Author Interview – Fiona Ingram @FionaRobyn

How important are villains in a story? Villains are sometimes the best part of the story. Besides, a hero can only be heroic if there’s a villain to offset his bravery. Villains and their evil machinations make life interesting. Someone has to stop them or foil their nefarious plans. I like all the villains in my books, those written as well as those planned. Villains are usually clever and wily. They rely on their brains, not brute force.

Their motives and desires are actually often as grand as heroic ambitions, just really on the side of bad, not good. Villains are also self-absorbed but they can see the bigger picture. A clever villain knows when to retire from the battlefield. After all, ‘he who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day.’ Villains keep the plot going. A multifaceted villain, such as a baddie who loves his mother, or volunteers at an animal shelter, is a villain with interesting angles. No one wants a thug: they want Machiavelli because he’s more intriguing.

Do you have to travel much concerning your books? I am such a globetrotter that I think my adventure series has just given me lots of excuses to pack and explore! I began travelling from an early age and I found the contact with other cultures shaped my vision of life and matured me.

I began to see life differently, and to appreciate how other people live, think, and feel about life. When the idea for the series grew, I just knew setting the various adventures in unusual countries would appeal to young readers. The Secret of the Sacred Scarab was inspired by my trip to Egypt. The next book was sparked by my trip to Britain; and hopefully I will complete the research for the third book by going on a trip to the jungles of Mexico.

Can we expect more books from you in the future? Absolutely. I am whizzing along. When I began researching the ‘mythology’ behind The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, I discovered such a deep and wonderful world of legends and ancient teachings that the book began to grow almost a ‘super identity.’ This back history became so compelling that I knew it couldn’t end with the first book.

The end of the first story then became the beginning of another. Writing the second book (The Search for the Stone of Excalibur) was quicker because Dark Ages Britain (the time when the historical Arthur lived) is not as complex or as well documented as Ancient Egypt. The themes are different, but the medieval world of ancient manuscripts and monasteries is as fascinating. Secret associations, poisons and cures … murder most foul … lots of good stuff.

I don’t get bored with the characters at all because their responses to each new story and situation bring out different aspects of them. Each book has such a strong theme, and a powerful message that goes beyond the mere story. For example: Book One emphasized the value of cultural heritage; Book Two (The Search for the Stone of Excalibur) will highlight the value of recorded history and the (often dangerous) power of knowledge; Book Three (The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper) will uncover pressing environmental issues in the Mexican jungles, and so on. Each country I have chosen also has a unique aspect that enables me to give more to the reader without consciously hammering home a message.

Do you have any advice for writers? Yes, lots. I have written two good articles (on Getting Published and Self-Marketing) which are on my author site (www.FionaIngram.com) under Media Room. They cover just about everything you need to know. But here are four must-do steps.

Finish your manuscript. Have it professionally edited and prepared before sending it to an agent/publisher.

Start researching your marketing strategies from day one (while still writing). Just because you’ve written a book doesn’t mean to say people will automatically rush out and buy it. Subscribe to newsletters and e-zines because there is a wealth of information about the book trade, many ‘how to’ tips and articles, and lists of book competitions.

If you want to go the traditional route and look for an agent/publisher then use tools of the trade like the Writers & Artists Yearbook or plenty of online sites. You can also get tips on how to put together a killer book proposal or agent query letter.

Never give up and don’t take rejection/criticism personally. (This is the hardest part.) Create a mantra or self-belief statement and constantly repeat it. Your belief in your project will ensure it comes to fruition.

What are some of the best tools available for writers, especially ones just starting out? I could wax lyrical for a very long time on this subject because there is just so much around now for writers. The long trudge of knocking on agents’ doors and receiving rejection letters might be a thing of the past for writers who have a good product and want to launch a book themselves.

I found an excellent post by Suw Charman-Anderson (who writes for Forbes Magazine) on Author Services. In her first article she explores what author services companies can provide. In her second article she explores choosing who to work with. Both articles cover all bases. Then a site I highly recommend is Joel Friedlander’s site The Book Designer. Joel offers a huge variety of advice, articles, and practical tips. Lastly, I just reviewed an excellent book by Hank Quense called Managing Your Self-Publishing Project that gives a step-by-step planning program to creating and launching a book. I wish I’d known all this when I first started out on my publishing road.

Buy Now @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre – Juvenile Fiction

Rating – G

More details about the author & the book

Connect with Fiona Ingram on Facebook 1 &  Facebook 2 & Twitter

Author Interview – Sonja Hegman @ChiefWordsmith

*Do you have any tips on how writers can relax?

Yoga. It works wonders.

*How often do you write? And when do you write?

Every day. I usually write in the morning before anything has had a chance to effect me. I won’t check my email or go online until I’ve written for at least two hours.

*Sometimes it’s so hard to keep at it – What keeps you going?

The fact that I’m entertaining and helping others.

*Have you met any people in the industry who have really helped you?

