Elysia Lumen Strife's Blog
May 22, 2024
Author Interview: Dawn Ross, Science Fiction
Hi! I’m Dawn Ross. I write both sci-fi and fantasy, but my current project is a sci-fi series. My most recent publication was Orphaned Warrior: Book Five. I’m currently working on Fated Warriors: Book Six. There will be seven books in the series, plus a few novellas.
From Planning to PublishedWhen did you start writing and why?
Author: I began writing about twenty years ago when a story in my head got too big to hold! I worked as a 9-1-1 operator in Austin, Texas at the time. Since I worked the night shift, the hours after 2am were generally incredibly slow. So I used that as an opportunity to start writing stuff down. Next thing I knew, I had the makings of a novel.
How long did it take you to finish your first book?
Author: My first book took a year. Back then, I was very much an amateur and thought my first try at writing was spectacular. I was wrong. (see the next question to get filled in on the rest of this story.)
If you’ve published, how long did your first book take?
Author: My first books (I wrote three) were a fantasy series. Although I had initially self-published them, I realized they were amateurish and needed a lot more work. So I spent a few years refining my writing skills. By the end of that period, I had decided to start over and write a sci-fi series instead. The first book in my sci-fi series took four years because I wanted to make sure I did it right. I enlisted editors, alpha readers, and beta readers. And I did a lot of revising. The first book in that series was published in 2020.
(If applicable) Has your publishing timeframe improved at all since your first publication?
Author: Yes. My first book took four years. My second book took two. (It was published in 2021, but I’d been working on it at the same time as book one.) Book three took a year. Books four and five took less than a year, so I also wrote a novella during both those years.
Are you indie, traditional, hybrid, or vanity, and why?
Author: I chose to be an indie author. Years ago when I had written the fantasy novels, I had gone the traditional route of looking for a literary agent. I found one, but she scammed me—big time. Over $10,000 down the drain for novels that I now realize no self-respecting agent would’ve agreed to take on. That experience shied me away from traditional publishing. Plus, I also realized that although my sci-fi novels are good, they won’t fit in the mainstream. The traditional publishers pass up a lot of great novels because they are searching for that next big thing. I’m a niche writer and have no desire to write to the masses.
How did you determine your target audience?
Author: By reading. I read a lot in my genre, then compared the type of story I was writing to theirs.
What is your publishing process?
Author: I used a Smashwords instruction guide to format my first e-book and paperback in Word. Ever since then, I just copy and paste my new book into that original format. After that, I just upload those documents to Amazon. I do not have much of a publishing process after that.
What platforms do you use to publish your works?
Author: I published only on Amazon for many years. Sadly, the pay I receive from Amazon when it’s on Kindle Unlimited was much less than if I sold an ebook outright. So I took theoff of KU and added my e-books to Kobo, B&N, iTunes, and others. I also have my e-books on Shopify for direct sales. And I sell my books at local comic-cons and book fairs.
How do you get critiques, betas, feedback, and edits?
Author: I started out just using professional editors for developmental, content, and line editing. I joined a writing circle once for feedback and that bombed because people were more interested in getting feedback on their writing than they were on giving feedback. Then I got on social media and found other writers to help with beta reading. Those have been my best beta readers. I still use a line and copy editor.
MarketingDo you have a platform? What does it consist of?
Author: I have my own website—dawnrossauthor.com. I have a Twitter page and a Facebook page, but seldom use either. And I have a newsletter.
What is your launch plan for your works?
Author: I honestly have not learned to do a proper launch. My current method is to post on Twitter and Facebook and send a newsletter to my subscribers.
How do you get reviews for your books?
Author: I started out by exchanging reviews, but realized this wasn’t the best method for many reasons. I also submitted my book to a handful of blog book reviewers. But most of my reviews have come from selling books.
How do you promote your content?
Author: Facebook ads have been my most successful method for getting my books out there to the general public. I also occasionally do in-person events such as comic-cons.
What do you think is the most critical marketing component or tactic for becoming successful?
Author: Learn how to market! I know it’s daunting, but you won’t get seen unless you market yourself.
How do you define success as an author?
Author: Writing a book that people love.
About Your WorkWhat type of content do you write and why? Fiction Novels? Poems? Songs? Screenplays? Short Stories? Epic?
Author: I write fantasy and science fiction. I love the flexibility and imagination that goes into creating these types of stories.
What genres and subgenres do you write in?
Author: I’m currently writing a science fiction space opera adventure series.
What is your author brand (genre, mood, image, theme, message, etc)? How did you decide on it?
Author: Like Star Trek but darker. My first sci-fi novel was inspired by the TNG episode S4 E4 and it shows to a degree. Jono became Jori. Commander Hapker is a little like Riker. Major Bracht is a little like Whorf. And Captain Arden is a little like Picard. But they are still distinctively their own characters. And the Star Trek feel fades as the story progresses. It fades even more as the series progresses, especially when the stories focus on Terkeshi, Jori’s brother.
How many works have you published?
Author: I currently have seven published works. Five are novels. Two are novellas.
(If applicable) Can you tell us a bit about your most recent publication?
Author: In Orphaned Warrior: Book Five, Jori has been separated from his family and from Commander Hapker. He’s barely gotten to know the advocate who’s been put in charge of him when they are kidnapped by MEGAs (aka mechanically enhanced, genetically altered persons).
The blurb:
When riots between augmented humans and the people who hate them break out on a space station, Jori sides with the wrong people and finds himself a prisoner of a ruthless cyber soldier bent on destroying humanity. Can he outsmart this enhanced being’s super-strength, endless cunning, and almost magical power of perception?
Name some common elements in your writing: villains, magic, red-herring twists, the unfortunate ensign, mysterious phenomena, asyndeton, sentence fragments etc.
Author: The most common theme throughout my books is combatting prejudice. My youngest character, Jori, faces judgment nearly everywhere he goes. But he’s not the only one. In my newest novella titled Spier Wilderness, we see Commander Hapker as a youth confronting his father’s prejudice against spacefarers. And in the upcoming book 6, the prejudice against people who’ve been augmented is addressed.
What was your first goal when you started your journey to becoming an author? Has that changed?
Author: My initial goal was to publish my book and hope people would read and enjoy it. Later, I realized that the only way for people to read my book was for me to market it. So now my goal is to both write and sell books.
Do you have other supporting services like a podcast, blog, webinars, courses, video channel?
Author: I used to do a blog, but no more. People weren’t reading it, I wasn’t enjoying writing it, so it was a wasted effort.
What do you want your readers to get out of your works?
Author: Mostly entertainment, but also to come away with the understanding that people come from all walks of life and no one group is all bad or all good. We all have our flaws, but we also all have our strengths.
What part of the author process are you working on or studying most now?
Author: Marketing.
What has been your favorite part of the writing and querying or publishing process?
Author: I absolutely love writing the first rough draft, which I do in November during NaNoWriMo. When I write the first draft, I don’t worry about it being perfect. I just let my creativity flow.
Do you recommend any programs, courses, or websites?
Author: BookFunnel has been very helpful with allowing me to provide book snippets and sell books directly. I also enjoy David Gaughran’s website and books. He provides a lot of great marketing advice.
Which authors write similar books to yours? How did you find them?
Author: My favorite sci-fi and fantasy author is Brandon Sanderson. His books have been the most influential when it comes to writing action and deep characters. Lately, I’ve also been inspired by James S.A. Corey.
Have you always read in the genre you wanted to write in? Do you think that’s made it easier or harder to create new stories?
Author: Yes. Reading in my genre helps me understand what makes a good fantasy or sci-fi. I also read outside my genre for the same reason.
What is your writing process, from idea to polished work? Pantster? Plotter? How long does that typically take you?
Author: I am a major plotter. I spend most of October plotting. Then I write the first draft in November. I spend the next several months after that writing the second draft. Another month or so is spent on the third draft. Then comes a month or so waiting for beta reader feedback. That’s followed by the fourth draft. Then I send my novel off to the editor. This process takes me about a year.
Where do you network most with other writers, authors, and creative types? LinkedIn? Wattpad? Twitter? Facebook? Somewhere else?
Author: Twitter has been my favorite way to connect with other writers.
Do you sprint-write like a starving cheetah, or are you a totally chill turtle writer? Somewhere in between?
Author: I sprint like a starved cheetah during the first draft and chill like a turtle for my second draft.
StrugglesWhat has been the hardest thing to overcome on your journey to authorship?
Author: Imposter syndrome. After getting a lot of honest reviews from honest readers, I don’t suffer from this as much anymore.
How has the writing and querying or publishing process affected you emotionally? Do you have any tips for budding writers?
Author: Watch out for agents and publishers claiming to want to represent you. There are a million scammers out there!!
Another tip, hire an editor, especially for your first book. Start with a developmental editor and work you way to a copy editor. It will cost quite a bit but it will pay off in the long run. And if you can’t afford those types of editors, get feedback from a lot of readers and writers who are not friends and family. Be open to feedback. Believe me, I know how it can feel when someone points out things they didn’t like and places where your story can be improved. Don’t take it personally. Feedback helps you grow as a writer. And it’s better to get feedback before you expose your work to discerning readers.
Do you have any tips or recommendations for those who want to go the final step and become authors?
Author: Learn your writing craft. Then learn to market.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change?
Author: I’d start learning to market right away.
Are you a driven & self-advocating author, a gun-shy promoter, or a total marketing procrastinator?
Author: I used to be a gun-shy promotor but now I’m driven. I don’t overdo it, such as by sending out unsolicited DMs or by posting mostly ads. But I don’t mind telling people about my work.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
Author: I push myself to write nearly every single day. I read nearly every day.
How do you combat writer’s block?
Author: To combat writer’s block, I utilize a freeform writing method that I like to call brainstorm writing. It’s where I write whatever comes to my head with no concern for editing and no thought about whether it will work for my story. Generally, this method wakes up the creative side of my brain.
What literary/writer-based term did you not know when you started that has become important and relevant to you?
Author: Show don’t tell.
How did your family and friends react to your writing? Was it what you expected from them?
Author: My stepmother read my first sci-fi book all in one day. It really surprised me because she’s not a sci-fi enthusiast. But she loved the characters, and she was amazed at how vivid my story was.
What assumptions about writers and authors do you think are myths?
Author: That authors make a lot of money.
Fun StuffWhat do you listen to while you write?
