Kim Jewell's Blog, page 2

Behind The Scenes With: Indie Author Jamie McDougall

I got the chance recently to chat with Jamie McDougall about her experiences being an indie author.  Read on to learn more about Jaime and her debut novel Echo Falls.

Q.  First of all, can you tell me a little bit about your novel Echo Falls?

Echo Falls is a paranormal romantic suspense. Phoebe Martin is on the run from a dangerous person until she finds Echo Falls, the city she loves enough to stand up and fight for. While there, she meets police officer and Echo Falls werewolf pack leader Aidan O'Bryan.  Aidan just can't figure her out – or how she's linked to the recent murders of werewolves in his city…

Q.  How did you come up with the idea?  Were there any people in your life that served as inspiration for your characters?

Phoebe Martin came to me running. Really! The first chapter of the book was the first seed that grew in my mind for her story. Of course, then I had to figure out why she was running, who she was running from and what it was about Echo Falls that made her want to stay.

Most of the characters in Echo Falls are a combination of people. For example, Elle – one of my favourite characters – is a combination of traits from my closest female friends.

Q.  Okay, do do you really believe in werewolves?

Ooo, toughie. Literally, not so much. However, I do believe in the 'inner werewolf' I think we all have. I touch on that a little in Echo Falls how it's all about the passion and the mind. Werewolves simply have a more dramatic passionate side that expresses itself differently than the average human being. When I sign books 'embrace your inner werewolf', I think people should embrace their passion, not turn into wolves at the next full moon.

Then again, you never know. There are more things in heaven and earth…

Q.  You're a fellow indie author.  Can you tell us more about your decision to self-publish?  What has been your experience so far?

Indie publishing has been a great adventure. I originally thought that I would never have the guts to do it, but then I began looking around at my options. I didn't want to have to wait one to two years (IF I got accepted by a publisher), I didn't want ebooks only (IF I got accepted by an epublisher) and I wanted more control. Yes, I had to learn a lot to be able to get here, but I love learning and I love the control I have.

I didn't make the mistake of going into this thinking it would be easy and that I would be an instant bestseller. Without those expectations, I have never been disappointed.

Q.  Are you a member of any indie author groups?

At the moment, I am a member of BestSeller Bound – http://www.bestsellerbound.com/ – which is a small forum at the moment, but the members are absolutely lovely and supportive. I'd like to join more if anyone has any suggestions…

Q.  What kind of reaction have you gotten from your readers?

So far the reaction has been good. They love Aidan – an alpha male who cooks? Who wouldn't love him? – they like the story, and some are even asking for a sequel. I am absolutely thrilled that people are enjoying it.

Q.  As a reader, what type of genre do you normally read?  Do you have any favorite books/authors?

As a reader, I'm a bit all over the place. I have always been a fan of romance, but I have wandered in and out of various genres. These days, I love the supernatural. Give me urban fantasy, paranormal romance, etc any day. But I've recently gone back to my roots in historical fiction reading. Catherine Coutler's Bride series will always have a special place in my heart.

Also, The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley, which inspired me as a pre-teen to try writing my own fantasy novels. Abarat by Clive Barker is a book I've read many times simply because it is such a unique world he has created. Caridad Pineiro's Sin series has me begging for more (and quickly!) as well.

Q.  Real books or e-reader?

I always vowed that I would stay true to print books forever… But, living in Australia, many authors simply wouldn't/couldn't ship their books here. I accepted ebooks and didn't read them for a long time. Then my husband bought me an ereader for Christmas and I haven't looked back. I sit firmly on the fence; I will buy a book in print if I loved it in ebook form. I still buy print books as well. However, the convenience of ebooks and ereaders is undeniable.

Q.  You call yourself a citizen of the world…  How many places have you lived?

Ah, good question. I have only truly lived in two places: Wisconsin and Australia. The 'citizen of the world' comes from a quote I love:

"My country is the world, and my religion is to do good." – Thomas Paine

I never felt truly at 'home' in Wisconsin, even as a child. I visited many places in Wisconsin, Minnesota and even into Canada with no feeling of home. Then I moved to Australia when I turned twenty, and I finally got that home feeling. I'd finally arrived where I belonged. However, it is only this year – 2011 – that I have been eligible to become an Australian citizen on paper. So before this, I have been a citizen in the world – technically of the US and spiritually/mentally/physically of Australia.

I got sick of being defined by what was and wasn't on paper, so I declared myself a citizen of the world.

Q.  Tell me something random that no one knows about you.

Another hard one. I suppose people may have inferred this about me, but I don't think I have said it: I love tattoos on my body because I consider my body to be a canvas.

Plenty of people know I like tattoos, but they don't know why I like tattoos.

I grew up not really caring for my body or my looks, especially as I got older. My nails crack, the usual acne woes, weight issues… You know, the usual. But then I got my first tattoo, and I felt amazing. Then I got my second, and I was ecstatic. I was lectured at a few times by people I won't name about 'marring the creator's work' and other such stuff, but my tattoos are meaningful for me and they turn my body into something I view as beautiful. If I can live a life where I not only create art but am art, then I am living the life I love.

Q.  Where and when do you write?  Is it hard to find time to write?  Your preference – music blaring, or absolute quiet?

I try to live my writing life by another quote (from a writer): "You will never find time for anything. You must make time."

I know that's not quite right to the word, but it's the gist of the philosophy. I try to write every day, as I do believe that is a good habit for a writer to have. I also keep a spreadsheet so I account for word count goals. I don't always write every day, but I'm the kind of competitive person that I want to catch up and get done ahead of deadline.

Sometimes I like the television on for a bit of noise in the background, but that's about it. I used to write with music all the time, but music can influence my mood so much and I have yet to make the time to separate things out into mood playlists.

Q.  Pen and paper or keyboard?

I used to be pen and paper all the way, but I am trying to get myself to migrate over to keyboard simply because I can type much faster than I can write. It's much easier to keep up with my thoughts that way.

Q.  At what age did you start writing?  Did you always want to be a writer?

I have definitely always wanted to be a writer. I was telling stories before I could read. My first written story from back when I was still in single digits years old was a page long and about my brother making the earth uninhabitable with a nuclear taco fart. I wrote my first novel – a fantasy – when I was eleven or twelve.

Q.  What can we expect next from Jaime McDougall? 

At the moment, I am working on a contemporary romance called Love on The Fly. After that, I plan on getting back to my paranormal side.

Until then, you can check out Echo Falls.

Jaime McDougall can be found on her blog, Facebook and Goodreads. Her book Echo Falls can be found on Amazon and Smashwords.

Behind The Scenes With: Publisher and Paranormal / Fantasy Author D. Michelle Gent

Wow…  As if I didn't think I had enough going on!  This lady dabbles in just about everything – authoring books and screenplays, starting her own publishing company, wife, mother, blogger, ghostwriter!  I could go on, but she'll tell it better than I will.  Let me introduce you to D. Michelle Gent…

Q.  First of all, tell me a little about your most recent release YA novel Dream Lover (Dusty the Demon Hunter).

Dusty is a real feisty character. Her mother was seduced by an Incubus demon and Dusty was the result. Dusty saw her mother killed by the demon right before her eyes and it scarred her but made her very determined. Dusty's grandparents took her in and they both learned as much about Demonology as they possibly could in order to help Dusty with her life and the acceptance of being half-demon.

Q.  Is this part of a series?

Yes, Dusty was always going to be a series of short stories, aimed at the 99c market. There are lots of adventures that I can see Dusty taking me on and I'm looking forward to them – when time permits.

Q.  Do you always write YA novels, or do you dabble in other genres?

No, Dusty was my first foray into the YA genre. I did worry that the beginning of the story was a little too old for YA at first.

Q. How did you get started writing paranormal / fantasy?

I am a voracious reader, I have always read incessantly and I read a few books that I was disappointed with and I remember thinking "I think I could do better than this…" and so I gave it a go. Paranormal / fantasy is my genre of choice though.

Q.  Can you tell us a little about Gingernut Books?

Gingernut Books is named after what my Father-in-law always called me – Gingernut (sometimes Gingernutter) – it fits and it's catchy.

I was disappointed because I had been trying for a decade to get published and I decided that the editors and agents that rejected my manuscript (especially the ones that didn't bother to read it) didn't know *everything* and I was absolutely certain that my stories were worth reading. My husband agreed and with a lot of help and advice from a world-renowned author and film director – Philip Gardiner – last year, Gingernut Books Ltd was born. We had so much help with the project and the feeling that I got when I finally held my book in my hands was so astonishingly wonderful that we decided that we have to help other authors grasp that same feeling.