Oh yes. I have to give a shout to my editor/publisher Karen Hodges Miller and Sherrie Wilkolaski. Karen gave me shot at becoming an author. Sherrie has been a cheerleader for my brand and me since we met. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.

*What’s your favorite meal?

Tortellini Alfredo or really any kind of Italian food. Since leaving the East Coast, it’s what I miss the most aside from my friends.

*What movie do you love to watch?

The Big Lebowski.

*How do you feel about social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter? Are they a good thing?

They’re awesome. They make it possible for indie authors to find their voice. I’ve had conversations with writers from all over the world. That wouldn’t be possible without social media.

*If you could do any job in the world what would you do?

Writer.

*What makes you angry?

Internet trolls. It would be so depressing if my mission in life were to ruin someone’s day.

*What’s your most embarrassing moment of your life?

When I was in college, I accidently flashed a bunch of people, including some of my male cousins, at an amusement park. A huge wave of water hit me, which forced my bikini top to betray me.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Non-fiction

Rating – PG

More details about the author

Connect with Sonja Hegman on Facebook, Google+ & Twitter

Website http://www.writerschatstew.com/

Author Interview – Claire Charlins @ClaireCharlins

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?

I came from a small town and I love in one now! I love it. I love the small communities and how everyone knows each other and helps each other. It reflects in my writing too… the guys from Chasing Cross come from a small town in Virginia and everywhere they end up (and in love!) they’re in small towns!

How did you develop your writing?

I just kept writing. I wrote anything I could think of. There are thousands – yes, THOUSANDS – of printed pages that will never see light of day because the writing isn’t good. But it led me here.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

From life! I like to look at life, read the paper, talk to people, watch people, and just imagine how romance can play into everything.

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?

Marketing. I’m not good at it. I hate talking about myself – lol. I don’t think I’m interesting… but my books are!

Do you plan to publish more books?

Of course! I have to finish the Chasing Cross books and then the Brothers of Rock series will continue into 2014 with another band! And I’m hard at work with more western romance books.

What else do you do to make money, other than write? It is rare today for writers to be full time…

I am so lucky to say that right now I write full time. It’s not easy! I put in about 12-15 hours per day. And I work 7 days a week. But it’s a dream come true right now.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Western / Christian Romance

Rating – PG

More details about the author and the book

Connect with  Claire Charlins on Twitter

Website http://clairecharlins.wordpress.com/

Author Interview – Ana Fawkes @AnaFawkes

Do you have any tips on how writers can relax?

Everything I said above.

How often do you write? And when do you write?

I have to write everyday. It’s just my style. If I don’t, I feel wrong. I feel… like I’m letting myself and everyone around me down. A writer writes, right?

Do you have an organized process or tips for writing well? Do you have a writing schedule?

My process is to stay focused and organized. My schedule is write a set word count every single day. I set the word count based on the day, commitments, etc.

Sometimes it’s so hard to keep at it – What keeps you going?

The readers do. I mean, I can say myself because I have stories to tell, but it’s always amazing hearing from readers when they get excited about a cover, a blurb, a snippet. And then of course when they buy the actually books.

How do you feel about social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter? Are they a good thing?

They are good to interact with readers but can easily suck away time. You need to monitor and budget it. And that’s not just for writers… that’s for everyone in life.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - New Adult Romance

Rating – PG13

More details about the author and the book

Connect with  Ana W. Fawkes on Facebook &  Twitter

Website http://anafawkes.com/

Author Interview – James Copeland @jamesmcopeland

What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why? Suppose you were and idiot. And suppose you were a member of congress. But then I repeat myself…Mark twain

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life? Accepting a contract from a traditional publisher.

What is your favorite color? REaD

What is your favorite food? Fried okra.

What’s your favorite place in the entire world? Where I’m located at the moment the question is asked!

How has your upbringing influenced your writing? It taught me to be honest with myself and others.

Do you intend to make writing a career? Yes

Have you developed a specific writing style? Yes

What is your greatest strength as a writer? Continuity.

How did you come up with the title? The title to this book has been all over the board. I would say it has had at least ten titles…which never presented the book in the best light. ‘Frank Hawthorn is…Blindsided tells it all. Actually there is more than one person Blindsided in this novel. It speaks of love, betrayal, and simple information in each person who is Blindsided.

Can you tell us about your main character? Frank Hawthorn

Frank is in his late forties and has worked hard most of his life.

He was born in Memphis Tennessee to an older father and mother. His father was a policeman who met his maker early on in life, his mother a housewife who struggled to send him on to school. Frank loved them both, greatly admired his father and wanted to be a policeman from early on.

He finished high school and enlisted in the army. Just before he left he and his girl friend were considering marriage. They were in the bank setting up a fund they would both contribute too for the cost of the wedding and she was shot by bank robbers. He had always loved pretty girls, his mother was one. He went on to the army for a four year stint. He was regularly promoted until he was released a Staff SSgt, with three rockers up and three down. He was known as a fair man to work for and his MOS was M.P. Officer of the Day. With his history in the M.P.’s he was hired by the Memphis Police Force and sent to the Police Academy for his formal training. He graduated at the top of his class.

