Su Williams's Blog, page 3
June 15, 2014
WHY HAVEN'T YOU READ dEaDINBURGH YET?
OK. So I say it with every interview...I always say how excited I am to have that week's author. And it's always true. When I find a great author, I just have to share them. And this week's pick is one of the best of the best. If you love zom stories, he's your man. If you like a good sci-fi suspense, he's got that too. But let me have him tell you all about it.
PRESENTING MARK WILSON!!!Mark Wilson is a married father of two, born in Bellshill, Lanarkshire and currently living in Edinburgh with his wife, their son, Patrick and baby daughter, Cara.
Mark left Bellshill Academy in 1991, qualification-free. And worked his way through a huge number of jobs including, window-cleaner, delivery driver, Levi’s salesman, a microbiologist and cinema usher.
Mark returned to full time education nine years later, earning his Highers and a degree in micro-biology before entering teaching.
Mark currently teaches Biology in a Fife secondary school and is founder of Paddy’s Daddy Publishing, a company he set up to assist Scottish authors. He writes in his spare time, in lieu of sleep.
Mark, thank you so much for being here. Let's dive right in. You used a rather different approach to entice me to read your book, dEaDINBURGH. Can you tell us a little about that?
The YA genre is new to me and not one that I’d anticipated writing a book for, so I did my research. I’d read and loved Jonathan Maberry’s amazing Rot and Ruin series and figured that his readers might connect with my book despite the obvious differences. I contacted hundreds of people who had left a review for one of the Rot and Ruin books and offered each of them a free advance copy of dEaDINBURGH in exchange for an honest review. I tried very hard to ensure that I only contacted those people whom I genuinely felt would be interested in reading the book, I was very mindful of spamming people. I have to say, I’ve met some lovely people from that exercise but wouldn’t do the same for every book.
That's a clever idea, and I was definitely one of those people who's very glad you wrote to me! I'm kinda kicking myself for not reading the book sooner. I absolutely LOVED dEaDINBURGH!!! Tell readers about dEaDINBURGH and the other books you have available.
Thank you. dEaDINBURGH began as an image of a baby born onto the cobbles of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh and went from there. I wanted to set a book in the city I live in. It’s a stunningly beautiful place, very gothic with its alleys and underground streets and so rich with history. I figured that as cities go, it was a hugely atmospheric city to trap people in and started writing. dEaDINBURGH is a bit of a departure for me in terms of writing style and genre, but I haven’t stuck within a single genre yet and don’t intend to anytime soon. More on that later.
If you gave a beginning writer advice about the one most important thing to remember or do, what would that advice be?
Above all, don’t expect to make money. Do it because you love to. Don’t ever write for a genre or a demographic. For me, I never have a genre in mind when I begin a book. I tend to start with a concept and one or two main characters, then start writing. As the story unfolds, the business part of my head starts to pick marketing areas and strategies around three-quarters of the way through. I don’t ever want to write for a certain market of demographic and feel that just going with whatever story is itching my brain the most is best for my writing. So far I’ve written a very adult, coming of age, in Bobby’s Boy, an international YA thriller with a superhero protagonist in Naebody’s Hero; a psychological thriller with a sociopathic schoolboy as lead, in Head Boy; an autobiography written for a mental health charity titled Paddy’s Daddy; and a YA Dystopian zombie book in dEaDINBURGH. I’ve just completed a techno-thriller titled The Man Who Sold His Son.
Having said that, although I don’t write to a genre, Scottish writers tend to have a certain voice in their novels, an irreverence and passion; there’s no escaping that for me. As writers, Scots seem to love and loathe their home towns in equal measures but defend those communities to the end. All but one of my books is set, initially at least, in my hometown of Bellshill, Lanarkshire. These books will be collected in an omnibus titled Lanarkshire Strays in July 2014 and available on Amazon, USand Amazon, UKHave you found any great sites online that have helped you as an indie author?
I’ve been fortunate to meet with a lot of like-minded British writers and have formed a tight support network with them. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without their input and support. It also helps that they’re top writers who I’m learning loads from. I’ve recently been hooked up with a group called ASMSG who I really like. Still learning the ropes but I’ll update you in future.
Are there any upcoming events for you?
Yeah, I do a lot of talks for mental health charities, the next one is for a Scottish mental health and film festival in October. Before that, I’m launching The Man Who Sold His Son in July, as well as the Lanarkshire Strays series.
What's your next project?
Having just completed my fifth novel, The Man Who Sold His Son, I’ve started on dEaDINBURGH: 2 whist I’m awaiting the editing of TMWSHS. As well as that, I’ve just contributed a short story to Ryan Bracha’s project, a novel of shorts titled Twelve Mad Men, which has twelve writers from that support group I mentioned earlier, writing an inmate each. Bracha is pulling the twelve tales into a narrative, crazy stuff and very ambitious, but he’s the man to pull it off.
Being an indie author is a lot about self promotion. What has been your best source for promoting your books?
Aye. It’s the part of the role I don’t like much. I’m good at marketing, that is placing the books in the most visible places and making them as discoverable within the UK market as possible, but promoting can sometimes be a little extreme and over-enthusiastic from Indie-authors. I try to market properly and get other people to promote for me by running competitions and sharing links etc so as to keep the brand I’m building visible but not sicken people with constant promo.
I LOVE the cover of dEaDINBURGH, and I noticed your author pic appears to be in the same location. Can you fill us in on the story behind that? And maybe give a shout out if you had a cover designer? Also, is there a story behind how you got the title?
Thanks. I’m really lucky in that an old friend, Paul McGuigan, is a top-notch photographer and one of those people who make themselves available for a friend despite being incredibly busy. When I was around three-quarters of the way completed on the novel, I asked Paul to tour the various location I’d used in the city and shoot some pics for possible covers and promo material. We had a great day and more than a few drinks en-route and despite the heavy rain and bitter cold (which in hindsight was perfect), he managed to get me to pose for some author shots also. I’m delighted with Paul’s images and have most of them on display at the dEaDINBURGHsite.
The cover itself, I designed with assistance from a German manga artist named Yuramei who did the awesome title graphic.
Now for a little fun! Tell us one quirky, weird or downright eccentric about yourself. Any author pet peeves?
I have to put my right sock on before the left one or I’ll itch all day. I can’t go to sleep without seeing my kids faces.
Paddy's Daddy
While writing, music or silence? (if music, what do you listen to?)
Music, every time. Depends what I’m writing. Sometimes I want Amy Winehouse soothing me, mostly I want heavy rock. Rage Against the Machine and Hopeless Heroic are ever-present.
If I gave you a rabbit's foot, a lantern and a box, what kind of story would you write? You can give it a title too, if you want.
Depends if I have my YA head on or not. If I did, probably a time-travelling rabbit who loses a piece of himself every time he time-leaps. The lantern gives him his abilities. The foot’s all that’s left. We’ll call it Timehopper.
If non-YA, it’d probably be the leftovers from a mammoth alcohol-fueled Greenpeace coupe.
Oh my gosh! I love it. Thank you so much, Mark, for visiting with us today! I think readers have gotten an idea of your voice in your writing.
Here's Mark's contact informationMark Wilson Books on Facebook@bellshillwilson on Twitter Mark's Website Paddy's Daddy Publishing
Buy Links for Mark's Books
The Man Who Sold His Son on Amazon, US or UK dEaDINBURGH on Amazon, US and Amazon, UK Naebody's Hero on Amazon, US and Amazon, UK Bobby’s Boy on Amazon: UK or US Head Boy on Amazon: US or UK The Lanarkshire Strays collection on Amazon, US and UK
And thank you to all of you who take the time to come and visit. I hope you're enjoying these interviews with great indie authors...and an occasional NYT Best-Seller...and I hope you're showing them some love and checking out their books. The featured author always has links to their books in the interview. As well, they're on the slideshow to right of the post. If you've absolutely fallen in love with them like me, the contact links are also available for you (as seen above). Indie authors especially love to hear from fans and readers.
As always...Dare to Dream!!Su
PRESENTING MARK WILSON!!!Mark Wilson is a married father of two, born in Bellshill, Lanarkshire and currently living in Edinburgh with his wife, their son, Patrick and baby daughter, Cara.Mark left Bellshill Academy in 1991, qualification-free. And worked his way through a huge number of jobs including, window-cleaner, delivery driver, Levi’s salesman, a microbiologist and cinema usher.
Mark returned to full time education nine years later, earning his Highers and a degree in micro-biology before entering teaching.
Mark currently teaches Biology in a Fife secondary school and is founder of Paddy’s Daddy Publishing, a company he set up to assist Scottish authors. He writes in his spare time, in lieu of sleep. Mark, thank you so much for being here. Let's dive right in. You used a rather different approach to entice me to read your book, dEaDINBURGH. Can you tell us a little about that?
The YA genre is new to me and not one that I’d anticipated writing a book for, so I did my research. I’d read and loved Jonathan Maberry’s amazing Rot and Ruin series and figured that his readers might connect with my book despite the obvious differences. I contacted hundreds of people who had left a review for one of the Rot and Ruin books and offered each of them a free advance copy of dEaDINBURGH in exchange for an honest review. I tried very hard to ensure that I only contacted those people whom I genuinely felt would be interested in reading the book, I was very mindful of spamming people. I have to say, I’ve met some lovely people from that exercise but wouldn’t do the same for every book.
That's a clever idea, and I was definitely one of those people who's very glad you wrote to me! I'm kinda kicking myself for not reading the book sooner. I absolutely LOVED dEaDINBURGH!!! Tell readers about dEaDINBURGH and the other books you have available. Thank you. dEaDINBURGH began as an image of a baby born onto the cobbles of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh and went from there. I wanted to set a book in the city I live in. It’s a stunningly beautiful place, very gothic with its alleys and underground streets and so rich with history. I figured that as cities go, it was a hugely atmospheric city to trap people in and started writing. dEaDINBURGH is a bit of a departure for me in terms of writing style and genre, but I haven’t stuck within a single genre yet and don’t intend to anytime soon. More on that later.
If you gave a beginning writer advice about the one most important thing to remember or do, what would that advice be?
