review did not buy the book and did not leave any contact information. I was dying to ask her how she knew so much about this book if she did not buy it. I have my suspicions, but as my grandpa would say, if you are not caught, you are not a thief. Thank God, children felt differently and gave Carlo a chance. This book gave birth to the Carlo the Mouse series. Book 1: Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse, is published and is receiving great reviews. Who knew?

What is the best thing reviewers or critics have said about your books?

I love this question. I submitted Good Morning, World! for editorial review to Readers’ Favorite. This book is about a happy Baby Thomas and his grouchy grandpa. While walking in the park they see the same things, but from a different perspective.

The key message of this book was simple: each of us has a choice, and we can wake up miserable or happy. I also wanted to show the reader how two people seeing the same things could draw very different conclusions. And, of course, I wanted children to have fun with the Grandpa character, whom I exaggerated for a reason: to show them how they may appear to others when they are grumpy.

This story brought so many discussions that I immediately landed on the “Grandpa Hit List,” including my husband, to whom this book was dedicated. Lesson learned … never underestimate the power of grandpas!

Have you tried submitting your book to publishers? Would you still want to work with a traditional publisher now that you have self-published?

No, I did not submit any of my children’s books to traditional publishers. By self-publishing, I have a better grip on my books. I like to break rules. My books are much longer than traditionally published books and they do not fall into the “cool” category.

When I came to the United States, my children were shocked by how short American children’s books were. Many times I had to come up with my own stories to make up for the story that my children found in American books.

I also love good-quality illustrations. With traditional publishers, I would not be able to work with the illustrator. Once I decided to self-publish children’s books, I cut no corners. Good illustrations are not cheap, but they help children envision the story before they read it. If the book is well-illustrated, then much younger children who can’t yet read can also enjoy the book.

What has been the most difficult part of your writing experience? Dealing with publishers, agents, editors, getting reviews, query letters, what?

All of the above! Except for the editor, with whom I have a great working relationship. Nothing comes easy when you self-publish. Self-publishing children’s books is like landing on another planet, or like going back to school. You must learn everything from scratch.

The bad part of this business is that I must learn everything and work through my own mistakes. Luckily, I was always a great student and good businessperson. I believe in high-quality products and take pride in everything I do. I also believe in honest reviews. Sadly, most readers do not leave reviews. It is time-consuming, or they just do not think that leaving a review is that important.

You did not mention marketing. It is not my cup of tea. I would rather write 700 pages of a history novel than spend so much time on social media. The good thing about social media is that it allows me to meet some great people, fellow authors, and get the information I need. But it leaves no time for writing.

Describe your writing process. Do you outline, create rough synopses, do you do detailed biographies of the characters before starting to write?

I usually dig for the story deep inside my heart and memories. I like to write in my head. I have so many untold stories waiting for their time. I write when I feel that the story is ready to escape. Then I kill it, and take a skeleton and feed it with ideas until it gets fat and happy. Sometimes, I get carried away, and I have to trim my stories, but this is an easy task. It’s always easier to destroy than to build.

Describe where you do your writing.

Mostly I write in my sunroom or on my balcony, when I am staying in Florida. I share my table with my unpredictable cat, who has adopted my knees and computer. She has deleted many of my pages, but I forgive her because she is the main character of my future books, and I need her to feed my imagination.

If you had to do the experience of writing your work over, would you still write it? Would you change it? How?

As my grandpa would say, there is no point in swinging fists after the battle is over. Every day brings new ideas, and if we were to change everything we wrote before, it would be a completely different story. I do not know one author who is completely satisfied with their writings. I try to stick to my old versions. I may edit some sentences or change some words or paragraphs, but this is as far as I go.

How did you choose the story you wrote?

I do not choose the story; the story chooses me. Mostly, I relived my stories or observed them somewhere. Stories are everywhere; I just have to use my imagination. I write what I know, not what sells. This may sound like a bad business decision, but this is the only time I do not treat writing like a business. I write my stories from the heart.

How did you choose the title?

Sometimes the title just popped in my head. Sometimes I go through the story and find a few lines which I think describe the story best. Then I send a few samples to my editor, and I ask my husband what he thinks, and then I choose the one I think fits the story. I still do not know why it annoys my husband.

How did you decide on the cover and did you design it or did you use a professional designer?

I work closely with a few illustrators. Usually, we create the illustrations and then we see which illustration fits the cover best. If we did not find the perfect fit for the cover, then we create a new illustration that will reflect the story. I love working with illustrators. I have learned a lot since I published my first book. It is a fun process to bring a story to life. Between my words and their imagination, we are a great team.

Can you summarize your book in 140 characters or less (Tweet size)?

This is a little tricky, because I have more than one book. All of them are dear to my heart, and I find it hard to talk about only one book. So let’s go with Mrs. D’s Books.

Mrs. D.’s books will not only capture a child’s imagination but will also teach children the true meaning of friendship, family, love, and self-acceptance. Brace yourself for an unusual journey!

How is that?

Who were the authors that influenced you? What about them and their style appeals to you?

Growing up in the Soviet Union, I did not have many books to satisfy my hunger for reading. I lived in a small village, lost in the Carpathian Mountains, cut off from the rest of the world and civilization. There were few books available for children when I was growing up. We had a tiny library in the village. As a child, I read adult books in Ukrainian and Russian, hardly understanding the meaning of the words. Most of these books were about WWII or the famous classics from authors like Alexandre Dumas, Victor Hugo, Jack London, Mark Twain, the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, and many more.

In my time, children’s books were not heavily illustrated, but they were so well written that I have no problem imagining the stories without the pictures. I reread many children’s books and learned about new writers when I became a mother. It’s impossible to list every great children’s author, but here’s a start: Beatrix Potter, Margret and H.A. Rey, Robert McCloskey, Steven Kellogg, Ruth Krauss Margaret, Wise Brown, and many more who wrote simple teaching stories for children, touching hearts and minds.

There are many more good writers who’ve crafted a whole stream of books based on one character they created: Ian Falconer with Olivia , Russell and Lillian Hoban with Frances , Eric Hill with Spot , and Bernard Waber with Lyle the Crocodile, and many more. I also love good writers who typically write for older children, such as Beverly Cleary, C. S Lewis, Madeleine L’Engle, and Laura Ingalls Wilder.

What did you learn that surprised you while writing your book? What was the most difficult part?

English! That I was actually using it, writing in a language I did not grow up with, had never properly learned, and felt very uncomfortable with. That I was able to transform my imagination into English words. I am still amazed that I did not get lost in a foreign language while learning all the aspects of writing, publishing, and marketing. English had scared me since high school. I was so afraid that I would fail. By nature, I am a very determined person and do not give up easily.

What types of hobbies do you have? Do these activities find their way into your books?

Sadly, I have no time for hobbies. My life reminds me of a runaway train, which I am trying to catch and somehow slow down. If the day had 48 hours, then I would collect cats. I love cats. They remind me a little bit of myself. Nobody can own them unless they allow you. But for now, I can hardly manage one cat, which practically takes care of me. If she did not insist on food, I would never remember I have not eaten either. However, I like gardening and flowers, beaches and walks, traveling and art, reading and books. Life is a roller coaster; hold on tight to catch all the moments.

What is your favorite time of the year and why? And did you incorporate that into your story? How?

People say there is beauty in every season, but I love summer with its sun-drenched days and moonlit nights, the glowing dawns and peaceful mornings, the graceful flowers, full of love and poise, the maturing trees bathed in the warm air, the sunlit sky, blue like my mother’s eyes, the gentle butterflies expressing freedom, and short warm rains expanding life. And fiery orange sunsets, reminding me of my first kiss with a village boy. I love summer because I am nature’s child who enjoys it when everything blooms and grows.