Frank was not really tall, only five feet ten in his stocking feet. He was tall inside however. He would stand up to anything that didn’t eat him first. Not a really pretty man, he had that rugged look, one that most women liked however. His weight was a lean one hundred eighty pounds, give or take a few Italian dinners. He kept a clean physic even though he didn’t work out as some officers of the court did. His hair was normal, sort of sandy, or brown, he never wore it long, unless he forgot to get a haircut. Bathing was a natural. He bathed when he naturally needed to. He could sleep standing up, but he liked lying in a good bed better. He hadn’t started wearing glasses yet; his arms were still long enough to get the work out in front of him enough to see it properly. He did take a multiple vitamin every day he could remember to. His eating habits were not frequent enough to satisfy his bodily needs yet.

He was loyal to a fault. If he liked a person he would help or follow them to the ends of the earth. If he had it, they needed it, it was theirs. If he was taking a trip with somebody else, he paid his share. If he could work it out, he would take a free lunch anytime. Likewise, he could be convinced to buy someone else’s in a pinch. It was all in the principle of the thing. He loved to win.

Frank never hired anyone to work with him at his first office. The reason, he wasn’t sure of enough work to keep a body employed. He didn’t want to hire someone and then three months later when they didn’t have a chance to be hired someplace else tell them there was no more work. After several years he had so much work as a detective, he had to have help, someone at the office all the time and others to do the leg work necessary to keep up with the clients who were pounding on his door. He particularly liked to hire retired police officers with the right back ground, and dedicated law students if they were available.

How did you develop your plot and characters? Pick a person, develop them to suit the character needed in the story and adapt every living thing as the way that character would handle the situation if it occurred.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Crime Mystery

Rating – PG

More details about the author and the book

Connect with  James M. Copeland on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://jamesmcopelandnoveli.wix.com/

Author Interview – Filipa Fonseca Silva @poshpipa

What is your favorite color? Pink

What is your favorite food? Watermelon

What’s your favorite place in the entire world? The desert beaches of Southwest Portugal

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? Sure: I decided I wanted to become a writer as soon as I read my first book.

What genre are you most comfortable writing? Contemporary fiction

Do you intend to make writing a career? Yes, that’s my dream.

Have you developed a specific writing style? Yes. My writing is very visual and cinematographic

What is your greatest strength as a writer? Building characters people relate to.

Have you ever had writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it? Sure I have. I stop for a few days and do other stuff. It’s no use panicking. Imagination will start flowing as soon as we have a break and a rest.

Who designed the cover? My dear friend and art director Sofia Silva. We work together in advertising for 6 years.

Who is your publisher? The English editions of my books are self-published, but in Portugal my publisher is Oficina do Livro, one of the biggest.

What was the hardest part about writing this book? Living up to my readers expectations

Will you write others in this same genre? Yes I will!

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Contemporary Fiction  

Rating – PG13

More details about the author & the book

Connect with Filipa Fonseca Silva on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://pipaswonderland.blogspot.com

 

 

Quality Reads UK Book Club Disclosure: Author interview / guest post has been submitted by the author and previously used on other sites.

Author Interview – Stacy Verdick Case

How much sleep do you need to be your best?

Six or seven hours it perfect for me. There are some days I wish I could get more when we’ve been particularly busy the I want more sleep.

Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support?

My husband has been there every day telling me I can do this. There are so many others along the way who I couldn’t begin to name them all but he is my constant.

Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?

I want to entertain people. That’s all I want. As long as there are readers who tell me I made them laugh or cry or they could sleep until they finished the book then I consider what I do a success.

Tell us about your new book? What’s it about and why did you write it?

A Luring Murder was just released as an Audiobook. Susan Saddler a fantastic actress and stunt woman did the narration on this book and I think she did a really fun job. A Luring Murder picks up where A Grand Murder left off follow Catherine and her husband Gavin on Vacation. Of course in true mystery fashion a dead body interrupts their vacation.  I think A Luring Murder is a lot of fun and hope listeners will enjoy this audiobook!

Tell us a bit about your family.

I have a husband and a four-year-old daughter who keeps us on our toes. She’s at the point where she copies everything we do and the other day she brought a bunch a papers with scribbles on them to her daddy and asked him staple them all together. When he asked her what they were, she said it was her book, just like mommy’s. It was one of the tear provoking “ah” moments.

Buy Now @ Amazon (audio) @ Barnes & Noble (print & ebook)

Genre – Mystery

Rating – PG13

More details about the author and the book

Connect with Stacy Verdick Case on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://sostacythought.wordpress.com/

Author Interview – Suzanne Anderson @seakiev

Do you have any rituals involved in the writing process?

