Author interviews
This interview was so good! Enjoy!
1) Tell us about your latest book: My latest book, Cross My Heart, will be available in paperback (from Rainy Day Reads Publishing) soon. It is a continuing story, featuring Liam and Emma, the characters from Investigating the Heart. It is a romantic suspense novel, and will take readers on an exciting journey. I have also just signed with Hot Tree Publishing for my third novel, Always Hope, which will be available toward the end of this year. Always Hope is Romantic Women’s Fiction, and is certain to pluck at your heartstrings. 2) How old were you when you started writing? I started writing in Junior High, and quickly discovered that I was much better at expressing myself through the written word than I was verbally. I knew it was something I wanted to pursue, but I put it on the back burner once I had children. I seriously started pursuing my dream in 2015, and my first novel, Investigating the Heart was published with Solstice Publishing in September of last year. 3) What do you do when you are lacking inspiration? When I feel like I’m lacking inspiration, I generally step away for a bit. I’ll hang out with my kids, do some work around the house, or focus on something else for a while. Normally, something will spark the fire of creativity and I’ll get back to work. 4) What made you decide to publish your book(s)? Being a published author was something I always wanted, and once I began taking my writing seriously, I knew that would be the ultimate path for me. 5) At this point in your career, what has been the most memorable experience as a writer thus far? The most memorable experience for me by far was being offered my first publishing contract. It was so surreal, seeing the culmination of my dreams right in front of me. 6) What would be your advice to fellow writers who want to publish their work? My advice would be to keep writing. Write even when you know it’s bad. You can always edit bad writing, but you can’t do anything with words that don’t exist. 7) Share one of your past obstacles in your writing career, and how you overcame it. The biggest obstacle for me when I started out was learning how to handle rejection. I had the fantasy, as most beginning authors do, that everyone who read my work would instantly fall in love with it. The opposite reality was hard to accept at first. Not everyone will love what you do. Those aren’t the people you’re writing for. You are writing first and foremost for yourself, and if you do that your work will come from your heart. When that happens, you’ll find the readers who will fall in love with your words. 8) If you were starting your writing career over today, what is one thing you would do differently? I’m not one who regrets many things. I believe that there is a purpose to everything, and each path you choose is chosen for a reason. I’m happy with my journey so far, and quite honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing.
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I love doing interviews with authors. It is always so motivating to learn about their stories, and how they were able to publish their books.
Can you tell us anything about your books? Of course! The current trilogy is a high fantasy set in a medieval world where magic has been labeled as bad, the only dragons left are bonded with people bent of destroying everything, and a king is in danger. Riona is the main character, and through a series of events and adventures, discovers who she really is. A cast of varied friends accompanies her, as well as one snarky dragon named Feoras. While I love writing and reading fantasy I wanted this story to be much more accessible for readers of all genres; I know the length of fantasies and the quantity of description can turn readers off. So to that end, these books are small, the first is just under 77,000 words, and I keep the action moving forward. No getting bogged down in detailed description here! There’s family, loyalty, fate, and love all wrapped up in a magical bow. How old were you when you started writing? I’ve always written stories, ever since I learned how to write. But the inspiration for these specific stories, what I call The Ryder Chronicles, started when I was 16. I wrote a lot of the first books, but then let it sit for many years. While in college I picked it up again, and haven’t put the characters or world down yet! What do you do when you are lacking inspiration? Whenever I am lacking inspiration, or drive to write, I usually cut myself some slack and do something outside. Even just going for a simple hike at a nature preserve nearby clears my head. Usually I end up coming back with even more ideas. I also work on at least two projects at once. I can bounce between them if motivation in one is lacking. It keeps the words flowing, and that’s the important part. You can edit a bad page, you can’t fix a blank one. What made you decide to publish your book? I have always wanted other people to read and enjoy my books. Sharing the stories with others is one of the best feelings. I decided to self publish this series because I did not want someone else telling me how to “fix” or “change” my stories. I have been working on these characters and this world for years, if I select a name or plot point, there is a specific reason why. I currently am finishing up a contemporary romance set in Ireland, the first in a trilogy that will be shopped around to traditional publishers and agents. I feel there is more of a market for romance books. If it doesn’t pan out, I’ll just self publish them too! So far, what has been the highlight of your career as a writer? Getting Fan Art! That hands down, has been the best aspect to being a writer. Though the second best is when people read it and then geek out over the characters and story with me. What is your advice to writers wanting to be published? There are so many avenues for writers to take to being published, so I would say to stay positive, and keep trying. At times it will seem like you’re climbing the highest mountain, but just keep going. Keep querying, keep writing a backlog, join a critique group where people are honest. Hone your craft. What have been your biggest struggles with writing, and how have you overcome them? Honestly, probably staying positive when there are no sales, the imagination has run dry, and no one else is in love with your characters yet. Everyone has those days where you just want to throw in the towel. You have to remember that every writer has felt this way at some point. Every writer has felt the sting of rejection, it’s all part of the industry. What you have to do is remember why you started writing in the first place. Was it for an audience? Or was it because you had characters poking at your head begging to have their story be told? If it’s the latter, keep going. It will all be worth it. Do you have any advice for your fellow writers? See above! Looking for Writing Tips? Check out this interview I did with Michael Reid Jr.