I did not include this piece in any of my books. I just wrote it.

Have you traveled at all? How has that experience helped in your writing career?

I was born in western Ukraine, on the border of Poland, then Czechoslovakia and Hungary. I did not travel until Gorbachev came to power. Then I traveled to some European countries. Since I immigrated to the United States, I have traveled to England, Spain, Morocco, Italy, France, some Caribbean islands, and many more. I have more trips planned, but sadly, the situation in the world may not allow me to visit my country or other countries I really want to explore.

What do you feel is the best personal quality you bring to your writing career?

My experience and knowledge as a mother and a woman. I write because I know that somewhere in this world someone may need my experience and advice. I write because I have lived my life to the fullest and learned many lessons. I write because I have something to share. If my knowledge helps one child, then it will be worth my effort.

What types of books do you read for entertainment?

I wish I had more time for reading. I try to read as often as I can. My fellow authors often ask me to review their books, and I do. Lately, I read a wonderful new manuscript by one of the great local authors, Joseph Wilkins, who has written two historical novels. You may find his books on Amazon. His new memorial about poverty in America touched me deeply. Sometimes I feel nostalgic for old books, which I often reread. I read in three languages, so I follow new releases in the United States, Ukraine, and Russia.

Where do you see your writing career going? Why do you think that?

I think my career is going in the right direction. Since I typed my first story with two fingers on my daughter’s old computer, I have come a long way. Two of my books won prestigious Mom’s Choice Awards. People started noticing my books, written from the heart of a mother. They write me sweet emails, lovely messages, and great reviews. I am happy that some of my books have made a positive impact and difference in children’s lives. I am moving ahead and am ready to conquer the world! I pray to God and hope that the world is ready for me.

Do you have a special theme, or design that you intend to continue throughout your career as your signature item?

Yes, I do. My books are well known for being colorful, happy, calming, and fun. They are good-quality books, which entertain children and parents. I also have the Mrs. D. Books logo of a tiny mouse, which is placed on each of my books. You may find it on my website.

What happens next? What are your future writing plans?

Self-publishing children’s books is very different from publishing novels or romances. It involves a lot of work with editors, illustrators, and publishers. It is a costly process and very time-consuming. I have already published five children’s books: Carlo the Mouse on Vacation, The Trees Have Hearts, The City Kittens and The Old House Cat, Good Morning, World!, and Carlo the Mouse, Book 1: Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse.

My new book Runaway Clothes is coming this spring. Three other new books—The Royal Palm, Carlo the Mouse, Book 2: Now We’re Talking! and The Little Girl Praying on the Hill—are coming this year.

I am planning to publish That Is How Things Are, Who Is Most Important In the Fridge?, The Mysterious Life Inside the Closet, and five books in the Carlo the Mouse series in the near future. They are all illustrated and ready to go.

What is your end goal for your writing career?

As you can see, I have no writer’s block, but I may have a financial block.

I am presently working on a new children’s book, The Cat Who Wonders, by Itself, and my second short story, A Taste of Bread. I have also started my first romance, The Chinese Princess. I have many stories in my head, but I am afraid I would not be able to write them down before I get really old. For now, I will concentrate on writing for adult readers, but I will never stop writing for children. If some good story comes to me, I will definitely share it with my little friends. I am still a child at heart. I will love children’s books forever.

Do you use a pen name?

There is no secret to this story. I am known as Mrs. D. because my children’s friends call me Mrs. D. I thought it was a perfect name for children, easy to pronounce and remember. However, my new books for adult readers will be published under my real name, Olga D’Agostino.

 

Poetry IS Art: James Gordon Profiled

 

*****

Revenge of the Orgasm contains adult subject matter.

As you are driving, your body involuntarily jumps. Sweat begins on your forehead and appears on your body, even though it is the middle of Winter. Inside of your left thigh, there is a tapping that is not harmful but noticeable. And you begin to wonder if sanity has departed or control of your motor skills is no longer your own. Then, the epiphany becomes clear. This is Revenge of the Orgasm.

*****

How long does it take for you to put together a poem? What does the perfect poem need?

It doesn’t take long at all, a few moments. Sometimes, I go into the poem no matter where I’m at or where it is. By that, I mean it begins writing itself in my head. The “perfect” poem just needs to be, and after that, it needs to be shared, then it has to touch someone.

Have you ever written a poem that could have been considered “TOO EROTIC?”

There are two poems that might be considered “too erotic”— “Extreme” and “Nightmare on the Red Line.” Those were wild. WOO!!!

How long did it take you to write Revenge of the Orgasm?

It actually took six months to write the first version, then I had to take my time for the additions to the second one.

What does that title mean anyway? What is the “Revenge” of an “Orgasm?”

Revenge of the Orgasm has happened to everyone, unless that individual is incredibly inept or extraordinarily evil. Revenge usually has the connotation of something sinister, but in all of those instances and looking at the prefix “re-” which means to do over, an individual comes back or returns. That said, Revenge of the Orgasm is the recollection of events intimate or sexual that were so meaningful that they return. This is what I wrote about in my book.

How many times have you rewritten a poem to get the best out of an idea?

The poem “Wait for Me” has been written and performed six different ways until I arrived at the award-winning version it is now.

Has your poetry improved since you started writing?

I am much, much improved, and this is directly related to the wealth of experiences I have had, both good and bad.

Define erotic and how erotic feels.

Erotic has no boundaries. It has no relative size, can be large or small. It is an overwhelming, overtaking, and invigorating feeling. When it comes to writing, it makes you feel every word that is written.

What has been your most erotic experience and have you written about it?

In the poem “Westin Incident,” I describe an encounter with a woman while nonverbally communicating with another woman across the way. That poem is in both editions of Revenge of the Orgasm.

Do you find that being an erotic author makes you more comfortable with the opposite sex?

I wouldn’t consider myself an “erotic” author. I am just adept at this respective sub-genre, but I think it puts women on alert with me. It’s like a sign that says, “Be careful of this guy.”

Is sex part of being erotic or is erotic part of sex?

Both questions turned into declarative statements are correct. Also, intimacy is not sex.

How do you define sensations?

To me, sensations are the senses’ actions. Take for instance, a woman placing her hand on my cheek gives me a warm sensation. Why? She is touching vulnerable parts of me, my face and invisible barrier. Tasting cheesecake (my favorite) is another example of sensations because when the cheesecake hit my palate, WOO!!! Everything in my brain says, “Hell, Yeah!!” Just thought of this—senses are outward, while sensations are inward.

What inspires you most? Attractive women or great smiles?

Beautiful women, life experiences, and settings inspire my writing. The more curves a woman has makes for an in-depth and well-detailed poem. This applies to the other two examples as well.

What do you think of when you write? Are you thinking “erotic” thoughts all the time as you write?

Not thinking erotic thoughts, usually. I think in terms of romance. But the “thought” comes after the writing is done, making sure everything works. I may think of a particular woman or a place I want to be, then it’s “go” time!!

Do you like to write with music in the background or does that distract you?

Love writing with music in the background, as well as the TV on. It’s like my own soundtrack.

When did you first discover you could write poetry?

In 2007, I was incarcerated, and on the top bunk, I started penning poems for fellow inmates to send to their loved ones. It was as though I had to go to prison to learn to write and begin my poetry career.

Which poets do you admire and why?

Blake, Giovanni, Angelou, Hughes, Brooks, and I admire them because they represent reaching the highest level of greatness. We still discuss them now, read their work now, and some of them have gone on to the next realm of existence.

What is a poet? A messenger? A storyteller? A purveyor of feelings?

