Author’s Corner with Jennifer R. Povey

Welcome back to Author’s Corner!

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Jennifer R. Povey, She has self-published multiple books including “Transpecial” and “The Silent Years” sequence of novellas.

Before we start with the interview Jennifer here is a bit about Jennifer!
Jennifer R. Povey is in her early forties. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband of eighteen years - having moved here from England. (Yes, she still has the accent). In addition to writing, she enjoys roleplaying games, horseback riding, and being a voracious reader. She writers science fiction and fantasy fiction, as well as writing for gaming companies and has even had a comic script published (In the You Are Not Alone anthology from Grayhaven Comics). That's as well as freelance writing and proof reading.


Now on with the Interview!


Why do you write Jennifer?
It's what I do. I wrote fan fic and casual stuff for years before deciding to go serious a few years ago. I'm good at it, I enjoy it, and honestly I've never been able to stop making up stories in my head.

What are your ambitions for your writing career?

I have a lot of ambitions! I have quite a few more novel ideas I want to get out there. I'd also love to do an ongoing comic book. And I'd like to try my hand at writing a movie script at some point. There's also a few magazines I want to sell stories to that I haven't yet. Mostly, though, I want to write things people enjoy.

Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?

I don't really have a "special time to write". It depends on what I have to do that day - and obviously not everything I do is writing. There's also the endless editing...a lot of people think we just sit down, write, then hand it over to somebody. It's not that simple, sadly!

Do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?

Right now I'm kind of writing fiction cyclicly. I might write 5,000 words one day and only a few hundred the next. I do write at least something every day.

Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?

Generally, no. I'm more likely to set a certain amount of time for writing - an hour or two of sitting down and getting the words out. I've tried the set amount of words thing and it doesn't work as well for me.

Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?

Everything I release is professionally edited with the exception of a web serial I have called Making Fate (that one I do edit myself). My husband is my proofreader (he's a technical editor for a non profit, so he's pretty good at it).

Which writers inspire you?
Oh, that's a long list. Transpecial has been compared to Heinlein - and that one's quite intentional. I also try for the transparent 'story first' style of Isaac Asimov in a lot of my work. Jules Verne triggered my desire to write science fiction and, of course, you can't deny the influence of Tolkein. Making Fate is urban fantasy and shamelessly influenced by Joss Whedon's Buffy. So, yes, a long list.

I read voraciously and I let it all inspire me to some degree.

Where do your ideas come from?

Oh, not this question. They come from...all over the place. Some of my science fiction stories come from science fact articles I read that week. I write to anthology calls a fair bit, and in that case the idea generally comes from the call. A Star To Steer By, which is probably my best published story, came from a call about soldiers returning home, got rejected by the call and then bought by Analog. (Lesson there: Don't worry about rejections!) Transpecial started with the title and was originally supposed to be about somebody physically becoming something other than human, probably subconsciously inspired by Delenn's cocoon in Babylon 5, then it morphed into a first contact story on me. Oops.

How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?

I've become more focused. Honestly, the reason I didn't start writing seriously until my thirties was because I couldn't get anything finished until then. I started so many novels in my twenties! I also would have told you when I was twenty, twenty-five, that I could never write to order. Now I do some of my best work when being basically told to write a story about X.

What is the hardest thing about writing?

Can I say marketing? I'm not a natural salesman, I freely admit it. I find marketing and promotion and networking all a little bit stressful. Probably because I'm an introvert.

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?

Really, I'd say Making Fate is my latest "book" and the challenge has been trying to learn to write in a more episodic form. I don't have it down yet, but I'm getting there. That and right now I have a character who's taken more prominence than planned and she's proving harder to write than some of the others.

What is the easiest thing about writing?

Sitting down and writing the first draft. Telling the story. That's easy. Then, well...then I have to edit the thing.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does she do that is so special?

Which one? I'm going to pick Suza MacRae from Transpecial. She's autistic, and that allows her to work with the aliens in a way most people can't. She's also a very strong character in ways that aren't what a lot of people think of as the "strong female character." (I have real issues with that trope - Jane from Making Fate is very much in that trope, but it sometimes seems that people want every female MC to be that way, especially in visual media. I'm thinking of some of the complaints about Jupiter in Jupiter Ascending now).

She's special because nobody prepared her to be a diplomat, in fact, nobody prepared her to be anything but a disabled woman treated as a legal minor her entire life, and she manages to rise to the occasion and do it anyway. Sometimes, that's what heroism is.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Simple.

You are not your work.

Your work is going to be rejected. You're going to get form rejections from agents, from publishers, from magazines.

