C.R. Langille's Blog, page 6
March 20, 2018
Author Interview: Ammar Habib
What kind of books/stories do you write?First off, thank you so much for the interview, Cody! I write in all kinds of different genres (action/hero, inspirational, young adult, police/crime, etc). However, the one common theme of all my works is that I try to write books with strong themes/messages that will stay with the reader long after they put the work down.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
The story goes that I actually realized that I wanted to be a writer in the 2nd Grade. The main catalyst for my writing was my 2nd Grade Teacher at AP Beutel, Mrs. Scott. When I was in her class years ago, she gave me a homework assignment to write a one-page story. This was the first time I ever wrote anything, and I was inspired with the dream to be a NY Times Bestselling author one day! That experience breathed the love of writing into me and I’ve never stopped since!
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
The biggest influential books I’ve read is Og Mandino’s The Greatest Miracle in The World & The Choice.
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
I get invited to a lot of local Comic Cons, so that is definitely one of my better opportunities to network with other authors. However, one of my best influences has been my former English Professor, Dr. Joy. She is a short story writer and her works have appeared in numerous publications. She was one of my major encouragements and inspiration to begin writing professionally.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
The best way to market books is to just be steady. There is no gimmick that will automatically make a book go viral and sell millions of copies. Instead, a writer builds their audience one reader at a time. I’ve found that doing a combination of a lot of techniques (reviews, interviews, guest posts, etc.) is the best way to build an audience.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
It depends on the work. For historical works, obviously there is a ton of research done to ensure the work is authentic and factually accurate. My award-winning historical novel, Memories Of My Future, included months of research before I started writing it since I wanted to make sure that all my historical facts were in order. However, most of my novels may take a month or two at max for research, since those all take place in more imaginative worlds.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
Thank you again for the interview, Cody! If anybody has any follow-up questions, please feel free to reach out to me at ahabibwr@yahoo.com
Links/promotional things:
My books are available at:
https://www.amazon.com/Ammar-Habib/e/B00MMQVI9C/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Ammar+Habib?_requestid=950803
I can be found at:
www.ammarahsenhabib.com
https://www.facebook.com/ammarahsenhabib
https://twitter.com/AmmarAHabib1
https://instagram.com/ammar.a.habib/
March 15, 2018
Author Interview: Christian A. Larsen
What kind of books/stories do you write?
Depends on who I'm talking to. Sometimes "horror" can be a bad word, at least if you don't know you're into that particular genre, so I hedge my bets and call it "dark fiction", but if you want to be really specific, my first novel, Losing Touch , is magical realism; my second, The Blackening of Flesh , is paranormal; and my a lot of my short stories are science-fiction, although I haven't written much short fiction recently. Actually, I hadn't written much of anything of the past two years or so until I started my new work-in-progress in September. It's a magical-realism novel, if you're keeping score.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I read The Hobbit when I was ten and decided that I wanted to build a playground just like Tolkien had. I spent the next 15 years or so tinkering with a high fantasy novel that I ultimately finished and stuck in the bottom of the proverbial trunk. It was cool to finish it, but it's really not very good. It did teach me how not to write, though. I spent so much energy trying to be the "next Tolkien", I wasn't being a very good "first me". Some good ideas in that one, and if I ever get the itch, I might just re-write it, but the plot arc is so strained and the voice is so stilted--it sounds like kids pretending to be adults. Most of the notes are in the right place, but they're way off key.
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
The Hobbit inspired me, but The Stand showed me how to write my contemporaries speak and think. I spent my formative years equating formal, early 20th century King's English with how books should read that when I discovered The Stand, it was a bit of a shock. I couldn't believe that characters could swear and have sex (gasp!) and the book could still have the same weight as a high fantasy novel like The Lord of the Rings, or a pillar of American literature like The Great Gatsby. I mean, I guess Myrtle is going at it with what's his name, but it's pretty buried. King wouldn't pull any punches if he were writing, and that's how I like to think I write. Honestly. Unvarnished. King did that for me. Others followed, but without King, I'd still be trying to be the next Tolkien, at least on some level.
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
I struggled over this answer a lot. A LOT longer than I should have, and I guess I can't think of an answer that doesn't upset somebody. I have a lot of friends in the horror writing business. More than others and less than some. And each one of them, either online or in-person, has impacted me in some way. But if I make a list, I'll either name too many people (making me a name-dropper) or too few (making me a self-centered S.O.B.). Note: I'm not saying it's an impossible one to answer for other people. It's just impossible for me.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
I'm not very good at marketing my books. I'm pretty bad at it, actually. I guess the most fun way is to sell them at festivals and conventions. I've had a lot of fun at library events the last year or two. The crowds are many times smaller, yes, but you know that each and every one of those people is there looking for something to read.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
I write about the things I know, which keeps most of my stories either in the mundane, or the fantastic. I don't write a lot about cops. Or Catholic priests exorcising demons. I'm not Catholic. I don't carry a badge. And if I tried to write like I was either of those things, well, I don't have a lot of confidence that I'd pull it off. So I stick to worlds without rules, or the kind of life I don't have to research too much. I can be a customer at a bakery, and I might even walk through the kitchen, but I couldn't write about being a baker. I don't have the feel for it. Of course, I'm only a Google search away when I'm in the middle of things and I can't remember what the arm of a sundial is called. (It's a gnomon.)
Any last thoughts for our readers?
You can't actually achieve success. All you can do is chase it. But hell, the thrill's in the chase, anyway...www.exlibrislarsen.com (website)@exlibrislarsen (Twitter)I'm on Facebook in a couple of places...Losing Touch: https://www.amazon.com/Losing-Touch-Christian-Larsen/dp/0615813062
The Blackening of Flesh: https://www.amazon.com/Blackening-Flesh-Christian-Larsen/dp/0692624570
Depends on who I'm talking to. Sometimes "horror" can be a bad word, at least if you don't know you're into that particular genre, so I hedge my bets and call it "dark fiction", but if you want to be really specific, my first novel, Losing Touch , is magical realism; my second, The Blackening of Flesh , is paranormal; and my a lot of my short stories are science-fiction, although I haven't written much short fiction recently. Actually, I hadn't written much of anything of the past two years or so until I started my new work-in-progress in September. It's a magical-realism novel, if you're keeping score.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I read The Hobbit when I was ten and decided that I wanted to build a playground just like Tolkien had. I spent the next 15 years or so tinkering with a high fantasy novel that I ultimately finished and stuck in the bottom of the proverbial trunk. It was cool to finish it, but it's really not very good. It did teach me how not to write, though. I spent so much energy trying to be the "next Tolkien", I wasn't being a very good "first me". Some good ideas in that one, and if I ever get the itch, I might just re-write it, but the plot arc is so strained and the voice is so stilted--it sounds like kids pretending to be adults. Most of the notes are in the right place, but they're way off key.
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
The Hobbit inspired me, but The Stand showed me how to write my contemporaries speak and think. I spent my formative years equating formal, early 20th century King's English with how books should read that when I discovered The Stand, it was a bit of a shock. I couldn't believe that characters could swear and have sex (gasp!) and the book could still have the same weight as a high fantasy novel like The Lord of the Rings, or a pillar of American literature like The Great Gatsby. I mean, I guess Myrtle is going at it with what's his name, but it's pretty buried. King wouldn't pull any punches if he were writing, and that's how I like to think I write. Honestly. Unvarnished. King did that for me. Others followed, but without King, I'd still be trying to be the next Tolkien, at least on some level.
