Blog Posts

Jennifer Deese: And Awe-Some Awe-Thor!

10/28/2016

To start, shamelessly plug your books!
The hero of your story, The Orchid Keeper, an alien world. What attracted you to fantasy and specifically that world? I have always loved fantasy books. As a child that would be the first books I ran to in the library that my mother and I spent so much time in. MY mother not only for fostered a love for everything that has to do with books and me, she also fostered a vivid imagination. and as I grew up and realized I also had a love for writing I suppose it was just natural that the fantasy genre is where I went. I also write horror but that's for a different interview. I truly enjoy building worlds and creating characters in a fantasy world.

What is your main character, Cora’s, greatest strength? What is her greatest weakness?
First and foremost her weaknesses are drugs alcohol and partying. In The Orchid Keeper some fantastical things occur to possibly change that. In that book we find out how strong her weaknesses are...can she change it? You'll have to check out the book to find out. As far as her strengths, I believe they surface towards the end and they will become more apparent in the series that will follow soon.

If you were to be transported to an alien world, what three things would you bring with you and why?
I will use my own world, Osipia. In a world so intricately connected to flora and human souls I would bring a plant and flower field guide, since the plant life on Osipia kinda mirrors Earths. I would want a diary/journal to sketch what I seen and to write down my experiences. Last but not least I would want to bring my best friend because she would also be completely enamored by such a wondrous world. Being pantheistic would foster an amazing appreciation for such a place.

What’s next for you on the writing front?
Completion of two works in progress. The first book in The Osipian Chronicles, The Fading Light, of which The Orchid Keeper will eventually be rebranded as a prequel novella to. Also, I will be participating in NaNoWriMo and writing a collection of all my short story fantasy and horror shorts. It will be called Chills and Thrills, an Anthology. I recently completed a horror short called Haunted House Arrest, which will debut in The Ghostly Writes Anthology very soon.

You can find Jennifer Deese Online Here:
https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Deese/e/B00N2URD14
Check out this book on Goodreads: The Orchid Keeper https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22954507-the-orchid-keeper

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KJ Waters: A Hurricane of an Author Interview

10/19/2016

3 Comments

To start, shamelessly plug your books!
Thank you so much Lynn for inviting me to your blog. Sure is cozy here. I supposed I could promo my hurricane thrillers. I have two books out and the first six chapters of my third book ready for consumption.
Stealing Time is the first book in the series and made it to #1 in Time Travel back in August. I merged two of my favorite things for this series: Time travel and hurricanes. It is a fast pace thriller with a lot of twists and turns. One reviewer says, “She had me on the edge of my seat yelling at the screen and totally involved in this world.” Find out more here for links, a sample and reviews. http://www.kjwaters.com/stealing-time.
Here is le blurb:
Stealing Time is a "Breathtakingly original" time travel adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. As Hurricane Charley churns a path of destruction towards Orlando, Florida, Ronnie Andrews and her best friend, Stephanie McKay, scramble to prepare for the storm. Ronnie seeks shelter at her boyfriend’s weather lab while Steph heads back to her house.
During the peak of the storm, Ronnie is hurtled back in time to eighteenth-century London where she is caught in a web of superstition, deception, and lies in a life and death struggle to return to her own time.
I also have a short story out called Blow. It is another thriller set in a hurricane with more of a crime twist.
Blurb:
Caught between a hurricane and a deadly secret, Rick Harris struggles against a ticking clock when the wrong people show up at his door looking for shelter. As the storm closes in wreaking havoc on Pensacola, Florida, he has to make a choice between saving their lives and exposing a secret that could cost him everything. You can find out more here: http://www.kjwaters.com/blow-a-short-story-1.

The hero of your story, Stealing Time, is transported to 18th Century London during a storm in the present day. What attracted you to that time period and location?
Great question! I had to poke around a bit to find a time that had an extra element of surprise. I found this weird anomaly in 1752 and had to use it in the story. By the eighteenth century most of Europe was 11 days behind England. Is that even possible? Yes, in 1588, Pope Gregory made a shift from the old fashioned Julian calendar to one based on more updated science. Because of the split of the Church of England Henry the VIII made to allow his marriage to Anne Boleyn, Queen Elizabeth (his daughter) chose to not align with the Gregorian Time shift that was pushed on other European nations through the Vatican. To catch up, England took the drastic measure to cut these days from the calendar in September 1752. My character arrives a few weeks before this shift where there was a lot of turmoil, rioting, and uncertainty. A delightful time to add confusion around a time shift.