Above all, don’t expect to make money. Do it because you love to. Don’t ever write for a genre or a demographic. For me, I never have a genre in mind when I begin a book. I tend to start with a concept and one or two main characters, then start writing. As the story unfolds, the business part of my head starts to pick marketing areas and strategies around three-quarters of the way through. I don’t ever want to write for a certain market of demographic and feel that just going with whatever story is itching my brain the most is best for my writing. So far I’ve written a very adult, coming of age, in Bobby’s Boy, an international YA thriller with a superhero protagonist in Naebody’s Hero; a psychological thriller with a sociopathic schoolboy as lead, in Head Boy; an autobiography written for a mental health charity titled Paddy’s Daddy; and a YA Dystopian zombie book in dEaDINBURGH. I’ve just completed a techno-thriller titled The Man Who Sold His Son.
Having said that, although I don’t write to a genre, Scottish writers tend to have a certain voice in their novels, an irreverence and passion; there’s no escaping that for me. As writers, Scots seem to love and loathe their home towns in equal measures but defend those communities to the end. All but one of my books is set, initially at least, in my hometown of Bellshill, Lanarkshire. These books will be collected in an omnibus titled Lanarkshire Strays in July 2014 and available on Amazon, USand Amazon, UKHave you found any great sites online that have helped you as an indie author?
I’ve been fortunate to meet with a lot of like-minded British writers and have formed a tight support network with them. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without their input and support. It also helps that they’re top writers who I’m learning loads from. I’ve recently been hooked up with a group called ASMSG who I really like. Still learning the ropes but I’ll update you in future.
Are there any upcoming events for you? Yeah, I do a lot of talks for mental health charities, the next one is for a Scottish mental health and film festival in October. Before that, I’m launching The Man Who Sold His Son in July, as well as the Lanarkshire Strays series.
What's your next project? Having just completed my fifth novel, The Man Who Sold His Son, I’ve started on dEaDINBURGH: 2 whist I’m awaiting the editing of TMWSHS. As well as that, I’ve just contributed a short story to Ryan Bracha’s project, a novel of shorts titled Twelve Mad Men, which has twelve writers from that support group I mentioned earlier, writing an inmate each. Bracha is pulling the twelve tales into a narrative, crazy stuff and very ambitious, but he’s the man to pull it off.
Being an indie author is a lot about self promotion. What has been your best source for promoting your books?
Aye. It’s the part of the role I don’t like much. I’m good at marketing, that is placing the books in the most visible places and making them as discoverable within the UK market as possible, but promoting can sometimes be a little extreme and over-enthusiastic from Indie-authors. I try to market properly and get other people to promote for me by running competitions and sharing links etc so as to keep the brand I’m building visible but not sicken people with constant promo.
I LOVE the cover of dEaDINBURGH, and I noticed your author pic appears to be in the same location. Can you fill us in on the story behind that? And maybe give a shout out if you had a cover designer? Also, is there a story behind how you got the title? Thanks. I’m really lucky in that an old friend, Paul McGuigan, is a top-notch photographer and one of those people who make themselves available for a friend despite being incredibly busy. When I was around three-quarters of the way completed on the novel, I asked Paul to tour the various location I’d used in the city and shoot some pics for possible covers and promo material. We had a great day and more than a few drinks en-route and despite the heavy rain and bitter cold (which in hindsight was perfect), he managed to get me to pose for some author shots also. I’m delighted with Paul’s images and have most of them on display at the dEaDINBURGHsite.
The cover itself, I designed with assistance from a German manga artist named Yuramei who did the awesome title graphic.
Now for a little fun! Tell us one quirky, weird or downright eccentric about yourself. Any author pet peeves? I have to put my right sock on before the left one or I’ll itch all day. I can’t go to sleep without seeing my kids faces.
Paddy's DaddyWhile writing, music or silence? (if music, what do you listen to?)
Music, every time. Depends what I’m writing. Sometimes I want Amy Winehouse soothing me, mostly I want heavy rock. Rage Against the Machine and Hopeless Heroic are ever-present.
If I gave you a rabbit's foot, a lantern and a box, what kind of story would you write? You can give it a title too, if you want.
Depends if I have my YA head on or not. If I did, probably a time-travelling rabbit who loses a piece of himself every time he time-leaps. The lantern gives him his abilities. The foot’s all that’s left. We’ll call it Timehopper.
If non-YA, it’d probably be the leftovers from a mammoth alcohol-fueled Greenpeace coupe.
Oh my gosh! I love it. Thank you so much, Mark, for visiting with us today! I think readers have gotten an idea of your voice in your writing.
Here's Mark's contact informationMark Wilson Books on Facebook@bellshillwilson on Twitter Mark's Website Paddy's Daddy Publishing
Buy Links for Mark's Books
The Man Who Sold His Son on Amazon, US or UK dEaDINBURGH on Amazon, US and Amazon, UK Naebody's Hero on Amazon, US and Amazon, UK Bobby’s Boy on Amazon: UK or US Head Boy on Amazon: US or UK The Lanarkshire Strays collection on Amazon, US and UK
And thank you to all of you who take the time to come and visit. I hope you're enjoying these interviews with great indie authors...and an occasional NYT Best-Seller...and I hope you're showing them some love and checking out their books. The featured author always has links to their books in the interview. As well, they're on the slideshow to right of the post. If you've absolutely fallen in love with them like me, the contact links are also available for you (as seen above). Indie authors especially love to hear from fans and readers.
As always...Dare to Dream!!Su
June 9, 2014
IS JENNY ALIVE...OR UNDEAD?
Hello everyone! I'm so happy to have you here this week, and truly honored that you've taken time out to come visit. So I hope this week's guest will WOW you as much she WoW'ed me.
This week, my guest is JL Murray, aka Jessica Leigh Murray, or just plain Jesse. I don't remember how I happened upon her book Jenny Undead, but I was so thrilled when I finished it that I just had to find her and thank her for such a great book. So sit back with a coffee, or a glass of ice tea, and meet this fantastic indie author!
JL MURRAYJesse, welcome to Dream Weaver Novels on Blogger! Would you introduce yourself to my readers? Tell us where you're from, your day job, how you got into writing...
Hi Su. I'm a full-time indie writer.
I am originally from Montana, having grown up in a tiny lumber mill town. I began writing at an early age, which isn't unusual. I know a lot of writers say that. It's true, though. I have books from when I was seven or eight years old which I wrote, illustrated and bound with yarn. Maybe a precursor to being an indie writer. My first real writing, though, came when I bought an electric typewriter at a school auction when I was twelve. I was obsessed with Sherlock Holmes at the time, and I started writing mystery stories. It was all downhill from there. I never really stopped.
I am a HUGE fan of your novel JENNY UNDEAD (a truly unique take on the
I LOVE THIS COVER!!!zombie apocalypse). What was your inspiration for the book?
Originally, I was going to write Jenny Undead as a comedy about a cheerleader that finds herself zombified. But as I started fleshing out the world and the characters, it became very apparent that this was not a comedy. And Jenny was anything but a cheerleader.
I didn't really have a specific inspiration for the book. I've always sort of wanted to write about a zombie antihero. And I wanted a world that was full of chaos and anarchy. You see so many zombie books where it's all about rape and killing other survivors. I didn't want that. I wanted to show how humanity would find a shaky sense of order no matter what happened in the world, no matter how devolved society became. I may touch on some of the darker survivors later in the series, but it will never be the focus.
As an indie author, is there one website or tool you've found that you just can't live without? What site has been most helpful to you?
You know, I used to read anything I could get my mitts on about the indie scene. J.A. Konrath, Hugh Howey, whatever I could find for inspiration. But I've come to realize that these sites are not what is important. They're the golden feather. The writing always needs to come first. Before martketing, before social media, before blogging. The best advertising is the next book, so I try to just keep my nose to the grindstone and write as much as possible. In the past three years I've written eight books, so I guess it's working. What is your writing process like? Do you make goals? Create outlines? Or are you a pantser?
Me too!I don't really have a process. I do like to make rudimentary timelines, and sometimes I do in-depth outlines if the book calls for it. I wrote After the Fire without an outline, and I tried to outline Jenny Undead but it kept jumping the fence, so to speak. I often just do an outline to get started and then let the characters take the story in all kinds of crazy directions.
I drink a lot of coffee. When I finish a book my husband and I usually drink a fancy bottle of champagne. Mostly my process is to just have fun. If I'm not having fun, what's the point? I think readers can tell when the writer stops having fun, too, so I try to keep life interesting.
I generally write three books a year, which is a good goal for me. My books are fairly short compared to some in the genre, so this is doable.
We'd love to know more about other books by you. What else can we get our hands on?
I mainly write in the dark fantasy genre, but I also write sci-fi and horror. My most popular series is the Niki Slobodian series which is sort of a dark, twisty urban fantasy. After the Fire is the first book in a fantasy series about a group of gods in a world that has been largely destroyed. And Jenny Undead is, of course, the first book in The Thirteen series, which is about a group of people that survived horrific experiments as children which enables them to survive the zombie apocalypse.
Currently I'm working on a standalone (I think) about a society where vampires have taken over the governments of the world. If it works out, that one will be available before the end of the year. Then I can start work on book two of The Thirteen, tentatively entitled Jenny Alive.
While writing, music or silence? (if music, what do you listen to?)
I listen to music a lot when writing. I'm a big fan of Spotify, and I make a playlist for each book I write, which I then listen to over and over while writing. Much of my plotting or the big, intense climaxes are written to classical or intense instrumental music. But the actual writing is to a lot of rock and roll usually. The playlist for Jenny Undead naturally had a lot of punk rock music, where my Niki Slobodian series generally has slower, more intense music.
Tell us something unique, quirky, or different about you. Any author pet peeves?
I have a checkered past. I used to go to a lot of punk rock shows before I cleaned up and went back to school. I studied Forensic Anthropology for a long time before settling on Creative Writing. My family and I live in Hawaii now, which can be fun, though I find myself complaining about the sun way too much. I'm a rainy day and cup of tea kind of girl when you get right down to it.
My pet peeve is people putting out books that are not ready for public consumption. As indies we have to be careful, and despite popular opinion there is still a stigma attached. We need to be putting really amazing fiction out there. When someone reads a terrible book with plot holes and spelling errors and bad formatting, it can sour them for indie writers permanently. Don't do this. Hire an editor, a proofreader, and a formatter. Find some beta readers that aren't related to you. It can be expensive, but it will be worth it in the long run. I've tended to run my career like a small business. You wouldn't open a store that had insulation sticking out of the walls. Don't publish a book that isn't ready.
I wholeheartedly agree. Is there anything you'd like readers to know about that's coming up for you? Book Launch?...
Yes. My fifth and final book in the Niki Slobodian series, The Devil's Backbone, is currently out at the editor's. My beta readers will be reading it this week and I'm going to have a book release party on Facebook sometime soon. I'll be making an announcement on the date on my fan page, but it will probably be pretty soon.