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
I struggled over this answer a lot. A LOT longer than I should have, and I guess I can't think of an answer that doesn't upset somebody. I have a lot of friends in the horror writing business. More than others and less than some. And each one of them, either online or in-person, has impacted me in some way. But if I make a list, I'll either name too many people (making me a name-dropper) or too few (making me a self-centered S.O.B.). Note: I'm not saying it's an impossible one to answer for other people. It's just impossible for me.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
I'm not very good at marketing my books. I'm pretty bad at it, actually. I guess the most fun way is to sell them at festivals and conventions. I've had a lot of fun at library events the last year or two. The crowds are many times smaller, yes, but you know that each and every one of those people is there looking for something to read.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
I write about the things I know, which keeps most of my stories either in the mundane, or the fantastic. I don't write a lot about cops. Or Catholic priests exorcising demons. I'm not Catholic. I don't carry a badge. And if I tried to write like I was either of those things, well, I don't have a lot of confidence that I'd pull it off. So I stick to worlds without rules, or the kind of life I don't have to research too much. I can be a customer at a bakery, and I might even walk through the kitchen, but I couldn't write about being a baker. I don't have the feel for it. Of course, I'm only a Google search away when I'm in the middle of things and I can't remember what the arm of a sundial is called. (It's a gnomon.)
Any last thoughts for our readers?
You can't actually achieve success. All you can do is chase it. But hell, the thrill's in the chase, anyway...www.exlibrislarsen.com (website)@exlibrislarsen (Twitter)I'm on Facebook in a couple of places...Losing Touch: https://www.amazon.com/Losing-Touch-Christian-Larsen/dp/0615813062
The Blackening of Flesh: https://www.amazon.com/Blackening-Flesh-Christian-Larsen/dp/0692624570
March 13, 2018
Author Interview: Jay Smith
hat kind of books/stories do you write?
I am an audio dramatist and love the medium. I enjoy all kinds of stories that are driven by dialogue, sound, and music. For about five years I produced a zombie horror serial called HG World which told the story of a diverse group of survivors and my favorite part was developing the voice of each character and how they were able to weave exposition into action and natural conversation.
While HGW was horror, I also love the pulp adventure stories, noir and hard-boiled crime tales, westerns, and character-driven genre fiction.
I spent the better part of the last three years researching social interaction and group behaviors in virtual worlds and interviewing long-term, hard-core residents of those worlds to learn why they “escape” into these worlds. The result of this is a novel series that follows in the style of Neal Stephenson and Ernest Cline echoing the hard-boiled style of Raymond Chandler and the fun of Gregory MacDonald’s Fletch series.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I really can’t remember. There’s a photograph of me in 1982 with a Smith-Corona typewriter. I remember being able to make that beast sound like a machine gun (with a cow bell signaling to change the magazine). I was 11 and translating my Dungeons & Dragons adventures into stories and writing dungeon crawls for my friends. Later, I’d write plots for Call of Cthulhu, RIFTS, and Marvel Super-Heroes. I wrote weird, little stories in different genres as I grew more confident in building a story structure and dialogue independent of role-playing games. When those stories started making people laugh or react the way I intended (especially girls) it was a great feeling. I just kept writing.
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
There are several books that influenced me or changed how I write. Growing up, I was inspired by the Choose Your Own Adventure books and Encyclopedia Brown series. I read a lot of short stories and loved the usual gallery of great, dead white men like Bradbury, Poe, Bierce, Lovecraft, Ellison. I consumed every Arch Oboler, Orson Welles, Jack Webb, and Carlton Morse story I could find from radio’s golden age. Hunter Thompson’s work inspired me as a teenager as did Somerset Maugham’s “The Razor’s Edge” – both igniting a political and spiritual exploration beyond the fantasy worlds I hid inside most of the time. Harry Turtledove’s alternate histories turned me on to that subgenre as much as Shea & Wilson’s “The Illuminatus! Trilogy” blew me away in terms of sheer weirdness. Of every author I’ve ever read? Douglas Adams remains the one who inspires me most. His humor and his wordplay are like great jazz or psychedelic rock symphonies. His satire, humor, and optimism inspire me
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
Sheesh. I’ve been friends with Keith DeCandido for a number of years and he has taught me a lot about what it takes to dedicate yourself to a profession. There’s a lot of work involved in not only producing the word count and telling a great story, but getting it and one’s self out into the market and building relationships with readers. Podcasting and social media have brought me together with many writers, all of whom I've learned from. Without naming names, I would love to steal the talent or work ethic of at least three of them.
Dirk Maggs is an audio dramatist I’ve come to really admire as a person and a professional. His writing is what inspired me to pursue audio productions where I have the most fun. His interpretations of Superman and Batman for radio were exceptional in terms of writing and production and I cannot think of someone better suited to continue Douglas Adams’ radio adventures. He taught me different tricks how to tell a visual story with sound.
My fellow students from Seton Hill University - I learned as much (if not more) from them than the actual program. It is such a diverse, generous group of writers in various stages of a professional career. The instructors are working authors as are the administrators so this isn't just an English course taught by career academics, the people I've come to call my friends in the program have experienced every kind of challenge and failure in the industry.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
Even if you are represented by an agent and published by an established house, you will still need to market yourself through creative opportunities. Marketing should be part of your budget and that budget should be tied to specific expectations. Even when you buy business cards, consider how many sales it will take to offset that cost, who should get those cards, and what you will get in return for using them.
While you, the writer, are a great human person you are also a “brand” representing an ever-growing line of products. Who is your author brand? That’s a complex question unless you are the brand you present to the world.
Network. Go to conventions to learn from writers. Engage in workshops. Get your work out there. If you have a story you’re excited about but isn’t finding a publication that fits, consider sharing it with people as a sample of your work.
Have a simple but attractive web site with key information that makes it exciting and EASY for a visitor to learn about and then buy your products. Keep it up to date with your appearances, releases, and other writerly things. Provide value in the form of tips for writers, reviews, blog posts – anything to encourage repeat visitors and build your audience.
Get to know convention programming directors and try to get added to the guest lists. Even small cons can earn you a few new readers and fans. Build your public speaking skills because that’s what will help you market.
Keep writing. Even when you can’t write. Write something. Research. Imagine new ways to tell your stories. Take risks. Don’t give up when all the voices inside and outside your head are telling you to give up and herd goats in the Shetlands. Just write.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
For The Diary of Jill Woodbine, I pretty much had years of world-building and production completed in the audio drama, so I knew how the zombies (“eaters”) worked and how society was pretty much a mess. I didn’t have to do a lot of research except when it came to the heroine. Jill’s character revealed itself to me as I wove her into the mythology of HG World and since the story is told from her perspective, with insights and observations that are very personal, I came to the conclusion she was a lesbian. This wasn’t a shocking revelation because she made subtle, almost apologetic references to being inspired and interested in various women through the book and that interest went beyond the “young feminist” I originally conceived. When the character of Red Molly is introduced later on, she had become something of a hard-boiled character and Molly the femme fatale. It made sense for the two of them to fall into an awkward but passionate relationship. Being a CIS heterosexual male and in my early 40s at the time, I had limited perspective on what a millennial lesbian feminist would truly think or feel, so as I wrote the book, I had to read and talk to people who helped guide the character’s path through the story. I guess it worked because, while I never intended the story to be an LGBTQ romance, it found a small niche as such among New Adult readers.
For The Resurrection Pact, I have always been fascinated by the intersection of story and interactive gaming. After reading Janet Murray’s “Hamlet on the Holodeck” back in the 90s, I’ve been excited to see her predictions about intelligent and immersive gaming technology coming true. Talking with people designing the next generation of virtual gaming, augmented reality, simulators, and especially adaptive story line algorithms that alter the game based on the preferences and actions of the player(s) I learned that it will become very easy to get lost in the vivid “reality” of a gaming environment.