What is your main character, Ronnie Andrews, greatest strength? What is her greatest weakness?
Ronnie’s greatest strength?
Wow you’re making me think. I would say her resiliency and ability to think on her feet. A lot of really horrible things get thrown in her path and she manages to bounce back and find a new way to try to rescue herself.
Her greatest weakness is she is too trusting. She begins this journey wanting to believe the best about those closest to her and has to grow to accommodate her new reality.

If you were to be transported through time, what three things would you bring with you and why?
My first ‘thing’ I would bring with me is …ahh... let me start that sentence over. If I were to go back in time I’d go back as a man (whew, wrangled out of that one.) Women were not exactly treated with respect and dignity until recently.
Next would have to be some kind of weapon, preferably a handgun and if you’ll allow me to count ammo as part and parcel. Let’s face it the past was a pretty dangerous time. If you had some way of protecting yourself without having to get close for hand to hand combat it would be an advantage.
The other greatest danger from the past would definitely be disease. I would want a water purification system, even a good old Brita pitcher would come in handy so you could at least stave off water borne illnesses and have a way to wash. Wait… maybe I should also bring a knapsack of antibiotics. Oh shoot I’ve used up my 3 three things.

What’s next for you on the writing front?
My second book in the Stealing Time series, Shattering Time, should be out next spring. You can get a sneak peek on my website here, http://www.kjwaters.com/shattering-time-book-2.
As an enticement to sign up for my newsletter I’m offering the first 6 chapters of this book. You can sign up here (scroll to the bottom) http://www.kjwaters.com/. I will be using all of my free writing on finishing this up.
Here is the blurb:
The second book, Shattering Time, continues when Ronnie returns from 1752 London shell-shocked and left wondering if she really went back in time. Hurricane Francis, the size of Texas, is barreling towards Florida. Her boyfriend, Jeffrey Brennan, manipulates her into staying in Orlando for the storm so he can continue the experimentation on the time travel device. With such a huge storm Jeffrey has an entire weekend to send Ronnie back in time several times ending in the sixteenth century facing the troubles surrounding the missing Roanoke Colony, one of our country’s first unsolved mysteries. A stunning conclusion brings Ronnie face to face with a dangerous ally who is inexplicably part of her past.
I have four books in the Stealing Time series so once book two is finished I’ll work on book three. This one begins as Ronnie is heading on a business trip to Puerto Rico where Hurricane Jeanne forms just off the coast. Ronnie and her boss Mike (imagine Gerard Butler but American and not slutty) are caught in the storm with 26 inches of rain and a near total destruction of the power grid on the island.
I also co-host Blondie and the Brit podcast with Suzanne Kelman and will continue interviewing authors about their writing and publishing journeys.

FYI, you can hear my interview with Blondie and the Brit by clicking on the "Bio" button above.

BIO:
KJ Waters is the Amazon best-selling author of the short-story called Blow and time travel series Stealing Time. The second book in the series, Shattering Time, is in development and is slated to be released in the spring of 2017.
In addition to her writing, she is the CEO of Blondie's Custom Book Covers and the co-host of the popular podcast Blondie and the Brit.
She has a Master’s in Business and over 15 years of experience in the marketing field. Before quitting her job to raise a family and work on writing she was the Director of Marketing and communications for a national behavioral healthcare company.

Where to find KJ Online:
Websites: http://www.kjwaters.com http://www.blondieandbrit.com/ http://www.blondiebooks.com/
Twitter: @kamajowa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kjwaters2
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kj-waters-12098360
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamajowa
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kamajowa/
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/112103036688986846213
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11164130.K_J_Waters 1
Blog: Blondie in the Water www.kjwatersauthor.blogspot.com

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Laurie Vincent: Combines Erotica & Comedy with Flawless Results

10/12/2016

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To start, shamelessly plug your books!
I have written four very spicy novels with white collar crime as the underlying theme.
The first, SINFULLY GOOD, may resemble a juicy erotic novel about a younger woman having a wild, sexual relationship with an older man, and does contain some fairly graphic scenes, but has a money laundering sub-plot.
CRAZY LADIES, which is in two parts, has three snarky women (with different personal agendas) in their early thirties working for a branch office of an investment firm, are up against dark secrets of a financial fraud that spawns revenge, blackmail and murder. CRAZY LADIES was intended to be a light-hearted mystery with hilarious moments, but also gets dark in several parts.  It is not an erotic tale, as SINFULLY GOOD was, but does have some sex in it.
My latest book, SHAMELESS CAPTIVE, has a strong erotic foundation about a spoiled younger woman who is abruptly kidnapped by her brother’s business partner because he believes she is part of a scam where he is stealing money from their family-owned company and setting him up to take the blame.  It is the only one of my four books that contains the least amount of humor, which I typically add to the stories I write.