I don’t know. G.P.A. is actually redefining or maybe creating another lane for what he does. A lot of people write poems and perform poems, but it ends there. G.P.A. does everything and extraordinarily well. Acting, hosting, recording, etc., are some of the things he does, navigating from one role to the next seamlessly. But take those things above and add several things to them, and you have G.P.A.’s definition of a Poet.

How do you overcome writer’s block?

Do you even suffer from writer’s block? Writers block is a myth. You hear people claim it because they allow their minds to get lazy, and they feel like they are real writers by stating it. The opposite is true.

What is the perfect woman? What does she have that no other woman can have?

My mother is the perfect woman, and she has a few flaws. Back to reality, the “perfect” woman has the combination of intellect, humor, ass, beauty, faith in God, and a tolerance for some of my egotistical tendencies. Oh, it’s even cooler if she is into and understands sports.

Can you write the first 5 lines of a poem using the words “smoke” and “thighs” right now?

Dark, decadent club on the south side of Chicago filled with either cigarette or manufactured smoke.

There she was, dressed in nothing but black; this was her: heels, cashmere sweater, and leggings forming a second skin upon her thighs.

Ordered me a Jameson’s and Coke with a lime, waved me on over.

Seductive undertones, as she placed my hand in between her Bermuda Triangle.

Smirk crossed my face, as fingers begin their lengthy trip.

Connect with the Greatest Poet Alive:

Website: http://www.iblowyourmind.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.gordon.395

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gr8estpoetalive

An Interview With Tim Flanagan On The Cord-Zone!

1. If you could work with any author who would it be?

John Wyndham. He’s the guy that wrote Day of the Triffids, The Midwich Cuckoos, and The Kraken Wakes in the 1950′s. I’ve loved his books ever since I was a child. Although, at the time, they were classed as science fiction, they were more like prophetic fiction, dealing with issues such as genetic engineering and human evolution that are still as topical today as they were 50 years ago. I want my own novels to have a sense of realism and possibility that makes your spine tingle from an underlying simmering threat that you realise could happen. Although I haven’t had the pleasure of writing with Mr Wyndham, I have been lucky enough to work with other creative people such as Dylan Gibson, the illustrator I worked with on The Curious Disappearance of Professor Brown. I’m also looking at collaborating with other artists on cover art for my future projects.

2. Who is your favourite author and is you writing style similar to theirs?

The authors that I like tend to change over time, but my most favourite author whose books I have read over and over again is a guy called Michael Cox. He’s only written 2 fictional books but his first, The Meaning of Night, is a gem. It’s set in Victorian London and reminds me so much of a Dickens book. I wish I had written it. Currently I’m reading Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, which I’m really surprised with. Considering how long ago it was written, it reads very easy withlanguage that is not too dissimilar to modern day. Although both of those books are historical fiction, the style and genre couldn’t be further from my own. My writing style has been said by many to be very visual which is a great compliment especially when you consider the market I’m aiming for – visually stimulated teenagers.

3. What’s your favourite part of a book?

I enjoy writing the beginning of a book. As you lay down the foundations of the world and its characters, you get a very privileged peek into a different world, life or event. These are very private moments between an author and their book and its like nurturing a baby and watching it grow. These times can be just as exciting for a writer as they are for the reader.

4. When naming your characters, do you give any thought to the actual meaning?

I give the names of my characters an awful lot of thought and consideration. It’s a part of the writing process that I enjoy and find fascinating. I like to try and pick names that suit the character and reflect a part of their personality. The internet is a great place to find names which, although the meanings are not commonly known these days, I believe there is some sort of inbuilt ancient instinct in us that collates centuries of information to help you form an opinion of that person before they even open their mouth. Using Latin in a name is also quite a useful way of creating names for people and especially creatures.

5. How have your personal experiences affected your writing?

I don’t think they have. But, a lot of my personality is in my writing. Everything I write about I find fascinating and writing about them is a great way to research and learn something new.

6. What genre of books do you like to read? Do you limit yourself to only the genre that you write yourself? I read many different genres depending on what I feel like at the time. One of the best things for me, when I finish reading a book is standing in front of my book shelves and choosing what I will read next. Recent genres that I have read include Fantasy by George R R Martin, Historical Detective Fiction by Philip Kerr and Military Humour by George MacDonald Fraser. With my writing, I like to mix up genres a bit. With the Moon Stealer series, there is a bit sci-fi, fantasy, adventure and dystopian. Then another book I’ve written is a comical detective story. I like to write what I enjoyand I have a broad range of interests as I’m sure most children have. Why should they be confined to one genre? Being young is all about experimenting and finding the things you like, and I think that can also apply that to teen books, there is so much more than vampire romances out there for them.

7. Were you always good at writing?

No. I still have a report my English teacher wrote when I was about 14 or 15. In it he said that I was not going to pass my English GCSE because I wrote in short sentences. Being really stubborn, I decided to prove him wrong and set about writing a story that went on to gain the highest mark he had ever given to a student. When I was 7 or 8 I remember sitting down and writing stories during the school summer holidays in an attempt to pass the timeand I would often staple sheets of paper together to make a little book and draw some pictures to go with it. I’ve always enjoyed writing but find that I now have the motivation and dedication to stick with a story until the end, something that maybe I didn’t have so much when I was younger.

8. How do you get started with writing a story (as in, how do you start developing the story, how do you get inspired for it)

Inspiration comes from the most unexpected places some times. I have a little notebook that I keep next to my computer which has odd words or phrases written in it. They are just words that stimulated some sort of reaction in me that make me want to find out more. The inspiration for The Moon Stealers came, quite innocently, one morning nearly 3 years ago when I was in the bathroom. My son and I were getting readyand he just asked me to tell him a story and the idea for the creatures in the Moon Stealers arrived. He liked the idea and wanted to draw some pictures so I began writing so he had something to illustrate. When I’m thinking of a new story, I allow a few ideas to bounce around in my head in quiet places like the shower or when I’m driving. That generally gives me the start and main characters in the book. I ultimately know what the ending will need to be, but not necessarily what the journey will be to get there. At that point I start writing. I get a feel for the characters and allow the story to move forward itself.

9. What advice would you give to people who “run out of creativity” when writing?

Take a break. Sometimes the brain just gets exhausted and no matter how hard you try, you can’t get over the brick wall. Allow your brain to focus on other things, a computer game, a film, family outings. Although I don’t run out of creative juices (I always have the next two or three books percolating away inside me) I do run out of energy. That’s my cue to take a break and not write. My brain may still think about the story and it works out a way to move it forward, then usually after a week I’m desperate to get back to writingand it flows quicker than ever.

10. What is the most important lack in your life?

I lack enough time to do everything I want to do. Juggling a “real-world” job and family, whilst trying to get time to write can sometimes be a struggle. It’s a shame that during the 24 hours of a day we have to waste 7-8 hours sleeping. I could be so much more productive.

11. Why a fiction book? You are well known as a “non-fiction” writer—what caused you to decide to write fiction?

I wrote two non-fiction books back in 2007 and 2008 to do with my day job, but they are very specificand the market is always going to be limited, plus they weren’t really very exciting! You can learn from a non-fiction book, but a fiction book is a new world waiting to be discovered, one that excites an emotion and entertains you. Reading is a sacrifice of time so it has to be worthwhile. These days I’m usually reading a fiction and non fiction book at the same time – one feeds my mind, the other feeds my soul.

12. You are in Waterstones looking at books—you see your new book on the shelf—what do you think?

My initial reaction would be to make sure that the spine is not facing inand the front cover is clearly on display. Then I would probably point it out to my wife or children, making sure I spoke just loud enough for other customers in the shop to hear without being too obvious. There is huge satisfaction in seeing your name on the front of a book. I get a huge buzz out of it every time I have a new book released.

