Here is my interview with R. G. Russell, Jr.

Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

Hello, Fiona and thank you for this opportunity.

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

Ron G. Russell, Jr.  I will publish under R. G. Russell, Jr.  My age? I forgot. No, I’m forty-nine but not for long. I will turn fifty in August.

Fiona: Where are you from?

Dewey, Oklahoma. It’s a small town fifty miles north of Tulsa. I currently live in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, which is one of the most beautiful small cities in America. It is five miles north of Dewey.

Fiona: A little about yourself (ie,  your education, family life, etc.).

I attended Dewey Public Schools. I obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Informatics in 2014, which is the same year I began my soon-to-be released debut novel The Storm Shield. I have been married to my wonderful wife Lisa for twenty-six years. We have two grown children: Ryan, who is the oldest, and Candace. Ryan currently lives in Chicago and Candace lives in Tulsa.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

Well, I will soon release my first three novels in a science-fantasy series subtitled The World of Arwan. The books in the series will be The Storm Shield: Book One. The City of Forever Night: Book Two and Fortress of Last Hope: Book Three. There will be others but I am plotting out Book Four which will conclude The Storm Shield Saga.

They will all be released in e-book and paperback on Amazon, and possibly other distributors, on September 25th and 26th. If you like epic adventure and a combination of heroic fantasy, high fantasy, and science fiction, this is for you. Even if you don’t like it, this is for you. It is fast-paced and full of imagination and with characters whom you can root for and some you can hate.

My wife and I also wrote a romantic comedy novella titled Gypsy Love which will be released in October. The characters and situations in it were some of the most fun I have had while writing and I hope it shows.

And I have a science-fiction novel I am co-writing with one of my best friends, Robert Bright. It is titled Far Station Zero. It takes place in the 27th century and it is about a medical space station which orbits a planet 1,000 light years from Earth. The best way to describe it is Station 19 and Chicago Med meets Star Trek.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I began writing in the sixth grade. I wrote a science fiction short story for English class. My teacher said she thought I should think about becoming a writer. That stuck with me. I wrote various stories for school assignments, friends, and personal use. I aspired to be a writer from that point forward. Like a lot of writers I didn’t do anything about it until much later in life. My wife told me to write my book from the first day we were married. I should’ve listen but you live and learn. Here I am many years later doing something about it.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Right before I graduated college in 2014. That’s when I began to take a serious mindset towards writing. I didn’t want to go to my grave regretting never have written a book. Self-publishing is a great blessing for writers like me. There was only one option when I first thought about publishing a book.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

I was a voracious reader growing up and I still am. I loved the novels and stories of Robert E. Howard, Michael Moorcoock, Tolkien, Terry Brooks, Stephen R. Donaldson, J.T. Edson and Louis L’amour. They and many other authors definitely inspired me to write.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

I knew I wanted a magic artifact in my story but I didn’t want a sword or other type of weapon. The Storm Shield is really the shield of Faith and how it gives us protection throughout the storms and battles of life. This particular shield can also control the weather but no one can truly control it. The characters, both good and bad, believe they can control it but they really can’t.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

I tend to write in a very descriptive style. I like to provide details which helps the reader envision the characters, landscapes, lore and situations. I like to think of it as a movie playing in the reader’s imagination. The authors I admire wrote in that fashion.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

The struggles my family has endured play a big part. Nothing specific, just having to overcome the trials and tribulations of life. I think real life has to play a part in fiction in order to give it meaning. I want to entertain but I also want the story to have meaning.

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

Oh, no. I don’t travel enough. I want to travel more but living in Oklahoma affords me with amazing scenery.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

A lady named Olivia designed my covers. I chose the artwork but she definitely took it from there. She is a fantastic graphic design artist and she will be my cover artist for the foreseeable future.

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

Oh, yes. Can your faith stand the fire? That is something easily said but difficult to put to put into practice. We all go through things in life and our faith in a higher power is tested. I am  not ashamed to say that my faith has been shaken at times. The thing is to hold tight to something bigger than ourselves. For me that is my faith in  God and his son Jesus. Can your faith stand the fire? The answer is yes. That is the central message of the Arwan books.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

I like Steven Erikson, China Mieville, Joe Abercrombie and Peter F. Hamilton, as far as new writers go. My favorite author is Michael Moorcock followed closely by Tolkien. Michael Moorcock and Tolkien both have such a command of the language. And their writing possesses an incredible amount of mythic power. The new authors I mentioned are great storytellers. If I could be known as either a great writer or a great storyteller I will choose great storyteller every time.

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

 My friends Robert, Don and Cindy all encourage me to become a published author. I would say friends is the answer to your question.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Definitely. That has been my goal from the beginning. I have novels planned for the next few years and I fully intend to stick with the plan.

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

Oh, yes. I would probably change a good portion of the middle of the book to incorporate different elements of the story. I probably will never be fully satisfied with anything I write.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

Yes. I found it is far more difficult to write a book than anyone ever told me. Writing a novel is akin to building a bridge without help, in my opinion. I have worked in warehouses, driven forklifts, tossed pallets, and writing is just as difficult as any of those.

Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

Oh,  man. That’s a good question. Don’t know really. I never thought about it much. Maybe the guy who played the barbarian chief in Game of Thrones.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Write in different genres. Get out of your comfort zone. I did when I co-wrote the romantic comedy Gypsy Love with my wife. I definitely had never thought about writing a romance book before then. It was a lot of fun.

The other advice I would give would be not to allow fear of rejection stop you. And keep writing no matter if your book is a bestseller or it only sells a few copies. Your time is coming.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

I truly appreciate you. I will continue to improve as a writer. And I will always try to deliver on what you want,  especially when it comes to character development and adventure.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

Caine’s Mutiny by Charles E. Gannon. He co-wrote a couple of the Ring of Fire alternate history series. It is a military science fiction novel and I just started it but so far it is very good.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

It was either Lord of the Rings: Return Of The King by Tolkien or Corum: The Swords Trilogy by Michael Moorcock. They both had a powerful influence on me till this day.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

Good sitcoms make me laugh. Good jokes, especially if it’s from family and friends. And the passing of a loved one or a family pet makes me cry. Our family cat of nine years died on Wednesday morning. Yeah. That made me cry. Pets become part of your family.

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

Winston Churchill and Dr.  Martin Luther King. Two extraordinary men who faced overwhelming odds and never backed down. And they didn’t do it for themselves. They did it for causes that still hold a legacy today. People like that are truly larger-than-life.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Well, I used to be a decent athlete but I allowed myself to become lazy. I need to get back to it. My current hobbies are tabletop role-playing games and reading. I’m a total geek. What can I say?

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

My current favorite television show is The Big Bang Theory and my all-time favorite television show is Sanford and Son. Redd Foxx was a comedic genius and his supporting cast was right there with him. Favorite movie?  Probably Patton but my favorite movie series is Star Wars followed by the Indiana Jones films. I have too many favorites to name them all.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

Favorite foods?  BBQ and Spaghetti but not together. Favorite color?  Red. It is the color of my high school teams and my Oklahoma Sooners. Music? Jazz, Soul/Funk, and Rock. I also play drums, so I love music with a good driving beat.

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

Another good question. Maybe start my own internet company. Don’t ask what the business would entail because I would have to work that out.

Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?

I would fly to New York City,  London, Paris and as many places I could visit in 24 hours. Hopefully I would pass away on the flight to my next destination.

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

“Here lies Ron G. Russell,  Jr. A good husband,  father and friend. Oh,  yeah. He was a pretty good writer,  too.”

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

Twitter: https://twitter.com/palius2014  and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorldofArwan . I am currently working on getting an author site. I don’t have a blog but that may change very soon.

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Here is my interview with Betty Webb

Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

 

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

Betty: I’m Betty Webb, and  I’m old enough to lie about my age, but I feel like a teenager.

Fiona: Where are you from?

Betty:  I’ve lived all over.  Los Angeles, New York City, Missouri, Michigan, Arizona, Nevada…  You name it, there’s a good chance I’ve lived there.

Fiona: A little about your self (ie,  your education, family life, etc.).

Betty: I had a 20-year career as a graphic designer in Los Angeles and New York City before switching careers and becoming a journalist (20 years working for newspapers). While in the middle of my career as a journalist, I began writing mystery novels. My 16^th was just released. On the personal side, I went to art school, eventually got married, had two sons, and countless dogs, cats, horses, and other critters.

Fiona:  Tell us your latest news.

Betty:  My “The Otter of Death,” published by Poisoned Pen Press, is a humorous mystery set in a California zoo, has been getting great reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and newspapers all over the country. The plot features an otter who swipes a smart phone, and inadvertently snaps a picture of a murder being committed. The murder is solved by zookeeper Theodora “Teddy” Bentley, who lives on a houseboat in Monterey Bay.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

Betty:  I wrote “Desert Mane,” my first novel at the age of 14. It was about a 14 year-old-girl who steals a horse, something I was thinking about doing at the time. As you can see, I’ve been criminal-minded all my life. Sadly enough, “Desert Mane” didn’t get published, but I picked up my life of crime much later on when I began to write mystery novels.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Betty: When I got my first job as a journalist.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

Betty:  At the newspaper I was also (besides writing big feature articles) the paper’s book reviewer. Publishers began sending me something like 100 books a month. One day, when I was reading one of them, I thought, “I can write a better book than this.” So I did. I was able to get an agent, and my agent sold the book to Poisoned Pen Press. As a nice follow-up, my agent optioned the second book in that series to Lifetime TV.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

Betty: That first mystery was “Desert Noir,” which describes how I actually feel about the Arizona desert, where I now live. There’s a lot of darkness under that blazing sun. The second book’s title was “Desert Wives,” and it was about Arizona’s polygamy compounds. That’s the book Lifetime TV optioned.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

Betty:  Critics have describe my style as relaxed and friendly. That may be true for my “Zoo” books, but it’s not so true for the Lena Jones “Desert” books; those can be pretty cold-blooded. I don’t find writing particularly challenging – I just get up in the morning and do it, no matter how I feel – the same way I worked as a journalist.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Betty: All the “Desert” books are based on stories I covered as a reporter, but a lot of the “Zoo” books are based on my family, the zoo I volunteer at (the Phoenix Zoo), and the houseboat on which I and my husband spent a wonderful summer.

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

Betty: I travel a lot before I write, especially for my “Zoo” books, which took me to Iceland for the research necessary for “The Puffin of Death.” As to my “Desert” books, my travels are usually confined to the desert Southwest. I am currently going back and forth to Paris, to do research on a new series.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Betty: My publisher designs the covers, and I love them.