If I gave you a marble, a feather and a skull, what kind of story would you write? Give it a title if you want.
Birdman Loses his Marbles: A Love Story.
JL, I'm so happy you came to visit today! And I'm very excited to share you with my visitors. Thank you for your jewels of wisdom and sharing your work with us!!
And thank you, as always to the great readers and fans that stop by each week to meet a new author. I fell in love with Jenny Undead and then the author. I hope you'll take a few minutes to check out Jesse and her books. Here's how to find them:J.L. Murray on Facebook@jlmurraywriter on TwitterJ.L.'s Website All of her books are on Amazon!Jenny Undead Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea The Devil Is a GentlemanBefore the Devil Knows You're Dead The Devil Was an AngelAfter the Fire
I'm on my way now to check out some new reading. How about you?
As always...
Dare to Dream!
Su
This week, my guest is JL Murray, aka Jessica Leigh Murray, or just plain Jesse. I don't remember how I happened upon her book Jenny Undead, but I was so thrilled when I finished it that I just had to find her and thank her for such a great book. So sit back with a coffee, or a glass of ice tea, and meet this fantastic indie author!
JL MURRAYJesse, welcome to Dream Weaver Novels on Blogger! Would you introduce yourself to my readers? Tell us where you're from, your day job, how you got into writing...
Hi Su. I'm a full-time indie writer.
I am originally from Montana, having grown up in a tiny lumber mill town. I began writing at an early age, which isn't unusual. I know a lot of writers say that. It's true, though. I have books from when I was seven or eight years old which I wrote, illustrated and bound with yarn. Maybe a precursor to being an indie writer. My first real writing, though, came when I bought an electric typewriter at a school auction when I was twelve. I was obsessed with Sherlock Holmes at the time, and I started writing mystery stories. It was all downhill from there. I never really stopped.
I am a HUGE fan of your novel JENNY UNDEAD (a truly unique take on the
I LOVE THIS COVER!!!zombie apocalypse). What was your inspiration for the book?Originally, I was going to write Jenny Undead as a comedy about a cheerleader that finds herself zombified. But as I started fleshing out the world and the characters, it became very apparent that this was not a comedy. And Jenny was anything but a cheerleader.
I didn't really have a specific inspiration for the book. I've always sort of wanted to write about a zombie antihero. And I wanted a world that was full of chaos and anarchy. You see so many zombie books where it's all about rape and killing other survivors. I didn't want that. I wanted to show how humanity would find a shaky sense of order no matter what happened in the world, no matter how devolved society became. I may touch on some of the darker survivors later in the series, but it will never be the focus.
As an indie author, is there one website or tool you've found that you just can't live without? What site has been most helpful to you?
You know, I used to read anything I could get my mitts on about the indie scene. J.A. Konrath, Hugh Howey, whatever I could find for inspiration. But I've come to realize that these sites are not what is important. They're the golden feather. The writing always needs to come first. Before martketing, before social media, before blogging. The best advertising is the next book, so I try to just keep my nose to the grindstone and write as much as possible. In the past three years I've written eight books, so I guess it's working. What is your writing process like? Do you make goals? Create outlines? Or are you a pantser?
Me too!I don't really have a process. I do like to make rudimentary timelines, and sometimes I do in-depth outlines if the book calls for it. I wrote After the Fire without an outline, and I tried to outline Jenny Undead but it kept jumping the fence, so to speak. I often just do an outline to get started and then let the characters take the story in all kinds of crazy directions. I drink a lot of coffee. When I finish a book my husband and I usually drink a fancy bottle of champagne. Mostly my process is to just have fun. If I'm not having fun, what's the point? I think readers can tell when the writer stops having fun, too, so I try to keep life interesting.
I generally write three books a year, which is a good goal for me. My books are fairly short compared to some in the genre, so this is doable.
We'd love to know more about other books by you. What else can we get our hands on?
I mainly write in the dark fantasy genre, but I also write sci-fi and horror. My most popular series is the Niki Slobodian series which is sort of a dark, twisty urban fantasy. After the Fire is the first book in a fantasy series about a group of gods in a world that has been largely destroyed. And Jenny Undead is, of course, the first book in The Thirteen series, which is about a group of people that survived horrific experiments as children which enables them to survive the zombie apocalypse.
Currently I'm working on a standalone (I think) about a society where vampires have taken over the governments of the world. If it works out, that one will be available before the end of the year. Then I can start work on book two of The Thirteen, tentatively entitled Jenny Alive.
While writing, music or silence? (if music, what do you listen to?) I listen to music a lot when writing. I'm a big fan of Spotify, and I make a playlist for each book I write, which I then listen to over and over while writing. Much of my plotting or the big, intense climaxes are written to classical or intense instrumental music. But the actual writing is to a lot of rock and roll usually. The playlist for Jenny Undead naturally had a lot of punk rock music, where my Niki Slobodian series generally has slower, more intense music.
Tell us something unique, quirky, or different about you. Any author pet peeves?
I have a checkered past. I used to go to a lot of punk rock shows before I cleaned up and went back to school. I studied Forensic Anthropology for a long time before settling on Creative Writing. My family and I live in Hawaii now, which can be fun, though I find myself complaining about the sun way too much. I'm a rainy day and cup of tea kind of girl when you get right down to it.
My pet peeve is people putting out books that are not ready for public consumption. As indies we have to be careful, and despite popular opinion there is still a stigma attached. We need to be putting really amazing fiction out there. When someone reads a terrible book with plot holes and spelling errors and bad formatting, it can sour them for indie writers permanently. Don't do this. Hire an editor, a proofreader, and a formatter. Find some beta readers that aren't related to you. It can be expensive, but it will be worth it in the long run. I've tended to run my career like a small business. You wouldn't open a store that had insulation sticking out of the walls. Don't publish a book that isn't ready.
I wholeheartedly agree. Is there anything you'd like readers to know about that's coming up for you? Book Launch?... Yes. My fifth and final book in the Niki Slobodian series, The Devil's Backbone, is currently out at the editor's. My beta readers will be reading it this week and I'm going to have a book release party on Facebook sometime soon. I'll be making an announcement on the date on my fan page, but it will probably be pretty soon.
If I gave you a marble, a feather and a skull, what kind of story would you write? Give it a title if you want.
Birdman Loses his Marbles: A Love Story.
JL, I'm so happy you came to visit today! And I'm very excited to share you with my visitors. Thank you for your jewels of wisdom and sharing your work with us!!
And thank you, as always to the great readers and fans that stop by each week to meet a new author. I fell in love with Jenny Undead and then the author. I hope you'll take a few minutes to check out Jesse and her books. Here's how to find them:J.L. Murray on Facebook@jlmurraywriter on TwitterJ.L.'s Website All of her books are on Amazon!Jenny Undead Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea The Devil Is a GentlemanBefore the Devil Knows You're Dead The Devil Was an AngelAfter the Fire
I'm on my way now to check out some new reading. How about you?
As always...
Dare to Dream!
Su
May 31, 2014
READY TO MEET THE GRIM REAPER?
This week's guest started popping onto my radar shortly after I became a member of Author's Social Media Support Group. I'm actually a little shocked I haven't had her on before. We've done contests and blog hops together but somehow I missed having her on as a featured author. So now, I'm making up for my faux pas and happily present to you...
***HEADLINE: SILVER GOES GOLD!***
Miss Ruth Silver!
Ruth, please tell readers who you are, where you're from...all the good and important stuff. (Like is Silver your real last name or a pen name?)
Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Su. Yes, my real name is Ruth Silver. I’m from a suburb outside of Chicago and I have a dog, Trace, that I adopted from the animal shelter when I lived for a short time in Omaha. I’ve moved around a lot.
What kind of books do you write and do you believe in the adage 'Write what you read (or know)'? I write young adult books, anything from dystopian, paranormal, to fantasy. I’ve got a YA contemporary novel that I started quite awhile ago too. As long as it’s YA, I consider it fair game. I do believe that as an author, writing what you know is easier. I also feel that research is important to any story and you can learn almost anything when it comes to writing what you know.
What's your most recent project(s)?
Orenda and Dead Girl Walking are my two most recent book series. Orenda is a YA Fantasy story that takes place in a parallel universe (so a hint of sci-fi), and Dead Girl Walking is a YA Paranormal novel about grim reapers.
Dead Girl Walking
Orenda
I've seen Orenda and Dead Girl Walking all over Facebook and Twitter. But you have another series out there too. Tell us about those.
My first series I wrote and published through a small press was a Dystopian series for young adults titled Aberrant. It’s about an eighteen year old girl, Olivia Parker, who is an anomaly. She’s special and because of it, the government wants her dead.
What are your future plans readers can look forward to? I’ve been working simultaneously on the next books in the series Orenda and Dead Girl Walking. Elfinland, Book two in the Orenda series will be available sometime in the fall. Forget Me Not, the second book in the Dead Girl Walking series will be available in the winter.
Any upcoming or current events you'd like us to know about? I’ve been participating in a lot of library and high school literary events. In April I was the keynote speaker for the Northern Big 12 Literary Festival. It was amazing to meet so many talented young authors. I’m looking forward to attending Kids College Writers Academy in July at Elgin Community College and working with young adults 11-15.
Any tools or websites you've found particularly useful as an indie author? Good question. NetGalley has been a great tool for getting my novel in front of librarians and book bloggers. It isn’t cheap to pay for a slot, but if you join a co-op like Patchwork Press, it’s much more reasonable.
We meet indie authors from all over the world on a daily basis. Any you'd like to give a little shout out to? Yes [image error] The girls with Patchwork Press are not only incredibly helpful but also super talented.
Now for a little fun!
Tell us one thing that's quirky, strange or downright weird about yourself.
My best friend I met online in a Without a Trace forum. We wrote fan fiction together and eventually I traveled across the world to meet her.
What one thing would you want people to know about you as a writer and as a person?I love to read, especially young adult titles. My favorite book is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. All writers should be avid readers.
