Top Tips for Reading to Children

I thought this video had some great ideas.

Writing and Voice - How do you develop yours?

What would you like to see on my blog?

Hi!

I have a few minutes this morning and wanted to write you a little note. I have been thinking about what changes to make on my blog this year and wanted to get your advice.

I do have some time limitations, but I've decided to post at least once a week on a subject you find interesting. This week the day is Wednesday :)

Here are some thoughts:

I have some short stories I have written that I could share. I could also do some character interviews with the characters in my books. Do any of you draw? I would love to see how you envision one or more of my characters. If I get some of these, I would gladly post them here. 

I do a lot of writing, so I could also occasionally post some deleted scenes that didn't quite make it into the last revision of a particular book.

Any other ideas?

I would be happy to hear them.

Kathryn

A Big Thank You!

Things, they are a changing this year on my blog.

First, I will no longer be doing author and character interviews. I wish to thank everyone the last couple of years who have been a part of this segment of my blog. I appreciate you!

Second, all of my marketing is now going into the capable hands of my husband, Doug.

I will still be putting out my monthly newsletter, but everything else is his! I've just gotten too busy to do everything, and I want to have time to write and work with my writing clients.

I will occasionally post something here on this blog, but it won't be as frequent as you're used to seeing. Keep in mind, however, that I am not closing up shop, so please read past issues to your heart's content!

Again, thank you, everyone, for reading.

Kathryn

CHARACTER INTERVIEW: Amara from Baptism & Boomerangs

Tell me a little about yourself (where you live, who you are, what you look like, what you hope to achieve, etc.) 

Hi! My name is Amara and I live in Cairns, Queensland. But my Mum kept that a secret when she was writing the book! Sometimes people think I live in New York! Sometimes they think I live in Canada! I love hearing about all of the places that people think I live!

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

I really enjoy painting and drawing. I also like reading books and climbing trees. I am very good at climbing trees.

What is your favorite color and why? 

Turquoise is my favourite colour. It just looks so pretty! If I can’t find turquoise, then I like blue and 

What is your favorite food? Why is it your favorite? 

My favourite food is chocolate. That is why I love my Grandma’s Jaffa cake so much! Chocolate and orange! I also love apricots and blueberries.

What would you say is your biggest quirk? 

Um. Sometimes I use my imagination so much that I can’t hear when my mum or dad are speaking to me. I like to daydream, my mum says.

What is it about your antagonist that irks you the most, and why? 

Well this story doesn’t really have an antagonist, unless it is me and my learning about how to do everything right. I like that my family help me when I am having trouble. I wish I would listen to them better sometimes.

What or who means the most to you in your life? What, if anything, would you do to keep him/her/it in your life? 

My whole family is super important to me, but probably my brother Jack is the best thing. He is my best friend, even though he is my brother.

What one thing would you like readers to know about you that may not be spelled out in the book in which you inhabit? 

My dad’s side of the family isn’t LDS. My dad is a convert! So sometimes he and I get to learn new things at the same time!

If you could tell your writer (creator) anything about yourself that might turn the direction of the plot, what would it be? 

I wish my grandma and grandpa from my Dad’s side of the family were getting baptized with me.

***

A Question for Kathryn:

What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you always want to be a writer? What could you do, if anything (climb a mountain? Eat only chocolate?)?

When I was growing up I wanted to be an airline stewardess (now they call them flight attendants). I mainly wanted to travel the world without having to pay for it :) As I grew up, I decided that being a model was a better idea. It wasn't. That dream didn't last long. It took me way until I was married and pregnant with my first child to decide what to do with my life. Writing has stuck with me ever since.

As for climbing mountains and eating chocolate, let's just say I like to do both.

***

My Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Sherrie-Gavin/e/B014U76A4S/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1514853907&sr=8-1

My webpage: http://www.sherriegavin.com/

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Paul Brennan

Tell me about yourself. What got you started in writing?