13. You are on a planeand someone asks if you are Tim Flanagan and raves about your new book—how do you handle it?

I have no issues admitting who I amand I would feel very humble that they enjoyed my writing. I would happily answer their questions and be grateful to have met them. We all need some sort of positive feedback to encourage us to keep writing. I had a similar experience to this at a school recently that meand my son were going to look at. A boy spotted me in the corridor and said “I’ve got your book!” I thanked him and asked him if he enjoyed it. I think my son was more embarrassed than me! Without readers and fans, our books are just lines of ink on a page. Stories only come alive when they are read.

14. You have the #1 bestseller in America—what would be your first thought?

I would have to double check first! Then ring my wife, closely followed by my mum.

15. Are you at ease when interviewing? Do you find interviews generally exciting or boring?

I’m happy to be interviewed and like giving an insight into my life and personality. For an audience to connect with a writer they need to get to know them and get to like them, and it’s the least we can do as thanks for investing their time and money in our books.

16. Are you a man with strong convictions and do those convictions shine through when you write a novel?

I’m a very moral and honest person. I have a very open mind to a lot of things but will always research things myself before making up my own mind. I don’t like being swayed by others people’s opinions.

17. What puts you off when reading a book? Bad grammar? Awful editing? Slow stories?

Slow stories without a doubt. If the story is interesting, fast paced and absorbing, your eye can easily skim over spelling mistakes and typos.

18. Is paradise self-made or can it be found? Is writing your paradise?

I have found an amazing sense of enjoyment and contentment from writing. Everybody has different aspects to their soul that need to be fed. My creative side needs to make something and what could be better than a story that no one else has read or seen until I press publish. I believe you hold your own destiny in your handsand it is up to you to move your life in that direction. It won’t be easy, but nothing worthwhile is. It’s not going to just land in your lap, you have to put the effort in, it’s the price you pay.

19. You’re out on a date with a womanand she tells you that she hates reading—does that end the date or do you just consider that to be her loss?

If she truly ‘hates’ reading, she probably dislikes books as objects as welland I could never live in a house that doesn’t have books. She may also be unsupportive with regards to my work. So, I think it would have to end before it went any further. Life’s too short – surround yourself with people who understand you.

20. You enter “The Twilight Zone” and find yourself in a world without books or reading. Is your first reaction to explore this new place or to leave in disgust at the illiteracy of this new world?

I would be torn between two minds. I would be intrigued to find out why there are no books, but part of me would feel empty without being surrounded by the written word.

21. Why do you think reading has become such a rarity in the UK? Do you blame video games and modern pop music for its decline?

No, cultures change and trends fade in and out, but there will always be books. Recently the change in publishing and the arrival of Kindles has made books and reading more accessible to everyone, and at a price anyone can afford. There is such a diversity of books available today, that there is quite literally something for everyone. There will always be alternative distractions like video games and musicbut there will always be a need for stories. Stories build the games, provide lyrics for songs and adventures for films.

22. Do you agree that writers have to be salesmen in the Indie world?

Totally. Once the book has been written, your journey as a writer has only just begun. Most people think the hard work has finished once they write the last line, but the hardest part awaits. Marketing your book amongst the swamp of other books is an ever growing difficulty.

M.L Newman And The Wonders of the Written Word…

M.L Newman is one of the rising stars of the book world. Her first book “Glimmer of Hope” was well-received, and fans are anticipating her second release. What really makes a writer run? I wanted to pose questions during this interview that would really allow us to look inside the mind of a writer who really knows her craft. Hold onto your seats… This is a goodie!

Good morning, M.L. I want to start this interview by asking you one question. Why is writing important to you?

I enjoy writing because I get to share my stories with others. It’s important to me because my stories, while fiction, can bring hope, love and joy to others. So many stories I’ve read have touched me and brightened my day. I’d love to do that for my readers.

I was thinking earlier that many of your readers will be wishing they could write like you. How many times have you read a book and wished you’d written it?

I haven’t actually read a book that I wished I’d written, but I’ve read books that I wished I lived in.

As a writer, I guess you get to create any world you want to live in– that must be a pretty amazing feeling. How many story ideas have you got at the minute?

I have plotted out about 40+ storylines, and I’m hoping that at least 39 of them are published. There are many different storylines and series that I have planned where the final decision on book numbers is more about where the story goes than how many I can publish.

So, let me ask you this: What really makes a good story?

Personally, I believe what makes a good story are the decisions that are made within the story.  Anyone can fall in love or fight it, but the difficult choices that have to be made bring me closer to the characters. If I find a connection with a character, I’ve been sucked in.

How many times do you rewrite a sentence to get it just right?

I don’t usually rewrite my sentences. Sometimes I tweak them to make sure it makes sense, but usually the first time it sticks. I spend the majority of the time on detailing than rewriting.

Here’s a curveball for you… Is there anything you wouldn’t like to write about?

When I write a story, it’s because it has been called from my soul. I don’t have a choice but to write what comes out of me. I don’t specifically have anything against writing other stories; they just have to wait their turn.

How many times did you considered becoming a writer before you became a writer?

I never considered becoming a writer. I just started writing about a story that interested me, and I was encouraged to publish it.

You have a brand new short story coming out soon. Your first novel, “Glimmer of Hope,” was an excellent read, and I know many people are looking forward to this new one. What will it be about?

My newest book is a short story in the Romance genre. This is actually a personal favorite of mine. Blowing The Whistle is about a unique student, Ally Fields, who does her best to keep up her grades and prefers to not have a social life. And it seems to work out quite well for her until a challengingly persistent Trevor barges in.  It causes quite a few skeletons to peek out of the closet…

Covers are the in-thing right now. I know many writers are really paying close attention to their covers at the moment. How did you come up with the cover for your new book?

I have an amazing graphic designer who knows just what I’m looking for even if I don’t know it myself. I told him the storyline, gave him the key words, the colour scheme I was thinking ofand he created a fantastic cover that I can’t take my eyes off of.  We collaborate well together.

Many writers are interested in the promotional side of things more than the writing side of things. Do you enjoy writing or promoting books more?

I enjoy writing my books more because I get to take the rollercoaster ride with them. There have been so many tears that I’ve cried during scenes, so many laughs with playful banter and inside jokes that I’ve placed specifically for my inner circle to chuckle at with me. Promoting is very new to meand I haven’t found my comfort zone in it just yet.

What does it really take to finish a book?

It takes a lot of patience and focus. There are some scenes that are more fun than others but in the end, it all has to be good. I spend the majority of my time trying to stay focused on ‘what’s happening’ in the story because I get impatient and overly excited while writing.

Do you use storyboards to help you with your writing?

I write outlines to make sure that the story flows just the way I want. The details are added on the second round of outliningand those details easily can take a 10-page outline to a 21-page outline.

Do you know the end of a story when you start writing the story?

I have a rough idea of how I want the story to end, but I try not to plan it in detail until I know the characters better. It leaves a better ending and exciting anticipation for me.

What do you think is the most important thing for a writer to know?

Don’t give up on a story just because it doesn’t seem to be playing out the way you saw it in your mind. It could lead to an exciting and thrilling story that you had no clue you were even able to produce. I believe in being limitless because I have no idea what kind of amazing stories can come out until they decide to.

When do you feel most comfortable writing? Are you a morning or evening writer?

The best time to write is in the morning around 7-8 am, with my writing playlist playing in the background and the weather and traffic channel on mute showing on the TV. For some odd reason, this produces the most creativity out of me.  Another writing comfort is to write with Forensic Files, Cold Case Files or Inspector Lewis playing on the TV. It makes me pay extra special attention to details in my stories.

M. L. Newman’s  Glimmer of Hope  is available now; and her short storyBlowing the Whistle will be out very soon!

Megan Elizabeth And Being The Newest Writer on the Block!

Megan Elizabeth is a writer you will be hearing a lot from in the future. Signed by “Satalyte Publishing” and set for her first release this year– you can be sure of one thing– her books are going to be readand they are going to be loved. I think this interview proves that she is one of the most driven authors out there…. Watch out publishing world!

Q) If you could work with any author who would it be?

Do I have to choose one? If I had to pick one it would be Kresley Cole. I admire her imaginative story lines, creativity and how well her books flow. Honestly, I’d just like to have the opportunity to pick her brain, once I get over being star struck, that is.

Q) Who is your favourite author and is your writing style similar to theirs?

Currently I have two favourite writers JR Ward (aka The Warden) and Kresley Cole. Though both of them are extremely talented I think my writing style is more similar to Kresley Cole. She incorporates a ton off different aspects into her books much like myself.  She mixes all types of immortal factions as I mix immortal factions, fallen angels and Greek gods.

Q) What’s your favorite part of a book?

My favourite part of a book is that moment when your mouth drops open and you’re like “I can’t believe that happened.” And you find yourself smiling over it while people around you look at you like your nuts. Then getting excited to read more. Like the moment when you realize a character is so much more then you originally thought or a plot twist you did not see coming.

Q) When naming your characters, do you give any thought to the actual meaning?

All of my characters are very personal to me. Their physical traits, mannerisms, and personalities are comprised of things I have experienced with other people. Many writers write what they know and are familiar with, I am no different. I write characters that I know and understand, when naming them I take my time with it and make the connection I’m looking for. When speaking about them with other people it’s like they are real to me.

Q) How have your personal experiences affected your writing?

Well my personal life was what started my journey into the writing world. I’ve have quite a few interesting experiences and those experiences have made for good cannon falter, so to speak. Usually real events inspire the fictional ones in my books. They give me ideas for new characters, new story lines and plot twists.

Q) What genre of books do you like to read? Do you limit yourself to only the genre that you write yourself?

I generally read paranormal, it’s were my love affair with reading began. I do try not to limit myself to one genre as reading many different genres can bring new aspects to your writing but I’m always drawn back towards that original connection with paranormal. I find that when I read something else like contemporary for example I’m waiting for something to magically blow up or for the hero to reveal that he’s another species.

Q) Were you always good at writing?

No, not at all. When I was very young I was diagnosed as dyslexic. Many specialist and educators believed that I would never read properly, be able to write or attain a college degree.  It took several years and a multitude of special classes, tutors and frustrating nights to get me where I am today. It’s been a struggle but here I am with a B.A., CEAS and a publishing contract. It just shows people that anything is possible.  

Q) How do you get started with writing a story (as in, how do you start developing the story, how do you get inspired for it)

Usually an idea pops into my my head for a story. I think of the main characters and develop them in my thoughts making them, ‘real’. The story, unfolds like a movie, and I just write it down. It’s like the characters speak to me and all I do is tell their story. When I started writing “The League of the Fallen” I knew it had to be a series and have eight characters that I could focus on, one character for each book. Each one is clear in my mind, I knew Matteaus’ book had to be first and Mika would follow then the others stepped into line. When I get geared up to write them, I always listen to music and let the words flow. Many of my books have theme songs that I relate them to.    

Q) What advice would you give to people who “run out of creativity” when writing?

Take a serious break and do not under any circumstance try to force the story. Pick up about five books and just read. Do not think about your writing at all and then it will come back. The more stress that is put on the situation the worse the block will get.

Q) What is the most important lack in your life?

Though I’ve had my fair share of bad romances. Each bad experience has brought me to this point. Without some of the more difficult times I would not be as driven, strong or determined as I am now. But my life is definitely lacking the happily ever after that many of my characters get. Every girl dreams of their own personal ‘prince charming’ I haven’t met mine yet. Hopefully he comes with glasses, an affinity for reading and can make me laugh.   

Q) Why a fiction book? What caused you to decide to write fiction?

Because my mind lives in a world of pure imagination. The world of fiction is an extraordinary place the possibilities are endless. I don’t think the decision to write fiction was a conscious one, it is the direction I’ve always been headed, ever since I was a child I would always dream up new characters. I’ve found where I belong and the people I want as my friends in the world of fictional writers.

Q) You are in Walmart looking at books—you see your new book on theshelf—what do you think?

Holy s**t!! In all seriousness, it’d be very surreal for me to see my book on the shelves anywhere. It’s an exciting process to be part of and I’m just grateful to have anyone interested in reading it.  

Q) You are on a plane and someone asks if you are Megan Elizabeth and raves about your new book—how do you handle it?

I’d thank them profusely, then ask them what their favourite characters or parts where. Find out what other authors they enjoy reading, and ask if they had any books they recommend I read. Offer to sign their book for them and ask that they keep in touch with me via e-mail, twitter or Facebook. 

Q) You have the #1 bestseller in America—what would be your first thought?

I’d probably cry many, many tears of joy and be extremely grateful to all the people who supported me along the way. Then keep on writing, it’s what I love to do.

Q) Are you at ease when interviewing? Do you find interviews generally exciting or boring?

I’m a very talkative person and love to meet new people. So for me interviewing is fun and exciting. I feel very at ease, giddy even, I tend to giggle when people ask me questions about myself or my writing. The questions are thought provoking and at times things that you usually don’t think about on a day to day basis.

Q) Are you a woman with strong convictions and do those convictions shine through when you write a novel?

Absolutely, I have a very strong moral compass and when I write there are certain lines I believe I cannot and will not cross. I do put my characters through their trials and never make it easy because that is life, but my convictions shine through my writing. When I believe something is wrong I won’t make my Hero or Heroine do them. I might let my villain or antagonist cross that line but eventually they’ll get what’s coming to them, one way or another. My black and white sense of justice demands it.    

Q) What puts you off when reading a book? Bad grammar? Awful editing? Slow stories?

I love to read and devour books like it’s no body’s business. But one thing that puts me off is a slow story with names that are hard to pronounce. If I have to stop my reading flow to figure out how to say a name or place in my head it irritates me through the whole story and distracts from what is happening in the book.

Q) Is paradise self-made or can it be found? Is writing your paradise?

One person’s definition of paradise might be differentthan mine. That being said, to me paradise is self-made. Life is what you make it! Being able to write and share my stories that is one kind of paradise for me. One I would like to continue living in.

Q) You’re out on a date with a guy and he tells you that he hates reading—does that end the date or do you just consider that to be his loss?

Honestly, for me I wouldn’t end the date then and their but it would be a huge strike against him. In the end it probably wouldn’t work out, I’d be talking about the voices in my head and he’d think I was beyond weird. But I’d still try, you never know how things might work out.

Q) You enter “The Twilight Zone” and find yourself in a world without books or reading. Is your first reaction to explore this new place or to leave in disgust at the illiteracy of this new world?

It’d be the most miserable existence ever! I’d explore but then find a way out or attempt to change the world one book at a time. When I’m not writing I’m teaching young students to read, so it’d be the ultimate challenge utilizing all my skills. Write a book and teach them all how to read it. 

Q) Why do you think reading has become such a rarity in the U.S.A? Do you blame video games and modern pop music for its decline?

