Showing posts with label secrets and doors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label secrets and doors. Show all posts

Monday, February 23, 2015

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Angela Hartley, author of Copper Descent and other works

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

When I was little, I found myself daydreaming more than I paid attention in school. This, of course annoyed most of my teachers, but some recognized me for what I was and encouraged me to pursue a career as a writer. I was also defiant, and it took me many years to decide they were right.


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

I prefer to work on a small net-book, though something can be said about freehand. A connection takes place when I write this way that typing can’t quite obtain.

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

I love creating, I love revision, I love feeling the connection to fans, and every step in between. The toughest part for me is the rejection. But who in their right mind would enjoy that?

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

My characters pretty much shout in my head, “NOTICE ME!!!!” Readers like them because they’re colorful, yet real. They have Daddy issues, make stupid decisions, yet still manage to find a piece deep inside that calls them to overcome.

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

This year, I've tried all sorts of things. I spoke on panels, I visited schools, I ran book promotions, and presented at writers conferences. All of this builds readership, but it isn't going to matter if you don’t have time to write the next work. Right now I’m working on creating a balance between the two aspects.

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

I take my writing very seriously, and block a section of time each day to some aspect of the craft. All of my children are older, and I find it is easiest to work while they’re in school. The house is quiet, and I can get lost for a little while.

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

Right now, I’m working on Iron Resolve. In this Urban Fantasy novel, we follow Myke Preston—a man with a weak disposition. He walks away from his family only to find his world literally crumbling beneath his feet. The only way back to his wife and child is through a maze where he relives his tragic past. I deal with some pretty heavy issues in this story, drugs, infidelity, and child abuse. I also have two other books available, Copper Descent, and I have a short story in an anthology releasing this month, Secrets and Doors called Room 517. I like to describe Copper Descent as Pocahontas meets Paradise Lost, but with demon rock stars, and the Sundance Film Festival. Room 517 is a comedy piece about a high-maintenance modern girl who unknowing travels back into medieval times. It turns into quite the adventure when she realizes her controlling ex is actually a wizard determined to keep her forever.

Get the book at Amazon
Get this short story collection at Amazon

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

I have a crime/horror novel named D-Brie. Adrienne Morris thinks she might be a serial killer, but after losing her identity and memory two years before, she can’t be certain. This novel has it all—sex, violence, hypnotherapy, and a woman who may or may not burn people to a crisp whenever the word ‘love’ is involved.

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

Get out while you still can! No, really. I’m serious. But if you find your feet dragging as you head for the door, know this: It is a hard road full of rejection. If you don’t have faith in your ability as a storyteller no one else will. It takes 10,000 hours to master any art. Are you willing to put in the time to become great, listen to critique, and grow? If the answer is ‘Yes’, you have a shot. Talent takes a back seat to hard work any day.

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Thank you, Angela!

Learn more about Angela and her books at the following sites:



Copper Descent: 




Wednesday, February 18, 2015

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jessica Parker author of True Sight from the book: Secrets and Doors

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

Growing up I loved creative writing in school. My stories would be about witches, princesses, pirates and more. When a friend of mine said she was teaching how to become an author, I jumped at the chance.

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

I mostly write at home. I write mostly on a laptop because I can type faster. However I have multiple notebooks I use to brainstorm or flush out scenes when I'm not at home.

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

Favorite: the spark of inspiration. That moment when the concept of a story takes form.

Least favorite: revising. It's necessary but there comes a point where I don't want to look at my story anymore.

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

The characters in True Sight, found in Secrets and Doors, were created in response to the idea of a magical objects creation. Who would make the item, what would they go through, and why. I hope readers will find the characters aren't always what they seem. What you see as the right thing can be deceiving.
 
At Amazon
What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?

I'll be honest, I'm new to marketing my writing. I prefer talking to people about books. However you can find me on my blog: https://jessicaparkerstories.wordpress.com/

How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write? Right now I write late at night. This way if I'm on a roll, there are less interruptions.

What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out? I'm working on the sequel to True Sight.

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

I have an epic fantasy novel on hold. I need to refine my skills to do this story justice.

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

No one can tell a story the way you can. Learn your options for publication and find what is best for you and your story. Then be willing to go to work.

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Thank you, Jessica!

Learn more about Jessica:


Twitter: @jparkerstories 

Facebook: Facebook.com/JessicaParkerStories

Monday, February 9, 2015

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Terra Luft, part of the Secrets & Doors short story collection

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

I remember sitting in my seventh grade English class a hundred years ago talking with a friend about being writers “someday”. In 2008 I decided someday was never coming unless I started writing. I jumped into NaNoWriMo that year with two months to prepare and started blogging. Last year I turned the hobby into a second job and started getting serious. I work full time and have two young kids, which means if I want to be a writer I don’t sleep much. The sleep deprivation is worth it to see my work in print.