What challenges do you face writing sizzling, funny, and erotic romance?
The biggest one, I feel, is that it’s the complete opposite of who and what I am in real life. As a project manager who takes on some pretty complex assignments in the financial services space, I am immersed in technical and business details.  When I sit down to write, I escape that reality in the most therapeutic way possible.  That is not to say I am a very serious person at work – I love a good laugh and do that quite often (if only to break the tension) and struggle to keep a straight face – particularly when I am with my data geek pals.  Writing steamy sex scenes is quite a departure from a project plan to install a new business application.  It’s actually like therapy for me to keep my sanity!

Where do you draw your characters from?
Friends, work acquaintances, family members, and of course, myself – which is probably the same for most authors I know.  I would say if I write a character, it has to be based on someone I know to breathe life into him or her.  Some are a combination of people I know.  I have always been attracted to quirky, eccentric people and want to find out everything I can about them – probably because their kind of personality, in my opinion, would make an interesting character in one of my books.

What is your best advice for up and coming erotica authors?
If you’re going to write erotic, don’t skimp on the character development and remember to create a memorable situation or set of circumstances.  It’s not about writing explicit sex scenes; it’s about creating an atmosphere with people your readers can identify with. Make your characters sensual, not simply predatory, and more importantly, likeable or sympathetic.  At least, that is the approach I take.

If you won a year-long trip around the world, where would you go? AND there’s a caveat, you can only bring three things. What would they be?
Shocking as it may seem, since I travel frequently, the only place I have been outside of the continental United States is the Big Island of Hawaii.  Being from Minnesota, I enjoy a warm climate for relaxation, so it would have to be tropical.  As for the items I would choose, I’d say a composition notebook and pen (please count that as one) so I could write when the whim strikes, sun tan lotion so I don’t fry and a pair of decent shoes! LOL

Find out more about Laurie Vincent:
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/Laurie-Vincent/e/B00L0CMB7C/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1476183066&sr=1-2-ent
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/mnnovelette
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/mnnovelette/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

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Angela Stevens: Prolific Multi-Genre Author with Great Advice for New Writers

10/6/2016

1 Comment

To start, shamelessly plug your books!
Hi Lynn, thanks for having me on your blog, it’s quite lovely in here.
For those of you that don’t know me, I like to write in a few different genres.
The Cocktail Series-- currently standing at 3 novels and 1 novella with novels 4 and 5 due out in the New Year-- are a collection of hot and steamy adult romance stories that revolve around the hunky guys of Hockey Punk. Each standalone story tells of them finding their true love. All the stories are emotional roller coasters and tackle some hard-hitting themes along the way. Although the journey might be bumpy and at times break your heart, in the end the reader is always guaranteed a happy ever after.
Lemon Drops And Love (perma-free)
Ice Cold Mint Juleps
Dark ‘N’ Stormy
Champagne Moments (Novella)

The Vargr Clan Trilogy is my YA/ NA urban fantasy and is complete. It is a family saga set in the shifter worlds of werewolves and Skin Walkers. There is a strong Native American theme running throughout. Each book in the trilogy follows Tore Vargr as he battles with his need for revenge after his brother, Erik, does all he can to destroy him. For those of you who switched off at the mention of werewolves, I guarantee you have never read a werewolf story like this! So give it a go, book 1 is perma-free. As the name suggests this series is 3 novels, but I also have a companion novella attached to this series that goes off to explore one of the characters- The Splits In My Skin is best read after finishing the Trilogy while you wait for the new spin off series, which is due out at the end of this year.
The Wolf You Feed (perma-free)
Hold On
An Unbreakable Will
The Splits In My Skin (Novella)

Mariquita is my children’s novel aimed at 8-12 year olds and is a classic styled story – kind of James And The Giant Peach meets Bugs Life. It tells of a young boy who befriends and unusual girl that turns out to be a ladybug. When they stumble on a magic circle of mushrooms, George finds he can enter Mariquita’s insect world, unfortunately when he does, he catches the eye of a large praying mantis called Craven. It is an action packed, feel good story, full of lovable and not so lovable insect characters.

