Simon Duringer's Blog, page 30
March 24, 2014
Conn Iggulden
My next guest has more excellent ratings on Goodreads.com than many novels have words. His work is so detailed it forms the basis of historical lectures. 36 distinct pieces of work in all, he is a global bestseller, a veteran, and a master wordsmith in every sense of the word…
It is my distinct pleasure, nay, my absolute honour, to introduce this very special guest to Simon’s 10 Q Interviews…
So, who is he…?
Ladies and gentlemen, Conn Iggulden has agreed to run the gauntlet of Simon’s 10 Q Interviews…
Conn’s first novel, The Gates of Rome
had its film option snapped up a few years ago and rumours of an epic and possible trilogy are likely to become a reality with rumoured to have been approached to direct…
Whilst Conn Iggulden is perhaps considered to be ‘the’ U.K. specialist in the Historical Fiction genre, he has also successfully penned a children’s book, The Dangerous Book for Boys
, which went on to be voted The British Book of the Year at the Galaxy British Book Awards in 2006. He followed that success up with several further books in the same genre. He has also written Tollins: Explosive Tales for Children
and three subsequent books based upon the Tollins
.
However the reason U.K. bookshop’s continue to signpost this heavyweight author amongst other greats such as Peter James
, Lee Child
and John Grisham
, is due to the incredible talent he exudes as he pens a tale in the genre of historical fiction.
There are now three major series of books available in historical fiction; The emperor series (5)
, The conqueror series (5)
and his current series being promoted by penguin books, Wars of the Roses
I strongly recommend readers take the time to watch the short video created by Penguin Books UK (At less than a minute – it’s a mini epic!) and embedded at the bottom of this preview…. and then take a further few moments to purchase the current book which is available in the stores i.e. Stormbird. Trinity, the second in the series will be arriving later in the year… Trinity… Keep your eye out for it!
If you would like to learn more about the incredible range of work available from Conn Iggulden, why not explore his Amazon author page using the link provided below, perhaps dabble in a few of the offerings of this man who is fast becoming, if he’s not already considered to be, a literary legend! But don’t forget to bookmark the page and come back soon to catch up on the full interview as Conn Iggulden runs the gauntlet of Simon’s 10 Q Interviews…
Wars of the Roses: Stormbird (Wars of the Roses 1) Promotional video (by Penguin Books UK) is at the bottom of the page…
Conn Iggulden - Amazon (UK) Author Page
The Conn Iggulden interview is due to take place 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
Simons 10 Q Interviews is a Finalist in the U.K. Blogging Awards 2014.
Video clip taken from youTube and courtesy of © Penguin Books UK.
March 23, 2014
James F Coyle
He has selected his 10 questions and delivered a succinct set of witty responses...
Get across and have a read about what makes James tick!
http://simonduringer.com/rambling-on/...
Deborah Doucette
Deborah Doucette, blogger for the Huffington Post and 2Paragraph and author of the novel; The Forgotten Roses, has selected her 10 questions and been blogging with me....
Get over there and check it out now!
http://simonduringer.com/rambling-on/...
Deborah Doucette
Deborah Doucette Author and Blogger
I am delighted that Deborah Doucette has agreed to take the challenge and has chosen her 10 questions to Ramble On… with.
Deborah, a professional writing veteran is also author of the novel The Forgotten Roses.
Take it away Deborah Doucette…
Q1. Do you write under your real name or a pen name ?
Deborah Doucette is my real name. I can’t imagine a scenario in which I’d use a different one.
Q2. How long have you been writing and who were your key influencers?
I’ve been writing professionally since the early 1990’s. I’d been a real estate broker for a decade, and although I loved it, there was something missing; what I really wanted to do was write. I took a few writing courses at a nearby college, set my sights on journalism and began to write for local newspapers on the side with the goal of pursuing it full-time. Then – as happens – life had different immediate plans for me, and my youngest was born. At the time I had two teenagers and a three year old. As I said in my first book, Raising Our Children’s Children: Room In The Heart, “While I am sure there are women out there who are able to combine teenagers, toddlers and infants with a writing career, I knew that I was not one of them.” It took me a few years before I got back to it and subsequently wrote my non-fiction book after becoming involved in the issue of grandparents raising grandchildren.
Q3. What are you currently working on and why should readers buy it?
