TIE DIED has arrived!

This little guy is cute, not scary at all!

FRIDAY FLICKS and AUTHOR INTERVIEW: J. S. Andersen

I'll be doing things a bit differently today. One of our clients, J.S., Andersen, has just published her first YA fiction book through Idea Creations Press, and we're pretty excited about it.

We'll begin with her interview, and end with her book trailer.

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

     I started writing in 1^st grade. When I was in 9^th grade in my  English class we were supposed to write down 5 goals. One was to  finish a book. I pressed forward  and had it published. I had to 

     cross off that goal.

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

I write when I find time. Most is at night and late in to the morning.

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

I use what even I can get my hands on when an idea pops into my brain. I carry a small notebook in my purse, a small recorder I talk into if I’m driving, and use my lap top when I get home or take it to a writers group.

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

                    

I love coming up with a story idea. My least favorite is fighting the writer’s block. I can go weeks without touching it. Poor MC gets a little angry at me.

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

In my 20s I finally found out what made the grinding noises at night down the street from the house I grew-up in. It was a rock grinder. When it ran at night to me it sounded like a ghost driving a tractor in the field across the street from my bedroom.

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

Face Book, Blogs, Voice, Craft Shows, Book Signings and whatever else I can think of to advertise it.

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

I’m working on book #2 Secrets Revealed that carries on with Missy Mack in the 1^st book Hidden Secrets.

Get the Book at Amazon

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

Another book in its 3^rd draft, If I Only Knew, is planned to be done and out by the end of the year. I have a couple more plots on stories I’m working on.

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

Don’t give up. If you set your mind to it, then do it even if it takes you several years to get it done.

***

FACEBOOK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

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CHARACTER INTERVIEW: Oscar from Winter's Thief

   Tell me about yourself.

My name is Oscar. I serve King Louis III of Manshire Province as Captain of the Long

Bow Knights. For my king’s comfort I typically execute the critical assignments at his

decree. Manshire Province is one of two countries on the island continent of

Estmira. Manshire now includes the former country of Saraton. Worchester is the country

to the north. The mountainous region to the east is uninhabited.

Get it at Amazon

I am bound by my word and as a man of average height I must keep myself in top

physical condition to fulfill  my obligation to my King. My salt and pepper beard is short

to keep it out of the bowstring; and my hair is short to keep it out of my silver eyes. I

have square shoulders, and large, strong hands.

I spend my days raising my son to be a good citizen of Manshire, easing my wife’s pain,

and serving my king.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Commitments to my king leave little free time, but when possible I spend my weekends

with family—developing my son’s survival skills, helping with farm chores, and sharing

stories with my family.

What is your favorite color?

Green—the color of spring—a fresh start.

What is your favorite food?

That’s easy—an omelet, particularly my wife Abbey’s omelet. It’s so amazing how she

can blend several bland ingredients into something so delicious.

What would you say is your biggest quirk?

I’d have to say it’s my impatience with younger Long Bows—they are not prepared for

their duties when they start out as a Long Bow.

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

My enemy is more of a thing, than a person; or, maybe its better to say there are several

forces/people at play attempting to destroy the king and his linage. They are deceptive

and solid evidence never reveals

itself.

What or who means the most to you in your life?

Abbey and Kendrick are the two most important people in my life, but my duties as the

captain keep me

away from them. This situation creates a deep internal conflict for me.

What one thing would you like readers to know about you that may not be spelled

out in the book?

I became the captain of the guard because of who I know— the king and I were best

friends in our youth. I   was not the most skilled Long Bow at the time of my promotion.

If you could tell your writer (creator) anything about yourself that might turn the

direction of the plot, what would it be?

I have a great belief in fate. Fate made me the captain and I am sworn to faithfully

execute the commands of my king, as such I spend more time with the king’s affairs than

with my family.  It would be nice to live  for  today. Carpe Diem.

Ask me any question:

How long do you spend developing lead characters compared to secondary characters?

At least twice as long. With a main character, you really need to know how he/she thinks,

behaves, looks, speaks. It isn't enough to have some sort of cardboard character;

something you may be able to get away with when it comes to a character who comes on

to the scene only a few times. For a lead, you must really know them, and that means

spending that extra time getting to know them like you would your very best friend.

***

Thank you, Oscar!

