Erik Christian's Blog, page 2
October 6, 2014
Character Interview with Nicholas Powell- Chinese Walls
How do you feel about your family, now that you’re an adult?
Grateful that I’ve been able to give them a very comfortable home and background, and to see the children get a goodish start in life.
What do you want from life?
I thought I knew that it was career success and fulfillment, but in fact I’ve been discovering that this is not enough. Exciting as career highs can be, I really want a relationship that more truly reflects my inner feelings.
If you were granted three wishes, what would you ask for?
• Happy and secure lives for my wife and children
• An authentic relationship with another man, which I don’t have to hide from anyone
• Material security balanced by emotional fulfillment
What three things would you take to a Desert Island?
• My new ‘husband’ Daniel (if that were allowed)
• The collected works of Christopher Isherwood
• A shaving kit with a year’s supply of razor blades
What, in the outside world, is preventing you from getting it?
My husband? Social and professional disapproval
What, in yourself, is preventing you from getting it?
Anxiety at losing what I have
What must happen before you overcome this?
A complete reckoning with all the people in my life and clarity with my work colleagues
In your relationship with others, how are you different with family than you are with friends?
I act the usual heterosexual, rather macho father and husband with my family but am much more confessional and intimate with my friends.
Why?
I choose to compartmentalize my life and keep one part ‘secret’ from the other
How do you fall in love? At first sight? Over a long period?
At first sight
What parts of loving come easy for you? Hard?
Sharing jobs and responsibilities. Allowing someone else to take the lead
How do you decide if you can trust someone? Experience with others? with this person? First impressions? Intuition? Do you test the person somehow? Or are you just generally disposed to trust or not to trust?
I am not disposed to trust at first sight, there is always a voice inside that says wait and see, test it out, don’t jump to conclusions. But another part of me is very trusting and loving.
When you walk into a room, what do you notice first? Second?
Whether there are friendly faces there. Who is the host or leader.
When you walk into a room, what do you expect people to notice about you?
Confidence and charm.
Describe yourself to me.
Decisive, a firm hold on events, a good strategic brain, a readiness to assess all angles of a situation, loyal over time, but with a reserve and sometimes even diffidence about my achievements/reputation. I consider myself a bit of a Renaissance man, who - as a gentleman - should wear his talents lightly.
Is one sense more highly developed than another? (Are you more visual, or audial, etc, or do you rely on the famous sixth sense?)
I am very instinctive and like to read body language as part of my strategic advisor/public presentation job
Did you turn out the way you expected? The way your parents predicted?
In some professional and family ways, yes very much so. But not the inner core of me perhaps.
What really moves you, or touches you to the soul?
Beauty, male beauty and youthful charm, high intelligence (which often supoersdes the importance of looks for me), the excitement of other cultures and foods, religions etc.
What's the one thing you have always wanted to do but didn't/couldn't/wouldn't? What would happen if you did do it?
I always wanted to make love with another man on a regular basis. I would probably blossom as a human being.
See the Book Here: http://tinyurl.com/otr3bry
Brought to you by:
http://www.elitebookpromotions.com/
Grateful that I’ve been able to give them a very comfortable home and background, and to see the children get a goodish start in life.
What do you want from life?
I thought I knew that it was career success and fulfillment, but in fact I’ve been discovering that this is not enough. Exciting as career highs can be, I really want a relationship that more truly reflects my inner feelings.
If you were granted three wishes, what would you ask for?
• Happy and secure lives for my wife and children
• An authentic relationship with another man, which I don’t have to hide from anyone
• Material security balanced by emotional fulfillment
What three things would you take to a Desert Island?
• My new ‘husband’ Daniel (if that were allowed)
• The collected works of Christopher Isherwood
• A shaving kit with a year’s supply of razor blades
What, in the outside world, is preventing you from getting it?
My husband? Social and professional disapproval
What, in yourself, is preventing you from getting it?
Anxiety at losing what I have
What must happen before you overcome this?
A complete reckoning with all the people in my life and clarity with my work colleagues
In your relationship with others, how are you different with family than you are with friends?
I act the usual heterosexual, rather macho father and husband with my family but am much more confessional and intimate with my friends.
Why?
I choose to compartmentalize my life and keep one part ‘secret’ from the other
How do you fall in love? At first sight? Over a long period?
At first sight
What parts of loving come easy for you? Hard?
Sharing jobs and responsibilities. Allowing someone else to take the lead
How do you decide if you can trust someone? Experience with others? with this person? First impressions? Intuition? Do you test the person somehow? Or are you just generally disposed to trust or not to trust?
