Simon Duringer's Blog, page 28
May 17, 2014
Michael King Interview
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#RT14 Emmy winner Michael King on his latest #film The Rescuers Genocide & Martin Luther King. http://goo.gl/fbyzfC #Cannes2014 #amwriting
May 8, 2014
Robyn Young
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#RT Times #BESTSELLER Robyn Young talks about Kingdom, Templars & Grass Underwear! http://goo.gl/wMw7nM #wkbpromo #BYNR #book #amwriting
May 3, 2014
Michael King
I recently had the privilege of reviewing my next guest’s latest docu-film The Rescuers due to premiere in New York on 09 May 2014. Already an Emmy award winning Director with a growing list of nominations and awards, his most recent film had me spellbound and wanting to know more about his previous works, career and what makes him tick…
Any ideas who I may be talking about…?
This exciting interview is all about Emmy Award winning Michael King who has agreed to run the gauntlet of Simons 10Q Interviews…
Before making The Rescuers, Michael King has spent over two decades in the film industry and is currently developing a feature film Awake in the Dark about a soldier’s long journey home with post traumatic stress, written by Academy Award nominated writer Richard Friedenberg
(A River Runs Through It)
. Also he’s directing a feature length documentary about TBI/PTS in association with the Department of Defence, National Intrepid Centre of Excellence, and Warrior Canine Connection titled Intrepid for release later in 2014.
In 1999, King’s PBS documentary on youth violence in America, Bangin’, won the Emmy and International Television and Video Association Award for Best Documentary and Best Editing. In 2007, he completed a feature documentary entitled Rapping with Shakespeare, which examines how a popular English teacher used hip-hop and rap to help his students to better access Shakespeare’s
works. He went on to be nominated for an A&E Indie Filmmaker Award in 2008 for Rapping with Shakespeare. He also was the executive producer for the American Film Institute film, Crenshaw Nights (2008) starring Vondie Curtis-Hall
and Judd Nelson
.
Come back soon to see how Michael gets on as he runs the gauntlet of Simon’s 10Q Interviews. But before you go make sure you pop across to the new Reviews section of the website or click on the following link to watch a trailer of The Rescuers and learn more about this wonderful docu-film which includes an appearance by HRH Prince Charles;
The Ron Felber interview took on 30 April 2014.
Simon Duringer © 2014.
Simon Duringer is both a Goodreads author and Independent Interviewer. His multiple Amazon 5 star thriller Stray Bullet is available to buy on Amazon using the following US or UK Link;
UK Link
Stray Bullet
US Link
Stray Bullet
April 30, 2014
Ron Felber Interview
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#RT Ron Felber Author of The Mob Dr ran the gauntlet of Simons 10QI Don't miss it! http://wp.me/p4ub7u-DK #books #kindle #BYNR #amwriting
April 28, 2014
Peoples Book Award Finalist Stephen Clegg
Come and see which questions he selected for his interview!
http://simonduringer.com/rambling-on/...
April 27, 2014
Stephen F Clegg
My next guest on Rambling On… is a nominee and finalist in the Peoples Book Prize 2013/14. Exciting times for this author as he braces himself for the results which will be published in May 2014.
So, let’s find out who’s up on Rambling On…
Stephen F Clegg is published by Austin Macauley and has three published novels to his name; The Emergence of Malaterre
, Maria’s Papers
and The Matthew Chance Legacy
. The latter two were nominated for awards and The Mathew Chance Legacy is shortlisted to the final three books in the Peoples Book Prize (outcome to be announced in May 2014).
So, without further ado, let’s find out which 10 of the 50 Rambling On… questions caught the eye of this exciting author and, more importantly, how he dealt with answering said questions…
Stephen F Clegg it’s over to you…
Q1: How long have you been writing and who were your key influencers?