Q.  Do your friends and family read your work?  What do they think, and are they supportive?

My family read it (well those that read do). My daughter loves my work and re-reads my books. My Mother-in-law is always sending messages with my kids that she needs another one of my books to read and frequently reads stories that are just printed onto paper, she can't wait for them to be bound.

My friends always knew that I'd do something like this and read my work as soon as it's out. Facebook friends nag me to get the next one done so I can't even procrastinate on the 'net!

Q.  What kind of reaction have you gotten from your readers?

I've got nothing but absolute positive reactions. The reviews are far more than I could have wished for. I'm amazed that people seem to love my work as much as I do but I put that down to the fact that I write how I like to read… if that makes sense?

Q.  Who are your favorite authors, favorite books?

Stephen King, James Herbert, Terry Pratchett, Charlaine Harris, Derek Landy, Karen Slaughter.

Q.  Real books or e-reader? 

Both, either. On holiday, it has to be e-reader because it's so much more convenient to pack my Kindle than a dozen books into my suitcase. I do love the feel of a book though and I don't think that the e-readers will ever fully take over (not for me anyway).

Q.  Okay, now give me the deets on the real D. Michelle Gent… What was your teenage years like?  Did you love school or loathe it?

I was a terror! Tom-boy, always climbing trees, riding wild ponies, going off on adventures. I lived in a pretty rural place, surrounded by fields and would only come home when I was hungry.  I loathed school! I was so glad to leave and I have never been one of those adults that tells the school child "you'll wish you were still at school when you've left and have to work." Nope, nu-uh, not true. I prefer work thank you!

Q.  In high school, were you a social butterfly or wall flower?

Hmm.. high school… I'm from England and we have school 'til 16 (or 18 if you 'stay on'). I left at 16 – as soon as I could! I had already met and started seeing Trev, my husband by the time I left school so my 'social butterflying' was riding on the back of his motorcycle for the most part.

Q.  Do you have day job?

Yes, I'm aCountyCouncillor. I represent an area of my town in local government. I was elected just over two years ago and I'm very proud of the achievement. I'm also studying to become an accredited proof reader and editor to help with Gingernut Books.

Q.  Where do you live?

I live in the middle of Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, England.

Q.  Can you tell us anything about your family?

My husband works so very hard, he has a demanding and arduous full-time job as an Electrical Engineer at a local coal mine. Then he comes home and continues with Gingernut. He's publishing five books at the moment and he doesn't have a spare moment. He is my rock and we've just celebrated 25 years of marriage.

My daughter Danielle is a beautiful young woman that is a Mechanical Maintenance Engineer atThornton's (the chocolate makers).  My son Haydn is a driver's Mate at a local factory and he and his girlfriend have just got a flat, they'll be moving out soon.  Tammy, my son's girlfriend is a wonderful young woman too and such a caring person. She's studying to become a Youth Worker.  Ben is my son's friend who had a hard time at home and now lives with us until Tammy and Haydn move out, they're taking him with them.

Q.  Tell me something random that no one knows about you.

I'm a very open person, I don't think there's much that most people don't know… Oh, I had a stalker back in 2000 and I had to take him to court. I set a legal precedent by taking him to court under my chat-room name and his chat-room name. That was the first time it had ever been done and now, to protect your identity when someone is trying to find your real name and address, you can use the nick-name you're known as.

Q.  Sun bathing or sky diving?

Why would anyone jump out of a perfectly good plane? Sunbathing every time!

Q.  Most reckless thing you've ever done?

Hahaha!… sorry… I've done loads of reckless things. I confronted a gang of 15 fighting Rugby players (similar to American Football) and stopped them from fighting. It was my job, I was a 'Bouncer' at the time, but it was still pretty reckless… I took a photo of friends riding their motorcycle while I was riding pillion. I had to hang off the side of the bike as we were going in order to get the shot. I've taken a car around Silverstone Race track and the instructor told me to slow down…

Q.  Where and when do you write?  Is it hard to find time to write?  Your preference – music blaring, or absolute quiet?

In my office, whenever I can. Sometimes I write long-hand in bed when my husband is on night shift. I'm lucky in my job in that I don't have meetings every day.

Absolute silence if possible. The wind and / or rain is acceptable, the ravening horde next door screaming at each other and their children and their kids banging on the walls is not…

Q.  Do you create your own cover art?

No! I can't draw recognisable stick figures!

Q.  At what age did you start writing?  Did you always want to be a writer?

I enjoyed English at school and the essays etc we had to do but I didn't give writing much thought until my children were small.

Q.  Do you have any advice for writers, young and old alike?

Yes, never take 'No' as the definitive answer. You may get knocked back by an agent or a publisher but they don't know everything and sometimes a real gem is missed because they think they do. So never give up, if you think yours is a good story, get it edited and proofread professionally and if it still doesn't get picked up, do it yourself! You are worth it!

Q.  What can we expect next from D. Michelle Gent?

Blood… on the Moon, the third novel in my Werewolf series, should be released on Halloween.

Dusty the Demon Hunter,

Lady of the Dark – a film by Philip Gardiner – I'm writing the book to accompany it.

Another film (title not decided) by Ray Andrew Wilkes – I'm writing the book to accompany it.

I'm also meeting with a Film Producer tomorrow to negotiate writing a screenplay for a new movie to be distributed through a large film company (sorry, I can't say more just yet).

I've been asked to ghost-write the autobiography of a local celebrity so that should be fun.

I'm also going to write the biography of a local lady who sees spirits. She is a wonderful and kind person and she's been seeing spirits since she was 4 years old.

D. Michelle Gent can be found on her blog, Twitter and Facebook.  Her books are both sold on Amazon UK and Amazon US, and more information on her publishing arm Gingernut Books can be found on their website and Facebook fan page.

Behind The Scenes With: British Journalist and Non-Fiction Writer Jane Alexander

Okay, so this is my dream come true – sitting down with one of my closest friends (although we've never even met face-to-face, how weird is that?!), Jane Alexander.  What a phenom!  When I grow up, I want to be this lady!  Read on – you'll see why…

Q.  Your non-fiction book The Natural Year was just re-released.  Can you tell us a little about the book?  I hear there are some interesting updates to this piece…

The Natural Year was my second book, originally published by Bantam Books in the UK and Avon in the US.  I feel that so many of us have lost touch with our seasonal roots; that we try to lead these crazy modern lives that are always up, always bright, always 100 per cent switched on – and that goes against the wisdom of nature.  At the time, I had interviewed loads of wise souls and I wanted to share their insights into maybe a more gentle way of being. 

Yes, it has been updated for the Kindle version. When the book first came out, I had to take out quite a bit of material so it fitted the publisher's ideal word count.  Obviously, that doesn't matter in an ebook so I've put back a few additional sections.

Q.  Okay, tell me the truth…  How much of this advice do you practice in real life?

I'm just like everyone else, muddling through the best I can.  Anyhow, if you did everything in this book, you'd never have time to do anything else!  I'm just throwing it all out there, in the hopes it might be helpful; that something or other will chime a chord; that bits or pieces will work for people.  Having said that, I do try to keep some balance (I exercise, I meditate, I do yoga, I love massage and I try to eat reasonably well) – but it's a constant challenge…

Q.  You decided to self-pub the ebook this time around.  Can you tell me about your decision behind this?

A lot of my books are now out of print yet I was still getting emails from people about them, saying they found them a useful resource and asking where they could get copies.  At the same time I watched people like you going ahead and self-publishing and I figured it was something I needed to check out.  I asked my agent to find out which of my titles had rights reverted and am now working on getting those titles out there.  I confess I dragged my heels for ages and then, let's be very honest Kim, you grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and made me do it… and I'm so grateful.

Q.  Do you worry about the stigma of self-pubbing?  What has your experience been so far?

No, I don't.  Not remotely.  This is totally new for me and I'm sure it will be a learning curve.  Right now I can't say whether it will work or not but I do know it will be nice not to have to turn people away when they ask where they can buy my old books.  My personal feeling is that self-pubbing will become more and more common and will be validated as a perfectly acceptable alternative to mainstream publishing.  It's a no-brainer really.  What I do love is that you can get a book out there immediately, with no faff (rather than waiting for up to two years as one does with traditional publishing) – and that you're in control of the process.

