Author Interview
Hi
Just wanted to let you know that our goodreads friend, James Oh, has posted an author's interview of yours truly
Here's the article:
INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR – C.L . Ragsdale
It is a great pleasure to have C.L. Ragsdale review today. A very warm welcome, C.L. and thanks C.L. for giving us the chance to get to know you more and also for allowing us a glimpse of the world that you have created inside your writing. Thank you very much. Let her walk through her profile and book, as appended below, before we kick off the Q + A session.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - C.L. Ragsdale
C.L. Ragsdale has always loved to read, which lead to her love of a writing. This is a fact her family can confirm as she has driven them crazy over the years with her story ideas. Except for her Father, the only one who had more stories than her. However, it was not until recently that she got serious about the work of writing, and getting the confidence to actually post her works as e-books. Her philosophy of writing is simple, brief, character driver and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an entertaining way.
C.L. Ragsdale is the author of the books below.
AVAILABLE ON KINDLE NOW!
1. The Mystery of Hurtleberry House (The Reboot Files #1)
2. The Island of Living Trees (The Reboot Files #2)
Q &A portion:
James: When did you begin to write?
CL : I started writing in my teenage years, which was an outgrowth of my love of reading. But also being lazy, I would come up with a concept, write various scenes, and then give up because it just seemed that writing was such hard work. Then one day, I sat down and put the full story together and found out I was right. Writing is hard work, but I love it which makes it much easier to deal with.
James : What make you to think of publishing a book to share with others and at the same time encourage others to share their faiths? So far what is your worst criticism/attacks, and how you overcome it?
CL: Well I really don't think it was my idea. The Holy Spirit just kept bugging me. Being a Christian I decided I should listen and started getting serious about writing. I began to see it as my ministry and made it my goal to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an entertaining way. Jesus commanded His followers to share the Gospel, but He also created us to have different talents to get it done. Some are gifted as mighty speakers, some do wonderful good works and others write fiction stories. There’s no size fits all in sharing Gospel, you just have to ask God to show you what He created you to do.
My worst criticism came when I completed my first (unpublished) novel which is not part of The Reboot Files Series. Someone proofed it for me and gave me some scathing criticism about how bad the book was and that maybe writing was not my calling. The person was right in the critical points, but it shook my certainty that this was what the Lord had called me to do. Finally, after much prayer, and I admit a few tears, I revisited the novel and did a rewrite keeping the critical points the person had made in mind. It did help the story, but also convinced me to change from the novel to the novella length which is how I structured The Reboot Files because I just seem to write "short" better.
James: How you come up with title of your books?
CL: I came up with The Reboot Files for the series name because that is what is happening to my main characters Irene Waters and Troy Stenson. Their lives are literally being rebooted by God in a totally different direction than they were planning.
The first book I knew I wanted to give the supposed haunted house a name. After considering and discarding several ideas I settled on a berry name of some sort, but I didn't want it to sound like a child's dollhouse. I liked Huckleberry but it reminded me of a cartoon character, again too cutesy. So I got out a Thesaurus and found the Old English word of Whortleberry, but Whortleberry House didn't sound right. Then I found the alternate word of Hurtleberry which I thought sounded good with House. Since this is a mystery series I called it the Mystery of Hurtleberry House.
The Island of Living Trees is homage to my sister who loves the cheesy horror films that we used to watch on the TV afternoon matinee shows when we were kids. There is a particularly bad one were the premise involves a guy being killed and coming back as a murderous tree to take his revenge on those who wronged him. Believe it or not, it’s worse than it sounds. Now my book has little to do with this movie, really I promise, but the walking tree thing gave me the idea of having a legend of trees walking around an island and turning people into trees. So it became The Island of Living Trees.
James: Can you enlighten us a little more about your books?
CL: It all involves the turn in the fortunes of Irene Waters, a once up and coming Christian television reporter who got involved in a scandal with a married man. Although how she got involved she has no idea as she barely knew the man. This bogus scandal is threatening to ruin her life and career, and has all left her questioning her trust in God. Her employment options being limited she ends up at Reboot, a television station that can only kindly be described as slightly above cable access. She’s teamed with Troy Stenson a talented but reckless cameraman with credibility issues of his own. They are assigned to a cheesy paranormal investigation show called Irene’s Eerie Adventures. Each book will involve a different mystery with a bit of urban legend thrown in. Irene will strengthen her relationship with God and discover that He had a plan all along, although convincing Troy is going to be a bit of work. More humor and fun than chills and thrills.
James: Is there anything else you would like your readers to pay special attention in regards to your book, which you have not mentioned above?
CL: Although Irene and Troy’s adventures are the main focus, there is also the subplot involving The Records Department. This shadowy organization may, or may not, be up to no good. They will not appear in every book in the series, but their manipulations will be felt. Also keep your eye on Bernie Youngman, Reboot's owner as there is definitely more to him than meets the eye.
James: When do you plan to publish your book 2, if applicable.
CL: Book number 3 is called The Harbinger of Retribution (great title huh?). It continues the series with Irene and Troy getting involved in a cursed statue story. I'll be bringing it out in November of 2011.