I’m currently working on a new novel, working title, The Keeper of Dangerous Bees. It is a story told in flashback starting in the past and alternating to the present. I feel compelled to explore the themes that are woven into the story: the before and after of a cancer battle, reinvention, stepping onto new paths, and the unintended consequences of choices we make. And, while it’s important to me to explore issues, it’s equally important for them to be wrapped in a darn good story, told well! I hope that this story will be searing, touching, frightening, evocative and a little magical. I hope that it will resonate with the reader. That’s my goal. It always is.
Q4. What is your motivation for writing?
My motivations for writing are simple, I have some things I want to say, some stories I need to tell, something inside that just has to get out. When I decided to write about grandparents, I had been immersed in the issue for a few years and knew that: 1. the grandparent’s stories needed to be told, 2. awareness of the issue needed to be raised, and 3. I needed to go on that journey of discovery myself as well. For my novel, there were themes I wanted to explore about women: the choices they make, the pull of family, and the ways in which our past creates blueprints for our future; all issues about which I am passionate. It’s the same with Blogging for the Huffington Post and 2Paragraphs; I only blog about the things that move me.
Q5. Who are you all time heroes?
I have many authors whose works I love, but my favorite authors are Margaret Atwood
and Alice Hoffman
. Margaret Atwood’s Cat’s Eye
was the first book that spoke to me as a writer and Alice Hoffman’s writing continues to inspire me. The first book of Hoffman’s I read was Turtle Moon
and since then, I’ve read everything she writes. Her books never fail to mesmerize me.
Q10. What is your favourite quotation and by whom?
As a writer published by a small press, having to fight for notice while competing with “the popular kids” (those writers published by the big five conglomerates with deep-pocket publicity budgets), my favorite quote is: “If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking,” by Haruki Murakami
. And also, “We unwittingly fashion our futures from the patterns of our past,” from The Forgotten Roses!
Q25. If you could have dinner anywhere in the world today where would you go?
If I could have dinner anywhere in the world it would be Italy, almost anywhere there! I loved Rome, Florence, and Tuscany where I visited last summer with my youngest daughter. I want to go back and visit the area where my grandparents came from in Campania, spend more time in Rome and explore more of Tuscany. Since visiting there, I miss it every day!
Q19. How many pets do you have and how did they get their names?
My current dog is a big, red standard poodle named Fia, short for Fiamma which means flame in Italian. She is the latest in a string of standard poodles who’ve owned me over the decades along with a couple of Dobermans, a horse named Shadowfax and various cats, my favorite being a Siamese named Café au lait, Café for short.
Q8. What is your favourite hobby?
My favorite hobby is reading! I have to admit, I did not do as much reading last year as I normally do because of the work on both my novel debut and updating my non-fiction for second edition release. The next book on my to-be-read list is Alice Hoffman’s
The Museum of Extraordinary Things
. I’m looking forward to it!
Q22. How many books did you read in 2013 and what were your favourites?
Here is my list of books read in the past year starting with those published by small presses, worthy of top billing: Bishop Street
by Rene Schultz, Confessions of a Catholic School Dropout
by Patti Lavell, Between the Cracks
by Carmela Cattuti, The Other Room
by Kim Triedman, Lunatic Heroes
and Beloved Demons
by C. Anthony Martignetti. And here are the others: Gone Girl
by Gillian Flynn, The Good House
by Ann Leary, August Gale
by Barbara Walsh, The Last Days of Dogtown
by Anita Diamant, The Ocean at the End of the Lane
by Neil Gaiman, and Survival Lessons
by Alice Hoffman. I hope I haven’t missed any.
SD Comment: Deborah, thank you so much for taking the time out to participate in Rambling On…and being such a good sport in giving so many other authors a mention! 
If you would like to learn more about Deborah’s work, why not visit Amazon and take a look at her latest novel at the following link;
You can also find Deborah at her own website.
The Deborah Doucette interview took place on 23 March 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
Rambling On… is a part of Simons 10 Q Interviews, which is a Finalist in the U.K. Blogging Awards 2014.
James F. Coyle
James F. Coyle author and retired publisher
He’s a former (retired) publisher. A man with an incredibly positive attitude to life, business and all things in-between. With 37 publications on amazon, from pamphlet to novel. He’s pitted his wit, and he has much of it, against 10 of the 50 questions at Rambling On…
Take it away James F. Coyle…
Q1. Do you write under your real name or a pen name?
My real name. With the economy the way it is I can no longer afford a pen.