Author: Mostly instrumental music. My playlist consists of instrumental music from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, Avengers, Transformers, Star Trek, Star Wars, Labyrinth, Superman, Pirates of the Caribbean, and a variety of video game soundtracks.
Is there a fun word or group of terms you like to put into your writing?
Author: No
Where do you write your stories? A tiny office? A loft? The kitchen table? In the bushes while you secretly people-watch like a total creeper? Or a warm café with mocha in hand and feet up on an ottoman?
Author: I write at my desk in the dining room. I like this spot because it’s also the place where my dog’s bed is. It also keeps me engaged with my family. Sometimes that aspect of it can be distracting but not often. Sometimes I like to write at a café. This is especially true when I need writing motivation. Something about being in a public place where people can see if I’m not doing anything motivates me to get some writing done.
What book are you reading at the moment?
Author: I’m currently reading a sci-fi western called Bargain at Bravebank by J.R. Frontera. It’s pretty good, though it doesn’t have a whole lot of sci-fi elements yet.
What is your favorite literary trope?
Author: I’m not sure. It’s not something I think about.
How do you try to “break the mold” and be unique?
Author: I try to create unique characters.
What have you learned about yourself from the writing and/or authorship process?
Author: I’ve learned that I’m very good at organizing. Not just organizing a story, but organizing the writing process, keeping track of details, and with making a to-do list that keeps me on track to reach my writing and marketing goals.
What is your favorite writing snack and drink?
Author: Coffee
Do you have a writing companion?
Author: My dog, Pierson. His bed is close to my desk.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Author: Show don’t tell.
Author Interview: S.C. Vincent, Science Fiction/ Fantasy/ Horror
S.C. Vincent is an American author of science-fiction, fantasy, and sometimes horror. His most recent release is young adult sci-fi novel The Sakura Element, a story about Oka Latellay overcoming discrimination amongst the gentry in a dystopian future.
From Planning to PublishedWhen did you start writing and why?
Author: I’ve been creatively writing ever since I was a child. I wanted to be a lot of things, a singer, a comic book artist. But I also knew I needed words to sing and stories to draw. When I got older, I realized that the root of my creativity was in storytelling and so I dedicated my time to writing novels.
How long did it take you to finish your first book?
Author: My first book was called The Arcadia Destiny, and it took me maybe four years from conception to publication. For my current writing process that’s a very long time because now I know how to write a book correctlyand in an efficient way. With that book I was making every mistake and constantly revising draft after draft. But mistakes are how you learn.
If you’ve published, how long did your first book take?
Author: I mostly self-publish and that took me a while to where I was comfortable with the quality of my book before I did so. If you’re talking about with a publisher, I had a short horror story called A Girl of Peculiar Taste published in 2023. This story was picked up in a rather traditional way.Most of the wait was actually waiting on them to release the book because publishers have their own reasons and schedules. It was almost a year after they accepted the story that it was on shelves.
(If applicable) Has your publishing timeframe improved at all since your first publication?
Author: Like I’ve mentioned previously, once you learn from your mistakes and find out how you write and what your process really is, you tend to cut out things that are getting in your way. I can write a book now in 4-5 months. It took me 4 years at first.
Are you indie, traditional, hybrid, or vanity, and why?
Author: I’m both indie and traditionally published. I’ve seen the good and the bad of both. For example, one of my stories was first with a publisher they were going to completely rewrite it. It was horrible to have my work butchered and have them still stick my name on it. Luckily, I got the work back and was able to pitch it elsewhere. That publisher was the complete opposite. They had reasonable suggestions for alterations that made the story better.
In terms of self-publishing, or what some can call ‘indie’, a lot of that publishing burden is on you. You have to learn how to write and make a book. It’s a lot harder than it sounds.
How did you determine your target audience?
Author: With The Sakura Element I decided to challenge myself as a writer and write about subjects that were new to me. Naturally that means the books content would appeal towards a different audience considering I’ve mostly been publishing fantasy for men. The good thing is that The Sakura Element is about people overcoming prejudice and trying to find a solution to problems by meeting in the middle or at least being open to consideration. Whether or not the characterssucceed in that is something you find out when you read the book.
What is your publishing process?
Author: My process varies depending on the work. Usually, I’m at my desktop, maybe with music playing or a scented candle. But the story I’m writing now I’m quite literally writing with pen and paper due to circumstance. It’s quite different.
What platforms do you use to publish your works?
Author: Mostly Amazon – it’s the easiest way to do it and most readers use the site.
How do you get critiques, betas, feedback, and edits?
Author: Simply ask people that are interested in books. I’ve joined Facebook groups of critique partners for one example.
MarketingDo you have a platform? What does it consist of?
Author: My platform is a mixture of social media to connect with my readers and to get them interested in my books.
What is your launch plan for your works?
Author: I try to give out advanced reader copies, do ads, promotions. Basic stuff.
How do you get reviews for your books?
Author: The most ethical way is to give to someone for free in exchange for an honest review.
How do you promote your content?
Author: Ads, blogging, recently I’ve been doing some youtube and Twitter streaming.
What do you think is the most critical marketing component or tactic for becoming successful?
Author: To be a successful author now you really need to have a built-in audience. Something like a youtube channel would be helpful to someone selling a book.
How do you define success as an author?
Author: Someone reading my book and liking it. I guess That’s my personal definition.
About Your WorkWhat type of content do you write and why? Fiction Novels? Poems? Songs? Screenplays? Short Stories? Epic?
Author: I mostly write novels, novellas, novelettes, and short stories.
What genres and subgenres do you write in?
Author: I guess fantasy is my home genre, but I also dabble in sci-fi and horror. I have a lot of ideas, so I try not to corner myself to one genre or audience. That might be a bad idea but oh well.
What is your author brand (genre, mood, image, theme, message, etc)? How did you decide on it?
Author: Hope. I think if you read all my works you can find this positive messaging in all of them at some point. Whether it’s something the characters have, or something they lose. It’s an unintentional tendency of mine to write about hope.
How many works have you published?
Author: Four so far. I have about three more written in various stages of completion.
(If applicable) Can you tell us a bit about your most recent publication?
Author: I would love to. The Sakura Element is a young adult sci-fi novel aboutOka Latellay, a genetically modified human. She starts her first day at Alia Academia where he finds herself at odds with Allen Debois, the son of the school’s proprietor who holds mods in condemnation. With an oppressive society bearing down on them, only love can set them free.
Name some common elements in your writing: villains, magic, red-herring twists, the unfortunate ensign, mysterious phenomena, asyndeton, sentence fragments etc.
Author: For a bit I was writing a lot about evil sisters.
What was your first goal when you started your journey to becoming an author? Has that changed?
Author: My goal at first was just to create and create a cohesive decent story. At first that was such an impossible goal for me. Now my goal as an Author is to gain an audience for my work.
Do you have other supporting services like a podcast, blog, webinars, courses, video channel?
Author: No yet. Maybe one day I’ll do youtube. At most I do irregular Twitter streams.
What do you want your readers to get out of your works?
Author: I want my works to emotionally resonate with my readers. To connect with them.
What part of the author process are you working on or studying most now?
Author: I’m having to adapt my drafting process to my new work schedule. During covid I had the luxury of being home and writing at my leisure. Now I’m having to write around my employer.
What has been your favorite part of the writing and querying or publishing process?
Author: My favorite part of the process is writing the first draft. That’s when I’m the most creative and happy.
Do you recommend any programs, courses, or websites?
Author: Go on youtube and watch everything about the writing and publishing process. Read everything you can as well. Don’t be unwilling to have people read your book and be open to criticism.
Which authors write similar books to yours? How did you find them?
Author: Although The Sakura Element is very different, it was largely inspired by Pride and Prejudice.
Have you always read in the genre you wanted to write in? Do you think that’s made it easier or harder to create new stories?
Author: Yes, to the first question. To the latter, I would say it has made it harder. When I first started I ‘wrote what I knew’, which was fantasy. But I wasn’t challenging myself by going outside of my comfort zone to engage in new ideas or new ways to write. I think it’s important to read all kinds of genres because what you take from them may help you create something unique.
What is your writing process, from idea to polished work? Pantster? Plotter? How long does that typically take you?
Author: I’m a plotser or plantser – I’m both. I have a really rough outline which has all the necessary story beats, but I leave enough for me to discover as I write. This makes the writing process still fun for me while also keeping a coherent plot.
Where do you network most with other writers, authors, and creative types? LinkedIn? Wattpad? Twitter? Facebook? Somewhere else?
Author: Twitter is where I’m most active and I think it has a pretty healthy writing community. It’s fragmented and changed over the years but that’s where I’ve come across a lot of indie authors.
Do you sprint-write like a starving cheetah, or are you a totally chill turtle writer? Somewhere in between?
Author: I’ll stare at my ceiling for twenty minutes and out of nowhere bust out a couple thousand words. Then I go back to thinking. I guess I’m a cheetah.
StrugglesWhat has been the hardest thing to overcome on your journey to authorship?
Author: Connecting with an audience. Like all artists that share their work, we want our pieces to be viewed. The market is flooded and it’s hard to stand out. Some people are good at marketing. I am not.
How has the writing and querying or publishing process affected you emotionally? Do you have any tips for budding writers?
Author: For me querying has only been detrimental to my career. I’ve held off on publishing so many books waiting for agents or publishers to reply with a simple “no thank you.” It has also been emotionally draining. I wouldn’t recommend the traditional route in this era of self-publishing to a new writer. The key to being successful as an indie is to first learn how to write and create a book. Have an audience before you publish the book (youtube, twitter, Instagram, etc.). During this process learn all you can about marketing with ads other forms, such as learning to write good ad copy. Finally, create a book series and release books often. I didn’t do this at all and had to learn the hard way.
Do you have any tips or recommendations for those who want to go the final step and become authors?
Author: I think I just did but I’ll also say this: don’t get into it for the money. Very few people get to write full time and even less make a living off it. I would suggest writing for the love of writing. You’ll be a lot happier.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change?
Author: See above. I’m making those changes now.
Are you a driven & self-advocating author, a gun-shy promoter, or a total marketing procrastinator?
Author: I’m pretty shy which is totally befitting an author. But I’m shy about everything.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
Author: Writing for the love of writing. Creating.
How do you combat writer’s block?