Website: http://www.andeanwhite.com

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FRIDAY FLICKS: Patty Gayle and the Legend of Kingsley by Cynthia P. Willow

Purchase at Amazon

From the author:

"Patty Gayle and the Legend of Kingsley" is a Christian fantasy for all ages, but geared toward young adults. It's available at Amazon.com in paperback and for your Kindle. It will be available as a free download December 4th-8th in celebration of my upcoming adult novel, "Hell's Christmas."

Friday Flicks: The Sixth Power by Carol Nicolas

See Carol's interview here.
Watch for her upcoming character interview on November 12, 2014.

Listen to the book trailer today!

CHARACTER INTERVIEW: Thierry, the Storyteller

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

I am called the Storyteller, it’s what the smiling man named me.  I suppose I’m somewhat of a mythical creature – or so I've been told. Stories are told 

about how I can read people’s entire lives and change them anyway I want, simply by writing in their book.  Every creature has a book, after all.

I don’t have specific looks, they tend to change depending on who I’m around, but I've become quite fond of the Scough, so I have their fox ears and tail at the moment. As for what I hope to accomplish, I’m not sure.  I’m honestly just happy to be out of that library.  I suppose I wish to have a more interesting story of my own from here out.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I’m actually quite fond of relaxing and watching the Scough children chase after their rabbits and each other – they’re so lively.  You’ll probably find me watching the others in the Scough tribe most of the time, or maybe the Red Dragons… I’m a people watcher, honestly.  It’s so interesting to see the stories unfold in front of your eyes.

What is your favorite color and why?

Anything bright and vibrant. I’m not too fond of dark things, but then I have a bit of a bad history with the shadows and their master, the Lurkhamara.

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

Rabbit isn't bad, but my daughter tells me all of these amazing stories about the food from your world.  Apparently, you can cook the rabbit, and then there’s things like pizza, burgers, and drinks that taste like sweet clouds. I’d like to try those if I ever get to visit.  Hopefully there’s time.

What would you say is your biggest quirk?

*chuckles*  If you give me your hand I can make words appear that will tell me your every thought and memory and everything you will do in the future. Is that quirky enough?

I would say so :)

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

The Lurkhamara has his own agenda, one I don’t agree with.  He was part of the battle which killed the Kurai -- all of his people.  He seems to be under the mistaken impression that if he starts another war, he’ll become even more powerful and feared.  I don’t know that it irks me, but it’s unfortunate that he is so narrow minded.

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?

That would have to be my daughter, Mira.  I originally created her to have someone to talk to in that lonely library, but her story has become so much more complex.  I have no intention of ever losing her but -- well, stories do tend to have twists.  I can’t see the ending of hers, which troubles me sometimes, so I have no idea what the future holds for her.

What one thing would you like readers to know about you that 

may not be spelled out in the book in which you inhabit?

That is an interesting question, especially since there are more stories to be told in the future.  I suppose it may be my own past.  I used to live in a library full of books, each with a person’s name on it.  I was told to never leave – but I didn't listen.  You can’t imagine how lonely it is to read all of these amazing stories of people’s lives and not have one of your own.  At the time I didn't think about the consequences, but they’re unfolding now.  I feel bad for pulling people into this story, but I will never regret leaving that place.

If you could tell your writer (creator) anything 

about yourself that might turn the direction of the plot, what would it be?

*chuckles*  Oh, I've spoken with him.  The smiling man already knows my story and it wouldn't be any fun if I told him how I wanted it to go. That’s the thing about stories, they have lives of their own.  You might want to change something one moment, but years later you might realize that there was nothing to change.  I would rather live this path and see where my story takes me. The same would apply to those writing my story, I would never interfere.

Ask me any question. I've always wanted to know what a character thinks about writers like myself. I'll answer the question at the end of this interview.

I’m curious, what would you do with my power?  I have a book here, with your name on it.  You won’t be able to read it – no one can read their own story – but I could change something for you.  What would you want me to change?  Would you be willing to live with the consequences such a change would cause?

Fantastic question! Honestly, I've thought about changing certain things in my life but I don't think I'm daring - or crazy enough to have you make the change. Everything that I've experienced, both good and bad, has contributed to who I am today, and I wouldn't want to be anyone else :)

You may just want to keep your power; but thanks!

***

Learn more about Thierry here:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Seeking-Storyteller-Jessica-Walsh-ebook/dp/B00HCJP0PM/

Solstice Publishing: http://solsticepublishing.com/seeking-the-storyteller/

Etsy (signed copy with bonus): http://www.etsy.com/listing/186904208/seeking-the-storyteller-a-hunters-novel

Also available on Barnes & Noble and other online sites!

