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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Interview with Patty Hevly, Author of Chasing Tony

children's book, illustrations, picture, read aloud

Today we are interviewing Patty Hevly, author of the children's book Chasing Tony.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I wrote stories as a child and have recently rediscovered this side of me in Chasing Tony, which is my first book. I am an all around artist and have been doing a lot more illustrations over the past couple years, which helped feed my inspiration for this book. In addition to writing and illustration I also enjoy design, photography, jewelry design, painting and metalwork.

Describe the plot of your book in a few sentences.

Tony the squirrel takes Bobby and Emily’s ice cream money resulting in a game of chase around the park. The book shows all the ways the kids try to catch Tony, which is a great conversation starter about what is nice and not nice behavior. Eventually showing that being polite and treating others nice will be your best bet.

Who do you think would appreciate this book most and why?

It is a great social skills book for kids 5-7. It is a fun book with humorous mischief that helps parents talk with their kids about their behavior and interactions with others.

What inspirations contributed to this book?
It originally started out more science based with the kids running around the park and talking about trees and birds. I ended up having so much fun with Tony and his escape methods that I ended up re-writing the whole thing and making it social skills based instead.

Who was your favorite character to write and why?
Definitely Tony. He had so much personality and I had fun figuring out all his crazy methods of escaping Bobby’s attempts at catching him. Of course, I have a special fondness for the character of Bobby as well, since he was inspired by the memory of my dad, Bob, who got into a lot of mischief in his youth.

You also illustrated this book. What medium did you use?

It was all digital. I drew and colored the illustrations using Illustrator, then layed out the book using InDesign.

How long have you been active with art? What got you into it?
I have always had an interest in art. I would say it is my true passion. My walls are covered with different styles of art and I love to try and practice different mediums. I enjoy painting, mixed media, photography, illustration and in the past year have been working with metal in jewelry and sculpture. I enjoy the combination of doing both hands on art as well as digital drawing and animations.

What do you have in mind for your next project?
I want to turn Chasing Tony into a series based on other social skills and behavioral issues. I also have a couple other one-off book ideas I’d like to pursue. I am a classic case of too many ideas and too little time. I will probably do one of my one-off ideas first then another Tony the squirrel book. I plan to release a Spanish version of Chasing Tony soon and would like to make Chasing Tony into a book app as well.

How long have you been writing?
I wrote stories as a child, but it has only been this past year when I thought about writing a children’s book. It has been a great, and I plan to write many more books.

What is your favorite book?
Ayn Rand’s Fountainhead is a favorite. I think because I see a lot of myself in her character, Howard Roark. I am more of an artist than a designer. Once I get an idea in my head it is hard to adjust it to what other people want.

What genre do you read most frequently?

I am in a bookclub which helps me explore books I may otherwise never read, however on my own I like literary fiction, suspense, chick lit and some romance.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
I think it is a fun and entertaining book with somewhat quirky illustrations that kids will enjoy. It‘s fun, but also helps teach kids about what is nice and not so nice behavior. Though kids can read on their own, I think it is more beneficial to read aloud with your children to create a conversation about the not nice and nice behavior.

More Information
Buy the book on Amazon: http://amzn.com/0990581209
Book website: http://www.chasingtony.com
Author's design site: http://www.whyitsmedsign.com

Monday, September 29, 2014

Interview with Jody Tomic, Author of Matthew, Pop and the Basketball Team

Today we are interview Jody Tomic, author of the children's book Matthew, Pop and the Basketball Team.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a mom and a physician assistant, and more recently a writer. I have been an avid reader all my life and tried to pass that on to my son, who is starting to write stories himself.

Describe the plot of your book in a few sentences.
A boy named Matthew has no one to play with, so his grandfather signs him up for basketball. He is nervous about whether the other kids will like him and whether he is good enough. His “Pop” teaches him about kindness, responsibility and being a team player.

Who do you think would appreciate this book most and why?
This book is for children of about 4-8.  There are good lessons that parents will appreciate and the illustrations are lovely.