Author: This is something I’ve been struggling with for about a year. I haven’t written anything new in a long time because I’ve felt so defeated with health issues and my work schedule. I’m getting better. Things are happening. I’m writing about an evil satanic cult and a necrophiliac, so naturally I’m working through some things.
What literary/writer-based term did you not know when you started that has become important and relevant to you?
Author: Honestly, it’s creating the book that sticks with me the most. Checking margins, gutters, widows, and orphans. Trim sizes. Making sure my books look professional. Creating a book is a beast and very technical. I’m very literate and observant to that. I think when readers look at The Sakura Element it looks like a top five publishing house book. Inside and out.
How did your family and friends react to your writing? Was it what you expected from them?
Author: They’ve always been supportive, especially my mother who I thank in everyone of my books. She’s my greatest champion and sometimes my harshest critic. I had to rewrite the first paragraph of The Sakura Element because of her!
What assumptions about writers and authors do you think are myths?
Author: That we’re wealthy or that it’s impossible for many people to do. I’ve come acrossboth stereotypes in my daily life. These beliefs may have been the case twenty-five years ago but with the invention of the internet and self-publishing, anyone can write a book at a relatively low cost.
Fun StuffWhat do you listen to while you write?
Author: It depends on the book. I’m writing a crazy sci-fi anime inspired series on and off. I listen to Japanese city-pop when I write that.
Is there a fun word or group of terms you like to put into your writing?
Author: I love alliteration.
Where do you write your stories? A tiny office? A loft? The kitchen table? In the bushes while you secretly people-watch like a total creeper? Or a warm café with mocha in hand and feet up on an ottoman?
Author: Right now, I write outside of an office building during lunch while I bake in the sun.
What book are you reading at the moment?
Author: I’ve been sitting on The Elfin Ship by James Blaylock for a long time.
What is your favorite literary trope?
Author: The good guys win.
How do you try to “break the mold” and be unique?
Author: Nowadays the good guys don’t win so I’m bringing that back.
What have you learned about yourself from the writing and/or authorship process?
Author: I’ve learned perseverance. I’ve self-taught myself an entire industry with more to learn.
What is your favorite writing snack and drink?
Author: Water and coffee. I learned a long time ago that adding food to the mix to an already sedentary hobby is a bad life choice.
Do you have a writing companion?
Author: Silence.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Author: “You’re too detailed in your writing” and show don’t tell.
How can readers follow you and learn more about your books?
Author: The best place for a cursory look would be my website https://scvincentbooks.wordpress.com/
But really just click here for everything:https://linktr.ee/scvincent
December 29, 2022
Author Interview: Tracy Huff, Self-help/ Personal Development
Hi! I’m Tracy Huff, author of Self-Help/Personal Development. My recent book is “How To Punch Failure in The Face.”
From Planning to PublishedWhen did you start writing and why?
Author: I have always done some writing internally for my students, my blog, etc. I also wrote a book for my parents that I have not published (yet). I wanted to expand my impact to help women and business owners who would not come in my martial arts school to let me help them. As I started promoting my coaching program I was confused and a little angry. I wrote my book because I realized that people did not understand exactly what I do as a martial arts instructor. They had put me in a box of “just teaching punches and kicks”, when we work on the whole person. My book is the process I use in my martial arts school to develop our students from white belts to black belt which includes mindset, positive attitude, having personal standards, taking action, celebrating wins and so much more!
How long did it take you to finish your first book?
Author: I wrote it in about 2.5 months. I started mid August and published in November.
If you’ve published, how long did your first book take?
Author: I self-published using Amazon, so the process was simple and pretty self-explanatory. Once I had the edited copy in the correct format I uploaded it to the KDP platform and “Poof!” I was on Amazon.
How did you determine your target audience?
Author: I based it on my experiences as a business owner raising a family. I wanted to help all of those women just like me.
Marketing What is your launch plan for your works?
Author: I write for my blog which is on familymaa.com and my podcast “How To Punch Failure in The Face”
How do you get reviews for your books?
Author: I give my books to all of the families that train with me at my school, my referral partners, and my network of women.
How do you promote your content?
Author: I write for my blog which is on familymaa.com and my podcast “How To Punch Failure in The Face”. I am also on Spotify and the Wisdom app.
What do you think is the most critical marketing component or tactic for becoming successful?
Author: Being true and authentic. Your message will resonate with the people you want to serve.
How do you define success as an author?
Author: Helping at least one person
About Your WorkWhat type of content do you write and why? Fiction Novels? Poems? Songs? Screenplays? Short Stories? Epic?
Author: I write in the personal development realm. I struggled for so long and spend way too much money to find what I needed to manage my family, my relationship with my husband, my business, and friends. I also am willing to share my mistakes and lessons learned so others don’t have to learn the hard way.
What is your author brand (genre, mood, image, theme, message, etc)? How did you decide on it?
Author: I am a martial artist because I love how being one continues to push me to grow and face challenges and things that scare me. As I started to promote my coaching program, I realized that adults do not get an opportunity to stretch and challenge themselves in a safe environment and that is what I provide.
How many works have you published?
Author: One for now.
Name some common elements in your writing: villains, magic, red-herring twists, the unfortunate ensign, mysterious phenomena, asyndeton, sentence fragments etc.
Author: The common element in my writing is based on our mantra: “Be Exceptional, Be Amazing, Be You (BE BABY!).
What was your first goal when you started your journey to becoming an author? Has that changed?
Author: To help as many woman, business owners, and teams as I can know they have value and gifts. To help them know that the world needs them to be used. They can make a difference. No, that has not changed.
Do you have other supporting services like a podcast, blog, webinars, courses, video channel?
Author: Yes, I have my blog on familymaa.com, my podcast on anchor.fm & spotify “How To Punch Failure in The Face”, my 4 week confidence course “Ignite Your Inner Spark” and my 12 week course, “How To Punch Failure in The Face”, and my youtube channel, FMAAFayetteville.
What do you want your readers to get out of your works?
Author: Inspired and empowered to go confidently into the world being the person God made them to be. To be free from judgement and other people’s expectations and to know they are valued and loved.
What part of the author process are you working on or studying most now?
Author: Writing versions of my book for different markets.
What has been your favorite part of the writing and querying or publishing process?
Author: Knowing that I am following my purpose. I am leading by example and doing what scares me so others will do the same.
Do you recommend any programs, courses, or websites?
Author: I recommend using the Fletcher Method to help you clarify your message and understand who your market is, what their needs are, and how to reach them.
Which authors write similar books to yours? How did you find them?
Author: I am such a big reader–my mentor Chris Casamassa & Shelly Toland inspired and encouraged me to write.
Have you always read in the genre you wanted to write in? Do you think that’s made it easier or harder to create new stories?
Author: No, I just wanted to help as many people as I could and delivered the message the way that I teach it.
What is your writing process, from idea to polished work? Pantster? Plotter? How long does that typically take you?
Author: I use the templates from the Fletcher Method to outline my chapters, determine my lead magnets, and simplify my message.
Do you sprint-write like a starving cheetah, or are you a totally chill turtle writer? Somewhere in between?
Author: Somewhere in between depending on the deadline I give myself.
StrugglesWhat has been the hardest thing to overcome on your journey to authorship?
Author: Being willing to be vulnerable.
How has the writing and querying or publishing process affected you emotionally? Do you have any tips for budding writers?
Author: A rollercoaster of emotions–scared, honored, proud, nervous, and vulnerable.
Do you have any tips or recommendations for those who want to go the final step and become authors?
Author: Trust yourself–if you feel you have a message to give the world, you do. Do not let other people and their opinions stop you from helping people and standing in your purpose.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change?
Author: I would not have waited so long to do it.
Are you a driven & self-advocating author, a gun-shy promoter, or a total marketing procrastinator?
Author: Sometimes a driven & self-advocating author and sometimes a gun-shy promoter. I still run my martial arts school and am involved in several networking groups.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
Author: I keep my eye on the people that I help, that need to know that they have someone in their corner, and knowing by doing that I am fulfilling my purpose.
How do you combat writer’s block?
Author: Just write–another lesson from being a martial artist. Just keep practicing and one day it will be easier and look better. You must persevere and not give into the negative voices that will come up in your head.
How did your family and friends react to your writing? Was it what you expected from them?
Author: Surprised when the author copy showed up in the mail.
Fun Stuff Where do you write your stories? A tiny office? A loft? The kitchen table? In the bushes while you secretly people-watch like a total creeper? Or a warm café with mocha in hand and feet up on an ottoman?
Author: Any place where I can concentrate–outside, in my office, or late at night when everyone is asleep.
What book are you reading at the moment?
Author: I am reading Clockwork by Michael Macholwicz, Financial Revolutions by Gary Kesee, and Never Doubt by Jesse Duplantis.
How do you try to “break the mold” and be unique?
Author: I overshare.
What have you learned about yourself from the writing and/or authorship process?
Author: I had more to say than I thought and as I was writing I shared things that I never thought I would.
What is your favorite writing snack and drink?
Author: Coffee and chewing gum
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Author: When I was training to take my 1st degree black belt test I was completely freaking out. My friend looked at me and asked, “Why are you freaking out? You just have to do it (the test) the best you can do it that day.” This is the beginning of my “Done is better than perfect” mindset. This allowed me to give myself some space to make mistakes and time to make techniques better.
How can readers follow you and learn more about your books?
Author Website: defeatfailure.com
Social Media : TikTok: confidencecoachninja, Facebook, Youtube: FMAAFayetteville
Book Sales Pages: https://amzn.to/3X9ee3o, Signed Copy: https://bit.ly/HTPFIFSignedCopy
Other: Podcast Anchor and Spotify: How To Punch Failure in The Face, The Wisdom App: How To Punch Failure in The Face
December 15, 2022
Winter Drying out Your Hands?
Here are some of the best solutions I’ve found.
Please note this is an anecdotal article, and I’m not a doctor. If you have consistent or worsening symptoms not solved by over-the-counter products, I recommend seeing a dermatologist. (I have. I’ve tried all the prescription stuff too. This is just about OTC stuff.) Please note: I don’t endorse these products. I’m sharing my experience. Please use your best judgment for yourself!
Why am I writing this article? Well, because I care about you!
These products come from constant testing because I’m one of 30 million Americans living with eczema. I’ve had eczema since I was three…and I’m talking splits and tiny blisters on my feet and hands simply from just being me. It’s not from washing my hands too much. If it was, why was the eczema bad on my feet, arms, legs, and face? It’s a condition that flares when it feels like it. So if you have eczema like me or just dry skin from winter air, you’ll hopefully find something useful here!
Winter makes dry skin worse. On top of it, the cold makes all things less pliable, so there’s also the loss of elasticity, which I’ll touch on as well.
What to avoid with lotions: Anything that is water-based. I know it will feel less greasy to put a water/aqua-based lotion on, but one of the key problems with dry hands is that moisture evaporates the oils from the skin.Hydrocortizone or steroid creams should be used in moderation. I’m not kidding here. Use these only when the itch or blistering and inflammation has reached a level that’s intolerable. Steroid creams cause thinning of the skin. I know. It’s already happening with my fingers, and I’m only in my 30s. I’m fighting using these to the last straw because I’m terrified of what my skin is going to be like 30 more years from now (If I’m that lucky).Tips for hand care: Don’t wash your hands in super hot water unless you have to. Warm water is sufficient. Cold water can be as effective. Check out the CDC’s guidelines here. It’s not the temperature of the water that matters but the scrubbing action which frees germs to be flushed away. But seriously, who prefers washing their hands in cold water in the winter? Not me! Brrr! If it itches, don’t scratch it! This is soooo hard! But if you scratch dry skin, it makes tiny little lacerations in the skin surface, which can lead to splits. Additional note: If you have dyshidrotic eczema like me, scratching will encourage the little blisters to burst, and that will cause more inflammation. (It got so bad with me one year that I thought I was going to lose a finger – that was until I discovered hydrocortisone cream, which hinders the immune system’s response and therefore slows and stops blistering and inflammation. It also calms the itch which was driving me to tears.) But again, only use these products when necessary to get inflammation and itch under control, then switch to something else.Dry your hands really well. Don’t give the air anything to whisk away, or it can take oils with it!The best time to put lotion on is right after washing and drying your hands.If the dryness gets really bad, I slather that lotion on, let it soak in, then I put on a cheap pair of fabric gloves or socks to protect the lotion from being rubbed off during the night. Some of it will come off inside the fabric, but you will keep that lotion close to your skin and avoid getting in all over the blankets! No one wants to roll over in the middle of the night and wonder what that slimy spot is!Any time you can, use dishwashing gloves or disposable gloves for cleaning etc. Stay hydrated and eat healthy food. Want to know what foods are best for skin health? Check out this article on Healthline.All About the LotionsWarning: there is a picture below which shows my hand in its red and split state. If this bothers you, please don’t proceed.
#1 Loreal Paris – Collagen Moisture FillerThis has become my favorite of all the products I use. It is fragrance-free and can be (is meant to be) used on your face. And while that’s how I got interested in it, as a face moisturizer, it has become my go-to for dry skin repair. It goes on smoothly and really absorbs well, even into severely dry skin that resists other lotions. This will take dry, rough skin, and make it soft and moist again.
This one really helps with elasticity. I put this one at the top simply because of this fact. My skin has already started thinning because of the steroid cream use, but this product has really helped plump up my skin and prevent it from splitting from simple movement. Ever tried to grab something and felt your skin split open? Yeah… not fun. It’s actually kind of scary. This product has been a game-changer.
When I get eczema on my face, this calms it. My skin feels fresh, smooth, and 10 years younger without a greasy feel. The fragrance free one doesn’t sting in cuts, which is another bonus.
#2: Mary Kay – Satin HandsThis set has been amazing. You can see my transformation photos below.
I started using Mary Kay products when I was getting ready for our wedding over a decade ago. I was in need of quality products to save our photos from future cringes at the condition of my skin. These products work every time I use them. They’re well worth the price, in my opinion. From lipstick to foundation and lotion, their products are quality and have never let me down.
The Protecting Softener featured on the left goes on at night and really soaks into your hands. It’s very thick and somewhat like Vaseline, yet not as slippery. It really does feel like a shield over your skin once it’s rubbed in.
The Smoothing Scrub in the middle helps free dead and dry skin and any Vaseline feel left from the Softener. (I washed my hands with that in the morning)
And the Shea Cream on the right is a beautiful, cool lotion that makes your hands feel like.. well, satin! I was going to say silk! Silly me! It’s in the name! If you can’t or don’t want to buy the whole set, this lotion is the one I’d recommend.
Mary Robeson is my consultant and gave me this set when she saw how horrible my hands were at a craft fair this fall. I was worried about book sales, not my self-care. What a wonderful gift! I went from breathing through the pain to feeling like I had my hands back again.
No, I’m not getting anything for promoting her products. She’s just an amazing, caring person who saw someone in need. And to me, that means a lot!
Below, on the left, is what my hands looked like the night before Mary saw me at the craft fair. Some people might say that if I just put anything on, it will help. My skin is oily in this picture because all I had was Neosporin. Yeah, the cut healer? Didn’t work. It’s not supposed to be used as lotion. Satin Hands outperformed Neosporin that weekend.
I’m always taking pictures of my skin to show dermatologists how it looks over time. That’s why I had this lucky before picture! When Mary gave me this set as a gift, I immediately used it!
I was away from my RV, so I didn’t have anything else with me. The picture on the right is just over a week later after using Satin Hands. Big improvement…not just of my skin but in my pain level. I type all day, go to the gym and lift weights, and I hand-wash dishes because we don’t have a dishwasher. These products have held up to my routine. I am very impressed.
You can get a fragrance-free set as well. I personally like the light scent of the White Tea myself.
If you’re interested in checking this out, you can read more on Satin Hands here.
#3: Red Wolf Apothecary Healing SalveNot a commercial product person? Prefer something more natural? This has worked really well and has a beautiful story about its creation. I won’t dive too deep into details to be respectful, but it was designed for a family member with [a severe illness] whose treatments caused additional injury. They were shipping medications in from overseas and during Covid had trouble getting them. Thus, their healing salve was born. They also have arthritis salve and other products.
They are wonderful, kind people. I sat next to them at the craft fair and also received this product out of the goodness of their hearts. And this product works wonders! It really does absorb well into very dry skin in seconds. It immediately takes the stiffness of dry skin away and relieves itch! And a dab goes a long way!
A note: If you have pets, they might go a little crazy trying to lick this stuff off of you! My dog loves it, so I always have to cover my skin before I get dog kisses!
This product is comparable to the above two. I used it on a different dry patch for about a week and noticed similar healing. I’m all for natural options when possible!
You can learn more and shop here.
#4 Medix5.5 Retinol & Hyaluronic Acid PackThis set has been wonderful as body lotion. I wanted something light and effective that didn’t leave my clothes sticking to me, or me smelling like a perfume store.
There are multiple sets by Medix5.5 available online. I chose this one because retinol helps the body produce more collagen beneath the skin’s surface and fights wrinkles, and hyaluronic acid helps keep in moisture.
Often when we use retinol products, it causes drying and reddening of the skin. I don’t get the reddening (oddly enough) but definitely the dryness. So I use the retinol lotion at night (while body is healing) and the hyaluronic acid in the morning. My skin isn’t nearly as crepey as it used to be. And so far it’s been great on my face and neck as well. Months of use with no breakouts or clogged pores!
These pumps hold a lot and are super easy to use, especially when hands have lotion on them. Sometimes twist-off tops are frustrating with well-lotioned hands. If that’s an issue for you, or you have arthritis, these pumps are great.
#5: Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration (Weightless)This is my favorite summertime lotion, especially after being out in the sun. However, it’s wonderful year-round with a light fragrance and light moisturizing properties that leave your skin fresh and feeling like it doesn’t have lotion on it!
It absorbs easily and readily without any greasy feeling or sheen.
Check it out on Amazon here. You can buy it seasonally at Walmart and other stores.
#6 Gold Bond Eczema ReliefThis one is usually in my purse. It comes in much larger squeeze tubes and pumps too. It has a light oatmeal fragrance due to the 2% colloidal oatmeal in it.
It absorbs decently but is best applied after washing your hands. It works pretty well for eczema relief, just like it says, without use of steroids.
It definitely tackles the itch, helps soften hands, and improve elasticity.
You can get this at Walmart and other stores, or you can check it out on Amazon here.
#7 Bodycology Body CreamLike inexpensive lotion with fragrance? This one works pretty well. It’s best applied after hand washing when your pores are open. It leaves an almost polished kind of satiny coating on the outside of your hands.
If you have to put on gloves (especially disposable ones) after, this lotion won’t stick to the gloves.
Bodycology has a lot of fragrance options, and you can find them at Walmart. I also found it on Amazon here.
#8: Gold Bond Radiance RenewalThis lotion is really creamy and luxurious. This stuff goes on thick. It has a pleasant, sweet, and rich smell as it has cocoa butter in it.
This stuff is great if you have deep dryness, especially on your feet. I put this on after a shower, let it soak in for a few minutes, then put socks on and go to bed that way. This is also great if you’ve been out in the summer sun a lot. While I recommend aloe for sunburns, this is a great after burn remedy for very dry skin.
You can check it out on Amazon here.
#9: Tree Hut, Shea Moisturizing Body LotionWhile I love this lotion for its fragrance and similar effects to Bodycology above, my immune system didn’t like it. My blisters got irritated. That aside, it’s wonderful on my legs and arms (avoiding flare-up spots).
I think this is my favorite scent of all the lotions. It’s a bit lighter, but not quite as light as the Hawaiian Tropic Weightless lotion.
I believe this was also a Walmart purchase. I also found it on Amazon here.
Bonus Recommendation: Lip CareI have tried TONS of products that I won’t go into here. There are lots of lip glosses and balms but these two take the cake, in my opinion.
ChapStick Total Hydration is a lip balm that’s very smooth and not waxy. It instantly makes your lips feel softer even when they’re split.
I recommend the fruit ones. The lavender one smells great but isn’t my favorite flavor. Check it out on Amazon.
Satin Lips Shea Butter Balm by Mary Kay is a creamy gloss, and it is the absolute best product I’ve ever used on my lips. It is easy to spread, especially with extra sensitive chapped lips. I put this on at night, and it really helps my lips heal. They’re always 10x softer and plumper in the morning! Check it out here.
There are a ton of other brands to check out too. (I don’t currently have these products with me.)
CeraVe, Nivea, and Cetaphil work very well. These were recommended to me by professionals over the years, but I never became fond of them. I basically live in my lotion, so scent is important to me. These have nice light scents, but they aren’t my preference for body lotion. They have worked well on my hands and feet.
Eucerin and Aquaphor got me through childhood. They work, but I remember reapplying them a lot.
My grandpa gave me his Bag Balm when I was little, and that worked well for my split feet. It wasn’t easy to run and play on the ranch with constant pain in my feet. This made a huge difference.
Aveeno and Dove have nice light scents and give your skin a soft, almost powder-fresh feel. I’m not as much of a fan of this, personally, but I can see the appeal.
Lubriderm, Jergens, and Curel I’ve used in a pinch or borrowed a bit of from family. They are nice products, but I haven’t used them enough to speak to their effectiveness.
O’Keefs works well for softening cracks, and is something I use more when I’m working outside.
Bath and Body Works body cream is pretty effective, with wonderful scent options. For very dry skin, I use their shea butter lotion. When I want to smell like whatever holiday it is, without wearing perfume or coating myself in waxy lotion, I use their body creams.
Vaseline is probably one of the most well-known products, same with Palmer’s cocoa butter. These products definitely work for softening and moisturizing skin but also require gloves and socks, or to not touch any screens or sensitive surfaces. It is finger print city!
If you have a recommendation, add it to the comments! Let readers know why you like it and where they can get it! Thanks!
Stay Healthy & Best Wishes!
Author Interview: Mike Martin, Mystery/ Memoir/ Christmas
Hi! I’m Mike Martin, and I write mystery.
From Planning to PublishedWhen did you start writing and why?
I have always been a reader and a writer. From an early age my older sisters would take me to the library with them and I learned the fun and adventure of reading. I always wanted to write a book so I could capture some of that magic.
How long did it take you to finish your first book?
I jokingly say about 40 years since that’s when I actually finished my first book.
If you’ve published, how long did your first book take?
It took me about 3 years from start to published copy.
Has your publishing timeframe improved at all since your first publication?
Absolutely. I can now write a book and have it published in about a year.
Are you indie, traditional, hybrid, or vanity, and why?
I am hybrid but I have been independent. The traditional publishing industry is too closed and too hard to break into for new authors.
How did you determine your target audience?
Mostly by chance and by reader input.
How do you get critiques, betas, feedback, and edits?
I have beta readers who have been with me all the way through. Some of those are reviewers and I use promo services like PUYB… A fabulous resource.
MarketingDo you have a platform? What does it consist of?
I have a website and use Facebook and Twitter for marketing.
What is your launch plan for your works?
I try and get early reviews and then I use a book tour like PUYB to help get the word out
What do you think is the most critical marketing component or tactic for becoming successful?
Facebook is an absolute must for the crime/mystery genre. That’s demographically where the readers are.
How do you define success as an author?
A good book that people tell me they enjoy reading. That’s enough.
About Your Work
A Sgt. Windflower Christmas Mystery, Book 2
From the author of the Award-winning Sgt. Windflower Mysteries including Christmas in Newfoundland: Memories and Mysteries Book 1, comes another welcome addition to the Sgt. Windflower family of books.
Come sit by the fire of the woodstove in the kitchen and listen to stories of Christmas long ago in Grand Bank and Ramea and tales of great adventure and Christmas magic in St. John’s in the 1960s and onward. Have Christmas dinner with Sgt. Windflower and Sheila and their two little girls. Then wait and see if any special visitors show up to entertain them.
What type of content do you write and why? Fiction Novels? Poems? Songs? Screenplays? Short
Stories? Epic?
I write a light mystery series set on the east coast of Canada
How many works have you published?
I have published 12 books in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series and 2 Christmas books
Can you tell us a bit about your most recent publication?
Christmas in Newfoundland 2 is a trip down Christmas memory lane and a great way to kick off the most wonderful season of all.
What was your first goal when you started your journey to becoming an author? Has that changed?
I have always written for myself and will continue to do so. Some people will like it and some others may not.
Have you always read in the genre you wanted to write in? Do you think that’s made it easier or
harder to create new stories?
That’s interesting because I have always been a sci-fi kind of reader. But my partner is a mystery fan. She introduced me to the mystery genre and I found my writing home there.
What is your writing process, from idea to polished work? Pantster? Plotter? How long does that
typically take you?
I am a pantser and it takes me about 3 months to get the first draft.
Where do you network most with other writers, authors, and creative types? LinkedIn? Wattpad?
Twitter? Facebook? Somewhere else?
I connect with other writers through the Crime Writers of Canada and on Twitter and Facebook
Do you sprint-write like a starving cheetah, or are you a totally chill turtle writer? Somewhere in
between?
I write about 1500 words a day 5 days a week until I am finished the first draft.
Do you have any tips or recommendations for those who want to go the final step and become
authors?
I would recommend to read as much as you can and especially read books by successful writers on how they did it. Stephen King has a great book called On Writing.
Fun Stuff
Where do you write your stories? A tiny office? A loft? The kitchen table? In the bushes while you
secretly people-watch like a total creeper? Or a warm café with mocha in hand and feet up on an
ottoman?
I can write anywhere there is a quiet space. But I prefer my own little writing desk the best of all.
What is your favorite writing snack and drink?
Coffee and more coffee
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Keep writing and don’t worry about the process or the outcome.
Author Website:
Sgt. Windflower Mysteries
November 10, 2022
Author Interview: Susan Wingate, Literary Fiction/ Suspenseful Women’s Fiction
My name is Susan Wingate. I’ve been bouncing in and out of the mystery genre for years and have now settled into several mashups of genres—literary fiction, suspenseful women’s fiction, and coming-of-age mixed with touches of magical realism.
I had three novels released in 2022. They are: Gag Me (4/2022, Roberts Press), When You Leave Me (6/2022, Down & Out Books), and upcoming Hotter than Helen (Book 2 of the Bobby’s Diner mystery series, 11/16/2022, The Wild Rose Press)
From Planning to PublishedIf you’ve published, how long did your first book take?
Author: My first book took eight years to write, two years to edit, and then after, to be published. It is possibly the worst book ever written. The title is Of the Law and I recommend against getting a copy! LOL.
Has your publishing timeframe improved at all since your first publication?
Author: It depends on what kind of publishing program you’re speaking of. If I self-publish, the process goes fairly fast. After the book is written, I go through a couple of months of an extensive editing process, then I hire an interior designer and cover artist.
If we’re talking traditionally published books, well, those books go through the same extensive editing but are submitted to publishing companies which have their own timeframe for new books submitted to them for accepting or rejecting a book. For accepted work, some publishers are very quick to go from contract to release date while others are not.
Are you indie, traditional, hybrid, or vanity, and why?
Author: I’m a hybrid author. Roberts Press is the publisher I self-publish under. But I amtraditionally published as well through Down & Out Books and The Wild Rose Press.
How did you determine your target audience?
Author: Mostly genre dictate who the target audience is. After that, the story’s main character. If the story’s main character is a man or woman, and then if the main character is adult or younger. But I look at genre first. There are many women who enjoy male protagonists and men who enjoy female protagonists. But we have to land somewhere so these are the ways I determine target readership.
What is your publishing process?
Author: Write, edit, edit, edit, submit, then publish. If I haven’t gotten a traditional contract within a matter of six months, I usually self-publish.
What platforms do you use to publish your works?
Author: For digital and print books: KDP for Amazon, (Nook) Press for Barnes & Noble. For audio books ACX for Audible.
MarketingWhat do you think is the most critical marketing component or tactic for becoming successful?
Author: Interaction with readers. I think, by far, this is the most critical function of having a successful career. It didn’t before but it does now in this social atmosphere. In the 1900’s, authors were like demigods. Now, we mustn’t ever strive to be above the so-called fray we must interact one-on-one with readers, give them books, let them chat us up if they like our work; and post and be viable and accessible on social media. But mostly we must write a good story that is free from errors.
What is your author brand (genre, mood, image, theme, message, etc)? How did you decide on it?
Author: My author brand is: Small Town, Big Trouble. I typically write stories about the place where I live.
How many works have you published?
Author: I have sixteen published works. Mostly fiction with one memoir about my mother’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease, and one chapbook of poetry. I guess that makes fourteen novels.
Can you tell us a bit about your most recent publication?
Author: Hotter than Helen is the second book in the Bobby’s Diner mystery series. I consider this second story more suspenseful women’s fiction bordering on thriller. This is the blurb: When Georgette’s old friend, Helen comes back to Sunnydale, the town begins to sizzle. Is Helen attracted to Hawthorne Biggs, Georgette’s new beau or Georgette’s imagining things? However, when Helen goes missing, all seems lost. Will they find Helen dead? Does Hawthorne truly have Georgette’s best interests at heart? HOTTER THAN HELEN is a psychological women’s suspense that reads like the sharp edge of a dagger.
What do you want your readers to get out of your works?
Author: For readers, I hope they get a sense that truth and justice will prevail. That good will win out and that the bad guys, in the end, will get their just desserts.
Do you recommend any programs, courses, or websites?
Author: As a graduate of Lindenwood’s Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, I definitely recommend them. For shorter classes, Coursera.org has some amazing writing programs through pretty prestigious other colleges. They offer an inexpensive avenue for certificated courses as well as audited courses—whatever suits your time constraints. I also took Jerry Jenkins writing program. It’s expensive but very good. I’m a big proponent of continuing education.
November 2, 2022
Author Interview: Sheila Roberts, Romance/ Women’s Fiction/ Devotionals/ Non-fiction
Hi! I’m Sheila Roberts, and I write women’s fiction. My most recent publication, The Road to Christmas, is out right now.
From Planning to PublishedWhen did you start writing and why?
Author:
I have been writing since I was a child. Hard to answer the why. I jus felt the urge. I love telling stories, and to be able to do that for a living is a blessing.
How long did it take you to finish your first book?
Author:
You know, it was so long ago, I can’t remember. But I do remember writing it all in long hand and then typing it on my little electric typewriter. A typewriter! That should give you a clue how long ago it was that I wrote my first published book.
Has your publishing timeframe improved at all since your first publication?
Author:
These days I am expected to deliver two books a year to my publisher, so I don’t have the luxury of unlimited time.
Are you indie, traditional, hybrid, or vanity, and why?