CHARACTER INTERVIEW: Marabella

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 Marabella, but I prefer to be called Belle.  I have lived my whole life in the little village of Helfin in the Common Valley.  I’m just a girl.  My long, curly, brown hair is always wild and getting in my face which always seems to have a smudge of some sort on it.  My emerald green eyes seem to mean a lot to the Demalion people (you learn about why in the book) and if I focus them on you, you can’t turn away.

What do you like to do in your spare time?  

I love to read and I love to hunt and gather herbs with my friend Wesley. 

What is your favorite color and why? 

Green is my favorite color.  I enjoy the outdoors and there are so many shades of green. 

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

I really like Ma Nan’s puffy meat pies but my favorite food in the world would be apples.  There is nothing I like more than sitting, reading a book and sharing a crisp, sweet apple with Wesley. 

What would you say is your biggest quirk?  

I’m not sure.  I can be impulsive.  Is that a quirk? 

Yep, I would say that's a quirk. :)

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

In the first book, Malick is mean and evil.  He is horrible to someone I love.  I really can’t say more without giving away stuff the author wants you to read for yourself.

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 family and friends mean a lot to me but, I suppose, well I guess, anyway…okay it’ s Wesley.  It’s always been Wesley.  I would do anything and everything I had to do to keep Wesley in my life, even though sometimes it doesn't seem like it. 

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 am sometimes referred to as fearless but I get scared a lot.  I just tend to be too impatient to let fear slow me down.  And using my magics thrills me down to my toes.  

  

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

That’s a tough question.  She knows me pretty well.  In book 2 I get to do a lot of the things I've been wanting to do. 

Ask me any question. I've always wanted to know what a character thinks about writers like myself. I'll answer the question at the end of this interview.  

What gave you the brilliant idea of interviewing me instead of the writer?  I mean, she is important I know but, the book is about me.  Does that sound arrogant?  I don’t mean for it to.  It’s just that you can learn a lot about her book MARABELLA by talking with, well, Marabella.

Great question! Well, I'd been interviewing authors for a few months and came upon a post where someone was looking for character interviews. I thought, if they can do it, why can't I? My character interviews are often more popular than the author interviews. I have even thought about interviewing the protagonist.

***

Thank you, Belle!

http://marabellaspeaks.blogspot.com/

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Theresa Sneed

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

I have been writing all of my life. I wrote a poem in third grade and then gave it to my friend because she was struggling with the writing assignment. Well, it won first place and was put in the local newspaper, the Piscataquis Observer under her name! Later in sixth grade, I remember writing a skit that my friends and I recorded during recess on a cassette, which I have somewhere.

How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or do you prefer writing freehand?

Ideally, I write Monday through Friday starting early in the morning and going until I tire of writing. Sometimes, I'll write from morning until bedtime, but usually it's a few hours sometime during the day. I prefer to use my laptop near a window or better yet, outside.

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

My favorite part of writing is creating the story line. I love to put words together in ways that entertain, uplift and inspire. My least favorite thing, hands down, is marketing. However, if you ignore marketing, you probably will not sell many books, so I sink lots of time into marketing.

How do you come up with your characters? Why would readers want to get to know them?

I come up with characters from many sources, but the interesting thing is that though some of my characters are patterned after real people, none of my characters are that person. My characters have their own personalities, likes and dislikes. It's kind of interesting to see how a character develops over time. One of my favorite characters is Jonathan Stewart in my No Angel Series. He was patterned after Sheldon Cooper in the Big Bang Theory, but took on his own personality from those roots.

Why would my readers like my characters? In writing, an author needs to create characters that are first believable and second have some kind of endearing flaw that they can surmount by the end of the story. Jonathan is a reluctant guardian angel. He's actually annoyed that he was even chosen to be one, especially after specifically writing on the Guardians Unlimited application that he had no desire to return to a place he abhorred or to be a guardian angel to someone he could care less about. At the beginning of No Angel, you will not like him, but by the end of this fun story, you will love him!

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

I "work" the social media by maintaining an active  facebook author page; online book launches with Tristi Pinkston; blogging with Loving the Book Launch Party; twitter; pinterest; and my own website www.theresasneed.com. I participate in events like this author interview, and I pay it back by making myself available to others for their launches, etc. Most recently, I participated in Tammie Clark Gibbons', Big Author Virtual Ebook Fair. It's important for authors to make themselves visible in the public eye.