Sit down, open the computer file, start typing. When it gets dark, turn on the desk lamp. It also helps to read a little bit from where you left off the day before, to bring your mind back into the story. But don’t let that trick you into getting lost in editing your earlier work, you’ll never move on to writing new pages.

Is procrastination ever an issue?

YES!!!!!! Email and Facebook are the usual timewasters. However, since this is also an election year and I am a political junkie, I have wasted untold hours visiting my favorite sites and then feeling compelled to share my ill-formed, knee-jerk opinions of certain articles on my Facebook page. I’m surprised I haven’t been ‘un-friended’ more than I have.

How much research do you do for a novel?

Naturally, it depends on the novel. For my first novel, set in World War Two Budapest, I did quite a bit of research. My current work-in-progress has me reading about French Impressionist artists, quantum physics, and mazes.

Do you need a set level of comfort from your research before you begin to write, or do you do research as you go?

No, I like to write and research as I go, for two reasons: 1) I’m afraid of becoming mired down in research and never writing the book, and 2) I don’t want to lose the momentum that you get with the excitement of starting a new story.

Have you ever put yourself or a friend or other real person into a story?

Yes! There is a bit of me in every protagonist I’ve created. I’m guessing that the characters we create reflect many aspects of our personalities.

What did you do to celebrate the publication of your first book?

Got to work on my second book. Publishing is a wonderfully motivating event…once you realize that you can do it, you want to keep going. I was speaking with a friend this morning and I told him that the most gratifying experience of publishing is knowing that my stories are being read.

Have any of your own experiences found their way into your novels?

The first novel I ever wrote was inspired by my father’s passing. I wrote that novel 15 years ago, I’m currently re-writing it and will publish it this autumn, and it’s still my favorite. Another novel that I will publish later this year was inspired by my years of living overseas.

If one of your novels was made into a movie, would you want to be involved with adaptation and casting?

No! I am so far removed from the culture of TV and movies that I would be more of a hindrance than a help. Plus, I’ve become a happy recluse and really have no desire to travel to Hollywood.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Inspirational Devotional

Rating – G

More details about the author & the book

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Illustrated Children’s Books

Rating – G

More details about the author

Connect with  Suzanne Elizabeth Anderson on Facebook &  Twitter

Website http://www.suzanneelizabethanderson.com/

Author Interview – Sherrie Cronin @cinnabar01

Do you find the time to read? I do but I can’t read other people’s lengthy works of fiction while I am writing my own. It hurts my momentum too much. I do read some short stories, mostly science fiction, and a lot of non-fiction on subjects about which I am writing.
Last book you purchased? Tell us about it. It’s called “Half the Sky” and it’s by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. It tells inspirational stories about the many women and men fighting for women’s rights everywhere. It’s an incredible book.
Who do you admire? I admire anyone who is sincerely trying to make this word a better place. With each of my novels I have found a group of people that impressed me so much that I have pledged to give ten percent of my profits from that novel to the organization. Researching the book x0, which takes place partially in Nigeria, I learned about the origins of “Doctors Without Borders” in the Biafra struggle for independence. When I started to design my blog for the second novel, y1, I discovered that an organization in the Pacific already had the URL I wanted. It’s called “To the Power of One” and it’s dedicated to making communities on islands in the Pacific more self-sufficient. Finally, I turned to the Southern Poverty Law Center for a lot of the research for z2, and ten percent of my proceeds for z2 are going to the SPLC.
What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why? “Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.” An English politician in the 1700’s named Edmund Burke said it, and I find it provides this odd sense of comfort that I can make a difference, or at least that I’m not a fool for trying to do so.
Did writing this book teach you anything and what was it? Writing each book has taught me so much that I don’t know where to begin.  I’ve learned to be more organized and disciplined. I’ve learned to be a lot more thick skinned. I’ve learned that I can do something that I once thought was almost magic. I’ve learned that I have strong voice inside. And I’ve learned that Kiribati is the only nation on earth to straddle four hemispheres, and how to write the numbers one through twenty in Mayan hieroglyphs. It’s been a great journey already.

Buy Now @ Amazon @ Smashwords

Genre - Speculative Fiction

Rating – PG

More details about the author and the book

Connect with Sherrie Cronin on Goodreads

Website http://zsquaredblog.org/

Quality Reads UK Book Club Disclosure: Author interview / guest post has been submitted by the author and previously used on other sites.

Author Interview - Dermot Davis @dermotdavis1

Tell me about the book that the author in the novel writes; the book that changed the world?

I forget who it was that said that madness and genius are very close allies but sometimes it’s not so easy to tell them apart. We don’t really understand the nature of creativity and where it comes from but that seems to be where all the great ideas and the great art of the world originates. This book posits that one of the greatest books ever written comes not from a person that we consider a “genius” but rather a neglected and failed author that we consider “crazy.”

Tell us about your book? What’s it about and why did you write it?

Stormy Weather is a novel about a psychologist who specializes in dream interpretation and who one day wakes up in a dream that he can’t seem to wake up from. Like a dream detective, he must look around his dream reality for clues in order to solve the enigma of his entrapment.