I am not disposed to trust at first sight, there is always a voice inside that says wait and see, test it out, don’t jump to conclusions. But another part of me is very trusting and loving.
When you walk into a room, what do you notice first? Second?
Whether there are friendly faces there. Who is the host or leader.
When you walk into a room, what do you expect people to notice about you?
Confidence and charm.
Describe yourself to me.
Decisive, a firm hold on events, a good strategic brain, a readiness to assess all angles of a situation, loyal over time, but with a reserve and sometimes even diffidence about my achievements/reputation. I consider myself a bit of a Renaissance man, who - as a gentleman - should wear his talents lightly.
Is one sense more highly developed than another? (Are you more visual, or audial, etc, or do you rely on the famous sixth sense?)
I am very instinctive and like to read body language as part of my strategic advisor/public presentation job
Did you turn out the way you expected? The way your parents predicted?
In some professional and family ways, yes very much so. But not the inner core of me perhaps.
What really moves you, or touches you to the soul?
Beauty, male beauty and youthful charm, high intelligence (which often supoersdes the importance of looks for me), the excitement of other cultures and foods, religions etc.
What's the one thing you have always wanted to do but didn't/couldn't/wouldn't? What would happen if you did do it?
I always wanted to make love with another man on a regular basis. I would probably blossom as a human being.
See the Book Here: http://tinyurl.com/otr3bry
Brought to you by:
http://www.elitebookpromotions.com/
September 4, 2014
Ben Burgess Jr is the author of the award winning novel "Monster", See His New Novel Now
Author Interview with Ben Burgess Jr. For his new book WOUNDED
1. While you were writing, did you ever feel as if you were one of the characters?
Whenever I’m writing, I have to become the main character. I feel it helps to make the character come alive. I try to think and talk the way my character would. It’s fun because some things that I’d never do or say, I can use to make my characters more interesting.
2. What are your expectations for the book?
With every book, I expect mass appeal. I work hard to market the book on as many venues as I can, to build a strong fan base. The ultimate goal(s)/dream(s) is to get signed by a major publishing company and to have my books turned into films.
3. What books/authors have influenced your writing?
My favorite author is Eric Jerome Dickey, an African American Fiction author. What attracted me to his work was the fact that it was different from most of the other Urban/ African American Fiction authors that I had read. I have spoken to him personally, and he has encouraged and supported my writing career. He has influenced me to not be afraid to be different.
4. What genre do you consider your book(s)?
My books are considered “Urban/African American Fiction” but to be honest, I’m not too happy with that label. I feel that labeling a book “Urban/African American Fiction” limits the readers for your books to only minorities. The goal for my writing is to be appealing to all races and readers. In a perfect world, I feel my work would fall more into the “Literary fiction” genre because it doesn’t fit perfectly in one specific category. (Ex: Wounded is an “Urban/AA Fiction book”, yet it has a Lesbian protagonist, and some Lesbian erotic scenes. It could be labeled “Urban”, “Erotic Drama”, or “Lesbian” fiction, which is why I feel literary fiction is the better category for my writing because it’s broader.
5. Do you ever experience writer's block?
With every book I work on, I try to improve and top my previous work. Sometimes I’m hit with “writer’s block”. When I’m faced with it, I read other authors to take a break from writing. After I take a break, I continue to write. I write whatever comes to my mind because I view it like this, nothing is final until it’s published. The key to breaking out of it, is to keep writing. I write and I modify afterwards.
6. Do you write an outline before every book you write?
I don’t use an outline. I map things out in my head and I write the way the story comes to me.
7. Have you ever hated something you wrote?
No. I put a lot of thought into the works I’ve published. Do I feel that now that I’ve matured as an author, I could’ve written things a little better now? Yes. The more you write, the more you evolve and gain a better understanding of how to improve your story. While I feel that now I’d be able to tell stories more efficiently, I wouldn’t change anything about my books because I hope readers can see that evolution in my writing. I want them to see the hard work that I put into writing heartfelt stories.
8. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No. I’m very please the way “Wounded” turned out and it’s exactly how I wanted the story to be.
9. Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
There are tons of authors that are grabbing my attention. I’ll try to list some: Julia Blues, MZ. Robinson, Michael Loring, Stacy Campbell, Charles Bukoski, Christine Hazel, Shatika Turner, Christiana Harrell, and Christopher McGoldrick. I like to give indie authors a try because I know there are a lot of great ones out there.
10. Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members?
True fans. Some fans who I’ve met on Facebook when I first started promoting my book have been very supportive. They’ve helped with word of mouth, they’ve written reviews and encouraged their family and friends to write reviews, they’ve gone to my book signings and listened to my interviews on blog radio shows. I cannot thank them enough and I’m truly grateful for them.