A1: I have been writing all my adult life, but didn’t write a full-length novel until I was inspired by the true-life exploits of my great-great Aunt Maria and her quest to return an estate to family ownership in 1867. A quest that ended up with her being incarcerated in a lunatic asylum!.
Q2: Do you write under your real name or a pen name?
A2: I write under my real name.
Q3: What are you currently working on and why should readers buy it?
A3: I am currently writing my fifth novel, my third The Emergence of Malaterre is about to be released and I have been nominated for awards for my first two, so I hope that my growing band of enthusiastic readers will want to buy it!
Q4: What is your motivation for writing?
A4: My motivation for writing is my love of it, the ability to stretch my mind and learn new things, and to leave a legacy for my children and grandchildren.
Q5: Where does charity start for you and what have you done that might be considered charitable?
A5: Charity? I am an RYA Yachtmaster
and my wife and I took disabled people on free sailing trips for eight years on a weekly basis. We also financially support several charities.
Q6: To Be or Not To Be…. What is your question?
A6: If I could visit anybody and ask a question, I would visit Samuel Taylor Coleridge
and ask him if his genius was borne only out of his use of drugs!
Q7: What did you do when the first paperback with your name on it arrived?
A7: When my first paperback Maria’s Papers arrived I was amazed, because I hadn’t ever intended getting the story published. My chance encounter with an American Film Producer occurred when my wife and I were on holiday in Italy and we overheard him and his wife asking for details on how to get back to his hotel from a day trip to Capri. We offered them a lift in our hire car, and a friendship ensued. Over drinks one evening he learned about my novel. He asked to read it, and then weeks later informed me that he was a film producer and wanted my permission to write a film script for it. He then encouraged me to get it published this happened in 2012, and now my first two novels are being considered by the Sony Film Corporation.
Q8: How did you name the characters in your book?
A8: I name the characters in my books from real people I have known. They were nearly all special to me, except for the villains of course!
Q9: What is the highest award/nomination you have gained in your writing career to date?
A9: The highest nomination I have achieved for my writing to date is being one of three Finalists in The Peoples Book Prize 2013/14 for my second novel ‘The Matthew Chance Legacy’. The winner of which will be decided on 28th May this year.
Q10: When was your profile picture taken and why did you choose it?
A10: The attached profile picture was taken last Christmas at dinner with friends, and I chose it because it reflects my character, and I don’t ever want to come across as old and stuffy.
SD Comments – Many thanks Steve, I am sure everybody will be wishing you good luck for the announcement of the Peoples Book Prize, and of course best of luck with all of your writing for 2014 and beyond! Finalists of the Peoples Book Prize can be viewed by clicking on the following link; Finalists 2013/14
To watch and listen to Stephen reading excerpts from his books, scroll down the page to his video!
To purchase Stephen’s Award nominated books, click on the following links below;
The Emergence of Malaterre
Maria’s Papers
The Matthew Chance Legacy
Stephen’s Amazon Author page can be found at the following link;
Stephen F Clegg
The Stephen F Clegg interview took place on 28 April 2014.
Simon Duringer © 2014.
Simon Duringer is both a Goodreads author and Independent Interviewer. His multiple 5* Amazon/Goodreads rated thriller Stray Bullet is available to buy on Amazon using the following US or UK Link;
UK Link
Stray Bullet
US Link
Stray Bullet
Welcome to the home of Simon’s 10 Q Interviews!
Welcome to my blog. My name is Simon Duringer; I am an avid writer of many genres, but my real interest is in books and stories that keep the reader hanging and deliver a non conventional, believable surprise at the end. I find it sad that authors often feel the need to adhere to a rigid formula. Often their first books are astoundingly thrilling, but subsequently they choose not to veer off their new found formula, the reader is left able to correctly predict the ending soon after the first chapter…
In my blog, I interview all today’s authors, regardless of their methods of publishing. My questions are not conventional and neither are there responses. I will be asking what motivates them to write, what they think of book clubs, where they buy books, who are their favourite authors and of course what is the latest writing they have created and hope to make into bestsellers. But my main interest is in their inner self. Are they nice people, who would they save in a lose lose situation, if they were the first or perhaps the last person on earth who would they wish to be their Adam or Eve.
