AUTHOR INTERVIEW: George Duncan

Another great interview!

See why George chose writing over golfing and why he's still trying to balance both interests.

What got you interested in writing?

The desire was always there. Think I wrote my first short story at the age of ten. It wasn’t very good but it foreshadowed a career. And even at that young age, I had a suspicion that my golf was not good enough to get me on the PGA tour – which was my first career choice.  So I had to do something else.

 How and where do you write? Do you prefer a laptap? Write freehand?

I have a small room in the house I use as an office. My computer is there. I don’t like a laptap. I would never write freehand because even I can’t read my writing. I would never have any idea of what my characters were saying.

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

The favorite part is you believe you have a scene nailed, or when your character says a witty line that you know will get a laugh from the reader. I recently got a wonderful review on Amazon from a MENSA member on my treasure hunting tale, “At Play in the Seas of the Lord.” She basically said the themes of good and evil, the action and adventure, the characters, all were splendidly done. That makes your day. The least favorite part about writing is it keeps me away from the golf course.

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

They sort of spring up. I don’t outline my books, which is actually a very good idea but I’ve just never been able to do it. So I just come up with ideas as I go along. I think the two protagonists of “At Play,” Harrison Craig and Coral Delaplaine are likeable, intelligent people who everyone would like to know. Craig has a wit and Coral looks great in a bikini and has the faith of an apostle. Who wouldn’t want to get to know them?

What type of marketing do you do to promote your novel?

Being a former newspaperman, once in a while I get a newspaper who will  provide a brief story. Others will brush you off. Then there’s the social media, which I am not skilled at.

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

I write when I can drag myself away from the golf course. Or from watching baseball during baseball season. I am slow in the morning so generally I start about ten. Write until noon, take a break and generally to a health club and get back to writing when I return.

What are you currently working on? Have a new book out?

I have two new books out. Two political action thrillers “The Scorpio Directive” and “The Wyoming Apocalypse.”  If any of your readers are old enough to have seen the classic British television series, “The Avengers” with Patrick MacNee and Diana Rigg, the books are something of an homage to that incredible show. I will soon be writing the third novel in the series. The first publisher turned “Scorpio” down because, alas, one group of villains were actually Muslim terrorists. Gosh, imagine that nowadays.

Do you have a project on the back burner?

I’m a history buff and my back burner project is a novel called “Order of the White Rose” and could be summarized as the “Three Musketeers during the Reformation.” Actually I have four Musketeers (one a female) and the novel takes place during the time of Martin Luther and William Tyndale.

What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but believes he doesn’t have enough talent.

Back in my youth I remember three best selling writers – Harold Robbins, Irving Wallace and Jacqueline Susann. They were all awful. And I mean really, truly awful. Gore Vidal said of Susann “She doesn’t write. She types.” Which was true. Chances are you have more talent than they did, so don’t give up.

***

Thanks George!

Learn more about George at: http://www.endtimestavern.com

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Ellis Chase

Searching for a career?

 

You'll not want to miss this interview, or Chase's new book!

 

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

 

I’d been writing professional articles for years for various publications, but I have to admit now that I always found it painful. All that editing made me nuts.  I’m not the most patient person. My wife and a very close friend, a writer, encouraged/nagged me to put it all together in a book, because they both liked the style, and thought the content would help people in career transition. Many false starts later, I finally completed a draft last summer. 

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

I use my laptop. As I mentioned earlier, I’m an impatient guy, and the thought of longhand would probably make me give up after one page or so. 

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

I like the idea of organizing my thoughts, making complex ideas palatable, and visualizing how it will all come together. I like the first edit; beyond that, it’s agony. I get intensely bored with my own material and can’t read it as much as is necessary. I was extremely fortunate to have some excellent editors around me.  Otherwise, I can’t imagine how I would have finished the thing. 

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

I’ve learned a great deal from my publisher and some more from clients in the publishing industry about how to approach the marketing. I’ve actually learned not to hate Twitter, which was quite a feat, and continue to admire and utilize LinkedIn and many LinkedIn groups. Blogging has turned out to be my favorite type of writing, because it’s fast and this material doesn’t require extensive editing. I have one major obstacle to overcome –an inherent distaste and mistrust of Facebook. I’m also planning to do some broadcast media, which is comfortable and easy for me. 

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

I like to write first thing in the morning, highly caffeinated. My best ideas and my sharpest thinking occur at that time. 

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

No new book in the works yet, but I’m thinking about several concepts.