If I gave you a crystal pitcher, a rose and a tiara what kind of story would you come up with? They would be three magical elements that would transport you to different places in time. HOW TO CONNECT WITH RUTH! Ruth Silver on Facebook Ruth Silver on Twitter Books on Twitter Ruth Silver Website YA Book Deals Amazon Author Page
BUY LINKS FOR RUTH'S BOOKSAberrant Moirai (Aberrant 2) Isaura (Aberrant 3)
* * * Orenda Dead Girl Walking (Royal Reaper 1) Ashes to Ashes (Royal Reaper 0.5)
Ruth, thank you for visiting with my readers today! I'm always happy to introduce other indie authors to the folks who stop by here. Thank you to all of you who took time out of your day to stop in and check out this week's post. I am truly blessed by each and every visitor, and I love to hear from you!!! Dream Weaver and Rock Star are on sale for $0.99 each on Amazon. The final book in the Dream Weaver series, Private Eye, is on target at 43k words and should be released in late July. Hope you enjoyed this interview with Ruth Silver...and I've added a few of my own pics for you too. Thanks for stopping by.And as always...Dare to Dream!Su
Yes, it's true. I turned 50 in May!
Crimson & clover, over & over...
The view from our cabin on Pend Oreille River
Sunset after the rain, thru the trees.
***HEADLINE: SILVER GOES GOLD!***
Miss Ruth Silver!
Ruth, please tell readers who you are, where you're from...all the good and important stuff. (Like is Silver your real last name or a pen name?)
Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Su. Yes, my real name is Ruth Silver. I’m from a suburb outside of Chicago and I have a dog, Trace, that I adopted from the animal shelter when I lived for a short time in Omaha. I’ve moved around a lot.
What kind of books do you write and do you believe in the adage 'Write what you read (or know)'? I write young adult books, anything from dystopian, paranormal, to fantasy. I’ve got a YA contemporary novel that I started quite awhile ago too. As long as it’s YA, I consider it fair game. I do believe that as an author, writing what you know is easier. I also feel that research is important to any story and you can learn almost anything when it comes to writing what you know.
What's your most recent project(s)?
Orenda and Dead Girl Walking are my two most recent book series. Orenda is a YA Fantasy story that takes place in a parallel universe (so a hint of sci-fi), and Dead Girl Walking is a YA Paranormal novel about grim reapers.
Dead Girl Walking
OrendaI've seen Orenda and Dead Girl Walking all over Facebook and Twitter. But you have another series out there too. Tell us about those.
My first series I wrote and published through a small press was a Dystopian series for young adults titled Aberrant. It’s about an eighteen year old girl, Olivia Parker, who is an anomaly. She’s special and because of it, the government wants her dead.
What are your future plans readers can look forward to? I’ve been working simultaneously on the next books in the series Orenda and Dead Girl Walking. Elfinland, Book two in the Orenda series will be available sometime in the fall. Forget Me Not, the second book in the Dead Girl Walking series will be available in the winter.
Any upcoming or current events you'd like us to know about? I’ve been participating in a lot of library and high school literary events. In April I was the keynote speaker for the Northern Big 12 Literary Festival. It was amazing to meet so many talented young authors. I’m looking forward to attending Kids College Writers Academy in July at Elgin Community College and working with young adults 11-15.
Any tools or websites you've found particularly useful as an indie author? Good question. NetGalley has been a great tool for getting my novel in front of librarians and book bloggers. It isn’t cheap to pay for a slot, but if you join a co-op like Patchwork Press, it’s much more reasonable.
We meet indie authors from all over the world on a daily basis. Any you'd like to give a little shout out to? Yes [image error] The girls with Patchwork Press are not only incredibly helpful but also super talented.
Now for a little fun!
Tell us one thing that's quirky, strange or downright weird about yourself.
My best friend I met online in a Without a Trace forum. We wrote fan fiction together and eventually I traveled across the world to meet her.
What one thing would you want people to know about you as a writer and as a person?I love to read, especially young adult titles. My favorite book is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. All writers should be avid readers.
If I gave you a crystal pitcher, a rose and a tiara what kind of story would you come up with? They would be three magical elements that would transport you to different places in time. HOW TO CONNECT WITH RUTH! Ruth Silver on Facebook Ruth Silver on Twitter Books on Twitter Ruth Silver Website YA Book Deals Amazon Author Page
BUY LINKS FOR RUTH'S BOOKSAberrant Moirai (Aberrant 2) Isaura (Aberrant 3)
* * * Orenda Dead Girl Walking (Royal Reaper 1) Ashes to Ashes (Royal Reaper 0.5)
Ruth, thank you for visiting with my readers today! I'm always happy to introduce other indie authors to the folks who stop by here. Thank you to all of you who took time out of your day to stop in and check out this week's post. I am truly blessed by each and every visitor, and I love to hear from you!!! Dream Weaver and Rock Star are on sale for $0.99 each on Amazon. The final book in the Dream Weaver series, Private Eye, is on target at 43k words and should be released in late July. Hope you enjoyed this interview with Ruth Silver...and I've added a few of my own pics for you too. Thanks for stopping by.And as always...Dare to Dream!Su
Yes, it's true. I turned 50 in May!
Crimson & clover, over & over...
The view from our cabin on Pend Oreille River
Sunset after the rain, thru the trees.
May 17, 2014
SO...IS BIGFOOT REAL???
Home Sweet HomeRegular visitors to this blog know that I love meeting authors from all over the world. But I'm always just a little bit more excited to find one that lives nearby or grew up here in the Spokane area. Such is the case with this week's interview. But I won't tell his story. I'll let him do it for me.
James MoserMy guest this week is James Moser, author of Chasing Prophecy. Jim, tell us about yourself...where you're from, your family...I was born and raised in the lovely metropolis of Spokane, Washington. I moved to Seattle in 1995 for work, met and fell in love with my wife in grad school at the University of Washington, and we now live in the Maple Leaf Neighborhood with our 8 year old son, and I also am prone to run-on sentences and semi-colons; did you notice?
I did. So, what kind of books do you write? Chasing Prophecy is a YA Thriller or Romantic Suspense novel, 280 pages, told from POV of 17 year old boy.
Your acknowledgements at the end say that you structured Chasing Prophecy around To Kill a Mocking Bird. Can you give us a little run down on that? Great question. Thank you. Yeah, this book started with an idea about writing a character based on my all time fave lit. character: Boo Radley. I love how he kind of dominates that book w/o ever speaking a word and is on-stage for just a handful of scenes, and one big one at the end. That's very Bigfoot-ish. I live in the Bigfoot sighting capital of the world, Western Washington, and it's amazing how much energy people put into this topic. Like: he's more powerful by what we DON'T see. I love that idea. It's really a different kind of faith--very powerful. Going deeper than that would spoil everyone's fave scenes in the book, so I'll leave it at that. :)
Who are your writing inspirations? So many. When I was a kid, Beverly Cleary + Judy Blume. Later Stephen King. The last few years have been all about Sherman Alexie's True Diary, Jay Asher, & the complete works of John Greene. Male writers with male characters and male POV teen lit. is a pretty recent development--so those have been my go-to guys for this particular project. I think True Diary is the most important thing to happen in YA in a looooooooooong time.
Any indie authors that have piqued your interest? Su Williams, of course. Aw, shucks! I read a really interesting literary fiction-type book about a dog who helps out after a hurricane in Mexico--Lobo by David Gordon Burke. Just really well written.
What one piece of advice, website...would you give to new writers? Don't write randomly. Use 3-act structure. Nearly everything published follows something sort of like that formula. Just starting & staring at a blank screen is a recipe for exhaustion. Don't do it. Buy a copy of Strunk & White's Elements of Style, which covers the main grammatical problems we all run into. Read Stephen King's On Writing.
I haven't read King's 'On Writing' but I have a favorite quote from it...at least I think it's from that one...
"When your story is ready for rewrite, cut it to the bone. Get rid of every ounce of excess fat. This is going to hurt; revising a story down to the bare essentials is always a little like murdering children, but it must be done." Stephen King, November 1973
Is there anything upcoming that you'd like to share with my readers?A new 3-book series will be released in March, 2015. It's set in North Seattle, will be kind of a teen quest that takes place in Seattle, involves the environment + bigfoot as key plot elements. In the Author Notes of Chasing Prophecy, there's a sign-up link for promotions, giveaways, and updates about the release of that new series.
Here's my review of Jim's book Chasing Prophecy:5.0 out of 5 starsBigfoot Gets BIG StarsI'm a little skittish when it comes to reading stories about Bigfoot...always thought it was a bit of bunk. But Moser writes a believable tale that isn't necessarily about Bigfoot. It's about some ordinary kids who have the misfortune of falling into trouble and the fortune of having a Sasquatch guardian. I was very impressed with this well-told story. It's basic framework is structured like To Kill A Mockingbird...a clever concept. Moser is a captivating story teller. Definitely a 5 star hit!
“The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.”
― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
Please take a few moments to check out Jim and his book.Here's the link to Chasing Prophecy on Amazon.
Jim Moser on FacebookChasing Prophecy
@moser_james on Twitter
Thank you so much to Jim for giving me an interview. I've enjoyed getting to know you, here and via email. We'll have to do coffee next time you're in town. And thanks to all of you who come to visit me each week and spend a little time getting to know some of the indie authors that grace the literary stage.
As always...
Dare to Dream!
Su
For those who haven't read Dream Weaver & Rock Star...I've listed a combo file on Amazon with both books at special price. Both books are affordable...and a steal...at $0.99, but the combo deal is just $1.49. Where else can you get 2 books for less than 75 cents each? Stop by and check them out.
DREAM WEAVERROCK STARDREAM WEAVER/ROCK STAR COMBO
And, coming in July...PRIVATE EYE! The raging conclusion to this dark tale of mind-benders!
If you enjoyed this interview with Jim, or want to learn more about him, feel free to leave comment and we'll get ya hooked up.
Know an author who needs a shout out? Send 'em my way!
This is Kooper, the latest addition to the Barton menagerie!
James MoserMy guest this week is James Moser, author of Chasing Prophecy. Jim, tell us about yourself...where you're from, your family...I was born and raised in the lovely metropolis of Spokane, Washington. I moved to Seattle in 1995 for work, met and fell in love with my wife in grad school at the University of Washington, and we now live in the Maple Leaf Neighborhood with our 8 year old son, and I also am prone to run-on sentences and semi-colons; did you notice?
I did. So, what kind of books do you write? Chasing Prophecy is a YA Thriller or Romantic Suspense novel, 280 pages, told from POV of 17 year old boy.
