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CHAT WITH JOHN PIRILLO

Posted on September 14, 2014 by LisetteSeptember 14, 2014

John Pirillo was born in the coal-mining town of Avella, Pennsylvania. He cut his teeth on all the books in the local public library, read every comic book he could get his hands on, played with imaginary friends, got a degree in film and a Master’s in Experimental Animation from Disney’s school, Cal Arts.

John loves animation of almost any kind, music, art of most kinds, the laughter of children, old Disney cartoons, Redwoods, ocean views, lakes and rivers, friendship, love, writing and teaching and Robby the Robot.

Time to chat with John!

You have quite a background in art, from your 3D design skills to abstract art, character designs, landscapes, and architecture. Was writing always a part of your life, too?

More so than art actually. Though I’ve always loved working with colors and shadows, even as a child. I spent years illustrating children’s books and stories for a huge club in California at one time. I currently have some children’s picture books in e-book format, which I used my 3D design skills to create. And I am offering free children’s stories on my children’s blog.

My first serious writing was done in seventh grade after the Russians launched Sputnik. I wrote it for my English class with Mister Bronze. It was about an American Astronaut who hid aboard the Sputnik to sabotage it so it couldn’t deliver an atomic bomb on the United States as planned. Kind of a James Bond in Outer Space sort of thing.

I owe Mister Bronze for my best writing skill, speed typing. He forced me to learn typing over a summer because my personal handwriting is so terrible…”Looks like chicken scratching.” In his words.

Your writing has as much diversity as your artistic endeavors. You write adventure, fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers. What common elements do you find in these different genres? Do you have a favorite?

The common element or theme really that runs through my stories is that man is more than a physical body and that it is our great individual spirit that helps us to triumph over all odds, not our intellect alone. I suppose that’s why I’ve always been so strongly attracted to writers like Edgar Rice Burroughs, Jules Verne and H.G.Wells, to name a few, who had at the basis of their writings a nobility of spirit, adventure and wonder.

The genre I favor the most is a relatively new one, which is a blend of British air and mysticism, utilizing paranormal events, where magic and investigative skills drive the stories action, but the basic theme being our soul is at stake if we don’t do the right thing.

I suppose this is why I’ve always been so strongly attracted to the Golden Age Writers. They cut new inroads into genre writing, incorporating the best of the older Wells/Verne/Doyle colors of writing.

What is your latest book?

Journey to the Center of the Earth, “The Advent”

It’s part of a new series that will take at least three novels, perhaps as many as nine to complete. As I write it I keep finding more stories to tell within the scope of the theme.

I’m in the first proof stage of this novel.

I hear you have some very exciting news! Can you share it with us?

Moriarity, “Infinite Worlds, Infinite Choices.” I am on the final proof now and I think this will be the last. If so, it should be published within the next two weeks and available at Amazon and all other major retailers.

Is your recent book part of a series?

Yes. Moriarity is an ongoing series. I have already finished a new story, which will eventually turn into many more and a new novel. Probably a year down the road, because I usually am working on multiple ideas at the same time.

What are the special challenges in writing a series?

Actually, for me, it’s not a challenge. I love writing that way. I grew up with Serials like Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, Chandu the Magician and Captain Marvel, which kept telling more stories, and I’ve never run out of ideas since.

What else have you written?

I have a really nice series based on the Arthurian legend, “Young King Arthur,” which I really love a lot, though it’s a harder write because of its time period. I also have a high tech series called “Perihelion,” which investigates the nature of reality through a communicative science called “Convolution.” And of course my new “Sheridan Holmes” series, which I shall be publishing the first story of soon and my “Chittles and Red Eye” series which I’ve published two stories about. From ancient worlds to future worlds, from Baker Street to Robin Hood, that’s my trek of desire.

Is it important for you to know the ending of a book before you write it? The title?

I learned a great technique when I was in graduate school in Theater. My teacher was a famous off-Broadway director, Davey Jones. He said always right backwards. He explained that if you know the ending, then write backwards you will always keep the audience guessing.

I have incorporated that into my own writing, but mostly I actually see the whole story in my mind at once, and just basically flesh it out as I type. I always know the ending before I write the story.

Some writers edit excessively as they write; others wait until a novel is finished to do the bulk of the editing. How about you?

Brain drain. Story kill. Don’t do it! I learned way back in my early days that if you stop to examine your work and don’t finish, you kill the process. Creativity is like a breaking dam. Let it flow. Block it and risk the whole thing blowing up.

I learned that when I played guitar. I used to play songs to learn the guitar and a friend of mine Barry Nutter told me to don’t stop. Just keep playing, even if you missed some parts, otherwise you created a habit of stopping.

He was right. I never did it again and it’s always helped my creativity. If anything, I have more ideas than I could ever have time to write. Which could be depressing if I was wired that way, but it’s so exciting to be able to create…something at the drop of a hat…that I don’t even think about it anymore.

Over the years, many well-known authors have stated that they wished they’d written their characters or their plots differently. Have you ever had similar regrets?

None whatsoever. I write about people I care about. I don’t believe that anyone is pure evil, but usually a mix of good and evil. Of course, you can’t always show that in every story, but I try to be fair about it.

Now, I may take a situation like World War Two with Rocketman, “The Secret War,” a new story series I began this summer, in which our hero has to deal with a man bent on dominating the world. But in reality Hitler wasn’t pure evil, but he did make a lot of horrible, horrible decisions which hurt many. (Because a person might be crazy, doesn’t make them evil, only perhaps more capable of it.) I think we’ve all made bad decisions we wish we hadn’t, trouble is that a good villain usually makes more mistakes than he can take back. At least in public view. (Nixon, Bush, or Cheney anyone?)

Which is why I did the Moriarity novel. I felt that it would be great to show that a man as evil as Professor Moriarity could actually have a counterpart of himself that was totally the opposite. That its choices we make that are evil, and make us evil in appearance and not that we’re born that way. Free will. (Mmmm, isn’t that something God was supposed to have given us?”

How important is the choosing of character names to you? Have you ever decided on a name and then changed it because it wasn’t right for the character?

Yes. For diversity usually, or contrast. Or just simply to make it easier to remember.

Authors, especially Indies, are constantly trying to understand why some authors sell very while their talented fellow authors have a hard time of it. It’s an ongoing conundrum. What do you make of it all?

When I worked in Hollywood as a screenwriter I made contacts with most of the top names of that day, people like Steven Spielberg, but I never became famous as a screenwriter. And yet much of what is on screen today I had been writing for decades before it became popular.

I’m a strong believer in the spiritual aspect of man. I subscribe to the belief that this is a lesson planet and we are all here to learn how to play nice with each other. Since not everyone can be rich and famous, some have to play lesser roles, but that does not make us lesser, it only makes us not in the spotlight in this life. But since I also believe in reincarnation, I also am sure that everyone gets a chance to grab the number one spot, just not in every life.

Do you have any advice for first-time authors?

Read what you love. Love what you write.

There are so many conflicting opinions out there about everything related to publishing: e-book pricing, book promotion, social media usage etc. How do you sort through it all to figure out what works best for you?

Trial and error. Tons of research. I don’t think any one thing works, it seems to be a combination of things. I do notice however that when I am more upbeat and positive, I get better results with my work. I subscribe to the belief that what we put out comes back to us and people can feel us…sort of like when you go into a person’s home where there’s been a lot of anger you can feel it thick as molasses in the air. It makes you feel yucky. So the more positive you are, the happier you’ll be. Live for the good vibes you put out, not that you get back. If get too attached to results, you’ll drive yourself nuts…and also everyone else around you. (Divorce anyone?)

Please, tell us about your experiences with social media. What are your favorite and least-favorite parts of it?

I love social media. I wish it had been around when I was going to college, I would probably have learned a lot more about my fellow man and had a lot more fun doing it.

I love the ability to get snapshots of other lifestyles and other cultures. It fits in nice and snug with my enjoyment of alien cultures in science fiction and fantasy.

My most favorite part of social media is the fact that if people like you, they share you with their friends. I’ve probably sold more books when that happens. So I would encourage the use of social media.

Myself, when I like the writing of someone, I get curious about the author. In this case people get curious about you and read your writing. It’s a nice turnaround.

My least favorite part of it is that sometimes I friend people who post truly shocking things which my friends and fellow professionals can see and that’s distressing. I can usually block or remove their content and even them, but I wish that didn’t happen. I don’t like having to cut people out of my life, but if they insist on not making nice, I do what I must.

But I understand, some people like the negative attention. Personally, I have no need for negative attention. I’d rather make people feel better about their lives, or at least bring up ideas that challenge the status quo in an effort to get them to expand themselves and consequently enlarge their own happiness.

I don’t know how many saw the original Star Wars, but when Han, Luke and Chewie get their awards in front of the Rebel Forces by Princess Leia, it really raised the adrenaline in my body and hairs on the back of my neck. Yay team! Good over evil. Positive over negative! Boo Darth Daddy! Yay! Hans Cool! Solo!

Are you a fast typist? Does your typing speed (or lack of it) affect your writing?

Trouble with typing fast is that you can sometimes spend a lot of time going back and editing your mistakes. Especially troublesome if you have a bad keyboard, then you can easily create more mistakes than you might have otherwise.

Usually I can type between 90 and a 120 words a minute, with an accuracy of about 90 percent.

Having our work out there to be judged by strangers is often daunting for writers. Do you have any tips on handling a negative review?

It’s like asking someone out for a date. Not everyone is going to like you enough to go out with you, and if they do, not everyone is going to like what they see. Such is life. You can’t judge your life by another’s tastes. You have to love yourself as you are right here and now, not in some distant future that may or may not happen. If your motivations for writing are not just for the money, it won’t matter, you’ll just take the silliness and get on with more writing. If you love it, that’s the big thing. If they love it too, then Yay! for you. Just keep writing and learning. You’re going to get better and better.

Many authors do giveaways; have you found them a successful way to promote your book?

On Smashwords I give away tons of free books. I’ve given away hundreds, I think thousands by now. It helps. But I think my blog and pro site help more because they’re more personal. Hard to tell, but it’s probably all interrelated, each part kicking in at different times.

By the way I’ll be having a surprise on my author site www.johnpirillo.com…an autographed, free copy of my “Moriarity” novel. The rules will be posted on the site once the book is published.

Would you like to write a short poem for us?

For you Lisette I say these words

That flowers do spring and sing.

Your heart is like a gentle sword

that puts my heart awing.

How was that?

Lovely! Thank you, John.

Where do you live now? If you had to move to another city/state/country, where might that be?

Las Vegas is where I live. If all my friends didn’t live here, then I’d rather live in Switzerland by a lake, or perhaps Tahoe, or in Canada…by a lake! 🙂

If you could duplicate the knowledge from any single person’s head and have it magically put into your own brain, whose knowledge would you like to have? And why.

Jesus. Because he was the kindest man I’ve heard of in our Western culture. And it’d be nice to have the level of love he did for all life. Next after that would be Einstein. What a good heart and brain that man had!