Lurking in the now-sparsely-populated realms of Second Life, I learned how people use open world technology to create a world that is emotionally as real to them as the meatverse. With the population of SL dropping since its peak in the last decade, the remaining denizens are hard-core players, many of whom have formed groups to role-play new communities. Some people use the platform as a digital model train set to distract or unwind from the stresses of reality. Others use it as a tool to explore different sides of themselves, psychologically and sexually. Interviewing players in SL and other free play environments helped me understand some of the characters playing in the open world of Aeternus.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
Be kind to one another. Relax. Do one thing every day that scares you, one thing you MUST do but keep putting off, and then one thing you love. Every day.
Also, check out my books. And audio drama shows. I have student loans to pay and would like to entertain you so I can pay them. Kthnks.
Links/promotional things (include any photos you would like)www.jaysmithaudio.comwww.goodmorningsurvivors.comwww.hiddenharbormysteries.com
I am an audio dramatist and love the medium. I enjoy all kinds of stories that are driven by dialogue, sound, and music. For about five years I produced a zombie horror serial called HG World which told the story of a diverse group of survivors and my favorite part was developing the voice of each character and how they were able to weave exposition into action and natural conversation.
While HGW was horror, I also love the pulp adventure stories, noir and hard-boiled crime tales, westerns, and character-driven genre fiction.
I spent the better part of the last three years researching social interaction and group behaviors in virtual worlds and interviewing long-term, hard-core residents of those worlds to learn why they “escape” into these worlds. The result of this is a novel series that follows in the style of Neal Stephenson and Ernest Cline echoing the hard-boiled style of Raymond Chandler and the fun of Gregory MacDonald’s Fletch series.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I really can’t remember. There’s a photograph of me in 1982 with a Smith-Corona typewriter. I remember being able to make that beast sound like a machine gun (with a cow bell signaling to change the magazine). I was 11 and translating my Dungeons & Dragons adventures into stories and writing dungeon crawls for my friends. Later, I’d write plots for Call of Cthulhu, RIFTS, and Marvel Super-Heroes. I wrote weird, little stories in different genres as I grew more confident in building a story structure and dialogue independent of role-playing games. When those stories started making people laugh or react the way I intended (especially girls) it was a great feeling. I just kept writing.
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
There are several books that influenced me or changed how I write. Growing up, I was inspired by the Choose Your Own Adventure books and Encyclopedia Brown series. I read a lot of short stories and loved the usual gallery of great, dead white men like Bradbury, Poe, Bierce, Lovecraft, Ellison. I consumed every Arch Oboler, Orson Welles, Jack Webb, and Carlton Morse story I could find from radio’s golden age. Hunter Thompson’s work inspired me as a teenager as did Somerset Maugham’s “The Razor’s Edge” – both igniting a political and spiritual exploration beyond the fantasy worlds I hid inside most of the time. Harry Turtledove’s alternate histories turned me on to that subgenre as much as Shea & Wilson’s “The Illuminatus! Trilogy” blew me away in terms of sheer weirdness. Of every author I’ve ever read? Douglas Adams remains the one who inspires me most. His humor and his wordplay are like great jazz or psychedelic rock symphonies. His satire, humor, and optimism inspire me
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
Sheesh. I’ve been friends with Keith DeCandido for a number of years and he has taught me a lot about what it takes to dedicate yourself to a profession. There’s a lot of work involved in not only producing the word count and telling a great story, but getting it and one’s self out into the market and building relationships with readers. Podcasting and social media have brought me together with many writers, all of whom I've learned from. Without naming names, I would love to steal the talent or work ethic of at least three of them.
Dirk Maggs is an audio dramatist I’ve come to really admire as a person and a professional. His writing is what inspired me to pursue audio productions where I have the most fun. His interpretations of Superman and Batman for radio were exceptional in terms of writing and production and I cannot think of someone better suited to continue Douglas Adams’ radio adventures. He taught me different tricks how to tell a visual story with sound.
My fellow students from Seton Hill University - I learned as much (if not more) from them than the actual program. It is such a diverse, generous group of writers in various stages of a professional career. The instructors are working authors as are the administrators so this isn't just an English course taught by career academics, the people I've come to call my friends in the program have experienced every kind of challenge and failure in the industry.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
Even if you are represented by an agent and published by an established house, you will still need to market yourself through creative opportunities. Marketing should be part of your budget and that budget should be tied to specific expectations. Even when you buy business cards, consider how many sales it will take to offset that cost, who should get those cards, and what you will get in return for using them.
While you, the writer, are a great human person you are also a “brand” representing an ever-growing line of products. Who is your author brand? That’s a complex question unless you are the brand you present to the world.
Network. Go to conventions to learn from writers. Engage in workshops. Get your work out there. If you have a story you’re excited about but isn’t finding a publication that fits, consider sharing it with people as a sample of your work.
Have a simple but attractive web site with key information that makes it exciting and EASY for a visitor to learn about and then buy your products. Keep it up to date with your appearances, releases, and other writerly things. Provide value in the form of tips for writers, reviews, blog posts – anything to encourage repeat visitors and build your audience.
Get to know convention programming directors and try to get added to the guest lists. Even small cons can earn you a few new readers and fans. Build your public speaking skills because that’s what will help you market.
Keep writing. Even when you can’t write. Write something. Research. Imagine new ways to tell your stories. Take risks. Don’t give up when all the voices inside and outside your head are telling you to give up and herd goats in the Shetlands. Just write.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
For The Diary of Jill Woodbine, I pretty much had years of world-building and production completed in the audio drama, so I knew how the zombies (“eaters”) worked and how society was pretty much a mess. I didn’t have to do a lot of research except when it came to the heroine. Jill’s character revealed itself to me as I wove her into the mythology of HG World and since the story is told from her perspective, with insights and observations that are very personal, I came to the conclusion she was a lesbian. This wasn’t a shocking revelation because she made subtle, almost apologetic references to being inspired and interested in various women through the book and that interest went beyond the “young feminist” I originally conceived. When the character of Red Molly is introduced later on, she had become something of a hard-boiled character and Molly the femme fatale. It made sense for the two of them to fall into an awkward but passionate relationship. Being a CIS heterosexual male and in my early 40s at the time, I had limited perspective on what a millennial lesbian feminist would truly think or feel, so as I wrote the book, I had to read and talk to people who helped guide the character’s path through the story. I guess it worked because, while I never intended the story to be an LGBTQ romance, it found a small niche as such among New Adult readers.
For The Resurrection Pact, I have always been fascinated by the intersection of story and interactive gaming. After reading Janet Murray’s “Hamlet on the Holodeck” back in the 90s, I’ve been excited to see her predictions about intelligent and immersive gaming technology coming true. Talking with people designing the next generation of virtual gaming, augmented reality, simulators, and especially adaptive story line algorithms that alter the game based on the preferences and actions of the player(s) I learned that it will become very easy to get lost in the vivid “reality” of a gaming environment.
Lurking in the now-sparsely-populated realms of Second Life, I learned how people use open world technology to create a world that is emotionally as real to them as the meatverse. With the population of SL dropping since its peak in the last decade, the remaining denizens are hard-core players, many of whom have formed groups to role-play new communities. Some people use the platform as a digital model train set to distract or unwind from the stresses of reality. Others use it as a tool to explore different sides of themselves, psychologically and sexually. Interviewing players in SL and other free play environments helped me understand some of the characters playing in the open world of Aeternus.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
Be kind to one another. Relax. Do one thing every day that scares you, one thing you MUST do but keep putting off, and then one thing you love. Every day.
Also, check out my books. And audio drama shows. I have student loans to pay and would like to entertain you so I can pay them. Kthnks.