Q4. What is your motivation for writing?
I get a giant kick out of creating “pen and paper” products. I find it personally fulfilling, especially when readers buy my books and review them. I lock myself in my office and type away. This gives me an excuse to ignore my wife’s stunning looking visiting girlfriends who distract me by asking inane questions. I’m too old for that sort of boy-girl stuff!
Q7. Who are your favourite authors?
I’m fairly keen on Wilbur Smith
, Frederick Forsyth
, Patrick Robinson
, Russell Blake
and Australian Don Dennis
with his graphic World War 2 aviation novels.
Q8. What is your favourite hobby?
Helicopter flying. Or it was until I seriously bent my machine. The wife won’t let me fly helis any more. Strange woman! Maybe I’ll get back to my previous hobby of Skydiving. That’ll freak her out!
Q9. Where does charity start for you and what have you done that might be considered charitable?
Spend a large amount of my retirement time helping newbie authors. I built mindtech.com to help them.
I tend to pick the newbies that have potential and hold them by the hand until they get themselves established. Helped quite a batch of authors into the “financially viable” arena this way.
Q18. How many books have you written and what are they called?
A total of 37 but there’s probably too many to name in this interview. If interested just check out James F. Coyle on Amazon. The main one is called Beyond Belief – The Ultimate Mind Power Manual
. I wrote two fiction comedy ones also. The Aliens Guide to Planet Earth
series. Some readers think these are the funniest books they’ve ever read. Others think they’re total garbage. I personally think they’re dead funny. But then again, I’m biased.
Q20. What did you do when the first paperback with your name on it arrived?
Seem to recall I consumed a vast amount of champagne but for some reason that memory is fairly vague. I remember selling all my friends a copy… at cost. They all loved it. Or so they said!
Q29. How do you get in the mood to write?
I drop into the Theta state for 30 minutes or so and rev myself up. The euphoric feeling lasts for hours and the words seem to flow. Improves my 2 finger typing also. Definitely would have to struggle without the prior Theta conditioning.
Q49. What question would you add to Ramble on…?
I would ask how many top flight authors go out of their way to encourage fellow newbie authors. Not many I suspect. I would also like to know what percentage of new authors give up in disgust after the first 12 months.
Q50. Why should you be in The Word Volume 2?
Cos everyone tells me I’m a nice helpful guy and I still have my own teeth.
SD Comment: James, many thanks for taking the time out to participate in Rambling On…
If you would like to learn more about James’ work, why not visit his Amazon authors page or website using the following links;
James F. Coyle’s Amazon author page
Mindtech.com
The James F. Coyle interview took place on 23 March 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
Rambling On… is a part of Simons 10 Q Interviews, which is a Finalist in the U.K. Blogging Awards 2014.
March 19, 2014
Warren Pope
Warren Pope – Author
Warren Pope is a man of many trades, he began life as a policeman, and like many others became caught up in the catastrophic fallout of hurricane Katrina. Left homeless, he retrained as an electrician, but not before spending time entertaining passengers with his stories whilst working as a taxi driver…
He now has three published books (looks suspiciously like four to me!) and has decided to pit his wit, selecting 10 from 50 questions, as the second guest on Rambling On…
Take it away Warren…
Question 1- Do you write under your real name or a pen name?
I write under my own name. I’m fairly obscure, so my real name works just as well as a pen name!
Seriously, though, I write under my own name as my work so far is fictional, though based in fact. I’m not completely unknown, locally and my name lends a bit of authenticity to my work.
Question 2- What is your motivation for writing?
That’s a good question. I suppose my motivation is to get a bit of truth out. I’m a native of New Orleans, and have spent a large portion of my adult life as a policeman. When I retired I began driving a taxi-cab. I found myself still serving the public, but in a vastly different role.
I’ve always enjoyed interacting with the public, but, until my retirement, I was always viewed as a cop, and was treated like one. As a cab driver, people were much more at ease in my presence.
“One recurring topic was that of police behaviour.”
My passengers and I discussed a wide variety of topics whilst I delivered them to their destinations.
One recurring topic was that of police behaviour. It ‘seemed’ that everyone, from every country on earth, knew exactly what it was like to be a policeman! I began verbally correcting my passenger’s mistaken preconceptions with little stories, mentally edited to accommodate the length of the cab ride. My passengers enjoyed listening to my stories and I felt that in telling them I was doing some good.