No, I don’t blame video games or music for a decline in reading. When your first experiences with reading are not pleasant why would you continue to do so when you’re not required by your teachers? Have you ever looked at the reading lists that they push on students in the USA? When I was finished with high school I thought all book were depressing and had a horrible life lesson. It’s sad really that because our choices are so limited that many children miss out on the entertainment factor involved is a good story. People forget that reading of any kind is exercise for the brain, even if it’s just a great story. We should be giving our kids’ books that they will love and can’t get enough of. The life lessons will come when they face situations on a day to day basis. We don’t need to overwhelm them with stories about students that are bullied through the whole book then commit suicide. Why can’t the required reading include the Percy Jackson series, Harry Potter or even the Mortal Instruments? Who wouldn’t prefer music or video games over a book that’s depressing and filed with “life lessons”. Teach them to love reading, and the decline will stop. People who never experience what a truly great story has to offer are missing out on a whole other world and it’s our own fault for not exposing them to it at an earlier age. I know I wish I had discovered that stories could be amazing at an earlier age. I’ve been playing catch up for quite some time now.

Q) Do you agree that writers have to be salesmen in the Indie world?

I think all writers have to be salesmen no matter if you’re an indie writer or a traditionally published writer. If you want to be successful at something then you have to work at it, just like in any other career. Though this is my first book and I am technically not considered an indie writer because I have a publisher, to me no matter the circumstances you need to be a salesmen. I hope to entice many people to buy “Sinner’s Craving” in order to do so I’ll have to put my sales skills to the test. No one is going to do it for you, especially in the beginning. 

Author Lemon Squeezed For An Interview You Won’t Want To Miss

Boyd Lemon is an author you may or may not have heard of. Boyd has written several bestsellers and his latest one is called “A Long Way To Contentment.” Lemon has also just broken a record– he is the first author to give away a current bestseller for $0.99 simply because he wants people to read and enjoy his books. For writers like Boyd Lemon it is more important for people to enjoy and read than it is for him to make money. Enjoy this interview with a man who has some great ideas…

1. If you could work with any author who would it be?

I would love to work with Rosanne Dingli, an Australian author of mystery novels. Unlike most mystery writers, her novels are far from the usual whodunit stories. They provide interesting characters with depth and personality, some ordinary and some extraordinary, a mix of people one would find in the real world. Her books are meticulously researched so that in reading her mysteries the reader is not only on the edge with suspense, but learns fascinating facts and stories about art and history. I selfishly would like to work with her so that I can learn how she does it. Besides all that, she is an honest, forthcoming,  genuinely nice person, characteristics not common in talented artists.

2. Who is your favourite author and is your writing style similar to theirs?

It is impossible for me to pick a favorite author, Nick. I love so many. But if you insist that I pick one, it would be Marylynn Robinson, author of “Housekeeping,” “Home” and others. Her style is deeply philosophical, allegorical, descriptive and full of fascinating characters and detail. No, her style is not at all like mine. For whatever reason, none of my favorite authors write like I do, and I must keep reminding myself that I have my own style, and I can’t copy someone else’s no matter how much I would like to.

3. What’s your favorite part of a book?

The middle. I’m never sure about the beginning, and I’m always sad to have it end. If I don’t care for the book, I never read to the end. I can usually tell in the first 50 pages or so if I like the book, and if I don’t, I stop reading and don’t finish it. I read a lot, and I don’t finish half the books I start. If I finished it, I liked it. Therefore, I don’t write many critical reviews, since I don’t feel it is fair to review a book that I didn’t finish.

4. When naming your characters, do you give any thought to the actual meaning?

I haven’t done that yet, but I resolve to do it in the future. I think it would be an interesting exercise and might be interesting to the reader. I’m still learning this writing craft, and I hope I never stop learning.

5. How have your personal experiences affected your writing?

More than anything else. How could an author’s personal experiences not affect his writing? How I view the world is molded by my experiences, and my writing reflects how I view the world. Even if a writer creates purely fictional characters, the writer’s experience affects what that character does and says, even if what he does is contrary to what the writer would do under the circumstances of the story. Further, I think most writers, though not all, create characters that have some characteristics of people they know. I do.

6. What genre of books do you like to read? Do you limit yourself to only the genre that you write yourself?

I write mostly memoir and literary fiction. Probably more than 50% of what I read is memoir and fiction. However, the rest is outside of those genres. I read quite a bit of historical fiction. I read some fantasy, a little romance, a little erotic and quite a bit of non-fiction, including how-to and political. I found Bill Clinton’s autobiography fascinating.

7. Were you always good at writing?

I think so, but I never wrote fiction until about eight years ago. I did well in composition classes in school and I always preferred essay tests, rather than objective tests, such as multiple choice or true and false. I received a lot of complements from clients and colleagues about my professional writing, and I  many of my articles were accepted for publication in legal journals during my legal career. Having said that, I have learned an enormous amount about writing in recent years from mentors, teachers, other writers and from reading good literature. I like to think that my writing has improved significantly.

8. How do you get started with writing a story (as in, how do you start developing the story, how do you get inspired for it)

I have never been stuck for ideas. In every day life basic story lines just pop into my head, or once in a while someone else tells me a story, and I change it around in my head and start writing. For example, I wrote a short story about a German soldier who returns to France where he was stationed during World War Two to make amends to a young girl he accidentally short during the war. I got the idea from a story a man told me when I visited the island of Groix off the Brittany coast. I changed and enhanced the story in my head and then sat down and wrote it in a single sitting. I did some minor edits, and that was it. That was one that came easily. I struggle and agonize over most of my stories before they are finished.

9. What advice would you give to people who “run out of creativity” when writing?

Do writing practice. Sit down and start writing on any topic that comes to mind, or Google “writing prompts” and pick one to write about. You may never use anything you write, but, in my experience, eventually, you will get an idea that does result in a story or book.

10. What is the most important lack in your life?

A human companion/partner. Writing is a solitary endeavor, and it would be nice to have someone available whenever I wanted to interact with another human being. Unfortunately, even with a partner, it can’t always work out the way you what it to.

11. Why a fiction book? You are well known as a “non-fiction” writer—what caused you to decide to write fiction?

I have always wanted to write a novel. My first efforts at narrative writing were short fiction, but when I expressed the desire to write a novel six years ago, my writing mentor told me I wasn’t ready to write a novel and suggested memoir. I took her advice and learned a lot by writing three memoirs. My mentor was right. I needed the experience of writing book length narrative non-fiction before I was ready to write a novel. You have to get comfortable with the water before you can swim.

12. You are in Walmart looking at books—you see your new book on the shelf—what do you think?

I would be shocked, but pleased that more people would be exposed to my work. Writing is in part a means of communicating with people. I write, not to make money, but to tell my stories to people. It is a need I have, and I think in some ways a basic human need. We are hardwired to love to hear and tell stories.

13. You are on a plane, and someone asks if you are Boyd Lemon and raves about your new book—how do you handle it?

I have had that happen at a gathering, but not on a plane. I don’t think I would respond any differently on a plane. I simply would thank them, and tell them that the most rewarding thing to me about putting my writing out there is for people to learn or get something from it, and I feel very rewarded that you [the person who has complemented my writing] got something out of it. I would thank them profusely for telling me what they felt about my writing. And for the rest of the trip I would glow.

14. You have the #1 bestseller in America—what would be your first thought?

I don’t believe it. Then I would feel blessed beyond words. After that, I would be petrified that I could never top that. Elizabeth Gilbert expressed it well after having sold ten million copies of “Eat, Pray, Love. She said she was scared to death because she had to write; that is what she does. What else could she do? But how could she top “Eat, Pray, Love?” I hope she has come to terms with her fear.

15. Are you at ease when interviewing? Do you find interviews generally exciting or boring?

I find them very interesting, and I am at ease. Maybe I just like to talk about myself. I don’t know, and I am not offended by or unable to answer any question, unless it is a rude personal attack.