I will be posting where you can purchase their books and what formats they are available in; be it eBooks, Kindle Books or paperback.
If you wish to find books of interest then stick around, I aim to continue providing great interviews with remarkable authors in the months to come…
Simons 10Q Interview was a finalist in the UK Blogging Awards 2014!
If you fancy a good read for the upcoming weekend and don’t have a kindle reader? Fear not, of course they don’t over advertise their FREE readers which are available for both PC and MAC. So get yours now…
Kindle Viewer -
PC – http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_pc_mkt_lnd?docId=1000426311
Mac – http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=hp_macfaq_kfm?docId=1000464931
Simon D.
April 16, 2014
Ron Felber
My next guest knows a thing or two! Educated with a master’s degree in English from Loyola University Chicago and a doctorate from Drew University…
Previously, he has served as a Deputy Sherriff…
Currently an author, a talented entrepreneur and CEO of a successful US manufacturing company. One novel authored by this guest has been turned into two series of primetime viewing material by FOX Television.
Any guesses as to whom I am referring…?
Of course I am talking of no less than Ron Felber, author of The Mob Doctor
, who has agreed to take time out from his busy schedule to run the gauntlet of Simon’s 10 Q Interviews. Ron, also authored novels including; Il Dottore
, The Hunt for Khun Sa
and A Man of Indeterminate Value
and more… and is soon to release his latest novel in hardback: The Kafka Society
.
The Mob Doctor
has been ‘viewed’ by millions within U.S. households having aired on FOX primetime television for two series. But the life, career and successes of Ron Felber are by no means limited to the one genre. As the CEO of a US Manufacturing company Ron has also shared his corporate leadership knowledge in another novel Presidential Lessons in Leadership
available on Amazon.
Come back soon to see how Ron Felber gets on as he runs the gauntlet of Simon’s 10 Q Interviews. But before you go, why not watch Ron’s video at the bottom of the page and bookmark us so you can re-visit for the main event. It’ll be a scorcher, don’t miss it!
If you would like to know more about Ron Felber’s novels, then why not visit his author page using the links below:
For U.S. Readers – Ron Felber Amazon author page (US)
For U.K. Readers – Ron Felber Amazon author page (UK)
The Ron Felber interview is due to take place in April 2014.
Simon Duringer © 2014.
Simon Duringer is both a Goodreads author and Independent Interviewer. His multiple Amazon 5 star thriller Stray Bullet is available to buy on Amazon using the following US or UK Link;
UK Link
Stray Bullet
US Link
Stray Bullet
Simons 10 Q Interviews is a Finalist in the U.K. Blogging Awards 2014.
Marianne Azizi
#RT Marianne Azizi - Author of Sour Milk and Stolen Honey. Rambling On... http://simonduringer.com/rambling-on/... #MustRead #books #wkbpromo #UKBA14 #Israel
Marianne Azizi
We have our next guest on Rambling On… She has taken a career in behavioural work, stirred in decades of learning and understanding the fascinating aspects of humanity, and produced the insipring, disturbing, and enlightening non fiction novel based upon her personal experiences in Israel.
Marianne Azizi, represented by Tabitha Mudaliar – Agent, Chocolate Cake & Words has stepped forward and accepted the challenge to go Rambling On…
Over to you Marianne…
Q1: Do you write under your real name or a pen name?
