_INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR, TOM JOHNSON
Hello Tom, thank you so much for honoring us with this interview. My first question is, being a 'voracious' reader from such an early age, what were some of your all time favorite books you ever read?
Tom: The Classics come to mind. White Fang, Call of The Wild, Heidi, Tom Sawyer, Robin Hood, and King Solomon’s Mines. All the classic literature gave me adventures in foreign lands with exciting tales of daring-do.
Tell us about your style of writing and some of the influences that helped you along the way.
Tom: Plot is very important to me, but I think my stories are stronger in character development. Probably the best way to describe my writing style is to refer you to “purple prose”, which was a tag given to the early mass market magazine writers earning a half cent a word for their fiction. They had to use every adjective, verb and adverb in the English language to add word count to stories in order to feed and support families. Today, editors want shorter, tighter sentences, without a lot of throwaway words. But I try to stick little helpers in when they’re not looking. I still enjoy reading a purple prose story from the 1930s and ‘40s. Sure, today you could cut that 60,000-word novel down to a 40,000-word novelette, but what would be the fun in that?
How did your military career help you in your writing career?
Tom: I was raised in farm and ranch communities, and my dad wanted me to be a cowboy like him, but I saw how he struggled in life and wanted more than that. The military offered the opportunity to see the world, and meet other people and learn new customs. Plus, the Army taught soldiers discipline. The life I experienced in the service was an education I could never have obtained as a cowboy. Don’t get me wrong, God Bless the farmers and cowboys. It just wasn’t the life I wanted. When writing stories of other lands, I can describe people and places from actual experience. And for someone with an imagination like me, I could see dinosaurs and lost civilizations in the jungle of Vietnam.
You are a very blessed man having married the love of your life and in turn having been gifted by your son with six beautiful granddaughters. Tell us how they feel about your writing and do you look to them for critiques?
Tom: Sadly, our son and granddaughters have very little interest in my writing. My wife and I were involved in small press publishing for many years while our son was growing up, and being that close to it may have turned him off. He never had the interest, and our granddaughters are at the age where “boys” are more important than anything else (lol).
Who are some of your most important inspirations as far as authors go?
Tom: There were many. I was seven years old when I first discovered Batman and Superman comic books, and they helped me learn to read while introducing me to heroes. Sometime around age ten or eleven, one of my fourth grade teachers gave me a real book to read, I guess to get me away from comic books. That book was “Doctor Hudson’s Secret Journal” by Lloyd C. Douglas. It was my first real fiction, and it fascinated me! Doctor Hudson was a doctor in a small community, and the book was episodic stories of the families he cared for. Written in short story format, each episode told a tale about a different family and their problems. A friend of the family saw me reading the book, and a few days later brought me a box filled with classic literature. From that day on, I wanted to read. Other influences would come later. As a teenager, Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer turned me on the tough guy detective novels. George O. Smith’s “Pattern For Conquest” introduced me to science fiction, and I’ve never forgiven him (g). By my early twenties I had discovered the African adventures of Edgar Rice Burroughs and H. Rider Haggard. The world of fiction allowed me to travel to faraway lands.
What is your most recent work, and what plans do you have for the near future?
Tom: Altus Press just released my nonfiction book, “G-Man Companion”, and NTD released my short story collection, “Pulp Echoes”. Currently, I’m working on the 30th Anniversary issue of our hobby magazine, Echoes. I hope to have this out by June 2012. I’m also assisting my wife with her series of anthologies, “Tales of Masks & Mayhem”, and will have a short story in each of the upcoming issues.
If you were to ever consider writing another genre, what would it be and why?
Tom: Hum. I dabble with action, adventure, western, science fiction, mystery, and costumed heroes already. Perhaps swashbuckling might be my next endeavor. I’ve always liked pirates and Zorro, and that genre. I’m not very good at writing romance, so I’m staying away from that one. Every time I throw a romantic scene into one of my stories, my wife quickly tells me, “That isn’t romantic.”
Besides your wonderful family and writing career, what do you consider to be your most prized accomplishment?
Tom: My greatest accomplishment is succeeding in life, and I owe that to my family and twenty years in the military. I don’t regret leaving the farm and ranch for the Army. Although I may have been a disappointment to my father, I achieved more than he could ever dream of in his short life.
Here's a fun question, off the top of your head, name one of your most embarrassing moments.
Tom: Wow! The one that comes to mind happened five or six years ago. I was attaching a birdhouse to a limb, and I had to reach up. As I stretched, my pants fell down to my knees. Our next-door neighbor lady was standing in her yard watching me at the time, and I’ve never lived that down. Every time I see her, she reminds me about that incident, and she is now close to her 90s.
Do you have any advice you'd like to share with other aspiring authors?
Tom: Yes, never give up your dreams. I wrote my first two novels in 1970 and hired a professional typist to type the first one into manuscript. After several rejections, I put the manuscripts in a drawer where they gathered dust while I did other things. In 2002, a friend I had published in one of our genre magazines emailed to say she was now the head editor of a publishing house, and asked if I had any unsold novels I might want to submit. I immediately dusted off the first manuscript and mailed it off. It was accepted, and they wanted the second one, which was still in long hand. This time I typed it and mailed it off, and started work on the third. I think I’m a better writer today, than I was in 1970. That comes from practicing and learning the craft. So write every day, even if it’s a daily diary.
Do you have any special hobbies or community activity that you would like to mention?
Tom: While in school I wanted to become either a paleontologist or entomologist, but the military changed that when they put me in the military police career field. However, I retained my love for both sciences, and studied and wrote on the subjects over the years. My wife and I have both been involved in the local writer’s group and Arts And Enrichment Council, helping to bring entertainment to our small community. These consist of stage plays and radio reenactments. We were also involved with the Chamber of Commerce for a while, but are slowing down now.
Thank you so much Tom for your time with this interview, I hope to be able to do another one soon!
Tom: It was my pleasure, Kitty. Read more: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=interviews&thread=982&page=1#ixzz1iosELEhN
_INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR OF "TRIPTYCH", M.S. SPENCER
Thank you so much for allowing us to do this interview. You have lived, literally, all over the world it seems. Out of all the places you've been, which ones are your favorite and why?
That’s not really a fair question! If forced, I’d probably say Paris, Istanbul, and the Amazon. And Egypt. Maybe St. Maarten. Or Chichen Itza (Mexico). Chincoteague?
How much of your travels have been an inspiration on your writing?
All of it! I have so many experiences to weave into my stories. I’ll be tootling along on a story & suddenly find my heroine in the middle of one of my real adventures (DISCLAIMER: ALL characters and situations are fictional. Yada yada).
It seems your life has been and continues to be very busy, where do you find the time to write?