What inspirations contributed to this book?
My dad was the main inspiration for the book.  He always went to my son’s practices and helped out with the coaching.  He taught my son a lot about character along with how to play sports and get along with other kids.  All the other kids appreciated his help and they all called him Pop too. My other inspirations are the men who volunteered their time to coach community and CYO basketball.  It is so important to young boys and girls to have these role models.

Who was your favorite character to write and why?

My favorite character is Pop of course. He is supportive and wise, but he also practices with Matthew.

You work with illustrators on your books. Tell us a bit about how you got in contact with your illustrators, and what the collaboration process is like.

Well, I had worked with M. Anzal on my previous book, Ramona Street Rescue. I found him on Fiverr and he was enthusiastic and easy to work with.  I wanted my son to contribute to the illustrations and for Mr. Anzal to work with him, which he was willing to do.  I also had specific requests, like the hat, which was the same style my dad used to wear.  It was a great collaboration all around.

What do you have in mind for your next project?
I am working on a sequel to Ramona Street Rescue, which may become a series. I am also working on a medical mystery novel.

How long have you been writing?
About 2 years.

Can you tell us a bit about any other works you’ve published?
I have written a nonfiction book on becoming a physician assistant in addition to the Ramona Street Rescue.

What is your favorite book?
My sentimental favorite is The Fellowship of the Ring. I remember just being mesmerized by that book as a kid.

What genre do you read most frequently?

I enjoy cozy mysteries.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?

Right now it is only available as an ebook for Kindle, but it will be coming out in paperback soon.


More Information

Buy the book on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Matthew-Pop-Basketball-Team-Tomic-ebook/dp/B00NPOJHZ2

Interview with Christina Lockett, author of Love Lost, My Story

Today we are interviewing Christina Lockett, author of the inspirational book Love Lost, My Story: A Message of Hope.

Tell us a bit about your background.
I am the youngest and only girl of four children, born to two loving parents Conrell and Beatrice Lockett. I am a native Houstonian and a licensed cosmetologist since 1996. I am single mother of two teenage sons ages 15 and 13 years old. I am a licensed and ordained minister, choir director, and Sunday School Teacher of Holy Trinity Church.

I am recent college graduate of Texas Southern University with a Bachelors of Science in Curriculum and Instruction Interdisciplinary Studies. I am a certified school teacher currently teaching fifth grade Science.

Why did you write this book?
I wrote this book to inspire people not to give up. It is easy to give up and loose hope when you have unexpected turns in your life. Sometimes things just happen but we must keep moving forward.

Is it a topic that a lot of people can easily relate to?
Yes, the book is based on my experiences after two failed marriages. I think men and women can relate to disappointments and infidelity in relationships but I hope my readers will understand that my message of hope is beyond intimate relationships.

As the author, do you have a unique background different from most other authors?
My background is unique because I did not plan to be an author. I decided that I wanted to share my story and let people know that they can face their challenges in life with a positive mind and change it. My personal motto is a positive mind plus positive words will equal a positive outcome.

Who (age, gender, etc) do you think would most appreciate this book?
I believe women ages 25 and up would appreciate this book the most.

Did you learn anything about yourself while writing this book?
While writing this book I learned that I am able to forgive with a pure heart.

You’re currently a teacher. What inspired you to get into teaching?
I was inspired to teach after I started working as a substitute teacher to supplement my income. I wanted to impact children that I think are sometimes left behind by the educational system.

How do you think reading your book will impact people?
I know people who will read my book will be inspired to move forward past their challenges.

Have your family and friends been supportive of your writing?
My family and friends were shocked at what I shared in the book because they always saw me smiling, being positive, or encouraging others. They are extremely supportive and asking about the next book.

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
I am not sure but I leaning toward a book of affirmations for single parents, recently divorced women, and burned out teachers.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
I want potential readers to know that they will be able to relate to something in the book and after reading they are sure to have a smile of hope.