The book is about dreams?

The book is partly a questioning about what reality or what we call ‘consciousness” really is. Whatever state you find yourself in, then that’s your reality. When you’re in a dream, then that’s the only reality you know. We only call that reality a “dream state” when we’re in another reality that we call “waking reality.” We have no knowledge of a “waking reality” when we’re in the reality of the “dream state.”

But your protagonist knows that he’s in a dream?

Not at first, no. Just as some people question that this reality we share just might be a dream, he also begins to reason within the dream that he just might be in a dream. It’s his training that prompts him to question. However, it’s also his training that just might keep him stuck in his dream state.

Explain that?

Reasoning and intellect can only take us so far. Integration and healing of the whole person can only take place when we allow ourselves to heal on an emotional and spiritual level as well.

This is a book about healing, then?

Yes, although the protagonist, Robert Monro, is not aware that the problems he is having in his life and in his marriage are related to incidents in his past that require healing. It is only when he summons the courage to remember and to experience his past traumas that they provide the key for him to wake from his dream world.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Contemporary Fiction

Rating – PG13

More details about the author and the book

Connect with Dermot Davis on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads

Website www.dermotdavis.com

Quality Reads UK Book Club Disclosure: Author interview / guest post has been submitted by the author and previously used on other sites.

Author Interview – Dermot Davis @dermotdavis1

Do you find it hard to share your work?

Absolutely. It was a big shock to me to discover that I actually get very terrified when I put out a new work. I think there’s some part of me that is afraid that people will laugh at me or worse, maybe form a posse and one night knock on my door or stage an intervention with a request for help me stop deluding myself into thinking that I’m a writer of any value. Is that the doorbell?

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?

Yes and yes. Although I do notice that the more books I put out, the less enthusiasm there is among them compared to the champagne-popping excitement of the first, which is only natural, I guess. I may have to wake them up when book number four gets released.

Do you plan to publish more books?

You couldn’t stop me, at this point. Writing and releasing a new book into the marketplace is about as intoxicating as it gets. At least until the first negative review gets posted and then I sober up and wonder what I’m doing with my life.

How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?

Writing in bed doesn’t work for me, nor writing in a coffee shop, either, for that matter. I do prefer to write at a desk as I find that it helps me concentrate better. I used always to write in longhand but soon got tired of typing it afterwards, as I seemed to be doing double the work and I honestly hate typing unless I’m composing something in my head. Having said that, there is something about writing in longhand that I noticed is different from typing. The more personal the project is, the more I will gravitate to longhand but if that’s the case I have to write with a fountain pen and absolutely not a ball point pen of any kind. Don’t know why that is.

How much sleep do you need to be your best?

I totally have to get a good eight hours sleep or I find it very hard to write, period. The fresher I am, the more the good ideas come and it’s usually fun. Writing when I’m feeling groggy gets reflected in the writing: it’s dull, unimaginative and sloppy. In that frame of mind I’ll usually read, edit or take a nap. I love taking naps at all times of the day and when I have my office on the studio lot, it will be in the contract that they supply a cozy sofa to nap on. So sue me.

Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?

I’ve had wonderful success with my books so far but certainly not enough to live exclusively on my earnings. Doing so would be success on the level of having all my dreams coming true.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Literary Fiction

Rating – PG

More details about the author and the book

Connect with Dermot Davis on Facebook, Twitter & Goodreads

Website www.dermotdavis.com

Author Interview – Dana Hui Lim @odysseybooks

What social issues interest you the most? The plight of refugees is a raw wound in Australia at the moment. I don’t have the answers but I know that the resolution is not to demonise people who are running from a nightmarish situation. I find it very difficult to blame people for wanting just a little bit of what most people in Australia take for granted.

What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why? “If there’s no great glorious end to all this, if nothing we do matters…, then all that matters is what we do”. I just looked up who said this, and it turns out it was Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

When and why did you begin writing? I was telling my partner about my life soon after we first met, and he said that I should write a book. I thought about it for a while and decided that I wanted my story to still be here after I am gone. All that lives on after us is the impression we’ve made on others, be it in writing or via a personal relationship. I didn’t want to go quietly.

How did you come up with the title? The title is from an incident where my Mother defended us from an actual flesh, blood, toothed and clawed tiger. After all we had been through there was no way she was going to allow some overgrown tabby to take one of us.

Who designed the cover? Michelle, my wonderful publisher from Odyssey Books.

What was the hardest part about writing this book? Reliving the pain all over again, and not just remembering it but turning it over and over in my mind, scene by scene and word by word. I had never thought I would do that; I had never spoken about it to any of my family or even my ex-husband during the years we were together. We all lived through the same terror and did not want to show our mental scars.

How much of the book is realistic? All of it, from the first word to the last. It no doubt contains inaccuracies, but everything is how I remember it. What I can’t do is take the reader there and make them see and smell the Killing Fields, although I’m glad that I can’t. They would never forgive me and they would be right.