I was massively affected by the floods which followed Hurricane Katrina. They not only devastated my home, but all homes within the neighbourhoods at my end of the city. In the aftermath I decided to retrain as an electrician and so played a small part in the rebuilding of New Orleans.
As a construction worker I would still ‘spin a yarn’ as I worked. My stories were well received by the men I toiled away the days with. Eventually, I began writing some of them down and posted them on Facebook. The reception the tales received acted as a motivator for me and led me to compile several stories into a collection that I self-published under the title Growing up in Blue
. I’d like to think that I am, in some small way, increasing the public’s understanding of what it’s like to be charged with policing the general public.
I’m certainly not writing in an effort to make money!
Question 3- Who are your favourite authors?
Mark Twain was a genius who left me in awe when I first read him as a small boy. My admiration for his brilliance has only grown over the years.
Kurt Vonnegut impressed me as a teen. I’m still not sure how he writes such deep, convoluted stories using such small words…
Donald Westlake made me laugh out loud with the complicated plots of his Dortmunder
series.
Elmore Leonard, who’s dialogue runs a close second to Westlake’s, in my opinion. I suppose I’m a fan of story-tellers, come to think of it.
Sir Arthur Connan Doyle tickled me as a child, as he presented neat solutions to seemingly unsolvable crimes. Sherlock Holmes
is an immortal character, isn’t he?
I could continue listing great authors for hours…
Question 4- What is your favourite quotation and by whom?
I Love quotations. I love them so much that I make tons of them up and attribute them to my alter-ego Zebthor Oblamadien
…
“Requited love is no walk in the park, either…”
“Frustration is the only thing keeping me going, lately…”
…for example
Question 5- Coffee or Tea
Coffee of course! I am American, after all. I was raised on a Coffee and Chickory blend that exists only in New Orleans.
Question 6- How many books have you written, and what are they called?
I’m just getting started, but I have 4 titles under my belt.
Growing up in Blue and …from the bottom of my City
are collections of short stories.
Running from the Police: Part 1 – Running to the Police
and…
Running from the Police, Part 2- Running with the Police are the first 2 instalments of a 3 part serial novel. Almost everything I’ve written so far presents a realistic depiction of police work.
Question 7- What did you do when the first paperback with your name on it arrived?
The very first paperback was a Proof Copy. I showed it to everyone I knew (and several complete strangers). I then took it home and got to work editing it. I still have it. It’s sitting on my coffee table as I type this.
Question 8- Butter or margarine?
That’s a trick question isn’t it? Butter, of course. Nobody really chooses margarine, do they?
Question 9- When was your profile picture taken and why did you choose it?
It’s just a snapshot take of me while I was standing on a friend’s front porch. The picture looks just like me, that’s why I chose it. I’m not very vain.
Question 10- Why should you be in The Word Volume 2?
I should be in The Word Volume 2 because I offer a sharp contrast to properly trained writers. I consider myself a Reader who writes the kind of things he’d enjoy reading. I’m a real person who has learned all his lessons first-hand. A lot of blood and sweat went into my learning the things I know. I’ve been told that I have a rather unique, story-telling style to my writing.
Almost all my reviews on the Kindle version of my books include some version of the phrase “unable to put down”…
SD Comment: Warren, thank you very much for your time and wishing you all the best for 2014.
If you would like to buy, read or know more about the works of Warren Pope, then why not visit his Amazon author page at the following link;
The Warren Pope interview took place on 20 March 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
Rambling On… is a part of Simons 10 Q Interviews, which is a Finalist in the U.K. Blogging Awards 2014.
March 18, 2014
Gerald Freeman
Gerald Freeman – Author and Sculptor
Readers, we have our first guest on Rambling On… Gerald Freeman. A free spirit, but not always so. A brave man who took his apparent fate and essentially redefined it to meet his own wishes and hopes for life. A true believer that you don’t ever need to accept the hand you have been dealt.
Gerald has exhibited his sculptures across various countries. He is an animal lover and has authored a book, the title of which I found to be bold, shocking and terrifying. All adjectives he would probably be proud to hear me say. Read Gerald’s story and all may become clear…
We would be delighted to receive any comments about this interview using the form at the bottom of the page… They will all be forwarded to the author.
Kill Daddy
by Gerald Freeman, is the story of Gerald’s escape from a life of abuse and the travels which followed. He has selected his 10 questions from 50 and supplied the first addition to the list of both interviewees and author questions. But now it is time to let my guest do the Rambling On…
Gerald Freeman, over to you…
Q3. What are you currently working on and why should readers buy it?