Q.  Can we expect any of your other popular non-fiction titles released as an e-book soon?

Absolutely, providing the Kim Jewell publishing phenomenon helps!  Next up should be The Energy Secret, followed by a series of small spin-offs from one of my bestselling titles, Spirit of the Home. I'm still waiting to hear if rights have reverted on other titles but, as soon as they do, I'll self-pub them.  Why not? 

Q.  How did you get into non-fiction writing?

By accident!  I was working as a journalist, writing on natural health and wellbeing for the Daily Mail when Judy, a London-based agent, approached me about writing books.  We met, got on like a house on fire, and she got me a two-book deal with Bantam (Transworld).  My first book was Supertherapies, published back in 1996, followed by The Natural Year.  I then wrote a series of books for HarperCollins before branching out with other publishers.  I lose track but the book count is somewhere over 20 now!

Q.  You and I met on Authonomy, a writers' community founded by HarperCollins.  Can you tell us more about your experiences there?

And what a lovely meeting that was, Kim!  I went onto Authonomy to gauge reader responses to my first attempt at YA fiction,Walker.  I got a ton of great feedback and met a ton of great people, many of whom have become very dear friends (some met in RL, some not).  Authonomy changed my life – in many ways – although I'm not entirely sure it's the best place to get feedback on writing anymore.

Q.  Okay, so I'm a huge fan of your YA work, which I read on Authonomy.  When can we expect to see your fiction hit the bookshelves?

Hmm.  That's the million dollar question. Walker(my shamanic novel), despite being agented and winning competitions, failed to find a publisher.  However I have now completely rewritten it and I'm getting ready to self-publish it.  There will be two versions – the 'male' version and the 'female' version.  Very shamanic… 

Samael, my dark romance, also underwent a complete rewrite and is now with a bunch of editors (including HarperCollins, following its Authonomy review).  However, if that doesn't find a traditional publisher, I will put it out in ebook format too.  

Q.  Do your friends and family read your work?  What do they think, and are they supportive?

Nope, my family never read my work. They are supportive – although I think my husband sometimes wishes I would stick with the journalism – or get a new job entirely.  My friends, however, are simply wondrous…my online ones in particular…

Q.  What kind of reaction have you gotten from your readers?

You know, you don't get a huge amount of feedback from traditional non-fiction publishing – people very rarely put pen to paper or go to the bother of writing an email but the letters I have had have been quite humbling.  What really makes me smile is when some stray thing I've written or reported has been the nudge someone needed to find their own path.  And every so often I come across someone who says, 'Oh you're that Jane Alexander – I've got your book and I love it.'  Yeah, my ego purrs at that, of course it does.

Q.  Who are your favorite authors, books, genres?

Lately I'm not reading much at all, which may surprise you.  I'm mainly listening to music, walking in the woods and staring out the window.  I think my eyes are tired from the thousands of books I've read over the years.  Having said that, I do love the imagination of YA fiction (you know I'm a big fan of your work, Kim, amongst others); I'm coming round to SF after years of disdain and as I've said before, I love Symphonic Bridges by Marek Stefanowicz (it's the book that pulled me back into meditation, vegetarianism, exercise, breathwork and generally reconnected me with my spirituality). 

Q.  Real books or e-reader? 

Both.  My husband bought me a Kindle last Christmas and it's a huge boon on trips.  But you can't beat the smell of a new book.

Q.  Okay, now give me the deets on the real Jane Alexander…  Do you have day job?

I write.  Full-time.  All the time.  It's the only thing that pays (or doesn't pay) the bills. There is no safety net, never has been.  At the moment it's bloody tough out there though and, I'll be honest, for the first time in twenty years of freelancing, I'm not making enough to cover the basics.  I write columns for three magazines – Natural Health, Spirit and Destiny and Top Sante.  I also blog for The Lady magazine which makes me laugh a lot.  And I spend far too much time farting around on my own blog, Diary of a Desperate Exmoor Woman.

Q.  Where do you live?

I live in a small town on the edge of the Exmoor National Park, a wild and beautiful area in the South-West of the UK. Exmoor inspires my fiction and both my YA titles are predominantly set there.

Q.  Can you tell us anything about your family?

My husband, Adrian Tierney-Jones, is a beer and travel writer – a journalist and non-fiction author.  And yes, also self-employed – how precarious is that for one household!  My son, James, is coming up to thirteen, sports-mad, science-savvy and totally edible.  

Q.  Tell me something random that no one knows about you.

I'm an open book.  I don't think there's anything interesting left to tell. 

Q.  Sun bathing or sky diving?

Neither.

Q.  Are you a social butterfly or wall flower?

Hermit.

Q.  Most reckless thing you've ever done?

Walked out of my job at the London Evening Standard on some stupid principle and got on a plane to the US.

Q.  Where and when do you write?  Is it hard to find time to write?  Your preference – music blaring, or absolute quiet?

All day, every day.  Don't even think about it.  Music – depends.

Q.  Pen and paper or keyboard?

Again, depends. Non-fiction – always keyboard. Fiction – always pen and paper (Moleskine). 

Q.  At what age did you start writing?  Did you always want to be a writer?

I wrote my first book when I was four.  It had 'grown-up' writing – ie a lot of squiggles.  When I was young I wanted to be, variously, a warrior-priestess, a TV presenter and the owner of a string of Arabs (the horses, that is ).

Q.  I see you everywhere – your blogs, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn…  How do you do it all?  And do you think social media is important for aspiring authors?

Quite clearly at the expense of my journalism and non-fiction!  I write damn fast, thanks to my background in newsprint journalism – having half-hour deadlines concentrates the mind.  Yes, I think social media is important – but it depends how you use it. You have to have a product worth touting first and foremost – and then the process needs to be organic somehow… I see a lot of people on social media trying too hard. It's a Jedi dance – feel your way. 

Q.  Do you have any advice for writers, young and old alike?

Hmm.  I'm not an advice giver really. If you want to be a journalist, I'd say find another career!  Journalism is pretty much dead in the water (unless you have an independent income).  If you're following a dream, then gird your loins and develop a very tough skin. I think the rise of self-pub is allowing anyone to publish, which can be a great thing.  However, personally I reckon most people (even the most wonderful natural writers) need editors and that is a process which will be lost in the self-pub revolution so quality may be iffy.  Mebbe put your ego on one side and have someone you trust go through with the red pen?  Oh, and read your stuff out loud – if you can't get to the end of a sentence without oxygen, it's probably too long (or you've morphed into Cicero or James Joyce!).

Q.  What can we expect next from Jane Alexander?

Feck knows!  I have three projects sitting in the wings, waiting for the auspicious time and the right people.  At some point I'd like to have a bash at adult fiction.  And I need to complete the Samael trilogy.  Oh, and – don't laugh – I'm helping to run bootcamps on Exmoor, helping people have fun getting fit.  Check out their website.

Thanks, Jane, for taking the time to sit down with me!  (We really must do this in person sometime soon.)  Jane's book The Natural Year can now be downloaded on Amazon.  For more on Jane, check out her blogs Diary of a Desperate Exmoor Woman and Never Knowingly Overwhelmed , or follow her on Twitter.

Just a tease!

I'm feeling a little naughty this Friday, so I thought I'd dangle a little teaser out to interested readers.  I've had the title of the next Justice book in my mind for a while, and found the right image for the cover last weekend, so thought I'd unveil it to my readers.  To be honest – I had a really nice note posted here last night from someone wanting to know if and when the next one would be ready – see below:

I loved both of your Justice ebooks. I could not wait to read the second one, and downloaded it the instant I finished Invisible Justice. WHEN will the next ones come out?????? I really do not wish to wait. I am also not a YA, but an adult (60 this year), and retired teacher of fourth and fifth graders. These books are great, and I am recommending them to the librarian at my former school. How many "Justice" books do you forsee being in that series? I want to read them NOW! Thanks so much Kim for these entertaining books.

I don't have a release date yet, but I can tell you there will be more from the Justice Series.  I'll keep you updated on progress here.  Until then, I'm back to finishing After the Pulse.  Stay tuned…

Behind The Scenes With: Time-Travel Author Z. D. Robinson

Time-travel is a fascinating subject for books and movies, but very hard to write about without leaving huge holes and questions in the minds of fans.  Lucky for us, Z. D. Robinson handles this with a very capable hand.  He recently sat down with me to answer some questions about his debut novel, The Great Altruist.