What draws you to contemporary romance and urban fantasy?
Hmm, that is a hard one. I began writing contemporary romance because I loved reading the genre. I love a good romance story and am partial to the steamy bits. But what I really like is a story that combines them both. So when I write mine, I love to have a deeper story to get into.
But mainly I write romance to help me recharge after writing fantasy. I love the challenge of writing urban fantasy. Each book I have written has always challenged me- the research, the twisting of threads, the creation of my beings, their laws and beliefs. All of that fascinates me. I also find that the writing of them requires a totally different approach from my romance books. I plot a lot more and have several threads I like to twist together. As a result they cause me a lot of headaches. The chapters are always being shuffled and I find I need to sift through everything with a fine toothcomb to make sure everything is set up properly. I find them fascinating to construct and I love bringing these near human creatures to life.

You are a prolific writer with 9 published books. Which is your favorite?
You know that is like asking which is my favorite child! In all honesty, it is usually the book I have just finished. The reason being that my work is always evolving and growing. That said, I think the final book of the Trilogy- An Unbreakable Will- is probably one of my all time favorites because this is when Tore’s daughter Eva comes into her own. Her and a host of cool Native American warriors grew and grew in this book and I kind of became obsessed by them. So much so, they are getting their own series. Blood Or Destiny: A Black Walker Warrior Novel will be out toward the end of the year.

What is your best advice for up and coming indie authors?
Don’t be so precious about your manuscript that you aren’t able to see it clearly. Once you have drafted it, take off those rose tinted glasses and find a critique partner who will point out the manuscripts weaknesses. Then acknowledge those weaknesses and shore them up. Remember no one writes a perfect manuscript straight out of the box. It doesn’t matter if you are a first time author or Stephen King, your work needs a critical nit picking eye and you need the courage to sift through the criticism and take on board what needs to be done. First draft is only the beginning; do not see it as the end of your manuscript’s journey.

You are fleeing your home, and you only have time to grab three things. What are they and why did you pick them?
My laptop: Because on there are all my finished and half-finished manuscripts as well as the only just thought of ideas, not to mention all my original drafts and final drafts of things I have published. I wouldn’t even begin to know what I’d do if I lost them all. I of course have them backed up in about ten places, but in truth can only ever find them on my laptop.
My Cat’s (technically that is four but we will assume they all jump simultaneously into one cat basket) because I have never been without a cat in my life and could not imagine being able to sleep without them all weighing down my comforter.
And now I’m struggling. I’m not a sentimental person or a materialistic one. I’m not sure that there is anything else that could not be replaced in my life.

Find out more about Angela Stevens:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAngelaStevens/
http://www.angelastevens.net
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAngelaStevens/

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Kris Johnston: Multi-genre Author- Gothic, YA, & Dystopian, Super-Mom of 6

9/28/2016

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To start, shamelessly plug your books!
This Beautiful Curse: A Gothic Fairy Tale
This has been described as "Tim Burton meets Dr. Seuss." If you love creepy tales that read like a children's book, but was written for grown ups, and contains fantastic illustrations and imagery, you'll love This Beautiful Curse!
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B016B63F3U
Find Me in Heaven
A story of soulmates who, with the help of guardian angels, find one another online only to die together when they meet in person. However, death is only the beginning for the couple, as they are swept into Heaven and come face to face with obstacles that keep them separated. This is a standalone HEA that is full of plot twists and an amazing journey that shows true love can transcend anything, even the entire universe.
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01EXJ96EE
Rest in Peace Roz: The R.I.P. Series, Book 1
Roz is a young woman who has lived her entire life neglected and abused by drug-addicted parents. However, all that changes one night when, during a terrifying assault, Roz is saved by a spirit named Jimmy.
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LQS9R1W

You describe yourself as a multi-genre author. Which genres do you write in? Which is the most challenging?
I call myself multi-genre because I can't ever seem to decide on one. I love reading all genres, so why not write all of them as well? Currently, I have written Gothic fairy tales, contemporary romance/fantasy, and YA paranormal. I also have a Dystopian romance in the works! So far, the most challenging has been the Dystopian romance, because it takes place in a time that we, as a people, haven't seen yet. At the same time, it opens up a lot possibilities because we haven't experienced that time yet.

You have a new release out: Rest in Peace Roz: The R.I.P. Series Book 1. Which character most resembles you? How?
I'm a single mother of 6, so I would have to say Bonnie Walters, Roz's foster mother. She's a true nurturer. She's also eclectic, spiritually open, always positive, with a great big heart and a head full of crazy hair.

What is the hardest obstacle your main character has to overcome?
There are many obstacles for Roz, but probably the hardest one for her to overcome is her past. Her mother is a drug addict and because of that, she has an inner sense of worthlessness which, although is never mentioned directly, is very much present. Her evolution during the story might be one of the most beautiful things I've ever written.

What is the message of your book?
It has several messages, but my favorites are: Family doesn't have to be biological; hope can be shown without words; and true love can overcome almost anything, even death.

If you were stranded in a foreign country, what three things would you want with you and why?
1. My phone, because if I ever make it to a foreign country, I'm going to need pictures! 2. Unlimited resources, because if I'm stranded in a foreign country then I'm going to shop like crazy and eat all the food! 3. My children, because we could make it into an amazing adventure none of us would ever forget.

Find out more about Author Kris Johnston:
www.facebook.com/authorkrisjohnston
www.twitter.com/krisjohn_author
www.instagram.com/kris_johnston_author

Thanks for the interview!

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Richard Cezar: Author with an Eclectic World View Derived from Personal Experience

9/22/2016

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What experiences in your life have you drawn upon for your novels?
Before I started writing, I was employed by a number of international corporations. I traveled fairly extensively to Asia, Europe, South America, and Canada. The most surprising and impactful experience I took away from my exposure to those cultures is how differently they may look upon the same situation.
As Americans, we tend to think that our value system is universal. That does not appear to be true, and it seems rather arrogant of us to think so. In Japan, for example, honesty is not more important than “saving face”. In my experience, the Japanese, in certain circumstances, will flatly lie in order to “save face”–not their own, but yours, to spare your embarrassment.
I don’t mean to pick on the Japanese. There are many examples of differing behaviors from many countries that we might find odd, even repulsive.
That brings us to communication and words. Some words are not translatable. There are emotions in our society, and others, which are impossible to express. I see it as my job, as a writer, to come as close as I can, while keeping it simple.

Your book, In the Robes of Gods, explores the “Conflict between the weakness of the human condition and modern technology.” Would you tell us a little about that?
By weakness of the human condition, I refer to the worst of our nature–greed and arrogance. These are present, to one degree or another, in all of us. They are the engine that propels the world marketplace. We demand faster and more powerful technology than our neighbors, and are willing to pay for it. Suppliers stand ready to fill that need.
All technology buffs know what The Singularity means. It is the projected point in time when our computers, driven by the market, will become smarter than humans. Our most learned on the subject estimate sometime between 2030 and 2045. Others say it won’t happen for a hundred years. All agree that it is inevitable, if we don’t destroy ourselves first. If, or when, it happens, computers will become the next level of evolution. They will become exponentially more powerful, and able to build more of their kind. We won’t be able to stop them, since they will be able to predict our every move, including unplugging them (haha). Sorry to sound so negative. In my view, it can all be avoiding by reining back a bit on the most base of our character.

Do your main characters resemble you in any way?
Yes, of course I draw from my own characteristics, as well as others I’ve met. What else is there? I believe that imagination is a twisting and melding of all things we have known. When I use some of my own traits, I try to lean on the worst, not the best. It makes the character more flawed and believable.

If your home was threatened by a wildfire, what three things would you want with you and why?
This question is liken to one might find buried in a psych evaluation. I’m excluding family and pets–inanimate objects only. And presuming I already have my pants on:
a) A pair of shoes (rocky terrain)
b) A blanket (preferably fire retardant, and for warmth)
c) Cell phone (call for help)
As you can see, I’m a practical guy. Pictures and sentimental items can be replaced, but only if I’m alive. And, as I can see, you’re a California native. We don’t have wildfires in Chicago.

When you sit down to write, what lights your internal fire?
Here’s another question with fire in it. It’s a question I can only address, not answer. I can only say that when I’m “in the zone”, I can picture the scenes and characters vividly, to the exclusion of all else. Time goes by so quickly that hours seem like minutes. Even after I’m away from the computer, perhaps watching TV, ideas come to me, and I have to run to write them down. I’ve tried to just remember them for the next day, but it doesn’t work. I’m compelled to write them down. I may simply be nuts!

Find out more about Author Richard Cezar:
facebook.com/R.Cezar
goodreads.com/author/show/6893538.Richard_Cezar
linkedin.com/profile/view?id=AAIAAA099eQBWzi2
twitter.com/richard_cezar
www.amazon.com/Richard-Cezar/e/B00J3CHIW4

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Devon West: #Author #Writing to the Beat of Her Internal Rhythm!

9/16/2016

1 Comment

To start, shamelessly plug your book.
Thank you Lynn, for providing this space and opportunity. The Wild Type is a story that delves into rich imagery, the mystery of reality and time, thus the value to which we are submitted both as material and immaterial beings. It’s an up-close look at situations that cause a specific brand of discomfort. One that is vague and difficult to define, often leaving us with feelings that are distorted and disconnected from those around us, persisting in the form of actually doubting if anything even occurred. It mimics the dream while questioning reality.

You describe your novel as not corresponding to “typical genre fiction.” In what way does it differ from the norm?
I wrote it following an internal rhythm rather than an external one that is easily recognizable. I incorporated the element of atmosphere, and emotional texture, while also adding sparse moments that can be directly linked to the modern world.

What was your greatest influence in writing The Wild Type?
I would have to say the “Oedipus complex” as well as how ostracized environments both psychologically and physically can shape a human being. But beneath it all it’s a study on isolation, hence the title (because there are no human wild types) and the opening scene “The Rabbit People”. Each character questions their place in the world, by being confronted on a daily basis with the vastness that entails existing. Their experience of suffering is a deep seated wound, a hunger that can’t be met. But it also refuses to be ignored, so it seeks satisfaction through unhealthy outlets. I also explored the concept of “feeling different” some people subscribe to. On a side note, readers that are familiar with “Berenice” by Edgar Allan Poe will find hints of a similar theme.

Does your main character, Bianka, resemble you in any way?
No she doesn’t. Bianka originated as a character study I did when I was thirteen yrs. old, during a visit to a family members house, one of their in-laws had brought her two daughters, one of the little girls was around the age of four, and she wouldn’t stop staring at me from behind a half opened door, I found her unusual. I asked who she was, and I remember her mother said, ‘that one’s evil’. When I got home I did a written ‘portrait study’ of a teenage version of the little girl. But it would be a long time for her to resurface and make her way into my work.

If you decided to live in a remote cabin setting, what three things would you want with you and why?
A computer with no internet connection (only for writing) why? because typing allows the words to flow accordingly, when I write longhand, it forces me to slow down and sometimes that means things get lost in the process. Painting materials, because when I don’t write I switch to painting. And a camera, to document the experience.

When you sit down to write, what lights your fire?
The fire you mention is rarely lit sitting down, it happens before, while engaged in life. But most of the time the ignition is caused by things I find upsetting; so the fire is lit by anger.

Find out more about Author Devon West:
https://twitter.com/devonwestauthor
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/52958692-devon-west
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/52958692-devon-west

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Wendy Jones: #Author of Feisty, Funny, And Sharp #Characters!

9/8/2016

2 Comments

To start, shamelessly plug your books!
Hi I’m Wendy H. Jones, the author of the DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries. This is a series of crime novels set in Dundee, Scotland. Shona is feisty, funny, sharp and Scotland’s Got To Girl for any murders which appear weird and wonderful. The books are different in that they explore the crime from the point of view of the killer as well as the detectives. This does not mean that you know who the killer is. Shona is also the only Police Officer in Scotland to use guns. In consultation with the local police they agreed that you couldn’t send in a new team to catch the killer, so Shona and her team are it.
The first four books in the series are called:
Killer’s Countdown
Killer’s Craft
Killer’s Cross
Killer’s Cut
The fifth book in the series is called Killer’s Crew and will be out in November this year.
I have the first book in a brand new Series being launched on 10th September, 2016. This is a young Adult Mystery called The Dagger’s Curse.
An ancient Egyptian dagger.
A hungry curse.
A city under siege.
In the dead of night the ancient dagger is stolen from the museum in Dundee. As mysterious accidents, illness and even death stalk the city, the Detective Duo, Fergus Bernstein and Flora MacDonald, follow clues that lead them into ever increasing danger. Can they find the dagger and break the curse before it’s too late?

Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?
I would say that all the writers I have ever read have influenced my writing. I read a lot of crime books and have done since I was a child. Therefore I am sure my brain is an amalgam of all of these superb crime writers. I do like reading the Scottish Crime Writers in particular.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you want with you and why?
A kindle with thousands of books on it as I would get withdrawal symptoms if I couldn’t read
My laptop so I could carry on writing
Solar power to charge both of the above

What was the first book or story in your genre you remember reading?
I don’t know exactly but Five on Treasure Island would have to be a strong contender. The first adult crime book I read was Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. I was ten and had progressed to the adult section of the library.

Have you ever used contemporary events or stories “ripped from the headlines” in your work?
Now that would be telling. I do tend to file things away in my brain and I do mention contemporary stories from the local newspaper.

What is the message in your book(s)?
I’m not sure there is a message but one does tackle bullying. The message is mostly enjoy the book and the bad guy always gets caught.
Which of your characters most resembles you? How?
None of the characters resemble me per se, but they all probably have traits in them that are a part of me as well. I’m definitely not like Shona because she is tall and a runner. That’s not how people would describe me.

