Here is my interview with Brandi Gillilan

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?

Brandi: I’m Brandi Gillilan and I’m 31

Fiona: Where are you from?

Brandi: I live in Georgia, I was born in Alabama

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

Brandi: I’m the third of four girls. My twin sister is younger by 1 minute. I’m a Military Brat and proud of it, we moved around the States. Other than a year in California as a baby, I’ve only lived in the Southern States. I have an Associates Degree in Applied Science in Drafting and Design Technology. I have two amazing boys that keep me on my toes and I love every minute of it. I’m a crafter, I crochet, sew, make jewelry and a couple of other things.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

Brandi: My most recent news is the release of Meet Me Under the Mistletoe Anthology on December 1st. I had the wonderful opportunity to publish in it with 17 other authors. All proceeds go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

I do have a few books in the works, but there aren’t hard release dates just yet.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

Brandi: I was in 7th grade when I really started to write. I did it to pass the time between classes and during P.E. I had really bad asthma so I couldn’t participate much. I made my closest friends during that time, writing brought us together. I started writing professionally in 2014, I had joined a writing group with some amazing authors and they asked in I wanted to publish in an anthology with them.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Brandi: I considered myself a writer when I was in 7th grade and my book passed 50k words.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

Brandi: I was inspired to write a book I wanted to read but couldn’t find. I liked that I was the one that said what the characters did and I could go back and change it if I needed to later.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

Brandi: My first book was never titled. In fact, it was never finished. My book Let It Snow, I used the song for inspiration and snow is a major factor in the story so it worked. For Stalker Under the Mistletoe, the author in charge of the anthology asked us to try using mistletoe in the title and the book has a stalker so I just mixed up the anthology title with ‘stalker’.

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

Brandi: I write a variety of genres so I find my writing style is a bit mixed up. It can be a challenge when I writing one genre and my style is leaning a bit heavy to another. I also have to watch the use of ‘y’all’ and Southern phrases if my characters aren’t Southern.

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

Brandi: In Let It Snow, the being snowed in is realistic. We lived on a mountain and some winters our town got snowed in for days at a time. In Stalker Under a Mistletoe, a friend of mine helped me by sharing her stalking experience.  She allowed me to use inspiration from it as long as I kept her name out.

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

Brandi: I don’t travel. My twin sister and I babysit our 4 nieces and nephews during the week on top of homeschooling our boys, so travelling isn’t realistic for me. I research though, a LOT. If I know someone that lives or has lived in a place I need information on, I ask them and get their first-hand experience as well.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Brandi: Seraphina Donavan designed Let It Snow’s cover. I created Stalker Under the Mistletoe’s cover and Sophia Peony did the cover for Meet Me Under the Mistletoe Anthology.

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

Brandi: In Let It Snow it shows you should get the full story and not jump to conclusions before reacting. In Stalker Under the Mistletoe if you need someone, say so don’t be afraid to reach out.

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?

Brandi: New to me authors? There are several that have caught my attention, as part of a FaceBook group called Paranormal Hunger I get to see new to me authors twice a week with takeovers. Nikki Belaire, J Morgan Woodall, Sara Beth James are just a few. As for a favorite author, again I have several but to pick one I choose Kiersten Fay. I found here book Demon Possession several years ago and I have been in love with her work ever since. I was drawn to her work because she is willing to think outside of the box with her characters, genres, and world. She captivated me with her demons in space and I’ve been following her ever since.

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

Brandi: The first time around it wasn’t really one person but one group. The writing group I was (and still am) part of, Wicked Women were really a big part of getting me confident enough to publish. This time around, Laurell Emily Grey has been a huge factor in getting my back into writing.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Brandi: Yes I do. It takes long hours, researches, sometimes travelling, deadlines, edits, and paying or getting paid. It’s hard and it’s a lot of work, but I enjoy it and see myself doing it for the long haul.

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

Brandi: Maybe making it longer, there are some details and scenes I wish I could have had but overall, I love it.

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

Brandi: Nothing I didn’t already know. There are some really messed up people out there that will go to any links to get what they want or what they think of as theirs.

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

Brandi: That’s a hard one. I’ll go with Stalker  Under the Mistletoe, I would pick Karl Urban for Callum and Megan Trainer for Kara.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Brandi: Don’t be afraid to ask for help, writing groups are everywhere with plenty of people with advice to give. Do your research! If you are writing a medical romance, you need to be able to use the terms correctly. Don’t be afraid to try a new spin on something, for example sparkling vampires. You need critique partners, someone that can really go over your work and give you honest trust. Also, be willing to take advice. Not all advice will work for you, but people are going out of their way to help, at least listen. A bit of help for me as a writer is a youtube channel, Writing with Jenna Moreci.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Brandi: I’m back. I needed time after my sister passed, she was my editor, critique partner and one of my biggest supporters. She was part of everything I had published and then she was gone. I couldn’t get myself to finish anything because I didn’t have her help. But slowly I’m getting back into writing. I have a new book out and hope to have books coming out this coming year.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

Brandi: Eve the Awakening by Jenna Moreci

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Brandi: It was probably a Cat in the Hat book but Velveteen Rabbit was my favorite kid book and I remember it is SO clearly. I have a copy for my boys.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

Brandi: My boys for both, usually both at the same time.

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

Brandi: I’m going to go with a non-family person. Alan Rickman. He was an amazing actor and everything I’ve read about him goes on to say he was an amazing family man as well.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Brandi: Crafting, such as crochet, felt ornaments, sewing, jewellery making, and a few others.

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

Brandi: I really like 911, Swamp People, cooking shows, anime, and paranormal shows. I like all sorts of movies.  Action like Hobbs and Shaw. Comedy like Sky Who Dumped Me. Animation like Abominable

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

Brandi: Food-Pizza, lemon cake, and Cheetos.  Color- Black, Blue, Green, and Silver. Music I like most genres and listen to a variety on my youtube, but no rap.

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

Brandi: I’d sell my crafts or design houses.

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

Brandi: With my family.

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

Brandi: She dared to chase her dreams

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

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/bgillilanauthor/

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

MeWe (still getting it going)
https://mewe.com/profile/5c148b2fffc69a12103660e1

 Amazon Authors Page USA https://www.amazon.com/Brandi-Gillilan/e/B00FE85IO6?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1561871476&sr=8-1&fbclid=IwAR0cst_8DUuchEsIdcwztMbMAl40qkdBJ-1OC_AY7ukpFbpCDz8o0fWy9S4

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brandi-Gillilan/e/B00FE85IO6?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1577704523&sr=1-2

Here is my interview with Faith

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

Hi Fiona. 😀

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

My name is Faith, and I’m old enough to scare children off my lawn.

 Fiona: Where are you from?

I was born in Texas, and grew up in Houston. I left home at 17, came to New England and have beenhere since.

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

Once I got my head together and decided I didn’t want to work at ski resorts the rest of my life, I put myself through computer school and got into the Boston high tech scene. At some point I took classes in software engineering. But I had my eye on a different future, and when I finally got freedom and means, I did a mic drop and fled north to write books.

Family?Cats, fishes and trees, mostly. Though my family here in the north who took me in like a stray and accepted me unconditionally are every bit as precious.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

I recently discovered Mac-in-Cloud and Vellum, and did a book geek happy dance whilst reformatting all my stuff. Presently, I’m about to hand over The Hunter’s Rede to my editor. The book was originally published by Double Dragon, and edited with them, but well, the editor who handles my work now is from another dimension,so we’re going there.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

When I was a kid. I loved books and kept journals to cope with a toxic home environment (journals highly recommended, btw). I got serious about writing fantasy in my late 20s, when my demons started playing hardball and I discovered how powerful and healing writing was.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Long after I was one. I started writing back when big NY publishers and literary agents were the only way in, if you were serious about it. When I worked as a technical writer, I had no trouble thinking of myself as that—because I was getting paid. But until I wrote a great deal of fantasy, cut my teeth and developed a style—oh, and got accepted by a publisher—I was insecure tellingpeople I was a “writer” in any romanticized, tortured soul, “Are you published?” context.

In retrospect, all those criteria and qualifications were bullshit. I was a writer because I was writing. If I hadn’t, nothing would have happened.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

My first book was a sprawling 250,000 word beast I never published, and I went through nothing short of a spiritual crisis leading up to it. It was a training ground. I always wanted to write fantasy, and after a long detour, that desire reared its ugly head like something unleashed from a well. Ideas and characters and places began to come up; I kept notebooks full of it. I evaded putting down that first linefor a long time, until I decided to re-read LOTR for about the tenth time. That kicked my ass over the cliff.I’ll spare you the gory details.

