Kim Cormack's Blog, page 19
March 14, 2015
March 6, 2015
Interview with Author Lannie Wright
A word or two with... The Amazing Author Lannie Wright.
1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I have been a writer of mystery/suspense novels since 2001. I am an investment advisor and have been working in the financial services industry since 1978. I am married to Melissa. We have a Black Lab by the name of Barney who is probably smarter than the both of us. Together we have three sons and three grandchildren. We live in the rural area of Carmel Valley, Ca.
2 How did you choose the genre you started writing in?
Many years ago, a close friend of mine, Ronald Turek, a police officer, was killed in the line of duty on the night before my birthday. I found out that morning when I woke to the news on the radio. It was a time in my life when I started questioning everything. Why do bad people do what they do? What do good people need to do to overcome evil? Over time, the pain diminished, but the questions continued. I now use what I learned to tell stories about good overcoming evil and how sometimes, bad will happen to even the best of us.
3 Where do you get your ideas?
Crazy happens around us all the time if you are simply open to seeing it. Generally, I find that a good book happens not merely with a good story, but with likable characters. I usually take characters that I have created and put them into situations and then give them a chance to figure out how to get out of it or solve the problem. What makes for a good story, is when not even the author knows how they are going to succeed.
4 Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
There were many challenges. The first was ignorance. When someone goes through the process of writing a novel (or any book) they are left with the feeling that they have accomplished something. At least I thought I had done something great. What I came to learn over time is that writing a novel is actually the easiest part of the whole process. Getting it published was extremely difficult. There are questions you must ask yourself. Is it perfect in all ways? How do I want it published; traditional, self-published, e-publish, audio? Those are just a few of the alternatives. Even that isn’t the most difficult, you must also figure out how to market the work after you see it in print. It’s a lot of work and takes a strong person who’s willing to accept rejection. However…all in all, it’s worth it.
5 How do you market your work? What methods have you found to best for your genre?
Tough questions. I have tried many different methods of marketing. A lot of what a person can do depends on how much they can afford to spend. In my situation, I don’t have a large budget so I have relied on social media as the primary source of my marketing. Twitter and Facebook have helped me allot. I have also participated in several book signings at book stores as well as joining local establishments when they are having special promotions at their stores.
6 Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
I am currently working on two different books. The one I am spending the most time on right now is the third book of my Katt and Mouse Mystery series. I don’t have it titled yet, but hope to have it ready by this summer. I am also working on the second book of my Connections series. I have had success with both series so far. The main characters of both series are fun, smart and ready for a new challenge.
7 Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
Nothing in life or in writing is pure of either. Someone told me a long time ago that if you want to write a better book, live a better life. I think what he meant by better is, more exciting; or at least more interesting. The beauty of a great novel is the author’s ability to transform his imagination into something that we as readers can believe as possible. If it isn’t believable, or possible, then our minds cannot accept it as something worthy of our time and energy.
8 How did you come up with the title?
In the book “Castle Grey”. The title of the book came to me before the story or even the characters. One of my favorite T.V. shows is Castle. It’s fun and has great characters and I look forward to it every week. One of my wife’s favorite T.V. shows is Grey’s Anatomy. I was sitting down watching castle when I saw a commercial for Grey’s Anatomy and the name just hit me, Castle Grey. Once I had the title, I had to have a building worthy of the name and a location for it to exist. I combined (in my mind) the Hearst castle with the Winchester mansion and placed it in Monterey, CA. Thus Castle Grey was born.
9 What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
I can think of two examples of hand. The first came to me from my biggest critic—my wife. My first novel, one I had toiled over for over two years, was completed and she came to me and told me that my ending stunk. And that is the PG version of what she actually said. Rather than getting upset, I re-wrote it with similar results. It took me six or seven times before I got her approval. But that first time hurt the most. The second time I was criticized is when my editor came back on that same novel and had 10,000 corrections that needed to be made (not an exaggeration) that I had to make. Most of them were spelling and punctuation. It took me a very long time to get that corrected. My second editor, on the same book, found about 2,000 more.
10 Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
I might have a few nuggets. Write every day. Tell a story that makes sense and has continuity. Create an ending that leaves the reader want more. Finally, get a professional to edit your work.
11 How do we get to know you better?
You can check me out at www.lanniewright.org . I am available at www.twitter.com/lanniewrightand you can read my books in both paper and e-book formats.
12 Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?
I am a person who makes my side of the bed in the morning. My wife has to make her own side of the bed. I’m not sure where this concept came from. I used to make both sides. However, after many mornings where she refused to make my side, I came to the conclusion that the rules were now different. We each must bear the burden of our own messes.
13 Do you get road rage? What pisses you off the most about other drivers?
I seldom get upset while driving. I would best classify myself as a giver, not a receiver of things. If rage is to be experienced, I find it best for others to experience.
14 What is your favorite fruit and why?
My favorite fruit is the Kumquat. The origins of this happened when I was a mere child. My aunt had purchased some of the delectable pods to use as a part of her Christmas fruit bowl. My cousin David dared me to eat one by telling me that it was just a miniature orange. The difference being that I could eat the rind and even the seeds. Not one to refuse a challenge, I popped the little thing in my mouth and crunched down on it with gusto. I was amazed at the initial sweetness which was quickly encased by the tart internal juices. It was delicious. Since then, I make it a habit to pick some of them up whenever I get the urge.
15 You can have any animal in the world as a pet. What would it be?
I think I could narrow it down to either a Siberian Tiger or a Polar Bear. I’m not really sure why it would be those two. I’m sure that a Bengal Tiger and a Grizzly Bear would work just as well. I think it has to do with the uniqueness of them both being pure white which is so rare in nature. Either that or I’m a freak.
15 Do you make friends easily?
This is a trick question. The first thing that one must know is the definition of a friend. I have hundreds of friends on Facebook and Twitter; most I wouldn’t leave alone in my home while I went to the store. There are others that the title “friend” gets slung around that I see somewhat frequently that I could entrust certain valuables, but only because I know where they live. But to me, a friend is someone you could trust with your deepest secrets, your wife’s life and your daughter’s chastity. Those kind of friends are rare enough that I would feel honored to know a hand full in a lifetime.
So, that’s it about me for now. I hope you learned a thing or two about the author of the Katt and Mouse Mystery series and the Connection series.
I'm sure there will be many more titles to come from this talented Author.
1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I have been a writer of mystery/suspense novels since 2001. I am an investment advisor and have been working in the financial services industry since 1978. I am married to Melissa. We have a Black Lab by the name of Barney who is probably smarter than the both of us. Together we have three sons and three grandchildren. We live in the rural area of Carmel Valley, Ca.
2 How did you choose the genre you started writing in?
Many years ago, a close friend of mine, Ronald Turek, a police officer, was killed in the line of duty on the night before my birthday. I found out that morning when I woke to the news on the radio. It was a time in my life when I started questioning everything. Why do bad people do what they do? What do good people need to do to overcome evil? Over time, the pain diminished, but the questions continued. I now use what I learned to tell stories about good overcoming evil and how sometimes, bad will happen to even the best of us.
3 Where do you get your ideas?
Crazy happens around us all the time if you are simply open to seeing it. Generally, I find that a good book happens not merely with a good story, but with likable characters. I usually take characters that I have created and put them into situations and then give them a chance to figure out how to get out of it or solve the problem. What makes for a good story, is when not even the author knows how they are going to succeed.
4 Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
There were many challenges. The first was ignorance. When someone goes through the process of writing a novel (or any book) they are left with the feeling that they have accomplished something. At least I thought I had done something great. What I came to learn over time is that writing a novel is actually the easiest part of the whole process. Getting it published was extremely difficult. There are questions you must ask yourself. Is it perfect in all ways? How do I want it published; traditional, self-published, e-publish, audio? Those are just a few of the alternatives. Even that isn’t the most difficult, you must also figure out how to market the work after you see it in print. It’s a lot of work and takes a strong person who’s willing to accept rejection. However…all in all, it’s worth it.
5 How do you market your work? What methods have you found to best for your genre?
Tough questions. I have tried many different methods of marketing. A lot of what a person can do depends on how much they can afford to spend. In my situation, I don’t have a large budget so I have relied on social media as the primary source of my marketing. Twitter and Facebook have helped me allot. I have also participated in several book signings at book stores as well as joining local establishments when they are having special promotions at their stores.
6 Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
I am currently working on two different books. The one I am spending the most time on right now is the third book of my Katt and Mouse Mystery series. I don’t have it titled yet, but hope to have it ready by this summer. I am also working on the second book of my Connections series. I have had success with both series so far. The main characters of both series are fun, smart and ready for a new challenge.
7 Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
Nothing in life or in writing is pure of either. Someone told me a long time ago that if you want to write a better book, live a better life. I think what he meant by better is, more exciting; or at least more interesting. The beauty of a great novel is the author’s ability to transform his imagination into something that we as readers can believe as possible. If it isn’t believable, or possible, then our minds cannot accept it as something worthy of our time and energy.
8 How did you come up with the title?
In the book “Castle Grey”. The title of the book came to me before the story or even the characters. One of my favorite T.V. shows is Castle. It’s fun and has great characters and I look forward to it every week. One of my wife’s favorite T.V. shows is Grey’s Anatomy. I was sitting down watching castle when I saw a commercial for Grey’s Anatomy and the name just hit me, Castle Grey. Once I had the title, I had to have a building worthy of the name and a location for it to exist. I combined (in my mind) the Hearst castle with the Winchester mansion and placed it in Monterey, CA. Thus Castle Grey was born.
9 What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
I can think of two examples of hand. The first came to me from my biggest critic—my wife. My first novel, one I had toiled over for over two years, was completed and she came to me and told me that my ending stunk. And that is the PG version of what she actually said. Rather than getting upset, I re-wrote it with similar results. It took me six or seven times before I got her approval. But that first time hurt the most. The second time I was criticized is when my editor came back on that same novel and had 10,000 corrections that needed to be made (not an exaggeration) that I had to make. Most of them were spelling and punctuation. It took me a very long time to get that corrected. My second editor, on the same book, found about 2,000 more.
10 Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
I might have a few nuggets. Write every day. Tell a story that makes sense and has continuity. Create an ending that leaves the reader want more. Finally, get a professional to edit your work.
11 How do we get to know you better?
You can check me out at www.lanniewright.org . I am available at www.twitter.com/lanniewrightand you can read my books in both paper and e-book formats.
12 Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?
I am a person who makes my side of the bed in the morning. My wife has to make her own side of the bed. I’m not sure where this concept came from. I used to make both sides. However, after many mornings where she refused to make my side, I came to the conclusion that the rules were now different. We each must bear the burden of our own messes.
13 Do you get road rage? What pisses you off the most about other drivers?
I seldom get upset while driving. I would best classify myself as a giver, not a receiver of things. If rage is to be experienced, I find it best for others to experience.
14 What is your favorite fruit and why?
My favorite fruit is the Kumquat. The origins of this happened when I was a mere child. My aunt had purchased some of the delectable pods to use as a part of her Christmas fruit bowl. My cousin David dared me to eat one by telling me that it was just a miniature orange. The difference being that I could eat the rind and even the seeds. Not one to refuse a challenge, I popped the little thing in my mouth and crunched down on it with gusto. I was amazed at the initial sweetness which was quickly encased by the tart internal juices. It was delicious. Since then, I make it a habit to pick some of them up whenever I get the urge.
15 You can have any animal in the world as a pet. What would it be?
I think I could narrow it down to either a Siberian Tiger or a Polar Bear. I’m not really sure why it would be those two. I’m sure that a Bengal Tiger and a Grizzly Bear would work just as well. I think it has to do with the uniqueness of them both being pure white which is so rare in nature. Either that or I’m a freak.
15 Do you make friends easily?
This is a trick question. The first thing that one must know is the definition of a friend. I have hundreds of friends on Facebook and Twitter; most I wouldn’t leave alone in my home while I went to the store. There are others that the title “friend” gets slung around that I see somewhat frequently that I could entrust certain valuables, but only because I know where they live. But to me, a friend is someone you could trust with your deepest secrets, your wife’s life and your daughter’s chastity. Those kind of friends are rare enough that I would feel honored to know a hand full in a lifetime.
So, that’s it about me for now. I hope you learned a thing or two about the author of the Katt and Mouse Mystery series and the Connection series.
I'm sure there will be many more titles to come from this talented Author.
March 1, 2015
Enlightenment
Kayn lost everything and everyone she loved in a brutal attack on her family. Kayn is now an Ankh; Kevin is a Triad, her enemy, with all memory of Kayn wiped from his mind. Can his love for her survive? Will she be able to find the strength to stand against him when the time comes?
Ankh must assimilate and train its three new members. At least Kayn is not alone as the only newbie. They’ve lost just as much as she. It’s part of the deal...the family never survives. Bonding with their new clan and forgetting the past is critical.
Kayn must learn to fight. She must learn to do impossible things, and make choices that leave a dent in her soul and an ache in her heart. The mortal version of right and wrong is now irrelevant.