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

Betty: Absolutely. The “Desert” books are all about crimes against humanity; polygamy, eminent domain, child abuse, elder abuse, and even female genital mutilation. As for the “Zoo” books, my protagonist shows the reader how the reduction of the rainforest and other wildlife refuges has brought many species to the point of extinction.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

Betty: Since I’m a book reviewer for Mystery Scene Magazine, I can’t disclose my favorite writers, because then I might appear to be prejudiced towards my favorites.

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

Betty: My husband. He believed I’d make us all rich. It didn’t quite work out like that, but we did get to do some great research traveling.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Betty: Absolutely.  For years it made my house payment!

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

Betty: No. When I finish a book I go straight onto the next one. I don’t have time to worry about what I would change given the chance. I’m always thinking about the future book, not the last one.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

Betty: Since all my books are heavy on research, I’m always learning new things. For “The Otter of Death,” I learned that otters keep their favorite clam-opening tools (usually a rock, but for this book, it’s a cell phone) tucked into their armpits.  Right now I’m delving into the period between the two world war and learning a lot about the women who worked in the European munitions factories. Many of them had their arms blown off.

Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

Betty: If we’re talking “The Otter of Death,” my new “Zoo” mystery, I think I’d go with Amy Adams. She’s a redhead, and so is Teddy, my protagonist.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Betty: I’ll give the same advice I give  my creative writing students: write every day, no matter how you feel. Writing is like a muscle – use it or lose it.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Betty: When I finally die (hopefully not for a long time), I don’t want to die in bed. I want to die writing “The End” on the last page of my last novel.

 Fiona: What book are you reading now?

Betty: Alice Feeney’s “Sometimes I Lie.” I won it as a door prize at a California author’s luncheon where I was speaking. Talk about bringing coals to Newcastle!

 Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Betty: The Bible. It’s what my deeply religious family used to teach me how to read, and I guess it worked, because I was reading like a maniac by the age of four. Sadly, when I started school the books were on the order of “Dick and Jane and their Dog Spot Go for a Walk,” which compared to the adultery, murder, child sacrifices,  and dismemberments in the Old Testament were terribly dull.

 Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

Betty: I like really silly jokes, the kinds that make more mature people groan. As for crying, I always cry at happy endings. And when I finish one of my books.

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

Betty: Enid Blyton, the British children’s writer. I was a rabid fan of her books, and I credit them for my deep, deep love of reading. If Enid didn’t want to meet me, I’d settle for Shakespeare.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Betty Webb: Travel, but that’s about it. If I’m not traveling, I’m either writing or talking about writing.

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

Betty: Mysteries and science fiction.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

Betty: Shrimp Cocktail. Hot colors like red and orange. All kinds of music, especially rock, folk, and opera.

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

Betty: I’d go probably back to my first career – art. I was a graphic designer for a while, and sometimes I miss it.

Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?

Betty: With family. Or if they were no longer speaking to me, finishing up my novel.

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

Betty: “Nevertheless, she persisted.”

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

Betty:  Two websites. For the funny “Zoo” books, www.bettywebb-zoomystery.com

And for the “Desert” books, www.bettywebb-mystery.com

 

Here it my interview with J.M. Bush

Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

Hi everyone! My pen name is J.M. Bush and I am 38 years old.

Fiona: Where are you from?

I’m from Dothan, a little town in southeast Alabama. I’ve lived all over, though! I used to live in Columbus, GA, San Diego, CA, Atlanta, GA, Shanghai, China, Penang, Malaysia, and now I live in Bangkok, Thailand.

Fiona: A little about yourself (ie,  your education, family life, etc.).

I’m an avid reader of fantasy and sci-fi and I love playing RPGs, including video games and pen and paper versions. I’ve been a musician for over 20 years and have played bass guitar in two punk bands – one of which toured the southeast United States and the other having toured China. I graduate next month with a degree in psychology and sociology from Troy University. I have been married to the love of my life for 17 years and we have two boys aged 10 and 4, both named after Star Wars characters.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

From July 1-5 both of my novels will be FREE on Kindle via Amazon! You can find Between the Lanterns here: https://www.amazon.com/Between-Lanterns-J-M-Bush-ebook/dp/B01L3O7PXQ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1530279762&sr=1-2

Storm in Shanghai can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Storm-Shanghai-Mage-Father-Bush-ebook/dp/B01CRLZG7Q/ref=la_B01JELA48I_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1530279762&sr=1-1

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I started writing in high school for a local fan zine. I was writing short stories and I really enjoyed it. Nothing had ever made me feel so alive as sitting down and creating a story out of thin air. However, one of my friends showed one of my stories to his father and things took a turn for the worst in my writing “career.” My friend’s father was pretty disgusted with my story and, admittedly, it was quite violent. The problem was that he was not silent in his dislike of my work. In fact, he was very vocal. With my already having low self esteem due to growing up fat, I was wrecked by his criticisms. I felt that there was nothing good about my writing and so I stopped completely. It wasn’t until seven years ago, when I moved to China, that I started again. I picked it up again because I wanted to blog and keep my friends and family back home up to date with our international lives. People responded positively to my writing style and said that I should write a book! So, I did. Then I wrote another. I also started writing travel articles and selling them to an online magazine. It was an amazing feeling to have people interested in what I had to say.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve always been a writer; I just didn’t let myself admit it until I wrote my first manuscript.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

While living in China, I was a stay-at-home dad during the day and played in a punk band by night. It was an interesting double-life I had going and I the more I thought about it, the more I felt it would make a cool story. But I needed to change the hidden life, the nighttime life, to something a bit more magical. From this line of thinking, Storm in Shanghai was born. It’s the story of an American expat living in China who leads two lives: being a stay-at-home dad and at the same time he is the head of a magical police force made up of both mages and wizards.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

The story has to do with elemental magic, and one of the central kinds in the book is Storm magic. Plus it takes place in Shanghai, so the title basically wrote itself, to be honest.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

I’ve been told that my strength is in characters, dialogue, and plot. I’m not overly poetic and never write anything with the intention of making it beautiful. I’m not descriptive enough when it comes to locations and never consider the setting a character, even though it often should be. If there is one thing I think is my greatest downfall as a writer, it is that I don’t give enough attention to setting.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Many of the characters are inspired by people I know, and the main character is basically me in everything but physical appearance. A lot of the things that happen in the book are complete fantasy, obviously, but small details are very real and from my time living in China. My second book, Between the Lanterns, has much more real life in it, as it takes place in my hometown but set far into the future.

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

The lifestyle I live is full of travel. Constantly. In the past seven years, I have filled a passport to the point where I had to have extra pages added two years ago. Now those are almost full, too. I don’t travel for my writing, but it certainly inspires my stories. I feel like experiences are what fuel anyone’s imagination and ability to write, and those experiences can be had anywhere. You don’t have to go to Rome to write a story about Rome. Yeah, it helps, sure. But you can just research Rome and fill your story with inspiration from other life experiences to make it feel real. That crush you had on that cute guy/girl. That life changing conversation you had with your best friend. That time your uncle died and you realized how much he meant only when he was gone. These kinds of experiences are relatable to almost everyone and make your story feel just as real.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Storm in Shanghai was designed by Chris Granger of Southern Fried Creative (  http://southernfriedmart.com/  )

It was his first go at book design and I feel he did a very good job. Some have criticized the cover for being amateurish but I honestly love it. And Chris has been my best friend since high school, so I don’t care if anyone likes it or not. It is special to me.

Between the Lanterns was designed by Stephanie Saw of Seventhstar (https://www.seventhstarart.com /)

She is one of the most talented writers and book designers I have ever met. While living in Malaysia, I met her through Wattpad and found she also lived in Penang. We started becoming buddies and I fell in love with her work. She has also designed a cover for my current work in progress on Wattpad called The Gods That Keep Them.

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

In my first novel, there are some messages about bigotry and racism told through the lens of magic and how it is obtained and used. I wanted people to make the connections themselves without being soapbox preached to, and I feel that I was able to accomplish that goal. Many of my readers have commented on how both sides have done wrong (one side far more than the other) but that the people within each side are not to blame individually. It is the culture they have lived in for so long that has led them to this and it is up to them NOW to make a change.

In my second novel, I was trying to comment on what we have lost due to the advent of technology. We are so reliant on tech that we often lose closeness with others, be they family or friends. And if we’re not careful, we could end up losing what makes us human in the first place. In addition, I also commented on God and the existence of Heaven. You’ll have to read the book to find out what I said, though. But don’t worry, it’s free to download from July 1-5!

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

Brandon Sanderson and Joe Abercrombie are my superstar hero-worship writing gods at the moment. Both of them create worlds so far beyond what I feel I am capable of and I lose myself in their stories within seconds of picking up one of their books. It is a completely out of body experience to read their work and I hope to one day achieve that level of skill.

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

Rachel Hawkins, author of Royals and many other amazing books, was my wife’s best friend in high school. She grew up to be a NYT best selling author and is an incredibly talented author. When I first began thinking about writing a book, she told me to “just write it.” She said not to sweat the other stuff. Don’t worry about if it is good or if you are good. Rachel said to just get it done. Because once it is done, I will have accomplished something that most people never will in their entire lives. Whether or not anyone ever reads it or likes it, that doesn’t matter because I have accomplished something great. And she was right. You can always fix a bad book. And you can always write a better book later. But that first time, you just need to get it done. Just write it.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

I did. I’m not sure if I will ever be able to reach that level. I would love to, but I also am a realist. There are a LOT of people writing books and there are only so many books being published each year. And I know many indie authors have found a way to make a living doing this, but I don’t have the stamina to be an indie author. I just cannot self promote non-stop for eternity. It really took its toll on me when I tried. I have so much respect for indie authors that can do it successfully. It is not easy. I won’t stop writing, though. I will keep writing books and I will keep trying to get them published traditionally and if that doesn’t work, then I’ll self publish. I have to keep writing. It makes me happy and we all need to find that in our lives. When you find what makes you happy, do it.

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

I would probably fix the middle of the book where the story seems to stall for a few chapters. I would give the protagonists a break from all the tragedy they encounter and probably make the world seem a little less 100% rotten. I think that would help the reader buy in a little more.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

I learned that every single time you sit down to write, you are a better writer than you were the last time you sat down to write. Each session makes you a little better. I know it seems like common sense. There is the old adage about how practice makes perfect, after all. But as I wrote that second book while editing my first book at the same time, I was embarrassed by what I had written in my first book. Even now, as I go back and read things I’ve written in the past I am horrified. Hell, I bet that by the time I read this interview I will cover my face in shame.

Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

For my first book, I would want Oscar Isaac to play Jaret. He’d need a close cut hairdo, but I think he’d fit the bill perfectly. For my second book, I’d want Donald Glover to play August and Tian Jing to play Sam.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

JUST WRITE IT.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Thank you for taking the time to read my work. Please leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads. Whether positive or negative, reviews help authors. Just be honest and let others know that you’ve read my books. Share and like my Facebook posts and retweet and like my tweets. These things are huge to indie authors and mean more than you can imagine.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

Right now I am reading Family Violence: Legal, Medical, and Sociological Perspectives by Paul Harvey Wallace and Cliff Roberson.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

I certainly do. In the third grade with Mrs. Stuckey I read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. It started my love affair with fantasy fiction. It is still my favorite series and I have two tattoos inspired by those books.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

Lots of things make me laugh, most of it dumb. Almost anything makes me cry; movies, books, commercials, music, etc. I’m such a soft hearted fellow.

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

I think Nikola Tesla would be an interesting person to talk with about almost anything.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Of course! Reading, writing, playing music, video games, board games, and travel!

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

I love Chopped, Top Chef, Queer Eye, Gilmore Girls, Star Trek, all Star Wars movies, all Marvel films, and so much more.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

Street tacos, blue, punk and ska!

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

Find the technology to replace my hands, because the only way I’d stop writing is if I lost the ability to use my hands.

Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?

With my wife and kids. Holding them close, playing with them, and telling them how much I love and will miss them.

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

Husband, Father, Author. He made a difference.

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

You can visit my website here: https://www.eatplaywritetravel.com/

Please like my Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/jmbushauthor/

Please follow me on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/M_to_the_Bush

Check out my Amazon page here: https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B01JELA48I/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1?redirectedFromKindleDbs=true

And don’t forget that from July 1-5 both of my novels will be FREE on Kindle via my Amazon page!

 

 

Here is my interview with A.F. Lamonte

Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

 

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

A.F.L: Hi there, my pen name is A.F. Lamonte, and I’m 30.

Fiona: Where are you from?

A.F.L: Spokane, Washington State USA, born and raised.

Fiona: A little about your self (ie,  your education, family life, etc.).

A.F.L: I went to Washington State University where I studied history, English lit, art, and creative writing. I married my college sweetie in 2007 and we have four cats and three daughters.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

A.F.L: Currently taking a short hiatus from writing because I gave birth to my twin baby girls this past April. But I’m hoping to start finalizing my first book, The Writer’s Ghost, so it can come out in paperback. (An unedited copy is available on Kindle now) and start the second book of the Eidolon series.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

A.F.L: I received a writer’s kit for Christmas when I was five, the same Christmas I received an unfinished wooden Folk-Victorian-style dollhouse. It was my first Christmas without my grandfather, who I called Papa, and that unfinished dollhouse had been from him, but sadly he died before he could complete it. So the dollhouse remained unpainted, stairless, and with window holes where little plastic windowpanes were supposed to be installed.

I loved reading, even back then. My headboard for my bed was a bookshelf! And my favorite place was the library. Receiving the writer’s kit was a treasure. I’d so badly wanted to create my own stories and often used notebooks and printer paper without asking. The kit came with three little paper books, a pen, a pencil, three markers (red, yellow, and blue) and a bunch of feathers, I suppose to decorate the cover with. I still remember my first story I wrote right after getting that gift. It was called The Fox and the Sheep and was about a fox and sheep who became unlikely friends when the sheep taught the fox to eat vegetables instead of sheep. (I guess that was the beginning of my vegetarianism as well!)

After I used up the writer’s kit books, that dollhouse became the setting of many stories that would play out, and that continued for many years until my dog broke the dollhouse.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

A.F.L:When I started taking courses in the subject, that was when I knew I was serious about it.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

A.F.L: I developed a love of ghost stories when I was about eight or nine, when I picked up the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark trilogy by Alvin Schwartz and Haunted America by Michael Norman and Beth Scott, and these combined with the love of historical fiction when I discovered the American Girls series and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. From then on, I wrote historical paranormal fiction.

At seventeen, I created my beloved character, Lucian Cole, a Progressive-Era ghost who was born in 1899 and died in 1917. Being a huge fan of Mickey Mouse, I often refer to Lucian as my Mickey, (or my Dormouse), as he is to me what Mickey Mouse was to Walt Disney. He’s the character who started it all. He came into my life when I needed him the most. I grew up in a difficult situation, with my mom and adoptive dad (he legally adopted me when my mom married him) at their absolute worst. They’re recovered now, but back then, they struggled with alcoholism and were abusive both physically and verbally toward me. That same year, I lost my beloved cat and went through a very painful breakup from my first serious relationship with a guy I foolishly thought I’d be with forever. Lucian was created out of a need for affection and positive attention. I was also pretty lonely at school and didn’t have very many friends I hung out with, mainly because I was afraid to make friends. Making friends required inviting them to my house (which honestly should have been condemned in its moldycondition), and I didn’t want them meeting my folks. Writing and making these characters allowed me to basically create my own friends who would always be nice to me (as pitiful as that sounds) because I felt so alone.

In 2008, just a year after I married my husband, I got sick with an auto-immune disease that nearly killed me. Being that close to death, I realized I’d done nothing with my life that I had wanted to do. I decided then and there that I wanted to share Lucian with others.He had helped me when I was seventeen just by being the object of my attention, distracting me from loneliness, so I thought maybe someone else might see him as a friend. Of course, he’s not exactly Casper the Friendly Ghost, but at times he can be, and he always knows the right things to say to the second protagonist, Millie Wrinkler, when she feels down and out.

It took me a few more years to perfect his story, and after accidentally losing the story seven times due to computer crashes, various moves, and accidental file deletes, I finished it in March 2017, ironically on the nineteenth of March, which was exactly 100 years after Lucian’s death in the book.

 Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

A.F.L: It titled itself, really. The original title was called Eidolon, but I realized the book was way too long and I could divide it up into four books. I called the series Eidolon, and came up with the title, The Writer’s Ghost, as the first thing that came to mind. The second book of the series is The Window People, the third is The Awakening (working title) and the fourth is The Medium (also a working title).

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

A.F.L: I favor third-person, because when I try first person, it tends to sound like a diary. In The Writer’s Ghost, I actually combined first and third person, as Lucian is a writer and has first person POV segments that “he” has written in between chapters.His writing, by the way, is totally better than mine. Even though I wrote it, it was almost like I got into a different mindset in order to write the bits that “he” was supposed to have written.

Most challenging about my particular book is trying to write everything going on in my mind down on paper. It’s like writing what’s going on in a movie, scene by scene, and what I’m envisioning is much scarier than what I feel I can put on the page. Like how a joke loses it’shumor when explained, a frightening scene loses it’sterror when explained. I find the “jump scares” especially difficult. I try my best to help the reader visualize what’s happening in the story, but in the end, it just isn’t going to be as terrifying as it would be on screen.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

A.F.L: Lucian is a combination of everything I found attractive in a guy, plus physical and personality traits from a couple guys I knew. The second protagonist in the series, the girl named Millie Wrinkler, is an exaggerated version of me at seventeen.

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

A.F.L: I’ve never been to New York even though that’s where the series is set. I looked up old photos of upstate New York and New York City, but I found it easiest to just make up a town in Upstate New York, that way I could describe it however I wanted. The setting of the book, in the fictional town of Lacey, New York, is a combination of Spokane, Washington State, and Port Townsend, Washington State, both places I’ve lived that are rich in history and old buildings still standing from Lucian’s time period. My great-great-great grandfather and his adult sons came to Spokane from Germany in 1889 and they built some of the old buildings in Spokane, such as Riverfront Park’s clock tower (once part of the since-demolished GN Depot). Some of these buildings make an appearance in the book, and many Port Townsend landmarks do as well. Readers familiar with Spokane and Port Townsend would recognize them, and the setting might inspire others to travel to these places to visit. I recommend Port Townsend especially. You lose a sense of who, and when, you are. Standing on the sidewalk on Water Street surrounded by 120-year-old homes and buildings, especially early in the morning when the sun is just rising over the water, gives off a haunting, surreal feeling, at least for me. It’s like walking back through time. Some places in Spokane are like this as well. A few neighborhoods, such as Browne’s Addition and Peaceful Valley, are filled with old homes. Peaceful Valley has my family’s 1890s manor house still standing (It’s no longer in the family name) and is such an example of one of the dozens of old homes that can really make a visitor feel like they are way back when again.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

A.F.L: I designed the cover myself, using the cover creating website, Canva.com. But I do want to give credit to a couple of myFacebook writing groups; Writer’s Retreat and Fiction Writing. Their members gave me some helpful cover critique to improve its appearance.

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

A.F.L: Not necessarily. The tagline of the book is “Everyone has an expiration date” and a recurring theme in the series is about letting go. Lucian has things to let go of, Millie has things to let go of. Each tries to rescue each other from loneliness and past baggage but he’s fire and she’s gasoline, and there’s a potential matchstick between them threatening to cause a huge explosion. But I didn’t write this with the intent of spreading a message. This was primarily written for entertainment.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

A.F.L: I like Jennifer Donnelly’s books, but I favor the classics. The Bronte sisters, H.P. Lovecraft, Poe, and M.R. James horror writing inspired my writing. I also drew inspiration for a few scenes in the book series from Stephen King’s The Shining, Theodore Dreiser’s Sister Carrie, and the movie Meet Me in St. Louis. Odd combination, I’m sure, but there it is.

I have many writers I enjoy but can’t put my finger on an absolute favorite. I like Poe’s and James’ voices, I like Lovecraft’s way with words, I like Dreiser’s scene descriptions and “overdetailing,” and I like how Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights vividly describes setting right down to the weather. I prefer slow-paced reads that really put me in the scene. In my opinion many books are too fast-paced now. I like being put in the story right down to the scenery. “Overdetail” doesn’t bother me most of the time as a reader. Sure I can picture a gloomy house in my own mind but if you tell me that gloomy house has blood-red wallpaper and charcoal-black wooden floors, those might be unnecessary details that do nothing for the story but those are details I now don’t have to fill in myself and I can actually be there in that very room with those characters.

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

A.F.L: I actually didn’t have much support with my writing. I was told all the time that I was wasting my time and should do something more productive. I did have a third grade teacher who told me I was a great writer with a vivid imagination and if I wanted to be an author, I could. She said that was why I daydreamed in class. I appreciated she said that about me because many just thought I daydreamed because I was dumb or didn’t care about learning. Apparently, I was wired to be an artist from day one. Can’t do math to save my life but the pen is my magic wand.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

A.F.L: For me it is because, due to my auto-immune disease which I still have, I can’t work. I’m a butterfly net when it comes to seasonal illnesses and with TTP (the auto-immune disease I have) I get sicker than most and I have to be careful because even the common cold could cause a flare-up relapse of TTP which could land me in the hospital with failing kidneys again. I’m privileged that my husband’s job allows me to be a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. With this blessing, I can write as much as time allows and I can submit things for extra pocket money. My book doesn’t sell much, mainly because I haven’t done much marketing for it yet, but I get thirty-five cents a book. It’s not much, but it’s a quarter and a dime richer than I was the day before.