The book I am currently working on is called ‘I Don’t Believe God Wrote The Bible’. It will be a fun, yet inspirational read. I hope to inspire anybody curious about the enigma of Life and the billions of different personalities that make up the population of our planet. Every single one of us is born into a unique home, at a unique time, and will react uniquely to the environment and experiences we have here on Earth. This book is part of my journey through life, but at the same time, one we all have to make: growing up. I wasn’t inspired by any of the possible futures on offer to me in England, so at the age of twenty, I went off hitch-hiking around the world in search of something to fill up the next sixty years of my life with.
“I escaped from an abusive household when I was fifteen”.
I escaped from an abusive household when I was fifteen. That is when my travelling began. I swore to beat the memories that were dragging me down. To go out into the world and fight for the life I deserved. Not the one I felt I was doomed to. I promised myself I would follow my heart one hundred percent. I hoped to grow up into the real me, and not a watered down version of who I could be. This led to one hell of an exciting ride, thrusting me into situations and throwing opportunities at me, opportunities which I never imagined could even exist. This journey was fundamental in creating the foundations for who I would become, the man I am today. It contributed a great deal towards the healing and helping me cope with memories from the past. The Memories could so easily have destroyed me. But, this is a positive, shocking and often comical story of my life on the road, and the different directions people choose to take.
17. To Be or Not To Be…. What is your question?
Are you really YOU? This is the question I have always endeavoured to answer in the positive; “Yes”. I definitely haven’t found it as simple as that, though, because no matter how hard I tried not to let the past affect me, reluctantly I have had to admit, it is a part of who I am. However, by following our hearts, I believe we maximise our chances of becoming the kind of person we aspire to be. I noticed very early on in my travels, that if we go with the flow, we soon become part of a huge river, with connecting tributaries all over the planet. Coincidences become a part of life, and the word family, is not restricted to those who share the same bloodline. Happiness and contentment naturally follow, if you live the life you want to, and not the one you think you were dealt.
18. How many books have you written and what are they called?
I have notes and thoughts written down on scraps of paper and on bits of torn up cigarette packets. They are strewn about the house and some date back to my teens. Six years ago, I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C, which meant I spent two years treating and, luckily, recovering from it. During this time, I was pretty much confined to my house, and this is when I began putting all my thoughts together into books.
“Kill Daddy, which is the story of my journey to East Africa”.
I wrote three: Kill Daddy, which is the story of my journey to East Africa, at a time when the demons from the past were threatening to destroy me, yet again. I spent two years living in the remote villages of Kenya and Uganda, and the reader will get a truly honest view of life in Africa. Again the book focuses on Life, and struggles common to many of us. The second, I am editing now, is called I Don’t Believe God Wrote The Bible, due out in 2014, and the third is Not For Love Of Money. The third book begins immediately after my return from Africa, where I had been living with some of the poorest communities in the world, only to end up being picked up on a beach in Portugal by a wealthy Baroness, and catapulted into the world of jet set and aristocracy. This was a defining moment, and during the course of the story, I am confronted with some of the most difficult decisions of my life, which will eventually lead to the kind of person I become. Do I fall in love with the woman, or the lifestyle? Is financial security any consolation for selling your soul? If I say more, it will be a spoiler…
19. How many pets do you have and how did they get their names?
My wife Eva, and I, have two dogs: Caya and Nina, neither of which was planned. Fourteen years ago, we moved house, and after a laborious day of shifting boxes and furniture, we finally sat down to enjoy a celebratory glass of wine in our new home. Before we had even raised a glass, the phone rang. It was one of our old neighbours; he said we had forgotten a box in the garden. I didn’t drive, so my wife went with her daughter to go and pick it up. She returned with the ugliest puppy I had ever seen, who we immediately fell in love with. We supposed a neighbour had put her in the box, hoping we would give her a home. Because she seemed to fall out of the sky, we named her Caya, which is a play on the Portuguese word Cair, (to fall).
“Our other dog was given her name by the women in the local bakery.”