16. Are you a man with strong convictions and do those convictions shine through when you write a novel?

I have some strong personal convictions, but, at the same time, I realize that we as human beings don’t know much. In fact, I believe that what we sense as reality is not real. We don’t know the answers to the important questions, but what we sense is all we have to go on. So I feel humble about my existence in this world.

17. What puts you off when reading a book? Bad grammar? Awful editing? Slow stories?

All of those things, although if well written, I am sometimes not put off by slow stories. I love “Ana Karenina,” for example, and nothing happens in that book for the first 50 pages.

18. Is paradise self-made or can it be found? Is writing your paradise?

First, I don’t believe in paradise for humans. No human life is paradise. Life is hard. To the extent that we can create a little bit of paradise or paradise that comes and goes, we must create it. It is self-made. We cannot find it. Nobody else can give it to use. Nobody can make us happy. We can make ourselves relatively happy by how we use our minds. Nothing external can bring us paradise or make us happy. It is all within. I have known homeless people who are happier than someone who appears to have everything. We can create our own bit of paradise by lower expectations of others and ourselves, being grateful for what we have, noticing the beauty in the world and giving what we can to improve the lives of others. In the end, we must accept that there is no paradise on earth. I wouldn’t say that writing is my paradise, but it is my passion and my gift.

19. You’re out on a datewith a womanand she tells you that she hates reading—does that end the date or do you just consider that to be her loss?

Neither. I would not judge her or try not to, and I would look for something else about her to connect with.

20. You enter “The Twilight Zone” and find yourself in a world without books or reading. Is your first reaction to explore this new place or to leave in disgust at the illiteracy of this new world?

Explore. I love reading and writing, but there is so much beauty in the world, more than enough to fill a lifetime. And, by the way, some of the most interesting people are illiterate.

21. Why do you think reading has become such a rarity in the U.S.A? Do you blame video games and modern pop music for its decline?

I don’t blame anything. We in the United States have a plethora of riches with which to entertain and educate us. Reading is only one, and not all people take to it. If we had fewer choices to take up our time, more people would read more. But would a world with fewer choices be better? Not necessarily.

22. Do you agree that writers have to be salesmen in the Indie world?

If they want to sell their writing, yes. But that is true of any endeavor in which you want other people involved. Unless we are hermits, we are always selling ourselves to some extent, and some are better at it than others. I am not so good at it.

Click here to get your copy of “A Long Way To Contentment!”

Meet Foal! Meet “Foal and the Angels!”

An interview on this site has to be interesting. That’s the biggest criteria. If it’s not interesting it isn’t going to make it onto our site. I wanted to share this interview with FOAL with you. FOAL is a writer of note with one book on Amazon. The book is called “Foal and the Angels” and it’s a cute, inspiring read from a writer with lots to say. Anyway… I digress… Let’s see what FOAL has to say!

Q) Good morning, Foal!

A) Good morning!

Q) What does it feel like to be in an OBE (out of body experience)?

A) It feels as though you are more real than real. You feel everything as if it’s your body, but if you go to higher planes, then you go through walls and peoples’ bodies.

Q) Have you done that?

A) Yep!! More times than I can tell you about.

Q) Many people have said that during an “out of body experience” you can actually see inside the walls of a building as you are passing through. Have you experienced that?

A) As you are passing through the wall, you can see inside the wall, right? I know it’s possible, but have never experienced that personally. I have passed through my bedroom wall, though, and through the roof of my house.

Q) So, do you think all the people in the world who claim to be abducted by aliens could actually be having OBEs?

A) I believe that they could be. Maybe some of them were actually abducted, I really don’t know; but it’s more likely the majority could really be OBEing and not realize it. You do meet strange entities in that plane, so maybe they are aliens. Who knows?

Q) I have to ask– do you personally believe in ghosts?

A) I absolutely did not! That was until I met one. Actually, many of them!

Q) Was that during an OBE?

A) Yes, of course. In my case, everything happens only when I am asleep.

Q) Have you ever had an OBE that warned you against something?

A) In my personal experience, that has happened mostly in dreams. However, I know that warnings during OBEs have happened to other people. As for warnings from my own dreams, it has occurred more times than I could tell you, Nick.

Q) Amazing! Do you believe we make choices in life or that our lives are predetermined?

A) I believe we make choices before coming here as to what we want to accomplish on this plane and in this particular incarnation, but then we have to keep making choices every day to see if we can keep to our “contract.” So, it means we can somehow change our contract most of the time, and if our goals are too high or difficult to achieve, we may not even be able to finish it and it will be `forwarded` tonext life. I am assuming this, of course. You don’t need to believe me! It`s just my own story to try to make sense of things, right? Howeverthe dreams always show up to remind me to stay my course, to stay with my contract, which is what I promised myself to do in this life. So to me this is very true and real. (I talk about it in the last chapters of FOAL.)

Q) Do you believe that we all have a purpose in life?

A) You bet! I have no doubt about that anymore. We have plans before incarnating, but , as I said, we don’t usually keep to all of them because it’s not easy at all.

Q) So we have all been here before, right?

A) Oh, right! I have seen a few past lives in my dreams, and I know there are many, MANY more of them! In FOAL, I talk a lot about reincarnation, but I didn’t go into the OBE experience—that is for my next book.

Q) When do you plan to start the second book?

A) I have already! I feel the desire to write when my energy is buoyant and upbeat, for example, when FOAL 1 receives a good review!  I now have the first thirty pages done on the second book.

Q) What will it be about? Just OBE, or will it take readers further?

A)  The FOAL series is not about OBEs or dreams in themselves. It is about how each of those types of experiences can teach us to live better. A book that only talks about dreams and OBEs makes no sense to me. I have already typed thousands of pages of those experiences, but that does not make a book, and it would not be worth writing and, by the way, it would be so boring!.

The second book will include dreams, angels’ messages, God Supremes’ rebukes, and new teachings, along with eye opening insights. I will also explain the novelty of OBEs and what they meant to me, or whatdifferent view of the world they opened to me.

Q) Can you tell me what an angel actually is?

A) Read my blog, I wrote about this subject three articles ago!  It’s a long answer.  We don’t need to call them angels; it’s simply a label I use just because I was born in a Christian country.  I am good with any name, but there are entities or energies or whatever name you want to call them in other dimensions, and we CAN communicate with them.

Q) Do Angels or Spirits always have the answers?

A) Do you always have the ears to listen? I’ve received a lot of answers, but you know, and many people would say so, it could always all be in my head.

Q) What are the best ways to hear them?

A) You have to be quiet inside, and you must try to put yourself aside and accept anything without trying to influence the outcome. It`s like this, you must try to be an empty bottle without color. If you are too `coloured`, all the messages will be too. For me, it comes easier to “listen” just before falling asleep or while meditating. I meditate everyday but not for long. I now usually meditate for around 20-30 minutes once or twice a day. Previously, when I was receiving all those messages, it was an hour a day.

Q) When did you become interested in meditation, and how did you become interested?

A) Well, for me it was mostly the opposite process of other people. I started having these incredible dreams, and then started OBEing without having an idea of what it was. That freaked me out. But there was a strong spiritual connotation in there, so it put me on a real QUEST. Therefore, I started to buy books, CDs and started meditating to try to figure things out. That was in 2004.

Q) Whilst on the subject of meditation, what do you think of Deepak Chopra?

A) He is one of the great ones, but, in this particular period of my life, I follow Eckhart Tolle more and a mystic yogi called Jaggi Vasudev Sadhguru.

Q) Thank you for your time and for a truly interesting interview.

A) Thank you!

Get your copy of “Foal and the Angels” today!

Want To Watch A Movie With Me?