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

A.F.L: I’d hire a professional editor. I have had to do all the editing myself, and just like with a romance, love is blind. Love of my own story and character makes it so I don’t easily see flaws in my writing. Beyond the obvious spelling and grammar mistakes I have caught and corrected, I’m sure there are ways I could have improved the book that an unbiased eye might have seen.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

A.F.L: I learned how to take criticism a little better and use it to improve instead of let my feelings get hurt by it.

 Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

A.F.L: Funny story about that one. In 2005, I drew a picture of Lucian for the first time. In 2013, I had completely given up on The Writer’s Ghost, and it had been accidentally deleted from my computer, so I didn’t have a physical copy of it anymore. My husband and I were about to watch a movie called Ender’s Game and I thought it would be a great way to get my mind off of my failed writing. I went into the kitchen to get some popcorn. When I came back, I saw the lead actor in this movie, Asa Butterfield who plays Ender, on the screen, and I actually tripped over my daughter’s playpen I was stepping over to get to the living room, fumbled the entire bowl of popcorn from my hands, and I ran into my bedroom,where my husband found me weeping into a laundry basket full of clean socks I had yet to put away. The reason for this reaction? Asa looks, sounds, and even behaves like Lucian. He looks identical to the picture I drew in 2005, and I didn’t base Lucian on him at all because he wasn’t even an actor at the time I drew the picture. They even have many of the same facial moles in the exact same places. Seeing this actor’s face was like seeing Lucian alive, and it made me realize how much I missed Lucian and my story, so the very next day, I re-wrote the entire thing, and that’s the copy I have managed to keep and perfect. I’d say it’s better than the copy I had lost.

So, Asa Butterfield would play Lucian. No one else could do it. I never thought I’d see a living, breathing person who looks like Lucian, not to mention a living, breathing person whose job it is to play characters. It would have to be him and that would be non-negotiable if I ever did luck out and manage to get The Writer’s Ghost made into a movie.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

A.F.L: As Dory says in Finding Nemo, “Just keep swimming.” In this case, though, just keep writing. Practice makes perfect. Don’t be afraid of putting yourself out there. Someone out there wants your book, even if it’s just one person, even if it’s just YOU. All writers are just regular Joes and Janes who decided to go public with stories we wrote in our heads. Everyone has a story to tell, as my blog post motto says. So, tell yours.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

A.F.L: The other books in the series will have better writing and editing. The first book is not fully edited, but the printed copy will be. Having my book circulating the Web in its current, mistake-filled Kindle edition feels like I’m standing in the front yard with the wind blowing my skirt up for all to see, but hopefully you can look past any writing goofs and see the story for what it is. I hope you adore Lucian as much as I do.

Also, this will be the slowest-written series in history. Please bear with me. It took me a couple days just to do this interview because babies and sleep deprivation. I also struggle with anxiety and depression/postpartum and I’m not the healthiest person around. Maybe when my twins get a little older and when my oldest kiddo is back in school after summer break, I can get the writing going a bit faster.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

A.F.L: The Long Long Trail by Cythia Harrod-Eagle. I’m on Chapter 7 right now. It’s pretty good.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

A.F.L: I don’t, but I remember my favorite books as a kid, and those were already mentioned as my answer to an earlier question.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

A.F.L: Brian Regan is in my opinion the best comedian I have ever seen. He’s the only stand-up to make me laugh until I cried.

My kids and my cats are always good for a laugh, but touching moments or the thought of ever losing them can bring on the waterworks.

Oh, and it’s perfectly acceptable to cry over spilled coffee if that’s your last cup and you’re a sleep deprived Mama who needs a cup of it just to walk down the stairs first thing in the morning. And spilled breastmilk is okay to cry over as well. No judgments here.

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

A.F.L: No one famous, but I’d love to see my grandpa: the one who built me my dollhouse I mentioned in an earlier answer. Though we did technically “meet”,he died when I was five, so I didn’t get to know him as much as know of him. I was his Little Wicket, or so he called me, apparently. And his “Pride and Joy.” All my older cousins got to spend more time with him than I did, and I never felt it was fair. I felt robbed. The only things I can truly remember, albeit vaguely, are when he would ride his lawnmower around the yard, even when the lawn didn’t need to be mowed, he just liked his mower that much, or when he would play on his Nintendo (Yes, he had a Nintendo and loved the Duck Hunt game) or when he would dress in his Halloween gorilla suit and hide around the corner waiting to jump out at unsuspecting family members. Occasionally I can recall him feeding grapes to me at the grocery store when my grandma’s back was turned and when he would play German music and I’d ride a rocking horse to it. But those are bits and pieces, and that’s about it.The time we spent together was time he was dealing with pancreatic cancer, so he was sick. Over the years, I’ve only gotten to spend time with him through other people’s bittersweet memories of him, listening to, “Remember when Uncle Max used to let us stand on his feet and dance us around?” or “Remember when Pap ran over Mam’s pear tree with the lawnmower?” For me it was like I was listening to an inside joke and I just felt a bit left out. All I have of him is his striped mouse that he used to cuddle with on the davenport while he was suffering the aches and pains and agony of his cancer.That’s a cherished relic of a man I never fully knew but wish I could have. And at least I know the type of person he was through advice that he told his kids and grandkids: “Never start a fight and throw the first punch, but when one is started with you, you better finish it.” (He was a boxer as a young man). I am thankful and blessed for the years I get to spend with my grandma, though. She’s still with us, at 90, and she is “my person” and always will be.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

A.F.L: Aside from writing, I like to read, draw, decorate, cook/bake, and garden. I don’t have much free time now as a mom of three youngsters and keeping up with house chores. Any free time I have goes straight to writing or reading.

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

A.F.L: I enjoy most things as long as it’s not a gore-fest or one where a bunch of animals are dying or being mistreated. My favorite shows are Downton Abbey, Penny Dreadful, Meet Me in St. Louis, Mary Poppins, The Three Stooges, and old Mickey Mouse cartoons.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

A.F.L: Favorite foods: Mashed potatoes. Color: Blue. Music: I like the really old oldies best, but I listen to most everything.

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

A.F.L: I want to run a cat boarding house and rescue. I’m sure this generates laughter with anyone reading this answer, but I’m totally serious. I’m sure I’m destined to be a crazy cat lady buttruly, my husband and I talked of doing this in our older years when the kids are grown and gone and he is retired. I plan to call it Mugsy’s Place or Mugsy’s Inn, named Mugsy after my childhood cat I lost when I was seventeen. His name was Magheera (named after Bagheera from the Disney Jungle Book movie. I just couldn’t pronounce Bagheera when I was four and named him).

Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?

A.F.L: I’d just hang out with my husband and kids and cuddling my cats, doing nothing but watching Netflix together. I don’t necessarily need to go anywhere or do anything. My world is them. Wherever they are, I’m happiest.

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

A.F.L: The writer is already disturbed. Please come in!

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

A.F.L: My blog is Ramblings of a History Geek: https://lamonte402thehistorygeek.wordpress.com/about/ .

I can also be followed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aflamonte/ and Twitter: https://twitter.com/aflamonte

https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B06ZZ4K8VJ/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1530177126&sr=1-2-ent&redirectedFromKindleDbs=true

Here is my interview with M. J. Wright

Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

 

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

My name is M. J. Wright and I’m 41

Fiona: Where are you from?

Raymond Terrace, New South Wales, Australia

Fiona: A little about your self (ie,  your education, family life, etc.).

I have a very rare form of cerebral palsy which didn’t stop me from completing secondary school followed by business and accounting courses.  I think facing life with a disability teaches you to definitely approach everything from a different perspective.  My family are supportive of my writing.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

The Lost Child just released in May and I have a stand alone book Millie or Lily coming out in October.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

In 1989.  I had Ross River Fever and was bedridden at the age of 12.  I couldn’t get to the tv so I had to entertain myself somehow.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I had won first place at the local show for a couple of years in the school composition competition but I didn’t consider myself a writer until at 17 another author validated my scribbles as important.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

I had a dream that I couldn’t shake.  It was 2 pm when I finally started typing and 6000 words flowed out instantly.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

It was because of the injuries the main character lives with and the whole premise of my world that if you’re not perfect then you must be broken and invisible.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

I write blended fiction which means I don’t really care about genre.  It only becomes challenging when people try to categorise it for print.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

As a writer, we draw on all the positive and negative experiences in our lives when writing.  In this case, I’d say 30 percent is loosely based on personal experience.

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

I would love to spend my two crunch weeks locked up in a hotel room at Coolum Beach but the reality of writing is that it’s not a get rich quick occupation.  I tend to to lock myself in my office and shut off the rest of the world.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

I did using Canva.

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

There’s always a message in the book whether it’s overt or an underlying theme.  In The Broken Child the two that stand out to me are ‘believe in yourself’ and ‘have the life you want to live not the one everyone else wants you to’.  With The Lost Child I think the message for me was ‘life and relationships are complicated and messy-don’t give up.’

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

Megan Fall is not new to writing but has just released her first book to print.  She is fast becoming one of my favourite writers because of her grasp of the complexities that make a character realistic to the reader and her flexibility in switching genres yet remaining amazing.

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

Julie Ford.  A completely awesome woman who invested into my second book.  It’s not every day someone hands you $450 because they believe in you and your dreams.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

No. I see writing as an integral part of my life.  The fact that people love what I write is still astonishing to me after all these years.

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

I don’t think so.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

That if you aren’t happy with your book then there’s a high chance that your readers won’t be either.  I have an awesome team of beta readers.

Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

I have actually thought about this. Grant Gustin as Ethan, Joey King as Lia and Kenny Wormald as Fane.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Write.  First draft is for the story-everythingafter that is about fixing your mistakes, expanding a scene and cutting unnecessary words.  Just get your story down.  Always read the fine print on anything you sign.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Thank you.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

I actually love wattpad so I read multiple books at once.  I’m reading Treasuring Maggie, Finding Diesel, Keeping Her, Legend of the vampire and Killian by Megan Fall. Diamond by Rebekah L. Thompson and multiple Harry Potter fanfics.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

I read a lot and I think the first serious book I read was Tolkien’s The Hobbit at age 11.  I read Tolkien and C. S. Lewis before tackling The Babysitters Club.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

A well constructed sentence with a twisted sense of humour.My husband’s jokes.

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

Diana Gabaldon.  I have been reading her Outlander series since I was 15 and I’d love to pick up any tips she has in world building since the one she has created is so vibrant.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

I enjoy gardening when the weather is warm, sewing and crocheting. I also play lawn bowls.