Your work is going to be reviewed. Some of those reviews are going to be bad.

If you're in a writers' group, your peers are going to take your work apart. And when you start working with an editor...

It's very easy when you first start out to take criticism personally. It's very easy to kind of let yourself and your work overlap.

They aren't rejecting you. (And if they are, they aren't worth taking seriously. It does happen sometimes, but it's not professional behavior, and if it's a reader review, ignore them). They aren't rejecting every single piece of work you will ever write in the future.

They're just criticizing that one piece. It doesn't matter whether you're self publishing or trying to get a New York contract. It doesn't matter if you write novels, short stories or both.

You are not your work. It's not personal. Learning to realize that and develop the thick skin that keeps you from bursting into tears every time you get rejected is one of the most challenging aspects of being a professional.

How can readers discover more about you and your work?

Website: http://www.jenniferrpovey.com/
Blog: http://jenniferrpovey.blogspot.com and http://jenniferrpovey.tumblr.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrpovey
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ninjafingers
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-R.-Povey/e/B006MONKKA/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4953851.Jennifer_R_Povey

Book of the Week "Vulnerable"

This Weeks post Belongs to "Vulnerable" by April Wilson

Beth Jamison had a rough start in life. She survived a childhood abduction, but her emotionally traumatic past still haunts her, and she suffers from anxiety and issues with intimacy. Beth doesn't know it, but the man who kidnapped her has just been released early from prison. When Beth’s brother hires McIntyre Security, Inc. to protect Beth and conduct surveillance on her kidnapper, Beth has no idea she has secret bodyguards keeping her safe 24/7. With his money and good looks, CEO Shane McIntyre has never been short on feminine company, and he’s developed a reputation as a “love ‘em and leave ‘em” kind of guy. But everything changes when Shane meets Beth. Their mutual attraction is instant and intense, and Shane falls hard for Beth. Shane has his work cut out for him if he’s going to gain her trust and get past her fears before it’s too late. This alpha protector is determined to keep Beth safe, but he’s also determined to make her his.

Check out her Book Here!

Facing the dreaded Writers Block:

Writers Block is every writer’s worse nightmare….I know it’s mine.

The complete halt of any new ideas forming can put a strain on anyone’s writing and really start to stress you out.

Here are a few ways to chip away at the dreaded Writer’s Block.

1.       Free Writes

Free Writes are a chance for you to clear your mind of every thought in your head whether or not they are related to the topic at hand. Sometimes we can’t focus on our work because we have so much running through our minds. We need to make some open space for new ideas.

Free writes are a mind dump; call it cleaning out the attic. All you need is a paper and pen (try not to use a computer) and a set span of time and let go. Don’t worry about your spelling or grammar, just get everything out on paper and you can review it later. This is why I find it is better to do a free write on paper rather than a computer so you are less likely to back space and try to edit as you go along.

2.       Step Away

Sometimes Writer’s Block comes because we are so stressed over our project. We are trying to force ourselves to pump out more and more every day. This is not good for the creative process. You cannot force ideas…they should come organically in the writing process. If you feel your writer blocks stems from this then put your work down for a week or two. 

Your Brain needs a break! Go outside, go for a run, and read a book not related to your genre. See a movie just don’t think about your book. Give you brain time to rest! I know it seems like I am asking a lot, asking you to walk away from your masterpiece but trust me it will work. Writing comes better when it’s not forced. If you just step away for a week you will come back feeling refreshed and ready to finish your masterpiece!

3.       Change your Writing Spot.

As writers we tend to find inspiration from everyday situations and surroundings. If we fall into the same routine day in and day out it can start to grow stale. We need a new environment to draw in new ideas. If you write at home, try going to a park, or a book store or even a coffee shop. 

If you go to the same coffee shop everyday try a new spot or even a new time, switch up who and what your see.

With a few changes you can defeat the dreaded Writers Block!   

Writing Prompt

        In One-hundred words or less please explain why are you afraid on the big bad wolf?  

               

                Post what you wrote I want to read them all!

Author's Corner with Peter Kazmaier

Welcome back to Author’s Corner!

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Peter Kazmaier who is the Author of The Halcyon Dislocation, Questioning Your Way to Faith, The Battle for Halcyon!!

I want to thank you Peter for agreeing to be a part of this! 


Why do you write?

I love to read Fantasy and Science Fiction. First and foremost then, I write books that I would like to read, but no one else has taken the trouble to write them. Specifically, I like books that are plot-driven and keep me riveted wondering what happens next. But I also like books that ask the Big Questions, as people do in real life. Why are we here? What does it mean to be human? Why should I try to be good?

When did you decide to become a writer, and what was that process like?
For a large fraction of my life, I was a researcher in chemistry and much of my writing appeared in technical journals or as patents. My career as a novelist had a curious start. I was a member of a book club and during one of our sessions I mused how I would love to write a novel. One of my friends said, “Well why don’t you do it?” The gauntlet was thrown down and I had to do something about it. It took me four years of attending writer’s conferences, and writing in my spare time while still holding a full time job before my first book came out, the first edition of the colonization epic The Halcyon Dislocation.

So, what have you written? (Include everything you have published)
As I mentioned I have more than sixty technical publications on chemistry and about 175 US patents, but I’m sure your readers are not that interested in them. In terms of novels I have written three (in the order of publication):

· The Halcyon Dislocation (two editions)
· Questioning Your Way to Faith
· The Battle for Halcyon

The Halcyon Dislocation and The Battle for Halcyon are the first two books of a four part series that I call The Halcyon Cycle. They deal with a science experiment that transports the island University of Halcyon to a parallel world. In the story we experience how various members of the university deal with the trauma of the dislocation and the challenges of surviving in a new world.

Questioning Your Way to Faith is a much shorter book that arose because of requests I received from some of my readers. In terms of a time line, Questioning Your Way to Faith is set before the dislocation and involves two university friends having an extended discussion about whether or not Christian belief is reasonable.

Where can we buy or see them?

My books are available as either e-books or as trade paper backs at most major bookstores and online outlets. In alphabetical order here are some links:

· Amazon/Kindle http://tinyurl.com/qbyw5b8
· Chapters-Indigo/Kobo http://tinyurl.com/odmn6j6
· Google Store http://tinyurl.com/qbnxs6j
· iTunes http://tinyurl.com/pkteyj5

What genre are your books?

My books are Science Fiction that read a bit like Fantasy. I say that because my books have a strong science component and I worry a lot about whether events like the dislocation are feasible. Having said that, once the University of Halcyon is in the new world, technologies begin to fail (because modern technology requires enormous infrastructure) and then one has much more of a Fantasy-style landscape.

Do you do any research for you books?

I try hard to get the details right in my books, so I do quite a bit of research to make sure that the phases of the moon are correct, the fish found off the island of Halcyon are correct for that locale and that events like the dislocation are not unreasonable from a physics perspective.

Are you working on at the minute?

I’m working on the next book in The Halcyon Cycle which I have provisionally called Descent into Abaddon.

Do you mind telling us about it?

Not at all. I listened to a wonderful lecture a few years ago that described how our relatively low atmospheric pressure limited the size of land mammals and also the size of flying birds. My next book is centered on a continent so far below sea level that the high atmospheric pressure removes these constraints.

What is your favorite book that you have written so far and why?
I would probably say The Halcyon Dislocation. I like the Crusonian aspects of being marooned in a new world and all of the discovery that entails.

How often do you write a week?

I write in fits and starts. When one has several books in print, one has many duties. I work better when I work at something for a concentrated period of time.

Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?

No I don’t set pages per day. I like long books, so I aim for more than 100,000 words for my books.

What do you find is the easiest thing about writing?

There’s nothing easy about writing well. Of all the hard things that must be done to produce a good novel, I find imagining new worlds and new inhabitants of those worlds easiest.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

I suppose it takes me roughly four years from start to finish to write a book. However that’s highly misleading since I start the next book right after the first draft is complete, so there is a good deal over overlap when I’m writing the first draft of one book and editing the last.

Do you ever get writer’s block and if so do you have any tips on how to get through it?

Writer’s block, in the sense of reaching an impasse in a story is not usually my problem. My problem is sheer laziness. I have many duties to complete and I get caught up in all of these urgent matters and let my writing time slip.

What is your editing process like?
I have friends who have taken a great deal of time as “beta readers” who critique my book and often see blind spots that I as a writer have missed. I always enlist the services of a professional editor to complete the edits. I can’t stress how important it is to find an editor who is not only technically competent, but has a genuine love for your books.

Why self-publishing?

Self-publishing is a very broad term that includes vanity publishing. I prefer the term micro-publishing. By that I mean running a very small publishing business with an emphasis on the quality of the books produced and a severe eye on the costs.

Why self-publish or micro-publish? In my journey, I have seen many writers who spend years producing a novel and then spend years writing to acquisition editor after acquisition editor trying to interest them in their work. Often the writers eventually give up in discouragement without ever having provided their book to the people who really matter—their reading public. [For more on micro-publishing check my blog http://wp.me/p4cZo4-1l .]

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Force yourself to be a “finisher.” Make sure you sell some version of your book to your reading public to get feedback from them.

Where do you see publishing going in the future?

In my role as a research scientist I had a chance to see the Print-On-Demand technology develop. I think this trend will continue and will favor the smaller publisher. Traditional publishing will not disappear but will continue to be under increased cost pressure because of their extensive infrastructure.

Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?

1. The best books become part of our intellectual scaffolding. Remember as a writer you are an artist first. You want your books to be entertaining, but also to make a difference in your readers’ lives.

2. Don’t mistake sales as the primary indicator of your success.

What is your favorite book and why?

My favorite books (on an equal footing) are C. S. Lewis’ Narnia series and J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. I re-read the Narnia books because of the profound spiritual insights that Lewis offers. I re-read The Lord of the Rings because of the sheer beauty of the work. Even though I know the plot almost line for line, I love the beauty of walking through the vale of Ithilien and the terror of the Mines of Moria.

How can readers discover more about you and you work?

I’m always delighted to hear from my readers. They can contact me by email directly or leave a comment on my blog.

Website: http://www.WolfsburgImprints.com
Blog: http://www.PeterKazmaier.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peter.kazmaier
Twitter: (I don’t use twitter)
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00JB0IWE6
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4136519.Peter_Kazmaier

Using Descriptive Words: Fast

As writers we need to improve our Vocabulary. We cannot inundate our readers with the same words repeatedly. Words Like, fast, very, hot, sad…these are common words we all use to describe and action or how we feel.   

                Instead of using the word Fast, here are a few Synonyms that will give your writing a little extra boost.

Nimble,

 Swift,

 Hurried,

Fleeting,

 Agile,

 In a Jiffy,

 Lickety Split,

 Like a bat out of hell,

Supersonic,

Snappy,

Presto,

On the double,

Instead of writing ‘he ran out the house fast’ write, “He ran out the house like a bat out of hell.” With the new version it gives the reader a better understanding of how important it was for your character to leave.

Changing a word can give the readers a new understanding. 

Book of the Week, Dawn of the Dreamer

This Week's pick belongs to "Dawn of the Dreamer" by L.J.Higgins 

The year 2023, the world had changed. The MultiMind Corporation had released a Wristcuff to be worn over a microchip implanted beneath its host's skin. Dreams were no longer created by the subconscious. However, there were those for whom this technology failed to work on: the Dreamers. Amelia was a Dreamer, and the veil of ignorance was lifted when she met someone who helped her see through the lies and secrets. With her world shaken and changed, Amelia had to decide whether to fight for truth and the freedom to dream or remain bound by a controlled and manipulative society.


Check out her book Here!

Writer Wednesday

Author’s Corner's With GK DeRosa

Welcome back to Author’s Corner!

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing GK DeRosa who is the Author of Wilder The Guardian Series

Thank You Gk DeRosa for agreeing to be a part of this!

1st Question why do you write?

Because I love it! I had always loved reading as a child/teenager but somehow I never had the time anymore as an adult. I had forgotten my passion for it. After moving to NYC four years ago and suddenly having plenty of time to read while commuting, I rekindled my love of reading, which brought about the idea to start writing.

When was the moment decided to become a writer?

It came to me out of the blue really. I had left NYC and moved back to Florida where I grew up. I was looking at my kindle one day, and noticed how many books I had read in the past year, and I thought instead of spending so much time reading perhaps I could write myself. And that was it… I just sat down with my laptop and starting writing one day.

What genre are your books?

I just started a Young Adult supernatural series. I love young adult books, I always have - even though I’m a little past the target age range. J And fantasy/romance seemed like a fun idea since I am an eternal romantic at heart.

What draws you to this genre?

I am very young at heart. My husband always teases me that I’m a fifteen year old on the inside. I love fantasy, romance and the supernatural; I think it allows for great creativity because you can literally do anything with it. You are not bound by strict conventions when you write fantasy and you can go as far as your imagination will take you.

Do you write full-time or part-time?

I started out writing part-time in Florida last year, but I’ve recently moved to Poland temporarily and am not working. This allows me to write full-time now. It is the best thing in the world!

Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?

Ah yes… I strive for structure but somehow I don’t often achieve it! L You would think that being a full time writer would give me tons of time to work, but yet somehow the days always fly by. I try to write in the morning, but somehow I mostly end up writing in the late afternoon. I set a goal for myself of a minimum number of pages a day and that’s how I stay motivated.

Where do your ideas come from?

My very active imagination J. I have read a ton of young adult supernatural books and have many favorite TV shows. I’d be lying if I said that they didn’t inspire my books.

How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?