An excerpt from Love Lost, My Story, Chapter 6 - A New Beginning:
I go to church with hopes of having a spiritual encounter. My focus is on God and him alone. I did notice that we had a new member in our church but I truly did not pay any attention to him Again, it was not my focus. I found out that he was asking about me and wanted to know if I was single because he saw me with my son and he was not sure if I was married. I wish that the older lady from our church would have never told me because now I was nervous every time I saw him at church. You have to keep in mind that my first husband was my everything. I had not dated anybody else neither was I interested in dating. My first husband’s grandmother encouraged me and told me that I was a young woman and it was OK for me to move forward and go out on a date. It is imperative to keep people encouraged when you know they are going through a rough season. I cannot put into words how she inspired me and helped the healing process begin in my life.
The first Sunday of 1999 a few people from my church decided to play matchmaker. They decided the best way for me and the new guy to talk was if we all went to Sunday dinner. It was a large group that included our pastor with his wife and family, members of our church. I had my son and nephews as with me as well. I think it did take the pressure off because after dinner we met back at the church. Those who carpooled could retrieve their vehicles and I lived about 2 minutes away. The older couple from our church and their son came over to my house as if they were chaperones. That guy came as well. Their son, the guy, and my nephews played basketball for a little while at my house, then they all came inside. All of sudden the older couple had somewhere to be and they left. Set-Up! So we talk alone. We talked and we talked and we talked, so much that we did not realize the time. It seemed like we were old friends. We exchanged phone numbers and started dating.
More Information
Buy the book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Lost-My-Story-message/dp/1500605476

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Oliver Phipps, Author of A Tempest Soul

oliver phipps, oliver pipps author, oliver phipps book
Today we are interviewing Oliver Phipps, author of the action/adventure novel A Tempest Soul.

Describe the plot of your book in a few sentences.

 Gina is a young girl living in Jacksonville Florida. It’s 1920 and through an almost deadly mistake Gina’s life is about to change in ways she could have never imagined.

Who (age, gender, etc) do you think would most appreciate this book?

This book will appeal to all ages and genders but I feel women may find it most appealing. Particularly the teens and twenty-something group.

What inspirations contributed to this book?

This book actually began as something else and just took a turn on it’s own to become what it is. It’s the most organic book I’ve written so far. I would venture to say this book almost wrote itself. Once the idea came together, the characters fell into place as well.

Who was your favorite character to write?

 My favorite character is Serena. Though the product of a multitude of circumstances, Serena ultimately determines what is best for her. She continually uses what others might feel as problems and makes these things work for her.

How long have you been writing?

On a professional level I’ve been writing for over ten years. I published my first book in early 2004.

What is your favorite book?

 My favorite book would be one of the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien. Any book in that trilogy would work.

What genre do you read most frequently?

I try to keep a balance in my reading. Science fiction and fantasy are my favored genre. But right now I’m reading The Beautiful and the Damned by F Scott Fitzgerald. Not even close to Sci-fi.

oliver phipps, oliver phipps author, writer oliver phipps
Oliver Phipps

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?

When I started writing I simply wanted to convey information. As time passed I realized I had many stories I wanted to tell. I found it necessary to change my approach from simply conveying information to placing the information in an art form; as an appealing story. My years in the music industry came in useful at this point as I already understood the artistic value of creativity.

Are there any aspects (e.g. character building, world building) of your writing that you've been practicing?

 My writing is geared to allow the readers use of their own imagination as much as possible. I feel the days are gone when long drawn out characters were painstakingly developed. There are still a few readers that want two chapters spent on building a character. I do here from these readers from time to time. But for the most part I give the readers enough information to put the character together and then we’re off to the fun stuff. Additional information will come in along the way.

Today’s readers have a broad spectrum of character material already together in their minds. The information age has provided that for them. I have been developing this aspect of my writing and feel it is working well i.e. to build a lean mean character quickly and efficiently so the reader can get right to the story.

As a writer, one would assume English was your favorite class in school. If that was not the case, what was and why?

 My favorite subject has always been history. I feel that I am a person that has lived an exciting and eventful life, and then became a professional writer; rather than a person that decided to become a professional writer and then tried to imagine exciting and eventful lives to write about.

How do you feel about the increasing popularity of e-books?