Tell us about your books: I write, and plan to write, in a variety of genres. My current novel, Debt of Fear, is a terrorism thriller which focuses on a marine scout recon who is now a civilian suffering from mild PTSD. He is asked to re-enter service to his country, by hunting down a terrorist cell in America. Within the novel, you also get a glimpse into the mind of a terrorist who happens to be an ex-military man himself, and seeing what motivates him. I am actively working on the second book in the Logan Falcone Series. A soon to be released book entitled The Beyond Experience is in the areas of medical suspense/religion and spirituality. It centers around Dr. Ethan Lewis. Dr. Ethan Lewis’ radical cure for anxiety and depression had become a worldwide phenomenon; millions swearing they’ve visited heaven. Secretly, Dr. Lewis and his lab assistant, Kyle, dive into a special project testing the limits of the drug. A major breakthrough hints at an emotional secret from Dr. Lewis’ past, forcing him to shut it down. Suddenly, dozens of people who underwent treatment are missing, Kyle is found dead and Dr. Lewis gets a visit from the FBI. He must enter the experience himself, but going in will force him to come face to face with his traumatic past, his addictions, and the biggest mistake of his life. His entire belief system crumbles when something he’s denied for years presents itself in the most undeniable way. How old were you when you started writing? I was around 25 when I began my first novel. It took me 8 years to complete because I lacked the confidence to finish. I had taken some creative writing courses in undergraduate studies that helped plant a seed. What do you do when you are lacking inspiration? Think. I’m always thinking. But when I want to write but I feel blocked, the best thing I’ve found, is to write. Allow the characters to interact with the plot and stay true to them, not what you want the story to do. What made you decide to publish your book(s)? A man named John. I slipped and told him about my book one day and he wouldn’t let it go. I let him read it and he loved the unfinished version, convincing me to finish it. At this point in your career, what has been the most memorable experience as a writer thus far? Actually getting reviews. It affirms I’ve reached someone, whether for good or bad. But the absolute best feedback I’ve gotten is when a veteran tells me I “nailed it.” But a close second is when someone tells me they like Logan Falcone more than Jack Reacher. What would be your advice to fellow writers who want to publish their work? DON’T RUSH IT!. Get a manuscript done, have people read it, critical ones who will tell you the truth. Then rewrite it again and again. Oh, and again. Then sit on it, re-read it while someone is doing your cover design, and then rewrite it. Then sit on it. Make sure all your ducks are in a row. Then publish. What have been your biggest struggles with writing, and how have you overcome them? By far the biggest struggle for me has been marketing. My reviews have been great, but it’s hard to reach a wider audience. There are so many books out there that may enjoy it, but it’s hard to reach them. I do the best I can through social media, reaching out to readers and running ads, but it’s truly hard to know what’s really working. Do you have any advice for your fellow writers? Writing the book is the easiest part. A lot of people will pat you on the back but you want constructive and honest feedback. It’s a difficult place to succeed, and you need to make sure your work is polished. The edits, the design, pouring over different fonts, marketing, outreaching, all of that is markedly harder than finishing the first draft. it’s an accomplishment, but don’t sit back and relax at that point. The grind really starts afterwards. http://www.michaelreidjr.com It was a pleasure to interview author Diana Anderson! Here's the discussion we had.
Tell us a little about your books. I write in three completely different genres: faith-based fitness (non-fiction), women’s contemporary, and young adult fantasy. My non-fiction books are all about viewing ourselves as three-part beings comprised of spirt, soul, and body, and eating well and exercising properly with that in mind. To me, fitness is about far more than looking a certain way or preventing diseases; it’s about being the best version of ourselves so we can better serve and love those around us. My first novel, Moonbow: The Colors of Iris, is a prequel to the young adult fantasy series I’m currently writing. It’s set in an ancient-Greece-like world and tells the story of a teenaged girl with a secret superpower who must decide whether she’ll use it to perpetuate war or bring about peace. It was an adaptation of a screenplay I wrote in college and was a ton of fun to write, as I love researching all things related to ancient Greek culture and mythology! My upcoming women’s contemporary novel is called Armor for Orchids. It follows three small-town twenty-somethings who are each struggling with seemingly hopeless battles, from depression and anorexia to rebellion and marital infidelity. Their only commonality is their connection to 82-year-old Poppy McAdams, a local heroine who shows them all, in her unique albeit mysterious way, what it takes to have true and lasting victory. This story was one of those I literally felt had to be written….really, it wouldn’t stop pestering me until I got it out on paper! It was truly therapeutic to write and I pray it’s a blessing to the women who read it. It will be published by Evatopia Press later this year! The current fantasy series I’m working on is, like Moonbow, heavily influenced by my lifelong love for Greek mythology. It is set in the present, unlike Moonbow, and follows my protagonist Chloe who lives in a dystopian world whose corrupt government is hiding a long-kept secret only she can uncover. I’ve had a blast bringing gods and heroes such as Apollo, Hermes, Orpheus, even Medusa into the cast of characters! When did you start writing? As soon as I learned the alphabet! My mom has bins full of my stories, which were written before I knew sentences run from left to right! I just scribbled letters around the edges of construction paper, drew pictures in the center, stapled the pages together, and called it a book! Why do you write? I’m going to shamelessly quote Nicole Krauss because her statement perfectly expresses my sentiments: “Why does one begin to write? Because she feels misunderstood, I guess. Because it never comes out clearly enough when she tries to speak. Because she wants to rephrase the world, to take it in and give it back again differently, so that everything is used and nothing is lost. Because it’s something to do to pass the time until she is old enough to experience the things she writes about.” I write because, quite simply, it’s the best way I know to both express myself and daydream about and discover the things of which I am absolutely ignorant and naïve. It’s the art form God gave me to explore and enjoy, and I intend to soak up all its joys until the day I die. How do you find inspiration? Obviously, Greek mythology is a huge inspiration for my fiction. I’ve been fascinated with myths, and Greek myths in particular, since I was little girl. There’s something so timeless about them. The characters, even the most divine and powerful ones, are incredibly relatable and relevant, even now. The level of conflict they portray, the pathos they present, the catharsis they provide, and the worlds they paint are what have kept readers and writers returning to them for millennia. They’re classic examples of stellar storytelling that will never grow stale. My fitness books and contemporary fiction are largely inspired by events in my own life. I struggled with anorexia and body image issues as a teen and now write extensively about having a healthy mindset when it comes to fitness and nutrition. I know firsthand what it’s like to be your body’s own worst enemy and want to help women overcome harmful habits and thought patterns. Though several of the characters in Armor for Orchids struggle with things with which I personally have little or no experience, I draw inspiration from stories I’ve heard or read throughout my life, as well as from my own imagination. As is often the case, inspiration seems to come when I just let myself ponder the question, “What if…?” What is your advice on the editing process? First, enlist beta readers, people who are familiar with your genre and can give you honest feedback on whether what you’re writing is resonating or falling flat. Second, hire a professional editor to proofread and/or edit your work from a developmental standpoint, preferably both. It’s worth it to save some money and invest in an editor who can put the final polish on your book. A great editor and an expert cover designer are musts, in my opinion. Third, never stop learning about the craft of writing a story that works from start to finish. Learn all you can about plot structure, beats and scenes, set-ups and pay-offs, crises and resolutions, inciting incidents and climaxes. The more you know, the easier editing will go for you as you’re better able to identify any problem areas and their fixes. Were you ever nervous about publishing? Honestly, not really. I knew that this would be a giant learning experience and that only a very small percentage of people knock it out of the park with their debut novel, or even their first ten novels. I made a boatload of mistakes when I published my first few books, but these have only made me a better business person and have further convinced me that I was born to be a writer. So much has happened, both personally and professionally, that could have caused me to give up on writing altogether, but I’ve stuck with it because I love it with all my heart. Today’s publishing world is exciting, volatile, competitive, and tremendously frustrating, but I believe it will always reward the authors who stick with it and persevere. So far, what has been the highlight of your career as a writer? Recently signing with Evatopia Press was a huge moment for me. I’m very excited to have their support and look forward to seeing what this relationship brings. Second to that – and this might sound strange – my agent breaking up with me earlier this year was actually a blessing in disguise. He’d been representing my novel Moonbow and gave up on it, understandably, after eight months. I was heartbroken. A few months later, I emailed him my latest fantasy novel for his consideration and didn’t receive so much as a standard rejection email. More heartbreak. I felt like I was being rejected by my first love all over again! But, as was the case with my publishing mistakes, this disappointment only made me stronger. After I cried and threw my pity party, I got up, dried my tears, and went straight back to work on my manuscript. You can’t let one person tell you, either by their words or actions, that you’re not good enough, that your work is worthless. I strongly believe that the joy of writing should always be your “why” for writing. It should never be about pleasing an agent, making money, or winning fans. Creating meaningful art transcends all those things, which is an immensely freeing thought. Do you have any advice for your fellow writers? Read a lot! I know I quoted another writer earlier, but I’m going to do it again. Lisa See said this, “Read a thousand books, and your words will flow like a river.” Read books that challenge you, books by authors you know are (for now, at least) far better than you. Let them be your teachers. Let their words wash over and enrich you. Take notes on how they turn a scene, build a world, and describe a character. Read like a student. I promise you’ll be amazed by the results! |
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