I am fortunate enough to work at home and have several small sources of income (mainly pension) so I can write when I’m most productive—in the morning. As many writers know though, it can be a lonely business (plus my butt gets antsy after an hour or two), so I take frequent breaks, and that’s when I get other work done. The system works very well for me—I call it the toddler schedule, or SAS (Short Attention Span) plan.
I have to ask this, because you state in your biography that you 'had' three cats but now only have one, but you also have a dog, snake and hamster... did the snake eat the other two cats (>.<)?
Funny you should ask, but no. One cat had a full and active 19 years before deciding to “rest awhile.” The second cat is with my daughter in Chicago. The snake (Phoebe, a variegated King snake) died of a broken heart (literally) when my daughter left for college—which should tell you just how sweet snakes can be. Iggy Pop is my remaining faithful companion, when he’s not out saving the world from birds. The hamster…ah, the hamster, which I named Cat Food, was.
Now your main writing genre seems to be romance and murder mystery, is there another genre you have ever thought about writing in?
I have written several children’s stories. One recounts the adventures of Edward the Fly (he visits Atlantis, the North Pole, a rodeo and other venues, rescuing humans from predicaments along the way). Another is (IMHO) a beautiful tale about the dove that Noah sent off to find land. It is long, written in rather old-fashioned poetic language, and doesn’t fit well into any category, which is why I’ve never found an appropriate publisher. I also have a great Christmas story that I unfortunately never seem to get edited in time for Christmas.
After reading that you have two grown children do you ever look to them for advice about your books, allow them to critique you perhaps?
Just asking them to BUY one of my books gets me “that look.” Being in their twenties, I don’t think they want to deal with Mummy’s 3-flame spicy romances.
I just can't get over all your many accomplishments, you must tell us more about some of your experiences.
It’s all my father’s fault. He had a series of interesting jobs that took his family to Turkey, France and Morocco (one choice was between Paris and Nigeria—I actually voted for Nigeria! Boy was I dumb). It spoiled me so that after that I couldn’t spend more than two years in any one place (could it be to avoid washing windows?). Academia allows many opportunities for cheap travel & I took advantage of them all. Later, working for a Senate Committee and Dept. of the Interior took me on trips that included inspecting the bowels of Hoover Dam and flying a helicopter over the sloughs of North Dakota. Once I settled down and had children I had another excuse to travel—taking them to exotic spots including Phoenix, the Everglades, and Peru.
When did you first start writing and what was it that inspired you to begin?
Like most writers, I’ve written all my life—journals, stories, poems, endless poems. I wrote a full-length murder mystery maybe twenty years ago, which languished in a drawer until my husband inadvertently threw it out. The real start of a serious career came only in 2007. I had had surgery that kept me in bed for several months. During that time inspiration--whether a deus ex machina or a muse I’m not sure—dropped by regularly and I managed to transform a vivid dream into a full-length romance. Lost in His Arms was published in 2009 by Red Rose Publishing. I now have 4 books published and one on the way. It’s funny how quickly they start coming once you’ve birthed the first one, isn’t it?
Who are some of your favorite authors, some that have inspired you?
Jane Austen, Iris Murdoch, Christopher Buckley, Douglas Adams, Isaac Azimov, L. Frank Baum, Thomas Hardy….et al. Jane Austen’s perfect prose leaves me in awe. And the imagination and humor in Buckley and Adams are amazing. Isaac Azimov was a master at creating a complete, coherent universe as was Baum (when I finished my BA thesis, as a reward I borrowed every Wizard of Oz book the library had, a remarkable number for a fancy university). Iris Murdoch inspired me to insert a little fillip of magic in a story.
Do you have any advice you'd like to share with other aspiring authors?
I’ve given lots of advice, warranted & unwarranted, wanted & unwanted. One absolutely crucial point is to be open and willing to accept criticism. There aren’t many writers (or people) who can produce a perfect piece of prose the first time around. Never assume your work can’t be improved upon. If someone takes your writing seriously enough to help you find your voice, look on it as a gift and thank him.Read more: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=interviews&thread=978&page=1#ixzz1iimmKtn1
_Book Title: "Temperature, Dead and Rising"
Author: Adam Santo
Published By: Self Published
Age Recommended: 15 +
Reviewed By: Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating: 3
Review: Even though this book had some interesting concepts to it, I couldn't quite understand the idea behind it. It seemed to almost be half vampire, half zombie and I was always unsure about the main character, Sally. For some reason I felt she was taking the whole situation too easily and as for Bo leaving her so soon it was a little strange. She is supposedly going to be hunted by these other undead clans because of her power but he basically leaves her to fend for herself.
The story had some good elements and the plot was interesting but I feel that it could have been written a little differently and perhaps a few things changed to make it stand out more. I could never figure out exactly what Sally was suppose to be, whether zombie of vampire and the concept of the undead was something I just couldn't grasp. I suppose I felt like there could or should have been more of a back story to clear things up a bit.
Still it was worth the read and I do give it 3 Ravens. I would recommend anyone that may be interested in something a little different to give it a try! Read more: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=supernatural&thread=976#ixzz1ichGKMp9
_INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR 0F"ONCE UPON A CASTLE" & "CRY OF THE MACHI", ALAN S. BLOOD
Hello Alan, I just received your book recently and will be reading itsoon. Your first novel, "Once Upon A Castle" about a teenage ghost set during World War II, is it still available now and where can we find it?
'Once Upon A Castle' is not a novel about a teenage ghost but a ghost story (with illustrations) written for teenagers. A full synopsis of it, together with the colourful front cover, appears on my website. The book was marketed to schools as as a 'reader' and, as such, was very successful. I visited many schools throughout the UK to talk to pupils about it. The book was popular and I received some wonderful letters from the youngsters. It was never on sale in Bookshops and is now out of print.
"Cry of the Machi" is your recent book, what were some of your
inspirations behind this murder mystery?
The inspiration for 'Cry Of the Machi A Suffolk Murder Mystery' is
essentially threefold - my experiences as a 'Morris Dancer', previously living in 'Suffolk' (one of England's most rural counties) and traveling around Chile. The 'Writers' News' article gives the general background to the novel and puts these elements into the perspective of such. I believe I sent it to you previously - but I am attaching the article again
Added to this, I am attaching an extract from my blog (some of which also appears on Facebook) that gives further emphasis to the significance of Suffolk to the novel.
Tell us about your writing process and some of the things that inspire you.
I have always been inspired by the fascination (despite advances in
technology) of man's inability to control everything. This is especially
the case with the forces of nature, good and evil. Thus, we seem as
powerless to stop evil happening as we do to prevent an earthquake or a tsunami. Mankind is generally in denial of things which it does not understand and therefore, in its ignorance, dismisses the possibility of the existence and power of phenomena like supernatural forces - both on earth and throughout the cosmos. There are millions of people who feel that there is insufficient, conclusive proof of such and, thus, refuse point-blank to believe in ghosts or god or the devil or life on other planets . There is simply so much that we do not know, for sure - so how narrow and arrogant a view is this ?
A central theme of 'Cry Of The Machi' is how certain forces can both
challenge, triumph or destroy - in this case how the power of the 'Machi' (a simple witchdoctor of the Mapuche Indians of Chile) can provide a force of good to thwart a mighty force evil. However, the question remains - for how long ? Thus, the conclusion of the novel paves the way for a possible sequel.
In its humble way, I hope the book will make a small contribution to raising public awareness and make people think a little more philosophically about such issues which tend are be swept aside in today's ever increasing hi-tech world where old concepts and fears are replaced by the comforting reliance upon such as the 'protection' afforded by friendly mobile cell phones - which now seem to control everything ! Yet the 'unexpected and unexplained' can still occur- and we can never say 'never' !
I am also inspired by all forms of social injustice coupled with the
alarming growth of people's intolerance of other people. Again, I think Technology has a lot to answer for here. The natural process of direct human communication (person to person - face to face) is largely being taken over by the internet and all forms of 'social networking' (which is not all bad - as we have actually been put in 'communication' with each other through the latter : ie : Goodreads Technology should be a 'good servant' and 'not a bad master' ! As an ex-teacher, I am especially alarmed at today's young people's lack of 'direct' interpersonal skills with 'real' people - other than the click of a mouse or the press of a keyboard button !
Inspiration also comes from my love of (and deep concern for) all
ecological matters to do with conservation of the countryside/wildlife and the preservation of beautiful old buildings (* See further comment below - re 'historic films *) In many parts of the world we are destroying the irreplaceable places of historic value/interest and natural environment through commercial and financial greed by those who have no care for saving our planet but are only concerned in their vested interests of making themselves even richer ! (Further on, you will see reference to my International Award Winning Poem about 'Litter'.)
I read a large cross section of both quality and tabloid newspapers and watch a lot of current affairs/political/documentary programmes to keep abreast of worldwide developments - which frequently spawns ideas for writing - and I still, sometimes, engage in freelance journalism -writing press articles - as well as theatre reviews et al.
I do a substantial amount of writing in the morning - followed by either a walk or bicycle ride in the beautiful Welsh countryside where I live. (Very often with my bag of photographic equipment - always hoping to get an unusual shot of wildlife - such as otters). Then I usually have a late lunch before another spell of writing in the afternoon. I type straight on to my laptop - although my first novel was, initially, handwritten in pen and ink - and kept in a 'beat-up' spring-clip folder !
You also enjoy photographing wildlife, painting, and scraperboard
engraving. While a lot of us know what photography and painting are, tell us more about scraperboard engraving.
Scraperboard engraving is a relatively obscure art form which I first
became attracted to during an 'option' art course whilst at University.
Scraperboard or 'Scratchboard' is a technique where drawings are created using very sharp knives and tools for etching into a thin layer of white China clayboard that is coated with black <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India_ink> India ink. The practice can be
quite dangerous and demands a lot of concentration - especially being mindful of avoiding 'slipping the tool' and cutting oneself !
The pressure exerted on the instruments used determines the outcome of the illustration - which can range from highly detailed, precise and even textured artwork to extremely simplistic drawings. I tend to prefer the latter which often results in an almost ethereal effect - and I attach a couple examples of of them. I have, in the past, sold my engravings - some even went to Canada !
I attach four very diverse examples of my work. The largest picture is of the world famous 'Iron Bridge' built by Abraham Darby III (from cast iron) across the River Severn Gorge at Ironbridge, Shropshire, England
You also write plays, screenplays, and poetry. What are some of your works in those areas we may be familiar with?
Over the years, I have also written short radio plays for the BBC
(British Broadcasting Corporation) - one of which is based upon the true 'battle' to save my village of Caersws from a dangerous 'Tetra Mast' which seriously threatened people's health -and even lives ! After a two year Protest Campaign (that included questions being raised in the 'House of Commons') - for which I was 'Press Officer - we managed to get the Mast removed - and appeared on Television as a result ! I have also written many short stories and could email you a sample one, as well as the script of this particular Radio Play (entitled 'The Intrusion') if you would like me to.
In 2003, I won the top award at the Hastings International Poetry Festival with my poem 'Contrite Can Cannot' (concerning the polluting effects of 'litter') - which was subsequently published in their Anthology/Magazine and this can be seen on the 'Publications' section of my website.
One of the most ambitious writing projects that I have ever undertaken was to produce a Screenplay (entitled 'Rogue And Royal') for a full length movie about the true story of the stealing of the Crown Jewels by Thomas Blood, a wild Irish ancestor of mine during the reign of King Charles 11. The MSS has been well received by a number of Film Agents and by the BBC - but a
major problem with all 'historical' films is that of production costs which can run into millions of pounds/dollars. In the case of the UK - extra costs are incurred as most of the filming needs to be done abroad - in such cities as 'Prague' where the historic buildings (unlike in Britain) have not been spoilt by plastic shop fronts etc (*hence my strong feelings about this - mentioned earlier *). I still have hopes for 'Rogue And Royal' to appear on the 'Big Screen' - and I have not yet tried America (Hollywood ?)
Tell us about some of the places you have traveled and some of the interesting things you have seen.
I have travelled very widely and had some wonderful, moving experiences. There are photographs of me in various locations around the world in the 'Gallery' section/pages of my website - which is still not fully complete. Probably the most memorable occasion was sailing around Cape Horn at daybreak with the added bonus of seeing the sunrise come up beside it - which my Jamaican cabin boy said was : "A rare occurrence, man !" (As he gave me a 'high five').
I went to China in below freezing winter 'minus temperatures', was
privileged to see the daily 'raising' of 'The People's Flag' in Tiananmen Square, participated in the famous 'Tea House Ceremony', had a meal in a Chinese family home - as well as climbing the Great Wall and many other activities such as meeting the stars of both the Beijing Opera and 'Kung Fu Show'. Seeing Pandas was sheer delight and, generally, the food was fabulous !
Another very pleasant trip was spending a week on the Greek island of Kefalonia in the Ionian Sea - the setting for 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' (by Louis de Bernie `eres) where the film of the book was also made - and seeing the locations for such.
I travelled extensively through Chile - also conducting research for 'Cry Of The Machi...' - especially in the territory of the Mapuche Indians - one of the most remote places in the world ! After Cape Horn (and 'skirting' around the Drake passage, near the Antarctic) I was fortunate to be able to land, by small boat, on the Falkland Islands (this is not always possible if the seas are too rough.) I visited the battlefields of the 'Falklands War' - where British armed forces recaptured the islands following the Argentinian invasion. Many troops died there and in particular, I went to 'Bluff Cove' - where 350 Welsh Guards were slaughtered and/or severely maimed. As I come from Wales, this was a very emotional, tearful experience. In my 'Gallery Pictures' - you can see the photo of me standing
by their memorial - which the 'Falklanders' always keep neat and tidy with flowers and wreaths.
All of South America, was simply fantastic. In Argentina, I visited Ushuaia - the most southerly city in the world and later travelled to the interior of the country to visit a Patagonian Welsh community - where I was able to speak to the them in Welsh ! I spent three days in Buenos Aires which is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and really come s alive late at night where it is quite common to see the 'Tango' danced in the streets ! I visited Eva Peron's grave and also travelled by train to where I could embark on a motor boat 'voyage' through the myriad of waterways and swamps of the River Plate delta. Uruguay was a marvellous little country and in
the capital, Montevideo, I experienced the bonus of being there on a day when Uruguay were playing Paraguay in a world cup qualifying soccer match. The 'carnival like' atmosphere was electric with all of the razzmatazz of South American football ! I also paid a visit to the nautical museum where the guns and other relics of the German pocket battleship 'Graf Spee' (scuttled after the notorious WW11 'Battle of The River Plate - with the British Royal Navy) are on display.
I have seen much of your own wonderful USA - stemming from the time that I taught there on an 'Exchange Programme' in 1986. After a few days in New York City (which included going up the 'Empire State', at night), I worked in two different areas and schools, respectively. Firstly, I spent time at Queensbury High, Glens Falls on the upper Hudson River, New York State, before moving on to the High School in Winchester, a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching English and answering the many questions that the American students asked about the UK and English Literature. At Winchester, I was also interviewed (and spoke) on their School Radio Station. In my 'free time', I visited Albany, the New York State Capital , climbed 'White Face Mountain' at Lake Placid - and took a trip to Niagra where I sailed underneath 'the Falls' on the 'Maid Of The Mist'. I also took a drive across the border for several miles into Canada ! From Boston, I visited Salem Massachusetts (infamous for the Puritan witch trials) and addressed the town meeting at 'Billerica' - named after my home town of 'Billericay', Essex, England. Similarly, I was guest
of honour at the Winchester Country Club - where met the US Astronaut 'Rick Hauk' (commander of the space mission : Challenger 7) - as well as Senators and other dignitaries. It was a fantastic year !
Subsequently, I toured the western side of the States - visiting the cities of L.A., San Diego, Phoenix, Flagstaff (near where I flew into the Grand Canyon in a 'chopper' - and took some amazing video footage). Then I moved on to see Las Vegas (what a place) and San Francisco (including a trip across to Alcatraz) and, eventually, back to L.A. (via Monterey, Santa Barbara and many other places on the Pacific 'Big Sur' coast. Ultimately, I went to Hollywood where (having written a Screenplay) I was thrilled to tour Universal Studios and, in particular, saw the 'Special Effects' department - where I spoke to some of the production people. Finally, I visited 'Disneyland' where I became the 'biggest kid on the block' - and even queued for an hour to meet 'Mickey Mouse' - see the picture on my 'Gallery' !
These are the highlights of my travels - there are many more - too numerous to mention - including 'hitch- hiking' around the whole of Europe and Ireland) - as a student (in the 60's).
What is your next planned novel or other endeavor?
I have actually written 6,000 words of a sequel to 'Cry Of The
Machi...' but I am not sure if I really want to finish it ! I am 66
years if age and, at my time of life, want to concentrate on many other
things - especially writing more short stories and controversial poetry. However, if 'Cry' becomes even more successful then the 'sequel' will become more probable. Many people have already expressed a wish to see/read one !
Since you like photography have you ever thought about or do you plan to do a book with your pictures in it someday?
I do not really envisage trying to publish a book of my pictures.
Photography will always be a hobby that, combined with my love of walking in the countryside, I very much find to be a 'therapeutic' diversion to sitting at this word processor ! I do, however, intend to enter some of my best photos for competitions - of which here are many.
Tell us about your teaching job with the University of Reading.
I did not teach at the University of Reading. This was where I
qualified as a Teacher ! (see the attached 'Biographical Details' - for
basic Career information).
Do you have any advice you'd like to share with other aspiring authors?
. I would advise other authors, firstly, to ask themselves if they have
confidence in the quality of their work and, if this is the case, persevere with a whole range of options to eventually achieve getting it published. In my experience, there is no simple or easy route to success (even if you are a good writer) and authors really have to work at it to become noticed and, ultimately, accepted. In this, it soon becomes advantageous to share experiences and problems with others and this can be done in a variety of ways. One of the best options is to join a writers group and, if this cannot be done 'physically', then the internet provides a whole range of opportunities for the interchange of ideas, support and solutions through
social interaction.
I have been fortunate in that, starting with the creation of a web 'Forum', by myself and some like - minded writing friends, this grew and subsequently led to the formation of an actual group which meets regularly, on rotation, in each other's houses and, as well as being a social occasion, is invaluable in offering both constructive criticism and support for each other's short stories, poems and embryonic novels ! We are now at the stage of planning a periodic publication of our literary efforts which we intend to sell and raise funds to visit Literary Festivals etc.
The overall advice, then, is that as writing (albeit a highly pleasurable
activity) can also be a lonely road ! Having the friendship and shared opinions/ideas of others is of immense value to speed one towards successful goals !
FINAL COMMENTS : (Extra Dimensions of my own) :
'CRY OF THE MACHI A Suffolk Murder Mystery' will be available as an ebook on Amazon Kindle (so my Publishers tell me) at the end of this January - and will also still be sold in Hardcover.
Thank you for your time Alan, I hope to interview you again soon!Read more: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=interviews&thread=975#ixzz1icef7PRO
_INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR, ELISE STEPHENS, AUTHOR OF "MOONLIGHT AND ORANGES" FROM BOOKTROPE PUBLISHING
Hello Elise, thank you so much for taking the time to interview with Great Minds. You mention that you were home-schooled for much of your High School years. How do you think this helped you with your writing career?
To this day I still believe that home schooling was one of the best things my parents did for my creativity. I was homeschooled from kindergarten through tenth grade. My parents worked hard to give me a hunger to learn. My early education gave me time to pursue my own interests—art and writing—once I’d finished my homework, and that made me motivated to do it as fast as I could. I hope to home school my own munchkins when I have them!
You started your love of literature very early! At age 4 you were reading, age 6 you were drawing your own picture books and at age ten already typing. What were some of the earliest inspirations that you can remember?
My parents read My Father’s Dragon to me (very young), as well as The Chronicles of Narnia. I have memories from my mother describing stories from Tales of the Kingdom as well, though I read it much later in my adult life, trying to recreate the memories. Come to think of it, I was raised a lot on fantasy and adventure stories (themes that are still present in what I write today!)
What are some of your favorite authors now and what genres do you love best?
My favorite authors at the moment are Neil Gaiman, Margaret Atwood, C.S. Lewis, and Orson Scott Card. I love rich worlds and clever plots, but most of all I love characters who I can laugh and cry with and all of these authors offered that to me. I’ll read just about any genre if the characters are strong and compelling enough.
From reading your bio you seem to have a genuine love for everything artistic. How has this made a difference in your life, compared to most young women your age?
Another thing about home schooling—you get to dabble in your interests and develop them at your own speed. I liked painting, so I did that for a while. I took some dance and singing lessons, too. I think exposure to all the arts created a deeper sense of expression and appreciation in the words that I put into my stories.
My acting classes in college were among the most helpful because they trained me on what makes a character a real person, and how to understand the minds of both a tortured soul as well as a bubbly, mindless airhead. I had to flesh the characters I was portraying on stage into people who an audience would believe were real. This has helped very much with writing my own characters.
What other genres, if any, have you thought about writing in?
Fantasy, especially urban fantasy is a front-runner right now (see the answer to my next question). Given my literary roots and childhood exposure, I think that the themes of adventure, fantasy, magic, romance, and mystery will intermingle in my future stories. My friends tell me I write a lot about death, but I think that’s just because I enjoy stories with high drama, and death is a high-stakes reality for all of us, always.
What are you working on now and when can we expect your next novel?
My current project is an urban fantasy: A fifteen year old boy discovers a magic door that gives him sight into the future and, he hopes, the ability to face his abusive father.
It’s a different focus and genre from “Moonlight and Oranges,” and so far, it’s been terrifically fun to write. Editing is always the monster I must face, eventually. As far as when to expect it, I spent about three years editing “Moonlight and Oranges,” but I’m praying this new novel won’t take quite as long!
Do you allow your husband to read and critique your work?
That makes me smile. Yes, I do. James reads my work before anyone else. He’s seen rough drafts of all my short stories and chapter drafts of all my novels. He’s not a literary guy—he works as a structural engineer and designs buildings—but he really enjoys a good story, and tells me what he likes about mine—it’s usually the action or suspense scenes!
Tell us about other inspirations in your life and your writing process for "Moonlight and Oranges.”
I get a lot of inspiration from things I read or see. For example, ever since I saw the movie “The Illusionist” with Edward Norton, I’ve wanted to write something about magic tricks and illusions. I don’t know what the story will be, just the backdrop. That’s often how stories start, with a sense of something, like the setting, or a character’s desire. I plan as much as I can before actually writing, and then I step off the proverbial cliff and begin the freefall.
“Moonlight and Oranges” was written in three-hour stints while sitting in coffee shops once a week. I was working a job at the time and I’d told my employers that I reserved Fridays for writing. They could take me for four days a week, or find someone else. Since my bosses had received personal recommendations for me, they were willing to give it a try. (Note: when you want to pursue something that isn’t bringing home the bacon, find a way to work your job as little as possible—while still covering your basic bills— so that you have time for your pursuit).
I finished the draft and gave the story out to friends and family, continuing to revise and cut and enhance it based on their reactions. Finally, I gave it to my critique group, and we went over it with a fine-tooth comb. It was harrowing, I almost gave up on that book and on myself countless times, but I had many loving hands reaching out to pull me back on track.
What is one of the most amazing things that has ever happened to you in your life, something besides your writing career?
Before I say, you should know that I met my husband swing dancing.
This September, he and I celebrated our third year wedding anniversary in Florence, Italy. The night of our actual anniversary, we ate a fancy dinner in the town square, listening to live music from a quartet, enjoying a bottle of chianti, delicious food, dessert…the server even teased that since we didn’t have kids, that night was the time to start trying. When we were walking home, arm in arm, we decided to dance to the live music from the quartet before heading for our hotel. When the song ended, we were about to slip away, but the crowd was screaming for us to give another dance and the quartet players were waving us over to dance directly in front of them. So we began another dance, this time with the awareness that everyone was watching. James dipped me theatrically, I spun in my little white dress that we’d purchased earlier that day, and we felt like a million bucks when everyone applauded. A few days later, James and I were walking past a shop, and the owner leaned out and said in English, “That was very nice dancing two nights ago.” That was when we knew that we had become famous.
I loved this moment so much, I wrote a blog post on Dancing in a Florentine Piazza.
Do you have any advice you'd like to share with other aspiring writers?
Write as often as you can, even if it’s just fifteen to thirty minutes in the morning before you go to work or while you’re on the bus. Easy does it. I’ve noticed that I build momentum this way. Soon I have enough ideas that I can sit for a few hours on a Saturday and churn out something full of energy.
Write on a timer. My rule: the pen has to stay moving while the timer is running. Personally, this makes me disciplined in getting words onto paper (there is no minimum for quality). I write my stories more quickly and efficiently through this technique. I also have a minimum daily word count of 1000 words.
Find a friend with similar dreams and make a “writing date.” Give yourselves time to catch up and chat for a while to sooth the social butterflies, then do some serious writing (you can time it, if you want). Afterward, resurface and chat about your work. This camaraderie is a lifeline to all writers, both published and unpublished. I adore and jealously guard my writing buddies.
Thank you again Elise for this amazing opportunity. I hope to interview you again in the near future.
Thank you, Kitty! It’s been fun get to visit!
Elise Stephens received the Eugene Van Buren Prize for Fiction from the University of Washington in 2007. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys seeing live theater, swing dancing, eating tiramisu, singing, and painting. She lives in Seattle with her husband James. Her novel Moonlight and Oranges was a quarter-finalist for the 2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. Visit her at www.elisestephens.com and follow her on Twitter @elisestephensRead more: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=interviews&thread=972#ixzz1iXxze0zn
_Book Title: "Deadly"
Author: Julie Chibbaro
Published By: Antheneum Books For Young Readers
Age Recommended: 13 +
Reviewed By: Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating: 5
Review: I wouldn't call myself a history buff but I must say there have been many times over the course of my life that I have heard about 'Typhoid Mary' and the story about her. In the early to mid 1900's the spread of disease was the one thing that was prominent in the United States. With immigration at its prime and so many different people entering the country you could never be sure what would come along with them. Even the boats that carried them to our shores were often infested with rats that carried disease as well and many of those rats began to colonize here in America during this time. The story "Deadly" by Julie Chibbaro highlights the path of Mary Mallon an Irish immigrant that gained employment in many of the wealthiest households in America during this time.
Through the journal entries of Prudence Galewski, we learn much about the mystery surrounding this woman and how even in its infancy the department of sanitation had a hard time pinpointing the reasons behind so much illness and often times death in the case of Typhoid Fever. The journey throughout this book is one that will not only make you think about how technology has changed so much today, but how some people can be carriers and not even realize it due to the fact they never get sick from disease themselves. Science is an amazing thing and there will never be a time when it will not surprise us.
I love history, anything to do with any type of history always profoundly amazes me and draws me in and I have to say this book was not an exception. Julie Chibbaro writes with intelligence and the evidence of her extensive research on these times and the content of her book is prominent. I enjoyed this book not only for its profound historical background but for the story itself and how well she portrayed the characters, their emotions and feelings and her ability to draw the reader into that time period allowing them to see first-hand just what it was like living in a world that was still so very new. Prudence Galewski's amazement and wonder at the world of science and disease is catching. She is by far one of the most amazing character creations I have come across in any books so far and I thoroughly enjoyed reading her thoughts on society, disease, science and everything she came across. This young woman was one that believed in keeping her eyes wide open and learning all she could about the importance of sanitation and the need to control the spread of disease for the sake of the people.
I definitely think Julie Chibbaro is a fantastic writer and I long to read more of her work. Her book "Redemption" is going to be added to my must-read collection and I hope others will take the opportunity to read "Deadly" as well. It matters not if you are a lover of history, you will find a new excitement for the subject simply by reading this book! Read more: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=childrens&thread=967&page=1#ixzz1iREzKFzt
_INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR, CATHERINE CAVENDISH
Thank you for taking the time to interview with us Catherine, tell us about your latest novel.
Thank you for inviting me Kitty. ‘Cold Revenge’ is a paranormal horror novella. For no apparent reason, Nadine, Maggie, Gary, and Nick are invited to dinner by top fashion writer, Erin Dartford, who lives in a lavishly restored abbey. But why has she invited them? Why doesn't she want her guests to mingle? And just what is it about the mysterious Erin that makes them want to run for their lives?
Little do they know that as they prepare to eat their first course, an evil as old as mankind is about to be unleashed. And revenge really is a dish best served cold...
What was it that got you interested in the paranormal? Was there a certain something that triggered it?
I can’t remember any one specific incident that acted as a trigger. I’ve always been fascinated by it. I do remember being absolutely terrified by a story written by W.W. Jacobs which we read in school. It was called ‘The Monkey’s Paw’ and, once that had scared my socks off, I was ready for Edgar Allan Poe and Dennis Wheatley. Then along came James Herbert and Stephen King, swiftly followed by Anne Rice, and I’ve never looked back since!
If you had to choose only one of your books as your all time favorite, which one would it be and why?
I was really pleased with the way ‘Cold Revenge’ turned out. I think the idea of people getting their – shall we say – just desserts, is always appealing and I was pleased with the ending too.
Of course most foreign lands are rich with history though I've heard that Wales is a treasure trove of historical artifacts and stories, how much of where you live has an affect on your writing?
It has had a profound effect on my soon-to-be-published novella, ‘The Demons of Cambian Street’ as a rather scary, large walk-in cupboard in our apartment features heavily in it! You’re right about the history, myths and legends though. There is certainly a lot of material for someone writing in my genre to draw on and I will continue to do so. There is a large, derelict former mental hospital not far from here which is reputedly haunted by a number of ghosts. In the recesses of my mind, an idea is forming…
Tell us a bit about your writing style and how do you come up with your ideas and names for characters?
I tend to start with the germ of an idea and one or two central characters, make a few notes to outline the skeleton of the story and then I boot up my computer, open a Word document and start writing. Yes, I’m a ‘pantser’! Once the first draft is written, that’s when the hard work takes over and the final draft is usually very different, both in substance and detail, from the first.
Ideas can come from anywhere. The premise of ‘Cold Revenge’ started as a chance remark concerning the well known phrase, ‘revenge is a dish best served cold’. Suddenly I thought, ‘what if it really was served up cold?’ and it grew from there. ‘The Demons of Cambian Street’ came from the fascinating 18th century building in which we live, and the novella I am currently working on grew out of a series of recurring nightmares I had been having.
Names seem to pop into my head. In ‘Cold Revenge’, I started to get a feel of one of my key characters and the name Erin Dartford sprang into my mind. I thought it suited her and it stuck.
Who are some of your inspirations in the writing world?
Unsurprisingly Stephen King and Anne Rice, along with Dennis Wheatley and Edgar Allan Poe, but there are so many others, including authors writing outside my own genre. I love Armistead Maupin’s ‘Tales of The City’ books. His characters are quirky and exquisitely drawn and their stories are riveting. I can never put his books down!
A lot of writers say that their animals provide a certain amount of inspiration and of course company when they are working. I read in your bio that you have a tortoiseshell cat, tell us more about him/her.
Mimi is a 16 year old tortie who is a little chatterbox, has a loud, rumbling purr and loves her cuddles. She has me exactly where she wants me (under her paw) and I am her willing slave. I’ve always had cats. I love their beautiful spirit, independence and individuality, coupled with their loyalty and affection. Mimi embodies all of these qualities.
Does your husband ever critique your writing for you?
Yes. He finds all the typos! Seriously though, he is a great help and support to my writing.
If you were to ever write in another genre what would it be and why?
Historical. I have written historical novels and I love the research involved, plunging into another era and losing myself in a different life and time. I would like to combine the two (paranormal and historical) and may well do so in the near future
Do you have any advice you'd like to share with other aspiring authors?
Never give up and keep on learning about the craft of writing. There are plenty of books out there to help you. Stephen King’s ‘On Writing’ is a famous one. There are also plenty of writers’ websites too, with published authors, editors and agents prepared to give of their time and expertise. I have been a member of Litopia www.litopia.com for nearly three years now and can honestly say I wouldn’t be a published author now if it wasn’t for lessons learned in that community. Also, I believe you need to read up to date bestsellers in your preferred genre to give you an idea of current styles of writing. It changes a lot over the years.
Thank you again Catherine for your time with this interview, I hope to have the pleasure again soon!
Thank you for having me KittyRead more: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=interviews&thread=966#ixzz1iQpF0UD7
_INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR, ANDREA BUGINSKY
Thank you Andrea for allowing Great Minds to interview you. In your bio you said you'd been writing since you were a kid, do you remember your first creative piece that you wrote and how old you might have been at the time?
*laughs* No, not really. I know I wrote stories for school growing up. The first one I can remember is a personal story I wrote in sixth grade about when I fell off my bike and broke my arm when I was 6.
Besides "Harry Potter" and "LOTR" what are some of your other all time favorite fantasty novels and what authors have inspired you over the years?
I also LOVE the “Percy Jackson” series. Rick Riordan is definitely another fantasy author at the top of my list. I enjoyed the “Dragonlance” series by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis. I also love to read romance novels. Danielle Steel is my favorite author and another huge inspiration to me. I enjoy Nicholas Sparks’ books, too.
Tell us about your book "The Chosen" and where can we find it?
“The Chosen” is about a young girl named Halli who learns her true calling in life, and joins a group of warriors on a mission to save their world. It’s a book I wrote for young adults, but kids as young as 10 and adults as well have enjoyed the book, which makes me very happy. Readers can find it at SolsticePublishing.com, on the Amazon Kindle, and on Smashwords.com for several different ereaders.