 I love e-books. I am in the process of putting six of my seven books into paperback form but the e-book has streamlined the industry in my opinion.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
 

Basically my goals are to publish at least five quality books a year for the next ten years. I believe I have the material for that and if I’m able to do that it might wrap up my writing after ten years. But then again I am coming up with new ideas along the way so I may not be done by then.

What is the most impactful experience you have had with a fan?

 I love all my fans. Some have become closer than others. I believe the experience of keeping a functional line between loving ones fans as fans and not crossing that line has had the most impact on me. By this I mean, there are so many great people out there and I would love to get closer to so many of my fans. My fans are my friends and I would just love to have thousands of “best friends.” But it’s just not possible. So at some point I just have to realize that I can only be “friends” and have a general relationship. There’s just not enough time to be best friends with all of them even though I would love that.

Have your family and friends been supportive of your writing?
 

For the most part yes my family has been supportive.

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like (e.g. editing)?
 

I become a little bogged down with editing after the first draft. But it’s become easier along the way and I have a great editor to send the work to after I clean it up as much as possible so this helps.

Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
 

Here’s my gem of wisdom on writers block. You must write through it. I’ve become slowed down at points but I’ve not allowed myself to be blocked. I write through this. Often what I write will be discarded but I almost always find an angle in the stuff somewhere that gives the book a new path or continuation point. I just “write through it.”

Do you write with a computer, typewriter, or pen and paper? Why do you use this tool?

 I only use a computer. I would be lost without spell check.

Do you have in mind for your next project?
 

My next book release will be a Science Fiction. I can’t really go into detail at this point but it will hopefully be out in early February 2015.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?

 A Tempest Soul is very close to my heart and I believe anyone who has a heart and reads it will understand why. 

More Information about Oliver Phipps

Buy the book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MJDZQWI

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Interview with Magus Zeta, Author of Quantum Sorcery Basics

Today we are interviewing Magus Zeta, author of the Nonfiction Occult Magic book Quantum Sorcery Basics.

Describe the purpose of your book in a few sentences.
To explain how the world actually works, what your unconscious mind attempts to make your world into, and how to go about changing your world in a conscious and positive way.

Who (age, gender, etc) do you think would most appreciate this book?
Anyone of any age that seeks to understand why they are having problems obtaining their goals, and who wants to have more success in their life, and maybe find a little more meaning as well.

What inspired you to write this book?
I discovered long ago that it is our expectations, and not our desires, that we almost always receive in life. I wanted the desperate people out there to know that there are ways to change this.

What was the most interesting thing you uncovered while doing research for the book?
I discovered that place where science, spirituality, purpose and the material aspects of life all converge.

How do you think reading your book will impact people?
It should at a minimum add to the wonder of life for them. If they apply what they read, I know that it will change their life for the better and forever.


Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
I cannot lie. It will require a bit of concentration and thinking to get through, as we consider the infinities in life, but I think that anyone who wishes will be able to understand and apply the concepts. I think that we all should find fun in whatever we do, so I wrote the book with a sort of lilting humor that I hope you will appreciate.

More Information
  

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Interview with Annabeth Penelope Gambrell, Author of The Sword: A Murder Mystery

Today we are interviewing Annabeth Penelope Gambrell, author of the mystery novel The Sword: A Murder Mystery.

Describe the plot of your book in a few sentences:
Ixora Ishikawa and James Anthony Nicholas Taylor III are detectives in the small, quiet town of Tylerville, Texas. Humdrum country life comes to a screeching halt when a teenager is found stabbed to death with a Scottish Claymore. It is up to Ishikawa and Taylor to find out who is responsible... But what other things will they uncover in the process?
 

Who (age, gender, etc) do you think would most appreciate this book?
Men and women, 18+ and those interested in crime novels.

What inspirations contributed to this book? 
I have a friend and his stepdad used to go to auction sales.  At one such sale, his stepdad got a bunch of swords and knives in a bulk lot.  None of they were a Claymore but it got the gears in my head turning.  I love to watch the real-life crime shows and, well, something sparked in my mind and I came up with the idea for the story.

I wrote it back in 2003 but had no idea how to finish the story until I came back to it late last year.


Who was your favorite character to write?
Ixora, because she's the one trying to figure it all out.
 