 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0988877929/

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

I’m planning to expand my public speaking engagements. I’ve always loved teaching and speaking more than anything, and will begin this push in the fall. 

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

I’d advise the young writer to do the same thing I tell all my clients, which is to develop a trusted network of experts and professionals in the field and get some feedback on the validity of the idea. If there are enough trusted advisors who are encouraging, move forward. If  

there aren’t, figure out a way (classes? writing programs?) to get better. 

  

***

Thank you, Ellis!

To learn more about Ellis...

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0988877929/

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/345206

Website:   http://www.ellischase.com

Website: http://www.isothefunforeverjob.com/

Blog/Ask Ellis: http://www.isothefunforeverjob.com/ask-ellis.html

Twitter: @ellischase2

 

 

 

 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Marilyn Stewart Osborne

Imagine living in the outback of Australia. Using scraps of paper to record your thoughts. And selling at craft fairs. Marilyn does all of this and more. Discover for yourself!

Tell me about yourself.

 

I left the USA when I was two and returned at 17. In between those years I lived in the outback of Australia amongst a primitive tribe. Their language and culture I thought was mine. Next I lived in boarding school in Canada. I was saving to go back to Australia when I met my husband. 

We live in Arizona. I like to travel, make crafts, write and enjoy nature.

 

What got you started in writing?

I guess, for me it was the season ... I had only written a few poems for friends at work and family.

I was no longer caring for elderly parents and had time to do something for me.

How and where do you write?

I have scraps of paper all over the place with jotted thoughts. I like to write at a table and prefer our large kitchen table to spread everything out.

Do you prefer a lap top or do you prefer writing freehand?

For my three books I have always begun with paper and pencil. My latest endeavor, my first novel, has been written 85% on the laptop. 

What's your favorite part about writing?

The excitement of something new - an adventure and how it will unfold.

Your least favorite part about writing?

Making sure the grammer is correct. 

How do you come up with your characters?

Writing fiction is a new experience. I have been surprised how in the middle of the night I wake up and have to rename a character.

Why would readers want to get to know them?

They are emotional, challenged, funny, stoic, conflicted. Their lives reflect bits of all of us.

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

I enter craft shows where I can also sell my books and hand out a fan fold flyer. I speak wherever invited - senior centers; churches; libraries; women's retreats.

Aboriginal artifacts, my books, & Aussie food go over well on Australia Day at a nearby Arboretum.

 

How do you schedule your writing time?

After all my other things - house, yard, dr. visits, exercise, volunteer, playing with our dogs. :)

When do you write?

Any time. Early or late. Sometimes for hours and others a few minutes here and there.

What are you currently working on?

This is my first attempt at fiction and am really enjoying seeing the characters develop. I had bits of two novels and have merged them into one. So far a little over 30,000 words.

Do you have a new book out?

Sorry - No.

Do you have a project on the back burner?

Yes.

Tell me about it.

My two back burner projects are:

A Bible Study with Welcome as its theme.

Stories about animals and what they have taught me.

I have about 12 finished so far and several have pictures of the event.

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

I have struggled with self-confidence and being good enough. Write, write, rewrite and enjoy yourself.

Do not permit yourself or others to demean you. Listen to what people say, but do not believe everything. Neither all the praise or all the criticism. Grow a thick skin. Stay true to yourself. Be uniquely you.

 ***

Thanks, Marilyn! Learn more about Marilyn here:

 

www.childoftheoutback.com

Footprints & Fragrance in the Outback

Child of The Outback       

Created to Celebrate  - not online

 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Sylvia Little

Come and spend a few moments with Sylvia, and you'll find your time well spent. Sylvia is not only a deep thinker, she has a positive attitude about life and what can be accomplished.

Tell me a about yourself. What got you started in writing?
 
Briefly, I would say that I

·   See the glass half-full rather than half-empty.
    Expecting good things to happen will lead to taking actions that produce positive results

·   Think, "Everyone has a gift. [You just have to be able to find it and follow your calling.] and

·   Believe the Chinese Proverb,   "If you give a man a fish and he won't starve for a day. Teach a man how to fish and he won't starve for his entire life."

I can't remember when I didn't write. One early memory of writing is about my high school days. I wrote a monthly column for a Chicago magazine [can't remember the name] on the “happenings— sports, academics, social events, who doing what, and etc.” at Parker, my High School.