This work later formed the basis for the novels in The Chronicles of Ealiron.They’ve gone through quite a few incarnations since then.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

I went through a slew of dark titles having to do with shadow figures, malevolent unseen things, and the like. But the world it took place in was always called Ealiron, right from the start. I don’t know where that came from.

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

For the longest time, I avoided tryingto describe my writing style. I couldn’t see it objectively, and I was afraid of sounding like I was full of shit. Now I cheat and go with how readers have described it: flowing, immersive, articulate, engaging, lyrical, intense, poetic.

For me, writing style is like oil painting. I start putting the paint on and go through an anxious time when it’s this incoherent mess and it drives me mad and all I can do is workit until it starts to get that feel. The challenge is trusting that it will.

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

None specifically, but things naturally emerge from the soup pot of my experiences, often in odd ways. The lines are blurry.

I was fairly seasoned before I started recognizing things in my books like archetypes and metaphors. I also realized I had a knack for capturing patterns like that, though sometimes it was a long time after I wrote it before the light of recognition came on.

My cats have a way of padding into my work. I’ve had quite a few of them, and here and there, one will step up as a specific character.(I know. Cat lady. Whatever.)

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

No, but there are places I’ve been that had a strong influence on things like landscapes, climate, etc. For instance, I was heavily inspired by MonheganIsland, Maine when I wrote The Gray Isles.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Guilty as charged.

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

I wouldn’t attempt that for fear it would come across preachy or contrived. A story isso subjective, and every reader brings their own thing to it, like a mirror, or a filter. I prefer to let things take their course.

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 love a great many books, but to blow me away it has to be written very well and immerse me, bring me someplace dark and beautiful. The list is always changing. Some of my all-time favorites, authors who’ve mastered the craft and influenced me to the soul in one way or another are J.R.R Tolkien, Ursula K. LeGuin, Bernard Cornwell, Bernd Heinrich, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, and George MacDonald. To name a few.

As for new authors, I loved The Ashen Levels by C.F. Welburn and The Crow and the King by E.G. Stone.

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

Do invisible friends count?

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Yes.

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

Amazingly, I’m fairly content with my latest book. This is of course subject to change without notice.

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

I could write a book on the things my editor has taught me. Aside from that, I learned that any character, no matter how minor or seeminglymessed up, has secrets, wounds, loves, needs and the potential to be a hero.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

There’s enough advice for writers out there to break the internet. Here’s my two cents: Don’t rely too heavily on advice. Just write. Learn in your own way, on your own instincts. Any guidance you need will have a way of finding you.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Thank you. Thank you for every read, review, comment, share, tweet, blog and emoji,any way you reach out. I am grateful.

 Fiona: What book are you reading now?

Siege of Darkness (The Legend of Drizzt, #9) by R.A. Salvatore, Season of Storms (The Witcher#0) by Andrzej Sapkowski, andShattered Dreams (Light in the Dark #1) by Ulff Lehmann.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

From the youngest age I can recall, I had a complete set of Childcraft and World Book Encyclopedias that I loved. And my father used to read me Greek and Roman mythology for bedtime stories.

 Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

I have a black, irreverent sense of humor. That, obscure geek humor and goofy cat videosare handy for finding out who my friends on Facebookreally are.

What makes me cry is a longer list. Hurt, suffering and abused animals of any kind, destruction of the environment, abandonment, isolation, betrayal, grief, hopelessness. Certain songs and movies. Nothing in particular.

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

Na, people stress me out.

 Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Oil painting, drawing, aquariums, gardening, plants (I like to grow things).

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

Anything involving monsters, werewolves, ghosts, vampires, aliens, mythology etc., vintage scifi, Gothic horror, scifi horror, fantasy, medieval war movies, fairy tales, British humor, British detective, nature

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,music?

I love Indian food. I could eat it every day.

Dark, rich earthy colors. Like a forest or a Dutch Masters floral painting.

Music, oh dear yes. Vintage rock, very hard rock, heavy metal, industrial, progressive, Celtic/Scandinavian folk, dark ambient, classical, game soundtracks…

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

Cry?

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

In the woods. With a cat.

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

Nothing. I want my ashes put into one of those bio urn tree things that you plant in the ground. They have turtle-shaped ones, too, that you can set loose in the sea.

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

https://ftmckinstry.com/  😀 Thanks!

Amazon Authors page USA https://www.amazon.com/F-T-McKinstry/e/B0060NB9Q0/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/F-T-McKinstry/e/B0060NB9Q0?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1577704382&sr=1-1

Here is my interview with Taylor Dawn

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?

Thank you for having me! I’m International Best-Selling Author, Taylor Dawn.Do I have to say my age? Just kidding, I’m 39 years young.

 Fiona: Where are you from?

I live in Southern Illinois, right on the Mississippi River.

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

Is it weird that I don’t like to talk about myself? Anyway, here goes…I’m literally a small town girl who can either dress to the 9’s or get covered in mud. I like my quiet country life, but I love traveling when I can. I’ve been married for 15 years, and have a 15 year old son (do the math hehe). My days are filled with laughter because I’m determined to have plenty of that in my life. Before becoming a full time author, I was a hairstylist, and a manager at a wholesale beauty distributor. I have 3 dogs, 5 geckos, 5 pet spiders and about 70 pet snakes. My husband and I also own a reptile breeding business called Snake Road Constrictors and I am the chief snake whisperer. Fun facts: I am a licensed sports coach in the state of Illinois, and am also an ordained minister.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

My latest news is that the last 4 books in my Magnolia Series will soon be under contract with Breaking Rules Publishing!

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

Writing for me began when I was in high school. I learned the art of poetry writing and it kind of stuck with me. I always wanted to be a writer, but it took me so many years to figure out what I wanted to write. I wrote my first novel in 2012 and pretty much never looked back.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

To this day, I don’t think I have LOL. I just do what I love and have fun with it.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

There wasn’t really an inspiration. I’m not a romantic person at all, so I think it was more of a challenge to see if I could write romance LOL.

 Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

We get a ton of second chances in life, so Our Second Chance seemed fitting.

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

I’m a pantster when it comes to writing. I don’t outline or even have a solid idea when I sit down to write. Character names, locations and a trope come to mind, but I write what flows from my brain into my fingers. Thank God for a good editor!

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

If I’m being 1000% honest, each of my characters have a small part of me in them. It could be a habit, a way of talking, or even certain personality traits. I think it’s important as a writer to add yourself to your characters. It helps that character connect with the person reading them. We read fiction as a way to escape, but even the most elaborate story has to have someone likable leading it.

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

Although I love to travel, I don’t have to in order to craft a story. I’ve used some locations I’ve been to, but others I do deep research for the locations.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Most of my covers are designed by me. However, my release coming up was designed by Anne Berkley.

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

When I write, I tend to add more characters that you would meet in real life. I want those characters to have triumphs and struggles like the average human being. I don’t know that I have a certain message, but I like to show that even the most wrecked life can be salvaged.

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?

My favorite writers would have to be Cody Gary and Cora Kenborn. These ladies are incredible writers and amazing women personally as well.

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

I have several friends that have been with me since the beginning. Some thought I was crazy for writing, but they stood by me anyway.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Writing IS my career. I’m blessed to be able to work from home full time as an author.

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

For my book releasing in January, I would not change a thing. It is based off a personal experience of mine and to me, it is perfect.

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

Writing to me is always a process of self-reflection and self-revelation. But in writing my upcoming release, I learned that it’s perfectly fine to be f@cked up. Because honestly, we are ALL f@cked up in one way or another. I now embrace it instead of seeing it as a flaw.

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

I’m not sure if he acts at all, but I would love the DJ, David Guetta to play my lead. His looks and type were who I based the main character on.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

As Dory, in Finding Nemo said “Just keep swimming”, I say “Just keep writing”.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

I want to tell them thank you for taking a chance on my writing and books. With the millions of books out there, I’m grateful and blessed for every page of mine that gets read.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

Currently I am multi-reading, Shelf Awareness by Katie Ashley, Changing Tunes by Heather Gunter and The Dressmaker’s Gift by Fiona Valpy

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

I make myself laugh because I’m super funny. I cry more when I’m angry.

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

This may sound silly, but since I’m adopted, I would like to meet my biological family and ask them about the circumstances of why they gave me up for adoption.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Crafting is my hobby. If I can do something with a hot glue gun, I’m on it!