Links/promotional things (include any photos you would like)www.jaysmithaudio.comwww.goodmorningsurvivors.comwww.hiddenharbormysteries.com
March 8, 2018
Author Interview: Nikki Trionfo
What kind of books/stories do you write?All the kinds! What you should ask is what kinds of stories I write well. Ha! I’ve written young adult, science fiction, horror, mystery (my favorite), fantasy, romance, and even a comedic mystery.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Funny story. For two years my husband and I couldn’t have kids. By the time I was the ripe old age of 23, I figured I needed a backup plan, so I decided to write a book. A handful of fertility treatments later and my body got things figured out. I went on to have five kids, attending writing groups regularly during each pregnancy. I wrote slowly. I finished my first book when I was 27. I finished it again when I was 31. It was better the second time, really it was, but I wanted to write a book with more spark to the plot. Something more like my favorite TV show, Veronica Mars. Something edgy, with conspiracy and a smart female lead and emotion desperate enough to push my characters to their limits. That book became my debut through Cedar Fort.
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
Why do you torture authors with questions like this? Mostly stuff I read when I was young. Little House on the Prairie, Trixie Belden, Anne of Green Gables, Nancy Drew, Harry Potter, The Brothers Karamazov and other Russian books—I went through a whole phase—everything by John Steinbeck and Leo Tolstoy, Babysitter's Club books, D-Day by Stephen Ambrose and hundred other nonfiction histories, and anything YA that shows up in my house even the ones I hate. I just make goals on how to avoid hating my own stuff.
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
Let me roll up my sleeves. Okay, here we go:
Eric James Stone got me into my first writer’s group, which he formed. Becca Fitzpatrick taught be to write cool and fast. Spencer Ellsworth knew how to make characters so interesting you didn’t even need plot (which caused me to not bother with them for a few years). Later I started meeting with Kathi Peterson, Kathleen Doughty, Maureen Mills, Ann Chamberlin, Char Raddon and others. They really hammered in the idea that plot, you know, wasn’t a bad idea. Plus taught me how to create one—a years-long process of gentle nudges during critiquing. Heather Clark and I raised our kids with one hand so we could use the other to call each other and expound on every single piece of writing teaching we ever learned so we could embed it properly into our souls. I can’t begin to list all the people at the Storymakers conference and tribe who influenced my marketing ideas and general enthusiasm for the profession of writing. Scott Forman and others in the horror sphere took me under their wing even if I do like happy endings and kissing. Just dozens more people than I can name, really. The writing community is really accepting.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
That’s the question of the year! I tried a big in-person launch party and loved it, but it didn’t pay for itself. I speak at lots of schools and conferences. I make sure my friends and family know they can get the book from the library. I’m working most on making fans, not sales, that way I have a platform to work with during my next release. I volunteer to help with conferences and writing groups. I give free writing webinars with Heather Clark on YouTube at 50FirstChapters. We’ve got a few thousand views over there, so that’s fun. Again, it might not make me money now, but I like doing the webinars and they’re free. If I ever start to make a name for myself, I have all these online landing areas for readers to go and become fans.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
I research as I go. I like to write about subjects I’m already a semi-expert on. My book Shatter has a murder in the orchards of California where Hispanic workers are on strike against white land owners. Lots of gang activity goes on. That setting is pretty much my childhood. I have a story in an anthology called Under a New York Skyline where a dancer and a CrossFitter go head to head to prove who is in better shape. My husband owns a CrossFit gym and I Zumba. We tease each other all the time about who is burning more calories. However, every story needs research. I love Google, obviously. I also ask on Facebook for expert advice. It’s been relatively easy to link myself to professionals like fire fighters when I need to explode stuff. J
Any last thoughts for our readers?
How about an excerpt? Those are always fun. Thanks for letting me come on and participate!!
Excerpt
The class is dead silent. Mr. White’s lips tighten. He swallows. There’s something dangerous about the new guy. The teacher leans over AddyDay’s desk and spins her packet so he can read the list of partnerships. “Fine. We’ll break up the threesome. You’ll pair with . . . Salem Jefferson.”
At the sound of my name, I turn to look at my new partner.
The guy near the door is tall. He has the kind of incredible good looks that invite stares, but that’s not the only reason he’s getting them now. The cursive lettering of a tattoo rises from the opening of the guy’s worn flannel shirt. Two gold chains hang from his brown neck. A guy accessorized in gang paraphernalia, not caked with it. His only completely visible marking is an upside down V inked onto his right cheekbone, black and distinct. The tattoo calls my attention for some reason, even though I’m sure I’ve never seen a symbol like that before. An upside down V . . . it seems so familiar.
His expressionless, dark eyes dart to meet my gaze from under a stiff, backward-facing ball cap. My classmates watch him stare at me.
“Salem Jefferson,” he says slowly, putting a slight emphasis on my last name. He waits for my response.
I realize he knows exactly who Salem Jefferson is. Exactly who I am. I’m Carrie’s sister.
Terrified, I whirl back around to face forward. Gang members targeted Carrie, made her frightened. Was he one of them? The skin between my shoulder blades tightens. Why were gang guys after Carrie?
Author BioNikki Trionfo lives in Riverton, Utah with five kids, a CrossFit-training husband who writes computer code, and lots of hip hop background music. Her teen murder mystery, SHATTER (May '17 from Cedar Fort), won grand prize in LDStorymakers’ First Chapter Alongside Heather Clark, she hosts free writing webinars on YouTube at #50FirstChapters.
A committed party-girl, Nikki serves as the public relations director of LDStorymakers Conference. Other notable stuff includes an honorable mention in Writers of the Future and a spot in Utah Horror Writer's shorty-story anthology. This all sounds really serious, but if you run into her, she gets down.
Shatter LinksCedar Fort Webpage highlighting the blog tour. http://blog.cedarfort.com/blog-tour-shatter/Amazon link to purchase Shatter. https://www.amazon.com/dp/146212013X/Shatter landing page. www.nikkitrionfo.com/ShatterShatter Book Launch and Dance Off. http://www.nikkitrionfo.com/shatter-book-launch-dance-off/Shatter Playlist, with songs that inspired my writing. One song per chapter. http://www.nikkitrionfo.com/shatter-playlist/Inspired by Shatter contest for $50 and 5 books donated to your local school. http://www.nikkitrionfo.com/InspiredbyShatter/Dig into the Shatter World. Books about unions and reformed gang members. Blogs about my experiences writing with diversity. Some of the posts are League of Utah Writers award-winning essays. http://www.nikkitrionfo.com/shatterworld/
March 6, 2018
Author Interview: Stephanie M. Wytovich
What kind of books/stories do you write?I write fiction and poetry, often times with a speculative edge (horror, dark fantasy), and I also write essays and criticism on the horror genre itself. Specifically, my work tends to err on the side of psychological and body horror, and all of my poetry collections are composed thematically.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
To some degree, I think I always knew that I wanted to be a writer because for as long as I can remember, I’ve been telling stories. I do specifically remember announcing it to my class on career day when I was eight, though.
As for being a horror writer, that revelation came around middle school. I had a healthy habit of reading vampire fiction and supernatural romance, so for me, monsters had to be involved in whatever I was doing. At that point, it was a natural progression for them to start showing up in my stories.
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
This is a tough one.
The most influential piece of fiction that I’ve ever read would have to be Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, and I say this because first and foremost, it showed me how to write a story that spanned multiple genres. Depending on who you talk to, the book can be shelved in horror, science fiction, literary fiction, etc., and to me, that is astounding because it appeals to multiple audiences at once. I love that Shelley was able to include a number of speculative and literary elements in her work while never faltering away from the core of the story: the definition of monster and the complexities of man. Those motifs really made me think about how we classify villains and define monstrosity as a culture, and that grey area has shown up, and continues to show up, in my own work a lot.
However, when it comes to my sanity as a writer, Stephen King’s On Writing has kept me on track more than once, particularly in graduate school. Without reading that book, I’m not sure that I would have finished my MFA, let alone finished my first manuscript.
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
This list is far too long to answer this question with any amount of justice, but I will say that over my past six years working in the horror industry that I have made friendships and acquaintances with people from all around the world whom I have grown to love dearly. Joining the Horror Writers Association and attending their conferences has had a wonderful impact on my life in regard to networking, meeting other writers, and chatting with readers and publishers, and their energy, enthusiasm, and general love for the industry and genre is what keeps me writing.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
For me, the best way that I’ve found to market my books is to have an active presence on social media. I use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and my author blog/website to do a lot of networking and marketing, and my publishers and publicist have done a great job at connecting me with reviewers and opportunities as well.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
I tend to do a ton of research before I jump into the writing process too much, and I’m constantly reading up on the subject while I’m working on the book as well, particularly for poetry. I like to be as immersive as I can with my subject matter because it helps keep the momentum going for me. When possible, I try to do on-site research, interviews, and photography, too, much like I did when writing Hysteria: A Collection of Madness when I went to the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, West Virginia State Penitentiary, and Hill View Manor.
Let me tell you, nothing inspires you to write psychological horror like sitting in solitary confinement and writing about your fears and demons.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
Be true to yourself, write the stories you want to write, and don’t be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone. Oftentimes when we tackle our fear of the unknown, we find our calling as writers.
Links/promotional things (include any photos you would like)
Blog: http://stephaniewytovich.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @swytovich
RDSP Author Page: http://rawdogscreaming.com/authors/stephanie-wytovich/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Stephanie-M.-Wytovich/e/B00DTKIN2K
Author Bio: Stephanie M. Wytovich is an American poet, novelist, and essayist. Her work has been showcased in numerous anthologies such as Gutted: Beautiful Horror Stories, Shadows Over Main Street: An Anthology of Small-Town Lovecraftian Terror, Year's Best Hardcore Horror: Volume 2, The Best Horror of the Year: Volume 8, as well as many others.
Wytovich is the Poetry Editor for Raw Dog Screaming Press, an adjunct at Western Connecticut State University and Point Park University, and a mentor with Crystal Lake Publishing. She is a member of the Science Fiction Poetry Association, an active member of the Horror Writers Association, and a graduate of Seton Hill University’s MFA program for Writing Popular Fiction. Her Bram Stoker Award-winning poetry collection, Brothel, earned a home with Raw Dog Screaming Press alongside Hysteria: A Collection of Madness, Mourning Jewelry, and An Exorcism of Angels. Her debut novel, The Eighth, is published with Dark Regions Press.
Her next poetry collection, Sheet Music to My Acoustic Nightmare, is scheduled to be released late 2017 from Raw Dog Screaming Press.
Follow Wytovich at http://www.stephaniewytovich.com/ and on twitter @SWytovich
March 1, 2018
Author Interview: Rebecca J. Allred
What kind of books/stories do you write? I write short speculative fiction with a strong leaning toward the dark and the weird.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I've been writing stories for as long as I can remember—I have a folder full of them from grade school and even some that survived from high school—but it wasn't until I was in the midst of training for my "real career" and so miserable I was considering giving up entirely that I decided to try my hand at being a writer. I've been at it for about four years now. Writing saved me from quitting my day job, which is great because now I can afford to also be a writer.
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
I'm not sure there's a single most influential book, but there are a handful that have really stuck with me. From the Teeth of Angels by Jonathan Carroll; Night Shift by Stephen King; Beloved by Toni Morrison; and most recently, The Sea of Ash by Scott Thomas are all works that really spoke to me. Those are the kinds of stories I want to write. The kind that a reader returns to in their mind over and over again.
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
So, so many!! Too many to list but my core group includes Shauna Brock, Taylor Sublett, Sean Igo, and Stephanie Novak whom I all met when I decided to join the SLC writer's group. My closest writing friend and best beta reader is Gordon B. White. We started writing about the same time and met when we were crossed paths on a few of the same online writing sites. Since then, we've shared TOCs in a few anthologies (one of which won a Bram Stoker Award!) and co-authored a novella (which we are still shopping around.) All of these people give honest feedback and aren't afraid to tell me if something sucks. Better than that, if something DOES suck, they always have suggestions on how to make it better. But even the authors I'm only casually acquainted with make me better because reading their work helps to shape my own. I learn so much just by reading what other people have written, even if it does occasionally result in bouts of deep envy.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
At this point, my work has appeared elusively in anthologies and magazines. I find that supporting and promoting other authors' work is a great way to build rapport, meet people, make friends, and when I have a project, those authors are likely to share and promote for me in return.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
If you like a book or story, leave a review! Tell your friends! And if you're up for it, maybe message the author to let them know. I've received a few messages out of the blue from readers, and it's a boost that keeps me going during those times it seems like there's no point to writing another word. I'd also like to say that if you love of reading, pay for the content you love. You'll never know how many great stories and books never get published because people think that art should be free.
My author website: www.diagnosisdiabolique.com
Amazon author page: www.amazon.com/author/rebeccajallred
Twitter: @LadyHazmat
February 27, 2018
Author Interview: Rebekah R. Ganiere
What kind of books/stories do you write? Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Steampunk, Gothic Horror, YA, NA and Adult
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
About four years ago. I had written three books by then and was about to have my first book published and I realized that this is what I wanted to do.
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
Wow, uhm, Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett or DragonLance by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Both of them changed the way I looked at books and fiction and made me believe for the first time in people that weren’t real.
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
Oh man, I have about two thousand authors on my friends list. I go to a lot of conventions and meet tons of people. I would say though that my close friends have helped me by pushing me to go farther and be better and not just settle for being okay or good. They also inspire me to keep going when I want to quit for a while.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
Write good books. Write them fast and release frequently. Have great covers and good blurbs and have an ever growing newsletter list.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
Depends on the book. Most require minimal research but my Fairytale Retelling series Fairelle took quite a bit since I needed to flesh out my world building a lot and figure out which technologies I would include and which I wouldn’t. I did a lot of studying up on terminology for the Fudal system. If I’m writing in a real city I’ll do a lot of research about that city to make sure things are accurate.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
Read what you love. Don’t let anyone dissuade you from your passion. Try new authors there are millions out there. And if you read a book you like, the best thing you can do for an author is leave a review.
Links:
Twitter ~ Facebook
Amazon, BN, Kobo & Itunes
February 22, 2018
Hunter Interview: Todd Meyer
What is it about the outdoors that appeals to you?
The hard part about this question is narrowing it down. I love the solitude, the scenery, and the smells. I really enjoy gaining altitude, sitting at the top of a peak feeling tired and relaxed all at once and just taking in all that’s below!
When did you first start hunting/fishing?
I started hunting with my dad and uncles when I was 8 years old. I would just try to keep up with my dad. One thing I remember is that my feet were always cold!
What is one of your most memorable outdoor moments?
Wow, tough one! I’ve made so many great memories; however, one memory that sticks out is from a Mountain Goat Hunt. The hunt was with two of my sons, one of them had drawn an Mtn Goat tag and we spent a lot of time together scouting, getting in shape and shooting. When the hunt arrived the three of use backpacked into some of the steepest and roughest country you can imagine. The night prior to the opening we found the Goats and put them to bed. That night a storm rolled in with 80 mile and hour winds along with snow, luckily we had put our camp up behind some small trees just off of the ridge. In the morning we found that the weather had pushed the goats off of the mountain top and into the cliffs below making it impossible to get an ethical shot at the goat we were after. After watching the goats for a couple of hours they finally moved into a semi flat area and my son made a great shot on his goat. Just after reaching the goat is when the real storm arrived, we took pictures and broke the animal down as fast as we could. From the time we shot the goat and got back to our tents it had dumped over a foot of snow and visibility was less than 50 yards. We broke camp and started off the mountain, the trail was impossible to see so we slowly picked our way across the mountain mostly from memory. We all carried heavy packs and that combined with deep snow covering the steep and treacherous terrain made it very slow going. My most memorable moment came when after a couple of hours I stopped and the bottom of the last steep hill we had to climb, and turned around to wait for my son. I knew he was behind me and I knew he had the goat on top of his pack and yet when he appeared out of the blizzard behind me it startled the crap out of me. He was covered in snow and with the goat on top of his pack he looked like a Yeti! Even though we were tired and cold we all stood there and laughed about how funny and ridiculous this situation was. There was no complaining, we just enjoyed the moment together and pushed on through the snow. The time spent on the mountain with family, the common challenges and experiences is what it’s all about.
What is your favorite animal to hunt?
Mule Deer! Why, I love hunting in the high mountains, and for me nothing beats the challenge of hunting mature, smart mule deer! Score is not what it’s about for me it’s about out smarting the mature animal and the experience!
Why do you think hunting/fishing is important in today's modern age?
It gives a rare opportunity to unplug from the chaotic world, and leave behind the ease and comfort of daily life. It’s a reminder of what is important, it a time to reflect and for me it’s a time to get closer with family and friends. Hunting gives me the time to push myself physically; it’s a time to concentrate on just one thing and to let the stress of daily life fade.
What is something you would like to share with non-hunters out there?
I’ve been asked by a few of the rational non hunters that I know why I kill an animal that I truly respect and enjoy and why I don’t just take pictures. My answer is hard to put into words; there is something deep down that draws me to hunt and to kill an animal. It’s not just the challenge, or the great memories, or the great meat that I get. I love taking pictures of animals but there is something missing, maybe it’s deep connection with nature or a primal drive but with the kill something basic is missing. As a hunter I do everything possible to make the kill humane, I practice hours on end with my equipment, and I know my limitations. Nature is not always kind or humane but I do everything I can to make a clean swift kill and to avoid any unnecessary suffering. I don’t apologize for hunting, it’s legal, ethical, moral and it’s a huge part of who I am!
The hard part about this question is narrowing it down. I love the solitude, the scenery, and the smells. I really enjoy gaining altitude, sitting at the top of a peak feeling tired and relaxed all at once and just taking in all that’s below!
When did you first start hunting/fishing?
I started hunting with my dad and uncles when I was 8 years old. I would just try to keep up with my dad. One thing I remember is that my feet were always cold!
What is one of your most memorable outdoor moments?
Wow, tough one! I’ve made so many great memories; however, one memory that sticks out is from a Mountain Goat Hunt. The hunt was with two of my sons, one of them had drawn an Mtn Goat tag and we spent a lot of time together scouting, getting in shape and shooting. When the hunt arrived the three of use backpacked into some of the steepest and roughest country you can imagine. The night prior to the opening we found the Goats and put them to bed. That night a storm rolled in with 80 mile and hour winds along with snow, luckily we had put our camp up behind some small trees just off of the ridge. In the morning we found that the weather had pushed the goats off of the mountain top and into the cliffs below making it impossible to get an ethical shot at the goat we were after. After watching the goats for a couple of hours they finally moved into a semi flat area and my son made a great shot on his goat. Just after reaching the goat is when the real storm arrived, we took pictures and broke the animal down as fast as we could. From the time we shot the goat and got back to our tents it had dumped over a foot of snow and visibility was less than 50 yards. We broke camp and started off the mountain, the trail was impossible to see so we slowly picked our way across the mountain mostly from memory. We all carried heavy packs and that combined with deep snow covering the steep and treacherous terrain made it very slow going. My most memorable moment came when after a couple of hours I stopped and the bottom of the last steep hill we had to climb, and turned around to wait for my son. I knew he was behind me and I knew he had the goat on top of his pack and yet when he appeared out of the blizzard behind me it startled the crap out of me. He was covered in snow and with the goat on top of his pack he looked like a Yeti! Even though we were tired and cold we all stood there and laughed about how funny and ridiculous this situation was. There was no complaining, we just enjoyed the moment together and pushed on through the snow. The time spent on the mountain with family, the common challenges and experiences is what it’s all about.
What is your favorite animal to hunt?
Mule Deer! Why, I love hunting in the high mountains, and for me nothing beats the challenge of hunting mature, smart mule deer! Score is not what it’s about for me it’s about out smarting the mature animal and the experience!
Why do you think hunting/fishing is important in today's modern age?
It gives a rare opportunity to unplug from the chaotic world, and leave behind the ease and comfort of daily life. It’s a reminder of what is important, it a time to reflect and for me it’s a time to get closer with family and friends. Hunting gives me the time to push myself physically; it’s a time to concentrate on just one thing and to let the stress of daily life fade.
What is something you would like to share with non-hunters out there?
I’ve been asked by a few of the rational non hunters that I know why I kill an animal that I truly respect and enjoy and why I don’t just take pictures. My answer is hard to put into words; there is something deep down that draws me to hunt and to kill an animal. It’s not just the challenge, or the great memories, or the great meat that I get. I love taking pictures of animals but there is something missing, maybe it’s deep connection with nature or a primal drive but with the kill something basic is missing. As a hunter I do everything possible to make the kill humane, I practice hours on end with my equipment, and I know my limitations. Nature is not always kind or humane but I do everything I can to make a clean swift kill and to avoid any unnecessary suffering. I don’t apologize for hunting, it’s legal, ethical, moral and it’s a huge part of who I am!
February 20, 2018
Author Interview: Patricia Lillie and/or Kay Charles
What name would you like me to use for this interview?
I have this split personality thing going on. Kay Charles, she’s the nice one (Doesn’t use the f-word. At least not in her books). As for that Patricia Lillie, she’s the evil twin. They had an argument over which name to use. They both think they won.
What kind of books/stories do you write?
As Patricia Lillie, I write quiet horror or weird fiction and in the past wrote picture books. As Kay Charles, I write cozy-ish mysteries.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’m not sure. Writers have always been vaunted, wonderful beings to me, and I have been both envious of them and worshipped them for as long as I can remember. I’m not sure when I got up the nerve to admit I wanted to attempt to become one.
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
I think every book I’ve ever read has influenced me some how. I can still recite Ludwig Bemelmans’s MADELINE, the first book I ever checked out of a library, as well as many of the Dr. Seuss books with which I learned to read. I’ve read and re-read Margaret Atwood’s THE HANDMAID’S TALE about fifteen times since it was first published and it gets me every time. Shirley Jackson’s THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE is probably responsible for my taste in horror. I was around eleven when I first read a collection of Harlan Ellison short stories (and the therapy bills are still arriving.) I discovered Agatha Christie around the same age. And then there’s Kate Wilhelm’s short, “The Funeral,” which still terrifies me when I revisit it. I think I need to stop now, because I can go on and on!
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
Most of the writers I know I met through grad school—Seton Hill University’s MFA in Writing Popular Fiction Program, either as classmates or faculty: V.M. Burns, Michelle Lane, Lana Hectman Ayers, Jessica Barlow, some guy named Cody Langille, Chris Shearer, Scott A. Johnson, Victoria Thompson—once again, I could go on, and I know I’m forgetting people and will feel bad about it later. All have helped by encouraging the good and pointing out the bad or sharing their knowledge and experience or being guinea pigs—I mean beta readers. I never would have finished my first novel, let alone had the nerve to send it out into the world without their support. Even if I somehow had, it would be a far lesser book.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
I am still fumbling around on this, and I think it depends a lot on genre. For the cozy-ish mystery, there are *a lot* of Facebook groups where authors interact with readers. Cozy readers appreciate the accessibility and love looking for new series, so reaching out to them online has been fun and productive. The quiet horror crowd doesn’t congregate on social media the same way. Since I haven’t done any genre related cons, I’m a total unknown to them. Finding ways to reach out is harder, but I keep trying. Word of mouth really seems to be the best marketing, but getting that started is tough! Right now, I think the best marketing would be to get the next books finished!
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
Although I sometimes research before beginning a book, since I’m a pantser I do most of my research while writing. I do Google searches and most important, take advantage of library resources. I’m lucky enough to have one dear friend who is a Reference Librarian at a public library and another who is Interim Director at an academic library. Between the two of them, they can find ANYTHING. The best research advice I can give any writer is befriend your local librarians. Take them cookies. And don’t say “but my local library is so small.” Doesn’t matter. Reference Librarians are WIZARDS. They can find anything and will go to the ends of the earth to do so.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
Readers are wonderful beings. Keep reading.
Links/promotional things (include any photos you would like)
Patricia Lillie’s website: patricialillie.com
Patricia Lillie’s Amazon page: amazon.com/author/patricialillie
Kay Charles’s website: kaycharles.com
Kay Charles’s Amazon page: amazon.com/author/kaycharles
Kay Charles on Facebook: facebook.com/KayCharlesMysteries
I have this split personality thing going on. Kay Charles, she’s the nice one (Doesn’t use the f-word. At least not in her books). As for that Patricia Lillie, she’s the evil twin. They had an argument over which name to use. They both think they won.
What kind of books/stories do you write?
As Patricia Lillie, I write quiet horror or weird fiction and in the past wrote picture books. As Kay Charles, I write cozy-ish mysteries.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’m not sure. Writers have always been vaunted, wonderful beings to me, and I have been both envious of them and worshipped them for as long as I can remember. I’m not sure when I got up the nerve to admit I wanted to attempt to become one.
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
I think every book I’ve ever read has influenced me some how. I can still recite Ludwig Bemelmans’s MADELINE, the first book I ever checked out of a library, as well as many of the Dr. Seuss books with which I learned to read. I’ve read and re-read Margaret Atwood’s THE HANDMAID’S TALE about fifteen times since it was first published and it gets me every time. Shirley Jackson’s THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE is probably responsible for my taste in horror. I was around eleven when I first read a collection of Harlan Ellison short stories (and the therapy bills are still arriving.) I discovered Agatha Christie around the same age. And then there’s Kate Wilhelm’s short, “The Funeral,” which still terrifies me when I revisit it. I think I need to stop now, because I can go on and on!
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
Most of the writers I know I met through grad school—Seton Hill University’s MFA in Writing Popular Fiction Program, either as classmates or faculty: V.M. Burns, Michelle Lane, Lana Hectman Ayers, Jessica Barlow, some guy named Cody Langille, Chris Shearer, Scott A. Johnson, Victoria Thompson—once again, I could go on, and I know I’m forgetting people and will feel bad about it later. All have helped by encouraging the good and pointing out the bad or sharing their knowledge and experience or being guinea pigs—I mean beta readers. I never would have finished my first novel, let alone had the nerve to send it out into the world without their support. Even if I somehow had, it would be a far lesser book.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
I am still fumbling around on this, and I think it depends a lot on genre. For the cozy-ish mystery, there are *a lot* of Facebook groups where authors interact with readers. Cozy readers appreciate the accessibility and love looking for new series, so reaching out to them online has been fun and productive. The quiet horror crowd doesn’t congregate on social media the same way. Since I haven’t done any genre related cons, I’m a total unknown to them. Finding ways to reach out is harder, but I keep trying. Word of mouth really seems to be the best marketing, but getting that started is tough! Right now, I think the best marketing would be to get the next books finished!
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
Although I sometimes research before beginning a book, since I’m a pantser I do most of my research while writing. I do Google searches and most important, take advantage of library resources. I’m lucky enough to have one dear friend who is a Reference Librarian at a public library and another who is Interim Director at an academic library. Between the two of them, they can find ANYTHING. The best research advice I can give any writer is befriend your local librarians. Take them cookies. And don’t say “but my local library is so small.” Doesn’t matter. Reference Librarians are WIZARDS. They can find anything and will go to the ends of the earth to do so.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
Readers are wonderful beings. Keep reading.
Links/promotional things (include any photos you would like)
Patricia Lillie’s website: patricialillie.com
Patricia Lillie’s Amazon page: amazon.com/author/patricialillie
Kay Charles’s website: kaycharles.com
Kay Charles’s Amazon page: amazon.com/author/kaycharles
Kay Charles on Facebook: facebook.com/KayCharlesMysteries
February 15, 2018
Gamer Interview: Matthew O'Dwyer
What's your favorite RPG system and why?
Sure, start with the nightmare question. I think recent tabletop games (including non-RPG games) have really pushed the boundaries in great ways. You’ll always have your classics. Dungeons and Dragons found a great rhythm with fifth edition. Fantasy Flight has an amazingly innovative dice system with narrative consequences. Then you have your real passion projects like Shadow of the Demon Lord, which is a fantastic system that found a home (and funding) on Kickstarter. I think I’d have to say that my favorite is Fantasy Flight’s Star Wars system, Edge of the Empire. They’re currently working on a new edition of Warhammer Fantasy, and I’m really excited to see what they do with it. If they implement a lot of the mechanics from Edge of the Empire, Warhammer will most likely become my favorite system by far. I think the narrative dice system is way more interesting than the flat number restrictions we mostly accept as the standard.
What made you want to become a DM/GM?
I have a steady group of friends who play together. While I wasn’t our first DM, I did become our most consistent DM early on. I originally offered to run games because it just seemed fair to trade off the responsibility. Plus, my friends were mostly running high fantasy settings like Forgotten Realms. Running my own campaign was my opportunity to bring in elements of horror, which is something I love about dark fantasy. I became a more consistent DM in our group because people really enjoyed those darker elements. In recent history, I only DM when I think I have some great ideas for a campaign. I have a lot of old Ravenloft setting books that provide plenty of inspiration.
How much prep time do you conduct before a gaming session?
That’s a perfect follow-up question. Ultimately, when I’ve taken a break from being the DM, it always had to do with time constraints. I enjoy spending a lot of time preparing different characters and scenarios for the players. However, I’ve also learned to keep things flexible. Nobody has fun when a campaign feels rigid. Lately, I’ve favored systems like Shadow of the Demon Lord that have a shorter prep time. For Shadow of the Demon Lord, I spent a lot of time upfront learning about the setting. After that initial time investment, I ran pre-made story arcs where you could prep a session maybe twenty minutes ahead of time. The sessions were really great. If you’re like dark fantasy and want to DM without investing a ton of time, look into Shadow of the Demon Lord. From setting to mechanics, the system really shines.
What is one of your most memorable moments running a game?
Journey of Legends! This was less of a moment and more of an entire weekend. So, my friends and I were playing the fourth edition of Dungeons and Dragons at the time. We were separated most of the year because of college, and that presented challenges with running anything on a regular basis. Looking to reconnect, we all decided to meet up at a friend’s house for a long weekend of Dungeons and Dragons. I offered to run sort of mini series of sessions called Journey of Legends. The premise was that everyone would use one of their favorite characters from the past. Our group rarely made it past level ten before a campaign fizzled out, so this was a chance to make your hero a legend. We started around level twelve or thirteen, and everyone received a flat stat boost of six to everything. This was the player’s chance to be that kind of Drizzt or Aragorn figure. Even the skills you’re not very good at are exceptional by normal standards. To balance the experience a little, they faced brutal enemies and incredible challenges. They were like superheroes of fantasy, so they faced that level of challenge. We had an incredible weekend with that. I ran a few more sessions like that afterward, but I think the first time will always be my favorite. The idea and execution were both new, so it was very exciting because the players had no idea what was coming.
Do you do anything to set the mood or atmosphere?
It depends on the environment we’re playing in. Sometimes we have a friend’s house to ourselves, while other times we’re around family and friends. Occasionally, particularly more recently, we use Skype to play from afar. I like using music when it’s possible. My friend Jeff would always throw on The Witcher’s soundtrack during fights. That always made things feel grandiose in a cool way. Our group would also throw in a dvd called Radiant Fireplace to get the sound of a crackling fire in the room. On Skype, and even in person, I favor descriptions when trying to set the mood. When you don’t have access to outside music or fake fireplaces, it’s up to the DM to establish a mood and a tone. I always find that a character can do this very well. Having the players interact with someone unhinged, or sending them into a room where something horrific happened, are both ways to quickly pull players into a darker tone. If you’re looking to do this in your own game, it’s all about trial and error. Eventually, you’ll find something that works for your and your players. No two groups are the same, so you need to approach each campaign with fresh strategies.
What's one tip you would give to other DM/GM's out there?
Be adaptable. Don’t spend too much time planning every little detail of your session. Even the most predictable player can have a wild, fantastic idea that’s worth pursuing immediately. The more you’ve planned, the more rigid your session will be. If you can work from an outline, you’ll be receptive to new and better directions. This is true in writing as well. The more planning you do, the more things feel like they’re set in stone. You don’t want to waste all the time you put into preparing, right? So you shoehorn in the prepared idea whether or not it’s the most interesting idea. Instead, plan a little less and call for a break when something new and interesting pops up. Use the break to plan your next step. I’ve found that familiarizing yourself with the setting and unique elements of the world to be worth a lot more than memorizing any stats or enemies or anything like that. You and your players have ultimately gathered for a shared storytelling experience, and you never want to lose sight of that.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
Sure. Well, first, thank you for having me on the site. This has been a cool experience. I love talking about tabletop games. I guess games in general, actually. If you’re reading this and you’re thinking about becoming a DM/GM for your gaming group, then I strongly encourage you to go for it. Look at different systems, settings and characters within those systems, and really find something you’re excited about. If you’re excited, you’re more likely to prepare for sessions without it feeling like work. Plus, excitement from a DM is potent. The players get excited and they make richer characters because they feel like the campaign will go somewhere. Enthusiasm is contagious, so go ahead and pass it around the table.
Sure, start with the nightmare question. I think recent tabletop games (including non-RPG games) have really pushed the boundaries in great ways. You’ll always have your classics. Dungeons and Dragons found a great rhythm with fifth edition. Fantasy Flight has an amazingly innovative dice system with narrative consequences. Then you have your real passion projects like Shadow of the Demon Lord, which is a fantastic system that found a home (and funding) on Kickstarter. I think I’d have to say that my favorite is Fantasy Flight’s Star Wars system, Edge of the Empire. They’re currently working on a new edition of Warhammer Fantasy, and I’m really excited to see what they do with it. If they implement a lot of the mechanics from Edge of the Empire, Warhammer will most likely become my favorite system by far. I think the narrative dice system is way more interesting than the flat number restrictions we mostly accept as the standard.
What made you want to become a DM/GM?
I have a steady group of friends who play together. While I wasn’t our first DM, I did become our most consistent DM early on. I originally offered to run games because it just seemed fair to trade off the responsibility. Plus, my friends were mostly running high fantasy settings like Forgotten Realms. Running my own campaign was my opportunity to bring in elements of horror, which is something I love about dark fantasy. I became a more consistent DM in our group because people really enjoyed those darker elements. In recent history, I only DM when I think I have some great ideas for a campaign. I have a lot of old Ravenloft setting books that provide plenty of inspiration.
How much prep time do you conduct before a gaming session?
That’s a perfect follow-up question. Ultimately, when I’ve taken a break from being the DM, it always had to do with time constraints. I enjoy spending a lot of time preparing different characters and scenarios for the players. However, I’ve also learned to keep things flexible. Nobody has fun when a campaign feels rigid. Lately, I’ve favored systems like Shadow of the Demon Lord that have a shorter prep time. For Shadow of the Demon Lord, I spent a lot of time upfront learning about the setting. After that initial time investment, I ran pre-made story arcs where you could prep a session maybe twenty minutes ahead of time. The sessions were really great. If you’re like dark fantasy and want to DM without investing a ton of time, look into Shadow of the Demon Lord. From setting to mechanics, the system really shines.
What is one of your most memorable moments running a game?
Journey of Legends! This was less of a moment and more of an entire weekend. So, my friends and I were playing the fourth edition of Dungeons and Dragons at the time. We were separated most of the year because of college, and that presented challenges with running anything on a regular basis. Looking to reconnect, we all decided to meet up at a friend’s house for a long weekend of Dungeons and Dragons. I offered to run sort of mini series of sessions called Journey of Legends. The premise was that everyone would use one of their favorite characters from the past. Our group rarely made it past level ten before a campaign fizzled out, so this was a chance to make your hero a legend. We started around level twelve or thirteen, and everyone received a flat stat boost of six to everything. This was the player’s chance to be that kind of Drizzt or Aragorn figure. Even the skills you’re not very good at are exceptional by normal standards. To balance the experience a little, they faced brutal enemies and incredible challenges. They were like superheroes of fantasy, so they faced that level of challenge. We had an incredible weekend with that. I ran a few more sessions like that afterward, but I think the first time will always be my favorite. The idea and execution were both new, so it was very exciting because the players had no idea what was coming.
Do you do anything to set the mood or atmosphere?
It depends on the environment we’re playing in. Sometimes we have a friend’s house to ourselves, while other times we’re around family and friends. Occasionally, particularly more recently, we use Skype to play from afar. I like using music when it’s possible. My friend Jeff would always throw on The Witcher’s soundtrack during fights. That always made things feel grandiose in a cool way. Our group would also throw in a dvd called Radiant Fireplace to get the sound of a crackling fire in the room. On Skype, and even in person, I favor descriptions when trying to set the mood. When you don’t have access to outside music or fake fireplaces, it’s up to the DM to establish a mood and a tone. I always find that a character can do this very well. Having the players interact with someone unhinged, or sending them into a room where something horrific happened, are both ways to quickly pull players into a darker tone. If you’re looking to do this in your own game, it’s all about trial and error. Eventually, you’ll find something that works for your and your players. No two groups are the same, so you need to approach each campaign with fresh strategies.
What's one tip you would give to other DM/GM's out there?
Be adaptable. Don’t spend too much time planning every little detail of your session. Even the most predictable player can have a wild, fantastic idea that’s worth pursuing immediately. The more you’ve planned, the more rigid your session will be. If you can work from an outline, you’ll be receptive to new and better directions. This is true in writing as well. The more planning you do, the more things feel like they’re set in stone. You don’t want to waste all the time you put into preparing, right? So you shoehorn in the prepared idea whether or not it’s the most interesting idea. Instead, plan a little less and call for a break when something new and interesting pops up. Use the break to plan your next step. I’ve found that familiarizing yourself with the setting and unique elements of the world to be worth a lot more than memorizing any stats or enemies or anything like that. You and your players have ultimately gathered for a shared storytelling experience, and you never want to lose sight of that.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
Sure. Well, first, thank you for having me on the site. This has been a cool experience. I love talking about tabletop games. I guess games in general, actually. If you’re reading this and you’re thinking about becoming a DM/GM for your gaming group, then I strongly encourage you to go for it. Look at different systems, settings and characters within those systems, and really find something you’re excited about. If you’re excited, you’re more likely to prepare for sessions without it feeling like work. Plus, excitement from a DM is potent. The players get excited and they make richer characters because they feel like the campaign will go somewhere. Enthusiasm is contagious, so go ahead and pass it around the table.