What got my to start writing again? I guess you could say happenstance. My three realities converged. I had [1] a granddaughter who loves books, [2] a son who is fluent in three languages—English, Spanish and French, and [3] a burning desire to give appropriate entertaining instructional materials as gifts.

Before I realized it, the gift search had turned into a conceptual design for a book manuscript, just as quickly went through various stages, and finally was a bound book, Tri-Alphabets for Greer—English, Español, Françai. After prodding by family friends and colleagues, it was revised and published as Dr. Little’s Tri-Alphabets and More   English ·  Español  ·   Français.

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

I keep a pen and paper near when I'm working around the house and jot down ideas as they come to me. Lately, I have tried dictating into my iPhone and then transferring it into a document later. I use a Mac. So I guess you could say that I use both old school and new school methods.

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

Seeing the piece takes shape is what I like best. My least favorite part about writing is editing.

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

http://www.sylviahawkinslittle.com/book/

The type of writing that I tend to do is not character driven. By that I mean, in one of my books, the ABCs are the main characters.  In my next project, the main characters have been determined by the book subject matter--early African American inventors.

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

Because marketing is my weak area and is extremely important, I recently began looking into how to develop a marketing campaign. I know that one can write what many call an outstanding book, receive numerous awards, get outstanding reviews, and sell very few books.   Which has been the case with my first book. You can write a terrible book, have an outstanding marketing campaign, and become a best seller. Need I say more about the value of marketing?

Recently, I started implementing a marketing plan based on Lorraine Phillips' book, Online Book Marketing; The Least Expensive Ways to Create Book Buzz.  For Step One, Your Author Website, Blog, and Facebook: Russell Kyle, my website designer [http://russellkyle.com/ has been invaluable. He is redesigning my website and creating a matching Facebook Author cover.  The redesign website is not up. If you would like to compare the old website with the new, then I suggest viewing http://www.sylviahawkinslittle.com/ as soon as possible. Wait a week, and then view http://www.sylviahawkinslittle.com/ again. This revision speaks for itself. My blog will share my marketing plan's updates.

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

That's a weakness of mine. I tend to work best in the a.m. or late at night. However, it often is when an idea or thought comes to mind.

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

I’m editing poetry that I wrote years ago into a picture book series on early African-American inventors. Their background and how their inventiveness makes life wonderful for you and me. The series is entitled  "Thank a Black Man".

Kimberly and Tom Goodwin words best delineate why I chose this project.

"It is said that history repeats itself, but we are only doomed to relive our past if we fail to learn from it. The past is not a map to where you are going; it’s a record of where you have been. Its purpose is not to drag you back through emotional muck, but to serve you best by reminding you of lessons learned so you can avoid them in the future."

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

I have an outline for book that uses humor to remind parents to [a] become more invested in their child's education, [b] understand the self-fulfilling prophecy and [c] raise their children as if they were geniuses.

Joseph Joubert once said that, "Some superior minds are unrecognized because there is no standard by which to weigh them."                                                

  What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to 
  publish

  but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?
 

Go for it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 1.    Learn as much as possible about your target audience and use this information to structure your writing.

 2.    Whether you self-publish or choose an agent, edit, edit, and edit your manuscript or have someone do it for you. Think of editing as putting the shine on shoes if you were a shoe shiner or putting the glow on a clients' check diamond if you were a make up artist.

 

***

Thank you, Sylvia!

To learn more about Sylvia contact her at:

http://www.sylviahawkinslittle.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

ASPIRING AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Yvette Aubusson-Foley

Welcome, Yvette! What does it really take to write a historical novel? Why is self-publishing the way to go?

Find out what Yvette thinks in our next aspiring author interview!


How long have you been writing? Why did you decide to write?

I love writing so much I chose journalism as a profession and spent almost 15 years working in that field. Over time I took on the role of writing features, which gave me the freedom to delve a little deeper into subjects and really flesh out stories and be a little more creative. I realized I really loved doing that and wanted more.

So when I resigned from that life I turned my attention to writing a fantasy series for my daughter. This project is on the back burner for personal reasons (too many international moves in a few years scattered my brain!) Instead I picked up on another book idea, to write an historical novel based on a real person.

Yvette Foley

It can be unbelievably hard sometimes to find space and the will to research and write with a busy family life but writing gives me a focus and satisfies that need to share stories.

What makes you keeping going?

Other people usually! I have a couple of close contacts who are my primary researchers so when they find something new, or I find something new, we share via email or Skype (I’m in Tucson, Arizona and they’re in my home town in New South Wales Australia called Dubbo). Absolutely every clue inspires new ideas for the story.

I’m pretty active in keeping myself focused on the job. Researching a real historical character is a huge task so there is NO END to material you have to research, read, find (I spend a lot of time in French online archives) and though sometimes this can be mind bogglingly dull, when you find a little gem of fact, it’s the next thing to spur you on.

Writing an historical novel also means watching films that depict the same era for ideas on clothing, manners, and behaviors, that sort of thing. As my subject is a French man, I watch a lot of French films too, for cultural nuances.

He also hailed from Bordeaux and when his life ended he was a winegrower. I “study” red wines from Bordeaux for professional reasons.

What does your writing day look like?

Messy. I also help out on my husband’s business besides taking care of three wonderful kids, so I write in snippets. I have a very annoying habit of putting everyone else first, so I grab bits and pieces of time here and there. Occasionally, I remember, ‘oh hang on, I’ve got valid work to do here!’ so will ask the family to politely leave our small apartment (I did it today), or remove myself to the library where I can work uninterrupted. Lord knows I’ve written in cupboards, on planes and on my arm if I can’t find paper. I’m constantly thinking about the story.

What do you do to study the craft?

The craft? Good question. I’m approaching this book 100% like a journalist. So I have certain conventions I follow automatically. Basically, I’m interviewing a dead man and like any other interview I pay attention to everything going on around my subject, not just their words, but including what pictures they hang on their wall, their clothes, pets, anything that will give me a clue to who that person is on many levels.

In a typical feature which might be 1000 words you are very aware of the importance of accuracy and entertainment as well, meaning the first line must grab the reader and every paragraph afterward must engage if you want your busy audience to read all the way to the end. Every word counts.

As I’m aiming for 60,000 to 100,000 words on my book, that is a little harder. So I read ‘how to’ books to keep me thinking about the craft, what my options are, who’s done what before; I attend writer’s workshop whenever I can and I do have a mentor which means the world to me knowing someone else out there believes in my project.

Do you have a goal when you'd like to be published? What is it? If you don't have a goal, why haven't you set one?

I know I’m just not ready. Because my story is based on fact there are certain things I want to confirm, or debunk as the case may be, before committing to a deadline. Also because my writing time is still haphazard I can’t even commit to myself a date. I would love it to be around a significant anniversary for my subject, so I keep an eye on those.

I do need to go to France as well before I can finally say to myself, ‘your research is done, now finish the book’. When that is going to happen I honestly cannot say.

Are you thinking to go the self-published or traditional route?

Great question. I went to a writer’s group lecture recently about this very thing and came away convinced self-publishing is the answer. I’ve met enough author’s to know that even with a big publisher backing you, you still have to do a lot of leg work show people the book, telling them about it, etc., so why not maximize your profits.

Tell us about the genre(s) you write and why you like them.

I often considered my next step after writing feature length people profiles would be to write a biography.

I was living in the town founded by my subject when I started my research and writing, and saw a market there for the story. To appeal to a wider audience however, who may not know anything about the town; I’ve switched the genre to historical novel and will add more romance, secrets, drama, conflict and human vulnerability.

My fantasy fiction is definitely something I will go back to and pursue in earnest once this project is done. What I love about that genre is the ability to be free with your ideas, anything can happen and anything is pretty much feasible.

Why is Tale of Two Cities your favorite book? What have you learned from it to help you to be a better writer?

I’m sure if I were alive in the 19^th century I would be a Dickens groupie. A Tale of Two Cities is very appealing to me at the moment as it relates to my own book, but Dickens was a genius, who could weave the tales of people’s lives together in such surprising ways and very subtle ways. Such a craftsman! His characterization too is immaculate. I feel it’s very easy to know his characters and engage with them. Yes, I am a devotee and I do use his writing as something to aspire to and try to emulate.

What would you tell a writer like yourself, struggling to get published?

Keep knocking on doors. Persistence is the key to success. If you give up at asking for the 100^th time, “please publish my book”, you’ll never know it wasn’t going to be the 101^st time a publisher would say yes. I think rejection is way over rated as well. Anyone with any book to peddle can’t possibly know on any given day what a publisher is actually looking for. They may not want your book this year, but the following year, be scrambling for something like it. I guess it pays to keep up with trends and know the publishing industry too. Try to understand it so your approach isn’t needy but informed.

***

Thank, you Yvette. You can contact Yvette at: yafcreativ@gmail.com