How long have you been writing?
I started scribbling stuff when I was in elementary school in notebooks and carried on through middle school.  Sadly, I have lost most of those original stories.  When I was in high school, I figured out how to use Word and took my scribbling there.  I wrote a couple of original stories then but, again, those were also lost.

I stopped writing for about 4 years because of work and family obligations but picked up my writer's hat again in 2000.  My grandmother had fallen ill in the winter of 1999 and was no longer able to do everything she had been able to do.  I ended up being her caregiver and, in the midst of that, started writing fanfiction for a few anime series.  It helped take some of the stress off.

Writing also helped me get through my grief when my grandmother passed away in May of 2002.  My stories were well received and I wrote quite a bit until around 2005, when I went back to work full-time.  I wrote off and on during that time and decided to try my hand at another original novel (besides 'The Sword', which was just tucked away) but it went nowhere.

I had stopped writing fanfiction for a long time until a show came along in 2011 that got my brain going again and I am currently working on the 11th story for that show.  In the winter of 2013, I decided to dust off 'The Sword' and finish it.
 

What is your favorite book?
I really like the Harry Potter books. 


What genre do you read most frequently?
Fiction, mystery, fantasy and romance
 

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
I have learned a lot about paragraphs and punctuation.
 

Are there any aspects (e.g. character building, world building) of your writing that you've been practicing?
I have a bad habit of not describing people completely so I'm working on that.
 

As a writer, one would assume English was your favorite class in school. If that was not the case, what was and why?
I actually liked English class.  It and science were my two favorite classes.
 

How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
I think it is a good thing because it makes them more portable than carrying around a book.  I can be forgetful and I have left many a book behind to be lost forever.
 

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
To be able to support myself with my writing.
 

What is the most impactful experience you have had with a fan?
I'm not sure if I have had any impact with my fans.  If I have, no one has mentioned it to me.
 

Have your family and friends been supportive of your writing?
It goes back and forth, depending on how focused I am on my writing.
 

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like (e.g. Editing)?
Typos and editing.  I had it when you think everything is okay then you go back and find it isn't.  I'm a 'one and done' type person so it takes a lot of patience for me to go through and edit.
 

Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
Right now, actually.  I can't seem to get myself into the mindset to work on the second book in this series.  I have the idea and I know I want to do but sitting down and doing it is the hard part.  I deal with writer's block by letting it work itself out.  I can't force it away or it just comes back worse than before.
 

Do you write with a computer, typewriter, or pen and paper? Why do you use this tool?
I use the computer mostly.  If I'm somewhere and I get and idea, I'll use pen and paper to scribble out the idea.  Computes are just easier because I can go back and look at what I have written and change it without wasting paper.
 

What do you have in mind for your next project?
I'm working on an idea for the next book when my characters carry on with their mystery solving.  I can't say much though because I don't want to ruin the end of this book.
 

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Nothing I can think of.  I don't want to spoil anything.


More Information
Book website: http://bekkamouri.wix.com/apgambrell
Buy the book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KFRWW54

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Interview with Mike Robertson, author of The Pizza, the Peach & the Platypus

Today we are interviewing Mike Robertson, author of the self-help/motivational book The Pizza, the Peach & the Platypus.

Describe the plot of your book in a few sentences.
The Pizza, the Peach & the Platypus is a book on creativity, but not a dry, scholarly tome on that subject. Instead, it contains a series of personal stories from my life, showing how many different aspects of my life have been enriched by using the simple formula I include in the book. This three-part formula will show readers how to become more creative while finding new ways to use the natural talents and abilities they already have within them.

Who (age, gender, etc) do you think would most appreciate this book?

Children are almost always creative thinkers, so they don’t need much encouragement in that area. As we become adults, though, we often stop dreaming. We settle into familiar routines and think that’s just the way it has to be. It does NOT have to be that way. We are the authors of our own lives and we have enormous power to change the nature and direction of our futures.

What inspirations contributed to this book?
I’m a professional speaker who talks to audience regularly about creativity. For several years audiences have asked if I had a book on the subject I had spoken about. So it was incumbent upon me to expand the ideas of my speech into the larger format of a book, where I could add even more stories and examples of the power of creative thinking.

How long have you been writing?

I wrote my first book about ten years ago, but I have not consistently written all this time. I’ve done three books now and they’re all very different from each other. But I like that. It appeals to me more than writing the same ideas over and over.

What is your favorite book?
Some contenders would be ‘A Prayer for Owen Meany’ by John Irving; ‘Banvard’s Folly’ by Paul Collins; Bill Bryson’s ‘One Summer: America 1927’ and ‘Outliers’ by Malcolm Gladwell.

What genre do you read most frequently?

When I was young, I mostly read fiction, but now I tend to buy much more nonfiction: biographies, social science, humor, etc.

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?

I have found my own voice, which is tricky when you begin writing. It took a while before I could shake the idea that some English teacher was going to be grading my work; I was writing as though I were trying to fit someone else’s guidelines. I finally realized that I should just write something that I would enjoy reading myself.

As a writer, one would assume English was your favorite class in school. If that was not the case, what was and why?
It was indeed, and I give credit to my high school English teacher. I went to a very small school and had the same teacher all four years. She was terrific, allowing us to do nontraditional things for credit and encouraging me to read and to write.

How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?

I started reading ebooks on a Palm Pilot before iPhones or Kindles even existed. Now I read almost exclusively on the iPad. While I miss the twice-weekly bookstore visits I used to make, it’s great to be able to instantly download a book. And they never need dusting or cramming into an already-full bookshelf.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?

I think I already know what my next two books will be about. I hope to write more regularly and produce a book a year.

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like (e.g. editing)?

No, I like it all…I just have trouble making myself sit down to do it. Once I’m writing, I love it. Editing doesn’t bother me. And, since I have extensive graphic design experience, I can do my own interior layout and cover design. I have just about complete creative control.

Do you write with a computer, typewriter, or pen and paper? Why do you use this tool?

I only write on the computer. I don’t think I could write fast enough with pen and paper to keep up with my thoughts.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?

Since my book is about creativity, I wanted to put a couple of little goodies inside for the wonderful people who choose to read it. There’s a bonus link in the book to a visual and audio enhancement of one very important story. And there’s also a secret message hidden inside the book, a treasure hunt that will reward observant readers with a cool little prize. My test readers have loved finding out the secret.


More Information
Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Pizza-Peach-Platypus-Creating-Wonder-ebook/dp/B00N245QAU
Author website: www.IsThisMikeOn.com


Interview with Lochlainn Seabrook, author of Everything You Were Taught About the Civil War is Wrong, Ask a Southerner!


Today we are interviewing Lochlainn Seabrook, author of the American history book Everything You Were Taught About the Civil War is Wrong, Ask a Southerner!

Describe the plot of your book in a few sentences.
Lincoln's War from the South's perspective.

Who (age, gender, etc) do you think would most appreciate this book?

Anyone (teens and up) interested in authentic American history.

What inspirations contributed to this book?

One cannot have a full understanding of the American Civil War without a thorough knowledge of how the South experienced and perceived the conflict. Unfortunately, nearly all books on this subject are written from the North's point of view, which makes them hopelessly incomplete and historically inaccurate. My book helps fill this gap.

How long have you been writing?

Lifelong.

Have you ever had writer's block?

No.

What do you have in mind for your next project?

A revealing, in-depth, provocative book on the true history of American slavery, again from the Southern, rather than the Northern, viewpoint.


Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
My upcoming work is for anyone interested in the actual facts of how, why, where, and when American slavery got its start, as opposed to the many fictitious Yankee-slanted works by pro-North writers on this topic
 
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Interview with Candace Campbell, author of Broken

Today we are interviewing Candace Campbell, author of the contemporary romance novel Broken (book #1 of the Abducted Beauty series). 

Describe the plot of your book in a few sentences.
Abducted Beauty book series is about finding love, faith and hope to move on from tragedy.
You can’t change the past but you can change your future. Love heals all wounds.

Who (age, gender, etc) do you think would most appreciate this book?