James : How many volume of books for the above series ?
CL: Well I mapped it out to be seven books, but then I came up with more ideas. Right now I have ten in mind, but that could change. Don't worry, remember they're short books.
James: Tell us your guided principle that governs your life? How you cultivate these values?
CL: Definitely the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Living my life the way He intended and believing in the salvation His Son died to give me. I read the Bible often, go to a Bible teaching church and listen to the smartest person God put in my life, my mother.
James: Is there any other advice which you like to share with our readers?
CL: Talk to God, find out what He has planned for your life, and do it. It’s so much easier that way.
Just wanted to let you know that our goodreads friend, James Oh, has posted an author's interview of yours truly
Here's the article:
INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR – C.L . Ragsdale
It is a great pleasure to have C.L. Ragsdale review today. A very warm welcome, C.L. and thanks C.L. for giving us the chance to get to know you more and also for allowing us a glimpse of the world that you have created inside your writing. Thank you very much. Let her walk through her profile and book, as appended below, before we kick off the Q + A session.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - C.L. Ragsdale
C.L. Ragsdale has always loved to read, which lead to her love of a writing. This is a fact her family can confirm as she has driven them crazy over the years with her story ideas. Except for her Father, the only one who had more stories than her. However, it was not until recently that she got serious about the work of writing, and getting the confidence to actually post her works as e-books. Her philosophy of writing is simple, brief, character driver and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an entertaining way.
C.L. Ragsdale is the author of the books below.
AVAILABLE ON KINDLE NOW!
1. The Mystery of Hurtleberry House (The Reboot Files #1)
2. The Island of Living Trees (The Reboot Files #2)
Q &A portion:
James: When did you begin to write?
CL : I started writing in my teenage years, which was an outgrowth of my love of reading. But also being lazy, I would come up with a concept, write various scenes, and then give up because it just seemed that writing was such hard work. Then one day, I sat down and put the full story together and found out I was right. Writing is hard work, but I love it which makes it much easier to deal with.
James : What make you to think of publishing a book to share with others and at the same time encourage others to share their faiths? So far what is your worst criticism/attacks, and how you overcome it?
CL: Well I really don't think it was my idea. The Holy Spirit just kept bugging me. Being a Christian I decided I should listen and started getting serious about writing. I began to see it as my ministry and made it my goal to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an entertaining way. Jesus commanded His followers to share the Gospel, but He also created us to have different talents to get it done. Some are gifted as mighty speakers, some do wonderful good works and others write fiction stories. There’s no size fits all in sharing Gospel, you just have to ask God to show you what He created you to do.
My worst criticism came when I completed my first (unpublished) novel which is not part of The Reboot Files Series. Someone proofed it for me and gave me some scathing criticism about how bad the book was and that maybe writing was not my calling. The person was right in the critical points, but it shook my certainty that this was what the Lord had called me to do. Finally, after much prayer, and I admit a few tears, I revisited the novel and did a rewrite keeping the critical points the person had made in mind. It did help the story, but also convinced me to change from the novel to the novella length which is how I structured The Reboot Files because I just seem to write "short" better.
James: How you come up with title of your books?
CL: I came up with The Reboot Files for the series name because that is what is happening to my main characters Irene Waters and Troy Stenson. Their lives are literally being rebooted by God in a totally different direction than they were planning.
The first book I knew I wanted to give the supposed haunted house a name. After considering and discarding several ideas I settled on a berry name of some sort, but I didn't want it to sound like a child's dollhouse. I liked Huckleberry but it reminded me of a cartoon character, again too cutesy. So I got out a Thesaurus and found the Old English word of Whortleberry, but Whortleberry House didn't sound right. Then I found the alternate word of Hurtleberry which I thought sounded good with House. Since this is a mystery series I called it the Mystery of Hurtleberry House.
The Island of Living Trees is homage to my sister who loves the cheesy horror films that we used to watch on the TV afternoon matinee shows when we were kids. There is a particularly bad one were the premise involves a guy being killed and coming back as a murderous tree to take his revenge on those who wronged him. Believe it or not, it’s worse than it sounds. Now my book has little to do with this movie, really I promise, but the walking tree thing gave me the idea of having a legend of trees walking around an island and turning people into trees. So it became The Island of Living Trees.
James: Can you enlighten us a little more about your books?
CL: It all involves the turn in the fortunes of Irene Waters, a once up and coming Christian television reporter who got involved in a scandal with a married man. Although how she got involved she has no idea as she barely knew the man. This bogus scandal is threatening to ruin her life and career, and has all left her questioning her trust in God. Her employment options being limited she ends up at Reboot, a television station that can only kindly be described as slightly above cable access. She’s teamed with Troy Stenson a talented but reckless cameraman with credibility issues of his own. They are assigned to a cheesy paranormal investigation show called Irene’s Eerie Adventures. Each book will involve a different mystery with a bit of urban legend thrown in. Irene will strengthen her relationship with God and discover that He had a plan all along, although convincing Troy is going to be a bit of work. More humor and fun than chills and thrills.