Our other dog was given her name by the women in the local bakery. I first noticed her carrying a small paper bag in her mouth, and I watched as she disappeared into a bush and then reappeared without the bag. She trotted off back up the road and into the local bakery. Shortly after she came out with another paper bag in her mouth, nipped into the hedge again, and reappeared, only to start the whole process again. It transpired she had puppies, and for two months she relied on the food donated by the ladies in the bakery to feed her babies. Eventually, they found their feet and began spilling out onto the road, so the whole village made a concerted effort to home them before they got run over. One night, I came home to find Nina frantically looking for all her pups. With the best of intentions, we had placed them all with caring families. She seemed so lost and confused, and was definitely a great mother who deserved some loving herself, so I felt she should come home and live with us.
29. How do you get in the mood to write?
I am always in the mood to write, and there will never be enough years in my life to write all the stories I have in my mind. I am passionate about Life, and I believe that sharing our experiences on this planet will make us a much more tolerant, and caring society.
32. Underactive or hyperactive….give an example?
Given that I haven’t sat still for the last twenty years, I have to say hyperactive. I reached a point, where I had been on the road for many years, in search of something to be. It had always been enough just to travel and learn new languages, or experience new things, but, after Africa I felt a need to contribute more to the world. I decided to write, and I also discovered sculpture, which are the two mediums I want to communicate my ideas to the world with. I am striving to find a platform from which to give back, by promoting awareness about the plight of people living in the poorest countries of the world, and by sharing stories about life that everyone can relate to. Until I reach this goal, I will never be able to sit still.
40. Swimming in the sea or swimming in a pool, does it make a difference?
If you are an uprising (young rasta) and you want to have a good set of dreadlocks, it makes a big difference. I learned to make dreadlocks the age old traditional way, whilst living in the Caribbean. Using a tea towel and a bit of water, sticky juice from the leaves of the Hibiscus tree is extracted, and then rubbed into the hair. After letting it soak in for an hour, the idea is to dive into the sea and let it wash out naturally. Repeating this for some days, forms a good solid foundation for thick, strong dreads: using pool water would not be cool.
44. Skiing or sunbathing?
I have to say both, because I believe you can have your cake and eat it. I spent six years in France, working and skiing in the Alps during the winter seasons, and then spending all the money I had earned, laying on the beach in Cannes, during the summer. It is a fantastic lifestyle, which I’d recommend to anyone, and on top of it all, you get a super cheap ski pass, as much food and wine as you can handle, and you make friends for life.
49. What question would you add to Ramble on?
If you had the power to change one thing in the world, what would it be?
50. Why should you be in The Word, Volume 2?
I believe my voice has a place in The Word because it is unique, and comes from the heart. I write about something every single person on the planet can identify with: Life. I know that I have gone out in the world, and done things that many only fantasise about. This is why I feel I should have a chance to inspire people to follow their dreams, and to be an example of how it is possible for us all to realise them, if we dare. A dream is something we have when we are asleep, and its misuse to represent anything we have been conditioned to believe is not something we can attain. It undermines the potential of every individual on the planet. If instead, we inspire people to follow their hearts, and not educate them about the futility of chasing their dreams, the world as a whole will be capable of achieving so much more. I believe my books can help do that.
SD Comments: Gerald Freeman, Thank you for your time.
Note to readers:
Childline offers confidential support to those whom are suffering child abuse. Help can be gained via their website; Childline or UK Freefone Tel Nos; 0800 1111.
The Samaritans also offer guidance for those who need to discuss any issues confidentially. Click on the link to go to The Samaritans.
If you would like to participate in the Rambling On… series of interviews, please read the main post in this category where you will find instructions on how to participate. We welcome all comments about this or any other interview on the site. Readers can purchase Gerald’s book using the amazon link below;
You can visit Gerald’s Author page on amazon using the following link;
Gerald Freeman
Visit Gerald’s Sculpture Website here;
Gerry Aldridge Sculptures
Visit Gerald’s Blog Here;
Gerald Freeman Blog – Author
The Gerald Freeman (Aldridge) interview took place on 19 March 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
Rambling On… is a part of Simons 10 Q Interviews, which is a Finalist in the U.K. Blogging Awards 2014.
March 17, 2014
Rambling On….
Welcome to Rambling On…
A new form of author interview by Simon Duringer of “Simons 10 Q Interviews”.
It is sad that in any successful endeavour we are sometimes forced, in order to remain commercially viable, to use our time more selectively….
It is for this reason that I have decided to add a string to the bow of Simon’s 10 Q Interviews namely; Rambling On… This will not replace Simon’s 10 Q Interviews, but is simply meant to give more worthy authors than I can possibly handle on my own, the opportunity to take part and shine!
