Cardeno C.'s Blog, page 27
February 1, 2018
Character Voices
Today, we'll hear from narrator Nick J. Russo, along with all of the voices in his head. Authors are familiar with character creation of course- all the effort and angst of building a personality out of words. Nick shares his process as a narrator to voice that personality and tell the story that goes with it.
I do voices for a living (and for pleasure).
Sitting here in my home studio, sipping coffee and listening to my favorite music playlist, has given me a lot to be appreciative of over the past few years. I am one of the fortunate ones in this world that creates for a living - and loves every moment of it.
I’m reminded of that fact every time I take part in one of my favorite pastimes -role-playing. No, not THAT kind of role-playing, (get your mind out of the gutter), the nerdy kind - tabletop role-playing. As a game master, it’s my job to tell an interesting story for my players to take center stage in, whether it be a fantastical tale via Dungeons and Dragons, a real world scenario with D20 Modern, or something that goes bump in the night with World of Darkness. My players create unique characters while I create the setting, plot, and non-player characters, (or NPCs for short). It’s that last part in particular that always puts a smile on my face though.
I love giving voice to characters. At this point between narrating audiobooks for four years and role playing for the better part of two decades, I’ve given my best impressions of all sorts of people. From sinners to saints, nerds to jocks, introverts to extroverts, cowboys to yuppies, the occult to the obscenely normal, you name it and I’ve probably done it. But quantifying any given character with a single label such as these isn’t even the half of it.
It’s an utter thrill to explore what makes a particular person tick; their background, their motivations, and the overall impression they leave in any given story. The more complex and juicy, the better! Three dimensional characters offer the chance to throw nuance and intricacies into every bit of dialogue they may have.
The real fun begins when you start layering their voice with subtleties that define them. As an example, I’m reminded of a recent book I voiced, "Can’t Hide From Me," by Cordelia Kingsbridge. The two main characters had a complex history, mostly sexual that ended just plain ugly, but due to demands from their dangerous line of work, they were forced to put it aside for awhile and focus on other matters. Reading the dialogue, the two leads discussing events that transpired and placed them in harm’s way, it would’ve been easy to have had them sound like classic, confident all-American heroes from the days of old.
But that’s not terribly intriguing - without depth, the characters are prone to sound a bit robotic and boring. They need to be alluring in their own ways, filled with juicy emotion and flaws. To quote an old fast food catchphrase, “WHERE’S THE BEEF?”
The “beef” for me is adding the depth that comes with truly voicing these characters instead of simply reading the words presented. With "Can’t Hide From Me," the beef comes with giving life to former lovers-turned-exes tasked with protecting important objectives: a matter of national security. The breakup ended badly - on top of dealing with an already tense situation, there are hints of aggression, resentment, and accusation in any given thing they might be saying to one another. As a narrator, this translates to emphasizing certain buzz words, and adding calculated tone to others - essentially conveying to the listener what’s NOT being said via the dialogue, but is clearly present nevertheless. I absolutely LOVE this. I get to do this everyday with fantastic stories by talented individuals- and they pay me to do so!
So in short, thank you to everyone that allows me to make this dream possible. You allow me to utilize a talent I was only using for nerdy pastimes until recently. It may not sound like it based on whatever the scene calls for, but with every word that I read, I’m smiling.
Find Nick J. Russo and Falcon Sound Company on Facebook or at falconsoundcompany.com
Coming soon! Nick's newest narration is Victoria Sue's "Who We Truly Are."
I do voices for a living (and for pleasure).
Sitting here in my home studio, sipping coffee and listening to my favorite music playlist, has given me a lot to be appreciative of over the past few years. I am one of the fortunate ones in this world that creates for a living - and loves every moment of it.
I’m reminded of that fact every time I take part in one of my favorite pastimes -role-playing. No, not THAT kind of role-playing, (get your mind out of the gutter), the nerdy kind - tabletop role-playing. As a game master, it’s my job to tell an interesting story for my players to take center stage in, whether it be a fantastical tale via Dungeons and Dragons, a real world scenario with D20 Modern, or something that goes bump in the night with World of Darkness. My players create unique characters while I create the setting, plot, and non-player characters, (or NPCs for short). It’s that last part in particular that always puts a smile on my face though.I love giving voice to characters. At this point between narrating audiobooks for four years and role playing for the better part of two decades, I’ve given my best impressions of all sorts of people. From sinners to saints, nerds to jocks, introverts to extroverts, cowboys to yuppies, the occult to the obscenely normal, you name it and I’ve probably done it. But quantifying any given character with a single label such as these isn’t even the half of it.
It’s an utter thrill to explore what makes a particular person tick; their background, their motivations, and the overall impression they leave in any given story. The more complex and juicy, the better! Three dimensional characters offer the chance to throw nuance and intricacies into every bit of dialogue they may have.