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

A kiss from my daughter.

Have you ever played a practical joke on a friend? Ever had one played on you?

Yeah. My kids took some poop and pretended it was a huge brownie and fed it to me. I didn’t laugh at first, though they did. But later I thought it was funny. (And no, I didn’t warm their little bottoms, those little rascals!)

What are the most important traits you look for in a friend?

That I am as important to them, as they are to their self.

If you had a million dollars to give to charity, how would you allot the funds?

Be tough. There’s way more people who need help, than a million dollars could cure. But probably to a children’s hospital or home.

If you could have one skill that you don’t currently have, what would it be?

The ability to never say anything or do anything that harmed another. Ever!

What was your favorite year of school? Why?

I loved all of my school years. Best social life I ever had.

What might we be surprised to know about you?

I’m really from Mars. Just kidding. 🙂 Or am I?

What makes you angry?

Mainly politicians and the extremely wealthy. Because they have lost their ability to relate to the common man and they live in selfish worlds. They’re not evil, just distracted from what is truly valuable in a person’s life…the ability to love and care for their fellow man.

What music soothes your soul?

NewAge, Beatles, Classical, Soul music and any kind of well done Blues or Jazz.

What was the most valuable class you ever took in school? Why?

My English class during my Freshman year in College. Ms. Molly Irwin, my teacher, taught me to write what I loved and from love and don’t filter it as you do, let the soul come forth.

If you are a TV watcher, would you share the names of your favorite shows with us?

Right now, Game of Thrones; Sleepy Hollow; Grim; Once Upon a Time; Bill Maher; Extant; Falling Skies; Conan O’Brian; the Walking Dead; Big Bang; Cheers; Eureka; Haven; and head over heels in love with the new Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who, even if it is Peter Capaldi now…who is an excellent actor by the way!

If you could add a room onto your current home, what would you put in it?

Walls of books. A very comfortable chair to meditate upon. A great sound system for soothing music. My writing computer. My pet cockatiels, whom I just love to death. And a huge set of French Widows with a balcony so I could watch the sun set and the sun rise, and get wet when it rains if I like. And lots of flowers on the balcony.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

That we live in a world where so many have to struggle to have the basics, while a select few have the majority of the wealth and are reluctant to share it and do everything they can to make sure that it’s NOT shared. (Not always consciously, but shouldn’t those with the most, also be the ones who act as guardians of the wealth in a responsible way to protect their fellow man? To insure their happiness and health as well?)

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Bag of potato chips while reading a book.

What are three things you think we can all do to make the world a better place?

Love each other. Forgive each other. Learn from each other.

What simple pleasure makes you smile?

A baby’s smile. A baby’s laughter.

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CHAT WITH AUTUMN M. BIRT

Posted on September 7, 2014 by LisetteSeptember 7, 2014

Autumn (also known as Weifarer) is a travel and fantasy writer currently based in Maine where she lives in a small cottage lost in the woods, which she built with her husband along with the supervision, and approval of, two cairn terriers. She is an indie author, conservationist, & world traveler with plans for many more adventures both real and fantastical!

Time to chat with Autumn!

What is your latest book? Is your recent book part of a series?

I released Spirit of Life, book 3 of my epic fantasy trilogy the Rise of the Fifth Order this spring. I’m really excited to have the trilogy complete. It feels like such an accomplishment to have started such a long story (the books do not stand alone) and managed to wrap it up… even if it took me three years to publish all three!

What are the special challenges in writing a series?

I had lots of special problems, but that is because book 1, Born of Water, was also my first book to self publish! I knew when I wrote Born of Water that the story continued, but at the time I published it and faced with the immense learning curve of formats, editing, covers, and distribution, I really hadn’t thought out too much more of the story. But I had so much fun, I knew I had to keep writing. And that is when I ran into problems.

The stories I admired as a young reader were ones laced with clues that might not be fully understood until chapters, or books, later. I loved trying to see where things were going! And so that is the type of series I set out to write. BUT I hadn’t done all of the plotting and figuring out when I wrote book 1. I did that when I began to write book 2, Rule of Fire. Happily, there were nuggets from book 1 that I could play with and enlarge that really moved the story forward, but I also think I lost an opportunity to really tighten the plot threads. I would write book 1 a little differently now. But I do still love it and really love the series.

And lesson learned, I write differently now. If it is going to be a series (which I admittedly like writing), I have the overall arc planned out before I start. I’m a plotter but not down to every detail, letting the story develop as characters make choices. To accommodate the smaller plot threads that develop, and I might want to drop in hints earlier, I’m trying to write the entire series, or at least a book or two into it, before I release the first. That is a lot of writing, but should make the releases come a little faster (fingers crossed!).

I hear you have some very exciting news! Can you share it with us?

I do! At the beginning of August I signed on with Creativia. They are a small publisher and I can’t believe how phenomenal it has been meeting their other authors and working with the founder, Miika. My head is really spinning and I don’t think that I’ve fully realized yet that I’m not alone out there anymore. I suddenly have an editor, cover artist, marketer, and lots of other authors to ask questions of. My writing speed has ramped up and I have several releases coming up in the next year and I was honestly getting worried about how to afford an editor. My writing, as much as I love it, hasn’t paid for the first editor on book 1 yet! Just knowing all that is lined up and I just need to write and post to social media is a huge relief. Of course, hopefully they will like my new work as much as my released series! lol.

You live in a small cottage in the woods. That sounds like a wonderful place for a writer. Can you tell us about it?

I am an introvert, which shouldn’t be much of a surprise since I’m a writer. I live nature and quiet. So yeah, living in a little house in the woods is awesome. It is relaxing and I can go for walks when I’m stumped. I have a little sleeping porch (think of it as a room with one wall open to outside) where I write. Its on the second floor and shaded in the afternoon and just heaven!

The downside is that my husband and I built, and are still finishing, this little cottage. That has been a tremendous amount of work the last two years! I’m the finish carpenter and I have so many bookshelves, trim, nooks, and even kitchen cabinets that I need to construct yet. Ack! I joke that I’ll have the house paid off in four years and still will be putting in cabinetry. Hopefully this fall will get the brunt of the remaining work done (while still maintaining my writing time…). Having the house done for a winter of solitude and writing will be… amazing!

Over the years, many well-known authors have stated that they wished they’d written their characters or their plots differently. Have you ever had similar regrets?

I hinted in the above question that I would have written book 1 differently if I’d realized the direction the trilogy would take. And I would have tweaked the characters a little more, especially Ria and Ty. They both tend to have extremes of emotions, Ria having been very sheltered and frightened as a child and Ty just being very sensitive. They don’t always fit the “model” of how a character is expected to behave. As much as I think that is ok as there isn’t a script of how a person must react to certain situations, there are times when it is pointed out that I feel like answering “yup, I know.” I think I would have streamlined them a bit more if I could write Born of Water again. But maybe that would be a shame too!

How important is the choosing of character names to you? Have you ever decided on a name and then changed it because it wasn’t right for the character?

For some reason character names, even place names, are a stumbling block to me. I can be writing a sentence and hit a blank name and I just can’t write any further. Sometimes, if I’m really desperate, I’ll put in a little _____ and try to keep writing. But it just drives me batty. I don’t tend to have writer’s block all that often, but if I need a name and nothing comes to mind, I’m stuck.

Do I ever change a name… sometimes but rarely. I’m usually at a standstill until the “right” name comes to me. But sometimes I’ll read through something and realize that two names are too similar. Then I have to change one… and hope it doesn’t take me all day!

How much research was involved in writing your book? How did you go about it?

Research might not be the word for my epic fantasy series (though it fits with my current WIP!), but world building certainly is. And epic fantasy takes a lot of world building! I actually rewrote Born of Water because I didn’t like the world building in it. The first draft was “pantsed” a lot. The story went all over the world where the story is set, Myrrah, and it just felt flat to me. It felt typical. So I sat down and really thought about the world, the climate, the food, the culture, the governments. What would it be like to grow up in the archipelago where seasonal rains flood the cities versus the deep forests in the north. What sort of commerce would the wooded but mountainous coast on the south shore of the Sea of Sarketh have? Once I knew the answer to those questions, I started writing again. Now I try to have all of that figured out before I write the first draft. It speeds up the process quite a lot!

Are you a fast typist? Does your typing speed (or lack of it) affect your writing?

I am a fast typist! I can churn out over 80 wpm if you want to put me in a timed test. But you know, speed doesn’t seem to be THAT big of an impact on writing.

I see lots of posts about “if you can type 4000 words a day, you can write a novel a month.” Well, yeah, but that doesn’t mean it will be a good novel. Or that you won’t spend six months editing it. There is so much more to writing than putting words on a page. That is super important to, but that is only a piece to the puzzle!

If I know where the story is going and the scene is clicking as I follow the characters along, writing speed helps. Sometimes I can’t keep up! But if the plot or motivations aren’t clear or I just can’t get into a character’s head, speed doesn’t matter. I usually try to push things along, giving it about 15 minutes of thought or plugging away. If things still aren’t moving at that point, I switch to a different WIP (I tend to write two novels at the same time for this reason!) or edit my most recently completed WIP or read (gasp!) or go for a walk (which helps tons). Sometimes I break down and actually talk to my husband. lol.

The bottom line is speed is not everything and not that important really. Consistency is – writing a bit every day. Having a good story is very important. Editing is key too. If you end up cutting a horrible chapter (or two), how fast you typed it doesn’t matter.

Do you have complete control over your characters or do they ever control you?

I wouldn’t say control comes into play, but my characters are their own people. I don’t tell them what to do, but if they want to change the story too much, well they’ve got to make a good pitch as to why!

Though, saying that, I have one or two feisty individuals who aren’t very good at sharing. I tend to set up chapters with POV and a quick blurb on what is going to happen to make sure the novel keeps on pace. But, with a few of my characters, I know it is going to be in their POV but don’t have a clue what they are going to get up to. Sinika, my main “villain” in my epic fantasy series is this way. I usually don’t know what he is going to do, doing, or why until he decides to tell me. Sort of difficult trusting the most evil character in your book to run his own show… but, gosh darn it, he does such an awesome job!

Do you miss spending time with your characters when you finish writing them?

Yes! When I started writing the final book in the series, I dragged my feet a bit knowing this was it. After this book, I was done with this world and these characters. Maybe I’d write a short story… stop by in a few years. I got myself moving again by picking away at a new WIP and then as the final book built, I couldn’t stop writing. I felt satisfied when I finished and ready to focus on that side WIP I’d started.

But the characters weren’t ready to call it quits. Seriously, they would pop into my head with little protestations about how I ended things. Their lives go on. I didn’t think they needed me. They apparently thought they did. And they made a really good argument, eventually making me realize I might have missed the most important part of their story and world! So now I’m writing a new trilogy set in the same world with the same characters. I never meant to write this, but they were so convincing and the story is so good, that I had to. Of course, now this new epic fantasy trilogy is my side WIP while I finish up the one I started when I was writing Spirit of Life. Hopefully they’ll be happy when this new story arc is done!