Surfing around Youtube I found something I think you may find interesting! An unedited upload of my movie “The Dead are Alive” from 1972. This was another great experience. Enjoy!

Tim Northway And His Mist….

An interview with leading science-fiction writer Tim Northway! Enjoy! If you enjoy science-fiction you may enjoy my new book “Days of the Harbinger.”

Q) What is the “mist” in “Total Amnesia” and where does it come from? Why a “mist” anyway? What was that concept  all about?

I assume you’re asking about the gas that paralyzes the humans so they can be collected up by the invaders.

It is

The brain of all living things contain a “node” programmed into the DNA.  This node will react to a certain composition of gas, shut down the body and activate a locating beacon.a very easy way of taking over a planet.

For example if a Harvest company has an order for 100,000 Moose, the ship will gas the planet with a particular gas composition.  This will paralyze all Moose and only Moose—no other organism will be affected by the gas.

In this story, the Harvest ship has a Purchase order to collect up all the humans.

The story begins as the pink gas (mist) descends upon the planet, penetrating solids as easily as air. The humans have no defence as the approaching mist.  Imagine watching an approaching wall of pink gas as it pervades the planet, knowing there is nothing you can do to escape it.

Pretty grim!

Q) Did you write “Total Amnesia” with a sequel in mind?

No, but it has opened itself up to many sequels!

Q) What is “Total Amnesia” about anyway?

A good old fashion alien attack on Earth told from my viewpoint, play by play, until every human on Earth has collapsed in paralysis—with the exception of me.  I was singled out for a purpose.

I am taken on a fantastic tour of the universe and into a forgotten past.

Q) Where did the title of “Total Amnesia” come from?

The forgotten past that—to be confined here on Earth—everyone must have in common.  We are here for a reason.  The reasons will all be revealed to you when you regain your memory of the past.

Q) If you could go back and rewrite any part of “Total Amnesia” what would you rewrite?

Tough question as I have rewritten it so many times, I figure I’ve done all the rewriting I can.

Q) Do you feel it’s important to make a story entertaining or is it more important to get your message out there?

I am a writer that bases his story on a message.  Then I attempt to make an entertaining story around it.

Q) Taken on a base level how would you describe this book?

A wild, very entertaining story of self discovery and a view of this universe that you never would have suspected and most importantly, a way to free yourself as a soul!

Q) How do you feel about presenting a book to the reading public? Does that scare you?

No way, it is exciting to hear how it is received.  I hope it meets my expectations (which are very high).

Q) If you sat down to think about “Total Amnesia” for a second who would your favorite character be?

This one is obvious.  It’s Professor Espree.  I created this character with the perfect woman in mind.

 Total Amnesia Available Today!

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Author Tim Northway Explains About The Mist… (nickwale.org)
Ted Cruz, Frank Sinatra, Total Amnesia and Author Tim Northway (nickwale.org)
Tim Northway And His Occluded Existence (authorcliffroberts.wordpress.com)
Of beached submarines, forts and mist (ladyfi.wordpress.com)
Five Animal Signs That Planet Earth Is Sick (all-that-is-interesting.com)
Book Review: The Flame in the Mist by Kit Grindstaff (readerlymusings.com)
Amnesia (krisallis52.wordpress.com)
American Science, Political Science… Author Tim Northway (nickwale.org)
Guest Interview: Creatures From Outer Space And Tim Northway (alexcordnews.wordpress.com)

Guest Interview: Creatures From Outer Space And Tim Northway

My guest interview today is from Tim Northway. Tim is a science-fiction writer who has a truly interesting book. I really hope you enjoy this portrait of Mr Amnesia. If you like Tim Northway you may be interested in my book “Days of the Harbinger.”

Q) How long does it take you to write a novel?

Anywhere from 2 months to 5 years, depending on how much “life” gets in your way.  If I am solely working as a writer 2-3 months.

Q) Have you always been a reader? What kinds of books really excited you as a young reader?

I recall, before I could read, my father reading stories to the kids nearly every night before bed.  I loved it.  He was such a great father!  At the age of 6 I was so proud to have read my first “real” book Fury and the Mustangs.  I always loved adventure stories, whether fiction or non-fiction.

Q) Has science-fiction always been a big draw for you?

My first Sci-fi experience was Ann McCaffrey’s the series of books on the dragonriders of Pern.  I was addicted to those books.  I was a voracious reader when I found an author or a series that I liked.  I almost went into seclusion when I started reading Steven Kings earlier books and later Edgar Rice Burroughs’ books on Mars.

Q) If you could be any writer in the world—who would you be and why?

Ernest Hemmingway.  Yes he had his demons, but I would be him without the demons—which may make me another person, but I don’t think so.  Demons are additives to a person, like bugs on your windshield.  They don’t need to be there and if you pay attention to them, you run into telephone poles or something.

Q) Where do you think your love of writing came from?

I’m an artist, thus I have a desire to communicate in a way that will create a good effect on others.

Q) Have you traveled outside of the U.S.A and did your experiences in other countries influence your writing?

I have traveled outside of the U.S.A.  It has influenced me only in as much as the experiences I have made for good stories.

Q) As a writer would you ever consider writing a book in another language?

I haven’t.  I have not learned another language, sad to say.

Q) What does a great science fiction novel need?

For me, a great overall theme and a feeling that you’ve just got to find out what happens! (happily ever after?  Ruin? Defeat? Victory?).  You’ve got to have interesting characters that take you to new and interesting worlds.

Q) What does it mean to be a writer? What does that mean to you?

Freedom to create and make a living at it.

Q) Can you make a sentence using the words “deceit” and “Balthazar?”

I googled Balthazar and found it was a restaurant in New York), so here it goes:

“There is little deceit in the flavours of the Lobster and Tomato Linguine at Balthazar.”

 Q) What does the word “alien” actually mean to you?

Creatures from outer space.  Strange, unusual beings with unfamiliar technology.  That is my initial reaction.  Actually, they’re just folks from a different place with different models of bodies.

Q) What would you deem interesting?

A solution to it.  (“it” can be any purpose you want to pursue).

Q) What is your writing routine? Can you explain how you spend your normal writing day?

As a relatively new writer, I have my banal day job to pay the bills.  Thus I am sentenced to eight hours of “work” five days a week until I build up a sufficient following to allow me to quit.  After work I find a suitable place to write, be it a coffee house or some quiet spot at home.  If I am heavy into a story, I continue for hours.  If it ain’t flowing, I’m easily distracted by football games and other human crap such as remodelling the stupid bathroom or the running the ridiculous errands that life requires; all the while thinking, “I just need to sell everything, but my laptop, move to a mountain town and find a place with a nice view and a deck”.

Q) What is the one supplemental drink or luxury a writer needs?

Wine of course is the first thing that comes to mind.  But wine, while it relieves the stress, often results in sloth and any writer must work diligently or fade away.  Sadly, I have not achieved proper discipline so I try not to indulge unless it is at particular social activities.

So the actual needed supplemental drink would be coffee.  I drink a lot of it.

Q) Do you ever see “Total Amnesia” as a movie?

Yes, it would be utterly groundbreaking.  Not only would it have the fantastic special effects of the Earth invasion, the 3D universe-wide internet, the silly bickering aliens, the horrific “Mind Fabricators” and the appalling “Body Injectors”, it would require a new, innovative method of representing the spirit or the soul on screen.

Q) Do you write ever with a movie script in mind?

I write from a story that is composed of mental pictures.  There’s always a movie playing in my head.

Q) Can you describe “Total Amnesia” in 15 words.

I am taken on a fantastic, mind-boggling tour of this universe and into my past.

Q) That’s 16 words…

Close enough! I tried my best.

FIND “TOTAL AMNESIA” TODAY!