The real fun begins when you start layering their voice with subtleties that define them. As an example, I’m reminded of a recent book I voiced, "Can’t Hide From Me," by Cordelia Kingsbridge. The two main characters had a complex history, mostly sexual that ended just plain ugly, but due to demands from their dangerous line of work, they were forced to put it aside for awhile and focus on other matters. Reading the dialogue, the two leads discussing events that transpired and placed them in harm’s way, it would’ve been easy to have had them sound like classic, confident all-American heroes from the days of old. But that’s not terribly intriguing - without depth, the characters are prone to sound a bit robotic and boring. They need to be alluring in their own ways, filled with juicy emotion and flaws. To quote an old fast food catchphrase, “WHERE’S THE BEEF?”
The “beef” for me is adding the depth that comes with truly voicing these characters instead of simply reading the words presented. With "Can’t Hide From Me," the beef comes with giving life to former lovers-turned-exes tasked with protecting important objectives: a matter of national security. The breakup ended badly - on top of dealing with an already tense situation, there are hints of aggression, resentment, and accusation in any given thing they might be saying to one another. As a narrator, this translates to emphasizing certain buzz words, and adding calculated tone to others - essentially conveying to the listener what’s NOT being said via the dialogue, but is clearly present nevertheless. I absolutely LOVE this. I get to do this everyday with fantastic stories by talented individuals- and they pay me to do so!
So in short, thank you to everyone that allows me to make this dream possible. You allow me to utilize a talent I was only using for nerdy pastimes until recently. It may not sound like it based on whatever the scene calls for, but with every word that I read, I’m smiling.
Find Nick J. Russo and Falcon Sound Company on Facebook or at falconsoundcompany.com
Coming soon! Nick's newest narration is Victoria Sue's "Who We Truly Are."
January 30, 2018
Best Valentine's Days From BA, Julia, Kiernan and Sean
Hey y'all!
The question was, so you so V Day, and what was your best and or worst!
Kiernan Kelly
After 36 years, we don't go big on Valentine's Day anymore. Usually, we have a quiet day at home, and the hubs gives me a long stem rose. I still remember our first one, though. I was only 18, and the then-boyfriend-now-husband sent me two dozen yellow roses. It wasn't the number that impressed me, but the fact he remembered I'd once mentioned yellow roses were my favorites. I knew then he was a keeper.
Sean Michael
After 36 years, we don't go big on Valentine's Day anymore. Usually, we have a quiet day at home, and the hubs gives me a long stem rose. I still remember our first one, though. I was only 18, and the then-boyfriend-now-husband sent me two dozen yellow roses. It wasn't the number that impressed me, but the fact he remembered I'd once mentioned yellow roses were my favorites. I knew then he was a keeper.
BA Tortuga
I found out I was pregnant on Valentine's Day. Really the one good thing he gave me.
Julia Talbot
We don't do it too much. My mom got a heart shaped box of Whitman's every year, and I got a stuffed animal. Dad and bro got cards and socks. Luckily, my girl is happy to order in and watch movies.
XXOO
Julia
Visit our websites:
Sean's is http://www.seanmichaelwrites.com
Julia’s is http://www.juliatalbot.com
BA’s is http://www.batortuga.com
Kiernan's is www.KiernanKelly.com
Facebook:
Sean -- https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelW...
Julia -- https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbota...
BA -- https://www.facebook.com/batortuga
Kiernan -- https://www.facebook.com/kiernan.kelly
January 28, 2018
Top 5 Things I love that aren’t writing.
Happy Sunday all!
I was reading an interview with one of my favorite authors yesterday and I discovered that she likes to cook. And it wasn’t just that she cooks, but what she liked to cook that I found so interesting, because you can learn a lot about someone’s personality by the things they like to cook for themselves and their families, you know? So I started thinking a Top 5 of things I do when I’m not writing could be fun.
Here goes, in no particular order:
1. I love super hero movies. The Avengers universe in particular. It’s not just the badassery, although I do like that too, it’s the way that superheroes mix their “humanity” (literal and figurative) with their abilities. It’s the juxtaposition of super-powerful and super-vulnerable. It’s learning about their Kryptonite and whether they can overcome it. And of course their personalities and how many awesome one-liners they get (Iron Man, anyone?) I’m completely sucked in.
2. I love the snow. I don’t care that I have to shovel it, I do’t care that it’s a pain in the ass to drive in, I don’t care. I love to watch it fall. I love the quiet in the air when it’s snowing. I love snowmen and snowballs, I love to just look at it. I love that life goes on despite it. I don’t know, I just love snow.
3. I love baking. I love the chemistry of it, the measuring and the mixing. Baking is the perfect mix of left-brain satisfying and creative outlet. The magic of all that stuff coming together into something that makes people happy.
4. I love the beach. I LOVE THE BEACH. Did I say these were in no particular order? I lied. Put this one at the top. I don’t get a lot of time there, but I made a point every summer of getting beach-time in. I love the power and the sound of the waves, the sun, the sand, the whole thing. I could go on and on, but I'll keep it concise and just say that I'm inspired by it.
5. I love music. Particularly live music -- I'll see anything, anywhere, any time. Need company for literally anything? I'm your girl. There's rarely a moment there isn't music going in my house, it's always on in the car, I carry headphones on me everywhere I go. My life definitely has a soundtrack, and I love that it's as eclectic and varied as the people I surround myself with and the places I go.
I hope you're having a spectacular weekend.
Cheers!
Jodi
jodipayne.net
Buy Creative Process at Dreamspinner Press or at Amazon.
January 27, 2018
This Weird Country We Live In by S.C. Wynne
Hi all,
Without getting too specific about my political leanings, I feel like I'm in crazy land lately. I feel like no one is at the helm, and things could go horribly wrong so easily.
We have people in power who say one thing one day and then the exact opposite on another day. There is a horrible disrespect toward the FBI and the intelligence community in general. That is so scary and so dangerous. I don't understand how we got where we are in our country.
I'm not going to pretend that both sides don't play games and that other administrations in the past were perfect. But there was always a respect for the office and the country that comforted me. I don't see that now. I see people who are fine with Russia affecting our elections and so long as their team wins, they don't care. I find that so scary. I find that so unsettling.
I keep waiting for someone to step in and fix everything. But the problem is much of our government is run on the concept of people being honorable. Peopled doing the right thing just because they should. I don't think that is the thought process for most people in Washington right now. Everybody, and I mean everybody, is kowtowing to special interest groups and trying to grab their piece of the pie.
I hope we survive this strange period. I hope that more than half of the country votes in the upcoming elections. I hope they realize that sitting back and hoping for the best won't do. That not voting could be the very thing that destroys our country. Because we are a democracy, whether those in power want to hear our voices or not, we still have voices. And when the mid-terms come, I pray we use that authority and we stand up for what is right and what is good.
Burying out head in the sand is not an option. Not if we still want to have a country left to care about.
S.C.
www.sc-wynne.com
Without getting too specific about my political leanings, I feel like I'm in crazy land lately. I feel like no one is at the helm, and things could go horribly wrong so easily.
We have people in power who say one thing one day and then the exact opposite on another day. There is a horrible disrespect toward the FBI and the intelligence community in general. That is so scary and so dangerous. I don't understand how we got where we are in our country.
I'm not going to pretend that both sides don't play games and that other administrations in the past were perfect. But there was always a respect for the office and the country that comforted me. I don't see that now. I see people who are fine with Russia affecting our elections and so long as their team wins, they don't care. I find that so scary. I find that so unsettling.
I keep waiting for someone to step in and fix everything. But the problem is much of our government is run on the concept of people being honorable. Peopled doing the right thing just because they should. I don't think that is the thought process for most people in Washington right now. Everybody, and I mean everybody, is kowtowing to special interest groups and trying to grab their piece of the pie.
I hope we survive this strange period. I hope that more than half of the country votes in the upcoming elections. I hope they realize that sitting back and hoping for the best won't do. That not voting could be the very thing that destroys our country. Because we are a democracy, whether those in power want to hear our voices or not, we still have voices. And when the mid-terms come, I pray we use that authority and we stand up for what is right and what is good.
Burying out head in the sand is not an option. Not if we still want to have a country left to care about.
S.C.
www.sc-wynne.com
January 26, 2018
Balance by Felice Stevens
Over the past few weeks I've seen a few of my favorite authors talk about pressure—the pressure to produce, the pressure to keep up, to get noticed, to be visible...you get my point. I've felt that way myself. I've always considered myself lucky in that I'm a "fast writer." I've been known to finish a book in 6 weeks and while it is exhilarating, it's draining as well. In 2015 I published six books-or maybe seven. I've lost count. 2016 saw me regaining my rights back from my publisher and re-releasing four books in addition to all my new ones. So...you get the picture.
But along the way, I found myself drifting from my friends, letting my health slide a bit (no one can convince me that sitting in a chair for hours on end is good for you) and let's not even mention what my apartment looks like....you get the point.
This year I am making a conscious effort to slow down and take stock in myself and what I want.
Why do I write? I write because I love to. I write because I have stories that mean something to me. I want to share them with other people and I can only hope they bring enjoyment. I write books that reflect every day struggles of real people and hope they resonate with readers. People can call my books whatever they wish—fluffy, schmoopy, sweet. It doesn't matter. I love each and every character I've created. To me they are all real, unique people.
I write to sell books and to make people happy so that when they finish the story they know that the couple is in love and has their happily ever after. I'm writing about love after all. And if I'm writing about love, I should feel happy. If I'm not happy, something isn't right.
I'm not writing to make number one and get to the top of the charts, because in the publishing world of today, I defy anyone to tell me what that even means anymore. Every day brings a new challenge and it is an industry in flux. I write the best books I can and send them out in the world, hoping they touch someone's heart.
So while I can still "write fast," I'm not. I'm taking my time now, to take care of myself and reconnect with friends and family. I'm taking the time to learn about the career of being an author. I still have plenty of books to come, but it's going to have to wait for the right time. I'm trying to find that balance. I might need to take a cooking class, brush up on my mediation skills or catch that exhibit I want to see.
Or, God forbid, clean my apartment.
Have a great weekend and Happy Reading!!
January 25, 2018
Opportunity Knocks
Today we'll hear from narrator Andrew McFerrin; his thoughts on the life-changing power of cable movies, the terrifying nature of opportunity, and the unexpected challenges that keep life... interesting. Happy Thursday!
We're doing introductions? Cool.
Hi everybody. I'm Andy, and I have no idea what I'm doing here.
Odds are if you're a listener of audiobooks in the MM romance genre you've heard my voice before—and if by this point you haven't slammed shut the lid of your laptop and stalked off to make another cup of coffee instead, I figure it was at least a reasonably enjoyable experience for you. So what do I mean by this opening? In order to answer the question properly I have to take you back in time to the salad days of 1984 (Literally so, actually. For some reason I wouldn't eat red meat as a kid. Parents would take us all to the Ponderosa after church, and while everyone else was getting their steak on or whatever I'd be absolutely demolishing the salad bar, and if you're starting to think this Andy guy's a bit of a weirdo...oh honey, you have no idea).
Anyway. 1984: The Year I Saw Risky Business on cable.
Decent movie. Doesn't hold up very well now though, but if I stop for a digression every time one occurs to me we'll be here all night. Anyway, there's this great exchange early on in which perpetual 80s teen comedy sidekick Curtis Armstrong intones unto Tom Cruise's protagonist Joel—a callow, youthful, sentient loaf of Wonder Bread—this simple, life-changing mantra which I'll sheepishly abbreviate because I'm just a guest here:
Sometimes you just got to say WTF.
WTF brings freedom, the monologue continues. Freedom brings opportunity. Which is to say there are times when all the planning in the world won't get you to your goal. Analysis paralysis, it's called in the board gaming community, and man oh man do I suffer from it. Often the only way to get past that block is to literally say WTF and make a move. Any move. Jump, land with both feet, hope it's soft. That kind of becomes Joel's mantra for the rest of the film. It gets him into a hell of a lot of trouble, and also gets him back out, with about 90 minutes of hijinks in between of course. In a lot of ways the most interesting parts of my life have tended to come about when I've taken this to heart myself.
It really is a mantra, a covenant of sorts. It's a deal you make with yourself to pull off whatever sick move you're hoping to bust out of sheer momentum and brute force if nothing else, and oh my god has this ever led to some spectacular failures in my life. But it's also the driving principle behind pretty much everything I've ever done right, and that includes audiobooks.
When I started doing this, I was literally making things up as I went. I had an opportunity to audition for some narration work, and it just so happened that I really needed some money, so...hey, why not? I'd never really listened to audiobooks or had much interest in the format. I had no acting background whatsoever. Didn't even take drama in high school. I had no idea what the hell I was doing. (Now that I think about it, those are all really really good reasons why not. The hell was I thinking?) My first book featured a cast of over 100 characters, most of which were voiced individually on the fly. No, really. I assumed I could just show up and read, and that would be okay. No notes. No planning. No organization. I still occasionally wake up at 7 AM in a cold sweat thinking about that production.
Yes, 7 AM. I keep weird hours. Don't judge.
That this first production was successful owes a lot more to determination and grueling effort on the part of John the Engineer than anything I did. But the point is, it did actually work out. And as it turned out, I really like doing this. When we settled into the next project, I spent a bit of time thinking about how to make our lives easier from the narrator's standpoint. I began recording samples of each character's voice to be referred back to during production, taking notes on location and setting, recurring themes of the story and characters, the power dynamic of scenes...super mega egghead stuff that you, dear listener, aren't really supposed to notice but will nevertheless miss if it's not there. That's 4 or 5 years of incremental gains—screwing something up horribly in one project and fixing it in the next—all so that now when I step into the vocal booth on any given day I can direct all my energy into bringing the most meaningful performance possible.
None of this could have come about if, in the beginning, I hadn't been willing to jump, crash, and burn. Even now, 50-some books later, every time I sit down to begin a new project there's a moment when I stare at the blank screen and wonder what happens if I can't make it go. Fear of failure, for me, is crippling. It completely derailed my career for a solid 18 months, no lie. It's the power of the WTF that gives me momentum to break through. Not sure where to begin? WTF. In over my head? WTF. Roommate wants me to produce a comic horror-movie podcast, which I don't actually know how to do? Sure, WTF. Have to voice a major romantic lead who also happens to be a 200 year-old Croatian vampire with a biting sense of humor, all while babysitting the most destructive kitten in recorded history? (Ante Up by Kim Fielding, now available in audio format, and I had an astonishing amount of fun working on it. Kitten aside.) W, indeed, the F.
WTF has brought me freedom. What to do with the opportunity from here...eh, I'll figure it out.
So anyway, that's my introduction. Coffee and pastries will now be served.
Find Andy McFerrin and Falcon Sound Company on Facebook.
Check out Andy's newest narration, "Ante Up," by Kim Fielding
We're doing introductions? Cool.
Hi everybody. I'm Andy, and I have no idea what I'm doing here.
Odds are if you're a listener of audiobooks in the MM romance genre you've heard my voice before—and if by this point you haven't slammed shut the lid of your laptop and stalked off to make another cup of coffee instead, I figure it was at least a reasonably enjoyable experience for you. So what do I mean by this opening? In order to answer the question properly I have to take you back in time to the salad days of 1984 (Literally so, actually. For some reason I wouldn't eat red meat as a kid. Parents would take us all to the Ponderosa after church, and while everyone else was getting their steak on or whatever I'd be absolutely demolishing the salad bar, and if you're starting to think this Andy guy's a bit of a weirdo...oh honey, you have no idea).Anyway. 1984: The Year I Saw Risky Business on cable.
Decent movie. Doesn't hold up very well now though, but if I stop for a digression every time one occurs to me we'll be here all night. Anyway, there's this great exchange early on in which perpetual 80s teen comedy sidekick Curtis Armstrong intones unto Tom Cruise's protagonist Joel—a callow, youthful, sentient loaf of Wonder Bread—this simple, life-changing mantra which I'll sheepishly abbreviate because I'm just a guest here:
Sometimes you just got to say WTF.
WTF brings freedom, the monologue continues. Freedom brings opportunity. Which is to say there are times when all the planning in the world won't get you to your goal. Analysis paralysis, it's called in the board gaming community, and man oh man do I suffer from it. Often the only way to get past that block is to literally say WTF and make a move. Any move. Jump, land with both feet, hope it's soft. That kind of becomes Joel's mantra for the rest of the film. It gets him into a hell of a lot of trouble, and also gets him back out, with about 90 minutes of hijinks in between of course. In a lot of ways the most interesting parts of my life have tended to come about when I've taken this to heart myself.
It really is a mantra, a covenant of sorts. It's a deal you make with yourself to pull off whatever sick move you're hoping to bust out of sheer momentum and brute force if nothing else, and oh my god has this ever led to some spectacular failures in my life. But it's also the driving principle behind pretty much everything I've ever done right, and that includes audiobooks.
When I started doing this, I was literally making things up as I went. I had an opportunity to audition for some narration work, and it just so happened that I really needed some money, so...hey, why not? I'd never really listened to audiobooks or had much interest in the format. I had no acting background whatsoever. Didn't even take drama in high school. I had no idea what the hell I was doing. (Now that I think about it, those are all really really good reasons why not. The hell was I thinking?) My first book featured a cast of over 100 characters, most of which were voiced individually on the fly. No, really. I assumed I could just show up and read, and that would be okay. No notes. No planning. No organization. I still occasionally wake up at 7 AM in a cold sweat thinking about that production.Yes, 7 AM. I keep weird hours. Don't judge.
That this first production was successful owes a lot more to determination and grueling effort on the part of John the Engineer than anything I did. But the point is, it did actually work out. And as it turned out, I really like doing this. When we settled into the next project, I spent a bit of time thinking about how to make our lives easier from the narrator's standpoint. I began recording samples of each character's voice to be referred back to during production, taking notes on location and setting, recurring themes of the story and characters, the power dynamic of scenes...super mega egghead stuff that you, dear listener, aren't really supposed to notice but will nevertheless miss if it's not there. That's 4 or 5 years of incremental gains—screwing something up horribly in one project and fixing it in the next—all so that now when I step into the vocal booth on any given day I can direct all my energy into bringing the most meaningful performance possible.
None of this could have come about if, in the beginning, I hadn't been willing to jump, crash, and burn. Even now, 50-some books later, every time I sit down to begin a new project there's a moment when I stare at the blank screen and wonder what happens if I can't make it go. Fear of failure, for me, is crippling. It completely derailed my career for a solid 18 months, no lie. It's the power of the WTF that gives me momentum to break through. Not sure where to begin? WTF. In over my head? WTF. Roommate wants me to produce a comic horror-movie podcast, which I don't actually know how to do? Sure, WTF. Have to voice a major romantic lead who also happens to be a 200 year-old Croatian vampire with a biting sense of humor, all while babysitting the most destructive kitten in recorded history? (Ante Up by Kim Fielding, now available in audio format, and I had an astonishing amount of fun working on it. Kitten aside.) W, indeed, the F.
WTF has brought me freedom. What to do with the opportunity from here...eh, I'll figure it out.
So anyway, that's my introduction. Coffee and pastries will now be served.
Find Andy McFerrin and Falcon Sound Company on Facebook.
Check out Andy's newest narration, "Ante Up," by Kim Fielding
January 24, 2018
Ask Andrew - Childhood Books
Dear Andrew
What was your favorite childhood book?
Dawn
Dear Dawn
That's a hard one. When I was a kid I spent a lot of time with my grandma and Aunt Kate. They lived together and I used to pick out a book and would ask them to read it to me. I remember Curious George and Clifford The Big Red Dog. I couldn't read yet myself, but I love story from a young age. They would decide it was time for a nap and would read me a story hoping I'd got to sleep. That didn't work because all I wanted was another story. In the end I wore them out.
I knew all the words to all my favorite books, so if they skipped something. "That's not how it goes," were the first things I said. They must have gotten so tired of reading those same stories to me, but I loved them. I know I got my love of reading from all the hours they spent with me. Both my grandma and my aunt passed away before I was twenty. But the legacy they left has stayed with me forever.
I read to my nieces. The older one is seventeen and a reader herself. The younger niece is six and she loves books and will be in first grade next year. What better legacy to give than the love of reading?
Ask Andrew will return next week and is your chance to ask questions of a gay romance author. The questions can be about the writing process in general, writing sex scenes, gay men, sex, characters in romance, characters having sex... okay you probably get the picture. I promise to answer your questions as frankly and with as much humor as I possibly can.
So if you have a question, please send it to andrewgreybooks@comcast.net. This is different from my usual email so your questions don't get lost. I will answer one question a week.
Please remember this is meant to be all in fun. (I was going to say good, clean fun, but who wants that.) So send me your questions and let's see what mischief we can get into.
Visit Andrew on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewgreybooks and you can join Andrew's fan group All The Way With Andrew Grey.
What was your favorite childhood book?
Dawn
Dear Dawn
That's a hard one. When I was a kid I spent a lot of time with my grandma and Aunt Kate. They lived together and I used to pick out a book and would ask them to read it to me. I remember Curious George and Clifford The Big Red Dog. I couldn't read yet myself, but I love story from a young age. They would decide it was time for a nap and would read me a story hoping I'd got to sleep. That didn't work because all I wanted was another story. In the end I wore them out.
I knew all the words to all my favorite books, so if they skipped something. "That's not how it goes," were the first things I said. They must have gotten so tired of reading those same stories to me, but I loved them. I know I got my love of reading from all the hours they spent with me. Both my grandma and my aunt passed away before I was twenty. But the legacy they left has stayed with me forever.
I read to my nieces. The older one is seventeen and a reader herself. The younger niece is six and she loves books and will be in first grade next year. What better legacy to give than the love of reading?
Ask Andrew will return next week and is your chance to ask questions of a gay romance author. The questions can be about the writing process in general, writing sex scenes, gay men, sex, characters in romance, characters having sex... okay you probably get the picture. I promise to answer your questions as frankly and with as much humor as I possibly can.So if you have a question, please send it to andrewgreybooks@comcast.net. This is different from my usual email so your questions don't get lost. I will answer one question a week.
Please remember this is meant to be all in fun. (I was going to say good, clean fun, but who wants that.) So send me your questions and let's see what mischief we can get into.
Visit Andrew on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewgreybooks and you can join Andrew's fan group All The Way With Andrew Grey.
January 23, 2018
Birthday Q&A with BA, Julia, Kiernan and Sean
As it was Sean’s birthday yesterday, we thought we’d do a birthday Q&A
1. What’s your sign?
2. Favorite birthday memory?
3. Favorite birthday gift ever?
4. Do you like surprise parties?
5. What’s your ideal way to spend your birthday?
6. If you could have anything – what would you choose for your birthday meal?
7. What was your favorite birthday meal as a child?
8. Favorite type of cake?
9. Gift bag or wrapping paper?
10. What time of day were you born?
11. Where were you born?
12. Sprinkles or buttercream flowers?
13. Candles or sparklers?
BA1. Capricorn — all goat, all the time. 2. My Moma bought me a piccolo for my 16th birthday and I didn’t think she’d be able to afford it. It was the best. 3. My baby sister, Tiffany. She was born on my 18th birthday. 4. Nope. 5. With my wife. 6. Moma’s meatloaf and mashed potatoes, green beans, and strawberry shortcake. 7. See #6. 8. Can I have pie? 9. Walmart sacks are fine. 10. 3:30pm 11. On an army base in Kansas 12. Flowers. 13. Candles, please.
Julia1. Gemini 2. When I got my dollhouse when I was 5 3. My wedding 4. no 5. Hanging with the wife and puppers 6. usually steak 7. ditto 8. German chocolate 9. I like paper 10. No idea 11. New Mexico, 12. Buttercream anytime, 13. Candles
Kiernan1. Leo2. Going into labor with my son (it was false labor - he was born 2 weeks later).3.a cruise from the hubs on my 40th4. Love them!5. With family - doesn't matter where6. Steak, asparagus, potatoes7. See above. I've always been a steak girl.8. Cheesecake9. Wrapping paper - unless the gift is shaped funky...or alive.10. 8 pm on a Saturday night.11. Passaic, new Jersey.12. Sprinkles13. Candles
Sean1. Aquarius2. I spent my 25th birthday in Australia with my sister. We took a trip along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria and saw the 12 Apostles. It was amazing.3. It’s so hard to pick a favorite… I got a picture of a bike in my card the year I turned eight, with the promise that we’d go out and buy one as soon as the snow was gone.4. Not really.5. Hanging out with friends and family.6. Scallops with beurre blanc and asparagus and I’ve had it, too7. We always got to pick what we wanted to eat for our birthday meal and for many years I always choose Kentucky Fried Chicken.8. There’s this cake from La Rocca called Truffle Royale. It starts with a layer of devil’s food chocolate cake and on top of that is a layer of milk chocolate truffle mousse and then white chocolate truffle mousse. It’s so good. 9. I prefer wrapping paper, but I’ll take a gift any way you want to give it to me 10. I was born just after 5 am on January 2211. Dartmouth, Nova Scotia12. Buttercream!13. Sparklers
Visit our websites:Sean's is http://www.seanmichaelwrites.comJulia’s is http://www.juliatalbot.comBA’s is http://www.batortuga.comKiernan's is www.KiernanKelly.com
Facebook:Sean -- https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelWritesJulia -- https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbotauthorBA -- https://www.facebook.com/batortugaKiernan -- https://www.facebook.com/kiernan.kelly
Sean
smut fixes everything
1. What’s your sign?
2. Favorite birthday memory?
3. Favorite birthday gift ever?
4. Do you like surprise parties?
5. What’s your ideal way to spend your birthday?
6. If you could have anything – what would you choose for your birthday meal?
7. What was your favorite birthday meal as a child?
8. Favorite type of cake?
9. Gift bag or wrapping paper?
10. What time of day were you born?
11. Where were you born?
12. Sprinkles or buttercream flowers?
13. Candles or sparklers?
BA1. Capricorn — all goat, all the time. 2. My Moma bought me a piccolo for my 16th birthday and I didn’t think she’d be able to afford it. It was the best. 3. My baby sister, Tiffany. She was born on my 18th birthday. 4. Nope. 5. With my wife. 6. Moma’s meatloaf and mashed potatoes, green beans, and strawberry shortcake. 7. See #6. 8. Can I have pie? 9. Walmart sacks are fine. 10. 3:30pm 11. On an army base in Kansas 12. Flowers. 13. Candles, please.
Julia1. Gemini 2. When I got my dollhouse when I was 5 3. My wedding 4. no 5. Hanging with the wife and puppers 6. usually steak 7. ditto 8. German chocolate 9. I like paper 10. No idea 11. New Mexico, 12. Buttercream anytime, 13. Candles
Kiernan1. Leo2. Going into labor with my son (it was false labor - he was born 2 weeks later).3.a cruise from the hubs on my 40th4. Love them!5. With family - doesn't matter where6. Steak, asparagus, potatoes7. See above. I've always been a steak girl.8. Cheesecake9. Wrapping paper - unless the gift is shaped funky...or alive.10. 8 pm on a Saturday night.11. Passaic, new Jersey.12. Sprinkles13. Candles
Sean1. Aquarius2. I spent my 25th birthday in Australia with my sister. We took a trip along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria and saw the 12 Apostles. It was amazing.3. It’s so hard to pick a favorite… I got a picture of a bike in my card the year I turned eight, with the promise that we’d go out and buy one as soon as the snow was gone.4. Not really.5. Hanging out with friends and family.6. Scallops with beurre blanc and asparagus and I’ve had it, too7. We always got to pick what we wanted to eat for our birthday meal and for many years I always choose Kentucky Fried Chicken.8. There’s this cake from La Rocca called Truffle Royale. It starts with a layer of devil’s food chocolate cake and on top of that is a layer of milk chocolate truffle mousse and then white chocolate truffle mousse. It’s so good. 9. I prefer wrapping paper, but I’ll take a gift any way you want to give it to me 10. I was born just after 5 am on January 2211. Dartmouth, Nova Scotia12. Buttercream!13. Sparklers
Visit our websites:Sean's is http://www.seanmichaelwrites.comJulia’s is http://www.juliatalbot.comBA’s is http://www.batortuga.comKiernan's is www.KiernanKelly.com
Facebook:Sean -- https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelWritesJulia -- https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbotauthorBA -- https://www.facebook.com/batortugaKiernan -- https://www.facebook.com/kiernan.kelly
Sean
smut fixes everything
January 20, 2018
Have You Ever Written A Mean Review? By S.C. Wynne
Hello all,
Nobody gets to escape mean reviews. It happens to everyone if you continue to write. No book works for everybody, and some people are only too happy to tell you that!