James: Is there anything else you would like your readers to pay special attention in regards to your book, which you have not mentioned above?
CL: Although Irene and Troy’s adventures are the main focus, there is also the subplot involving The Records Department. This shadowy organization may, or may not, be up to no good. They will not appear in every book in the series, but their manipulations will be felt. Also keep your eye on Bernie Youngman, Reboot's owner as there is definitely more to him than meets the eye.
James: When do you plan to publish your book 2, if applicable.
CL: Book number 3 is called The Harbinger of Retribution (great title huh?). It continues the series with Irene and Troy getting involved in a cursed statue story. I'll be bringing it out in November of 2011.
James : How many volume of books for the above series ?
CL: Well I mapped it out to be seven books, but then I came up with more ideas. Right now I have ten in mind, but that could change. Don't worry, remember they're short books.
James: Tell us your guided principle that governs your life? How you cultivate these values?
CL: Definitely the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Living my life the way He intended and believing in the salvation His Son died to give me. I read the Bible often, go to a Bible teaching church and listen to the smartest person God put in my life, my mother.
James: Is there any other advice which you like to share with our readers?
CL: Talk to God, find out what He has planned for your life, and do it. It’s so much easier that way.
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message 1:
by
Susan
(new)
Jun 08, 2011 04:00PM
Hey Cindy, this is really cool. However, I take umbridge with your assessment of "It Came From Hell". Seriously, how can you NOT love that movie? It has everything: bad acting, terrible dialog, offensive racial stereotypes, oodles of stock footage, really homely heroes, and a monster tree! And as always the women fall and faint exactly when needed for "plot" progression. And a monster tree, with a KNIFE in its heart. Seriously, how can you NOT love it???
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Susan wrote: "Hey Cindy, this is really cool. However, I take umbridge with your assessment of "It Came From Hell". Seriously, how can you NOT love that movie? It has everything: bad acting, terrible dialog, off..."I never said I didn't like it (love is too strong of a word), I just said it was bad, and it is still is. By the way, wasn't it From Hell It Came? Let's add bad grammer to your list of its faults, or is it virtues?
Stephanie wrote: "Great interview :)!!"Thank you so much much. Nice to hear from you Steph. By the way, if you want you can check out the first three chapters of both books in My Writings. Pay special attention to The Island of Living Trees. Your Mom was my inspiration for that one, and as you can see from her comment, she wears it proudly.
Thanks Aunt Cindy. I'll definitely check it out.
Well, yes, you got me on that one. Believe it or not, I do know the correct name of the movie, I've just been studying too hard. It's all this correct grammar I've been exposed to, it just makes it so difficult to phrase things wrong right. Or do I mean right wrong? Anyway, the point is you are right and I was not. "From Hell It Came!" Ahh, ahh (that is me quoting the heroine's pathetic attempt at screaming. Just love that flick!)
Oh, and by the way, I assumed you meant Mel when you said your sister inspired the book. I'm honored to think that my love of the cheesy has finally created good in the world. I wrote a story once called, "Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Monster Movies", which presented some valid points for the inherent good of monster movies and now see, here is more proof that cheesy movies really were created for good.
Susan wrote: "Well, yes, you got me on that one. Believe it or not, I do know the correct name of the movie, I've just been studying too hard. It's all this correct grammar I've been exposed to, it just makes it..."I thought it was the woman with the weird accent (was it supposed to be Cockney?) who made that noise. Then again I think they all did at one point or another. My favorite (?!) part was when they dug the pit, the tree fell in, they set it on fire AND THEY DON'T WAIT TO MAKE SURE IT'S DEAD! Sheesh!
Well anyway, thanks for the idea. I admit, I have a soft spot for this book. I think because you inspired it. That is a compliment, really.
Susan wrote: "Oh, and by the way, I assumed you meant Mel when you said your sister inspired the book. I'm honored to think that my love of the cheesy has finally created good in the world. I wrote a story once ..."No Sue, it was you who inspired me with your love of that movie. Sorry you're stuck with it. Your story sounds like fun, I would like to read it sometime. Really, I loved the cheesey horror movies too, although some of them really scared me when I was young. Silly I know. However, between them, my love of Scooby Doo and Dad's stories I may never run out of ideas. Which is a good thing, I think.
Yes, it is. I'll have to see if I can find my story. I have all of that old stuff somewhere, just not sure where right now. But you know my humor, "I learned about the dangers of nuclear proliferation from Godzilla" stuff like that. Hmm...I wonder where that paper is. Oh, and I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE "The Crawling Eye". You should see what you can do with that one (I learned that intact human beings really annoy some of our fellow creatures OR I learned I'm not the only one who wants to tear some people's heads off).
Susan wrote: "Yes, it is. I'll have to see if I can find my story. I have all of that old stuff somewhere, just not sure where right now. But you know my humor, "I learned about the dangers of nuclear proliferat..."Hmmm...the Crawling Eye, eh? Creepy moving cloud and monsters from outer space. Has promise.
CL,Thank you so much for blogging it out here. Well, it draw good responses and I am very happy for you.
All the best to you and have a blessed day everyday,
james