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

I’m a PBS and BBC nerd. Anything that is more historical is my kind of show.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

Favoritecolor: Green, Favorite Food: Coffee, Favorite Music: Anything by Skrillex, Martin Garrix or David Guetta

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

If I could no longer write, I would love to be involved in helping others reach their dreams of becoming a writer.

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

With my family, pets and all the junk food I could fit in my stomach.

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

“I’m gonna haunt all of you!”

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

You can visit https://www.taylordawnauthor.com/ for all the latest info on me and my books. And be sure to click on the connect tab to subscribe to my email list for monthly updates.

Amazon Authors Page USA

https://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Dawn/e/B00VZF0T64/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Taylor-Dawn/e/B00VZF0T64?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1577704106&sr=1-2

Here is my interview with Debra J. Falasco

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 Debra J. Falasco, and I am turning fifty this year!

Fiona: Where are you from?

I live in Milliken, Co, a small community an hour north of Denver.

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

I am a Mom of one technologically minded ten-year old son, wife of a classic MOPAR collector, hopeless romantic, lover of all things vintage. Gone with the Wind is my favorite book, followed very closely by Little Women, and I have a hopeless fascination with David Gandy.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

I am currently working on my sixth book, Indecorum, the Tales of Chapel Hall, Book Three. This is the third installment in the series but while the mystery from Inevitable continues, Indecorum has a new romance brewing. Readers have already felt the tension between Jordan and Caprice, but while Machelle and Adrian are on their wedding trip, Jordan and Caprice explore their feelings for each other as they search for answers from the past.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

When? My whole life. I started writing as a child, but it wasn’t until 2017 that I thought I could actually publish the book I had only dreamed about for three decades. Inevitable, the Tales of Chapel Hall, Book One, was based on characters I had created in the late 90’s. After leaving my full-time job, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to publish my first book. I spent a year writing it, then published in August 2018.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I always considered myself a writer, even during the times when I wasn’t actively writing. I didn’t consider myself an author until I hit “publish” on Inevitable!

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

Just reading romance novels practically my entire life! When I sat down to write my first couple of books, I was inspired by what I wanted to read – the characters who made me swoon, the words that made me weak in the knees. I wanted to write the kinds of books I wanted to read.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

I’m not sure at what point the book became Inevitable. I went through several proposed titles over the years, but it wasn’t until I was almost done with the book that the title Inevitable come into play. Inevitable because it was inevitable that he loved her and she loved him. After years of denying what he felt, he couldn’t stay away from her any longer. They were meant to be together.

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

I like words, pretty words, descriptive words, I like to paint a picture with words. I also like to write in first person. Two of my historicals and both of my contemporaries are written in first person. I actually think I enjoy writing first person POV in the male perspective the most. Something about getting behind their thoughts, really peeling back the layers and getting into their skins…

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

I think there’s a little of myself in every book, in every character. Whether it’s a simple thing like being an author ( my Man with series features a group of authors who each fall for a man who represents the genre in which they write) or modeling my male characters are men I would want to fall for, there’s a piece of me in every book!

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

No, I don’t travel yet, only virtually, but soon, I hope to change that. In Man with Money, my female mc, Vivien, travels when she writes. That’s my real dream job!

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Various artists. Victoria Cooper designed my “Man with” covers and Lisa K. Miller at GotYouCovered designed Inhibition and Lord Ravenspur’s Christmas Wish based on Inevitable’s premade design by Darin Yardimli.

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

Each book is different but the bottom line is “Be open to love and love the best way you know how.”

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 don’t have one favorite. I read mostly romance at the moment but I go in spurts with other genres and authors. If I had to make a quick list of reliable go to authors: Louise Bay, Willow Winters, Meghan March, Cecelia Mecca, and Julie Johnstone come to mind.

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

Early on? That was it. Family and friends, but do not underestimate the value of social media. Without Facebook, I would be dead in the water. Social media gives us a platform we wouldn’t have on our own.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Absolutely, this is a business. I have to approach it as one and manage it the same way.

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

Nope. Loved it as it is! My last book released in November and it’s the prequel Christmas novella to the Tales of Chapel Hall series. I wouldn’t change a thing about it.

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

I learned to write the words that are in my heart and not get too set on what is “supposed” to happen. I am open to changing course when a new and better idea comes along as they so often do!

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

David Gandy is my perfect Adrian Ravenspur!

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

I quote Louise Bay when I say to write the kind of books that you want to read.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

I’m just getting started out here!! I have five books out in fifteen months and about two dozen more planned under my own name of Debra J. Falasco. This year, I’m happy to announce that I’m starting a new line of darker romance under the pen name of Caprice Langden.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

K.I.Lynn’s Forever and All the Afters.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Nope. Too long ago and way too many to count! Memorable books are Little Women, Watership Down, the Last Days of Pompeii, The Little Princess – loved the classics when I was younger.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

A good love story, a sad ending, subtle plan on words – anything clever enough to snag those emotions.

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

I have a fascination with William Marshal, the Greatest Knight, confidante of Kings and Queens, signer of the Magna Carta. If I could, he’d be the one person I would travel through time to meet.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Reading, writing, cooking, and I collect tea cups!

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

Huge Supernatural fan. Loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. I like to watch cooking shows as well.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

Food – too many to list. Color – deep jewel tones, blues, burgundies, emeralds. Music – I’m a Durannie. Still a Duran Duran fan from the 80’s and beyond. I still listen to all 80’s music like it was yesterday.

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

What I do now as well – work, take care of my family, clean, cook, watch tv only I’d do all of it a lot more often!

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

With my husband and son. A good meal. And lots of tears. I’m too sentimental not to cry.

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

Not even considering it.

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

www.debrajfalasco.com. They can also follow me on FB at www.facebook.com/debrajfalasco, where they can sign up for my newsletter.

Biography:

Debra J. Falasco is an indie author of historical and contemporary romance. She is a Mom of one son, wife of a classic MOPAR collector, and lives in a historic home north of Denver, Colorado.

Facebook – www.facebook.com/debrajfalasco

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/debrafalasco

Book Bub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debra-j-falasco

Twitter – https://twitter.com/DebraFalasco

Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/djfalas/

Amazon Authors page USA https://www.amazon.com/Debra-J-Falasco/e/B07FZFK5H5/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Debra-J-Falasco/e/B07FZFK5H5?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1577618926&sr=1-1

Books and Amazon Links –

Historical Series

The Tales of Chapel Hall

 

Inevitable https://www.amazon.com/Inevitable-Tales-Chapel-Hall-Book-ebook/dp/B07FYTW44S

Inhibition – https://www.amazon.com/Inhibition-Tales-Chapel-Hall-Book-ebook/dp/B07VJJNXSP

Lord Ravenspur’s Christmas Wish

https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Ravenspurs-Christmas-Wish-Novella-ebook/dp/B081DNWT23

Contemporary Series

Man With

Man with Money

https://www.amazon.com/Man-Money-Debra-J-Falasco-ebook/dp/B07R4NK5S1

Man with the Mafia

https://www.amazon.com/Man-Mafia-Debra-J-Falasco-ebook/dp/B07PS6R3YL

Here is my interview with Crystal Reavis

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 Crystal Reavis and I’m 35

Fiona: Where are you from?

I’m originally from Roswell NM but I live in Colorado

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

I have been married for thirteen years and have 3 wonderful children. We love hanging out together and playing games together, hiking and watching TV. My family is my life and the reason I do everything I do. I even homeschool my kids because we feel it’s what’s best for my family. My husband is super supportive of my career and helps me all the time when I need it.  My education is kind of all over the place. I am an avid learner so I’m always seeking knowledge.  I have a diploma in marketing and social media marketing. I also have business Admin training and training for being an MA (medical assistant.) I also have a diploma in English studies.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

I am about to publish my second book. It’s the second book in my current series the Awakening. I’m so excited to share it with my readers.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I began writing when I was around 7 or so. I have always loved writing and wanted to get all these ideas out of my head. I felt like I was constantly bursting with stories that I needed to write down.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I was in the 8^th grade we had an assignment to write a story. My teacher told me mine was very good and offered to talk to a publisher friend of hers. I declined due to being shy but that helped my confidence a lot. From that moment forward I felt like I was a writer. I never dreamed of being published though.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

The idea for it popped into my head one day and I just sat down to write. It sortof just flowed together. It’s about angels and I knew I wanted to do something a little different then I’d seen before. Wanting to make them different is what really inspired me to write it.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

This is such a dumb answer lol. The book title is the name of my main character and I got it off of a list of angel’s names. Not the most romantic answer but there it is.