I never review these days. Especially as S.C. Wynne. That is a sure fire way to make enemies, because as I said, not all books are for everyone. But I do remember, long ago, I used to write reviews. I wrote them mostly for movies, but occasionally books too. I was trying to think about why I used to write reviews. Why did I feel my opinion needed to be shared, especially if it was something I hated? What is it about things we don't like that spur us to write reviews almost more than things we love? Do we assume everyone loved the same thing, so there's no need to write a review? I'm not sure.
But I do find mean reviews odd. I never wrote really mean reviews, but I did write negative reviews. But with the explosion of social media, I've noticed there are so many more cruel reviews. I mean, reviews where people don't just explain why a book didn't work for them, but they absolutely rip the author and their writing skills to shreds. I'm not sure what that means or why they feel that need. But to each their own, of course, but it strikes me as strange. Would they say these things to the authors face? And if the answer is yes... does that seem normal? Would most people just be cool with someone saying horrible things to their face?
I'm interested in what it is that drives us humans to need to share our opinion. I share this need, so I'm not just pointing figures. I don't write personally mean reviews, but I did used to criticize movies and things like that. Why did I need to tell those artists my personal opinion? I'm sincerely curious. Humans are probably the only species that does this. As far as I know. What is it in our DNA that makes us think someone who created something CARES what we think? lol I mean, they created it. They obviously liked it or they wouldn't have put it out there.
What do you think? Do you write mean reviews? What drives you?
S.C.
www.sc-wynne.com
Nobody gets to escape mean reviews. It happens to everyone if you continue to write. No book works for everybody, and some people are only too happy to tell you that!
I never review these days. Especially as S.C. Wynne. That is a sure fire way to make enemies, because as I said, not all books are for everyone. But I do remember, long ago, I used to write reviews. I wrote them mostly for movies, but occasionally books too. I was trying to think about why I used to write reviews. Why did I feel my opinion needed to be shared, especially if it was something I hated? What is it about things we don't like that spur us to write reviews almost more than things we love? Do we assume everyone loved the same thing, so there's no need to write a review? I'm not sure.
But I do find mean reviews odd. I never wrote really mean reviews, but I did write negative reviews. But with the explosion of social media, I've noticed there are so many more cruel reviews. I mean, reviews where people don't just explain why a book didn't work for them, but they absolutely rip the author and their writing skills to shreds. I'm not sure what that means or why they feel that need. But to each their own, of course, but it strikes me as strange. Would they say these things to the authors face? And if the answer is yes... does that seem normal? Would most people just be cool with someone saying horrible things to their face?
I'm interested in what it is that drives us humans to need to share our opinion. I share this need, so I'm not just pointing figures. I don't write personally mean reviews, but I did used to criticize movies and things like that. Why did I need to tell those artists my personal opinion? I'm sincerely curious. Humans are probably the only species that does this. As far as I know. What is it in our DNA that makes us think someone who created something CARES what we think? lol I mean, they created it. They obviously liked it or they wouldn't have put it out there.
What do you think? Do you write mean reviews? What drives you?
S.C.
www.sc-wynne.com
January 19, 2018
New Kindle World Launch and a cover reveal by Felice Stevens
I have officially begun the countdown to my retirement. It is four weeks from today.
Yikes. I'd better get a plan.
While I do that, here is what's happened this past week in my writing world.
Yesterday was the second launch of the Memories with The Breakfast Club Kindle World and once again, the authors who wrote for the world are now occupying the top spots in the LGBT category and are also in the top 25 for overall Romance. I'm so happy and proud for them. I don't have a book out this time myself, but stay tuned for news of a third launch. In the meantime here are the covers and the links:
http://amzn.to/2DNOXUg
http://amzn.to/2BbCVRD
http://amzn.to/2BdNDXQ
http://amzn.to/2Dpx54l
I also had a cover reveal for my next release, Perfect. I'm very excited for you to read Jeremy and Blake's story. I've brought together two of my favorite books, The Arrangement and One Call Away and these guys will tear at your heart while you're fanning yourself. You can add it to your Goodreads shelf here:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
That's all I have for you this week. Have a great weekend and happy reading!!
Yikes. I'd better get a plan.
While I do that, here is what's happened this past week in my writing world.
Yesterday was the second launch of the Memories with The Breakfast Club Kindle World and once again, the authors who wrote for the world are now occupying the top spots in the LGBT category and are also in the top 25 for overall Romance. I'm so happy and proud for them. I don't have a book out this time myself, but stay tuned for news of a third launch. In the meantime here are the covers and the links:
http://amzn.to/2DNOXUg
http://amzn.to/2BbCVRD
http://amzn.to/2BdNDXQ
http://amzn.to/2Dpx54l
I also had a cover reveal for my next release, Perfect. I'm very excited for you to read Jeremy and Blake's story. I've brought together two of my favorite books, The Arrangement and One Call Away and these guys will tear at your heart while you're fanning yourself. You can add it to your Goodreads shelf here:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
That's all I have for you this week. Have a great weekend and happy reading!!