Your acknowledgements at the end say that you structured Chasing Prophecy around To Kill a Mocking Bird. Can you give us a little run down on that? Great question. Thank you. Yeah, this book started with an idea about writing a character based on my all time fave lit. character: Boo Radley. I love how he kind of dominates that book w/o ever speaking a word and is on-stage for just a handful of scenes, and one big one at the end. That's very Bigfoot-ish. I live in the Bigfoot sighting capital of the world, Western Washington, and it's amazing how much energy people put into this topic. Like: he's more powerful by what we DON'T see. I love that idea. It's really a different kind of faith--very powerful. Going deeper than that would spoil everyone's fave scenes in the book, so I'll leave it at that. :) 
Who are your writing inspirations? So many. When I was a kid, Beverly Cleary + Judy Blume. Later Stephen King. The last few years have been all about Sherman Alexie's True Diary, Jay Asher, & the complete works of John Greene. Male writers with male characters and male POV teen lit. is a pretty recent development--so those have been my go-to guys for this particular project. I think True Diary is the most important thing to happen in YA in a looooooooooong time.
Any indie authors that have piqued your interest? Su Williams, of course. Aw, shucks! I read a really interesting literary fiction-type book about a dog who helps out after a hurricane in Mexico--Lobo by David Gordon Burke. Just really well written.
What one piece of advice, website...would you give to new writers? Don't write randomly. Use 3-act structure. Nearly everything published follows something sort of like that formula. Just starting & staring at a blank screen is a recipe for exhaustion. Don't do it. Buy a copy of Strunk & White's Elements of Style, which covers the main grammatical problems we all run into. Read Stephen King's On Writing.
I haven't read King's 'On Writing' but I have a favorite quote from it...at least I think it's from that one...
"When your story is ready for rewrite, cut it to the bone. Get rid of every ounce of excess fat. This is going to hurt; revising a story down to the bare essentials is always a little like murdering children, but it must be done." Stephen King, November 1973
Is there anything upcoming that you'd like to share with my readers?A new 3-book series will be released in March, 2015. It's set in North Seattle, will be kind of a teen quest that takes place in Seattle, involves the environment + bigfoot as key plot elements. In the Author Notes of Chasing Prophecy, there's a sign-up link for promotions, giveaways, and updates about the release of that new series.
Here's my review of Jim's book Chasing Prophecy:5.0 out of 5 starsBigfoot Gets BIG StarsI'm a little skittish when it comes to reading stories about Bigfoot...always thought it was a bit of bunk. But Moser writes a believable tale that isn't necessarily about Bigfoot. It's about some ordinary kids who have the misfortune of falling into trouble and the fortune of having a Sasquatch guardian. I was very impressed with this well-told story. It's basic framework is structured like To Kill A Mockingbird...a clever concept. Moser is a captivating story teller. Definitely a 5 star hit!
“The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.”
― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
Please take a few moments to check out Jim and his book.Here's the link to Chasing Prophecy on Amazon.
Jim Moser on FacebookChasing Prophecy
@moser_james on Twitter
Thank you so much to Jim for giving me an interview. I've enjoyed getting to know you, here and via email. We'll have to do coffee next time you're in town. And thanks to all of you who come to visit me each week and spend a little time getting to know some of the indie authors that grace the literary stage.
As always...
Dare to Dream!
Su
For those who haven't read Dream Weaver & Rock Star...I've listed a combo file on Amazon with both books at special price. Both books are affordable...and a steal...at $0.99, but the combo deal is just $1.49. Where else can you get 2 books for less than 75 cents each? Stop by and check them out.
DREAM WEAVERROCK STARDREAM WEAVER/ROCK STAR COMBO
And, coming in July...PRIVATE EYE! The raging conclusion to this dark tale of mind-benders!
If you enjoyed this interview with Jim, or want to learn more about him, feel free to leave comment and we'll get ya hooked up.
Know an author who needs a shout out? Send 'em my way!
This is Kooper, the latest addition to the Barton menagerie!May 5, 2014
WORLD WIDE WRITING PROCESS BLOG TOUR
GREETINGS FROM MY WORLD WIDE BLOG TOUR!!!
It's been over a year since I've participated in any kind of blog hop, so when a new author friend asked me to join, it was an easy yes! So, before we get the ball rolling too far, I'd like to extend my personal thanks to author Lorraine Adair for inviting me to the fun! Stop by and say hi to her on your way through!
ON TO THE EVENT
The next part of this event, you get to hear from little old me regarding my writing process. So here goes:
1) What am I working on? Right now, I'm working on the final book in the Dream Weaver Series called Private Eye. I've been thinking while I'm writing that the title may not stick. Guess I'll have to see as it progresses. I just got a tweet from a fan tonight asking about the tentative June release. In order to put out my best work I'm capable of, that deadline may be moved back to July.
2) How does my work differ from others of its genre? There's been some discussion as to whether Dream Weaver is a
'paranormal romance.' One camp told me, if the story doesn't end 'happily ever after' it's not romance. Others say 'bah, humbug.' There's an element of romance. But I guess the truly different thing about my work is that I tend to be a little dark, a little morbid. I didn't shy away from hard subjects like rape and PTSD. I tried to be very diplomatic about it and handle the subjects with kid gloves...or is it kit gloves?
Kinda scary huh? He really was!3) Why do I write what I do?
I've always been drawn toward stories of vampires and such, including research I did in high school about Vlad Dracula. So that I landed writing paranormal isn't much of a surprise. A lot of writing teachers say to 'write what you read.' And I guess I always felt more, I don't know, comfortable reading YA over Adult. So I write YA paranormal because that's what I read and am most comfortable with.
4) How does my writing process work? I swore to myself when I started my third book that I was going to outline and organize and...Yeah, right. My books don't present themselves to me in linear fashion, so drawing up an outline was like pulling teeth, without Novocain or laughing gas. What's the fun in that? Typically, once I'm settled in for the night, someone will want to be heard and tell what they want to do in an upcoming scene. And it's not necessarily in chronological order. Usually, the end is the one the first things I write and I've discovered recently that's not a bad thing. It's very freeing to know the end of a story and then figure out how you got there. After I write all the scenes that have been whispered in my ears, then I lace them all together and I have a rough draft. Then, I do several edits; checking grammar, punctuation, spelling, word usage, story line, plot holes, suggestions from beta readers...Typically, I spend more time in edits than on the original draft. So, there you have it...my erratic, sporadic writing process. Thanks for listening!
AND THEN THERE WERE 3
OK, well, there's supposed to be 3 other authors that join us at this point, but I ran into a little snaffoo, and so far I only have one. But. I should have the other 2 onboard in the next couple of days, so do please check back to meet them.
My first author is a very new friend. I met her through a social media support group we belong to together. We messaged back and forth for about an hour on Saturday and discovered we have a lot in common...and I got her jokes. Heehee. So, here's a little shout out for:
Yelle (pronounced yell-ee) Hughes (pronounced hugg-hes...no, I'm kidding)
Yelle Hughes, mum of three and now a proud grandparent, is an avid reader as well as author. She enjoys canoeing, studying the Greek myths, watching action and western movies, and is an unpaid movie critic. Her work is written from the heart and from the people who have passed through her life, just as the seasons pass each year. You can check out Yelle and her words on her website: YelleHughes.com
Please do check back in couple of days for the other authors that should join us by Wednesday.
Both Dream Weaver & Rock Star continue to be on sale for 99 cents. I hope you'll hop over to Amazon and get your copy while they're still this low.
Thank you for taking your time to visit here again.
And as always...
Dare to Dream!
Su
It's been over a year since I've participated in any kind of blog hop, so when a new author friend asked me to join, it was an easy yes! So, before we get the ball rolling too far, I'd like to extend my personal thanks to author Lorraine Adair for inviting me to the fun! Stop by and say hi to her on your way through!
ON TO THE EVENT
The next part of this event, you get to hear from little old me regarding my writing process. So here goes:
1) What am I working on? Right now, I'm working on the final book in the Dream Weaver Series called Private Eye. I've been thinking while I'm writing that the title may not stick. Guess I'll have to see as it progresses. I just got a tweet from a fan tonight asking about the tentative June release. In order to put out my best work I'm capable of, that deadline may be moved back to July.
2) How does my work differ from others of its genre? There's been some discussion as to whether Dream Weaver is a
'paranormal romance.' One camp told me, if the story doesn't end 'happily ever after' it's not romance. Others say 'bah, humbug.' There's an element of romance. But I guess the truly different thing about my work is that I tend to be a little dark, a little morbid. I didn't shy away from hard subjects like rape and PTSD. I tried to be very diplomatic about it and handle the subjects with kid gloves...or is it kit gloves?
Kinda scary huh? He really was!3) Why do I write what I do?I've always been drawn toward stories of vampires and such, including research I did in high school about Vlad Dracula. So that I landed writing paranormal isn't much of a surprise. A lot of writing teachers say to 'write what you read.' And I guess I always felt more, I don't know, comfortable reading YA over Adult. So I write YA paranormal because that's what I read and am most comfortable with.
4) How does my writing process work? I swore to myself when I started my third book that I was going to outline and organize and...Yeah, right. My books don't present themselves to me in linear fashion, so drawing up an outline was like pulling teeth, without Novocain or laughing gas. What's the fun in that? Typically, once I'm settled in for the night, someone will want to be heard and tell what they want to do in an upcoming scene. And it's not necessarily in chronological order. Usually, the end is the one the first things I write and I've discovered recently that's not a bad thing. It's very freeing to know the end of a story and then figure out how you got there. After I write all the scenes that have been whispered in my ears, then I lace them all together and I have a rough draft. Then, I do several edits; checking grammar, punctuation, spelling, word usage, story line, plot holes, suggestions from beta readers...Typically, I spend more time in edits than on the original draft. So, there you have it...my erratic, sporadic writing process. Thanks for listening!
AND THEN THERE WERE 3
OK, well, there's supposed to be 3 other authors that join us at this point, but I ran into a little snaffoo, and so far I only have one. But. I should have the other 2 onboard in the next couple of days, so do please check back to meet them.
My first author is a very new friend. I met her through a social media support group we belong to together. We messaged back and forth for about an hour on Saturday and discovered we have a lot in common...and I got her jokes. Heehee. So, here's a little shout out for:
Yelle (pronounced yell-ee) Hughes (pronounced hugg-hes...no, I'm kidding)
Yelle Hughes, mum of three and now a proud grandparent, is an avid reader as well as author. She enjoys canoeing, studying the Greek myths, watching action and western movies, and is an unpaid movie critic. Her work is written from the heart and from the people who have passed through her life, just as the seasons pass each year. You can check out Yelle and her words on her website: YelleHughes.com Please do check back in couple of days for the other authors that should join us by Wednesday.