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

I like superheroes, sci-fi/fantasy, historical movies/shows. Michael McIntyre, Mrs Brown’s Boys and Jeff Dunham for comedy.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

Chinese food, any shade of blue and my music tastes range from gospel all the way through to hard rock and club music.

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

I spent ten years of my life where I stopped writing due to copyright issues.  Let’s just say it wasn’t the best version of me.  I have no intention of returning to that place.

Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?

With my family making personal memories with them.

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

To be honest I haven’t thought about it but something along the lines of ‘She wasn’t afraid to live.’

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

For my Amazon Page:https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B01M4RE0H2/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1?redirectedFromKindleDbs=true

 

Here is my interview with Matthew Simmonds

Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

 

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

My name is Matthew Simmonds and I am 46 years old

Fiona: Where are you from?

Bedford, in England

Fiona: A little about your self (ie,  your education, family life, etc.).

I am married with a four-year-old son. I went to a succession of local state schools before attending University in the Midlands. I co-own and run our fifth generation family business, an old tobacconist and gift shop in Bedford town centre.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

My first novel, “Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of The Pigtail Twist” was published this month!

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I enjoyed writing as a child, mostly poetry, as I loved rhyming. After a gap of far too many years, I began to write again, firstly short stories and then novels.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I am not entirely certain that I really do yet J I suppose it became a reality when I received my first publishing contract.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

A casual conversation with a cousin. We were discussing what would make a good Sherlock Holmes mystery and it snowballed from there.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

It seemed obvious the moment I thought up the basic plot, but I have to be careful as any further explanation might give away too much ☺

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

My aim is to write in a style as close to the original of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as possible, without mimicking it. I also hope that some of my own character seeps through into the stories and characters. I do have to accept that my modern sensibilities will have an effect on my writing, but good research can minimise this and is always the key to making a historical story appear authentic.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Some of the characters are based loosely upon people that I know or have known. However, I usually take bits and pieces of certain individuals and mix them up with traits from other, completely unrelated people, to create new and, hopefully, interesting characters. I have used a few names of family and close friends, none have objected so far ☺

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

I wish I could J I simply don’t have the time or money to do any travelling other than family holidays (saying that, we do tend to visit places where there is, at least, some local culture or history which can act as an inspiration).

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

A lovely chap called Brian Balanger. You can check out his work at http://zhahadun.wixsite.com/221b

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

I suppose it is, deep down, a simple old morality tale. Out of darkness can come light, greed corrupts and destroys, violence begets violence, and love comes in many guises.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

Other than Conan Doyle, my reading tends to be rather eclectic. Depending on my mood, I will read almost anything from Patrick Susskind or Terry Pratchett, to Wilfred Thesiger or T E Lawrence. My faithful ‘go-to’ when I need cheering up, always has to be Robert Rankin, his books are the only ones to make me laugh out loud. If you like a well-written thriller, packed with genuinely fascinating history, then I would highly recommend Dominic Selwood’s Ava Curzon trilogy.

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

Steve Emecz of MX Publishing. He had the faith in me to publish my first book. I hope he doesn’t mind being called an entity J

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

I would truly love to write full-time, but I am realistic enough to know that it is, sadly, becoming ever more difficult to earn a living through writing these days.

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

I don’t think so. After numerous re-reads, corrections and minor plot changes, there comes a point when you have to say – that is it, it’s finished.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

From a practical point of view, I learned a huge amount. The wealth of information available to us now is astounding. I grew up in an era when you had to visit a library to do any meaningful research – now it is all available at the click of a button. Train timetables from 1884, the histories of various towns, individual buildings, railways and stations, travel times across Victorian Europe. I could even find out what the weather was like on a specific day in 1880’s London!

Despite writing stories set in the past, I have always tried to embrace new technology. I find things such as Google Drive to be invaluable. To be able to write and update my current work from absolutely anywhere at any time on a pc, laptop, tablet or even mobile phone, is a wonderful tool to have. If you suddenly have a moment of inspiration, you can add it to your ‘manuscript’ from anywhere in the world. I would estimate that perhaps as much as 5% of my debut novel was written on my mobile phone.

On a more personal level, I have also learned that writing really is hard work, andrewarding and frustrating in equal measure.

Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

Alexander Skarsgård as Holmes, I am still undecided upon Watson J

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Keep writing, never let anything or anyone stop you. Also, that writing improves with age and experience, so keep persevering.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Thank you for reading, and thank you even more for reading my book, it really does mean the world to me.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

The Lord of the Ring Roads by Robert Rankin

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Not really, but it may well have included an esurient caterpillar….

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

The antics of my son / Cruelty and bullying of any kind

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

Jesus. Since everything we know about himwas written a significant timeafter his death, I would love to hear what he had to say, first hand.

Although it is not one of the choices, I would also like to meet someone from 100 years in the future. Nobody has ever successfully predicted the future and it would be wonderful to see how much we have got wrong and how stupid we look from their perspective.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

I like to play the guitar and sing (badly). Hill walking in Wales, the Lake District, the Peak District and North York Moors.

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

I tend to enjoy well-written dramas, historical or contemporary. I do believe that we are living in a golden age of quality TV drama, and a terrible period of dull, cliched, franchise-obsessed, cowardly, inane movies (from the big studios).

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

Italian for food, all colours are beautiful.

Musically I enjoy a huge range, from the Beatles to Chopin, Judas Priest to Hoodoo Gurus. Marillion are a big favourite of mine, along with Radical Face, Lonely Robot, Kino, Ranestrane. My album of the year is B612 by the remarkable Riccardo Romano.

I sometimes listen to music when I write, but if I find myself getting distracted and singing along, I have to be disciplined and switch it off (for a while at least).

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

Read, play with my son’s toys and watch far too much tellyJ

Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?

Playing with my son

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

‘I suppose he wasn’t all that bad…’

or

‘If music be the food of love, why don’t rabbits play banjos?’

or

‘Plot empty, it appears he discovered some sort of elixir or whatnot’

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

My blog is here:

https://mjhsimmonds.wordpress.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Sherlock.Holmes.MJH.Simmonds/

My new novel, “Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of The Pigtail Twist”, published by MX Publishing is out now.

Available from:

UK

Online https://goo.gl/JRcaC9

Amazon https://goo.gl/5V9jFJ

Ebook: https://goo.gl/mS6TVi

USA

Strand Magazine https://goo.gl/1Q9pPt

Amazonhttps://goo.gl/RJHzFU

Ebookhttps://goo.gl/aGC4CE

Barnes & Noblehttps://goo.gl/6UtRF3

 

Here is my interview with Belle Ami

Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

 

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

My pseudonym is Belle Ami and Belle’s 50 years young.

Fiona: Where are you from?

I’m a born and raised Californian, and live in Calabasas, California at present.

Fiona: A little about your self (ie,  your education, family life, etc.).

I grew up in sunny California. I’m the eldest child of European born parents and have two brothers and a sister. I attended Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, however, I had to drop out before graduating. My majors were Art History and English Literature. I’m married for more years than I count, and we have a thirty-year-old daughter, Natasha, and a twenty-one-year-old son, Ben. My husband has two children, that I adore, from a previous marriage and six grandchildren. I’m an animal lover, and we have quite a few pets. I’ll name them in order of size, LOL. A gelding named Prince and a mare named Cindy Crawford, a pit bull named Coco Chanel, a long haired white Chihuahua named Pebbles, and last, but not least, my studly little alpha Chihuahua named Giorgio Armani.

Although, my kids are grown they insist on hanging around, so I’m busy not only with my writing but still being a mom. You know the adage “writer’s write” and that’s my mantra. I write every day, seven days a week. Sometimes it’s not a lot, but every day come rain or shine I write.

I’m a gourmet cook. I don’t cook every day anymore, however, I do put together a tasty meal at least twice a week. Cooking is very therapeutic, I love to chop, and I take great pleasure in whipping up something that receives squeals of delight.

I’m also a classical pianist, which is also very therapeutic and informs my writing.

Because I need those endorphins highly stimulated to write, I adhere to a strict workout schedule that includes spinning, weight training, and boxing (I adore boxing). I wish I would have started boxing in my youth. There’s nothing like beating the hell out of a bag.

Okay, enough of me.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

My latest romance/suspense/thriller/paranormal novel, The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci, published on June 1^st and I’m thrilled with the response it’s getting. It’s the first book in my new Out of Time series.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t include the blurb:

In the spirit of The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown comes a suspense thriller that unravels an unforgettable mystery  . . .The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci by Belle Ami.

Will her visions lead her to the truth?

Art historian Angela Renatus is haunted by dreams of Leonardo da Vinci and a mysterious painting of Giuliano Medici and his mistress Fioretta Gorini. A painting that, as far as the world knows, doesn’t exist. Compelled by her visions, Angela is determined to find out the truth.

When Angela is contacted by art detective Alex Caine, she’s shocked to learn that he too is seeking the same painting. Alex’s client, a wealthy German financier, is determined to clear the name of his late uncle, Gerard Jaeger, an art historian, who went missing in Florence, during World War II. In letters written before his disappearance, the historian describes his love affair with a beautiful young Italian woman named Sophia Caro, and the discovery of an extraordinary painting by the great master himself-a painting depicting Giuliano and Fioretta.

Angela and Alex journey to Florence in search of the priceless treasure. Is it a lost da Vinci, potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars, or a wild goose-chase that will only lead to a dead end? But someone else is searching for the elusive painting-Alberto Scordato is a powerful man in the art world and a sociopath who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, even murder. Scordato knows something about Angela that even she doesn’t know, something that could threaten both Angela and Alex’s lives, forcing them into the crosshairs of fate.