Author:
I’m traditionally published. Back when I started that was the only option I knew about.
How did you determine your target audience?
Author:
I didn’t begin looking for a target audience. I started writing Regency Romances – something I enjoyed reading. I think that’s key. Write the type of book you love to read and you will find your audience.
How do you get critiques, betas, feedback, and edits?
Author:
I was in a critique group for years – all published authors – and the input I got from my fellow authors was invaluable. We eventually all got too busy to meet on a regular basis and now just meet occasionally to visit and brainstorm book ideas, so my main input comes from my editor. I do have a good friend who loves to read my messes in progress and serves as a beta reader sometimes, and it’s always good to get that extra input.
MarketingWhat is your launch plan for your works?
Author:
I always have a virtual book birthday party on my Facebook like page. Then there are blog tours where I get to meet bloggers and readers, and Instagram, which I really like. Then of course there are email and eblasts. In addition to that I do both virtual and in person events. I am a people person and I love to party, so getting out and talking about a new book is always fun.
How do you get reviews for your books?
Author:
This is handled by my publisher and my publicist. I have been around a loooong time and have built up a great network of reviewers over the years. Building a readership, getting your name out there takes time and persistence.
How do you promote your content?
Author:
Social media is the key these days.
What do you think is the most critical marketing component or tactic for becoming successful?
Author:
I honestly think there comes a time in a writer’s life when she has to consider hiring help. A publicist is one of the best investments you can make.
How do you define success as an author?
Author:
Seeing my books available in a variety of outlets, and, of course, making best-seller lists. And making a good living, of course. But, having said that, what warms my heart most is when I hear from a reader how much she enjoyed my book. Sometimes a reader will even find a particular story encouraging. Knowing you’ve touched someone’s heart is priceless.
About Your WorkWhat type of content do you write and why? Fiction Novels? Poems? Songs? Screenplays? Short Stories? Epic?
Author:
I love fiction, love taking a character or cast of characters and spinning out a life for them, taking them from challenging times that build their character and make them strong all the way to that well-deserved happy ending.
What is your author brand (genre, mood, image, theme, message, etc)? How did you decide on it?
Author:
I would say upbeat – a few tears, a good dose of humor and a happy ending. Life’s hard enough and I don’t want to add to anyone’s misery by writing a depressing tale. I don’t know if this type of thing is a conscious decision. Sometimes the stories we write end up reflecting our own life philosophy. The things we believe are important can’t help but creep into our work. In most of my stories you will find women working together to build a better life.
How many works have you published?
Author:
I’ve written over fifty books – everything from non-fiction and devotionals to romance.
Can you tell us a bit about your most recent publication?
Author:
And in my new release, The Road to Christmas, I like to think I’ve given readers a fun holiday romance … as well as inspiration to let go of those negative feelings that can hold us back. The story follows three different journeys as various members of a family all make their way to their holiday gathering. Lots of mishaps and misadventures, some tears and, most important, love and new beginnings.
Name some common elements in your writing: villains, magic, red-herring twists, the unfortunate ensign, mysterious phenomena, asyndeton, sentence fragments etc.
Author:
Humor, inspiration, problems to overcome… and food. There’s always mention of food, and there are often recipes.
What was your first goal when you started your journey to becoming an author? Has that changed?
Author:
When I first started I just wanted to find an agent and get a book published. But, as with any career, there are always new goals, new career mountains to climb, like making best seller lists. Sometimes it’s easy to get greedy and want more and more success. I temper that by reminding myself how lucky I am to be able to earn a living doing something I love. I get to sit around and make up stuff – what a great career!
Do you have other supporting services like a podcast, blog, webinars, courses, video channel?
Author:
Just my website: http://www.sheilasplace.com
What do you want your readers to get out of your works?
Author:
Inspiration and happiness.
Do you recommend any programs, courses, or websites?
Author:
Your local library! Most libraries have shelves of books on writing. Check out everyone and read it. That is a course anyone can afford.
Which authors write similar books to yours? How did you find them?
Author:
Debbie Macomber, Susan Wiggs, Nancy Naigle, RaeAnn Thayne, Marie Boswick. These women are wonderful writers and friends.
Have you always read in the genre you wanted to write in? Do you think that’s made it easier or harder to create new stories?
Author:
I have read in my genre and I’ve also read outside of it. I think it’s important to read a variety of books by a variety of writers. It helps you expand as a writer.
What is your writing process, from idea to polished work?Pantster? Plotter? How long does that typically take you?
Author:
I am big on planning out where my story is going to go. That’s not to say I won’t make changes along the way, but it does give me a base to build on, a skeleton, so to speak, on which I can flesh out my characters’ journeys.
Do you sprint-write like a starving cheetah, or are you a totally chill turtle writer? Somewhere in between?
Author:
Somewhere in between, I supposed. I’m a pretty fast writer, but I think more important than the pace you write at is the consistency with which you write. It’s an art and a craft, but it’s also a job, and you have to show up regularly for work.
StrugglesDo you have any tips or recommendations for those who want to go the final step and become authors?
Author:
Keep writing, keep learning. The ones who “don’t make it” are the ones who give up.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change?
Author:
Not a thing!
How do you keep yourself motivated?
Author:
Deadlines are a powerful motivator. I have to turn in a book by a certain time. I can’t afford to be a diva. For someone starting out and struggling with motivation, try imposing some deadlines on yourself – with a fine if you don’t make that deadline and a reward if you do. It might help.
How did your family and friends react to your writing? Was it what you expected from them?
Author:
Happily for me, my family has been very supportive – my husband especially!
What assumptions about writers and authors do you think are myths?
Author:
That we lead glamorous lives.
Fun StuffWhere do you write your stories? A tiny office? A loft? The kitchen table? In the bushes while you secretly people-watch like a total creeper? Or awarm café with mocha in hand and feet up on an ottoman?
Author:
Sitting in my living room, working on my laptop. I have a beautiful water view from there.
What book are you reading at the moment?
Author:
I am reading Mornings on Horseback, by David McCullough, which is a biography of Teddy Roosevelt. If you want to get inspired, read the biography of a successful person.
What is your favorite writing snack and drink?
Author:
Chocolate! It’s vitamin C for a writer’s brain. J
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Author:
It came from my mother. If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all. Her other favorite adage was: Pretty is as pretty does. My mother was a very smart woman.
October 14, 2022
Author Interview: MNR, Science Fiction/Crime
You might know me as “MNR” depending on when and where we’ve met. MNR is short for “Mark Niemann-Ross.” This drives the IT folks crazy when I ask for a corporate email address like “mnr@somewhere.com.” They prefer mniemannross@somewhere.com, but seriously, who can remember how to spell that?
My latest written work is a contribution to Crooked V.2 – “Do-Ye0n Performs a Cost-Benefit Analysis on a Career Based on Questionable Activities.” I’ve released “Stupid Machine” – A (science fiction) murder mystery solved by a refrigerator. I’m currently prepping to write “Vicious Machine – A murder mystery caused by a refrigerator.”
From Planning to PublishedWhen did you start writing and why?
Author: I’ve always scratched out stories. My mom was an interrupted journalist but continued to write stories for friends and family. She mourned her missed opportunity to write full time. I’d like to think I’m fulfilling her dream?
How long did it take you to finish your first book?
Author: Way too long but just long enough. I rewrote Stupid Machine three times and threw out more words than the length of the final book. It was a cheap way to learn to write – cheaper than an MFA. There’s no better way to learn about writing than to crash your way through it.
I’ve stopped worrying about how long it takes finish a project. The finished idea only comes around as fast as it can – I need to be patient.
Has your publishing timeframe improved at all since your first publication?
Author: Nope. It won’t. I’ll finish it when it’s ready.
Are you indie, traditional, hybrid, or vanity, and why?
Author: My short stories have appeared in Analog Magazine of Science Fiction and Fact, so in that way I’m traditionally published. Stupid Machine is self-published and I’m happy with that. I’m open to working with an agent/publisher, but until that happens, I’ll proceed with confidence.
How did you determine your target audience?
Author: I didn’t. I wrote what I know. The audience will have to sort themselves out. I’ve found two demographics reading Stupid Machine: coders and murder fans. Sometimes they’re the same. I understand coders. Maybe someday I’ll understand murder fans better.
What is your publishing process?
Author: Write the damn story. Publish the damn story.
What platforms do you use to publish your works?
Author: I’m published at Amazon in both print and kindle. I’ve been pleased with Smashwords for everywhere else. The amount of time I have to fool around with publishing services is growing thin, so I watch numbers and economize. There’s lots of ways to get a book published; I assume if someone really wants to read what I write, they’ll find a way to buy the story.
How do you get critiques, betas, feedback, and edits?
Author: I have a group of trusted readers. It’s difficult to get good critiques, especially since I’m working somewhere between technology and fiction. I cherish the folks who are able to bridge those two disciplines.
MarketingWhat is your launch plan for your works?
Author: Start with the low-hanging fruit and work outwards. Friends and family, then industry associates, then recognized experts, then general public. My time is limited, so I select activities I can support, complete those activities, then move on to the next. It’s really easy to lose focus with all of the companies who want to offer marketing opportunities.
How do you get reviews for your books?
Author: I pester readers until they submit to my will.
How do you promote your content?
Author: My next story is the best promotion for my current story. It’s endless. It’s tiring. I wish there was a magic formula. Sometimes people get lucky and famous.
What do you think is the most critical marketing component or tactic for becoming successful?
Author: Be famous, then your books will sell. Success is a subjective pursuit.
How do you define success as an author?
Author: If I learned something from the creation of a book, then I’m successful. I have the luxury of having an income from other sources, so the financial return on a book isn’t the primary indicator.
About Your WorkWhat type of content do you write and why? Fiction Novels? Poems? Songs? Screenplays? Short Stories? Epic?
Author: Yep…I write Science Fiction.
What genres and subgenres do you write in?
Author: Sub Genre: Hard. Sub-Sub Genre: Technology-gone-wrong.
I teach programming languages and small computers (Raspberry Pi) so I constantly trip over bugs and unintended machine behaviors. Those are no big deal until we trust our well-being to predictable technology.
I worry about what happens in the unplanned gaps between technologies. One company tests lawn mowers to make sure they’re safe. Another tests to make sure microwaves are safe. But what happens if you plug a lawn mower into a microwave? Nobody tested that.