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

I am a punster and it can be challenging sometimes. I try to outline and have to great success but I just love to sit down and write. I do run into some difficulties but for the most part I feel like the words come easier this way. I know many writers say you need to outline but I do what works for me.

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

One of my side characters is loosely based off of my husband. I made his home state my husband’s home state and he kind of looks like him.

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

I do not travel at all. Most of my research is done online or by reading.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

For my first book my publisher did the cover. My second book a fellow author is going to do the design for me.

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

That there is good and evil all around even if we don’t see it. Forces may be fighting over us right now and we’re clueless to it. The theme to angels and demons pretty much.

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 haven’t had much time to read at the moment with a new baby. I do plan on reading the books of some of my fellow up and coming authors at my publishers soon though.  My favorite author is Terry Goodkind. I love his world building and the way the characters feel like real people. I feel like they could be living next door to me.

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

My friend Dana! She has been a great support to me! I have so many family members that have helped and aside from them Dana has been amazing! She is a beta reader for me, she messages me to see how it’s going, we’ve bounced ideas off each other. She’s been a great help and inspiration. I’d also to add she is a fellow writer too so she knows all the work it takes to do this.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Yes, I do! This is what I do full time. If I’m not writing or editing, I’m marketing. I’m even paid to help market other authors. This is literally my career.

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

Hmm, interesting question. I guess if I would change one thing it would be adding a few more action scenes. My first book is more about my characters and their development. I have fight scenes and tension but I could have added more fighting scenes.

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

Oh yes, a couple of things.  My editor pointed out when I’m in the writing process I tend to tell more then show. I’ve had to make an effort into showing more. I guess I’m naturally inclined to tell. I’ve gotten way better about it though. Also, that I learned really fast to get a thick skin. It can be hard having your work critiqued and I had to learn not to take it personally that people were just trying to help me. I can now take criticism like a pro.

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

I haven’t really thought about it really. I would want someone new, someone up and coming. I think that would give the story a fresh look.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Just write! I have had people ask me where to begin and really overthink the process. I always say just start! Starting is the hardest part and once you do that the rest will follow.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Thank you! Thank you so much for reading, sharing and enjoying my work. The likes on my posts and Tweets, the sharing of my posts, the beta reading, the conversation all mean a lot! I owe you my readers so much! I can’t thank you all enough!

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

Sadly, I’m not reading right now. I have been taking care of my new born so that hobby has been set aside for now. I do plan on reading some of my fellow Breaking Rules Publishing (my publisher) authors soon though.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

I believe it was Where the Red Fern Grows.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

My family for sure

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

I would say Stephen King. I watch videos on his writing advice all the time and he’s fascinates me. I’d love to be able to sit down and talk writing with him one day.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Doing embroidery, reading when I have time, doing research on everything I read about, messing around on Facebook.

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

I have a lot of shows I like. Right now my favorite is The Witch but I also love Game of Thrones and Project Bluebook. My favorite movies are Young Guns 1&2

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

My favorite food is probably nachos, my favoritecolor is forest green and my favorite music is country and 90’s pop.

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

I’ve always wanted to be an archaeologist but in reality, I’d probably be in marketing.

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

I would spend it with my family and do all the things we’ve always wanted to do.

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

Here lies Crystal Reavis wonderful wife, mother and writer.

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

I have just started my blog this month. You can find it here http://crystalclearwritingonline8.poetry.blog/. I am currently getting my website up and running. I will update my readers when that is finished and they can find me on Facebook and Twitter.

Amazon Authors Page USA https://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Reavis/e/B07FPT2JDT?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1577574368&sr=1-1

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crystal-Reavis/e/B07FPT2JDT?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1577574409&sr=1-1

 

Here is my interview with M. D. Banfield

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 again, Fiona. It’s good to be back here. For those who missed my first interview with Fiona, I am M. D. Banfield, and I’m one year shy of being a half-century old.

Fiona: Where are you from?

Banfield: I escaped from California permanently in the early nineties. I was born at Fort Ord, which no longer exists as an Army post.

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

Banfield :I lived in Lancaster, CA for most of my childhood and teens.  Dated many wonderful young women, had one true high-school sweetheart, who remains just that.

I went to Chile in a service mission, learned the language and made sure good friends with whom I have been able, through social media, to regain contact.

I served my country in Germany, Colorado and Georgia. I met my wife in Colorado, have two children, a Daughter-in-Law and a grandson. My success in marriage I can only attribute to my wife.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

Banfield.: I’ve finished all but nine chapters of books four and five of a series that I’ve been working on and attempting to get published through regular channels. I’ve also been working on a fantasy that I’m trying to get done for Christmas if next year. And other things…

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

Banfield: I started writing when I was in seventh grade, I want to say twelve or thirteen. In the religion I follow, we’re encouraged to write a journal, so that is why I started writing, to keep a history of myself and my life. Needles to say, I’ll have plenty of material for an autobiography.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Banfield: I first considered myself a writer when my father defended a piece I wrote for an English class. Mine was a realistic look at the society I was living in, and so was viewed as pessimistic by those to whom my father showed the piece.

It also doesn’t hurt to be compared to Hemingway, either, but that’s a different story.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

The events of 9/11 prescipitated, a modern historical romance that deals with conflicting religions views, hatred and forgiveness.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

The title that I have is for the first book is based on the meanings of the first names if the women, John-the main character, has to choose from.

Oh the title? Faith and Grace.

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

Banfield: my writing style, to me, is unconventional. My romance isn’t Hallmark or Harliquin in style. I hate formulaic novels where one reads like the next. What I find challenging isn’t the genre, because I don’t play by the rules, but rather the pitch to an agent. How do I get an agent to take a risk on an unconventional writer?  If you have any suggestions if be open to them.

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

Banfield: Well, the Fantasy is just that. However, in Fantasy a writer can address deeper meanings for their readers without directing their readers to actually see what it is you’re attempting to get them to look at. The historical novels are very much, “in your face, as far as topics go.

Many of my writings have an element of grounding in real life characters, the easiest one to access being myself. The character of John, for example, would be me, if I want so flawed. That’s not too say that John is perfect, but he certainly is better written than I am.

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

Banfield: I’d love to travel. As I am financially challenged, travel is mail done like a Grant Blackwood does: from the comfort of his armchair with the magic of the internet. With the way you can get right down at street level, the only true thing that is missing is smell. One can imagine the sounds

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Well, the covers for the books I have it on Amazon were done by LJM Photography for Whispered Tales: Dancing with the Storm and Brittney (BB) Romero shot the cover to Faith Before the Storm. They other covers are just sketches I’ve done, not fully realized.

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

Banfield: Forgiveness. Without it I’ve becomes bitter, angry and resentful Such feelings lead to stupid actions. If the world was able to forgive, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

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?

Banfield: JC Wing, caught my interest, but I haven’t read anything she’s written… Yet! She interests me because she showered an interest in my work. I still like Mark Greaney, even though he’s got no time for me. I don’t know if I bugged so much or what that he put my last name in one of the novels he wrote for the Clancy franchise, but it’s there, in putzy black and white. The character is a putz. Not sure if that’s good opinion of me, but that’s ok.

I like Greaney’s work because it’s fast and dirty. He doesn’t have time to get into the reasons why his characters act the way they do. He’s not complete opposite, as I drag my reader through a characters back story and motivations in an attempt to say, don’t judge too harshly  you don’t know what someone is going through that makes him or her responds to the world the way that they do. It’s a Jesus I keep teaching myself with my writing

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

Banfield: I’d like to thank KaPow Comics and Coffee and KCME.org for expressing interest in my wiring and publications.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Banfield: Yes. Just not as lucrative as it will be.

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

Banfield: I’ve already changed it enough. Now it’s time for the work to stand on it’s own and became what it was meant to be.

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

Banfield: Yes. I learned that my book may have been great, but my pitch to agents may not have been.

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

Banfield: I would love to have Alya Baht take the role of Eimaan Eliza Assad, but there are so many talented actors, it works be difficult to choose.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Banfield: Learn all that is learnable about your craft. And create a good pitch.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Banfield: Thank you for supporting Fiona’s blog and reading this interview.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

Banfield: Re-reading Eragon.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Banfield: Yes…  Oh, to want me to tell you what it was! (Laughing) The Great Airport Mystery, a Hardy Boys novel.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

Banfield: I laugh at and cry at what Star Wars has become. But seriously in grieved at the lack of common decency that is often engaged in over the smallest of things. Lack of forgiveness.

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

Banfield: I would love to meet Leonard Nimoy, because it is logical. His stories have shaped mine in that they are rounded and full.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Banfield: I like to build models, worh out and read.

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

Banfield: Too many to name. But a few would be NCIS, Shannara Chronicles, and the Arrowverse.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

Banfield: I have an eclectic pallate and a cast iron stomach. Blue and brewery the same as food for music, with the exception of gangsta rap and screamo.

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

Banfield: I  become an avid reader and movie-goer, not to mention spend more time in the gym. Perhaps I’d draw again.

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

Banfield: As best as I could. With those who are important to me.

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

Banfield: Second Star to the right, and straight on ’til morning

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

Right now the blog is stagnant, so in my Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/MDBanfield/

They are also free to email me at matthew.d.banfield@gmail.com as I’m putting together a list that will have offers and such there.

Buying link

USA https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Storm-Whispered-Tales-Banfield/dp/1482346761/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1577425693&sr=1-1

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dancing-Storm-1-Whispered-Tales/dp/1482346761/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?keywords=M+D+Banfield&qid=1577426089&s=books&sr=1-2-fkmr0

Here is my interview with Rebecka Jäger

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

Nice to meet you, Fiona.

 

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

My name is Rebecka Jäger, and I’m 49 years old.

Fiona: Where are you from? 

Finland.

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

I have a Master’s degree in history, and I’m also a legalized Radiographer. I work as a Project Manager in Healthcare IT. I don’t have any children, and my family consists of my hubby and our Siberian Husky dogs.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news. 

I got the feedback from my first ever professional editor, and he loved my manuscript (Conjurer of Evil). I’m actually amazed. Sure, he found things to correct as well.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I started writing three years ago. I just got the urge, don’t know why. I was going through a crisis, and maybe writing offered an outlet.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve written professional texts through my working life, but writing fiction took me two years to learn. I attended workshops and studied meticulously.

I considered myself a writer for the first time when I published Romance Kills with two co-authors: Stephanie Colbert and Schuyler Pulliam. I became more confident when Stephanie and I cranked out the final version of Conjurer of Evil. The supernatural thriller shall be published in 2020. I’ve learned so much about being a published author from Stephanie.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

The idea of WWIII. The global situation and rising political tensions of today led me to think: what if…? My first book, Unholy Warrior, is still unpublished. I’m editing it now. My education as a historian has a lot to do with that particular book. My favorite author is George Orwell, and I’ve always dreamed of writing a dystopian novel.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

I had over two hundred possible titles until I decided on Unholy Warrior because it goes with the theme. I’ve blogged about choosing the right title: https://rebeckajager.com/2019/09/27/the-trouble-with-naming-your-book/

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

I have a distinct writer’s voice (also according to my editor). English isn’t my first language, but I’m quite proud of my versatile style. I use a professional to polish the final product for the US market because the devil is in the details.

I write spy thrillers, and finding the right tempo gives me a headache each time. Quick, fast, and short can become chubby without variation. Long sentences break the illusion during a fight scene. The perfect equation demands critique and editing.

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

Were talking about Unholy Warrior now, my upcoming post-apocalyptic spy thriller. The book is very realistic: it could happen. The weapons, fight scenes, and the world of military intelligence have their counterparts in real life. I incorporated some of my personal demons into the heroine. But she developed into a live person who differs from me in so many ways.

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

No. I used my knowledge of the arctic to create the world of Unholy Warrior. But I do research, Google Maps is excellent, and I vacuumed thousands of images from the web: from mother polar bears to an abandoned mine.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Aidana Willow Raven, who is a pro, designed the cover of Unholy Warrior, but I created the other book covers (Romance Kills and Conjurer of Evil). I make covers for other authors as well. Just ask me if you need one.

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

Yes. Homo Sapiens isn’t so wise. We must stop sawing the branch we sit on. Wars will never end, however.

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?

All my author idols are long gone; Marguerite Duras, George Orwell, and Arthur Koestler.

George Orwell wrote about difficult themes, but his sentences flow like water: easy to read. The school put us through his 1984 because it was the theme year (obviously). His dystopian effected me like a punch in the stomach when I was 14 years old. The characters stayed with me.

I fell in love with Anna Funder’s style when I opened her Stasiland the other day. Read it. She reminds me of Svetlana Alexievitch (the Nobelist) whose Unwomanly Face of War is fantastic. I love oral history: it brings the individual forth.

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

My peers at The Write Practice. The authors supported me as I learned to write in English and to write fiction in the first place.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Yes. I work hard for it.

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

No, I polish until it’s the best the book can be.

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

Immensely and a lot. I notice it now as I edit my first book. I wish I was the writer I am now (would mean a lot less work).

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

No, absolutely not! Maqqie Q would play Rebane Nordstrom. I wrote the part of the tough professional soldier for her.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Never give up, and always use an editor!

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers? 

Buy my books, you’re in for a positive surprise.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

C.J. Sansom’s Winter in Madrid. His characters are fantastic, and I’m jealous of his descriptive powers. His Dominion is one of my favorite books.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

It was one from Edgar Rice Burrough’s Mars series. I wolfed through them all.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

I always tell my hubby that if I don’t laugh at fart jokes, I’m done for. I cry because of cruelty toward animals.

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

George Orwell. I’d force him to critique my writing. At gunpoint, if needed.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies? 

I hunt, which has become mighty useful. I know my way around guns.

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

I loved Chernobyl and Babylon Berlin. You can’t beat The Walking Dead either.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors, music? 

Popcorn, camouflage green, Rammstein.

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

Be a lazy ass. I miss the free time I had before I started writing.

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

I’d drink my head off. Preferably with Russian Vodka.

Fiona: What do you want to be written on your headstone? 

“Guess who lies here.”

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

Yes.

Website: www.rebeckajager.com

A blog for writers: www.rebeckajager.com/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeckajagerwriter

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@JagerWriter

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeckajager/

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Coming soon

 

Here is my interview with J Craig Rice

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?

James Craig Rice, but I go by Craig and I’m, uh, let me grab a calculator, damn, it broke apparently it doesn’t go that high, so let’s see birth year is, ok, current year, divide by the circumference of the earth, ok, got it. I’m 50 years old.

 Fiona: Where are you from?

I’m from a town so small that most people don’t really realize they drove through it. It’s called Mounds, Oklahoma. In 2003 I moved down to New Orleans.

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

I attended college, but never completed my education, something I’ve wished for ever since. Life prevented that. I have two daughters; one is twenty-two and one is nine. Because I love to confuse people, I want to share a little more about me than usual. You’ll have to read all the way to the end to get to the truth. My older brother, who is my uncle, was the first-born child, until I was born, then I took that position to the rest of my siblings. My Dad is my uncle and brother to my Mother who is my aunt. My younger brother and my sister are both my first cousin with my sister being the child of my aunt and uncle. My youngest brother and sister are not even related to me, neither is my father. In case you are now wondering, I am in fact my own first cousin. How it works out, is that when I was four years old, my mother passed away. My older brother, same mother, different father was adopted by my grandparents. Myself and my younger brother were adopted by my uncle and aunt, and my youngest sister was adopted by another aunt and uncle (brother to my mother). Later, my biological father remarried and had two more children, but due to adoptions, I’m no longer legally related to any of them. So, if you’ve read this whole thing, you now know how screwed up my family is, but I love them all.

 Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

I’m currently working on two projects. One is a Sci-Fi/Mystery about a man who has lived thousands of lifetimes and is being troubled by a vampire from his past. The other is an erotic/romance. The main character is haunted by self-doubt until he runs into a woman who opens his world to her desires of becoming an adult video producer.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I’ve always had a creative imagination. When I was in 9^th grade, friends of mine introduced me to Dungeons and Dragons and I soon found that I loved creating the games that we played. This led me to my first real writing attempt. I wanted to write a fantasy novel. At that time, it was all done by writing it out with pen and paper and well, I wasn’t as focused as I am now. Over the years, I made several more attempts, especially when I got a word processor and I could save and edit my story a lot easier, but like many of my drawbacks, I let life take charge instead of taking charge of my life. It wasn’t until a co-worker a few years back asked me why I wasn’t writing if I was a writer and that kind of put a fire under my ass and I published my first novel.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve called myself a writer for as far back as I can remember, if I was going to put a year to it, I would have to say somewhere around 1985.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

There two things that made me do it, the first was my co-worker who asked me why I wasn’t writing. The other was an indie book that I read that was so bad, I said I could do a better job than that.

 Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

My first book, I’ve unpublished it as I was never truly happy with the end product, was a title I never liked but couldn’t come up with anything better. I rewrote the book and I kept wracking my brains on a title and it just suddenly hit me. My current erotic/romance title has changed probably a dozen times, but I think I’ve finally settled on the title My Two Wives, though, that could still change.

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

I’ve found that writing first person is the easiest for me to do, I’ve tried to do third person, but find that my writing tends to be disjointed when I do that. I know it might not make sense, but I find writing the sex scenes to be challenging, having to think out ever way to make each scene different so that it isn’t a rinse and repeat encounter. I want them to be hot, but there is only so many ways you can describe the same action in a different way.

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

There are two things that I demand of myself when writing. The first is that the situations have to feel like they could really happen, even if the reader has to suspend belief for it to be real. An example would be someone is casting a spell, the spell has to fit some form of logic, it can’t be presto change-o and bam you turn a chicken into a tea pot. In that kind of thinking, I would be asking myself, did I just kill the chicken and now it is a tea pot or does the chicken suffer by being a tea pot and maybe one day, it will be turned back into a chicken? If I can’t make some logic of it, then how could I expect the reader to? I use personal experiences in all of my stories, obviously if I’m writing about a magician, and having never been a magician, I can’t say I’ve experienced that, but instead, I would ask myself, if I was a magician, how would I react to being able to do that. In High Speed Hearts, Jim’s dad, worked as an autobody repair man, Jim loved cars because of it. Both of those come from my own personal life. My Dad is an autobody repairman and I love cars. It was an easy way for me to relate to the character and make him be someone the reader could feel is real.

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

High Speed Hearts takes place in Jackson Mississippi. I’ve driven through there a couple of times, but only stopped to get gas and pick up a dog my family adopted. I’ve done research on the city, but for the most part, modelled the city to meet my needs without making the city look bad in the eyes of the reader. My current WiP both take place in Oklahoma which makes it a lot easier. Having spent the majority of my life there, I can easily describe the area with little problem.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

The covers for High Speed Hearts, book 1 and 2 were both royalty free photos I found on the internet and I used Fiver to get the covers put together. My original book, no longer available, I purchased the cover from RockingBookCovers.com which I would highly recommend, if you can afford the price. I plan to use them for the next book and maybe as replacements for the High-Speed Hearts covers.

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

I don’t really have a message.

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?

Ever since I started this journey of indie publishing, I’ve networked with many other indie authors. Eva Pascal is brilliantly talented, Martha Perez just as much so. I seek inspiration for my erotic stories from Amanda Maghri and Pebbles Lacasse.

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

I get a lot of support from other Indie Authors, too many to even list.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

I would love for it to be a career. I see myself as a realist, I’ll never make more than a few bucks from my work, but if I have one reader feel like they read a great story, then that is rewarding enough for me.

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

Yes, I found that I’m never truly happy with my final product, thinking back on things I wish I would have done differently.

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

Yes. Writing is a job, I may never get paid for it, but it demands as much of my time as my day job does. Without putting in that time and effort, it won’t ever go anywhere.

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

I think Ryan Reynolds would be great, he has the right amount of humour and when needed, seriousness that fits with my idea of main character.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Don’t give up. If you get lost, we all do, take a break, but don’t turn the break into years or never. Clear your head by doing something else, until it all comes back and then get your ass back to work. Your story won’t finish itself.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Read. I know that doesn’t make sense, but everyone should read everything, news, books, comics, the side of a cereal box. We all find that genre we love, but expand yourself. Passing up a book because it isn’t in your preferred genre, might mean you missed out on reading your new favorite author.

 Fiona: What book are you reading now?

I’m currently reading Coaching Rayna 2 by Pebbles Lacasse. I’m also reading the Harry Potter books for like the dozenth time, as well as Rapier by R.A. Corea.

 Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

I had read several books before, but not many. But the book that helped me discover my love of reading was Gremlins, the novelization of the movie. It is the first book that opened my eyes to the benefit of reading. My friend Glenn was reading it at the time and we had all seen the movie. He kept talking about how much more detail was in the book as opposed to what we saw in the movie. I bought the book and read it in twenty-four hours and realized that books could take me places that I’ve never been before.

 Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

I love reading books that make me cry and or laugh. These books always have great characters, characters that you can care for because they are well written. Using Ron Weasley from Deathly Hollows, when George was killed, he was devastated and I felt that loss. On the flipside every character in the new Star Wars sequels are so one dimensional that if any of them had died, I wouldn’t have cared.

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

Amanda Maghri or Pebbles Lacasse, both of them are very talented authors that I would be honoured just to be in their presence.

 Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

I wish I had more time to get back into table top gaming, Vampire the Masquerade is an assume story based game that I love to play, I do, still play Everquest off and on, but other than that, my time is tightly divided between family, work, and writing.

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

Since the Mandalorian has come out, been watching that, the live action Teen Titans and The Expanse. As far as films are concerned, I love a good action movie or a movie with a great story. Other than Star Wars, there isn’t any particular movie that I could really point to that immediately comes to mind, well most of the Marvel movies are great.

 Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

When it comes to food, I’m finicky as hell. I love steak and can’t think of a time that I ever turned it down. My favoritecolor is red, particularly that deep shiny blood red color. Not meaning to sound sick, I’m not like that, there is just a richness to that shade of color that I love. Music is one of my weirdest traits. I can’t tell you who sings what songs or the names of the songs I like, but I enjoy everything from classical, to classic rock, to rock, to country, to some rap, to jazz. About the only music I frown on, is the violent rap lyrics that promote acts of violence or dehumanizes women.

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

I better be dead.

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

I would spend it with my family, doing the things they love the most and hopefully creating a way that they could remember the best of me.

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

Here lies Craig, his final words were Oops.

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

Just my Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1281671125291262/

Amazon Authors page USA https://www.amazon.com/J-Craig-Rice/e/B01C7O5RCW/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1?fbclid=IwAR097GlAjdiNiMUhD1J3jK3nVREJGrvhsaWmy1km9s9tQQm-DRXE4oM00Uc

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/J-Craig-Rice/e/B01C7O5RCW?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_4&qid=1577400527&sr=1-4

Here is my interview with Meredith Spies

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 Meredith Spies and I’m *SIGH * 42.

Fiona: Where are you from?

I’m originally from the Houston area (a smallish place called Spring, just north of Houston) but I live in Northern California at the moment.

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

I grew up in the Houston area before going to college at LSU for my undergrad degree in anthropology with a minor in French. After moving back to Texas and working as a teacher for several years, I transitioned into other things (mostly being a massage therapist and birth doula). During that time, I also started writing. I’d always loved writing and toyed with the idea of “doing it for real” but it wasn’t until my mid-to-late twenties I started actually trying to get work published. My first story “out there” was a short one for an e-zine (Yes, I’m “e-zine years old” lol) and after that I got stories in a few anthologies and was lucky enough to have my first book picked up by Drollerie Press, which sadly closed it’s doors several years ago. I took a long break while dealing with some health stuff then grad school in my early 30s, and having a baby and MORE health stuff lol but I always missed “really writing” and not just poking at a few words and lines. After a really bad experience with a now-defunct publisher, I had a “eff this” moment and started looking into independent and self publishing. I jumped in with both feet and didn’t look back.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news. 

Hmmm. LOL I always have news going on but I guess most relevant to this here and now, I am working on a new series that will start coming out in March/early April, a MM paranormal romance that has it’s roots in a short story that just came out in the Stocking Stuffers anthology, Jingle My Bells. It’s been so exciting working with an awesome editor and an amazing cover designer. It’s given my writing and confidence as a writer a real boost!

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I’ve always loved writing. Some of my earliest samples are from kindergarten, tucked away in my baby book by my mom! I know every writer says “oh, I’ve ALWAYS been writing!” but I really do feel it’s true. Even when I wasn’t being published or pursuing publication, I was writing even if it was just for myself. I’ve always been an avid reader and loved stories,  and that motivated me to start writing down my own.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Sometimes I still don’t consider myself one! I have a big time “thing” with imposter syndrome, which everyone gets now and then. But I think if I had to pick one moment and say “yes, this made it official,” it’d be that short story in Byzantium e-zine. I got paid a small sum for it and had my name on it and it was heady as anything, and made me feel real and official.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

A greeting card. I was teaching belly dance in a small shop’s class room back in Spring and the shop carried a wide variety of witchy and New Age items, including a selection of greeting cards with pictures of faeries and magical creatures. One of them had this amazing image of a tall, red-haired fairy prince and my brain just went “Hey. Write this guy’s story.” And it slowly morphed into the Unseelie books about Cadfael the fairy prince and his human lover Alfhild who are involved in a war between the Seelie and Unseelie courts.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

When I wrote the first few lines of the story, I knew the main character was a prince of the Unseelie Horde and calling the book Unseelie just felt right, with the way it not only described the fairies but also the nature of the battles they fought.