You are originally from New Jersey and now live in Florida, how different is the climate and do you still find yourself trying to get used to it?
The climate is very different. New Jersey is much colder, and it snows there in the winter. I was 7 when I moved to Florida, so I honestly don’t remember the feelings of those differences. I do know that even in Florida, occasionally in the winters it will get cold (not as cold as NJ, of course), and I’ll want it to warm up again. So, I’m probably better off down here anyway
You worked for three years on "The Chosen" what was your inspiration for the book and tell us a bit about the writing process.
My initial inspiration was watching the movie “The Seeker: The Dark is Rising.” I had been trying my hand at different children’s stories, but nothing was coming together very well. Then, one day, I was watching the movie and I thought to myself, “I love fantasies. Why don’t I try my hand at writing one?” At the time, I was playing a role-playing game with my family, and I decided to create a story with our characters. I created my own world, Phantasma, and made up a story of the group meeting for the first time to defend their world from an evil creature. I slowly worked on it over the years, adding things here and there as I thought about it. When I realized one day that I was ready to type “The End,” I was beyond thrilled.
What does your family think about your writing and do you allow them to critique your work at all?
My family LOVES that I write, a luxury I know not many writers can claim, so I feel very fortunate for that. They are all very supportive. They’ll read my stories when I ask and give me their opinions, help me edit as I go (it’s hard to see all of your own typos), and encourage me to keep going when I’m burning out. I’ll listen to any suggestions they have while reading my manuscripts, but in the end, I make the decision whether to take their suggestions or not.
Are there any other genres that you have thought about writing in and what do you have planned next?
I tried my hand at an adult romance novel, with inspiration from Danielle Steel’s books. But I could never finish it. It just didn’t feel right. As I mentioned, I also tried my hand at a short story series for younger readers, but it never went anywhere. I feel I have found my niche now that I’ve been writing “The Chosen,” and plan to stick to that series for a while. Book two is done and on spec with my publisher, and the first draft of book three is almost complete. I also have another YA fantasy novel in the works that’s completely separate from the series. I’ve been working on it on-and-off over the years, and hope to finish it someday.
When you get the chance to read, what are some of your favorite genres?
*laughs* YA fantasy. I know, big surprise. But I love them. They take you to places you can only imagine going, and let your imagination continue to soar. I also still like to read Danielle Steel books, although I have several I haven’t read yet. I also enjoy Nicholas Sparks, and occasionally John Grisham.
Having a Bachelors Degree in journalism have you ever done any reporting or thought about it?
Oh, yes. I’m a part-time freelance writer. I write web copy for several different Internet sites, including Gather.com, DailyGlow.com, and recently, Bounty.com.
Do you have any advice you'd like to give to other aspiring authors?
Never give up your dreams. Keep working toward your goals, even when they feel impossible to reach. Reach for the stars, and make all your dreams come true.Read more: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=interviews&thread=965#ixzz1iQgA5n4x
_INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR OF "THE TWELFTH PALADIN" NORA WESTON
Thank you Nora for allowing us to interview you. My first question is about your work, you have written quite a few novels and from your bio it seems some short stories and anthologies as well. Can you tell us a bit about your writing style and how you get your ideas?
Sure, Kitty! You are the first person to ask about my writing style, so let’s see...I’d say the tone of my writing is dark, but splashed with enough light that hope is always present. I use first person if a character, like Jake Cottrell, needs the white space to let his thoughts run free, but third person if the story demands my input as much as the characters. My characters tend to be reflective in nature, dangerously attracted to mischief, plus they fight with inner demons from their pasts that must be dealt with in order for them to move on. I use some narrative, lots of snappy dialogue...I love sarcasm, and I strive to include passages where the simple beauty of prose shines through. Highlighting moments often overlooked, like the fluid madness of a raging storm, is also found in my work.
My ideas, almost always “out there,” are inspired from a lifelong interest in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. What’s not to adore about the paranormal world where everything...and anything is possible? Dark Shadows, The Twilight Zone, and Star Trek captivated me as a child. From there, I moved on to Stephen King and Edgar Allan Poe. Thanks to my fascination with all things spooky and out of this world, my dreams have also been a great source of inspiration for my writing and artwork. Whether I paint, sketch, or write, I like to warp reality and play with “what if...”
Since "The Twelfth Paladin" is your newest novel and one we are currently working with at Great Minds, give us a little more info on that particular book and any plans you may have for sequels.
“The Twelfth Paladin” is a supernatural thriller inspired by a super creepy email I received years ago. That email was an invitation, possibly a prank—that invited me to fool around with wickedness. For about two seconds, I thought about clicking on the link within the message, but I decided no good would come from it. With my luck, had I ventured into that link’s virtual world, my computer might have crashed, or who knows...maybe I would’ve slipped into a virtual Hell. So glad I deleted that one!
When did you first begin writing and what got you started?
Oh! This is a funny question because what got me started writing was math. Geometry and algebra are to blame for my mind drifting away into supernatural realms. Yes, I should’ve been paying attention in junior high school, wish I had, but my imagination won. Poetry and short stories came about to keep me awake and to prevent my head from smashing onto the desk.
You've done a lot of radio talk shows, tell us a bit about those.
Radio shows are a blast! The last one I did was with Desmond Haas at The Romance Radio Network. He is a superb host who really dives deep into a book. He ponders about the backgrounds of the characters, their strengths and weaknesses, the themes found in a book, and how the book is received by its readers. It’s amazing how the same book can be appreciated (or not at all appreciated) by different readers. What’s really cool about radio shows is the immediate feedback about plot, characters, and themes, plus the unusual questions about the characters are fun to answer.
When you have time to read, if you do, what do you like to read? What genres are your personal favorite?
Well, with six kids, two very hyper dogs, and a super busy hubby, “free time” must be stolen from the nighttime hours...but I do love to read. Usually, I choose books that are frightening, such as “Bloodletter” by Angel Haze or “That Which Should Not Be” by Brett Talley, but I also enjoy fantasy books like “Masquerade” by Cambria Hebert. If a book makes me turn on an extra light, then I know it is good, and if I’m too afraid to fall asleep...then that book is excellent! My favorite book, scary because of what the main character loses, is “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas. Action/adventure, lust, murder, and revenge are all present and accounted for in this book. It’s fantastic!
You wrote a passage beneath your bio on your site about Internet safety. Tell us a bit more about your views on this topic.
Since I have half a dozen kids and I’ve taught elementary school, believe me...Internet safety is a concern of mine. I know firsthand what kinds of trouble students can get into from taking virtual vacations to the dark side of the Net. Sadly, it is not only children who get themselves into bad situations. My kids have known teachers and students who’ve made poor decisions in regard to Internet socializing. Jobs can be lost, lives dramatically affected by cyber-bullying, and life can end if the wrong connections are made through social networks.