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

Physically, I write at home in my office surrounded by my books. I use a laptop and Scrivener. Whoever created that program and made it so affordable should win a medal. The truth is, I’m constantly writing. I have an “ideas” file on my phone that I add to daily when things I see in the world spark something I could use in a story somewhere. I work out plot ideas in the shower. I talk to myself in the car about characters. The real challenge is finding the time to get all the stories floating around in my head down in black and white.

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

I love the abandon of a first draft with a minimal outline and freedom to let the story rise from my subconscious. I used to think revising was my least favorite because it is harder work. All the plot holes to fill in, motivations to get right, characters to round out. Now I think marketing and promoting the finished product is less appealing than anything else. Having to put yourself out there, selling what to you is a piece of your soul, without being obnoxious is difficult. I’m guessing the answers to this question will continue to morph with new experiences. There’s always something I haven’t done that may be less appealing than my current least favorite thing. Creating will always be my favorite part.

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

Most of my characters grow organically from the story seed I start with. I’m an idea-driven writer. Most of my worlds and my ideas come with a “what if” question sparked from things I observe in my world. ‘Reflection’ started with the question ‘What if you lived in a world without mirrors’. I imagined how strange it would be to never see what your face looked like and how that would feel at all stages of life. I decided it would be harder for an early adult or late teen just starting to figure out where they fit in society and what kind of an adult they will become. The main character, Jadayell, grew from there. The question of why reflections were banned created the rest of the world and gave her things to rebel against. By giving my characters reason for doing everything, I hope most readers find something they can identify with or empathize with.

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

This is my first published work so I think this answer will change over time. Social media is easy to incorporate since I do a lot of that already including promoting the book on my website, blog touring like my stop here, Facebook, that sort of thing. The Secret Door Society will be at the Life, The Universe and Everything Science Fiction and Fantasy Symposium in February promoting the release. From there, I guess I’ll find out what works and what doesn't. Luckily this anthology has very established authors who I can learn from.

Get the Book Here
How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?

I am a tech-savvy, structured person. If it isn't in my calendar it doesn't happen. I joke that I’m OCD but it’s the only way I remember all the things I have going on in my life. I’d be lost without my calendar.

I write three nights a week between nine and midnight after the kids are asleep. On the weekends, I try for at least two blocks of three hours depending on what the family has going on. Sometimes it ends up as what I call “Marathon Sundays”. I found that until I scheduled it physically and thought about it as “going to work”, I would put it off and never be consistent. The mindset of having a second job as a writer is what works for me.

What are you currently working on?

I’m revising a paranormal novel about a woman whose family was cursed. When the curse threatens her own happiness, she vows to find a way to break it. I’m also working on plotting the full novel behind the world from “Reflection”. How did they get there, why and how do the portals work, who is behind it all. Things I hope readers will enjoy if they liked this story.

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

My first novel still has a secret place in my heart. It is an urban fantasy I wrote years ago when I was figuring out how to write a novel. It went through so many re-writes and I lived in that world for so many years that someday I hope I can dig it out and make it worthy of publication. Right now I fear it is a pile of first-novel crap. It’s about a girl who doesn't know she has paranormal bloodlines but her unique parentage could be the key to saving the planet.

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

Writing is hard and talent only takes you so far. If you’re willing to put in the work and learn the craft, it is possible to sell your work. Very first, learn the craft. I collaborate on a website (www.oneuponakeyboard.com) designed as a one-stop place to learn at all stages, from understanding how to brainstorm to finding a publisher. Some great advice I got was to write short stories. There are so many markets for them and it’s a great way to hone your craft. You’d be surprised how quickly you learn how to portray a setting or build a character effectively when you’re limited to a few thousand words. The best advice I never got from anyone is be realistic in your expectations. This story went through eleven drafts before my editor deemed it was worthy of publication. A novel is not much different, just ten times more words to revise. Writing ‘The End’ on your first draft is when the real work begins.

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Thank you Terra! 

The authors from the above anthology are donating 100% of the profits to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund. Terra lost her mom last August to diabetes so the cause is close to her heart.

Open the door and unlock the secrets in eleven short stories from The Secret Door Society, an organization of fantasy and science fiction authors dedicated to charitable work. All proceeds from this anthology benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in their quest to cure Type One Diabetes (T1D).

In these pages you’ll discover a modern woman trapped in an old fashioned dreamscape, a futuristic temp worker who fights against her programming, a beautiful vampire’s secret mission disrupted by betrayal, a sorcerer’s epic battle against a water dragon, the source of magical mirrors—and more. There are tales for every science fiction and fantasy taste, including new works from award-winning authors Johnny Worthen, Lehua Parker, Christine Haggerty, and Adrienne Monson.

Join us in the fight against T1D as you peek into a world of magical and mysterious doorways—if you dare.

Learn more: