Here is my interview Carolyn Haley

Name  Carolyn Haley

Age Just shy of 60.

Where are you from

New England

 

A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc  

I hail from suburban Connecticut, from a family tree that’s predominantly Irish artist types on one side and German accountant types on the other, so I ended up half and half. Entered college as an art student but didn’t finish; big direction change in life resulted, though it took a while to settle. I worked my way toward book publishing via corporate communications, finally landing in rural Vermont where I now have my own editorial and writing business.

 

Fiona: Tell us your latest news?

My most recent novel, Into the Sunrise, won second in category in the 2015 International Digital Awards!

 

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

Started in my preteens, adding little stories to my artwork. That eventually morphed into full-scale books, and the illustrations faded away. I fully switched over in my 30s.

 

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I couldn’t stop reworking a really lousy book that I knew had a kernel of excellence in it. One day I recognized that writing was the only activity that I was willing to try and fail, try and fail, and believe I would eventually succeed.

 

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

It was a natural extension from the diary keeping, then journal writing, I maintained from an early age. Initially, I harnessed my fantasies through art, then extended them into narrative. My heroines were always an alter ego living out a dream or solving a problem that I grappled with in reality. So the first book arose out of preteen lust for the golden boy in class, plus a passion for horses; the second book arose from a fascination with supernatural phenomena and a close encounter I had with it.

 

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?

I didn’t think so until I realized I can only write effectively in first-person voice. I suspect that’s a by-product of being a diarist for all my formative years.

 

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

Desperation!J

 

No title I’ve ever chosen for my novels has worked. More accurately, what has worked for me has been a dud for others. I’ve used at least half a dozen titles for each book and never been satisfied with the final. In the case of Into the Sunrise, a horsey romance, the title is a play on the expression “…and they rode off into the sunset.” I kinda like that one, and it does tie well into the story.

 

Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I tend to write the same message in different forms, which boils down to being true to yourself and having the courage to make hard choices. Since I also am an incurable romantic, my characters get to find their perfect mate and make their couplehood work in spite of reality.

 

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic ?

Do you mean realistic, in that it’s about my personal life? Or realistic in that it’s believable? I strive for the latter. My books are all reality based and about people who overcome problems.

 

Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Events in my own life were launch points for the stories, and the rest imagination. For Into the Sunrise, the key event was a sunset horseback ride down the beach I took at age 14. For The Aurora Affair, the key event was a seemingly psychic experience I had at age 17 and again in my early 30s, for which I sought explanations that ultimately drove the book.

 

Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?

No mentor. Book influences were early reads of Mary Stewart, Barbara Michaels, Dick Francis, and childhood horse stories (e.g., The Black Stallion series). I also heavily read mysteries, which have influenced my work in process.

 

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

Whistling Season, by Ivan Doig (literary coming-of-age combined with historical fiction). I’m working through his complete ouvre. Ditto Agatha Christie. Somehow I got this far in life as a mystery fan without ever reading the originator of the subgenre I follow and hope to emulate!

 

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Paul Doiron, who does a crime series with a Maine game warden as protagonist.

 

Fiona: What are your current projects?

Trying to put a mystery together. Am at the earliest stage of concept and plot work, just drafted a tentative first chapter.

 

Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

My writers group, the Green Mountain Goddesses.

 

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

No. My career path is editing. Writing comes much harder and slower, and depends on time available and the muse, whereas editing is something I can do all day, every day, with consistent enthusiasm, and thus it pays the bills. The two are so closely related that they inform each other, and I still feel like a writer even when I’m not working on my own projects; but to economically succeed as a writer, you need an endless font of creativity, self-discipline, and endurance, which I don’t have. That’s just as well, because lack of performance pressure frees me to wholly enjoy the process of putting my books together without having to fret about sales numbers.

 

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Oh yes. You can never stop revising! But part of the challenge is knowing when it’s good enough, and time to let go and move on.

 

Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

No. It happened while I was too young to be conscious of it.

 

Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Here’s the working synopsis:

After 38 years of conforming to other people’s expectations, “Plain Jane” Brown retreats to a Vermont hilltown to live privately as a writer.

Her peace is soon disrupted by multiple murders, linked only by the victims’ unpopularity in town. Jane tries to remain uninvolved, but the curious and suspicious locals won’t let her mind her own business. Nor can she elude the town romeo, who thinks she needs protection along with a little fun in her life.

Yet her emotional distance, combined with her writer’s insight into character and possibility, gives her the only perspective that can see the motive behind the killings. Before sharing her reluctant conclusion, she tries to confirm it with facts or evidence. But that just flushes the invisible assassin from cover—and corners Jane into making the same choice as the killer: who gets to live and who must die.

 

Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Yes. Overall story arch. That’s why, on the new book, I’m starting with an organized premise. Previously I’ve just jumped in and made it all up as I went along, then had to reverse-engineer to make it viable as a novel.

 

Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Dick Francis. Not only does he write about a subject of primary interest (horses), but also his lead character is always a variation of my favorite male archetype. And his writing style is a masterful blend of saying much with little. Once I open one of his novels, I can’t put it down until I’m done—even if I’ve read it three times before. Nobody else does that to me, even though I love and admire many, many writers.

 

Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

No. I set stories in places I know in order to avoid the expense of travel.

 

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

For Into the Sunrise, the publisher’s designer. For The Aurora Affair, me. (That book had a previous incarnation, The Mobius Striptease, and the cover was designed by the publisher.)

 

Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Getting anyone to like it!

 

Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

Never, never, never quit.

 

Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Never, never, never quit!—that is, if you believe in your story and yourself. Assuming you do, then study storycraft until you are proficient. A great story will flounder or fail if it’s put together poorly.

 

Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Thank you for reading my books! I hope you liked them. And if you did, kindly post a nice review somewhere, and/or refer the book to a friend.

 

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

No, but it was probably something like Misty of Chincoteague.

 

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

Laugh = Absurdity. Cry = the state of the world.

 

Fiona: Is there one person past or present you would meet and why?

In the past, musician Todd Rundgren. In the present, hmm, not sure.

 

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why ?

“She did one thing right.”

 

Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?

The arts, in general. And some outdoor activities—gardening, horseback riding, paddling, walking. I am also involved in autosports.

 

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

No current TV except The Voice.

 

Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music

Too many to itemize. Easier to list the non-favorites: fish, and organ foods of mammals; certain yellows and oranges; rap and hip-hop.

 

Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?

Been a commercial illustrator.

 

Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?

I have a yard-and-garden blog (http://adventures-zone3.blogspot.com/) that originally supported my nonfiction book, Open Your Heart with Gardens, then turned personal. I don’t update it much anymore because of time restrictions, and much of the material gets posted on my Facebook page or other venues instead. I do not have a writing blog, but I do have a writing website (https://carolynhaley.wordpress.com/). It is linked to my business website (http://documania.us/). I also review for New York Journal of Books (http://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/reviewer/carolyn-haley—scroll past bio to find the reviews), and contribute essays on “Thinking Fiction” for the editorial-business blog, An American Editor (https://americaneditor.wordpress.com/?s=thinking+fiction).

 

Amazon Authors page

http://www.amazon.com/Carolyn-Haley/e/B001JP4A88/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_4?qid=1456758150&sr=8-4

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Here is my interview with Elgon Williams

Name – Elgon Williams

Age – 59

Where are you from?

– Originally South Charleston, Ohio. Now living in Orlando, FL

A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc  

– I grew up in rural west central Ohio, the son of a farmer. I attended Purdue University and the University of Texas at Austin and have degrees in Mass Communication and Marketing. I served in the USAF where I received a degree in Chinese Mandarin. I spent two years working Asia. Most of my adult life I spent as a retail manager. I’m divorced and have three adult children.

 

 

Fiona: Tell us your latest news? 

– One of my rare poems, “Sentinel Tree” was recently published in the UK as part of an anthology titled Naked Goddess II. The proceeds of sales for the collection go to help disabled and wounded servicemen in both the UK and the US. I’m pretty proud of that because I love poetry but have never thought of myself as a poet.

 

 
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

– I started writing in junior high school. When my 9^th grade English teacher told me I’d never be a writer, I decided to prove her wrong. I joined the high school newspaper staff, eventually becoming the editor. I began writing sci-fi/fantasy during college.

 

 
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

– I believe I always was aspiring. I think when I finished a manuscript, I began to call myself a writer.

 

 
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

– The first manuscript I wrote was back in college. It was titled “Tarot”. Its characters were loosely based on the major arcana of the fortune telling cards. I still have it. I pull it out from time to time to remind me how far I’ve advanced as a writer. Some of the storyline made it into The Wolfcat Chronicles, the first book is coming later this year.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?

– If I do it is constantly evolving. I suppose I started out writing a bit like Kurt Vonnegut Jr. But the more I read the more diverse the influences I had. My first published fiction is hard sci-fi. While that book was in edits I began writing The Wolfcat Chronicles.

 

 
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

– The title for my current publication, Fried Windows (In a light White Sauce) came from misreading a headline. (I should always wear my glasses). The concept of frying a widow amused me. I was writing a poem at the time about being a kid. I posted that on FanStory. I was an active member back then. The poem was so well received I decided to write a short story with the same theme. That became the first two chapter of the novel.

 

 
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

– You never have to grow up. You can always reconnect with the inner child you have always been.

 

 
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?

– A good portion of Fried Windows is based on my real life working in retail and being a dad, maybe about 40%. The balance is utter fabrication. It’s a fair example of how my mind works. It takes something real, flips it over on its back and tickles it into submission. What results is fantasy.

 

 
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

– Some of the interactions between Brent Woods and his kids are based on things that actually happened. There’s one scene where Brent is fixing breakfast for everyone. That is pretty much the way things happened. I accidentally invented mini pancakes back in the 90’s. Should have gotten a patent! Anyway, Brent does a lot of things I would never do. And his relationship with his wife only tangentially resembles my relationship with my ex.

 

 
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?

– I think the earliest influence came from Kurt Vonnegut Jr. His stuff always had a sense of humor about it, kind of tragically ironic at times. But I read a lot of hard sci-fi back then. Robert A. Heinlein, Frank Herbert, Samuel R. Delaney, and Ursula K. LeGuin top the list. I started getting into fantasy in the late 70’s – Stephen R. Donaldson and J. R. R. Tolkien of course.

 

 
Fiona: What book are you reading now? 

– I’ve been reading a few raw manuscripts that have been submitted to my publisher.  I also do some proof reading of the ARCs before the books are actually published. That takes most of my spare time. The last published thing I read was Deek Rhew’s novella, Birth of an American Gigolo. I also enjoy Rose Montague’s YA books, especially her Norma Jeans School of Witchery series. I have a namesake character in that.

 

 
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

– I’m really high on some books that are coming out soon from my publisher: Looking into the Sun by Todd Tavolazzi, which is being released on 2/29/16; The Juliet by Laura Ellen Scott and Love’s Misadventure by Cheri Champagne, which are coming out in March; 122 Rules by Deek Rhew, which is coming out in April.

 

 
Fiona: What are your current projects?

– I’m working on three things right now. #1 is the sequel to Fried Windows which is tentatively titled Ninjabread Cookies. #2 is a sequel to another book that will be published later this year, titled Becoming Thuperman. #3 I’m revising a project that is based on my experiences growing up in the 60’s. I have a working title, Candy Apple Red Convertible, but that might change.

 

 
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

– It would have to be my most enduring muse. We became friends just before I started writing The Wolfcat Chronicles. We have continued to stay in touch. She inspired one of the characters. Her real name is Liz.

 

 
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

– It already is. I always wanted to be doing what I’m doing right now.

 

 
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

– No, I think Fried Windows changed as much as it needed to while it was in edits, and always for the better.

 

 
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

– Probably when I was in the second grade. Mrs. Thompson, my teacher, read Dicken’s A Christmas Carol to the class and it was always a painfully tedious experience. And whenever I was called on to read aloud in class the other kids laughed at my mistakes. But once I got past that, my interest in reading led to writing.

 

 

Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?

“And the directions say just before I reached the hilltop, make a U-turn and look for a street on the right. When I find it, turn left, not the first left but the second left and take the more crooked road of the two.”

“Yes, and you drive straight down that road,” he said with a laugh. “She’s telling you exactly how she gets there, obviously. That’s how she drives.”

“Straight down a crooked road?”

“Yes, precisely,” he confirmed. “She was giving you the right directions. The second road is crooked but it is the most direct way to get to her house. I think that’s what she meant by ‘straight’.”

“Okay.” Glancing down at the directions, I tried for a little more clarity. “She says to look for a farmhouse where there is no barn. It has a large front door and a small front porch but no windows.”

“Yep, that’s her place. That’s it to a ‘T’.”

“She lives in a house with no windows?”

“Well, as I understand it, there was a tough season a while back. The crops were not up to expectations and money was hard to come by.”

“What does that have to do with why there are no windows in the house? Did she have to sell them?”

“No, according to her, she actually ate ‘em.”

Did I misunderstand? “She ate the windows?”

“Fried ‘em up and served them in a light white sauce,” he said and then laughed. “That’s what she told me, anyway.”

“That’s crazy!”

“Before you pass judgment, get to know Mrs. Fields. She’s a gem. She has a story to tell everyone and anyone, but the story she tells is always intended just for you.”

“I really don’t have the time to–”

“You should make the time, Brent,” he said, stealing my name with a brief glance at my name badge. “It’d be well worth the effort. Just have an open mind – a wide-open mind. She has a rare gift but you really gotta wanna receive it.”

“And she eats windows?”

“Well, I don’t know that for a fact. It’s what she told me, though. Maybe she wanted to make me laugh. Her sense of humor is a little bizarre. Still, the fact remains that her house has no windows. Once you get to know her, none of that will bother you as much as it does now. Trust me on that. You’ll never look at the world in the same way.”

“If that’s intended as a sales pitch, it’s not working.”

“Hey, you make your own decisions, guy,” he said. “Do you think you can find it now?”

 

 
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

– There are a lot of plot threads that are woven together in my books. Minor characters in one book become major characters in others. Keeping all of that straight is a challenge, I guess. The characters are pretty much real people to me, though. So it’s a little like catching up with old friends whenever I work on a new book.

 

 

 

Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

– Kurt Vonnegut Jr. I enjoy his sense of humor. If you’ve never read his work, start with Breakfast of Champions. I think that is kind of pinnacle achievement of his career.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

– I haven’t had to travel that much yet. It will be coming when The Wolfcat Chronicles begin gaining a following. There are ten books in the series.

 

 
Fiona: Who designed the covers?

– Pandamoon Publishing has a team of graphic artists. Fletcher Kinnear is the one most responsible for the Fried Windows cover, though. It’s completely original artwork and if you look closely there is a lot of detail in the images. It was done in 600 dpi and the files scale nicely for posters.

 

 
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?

– I suppose it was figuring out that what I had was actually a book. It started off being 16 short stories with shared characters and a common theme. It remained that way until about a month before I submitted it to Pandamoon.

 

 
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

– I learned there are no limits to where imagination can take you.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?

– Never give up. No one has all the answers and all those people telling you that you are good enough are wrong. You just have to keep getting better. As long as you do that you’ll make it.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

– Thanks for believing in me. There are a lot of other books on the way and the strangest ideas are yet to come.

 

 

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

– The Time Machine by H.G. Wells

 

 

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

– Irony makes me laugh. Fortunately, it is the binding force of the universe, so there is a lot of it around if you care to look. I guess I cry whenever I see how brutal people can be to one another.

 

 

Fiona: Is there one person past or present you would meet and why?

– Mark Twain. He had a great sense of humor and a particular eye for seeing the irony in things.

 

 

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why?

– See you soon. – Because it’s true.

 

 

Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies?

– I’m a big gadget person. If it’s something new, I’m into checking it out. I love computers. I used to custom build system for gamers.

 

 

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

– I follow Castle. Have for years. I also like the Flash and Arrow. Other than that I don’t watch TV. My favorite movie is Back to The Future. Also liked The Matrix and Star Wars.

 

 

Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music

– I love Asian food but also like Italian.  My favorite color is blue and musically I like Classic Rock, although I also like more recent stuff as well.

 

 

Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?

I used to play bass guitar in a rock band. I would have probably stuck with doing that.

 

 

Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?

– http://www.elgonwilliams.com and http://www.pandamoonpublishing.com

Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Fried-Windows-Light-White-Sauce-ebook/dp/B00KM6MXI4/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

 

Brief Blurb about Fried Windows:

In the tradition of Asimov, Heinlein, H.G. Wells, and Lewis Carroll; Elgon Williams has created a universe where imagination rules and reality is not what it seems.

Leave your world behind and enter an adventure forever lost but never forgotten. Where only magic is real, and anything is possible.

When Brent Woods, a middle-aged computer technician delivers a new computer system to an eccentric woman who lives in a strange house with no windows, she offers to reconnect him with his childhood dreams and fantastic imagination. Alongside his best friend Lucy, Brent explores the seemingly infinite possibilities of the “Inworld” where she lives, a place where everything about anything can change with a thought. Nevertheless, in the process of remembering his past as Carlos, Lord of Bartoul in the Interrealm, Brent exposes a dark potential that threatens his family and his life as he knows it.

When his youngest daughter is attacked in her dreams by the same forces that took away his kingdom, and Lucy’s. Brent seeks answers that lie somewhere in the truth of what happened in his past, and how he lost his connection to the Interrealm. He must find a way to correct his mistakes and solve the puzzle of his best friend’s life.

Fried Windows: In a Light White Sauce is an unforgettable journey into imagination—a feast of delightful characters whose perspective of their worlds will change the way you think about yours—forever.

 

 

BIO

 

Born in Springfield, Ohio, Elgon Williams grew up on a farm near the town of South Charleston and the village of Selma in rural southeastern Clark County, “…about two miles from nowhere and between cornfields.”

Williams graduated from Shawnee High School in 1974. In the fall of that year he began studies at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. In 1978 he received receiving a BA in Mass Communication. Later in 1981 he received a degree in Marketing Administration from The University of Texas in Austin.

He joined the US Air Force in 1983 and attended the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio of Monterey in California where he studied Chinese Mandarin. Upon completion of military training he spent two years assigned to the Far East.

After returning to the US, Williams left the military and began an extended career in management for several major retailers. Periodically, he also served as a vendor advocate for a national marketing firm representing many computer technology and software companies. He has also worked in advertising, sales and as a computer technician and technology consultant.

Although his early writing is considered sci-fi and fantasy, it is difficult to pigeonhole his work into any single genre. His most recent work is considered urban fantasy or magical realism.

 

 

 

Here is my interview with Rob Munns

Name Rob Munns

Age 38

Where are you from

I grew up in Bramhall, near Manchester in the UK, and currently live not far from there in Macclesfield, with my Fiance. I have moved around a bit over the years in-between though, having lived in London, Birmingham and Toronto, Canada. Not much to tell education wise, after high school I completed an A-level equivalent course in IT, and that’s about it. I am thinking about going back to college this September (2016) to do a University access course. I worked in retail for many years, working my way up to Store Manager, but after having been made redundant twice, I decided it was time to try something else, so I have been concentrating solely on writing since May 2015.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news?

My short story “Lifespan” was recently published in Nebula Rift magazine: http://www.fictionmagazines.com/shop/nebula-issues/nebula-rift-vol-04-no-01/

And I also have another short story due to be published in the upcoming edition of efiction magazine, which should be available soon: http://www.fictionmagazines.com/magazines/efiction/

And I have another four short stories and a novel in the works.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

Over the years I have attempted to get started with writing a novel several times, but I had always been unhappy with the results and given up. It wasn’t until early 2015 when I started writing content for RPG gaming sessions with friends that I gained some much needed extra confidence, and started to write a novella based on a popular RPG universe. I spent about eight months messing around with that, and having got that out of my system I have found that I suddenly have a wealth of ideas for short stories, and also one for a full length novel. So I have been writing short stories since mid January 2016, and have had two published so far – hopefully it’s not just beginners luck. As to why I started writing, well, it just happened really. The time was right I suppose, I don’t really know what else to say about it!

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Probably when I clicked “submit” when submitting my first short story to the first publisher I approached. Before that I would have claimed to be a writer, but would probably have been lying.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

Tabletop RPG gaming. It’s not something that I’ve done a massive amount of in my life, just so happened that a few old friends came over one day last year and we dug out some old board games from when we were kids, and it went on from there. Suppose we weren’t really taking it too seriously, but I was at one point spending 5-6 hours a week preparing for each session. One day while writing narrative for the game I got the idea for a novel, and wrote the first thousand words or so there and then, and that was the that.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?

It’s early days, so a difficult one to answer in simple terms. I do like to keep it simple, though, and at least as far as writing short stories is concerned, I like to focus on dialogue as much as possible – I find that when I am reading, if I am going to lose concentration it will be during narrative rather than dialogue, so I try and keep narrative fairly short if possible. And that works out well for me actually, because I seem to take more naturally to writing dialogue, and I enjoy writing it more. That may not be to everyones taste but I feel that anything other than writing in the style you enjoy reading (ie. What comes naturally) is going to feel forced, and not be enjoyable for either myself or the reader.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

So far I haven’t had to spend much time working on or thinking about titles, and to be honest I couldn’t tell you how I came up with any of them. They just popped in there.

Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

As far as “Lifespan” is concerned, there is a message in there but that comes from the subject matter rather than anything I’ve done. From my point of view it was all about the shock factor and trying to leave a lasting impression in the readers mind of the main character and the terrible thing that happened to them. Whats going on in the story isn’t necessarily going to be obvious to everybody because the story is, in the end, left open to interpretation, but I would hope that it is a short, sharp shock that’s easy to read and leaves something to the imagination. Although I suppose there is a message for anyone out there who’s might be making serious inroads into building a working time machine – stop it immediately you nutter.

 

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic ?

It’s a sci-fi / horror story set in 150 years in the future, so not much. The one thing I did take from popular culture was the speaker, who I see as one of those guys off an annoying American infomercial, but other than that it’s all speculative really.

Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Dr Julian Pearce from the story is based on a real scientist from an Open University video from the late 70’s / early 80’s that we watched at school and found highly amusing. I often wonder what he’s doing now. Hopefully he got some new glasses.

Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?

Two obvious ones from childhood are, as every sci-fi / fantasy writer probably says, the Hobbit and 2001: a Space Odyssey, but another book called “With a single spell” by Lawrence Watt-Evans was also a favourite and if someone was taking all my books away except one, I’d probably grab that. I suppose that in general fantasy and sci-fi encourages a sense of adventure and an inquisitive nature – I know, for example, that if I had the chance to travel to another habitable planet outside our solar system, even if I didn’t know what I might find there or even whether I would be able to ever return home, that I would go without a second thought. I doubt I would think in that way if it weren’t for sci-fi writers like Arthur C Clarke.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

I’m supposed to be reading “The great book of amber” by Roger Zelazny, but its ridiculously enormous so I keep putting it off by reading tons of short stories from sci-fi magazines such as asimovs, clarkesworld and fantasy & sci-fi. If I can, eventually, get just one story in one of those magazines, then I can go to Kepler 438b a happy man.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

I don’t know how long he has been around, but I really enjoyed a short story I read yesterday in Clarkesworld magazine called “in the midst of life” my Nick Wolven. Considering that I write short stories, it might sound strange that even though I try to read as many as I can, it’s relatively rare to I find one that I really enjoy, but this one pulled me in. Not sure that I understood it 100%, but that’s probably the point.

Fiona: What are your current projects?

I have more or less fully planned and researched my first full length novel, which will be (loosely) set in the same universe as “Lifespan” with the working title “Lifecycle”.

I am also writing another sci-fi short story, as well as one that is based on a true story about something that I apparently did when I was a child but have no memory of, which I am expanding upon to create a supernatural tale.

Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

Cthulhu

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

I sort of have to because it’s what I am doing full time at the moment, which is something I am very happy about. For the first time in my life I have found myself in the financial situation where I can really devote my full attention to something other than a job or sleeping.

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

To be honest I wasn’t 100% happy with it, but I doubt anyone ever is. I wouldn’t change anything specific, but I think it wouldn’t have hurt to restructure it a little and maybe add some extra detail. But I’m happy enough with it, I think it mostly works as intended.

Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

When I was about 8 or 9, I read “The Neverending Story” by Michael Ende (probably should have added that to the influencial books question above actually) and loved it so much that I really wanted to read more, but there weren’t any sequels so I decided to write one myself. I think I probably wrote about 2-3 pages in a school notebook, before giving up, but I suppose having the idea was the important thing at that age. I also wrote a series of stories in primary school called “super wally” which were ridiculous but they always had the class laughing so it was fun at the time.

 

 

 

Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Below is an excerpt from “Lifespan”. It’s a little sweary, feel free to sensor it if that’s not ok for your site.

Reality smacked Bobby hard in the face. 1, 2, 3… his eyes came into focus, his mind began to clear. It was freezing cold, he was starving and his clothes were tattered rags. Every bone and muscle in his body ached; he had never felt so physically exhausted in his life. He stood amongst a small gathering of the similarly unfortunate. What had he signed up for? His memory was hazy, but this… somehow, this wasn’t real. Or at least, this wasn’t him.

A group of soldiers, their weapons raised, stood a few metres away behind an infuriated… Sergeant? Captain? In any case, the leader. He was yelling in… German? – Bobby was never any good with languages – and waving a Luger pistol over his head. Where the fuck am I? Thought Bobby, but then, as soon as he had asked himself the question, he knew. No! Anything but this, anything! Oh Jesus fucking Christ not this!

7, 8, 9… The soldiers moved amongst them, selected nine people, seemingly at random, and lined them up in front of the rest of the group. Bobby was the last in line. He wanted to fight against them, to scream, to run, to beg for mercy. He was an American citizen for Christ’s sake! But he wasn’t in control. Something came back to him then. This is not me thought Bobby. But even so… 30 seconds? That means something. 30 seconds…

The chosen nine were forced to their knees, and down onto their bellies. Nobody resisted. Their faces were stony, emotionless. Bobby remembered why. 14, 15, 16… He heard the first gunshot. Moments later, a second. By the time the eighth gunshot rang out, the person Bobby had become was shaking and crying, but he still did not resist. The leader stood over him, shouting, ejected the clip from his pistol, and slammed in another. Bobby felt the cold metal press into the back of his shaven head, 27, 28, 29… and howled a silent scream, lost inside this other mind. No matter how loud he tried to yell, nobody could hear him.

Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Again, it’s early days and I’m learning as I go. As I mentioned above, I find dialogue easier than narrative, and I maybe struggle a bit with descriptions of environments and objects.

Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

I don’t really have a set favourite. I own the complete works of only two authors, William Gibson and Douglas Coupland, so anyone looking at my book collection would probably assume they were my favourites, and maybe they are, but Arthur C Clarke is probably the one I would go with if pressed, for reasons stated in the earlier question“what books most influenced your life”

Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

Not so far, but the chance would be nice. Won’t hold my breath.

Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?

I usually find starting the most difficult part. I tend to write down the general outline in notepad on my phone, then leave it for a few days / a week to think about it and expand upon it before starting proper. The opening line is very important, and it can take a lot of thinking about.

Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

During my first eight months of writing, I was writing fan fiction and it wasn’t easy. I felt forced into writing in a particular style, for a particular audience, and constrained by the existing universe. It was probably a big mistake from the point of view of making a career out of it, but at least it was good practice and helped to get the process down. As soon as I was finished my mind was flooded with a million short story ideas, so from a creative point of view it was well worth it.

Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?

The thing that held me back for years was being embarrassed to show others my work, or thinking it wasn’t good enough and deleting it. So yeah, don’t do that.

Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I doubt that I have many that i’m not related to, but if I do, then I suppose I would say thanks for reading, I hope you weren’t too offended.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

I remember two from when I was very young, childrens bible stories and the childrens encyclopedia. Both scared the shit out of me.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

I have a pretty extreme sense of humour, you probably don’t want to know about it to be honest. I don’t remember crying much in adult life other than for the obvious things, death and relationship stuff. And every time I hear One Direction in a situation where its inescapable.

Fiona: Is there one person pass or present you would meet and why?

I play a bit of guitar, I need lessons from Jimi Hendrix or Rory Gallagher.

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why ?

Hopefully my headstone will be on another planet and be written in some strange alien language.

Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?

I play guitar pretty badly, I’ve always been a big music fan and worked in record stores for most of my life.

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

I will literally watch anything with even the most vague sci-fi element, even if it’s utterly terrible. I watched Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus, that wasn’t great. I really enjoyed Interstellar, that’s my kind of thing.

Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music

Cake, Chocolate, Sweets. I listen to a lot of different stuff, working in record stores you meet a lot of people who love all different types of music and find new things every day. Growing up I mainly listened to metal and rock, but I have a large collection of indie / alternative, blues, dance and ambient and even a bit of hip hop.

Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?

I really wish I had  been forced to have music lessons as a child, whether it was guitar, piano, anything. I was very shy and reserved at school and I would have hated it at the time, but I would be reaping the benefits now.

 

 

Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?

I have a blog here: http://robmunns.blogspot.co.uk/?zx=fa3668e75ef1c687 Which features excerpts from some of my stories, and I am also on twitter, @bungoslysse

 

Here is my interview with Sheryl Steines

Name   Sheryl Steines

Age 47

Where are you from

I grew up in outside of Chicago, where I still live. I have a BA degree in English. Currently I’m full time writer but I’ve worked with databases, as a technical writer, as an information analyst. I’m married with two children. I love hiking, writing, interior design, reading and traveling.

 

 

Fiona: Tell us your latest news? 

My biggest news is, I’ve re-released The Day of First Sun after first publishing it in 2011. This is the third major publishing of the book, but I have no plans to re-write it. I think I’m done.

 

 
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I was 7 when I wrote my first story. All I knew is, I was so enthralled with the detective novel, all I wanted was to create my own story.

 

 
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I think I finally considered myself a writer within the last year. Because I hadn’t really been selling books up until now, it was a mind thing. I had to convince myself this is what I am. If it’s what you want you have to believe it. Others will follow.

 

 

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but life took me down an interesting and difficult path that pushed my dream out of my reach. At my 20 year class reunion, I reconnected with a woman who I discovered was a published author. I was so incredibly jealous, angry with myself that I hadn’t even attempted to write a book by that point in my life. I knew then, it was time to write my book.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?

I’m a pantser rather than a plotter. Meaning, I have a beginning, an ending and a rough idea what the book is about. What’s great about this style is, I get surprised like the reader would get surprised. The problem with this writing style is because I don’t have a full plan in place, it takes several additional re-writes before I have the complete story. I think it takes longer to write a book this way.

 

 
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

Titles are tough for me. I finally decided for this book, since the deadline to solve the murder was the mystical and made up holiday of the Day of First Sun, that would make a good title for the book.

 

 
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Not a specific message. I really want readers to see the main character Annie Pearce, as a strong, vulnerable, and likable character. The first book in this series is about change and acceptance and I want her journey to resonate with the reader.

 

 
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?

Since the book is urban fantasy, I tried really hard to make sure that anything in the real world was accurate. Annie Pearce is a witch who comes in contact with the FBI. In those instances, I try to follow real FBI protocol. I contacted a friend of mine, a former FBI agent for help with one specific scene. She explained investigative procedures, job descriptions, and uniforms to keep the scene realistic.

 

 
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

This particular book series that I lovingly consider the Annie loves Cham series, isn’t based on my reality.

 

 
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?

I would say other authors have influenced me the most. The collective authors that made up Carolyn Keene, author of the Nancy Drew series was my first influence and really what started me writing my own stories. Judy Blume was another big influence, specifically her book Tiger Eyes. I wanted to write something that made others feel something, whether it was anger or love. Stephen King made me want to find the creative, out of the box story lines and JK Rowling reminded me that I loved the fantasy genre and that I wanted to be a writer in the first place.

 

 
Fiona: What book are you reading now?

I’m reading The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King. I’m trying to get the feel for short stories. Specifically, how short stories are developed with less of an opportunity to introduce background information or details. I’m working on a short story of my own and I’m trying not to get bogged down in details.

 

 
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

I’ve read several fabulous new authors over the last few years, but none are considered favorites yet. I think because I’m a writer now, I’ve become overly critical. It’s like I know too many secrets.

 

 
Fiona: What are your current projects?

I’m working on my second Annie loves Cham novel called Black Market. The book moves their story along to the next stage of their relationship through the solving of another crime. In between revising this book, I’m also cleaning up my YA novel called Gracie Madison Feels the World. It’s the first in a series about a 14 year old girl who finds out she’s an empath. I’m also working on a short story and my memoirs.

 

 

 
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

I have to give credit to Ashely Egan. I met her through one of my early marketers. Ashley edited The Day of First Sun the second time I re-released it. She has been so incredibly supportive. Whether it’s encouraging words through email or Facebook or helpful suggestions, she’s always been one of my biggest fans and always wishes me well. One time, she made such a simple suggestion that turned out to be so incredibly important to the development of my characters. As a result of this little change, I re-wrote the entire first half of the book to ensure the timeline remained accurate. The change has been positive to early readers.

 

 

 
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Yes. My goal is to be able to support myself as a writer.

 

 
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

If I went back in 2009 when I first started writing The Day of First Sun, I would have waited to publish the book. I didn’t know much about editing, about waiting between edits and sitting with the book before beginning again. The longer I wait between edits the more I see and the better the story progresses. I wouldn’t have wasted so much time and would be farther along with the series had I learned that lesson sooner. I’m pretty happy with the book now.

 

 
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

All I remember is reading Nancy Drew and loving the detective novel. I just wanted to write my own. As a tribute to that first book, I named a very small character in The Day of First Sun after the character in my first story. Her name was Jeffrie Marcus, a female detective.

 

 

Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?

The Day of First Sun is an urban fantasy about a witch named Annie Pearce. She is a Wizard Guard, a magical police officer. She is called in by the FBI to help with what turns out to be a magical murder of the non-magical Princess Amelie. In the course of the investigation, Annie learns to navigate a changing relationship with her best friend, a deeper plot surrounding the princess’s death, and a connection to a case her father worked on before he died.

 

 
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

It takes me several edits before I feel I have a book worthy of sending to an editor. I wish I had the ability plot my books rather than being a pantser and just letting the book come to me. I think I could save time and energy, if I could just sit and plan out the entire book.  That’s the most challenging aspect of writing.

 

 
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

JK Rowling. She’s a beautiful writer, a thorough planner and created such an amazing world. After reading book seven I have such an appreciation for what she accomplished in her series.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

Not yet. I’m hoping one day to find my audience. When I do, my goal is to hit the trail for comic cons. Meet the fans in person.

 

 
Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Alisha with Damonza.com .

 

 
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Not being a good plotter, it seems to take several different edits before I have a book. Sometimes I just get bogged down with the details. Planning, so important…

 

 
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I learned how to edit. How to give myself time between each version, to live with what I wrote and give myself time to think about it before I delve into the next version.

 

 

 
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Write every day. Whether it’s a journal entry in your diary or a paragraph of a book or short story. It takes practice.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I hope they like the stories as much as I love coming up with them and writing them out.

 

 

 

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

I don’t remember the first book I read. I just remember what I felt like after reading my first Nancy Drew book. It was joy and I couldn’t put it down.

 

 

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

Quirky stories, books, television shows that don’t take themselves serious make me laugh. I cry when characters achieve their goals, make something of themselves. I’m hooked on Gilmore Girls right now and when Lorelai opens her inn or when Rory graduates from college I cry.

 

 

Fiona: Is there one person past or present you would meet and why?

Audrey Hepburn. I’m obsessed with her character, the way she dressed, the way she lived her life. Or Albert Einstein. He said amazing things about imagination and how important it is.

 

 

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why?

She inspired others.

 

 

Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies?

I love being creative and my second love is interior design. I paint, reupholster furniture and sew pillows and window treatments.

 

 

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, Warehouse 13, Eureka, Firefly, Harry Potter, Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, Gilmore Girls, Grace and Frankie, Apollo 13, Star Wars (episode 4), Princess Bride

 

 

Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music

I love all sorts of food. Sweets, Chinese Food, Pizza. My favorite colors are pink and green. I love mostly pop music, and I love live music. I go to concerts whenever I can.

 

 

Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?

Interior Designer.

 

 

 Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it? My website is http://www.sherylsteines.com/

FB Author Sheryl Steines

Twitter @annielovescham
Amazon Author page

http://www.amazon.com/Sheryl-Steines/e/B004P4XQ4Y/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1456718725&sr=8-1

Amazon Book

http://www.amazon.com/First-Annie-Loves-Cham-Book-ebook/dp/B019SES79O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456718857&sr=8-1&keywords=the+day+of+first+sun

 

BIO

Do you have a bucket list? Have you ever taken the time to write it down? Well Sheryl Steines has and writing her first novel, The Day of First Sun, was when she crossed off number seven. After that first foray into the recesses of vast creative mind, she couldn’t stop and works on her art daily. With a degree in English from Wright University, she finds herself to be an fixated editor and world builder. Paying special attention to details in her novels is just a small example of her passionate and driven nature. Sheryl lives in Deer Park, Illinois, with her husband and two children.

In her spare time, she enjoys character-driven novels of every genre, quirky television shows, and spends all summer behind the wheel of her ’66 Mustang Convertible.

Sheryl is all about connecting with readers and fellow authors and can be found on Twitter, Facebook, or her blog at sherylsteines.com

 

 

Here is my interview with Shawn Reilly

Name Shawn Reilly

Age 51

Where are you from

I was born in the small town of Martinsville Indiana but raised for the greater part of my life on the Southside of Indianapolis. However, despite the fact I lived just minutes from the city, where we could watch the Fourth of July fireworks, display atop the tallest skyscraper of the city from our front lawn, I still considered myself a country girl at heart. Most say I definitely sound like one. My parents were divorced and my mother had to work a lot of late nights. That meant my twin sister and I spent a great deal of our time trying to entertain ourselves. We loved to play outdoors in the summer with the neighbourhood kids and in the winter we watched a lot of television. I especially loved anything science fiction. We lived in an older home, that needed a great deal of repairs, and we didn’t have a whole lot of money, but I can’t say that I was an unhappy child. Other than my twin sis, I had two older brothers and a sister that tended to spoil us since we were the babies.  Dad often took us fishing on the weekends. I met my husband, of thirty-one years, at a concert at Ball State University. He was a drummer in a band. We dated for eleven months and married when I was just twenty. I didn’t have the chance to go to college. Instead, I became a stay at home mother to three daughters who wrote in her spare time.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news?

My latest book Thread, which is book three and the final book in the Children of the Alliance Trilogy, just came out on December 17^th 2015.  Since that time I have suffered the death of two beloved family members (mother-in-law and brother) so my work has suffered greatly. However, I am currently writing the seventh book in my animal shifter series, The Union Series, titled Rise of the Raven. My goal is to have it released sometime this coming winter, 2016.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I have always credited my writing to my stepfather Jim. Unlike my sister I struggled in school. After nearly failing sixth grade my mother hired a tutor and it was then that I was told I suffered from dyslexia. When my stepfather learned that I was having difficulty reading, he took me to a used bookstore. At that point he told me to look for something I was interested in so I headed straight for the science fiction section. (I was a true sci-fi nerd.) Once while complaining that I didn’t like a particular ending, Jim told me if that was the case then I should write my own book. So I did.  My first attempt resulted in a horribly written western when I was fourteen, staring a cocky gun slinging cowboy by the name Curt Calhoun. Curt along with his seven brothers, who all shared C names in common, may never have seen the pages of a book, but that was the day I started writing, and never stopped. Of course I never entertained the thought of being published but with the explosion of Indie authors, I thought I’d share my stories with others.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Honestly, I started writing things at an early age. It helped me to pass long cold winters when there was nothing else to do. Writing taught me how to read, to express my feelings, and to vent my wild imagination. And yet, I have always considered myself more of a story teller.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

My first book was Call of the Raven, book one in the Union Series, and that one came from a time when I was recovering from a hospital stay on my living room couch, and my youngest daughter took me captive. She put an anime series in the DVD player and forced me to watch it. I was angry after several episodes when it ended abrupt, unexplained, and with no promise of a second season. At that point I started brainstorming ideals with her, and her two sisters, with the intention of writing my own story, sort of like an anime, but with human characters. By the time I was finished my very own animal shifter series was born.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?

I’ve been told by a few readers that they like my style but I have yet to determine what style in particular they’re talking about. I have written in both third person and first person and I can’t say I have a favorite. I think the story often dictates which style of writing I eventually choose. The Union series is told in third person through five different points of views, whereas the Children of the Alliance Trilogy (Bug, Spun, and Thread) are told first person through the eyes of one particular character which is a nineteen-year-old girl named Bug.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

Titles are probably one of my favorite things about the writing process that I enjoy coming up with the most. I think a catchy title and eye-catching book cover are the things I notice first in a book.  The titles for my books (and sub-chapters) come from different sources, such as a quote or comment from the actual book or possibly from the lyrics of a song. Bug got its title because that is the main characters nickname.

 Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I mostly write in the science fiction paranormal/fantasy genre but no matter how unrealistic my worlds can be, I often try to insert real life situations. Bug may repeat the same third Friday of every month, where she collects a shopping list of weirdness for a mother that calls herself a witch, but in all respect she’s a young girl that suffers a problematic, lonely existence, such as some young girls do, and at school she is bullied. The Lake family in the Union series deals with many life struggles, mostly how to get along and love each other, and Elle my heroine deals with low self-esteem after running from an abusive relationship. I guess I like to write about life in the midst of the strange in hopes that somewhere out there someone can relate.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic ?

Just as I try to include real life moments between characters within my fictional worlds I often insert historical facts or real places I’ve been to.

Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

I wished I could say yes but I can’t. My characters, experiences, and worlds are merely pulled from my own imagination.

Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?

I’d have to say that my influence came from Author Rachel Caine. After reading her Morganville Vampire series I wanted to be just like her. Although, as you can probably guess I was a big Poe fan.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

Hopefully this doesn’t sound too vain but currently I’m reading my own book which is Call of the Raven. Since the sixth book in the series came out a year ago I have written an entirely different series. That series has a complete different flow and feel, so I am rereading my own work to get myself back in character and in the right ballgame.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Erin McFadden is great. As an author I feel that we share kindred spirits. I have a few others that I’d love to give a try but I tend to read like a slug.

Fiona: What are your current projects?

Currently I am writing the seventh book in the Union series, which is Rise of the Raven, and outlining a future trilogy titled Sons of the Order.

Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

My street team, the Union, for one. I would name a few names but out of fear of not listing them all, I’ll just say I love every last one of them for the support they’ve given me. However, I owe my editor Karen Crain Hedger a great deal of praise for taking a chance on me, and my best friend Robin Day. I sincerely couldn’t be what I am without any of them.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

I don’t work outside my home and when I write it’s an all-day thing so right now I do see it as my career. Hopefully those long hours someday might truly pay off but for now, I’m just glad I can do what I love.  

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Honestly early on I allowed outside sources to influence my writing but all it did was make me one miserable person. Not everyone may like my books—some readers or writers out there might even suggest that they would have written a certain situation, event, or ending differently, such as I did when I was younger, but when it comes right down to it, the story is mine and I told my story the way I wanted to, so to better answer your question, no I would not.

Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

Yes in hating endings and the fact I didn’t like how a certain story was told. I know I probably sound contradicting, after my last answer, but when I first started writing I wrote stories that I wanted to read.

Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Sure, this is the first segment of the unedited prologue for Rise of the Raven, the seventh book in The Union Series, and I highly emphasis the word unedited.  I always try to start off each book in the series from the perspective of a character that otherwise isn’t heard from. This particular prologue is through the POV of Zareth Ross, one of the antagonists.

Prologue

Darkest Day

 

The super moon, bright and full, glistened down upon the lake casting a pale blue luster over its surface, thus illuminating the night. Everything was vibrant and alive with power. Except for him.

Inside his soul, Zareth Ross, felt nothing but a numbing disquiet. Long ago he had stopped feeling. Long ago he had stopped hoping. Long ago he had stopped living.

This night was no different.

But…he so very much wanted to live again

Aware of the rise and fall of the wood beneath his feet, Zareth walked to the end of the floating dock. With the wind cooling his perspiring brow, and the sound of the insects in the woods behind him, he looked out over the water.

Coming from the opposite side of the lake he detected the hum of an approaching vessel and knew he didn’t have long to wait. Either his plans would work or they would fail, like so many other times before.

The foreboding sensation, like a thorn digging deep into his being, would not go away. No matter how hard he wanted to believe—to trust again—the nagging was there, ever present, ever real.

Things had been too easy…far too easy.

A twig snapped and he turned and scanned the woods with eyes designed to see in the dark. The shadowy form broke away from the trees and he sucked in a relieved breath.

“Houdini, my old friend,” he patted his leg calling the dog to him. “It took you long enough to get here.”

Muscles dancing, under the gleam of the moon upon its black fur, the dog trotted toward him. Dropping down on one knee Zareth patted the animal’s thick skull in greeting. In turn he received a sloppy tongue across his neck and lower chin. He dried his face with his shirt sleeve and then removed the note from his pocket, and tucked it under the dog’s collar.

He secured it in place with just a little magic, and spoke a name, that of his sons, to seal the deal. “Be a good boy now,” Zareth scratched the Pit Bull under his chin and then gave him a gentle nudge of encouragement in the direction of the trees. “Go now, go on home.”

A blinding light from the approaching vessel shone in his face, just as Zareth came to a full stand. Behind him he heard the dog growl and turned to see that he had stopped short of the trees. “Go I said. I’m depending on you to deliver that message.” When the dog still didn’t seem to get the hint, Zareth sent a wave of magic his way and gave him an extra incentive right in the backside.

Houdini yelped and took off running into the thick trees. A few moments later, with the boat growing nearer, he heard a muted snarl, and knew that the stubborn dog remained lurking nearby.

The evil that the animal sensed only confirmed what Zareth already knew. Just like so many times before, the apprehension was real. He had so hoped that it was her coming and not his master.

Sighing, Zareth resigned to fate, sat down on the damp wood of the dock and dropped his legs over the side. There was no point running away.

No matter what he did, no matter where he went, he would be found…always.

Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I’m dyslexic so I find everything challenging about writing but my imagination and passion to tell stories often outweighs those challenges. However, the biggest obstacle I face on a daily basis doesn’t come from my words but my minds ability to believe in my words. In other words I constantly doubt myself.

Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

If I were to pick one overall favorite  I’d have to say Edgar Allan Poe, which probably doesn’t come as a surprise given my first published book deals with a legendary raven. Why? I’d have to say for his attention to detail and description.

 Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

I traveled to several out of state signings last year but this year I have decided to only attend a few. The reason behind that decision is that I put so much time into promoting the books that I fell behind in my series. This next year I hope to finish not only The Union series I plan to begin two others.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Oh goodie, I’m always eager to brag about my covers. BluDoor Graphics, or more specifically my eldest daughter Kristin, designed all nine. She has even designed a few that haven’t been released yet for future books. For each cover I gave her a general idea of what I was looking for and she took over from there. The results always seem to be exactly what I pictured.

Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?

While standing in line at a gas station a woman once asked me what I did for a living, whereas I told her I was a writer. Her response then was to say “I wished I had such an easy job as that.” Well, I have never, ever, considered writing easy. Some things just come harder to some writers than others. I just so happen to hate research and outlining and although I’m sure that contributed to the numerous tests I failed in school, I still wouldn’t consider that to be the hardest thing about writing. But, a lot of my fellow authors can probably relate to my one and only true answer, and that’s I find writing the blurb that goes on the back of the book to be the most difficult thing about writing. I guess I find it hard to sum up a book in just a few words, and make those words interesting enough to cause people to want to read them.

Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

Yes, that not everyone loves cliffhangers.

Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?

My advice to other writers is to never give up, to believe in yourself, and to never stop perfecting your craft.

Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

The readers that have stuck by me and my books are the best. They’re wonderfully loyal and I couldn’t have done it without them.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Yeah, it was all about the adventures of Dick and Jane, I believe. The first book I actually read for fun was Battlestar Galactica, hence the part about being a sci-fi nerd.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

I hate standup comedy because I feel like I’m expected to laugh. What makes me really laugh is the unexpected. My family gets angry with me at times because I have been known to laugh at their expense, their falling down or blunders. Oh, if they get hurt I quickly get it together but I will admit my first response is to face the moment head on with humor. I guess that’s why I chose to become a writer and not a paramedic like my sister. What makes me cry is saying goodbye to loved ones.  I’ve had to do that far too often the last few years, and seeing my children hurt. Seeing my girls hurt or sad makes me feel helpless.

Fiona: Is there one person pass or present you would meet and why?

No one from the past but in the present I would love to meet my editor since she has been by my side since the beginning and we have yet to meet face to face, along with the members of my street team that have encouraged me along the journey.  I would actually love to reward them with a cruise someday.

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why?

Dare to believe in your dream.

I grew up believing that because I wasn’t rich or smart I didn’t have a right to dream but just as Eleanor Roosevelt, once stated “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” and I truly have come to believe in the beauty of mine.

Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies?

I have a few, such as photography, art (even though I’m not very good) fishing, boating, reading, and music. Unless I’m watching television music is always on, no matter what I’m doing. I can’t fold clothes without a beat.

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

My favorite show on television is probably Criminal Minds. I’ll watch just about anything science fiction though, good or bad. I even love the old black and white monster flicks.

Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music

My favorite food is Mexican. My favorite color is blue, like the sky. But when it comes to music I love several different genres, and that genre truly depends on what kind of mood I’m in or what I’m doing. I’m not much of a country music lover but I do listen to country while I’m cleaning the house. I guess that’s because I like to sing along. I listen to the classic stuff or even boy bands such as the Backstreet Boys while on road trips, especially if my girls are with me, and I listen to contemporary jazz while reading. On the other hand when I’m writing I listen to anything from Fall Out Boy, the Irish group Westlife, Breaking Benjamin, Celine Dion, to a variation of soundtracks, and what I listen to is determined by what kind of a scene I’m writing.

Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?

Now that’s a strange thought. In high school I pondered the idea of being a forest ranger and taking pictures in my spare time, or oddly enough I considered the thought of working for the Behavioral Analysis Unit, or BAU, as a profiler. But, truthfully all I dreamed about, from early childhood, was becoming a writer. My high school counselor, very kindly, told me though that due to my grades and IQ, I could never be those things so I got married and became a stay-at-home mom. In the beginning I actually resented that but over time I looked to those years with my children, staying at home and being a housewife, as one of the biggest privileges of my life. I can’t say that I would ever change that about my past. So, I’d have to say that there isn’t anything I would have done and now because my children are grown, I’m able to do what I want and that’s write..

 Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?

I have a website which is in need of some serious updating, which you can find here.

http://shawnreilly.wix.com/shawnreilly

Amazon Authors page USA http://www.amazon.com/Shawn-Reilly/e/B00DR8V27W/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

 

UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shawn-Reilly/e/B00DR8V27W/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_4?qid=1456704478&sr=1-4

 

Here is my interview with Tamsen Parker

Name: Tamsen Parker

Age: 33

A little about yourself `ie your education Family life etc:

I grew up in New England and after doing my undergrad degree in Ohio, came back to work for a few years and then went to graduate school in urban planning. I currently live north of Boston with my husband and my daughter where I write emotionally intense erotic romance, and enjoy good food, sweet rieslings and gin cocktails. I also have a fondness for monograms and subway maps.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news?

2016 has been a great year so far! I became a USA Today bestselling author, Personal Geography came out in audio, and Intimate Geography is a finalist in All About Romance’s Reader Poll for Best Erotic Romance. And I should have some more news to share soon! Signing up for my newsletter is the best way to keep up to date.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

After I had my daughter, I didn’t return to my previous job. I spent a lot of time reading when she’d fall asleep on me as a newborn, and I was reading mostly romance. My brain was itching for something to do so I started writing, not really having any intention of showing it to anyone and…well, you see how that turned out ; )

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I think anyone who writes can call themselves a writer. But I really started identifying myself as a writer to other people after I’d published.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?

My writer bestie Amy Jo Cousins calls it “Elegant Superfilth,” which I think is pretty accurate. I use relatively tame language to describe graphic acts, which lets me get away with more.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?

I wouldn’t encourage readers to use them as How-To manuals or anything, but I do aim for relatively realistic kink and for flawed and multi-dimensional characters. Some elements of my books are more fantastic than others, but that’s why it’s fun to write fiction : )

Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

I tend to write with what I call a grain of truth. Which means that while everything in my books is fiction, something similar might have happened to me, or a character could be an amalgam of personality traits from people I know.

 

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

I don’t usually talk about my current reads but here are a few of my recent favorites: Star Dust by Emma Barry and Genevieve Turner, True Pretenses by Rose Lerner, A Seditious Affair by KJ Charles.

Fiona: What are your current projects?

 I’m about to start edits on Book 4 of the Compass series (I should have a title and a firm release date soon!), I’ll be releasing a couple of stand-alone short stories that were previously published in anthologies, writing Books 5 & 6 of the Compass series, and oh yeah, working on a fun side project with Amy Jo Cousins.

Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members. The romance community is fabulous. I’ve found some great friends and writing partners both online, and through professional organizations like RWA and my local chapter, NECRWA.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Yes, I do. Being an author, especially being involved in self-publishing, is like running a small business. Finding success in this industry is really challenging and authors are some of the hardest working people I know.

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

 I wouldn’t change anything about Craving Flight. I would, however, have liked to have had more time. Two months to research and write a book isn’t really enough for me, particularly with the subject matter.

Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Here’s a snippet from Book 4 of the Compass series, which will be coming out in July. It doesn’t have a title yet, but fans of the series will recognize the hero, who’s actually kind of a villain in Book 1. Enjoy a taste of Slade and Pressly!

I shake out my hands out on the way to the door, hoping to disperse some of the nerves that have gathered, but of course it doesn’t work. At least gripping the handle to turn it offers a momentary reprieve. Maybe being able to hold on to Pressly will offer the same.

When I open the door, she’s standing there, hands in the pockets of a short trench I remember, and it surprises me. I’d recognize that coat anywhere. I gave it to her. I’d noticed her coveting it whenever we strolled by the upscale, bay-windowed store. When I’d told her to go try it on, she’d demurred.

“My old one is fine.” But it hadn’t been. The liner had been in shreds and the hems were getting threadbare. The first time I’d walked in there meaning to get it for her though, I’d realized what she hadn’t said because she’s sensitive and made of class: We can’t afford this. $1500 for a coat? I’d had to walk out, shame sour in my stomach.

Pressly had never made me feel like I wasn’t good enough because I couldn’t give her the things she’d grown up with, but I’d felt that way all the same. Later, when I’d gotten my first big promotion, that was how I’d told her. A big box in the center of the dining room table in the apartment we’d move out of in a year because I’d made it.

And she’s wearing it now? After I’d told her to dress in something she didn’t mind destroyed? My insides feel as if they’re a dripping wet kitchen towel being wrung out. Does she not remember? I’d been so fucking proud of myself and I’d thought she had been too. Maybe I was wrong.

It’s only when she lays a hand on my arm that I realize I haven’t said anything. That I’ve been standing frozen in the doorway, staring stupidly at a twelve-year-old trench coat.

“Not the coat,” she says as she squeezes her fingers just above my elbow. When I drag my gaze up to her eyes, they’re wide and intent, that ever-shifting blue practically swirling with every blink. “You can do whatever to anything else I’m wearing, but please let me take off the coat first.”

Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

 I travel a lot to conferences. This year I’ll be at NECRWA’s annual conference, the RT Convention, RWA’s national convention and Fall in Love with New England. I haven’t had to take an official “research” trip, but I have made Mr. Parker go to a speakeasy for inspiration for my short story in the For the First Time anthology.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

 All my covers have been designed by Amber at Book Beautiful. She is brilliant and very patient with me, even when I’m being unreasonably picky.

Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Time management. Trying to balance spending time with my family while trying to put out a high quality book is rough. It’s easier now since I’ve put a great team together and have a better idea of what I’m doing, but it still requires quite the balancing act.

Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

One of the things I love about being a writer is that I get to learn things all the time. For Craving Flight, it was about Orthodox Jewish culture and traditions. I’m currently working on a book set in Washington DC, and have had to learn about title conventions and security procedures. Next stop? Learning how a venture capital firm works…

Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?

There’s no one right way, do what works for you.

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

I’ve been catching up on The Good Wife which is great, and I loved The Man from UNCLE—the drunk dancing scene is fabulous. And because of kidlet, I watch more kids’ movies than I would otherwise. Tangled and Brave are favorites around here.

Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?

I’d either go back to my old job in consulting or become a lawyer. I also have a certification to be a yoga teacher so that’s always something I keep in my back pocket.

Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?

 tamsenparker.com

Amazon Authors Page http://amzn.to/1LmAhwv

Thanks so much for having me, Fiona!

 

Here is my interview with Ann Landrum Stockstill

Name:   Ann Landrum Stockstill

Age:  65

About me:

I was born in Opelika, Alabama, and my family moved to Tyler, Texas when I was

about 4 years old.  I grew up in Tyler and went to high school and Jr College there.

I completed my education at Texas A&M in Commerce, Texas.

I  have a Masters in Education and taught 35 years in middle school and junior high.

I basically taught all subjects but specialized in teaching English and Science.

I own a horse ranch in Winona, Texas, and raise paint horses and quarter horses.

My stallions  “Summers Chico Bandito,” and his son “Chicos Bandelero,” have

won  APHA World and PtHA World 6 times each and have thousands of show points

in heading, heeling, steer stopping, tie-down roping, working cow horse to name a

few events.  I have shipped Chico’s offspring all over the world for ranches in

Sweden,  Holland, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, Columbia, Brazil, Thailand, Austria

and Venezuela among others. www.coyotecreekranch.net

I am currently working as a parole officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

I work with felons released from TDCJ . I usually supervise approximately 80 people.

This is my 8^th year working with parole.

I have had 5 poetry books published that are currently on Amazon, Kindle and Barnes and Noble. The titles are “Out of the Darkness into the Light,” “Painted Dreams,” “Neon Lights And  Drinks After Five,”  “Sunset Inn, “  and “Shades of Red.”

 

Latest news:

I began working with Susan Joyner Stump in January 2016 and to date she has published two of my children’s chapter books entitled “ The Perfect Prince” and “Coyote Creek Ranch Tales Book 1.”   I have also finished a 6^th poetry book which she has agreed to publish entitled “Rivers of Change.”  I am currently working on an adult faction book entitled “ The Dark Side : Secret Life of a Narcissist.”

 

 

When and why did you begin writing?

I had taught students to write for years but never considered myself a writer.  I went through a traumatic divorce and was left with 178 horses to care for with no money or equipment.  I had started working as a parole officer dealing with about 148 felons most of which had drug addictions.  I was driving about 2,000 miles a month between 4 counties.  I started jotting down thoughts while eating lunch or waiting for clients at home visits.  I began the journey of putting my thoughts into poetry around 2012.

My work  became poems derived from my experiences with people I supervised,  the criminal justice system,  country living, nature and animals especially horses.  I wrote about seasons and holidays and family.  These poems became my first book entitled “Painted Dreams.”  I began to share my poems with Face Book poetry groups and eventually found a publisher/editor out of Canada to help me publish several books.  During a library book signing,  I met the owner/publisher of White Bird Press and she contracted to publish 5 of my poetry books.  I also started getting likes and comments about my work I shared on social media.

My second book “Out of the Darkness into the Light,”  was a series of poems about good and evil forces around us.  It contained poems with religious themes , as well as, about love, lust and seduction.

My third book “Neon Lights and Drinks After Five,” was written with the theme ofhow lonely people meet with country western themes that could be songs.

My fourth book “Sunset Inn,”  is a series of poems ranging from the mythical Unicornto Rainforests and King Arthur’s Guinevere.  Fantasy and reality in one book.

“Shades of Red,”  basically were poems about romance, sex and seduction.   Sexy pictures for adults make up book five.

 

 

What inspired me to write my first children’s book?

I began to write stories about the animals I own or owned at my ranch.  I decided the stories could be educational along with expressing the personalities and survival experiences of  my ranch animals. I have owned 178 horses,  donkeys, buffalo, geese,ducks, raise Australian Shepherd dogs, have rescue dogs, etc.   I have enough stories to fill a series of books.

I wrote “Lady and the Panther,” about a true experience I had when a black panther attacked Badger’s Lady Chex and most of her chest was gone along with muscle in her right leg. The story is written from the perspective of the horse and the cat and Lady’s strong will to live. It is a year long journey of her recuperating and finally becoming the ranch/trail horse she was before the attack.

My next story was about ‘Guinevere, A Goose’s Tale,”about a goose I hatched after her parents were killed by coyotes.   “Moses the Rescue Dog,” is a true story about puppies that were abandoned by an owner that thought domesticated dogs could survive in the wild.  “Chicos True to Texas,” was a true story about one of my APHA world champion stallions that was severely injured at his trainer’s arena and his journey to heal and go on to win the Dixie Nationals and World in heeling.

 

When I met Susan Joyner Stumpf ,  we decided that instead of individual children’s

Chapter books that we would make the stories into a single book but it would be the first in a series of books named for my ranch “Coyote Creek Ranch Tales Book One.”

All ranch stories will be based on real characters and events.

My next project  was inspired by watching a video of  a Fairie Magazine modeling shoot at an old castle.  I loved the clothing which was Victorian era and the furnishings of the castle.  “THE PERFECT PRINCE,’ became a fairy tale about a beautiful princess going on a quest to find her Perfect Prince and finding love comes from a pure heart and a kind, gentle nature rather than just physical appearance.  Madeline finds her true love in an unexpected way and he  becomes “The Perfect Prince.”

 

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

I would have to say that I draw both on people or animals I know and my own life

experiences.

 

 

What books have most influenced your life?

I love all types of literature from Kill A Mockingbird and Far Pavilions to the Robe.

I enjoy the great love stories written by Nicholas Sparks like” Safe Haven”,  “The Best of Me,”  “The Lucky One” and “ The Notebook.”  Tami Hoag has great murder mysteries like “Prior Bad Acts.”  I like Stephen King’s horror, suspense novels.  His “ Pet Cemetery” and  “ The Shining” are the two I remember scaring me the most.

 

What book are you reading now?

I usually listen to audio books since I drive so much.  Have been listening to “ The Secret” lately.   I am also trying to read the entire Bible again with a study guide.

 

 

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

I am enjoying reading poetry written by Susan Joyner Stumpf.  Have also started reading E.L. James book series.

 

Current Projects

I have several projects right now.   I am trying to complete a faction book about a

Narcissistic, psychopath that preys on women he meets on the internet.  I also have started several stories to go into my next Coyote Creek Ranch book.

Susan Joyner Stumpf has also set up a book launch on Face Book for March 5, 2016, around noon which will allow me to share my work and hopefully answer questions readers might have.  She has been a real inspiration and encourages her clients to share and enjoy their work.

 

 

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside family members.

I had a boy friend that I dated for three years that always listened to my poems and stories and was very supportive.  He gave me great ideas for many of my love poems.

 

 

Do you see writing as a career?

I love to write and to be able to make a living writing would be a dream come true.

It is very hard to make it on book sales alone so an author has to hope that their book will be bought to make a movie.

I would love it if Disney would look at my children’s books for either lifetime type

movie for kids or even as cartoons.

 

 

If you had it to do over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

I might enlarge to pictures in the Coyote Creek book to full pages.

 

 

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

 I think my interest in reading books started with my mother’s love for literature

and her reading to me as a child.  Once I started writing poems it was easy to complete one in about 5 minutes.  The children’s stories were written to teach children valuable lessons about caring for animals and give them a glimpse of ranch life.   I always remember the book Black Beauty because it conveyed the feelings of the animal. I hope that my books can move people to feeling exactly what the characters are feeling.

 

 

 

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

My current adult novel is about a psychopath that meets and seduces women that he meets on dating sites.  He gets into their head and researches their interests, hobbies, friends, favorite clubs, restaurants, etc. so he can make them feel he has the same interests that they do.  He uses them for his own gratification and once they fall in love with  him then he moves on leaving them humiliated and wondering what they did wrong.  He showers them with love and attention at first but totally withdraws entering into a series of sexual affairs.  His life ends in a very surprising twist.

 

 

Is there anything you find particularly challenging about your writing?

Writing conversations between people is the most difficult.  Especially, hard

to recall exactly what happened in real life situations since you are so busy

actually being the actor and not a script writer.

It is sometimes difficult to convey the exact emotions that you had and make

your audience feel what you felt.  I want people reading the book to feel as

though they were there and to really get into the book characters and events.

 

 

 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR AND WHAT IS IT THAT REALLY

STRIKES YOU ABOUT THEIR WORK?

 

I like a lot of different authors.  For me to like a book it has to really inspire me or draw me in within the first chapter of the book or I lose interest.  I like excitement and action from the start.  I also like love stories that make me fall in love with the characters.

 

 

DO YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL MUCH CONCERNING YOUR BOOK(S)

Since I work full time and have a ranch with 70 horses and various dogs, geese,

ducks, etc.  I find it hard to travel very far. I do go to book signings and book

club events within a 100 mile radius and use online advertising.

 

WHO DESIGNED THE COVERS?

My poetry books were photos I bought through Photo Stock.  My two children’s

books were designed by Susan Joyner Stumpf.   She is a graphic artist and does

a wonderful job.

 

DID YOU LEARN ANYTHING FROM WRITING YOUR BOOK AND WHAT

WAS IT?

I learned it is often hard to convey the emotion you felt with the same intensity

you felt at the time of the real event.  I learned to try to find other people to critique my writing and to be honest so I could edit and rewrite if needed.

 

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER WRITERS?

Believe in yourself and your work and don’t give up until you find an agent and/or publisher that believes in your work also.  Find novel ways to sell your books. Be able write in more than one genre.  Love what you produce.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING SPECIFIC THAT YOU WANT TO SAY TO YOUR

READERS ?

 I hope my readers will enjoy my poems and stories and want to read more and share with other readers.  I want children to enjoy reading about my animals and learn things they did not know about a ranch.

 

DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST BOOK YOU READ?

In school it was probably “Dick and Jane.”   I loved the book about “Beauty and the

Beast, “ also.

 

 

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH /CRY?

I have a sarcastic humor so often someone doing something off color or unusual will make me laugh or simply watching baby animals play or my horses running across the pasture.

 

People who are abusive to animals whether through fighting them or killing them in

horrific ways to eat (such as dogs in Thailand) or seeing the fear in animal’s face

knowing it is going to die makes me cry.   I empathize with people in abusive situations also.

 

IS THERE ONE PERSON PAST OR PRESENT YOU WOULD WANT TO MEET?

Joan Rivers because she always made me laugh and Ellen DeGeneres because she

entertains and helps women in need.

 

WHAT DO YOU WANT WRITTEN ON YOUR HEAD STONE?

Sorry but can’t get that morbid yet.

 

OTHER THAN WRITING DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES?

I love to go to horse shows to see my stallions perform.  I enjoy movies, antique

shopping, listening to dance music, going to concerts, and being outdoors viewing

nature.   Loved vacations to faraway places like Russia, Turkey, Greece and Australia and making friends in those places.

 

WHAT TV SHOWS/FILMS TO YOU ENJOY WATCHING

TV-  Criminal Minds, CSI, Dancing with the Stars, The Voice,  Fox News

FILMS: Nicolas Sparks movies, Seabiscuit, Hidalgo, Hanna, Magic Mike, Water for

Elephants, and The Last Samurai or a few I liked.

 

FAVORITE FOODS/COLORS/MUSIC

I like Italian food and good steak restaurants.

I tend to wear a lot of black with different colors like gold, silver and red.

I love modern country music like Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan ,etc and good

Top 40 music.

 

IF YOU WERE NOT A WRITER WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE

DONE?

I have been a teacher, ranch owner, parole officer, real estate agent before I was a writer.  What I wish I had done years ago is completed law school.  I think I would have been a good attorney working for abused women, children and animals.

 

DO YOU HAVE A BLOG/WEBSITE?  IF SO WHAT IS IT?

I have a website for my ranch www.coyotecreekranch.net

Face Book under Ann Landrum Stockstill and Ann Landrum-Stockstill author and

Legacy Books.

I would like to develop a blog site in the near future.

Amazon Authors Page http://www.amazon.com/Ann-Landrum-Stockstill/e/B00OETCGLO/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

 

http://www.lulu.com/shop/ann-landrum-stockstill/coyote-creek-ranch-tales-book-i/paperback/product-22538776.html

 

http://www.lulu.com/shop/ann-landrum-stockstill/the-perfect-prince/hardcover/product-22575079.html

 

Here is my interview with Kallista Dane

Name Kallista Dane

Where are you from

I’m like Goldilocks. I lived in Michigan for years, but that was too cold, so I moved to the Florida Keys. That was too hot. Now I live in North Carolina, which is just right

A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc  

I’m married and my youngest child is now in college, so I can write full time.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news? 

I’m thrilled to announced that a Valentine’s Day  anthology of short stories featuring myself and 13 other romance authors just hit the USA Today Bestseller list!

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I’ve always written. I started out writing stories as a child, majored in journalism, wrote articles for several magazines. As a businesswoman, I was a regular guest blogger on several national websites.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer

The day I got an email saying my first book had been accepted for publication and they’d be paying me an advance.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

I like to read erotic romance novels. One day I finished one that I found disappointing and decided I could write a story better than that! Six weeks later, I sent it off to a publisher who liked it and said she’d like to see more of my work.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?

I’ve written 20 novels so far – everything from contemporary romance to Westerns to Sci-fi erotica, even a pirate-themed novel. Right now I’m halfway through a Victoria-era romance.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

Sometimes a title just pops into my head, sometimes I write the entire book and send it off to my publisher with a desperate note saying “Help! I need a good title!”

Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

My novels have very explicit sex scenes, but the underlying theme in all my books is one of love.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic ?

I’ve set some of my stories in real places I’ve been. Others have scenes I’ve taken from experiences I’ve had in my life.

One of my favorite books, Judah’s Bride, came from a true story my daughter brought home from school. We lived in the Smokey Mountains, in the town where the Cherokee Trail of Tears began back in the 1800’s. One of her classmates was the great-great-great granddaughter of a Cherokee Indian woman who had been left in the bushes near a settler’s home as a baby. The mother gave up her daughter because she feared the child wouldn’t survive the 1,500 mile forced march to Oklahoma. My book told the story of a young woman from the tribe who had been away in the forest when her village was rounded up and taken away. She found the child and took refuge with her in the home of a lonely widower who lost his own wife and baby to illness.

Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?

 I read a lot, both fiction and non-fiction.  Can’t pinpoint any one book.

Fiona: What are your current projects?

I’m halfway through a Victorian romance where my heroine goes to San Francisco to find her missing sister and gets kidnapped by a gang of white slavers. When I finish that, I’ll be starting a new Sci-fi series about a ship with a female captain that is thrown off-course and crash lands on a planet in an unexplored galaxy.

Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

I’d have to say my author friends, the ones I’ve met on Facebook and at the writing seminars I’ve attended. They’ve been very giving with advice, suggestions, and sometimes just a shoulder to lean on in what is very often a lonely profession.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Absolutely. With the advent of ebooks and self- publishing , it’s a career field that’s open to so many authors who might never had had the opportunity to make a living doing what they love in the past.

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

My books are like my children. I do my best with each of them, and then it’s time to let them go. I send them out into the world with my love.

Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I think I was eight years old when I wrote my first story.

Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Some days it’s hard to maintain the discipline necessary to do the work, especially when you’re midway through a book and you’d rather spend the day goofing off instead of sitting at the computer pounding out your daily quota of words.

Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

I have a number of favorite authors. I especially like Harlan Coben because of the way he takes ordinary people and puts them in extraordinary situations, which could be ripped right from the headlines .

Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

 I don’t have to, but it makes a great excuse!

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

 My publishers, James and Korey Mae Johnson of Stormy Night Publications, are a great team. Korey does all my covers, as well as being a bestselling romance author herself.

Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?

The hardest part of writing is staying at the computer until I hit my daily word goal.  Some days the story flows effortlessly, other days I struggle.

Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I find that sometimes issues from my real life creep into my books and my characters will end up saying something I would never have thought of that helps me resolve them.

Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?

 Keep writing. And keep a notebook around to jot down those random ideas, bits of dialogue you overhear. I spend my down time in airports with a yellow pad, jotting down descriptions of people I see to use as random characters in a novel some time.

Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?  

Thank you for your great reviews and for your messages on Facebook, telling me you’re looking forward to my next book. That’s what keeps me going!

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

Little kids make me laugh. I tear up at the Budweiser Clydesdale Superbowl commercials and most Disney movies. Oh, yeah, and the movie Ghost.

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why ?

I don’t want a headstone. I want a beach party instead of a wake, with reggae music and a steel drum band and everyone laughing and telling stories of the fun times they remember. Then  they’ll scatter my ashes in the ocean at sunrise.

Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?

I love to garden and renovate houses

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

 Mostly I stream the news on CNN. I love HGTV home fix-up shows and The Big Bang Theory

Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?

Discovered a lost civilization in the jungles of Central America

 

Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?

www.KallistaDane.com

Amazon Authors page USA http://www.amazon.com/Kallista-Dane/e/B00D54IW6M/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kallista-Dane/e/B00D54IW6M/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1456602136&sr=1-2-ent

 

 

Here is my interview with Landra Graf

Name Landra Graf

Age 31

Where are you from: 

I’m originally from Kansas City, but moved to Northwest Arkansas a decade ago. I live here with my husband and two children. I love serving as Vice President on the board of directors for an animal rescue, Pawsibilities Are Endless and work a full-time job in marketing.

 

 

Fiona: Tell us your latest news?

I just released the first of three books in a series, What You Crave. The books are technically a bit longer than short stories, but about half the length of a short length novel.

 

 
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I began writing in middle school because the stories came to me. I wanted to tell fantasy and paranormal stories from a young age.

 

 
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

The moment I decided to start taking my writing seriously, about five years ago.

 

 
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

My love for all things paranormal and my middle school best friend. That book never got finished, but it started the spark.

 

 

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?

Not really. I just tell the story the characters want to tell.

 

 
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

The title of my latest is a play on words continued from my first published work, What You Need. What You is automatic, but then the final word is based on the characters of the story.

 

 
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I want readers to come away with the idea that everyone deserves love. That who they are, what they look like, what they believe don’t make them horrible people. There is someone for everyone.

 

 
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?

This book is completely fictional, with the exception of the setting, Northwest Arkansas. The places within this story are completely made up, but the area I live in is known for several local casinos, fancy hotels, and resorts.

 

 
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

None of the experiences are based on me or anyone I know.

 

 
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most?

Ooh, there are so many. My first romance, Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas. Tiffany Reisz Original Sinner’s Series and the Last Vampire Series by Christopher Pike.

A mentor? My critique partner, Lori and husband had influenced my life beyond measure. I’ve learned so much from both of them.

 

 
Fiona: What book are you reading now?

Laura Kinsale’s Shadowheart and Alexander Dumas The Three Musketeers.

 

 
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

I’m looking to check out some books by Jenna Barton, Nina Croft, and Einer Mercier.

 

 
Fiona: What are your current projects?

I’m currently writing a contemporary romance, plotting the next story in my Teslapunk/Alternate history series, and researching for a Sci-Fi/Cowboy story I plan to write later this year. I’m all over the place.

 

 
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

My friend and fellow author, Catherine Peace.

 

 
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Yes, and I plan to do it for the rest of my life. It’s a part of me, even if I never become famous, etc.

 

 
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

I’d make the story longer.

 

 
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

A brainstorming session during a sleepover, after reading way to many novels myself, the ideas came pouring out and then I got the crazy thought to put them on paper.

 

 

Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Sure thing – My current work is an erotic BDSM romance that’s part of the 1NS line with Decadent Publishing. It’s the first in a series of three.

 

 
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Sex scenes… they are hard.

 

 
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Sherry Thomas. I can honestly anything she writes is beautiful.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

Nope, I can usually do much of the research, fan interaction, etc. from the comfort of my own home, but I’ll be doing some travel this year for book signings.

 

 
Fiona: Who designed the covers?

The wonderful Mina Carter designed my covers for the Desperately Seeking Submissive series.

 

 
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?

The sex scenes.

 

 
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I learned a lot about the practice of Shibari and different BDSM techniques.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Never stop reading and never stop writing. Just keep going. You learn the more you write.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Thank you, for buying, reading, and giving up some of your time for my stories.

 

 

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Dick, Jane, and Sally – first grade reader, which taught me the basics of the art.

 

 

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

I laugh at just about any crude joke and cry at anything to do with being a parent.

 

 

Fiona: Is there one person pass or present you would meet and why?

Janet Evanovich because I have questions.

 

 

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why ?

A missed mother, wife, and friend. Because before I am a writer I’m all three of those things and I hope people would miss me.

 

 

Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies?

Cooking, playing violin, and going for walks.

 

 

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

Supernatural, anything action/comic book. I loved Antman, Guardians of the Galaxy, Day After Tomorrow and Pacific Rim

 

 

Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music.

Mexican Food, Red, and give me any and all music.

 

 

Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?

Well, I live another life in the world of promotional marketing. It’s my home away from home, so I guess that’s where I’ll stay. But being an actress would’ve been nice.

 

 

Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? Yes. If so what is it?

Find me at http://landragraf.com/

What You Crave

Genre: BDSM Erotic Contemporary

Pages: 62

Blurb: Sigmund Bermudez has spent the last year out of the BDSM scene, mourning his father, and rebuilding the family business. When he loses a bet to his bodyguard that Madame Eve won’t locate a woman who’s down with his type of kink, he finds himself committed to a date he’s not sure he’ll enjoy.

Lauren Elser has heard about kinky escapades from one of her more challenging patients, and never taken part in one. When offered a chance to explore this undiscovered side of herself courtesy of 1Night Stand she jumps at it.

Neither of them are prepared for the emotional roller coaster that comes with their date, and soon shibari bondage play turns into so much more. The only problem is Sig’s not ready to open up and Lauren doesn’t want to be sued again. If they work past the issues there’s a world of wonder in store.

Amazon : http://www.amazon.com/What-You-Crave-1Night-Stand-ebook/dp/B01BXDZ354/

ARe : https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-whatyoucrave1nightstand-1986672-147.html

Smashwords : http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/616490

 

Excerpt (PG-13):

Damn. Nervous energy had Lauren’s arms and legs shaking in some strange dance as she stood in front of the hotel room door. She’d read the information Madame Eve sent her half a dozen times over the last week and jumped up and down in joy when the date night details were emailed to her. The turtleneck sweater dress, panty hose, and black suede ankle boots seemed too prim for a rendezvous at a swanky hotel, but the chilly weather had her choosing comfort and warmth over sexy. Besides, scenes weren’t sex.

She knocked, a couple light taps. Maybe he’d changed his mind. A lie since she’d already checked with the front desk.

The barrier swung open and the picture became a reality. Hell, the picture didn’t do him justice. A two-piece pinstripe suit, black hair long enough to run her fingers through, and russet brown eyes taking her in from head to toe…scrumptious.

“Lauren?” Her name came out pure and sensual when spoken with a perfect rolling ‘r’.

A large lump took up residence next to her vocal cords and she responded with a nod. She’d always been more of a listener than a talker.

“Would you like to come in?” He stepped back making a path for her. Beyond the entrance the room sat bathed in shadows and orange light from a lit fireplace, beckoning to her.

 

Author Bio: Landra Graf has been crafting stories since the tender age of too-young-to-watch-rated-R. When she finally got old enough for adult material, she believed adult meant anything besides the smexy. Then she discovered erotic romance and all things kinky. Since then it’s been a journey down a rabbit hole. Landra writes BDSM erotic romance and historical erotic romance, among other less smexy offerings.

 

Author Links:

Website: http://landragraf.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LandraGraf

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/landra.graf

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7847192.Landra_Graf

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/landragraf/

Amazon Authors page USA http://www.amazon.com/Landra-Graf/e/B00IESJED4/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Landra-Graf/e/B00IESJED4/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1456600829&sr=1-2-ent

 

Here is my interview with S.E. Smith

Name S.E. Smith

Age Modernly Mature/forever young

Where are you from: Originally?

Montana. I am an Air Force brat. We moved to Florida when I was two, but I’ve always thought of Montana as my home. I’ve been very fortunate as I love to learn. I have a degree in Electronics, Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology. I taught for a number of years at both the elementary and college level.

 

 

Fiona: Tell us your latest news?

I’m super excited about the new app that just came out in the Apple Store! S.E. Smith Science Fiction, https://appsto.re/au/hE7F_.i  is brand new and full of great information for everyone who enjoys SFR! Make sure you check it out!

 
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I published my first four stories on March 31, 2012. I began actually writing two years before after my husband told me I needed to find a hobby. I was going through what I call my ‘rebellious’ period where I wanted to escape from the real world. The economy had tanked and while I was laid off of my job after 14 years, I was hired back almost immediately. Even so, it played on my self-esteem and made me realize that I didn’t like someone else having that kind of control over my life and my feelings. After a summer of reading, my hubby decided I need to get a hobby. Now, his idea of a hobby is  exercising. My idea of a hobby was – you guessed it!  Writing! I like my idea much better. LOL.

 

 
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I think of myself more as a storyteller. I’m telling the story that the characters in my head are sharing with me. I am simply the medium they use to get it down on paper. The realization that others were enjoying the story became obvious by the end of the first month I published. I have to admit that each email, comment, or post I receive warms my heart to know that others are enjoying the stories as much as I do.

 

 
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

Country music and a bad attitude! LOL. Nothing puts you in the mood when you are down in the dumps like listening to country music. I was also going through a Western/Cowboy phase and having trouble finding a story like I wanted to read. Lily’s Cowboys came to me and the rest was history. I wrote her story, then Tink’s Neverland (SFR), then Abducting Abby (SFR/PRN), then River’s Run (SFR).

 

 
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?

Yes and no. All of my stories have a HEA. They all focus on the friendships, loyalty, and relationships between the characters and they all are filled with action/adventure/suspense/romance. I’ve written children’s, Young Adult, and Adult books in a wide variety of genres simply because the stories are interesting to me. I’m also a complete Panster. I never know what is going to happen next, so I’m just as excited as my readers to see how the story will unfold.

 

 
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

The characters tell me. Sometimes I want to argue with them, but they never listen. LOL. Yes, in the old days I probably would have been locked up.

 

 
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Yes! Love, family, friendship, loyalty, making the right decisions, fighting for what you believe in, and believing in yourself and what you are capable of doing are so important! Life is about the journey and the people you meet. Accept those that are different, look beneath the surface, and never give up! Those are very, very strong beliefs of mine.

 

 
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic ?

Most people who read my stories say they feel like they are in them. They feel like they are standing next to the characters or are in that world. I try to make my characters as real as possible so that you know them, care about them, cry with them, laugh with them, and share their pain and love. A lot of my settings start out based on a real place. If you make it believable enough, it feels real and that is what matters.

 

 
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

All of my stories have elements of people, places, and things that have touched my life. No matter how you try to separate them, your own life experiences will influence your writing. My story Voyage of the Defiance starts out in Tampa where I lived when I was younger and moves to the East Coast of Florida. Makayla’s journey around the state touches on places that I have been. I dedicated the book to Kaitlyn and her dog, Breaker. Breaker plays a huge role in the story. Breaker recently passed away and Kaitlyn asked if I would consider writing Breaker into one of my stories. She said that he was the best friend a girl could ever have. I was honored to be asked and included Breaker in the story.

 

 
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?

My love for children’s books has been the biggest influence. The Secret Garden, The Black Stallion, and more were my favorites. My dad would read to me every night and I’d always beg him for one more chapter. He was the best mentor and father any girl could ever ask for. I dedicated one of my stories to him. He became deaf when he was 12 after becoming ill. He never gave up. He eventually regained partial hearing in one ear, but he still retired from the military.

 

 
Fiona: What book are you reading now?

None. LOL. I’m too busy writing. I did go on a reading binge and read four of Peggy L. Henderson’s books in two days recently.

 

 
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Every author is new to me. I’ve recently begun chatting with Susan Grant who wrote The Star King and had a fan girl moment. Greta van der Rol is another squeal moment. I also have my own favorites: Geri Foster, Sylvia McDaniel, Evelyn Ledermen, Cathryn Cade, Susan Hayes and more!

 

 
Fiona: What are your current projects?

I’m finishing up Command Decision: Project Gliese 581g and Dust (I’m totally in love with both of them), then finishing Jaguin’s Love: Dragon Lords of Valdier Book 8; The Dark Prince’s Prize: Curizan Warriors Book 2 and Roarrk’s Revenge: Zion Warriors Book 3. Did I mention I have 11 stories currently in progress?! Yep, I have some writing to do!

 

 
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

My best friend from when I worked with the school board, Lisa. She listened, read, encouraged, loved and accepted me. She still does. She is the most amazing person I’ve ever met in my life!

 

 
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Very much so. There is a lot to it. It is more than just writing, it is a way of providing a chance for others to grow and become independent. It also gives me a chance to mentor and teach others what I know. That is what my background is in and where my heart lies.

 

 
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Nothing! I love how I’m growing as a writer. Each book is different from the last. That is what makes them special to me.

 

 
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I’ve always enjoyed it and was good at it, but never thought I would make a career out of it. I never thought anyone else would care about the stories in my head. I’m glad they do. It makes the journey a lot more enjoyable having someone to share it with!

 

 

Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Command Decision is the first book in a five book series called Project Gliese 581g. The Gliese Galaxy is a real galaxy with the possibility of planets that could have life on them. This story is a combination of several different series rolled into one with a more grounded science fiction background. I’m excited as it is filled with action/adventure/suspense/ and yes, romance.

 

 
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Life! Life has a tendency to get in the way and I have to remember that it is the journey. I don’t want to one day stop writing to find that I’m all alone because I shut everyone out or find that I’m too old and sick to enjoy the fruits of all the hard work I’ve done. Life is to be lived – both in my head and out of it.

 

 
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Again, I love children’s books. I love stories that capture the magic of a situation. There are far too many to name.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

Yes, this year especially. Part of writing is getting your name out there so readers can find you. If they don’t know me, they can’t find my stories, unless they stumble upon me, they will miss the magic that I’ve written. I enjoy traveling and luckily, I can write anywhere.

 

 
Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Melody Simmons from http://indiebookcovers.com/ does her magic on all my covers. She lives in South Africa and has been doing my covers since I discovered her almost four years ago.

 

 
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?

When it is finished. I go through a period of grieving and depression. For months, I pour everything into the story and suddenly it is gone. Then the fear comes as to whether I can write another one. After over 40 books, you’d think I’d be over that, but I still go through it.

 

 
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

That the learning never ends! To get good at something you have to do it over and over. To become an expert and master a skill, you have to do it for at least ten years or longer. I still have a ways to go!

 

 
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Don’t give up and keep pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. If you fall down, get back up and don’t give up. Also, remember, the only one you have to compete with is yourself. There will always be more successful authors than you. Do not focus on them. Focus on making each story better than the last, and remember, write the story that you would want to read.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Hi! Hello! 🙂 ❤ LOL. I love meeting new people!

 

 

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Thumbelina. Still, one of my favorites!

 

 

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

A lot of things. I’m a very visual person so anything that can give me an image can make me laugh or cry.

 

 

Fiona: Is there one person pass or present you would meet and why?

Thomas Jefferson. I’d really love to go over the Constitution and add a few things to it!

 

 

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why ?

My life is about who I touched, not who I was. If I touched someone and made a positive impact on their life, than it doesn’t matter who I was, it is what I was able to leave behind.

 

 

Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?

Camping, traveling, photography, and painting/drawing.

 

 

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

I don’t watch TV – at all. I do love going to the movies. Animations, fairytales, and movies like Star Trek, Star Wars, StarDust, and Guardians of the Galaxy are among my favorites.

 

 

Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music:

Pasta, Black, and anything but heavy metal and Rap.

 

 

Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?

What I was doing, working on computers and teaching.

 

 

Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?

Yes, http://sesmithfl.com. I hope to see you there. Don’t forget to sign up for my Newsletter, new app, and read my Free Reads! I have some awesome stories there! Bye, everyone! See you soon!! ❤

Amazon Authors page USA http://www.amazon.com/S.E.-Smith/e/B007Y85YQG/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/S.-E.-Smith/e/B007Y85YQG/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1456599255&sr=1-2-ent