You can get a free book, DI Shona McKenzie’s Guide to Killing Your Boss, from Wendy's website: http://www.wendyhjones.com
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Thanks for the interview!

2 Comments

Richard Gibney, Talented Irish Author of Science Fiction and Short Stories

8/26/2016

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Meet Irish #SciFi #Author, #Journalist, and Prolific #Blogger, Richard Gibney!

Where did you get the idea for your work in progress, The Quantum Eavesdropper?
The concept came from documentaries on black holes. I watched a description of a craft going into a black hole and the narrator suggested that the craft would look frozen to us if we could observe it from a safe distance, but actually the spacecraft would have long been swallowed up. I speculated "Well what if it wasn't swallowed? What if it was frozen permanently, forever stuck on the Event Horizon (or whatever it’s called now)? And the black hole, coupled with the ship's technology, allows communication through time to every point in Earth's history from the establishment of electric communications – the telegraph – to the present and future? So you could – in theory – get a cellphone call from my hero Tremayne today, from his time in 2095.
I also have a lot of detail related to the alien planet the four faster-than-light space pioneers visit. The aliens have had a presence on Earth since 1979, and they are tied-in somewhat with the time travel elements.

What’s your favorite science fiction book?
I don’t read sci fi to be honest. I understand that makes me an irresponsible sci fi novelist! Novelisations of Star Wars A New Hope and Back to the Future were childhood faves. Arthur C Clarke had some good stuff. A novel set in the V universe (the lizard aliens series from the 80s) based on the New York City equivalent characters of the LA-set tv show was the first book in which I read the word motherf***er! It was called V: East Coast Crisis by Howard Weinstein and AC Crispin. I’ve read some Trek books, which were okay. Shatner’s co-authored revisionist resurrection of Kirk was good, I thought.
Peadar O’Guilín is an Irish author who launched a YA series that pre-dates The Hunger Games novel series by a year, and features a similar blood sport theme, and sentient-species cannibalism. The Inferior is the first book in this series and I recommend it.
1984 was a really enjoyable read in recent years, but a pal asked me why I was reading a kid’s book. So probably Orwell's 1984 if I have to choose. Again – I’m not a huge sci fi buff! But Orwell has both an emotional richness in such a short work, and a hard sci fi aspect, that are difficult to top.

You are from Ireland. What misconception do you think the US has about the Irish?
I think that's an unfair question for Americans. It's like asking me what misconception I might have about Timbuktu. We can develop prejudices and insights about the US very easily here because we get so much of its culture on television and through movies. But I don't hold a view either way on Timbuktu beyond its purported remoteness. I do think - given our histories – that many Americans know an awful lot about Ireland.
One recent misconception could have been Irish-American support for the armed struggle. I think this support was higher among the Boston and NY Irish than the Irish in Dublin. But then of course Bill Clinton got involved hugely in the peace process, and went to great lengths to end the conflict.
Now if you’ll excuse me for a few moments, I am just going to mix myself a quick whiskey, and put the potatoes in the oven.