11. What is the most demeaning thing said about you as a writer?
That’s an easy one, some people have said that I suck and I only write smut. To those people I say…LOL, there are different strokes for different folks. There will be some that just don’t feel my style of writing or the stories I’m telling. In this business, you have to have thick skin. You can’t take everything personal. I listen to constructive criticism that I feel is helpful. As a writer, I try to work on my flaws and improve with every book, but it’s impossible to please everyone. I work hard to write stories I believe a majority of people will enjoy.
For Ben's Book: http://tinyurl.com/kbhneg5
Book Tour Provided by:
ELITE BOOK PROMOTIONS
http://www.elitebookpromotions.com
1. While you were writing, did you ever feel as if you were one of the characters?
Whenever I’m writing, I have to become the main character. I feel it helps to make the character come alive. I try to think and talk the way my character would. It’s fun because some things that I’d never do or say, I can use to make my characters more interesting.
2. What are your expectations for the book?
With every book, I expect mass appeal. I work hard to market the book on as many venues as I can, to build a strong fan base. The ultimate goal(s)/dream(s) is to get signed by a major publishing company and to have my books turned into films.
3. What books/authors have influenced your writing?
My favorite author is Eric Jerome Dickey, an African American Fiction author. What attracted me to his work was the fact that it was different from most of the other Urban/ African American Fiction authors that I had read. I have spoken to him personally, and he has encouraged and supported my writing career. He has influenced me to not be afraid to be different.
4. What genre do you consider your book(s)?
My books are considered “Urban/African American Fiction” but to be honest, I’m not too happy with that label. I feel that labeling a book “Urban/African American Fiction” limits the readers for your books to only minorities. The goal for my writing is to be appealing to all races and readers. In a perfect world, I feel my work would fall more into the “Literary fiction” genre because it doesn’t fit perfectly in one specific category. (Ex: Wounded is an “Urban/AA Fiction book”, yet it has a Lesbian protagonist, and some Lesbian erotic scenes. It could be labeled “Urban”, “Erotic Drama”, or “Lesbian” fiction, which is why I feel literary fiction is the better category for my writing because it’s broader.
5. Do you ever experience writer's block?
With every book I work on, I try to improve and top my previous work. Sometimes I’m hit with “writer’s block”. When I’m faced with it, I read other authors to take a break from writing. After I take a break, I continue to write. I write whatever comes to my mind because I view it like this, nothing is final until it’s published. The key to breaking out of it, is to keep writing. I write and I modify afterwards.
6. Do you write an outline before every book you write?
I don’t use an outline. I map things out in my head and I write the way the story comes to me.
7. Have you ever hated something you wrote?
No. I put a lot of thought into the works I’ve published. Do I feel that now that I’ve matured as an author, I could’ve written things a little better now? Yes. The more you write, the more you evolve and gain a better understanding of how to improve your story. While I feel that now I’d be able to tell stories more efficiently, I wouldn’t change anything about my books because I hope readers can see that evolution in my writing. I want them to see the hard work that I put into writing heartfelt stories.
8. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No. I’m very please the way “Wounded” turned out and it’s exactly how I wanted the story to be.
9. Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
There are tons of authors that are grabbing my attention. I’ll try to list some: Julia Blues, MZ. Robinson, Michael Loring, Stacy Campbell, Charles Bukoski, Christine Hazel, Shatika Turner, Christiana Harrell, and Christopher McGoldrick. I like to give indie authors a try because I know there are a lot of great ones out there.
10. Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members?
True fans. Some fans who I’ve met on Facebook when I first started promoting my book have been very supportive. They’ve helped with word of mouth, they’ve written reviews and encouraged their family and friends to write reviews, they’ve gone to my book signings and listened to my interviews on blog radio shows. I cannot thank them enough and I’m truly grateful for them.
11. What is the most demeaning thing said about you as a writer?
That’s an easy one, some people have said that I suck and I only write smut. To those people I say…LOL, there are different strokes for different folks. There will be some that just don’t feel my style of writing or the stories I’m telling. In this business, you have to have thick skin. You can’t take everything personal. I listen to constructive criticism that I feel is helpful. As a writer, I try to work on my flaws and improve with every book, but it’s impossible to please everyone. I work hard to write stories I believe a majority of people will enjoy.
For Ben's Book: http://tinyurl.com/kbhneg5
Book Tour Provided by:
ELITE BOOK PROMOTIONS
http://www.elitebookpromotions.com
July 28, 2014
Promote your eBook with a Trailer!