I’ve only just started writing really. I have one book published and I’m currently working on the next in the series. But I think I’m constantly learning and trying to be a better writer. I read a lot and try to figure out what works for other writers and what I like or what I don’t like as a reader.

How are you publishing this book and why?

I’m currently self-publishing. It was a natural choice for me as my husband is an Amazon expert, and he convinced me I could do this myself. It has been scary at times, but I’ve learned a lot in less than a year since I started.

What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?

I don’t know much about being a traditionally published author, but from what I hear, you lose a lot of control over your book. I like that as an indie author I control everything, but that is also rather daunting. As a business major, I had certainly studied marketing and advertising, but studying it and actually putting it into practice are entirely different. I love the writing but I don’t love the sales and marketing part. I wish I had someone that would do that for me, but at least I’m learning some valuable information.

Why did you choose this route?

Mostly because my husband convinced me ;)

How successful has your quest for reviews been so far?

I was lucky that I had my husband to guide me through selling on Amazon and he told me from the beginning how important it was to get reviews. So I had a few people review the book before it even published so that I could start off on the right foot. But it is definitely difficult. Swapping reviews with other authors on Goodreads has been the best source for me so far. I also have been lucky enough to get some reviews from people that read Wilder and really loved it.

What are your views on social media for marketing?

Social media is a specialty of it’s own and you can spend hours navigating through it. I have a Facebook page and a Twitter account and I try to be fairly active. It’s hard to say though what the return is, and that’s what’s difficult about it. I recently created a second Twitter account for my main character, Celeste Wilder. I thought that would be a fun way for readers to interact with her. I’m still working on my following!

Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything else to promote your work and did it work?

Yes I did do a press release, which I sent through to Fiverr and had them distribute it. I was extremely fortunate to have met Ian Somerhalder at The Vampire Diaries convention in Barcelona. The Vampire Diaries and his character Damon were the inspiration to my novel so I wanted him to have a copy of my book. When I gave it to him, he was truly touched and asked me to sign it for him. My very first author autograph was to Ian Somerhalder, I was shaking to say the least! I got a picture with him and I used that story along with the photo for my press release. I think having a celebrity story got a lot of attention for my book and kicked up the initial buzz. I did also do a pre-launch giveaway with a blogger and a Goodreads giveaway. I also did a Facebook ad campaign featuring my pictures with Ian Somerhalder and did a giveaway with a signed picture from him.

Did you make any marketing mistakes or is there anything you would avoid in future?

I spent a good bit of money on Facebook ads without really knowing the return as you cannot track where your sales are coming from with Amazon. I would probably not spend as much the second time around. The same is true with the Amazon pay per click, which I think I also spent too much on.

Do you think that giving books away free works and why?

Yes I do believe it does, within reason of course. I think the giveaways, especially on Goodreads are a good way to attract attention to a new book. I had about 1500 people request the book and got about 800 people mark my book as “to read” and that happened because of the giveaway. I also did a free day on Amazon and gave away over 400 ebooks in one day, and I think I got a good amount of reviews from that.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Never quit! No matter what people say or how disappointed you get, just keep writing. Once I wrote my first book, I had so many people say to me “Oh I’ve always wanted to write” or “I started writing, but never finished it”. I think a lot of people get discouraged, and don’t follow through.

Where do you see publishing going in the future?

That is a good question! I think self-publishing will continue to get bigger as more and more resources become available to indie writers. I’m glad I chose this path and will continue in it. I’ve never even sent my manuscript to a traditional publishing house and I don’t think that I will. Indie publishing is the way of the future.

Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?

Wilder: The Guardian Series is the first book in the series and available on Amazon now for purchase for only $2.99. I am currently writing the second book and it should be available some time in the fall of 2015. Keep an eye out for it!

Last question how can my readers discover more about you and you work?

Website: www.wilderbook.com
Blog: www.wilderbook.com/blog
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wilderbookseries
Twitter: Vampgirl923 and CelesteWilder18
Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/G.K.-DeRosa/e/B00ZLVFAUI/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1438691311&sr=1-2-ent
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/14097535.G_K_DeRosa

Fears Of Writing #3

My Grammar Sucks….

You have this story you are dying to write but fear sets in.......

Grammar is not your strong point but guess what… it’s not mine either. My grammar could

use a bit of help. I don't know why but grammar was 

never my strong point, but never fear there is always someone who can help.

Editors to the rescue! 

My editor is my best friend, my saving grace, my writing

life line. Without her I would be lost, and my writing would just die.

She sat me down one day and explained there are two types in the writing world. 

The Writer or The Editor

(for the most part you are either one or the other) 

I am a writer, I have the ideas, I have the words, I have the story and she

makes them flow correctly. She is the one who makes them readable!

(Side note: she does not look over any of the posts I put up

here so.... sorry) 

Having bad grammar is not the end of the world, and as long as it’s

not texting grammar, you can still write! This fear is an easy fix. 

But please try to improve your grammar even when you do find your own awesome

editor!

Book of the Week Finding Pluck

This Week's Post goes to Peter Difatta's Finding Pluck

It is 1995 in North Carolina and high-school student Taylor Hanes is struggling to escape his small-minded dying textile town. He finds his ticket out by lying on the application in order to get a full-ride scholarship to a state university. His actions generate unexpected consequences from his family and his hometown, but worse yet, he awakens the wrath of the scholarship’s long dead benefactor.

In his new life in college he must still contend with the hauntings, but his new girlfriend, a professed witch, and a group of friends ban together to help him unravel the reasons the spirit is restless.

The narrative deftly moves between the present and when the benefactor attended college in 1927, the pinnacle of the Jazz age and a period of great change and moral conflict. As the friends dig deeper, the story draws parallels in the lives of the characters. This is a coming-of-age novel unlike any other with an unusual twist.

Peter is in the middle of a free e-book giveaway. Today is your last chance to get your copy for free! 

Make Sure to Show him some love and Check Out His Book ! 

Cormoran Strike

The Cormoran Strike Series is my favorite Crime/Murder/Mystery Series out there. Written by Robert Galbraith, these novels pull you into the fast paced life of ex-Military Policeman Cormoran Stike. He is a hard but somehow relate-able man whose past experiences have trained him to be the perfect PI. 

Robert pulls you in with a seemly simple job for Cormoran that grows into a web of mystery that keeps the pages turning. 

I highly recommend you go out and get a copy for yourself. You will not be disappointed 

When a troubled model falls to her death from a snow-covered Mayfair balcony, it is assumed that she has committed suicide. However, her brother has his doubts, and calls in private investigator Cormoran Strike to look into the case.

Strike is a war veteran – wounded both physically and psychologically – and his life is in disarray. The case gives him a financial lifeline, but it comes at a personal cost: the more he delves into the young model’s complex world, the darker things get – and the closer he gets to terrible danger . . .

When novelist Owen Quine goes missing, his wife calls in private detective Cormoran Strike. At first, she just thinks he has gone off by himself for a few days – as he has done before – and she wants Strike to find him and bring him home.

But as Strike investigates, it becomes clear that there is more to Quine’s disappearance than his wife realises. The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows. If the novel were published it would ruin lives – so there are a lot of people who might want to silence him.

And when Quine is found brutally murdered in bizarre circumstances, it becomes a race against time to understand the motivation of a ruthless killer, a killer unlike any he has encountered before…

When a mysterious package is delivered to Robin Ellacott, she is horrified to discover that it contains a woman’s severed leg. Her boss, private detective Cormoran Strike, is less surprised but no less alarmed. There are four people from his past who he thinks could be responsible- and Strike knows that any one of them is capable of sustained and unspeakable brutality.

With the police focusing on the one suspect Strike is increasingly sure is notthe perpetrator, he and Robin take matters into their own hands, and delve into the dark and twisted worlds of the other three men. But as more horrendous acts occur, time is running out for the two of them…

Author's Corner with Quentin Wallace

Welcome back to Author’s Corner!

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Quentin Wallace who’s has self-published multiple books including “Tales from the Dark Distance” and “The Game Warden of Black Swamp”

Thank You Quentin for being a part of this!!!

My first question, why do you write?

I have stories inside that need to be told. I enjoy reading so much that I feel as though I should share my stories in case I can bring that same enjoyment to others.

When did you decide to become a writer, and what was that process like?

I have had a desire to write almost since I could read. It’s a long, difficult process, but basically you just have to write. You learn to write by writing, there’s really no other way to do it.

What are your ambitions for your writing career?

I’d love to be a full time writer. I’d like to make millions and have movies made from my work etc, but really Id be happy just to be able to write full time even at a modest level.

Tell us, what have you written so far?

I have 2 Weird Western novels, Brackett Hollister: The Werewolf Pack and the sequel, Outlaw Voodoo. I have a horror novel as well, The Game Warden of Black Swamp. I have also written several short stories and novellas in Amazon’s Kindle Worlds program including Wayward Pines, John Rain, Silo Saga, GI Joe, Vampire Diaries and more.

Where can my readers buy or see them?

Everything is available on Amazon.

What genre are your books and what draws you to this genre?