Q.  First of all, tell us a little about your debut novel The Great Altruist.

A. The Great Altruist is the story about a woman called Genesis who was created to be the perfect soldier but became a nine-inch time-traveler instead. She travels through time, using her strengths to help people fix mistakes from their past. Along the way, she falls in love and desires to live a normal life. Little does she know that her creator designed her to return to the size of a normal woman as soon as she fell in love. But this all happens at a terrible time. Just as she loses her powers, a secret society is attempting to use time-travel to steal a weapon from the future and destroy all life on earth.

Q.  Time-travel is a tricky subject, but the reviews I have read compliment you on the fact that there are no holes in your story that are common for similar storylines.  How did you pull it off?

A. By reading it over and over and over and over again. It's funny, because the last time I read it was after a six-week break. I'd forgotten so much of the story by then that I would catch little plot holes and say, "I'll have to fix that." But a few pages later, I realized I already plugged the holes!

But time-travel has always been a favorite subject for me. I grew up watching Back to the Future and The Terminator. I always liked the little changes in Back to the Future that the writers were quick to catch. How like when Marty takes out a pine tree and the name of the mall changes from Twin Pines Mall to Lone Pine Mall. I think catching little stuff like that trained me to be diligent with my own work.

Q.  You classify this as an epic adventure.  How did you get started writing in this genre, and do you have aspirations of writing in others?

A. Actually, the original draft was a lot less epic. It's now designated Part II in the finished book. It's about a young man called James who goes back in time to win back his dream girl but ends up trying to save his parent's marriage. The story has been trimmed to fit the larger narrative now, but in the early draft, the story was very personal. It didn't have a lot of action; most of it was dialogue between James and Genesis.

It was only after I finished the story and came up with an interesting backstory for Genesis did I write another adventure – this one much more epic. To complete the story arc and tell of Genesis's first attempt at helping someone, I then wrote what is now Part I. It focuses on the adventure of a 19 year-old Polish girl who has just been liberated from Ravensbruck and wants to go back in time and prevent World War II. It's far more epic because it covers a lot of historical events in the life of Hitler, like Munich, Hitler's trial in Berlin, and the trenches of World War I. But it maintains the personal touch of the other stories. The final scene is between Hitler and his mother on the night of her death, for example.

As for future work, I'm reluctant to discuss too much in detail. But the next book I'll be releasing is far more epic and grand than anything I've done so far. I've designed a language for the world and a complete culture for my characters to exist in. It's not a direct sequel to The Great Altruist, but it does follow the events of the first book – just three thousand years later. After that, I return to my other roots with a book in the style of Groundhog's Day which will be a lot of fun.

Q.  You're a fellow indie author.  Can you tell us more about your decision to self-publish? What has been your experience so far?

A. I decided to self-publish because I'm very sensitive to rejection. I wrote only one query letter but never sent it. Besides, I'm too much of a control-freak to let someone else remove parts of my work just because they think it won't be marketable. With the self-publishing model, the author is calling the shots – good, bad, and potentially very ugly. Fortunately, the reviews so far have been overwhelmingly positive!

Q.  Do your friends and family read your work?  What do they think, and are they supportive?

A. Many of my friends and family have read my book. They're incredibly supportive, but I'm sure that would change if I decided to quit my day job just yet. My wife is the most supportive. She reads all my work first, and I trust what she says. If she doesn't like something, it usually goes. If it makes her cry, it stays forever.

Q.  What kind of reaction have you gotten from your readers?

A. It's kind of an insult, but a lot of my readers are shocked by how professional my work is. I think, "Well, what the heck do you think I'm doing?!" But that's a good thing too. To be an amateur and told my writing is good is very encouraging.

Q.  Who are your favorite authors, and have they influenced your work?

A. Growing up, I loved Michael Crichton and J. R. R. Tolkien. I also like Orson Scott Card, but that's more because he's a good example of what not to do – at least when it comes to dialogue.

Q.  Real books or e-reader?

A. I definitely prefer real books, but since I have three small children it's hard to keep book on shelves and in good order. The Kindle has just been awesome for me.

Q.  Okay, now give me the deets on the real Z. D. Robinson…  You're a software developer – what does that entail and do you like your day job?

A. I work in the Data Conversions department of a software company, and I spend my days converting databases. It isn't exciting work; in fact, it's kinda dull. But the job means I spend hours a day waiting for code to run. That's a good thing because I keep a Word document open and peck away at my stories. A lot of guys in my position might watch movies or play on the Internet instead, but I try to stay productive.

Q.  Where do you live?

A. I'm originally from New Jersey. I moved to the Midwest a week before 9/11 and I've stayed here ever since.Missouriis where I met my wife and her family is close, which is important to both of us now that we have kids.

Q.  Tell me something random that no one knows about you.

A. There's very little people don't know about me because I have a big mouth and readily talk about myself – even when I'm not asked to!

But one of those weird quirks that most people don't know (and it's something that doesn't readily come up in conversation) is that I have an aversion to all verbs that begin with 'sq.' How's that for random? [Laughs] 

Q.  You compare your novel to the movie Back to the Future.  Are you more like Marty McFly or Doc Brown?

A. Definitely Doc Brown. I'm sure people have told my friends not to hang out with me because I'm weird or a nut-job.

Q.  Where and when do you write?  Is it hard to find time to write?  Your preference – music blaring, or absolute quiet?

A. I don't get to write at home much because the little guys keep my occupied. And after they go to bed, I make time for my wife. So the only chance I get to do some really serious writing is during my lunch breaks at work. I blare music through my headphones all day anyway, and that doesn't change when I write. The type of music I listen to varies a little. For example, when I'm writing a very emotional scene, I prefer movie soundtracks. Other than that, Bruce Springsteen is almost always playing – although that's true even when I'm not writing. In fact, if there is one artist that has influenced me the most creatively, it's Springsteen. I already have a book planned where his music figures prominently.

Q.  Pen and paper or keyboard?

A. Both. I always keep a small notebook in my backpack that I use to jot down notes or blueprint scenes and plot. I sometimes write entire chapters by hand and then type them up in Word. It's more laborious that way, but it allows me to write whenever the mood strikes me.

Q.  Do you create your own cover art?

A. Yes I do. I don't think I'm a great artist by any stretch. But I don't have a lot of discretionary cash and that limits what I can afford to have done for me. Some authors don't like that approach, especially when it comes to the editing part, as they believe that no one can do all jobs equally. They're probably right to think that, but with my work it's not really a philosophical choice. It's just the way it is.

Q.  At what age did you start writing?  Did you always want to be a writer?

A. I wrote a lot of short stories in high school. Most of them were about lone ninjas scaling towers to face an evil lord (my early work was inspired by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, apparently) or about lone high school kids fighting off government agents. It was all total crap, and I'm glad none of it has survived.

Q.  Do you have any advice for writers, young and old alike?

A. Focus on characters over plot. A good character will inform where the story goes. If you focus too much on plot and force characters to follow a preconceived ending, your readers will know and dislike you for it.

Q.  What can we expect next from Z. D. Robinson?

A. My next book is called The Law and the Devoted. It follows the events of The Great Altruist three thousand years later. After that is Revolve, a story about a man who wishes the world revolved around him and wakes up one morning to find that it does.

Thanks Z. D. for taking the time to share with us!  For more information on Z. D. Robinson, follow him on Facebook, Twitter, or you can email him directly at zdrobinson4@gmail.com .  If you'd like to get a copy of The Great Altruist, you can find it at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Behind The Scenes With: Financial News Addict and YA Author Amy Kinzer

Everyone makes mistakes…  But why do the ones we make in high school seem to be the worst?  This Thursday's installment of BTSW checks in with Amy Kinzer, where she discusses her YA novel Girl Over the Edge, where the two main characters make a mistake that could end up ruining their senior year…  And possibly more.

Q.  First of all, can you tell me a little bit about your debut novel Girl Over the Edge?

Girl Over the Edge is a story about two long-time best friends (Beckett and Chloe) who take some ill-advised pictures at a college party. The photos get passed around the school sending the girls to the bottom rung of the social ladder, a place no one wants to be during senior year.

Chloe becomes obsessed with the Aurora Bridge, a popular place to commit suicide in Seattle. Beckett's torn between wanting to be reaccepted by the in-crowd and supporting Chloe. The story is told from Beckett's viewpoint.

Q.  How did you come up with the idea?  Were there any people in your life that served as inspiration for your characters?

I wanted to write a non-romance book about a current issue (bullying, sexting). I think that relationships girls have with their friends are very difficult. The two main characters have a complicated relationship as they deal with their friendship and outside factors that make their continued relationship difficult.