Your novel, Quantum Eavesdropper, deals with a dystopian world view. What is your greatest fear for the future of human kind?
Good question. I am not a futurologist by any stretch. So please don’t confuse me with someone who knows what he’s talking about, and do check my facts.
In the 70s and 80s, some scientists claimed - based on the information they had - that the world's oil would be gone by 2000.
There’s a lot of xenophobia in Eavesdropper, by which I mean anti-immigrant sentiment rather than hatred of extraterrestrials. Brexit (which could be a good thing in the right hands) was predicable enough for me to allude to in the novel, where London and Brussels introduce very similar legislation related to rationing in the 2080s. This kind of international fractiousness could exacerbate tensions – although governments can pull out of unions and alliances for the right reasons as well as the wrong.
A related point is that sweatshops and worker underpayment in the Poor South clearly drive immigration. Capitalist tendencies have been embraced by people of far more enlightened cultures (in terms of personal happiness, acceptance of struggle and whatever else), with a concurrent abandonment of their superior ethics. But you can’t expect to buy three pairs of socks for five dollars and also choose who lives next door to you, or who serves you drink, or who prescribes your meds. People come here for a better life because we don’t pay them what we owe them in their own. That’s economics: That’s not even covering victims in warzones. But my Eavesdropper main character, a white male called Tremayne, is racist in part due to his own personal circumstances. And he vents at an American girl who is no more responsible for the world’s ills than he is – in fact she’s less.
I think we're innovative as a species and the dystopic elements entering into our lives today have positive aspects too.
Big Data, for example – which is also clearly touched on in Eavesdropper, given its title– usually pertains to the hoarding of our personal data. But it extends to the retention of medical data, which can be de-personalized and used for the common good.
There are vast databases of information collected now on any number of diseases and conditions from patients, right? So this is stuff that the doctors, scientists and statisticians can put together and examine in ways that were impossible in the past.
This is better than market research because these are genuine medical conditions, or treatments that are monitored. There’s work undertaken by Carolyn McGregor in Ottawa (and now internationally), related to premature babies – and it’s only that the data is stored nowadays that she could work with it. In the past, the information had to be dumped due to the overhead with respect to storage capacity – but they can store that stuff now.
McGregor looked at the incubator data related to each fatality over a period of time and spotted similar changes in temperature from all these babies, just pre-mortem.
She introduced methods to intervene in cases where it was clear the babies would not survive. Alarms go off if the babies are about to expire, and many more are now saved as a result of this research, just finding the matching aberration that would otherwise lead to death.
We can infer that this sort of thing has applications everywhere – people with locked-in syndrome or in comas on similar monitors that collate data related to respiration, temperature, and whatever else, information taken from pacemakers, enhanced hearing aids, GPS technologies for road or air traffic refinements. All that data is captured and is there right now – it’s either being worked on or can be or is held in storage, to be worked on later. It just takes statisticians like Dr McGregor to take a serious look at it, spot the patterns, and develop treatments.
So Big Data is not just about all the bad stuff. Wikileaks, Google, the CIA, Anonymous, Russia, China and North Korea. You can see the benefits in a lot of apparently dystopic stuff.
Fuel and food shortages will and do encourage sustainable, greener living.
Frankenfoods may address food shortages; I’d probably agree with them to a limited extent, from what I’ve read. But again, that’s also an endorsement of massive multinationals, the same broad crowd – in fear of generalising – who are killing the bees with their pesticides. It’s a bit like beating somebody up, and then driving him to the emergency room. And that problem is replicated in industry, society and government policy across the world.

So, you see better things ahead?
I find it difficult to foresee a future without poverty or hunger, and that's ridiculous. We are in the main all decent people. Why aren't we electing leaders to end that?
Statistics are used to levy taxes in ways that don’t take into consideration personal circumstance enough, or national deficits, or the skewing of the balance sheet in favour of the developed world or the bank against the mortgage holder, the landlord over the tenant. Perhaps the aspects of Big Data I mentioned will be able to address that in the future on such an ultra-personal level that society becomes more equal, and ideological difference pales to irrelevance. Good Samaritan behaviour could be rewarded and incentivised. The Share economy could be regulated for the better.
A daft scenario: Your kid finishes school at 3pm, you leave work to meet him there but your bus breaks down with no replacement until after three. So you hail a cab, which you ultimately can’t afford. In terms of checks and balances, the state could calculate immediately how much that cab would cost the government, which is less than what it will cost the government to accommodate you and your kid if you are evicted from your home due to non-payment of the rent which comes out of your account later today. But this daft scenario might work. The fear – and the fear played up in science fiction – is placing too much weight on the computers, which claim you don’t exist, or a miscalculation of probabilities, or whatever else.
So achieving moderate success might be made easier, getting good healthcare might be easier, but the outliers of falling into dire poverty or of entering billionaire status would be rarer (rare as the latter is already).

Speed Round:
Star Wars or Star Trek?
Short answer: Star Wars.
I asked fellow scribe JD Estrada for his view on this and I agree wholeheartedly: He said Trek is “almost psychoanalytical” while Wars is “emotional”.
Trek is more philosophically ambitious in respects (think Data’s introspection or his need to have his rights acknowledged, for instance) while Star Wars has the visceral edge. But I could be very critical of both franchises.

Ice Cream or Froyo?
Frozen yogurt? I think I would choose Froyo for the health benefits over the ice cream. (If I loved ice cream the way I love chocolate, I’d choose ice cream. But not chocolate ice cream. I could take or leave that stuff.)

Ale or Miller Light?
I like Miller. I don't like Bud. I love Guinness in an Irish pub, poured in the right way, with a coooool, creamy head that you have to wait to settle, and the refined but unmistakable… [TRAILS OFF. DROOLS.]. Nah, I would be happy with coke! A few lines of that and you can drink anything. Pfff!
Seriously, I prefer to drive and can no longer handle hangovers. So I don’t really drink that much. What’s your point please? Is this an Irish misconception from above?

Thanks for the thoughtful interview, Richard!
Richard Gibney is seeking an agent for his novel The Quantum Eavesdropper now.
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