Presently, I’m finishing the third novel in my Tip of the Spear Series, which is titled Ransom. Nearly, finished, yay! The first book in this series, Escape is a Finalist for the RONE Award, which will be awarded in October at the InD’Scribe conference. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Once Ransom is with my publisher and editor for editing, I’ll begin my second novel in my Out of Time series. My star characters are an art detective and a psychic art historian, who work together to find and return stolen and missing art. Angela’s psychic ability transports us to other eras and the possibilities are endless. I’ve been ruminating on Picasso or Rembrandt, but who knows. I have a lot of research to do before I decide.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I’ve written all ofmy life; however, I published my first book in 2010. It’s the story of my mother’s survival of the Holocaust. It’s titled In the Face of Evil and it was a Finalist for the National Jewish Book Awards. I wish I would have tried to write while I was raising my kids, but, alas, I didn’t. Big regret for me.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

For me, personally, I didn’t consider myself a writer until I published. Most of my friends and acquaintances were not very supportive in the beginning. Everyone says they want to write a book, however, few do it and even fewer are good at it. Most people just shook their heads and poohpoohed my efforts. It’s been quite a surprise to them that I’ve achieved success and that I’m writing my eighth book. I’m a storyteller, however, I didn’t have the technical skills or the expertise at first. It’s been a long process, but I’ve learned so much. Every book I write is better than the last one, and that’s what really matters to me.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

As I said my mother was the inspiration for my first book. She’s the reason I’m writing. Even though countless writers had approached her to write the story of her amazing survival of the Holocaust, she refused saying only my daughter can write this story. I hadn’t even considered it up until the day I decided to write it. It took two years, and tons of bumps in the road. I knew nothing about self-publishing and it was an arduous journey. I’m planning on rewriting and editing it this year and bringing out a new version before the year is up.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci, great title isn’t it? My personal assistant and I have a remarkable relationship. We’re completely attuned to each other. She’s very supportive in countless ways, as my editor, and guide through the publishing morass. Together we came up with the title The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci. My other book titles have been collaborations between my editor at my publishing houses and me.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

I definitely have a style of writing. Readers are always commenting that they feel like they are living the novel. My sense of place and descriptions are detailed, which gives reality to my books. I do a ton of research on every novel I write. Writing in the romance suspense thriller genres is a challenge. Thrillers are a challenge, they are impossible to write completely by the seat of your pants. You need timing and pacing, and you need to plot. Fortunately, for me I have an inane sense of timing. I naturally create cliff-hangers that beg the reader to turn the page and find out what’s going to happen next.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

My books are not about me or anyone I know so far, except of course my first book. Politics and world events inform my writing quite a bit. I’m a news aficionado, whether it be art news or political news. Much of what I read or see on television influences my writing. Ideas for books just pop into my head both awake and asleep. The difference is I act upon my visions and cultivate them until they become a fully realized book.

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

I’ve travelled the world, so I have a wealth of knowledge about places, but I still must rely on research. Being a gourmet cook has been helpful, you will always be eating some spectacular meal in my books or going to some amazing restaurant. One reviewer recently wrote my books inspired her to pack her bags and travel. One of my books ended on Varadero Beach, Cuba, and I’d never been to Cuba. Now I know that it’s a place I must visit. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in the world with sugar white sand and swaying palms. Simply breath-taking. I loved writing about it. Most of The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci takes place in Florence, Italy, which I’ve been to, but I still needed to do tons of research. I think I read twenty or more books for this one. Since several of my characters lived during the Renaissance, I had to make sure that what I wrote was correct. I took some poetic license, but everything I supposed in the novel falls within the realm of possibility.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Georgia Woods designed Escape and Vengeance and Fiona Jayde designed The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci.

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

The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci is pure entertainment. Romance and thrills are a great escape, and it’s nice to learn something in the process. Escape and Vengeance are about a deep cover Mossad agent who is dedicated to keeping the world safe and his family safe. Escape takes place mostly in Iran, try doing research on that. It was daunting. It deals with real issues, the nuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran. My predictions in the book have mostly come to pass, which is very frightening. We live in a dangerous world, and Iran is one of the most dangerous theocracies inhabiting it.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

I’m a big fan of Jojo Moyes, I love her writing style. Daniel Silva is my hero for thrillers. Sara Gruen one of the best literary storytellers out there, and Hannah Kristen who just blows me away. Mark Helprin’s Winter’s Tale is one of my favourite books I’ve ever read. I recently read a book my Susan B. James a new author. Time and Forever and her sequel Maybe This Time are enchanting reads about romance and time travel. She takes you back to sixties London and for me that’s a sweet spot.

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

My critique group members have been an endless source of support and encouragement. We meet every three weeks and they keep me in line when I go too far in pushing the envelope. They have made me a better writer and much happier author.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

I’m a full-time writer, so, yes, this is my career.

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

Not a word. I love The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci and I am proud of every word. I just want people to understand that I am a romance writer who writes thrillers. So, there is a balance between the romance and the thrills. If you don’t like romance, please don’t read my books.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

I learned a lot about Leonardo da Vinci. Part of the reason I write is to learn about different places, different cultures, food, attire, and history.

 Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

I truly believe that The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci will be made into a film. It is so cinematic, which is exactly my style of writing. My books are completely visual. Jonathan Rhys Meyers or Henry Cavill would make a perfect Alex. As for Angela, Jenn Proske totally nails the look of my bookish PhD art historian.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Keep writing but don’t expect to be successful at it or make a lot of money. The fact is few do. You write because you must, because it fulfils you.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

I so appreciate your support and reviews. Author’s live by those reviews, and considering the pleasure most of us get when we read, taking a few minutes to post your review isn’t much to ask. I, by the way, review every book I read.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

I’m reading Mona Lisa’s Secret by Joey Peruggia. It’s a thriller with a touch of romance. Fun read.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

The first adult book I read was The Life of Luther Burbank a botanist. God knows how that happened, not exactly the stuff of dreams. I’ve always been a book addict. By the time I was ten or twelve I’d read all of Shakespeare, all of Dickens, all of Ian Fleming, all of Ayn Rand, and a ton of classics including Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Maupassant, Thomas Hardy, to name a few, and my favourite author of all Ernest Hemingway. I could go on forever. I haven’t even touched on my favourite historical fiction authors or their books, or the American authors I love like Fitzgerald, Steinbeck, Thomas Wolfe, etc. or the South Americans (Gabriel Garcia Marquez), or the biographies that I love to read. I read everything, including cookbooks.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

I love to laugh, so finding the funny in something is common for me. Apparently, I also love to cry, because I cry on cue at movies and while reading. It doesn’t take much to make me cry.

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

I’d love to eat pasta with Leonardo da Vinci and sip wine with Ernest Hemingway at sunset in Africa. Well da Vinci is easy, he’s the greatest mind to have ever lived. He could do anything and everything. I think we’d have a marvellous time together. Hemingway, when he wasn’t drunk, because I’d want him to be my critique partner. LOL

Hemingway wrote: “All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.”

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Playing piano, cooking, and working out. I also love to ski and hike. I’ve done the Kalalau trail in Kawaii, the Inca trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, and climbed El Capitan at Yosemite to name a few.

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

I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I love Game of Thrones, The Affair, Strikeback, and I’m obsessed with Benedict Cumberbatch’s new show Patrick Melrose.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors, music?

I love Italian, Mexican, French, Indian, Moroccan, to tell the truth I haven’t met a cuisine I didn’t like. My favourite colours are green, blue, and coral. I’m a huge country music fan and, of course, being a pianist, I love classical music. But I love most genres of music, just some more than others. When I’m not writing I’m never without my music playing.

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

That day will never come. I’ll die writing.

Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?

With my loved ones of course.

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

She loved passionately andlived fully.

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

My website, which was created by my brilliant PA Joanna D’Angelo is: https://www.belleamiauthor.com/

https://www.facebook.com/belleamiauthor/

https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B00IKUFXFO/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1?redirectedFromKindleDbs=true

I post my blog and my reviews there, also on Goodreads. I’d love your followers to subscribe to my newsletter, which has grown to become a lovely community. Thank you Fiona for the opportunity to interview with you.

 

Here is my interview with Durell Arrington

Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

 

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

Hello, Fiona. First, I want to thank you for choosing to have me on your blog. My name is Durell Arrington and I’m 30 years old.

Fiona: Where are you from?

I was born and raised in New York City. Such luck doesn’t come by often.

 Fiona: A little about your self (ie,  your education, family life, etc.).

There isn’t much to me so this part’ll be easy lol. I’ve spent some time in college but most of what I know comes from everywhere but. And I’ve learned early in life that family is a word that is used to allow human beings to mistreat you. That being said, I have a lovely family, or so I’m told.

 Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

 I wouldn’t qualify this as news, but I currently finished working an entire school year and have my entire summer free. Needless to say, I will be spending the entirety of it writing.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

It’s quite difficult to narrow down a ‘when’; I’ve written several things over several time periods over several years. What I can do is tell you when I started writing my first novel – Tactile Therapy. Thefirst line of this book was written inside of Newark Airport in New Jersey during a layover, on my Iphone 6 (which I still have), next to my girlfriend at the time while we waited for her flight. I believe this was sometime in June of 2016.

Why did I begin writing? Well, again, I can only speak on why I chose to write the novel I did, and it was because I wanted to see if it was possible to transcribe an action-packed anime into a novel. I knew after the first paragraph that it was. This is the short answer. The long answer is much more boring lol.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

This question always bothers me. The truth is I still don’t know for sure if I am. I guess I’ll continue to rely on others to say that I am, and simply take their word for it. After all, people’s opinions can be trusted right?

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

More so than inspiration, what kept pushing me was those small ‘this isn’t bad’ moments I kept intermittently receiving throughout the creation of the book. I knew absolutely nothing of the writing process or even what it meant to be a novelist. But it felt right every time I completed a page. I can’t say for certain if anything inspired me. But there are a million cool things that makes me say ‘oh man, I wanna make my own version of that, or a better version.’

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

Originally, Tactile Therapy was supposed to be called Exo Arsenal. Exo, as many may know, is a term scientists use as an abbreviation of Extra Solar, which is usually used when describing planets outside of our own solar system – a theme that is sure to be explored in the novels. Because Tactile Therapy is a series, every book in the Exo Arsenal series was going to have a sub-title to it, the first being Exo Arsenal: Tactile Therapy.

I settled on Tactile Therapy when I discovered that every single thing that I wanted to convey in this series has some relation to a kind of tactile, or touch, therapy including: Loving, Hating, Fighting and Nurturing. Even the act of writing the book is a tactile therapy, at least, for me.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

Because I’m somewhat brand-new, in every sense of the word, to the novel world, I can’t say for sure if I’ve developed a style of writing. My only objective, at least at this moment, is to write an engaging series, and remain true and consistent to the material while trying to envision what it is I would want to read if I was reading the book.

I do believe there are many challenges that I constantly comes across, not just in this genre, but in writing a novel period – many of which I’ve yet to get over. If I had to choose one from the science fiction genre, I would say that my biggest challenge right now is figuring out what it means to write a science fiction novel. The truth is, I don’t want to be marginalized by what constitutes as a genre. A part of the reason I started writing this book is to blur those lines.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

The story takes place in 2029, so if you want to be technical, none of it is realistic considering it’s only 2018 lol. However, a lot of the material derive from what I perceive to be realistic themes and tones from today’s world. That being said, you would be hard-pressed to find anything in this book related to anything I personally went through in life. It’s almost funny thinking about it considering everyone’s life is frothing with experiences that should rightfully be read about, and yet there are so few books out there about them.