Q.  You're a fellow indie author.  Can you tell us more about your decision to self-publish?  What has been your experience so far?

I just published Girl Over the Edge a few weeks ago so I don't have a ton of Indie experience. I'm learning a lot from the Kindle Boards where I met you! I've been writing for several years. Agents aren't looking for much contemporary fiction right now. Kindle Direct publishing is awesome! It gives my work a chance to get out there at a great price for consumers.

The hardest part was going through the manuscript line by line. I hired an editor (Nick at Everything Indie), but still it's really hard to catch everything. Anyone who thinks writers are going to publish their books in mass have never done a line by line edit of a book for publication, or written one for that matter. It has to be something you really want to do.

Q.  What kind of reaction have you gotten from your readers?

So far the reactions have been good! It has only been on Amazon for a few weeks so I'll have to wait to see. I'm very happy with the reviews so far.

Q.  As a reader, what type of genre do you normally read?  Do you have any favorite books/authors?

I read YA, women's fiction, chick lit, and general fiction. Favorites are Jen Lancaster and Laurie Halse Anderson. Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan is my favorite book.

I used to read a lot of thrillers. Right now I read primarily first person fiction and I have no preference towards present or past tense. I'm currently reading Catching Fire.

Q.  Real books or e-reader?

Both! Although whenever I read a paper book in public now it feels very old-fashioned.

Q.  Okay, now give me the deets on the real Amy Kinzer…  Do you have a day job?  If so, do you like it?

Right now I don't. I worked in finance in the past. I stay home with my son but may go back soon.

Q.  What was high school Amy like?  Were you subjected to bullying and peer pressure?

High school was non-eventful to me. I played sports and hung out with my best friend. I guess my high school life was out of the ordinary given how totally normal it was.

Q.  What's the craziest thing you did with your best friend in high school?

Ha ha… The absolute craziest things would probably get me in trouble if I put it out there. We spent a lot of time riding around aimlessly in my friend's car listening to metal music. I grew up in a sparsely populated part of the country.

Q.  A line from your bio popped out when I read it – you're addicted to financial news…  Is there a story behind this?

I worked in finance for many years and this led to an addiction to CNBC, Bloomberg, and now Twitter where all sorts of financial people shout at one another all day long. We live in interesting financial times. The stock market is the one place where you're either right or wrong. I like the practicality of it.

Q.  Tell me something random that no one knows about you.

I went on a roller coaster with my five-year-old and I had to hold his hand because I was so scared. I was terrified! He thought it was hilarious.

Q.  Vacation time – would you prefer sun bathing or sky diving?

Sunbathing. I've decided if I live to eighty then I'll sky dive. I'm a low risk person when it comes to safety.

Q.  Pen and paper or keyboard?

Keyboard. Always.

Q.  Did you create your own cover art?

I bought the photo and Tara Shuler who does cover art turned it into a cover.

Q.  At what age did you start writing?  Did you always want to be a writer?

I started writing about eight years ago. I wanted to be a writer and often dreamed of a beach home and author tours. Ha ha ha ha ha. That's so funny now. Being a writer is nothing like I imagined it.

Q.  What can we expect next from Amy Kinzer?

I plan on publishing a YA series, a chick lit series, and a couple of contemporary young adult novels. Only the ones of publishable quality though, I don't want to torture anyone with my early works!

Thanks Amy, for taking the time to sit down with us!  I personally can't wait to read more from you!  If you'd like a copy of Amy Kinzer's Girl Over the Edge, you can find it on Amazon.  For more information on Amy and her upcoming book releases, be sure to follow her blog!

Behind The Scenes With: Indie Author T.M. Souders

Today I sat down to chat with indie author T.M. Souders.  Her debut novel Waiting on Hope is bound to strike a chord with fans of women's fiction!

Q.  Your first book, Waiting on Hope, is a women's fiction novel and was released in July of this year.  Can you tell me more about the premise?

Waiting On Hope is about a woman, who after one violent act, discovers she's pregnant.  Unable to stay in an apartment filled with the memories of what happened, she flees to her parent's house in rural Ohio; however, when she arrives home, she discovers that healing is not going to be so easy because she has to deal with the past she left behind.  Ten years earlier, she abruptly abandoned a heartbroken fiancé and devastated younger brother.  Now she is forced to face not only the ghosts of her past, but also the reality of her pregnancy.  Waiting On Hope is all about finding hope and the resiliency of the human spirit. 

Q.  What are you working on now?

I recently started working on a new novel.  I don't have a title for it yet because I usually decide that more towards the end of each novel, but it should fall in the romance/women's fiction genres.

Q.  You're a fellow indie author.  Can you tell us more about your decision to self-publish?  What has been your experience so far?

Honestly, when I started writing Waiting On Hope, I thought I would query agents and go the traditional route, then if that didn't pan out, I'd self-publish.  As I wrote, however, and continued to read about the developing world of e-publishing, at some point (I'm not quite sure when), I just decided that I no longer wanted to try the traditional route.  E-publishing just seemed the way-to-go.  I didn't want someone else to decide whether my book was good enough.  I knew it was good enough, and I wanted the readers to make their decisions, not an agent looking to find one person to fit the particular slot they were looking to fill.

Q.  What kind of reaction have you gotten from your readers?

I haven't gotten the chance to talk to too many of my readers yet, but the ones I have heard from, all really enjoyed Waiting On Hope.  I even had a couple people tell me that they hardly ever read, but my book made them want to read more.

Q.  Real books or e-reader? 

I used to prefer traditional, paper books, but I have to admit I prefer reading on my Kindle now.  In fact, I love it.  Plus, most of the books are cheaper, so you can't beat it.  I have to admit though, I do love browsing the shelves at Barnes & Noble.

Q.  Okay, now give me the deets on the real T.M. Souders…  Do you have a day job?

I am a fulltime stay-at-home mom to two rambunctious and very needy children, ages one and three.  Three kids if you count my husband, lol.  Trying to fit quality writing time in is difficult, but like all authors with a day job, I manage.  I just might have circles and bags under my eyes the next day, lol.

Q.  You've got a teen book coming soon…  What was high school T.M. like?  Did you enjoy school or completely loathe it?

Freedom Road is my YA novel.  I am doing rewrites on it as we speak, but because of the new novel I'm also writing, it's probably not going to be released until sometime this winter.  I don't have any particularly strong feelings about high school either way.  It wasn't horrible and it wasn't amazing either.  Looking back now, I kind of just think of it as days of naiveté and complete oblivion.  I was kind of in my own little world, with so much growing left to do and so much left to learn about myself and life in general.  Now college, that's another sorry.  Where can I sign up to go back? lol

Q.  Favorite romance movie?

Gone With the Wind.  It's classic, and nothing can replace it.

Q.  Do you believe in love at first sight?

Honestly, no.  I believe two people can be drawn to each other and have extreme chemistry at first sight.

Q.  Where and when do you write?  Is it hard to find time to write?  Is there anything in particular you absolutely have to have beside you?

I prefer to write in the morning and early afternoon.  With kids, however, that is usually impossible, so I'm left to write in the evening.  I don't have to have anything other than my laptop to write, but a cup of coffee doesn't hurt.

Q.  Pen and paper or keyboard?

Keyboard of my laptop.  I can't even write on my desktop, just the thought that I'm glued to one spot, makes me squirm.

Q.  Do you create your own cover art?

I tried the first version of the cover for Waiting On Hope, but, frankly, the results were not as professional looking or appealing as I wanted, so I worked with Christine from Flip City Covers and she created something that worked so much better.

Q.  Do you have any advice for writers, young and old alike?

Be patient!  This is something I'm still learning how to do, but it is vital.  What aspect of writing or publishing specifically?  Everything.  All of it.  If you're not patient, you're either going to screw something up, or it will show in your work.

Thanks T.M. for taking the time to chat with us!  If you'd like to read Waiting on Hope, it can be downloaded at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords.  Paperback copies can be purchased at Amazon and CreateSpace.  For more information on T.M. Souders, visit her website or her blog.  You can also follow her on Twitter or her Facebook fan page!

Behind The Scenes With: Bead Artist and Debut Author Deanna Chase

This Monday's featured author comes to us from the deep south – New Orleans, Louisiana.  Deanna Chase sat down with me to tell me a bit about her debut ghost story novel, Haunted on Bourbon Street, A Paranormal Romance, and also about the business she shares with her husband – making glass beads and marbles.  After this interview, I'm off to her website to buy some of her gorgeous jewelry!