Do you have any advice for writers? Write first for yourself, and then see if anyone else is interested.

If you could leave your readers with one bit of wisdom, what would you want it to be? This is not a test. You didn’t exist for almost all of the past and you’ll be dead for almost all of the future. Do something, anything, with the time you have, and do it now.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Memoir

Rating – PG13

More details about the author & the book

Connect with Dana Hui Lim on Facebook & Twitter & Goodreads

Website http://odysseybooks.com.au/

 

 

Quality Reads UK Book Club Disclosure: Author interview / guest post has been submitted by the author and previously used on other sites.

Author Interview – Diana Bocco

When you get free time on the internet or you go to the library – what do you want to read about?

Free time? What’s that? When you live in a non-English speaking country, local libraries tend to be a little short on good reading material. I do have a Kindle, though, and I’m always reading something.

Do you find the time to read?

I make it. Especially when I’m writing a novel, I find that I crave reading even more.

Who do you admire?

People who don’t follow the rules. Those who do daring things regardless of what society thinks.

What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why?

Surprisingly, it’s not a quote from a writer. It’s by Margareth II, Queen of Denmark. The quote goes: “I have always had a dread of becoming a passenger in life.” I’ve tried to live my life by that motto: take the wheel, make your own future, don’t let life just take you along.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?

The fact that I’ve never let fear stopped me from doing what I want to do. Moving to a new country, diving into a new career or just trying things that terrify you (like learning to swim in my case)… these are all adventures for me. I’m proud of myself for never letting fear stop me. I had a friend tell me once that it was easy for me to do all these things because I was obviously fearless. I thought she was crazy! I’m not fearless. I just don’t let those fears stop me from doing the things I want anyway.

What is your favorite food?

Oh, junk food – which is not something you should be hearing from somebody who has a background in fitness and nutrition! On the other hand, I’m a vegetarian, so at least I have a limit on what type of junk food I can eat. When I lived in Hanoi, there was this little vegetarian restaurant that served the best fake meat I’ve ever tasted in my life. They had dishes like “roasted duck” and “crispy chicken wings” (made with no real meat, of course) that I absolutely adored. I would go back to Vietnam just to eat there again!

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Paranormal Romance/Dystopian Romance

Rating – R

More details about the author

Connect with Diana Bocco on Goodreads

Website http://www.dianaboccobooks.com

Author Interview - Jennifer Cornet @J_Cornet

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?

-I grew up in the suburbs of northern Virginia, just outside of Washington, DC. My father is retired Navy and my mom was a stay-at-home mom. I grew up in a household that nurtured creative abilities as well as emphasized the need for education. I think that is why I wound up as an engineer with so many hobbies. My mom taught me to sew at a young age, and my dad let me play with his tools in the garage. It was a fun household, often covered in glitter.

I still live in Springfield, where I was raised. My husband, who also grew up here, and I bought a house a little over two years ago and have settled in. I work as an engineer for the Navy while he works at the Pentagon.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

-Boy, I wish I knew. It sounds cheesy, but I don’t know where most of my ideas come from. I often find myself cooking when a random train of thought comes rolling through my brain and I go “huh, that’s an interesting concept.” From there I usually obsess about it until I can flush it out as a viable idea, or dismiss it completely.

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?

-Writing is by far the easiest. If you had asked me in July, I might have said publishing is the hardest. I sent out tons of agent queries and only got canned responses in reply. Now that I have chosen to head down the “self-publishing” route, I’ve discovered that that isn’t so much the case anymore. By far the hardest thing is marketing. There is a massive amount of information out there on the internet and no one to direct you. It’s very overwhelming to even think about where to start.

What marketing works for you?

-I’m trying to figure out the whole marketing thing as I go. It’s a big, scary world out there with millions of outlets. I’m just trying to figure out what works for me and where I fit in to it all.

Do you find it hard to share your work?

-I did at first. Now I don’t find it hard to share by passing files along or something. I do, however, still hate reading my own work out loud. It’s a fear I’m working on getting over.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Urban Fantasy

Rating – PG - 13

More details about the author

Connect with Jennifer Cornet on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.jennifercornet.com/

Quality Reads UK Book Club Disclosure: Author interview / guest post has been submitted by the author and previously used on other sites.

Author Interview – Christina Smith

Have you ever had writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it? Yes I have, and when it happens, I like to put on music, and close my eyes while I listen to it. It clears my head.

Can you share a little of your current work with us? Sure it is the third and final book in the Moon’s Glow series, and it’s called Riley’s Redemption.

How did you come up with the title? The last name of the male character is Riley, and in the prequel, he has a curse and in this book, he has a secret.

Can you tell us about your main character? Yes her name is Megan Banks, and she was born privileged, but raised by superficial parents. She went along with what her spoiled selfish friends do only because she never knew any better. But she proves she’s not really like them she gets in a tough situation.

How did you develop your plot and characters? I wanted to see if I could write a character that had killed and make him likable. And since I wanted to branch out into more supernatural, I thought about werewolves. And I wanted him to be a reluctant monster, who hated what he was.

Who designed the cover? Stephanie Mooney

What was the hardest part about writing this book? Letting the series go. While I will miss the characters, I have so many different ideas I couldn’t write a series with more than three books.

Will you write others in this same genre? Yes, definitely.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? Learn how to forgive yourself and others.

How important do you think villains are in a story? Very. Without conflict a story is boring.

Who is your favorite author and why? Not sure if I have just one favorite author, but one of them is Kresley Cole, and the biggest reason is her humor. I love to laugh when I’m reading.

Do you have any advice for writers? Yes, read, and write as much as you can.

Do you have any specific last thoughts that you want to say to your readers? Just that I hope you enjoy my book, because I loved writing it.

What do you do to unwind and relax? Listen to music, read and watch TV. It helps clear my mind.

If you could leave your readers with one bit of wisdom, what would you want it to be? Finding my passion for writing was liberating. I had lived my life doing jobs that I had to do in order to survive. I was happy with my life, and family, but when I found my passion, it was like I had awakened from a life without color. So my advice is not to settle, and if you haven’t found your passion yet, keep looking.

When you wish to end your career, stop writing, and look back on your life, what thoughts would you like to have? I hope to be at peace at what I accomplished in my career. I hope to have made people happy and entertained them with what I wrote.

Buy Now @ Amazon @Smashwords

Genre - Young Adult/Fantasy/Romance

Rating – PG13

More details about the author & the book

Connect with Christina Smith on Facebook & Twitter & Google+

Blog http://www.christinasmithbooks.com/

Author Interview – Dermot Davis @dermotdavis1

You’re also a playwright?

Yes, my background is in theatre and aside from some early poetry and short stories, plays were the first real writings I attempted.

How does the experience of writing a play differ from that of writing a novel?

For me, they pose a very different set of challenges. The limitations involved in writing a play are very strict and confining and can be very difficult to adhere to or overcome. In a play, the entire action is taking place in real time and although you can play around with creative lighting, scene changes, blocking and so on, so much is dependent on the dialogue itself. Mostly everything has to be conveyed through believable dialogue between the characters on stage and only one person can speak at a time. The number of characters you can put on a stage at any one time tends to determine what can happen in a scene.

Having said that, it’s also very true that knowing and working within the limitations can be very freeing and can very much improve the work. Dialogue has to be economical and very, very precise, for instance.

And writing the novel?

Writing the novel is almost like going to the other extreme where there are unlimitless possibilities. You can write for a cast of thousands, travel back and forth around the world and through time itself and you have the opportunity of allowing your characters to speak pages and pages about their inner-most thoughts. It’s wonderful.

You enjoy writing having in a medium that has less limitations, then?

Yes and no. They are both just different beasts, really. The dangers of having too few limitations are that, in the novel, for instance, I can write pages about something that really doesn’t serve the characters or the plot but I’m so in love with my writing that I find it hard to curb myself. That happens a lot and a good editor should be able to spot those areas and respectfully run a red pen through them (laughs). A really strict editor is a writer’s godsend, to be honest.

Do you have an organized process or tips for writing well? Do you have a writing schedule?

I don’t write to a schedule usually but I do try to write every day that I’m working on a project. Some days I could write lots and other days very little but I try not to force myself to write if the story isn’t flowing. Usually when I find myself slowing down, on further analysis, I discover within myself that I’ve come to some kind of resistance in the writing and it serves me to stop and take a closer look at what that might be.

How do you do that? What kind of resistances are you concerned about?

Resistances come in many flavors and can be very hard to ascertain. It can require some deep introspection but doing so usually pays dividends so I try to stay as aware and alert to them as I can because if I don’t, ultimately the work can suffer. Sometimes, it’s just a question that I have been working too much at the expense of play or relaxation and the playful part of myself feels restless and maybe a little cheated. A simple remedy would be to take some time off and go to the beach or do something fun. A more serious kind of resistance could indicate that I’ve lost my way in the story or rather that I’ve strayed from the truth in some way. Maybe I’m forcing the characters to follow some plotting that I want to have happen and it’s not being respectful to the characters and may come across in the read as being false.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Romance

Rating – PG13

More details about the author

Connect with Dermot Davis on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads!

Website www.dermotdavis.com

Author Interview – Ben Woodard @benswoodard

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

I’ve always had a fantasy about living in New Zealand. I’ve never been there, but I’m an outdoorsman and the idea of living in a small country with mountains and glaciers in the South and tropical islands in the North definitely appeals to me.

How do you write, with a laptop, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?