Hello everyone,
I have been hearing a lot about book trailers for ebooks lately. They are a creative way to animate your story-line which transforms your plot into a "trailer", like the ones movies use at the theater.
So, I began my research into this wonderful medium and found a company that makes brilliant book trailers. I actually ran across these book trailers on Youtube. The company is called Elite Book Promotions.
Here's there website: http://www.elitebookpromotions.com/
I have been hearing a lot about book trailers for ebooks lately. They are a creative way to animate your story-line which transforms your plot into a "trailer", like the ones movies use at the theater.
So, I began my research into this wonderful medium and found a company that makes brilliant book trailers. I actually ran across these book trailers on Youtube. The company is called Elite Book Promotions.
Here's there website: http://www.elitebookpromotions.com/
July 9, 2014
Interview with Emma Colchester
Do you have a secret that you've never told anyone?
I broke the china milk jug when I was five, and hid the evidence from mama
What do you like most about yourself?
I am pleased with my feet. They are small and well-shaped.
What is your first memory?
Being nursed by mama as the sun broke over the pond in the distance.
What was your favorite activity as a young child?
Picking flowers.
How do you feel about your family, now that you’re an adult?
Love and gratitude.
What do you want from life?
A content life. Nothing more.
If you were granted three wishes, what would you ask for?
Courage, honesty and perseverance.
What three things would you take to a Desert Island?
A bible, a broad-brimmed hat and a good friend.
What, in the outside world, is preventing you from getting it?
Nothing.
What, in yourself, is preventing you from getting it?
A nature that is imperfect, having a tendency to show itself at the most trialling moments.
What must happen before you overcome this?
Exercise greater temerity.
Title: Charter to Redemption
Author: D.J. Blackmore
Publisher: Even Before Publishing (May 1, 2014)
Release Date: May 1, 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
Get The Book Here:http://tinyurl.com/pc4dx4o
Her website: http://www.djblackmore.com.au/
Her Blog: http://deirdreblackmore.wordpress.com/
Brought to you by: http://tinyurl.com/qaefynp
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DJBlackmore1
I broke the china milk jug when I was five, and hid the evidence from mama
What do you like most about yourself?
I am pleased with my feet. They are small and well-shaped.
What is your first memory?
Being nursed by mama as the sun broke over the pond in the distance.
What was your favorite activity as a young child?
Picking flowers.
How do you feel about your family, now that you’re an adult?
Love and gratitude.
What do you want from life?
A content life. Nothing more.
If you were granted three wishes, what would you ask for?
Courage, honesty and perseverance.
What three things would you take to a Desert Island?
A bible, a broad-brimmed hat and a good friend.
What, in the outside world, is preventing you from getting it?
Nothing.
What, in yourself, is preventing you from getting it?
A nature that is imperfect, having a tendency to show itself at the most trialling moments.
What must happen before you overcome this?
Exercise greater temerity.
Title: Charter to Redemption
Author: D.J. Blackmore
Publisher: Even Before Publishing (May 1, 2014)
Release Date: May 1, 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
Get The Book Here:http://tinyurl.com/pc4dx4o
Her website: http://www.djblackmore.com.au/
Her Blog: http://deirdreblackmore.wordpress.com/
Brought to you by: http://tinyurl.com/qaefynp
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DJBlackmore1
June 15, 2014
What's Your WHY?
I dropped out of high school because I had 9 classes to pass. I dropped out of college to drink cough syrup. I flipped burgers for a living and filed bankruptcy. I avoided reality and drank until I had a heart-attack at 32. I avoided reality for so long I became scared of my own parents.
Got sober but had no clue about life. Knew flipping burgers lead nowhere. Wanted more, always had a dream, friends called it fantasizing, I knew there was something MORE. I started to invest in stocks. Grew it to 20,000 dollars making $12 an hour, my first proud accomplishment, then October 2008 hit and my Citigroup stock went from $52 a share to $1.62.
Discovered Penny Stocks. Lost $5000. Discovered publishing my own music on MP3’s. Made $50 bucks in one year. Discovered ebooks on Amazon, wrote 5 books, $600 profit in 3 years. Discovered Binary Options, Lost $1000 in 2 weeks. Discovered Network marketing. Made my money back and learned how to build relationships again and kicked my insecurity good-bye.
What’s your WHY?
For more, go here: http://www.askmlmerik.com
Got sober but had no clue about life. Knew flipping burgers lead nowhere. Wanted more, always had a dream, friends called it fantasizing, I knew there was something MORE. I started to invest in stocks. Grew it to 20,000 dollars making $12 an hour, my first proud accomplishment, then October 2008 hit and my Citigroup stock went from $52 a share to $1.62.
Discovered Penny Stocks. Lost $5000. Discovered publishing my own music on MP3’s. Made $50 bucks in one year. Discovered ebooks on Amazon, wrote 5 books, $600 profit in 3 years. Discovered Binary Options, Lost $1000 in 2 weeks. Discovered Network marketing. Made my money back and learned how to build relationships again and kicked my insecurity good-bye.
What’s your WHY?
For more, go here: http://www.askmlmerik.com
May 5, 2014
The World Seen Through Marcus - Blink
The World Seen Through Marcus - Blink
What is your character’s name? Marcus
Does the character have a nickname? No
What is your character's hair color? Long dark hair. Eye color? Green
What kind of distinguishing facial features does your character have? None
Does your character have a birthmark? No
What about scars? No
Who are your characters friends and family? He has no friends. But her girlfriend is Melia, and her brothers Alder and Cain are like family to him
Who does she surround herself with? Her family
Who are the people your character is closest to? Melia
Where was your character born? England
Where has she lived since then? Maui
Where does she call home? Maui
Where does your character go when he’s angry?
What is her biggest fear?
Does he/she have a secret? No
What makes your character laugh out loud? Nothing he is very arrogant.
For the book, go here: http://tinyurl.com/k4v6gwl
"Most books you read are about a boy and a girl, a romance. And normally, the girl is very innocent. Which is not always the case. I wanted to write a book about a girl who had some serious problems, like Tia. The rest of the book just kind of created itself. I wanted something to show that everything could change instantly and the phrase Blink of an eye came into my head and that’s how I came up with it. I knew it was going to be a serious and I am very adamant about the sound of breaking branches throughout the book so I decide to name it The Blink Series: Breaking Branches."
A unique perspective by J. Kahele.
Taken by: http://www.elitebookpromotions.com/bo...
What is your character’s name? Marcus
Does the character have a nickname? No
What is your character's hair color? Long dark hair. Eye color? Green
What kind of distinguishing facial features does your character have? None
Does your character have a birthmark? No
What about scars? No
Who are your characters friends and family? He has no friends. But her girlfriend is Melia, and her brothers Alder and Cain are like family to him
Who does she surround herself with? Her family
Who are the people your character is closest to? Melia
Where was your character born? England
Where has she lived since then? Maui
Where does she call home? Maui
Where does your character go when he’s angry?
What is her biggest fear?
Does he/she have a secret? No
What makes your character laugh out loud? Nothing he is very arrogant.
For the book, go here: http://tinyurl.com/k4v6gwl
"Most books you read are about a boy and a girl, a romance. And normally, the girl is very innocent. Which is not always the case. I wanted to write a book about a girl who had some serious problems, like Tia. The rest of the book just kind of created itself. I wanted something to show that everything could change instantly and the phrase Blink of an eye came into my head and that’s how I came up with it. I knew it was going to be a serious and I am very adamant about the sound of breaking branches throughout the book so I decide to name it The Blink Series: Breaking Branches."
A unique perspective by J. Kahele.
Taken by: http://www.elitebookpromotions.com/bo...
January 20, 2014
Ignite Your Ebook With A Book Trailer
Hello everyone,
I have concluded that my ebooks need a boost, and looked around at what cutting-edge methods authors are using to promote their work, and it boils down to video marketing, in a nutshell: Book Trailers. They are fascinating to watch, hold the audience in their seats and promotes curiosity and sales. I found a place where they do it and the rates are the most inexpensive I've seen. Check it out and good luck with your books! http://t.co/MwB6DzGoko
I have concluded that my ebooks need a boost, and looked around at what cutting-edge methods authors are using to promote their work, and it boils down to video marketing, in a nutshell: Book Trailers. They are fascinating to watch, hold the audience in their seats and promotes curiosity and sales. I found a place where they do it and the rates are the most inexpensive I've seen. Check it out and good luck with your books! http://t.co/MwB6DzGoko
January 11, 2014
Promote Your Ebook & Receive A FREE Review
It's especially hard for Authors to compete with their books in this marketplace. Everyone seems to be writing or has a ebook. It's hard to stand out from other writers unless you promote tirelessly. I found someone who can help you. Go to her website and purchase the promotion package you desire, email your ebook or link to your ebook and she will do the rest.
http://t.co/8Qk1rDUKgL
http://t.co/8Qk1rDUKgL
November 1, 2013
Kindle Reviews
Need A Verified #Kindle #Review? Come Here: http://tinyurl.com/k92moad