Trains, planes, automobiles, or boats?

Tardis, followed by sailboat, followed by dual-sport motorcycle. Definitely the Tardis first! I love to travel, I love history, and I love science, so how could I not want a time traveling spaceship? In everyday life, it is a dream of mine to sail the intercoastal waterway from the St. Lawrence down to the Caribbean. And I really want to see a meteor shower from a boat anchored somewhere dark and inspiring. Wouldn’t it be incredible to see shooting stars streak to the horizon?

I’d also love to ride my motorcycle from Alaska to Venezuela. That route is becoming more common each year, but I’d love to do it myself. Until then, I have to be content riding around Maine, the Canadian Maritimes, and to work while the weather is half way decent!

If I make it through all of that, I still want to hike the AT and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. I guess you can say I just like to move. One method or another!

If you could have one skill that you don’t currently have, what would it be?

I would love to be a good singer. Not professional, just one of those people that can sing a tune and sound good enough to make people smile. I really love music and at the moment can’t play any instrument. Hopefully I’ll learn the guitar someday yet and really wish I could fiddle. But to not need anything but my voice… that would be awesome!

What simple pleasure makes you smile?

I’m a fairly happy person but one thing that always makes me smile is seeing some little everyday wonder… maybe something that most people would miss. I get outside as much as I can and love to be mesmerized by nature: a white spider hiding on the petals of a daisy, sparrows chasing off a bald eagle, bees finding the first pussy willows of spring. I’m one of those people that stops to watch ants, catches frogs, knows which flowers are in bloom in the meadow. They aren’t big events, but they make me feel connected to the world and happy.

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CHAT WITH JUDY PROBUS

Posted on August 24, 2014 by LisetteAugust 24, 2014

Judy Probus, her husband, Bill, and extended family reside in Kentucky, “the Unbridled state” – a perfect place and state of mind for a writer of fantasy/ adventure. Judy possesses a B.S. and Masters in Education, experience in the performing arts and teaching, and has volunteered countless hours in the local school system. Her favorite hobbies include reading, listening to music, watching sports and movies, gardening, traveling, and learning new things about Earth and beyond.

Hello Lisette. Thank you for inviting me to your chateau. I hope something I contribute will be of help to someone on his or her journey down the writing road.

You’re welcome, Judy! Delighted to have you here. Let’s chat.

ImagiNation Unveiled: The Hidden Realm and its supplement contain eighteen character descriptions and additional sketches. That’s quite an undertaking. Where did you get the inspiration and motivation for this book?

I answer that question best in the video embedded in my e-book, which you can also find here.

Here, I will share that it was at 10,000 feet plus, during a trip to New York that I decided to write an adventure fantasy novel. One problem was that I wasn’t a published author in the traditional sense. I’ve long been a reader and a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S Lewis, J.K Rowling, and Rick Riordan. Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty was the first story to capture my young imagination. As an adult, I like to delve into history books and anything by National Geographic. But, until I began writing my most recent book, I’d only written a few children’s short stories and they lie undisturbed in a drawer. So, my decision to write a novel was probably a simple lack of oxygen to the brain at high altitude, right?! No, I think it was more than that.

You see, as a second-grader, I witnessed NASA and the rest of America send a man to the moon. The synergy was unforgettable and the impact impressionable. At the same time, I attended public school at a time when music and drama departments flourished. Both of my parents worked hard, sometimes multiple jobs, to provide me with the means to participate in curricular programs during and after school in an attempt to unlock my proclivity for shyness. They accomplished that and much more.

Somewhere between rehearsals, marching band competitions, orchestra pit performances, and stage curtain calls, I came in contact with dedicated teachers who taught me more than how to play a few instruments, twirl a baton, and dance. They taught me teamwork, sweat, sacrifice, community pride, and persistence. They also ingrained a rock solid belief in the power of the imagination and appreciation for the arts in me that endures to this day. I believe those extracurricular programs made me a more focused student on all levels. But, more than that, the friendships I encountered and the struggles I endured in those art programs equipped me with things you don’t learn while studying English, history, or math. They equipped me for life. Sometimes, I wonder if there might be a correlation between fading art programs, plummeting scholastic scores, and general student apathy in today’s world.

My children are adults now, but my passion for the arts remains and at 10,000 feet plus, I heard the call to create stronger than ever before. Through ImagiNation Unveiled: The Hidden Realm, I hope to spark the members of our young generation’s imaginations. They are whizzes at modern technology and I suspect there is no limit to the discoveries they can make and the places they can take us – but that’s only possibly if they have the confidence and willingness to explore their imaginations.

They say one must lead by example, so rather than just spout words from the past, I decided to climb my own mountain by learning to write. I hope my journey and the stories crafted along the way can inspire others. One is never too old to learn something new and there’s no time like the present to embark on an adventure.

I began writing ideas on the back of grocery receipts. I quickly graduated to notebooks, then a laptop, which I promptly typed the letters off of while burning the midnight oil. People who read my story while it was being developed encouraged me to continue pushing forward. Writers on Twitter wished me well. Down the writing road, I met Matt Langan, writer, editor, entrepreneur, and technological wizard, who liked the story and supports my efforts to produce an exciting quality series. The project gained momentum and awesome folks including @ElicabeDesign (cover), @harkinsart (sketch artist), @BeyondGraphics, and my local Minuteman Press branch joined the venture.

What motivates you?

Several things. Positive comments and heartfelt messages from readers have touched me on a personal level that is hard to describe. Achieving my goal to write a novel was one thing; hearing how the story touched someone else’s life is… well, I’m sure you can imagine. Five-star reviews on Amazon are encouraging. Recently, I received fantastic literary reviews from MuggleNet.com, the #1 Harry Potter fan site, and NarniaFans.com, which fueled the fires to write the second book of the series. I have a two-year-old grandson and a six-year-old granddaughter who love dragons. And so, I write.

Some authors, like me, always write scenes in order. But I know some people write scenes out of order. How about you?

I like to write scenes in order. However, if I think the story will benefit, I will back up and replace an existing scene with a new one.

Some writers edit excessively as they write; others wait until a novel is finished to do the bulk of the editing. How about you?

I like to take one step forward and two back. When I write a new chapter, I like to re-read the previous two chapters and make sure everything fits together. This seems to save time in the long run and I find it to be an effective way to stay focused and even stumble across new ideas.

Have you ever written characters that you truly despise?

Yes, I had to tap into my dark side to create Vahdeema, an evil sorceress, and Stonedish II, her accomplice. It was great fun and an awesome way to vent normal, everyday frustrations.

Do you dread writing a synopsis for your novel as much as most writers do? Do you think writing a synopsis is inherently evil? Why?

I understand the huge volume of stories created in our modern world necessitates a way to relate the essence of a story in an abbreviated form. I also understand the stress such a task generates for the author. I think the trouble with a synopsis is that they might not appropriately communicate the quality or the excitement of the story they describe. They can be cold, calculated, hyped up general outlines of the story at worst. To appreciate the true spirit of the story, I think one benefit from reading several excerpts or a few chapters from the book. My website imaginationunveiled.com offers six free chapters of reading and a few pages of free character descriptions from the supplement.

Maybe the following exaggerations will help demonstrate my point:

I wonder how Michelangelo would have reacted if someone asked him to reduce his masterpiece on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel to a stamp-sized sample? Along the same vein, I wonder if a written description of any classic overture can accurately explain how the audible crescendos and fortes of the musical piece makes listeners feel?

I think a dedicated author weaves together words with the same diligence and care a seamstress exhibits when they hand-weave a complex quilt. The author knows his or her book is best understood and enjoyed in its entirety – or at least in excess of a handful of paragraphs.

Are you an early bird writer or night owl? And do you have any must haves like coffee, chocolates, wine, music or something else?

I am an early bird and a night owl! I keep my iPad and my notebook and pen on my nightstand, ready to jot down any new ideas that pop into my head as I awake or before I go to sleep. No matter how hard I try to manipulate my writing time into regular hours during the day, my creative muse works on her own clock. So, I am willing to write anywhere and at anytime. Typing in the passenger seat is a lot easier on roads without potholes.

My writing must haves are my beats, books, unsalted popcorn, and the occasional bits of chocolate. Most mornings, I crank on the tunes and start with a workout to jumpstart the brain. Often, I listen to music to inspire my mood or the character I’m developing. In general I like the energy that movie soundtracks generate. I did listen to a lot of country music while writing because my protagonist is from Alabama.

A lot of authors are frustrated by readers who don’t understand how important reviews are. What would you say to a reader who doesn’t think his or her review matters?

In the competitive world of writing, I’ve learned that reviews are paramount. We live in a social media driven society. People constantly check their electronic devices and count on other peoples’ reviews. Reviews are the go-to shortcut for readers to find their way through all of the available lists of books.

Before e-books, people bought published books from their bookstore, which was in indirect way of communicating that the book was worth their attention. Now, with the prevalence of self-published e-books, quality varies substantially. Reviews allow readers to gauge if a book is worth their time and money. Positive reviews drive sales, it’s a fact and one that should not be taken for granted if you’re an author.

I think some people find the process of writing a review uncomfortable and time consuming. But, anyone who thinks book reviews don’t matter needs to be brought up to speed. A reader’s review is the author’s lifeline to the rest of the world. Their future in the realm of writing depends on each and every review, especially indie writers who have limited means of promotion. Besides, positive or negative, reviews help the writer grow.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, how do you get around it?

Writer’s block is the dreaded twilight zone between the speed bump and the dead end. It can last minutes, hours, days, or longer. Yes, I’ve gone a few rounds with the invisible monster that threatens to suck the life out of my creative muse like one of Harry Potter’s Death Eaters. Panic is the first reaction, but that only makes things worse. Then self-doubt sets in and grinds down on the writer’s confidence. It’s not pretty.

My solution? Many writers stare at the empty page on their computers, hoping to force the stubborn block away. Through trial and error, I’ve found that method generates tension and tightens the block. Instead, I’ve discovered that I work best when my mind is relaxed. A quiet stroll, a hard workout, a drive through the country, or taking a break to do something fun usually unlocks my mind. In fact, I’m often surprised at the great ideas I get when I least expect it. Many times I’ve rushed out of the shower or pulled off the road to jot a new idea down. That’s the fun of creating fantasy. It can and does happen anywhere.

Do you miss spending time with your characters when you finish writing them?

I didn’t think I would, but I do. After spending so much time with them and being immersed in their day-to-day drama, they sort of became a second family. Putting the last period at the end of the last sentence of the first book in my series felt wonderful and sad at the same time. It was like saying goodbye to a close friend after a long visit. That’s what’s great about writing a series. It prolongs the goodbyes.

How would you define your style of writing?

Eclectic. I blend realism with fantasy, southern tradition with futuristic invention, nature with technology. Many locations in the book are inspired by real places I’ve visited while others are complete fabrications.