I think women who have a love for dark love stories, between 18-35 would like the Abducted Beauty book series.

What inspirations contributed to this book?

This inspiration for this book came from the TV show Criminal Minds. I love how they use physiology of the mind to find the criminal. But I feel that the show only shows the criminal’s side and I always wonder what happens to the victims. So this book series is all about the victim’s point of view and what each girl has to go through in her journey to finding herself and falling in love after being abducted. Broken was supposed to be a stand-alone novel but I fell in love with each sister and had to continue their stories and I am so happy I did because each book just keeps getting better.     

Who was your favorite character to write?
That’s a hard question because this series has four main characters it’s hard to pick my favorite. I love each sister for who they are. I love Veronica’s pure heart and her gentleness, she has this need to protect her sisters because she was never protected and she never felt loved until she meets Edwin. I love Claudia’s wild adventurous confidence. I love Amanda’s innocence. I absolutely love Natasha’s obsessive control freak personality.

How long have you been writing?
I started writing after my dad passed away from cancer so it’s been about three years that I have been writing.

What is your favorite book?
Oh my goodness I have so many. I can’t pick just one book or one author.

What genre do you read most frequently?
Romance, always romance. I am a hopeless romantic. I also enjoy paranormal and erotica every once and a while.  

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?

Writing is like anything else the more you do it the better you will get. I find the more books I read the better I write I learn from other writers what works and what doesn’t work. But I write what I enjoy and I hope others enjoy it too. I once talked to a writer who was working on a book she found boring she had a hard time writing it and I said why write it if you don’t like it who else will? She went back and rewrote the book until she was happy with it. I think that’s the most important part. Feeling happy with whatever you do in life. I love writing because it fun creating a fake world and characters is just an awesome experience for me. I am happy with this book series it’s much better than my last. I think it’s because it’s meaningful nd I put my heart and soul into it.

Are there any aspects (e.g. character building, world building) of your writing that you've been practicing?
Well I am Dyslexic, and I have a comprehension and communication disorder as well as ADD. So reading and writing in school were always very difficult. But I am constantly working on learning and getting help to keep writing. It’s not easy to do, but I will keep writing and hope in time it will only get better. In the mean time, I count on others to help me with editing my books.

As a writer, one would assume English was your favorite class in school. If that was not the case, what was and why?
No, I was horrible in English. Spelling and grammar were very hard, in fact. Because of my learning disabilities my teaches looked past the spelling and grammar parts of my school work, which didn’t help me when I started writing novels. The first person that looked at my book told me it was a mess. But I didn’t care. I keep trying to make my books better and better. Getting them edited over and over until they are ready for my readers. My favorite class in school was drama and art. I loved to be creative that’s something that comes so natural to me. 

How do you feel about the increasing popularity of eBooks?
As an eBook author, I think eBooks are awesome. There better for the environment, and it’s a lot less of a cost to produce eBooks and cheaper for readers to get their hands on the newest novels.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
Honestly I don’t need to become a big-selling author. I just want to write and have people read and follow my work. I hope to inspire other people with disabilities to try new things and follow their dreams. But yes I hope to be successful enough to one day write full time.

What is the most impactful experience you have had with a fan?
On my website I had a fan post that I was inspirational to her as someone who has learning disabilities. I have been in contact with the young girl and have encouraged her to go to college and not to let her disabilities hold her back from trying new things. I believe there is a great success in trying something even if you don’t succeed at least you tried. No one can take away the love you have in your heart so give your passion everything you got.   

Have your family and friends been supportive of your writing?

It’s a hard thing being a writer I think a lot of my friends and family are scared to let me down if they don’t like my books but everyone encourages me even if they don’t read all of my books. My mom’s my biggest fan; she reads everything she is so proud of me.

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like (e.g. editing)?

Being Dyslexic makes everything about writing is hard so I don’t worry about the grammatical aspects of writing I just let the story come out of me naturally. I write with love in my heart; it’s fun and therapeutic. I worry about editing later so that my work is not corrupted by my frustrations of editing.

Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?