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

For a while, I used to think I did had to travel. A lot of Tactile Therapy was written on flights to and from Germany. The 9-hour commute destroyed any other activity that I thought would’ve made the time fly (no pun intended). My music playlists didn’t stand a chance, and the middle seats I was often subjected to, did very little in creating a comfortable drawing environment. It wasn’t long before my phone’s Notepad became my most used app.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

I conceptualized and drew the original cover art and had a friend of mine, an artist, digitize and render it. It was then turned into a book cover by the talented people at ebooklaunch.com

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

 If there is, it may be more of an overtone than a concrete message that I would want the reader to experience while enjoying the book. Though there are plenty of messages throughout the book, many of which I hope will continue to be a staple in the series as it continues to develop, there wasn’t at any point any attempt to contrive a message for the sake of making one.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

I am sad to say there aren’t any. This, I am hoping to change as I continue to develop my craft and continue to learn what it means to be a master storyteller. Almost everything I’ve come to learn about writing a book, oddly enough, comes from watching anime and reading manga (Japanese comics). However, in the past, I was a big fan of anything Dean Koontz has written. From what I remember, of the little I did read back then, his work captured me the most. Suffice it to say, I haven’t picked up anything by him in over ten years. My most recent readings include J.D. Salinder’s Catcher in the Rye, Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Death by Black Hole, and I’m still working on Walter Issacson’s Einstein’s biography. Though I don’t read many story books, I pretty much read everything else that’s in print around me – including hundreds of children’s books inside of elementary schools lol. I also think I’m halfway done with Wikipedia.org

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

No one really supported my commitment per se. At the same time, there isn’t anyone who’s adamantly advised against it, either. What people have supported to a degree, is my book, which I am very, very thankful for. They’ve also remained positive about my continued progression as a writer. However, I have people like Rebekah Dodson of rebekahdodson.com, another talented writer, to thank for personally entertaining all of my whimsical and ignorant questions about this entire process of becoming a novelist.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Perhaps, the only career. The more I write, the more I realize I should’ve started taking writing seriously a long time ago.

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

I would’ve made the main character fat. Also, I would’ve changed the Mobile Statue, a character in my book, to another name. Stay tuned, as I plan on revealing what that name is perhaps in Volume 2.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

The truth is, I’ve learned EVERYTHING during the writing of my recent book. Everything I now know about writing a novel came from writing Tactile Therapy.And I still have so much more to learn. It truly is an exciting time.

Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

I never thought about this lol. I always imagined my book as an anime. Well, there are two main characters in my book. I’m not sure who can play Joelle Grace, but the black guy who plays Sean Jeffries in House of Cards I think is cool to play Olpha Chambers.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Know the story you want to tell and don’t pander. Get a good editor and know that it’s okay to write for yourself, also. It’s your book.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

The next book in the Tactile Therapy series will not be a sequel. It will in fact be a story that runs parallel to the one in Tactile Therapy: Volume One. And it’s going to be called Tactile Therapy: Adjunct. It is much more character-driven and comedic.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

Mindset by Carol Dweck.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Not at all. Is that bad? Maybe it was that book on thunderstorms I had as a child. It’s the earliest book I remember having.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

Odem from Tactile Therapy makes me laugh. Both of my brothers make me laugh really hard for entirely different reasons. Grand Theft Auto 5, The Angry Video Game Nerd, and Bill Burr also makes me laugh. But nothing makes me laugh harder than when someone gets mad on an internet forum board and starts posting a bunch porn before they get banned.

I haven’t cried in a while. I think the last time was when I broke up with an ex of mine sometime in 2010. I get teary-eyed sometimes though, it’s usually when I come across a video online of someone young getting murdered. OH, WAIT I remember when I last cried. I was watching the Man In The Mirror video by Michael Jackson. This was a few years ago. Never ever watch that video right after watching Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On?video.

 Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

Probably Neil deGrasse Tyson. I based an entire character off of his likeness, y’know. I can probably write an entire essay on why I would want to meet him, the truth is, it’s just refreshing to know that someone that grew up exactly where I grew up – The Bronx – never abandoned his love for science. So, either him or Peter Griffin.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Tactile Therapy started off as a graphic novel. For a long time, writing and drawing the story was my only hobby. Since it’s become a novel, I’ve started picking up Playstation controllers again.

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

Ask me this 10 years ago and it would’ve been Curb Your Enthusiasm. But since 2013, it’s been House of Cards. Everything else I watch passively. Punisher on Netflix was really good and I’m waiting on Daredevil season 3. I go to the movies to see most Marvel movies but at this point it’s more of a ritual than a pastime. But I enjoy House of Cards more than any other show, perhaps in ever. Except Family Guy. It’s probably a tie. Oh, and I watched Naruto and DBZ at the height of their respective popularities. When I’m not watching House of Cards, most of my time spent on the internet is cycling between clips of Family Guy, DBZ, or Naruto. Typical I know, but they’re popular for a reason I guess.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

I think collard greens are really good. If we were forced to eat only one food for the rest of our lives, that would be mine. Overall, consuming food is annoying. It’s time consuming yet necessary yet you always have to worry about what you’re eating. I envy crocodiles who only really have to eat like once a month.

My favorite color is black and the best song of all time is a 5-way tie between:

L.T.D. – Love’s Ballad

The intro to The Lion King

Bayonetta – Chapter Clear

Kanye West – Impossible

The Spinners – How Could I Let You Get Away

note: this list is incontrovertible.

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

Act, draw or direct.

Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?

I’ll probably spend that time trying to do everything to prevent myself from dying in that time lol. If it’s truly inevitable however…I’m not sure…I’m really conflicted over this one.

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

Any and all updates are posted on Tactile Therapy’s Facebook page, facebook.com/tactiletherapy and Instargram page @tactiletherapy

You can also visit my author page at https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B0794C2MV8/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1530176923&sr=8-1&redirectedFromKindleDb And if you’re in the mood for a quiet-storm, reading atmosphere, search Tactile Therapy Volume One on youtube.com

Tactile Therapy: Volume One is available on amazon.com in both ebook and papaerback versions.

 

Thank You,

Durell A.

 

 

 

Here is my interview with Julie (J.D.R.) Hawkins

Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

 Julie (J.D.R.) Hawkins, 59

Fiona: Where are you from?

Sioux City, Iowa

Fiona: A little about yourself (i.e., your education, family life, etc.).

 I have been married for 36 years and have two sons, a daughter-in-law and a four-year-old grandson. I have a journalism degree from Iowa State University with a minor in design. My husband and I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado with two dachshunds and a Siamese cat.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

I will be a keynote speaker atthe Colorado Springs American Association of University Women’s Author’s Day, and I am working on a few children’s books.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

 I have been a writer since I was six or seven-years-old, and began by writing poems and songs. Then I graduated to short stories, novellas and novels. I have always loved to write, and am constantly looking for interesting stories to tell.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

 When my first article was published in a children’s magazine, and I actually got paid!

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

After I visited Gettysburg, I was inspired to write a book about a typical soldier from the South, which was something different from what I had previously read.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

A Beautiful Glittering Lie is taken from a quote included in the book. One Southern soldier referred to the Civil War as “a glittering lie.”

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

I bring personal interaction into my books to make them come to life by using lots of dialogue. Since the war took place well over 150 years ago, it is sometimes difficult to imagine what it was like back then, and how devastating the war was. I also try to bring my readers into the heat of battle, so they can imagine the same horrors the soldiers experienced.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Some of the characters are based on people I know. The main character, David Summers, is loosely based on myself, my dad, and my oldest son. David’s best friend is based on my son’s best friend. The book is very realistic, because it is based on the journal of R.T. Cole, who was an adjutant in the 4th Regiment, Alabama Volunteer Infantry.

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

 Before I started writing, I read about typography and observed old photos to get an idea of the terrain. Then I decided I should go to Virginia and Maryland to actually see these places. Fortunately, I was spot on!

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

The novels in the Renegade Series are designed by Dawné Dominique, artist extraordinaire!

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

I guess the true message is that, even though conflicts divide us, love conquers all, and ultimately reunites us.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

I have a lot of favorites, so it’s hard to pick just one. My all-time favorite is Margaret Mitchell. I’m a big fan of the classics, and I love reading books with weird twists to them, like Gone Girl. My favorite authors are the ones who can convey a story without being overly descriptive or lewd, which allows their readers to use their imaginations.

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

I received a lot of support from my friends, from other members of my UDC chapter, and from social media friends.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Absolutely!

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

Actually, I did change some things, because this is the second time I have published A Beautiful Glittering Lie. Originally, it was self-published, but I found a new publisher. I made some changes, and we re-edited the novel.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

I learned so much! When I studied history in high school, I had a super boring, monotone teacher (just like in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), so I didn’t get into all the names and places that were unfamiliar to me. But as I researched, I discovered underlying reasons as to why the Civil War happened, and howevery soldier had a fascinating story to tell.

Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

I would love to see some new faces so I could say my movie started their career!

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Always believe in yourself and never give up. I was worried I couldn’t find an audience for my book, but I wrote it anyway, and low and behold, it won several awards!

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

 Although there is a lot of anti-Confederate sentiment in the southern U.S. right now, please read the book. Then, you will hopefully better understand why the Civil War happened, and learn more about our history, just as I did.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

I’m reading another Civil War author’s second novel. It is a sequel to Henry’s Pride.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Fun with Dick and Jane. Just kidding! The first book that really struck me was The Outsiders. I still have my original copy.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

My husband. And just about every movie I see.

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

General Robert E. Lee. I know he’s getting a bad rap right now with all the anti-Confederatism (my word), but he was an officer and a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. His wife was a direct descendant of George Washington, and his horse, Traveller, is probably the most well-known steed of the Civil War. He was deeply religious, loyal, and had unwavering integrity. That is why he was chosen to be the president of Washington and Lee University after the war.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

 I am also an artist and musician. My music is available on iTunes (Julie Hawkins/Julie Hawkins Band).

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

The list is enormous. I can’t wait to see the new Jurassic World. I love all the superhero movies. My husband and I have been watching Westworld, Nashville and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. And we are eager for the next/last season of Game of Thrones.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors, music?

I love nearly all styles of music. I grew up in a musical family, and my dad loved Big Band music. My favorite color is blue, and my favorite foods are seafood, Italian and Mexican.

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

Swim and garden. I’m a serious plant lover. In fact, I have so many plants that they need a room for themselves! I would also spend more time singing and performing. And, of course, I would spend more time with my grandson.

Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?

Yikes! Only 24 hours? Well, I live in Colorado, so I would get all my kids together and go to the mountains for one last sabbatical.

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

I never thought about having a headstone. In fact, I told my kids I’d like to be cremated, with half of me going to Hanging Lake (above Glenwood Springs, Colorado) and the other going to Laguna Beach in California. It’s probably illegal to dump human remains in these places, but I’ve always been a rebel, so what the heck!

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

 My website address is http://jdrhawkins.com/blog. Please subscribe!

https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B00B3WCX54/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1473908645&sr=8-1&redirectedFromKindleDbs=true

Here is my interview with Linda Burson

Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

 

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

I’m Linda Burson and I write fiction Novels.