How much research was involved in writing your book? How did you go about it?

A lot of research went into writing the book. I studied online articles, books, and brochures about various locations and endangered species. I read National Geographic articles and recorded notebooks full of what I learned through my own experiences and travels. I studied pictures and additional information about some of the most interesting places on Earth and in space.

One particular interesting technique that I used to help me write the football game in the book was listening to a radio announcer call a football game while I was traveling from Alabama to Kentucky. I’ve attended many football games in my area, but listening to the radio really forced me to focus and visualize the game in my own mind. I think listening to the game on the radio strengthened my understanding of the game. I also picked up a few colorful football phrases.

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CHAT WITH MARGIE MIKLAS

Posted on August 17, 2014 by LisetteAugust 17, 2014

Margie Miklas is winding down her career as a critical-care nurse by focusing on writing about her passion, Italy. Her blog evolved into two books based on her experiences throughout the country of her ancestors. Her latest book, My Love Affair with Sicily, takes you along with her as she explores the country she loves.

Time to chat with Margie!

Welcome to my writers’ chateau, Margie. I’ve had writers travel from all corners of the world to visit me, but you’re my first travel writer. You have quite a love affair with Italy; how did it begin?

Thank you Lisette, for inviting me. I fell in love with Italy the first time I visited. Although I knew very little Italian, I had a sense of feeling at home there, and I knew I wanted to return. I was in awe of almost everything there, but I think going to the village of my grandparents really meant a lot to me.

I hear you have some very exciting news! Can you share it with us?

Yes, I recently received news that Memoirs of a Solo Traveler – My Love Affair with Italy is a finalist in the 2014 Florida Writers Association Awards. I am surprised, humbled, and excited! For me this means more than selling books, because it is a validation of my writing by experienced authors, editors, and publishers. The awards are not announced until the end October, during the Writers Conference, which I plan to attend.

Traveling solo can be worlds apart from traveling with others. What is the most important advice that you give to people traveling alone?

I think it would be to immerse yourself into the culture. While a certain sense of independence exists to wander about on your own, you gain much more by engaging the local people, as well as other travelers. It’s easy in Italy because, for example, outdoor tables are placed close to one another; sometimes you may sit at a table with other diners. I am a people person, so I would begin a conversation, either in Italian or English, and found that I enjoyed the entire experience.

I also would recommend joining a small group excursion for day trips. When I was in Siena, I asked the concierge at the hotel about tours to the wine country, and he was more than happy to arrange one. The next morning a van was there and I had the most incredible day with travelers from New Zealand and Boston.

(Trevi Fountain, Rome)

What are some of the biggest mistakes people make when traveling, especially for the first time?

I think it would be overpacking. I did this myself, until I learned how much work it is to lug a huge suitcase on and off trains. Packing light is not that difficult, and since I stayed for several weeks at a minimum, I did a little laundry in my hotel room sink.

I would imagine that you keep a notebook with you at all times. Do you always know what you’re going to write about, or are there surprises along the way?

Since my books are non-fiction, I knew I wanted to write about all of my experiences. So yes, a notebook was always in my bag, and more recently, I carried a small digital recorder, so I could verbally record what I saw and smelled and heard as I was walking. That way, later, I could transcribe my notes, and along with my photographs, I could reconstruct my adventures.

(Margie by Mt. Vesuvius)

Many people get confused about money issues when they travel. Do I use traveler’s checks? Where is the best place to get the most for my money? Where is the worst place? Will I get a fair conversion if I use my credit card? What advice can you offer?

I can understand and I did a lot of research about the best ways to access money while traveling overseas. Very few places accept traveler’s checks today. The most popular way to obtain cash in euros is the ATM. Most banks charge fees up to $3 – $5 each time in addition to a percent, but a few banks issue cards that only charge 1 percent fee. I have a card from the online bank, Everbank, and have had no problems with it. It is important to remember though, that when you are withdrawing €250, it is actually around $335, depending on the conversion rate. Once, I tried to withdraw money, and was denied. When I checked my account, I had used up the funds, and hadn’t realized it. In that case, it is always a good idea, to have a second bank card, with funds available. That is what I did, until I could transfer funds to my card of choice.

For purchases, it is the same. Many banks charge 3 percent. I use Capital One and there is only a 1 percent extra charge. I know other banks offer this as well. You just have to check around. I would also recommend contacting your bank before traveling and advising them of the dates that you will be out of town and making purchases.

(Amalfi Coast)

What is your latest book?

My Love Affair with Sicily was released at the end of April. It is written in the same style as my first book, so readers feel as though they are traveling alongside me in Italy. This book covers five separate trips to Sicily, and only during the last trip was I aware that I planned on writing a book about Sicily.

I do think that an author must market his or her book. Social media seems to be one of the best ways to do so, and Twitter, in particular, is a great venue for networking and promoting books. I find the community of writers on Twitter to be extremely supportive, no matter the genre. Of course, when I published my first book in September of 2012, I didn’t have a clue. I took an online course on marketing for authors, and it helped me tremendously. It’s not a guarantee to sell millions of books, but if you don’t market, you can pretty much guarantee that you won’t sell many books.

(Gondolier in Venice)

Please, tell us about your experiences with social media. What are your favorite and least-favorite parts of it?

As I stated, Twitter is my favorite place to talk about books, but I believe you have to engage others and have diverse interests. Writers are people who like other things besides writing. I enjoy engaging with others on Twitter, talking about photography, music, travel, editing, grandchildren, and other topics. I use Facebook too, especially the pages, and I think that Pinterest is a great place to market as well, especially because of the visual power of photos.

The least favorite experiences with social media are having to block someone who is just too annoying. I hate doing it buy have had to occasionally. The occasional DM by someone looking for a date is also not my favorite part of social media.

Were you “born to write” or did you discover your passion for writing later in life?

I really didn’t start writing until 3 or 4 years ago, when I began writing for some online sites and then started my blog. I always liked writing though, and wrote limericks as a child. In high school I wrote letters to the editor and was the headline editor of my school newspaper. Years later I wrote a creative satirical newsletter for my ICU colleagues at a hospital in Tampa.

If you were to write a novel, what might it be about?

As a matter of fact, Lisette, I am currently writing my first novel, a psychological thriller based in a hospital. I don’t expect it to be completed 2015.

Many authors do giveaways; have you found them a successful way to promote your book?

I think giveaways are a great way to thank readers as well as to promote a book. I did one when My Love Affair with Sicily launched, and my blog hits rose tremendously as a result. I think we all like to get something for free, so everyone wins. My blog is approaching 100,000 hits, so I plan on doing another giveaway soon.

What are the most important traits you look for in a friend?

For me, honesty is number one. I value the truth and a friend will tell you the truth, even if it isn’t what you want to hear. The other important trait I value in a friend is the ability to listen and understand without telling me what I need to do. If I want advice I’ll ask. I appreciate being heard, and I try to do the same for my friends.

What makes you angry?

I rarely get really angry, but when I do it’s with someone who feels entitled to something, or for someone who acts like a victim. If you want something better for yourself, you have to make it happen. I particularly respect anyone who has been faced with great challenges, maybe lost everything, and persevered to make a better life. I was raised with the knowledge that my Italian grandparents came here with nothing, yet they made a life for themselves and their families by working hard. I value that work ethic and don’t think much of laziness and the “poor me” attitude.

What music soothes your soul?

I love music and find it very evocative and mood altering. I grew up listening to classical music that my dad played on a hi-fi system he built from a kit, so I appreciate that music today. But I have a wide range of musical interests from Bruce Springsteen, to Billy Joel, to Motown, to Andrea Bocelli, to hip-hop.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Unfortunately I do and it is overindulging in sweets and carbs, like chocolate, cannoli, cookies, and bread. I am paying for it now as I am trying to lose weight and get in shape for my next trip to Italy. It is embarrassing to be huffing and puffing walking up all those steep inclines.

What simple pleasure makes you smile?

Seeing the energy of my darling twin granddaughters always makes me smile. Soon to be ten years old, they are the light of my life! I am fortunate to live close by and be able to see them often. They are one of the main reasons I could never live in Italy because I would miss them too much.

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CHAT WITH ELLE BOCA

Posted on August 10, 2014 by LisetteAugust 10, 2014

Elle is the author of the Weeia urban fantasy series set in Miami, Florida in the United States. Growing up the only child of a monkey mother and a rabbit father she learned to keep herself entertained and spend time reading.

I hear you have some very exciting news! Can you share it with us?

Unelmoija: The Spiritshifter, book three of the Weeia Series, was just published. Woo hoo!

In Unelmoija: The Dreamshifter, book one, we met Amy, the lead character in the series, and Duncan, her love interest. That book is an introduction to the Weeia for Amy and the readers. After discovering her Weeia identity and a rare ability, she is forced to become self-reliant and mature in a hurry.

In Unelmoija: The Mindshifter, book two, we learn more about Weeia ways. The story takes us down a dangerous and dark side of life when Amy and her friends fight powerful slavers to rescue Lilly, her college friend who has been kidnapped. Amy’s new ability comes to light. She finds the courage to help others at the risk of her own safety. At the same time, she discovers she can accomplish much more by working with her friends that battling alone.

In book three, after Loi, a young superhuman, is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Amy, and her friends agree to investigate. Problems arise when it becomes likely that Amy may have the same ability as the dead man. If she uses her ability selflessly for the good of the Weeia, whoever killed Loi may come after her. Should she risk her life and place her friends in harm’s way?

What are the special challenges in writing a series?

It’s necessary for me to see the whole story from the outset and make sure everything in each book makes sense with what’s happened (or will happen) in the other books in the series. In the first book, I set the stage I build on for the story that unfolds in the other books, and go on working from that foundation. The further along in the series the more aware I have to be that the story is continuous, that the dates match, the timeline flows well and so forth. I write the books one at a time over months or longer, but a reader might sit down and read the whole series in days. I’ve known readers who finished a book overnight only to wake up hungering for the next one that I was still writing.

The facts of the story have to match throughout the whole series, even small details can make a difference; and readers notice and challenge aspects of the story. It’s a good thing, I think. It means they’re reading with care and they’re paying attention. As a writer it’s a wonderful compliment because it tells me that they’re engrossed in the characters, the setting and the story. Something as minor as the type of water a character drinks might draw a reader’s attention. At some point the characters I created no longer belong to me, they belong to the readers as well, requiring that I pay close attention.

What I mean is that the more readers get to know the characters the more they care that their words and actions match a reader’s idea of what that character might do in a particular situation. The more vested they are in the series the more this might be the case. At the same time, characters may evolve during the series. This is especially true of the main character such as Amy in the Weeia Series. She won’t be exactly the same person in the last book that she was in the first book. I have to handle that transition with care. Too little change and the character is immature in his or her evolution; too much change and it won’t be credible. Totally bad characters don’t turn into totally good characters so that the evil witch never becomes the white princess by the end of the story, although sometimes there are exceptional circumstances.