When I am in writer’s mood I never have a problem I can write a whole series in a few months but I take long breaks until a story comes to me. I wrote two series, 12 books, in two years but I have not written in a year. I don’t have anything to write right now and I’m not going to push it. I’m working on editing, creating book covers, I think once what I finish with the novels I am working on and put them out into the world I will go back into writing again.

Do you write with a computer, typewriter, or pen and paper? Why do you use this tool?
Always on a computer. It just works for me. I can type pretty fast and spell check is nice to have or all my words would be backwards lol.

What do you have in mind for your next project?
I have another book series coming out hopefully this year. Called "Moments. It will also be a romance novella series. It’s not as dark and twisted as "Abducted Beauty." "Moments" it a sexy fun book series with lots of drama and excitement. I am very excited about getting it out and I hope it does well.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Broken is the first book in the Abducted Beauty series, and it is free on Smash words. It’s the shortest book -- the other books are full books. It’s the introduction and history to each sister’s life. As you read each book, it will get more intense and more exciting. Please let me know who’s your favorite sister and why.



More Information

Get the book on Smashwords:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/467850

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Interview with J.M. Carlisle, author of The Cowboy and the Canal: How Theodore Roosevelt Cheated Colombia, Stole Panama, and Bamboozled America

Today we are interviewing J.M. Carlisle, author of the American history book The Cowboy and the Canal: How Theodore Roosevelt Cheated Colombia, Stole Panama, and Bamboozled America.

Describe the premise of your book in a few sentences.
The  book explores the dubious behavior of America’s favorite Cowboy-hero, Theodore Roosevelt, as he bullied his way into the purchase of the bankrupt French Panama Canal Company by the United States in 1904. Traveling full-circle from the earliest quests to pierce Panama by Spanish conquestadors, the story concludes with Roosevelt's attempt to revive his faltering Presidential fortunes as he begins his Progressive Party campaign tour the day of the official Opening of the Panama Canal, August 15, 1914.

What inspired you to write this book?
Unanswered questions from my Ph.D. research.

What was the most interesting fact you uncovered while doing research for the book?

How the process of myth-making can erase history.

Has your view of Theodore Roosevelt's presidency changed as a result of your research?

Yes and no. I began my dissertation research believing he was really a harmless, self-promoting, wind bag and although he was that, I underestimated the maliciousness of his character and his genius for using mass media to accomplish his goals.

What do you have in mind for your next project?

With an eye toward the 2016 elections, Roosevelt's rejection by his own "Bull Moose" Progressive party for the 1916 presidential nomination.

Who is your favorite historical figure to study?

Wow! That question is too big for me! I am attracted to Periods and then the People within in periods.  Like Eleanor of Aquitaine in the 12th century, Klaus Von Clauswitz in Napoleon Bonaparte's time,  Joseph Pulitzer, Bill Cody, Edith Wharton, in the Gilded Age/Progressive Era, the Flores-Magon brother in the Mexican revolutions… I guess I like to study people who play a role in the broad  political or social events that change or define an era.

What got you interested in Progressive Era history?

The cultural shifts and schisms  that took place around technology and the changing social roles for women seemed to me to be a template for what was happening at the turn of the 20-21st centuries.

Do you think the rise of technology and the subsequent increased ease of accessing information has had any impact on Americans' interest in history?

What a great question! The answer form my point of view is "it always has." One of the supports  of TR's rise to power was print media and film and audio recording. Media exploded in America. Everyone read something. Literacy rates were sky-high and growing. Dime novels, penny news papers, magazines, catalogs, wire services, telephones, moving pictures, audio recording all were easily and frequently accessed by the public. It was an astonishing display of technology delivering and creating history at the same time. It's the same today only the scope is narrower because  the opportunity to see news or understand historical contexts is limited to  pre-selections by the delivery platforms. For example, I only know what's trending on Twitter based on who I'm following.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
It challenges the closely held beliefs about one of America's most iconic heroes.

More Information

Book website: http://www.cowboycanal.com/
Buy the book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Cowboy-Canal-J-Carlisle/dp/098968279X
Book blog page: http://themorethingschangethemoretheystay.blogspot.com/
Book Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cowbowcanal?ref=hl