A1: I have written my book using my real name. It is a true account, non fiction and autobiographical, so I felt if I changed my name or those in the book; I would have to describe the book as ‘based on a true story’ thereby diluting it, leaving people wondering which parts were actually true. It took months of deliberation and taking everything into account I arrived at the conclusion which is to stand by my own words. Time will tell if my risk has paid off. The story is so important and many people are suffering. I felt it appropriate to be fully accountable for my experience. Anyway, it would be a bit difficult being interviewed with an alias, as it would be eventually revealed and I’d have to explain why I was afraid to use my real name. My book Sour Milk and Stolen Honey
is the journey I’ve made in order to keep a promise and the terrible discoveries made on the way which will educate, enlighten and most probably shock readers.
Q2: What is your motivation for writing?
A2: I think I always wanted to be a writer, and life had always got in the way. Ironically my debut non fiction book was written because life did indeed get in the way and I was compelled to write about it. I have always been sympathetic for the underdog and have a passionate interest in human rights. Telling my own story will hopefully create a platform for many thousands of people who cannot tell their own similar stories. My mother told me when I was only 10 years old that I would write an important book. I can’t say I paid too much attention at the time. Her love and faith in me at my worst moments gave me the courage to write. I have more stories in the pipeline, aiming to tell truths through the eyes of real people and bring newspaper headlines to life.
Q3: What is your favourite hobby?
A3: It’s a real contrast to the deep issues I have written about and still get passionately involved in. But we all need time off, and my favourite pastime is supporting my football team! I’ll even go public and name my team as Hull City, an English Premier League team. It gives me 90 minutes a week of clearing all thoughts and emotions and pouring them into a lifelong passion. I was taken to see them on the terraces over 40 years ago and it was the whole event that was exciting. The build-up to a match, listening to thousands of people singing, cheering and feeling the same emotions as a collective; groaning simultaneously and living each moment in the moment showed me present centeredness. I am inspired by sportspeople, who get up and endeavour to be their best, and I cry whether we win or lose!
Q4: To be or not to be – what is your question?
A4: Isn’t that just the best quote? I love the question itself. I try to be a human be-ing, not a human do-ing. Not to be is to be separated from one’s essence and purpose in life as it drags us into being so busy sometimes we forget why we are here. If I had a question to ask, it would be ‘What are you going to do about it?’ Any gripes and complaints would then need to be taken responsibility for. Especially when it comes to the truth. We all want to believe we are honest, but so often we don’t want to hear the truth. I suspect I’ll be facing more realities regarding how people handle the truth as they read my story.
Q5: What star sign are you and what do you think it says about your character?
A5: I am an Aquarian. Many years ago in my early twenties an astrologer gave me a reading, and told me I was in for a difficult life and should jump off a bridge there and then. I deplore condemnation of things without knowledge or understanding, so I studied and got a diploma in Astrology in order to understand the symbols leading to the reading I’d received. I learned a lot, and for a short time wrote articles for a national group of local newspapers. I was able to learn about the blueprint of character found in a birth chart and the purpose each individual was here for. As a typical Aquarian I am humanitarian. I believe in human rights, freedom of movement and freedom of speech. I want to help the masses; I’m excited when I have someone to talk to who energises my mind. I can detach my emotions to resolve a problem too. I don’t know many Aquarians myself, which always lead me wonder where they all are! Probably busy on a cause I suspect. My Sagittarius Ascendant I’m told means I am warm, approachable and disorganised on a practical level which is true as I depend on my memory for most things, or endless lists.
Q6: Television or the movies?
A6: I could cheat here and say movies on television. I love them both. TV for me is a great way to switch off and relax. I love watching anything from hard hitting documentaries to soaps. My agent and I have great conversations about the value or not of Coronation Street
, but what better way than to turn off from heavy subjects and get some light entertainment. That’s my mantra and she won’t change my mind! I love a movie which makes time literally disappear. I remember watching Gladiator
in an uncomfortable cinema and was so gripped I didn’t notice my cramped legs or aching back. The occasional box set of American series is a good distraction. After a lot of persuasion I remember one long weekend when I first watched 24
, and spent almost 4 days watching the entire series, just pausing the TV long enough to get refreshments. It was a great indulgence and I don’t regret a minute of my lost weekend. Trips to the movies are even better, especially with my kids. We can do a full critique of our best, worst, funniest bits all the way home, and the shared experience is as good as the movie. I loved the movie Inception
, the way it just got so complex – a movie requiring some concentration.