What part of writing a novel do you enjoy the most? The least?

So many! The story, journey, writing, and discovery of the characters inner thoughts and feelings. When the book is published I feel elated, excited and apprehensive all at the same time. Editing is my least favorite task and yet it’s essential.

Is it important for you to know the ending of a book before you write it? The title?

Yes! For me, it’s especially helpful to map out the essence of the story before I begin, and that includes the end. It’s possible that the story will morph along the way, but at least I start out with a direction. This is particularly true with a series. I can’t easily get from point A to point B if I don’t know I’m going to B.

Some writers edit excessively as they write; others wait until a novel is finished to do the bulk of the editing. How about you?

Both. I edit as I write and then again at the end. Writing and editing, editing and writing then repeat. That’s my cycle, ad nauseam.

How important is the choosing of character names to you? Have you ever decided on a name and then changed it because it wasn’t right for the character?

It’s important to me that the name fit the personality of the main characters. Yes, it’s happened that I’ve named a character and as I fleshed out his or her personality I decided the name didn’t match my vision of that character.

Have you ever written characters that you truly despise?

The slavers in Unelmoija: The Mindshifter were difficult to write. That’s such a horrible side of humankind that it was painful to write and edit. I strive for some character depth, at least a little within the limitations of the genre and readers patience. This drives me to the conclusion that even evil characters have reasons, feelings, flaws and motivations. The more we see of those the more engaging the story can be. At the same time, in real life people are complex and multidimensional. As a cartoon I read this morning said, we believe what we want to believe. We don’t always know what drives someone to commit a crime or do something petty or cruel. Should we expect to have all the answers in fiction?

In book two, Fecundo, the head of the Miami slaver organization, explains he is in it for the money. Yes, of course there are fringe benefits, but for the most part it’s a lucrative business, he explains in one scene. On the other hand, he points out that there are people in his network who work for the sadistic pleasure of controlling or hurting others. Both are terrible deformed beings who hurt defenseless people because they can. It’s an ugliness that’s hard to fathom, and yet the reality is so much worse than anything I could possibly convey in the story, even if I had it in me to drop down deep enough to that lightless place where they dwell. Maybe that was more than you wanted to know…

Do you have any advice for first-time authors

When friends ask me about writing, I suggest they first figure out their goals. In other words why are they writing? Is it to fulfill a lifelong dream to publish a story in their head, because they seek a career change, to make a living, because they’re passionate about writing? Once they know why they’re doing it they can measure success which can be a number of things. For example, sales might be a measure of success. Another measure might be positive reviews, critics acclaim, the admiration of friends and family or the sheer pleasure of seeing your name on the cover of a published book.

Please, tell us about your experiences with social media. What are your favorite and least-favorite parts of it?

Twitter is my favorite social media site. It’s easy and fast to connect with people in all walks of life across the globe. There’s a community of supportive, intelligent, interesting and engaging fellow writers there. The challenge is always time. I could spend half my day browsing Tweets, Twitter profiles and the links they lead to and never get any writing done!

How much research was involved in writing your book? How did you go about it?

I researched the geography of the region to describe the city in the series. Given that in an urban fantasy the setting is as salient as a main character it was important for me to paint a vibrant picture of Miami which is where Amy lives and most of the story takes place. In the book, Miami is a large area that in real life encompasses three counties with a population of several million people. In the series, some features are true to life and I modified others taking artistic liberties for various reasons.

In Unelmoija: The Mindshifter, I spent a lot of time reading, listening and watching interviews about the slave trade, especially in Miami. I remember in particular one interview on public radio in which experts shared tips with police and authorities on spotting victims at the airports. It wasn’t enough to identify them as victims, they had to follow the right approach to avoid spooking them because they were so afraid or under the control of their handlers. It’s hard to imagine and understand that those activities take place all the time and we don’t even realize they are happening, sometimes before our eyes because we don’t know the signs.

For Unelmoija: The Spiritshifter, Amy had to sing for her new ability to work. A rock band was the medium. I didn’t know much about the behind the scenes and professional side of singing or the ins and outs of a rock band. In addition to online research, several people who have personal experience as rock band members and fans shared insights with me. They were generous with their knowledge and time.

Is there a question I haven’t asked you that you would like to answer? If so, what is it?

Who are the Weeia?

The Weeia (pronounced way-yah) are superhumans living in the United States. They are like you or me in almost every way except that they have extra abilities. They live hidden among us unnoticed. Who is Weeia? It’s hard to know. It could be your neighbor, the person behind you at the grocery store, your banker, boss or doctor, maybe a person you’ve known all your life. A Weeia might be telekinetic, have super smell or ultra vision or one of many other extra abilities.

Trains, planes, automobiles, or boats?

Trains, planes, automobiles and boats.

What’s your favorite comfort food? Least favorite food?

It’s hard to say, there are so many… I love fruit. Homemade sweet potato fries (baked), French fries, and homemade cottage pie, though I rarely eat any, are up there at the top of the list.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

The gift of life.

Okay, so maybe you were looking for something less existential? Someone recently gifted me a beautiful watercolor of a tiger. It was a total surprise, unexpected and generous. I smile every time I see the tiger because of the thoughtful gesture and because the piece is beautiful.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Cookies, cake and chocolate or is it chocolate, cake and cookies?

What simple pleasure makes you smile?

Nature makes me smile everyday. A couple of days ago, I saw a mother limpkin (shy bird) with two young on the edge of a nearby pond. This morning, I saw two muscovy ducks engaged in a dominance duel in the pond. It was beautiful, like an elegant, and at times violent, dance in the water.

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CHAT WITH VERONICA SCOTT

Posted on August 3, 2014 by LisetteNovember 13, 2014

Amazon best-seller Veronica Scott is a two-time recipient of the SFR Galaxy Award and has written a number of science-fiction and paranormal romances. She’s also the SciFi Encounters columnist for the USA today/HEA blog. Currently published by Carina Press as well as self publishing, Veronica also holds down a day job at a NASA facility.

Time to chat with Veronica!

What is your latest book?

My most recent science fiction romance is Escape From Zulaire but I have a new SFR coming in August. Strictly speaking, my latest book would be Magic of the Nile, from my paranormal series set in ancient Egypt. I alternate my writing time between the two settings – SFRs set in the far future and PNRs set in the distant past. Here’s the story in a nutshell:

Andi Markriss hasn’t exactly enjoyed being the houseguest of the planetary high-lord, but her company sent her to represent them at a political wedding. When hotshot Sectors Special Forces Captain Tom Deverane barges in on the night of the biggest social event of the summer, Andi isn’t about to offend her high-ranking host on Deverane’s say-so—no matter how sexy he is, or how much he believes they need to leave now. And then the war breaks out…

Is your recent book part of a series?

All my science fiction occurs in a future where the galaxy is divided into Sectors and populated by humans and nonhumans so the books are a loosely connected series. So far I haven’t written any SFR books using the same characters but never say never! I’m interested in telling the story of my hero and heroine in the particular situation rather writing a lot of galactic politics and/or scientific theory. My people live in their universe the way we live in ours – they use the blasters and the spaceships without having to think about how the technology works. We don’t explain to ourselves how an elevator or a microwave functions when we use them! I write strong female characters and my heroes are usually in the Sectors Special Forces, which is my take on the SEALs of the future. I plunge them into an extreme situation (the ship has crashed into something and is going to explode or the war has broken out and they’re cut off behind enemy lines) and over the course of the novel the characters work to survive, fall in love (since I write romances) and reach that Happily Ever After ending. But the journey is as dangerous and exciting as I can make it.

Some authors, like me, always write scenes in order. But I know some people write scenes out of order. How about you?

When I start a book I know the main characters, the beginning, the ending and a few of the major scenes. After that I’m writing by the seat of my pants, as they say. Sometimes the plot goes in a direction I hadn’t foreseen, or the characters do something I wasn’t expecting but the process works for me. I’m almost superstitious about the way my Muse works! I’ve also found that if I do an outline or think too much about the story without actually writing, then I lose the spark of creativity because I feel as if the book is done. Very hard to recover from that. So I might write a few of the big scenes if I’m impatient to get to them and then circle back to earlier events. At some point I put my head down and begin at the beginning and tie it all together. As far as a title (which was a subquestion to this one), I’m terrible at clever titles. My Egyptian novels are all Something of the Nile.

Do you have any advice for first-time authors?

Write every day, no exceptions. And don’t fall into self-editing as you go. Edit when the manuscript is finished, of course, but if you pick at your words too much while you’re in progress, you may never finish that first book. A first draft is by definition going to need some rework and will have issues to be fixed. It’s ok!

Can you tell us about your road to publication?

I’ve been writing since I was seven years old but didn’t start to seriously hone my craft until around 2011. Prior to that I was busy with my day job and being a single mother to two daughters. I submitted Priestess of the Nile to the Carina Press slush pile in early 2011 and received The Call from Angela James in August of that year. I was pretty incoherent on the phone with her – talk about dreams coming true! Priestess came out in January 2012 and my first self-published novel Wreck of the Nebula Dream came out in March of the same year. I hadn’t really planned to self-publish but 2012 was the 100^th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic, and my book is loosely based on the tragedy. I’d been working on Wreck before Priestess sold, so I finished it but there was no time to go through the submission and editing process with a publisher, not even with Carina, so I put it out myself. (I did have an editor.) Wreck became an Amazon Best Seller and received an SFR Galaxy Award, so I was pretty encouraged to continue the self-publishing route.

Sometimes it’s like drinking from a fire hose, with so many possibilities. I do still work full time so I have to pick and choose what promotion to do. I belong to several author loops to stay up on the new and current trends, on pricing for example, or doing boxed sets. My approach is to only do the things that feel natural and comfortable to me. So I tweet all the time – I discovered I was born to be on twitter – but I’m not as big a user of Facebook. I love to blog, I love to do guest posts, I write a column for the USA Today Happily Ever After blog, I try to do some judiciously selected print ads through the year, I do a few book signings…but I always have to remember to prioritize writing the next book, which is the best promo of all.

How much research was involved in writing your book? How did you go about it?

For the science fiction romances, I actually do some research. Since Wreck of the Nebula Dream is based on Titanic, I delved into all aspects of the sinking. Escape from Zulaire is primarily inspired by the Sepoy Incident which occurred in India during the British time there, so I researched that, more to get a feel for how it was to be an English woman, trapped in that awful situation where people you knew and trusted suddenly were out to massacre you. For my ancient Egyptians I do massive research all the time. I want to include as many real life details and settings as possible, to create a genuine feeling of being in the midst of events several thousand years in the past. I talk about historical accuracy and research on my blog.

If you were to write a non-fiction book, what might it be about?

Ancient Egypt, no question! I have a huge library of books covering all aspects of the history and the culture and I love to discover new things about their civilization.

We all know the old saying; you can’t judge a book by its cover. This is true. However, how much importance do you place on your book cover design?