Both Dream Weaver & Rock Star continue to be on sale for 99 cents. I hope you'll hop over to Amazon and get your copy while they're still this low.
Thank you for taking your time to visit here again.
And as always...
Dare to Dream!
Su
April 25, 2014
OPPORTUNITY WILL BLESS YOU TWICE
Giving a shout out to a fellow ASMSG member Hunter S. JonesHunter just released her novel SEPTEMBER AGAIN and I wanted to help her get the word out. So here's a little info on her and her new book!
BIO – HUNTER S. JONES2014Writer. Exile on Peachtree Street.Lover of all the finer things in life.The art form I create when writing is much more interesting than anything you will ever know or learn about me. However, since you ask, I have lived in Tennessee and Georgia my entire life, except for one “lost summer” spent in Los Angeles. I was always a complex kid. My first published stories were for a local underground rock publication in Nashville. Since then, I have published articles on music, fashion, art, travel and history. October 2013 saw the launch of a novel collaboration, SEPTEMBER ENDS, contemporary fiction laced with romance, erotic and supernatural elements, bound by poetry. This novel is written with an anonymous English poet. SEPTEMBER ENDS has been labeled an “Indie Sensation” due the critical reception and international recognition the novel has received. The book has been downloaded in every Amazon domain on the planet. It has achieved #1 status on Amazon for World Literature, #1 in British Poetry and #1 in Contemporary Poetry. The first installment of The Fortune Series, FORTUNE CALLING, released in January 2014, is the story of Dallas Fortune, a musician from Nashville who has been dealt a bad hand by fate, but finds a way. It has been #1 on Amazon in Contemporary Fiction featuring Performing Arts and #1 in Contemporary Short Stories. Look for
SEPTEMBER AGAINByHunter S. Jones&An Anonymous English Poet
According to Cherokee beliefs, opportunity will bless you twice.September Again, second in the series, September Stories, is the follow up to the hugely popular indie sensation, September Ends. September Again finds Liz Snow Savage leaving England. She follows her daughter Zelda Savage back to America after Zelda’s betrayal of her. More drama ensues as Liz looks for meaning in life while Zelda finds her direction after the tragedy of losing Jack O. Savage, The Poet. Set mainly in Chattanooga, Tennessee, September Again chronicles the rhythm of life's cycles. The ebb and flow of love unravel the mystery of Liz's past. September Again allows a further glimpse into the intricate web of passion and desire which have entangled Liz Snow, Pete Hendrix and Jack O. Savage for years. Will a chance encounter finally reveal the truth? What act will change the destiny of Liz and Zelda forever? The story of sin, salvation and redemption continues in Book 2 of the September Stories, told through a mosaic of prose with a smattering of PURCHASE LINKS: Amazon US http://amzn.to/1jFNfUF Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1iPjJJ9
You can connect with me at the following social media sites: www.Twitter.com/huntersjones101https://www.facebook.com/HunterSJones111www.Pinterest.com/HunterSJonesabout.me/huntersjones101www.HunterSJones.comwww.ExpatsPost.comwww.thehuntersjones.blogspot.com – Exile on Peachtree Streethttp://kissfrommymuse.com/
I hope you'll all take a peek at Hunter's books. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your time with me.
And as always...Dare to Dream!Su
April 13, 2014
Labrador + Poodle = Labradoodle
HAPPY SPRING!!!DREAM WEAVER & ROCK STAR are still on sale for $0.99 on Amazon Kindle! Get your copy today! There's a great new gadget to get you to my books and books of featured authors.
Welcome back, everyone! I'm always excited to bring you interviews with great authors, and this week is no different. I haven't known today's guest very long so I'm getting to know him right along with you.
I GIVE YOU CHRISTOPH FISCHER
Christoph, I’m so excited to have you on my blog. We’d all like to know more about you. Where are you from? Tell us about your family…including those adorable pups of yours.
Thank you, I am very excited to be here, too. So, I am originally from a small town in Bavaria, but I have been living in the UK for 23 years. After a long stay in London and Brighton I now live in a small hamlet, not far from Bath. My partner and I have three Labradoodles, one 9, one 8 and one 4 years old and they have had 27 puppies in three adorable litters. We spoil them and treat them like children and get a lot of joy out of them. Labradoodles are such adorable and happy family pets.
Lovely! I want to come visit!
What kinds of books do you like to read?
I like to read a bit of everything, really. Heavy stuff, like Dostoevsky, cross-cultural and intense literary or historical fiction, but also comedy and thrillers.
Since I have met other authors online and have read their books to see what they are like, I have developed a taste for more or less everything.
I was just thinking the same thing today. There's so many great writers out there you kind of develop an eclectic taste in books. So, what kinds of books do you write?
I write mostly historical fiction. Family research got me inspired for my first novel and that led to more research and the follow-on novels. I also write contemporary fiction with subjects such as mental health and Alzheimers. I’d love to write a comedy but so far it does not seem to come naturally. ;-)
What is your best advice to someone who is thinking of writing and self-publishing a book?
Just do it. Write, write and write some more. Don’t sit at home and think about writing. Just write down anything, write a diary or a letter. It is a start. Then get good editors and honest beta readers.
Did you try the traditional route of querying agents and editors? If so, do you recommend it to other writers?
Publishing is not what it used to be. It can be a road of impersonal rejection, just because of the number of books competing for the attention of literary agents. Publishers will still expect you to do a lot of the promotional and social media platform work yourself. I was not prepared to give up the rights and control over my work for what is being offered in return, but I know of people who have who are very happy with the deals they have got, so I keep an open mind about it.
So true. It never made sense to me get contracted with a 'publisher' and yet I still had to do all the work I already do, and I'd have to share the proceeds. So, are you on KDP Select and why did you chose to use it?
I am on KDP Select because I tried Createspace and KDP first and I was never dissatisfied with it. KDP offered a good opportunity to get my work out there to people who otherwise might not have bought it. The follow-on sales were encouraging.
I keep meaning to explore other avenues, such as Smashwords or KOBO, to compare notes, but my first KDP giveaway was a big success so I am not in a hurry. I am not entirely happy with their demands of exclusivity, but right now I can easily offer that to KDP.
Why did you become a writer? And how long has your writing journey been?
I experimented with a short story 4 years ago and found I had enough ideas to turn it into a novel. I then began some family research that led to the ideas of more books. A friend persuaded me to publish one of the books on Amazon and it eventually got enough attention for me to go ahead with the second. Meeting other writers has been very inspiring.
Who are your favorite traditionally published writers?
So many. Christos Tsiolkas, Richard Yates, Lionel Shriver, KhaledHosseini, Enid Blyton, Douglas Adams, Henning Mankell, Dostoyevsky, Sartre….
Any great new talent out there you’d like to give a shout out for?
P.C. Zick writes excellent contemporary and literary fiction with great subjects, I read great thrillers by Malla Duncan, Khalid Muhammad and Seumas Gallagher, hilarious comedy by Ian Hutson, Maureen Fisher and Andrew Peters, top scifi by Ceri London and Nicholas Smith and historical fiction by John FHanley and Rob Carter. I could go on, but I won’t…
Can you tell readers the most helpful tools/websites you’ve discovered?
For some reason Twitter seems a very important medium for me. My sales drop when I stop tweeting about my books. Bookshow.me is very good for links to one book on all Amazon sites. If you have a blog, triberr is worth your while.
Is there anything else you’d like my readers to know about you or your books? Any exciting events coming up?
My new book “Time To Let Go” comes out May 15th. It is a contemporary family drama that touches on Alzheimers and family dynamics.
I like interviews short and sweet; and I like to end them with something fun. So, if I gave you a snowball, a baby and a coin…what kind of story would you write? You can even give it a title if you want.
Probably a horror short story with a slot machine that looks like the baby Chuckie. It kills people in Las Vegas with snowballs, leaving no trace of the murder weapon and it feeds off the left over coins.
Mwahaha! Sounds creepy!
Christoph on:Facebook Twitter Goodreads Christoph Fischer Books Blog Writer Christoph Fischer Blog
The Luck of the Weissensteiners Trailer
(You gotta check this out! Even the pups get a cameo!) Sebastian Trailer The Black Eagle Inn Trailer
Buy Links for Books: The Luck of the Weissensteiners on Amazon Sebastian on Amazon The Black Eagle Inn on Amazon
Who could resist that face?!Christoph, thank you so much for visiting with us today. It’s always great to have indie authors share their work and experience with us.
Cheers!
Christoph's lovely yardThank you again for stopping by everyone. I always appreciate the moments of your day that you share with me.
And as always...
Dare to Dream!
Su
Welcome back, everyone! I'm always excited to bring you interviews with great authors, and this week is no different. I haven't known today's guest very long so I'm getting to know him right along with you.
I GIVE YOU CHRISTOPH FISCHER Christoph, I’m so excited to have you on my blog. We’d all like to know more about you. Where are you from? Tell us about your family…including those adorable pups of yours.
Thank you, I am very excited to be here, too. So, I am originally from a small town in Bavaria, but I have been living in the UK for 23 years. After a long stay in London and Brighton I now live in a small hamlet, not far from Bath. My partner and I have three Labradoodles, one 9, one 8 and one 4 years old and they have had 27 puppies in three adorable litters. We spoil them and treat them like children and get a lot of joy out of them. Labradoodles are such adorable and happy family pets.
Lovely! I want to come visit!What kinds of books do you like to read?
I like to read a bit of everything, really. Heavy stuff, like Dostoevsky, cross-cultural and intense literary or historical fiction, but also comedy and thrillers.
Since I have met other authors online and have read their books to see what they are like, I have developed a taste for more or less everything.
I was just thinking the same thing today. There's so many great writers out there you kind of develop an eclectic taste in books. So, what kinds of books do you write?
I write mostly historical fiction. Family research got me inspired for my first novel and that led to more research and the follow-on novels. I also write contemporary fiction with subjects such as mental health and Alzheimers. I’d love to write a comedy but so far it does not seem to come naturally. ;-)
What is your best advice to someone who is thinking of writing and self-publishing a book?Just do it. Write, write and write some more. Don’t sit at home and think about writing. Just write down anything, write a diary or a letter. It is a start. Then get good editors and honest beta readers.
Did you try the traditional route of querying agents and editors? If so, do you recommend it to other writers?
Publishing is not what it used to be. It can be a road of impersonal rejection, just because of the number of books competing for the attention of literary agents. Publishers will still expect you to do a lot of the promotional and social media platform work yourself. I was not prepared to give up the rights and control over my work for what is being offered in return, but I know of people who have who are very happy with the deals they have got, so I keep an open mind about it.
So true. It never made sense to me get contracted with a 'publisher' and yet I still had to do all the work I already do, and I'd have to share the proceeds. So, are you on KDP Select and why did you chose to use it?
I am on KDP Select because I tried Createspace and KDP first and I was never dissatisfied with it. KDP offered a good opportunity to get my work out there to people who otherwise might not have bought it. The follow-on sales were encouraging.
I keep meaning to explore other avenues, such as Smashwords or KOBO, to compare notes, but my first KDP giveaway was a big success so I am not in a hurry. I am not entirely happy with their demands of exclusivity, but right now I can easily offer that to KDP.
Why did you become a writer? And how long has your writing journey been?
I experimented with a short story 4 years ago and found I had enough ideas to turn it into a novel. I then began some family research that led to the ideas of more books. A friend persuaded me to publish one of the books on Amazon and it eventually got enough attention for me to go ahead with the second. Meeting other writers has been very inspiring.
Who are your favorite traditionally published writers?
So many. Christos Tsiolkas, Richard Yates, Lionel Shriver, KhaledHosseini, Enid Blyton, Douglas Adams, Henning Mankell, Dostoyevsky, Sartre….
Any great new talent out there you’d like to give a shout out for?
P.C. Zick writes excellent contemporary and literary fiction with great subjects, I read great thrillers by Malla Duncan, Khalid Muhammad and Seumas Gallagher, hilarious comedy by Ian Hutson, Maureen Fisher and Andrew Peters, top scifi by Ceri London and Nicholas Smith and historical fiction by John FHanley and Rob Carter. I could go on, but I won’t…
Can you tell readers the most helpful tools/websites you’ve discovered?
For some reason Twitter seems a very important medium for me. My sales drop when I stop tweeting about my books. Bookshow.me is very good for links to one book on all Amazon sites. If you have a blog, triberr is worth your while.
Is there anything else you’d like my readers to know about you or your books? Any exciting events coming up?
My new book “Time To Let Go” comes out May 15th. It is a contemporary family drama that touches on Alzheimers and family dynamics.
I like interviews short and sweet; and I like to end them with something fun. So, if I gave you a snowball, a baby and a coin…what kind of story would you write? You can even give it a title if you want.
Probably a horror short story with a slot machine that looks like the baby Chuckie. It kills people in Las Vegas with snowballs, leaving no trace of the murder weapon and it feeds off the left over coins.
Mwahaha! Sounds creepy!Christoph on:Facebook Twitter Goodreads Christoph Fischer Books Blog Writer Christoph Fischer Blog
The Luck of the Weissensteiners Trailer
(You gotta check this out! Even the pups get a cameo!) Sebastian Trailer The Black Eagle Inn Trailer
Buy Links for Books: The Luck of the Weissensteiners on Amazon Sebastian on Amazon The Black Eagle Inn on Amazon
Who could resist that face?!Christoph, thank you so much for visiting with us today. It’s always great to have indie authors share their work and experience with us.
Cheers!
Christoph's lovely yardThank you again for stopping by everyone. I always appreciate the moments of your day that you share with me. And as always...
Dare to Dream!
Su
March 30, 2014
Checkin' Back In
Last WeekGreetings once again family, friends and maybe a fan or two. I hope you all met Kirstin Pulioff last week and entered the Rafflecopter for some great giveaways. It was a fun event put on by Author's Social Media Support Group. My interview with Christoph Fischer can be found here.
Dream Weaver & Rock Star are only $0.99 onAmazon Kindle!
Today's guest has been here before and I just wanted to check back in with her and see what she's been up to since we last talked. So let's get to it.
YEAH! Go SEAHAWKS!!
Stevie Kopas
Stevie, tell us what's new since we last talked to you?
I completed Haven, book 2 in The Breadwinner Trilogy, and that was published just last month on February 14th! What are your future book plans?At the moment I've begun working on the final book in The Breadwinner Trilogy. At this time it is still untitled and I have plans to release late in the year. Perhaps around Christmas time. How did your latest book launch go? It was great! There were a lot of people really excited to continue the adventure and read Haven after they finished The Breadwinner. I've received lots of praise for the book and I'm so grateful for everyone who has helped me and supported me through my writing process. It pays off when people enjoy your work and are excited to get their hands on your new material. What's the most important thing you've learned about writing? What's made you grow as a writer?The most important thing I've learned about writing is that you can't hold back any emotion when you do it. Any emotion. Whether that be happiness, excitement, anger, disappointment, etc. Emotion and experience in itself has made me grow as a writer, and I channel all of the good, the bad and the ugly of the real world into the fiction that I write. Anyone you want to give a shout out to?Of course I want to shout out to my readers, you are all so loved! Thanks for the support and enthusiasm! Also to Shana Festa, The Bookie Monster, she's a real help to indie horror authors and shows unending support for her fellow authors as well as a passion for reading and writing. I've also got a writing and editorial gig through networking with other writers and professionals in the field. I'm now the associate editor of a site called Horror Metal Sounds and we cover pretty much anything horror, Ken, the site owner has also been very supportive of my writing and in helping me grow as a writer and professional in horror. What website or tool have you found most helpful as an author?The Self Publisher's Showcase is a really great site dedicated to helping the indie author community. They have a huge Twitter following and are eager to help indie authors connect and grow. In addition to this, I really enjoy Bublish, it's a book sampling site that allows authors to discuss the sample from the book and give some insight into what's going on either in the character's head, in the book, etc.
And here's how to find Miss Stevie:
E-mail: typeitordie@gmail.comTwitter: @ApacoTacoThe Breadwinner Trilogy on Facebook Someone Read This! Website & Blog Stevie Kopas on GoodReads Tell us where we can find your books.As with the first book, The Breadwinner, Haven can be found on any major eBook retailer. And I permanently reduced the price of The
Breadwinner down to 99 cents!Haven on Smashwords Haven on Amazon Haven on Barnes & Noble Haven on iTunes Haven on Diesel Stevie, thanks for stopping by today and sharing your news and books with us. It's always fun to hear how folks are doing, and maybe find a new fav read, or a great website, or even a new friend. I wish you all the best with both of your books and your journey as a writer.
My ThanksAnd thank you to all of you who stopped by to check out the news and spend a couple of minutes with us.
And as always...Dare to Dream!Su
Dream Weaver & Rock Star are only $0.99 onAmazon Kindle!
Today's guest has been here before and I just wanted to check back in with her and see what she's been up to since we last talked. So let's get to it.
YEAH! Go SEAHAWKS!!
Stevie Kopas
Stevie, tell us what's new since we last talked to you? I completed Haven, book 2 in The Breadwinner Trilogy, and that was published just last month on February 14th! What are your future book plans?At the moment I've begun working on the final book in The Breadwinner Trilogy. At this time it is still untitled and I have plans to release late in the year. Perhaps around Christmas time. How did your latest book launch go? It was great! There were a lot of people really excited to continue the adventure and read Haven after they finished The Breadwinner. I've received lots of praise for the book and I'm so grateful for everyone who has helped me and supported me through my writing process. It pays off when people enjoy your work and are excited to get their hands on your new material. What's the most important thing you've learned about writing? What's made you grow as a writer?The most important thing I've learned about writing is that you can't hold back any emotion when you do it. Any emotion. Whether that be happiness, excitement, anger, disappointment, etc. Emotion and experience in itself has made me grow as a writer, and I channel all of the good, the bad and the ugly of the real world into the fiction that I write. Anyone you want to give a shout out to?Of course I want to shout out to my readers, you are all so loved! Thanks for the support and enthusiasm! Also to Shana Festa, The Bookie Monster, she's a real help to indie horror authors and shows unending support for her fellow authors as well as a passion for reading and writing. I've also got a writing and editorial gig through networking with other writers and professionals in the field. I'm now the associate editor of a site called Horror Metal Sounds and we cover pretty much anything horror, Ken, the site owner has also been very supportive of my writing and in helping me grow as a writer and professional in horror. What website or tool have you found most helpful as an author?The Self Publisher's Showcase is a really great site dedicated to helping the indie author community. They have a huge Twitter following and are eager to help indie authors connect and grow. In addition to this, I really enjoy Bublish, it's a book sampling site that allows authors to discuss the sample from the book and give some insight into what's going on either in the character's head, in the book, etc.
And here's how to find Miss Stevie:
E-mail: typeitordie@gmail.comTwitter: @ApacoTacoThe Breadwinner Trilogy on Facebook Someone Read This! Website & Blog Stevie Kopas on GoodReads Tell us where we can find your books.As with the first book, The Breadwinner, Haven can be found on any major eBook retailer. And I permanently reduced the price of The
Breadwinner down to 99 cents!Haven on Smashwords Haven on Amazon Haven on Barnes & Noble Haven on iTunes Haven on Diesel Stevie, thanks for stopping by today and sharing your news and books with us. It's always fun to hear how folks are doing, and maybe find a new fav read, or a great website, or even a new friend. I wish you all the best with both of your books and your journey as a writer.My ThanksAnd thank you to all of you who stopped by to check out the news and spend a couple of minutes with us.
And as always...Dare to Dream!Su
March 23, 2014
AUTHOR KIRSTIN STEIN PULIOFF
In my previous post, I gave you a list of author interviews for the ASMG Author Interview Blog Hop. Well, today is my turn to present another great indie author, and her name is Kirstin Stein Pullioff. (Mine posts Monday March 24 on Christoph Fischer's blog.) It has been my honor and pleasure to meet and get to know Kirstin a little bit. So I am very pleased to introduce her to you!
Tell us about yourself. Where are you from?...all that good kinda stuff.Hi Su! Thanks for having me on today. I am so happy to connect with you and your readers today. Oh where to begin… I guess the best way to describe myself is that I dream big, wish on stars, search for rainbows, find treasures in everyday blessings, and live life to its fullest. My family recently moved to the foothills of Colorado, and I love it. It combines the sunshine of CA that I grew up with, and the trees and outdoors that I loved about living in Oregon. Happily married for almost 12 years, and a stay at home mom of two kids, I spend my days either having an adventure or writing one.
Oooh! You said two of my favorite words: DREAM BIG! I love your perspective on life!
I haven’t seen too much about your new book. Can you tell readers what it’s all about?
Absolutely, The Ivory Tower is a short story revolving around a fifteen year old girl, and her experiences in a post-apocalyptic community. Kept isolated within a protective camp, Simone struggles to follow the rules and guidelines set out to protect them. When she breaks the rules and finds the Ivory Tower, she must decide how far she will go to find out the truth.