Q7: When was your profile picture taken and why did you choose it?
A7: The picture was taken about a month after I came out of hospital. I’d been critically ill, and to celebrate my survival this was my first day out. My friend and I went for a photo shoot – the kind that offers you a free picture. I chose this picture last December as a testimony to the fact I stayed alive, and I think the picture shows me and all the emotions depicted in the book. I plan to have a brighter and sunnier picture taken in the future. It was difficult to choose the right profile picture, because a cheerful smiley one wouldn’t have been appropriate for the book content, nor one of me in total despair and misery. We felt this picture struck the right chord.
Q8: If you had the power to change one thing in the world, what would it be?
A8: I think for me on a personal level, the one thing I would want is for my partner to be free and get the help he needs to recover. If this answer was taken to a more global power I would want to make a world in which freedom of speech and freedom of movement was a right for everyone. I would want people to be citizens of the world. It might sound a bit like a beauty queen giving her aspirations, world peace etc., but you said I can have the power, so that’s what I would do with it! I believe without the superpower I can only change myself and have a positive impact on those around me sending a ripple effect of positivity and belief in themselves too.
Q9: Are any of the settings in your book inspired by real places? Where and why?
A9: Yes. Israel is the focal point of Sour Milk and Stolen Honey, and England where I live. It could have been set anywhere, but as the book is a true story then Israel was where it all happened. I’d been travelling to Israel for decades, and it was only in the last seven years that I saw a darker side to the culture. Learning of the deaths and destruction was the reason I had to write. My personal story is difficult but discovering it was by no means unique triggered my need to write. The contrast of the genteel quietness of England and the aggression in Israel is stark. Also the nature of Europeans to the nature of a Middle Eastern country highlights the chasm in our views of the world. Many people have opinions on things, and I have tried to write events without politicising things.
Q10: Give us a quote from one of your favourite reviews of your own books.
A10: It’s great to get good reviews especially when it’s a debut. This review of Sour Milk and Stolen Honey, for me, encapsulated the multiple layers in the book and comments about my writing made my day…
“The author makes it very clear at the beginning of this book that it is a true story and I have no doubt that this is so. Despite that, this book has the “unputdownable” quality that I associate with the best fiction. In part this is down to the quality of the writing, which is extraordinary for a first book. Another aspect is the story itself, which has some of the qualities one would expect of a thriller.
The book raises many questions, some specifically to do with the State of Israel and others on the broader issues we face as a species at this stage in our evolution. Issues of freedom, of sanity, of bureaucracy versus the individual, arise from this story alongside classic issues reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. Another work to which this book stands comparison is The Trial by Franz Kafka, though Marianne is by far the better writer and her story, though it works as allegory, has the added merit of being factual.
At the most obvious level, this book has something to offer to anyone interested in Israel, the broader geopolitical picture or human rights in general. At a deeper level, it speaks to anyone interested in love, in freedom, or in what happens when human beings are subjected to intolerable pressures. Surely that must include all of us.”
SD Comment – Thank you Marianne, indeed a fascinating and controversial story indeed. Readers, if you would like to purchase the full story, then Sour Milk and Stolen Honey can be downloaded from Amazon using the following links:
For U.K. Readers – Sour Milk and Stolen Honey
For U.S. Readers – Sour Milk and Stolen Honey
The Marianne Azizi interview took place on 16 April 2014.
Simon Duringer © 2014.
Simon Duringer is both a Goodreads author and Independent Interviewer. His multiple 5* Amazon/Goodreads rated thriller Stray Bullet is available to buy on Amazon using the following US or UK Link;
UK Link
Stray Bullet
US Link
Stray Bullet