I believe parents/guardians must be actively engaged in their family’s Internet presence. Rules should be posted clearly for everyone to follow, and if said rules are broken...then established consequences must take place. If all family members know what the Internet expectations and consequences are beforehand, then managing this situation is easier. The goal is to keep everyone safe! Please use Google to research this topic, and feel free to visit my site for more information too.
What is next in the world of Nora Weston, what plans for upcoming novels do you have in place?
Danger is coming my way since secrets of betrayal are revealed that blow away Zane Grayson’s world in the sequel to Guardian 2632, which is my science fiction adventure. Time travel assists Zane, Elite Guardians, and Mercs, while super-computers named Gabriel and Acamar—battle for supremacy in the future.
Jake Cottrell never lets me rest, so naturally...he’s gotten himself into a supernatural situation that will test his fellow paladins, especially Obadiah and Suero because they do not trust him. So a sequel to “The Twelfth Paladin” is in the works as well.
For whatever reason, I write poetry more in the winter. In April (2012), my work will be published in Bete Noire so be sure to check out that issue!
What other genres if any have you thought about writing in?
Science fiction, fantasy, and horror have intrigued me for so long now that I believe I’ll always write in those genres, but historical romances have sparked a lot of interest in me as of late. It’s possible I’ll go in that direction too, although aliens or ghosts will most likely show up even if they are not invited!
Give us a few links and tell us where to find your works.
Please do look me up! If anyone has a question or comment, feel free to email me.
[email protected]
Twitter: almostsanelady
Website: http://www.2noraweston.com
Blog: http://noraweston.wordpress.com
Publisher: Melange Books http://melange-books.com
Do you have any advice or 'pearls of wisdom' you'd care to share with other aspiring authors?
Absolutely!
Write as often as possible to polish your voice, and do your best to allow your imagination to run free. After the creative burst, settle down and edit. Then, edit again!
Having a critique partner is an ideal way to not only help another writer, but to gain valuable information about your current work in progress. It’s shocking what goes right by an author that someone else catches immediately.
If one genre is not working out for you, then try another. If that novel is driving you nuts, a short story may flow better, or poetry might be what is calling upon your creative energy, so follow your instincts.
Most importantly, have fun!
Thank you so much again for your time Nora, I hope to do it again soon!
Wonderful interview questions, Kitty! Thank you for your time. Read more: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=interviews&thread=963#ixzz1iG35uoxJ
_A few of our authors obligingly compiled their own short "Coming of Age" stories. Below are the stories of four of our donating authors for the "COMING OF AGE" NEW YEARS GIVEAWAY!
LISA VAUGHN'S "COMING OF AGE" STORY
Funny you should ask that question, as I DO have an awesome coming-of-age story for you!
In fact, it was so intriguing I wrote a whole book about it! It's approximately 281 pages, entitled 'The Gifted Ones', and is one of the selections up for grabs in this month's give-away!
Believe me, I would LOVE to elaborate more on my unusual journey, but don't want to be a spoiler for future readers...so I'll just leave you with a little 'teaser' that is on the back cover:
Have you ever been so in love that your daily breath depended upon another?
Have you ever been pushed to unfathomable limits to defend your beliefs?
Have you ever been made to feel like the underbelly of society?
Have you ever been thirteen?
Well I have...and this is my story.
Set in 1976, amongst the cornfields of the midwest, in a Catholic based upbringing, unfolds the rollercoaster story of two determinded teenagers, in a full fledged, fight for your life adult existence - fueled by an overpowering mother and a closed-minded society....all in the name of L-O-V-E
If you love a juicy underdog story that is entertaining as well as enlightening, you will certainly relate to my story. Laugh, cry, feel, and heal along with me as I find my way through this tangled web we call adolescence...and life. Be prepared, the ending may surprise you.
http://www.thegiftedonesmemoir.blogspot.com
Available in paperback, kindle & all ebook versions~All links found on my blog page.
KATHLEEN S. ALLEN'S "COMING OF AGE" STORY
I was the freak dressed in vintage clothes with purple hair and black hair and an attitude in the back of the room reading The Complete Works of Shakespeare or writing angst-induced poetry.
Kathleen S.Allen
MARISSA CARMEL'S "COMING OF AGE" STORY
You could say I was your average teenager, I was the one who threw the parties when my parents were away, the a-typical cheerleader who was friends with everyone, the girl who got asked out, but never by the boy she wanted. I don't think anyone can hear the term coming of age and not think 'first love.' It's every humans rite of passage. I thought my first love was in high school, we were pretty crazy about each other, but as time went on I met other guys that I had the same affection for, and like with the guy in high school, as soon as commitment was on the table, I split. Until, I met someone who actually changed my life. I can remember thinking, if this guy would just like me back, (we were friends first) I could be happy for the rest of my life. Heavy. At least for me, since the thought of marriage paralyzed me. But I lucked out, he did like me back and after 8 years of dating (I told you, marriage petrified me) we made it official.
It was during those eight years that I really came understand what went into a relationship; compromise, support, understanding-friendship. My typical self would have bolted after compromise.
So where’s the coming of age part? The realization that there was more than just me in a relationship. He was the first one who ever made me want to work for it. So no, my first (real) love didn’t come at seventeen, it came at twenty-one, but it still had the same lasting effect
Thanks!
M
REENA JACOBS "COMING OF AGE" STORY
I don't have a 'coming of age' story, per se. At least, I can't think of one. Lately though, I've been reminiscing about my first boyfriend. Please don't tell my husband.
During high school, I was a bit too standoffish to date. It wasn't until just before my 17th birthday (after graduation) that I found my first boyfriend. I started dating him in July while visiting my dad for the summer. I didn't expect the relationship to last forever. The guy was just someone to pass the time with. Gosh, he was such a gentleman.
One evening, I was eating dinner at a restaurant with my family sans la boyfriend. In the quiet, I reflected on my summer vacation. My visit was coming to an end. I'd joined the army and was scheduled to ship out in a few weeks. I wondered about a long distance relationship with my boyfriend. Would we meet up again once I received my permanent duty station?
Out of nowhere, it hit me. I loved him. I didn't mean to love him; I didn't want to love him, but somehow I'd fallen in love without even being aware.
Since then, I've loved other boyfriends, my husband, but I've never fallen in love so unexpectedly again.
Reena Jacobs - Author of Lots of Words
www.reenajacobs.com
www.reenajacobs.com/blog
http://twitter.com/ReenaJacobs
Their duty is to protect us.
We've trusted them to do so.
When they betray that trust,
Who protects us from them?
Add Unprotected to your Goodreads list!Available on Amazon and SmashwordsRead more: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=interviews&thread=962#ixzz1iFrZ87j3
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