The cover is really important. That’s the first thing a reader sees, usually in thumbnail form, and you want it to draw them in, to intrigue them, to give a strong sense that this is a quality book. I work with Fiona Jayde for my SFR covers and with Frauke Spanuth of Croco Designs for the Egyptians. They both have a strong sense of what fits the genre I’m writing in, what art and fonts will convey the essence of my stories. Some people are talented enough to do fabulous covers for themselves but for the vast majority of us it’s better to hire a top notch cover artist and collaborate.

Do you miss spending time with your characters when you finish writing them?

Not really, because by the time I finish one book, I usually have several more trying to get my attention, so I’ll have started thinking about the next set of characters and their story. I do have a couple of sequels in mind though!

If you had a million dollars to give to charity, how would you allot the funds?

I tend to support charities that benefit either children (especially those with autism), veterans or animals. I’d love to give the Los Angeles Zoo a big donation to have a red panda house!

If you are a TV watcher, would you share the names of your favorite shows with us?

I love “Project Runway” in any form, also “Say Yes To The Dress”. “Dancing With The Stars” is another show I really enjoy. As far as fictional programs, I’m mesmerized by “The Walking Dead” and “The Big Bang Theory” is lots of fun on many levels.

Have you ever walked out of a movie? If so, what was it?

Only once have I actually walked out and that was “Anaconda”. Since I hate snakes, I ought to have known I wasn’t going to be able to sit through this!

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CHAT WITH JAIDIS SHAW

Posted on July 20, 2014 by LisetteJanuary 3, 2016

Jaidis Shaw currently resides in South Carolina with her husband and two beautiful daughters. With a passion for reading, Jaidis can always be found surrounded by books and dreaming of new stories. She enjoys challenging herself by writing in different genres and currently has several projects in the works.

Jaidis also owns and operates Juniper Grove Book Solutions, voted Top Five for Best Promotional Firm, Site, or Resource in the 2014 Preditors & Editors Readers’ Poll. In her spare time, Jaidis maintains her blog, Juniper Grove, and can found frolicking on various social media platforms. One of her main goals in life is to encourage her daughters to let their imaginations run wild.

Time to chat with Jaidis!

I hear you have some very exciting news! Can you share it with us?

I do! My first self-published book, a YA paranormal romance titled Destiny Awaits, was recently picked up by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing and was just re-released on July 19th! I’m so excited and nervous at the same time. The book originally came out in 2012 so it has been around awhile, but it feels like I’m starting the whole process over again.

Is your recent book part of a series?

Yes, Destiny Awaits is part of a series, but it’s standalone. The series is titled Juniper Grove Chronicles and will feature a few volumes. The main characters from Destiny Awaits, Alayna and Jayden, will only make a brief appearance in volume two, whereas a minor character named Violet will be the focus of that one. All volumes take place in the same town, Juniper Grove.

What are the special challenges in writing a series?

This is a great question as it deals with my response above. I chose to go the route of a standalone series because I find it extremely hard to write a series where each book is a continuation of the story. I am currently working on a paranormal thriller that is a continuing series and I’m terrified to see if I am able to finish it.

What else have you written?

I started my writing career when I had a short story picked up by a small indie publisher. It was a retelling of Rapunzel that I titled The Tower. It appeared in the Twisted Fairy Tales Volume II by Wicked East Press.

My next adventure was being selected to take part in an anthology by the same publisher that is mentioned above. All authors that were selected to take part were given certain elements of a story to build around. I was given a topic that included my character either being deaf or blind, the climax of the story had to occur during a thunderstorm, and it had to be a suspense story. That’s all I had to go on and at first I was terrified, but after I worked out how I wanted the story to go, I was excited. I enjoyed the main character, Molly, and now that I have the rights to that story back, I have plans to expand on her story. The original story is titled Blind Justice and can be found in Wicked Bag of Suspense Tales.

I also wrote a western-themed short story to appear on the Railroad! blog while the storyline was on an intermission. My story, Pure Harvest, was written back in 2012 and the first time I dabbled in the western genre. I enjoyed writing it! You can check it out here if you’re interested.

How often do your characters surprise you by doing or saying something totally unexpected?

Do you know how authors are always talking about how their muses changed the story, how they’re surprised at where the characters decided to go, or how their characters are talking to them? I’m so jealous of those authors! My characters don’t talk to me. All of my books start with an idea, usually occurring in a dream, and I outline from there. I know every major scene in my story, when it will take place, approximately what chapter it should appear, and so forth. If I stray from that path, I become lost and panic until I’m back on course.

Some authors, like me, always write scenes in order. But I know some people write scenes out of order. How about you?

With Destiny Awaits, yes I wrote it in order. I always start with an outline of the entire story so I know exactly where I should be heading and what should go into each chapter to keep the story moving. However, that changed with the book I’m currently working on because there was a particular scene that I found difficult to finish. I had worked myself into a corner and strayed from my outline and so I was lost. I skipped ahead and wrote the upcoming scene so I knew how it would play out and then was able to go back and fill in the gaps. Only time will tell if I’m able to skip ahead again or if I prefer to stick to outlines.

Some writers edit excessively as they write; others wait until a novel is finished to do the bulk of the editing. How about you?

I have to do a little editing as I write because I’m always going back and reading over what I’ve done so far, especially if I’ve taken a break from the story for awhile. As I’m reading over it, I always find a few things to edit so I’ll fix them before I forget. After the whole story is complete, then I go back and do a deep edit.

Have you ever written characters that you truly despise?

There has only been one character that I didn’t particularly enjoy writing, and that’s Steve from my short story Blind Justice. You know those people who just make your skin crawl, even if you don’t know why? Or those that if you were to see walking toward you on a sidewalk, you’d cross the street just to create more space between you? That’s Steve.

How much research was involved in writing your book? How did you go about it?

For Destiny Awaits I didn’t have to do any research for the actual storyline. The only research I did do, was that which was needed to actually publish the book. Even then it really wasn’t much as I contacted a friend of mine, who is also an author, and she talked me through the publishing process via the phone so that I did it right.

The paranormal thriller that I’m currently working on, The Stager, is different however. There are certain elements in it that I felt needed to be realistic and so I’ve had to seek out a couple of weapons experts so that the main character, Amelia, knows her stuff.

Do you allow others to read your work in progress, or do you keep it a secret until you’ve finished your first draft? Can you elaborate?

I used to allow a select few to read my work as I was working on it because I was in need of opinions. As time has went on, and I saw the number of authors having their ideas ripped off grow, I decided that it may be better to wait until it is complete and published before allowing anyone to read it.

Having our work out there to be judged by strangers is often daunting for writers. Do you have any tips on handling a negative review?

Negative reviews are a part of every author’s life. If you publish a book, you will get a negative review. Period. You need to go into the process knowing that negative reviews are inevitable and also that there is nothing you can do about them. Don’t respond to the reviewer. Don’t post to your Facebook or Twitter about the terrible review you received and ask people to go dislike or down vote it. Definitely don’t call the reviewer out by name and trash talk them because you weren’t happy with their review. Everyone is allowed their opinion, good or bad. In almost all cases, responding negatively to a negative review will always be worse than the review itself. You want attention on your book for the story, not because of the temper tantrum you threw. If you get a review that gets under your skin, just be an adult and walk away. Let it go. If you’re proud of your work, that’s all that matters.

Do you have any special projects you’d like to share with us?

Yes! I’ve recently launched an exciting book review program. The JGBS Review Library strives to offer an ever-growing list of books that are seeking honest reviews. Readers simply browse the virtual library, request the book that interests them, and I send them an author-approved ebook — for FREE. After reviews (positive or negative) are posted to Amazon within six weeks, readers are eligible to download new books to review.

Where do you live now? If you had to move to another city/state/country, where might that be?

I’m currently living in South Carolina. I was originally born in Anaheim, CA but we moved around a lot so I’ve also lived in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan (twice). Having to move around a lot of a child really took its toll and so I’m here in SC and I plan to stay here. No more moving for me.

Trains, planes, automobiles, or boats?

Boats for sure! I love the water and being on the water.

What’s your favorite comfort food? Least favorite food?

I am currently pregnant so asking me this question is unfair. You should be ashamed, Lisette! However if you must know, and I’m totally blaming my unborn daughter for this, my favorite comfort food at the moment is chips and salsa. I’ve went through seven jars of salsa so far in this pregnancy.

As for my least favorite, that’s easy. I refuse to eat anything that swims so all things fishy are absolutely out of the question. Blecch!

If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?

Abso-freaking-lutely! Who in their right mind would pass that offer up? I’d totally use it to be a fly on the wall so that I could get some juicy details. It would also be great to just tease people and move things around a bit, make them a little crazy.

If you had a million dollars to give to charity, how would you allot the funds?

I’d split it three ways. I’d give part to the Epilepsy Foundation to help further their research on finding a cure for epilepsy. I have epilepsy so it’s a cause near and dear to my heart.

I’d give part to the Save the Manatee Club. Humans are quickly making these adorable mammals, which happen to be my favorite animal, disappear and we need to do what we can to bring them back from the brink of extinction and help to preserve their natural habitat.

The other part would be put into a fund that would be used to help various reading programs and libraries. It breaks my heart every time I hear kids, and even some adults, say that they don’t read and have no desire to do so. We don’t do enough to encourage our youths to read the written word and it only results in those youths growing into adults who are illiterate. I know people personally that don’t know how to read, or can’t read above an 8th grade level. That is absolutely unacceptable.

What simple pleasure makes you smile?

Just seeing my daughters happy and smiling is enough for me. Even when I’m having the worst day, all they have to do is start singing or dancing, talking to their imaginary friends, or reading a book, and it brightens my day immediately.

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CHAT WITH CHRISTINE DAVIS

Posted on July 13, 2014 by LisetteJuly 14, 2014

Christine Davis is the best-selling author and illustrator of three of Amazon’s top 10 pet-loss books. Her latest release Breathing Fire charts a new course — that of offering adult survivors of childhood abuse a way of reclaiming the passionate lives they were born to live. A victim herself, Davis’ awe-inspiring story invites readers to become apprentices on an epic journey of slaying dragons, manifesting miracles and healing body, mind and spirit.

Chris, a native of New York City, lives in Portland, Oregon, with her cat, Molly.

Time to chat with Chris!

What is your latest book?

My newest book is Breathing Fire, a book it seems I was destined to write and yet never could have imagined doing so.

Do you write under a pen name?

No, Christine Davis is my real name.

Tell us about Lighthearted Press.

I started Lighthearted Press in 1997 after the loss of my forever dog, Martha. I’d been looking to leave the corporate workplace and was hoping to create a new career that would embrace both my passion for animals and my connection to that mystical, magical, just-beyond-the-veil world that had called to me since I was a child. I thought Martha would be with me during this change in my life, so her unexpected loss left me devastated and unsure how to continue on without her.