Her twin, Chloe, while dead, still feels part of her. Will Chloe be able to take over Kayn's body? Frost keeps watching her, waiting. She feels a pull to Frost, but is it real or a Chloe memory? She longs for Kevin, but her twin's attachment to Frost is causing her emotional conflict.
Can Kevin’s and her love survive? Will Kevin remember her?
The Testing is coming. Kayn must learn to fight and die, and stand back up to fight and die again to get through The Testing. Will she survive and what will she become? Is her destiny set? Will she find enlightenment?
This is not a fairytale. This is a nightmare.
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February 28, 2015
Enlightenment teasers
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Her eyes were still scanning for ridges as the large cat-like creature began to crouch down and make chirping noises just like a house cat excited about a bird too close to the window. The wall opened up behind her, and someone snagged her by the arm. They yanked her through it just as a hail of fire and lava came spraying out of the creature’s mouth. Kayn for a brief moment believed that she had been saved. Her mind took a second to register. She felt her flesh engulfed in liquid flames. Her skin and meat melted off of her bones. Kayn stared at her arms in horror. She fell to her knees, her soul jolted by a crippling sensation of indescribable torture. It encompassed her entire being. Her soul screamed from within her as she burst into ash and disintegrated into the stale air of the crypt.
February 17, 2015
Kariny's teen boox fren-Z: TITLE : ENLIGHTENMENT SERIES: CHILDREN OF ANKH BOO...
Kariny's teen boox fren-Z: TITLE : ENLIGHTENMENT SERIES: CHILDREN OF ANKH BOO...: TITLE : ENLIGHTENMENT SERIES: CHILDREN OF ANKH BOOK 2 AUTHOR: KIM CORMACK *I received a free ARC from the author in exchange for an ho...
February 16, 2015
February 12, 2015
Max E Stone
I was fortunate enough to receive a pre-release copy of this gripping spine-tingling journey into the psyche. I can't post a review on Amazon quite yet, but I will as soon as it's been released. I was most impressed by the macabre visuals. Kudos to Max E Stone for the thrilling visualizations. Watch out for this writer in the future. I see big things coming...
RUN...
Two torturous months came and went
Detective Bennett refuses to give up on finding his daughter
Even as the authorities of New England and beyond, trailing the blood in the girl's wake, devised a ruthless manhunt to bring her back
Well aware of the young woman's fragile state, Bennett is determined to locate her first
And terrified to learn that he and the officers aren't the only ones looking...
FOR YOUR LIFE...
Tucked in a hideaway past America's borders, courtesy of her only trusted connect as of late, Melissa is sure she's safe.
That is until the hammering knocks at her door threaten her world, her sanity…
And her life.
THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY OUT...
Max E. Stone https://www.facebook.com/oneminutethere https://twitter.com/maxestone
https://www.facebook.com/officialmaxestone
Website: www.maxestone.com
February 11, 2015
I'll kill you my damn self if you finish that sentence
Grey could obviously still feel something tickling his leg. He glared at the next usual suspect. He teased, “Listen Lily, no means no.” Lily said, “Do try to get over it Grey. I’m afraid that ship has sailed.” “Okay, not funny. That was half way up my leg.” Grey accused as his eyes widened. “Oh shit,” he squealed and hissed, “Get out of the booth, get out! Oh my God, there is something furry in my pants!” “That’s what she said,” Zach whispered to the group. Everyone began to howl laughing as Grey began to squeal, “Oh crap, oh crap!” He undid his pants and squeamishly struggled out of them. His pants left in a bundle on the restaurant floor to the other patrons’ astonishment. Grey stood there for just a second frozen in terror. He was wearing nothing but his tight gray colored underwear. He began to jump around like a girly girl squealing,” Oh shit, shit, shit!” The pants on the floor began to move and then out from under them crawled the largest black rat any of them had ever laid eyes on. They all began to howl, laughing in unison. Grey squealed and shrieked like a little girl. He jumped up on the seat in the booth. Zach was hysterically laughing to the point of crying. “I’m out of here,” Grey stammered, “that grotesque creature was in my pants.” “That’s what she said,” Frost added to the long standing clan joke. The waitress walked up and picked up the rat and chuckled, “Sorry, this is the boss’s kid’s pet. He must have gotten out somehow. It’s not a wild rat or anything, it’s just a house pet.” “Your house pet was in my pants,” Grey hissed causing some of them to sputter a bit of laughter out even while attempting to stop. Zach whispered, “That’s what ...” Grey raised his hand and threatened, “I swear if you finish that sentence I will kill you in your sleep.” “Okay sweetie,” Lexy whispered. “You can sit down now. The big bad rat is gone.” The waitress walked away holding the rat in her arms. It was as big as a cat. Grey murmured, “Just a house pet.” He stared at the waitress intensely for a second and her skirt fell off. She squealed and ran into the back room without letting go of the rat. Lexy grabbed Grey’s arm and yanked him to back down on the bench seat. “You’re a grown man. Was that really necessary?” Grey gave Lexy an innocent look and said, “I’ll give her a good tip.” Zach said, “Just the...?