What could possibly go wrong?
If you think that sounds just stupid, you ought to educate yourself on what’s going on inside your car at 65 miles per hour.
What is your author brand (genre, mood, image, theme, message, etc)? How did you decide on it?
Author: Just me. I teach technology. I write about technology. I write fiction about technology. It’s all related to the singular me.
How many works have you published?
Author: Lots of shorts. One long.
Can you tell us a bit about your most recent publication?
Author: Sure. “Do-Ye0n Performs a Cost-Benefit Analysis on a Career Based on Questionable Activities” is part of Crooked V.2. It’s a background exploration of Do-Ye0n, an inept fuck-up. Everyone assumes criminals are masterminds. If they ARE masterminds, they fix the system so they aren’t criminals. At least, that’s what happens today. Criminals are the folks just short of manipulating society to believe they are doing the right thing. Do-Ye0n just doesn’t work hard enough. So he continues to fall off the edge of competency.
This is important to my writing. Masterminds are a fiction. Everyone is just trying to get it right. Criminals don’t aspire to be criminal – they aspire to survive and maybe a bit more.
Name some common elements in your writing: villains, magic, red-herring twists, the unfortunate ensign, mysterious phenomena, asyndeton, sentence fragments etc.
Author: A common element? The gap between technologies. Quality assurance does their best to make things work right, but there’s always an edge case between THIS thing and THAT thing.
What was your first goal when you started your journey to becoming an author? Has that changed?
Author: Someone needed to write this thing. I’m the only person (I know of) with this combination of skills. So I was chosen to write it. I wish I had a better grasp of the medium, but I am what I am.
What do you want your readers to get out of your works?
Author: Enjoy the story. Oh please…enjoy what I write.
What part of the author process are you working on or studying most now?
Author: Stop using cliches. Use semi-colons, colons, dashes, and em-dashes correctly. Learn more about the stupid english language.
Seriously – programming languages are so much easier than english. Punctuation is predictable, spelling is absolute, the syntax makes sense. That leaves me to fixing bugs – but that’s just logical errors. Why can’t english be that simple?
What has been your favorite part of the writing and querying or publishing process?
Author: I love when characters reveal themselves. I know they are fictional, but they develop personalities. That’s also somewhat of a pain in the ass – some characters decided they didn’t want to cooperate with the overall story when it was too late to write them out. So I need to accommodate their needs. What a bunch of complainers.
Which authors write similar books to yours? How did you find them?
Author: I admire Andy Weir. He works hard to make sure his stories exist within the bounds of physics.
Have you always read in the genre you wanted to write in? Do you think that’s made it easier or harder to create new stories?
Author: Oh gawd no. Read outside your genre. I’m fortunate to be married to someone who doesn’t like science fiction. As a result, I watch all sorts of movies and read books I would never have considered otherwise.
What is your writing process, from idea to polished work? Pantster? Plotter? How long does that typically take you?
Author: I scratch out an idea, then write, then fix the outline, then write, then plot. Characters tell me things about the story I didn’t know when I started. Pantser vs Plotter is an unnecessary bifurcation. Writing is an interactive process. You suggest a situation, then ask the characters what they are going to do. Sometimes they tell you the situation is wrong and you have to start over.
Where do you network most with other writers, authors, and creative types? LinkedIn? Wattpad? Twitter? Facebook? Somewhere else?
Author: Face to face. Beers. Social media is a cesspool.
Do you sprint-write like a starving cheetah, or are you a totally chill turtle writer? Somewhere in between?
Author: I write when the story demands to be written. There’s lots of gaps in my writing while the story sorts itself out. I write as fast as I can, but I’m not in control.
StrugglesWhat has been the hardest thing to overcome on your journey to authorship?
Author: Interesting question, but this really doesn’t apply to my writing. I’m an author because I write. Stories need to be written. I’ve expressed an interest in writing them, so they show up at my doorstep.
A journey has a beginning and an end. The stories I write never really started – they always were waiting for me to get my shit together. They never end – they just pause until the next chapter starts. I’m kind of just an innocent bystander with a keyboard.
How has the writing and querying or publishing process affected you emotionally? Do you have any tips for budding writers?
Author: I hate killing off characters. I spend so much time learning about them, then they die. Dammit. But that’s the deal. If you’re going to write, you need to be emotional about these fictional characters. It doesn’t get any easier, but it does prepare you for when “real” people die.
Do you have any tips or recommendations for those who want to go the final step and become authors?
Author: Nobody “becomes” an author. You are, or you are not. There isn’t a merit badge you can earn. You can only write. Even if nobody publishes your writing, if you’re writing, you’re an author. That’s a relationship between you and the story.
Fun StuffWhat do you listen to while you write?
Author: coffee shop music and chatter. I can’t write without background noise.
What book are you reading at the moment?
Author: 1Q84. Before that, A Gentleman in Moscow.
What is your favorite literary trope?
Author: Chekhov’s gun.
I splatter news everywhere, but the most current is my website at http://niemannross.com
October 6, 2022
Author Interview: Cheryl Carpinello, MG/YA Adventure
Hi, I’m Cheryl Carpinello. I write MG/YA myths/legends adventures. The Atlantean Horse, book 1 of The Feathers of the Phoenix, officially released on Sept. 23, 2022.
From Planning to PublishedWhen did you start writing and why?
Author: After working with reluctant and non-readers in high school, I chose to target the younger kids in hopes of getting those not currently reading to come to enjoy reading. My successes in the classroom with Arthurian Legend and Stories from the Ancient Worlds became my avenue. Once I retired from teaching, I was able to devote time to writing.
If you’ve published, how long did your first book take?
Author: I published my first book, Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend, in 2009. In between grading papers and teaching, it took me a little over two years to release. Since then, depending on the book or picture book, it still takes a good year, and sometimes a bit more, to write, produce, and publish a book.
Are you indie, traditional, hybrid, or vanity, and why?
Author: I am an Indie Author through and through. I tried traditional, but found that I had no control over decisions being made about my books. I like being in control of my options although it requires a lot of work and time on my part.
What is your publishing process?
Author: Once my book is finished and corrections from my two editors complete, I send it to my layout designer for paperback and ebook files. Once I have the ISBN, I get my cover done. Finally, I upload my files for publication on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, Overdrive, Baker & Taylor, Scribd. I also use Draft2Digital as my distributor.
Marketing How do you get reviews for your books?
Author: I ask when people buy my books direct from me to leave a review. I post on social media about the importance of reviews for authors. My blog tours usually bring in a number of reviews also.
What do you think is the most critical marketing component or tactic for becoming successful?
Author: Consistency and variety. You need to be in front of readers consistently and use a variety of medias to do this.
How do you define success as an author?
Author: I feel my success comes when I have kids come up to me and tell me that they have enjoyed my stories, and buy another book. I’ve had some who have read my Arthurian series 3 and 4 times!
About Your WorkWhat type of content do you write and why? Fiction Novels? Poems? Songs? Screenplays? Short Stories? Epic?
Author: I write Arthurian Legend, Tales from the Ancient Worlds, and my picture book series Grandma/Grandpa’s Tales. My novels are shorter than typical middle grade/teen novels because my target readers balk at long books. My Arthurian Legends stories also have an illustration at the beginning of each chapter because reluctant and non-readers usually count how many pages they don’t have to read!
What is your author brand (genre, mood, image, theme, message, etc)? How did you decide on it?
Author: My target audience is Reluctant Readers, mainly ages 8/9-18; however, my books have appealed to mature audiences who may or may not be reluctant readers. My brand: Tales & Legends for Reluctant Readers.
How many works have you published?
Author: 4 Arthurian Legend, 3 Ancient World, 6 Grandma/Grandpa Tales, 1 Writing Journal, I book of Short Stories relating to my Arthurian Legend, and my grandson’s book: Cameron’s Book of Insects written when he was 9 years old. Total: 15
Can you tell us a bit about your most recent publication?
Author: The Atlantean Horse is a unique adventure story that melds the ancient world with today’s world. Rosa and Jerome have been given the epic task to find and bring the five feathers of the Phoenix to the Atlantean Horse. When they have completed the five tasks, the prophecy says that the island of Atlantis will rise again so it’s people can finally come home. Sound easy? Maybe, but not when the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are pursuing the same and will stop at nothing to obtain the feathers.
Where do you network most with other writers, authors, and creative types? LinkedIn? Wattpad? Twitter? Facebook? Somewhere else?
Author: I help out author friends with promotion on Facebook and Twitter when I can. I have two author friends overseas and we exchange promo ideas, writing ideas, and what we are currently doing. It’s fun to keep in touch via email (we have never met in person).
Do you sprint-write like a starving cheetah, or are you a totally chill turtle writer? Somewhere in between?
Author: A little of both of these. My characters tend to take over my stories so my writing mirrors their actions. Sometimes they like to run through certain parts of the story. At other times, they just want to enjoy their surroundings and experiences.
StrugglesWhat has been the hardest thing to overcome on your journey to authorship?
Author: I published my first book in 2009. Back then, writers who did this were not respected and were referred to as self-published or vanity authors. I’ve worked hard on my craft, belong to several professional organizations, and am a member of an author co-op out of England. I still bristle when people ask if I am self-published. I calmly but firmly inform them I am an Indie Author.
Do you have any tips or recommendations for those who want to go the final step and become authors?
Author: Be sure to write the best book you can, get it professionally edited, find a professional cover designer and layout designer. Write your book from beginning to end and then go back and do editing. Also: Develop a thick skin!!
Are you a driven & self-advocating author, a gun-shy promoter, or a total marketing procrastinator?
Author: Most of the time I’ve driven. I do a number of shows/conferences all year round promoting/selling my books. I do classroom visits around writing programs I’ve developed, and I talk with parents, grandparents, teachers, and principals about the importance of reading and writing.
How do you combat writer’s block?
Author: I don’t have writer’s block. I’m constantly writing, whether it be on paper or in my brain. When my story comes to a stop, I move on to another part knowing that my characters will let me know when it’s time to come back to that spot.
Fun Stuff What do you listen to while you write?
Author: A variety: Mumford & Sons, OneRepublic, Elton John, Mark Knopfler, Pink, James Blunt to name a few.
Where do you write your stories? A tiny office? A loft? The kitchen table? In the bushes while you secretly people-watch like a total creeper? Or a warm café with mocha in hand and feet up on an ottoman?