I began meditating and studying Shamanic journey work. It was while drumming that I heard I was supposed to write a book titled For Every Dog An Angel and was given a simple outline for the story. Without any knowledge of writing, illustrating or publishing I took out some money from my retirement account and Lighthearted Press was born. Soon after that For Every Dog An Angel was published. That was the beginning of my writing career.

You’ve told me that your latest book, Breathing Fire, has taken you in a direction you never imagined. Can you tell us more?

I’ve always been passionate about creating books and gifts for animal lovers. I thought I’d be writing in that genre forever until something extraordinary happened to me in the summer of 2012. I found a show on BBC America called Merlin. Like many people I was a fan of the Arthur legend and loved stories about Camelot so I thought this might be something I would enjoy. I recorded two seasons of Merlin and, to my delight, I discovered this was the perfect show for me.

I worked my way through twenty episodes and came to episode 21, which I was watching in my bedroom at about 9:00 at night. In the last few minutes of the show Prince Arthur (the future King) rides back to the castle and unleashes his uncontrollable rage upon his father, King Uther, who has deeply betrayed his son. Arthur disables his father and holds the King at sword point, intending to kill him. It is the wizard, Merlin, who rushes in and convinces Arthur to drop his sword.

At the moment Arthur burst through the doors of his father’s chambers my life changed forever. I found myself screaming on the other side of my bedroom, digging my fingernails into my palms and shaking the post of my bed so hard the top rails fell off. My rage mirrored Arthur’s rage. When I could scream no more I dropped to the floor and sat still, trying to breathe. In that instant I knew what had happened to me. Arthur’s fury had released decades of unexpressed rage I’d carried inside after years of sexual abuse I endured at the hands of my father when I was a child. In fact, my brain interpreted what I had seen as Arthur raging at MY father on my behalf. I’d never forgotten my father’s abuse—it was the rage I’d stuffed inside.

Breathing Fire is the story of all the unimaginably glorious things that happened to me after watching that episode. With my rage gone, I found myself flooded with joy and began passionately pursuing the life of my dreams. I took sword-fighting classes and commissioned a blacksmith to forge a sword that had been calling to me throughout my life. Twenty-five years of spinal pain disappeared, apparently due to the re-wiring of my brain in the instant my anger was released. I lost 30 lbs. in three months without trying to because I no longer craved dairy products and sweet foods and only ate when I was hungry.

I knew I was meant to write this book to inspire others who’ve survived trauma or have lived, as I did, under the spell of unworthiness.

I hear you have some very exciting news! Can you share it with us?

I’m thrilled to be doing two events at one of my favorite bookstores in Portland. I’ve seen many authors I admire there, including Richard Bach, so being asked to speak and present a workshop in that store is an honor for me. The workshop is about learning to dance with our dragons so we can reclaim the passionate life we were meant to live. I’ll be bringing a pop-up wizard tent, a large stuffed dragon and my sword. I named the sword Clarity and had the words “Always Follow Your Heart” etched down the blade. For a woman whose company is named Lighthearted Press the heart is very important to me.

Is it important for you to know the ending of a book before you write it? The title?

I was writing Breathing Fire as my wild odyssey was unfolding. I didn’t know how it would end or when it would end. About four months before I completed the book I was sitting at the computer one evening working on what I thought would be the last chapter. I’d skipped over a few sections because I was drawn to write the ending, even though it was out of sequence. I typed the final words, heaved a sigh of relief, sat back and read what I had written. Was this really the ending? It didn’t feel like it was.

Suddenly my fingers went back to the keyboard and, without any intention from me, resumed typing. They were on a mission that didn’t involve me. Another author had taken over, delicately tapping the keys as words flowed onto the page.

Then the fingers stopped. I brought my hands to my lap and stared at the monitor. On the screen was a two-page epilogue. It was perfect—a breathtaking, exquisite, mystical ending for my book—and I had no idea who had written it.

It wasn’t until many months later, when I did the illustration for the epilogue, that I fully understood what those magical words meant. To this day I feel there was some higher plan at work that led to all the astonishing changes in my life. I can’t help feeling that same benevolent force played a role in allowing the epilogue to flow through me and find its place in the pages of my book. It brought Breathing Fire to its proper conclusion.

As for the title, I always wanted it to be Breathing Fire followed by a sub-title. In the end I let the sub-title go and just used Breathing Fire.

Do you allow others to read your work in progress, or do you keep it a secret until you’ve finished your first draft? Can you elaborate?

This was the first time I ever let anyone read my work in progress. In the past I would tell people I was writing another critter book and I’d be sure to send them a copy when it was done.

With Breathing Fire, one of the most important lessons of my journey was learning I was worthy of asking for help when I needed it…and I REALLY needed it! I’d never written anything like this, and because the book jumped around in time and space I wanted others to tell me if they could follow the story or if it was confusing. I had a core group of readers whose input was invaluable.

Were you “born to write” or did you discover your passion for writing later in life?

Actually, I was born to sing, which is how I made my living back in New York City where I was born and raised. I let that go when I came to Oregon in the late 1970s. It wasn’t until I lost my dog, Martha, and heard a book title while drumming that I began writing. I loved writing my critter books, but they were small gift books and there weren’t many words. Breathing Fire gave me the chance to write consecutive paragraphs! I also found my voice—and it was funny. I loved that.

Do you feel your latest book is your personal favorite or one of your previous novels?

I’m not the first author to think of my books as my babies and, like any good mother, I love them all. There is a magical component to each of them, because that’s where I like to live—in the magic. It would be impossible to name a favorite. That said, I’m in awe of how my writing career took a 180 degree change in direction without any intention on my part. The Universe truly works in mysterious ways.

Where do you live now? If you had to move to another city/state/country, where might that be?

I’ve lived in Portland, Oregon for the last 37 years. I haven’t travelled much, but I would love to spend some time in the United Kingdom. In addition to my Camelot/King Arthur connection the author of my favorite book of all time—Watership Down—is English author Richard Adams. I’ve always fantasized about travelling through the downs and seeing if I could find my Watership Down. Many of my other favorite authors, including J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, are from that part of the world.

I was raised on Broadway musicals and would love to experience the London theatre scene, too – I’ve heard it’s spectacular.

If you had a million dollars to give to charity, how would you allot the funds?

I know many people in animal rescue who give everything they have to caring for critters in need. I would spread a significant portion of the funds among those special earth angels.

If you could add a room onto your current home, what would you put in it?

An art studio, with the hope I might be able to leave my art supplies out and they’d be ready to use whenever I wanted to paint.

What simple pleasure makes you smile?

I live in a wooded area that is filled with an enchanting variety of wildlife. I find great joy in going out on my deck and feeding the birds, squirrels, chipmunks and any other creatures who wonder into my yard. There’s always food out for them, but when I sit outside in their presence and they come up to me and eat from my hand I am overwhelmed with a deep sense of peace. In those moments it feels as if all is right in the world.

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CHAT WITH JULIE MANGANO

Posted on July 6, 2014 by LisetteJuly 7, 2014

Julie Mangano has been involved in the publishing industry since 1989 as a publications manager, writer, editor and art director. Braha is her first mystery. Born and raised in Southern California, she now lives in Round Rock, Texas with her husband. Mangano is currently at work on the sequel.

What is your latest book?

My book is called Braha, a mystery that is a blend of contemporary and historical fiction. It is a carefully-crafted tale of two unforgettable women, born centuries apart, whose lives of secret parallel danger coincide in a suspenseful saga, reaching down through the ages following decades of intrigue, spying, and murder.

Linden St. Clair is working overseas when she learns her beloved grandfather has passed away under suspicious circumstances. Returning home, she discovers he has left her an old family journal, as well as clues to an explosive family secret. The journal, written by Leena Weiss, Linden’s great-great grandmother, recalls the woman’s early years as a German girl living in a small Russian village. Leena’s life is turned upside down when a Russian army officer turns her into his object of affection. Caught in a difficult situation, Leena soon finds herself living a life one the run, pursued by the Okhrana, a secret police organization and predecessor to the KGB. A century later, Linden peels back shadowy layers, exposing clues and secrets. Despite having professional security services, she and her family remain pawns in a deadly game that extends beyond borders and crisscrosses the globe.

Most people recognize the book by the distinctive cover, a close-up of a sheep’s head. The sheep represents the innocence of the main characters in Braha. In addition, the nickname Leena Weiss is “my little lamb.”

Tell us a secret about the book that most people don’t know.

One of the key elements in the book are the carved flagstones that say: F ♥️ P. This is ripped straight from my family’s history. My grandfather had his and his wife’s initials carved out of stone, along with a heart. He installed them on one of the risers of the stone steps in front of his house, so everyone would know of his love for my grandmother. I’ve always thought that was such a wonderfully special way to proclaim one’s love through the ages, so I knew I had to somehow include it in this book.

Is your recent book part of a series?

Braha is the first in a series and lays the foundation for the books to come by introducing a host of characters in two distinct components: historical and contemporary. Linden St. Clair is the present-day main character who discovers some unsettling things about her family’s past. Leena Weiss is Linden’s great-great grandmother, born as a German in Russia in the late 1800s. Understanding the turbulent socioeconomic times in for both Germans in Russia and Imperial Russia in the early 1900s is important to the story line. Decisions made then have affected Leena Weiss’s family and kept them in danger for generations.

What are the special challenges in writing a series?

While each book needs to be a complete, stand-alone project, there are important details from earlier books that needs to be recapped for new readers. I am cognizant of the need to keep the review succinct yet complete, so that someone who has missed reading an earlier novel in the series is not confused by the events that occur in the follow-up novels. Many mystery writers already do this quite well: Harlan Coben, Nelson DeMille and Sue Grafton, for example. What separates Braha from the books these authors have written is the historical component. In this regard, Braha is more similar to The Baker’s Daughter by Sarah McCoy, with the exception that Braha is a mystery.

Some authors, like me, always write scenes in order. But I know some people write scenes out of order. How about you?

Usually I am a very linear writer, almost to a fault. Braha was different because of the historical and contemporary components. Generally, I wrote the historical section first, writing the scenes in order of occurrence, and then the contemporary section. Later on, I added sections to each, which is kind of messy because you then need to do a quick edit to be sure the flow and details are updated accordingly. Near the end of the project, I deleted some scenes, which required the same detailed reviews. By far, the hardest part was then integrating the historical chapters in with the contemporary chapters. I spent so much time looking at them as separate books that blending them together was completely chaotic. For the next book in the series, I’ve already started writing little snippets and sections as I do my research. When it comes to the nitty gritty writing, however, I think I will be back to fleshing out the scenes in order.

Some writers edit excessively as they write; others wait until a novel is finished to do the bulk of the editing. How about you?

I do tend to edit as I write, and I edit sections or chapters after I finish them. But that is nothing compared to the many, many edits the book goes through after I’ve finished with writing the story.

How much research was involved in writing your book? How did you go about it?