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

I keep trying to be a plotter but I’m a pantser. Is there a combination of the two because I think I’m that! I start with an idea of how I want the story to go, at least the main beats, but other than that it’s kind of a free fall until I hit the end. Then I go back and self-edit it into some semblance of order and start on re-writes and beta feedback and on and on until it’s finally beaten into submission-to-the-editor form. I write mostly paranormal romance and urban fantasy. For me, the most challenging parts are the world building and making sure I keep impeccable track of what the “rules” of the worlds are, and where they overlap with the real world. In stories where there’s more than one magical world butting against each other, I have to make sure to keep track of those “rules” they have about one another, how those magics interact or done, etc. In the series I’m working on right now (Bedeviled, book one is The Devil You Know coming out very early spring 2020), there’s all sorts of magical communities trying to work together to form a united front to make themselves known to the human world after centuries of being hidden  in plain sight. The most difficult part of this element has been making the histories of these groups and how they interweave, how each groups sees things a bit differently from the other in terms of a shared history and where those histories diverge. I have a LOT of notecards going on!

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

In my recent work, not much is based on someone I know or real events since so much of it is magic but it’s set in Houston, my home town (or close enough to it!) and there’s a lot of my own interpretation of Houston and how I experienced it woven in with the characters’ experiences and down to where they live and what those specific blocks were like when I was last home. There are some things, even in paranormal and fantasy books full of fantastical beings and experiences, that translate from reality, like family dynamics or interpersonal relationships. Even faeries/witches/merpeople/demons/cryptids have complicated and complex personal lives!

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

I’d love to but I haven’t been able to do any working trips yet. That’s one of the dreams!

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Previously, when I was with an indie publisher (Drollerie) they had an in-house design team. The books I’ve released since going on my own, I’ve worked with Sinfully Sweet designs for a few covers and ended up doing my own cover for Bump in the Night and for the Stocking Stuffers anthology, an artist/designer was contracted by the editor, but recently I have started working with Amai Designs and I love, love, love what they have done with the cover for The Devil You Know as well as the promo art. I’d love to keep working with them for future books, beyond the Bedeviled series.

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

Honestly, at least in part it’s that family is something you make not just something that you’re born into, and that relationships can be hard but they are worth it in the end. And also don’t trust a cryptid to make your tea. They just can’t do it right.

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 can’t pick just one favorite, I have so many! Sticking just with modern authors Lois McMaster Bujold, Jim Butcher, Kate Hawthorne, EM Denning, EM Lindsey, Eden Findley, Noah Steele, E. Davies,  May Archer, K.M. Neuhold, Nora Phoenix, Lucy Lennox, Leta Blake, Sloane Kennedy, Alice Winters… I have a literal list as long as my arm. All of them have amazing works and are so unique that there’s really no comparing them.

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

My best friend!

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Definitely. Some people are able to achieve more success at it than others for one reason or another, but it is definitely a career. For some of us it’s a second or third career on top of others already in progress but it’s for sure a career.

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

I’d be a lot more brutal in my self-edits way earlier. It would’ve saved a LOT of rewriting and reworking.

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

I’m worse at time management than previously believed, and working with the right team is a wonderful, wonderful thing.

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

Oooooh… I have no idea! Maybe for Simon…Ezra Miller or Ben Whishaw. For Ellery… That’s harder! I’ll say Tom Hiddleston.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

A piece of advice I was given YEARS ago: a first draft is better than no draft.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Thanks for being wonderful!

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

I’m in the throes of holiday reading while it’s still holiday-time! Mr. Frosty Pants by Leta Blake is on deck and I’m eyeballing K.M. Neuhold’s latest for my next read.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Oooooh no, it was so long ago! But I remember reading almost all the time, as far back as before kindergarten. I always had a book with me—the dinner table, the car, in bed, and everywhere in between.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

Depends. Things that make me laugh are usually silly, snarky, or goofy things. I just laughed so hard I cried last night when my kid and I were making up new words to holiday songs, but I also laughed and very dry British comedies later. So it’s a wide array of things! Cry… usually thinking about people I love who’ve passed on, or when my stress levels redline I’ll cry.

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

A few ancestors of mine I’ve heard about, I’d love to meet. Some just to ask wtf they were thinking and others because they sound really amazing.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Other than reading, lol? Cooking, handicrafts, and when I have the space for it growing flowers.

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

I watch The Walking Dead (and have a running chat thread with friends while it’s on so we can all talk about it while we watch), Schitt’s Creek (SO bummed it’s ending but it’s SO good), and things like Good Omens—miniseries type stuff. I also catch reruns of old shows I like. I tend to pop in on Netflix and Amazon Prime a lot.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

Foods: vegetarian! And spicy! Colors: PURPLE! And green, too!

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

Catch up on my sleeping and reading! Travel with my family if I’m able.

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

Freaking out! But if not that, spending it all with my kid and making sure they know how much I love them. And maybe mildly insinuating I’m going to haunt the place if they don’t pick up after themselves when I’m gone.

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

“Look behind you…” Or really my name and maybe something nice from my loved ones. I mean, if I can’t convince them to taxidermy me and prop me in the corner to scare people at home.

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

 I’m working on getting my website up and going but in the meantime, people can visit my facebook pages or twitter. I also have a page on Amazon (but honestly that blog isn’t updated as much as I’d like!)

www.facebook.com/meredithspiesauthor

www.facebook.com/groups/meredithsreadingranch

www.twitter.com/meredithspies

Amazon Authors page USA https://www.amazon.com/Meredith-Spies/e/B01LZ8OS4A?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1577360975&sr=1-2

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meredith-Spies/e/B01LZ8OS4A?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1577361151&sr=1-1

Here is my interview with T.M. Caruana

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, I write as T.M. Caruana and am closing in on my forties. Yikes!

I started writing low fantasy in my Science Series where part of the quest took place on Earth and part in a fantasy world. Taking part in two anthologies with multiple authors I also enjoyed writing paranormal romance in my Prophesied Sorcerer Series. Before I established what type of author I would become I also dabbled in Dystopian Fantasy and Urban Fantasy, however I have now concluded that it is Epic Fantasy I enjoy the most.

Fiona: Where are you from?

I’m from a little town called Gävle in Sweden. It is a city near the sea with about 100,000 inhabitants. Growing up I thoroughly enjoyed the four seasons this city offers with snowy winters, mild springs, green summers and leafy autumns. Internationally I think Gävle is most known for our Christmas Ram made of straw which is erected every first of advent…and that normally burns before Christmas Eve. It’s become a bit of an (illegal) gimmick and I know even betting companies take bets on what date the ram will burn.

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

I now live in Gibraltar, have earned an MBA and am a member of the ACCA.I’m a person who likes doing too much rather than too little. Apart from consuming too much coffee and chocolate I also enjoy writing complex stories frommy vivid imagination, manifesting in new worlds and versatile characters. I Have always been a free spirit at heart, my dream has always been to write fantasy novels in which to escape to. There are so many things to do in the world that I try to avoid doing the same things twice. I rarely watch a film I have seen before, visit a place I have been to before or go for an outing that I have experienced before.

Your life is your dream

-if you can dream it, you can live it-.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

I have been outlining a massive epic fantasy series during 2019 and will continue with world building and character building in 2020 too. I hope to be able to start writing the three-book series + prequel this Summer 2020. I can only reveal that readers who like The Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings and The Wizard’s First Rule will possibly like the series.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

As a girl I had a half an hour walk to school where I loved to imagine different stories to make the walk pass more quickly. I found the stories were influenced by Walt Disney classics, where I enjoyed heroic journeys either as a princess or a kick-ass heroine. I had quite a rough childhood and hence this was my way of escaping the everyday miseries into a world of my own. I suppose old habits die hard. To this day I enjoy the limitless boundaries that the fantasy and sci-fi genre offer.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

That’s a hard question. I have always wanted to write, but I suppose that at the point when I saw my book published on Amazon, that’s when I knew there was no turning back.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

My debut book Symmetry started out as a diary not meant for publication. I knew I loved writing and making up stories but never had the self-confidence to even consider the thought of becoming a professional author. When self-publishing books took off in 2010 I started to consider that I too could try it out – as a hobby of course… I started to adjust my diary, which contained my teenage thoughts about the ‘purpose of life’ into a story, but soon realized the entire work would need to start from a blank sheet. The story still debates what in life is happiness, what is important and what are simply material possessions or desires, but subtly woven into a quest adventure where The Creator of Mass battles the ideology out with The Creator of Souls’ grandson.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

For Symmetry, I thought of the title because I wanted to play on the idea that there are two ways of living. In my book there are two families; one that can create mass and the other that can create souls. To prove which way of living; as a soul or in body, is best, there is a balance to all things created. There are two sides to each coin; good and evil. The protagonist is a Supersymetric force and hence her name, Susy. But I don’t want to spoil the story two much as Susy can’t recall who she is when the books begin, commencing with her waking up in CERN.

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

I choose my style of writing depending on the genre and plot. If I’m writing a paranormal romance, I feel it is nice to write it in first person as it feels more intimate, but when I write Epic Quests I stick to third person. As I like long stories of epic nature, I find it hard to remember all the small details that need to join up since I constantly become interrupted with daily life activities. I find myself sometimes writing the same thing in different places, which I have to adjust on my first read-through.

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

I write about romantic adventures and quests with dragons, magic and bloody swords so I have to say that not much of it is from experiences. Although, references to some places on Earth could be from fact or experience. I hope my humour and personality shows in my writing and I suppose this is a way of me sharing a part of my life with the reader.

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

I have travelled some in my youth and I wish I had more time to travel now. With two small children that is hard and I often resort to using online maps and facts. They are almost as good as the real deal nowadays.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

I work with TizianaRuiu. She’s a fantastic cover artist who is both talented and great to work with. She always has time for me even though she has been so busy helping to produce some of the graphics for the play Cats in London lately. I’m so proud of her! I’m also working with a lovely editor who I would warmly recommend.

Her name is Sally Dixon and has her company isWriteaid.

http://tmcaruana.com/?p=1872

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

There will always be a message in my books, even if it is only to make people think about different angles on life. Love and kindness are often the underlying message, but also bravery and righteousness. In the Science Series the reader is taken though the seven physical sins, the seven mental sins, the seven spiritual sins and the seven deadly sins, which are all to teach us lessons about life. There needs to be a balance of good and evil in the same way as there is a balance within nature, in the circle of life.

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 mostly like reading Paranormal Romance or Epic Fantasy and have read three fantastic books of late; Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind, Vengeance of Hope by P.J. Berman and The Mute Prince by P.E. YoungLibby. I like their books because of the way they show the details in the book instead of telling them. The author’s seem to have excellent imaginations and talents for delivering their plots in intriguing ways.

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

Umm…KDP.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

I’m busy at the moment setting up a bookkeeping firm so I have only considered the books as a hobby for now, but I expect it to be my new career when I retire. I took a year out from work to write full-time but noticed that it wasn’t an advantage. I normally consider my plots for a long time during the times I walk to work and hence had time to develop them. When I had time to sit down the words used to fly down onto the screen and I felt very productive. When I was home full-time, I just became stressed sitting in the sofa thinking and not actually putting anything down. I need both jobs to balance my working life.

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

My latest book was the final instalment, The Sorcerer from the South, in the Prophesied Sorcerer Series. I think it turned out as I wanted, although it wasn’t as I had expected. I replotted the final twist in the last minute and was very happy with the result. Thinking back on it, I don’t believe there is anything I would change.

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

I can’t say I learned something from the book, no, but when writing the entire series I was involved in the multiple author box set and in those projects I learned a lot of things.

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

If my book Symmetry was made into a film, I would choose Hayden Panettiereto play Susy, as she has that stubborn but kind way about her. Noah is serious, proud and strong and perhaps best suited for this role would beChris Hemsworth. Tarus is definitely a character for the dark and mysterious James Theo and Leo is a cool man with a good wit and would best be played by Orlando Bloom. What a dream film that would be, right!

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Learning how to use graphics software to make images for advertisements saves a lot of money as half of your writing career is about being present on social media. YouTube has great tutorials for everything. Other than the normal common writing advice, I would say, just have fun! You choose to be a writer because you like it, so don’t let the business side of it get you down.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

If you like reading Epic Fantasy and are curious about my projects for 2020, you are welcome to subscribe to my newsletter where I will announce my progress. I normally send out once, but sometimes twice a month and there are normally giveaways or other free books included.

https://facebook.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b85ccf38e153ecb51db472b33&id=0f3596e54d

When subscribing you will receive an e-copy of Symmetry for free.

 Fiona: What book are you reading now?

I have just started reading Demons and Deception by Katerina Martinez and it is off to a very intriguing start. She is one of the authors who I enjoy due to her vivid imagination.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Yes, it was from the Norwegian author Margit Sandemo. I don’t think the title has been translated to English. The Swedish title was LiljegårdensHemlighet and literally I think it would translate to The Secret of the Lilly Garden. It was a fantastic book about a girl who returnedthe house where she grew up in after many years and met four brothers who were her next-door neighbours. She received a note one day which stated the four different intentions of the brothers; one of them wanted to kill her.

I have found inspiration from this book and used a similar scenario in the second instalment in the Science Series,Chromosomica.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

When my daughter tells me what she ponders about, it is normally something that makes me laugh; like when she was adamant that we should go to McDonalds and when I asked her why, she said it was because she wanted a baby in the family. I had to ask her how she figured that these two linked, and she thought you got pregnant by eating a lot of chips, because grandpa had a big tummy and he eat a lot of chips. Or, when she panicked watching Aladdin because Jafar was sending him to the End of the Earth, and when he was rolling in the snow and my daughter was almost crying, I had to save the situation by saying that it was just the place where grandma lived in Sweden. To which she relaxed, sitting down in the sofa as if that was very logical.

I don’t cry much, but I suppose I get sad when anyone in my family or my friends are hurting. I get frustrated when I don’t achieve the targets I have set myself. When my daughter and I watched Frozen 2 and she sobbed, I was close too.

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

There are many people I would like to meet. Imagine having a tea party with Queen Elisabeth II. I’d love to be invited for dinner to the Skarsgård family to talk about all their films and successes. An interview with Will Smith wouldn’t be too bad either.

 Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

I don’t have much time for hobbies when working, being a mother of two and writing. I like travelling and BBQ gatherings with friends.

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

I love to watch superhero films such as the Avengers, X-men, Wonder Woman, Thor, Superman, Aquaman, Spiderman, Iron Man, Ant Man, The Guardians of the Galaxy, and the list goes on. I also enjoyed The Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Game of Thrones and of course Harry Potter. If I wouldn’t be able to answer a film in the Fantasy genre I would have to say I enjoyed watching Alias with Jennifer Garner where she works as a double agent and is always on the thin line of being detected and killed.

 Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

I like a variety of foods and to try new things, so a Wok Buffet suits me perfectly. They have a lot of choice. When I go home to Sweden I always get a Plankstek, which is a piece of meat oven baked on a wooden plank, surrounded by mash potatoes and bearnaise sauce. Baby pink, is without a doubt my favourite colour. It is a romantic soft colour and reminds me of summer and love. In music I have my one and only favourite Ed Sheeran. ‘I see fire’ is one of the favourite songs on my top ten list.

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

I would continue working in accounting and try to grow my business even more, using the promoting skills I have learned in my writing career.

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

I would have to give a boring answer such as ensuring all the legal documents were put in order so that my family don’t have any problems accessing my bank accounts, getting insurance payouts etc. I would probably record videos for my children that they could watch when they get older. In 1994 I went through a similar experience almost losing my mother to cancer, so I try never to take life for granted.

If you would ask me what I would do if I got lots of money to spend in 24 hours as I wished, I would probably go somewhere where I could see the stars with a large telescope and then I would take my husband to a Michelin quality restaurant.

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

I don’t think I want a head stone. They are very expensive and if you get an allocated grave it will cost my children to maintain it. I’m practical like that and not so sentimental. When I’m dead, I’m dead. In a hundred years all the memories of me will be gone and the only thing that will be passed on are my stories on Amazon!

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

Yes, I have a website as well as a few other social media accounts. You can find them by clicking on the link below:

http://tmcaruana.com/?page_id=103

Don’t forget to check out my YouTube Channel where I host my book reviews of other authors.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4Ihbr4Vv3hebR6Ks8r_bnw?disable_polymer=true

Also check out my Book Giveaway group on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/430980661175551/

For new authors, reviews are important. Make an author happy and review the books you read!

Amazon Authors Page USA https://www.amazon.com/T-M-Caruana/e/B00J4J216E?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1577183198&sr=1-1

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/T-M-Caruana/e/B00J4J216E?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1577183204&sr=1-2