In essence, Rambling On… will give all published authors the opportunity to highlight their character and work by answering 10 of my pre-prepared questions and supplying me directly with;
1. A Profile Picture (Must be over 100kb).
2. A .JPG of 1 Jacket/Cover (Must be over 100kb).
3. The answers to the 10 Questions (English only).
4. Details of an Amazon author page and if applicable, an author website.
I will then format your interview and post it on your behalf. I reserve the right to refuse entries that blaspheme, use inappropriate language or have poor grammar and/or spelling. I will not publish erotica or covers with inappropriate scantily clad men/women.
By sending in your answers, you will be agreeing that they may be used in promotional materials and possibly in The Word, Volume 2. exclusively. All submissions become Copyright Simon Duringer © 2014.
My suggestions are to attempt to make the posts as witty and entertaining as possible (in good taste) as the audience will be; promoters, authors and readers. I will not over edit and reserve the right not to publish answers of poor quality/spelling.
It is an opportunity to shine… The best way to get noticed is by receiving comments on your post when it is published. I will email a link to you when your post is made live using the information you have provided. Tell your readers and friends to read and leave their comments (all comments are moderated). Interviews that attract reader attention will be promoted by me across approximately 100 FB Groups, Tweeted, added to my Goodreads author blog and potentially included within The Word, Volume 2.
Well, that’s enough of me Rambling on… Now it’s your turn! Good Luck…
Send all of the above information to me by email at;
rambling_on49@yahoo.co.uk
Ready? Choose 10 of the following questions to answer;
1. Do you write under your real name or a pen name ?
2. How long have you been writing and who were your key influencers?
3. What are you currently working on and why should readers buy it?
4. What is your motivation for writing?
5. Who are you all time heroes?
6. Black, White…or 50 shades of grey ?
7. Who are your favourite authors?
8. What is your favourite hobby?
9. Where does charity start for you and what have you done that might be considered charitable?
10. What is your favourite quotation and by whom?
11. If you could step into the shoes of anybody currently living, which person would you choose?
12. If you could step into the shoes of anybody of all time, who would you choose?
13. To visit anybody in the world and ask one question, who would it be and what would you ask?
14. Coffee or Tea?
15. Bread or Toast?
16. Bucks Fizz or Simply Orange?
17. To Be or Not To Be…. What is your question?
18. How many books have you written and what are they called?
19. How many pets do you have and how did they get their names?
20. What did you do when the first paperback with your name on it arrived?
21. Fitness Freak or Couch Potato?
22. How many books did you read in 2013 and what were your favourites?
23. How do you research your work?
24. How do you promote your work?
25. If you could have dinner anywhere in the world today where would you go?
26. What are you three most prized possessions?
27. How do you travel?
28. Who is your favourite artist?
29. How do you get in the mood to write?
30. Why do women aspire to be a size 6 or is that a fashion made myth!?
31. Spray tan, sun tan or no tan?
32. Underactive or hyperactive….give an example?
33. What award would you specifically like to win and why?
34. How did you name the characters in your book?
35. What genres do you write, what made you choose them?
36. Do you fantasize about the characters in your book?
37. What star sign are you and what do you think that says about your character?
38. What is the highest award/nomination you have gained in your writing career to date?
39. Bath or shower?
40. Swimming in the sea or swimming in a pool, does it make a difference?
41. Igloo or Condo?
42. Fillet or Sirloin steak and why?
43. Television or the movies?
44. Skiing or sunbathing?
45. Newspaper or magazine?
46. Full fat milk or skimmed?
47. Butter or margarine?
48. When was your profile picture taken and why did you choose it?
49. What question would you add to Ramble on?
50. Why should you be in The Word Volume 2?
Please provide the questions selected and your answers in chronological order, either directly into an email or via .doc or .docx formats.
All the best
Simon.
March 16, 2014
Interview with Jon King - Princess Diana; Accident or Assassination
If you like it tweet it using the following;
#RT Simons 10Q #interview with Jon King - Princess Diana; Accident or Assassination?#exclusive #news #wkbpromo http://simonduringer.com/?p=1746
March 14, 2014
The Claudia Whitsitt Interview
#RT @claudiawhitsitt ran the gauntlet of Simons 10Q Interviews. Don't miss it! #ukba14 #amreading #books http://simonduringer.com/?p=1766