The historical component of my novel needed to be as accurate as possible when describing the little known group of Germans who lived in Russia, so it required a great deal of research not only about this group of people, but about Imperial Russia at the turn of the 20^th century. I happen to know quite a bit about the Germans from Russia because I am descended from them, but I am the exception rather than the rule. It was because there was so little known about these people that I decided to focus on them in Braha.

My maternal grandparents and their families were born in Grimm, Russia, a small village on the Volga River. They emigrated from Russia to the United States in the early 1900s. They had family members who stayed behind, some of whom lost their lives when the Germans were driven out of their villages and forced to relocate in Siberia. My grandfather used to speak around the country about the Germans from Russia, and he left us a recording about his family’s history and where they originally came from in Germany.

Forty years later, I have an extensive collection of genealogical materials in my home library. Much of that information is from a group called the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. It includes maps, photos, pedigree charts, books, and more. I used those materials for much of my research, as well as various sites on the Internet.

Part of the book takes place in Finland, a place I’d never been to but heard about from a childhood friend. Her stories captivated me, so I decided that Finland would be another location in my book. I meticulously researched Finland and started a private Pinterest board where I posted photos of the countryside there.

Do you allow others to read your work in progress, or do you keep it a secret until you’ve finished your first draft? Can you elaborate?

As a rule, I never let others read my work in progress. Part of it is my own insecurity. I want to make sure I’ve reviewed my and edited my work well, making it as perfect as possible before I let others have a look at it.

The first people I allowed to see my manuscript were my husband and my mother. My husband seems like a biased reader, but he writes and edits for a living, so he was able to use his skills to help me polish my work. My mother was a teacher for many years, and after that, she edited Bibles, so she is also a professional who would look at my work with a critical eye. She was also an important reviewer because her parents lived the life that Leena Weiss did as a young child. She knew more about her parents’ lives in Russia than I did. It was important to me that she thought I described the German people and their way of life accurately and that the story was believable.

In addition, I included some details that I knew my mother would recognize: the village her parents came from was called Grimm, the greble and chocolate cake recipes were from her mother, and her grandfather was forced into the Russian Army and served on the Tsar’s security detail, much like one of the characters in Braha.

Have you received reactions/feedback to your work that has surprised you? In what way?

I chose to get a Kirkus indie review and a Clarion Foreword review for Braha. The biggest surprise was that the Clarion Foreword reviewer liked the historical section and the Leena Weiss story best. He felt she was the heart and soul of the story. The Kirkus reviewer preferred the Linden St. Clair part of the story best. It just goes to show you that people’s opinions vary. Just because one person likes or dislikes something doesn’t mean others will feel the same way about it.

Is it important for you to know the ending of a book before you write it? The title?

I’d like to say it’s important for me to know the ending of a book before I write it, but I actually changed my ending as I was writing in order to add more twists. I hate it when a book is predictable. Every time I felt like what was coming up could be easily deduced by the reader, I changed it.

I thought I had my title from the start and was very firm about it: The House on Nordahl Road. When it came to designing a book cover, however, the title made it difficult, almost demanding a literal interpretation. No one had my vision. Once I decided to change the title, everything fell into place.

Interestingly, the name Braha, where Leena Weiss lived for three years, is a fictional town, with the name based on the real city of Raaha, Finland. I wanted to use find a one- or two-word title that was easy to pronounce and used a letter near the beginning of the alphabet. I came up with the name Braha for the town, and eventually used it for my book title.

Were you “born to write” or did you discover your passion for writing later in life?

Writing is in my blood. My great grandfather and grandfather loved to write, as did one of my father’s aunts. My father was a Journalism major and spent his early career as a newspaper reporter. I learned to write before I started Kindergarten and can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing stories or keeping a journal. It didn’t seem possible for me to have a career as a writer, without starving in the process of becoming successful,so I took the long road before finally giving in to my passion. Along the way, however, most of my jobs had some element of writing involved in each of them.

Are you an early bird writer or night owl? And do you have any must haves like coffee, chocolates, wine, music or something else?

I prefer to write at night, the later the better. Some of my best writing happens in the wee hours of the morning. During the daytime, there are too many distractions. I may force myself to write when it’s light out, but it’s not when I’m most prolific. Editing, however, is a good, daytime endeavor.

Where do you live now? If you had to move to another city/state/country, where might that be?

I currently live in the Austin, Texas area. I hope that one day I can live back by a seashore. I’m not picky, but I love the Atlantic coastal area. If I could move out of the country, I would love to live in England in a manor house in the country. I would also love to live in Scandinavia. My husband would battle me for Spain or Portugal, though, so we’d probably have to split out time between two places.

What’s the coolest surprise you’ve ever had?

For my 30^th birthday, my parents arranged for one of my favorite teachers, my second grade teacher, to come over for dinner. I hadn’t seen her since the middle of the second grade, when she left to take a job as a principal at another school. My dad knew her professionally and had kept up with her over the years. When I opened the door and saw her standing there, I was shocked, but I knew exactly who she was. We had a lovely dinner together.

What’s your favorite comfort food? Least favorite food?

I love anything starchy, especially sourdough bread, mashed potatoes, and dumplings. I hate avocados, mushrooms and bananas.

Have you ever played a practical joke on a friend? Ever had one played on you?

I haven’t played a practical joke on someone since I was in high school, and I can’t even remember what it was. When my kids were young, however, one night I told them they were eating broccoli balls instead of peas. I made up a very elaborate story about how NASA invented broccoli balls for astronauts because they were more compact that broccoli stems and florets, and the kids bought it. Broccoli balls became their new favorite food until I ‘fessed up. Now that they know the truth, they once again hate peas.

If you could have one skill that you don’t currently have, what would it be?

I would love to be a great chef. Nothing about cooking comes naturally to me. Even simple recipes can turn out disastrous. My sister inherited all the good cooking genes, and thankfully she hosts many special occasions at her home. At our house, my husband is the chef and he keeps us healthy with many wonderful concoctions.

What might we be surprised to know about you?

I was bullied and assaulted in the 7^th grade. It changed my life.

What makes you angry?

Unkind people. There is no reason to ever be unkind.

What kind of music soothes you?

Deep down, I’m really a James Taylor kind of girl. I can count the concerts I’ve been to on one hand, and two of those have been James Taylor concerts. Today I find myself drawn to Sting’s latest project, “The Last Ship.” It’s actually a musical that will be out later this year, but the album is already available. I fall asleep listening to it

If you are a TV watcher, would you share the names of your favorite shows with us?

I love mysteries and quirky shows. Some of my favorites are Lilyhammer, Wallender, Hunted, Orphan Black, Downton Abbey, The Americans, Wire in the Blood, and almost any British spy series I haven’t already mentioned.

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CHAT WITH JULIE SHACKMAN

Posted on June 29, 2014 by LisetteJune 29, 2014

Julie trained as a journalist but writing romance has always been a dream of hers. When she hasn’t got her head in a book or drafting one, she writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. Julie says writing at home seems to be incredibly difficult for her — she usually requires coffee, music and noise!

Rock My World is her first contemporary romance novel. Julie has just finished writing her second novel (a rom-com) and is polishing that at the moment whilst beginning to do some research for her third. These are also contemporary romances with a good dose of humour (hopefully!). Julie is married, has two sons and lives in Scotland.

Time to chat with Julie!

How often do your characters surprise you by doing or saying something totally unexpected?

All the time! They seem to take on a life of their own and lead me with the story, which I think can only be a good thing.

What part of writing a novel do you enjoy the most? The least?

I love just the whole concept of writing, especially trying to create atmosphere and describing my characters and settings – basically using my imagination.

Some writers edit excessively as they write; others wait until a novel is finished to do the bulk of the editing. How about you?

I try to do a bit of editing as I go, but usually I concentrate on getting the first draft down and then the polishing and tweaking stakes place after that.

Do you have any advice for first-time authors?

Don’t give up! I know it’s a cliché but it really is so true. Read as many books as you can and take note of what you think works and doesn’t. I think you can’t be a good writer if you’re not an avid reader. Just try to find your own voice and keep writing. You’ll get there.

Can you tell us about your road to publication?

Like many writers, I received a lot of rejections before I was offered a publishing contract. I got lots of positive feedback but no offers. It was disheartening at times but I just kept going until I struck lucky with Not So Noble Books. Years ago, I had two childrens’ picture books published but it was always romance that I wanted to write. I think being a writer, means you have to expect to receive rejections. Just don’t let them get you down. Read lots, write lots and persevere!

Please, tell us about your experiences with social media. What are your favorite and least-favorite parts of it?

I love engaging with readers, other authors and bloggers, especially on Twitter – in fact, I think I’ve become a bit addicted to it! There are so many supportive people in the writing community and it’s an honour to be part of such a special group of people. The downside is it can distract you from your writing sometimes if you let it, so I try to be as focused as I can.

What do you like best about the books you read? What do you like least?

I just love the rom-com/chick-lit genre. There are so many talented writers out there and the plots and characters are so sharp, varied and imaginative. What I like least is the criticism that’s sometimes aimed at the genre. I think it is unjustified. I want to laugh, cry and escape when I read a book and this genre does all that, in my opinion.

How much research was involved in writing your book? How did you go about it?

For Rock My World I researched 80s rock music (which I love) and did a bit of note-taking about the politics and social aspects of the era, just to get a feel for it. It brought back a lot of memories!

Do you allow others to read your work in progress, or do you keep it a secret until you’ve finished your first draft? Can you elaborate?

I don’t tend to, no! I run ideas past my Husband, two sons and a couple of close friends but I don’t tend to let them read what I’ve written until it’s finished. I think sometimes that can kill the excitement of my work and I like to try and surprise people.

Have you received reactions/feedback to your work that has surprised you? In what way?

The feedback about Rock My World has been unbelievable! It is such a special feeling to know that readers love your writing. I’ve had comments from people saying they couldn’t stop thinking about the characters. Other ladies said they had developed a huge crush on Matt (my hero) and another said she got so involved in the story, she had to make herself put her Kindle away at work as she found herself taking sneaky reads!

Do you write anything besides novels? Care to share?

I write verses and captions for greetings card companies. I’ve been doing that for a few years now and really enjoy it. The card designs are gorgeous and when I see cards in shops that have my verses in, it really gives me a buzz!

Were you “born to write” or did you discover your passion for writing later in life?

I’ve always wanted to be an author. Right from an early age, I loved creative writing and have always had an obsession with books. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else, nor would I want to!

Are you an early bird writer or night owl? And do you have any must haves like coffee, chocolates, wine, music or something else?

I seem to be more of an early bird, not only with my writing! I think I have more enthusiasm and energy in the early part of the day.

I make sure I get out for a brisk walk every day, even if it is just for half an hour and have to have music playing whilst I’m writing. I also enjoy a nice coffee whilst writing – I love a good Latte!

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love listening to music; reading and watching movies, especially rom-coms. I also love getting out and about for lovely walks in the fresh air and spending time with my Husband and two sons. Family time with them is very precious.

Thank you for this fab interview Lisette! X

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Lisette Brodey's author website

Author of character-driven novels

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