All of the above, and more. When I’m writing a draft, I usually dictate using Dragon Dictate for the Mac. I’m a decent storyteller and this is the quickest way for me to get the words out. However, when editing I use a Mac Mini with a large screen monitor. Don’t tell, but sometimes when editing or writing, I will get in the tub with a couple of dark beers, a pad of paper, and a pencil and stay until my wife threatens to call the fire department to get me out.

Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?

To me success would be when reluctant readers, and especially boys, read and enjoy my books. I’ve had one boy who, according to his mother, is bored with reading. She got him to read Hunger Games and the Percy Jackson books, but he’s a slow reader and lost interest. But with tears in her eyes, she told me that when he read my book, A Stairway To Danger, he wouldn’t put it down and even hid under the covers reading late into the night. That’s my definition of success.

When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?

I like to read, to hike in the woods, to play with the grandkids, and snuggle with my wife on the couch. Oh, and not necessarily in that order.

How often do you write? And when do you write?

I write, market, and/or edit every day. Since I’m semiretired—I don’t have to go to work every day—I’m fortunate to be able to spend from eight to twelve hours a day on my books. And that doesn’t seem to be enough time.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - YA/Mystery

Rating – PG – 13

More details about the author

Connect with Ben Woodard on Facebook and Twitter

Website http://BooksByBen.com

Author Interview – Eleni Papanou @elenipapanou

What marketing works for you?

To be honest, I haven’t figured it out yet. As I write visionary fiction, I find the best way to present my work is by getting involved with other writers of the same genre and building something together with them. I’m one of the founding members of the Visionary Fiction Alliance.

Do you find it hard to share your work?

At first, I did as I always felt heavily judged because of my childhood trauma of being bullied. But once I honed in on learning my craft, I developed a confidence I never had before. Now I look forward to sharing my work.

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?

My family is highly supportive and very critical in a constructive way. They push me to be my best. I’m lucky to have them. My husband beta reads for me. I also found a great support group with other writers.

Do you plan to publish more books?

As many as I can!  My next release is Beyond Omega’s Sunrise, which will be published in November of this year, and I have three more books scheduled to be released in 2014. I’m focusing on building a robust back catalogue.

What other jobs have you had in your life?

I’ve been a fitness counselor, sung in wedding bands, fronted my own original band and worked as a secretary.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Paranormal Mystery

Rating – PG13

More details about the author & the book

Connect with Eleni Papanou on Facebook & Twitter & LinkedIn

Blog http://elenipapanou.com/

Author Interview - Peter Clenott @PeterClenott

What is your favorite food? Toss-up: pizza, cheeseburgers, sea food platters.

Do you find the time to read? I try to, But between work, promoting the books, and family, I find myself getting tired as bedtime approaches. I am reading the work of a fellow local novelist now.

What’s the reason for your life? Have you figured out your reason for being here yet? I guess that’s all something we have to determine for ourselves. There is no great reason for any of us to be here. It was all a matter of chance, coincidence and astronomical good fortune. I’d like to think that I have something to share with the world to make it a slightly more livable place. So, I would say my reason for being is to communicate to the world through my writing. I hope I have good genes.

If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask? Abraham Lincoln, who was not only a giant, but had a wonderful sense of humor and could tell a good story. And Jesus. Whatever you believe, you would certainly learn the truth.

What are your current writing projects now? I have long had on the back burner a novel called COMRADE LOLITA. The story is based on Lolita Lebron and the Puerto Rican nationalists who tried to assassinate Harry Truman and who shot up the House of representatives in the early 50s. It relates well to the terrorist activities of this century and asks the question, why do people commit violent acts in the name of politics? Do they really believe these acts will generate some positive outcome or are they really just childish acts of vindictiveness?

Buy Now @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre - Young Adult

Rating – PG

More details about the author and the book

Connect with Peter Clenott on Facebook & Twitter

Website www.peterclenott.net

Author Interview – Jade Kerrion @JadeKerrion

Is there any books you really don’t enjoy?

Horror. I see absolutely no point in spending my time and paying money to not sleep at night. J

What do you hope your obituary will say about you?

That I lived well, did much, and had a great deal of fun along the way.

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?

I spent my childhood in Malaysia and my college years in Baltimore, Maryland. I worked for several years in Singapore, but since then have relocated permanently to the U.S. where I have lived in Charlottesville, VA, Dallas, TX, Springdale, AR, and most recently, Fort Lauderdale, FL. If I had to pick my favorite places, it would be Charlottesville or Fort Lauderdale.

How did you develop your writing?

It was organic, at first, mostly from reading and emulating others. Unfortunately, I emulated lots of bad habits. (It’s a well-known fact that famous authors can get away with writing habits that would draw the ire of editors otherwise.) Once I started writing professionally, I paid for an editor who was also a writing coach. She was a tremendous help in my growth as an author.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get this question a lot, and I don’t really know how to answer it. There’s just a story percolating in my head that has to be told. I don’t always know where the story comes from.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Fantasy, Paranormal

Rating – PG-13

More details about the author and the book

Connect with Jade Kerrion on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.jadekerrion.com