I was born in Boston, MA. I am the middle child in a family of five children. I have had many trials in my life. Some of which, led me to quit school at the age of 14 and leave home. My education consisted mostly of the School of hard knocks. I have thankfully been able to turn my dysfunctional and chaotic childhood and teenage years into a life full of joy and I now have an amazing family. My wife and I live in Southern Utah where we spend a lot of our time with our grown children and grandchildren. They are our treasure. I got started writing because everyone that knows me kept telling me that I needed to write a book about my life experiences. 

 How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?

My best writing time is very early in the morning when I can’t sleep

How and where do you write? Do you prefer a laptop or some other method of getting your words down?

I  start by speaking the stories into my cell phone and go from there. 

What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?

My favorite part about writing is putting the stories together, trying to capture the events and use my creativity to make them interesting while retaining the integrity of the story. My least favorite part about writing is having the patience for all the steps to be finalized and waiting for others to do their part. Also, I am not good at spelling so that is frustrating.

How did you come up with your book idea? How long did it take you to write your book?

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My life experiences gave me my book idea. Everyone is always intrigued by my stories. The actual writing only took approximately six months, but about two years from start to finish.

What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?

We are really just getting started with marketing. Mostly social media so far.

What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?

Right now, I am currently focusing on promoting my granddaughters’ new Christmas CD which just came out on the Itunes store (Lainee McDonald). She’s amazing!

Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.

I am working on some ideas along the lines of other peoples experiences in life. 

What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?

I would tell a beginning writer to just start writing! They just might surprise themselves. One page at a time. Just do it!

Question for Kathryn:

How do you get your ideas for books?

My books come from thoughts I have in my head - a do have a few of those :) as well as experiences I have had in my life, including things people say or do that intrigue me. If you pick up my first book, A River of Stones, you'll learn about a girl named Samantha who convinces her friends that a vampire is living up the street. When I was about the same age, I convinced my friends there was a vampire living up the street :)

CHARACTER INTERVIEW: Phillip Miiithainson from A Knight in Dented Armor

Tell me a little about yourself (where you live, who you are, what you look like, what you hope to achieve, etc.)

My name is Phillip Miiithainson head consultant for Miiithainson business consulting. Well the only consultant right now, but business is really growing.  

Miiithainson is pronounced with a long I and a long A and yes it’s spelled right. I know because I have the legal documents from my Great-grandmother when she went to great lengths to see to the proper spelling when she became a citizen of the United States after escaping from Germany during World War II.

I currently live in a basement apartment in Taylorsville Utah but I was born and raised in Chester Pennsylvania. I’m the fourth child of six children born to Albert Miiithainson and Anna Smith Miiithainson.  My siblings and I were all raised in an apartment above one of the best French restaurants in Pennsylvania.  My grandparents owned, cooked in and managed said restaurant. My Brothers and I spent a lot of time helping out and working in that restaurant while we were growing up. 

From my Grandparents, I learned to speak both French and German at a very young age and got into a lot of trouble at school doing so.   From my grandmother, I learned to wait on tables with flair and not spill a single drop on the customers.   From my Grandfather I learned a great bit about business, how to build on profits, how to manage employees and how to keep all the books.  My mother saw to it that I learned to play the piano from the main entertainer at the restaurant and he became my most trusted confidant.  From my father, I learned the importance of religion and developed my voice while singing in the choir in his church where he served as a nondenominational minister.   I dabbled in professional entertaining for a few years, but it’s not for me.  Too much hype, way too many girls with too many expectations, not the lifestyle I want to live.

I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I was eighteen and even though I know in my heart that it is the true church on this earth I haven’t seen my family since.  I served a two-year full-time mission in Peru and now I’m moving on with my life. Trying to find the right girl to settle down with and raise a family.

Right now, I want more than anything to have a career where I can be home every night so that I can be a good and supportive husband to my wife and actively involved in raising my children in the gospel and to be good productive citizens with enough time to do whatever the Lord has need of me.

        

 What do you like to do in your spare time?