Lexy scowled at Zach and said, “I’ll kill you my damn self if you finish that bloody sentence.”
Lexy scowled at Zach and said, “I’ll kill you my damn self if you finish that bloody sentence.”
Learning to die
Lexy stood before them, clearing her throat a couple of times before she announced, “This portion of the training is a brain exercise. The testing will tell the third tiers if you are a viable second tier, long term. A second tier’s biggest weakness is that their brain is trained to respond to situations as a human being. We have the ability to heal everything but your psyche. You have to be able to shut down the need for self preservation. In order to have the ability to run full force into the center of a hurricane, you will need to fully accept the fact that death is not a permanent state. The human brain has a little self preservation switch. It wants to turn off once it’s been wounded. It needs time to reboot. Some call it shock and others say it’s a blessing, but your brain wants to protect you from prolonged agony. You break a limb and your brain shuts off the pain until the shock wears off. Our brains need to be able function in those moments after serious injury. Just because we can heal your body, that doesn’t mean your brain will allow you to operate it.” Kayn could read the disclaimer at the bottom of this page. This portion of the training was going to epically suck. They followed Lexy through the endless desert. There was a flash of light and the scenery changed. They had to stop cold as they were now standing right on the edge of a vast clay ravine with no greenery. Lexy said, “The three of you are only as strong as your weakest link. Hold hands.”Kayn and Melody each grabbed one of Zach’s hands. They stood on the edge of the rocky bluff. She guessed they were going to have to stop themselves from falling? They knew how to do this. What was the big deal about this exercise? Kayn stretched forward and peered over the edge. They wouldn’t have much time to work up the adrenaline to stop. This wasn’t thousands of feet. When they entered the in-between it was from just above the cloud line. This drop would be fast, and it would hurt like a son of a bitch if they didn’t manage to stop themselves.Lexy said, “This game has only one rule. No matter what happens, you can’t let go of each other’s hands.”Kayn looked at the other two and thought that sounds easy enough. Melody said, “Don’t let go. Let’s do it on the count of three, one, two and jump.”Zach said, “Are we jumping on three then?”Melody answered, “I don’t think it will matter. You are in the middle so when we jump you’re coming along.”Melody began to count, “One, two and jump.”They sprung off of the ledge without any fear. They knew they could stop. All three of them reached up one hand to try to stop the impact and it didn’t work. Kayn had time to remember one of the first times she had dropped from the sky into the in-between. She was told to let go of Kevin. Let go or she wouldn’t be able to stop. They were not allowed to let go of each other. They didn’t let go and kept holding each other’s hands. Kayn squeezed her eyes shut in the last second before impact and said, “Shit.” There was an explosion of excruciating soul altering pain. That was followed by nothing for a moment, then a steady humming sound. She felt heavy, weighted to the clay floor. She began to vibrate. She heard Melody’s voice echoing in the distance. It sounded like it was coming from the end of a tunnel, “Kayn, Zach, wake up.”Kayn choked a deep breath of air into her lungs and gasped. Her chest felt like it had been scalded from the inside with boiling water. All the way down her throat, it was on fire. It was burning. She took another breath and it slowly began to subside and normalise. Shit, did that ever suck. She heard someone groan from beside her on the ground. It was Zach. He was writhing around, also in excruciating pain. He squirmed on the ground and thought back to her, you can say that again.Kayn agonizingly rotated her head, so she could look at him. She noticed that Melody was already standing up. She looked just fine. Why couldn’t she be a healer instead of this Conduit bull shit?
She heard Zach’s feeble attempt to choke out the word, “Ditto.”
She heard Zach’s feeble attempt to choke out the word, “Ditto.”