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

I'm a recent empty-nester, so time for me now is perfect for writing. I believe though that time slips away unused, if not scheduled, no matter how much you have of it. I write while my husband is at work, but if I'm on a deadline, then I pretty much write nonstop, except for Sundays.

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

Yes. I have two new books out so far this year. Elias of Elderberry is climbing the charts with 158 books sold in just this past month. It's a Harry Potter-like book with wizards, fairies, castles, elves and dragons. I envision a  minimum of four books for this series, but it could be longer.

Escape is part of a three book series and is about a 15 year old girl who gets abducted by a corrupt sheriff in the late 1970's. He keeps her captive in his cellar for five years, until she escapes with his truck and his five year old daughter, Sally. 

I'm working on a stand-alone, time-travel called the Salem Witch Haunt. It is about Bess North, a 17 year old student at Danvers High. Because she is the 7th great granddaughter of one of the women hanged as a witch in 1692, she is annoyed with all the media hype and tourism in her town, which used to be Salem Village. Losing her way in the woods, she stumbles upon a quaint, but antiquated village that she thinks is Amish. After the initial shock of discovering where she really is, Salem Village 1692, she sets out on a mission to save her grandmother from the gallows, only to put herself in grave danger.

I have thoroughly researched the historical characters and every possible theory about what happened in Salem Village in 1692. Salem Witch Haunt is a believable story steeped in suspense and intrigue with a touch of sweet romance.

My goal is to release it this Halloween, October 31, 2014, as Halloween, October 31, 2001 was the date that the state of Massachusetts exonerated my own grandmother, Susannah North Martin, 309 years after her hanging.

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

Yes. I have already written two additional books in my No Angel Series and would like to get book four out this December. I have started book two in the Sons of Elderberry Series. And I have a good part of book two in the Escape (Sandee Jae) Series written too.

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

If you love to write then you're 75% there - honest. The other 25% is essential though, and that is to actually do it. I recommend joining a reputable writing group or even getting a few writers together and starting your own. Be willing to seek out informative classes and workshops on writing, attend them, and apply the things you learn. Don't be afraid of constructive criticism - take it for what it is. If someone takes the time to criticize your work, glean what you can from their words - it will make you a better writer. Do NOT take criticism personally, take it professionally.

***

Thank you, Theresa!

To learn more about Theresa visit:

www.theresasneed.com 

Amazon.com: Theresa Sneed: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Prudence Hayes

What's Prudence's least favorite part about writing? What are her characters based on?

Find out in our next author interview!

 Prudence Hayes

 

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

I began writing when I was younger writing stories, screenplays and such, but never told or showed anyone. I was afraid of their opinions.  Then about two years ago I decided to jump into it for therapeutic reasons. Viola! It helped getting the thoughts, emotions, stories and voices out of my head and onto paper.

How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or do you prefer writing freehand?

Little scenes jump into my head at the most random times. Typically, it's as soon as my head hits the pillow at night. So, I grab whatever is near to write it down. I prefer writing freehand and getting the main scenes down and then piece them together on the computer. It works best for me. Lately, I have been trying to begin a story on the computer and write from beginning to end, but I don't believe that is working out.  So, I'm going to go back to what is natural.

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

My favorite part of writing is watching a story form itself and things start to fall into place.  My least favorite is…well, it's kind of my least and second favorite….it's hitting the 'publish' button.  It's a great feeling to finish a story and share it with the world in hopes that they like it, but it also heightens my anxiety level.  I still haven't gotten over the nervousness of other people reading my writing.

How do you come up with your characters? Why would readers want to get to know them?

My characters all have a smidgen of the myself and people that I know or they are people that I wish I knew. 

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

I'm still working on getting better with the marketing aspect of writing.  I use Twitter, Facebook and try to get on as many blogs/websites as I can.

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

I write at all random times. It seems the more I schedule the less words come out, so I try to keep it as organic as I can.

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

Right now, I'm working on a children's book series.  I have two done and working on more.

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

At Amazon

 

I have a few…there's the children's book about a young sarcastic witch, the sequel to WHEN IT RAINS: THE UMBRELLA COLLECTION and a couple more that are still being formed.

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

Do it anyway! Don't let doubt overpower the feelings you have when you write :)

***

Thanks, Prudence!

Learn more about Prudence at:

Facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Prudence-Hayes-Author/396063893814563

Twitter ~ https://twitter.com/PrudenceHayes
Goodreads ~ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6566850.Prudence_Hayes
Blog ~ www.peaceloveandwriting9.wordpress.com