I don’t have a lot of spare time now that my business is really starting to take off. On those rare occasions when I do find spare time I like to play the piano. My current apartment is too small for one, but there are plenty of music stores around and I never have any trouble persuading them to let me play.  I’m polished enough that I’m allowed to play for great lengths of time whenever I find the time.   If I really need to unwind and can’t get to a piano I’ll play my violin, however, I haven’t professionally mastered the violin like I have the Piano.

What is your favorite color and why?

My favorite Color, well now that depends.   I like my car’s blue, which is the most professional business like color, not too flashy, just practical and down to business. Most of my suits are a dark blue also, but I prefer my ties red.   I think a good crisp red tie, tied in the perfect full Winsor knot gives the best first impression in a business setting.

  What is your favorite food? Why is it your favorite?  

I’m the Grandson of one of the best French chefs in Pennsylvania. Of course, I love French food. I’m particularly fond of a good French onion soup with a warm from the oven savory Brioche.  I’ve found that when I’m cooking I can roll just about anything, usually leftovers into a crepe and wolf it down on my way out the door.  I also make a pretty good pizza when I have the time, but I must admit I enjoy making them more than eating them.

What would you say is your biggest quirk?

Quirk, me?  I don’t have any quirks.  Well, okay, some people think I’m a little overly theatrical. There does seem to be a good Shakespeare line to meet just about any circumstance, and if Shakespeare didn’t think one up someone else in theater did.  If you’ve got it you might as well use it. I’m also the only person in the area that has a suit of armor that I can fit into.  It gets a little attention when I wear it.

What is it about your antagonist that irks you the most, and why? Share a line in the book where this irk is manifested.

That’s easy, my former talent agent. That man just won’t give up or take ‘no’ for an answer. He’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants even if he has to break the law to do it.  He can’t accept that I don’t drink alcohol, don't want to be seen with lots of women at the same time (and all of the time) or partake in other forms of stimulation, which he keeps in little bottles in his pockets at all times.

There’s no way I trust him enough to ever say yes to him again. Not sure why I signed with him in the first place, but it will never happen again.

Shellie met him once when she picked me up at the airport.  When the airport security finally detained him so that we could get away from him she asked who he was and I could only think of one way to describe him.  “He’s a salesman, a drunken salesman.”

  What or who means the most to you in your life? What, if anything, would you do to keep him/her/it in your life?

Who is the most important person in my life? That’s easy. Right now it’s Shellie, Shelleenia Marie Rawson, soon to be Miiithainson.  She is the most perfect person on the earth right now and she makes me the happiest person in the world just thinking about her. I’m looking forward to every minute through time and all eternity that I get to spend with her at my side. 

Next to Shellie it would have to be my family. I know where my only living brother is but he refuses to see me. As for the rest of my family, I pray every night that I’ll be able to see them again and tell them that I forgive them and still love them.  I want so much to share the gospel with them.  If not in this life I hope to get the chance to say all of these things in the next life.

What one thing would you like readers to know about you that may not be spelled out in the book in which you inhabit?

I wasn’t always the man I am today, in my younger years I was selfish and self-centered. I was the meanest little brother ever known and I deserved most of what I got in my life.   I’ve changed now since I’ve joined the Church and served a mission.   I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the hardships I’ve had to endure. I’m a better person than I was when everything was easy, but I still have a lot to learn and a lot of growing to do.

If you could tell your writer (creator) anything about yourself that might turn the direction of the plot, what would it be?

Wow, that’s a tough question to answer.  I never thought I could tell my creator anything, or my writer for that matter, and no I don’t think they are the same person.   I would say that I want my writer to remember that I’m human and make mistakes and still have a bit of a selfish side.   If she had realized that while she was writing her masterpiece, I don’t think I would have been able to accomplish most of what she gives me credit for.

***

A Question for Kathryn:

How do people like you, writers, find characters like me?  Do you meet us in everyday life, read about us in the news or are we little more than figments of your imagination and manifestations of your dreams and nightmares?

My characters are a little bit of me, a little bit of my family and friends, and a little bit made up. The interesting thing is that they truly feel real, and I'm always glad I've gotten to know them.

Learn more about Phillip Miiithainson and his author:

My Writer’s website, where I currently have top billing, is https://www.vickieastewart.com.  There are easy to use buttons that take your right to my Amazon page but if you want to bypass the website, go to https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+knight+in+dented+armor

FRIDAY FLICKS: Your Mother's Love by Niki Alling

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: KC Hunter

Tell me about yourself. What got you started in writing?

I started writing from a very young age in middle school. I used to create my own books out of folders with a hole puncher and do illustrations for the cover. Later in life, after drifting away from it for a while, I found my creative inspiration again and started dabbling in writing fantasy stories and horror shorts in my 30s.

Tell me about yourself. What got you started in writing?

I started writing from a very young age in middle school. I used to create my own books out of folders with a hole puncher and do illustrations for the cover. Later in life, after drifting away from it for a while, I found my creative inspiration again and started dabbling in writing fantasy stories and horror shorts in my 30s.

How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?

I write whenever I can. The best times are late at night when the world is quiet and I can focus on nothing but the word. No promotions. No 9 to 5. No distractions.

How and where do you write? Do you prefer a laptop or some other method of getting your words down?

I write either on my laptop in the kitchen or on my main PC setup in my office. I type really fast so it’s way easier than longhand.

What's your favorite part of writing? Your least favorite part of writing?

My favorite part of writing is when the story starts to flow, especially dialogue. For instance, in The Brothers Locke, there are identical triplets: one is mute, one is legally blind, and the third is hard of hearing. It provides for some rather unique conversations. Plus, they all have different personalities which are accented by their disabilities and abilities.

My least favorite part is editing. Again, I type really fast so going back through and finding all the spelling errors is a pain but an absolute necessity as an indie author.

How did you come up with your book idea? How long did it take you to write your book?

I’ve had many of these ideas since I was a teenager. Right now, there are six series in my head. Plus, I just invented one called Kana Cold who is a young Asian female paranormal investigator (think Indiana Jones meets Jessica Jones in personality). That came from watching a bunch of those weird “Top 10” videos on YouTube about creepypastas, unsolved mysteries, cryptids, etc. etc. I thought “there is so much material here for a bunch of thriller/paranormal/mystery type of stories. I guess I’ll write it!”.

The Brothers Locke took a while to write as I was teaching myself to write in a different style, so about three months for the first draft. Recently, I’ve been writing a lot faster.

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What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?

I run the spectrum. Last year I took Mark Dawson’s course for self-publishing and since have used Facebook ads, personal communication on Twitter, my own mailing list, promotional lists like FreeBooksy and Robin Reads, Amazon ads, and BookBub’s ad platform. I’m in the process of narrowing those down to the ones that work best for me.

What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?

Kana Cold will hopefully be out in February or March. I’ve had a fantastic time doing the research into these weird stories that are all over the internet and adapting them to a narrative that works.

Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.

I have tons of projects on the back burner. There’s the Dorian Delmontez series which I will start writing after Kana Cold. The Brothers Locke is a bit of a prequel to Dorian Delmontez so the foundation has already been laid. I want to do a serial or short fiction episodic series of novellas in the space opera/sci-fi genre. And there’s a trilogy I’ve had in my head since I was thirteen that is part Lord of the Rings and part Clive Barker’s Imajica that at some point I need to write.

So, there’s plenty in the head that needs to find it’s way onto paper and the screen.

What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?

First and foremost find the confidence in the story that you want to tell. No one else will believe in you if you don’t. I always go by the motto “There are at least 20,000 people who will like the story that you like. It’s your job to find them and let them know about it.”

You won’t start off as skilled at characters as King or as imaginative as Barker or as endearing as Rowlings, but you will progress through each book and find your own style and voice. Write more, write often, and learn from each book you finish.

Links:

website: http://www.aoestudios.com
social media:
https://twitter.com/TheKCHunter
https://www.facebook.com/thekchunter/

Current book:
The Brothers Locke: An Urban Fantasy Adventure:
Barnes and Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-brothers-locke-kc-hunter/1126381032 Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/en/ebook/the-brothers-locke
iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/brothers-locke-episodes-1/id1193697095

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