Is there a theme or message you convey your story beyond the story itself?I always write with a message involved, the story is simply its catalyst. For this story, I wrote with the intention of making a statement about protection and governments and how time can erode even the best of intentions.
Interesting. Tell us about your other books. I am happy to share! The Princess Madeline trilogy is a middle grade fantasy adventure series that centers around Princess Madeline and her adventures as she struggles to balance her duty as princess with her own dreams. This series takes a contemporary stance on the traditional fairytale.The Escape of Princess Madeline The Battle for Princess Madeline Princess Madeline and the Dragon
Who are your writing inspirations?The authors who inspire me are Dr. Suess, with the whimsical way that he charmed and entertained, and That is so great to hear. I discovered when I started writing how important it is to follow your dreams. Any up & coming indie authors that have captured your attention? And why?Of course! I will share my top three favorites. Michelle Brown, Trish Marie Dawson, and Ally Shields. Michelle Browne is an evil scientist with her writing. She creates forward thinking stories filled with haunting messages and ideas.Trish Marie Dawson writes with an easy elegance that transports you directly into the story. Under the spell of her writing, you become the character, struggling and growing.Ally Shields created a wonderful vampire series (The Guardian Witch) that drew me in from book 1. Now on book 5, I am still her #1 fan.
What 2 things would you tell/advise aspiring writings?My first piece of advice would always be to follow your heart, passion and characters. Writing is a personal and creative process. Be true to yourself, your vision, and your voice.The second piece of advice is to get a group of beta readers to critique your work. It is easy to read your own work, or have family and friends read, but having objective eyes go over your work first is invaluable. Their honesty can turn a mediocre book into a great one.
I couldn’t agree more. I’ve found beta readers find holes I missed because I’m too close to see them. Any specific websites you’ve found helpful as an author?
I am a big fan of Grammar Girl. I will happily admit to using her frequently with my writing. I also check out Brainy Quote daily. I always like to keep inspiration and positivity at my fingertips.
I don’t believe in long interviews. So I’d like to close with a couple of questions for fun.Me neither! Short, sweet, and able to read with a single cup of coffee. :)
While writing, music or silence? If music, tell us your playlist.Music. I used to write in silence, but found that music helps keep my mind from wandering. It distracts part of my mind, letting me write longer, and more creatively. As for playlists, I listen to a fun combination of Disney show tunes, Christian rock, and hauntingly beautiful love ballads.
And, if I gave you a parchment letter, a mirror and a necklace, what kind of story would you write? Give it a title too if you want.A Whisper in TimeIt is the story of a little girl who is playing dress up in her grandmother’s attic. The grandmother finds the little girl dressed up, looking in the old antique mirror, holding the letter that she found in the dress’s pocket. The grandmother flashes back in time, reliving the moment she received that letter, and the devastating words that it held.It is a story about family, love, and the unexpected turns in life.
Oh man! Now you’re going to have to write that story…even if it’s a short one! I LOVE to connect with readers and fans, and invite everyone to connect with me at any of my links:Website/Blog: www.kirstinpulioff.com
Facebook: KirstinPulioffAuthor
Twitter: @KirstinPulioff
Amazon: Author & Book Page
Goodreads: Kirstin Pulioff
Finally, are there any special upcoming events for you? Anything special you’d like people to know about you or your books?I wish I could say yes, but having just moved, I don’t have any local signings or events set up yet. I am currently working on my next project, a YA Fantasy, Dreamscape: Saving Alex, and I anticipate a Fall 2014 release.I look forward to hearing more about this one! Thank you so much Kirstin for visiting today. And thank you to my visitors for taking the time to stop by and meet Kirstin.
Remember to check the previous post for other indie author interviews.
And as always…Dare to Dream!Su
Old Roses
"Dear Lassie...."
It's a 'flute' of nature. Get it? Har har!
Tell us about yourself. Where are you from?...all that good kinda stuff.Hi Su! Thanks for having me on today. I am so happy to connect with you and your readers today. Oh where to begin… I guess the best way to describe myself is that I dream big, wish on stars, search for rainbows, find treasures in everyday blessings, and live life to its fullest. My family recently moved to the foothills of Colorado, and I love it. It combines the sunshine of CA that I grew up with, and the trees and outdoors that I loved about living in Oregon. Happily married for almost 12 years, and a stay at home mom of two kids, I spend my days either having an adventure or writing one.Oooh! You said two of my favorite words: DREAM BIG! I love your perspective on life!
I haven’t seen too much about your new book. Can you tell readers what it’s all about?
Absolutely, The Ivory Tower is a short story revolving around a fifteen year old girl, and her experiences in a post-apocalyptic community. Kept isolated within a protective camp, Simone struggles to follow the rules and guidelines set out to protect them. When she breaks the rules and finds the Ivory Tower, she must decide how far she will go to find out the truth.Is there a theme or message you convey your story beyond the story itself?I always write with a message involved, the story is simply its catalyst. For this story, I wrote with the intention of making a statement about protection and governments and how time can erode even the best of intentions.
Interesting. Tell us about your other books. I am happy to share! The Princess Madeline trilogy is a middle grade fantasy adventure series that centers around Princess Madeline and her adventures as she struggles to balance her duty as princess with her own dreams. This series takes a contemporary stance on the traditional fairytale.The Escape of Princess Madeline The Battle for Princess Madeline Princess Madeline and the Dragon
Who are your writing inspirations?The authors who inspire me are Dr. Suess, with the whimsical way that he charmed and entertained, and That is so great to hear. I discovered when I started writing how important it is to follow your dreams. Any up & coming indie authors that have captured your attention? And why?Of course! I will share my top three favorites. Michelle Brown, Trish Marie Dawson, and Ally Shields. Michelle Browne is an evil scientist with her writing. She creates forward thinking stories filled with haunting messages and ideas.Trish Marie Dawson writes with an easy elegance that transports you directly into the story. Under the spell of her writing, you become the character, struggling and growing.Ally Shields created a wonderful vampire series (The Guardian Witch) that drew me in from book 1. Now on book 5, I am still her #1 fan.What 2 things would you tell/advise aspiring writings?My first piece of advice would always be to follow your heart, passion and characters. Writing is a personal and creative process. Be true to yourself, your vision, and your voice.The second piece of advice is to get a group of beta readers to critique your work. It is easy to read your own work, or have family and friends read, but having objective eyes go over your work first is invaluable. Their honesty can turn a mediocre book into a great one.
I couldn’t agree more. I’ve found beta readers find holes I missed because I’m too close to see them. Any specific websites you’ve found helpful as an author?
I am a big fan of Grammar Girl. I will happily admit to using her frequently with my writing. I also check out Brainy Quote daily. I always like to keep inspiration and positivity at my fingertips.I don’t believe in long interviews. So I’d like to close with a couple of questions for fun.Me neither! Short, sweet, and able to read with a single cup of coffee. :)
While writing, music or silence? If music, tell us your playlist.Music. I used to write in silence, but found that music helps keep my mind from wandering. It distracts part of my mind, letting me write longer, and more creatively. As for playlists, I listen to a fun combination of Disney show tunes, Christian rock, and hauntingly beautiful love ballads.
And, if I gave you a parchment letter, a mirror and a necklace, what kind of story would you write? Give it a title too if you want.A Whisper in TimeIt is the story of a little girl who is playing dress up in her grandmother’s attic. The grandmother finds the little girl dressed up, looking in the old antique mirror, holding the letter that she found in the dress’s pocket. The grandmother flashes back in time, reliving the moment she received that letter, and the devastating words that it held.It is a story about family, love, and the unexpected turns in life.
Oh man! Now you’re going to have to write that story…even if it’s a short one! I LOVE to connect with readers and fans, and invite everyone to connect with me at any of my links:Website/Blog: www.kirstinpulioff.com
Facebook: KirstinPulioffAuthor
Twitter: @KirstinPulioff
Amazon: Author & Book Page
Goodreads: Kirstin Pulioff
Finally, are there any special upcoming events for you? Anything special you’d like people to know about you or your books?I wish I could say yes, but having just moved, I don’t have any local signings or events set up yet. I am currently working on my next project, a YA Fantasy, Dreamscape: Saving Alex, and I anticipate a Fall 2014 release.I look forward to hearing more about this one! Thank you so much Kirstin for visiting today. And thank you to my visitors for taking the time to stop by and meet Kirstin.
Remember to check the previous post for other indie author interviews.
And as always…Dare to Dream!Su
Old Roses
"Dear Lassie...."
It's a 'flute' of nature. Get it? Har har!
March 19, 2014
ASMSG Electorate Interview Blog Hop
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PART OF TEAM!!!I have been blessed and honored to be received into a great group of indie authors that work to together help get the word out about our books. And now through March 29th we are working together to get exposure for each of us through an interview blog hop. My interview with Kirstin Stein Puliof will go live on March 23 and then on March 24th, I will be hosted on Christoph Fischer's site. I hope you'll check back each day to meet all of these great authors and maybe find a new book to love.
March 18, 2014 Kirstin Stein Pulioff http://www.kirstinpulioff.comCeri London http://cerilondon.wordpress.com/
March 19 Stefania Mattana http://dailypinner.eraniapinnera.com
March 20 Maer Wilson http://maerwilson.com/Marsha Roberts http://mutinousboomer.wordpress.com/
March 21 Sandra Robinson http://missscarlettflame.blogspot.co.uk/ Luca Rossi http://www.lucarossi369.com/search/label/EN
March 22 Melodie Ramone http://revenge-of-the-ginger.blogspot.com/Anna George Othitis http://annaothitis.tateauthor.com
March 23 Khalid Muhammad http://agencyrules.com Su Williams http://dreamweavernovels.blogspot.com/
March 24 Christoph Fischer http://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/ http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/
March 25 Hunter S Jones http://www.thehuntersjones.blogspot.com Lillian Roberts http://lilianroberts.blogspot.com
March 26 Murielle Cyr http://www.muriellerites.wordpress.com
March 27 Ian Hutson http://www.dieselelectricelephant.co.uk/ Jinx Schwartz http://bit.ly/PSAAxI
March 28 Dianne Harman http://dianneharman.com/blog/ Shane KP O’Neill http://www.draculachronicles.co.uk/
March 29 Tina Power Traverse http://writersonthewharf.wordpress.com/ Ann Rothchild http://christinamandara.wordpress.com/
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