I write in several genres, but mostly Horror and Adventure. I’ve loved horror since I was a child. Something about the genre just speaks to me.

Do you take any time for research?

Yes, research is necessary for all writers at some point.

So Quentin, what are you working on at the minute?

A horror novel. This will be straight horror rather than the adventure/horror I’ve mostly done before.

Do you mind telling my readers a bit about it?

It’s the darkest thing I’ve written and also the most graphic. I’m trying to push my boundaries on this one.

Do you write full-time or part-time?

Part time for now.

Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?

Not really, but I do try to put in around an hour of writing. That can be 2,000 words on some days, or 500 on others depending on what’s being written on that day.

Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?

I always write at night.

Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?

Computer.

Tell us where do your ideas come from?

Everywhere, they can come from a dream, from a conversation I overheard, from a memory I have. Other books and movies can also give me ideas.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

That’s a bit of trick question. It depends, but I write shorter novels so I can usually get one completed in six months from start to publishing. But really, it depends.

Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors. Which writers inspire you?
Yes I read constantly. Stephen King is my all time favorite. I also like many indie authors. Michael Benavidez, Justin Bienvenue, Philip Morgan, Sarah Brocious, Oak Anderson, Ashe Armstrong,Perry Lake, Sarah Noffke, Lily Author and many others. They are all inspirational. These are indy writers who are doing just what I did, taking the plunge. Haven’t heard of them? You will. For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books? I lean more towards traditional books, but I’m starting to like ebooks more as well. What book/s are you reading at present? Dead Sea by Tim Curran, A Choir of Ill Children by Tom Piccrilli, and Does The Noise in my Head Bother you by Steven Tyler.

What do you do to get book reviews?

I do free promotions on my books and also from time to time will do a R2R program.

How successful has your quest for reviews been so far?

Not great, but not terrible either.

Do you have a strategy for finding reviewers?

Not really. If you write it, they will come.

What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?

I personally think way too much emphasis is given to reviews in general. They are mostly subjective. What one person hates, another will love, and vice versa. I suppose as long as people are reading it and taking the time to write a review, the writer should be happy.

Why self-publishing?

It’s just easier than trying to fight for a book contract. If a publisher was interested, I’d definitely consider it.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Never give up. Read as much as possible, and write as much as possible.

Where do you see your publishing going in the future?

Hopefully the sky’s the limit!

And my Last Question, How can readers discover more about you and you work?

Website: ​https://www.goodreads.com/quentinwallace
Blog: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8386538.Quentin_Wallace/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Quentin-Wallace-Author/1533530733536906
Click Here for my Amazon Author Page

Make sure to show him some Love


-Andrea

Book of the Week "Twice as Fatal"

This weeks pick belongs to "Twice as Fatal" by R.Weir 

Twice the business, twice the danger and Twice as Fatal. PI Jarvis Mann has two cases he is working, making his professional and personal life twice as difficult.

Ray Malone is a promising college football star whose career is derailed by injuries. When he disappears, close friend Jarvis is recruited by Ray’s father to locate him. After tracking him down a video is sent of Ray with the warning of it going public, threatening his career and those that love him.

Case two has landlord Kate Tanner hiring Jarvis to gather evidence against her cheating, thieving husband so she can divorce him. As Jarvis investigates he learns of the husband’s connection to a powerful man, with a dangerously perverted agenda that crosses into Kate’s life with deadly consequences.

Across the Rocky Mountain Front Range Jarvis tries to balance both cases, each dragging him deeper into different sleazy underworlds, jeopardizing him, his clients and their families. With danger and death all around him, he somehow must rescue everyone before this fatal business claims the lives of all involved, his life and the one he is growing to love.

Make sure you Check Out his work! On Amazon

Showing Emotion #2 FEAR

FEAR- TO BE AFRAID OF, TO EXPECT THREAT OR DANGER.

PHYSICAL SIGNALS:
Face turning ashen, white, pallid
Hair lifting on the nape and arms
Body order, cold sweats
Clammy hands
Tendons standing out in the neck, a visible pulse
Rapid Blinking
Tight Shoulders
Leg muscles tightening
Lowering a voice to a whisper
Shaking uncontrollably

INTERNAL SENSATIONS:
An inability to speak
Shakiness in the limbs
Holding back a scream or cry
Chest pains
A stomach that feels rock hard
Heart Racing
Dizziness

MENTAL REACTIONS:
Wanting to flee or hide
Flawed reasoning
Jumping to a course of action without thinking thing through
A skewed sense of time.