Age? Hum, that’s always one of those questions we’re taught not to answer; let’s just say I’m younger than half of the people and older than the other half. J

 Fiona: Where are you from?

Originally, I’m from Pennsylvania. I was born and raised there. The majority of my life, however, I’ve lived in Connecticut.

 Fiona: A little about your self (ie,  your education, family life, etc.).

I went to college for a couple of years when I was a teenager, then quit so I could travel and spend time reading and enjoying life.  I’ve been married for thirty-six years, and have two gorgeous adult daughters who are now on their own. I had a sweet little dog for sixteen years, but he passed away in March of this year (2018). I miss him every day.

I worked mainly in an office environment for many years, until I started my own businesses. The last business I had, I ran for fifteen years, but after a serious illness, I decided it was time to write full-time instead of when I could fit it in, which wasn’t working too well.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

I have Book 7 of my MARCY SERIES, called TAKEN BY SURPRISE, due out in August 2018 with still six more books to go to complete this series.

I’m in the process of planning an Anthology with a few other writers  in the thriller/suspense genre. I also just started a new book which will take me back a few decades, so that should be interesting.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I was always more of a loner as a child. I liked to sit at the desk in my parent’s dining room and write. I spent many hours reading as well. It was a world, or I should say, many worlds where I enjoyed getting lost. I could travel anywhere I wanted without ever leaving my living room corner. It also made me a daydreamer; or maybe I always was a daydreamer. Maybe that’s why I loved reading so much. When I got older, I started writing stories because it was assigned in school. These were always my favorite assignments.

Eventually, I would write for my own pleasure.  I geared toward non-fiction writing for the most part. It wasn’t until I sat down six years ago to write full time that I decided to concentrate on fiction novels only. I felt I could be more creative writing fiction.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’d have to say when a publishing company decided to publish my first book RAGE from my MARCY SERIES. That was the moment when I felt like a true writer since someone liked my book enough to publish it.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

After reading the Fifty Shades of Gray series I wasn’t as afraid to tackle writing full-time any more. I felt if those books, which I didn’t think were written well, could be popular, then maybe I might find people who would enjoy reading my novels. I didn’t think I could be rich or famous, that’s mostly pure luck; that’s not why a writer writes. We write because we can’t see us doing anything else. I write because it fills my heart with pure joy. It makes me fill complete, and I truly love doing it.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

The title of the first book I wrote, RAGE, seemed apropos. My protagonist had anger issues and couldn’t control it. That first one was probably the easiest to title. I also felt titles that weren’t too long or complicated may be easier to remember.

Coming up with the series title, MARCY SERIES, took me longer. I wasn’t sure if I should call it by my protagonist’s name. After going back and forth and asking a few people, it was decided that was the way to go. It sounds simple, but it wasn’t.

The other six books, so far, that I’ve named, were more difficult to decide. As of today, I still don’t have titles for the last three books in the series.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

My MARCY SERIES was written in first person. That style can be more difficult to write because you only have one view and that’s the protagonist. Also, many readers prefer to read a book written in third person. I did it in first person because I felt she was most important and I wanted her viewpoint and her life to completely shine through. I hope anyone who reads it, feels I accomplished this.

I don’t know if I find it particularly challenging. I enjoy doing it too much. The biggest challenge is trying to be accurate with some of the facts. If I was writing in a dystopian world, or maybe fantasy, no one would know if I was right or wrong because it’s my world. My fiction stories are contemporary and set in our everyday world. I can’t be too far off on my facts.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

There are always part of me and people I know in my novels, but just bits and pieces. There are no completed storylines that are written about someone I know, and definitely not about me. I’m too private to write too much about my own life. I may take a memory here or there and use it, but nothing in its’ entirety. There are some moments in some of my novels, where I’ve taken specific incidents of real events, and added them to my story. They are, however, not of anyone I personally know, but are of someone who knows someone who knows someone, kind of thing.

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

I don’t have to, but I would prefer to travel. Fortunately, with access to the world through computers, there’s a lot of information we can obtain without actually going to these places. I haven’t always travelled before the process, but I have visited a place or two afterward. I’m still considering visiting more places in my books that I haven’t, as of it.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

My publisher has graphic artists and cover designers on staff. They have done all the covers for my MARCY SERIES, so far.

For my last two single-title books, though, THE COLORS OF MY LIFE and MURDER AMONG FRIENDS, my PA Jessica Ozment of Magic Quill Graphics designed my covers. She did a fabulous job on them. I love them.

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

I always try to have a message in all my stories. The MARCY SERIES, specifically, has a message of realizing that even though we may believe in God and have faith, that doesn’t mean we always do the right thing. Sometimes, we do terrible things. We know they’re wrong, but we do them anyway. We make choices based on what we’re given, and we have to live with those choices. As long as we can live our lives, knowing one day, we’ll have to deal with God and the consequences at the end.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

I try to read books from Indie authors because I think we should try to support each other as much as possible. The big 5 plus publishing houses have a huge network and lots of money behind them to push their authors to great success. We small publishing house authors and Indie authors don’t have that available to us. We do everything mostly on our own. There are a couple Indie books out there that I thought were really good. I don’t have them in front of me right now, but if anyone is interested, I’d be happy to recommend a couple of them that have stories that were wonderful. Actually, I know I mentioned some of them in my newsletters I’ve sent out so far. I have a “recommended books” page.

I don’t have a “favorite” author. I like many. However, Robyn Carr is one I’ve always enjoyed reading. Her stories are real and full of heart. They actually remind me of my novels, which is probably why I like hers. I think we tend to write like the books we enjoy reading the most.

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

Unfortunately, I can’t name anyone that has given me that kind of support. Other than my husband and my two daughters and one son-in-law, no one has been that outspoken about my writing or about my books. I don’t even think most of my family or friends have read my books—not even most of my acquaintances have taken the effort to read them.

Other than my publisher, CLASS ACT BOOKS, who took me on and published my novels, I can’t think of anyone else. Now, that I’ve been published and been writing, I have my PA, Jessica who is always there to support me, and one of my friends named Pam S, who is always promoting my books and sharing them on her FB page. There are also a couple of other Indie Authors I’ve met on FB who always like my posts on FB, specifically Joe P. He’s one person you can always count on to “like” a post for you.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Yes, it is my career. Just because I don’t make money at it, doesn’t mean it’s not a full-time career.

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

No. I think the latest book is good and was done really well. I’ve been thrilled by the reviews I’ve been getting on it. This proves to me it was done well.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

Yes, that I feel I improve with each book. I hope I keep going in that direction. LOL

 Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

Well, each book would have to have different people. The series, obviously, would have the same group all the way through, but I can’t think of anyone in particular, though. It may have to be an unknown. I have specific ideas about my characters and these roles wouldn’t fit just anyone.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Do it for the love of it. You have to write because you CAN’T do anything else. You write because it’s the only thing that fills your heart. If you think for an instant you can make money or become famous, STOP now. Don’t bother. Don’t waste your time. A true writer doesn’t write for any reason other than they feel the calling. They feel whole and it’s the only thing that makes them feel successful.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

I hope you continue to read, and read often. Always do reviews, also. Many people don’t realize how important reviews are for an author. And remember, we all like different things. Yes, we all have our personal opinions about what we read, but try to look at the book as a whole and subjectively. Don’t trash it because it didn’t go the way you wanted it to go, or think because it’s never happened to you, it’s not possible. It’s okay not to love or even like a book, but think about why you didn’t like it.

I hope you pick up my MARCY SERIES, or one of my single-title books. Right now there’s THE COLORS OF MY LIFE and MURDER AMONG FRIENDS. Hopefully, toward the end of this year, I’ll also have an anthology of thrillers with a couple other authors.

 Fiona: What book are you reading now?

At this moment, I am not reading anything. I have a book on my shelf I’m planning on reading, but since I just started my new story, I haven’t had time.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

I don’t, but I think it was either a Ramona story, or maybe a Nancy Drew, or it may have been Encyclopaedia Brown.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

Well, there’s many things, but on average…Any well-done movie or a well-written book.

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

It wouldn’t be someone famous. I’d like to meet an ancestor of mine, maybe a great grandmother or even a great, great one. I’d love to see and learn more about my heritage and how and why the women in my family have the personalities we have.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Other than reading a good book? I love music. I play the piano a little. I love to sing (Wish I was really good LOL), I love to bake, and I love spending time with my daughters.

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

I love to laugh, so I love comedies. Recently, I watched Big Bang,Sheldon, Mom and Life In Pieces. An old favorite is Friends.

I enjoy watching old shows, like reruns from the sixties and seventies era. My favorite old-time show is the Dick Van Dyke Show from the early sixties. I have the entire five years on DVD.

I also love the classics…anyRom Com from the sixties is awesome, and the old movies from the 1940’s and some of the old comedic westerns. I love most of the old Humphrey Bogart films. One of my more modern favourite is Notting Hill.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

I love Italian food the most. I love all colors, especially colors of the rainbow and my favorite music is from mid-century, 50’s and 60’s. If you read the MARCY SERIES, this is quite obvious. That’s one thing like me – my protagonist LOVES my music.

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

I would spend a lot of time reading other people’s books.

Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?

Surrounded by my family because they are entertaining and they make me laugh as well as feel loved for who I am.

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

Proud Mother of Amanda and Kayla.

A Loving partner.

A loyal and honest friend.

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

I do have a website. It is www.lindajburson.com

You can also follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Lbursonbooks,

On Twitter @lindaburson23

or

Instagram at www.instagram.com/lindajeanburson

All my books, so far, are also on Pinterest. You can follow me hereAtlindabursonwrites

ALL MY LINKS:My website is:      www.lindajburson.com

Link to Amazon:   https://www.amazon.com/Rage-Marcy-Book-Linda-Burson-ebook/dp/B016NBDF7Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486713506&sr=8-1&keywords=rage+by+Linda+Burson

Link to Amazon for Colors of My Life:  https://tinyurl.com/1161EWC

Link to Class Act Books:      http://www.classactbooks.com/general-fiction/women-s-fiction/results,10-9

Link to Barnes and Noble Rage:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rage-linda-burson/1122801716?ean=2940152411478

Link to Barnes and Noble The Colors Of My Life:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-colors-of-my-life-linda-burson/1126403194?ean=2940154372654

Link to Smashwords for Rage:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/585163

Link to Smashwords for The Colors of My Life:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/724385

Link to Author Page:   https://www.facebook.com/Lbursonbooks

Twitter: www.twitter.com/@lindaburson23

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lindajeanburson

Link to Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/burson1242/

Link to Murder Among Friends:  https://tinyurl.com/ya6r7az5

Amazon Author Page:  www.amazon.com/author/lindaburson