Q.  I just love a good ghost story!  Tell us more about Haunted on Bourbon Street, A Paranormal Romance.  How did the idea come to you?

My husband and I moved to southeast Louisiana four years ago. Since then we have spent a great deal of time down in New Orleans. One night we were out to dinner at Muriel's and a ghost tour walked by. That same night we were wandering down Bourbon Street. While we were looking for a place to listen to live music the inkling of a story started to form. Here my husband thought he was out for a night on the town with his wife, while I was wrapped up in my head mentally writing a story.

Haunted is the story of Jade Calhoun, an empath who moves into a haunted apartment above a strip club. She's a pretty guarded person about her ability due to a rough childhood and broken relationships. But the people she meets sort of adopt her into their makeshift family, and she finds herself forming bonds she thought weren't open to her. It's really a love story

between her and Kane as well as a story of friendship and acceptance that just happens to involve a ghost mystery.

Q.  This is your first book published (released July of 2011).  How has your publishing experience been so far?

So far I am beyond thrilled. I sold over a hundred books in less than a month, which I hear is amazing for a relatively unknown first time author. I've had a lot of really positive feedback. Really, I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Q.  Okay, so do you really believe in ghosts and empaths?

I absolutely believe in empaths, mediums, people who just know things. Ghosts? I'm not sure. I think they are possible. We always joke about having ghosts in our hundred-year-old home. There are noises and smells we can't explain, but I haven't had any experiences that lead me to say with absolute certainty that I believe. My dad who passed last year has visited me a few times in my dreams, as well as my golden retriever. Once they even showed up together. Were they ghosts, spirits, or just my own psyche making me feel better? I choose to believe their spirits came to let me know they were together and doing just fine.

Q.  How much research did you have to do for the background of Haunted?

I did a fair amount on ghost hunting for the book. The internet is a wonderful tool. Most of the other stuff involving New Orleans I already knew.

Q.  Who are your favorite authors?

They change depending on what genre I'm reading. But my all-time favorites are Diana Gabaldon and J.K. Rowling.

Q.  Favorite books?

It's pretty obvious from my favorite authors: The Harry Potter Series and The Outlander Series. So I'll name my favorites I read recently: The Hunger Games, The Help, The Kate Daniels Series, The Parasol Protectorate Series, and Richelle Mead's Succubus Series.

Q.  Real books or e-reader? 

Both. I am also a big fan of audiobooks. It's not unusual for me to have a book in my Nook and on my iPod. This winter I will probably end up with print versions of my digital media as well. I love to take a nice, long, hot bath and that always includes a book. Since I'm unwilling to risk my Nook to the water, I have a heavy supply of print. Plus, who doesn't love the

feel of a print book?

Q.  Okay, now give me the deets on the real Deanna Chase…  Do you have a day job?

I'm a self-employed glass bead artist.

Q.  I read in your bio that you make glass beads, which has always been a dream of mine! How did you get into that?

Sometime in late 1999 my husband and I came across a bead maker at a farmer's market. She had a video of how she did it, and he had an ah-ha moment. The process was the same as making glass marbles, something he had always wanted to do. So, he went home and ordered the equipment. He taught himself. For three years he made beads and dabbled in marble-making. He tried to teach me at one point, but I was a store manager and with my long hours, I didn't have the patience to learn.

In early 2003 we sold our house and moved into an RV to travel full-time. No kidding. We sold everything, quit our jobs, and had a plan to work our way from campground to campground. During our travels we met up with other bead makers. It was then I found the bug. After a few years of working at campgrounds, we decided to try making beads and marbles as our full-time gig. That was in 2005, and we haven't looked back.

We did however give up the RV life. In July of 2007 we decided we were ready to settle down and ended up outside of New Orleans.

Q.  Can you tell us anything about the family?

One artist husband, a parrot, and two shih tzu dogs.

Q.  Are you a dog lover or a cat lover?

Definitely a dog lover. My husband is allergic to cats, so I haven't had one since I was a kid. If we had one, I'm sure I'd get attached.

Q.  Favorite romance movie?

When Harry Met Sally. I don't know what it is about this movie, but I can watch it over and over and never get tired of it. I suppose it's the friendship, turned romance that gets me.

Q.  If you could take three things with you on a deserted island, what would be in your suitcase?

Can I have internet? If so I clearly need my laptop. I'm an internet addict. When I go out of town with a girlfriend, each night you can find us curled up in our beds with our computers on. Books of course, and my iPod. Again, I need internet to download my book selections. I rarely use my iPod for listening to music. It's books all the way.

Q.  What three things would always be found in your freezer?

Ice cream. The hubby is addicted and makes a batch at least twice a week. Frozen fruit. We have a smoothie addiction. Chicken wings.

Q.  Where and when do you write?  Is it hard to find time to write?  What's the view outside your window?

I write at my desk. The view is of the elementary school across the street. It's not that hard to find time to write since I work from home and don't have kids. I do have a problem with getting distracted by the hubby and the animals so I do most of my writing at night after they all go to sleep. It's just easier to focus.

Q.  Pen and paper or keyboard?

Keyboard. My handwriting is atrocious. Even I have trouble figuring out what I meant.

Q.  Do you create your own cover art?

No. I have a really good friend, Lisa Liddy, who is a book designer. She does my covers and my formatting.

Q.  At what age did you start writing?  Did you always want to be a writer?

Eight? My first book was called A Bear That Lives in The City. It was quite gripping to my eight-year-old mind. It was, of course, illustrated. From there I wrote sappy poetry in seventh and eighth grade all about the same guy who never gave me the time of day. Turns out he peaked in Junior high, poor guy, and I didn't miss out on anything.

Besides that I didn't write seriously until about 2007 when I joined a friend for NANO. But yes, I have always wanted to write.

Q.  Do you have any advice for writers, young and old alike?

I'd say do what you love. If you love to write, then write. Don't let doubts or fears that you aren't good enough stop you. I knew almost nothing when I started writing, but craft can be learned. It's passion that one needs.

An overview of Haunted on Bourbon Street, A Paranormal Romance. 

Jade loves her new apartment–until a ghost joins her in the shower.

When empath Jade Calhoun moves into an apartment above a strip bar on Bourbon Street, she expects life to get interesting. What she doesn't count on is making friends with an exotic dancer, attracting a powerful spirit, and developing feelings for Kane, her sexy landlord.

Being an empath has never been easy on Jade's relationships. It's no wonder she keeps her gift a secret. But when the ghost moves from spooking Jade to terrorizing Pyper, the dancer, it's up to Jade to use her unique ability to save her. Except she'll need Kane's help–and he's betrayed her with a secret of his own–to do it. Can she find a way to trust him and herself before Pyper is lost?

You can download Deanna Chase's novel Haunted on Bourbon Street, A Paranormal Romance at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and All Romance.  It is also available in paperback at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Thanks, Deanna, for taking the time to chat with us!  For more information about Deanna's writing and upcoming releases, visit her blog.  To learn more about her bead and art designs, visit her Chase Designs website.

Behind The Scenes With: Journalist, Author and Roller Derby Extraordinaire Red Tash

I 'm sorry, I couldn't help it – the Roller Derby tag had to go in the headline.  It's just so cool!  Okay, back to business.  I recently had a chance to take a lap (not on roller skates – I'd break a hip!) with writer Red Tash.  She's got lots of projects on the horizon, and took the time to tell me about some of them…

Q.  I just read your short The Wizard Takes a Holiday on Smashwords.  It was a very fun, quick read!  Can you tell me a little about the story?  What was your inspiration for this short story?

Well, I live in Southern Indiana, and frequent the drive-in a lot.  It's always a wild experience.  I think being outdoors like that brings out the "ornery" in people. They may sneak in snacks, drink illicit beer–heck, you even see the little ones stealing one another's toys on the playground.  Counter balance that experience with the sheer delight of watching a movie in your comfy folding chair, staying up late gazing at the starry night sky while you take in the latest flicks–it's really a magical experience waiting to happen. 

My local drive-in, The Georgetown Drive-in in Georgetown,Indiana, is always busy.  You have to get there early to get a spot.  They really host a Horror Movie Weekend, a pet weekend, all kinds of neat stuff that tends to bring people out who might otherwise not leave their parents' basements much.

A few weeks ago I felt like writing a short story, and we'd just been to the drive-in, so I just kind of sat back and thought "Well, I wonder how a great wizard like Dumbledore or Gandalf would enjoy a night out like that."  I realized he likely would find even more magic in the experience than a muggle like me can. 