CUES OF ACUTE OR LONG-TERM FEAR:
Insomnia
Heart giving out
Panic attacks, phobias
Depression
Exhaustion
Substance abuse

From The Emotion Thesaurus, A Writer’s Guide To Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi

Author's Corner with "R.F.G. Cameron"

Hey Everyone!


Today in Authors Corner I have the pleasure of interviewing R.F.G. Cameron who is the Author of “Regeneration” Series

Thank You R.FG. Cameron for being a part of my Author’s Corner!

Time for the Interview!!!!!

Always my 1st question, Why do you write?

A: I write because it's about the one way for me to get new dreams. As a kid I wasn't that afraid of the dark because I'd imagine a storyline to go to sleep, and eventually began visualizing them as I fell asleep.

When was the deciding moment for you to become a writer?


A: I wrote a few stories back when I was 12, and received such underwhelming support from family that I didn't get serious about writing again until I was about 35.


What are your ambitions for your writing career?

A: My main ambition is for my daughter(s) to read my work once they're grown, or at least old enough to read books rather than chewing them up. If I'm lucky they'll be able to get handle on the reality parents aren't just minions, we also have lives and imaginations.

Is this full-time or part-time for you?

A: It's definitely a part-time gig at present.

How is your day structured, do you have a special time to write?

A: As a stay-at-home parent with a precocious 21-month-old tiny demon princess (the size of a three-year-old), I write or edit when She takes a nap and there's nothing else pressing to do.

Where do your ideas come from?

A: I could tell you, but even I'm not always certain. Some days I just wake up with a big "What if..." scenario to be worked out.

Since this book is part of a series do you mind telling us a little about it?
A: I have two books released that are part of a four story series, though each is basically a stand-alone set in one reality. I'll be working on editing the zeroth (a.k.a. prequel) within a couple months, and I'm waiting on the cover art as well. The last installment is almost finished. The illustration was inspired by one of the characters in the book I'm editing for release, as I find time.

What are your thoughts on writing a book series?

A: A series takes time and dedication, but shouldn't be of the cliffhanger type. Readers like to get used to a fictional reality, they like to read about new characters and their lives, and if done well a series can keep readers asking for more.

How much research do you do?

A: I spend a lot of time on research, and the Wife has asked me a few times who is more important, her or the fictional characters who keep insisting on having their stories told.

Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors.

A: I read when I have a chance, which isn't easy with a tiny demon running the house. Among my favorites; Andre Norton, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, Zeena Henderson, Fred Saberhagen, and the list could go on for a page.

Which writers inspire you?

A: Every writer who tells a story well inspires me.

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?

A: I'll write down a few details on an idea, and when I get back to it I'll see where the characters lead me.

As a writer how do you think you’ve evolved creatively as?

A: I no longer try to pound out 60,000 to 70,000 words in two or three weeks like a demented gibbon with a mission. After going back and wondering what I was thinking in various parts, it's easier to take my time.

What is the hardest thing about writing?

The hardest thing about writing would be getting through all the different storylines I have backlogged.

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?

A: I suppose it would be wrapping things up; knowing when to say it's done.

What is the easiest thing about writing?

A: The easiest thing for me would be visualizing the world or reality I'm writing about.

Give us a small insight into your main characters, what do they do that is so special?

A: I think my main characters, while having different natures and personalities, all fit under the label survivors. They all refuse to give up, whether they're fighting for their own survival, fighting for someone who depends upon them, or fighting to reset balances in a world where civilization has gone wrong.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

A: If you don't feel driven to write, and write the best story you can, don't do it. Writing isn't about making money or getting famous; it's about telling stories that leave people wanting to read more of your work. It's also about having to sleep on the couch at times if you're married or have a significant other in your life.

Last Question, How can readers discover more about you and you work?


A: The links below will lead people to my work, and in the case of GoodReads I do blog once in a while. I have a policy that I will send free e-copy if I'm contacted, and that is especially true for former or current service personnel.


Website: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/antiqua_sphinge
Blog: Goodreads only at present
Twitter: @SphingeCameron
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/R.F.G.-Cameron/e/B00DDZJOT2
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7470703.R_F_G_Cameron



Make sure to show him some love and check out his work!



-Andrea

Writing Prompt

Here is a writing prompt for you all to enjoy. 

Write about a couple that cannot decide on which house to buy. They have three choices, 1st is near the beach which is great during the summer and spring, close to the shops and the schools are great and well funded, but during the winter the house becomes drafty, and the area is like an icebox. The 2nd is a top floor penthouse in the middle of the city near the all of the stores and the school are good but traffic seems like it happens 24/7 and public transportation is not always reliable . The 3rd is a house in the country with the best school but no close stores, and not near any family.