Author: Usually on my couch with a concert DVD on. I love music when I write. My favorites are Mumford & Sons and OneRepublic. Sometimes I do go to a small restaurant for coffee and a bite of lunch and write there, minus any distractions.
What book are you reading at the moment?
Author: The Ape who Guards the Balance (Amelia Peabody historical mystery series) for the 3th time through the 25-book series.
Do you have a writing companion?
Author: I do not, but my daughter and husband always read my stories and give me honest feedback. My two good friends/authors always read and give me their read on my stories. I do that in return for them.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Author: Don’t worry about rewriting while you’re writing. Turn off the critical side of your brain and let your creative side tell the story. It knows how to do this!
Author Website: https://www.cherylcarpinello.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccarpinello; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.carpinello1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccarpine1/
Writing Blog: http://carpinelloswritingpages.blogspot.com/
September 29, 2022
Author Interview: Peter Marlton, Literary Fiction
Hi, I’m Peter Marlton. I write literary fiction. Eternal Graffiti, my first novel, is published by The Story Plant.
From Planning to PublishedWhen did you start writing and why?
Author: I’ve been writing one thing or another most of my life. Songs, poems, plays, screenplays, stories, and a couple of bad novels before Eternal Graffiti. When I was about ten I pretended to start to write a book about Willie Mays by copying the first few pages of Arnold Hano’s biography of Willie in a notebook. I put quotes around all of it. I’m not sure why I did that, but when I found the notebook years later, I had a good laugh.
How long did it take you to finish your first book?
Author: I’m a slow writer and I’m never fully satisfied. In the last couple of weeks I’ve read through parts of Eternal Graffiti that I’d revise if I could. Small things, but still. It took about seven years to write. The first few years it was on and off. The last three years it was non-stop. I revised it countless times, worked with an editor who convinced me to cut 16,000 words, and revised it some more. I was still revising during the proof-reading process before it went to the printer. But I’m happy with it.
About Your WorkWhat type of content do you write and why? Fiction Novels? Poems? Songs? Screenplays? Short Stories? Epic?
Author: I’ve written all the above over many years, except maybe an epic. Each one of these forms has its own way of luring me into the inner sanctum. It’s hard to describe what I mean in some ways. It’s sort of a mysterious process. Something will happen and I’ll “feel” which way I should go with it. For example, my short screenplay, Memorial Day, which was a finalist in the Austin Screenplay Competition, came to me all at once “as a film.” I knew there was no other way to write that story. I write songs all the time. I love recording. I’ve been a musician and songwriter since I was 12. Most of the songs I write should not be imposed on anyone ever, but every now and then they are OK. I have a few on my website. I don’t write poems very often and I haven’t written a short story in years because I was working on the novel.
What genres and subgenres do you write in?
Author: My fiction would always be labeled literary fiction. Plays and screenplays often have more comedic elements. I don’t know why that is.
How many works have you published?
Author: I’ve published a few short stories and a couple of essays, and now a novel.
Can you tell us a bit about your most recent publication?
Author: It’s a novel called Eternal Graffiti. It’s a wild ride. Drugs, sex, homelessness, true love, friendship, betrayal, catastrophic loss, suicide, and a resolution.
Name some common elements in your writing: villains, magic, red-herring twists, the unfortunate ensign, mysterious phenomena, asyndeton, sentence fragments etc.
Author: My stories always seem to be about characters who are not in the “common orbit” of mainstream American life. They tend to be outcasts who invariably face the same challenges we all do. It is character-driven storytelling and often I don’t know where it’s all going until I sit down at night and write and find out. I also seem to have a thread of a kind of magic or mysticism that appears every now and then.
What was your first goal when you started your journey to becoming an author? Has that changed?
Author: My goal was always to succeed by publishing writing that lots of people enjoy reading. But writing is hard. Very hard for me. And the thing is, I’ve never been able to keep from writing even when I wanted to. There were a few years I just wanted the compulsion to stop because I was terrible at it and what was the point? But I couldn’t stop. I’d go a little nuts when I didn’t write. When I finally just gave in to it, come what may, the gloom lifted, and I started to improve.
What do you want your readers to get out of your works?
Author: If somebody reads Eternal Graffiti and finds that when they finish they are moved and need a little time to themselves, even just two minutes to feel whatever it is they’re feeling and think for a while, I will have succeeded inwhat I set out to do – write the kind of book I want to read
What part of the author process are you working on or studying most now?
Author: I’m very busy writing my next novel.
What has been your favorite part of the writing and querying or publishing process?
Author: The querying process is awful. Every writer I know hates it. The publishing process with the great people at The Story Plant, from start to finish, has been fabulous.
Which authors write similar books to yours? How did you find them?
Author: This is an eclectic list, in no particular order, and it’s probably more accurate to say they are influences rather than having written similar books: Denis Johnson, Rachel Cusk, Philip Roth, OttesaMosphegh, JD Salinger, Raymond Chandler, Emily St. John Mandel, Lawrence Durrell.
Have you always read in the genre you wanted to write in? Do you think that’s made it easier or harder to create new stories?
Author: I’ve always read literary fiction but not only that. Sometimes I go on binges reading Patricia Highsmith, Raymond Chandler, PG Wodehouse, Georges Simenon. I think the more you read, whether it’s in a single genre or in many genres, the more likely you will come up with new ideas or approaches to writing.
What is your writing process, from idea to polished work?Pantster? Plotter? How long does that typically take you?
Author: I never use an outline. My characters usually take the story where it needs to go. This can create serious problems with blind alleys and digressions. But there’s magic to it too. Things happen that you could never have dreamed up ahead of time. Characters can appear out of nowhere. In Eternal Graffiti, my character Kiera appeared first as a voice heard by Owen, the protagonist. I had no idea who she was. She turned out to be the heart and soul of the novel, the crucial character around which everything revolved. She’s a 19-year-old UCLA student from Ireland. I had to go to Ireland to find out where she was from and what her life had been like. The book took about seven years to write, off and on. It was a pleasure to write, not knowing what was going to happen next. I also really like the revision process. That’s a whole other kind of hypnosis.
Where do you network most with other writers, authors, and creative types? LinkedIn? Wattpad? Twitter? Facebook? Somewhere else?
Author: I’ve never really networked per se. It’s not something I feel comfortable doing—I’m too self-conscious—although with the publication of my novel that’s becoming easier for me I think because people are making it easier.
Do you sprint-write like a starving cheetah, or are you a totally chill turtle writer? Somewhere in between?
Author: When I say I’m a slow writer what I mean is I am slow to produce something I’m willing to share with people. I actually write pretty quickly. It’s the revisions that take so much time.
StrugglesWhat has been the hardest thing to overcome on your journey to authorship?
Author: Having to work a fulltime job. Major drag.
How has the writing and querying or publishing process affected you emotionally? Do you have any tips for budding writers?
Author: I think the best way to approach it is to expect to be rejected because that is the most likely outcome. It’s like playing the lottery—you have to be in it to win it, but your chances of winning are very low. If you submit and expect to be accepted you will likely suffer serious disappointment, rather than just disappointment (if that makes sense). I highly recommend Googling something like “great novels that were rejected.” There you’ll find great company and it can help knowing that if you keep submitting it’s very possible that each NO is one no closer to a yes. It can help you understand that the gatekeepers are flawed human beings who can get things very, very wrong. For example, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was turned down by eleven publishers before finding a home. It makes you wonder if the eleven who said no have ever forgiven themselves.
Do you have any tips or recommendations for those who want to go the final step and become authors?
Author: The main thing, no matter what else happens, is to write and keep writing. If you pursue an MFA that will force you to keep writing. If you can’t afford an MFA or are unable to go for some reason, you’re on your own. It’s good to find a writers group with people you trust and work that way. Make sure you involved with serious people like you.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change?
Author: I’d try to stop beating myself up all the time. I’d try to stop telling myself I’m a fraud and have no business submitting my work to anyone.
Are you a driven & self-advocating author, a gun-shy promoter, or a total marketing procrastinator?
Author: I do what I can to promote my work but it’s a process I’m only now becoming familiar with. It’s a little weird, kind of like, “Look at me! It’s all about me!”
How do you keep yourself motivated?
Author: I honestly can’t help it. I have to write. It’s been this way my whole life. Part of a mental illness!
How do you combat writer’s block?
Author: I don’t suffer from writer’s block if it’s defined as a prolonged period of being unable to write. I can almost always write. But I have to add that producing writing doesn’t mean it’s good writing.
How did your family and friends react to your writing? Was it what you expected from them?
Author: My friends have been very supportive.
What assumptions about writers and authors do you think are myths?
Author: That writers are worth talking to at parties.
Fun StuffWhat do you listen to while you write?
Author: I always listen to music while I write. What I listen to depends on my mood of course. It could be anything from Mozart to Billie Eilish.
Is there a fun word or group of terms you like to put into your writing?
Author: The End.
Where do you write your stories? A tiny office? A loft? The kitchen table? In the bushes while you secretly people-watch like a total creeper? Or awarm café with mocha in hand and feet up on an ottoman?
Author: I used to write in cafes a lot but my favorite, a place called Bauhuas in Seattle,closed down and became an upscale Italian bike store. I usually write at home, although when I’m in Paris, where I try go every year to write, I write in cafes. I love that.
What book are you reading at the moment?
Author: Nana by Émile Zola, and I’m finishing I Buried Paul by fellow Story Plant writer Bruce Ferber. I’m about to start The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri.
How do you try to “break the mold” and be unique?
Author: I really don’t. I’ve learned to write honestly and somewhat fearlessly and not worry about what anybody thinks. I think if you try to be unique you’re probably going to end up a cliché sooner or later.
What have you learned about yourself from the writing and/or authorship process?
Author: Two main things, I think. First, that after years of teaching myself to write I can finally manage to produce good work. Second, with respect to the authorship process, I enjoy the writing life in general. I feel at home in it.
Do you have a writing companion?
Author: I have three friends I met at a writers retreat. One lives in France, another in the UK, and one in Toronto. I live in Seattle. We’ve known each other for years and keep in touch often. It’s a great friendship and I feel very lucky.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Author: Someone once told me, “If you feel like screaming, scream.” That was what I really needed to hear at the time.
Author Website: http://www.petermarlton.com
Twitter: @petermarlton1