Q.  So the main character in this story, a wizard, is on a holiday set in a drive-in theater in (of all places) rural Indiana…  Why Indiana?

I see from your blog that we're both Hoosiers!  I tell you what–all my books are set in Indiana.  I have lived here all my life, with the exception of one semester in Danville, KY and a few years of my "reckless youth" in the big city of Louisville.  There is no place I know better, and you know what they say: Write what you know.  Originally I tried disguising the setting of my first novel, to make it some generic Midwestern college town, but the truth is, it's Bloomington.  It became easier just to leave it Bloomington.  For what it's worth, I think The Wizard's drive-in could be anywhere. 

Q.  Are you a Harry Potter fan?

Off the charts.  I'm a total Ravenclaw.

Q.  So you tag yourself as an author of dark fantasy…  How did you settle in this genre?

It was not easy.  I have worked on This Brilliant Darkness for so long, it's been to multiple writers' conferences with me, and over the past seven years, genre labels have changed considerably.  At one point I was not sure if it should be called SciFi (there's some time travel involved), or Fantasy.  Most of the fantasy books in the bookstore have dragons and swords and shields on the cover, and my book was about a professor and a time-traveling monster.  Then, urban fantasy rose to popularity.  Only problem was, my books were not about vampires, nor were they set in big cities.  Eventually, terms like "magical realism" and "speculative fiction," while still used by others, fell by the wayside in favor of the all-encompassing label "contemporary fantasy."  While there's no doubt my stories are set in contemporary everyday life, the two novels are just much darker than that labels foretells.  I feel like labeling my work altogether "dark" is better truth in advertising for the average reader.  You can see that just a tad in the Wizard story.  Sure, it's light, and it's safe for all ages, but the kid commit "toadslaughter" and give an old wizard a potentially serious bug, in the process.  The movie-goers are not rosy-posie innocents, either.  There's potential there for things to go seriously awry.  To me, that's the promise that dark fantasy fulfills.  Things *will* go awry.  And hopefully along the way you will gasp and say to yourself "I can't believe this story just went there."

Q.  Rumor has it you've got a novel coming up for debut soon.  Can you give us a teaser description?

This Brilliant Darkness is a fast-paced read about a quirky absent-minded professor, and the dark, damaged entity who targets her for extinction.  It's got time travel, angels, beer, hot wings, pretentious academians, and hot working-class guys who cook in the nude.  It's interspersed with tongue-in-cheek Star Trek jokes, and it's set in a town populated by gregarious street people, cosplaying activists, and technology-challenged bureaucrats, among others.  I guess it's a wild ride.

Q.  What kind of reaction have you gotten from your readers?

Extremely supportive.  And that's the whole reason for doing this.

Q.  Who are your favorite authors?  Are they your source for inspiration?

JK Rowling, Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, and Holly Black are my absolute faves.  I've had periods where I read nothing but JRR Tolkein, Piers Anthony, Walter Farley, Charles Simic, and Yusef Komunyakaa.  It's hard to choose an absolute favorite, because I think the attachment to certain characters and worlds that authors have built is often transcendent of the talent of the author, him/herself. 

Q.  Favorite books?

The Harry Potter series, The Bartimaeus books by Jonathon Stroud, Stephen King's The Stand, Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove, Neil Gaiman's Graveyard Book, Richard Adams Watership Down, Douglas Adams The Hitchhiker's Guide.  I could go on and on.  I just love a book that can surprise me.  I am impatient and will stop reading if something doesn't suck me in.  So many good books out there waiting to be read!

Q.  Okay, now give me the deets on the real Red Tash…  Do you have another job besides writing?

Believe it or not, my other job is writing.  I have been a freelance journalist & PR professional in the Southern Indiana area for the past eight years.  At one point, I was a nationally syndicated columnist.  Eventually I will publish a collection of the columns as some kind of humor book.  Probably in early 2012.  That won't be under this name, however.

Q.  Can you tell us anything about your family?

What I could tell you would curl your hair.

Q.  Tell me something random that no one knows about you.

I used to write a really popular anonymous blog.  Part of me misses that.  I was quite the attention whore.  Once I started writing professionally, I drifted away from those hours at the keyboard spilling shocking secrets and lambasting demons for the amusement of the crowd.  Writing fiction fills that need, and I am so looking forward to the feedback, whether it's good or bad.  I would rather get a really nasty in-depth review speculating about my sanity than get no response at all.  I love hate mail.

Q.  There's a movie being made about your life.  What would the title be?  What actress would play you?

Who told you that, damn it!  The PR people are not supposed to release that for another month!

Seriously, though, the movie would be called Daughter Insano (which is the working title for my eventual memoir under my real name), and I would be played by Amy Adams, more than likely.

Q.  Where and when do you write?  Is it hard to find time to write?  Your preference – music blaring, or absolute quiet?

I used to only be able to write professionally outside of my home.  I had to have my laptop, my tea or coffee, and my favorite spot in front of the fireplace at the local coffee shop.  In fact, I have a frequent customer card to every coffee shop in the Louisville/So.Indianaarea, because of work.  I am not exaggerating.  It is always tough for me to find time to write, because of my lifestyle, but a couple of months ago I made a commitment to try & fit in an hour or two each Mon-Fri.  I mostly succeed at that.  Right now I am writing to you in a quiet house (your house!  look behind you!), but most of the time, there are other people here, so I have learned to tune out everything else around me.  Writing is my job, so I focus on that when I'm doing it, completely.  There have been times when I've listened to Radiohead or the Harry Potter soundtrack while I write, but not usually.

Q.  Pen and paper or keyboard?

Both.  I once wrote a poetry collection on ripped cardboard box tops.

Q.  What three things would always be found on your writing desk?

Legos, coffee, and more legos.

Q.  Is there an interesting story behind the Red Tash pen name?

The person who gave me the name Red started calling me that quite a long time ago, despite the fact I'm not a redhead.  He had just fallen all over himself on the way to his desk in Geometry class, and was wearing suspenders.  I was overly kind to him, as all schoolkids are prone to be, and said to him very snidely "Nice trip, Strap."  I started calling him TripStrap to harass him, and I think he felt compelled to come up with a nickname for me, in response.  One day I was wearing a red shirt, so he called me "Red."  Real creative, huh?  A few years ago, he joined my writing group, and he walked into the room and called me "Red," as if everyone calls me that. 

Fun fact: My real first name has an unusual spelling, and I wanted a handle that didn't belie gender right off the bat–like "Priscilla" or "Moses" would, for example.  When the idea of Red, a la Little Red Riding Hood, came to me, it just really seemed to work for this persona.

I have also written satire under the name Yoda Hemingway, in the past.  I'm reserving the right to go back to that, anytime.

Q.  At what age did you start writing?  Did you always want to be a writer?

I published my first poem at age ten. I wrote a satirical newsletter skewering my classroom politics at age eleven.  (My father xeroxed that one and I passed it out to my fellow students as they filed into class.)  I wrote my first novella at twelve, after a particularly gruesome experience at summer camp.  At that rate, you'd think I'd have won a Pulitzer, Newbery, and National Book Award by now, but the truth is, I was diverted for many years just trying to find a stable patch of ground to lay my head on.  I didn't know that I was a writer when I was a kid.  I wrote just like every other kid draws.  I never saw it as a viable commercial skill until after I had spent many years pursuing a business degree (Accounting!), and prepared thousands of tax returns.  Even when I started freelancing, I had no idea it would lead anywhere–I just had an editor ask me to share my expertise on food allergies, of all things, and it snowballed.  It wasn't until I sat down at my blog and just started bleeding, to butcher a Hemingway quote, that I realized what I truly was.  I am a storyteller, and writing is what I am meant to do, for better or for worse.  I can't change that any more than I can permanently change my eye color or hair color.  I might disguise my true nature, but it always surfaces.  It's not really a choice of *wanting* it, you just are or you aren't, know what I mean, Vern?

Q.  So what can we expect next from you?  Any other projects on the horizon?

Look for This Brilliant Darkness near Halloween (of course!).  I'm planning a big celebration around that book launch, because it's such a momentous occasion, and who doesn't love a blog party?  There will be giveaways (big ones!), so RedTash.com is definitely going to be the place to be in October. 

My next book is called Troll or Derby, and it's a YA contemporary fantasy. I'd love to have it on the market by Christmas, but we'll see.  It's about Trolls and Fairies and Roller Derby, oh my!  It has meth labs, flea markets, rural supply stores, and enough glitter and casino bling to make your eyeballs roll around in your head like Wile E Coyote.  It's even got romance (cue violins).

(Yes!  I used to play roller derby!  Derby City Rollergirls, here in the Louisville area.)

After that, I've got some non-fiction projects lined up under my respectable, grown-up, journalist name.

Q.  Do you have any advice for writers, young and old alike?

Funny you should ask.  I was asked today by the mother of an eleven year-old aspiring author, and a 30-something mom working on a memoir about how they should get started.  I recommended to them each to look at the amazon kindle sales charts, and see what's selling in their genre.  Nothing motivates a writer more than reading a sample of a book and realizing "Hey!  I can do better than this!"

I also want to encourage all writers to keep writing, and not expect to produce a masterpiece with their first attempt at anything.  Writing takes a lot of practice.  My second book is coming easier than my first book did, and I know my third book is going to be a slam-dunk.  I have author friends who are going through books they wrote 20+ years ago, and they are just floored by how much their writing has improved in the years between.  Writing is like any art form.  We get better at it, more in control of how we express ourselves, with time, practice, and feedback.  Be willing to put yourself out there and take the feedback, good or bad.  The good will send you flying, the bad might make you feel like crying or kicking your dog every now and then, but at the end of the day, YOU are not your writing.  It's something you do, not who you are.  Have fun with it and let it stand on its own two feet.

I used to teach journaling classes to people who were (what I thought of as) "baby writers." They would start out very timidly, some even afraid to write in a journal with a lock & a key.  I used to tell them repeatedly, until they started saying it themselves: "What's the first rule of journaling?"  "There are no rules in journaling."  It's the same in writing.  Sure, there are grammatical rules, but as Jack Sparrow & Associates said, "Those are really more like guidelines."  Just write.  Your heart wouldn't tell you to do it if it weren't for you.  BTW, those "baby writers" eventually formed their own newsletter and started sharing their writing with the world!

Thanks, Red, for taking the time to share with us! 

If you'd like to learn more about Red Tash, visit her website, or you can follow her on Twitter, Google+ and Facebook.  You can join her mailing list by typing "mailing list" in your subject line to RedTashBooks@gmail.com , and according to Red, she is also available by Owl Post.

Her short story Wizard Takes a Holiday can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.  Watch her website for more news on the release of This Brilliant Darkness!

Behind The Scenes With: Photographer and Debut Author Aimee Laine

Attention all romance readers!  Remember this name – Aimee Laine.  She's an up-and-comer author, and oh by the way, a pretty fantastic photographer too!  I had a chance to catch up with Aimee and ask her a few questions about life, writing and her new book Little White Lies (Mimics of Rune).

Q.  Your first novel, Little White Lies (Mimics of Rune), debuted in June of this year…  First of all, can you tell me a little about the book?

The book is about a Mimic (shapeshifter) who is and has been in love with a man for all of HIS life … not hers. She's a LOT older than him and when I say a lot, I mean centuries, vs. decades. Ultimately, she's given him up a number of times for various reasons and in the end all the little lies she's told herself to keep herself from running after him for a fourth time, become that 'proverbial' water under the bridge when someone else takes control of the situation and puts the two characters back together. Luckily, that time, it sticks and we get to see what happens to get them to their Happily Ever After.

Q.  Little White Lies is a paranormal romance – where did the story inspiration come from?

I had this notion one day: What if I could be other people. And there inlies the creation of the Mimic. How Mimics work though because a very complicated piece of science I had to completely make up. So for Little White Lies purposes, I focused only on what they can do (not HOW they do it). And that was a lot of fun.

Q.  Do you have aspirations to write in any other genres?  If so, what?

I don't really. I love romance. I love taking two people and putting them together to see what happens. I love the paranormal because I want forces that are not our own doing to bring in the conflict. I'm not a big fan of 'ooh, I can't like you because you might not like me' … I want conflict like 'I can't love you because if I did you'd be saddled with me for the rest of your life and at 18, that's just not the right (moral/ethical) thing to do' and years of conflict are then created.

Q.  What was your experience with the publishing process?  How did you feel when it was finally finished and published for all the world to see?

Having a finished book in my hand after all the editing, reading, editing more and reading more was like opening presents on Christmas morning.

Q.  Tell me about the book cover…  Did you design it yourself, or have any creative input?

Creative input. As a professional photographer, I had certain ideas and people have asked me if I shot the photo. No, I didn't. Wish I did, that's for sure.

Q.  How did your family and friends react to the news of your published novel?  Are they supportive?

My family is extremely supportive. Writing is also my day job (but in a very different way). So getting Little White Lies out into the hands of a reader audience was like the icing on the cake of a well-built career.

Q.  What kind of reaction have you gotten from your readers?

Very positive reaction. I've been thrilled with the reviews. I write very differently than most people … especially romance writers. I don't give 'stuff' away. You have to read every paragraph to know what's going on. Skimmers that don't take in the details will miss stuff and there, I believe, is where the only negativity comes in. I have no problem with it though. Not all books will reach all readers and I truly do understand that.

Q.  Do you have any other favorite authors?  Contemporary and from years-gone-by?

I read the big romance names — Nora Roberts and her alter-ego JD Robb. But I also read 'lesser known' (isn't that true of everyone that isn't Ms. Robert?) authors like Sharon McCrumb (not romance), Maeve Binchy, Judy Blume — my bookshelf is a mish-mash of books and names.

Q.  What are your favorite books?

If it's romantic and mysterious, that's what I want. That's probably why I've read every one of the JD Robb series.

Q.  Real books or e-reader? 

eReader.

Q.  Okay, now give me the deets on the real Aimee Laine…  Do you have another job besides writing?

Yup. But I 'write' there, too. I manage a group of writers in fact — a group of instructional design writers who's entire purpose is to train people using electronic or instructor-led training media.

Q.  Can you tell us anything about the family?  Pets?

Pets = 1 cat. One solid black cat. I have no qualms about superstitions. I have walked under ladders, spilled salt, broken mirrors. It happens. I don't worry about them and my black cat is awesome. As for family, the one little tidbit that most people don't know about me is that I met my husband when I was 14 (he was 17). We started dating a few weeks into band camp (so yes, the "Remember, that time in band camp…?" is applicable to me). We never once broke up. We married when I hit the big 2-0 and have now been married 17 years. Now you see why I love romance?

Q.  Favorite food?  Do you like to cook?

I HATE (with a passion) to cook. If pizza were calorie and guilt-free, I'd eat it all day long.

Q.  What do you do for fun in your free time?  Any interesting hobbies?

Well, I LOVE to read. Yep. I do. And I love to walk on my treadmill, so normally, I do the two together. I also love photography (as seen by the fact I am a professional photographer as well).

Q.  Where and when do you write?  Is it hard to find time to write?  Your preference – music blaring, or absolute quiet?

I can write in any situation. Loud or quiet. I can get more done when its quiet, but if loud is all I get (I do have 3 kids, so loud is usually what I get), then I can deal with it. I write before work, at lunch, after work … I give myself 1 hour every day to write and fit in editing and whatnot around that.

Q.  At what age did you start writing?  Did you always want to be a writer?

35. 2 years ago – May 2009 is when I 'just wrote a novel'. No one will ever see that novel, but I wrote it. Definitely did not always want to be a writer. Now it's about all I want to do though.

Q.  So what can we expect next from you?  Is there another book on the horizon?

Well … Hide & Seek, Book 1 in the Games of Zeus series comes out in March 2012. I've also just finished Surrender (Book 2 in the Mimics of Rune series) and will start editing that. I also have a YA novel I'm hoping to get some traction with for next year.

Q.  Do you have any advice for writers, young and old alike?

Practice, practice, practice. As I wrote 'The End' to Surrender on August 19th, that put me over the 1,000,000 word mark. I want every word I put out there be have been my best effort and in those 1,000,000 words, I know there is some bad writing … bad storytelling … bad 'stuff' … so now that I have my voice and style set, I can go back and work on those 'older' stories (if they are worth it). So that's what I say to new writers. Practice for a while before you jump into publishing or try to get something published.

 

Thanks, Aimee, for taking the time to share with us! 

If you'd like to learn more about Aimee Laine, visit her website or her blog, or you can follow her on Twitter and Facebook. 

Her debut novel Little White Lies (Mimic of Rune) can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, AllRomance and Goodreads.