The Synergy of Working with Others: Author Interview with Vida Li Sik

Amazon shows you having 13 published books, but what inspired you to write that first book? What did you learn from writing that book that helped you to continue to write?
My first book, Bowled Over, is a sports romance between a cricketer and a female reporter that centres around match-fixing (a hot topic around the time I worked as a sports reporter). My inspiration is often sparked by the "what if?" question, and in this case it was " What if a passionate cricketer and a determined female reporter, each on opposing sides of a controversial match-fixing scandal, find themselves drawn to each other against all odds? 

I could only write at night once I'd put my two boys to bed. While I spent months doing prep work, I did the actual writing during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and I managed to pen 50,000 words in 30 days. The tremendous pressure to finish my first book helped me realise what I was capable of as a writer.

You’re an indie author, which means you’re in charge of everything. What other parts of the process do you personally do or hire others to do?
I've always done everything myself, using my skills as a copy editor to edit my books, and also using a free version of editing software to get by. I also use a marketing platform where authors and readers can connect to sell books and do newsletter swaps. This year, after much prayer, I was finally able to afford to hire an editor and I now have her editing a couple of books on my backlist.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
Connecting with local authors and writers from around the world in my genre has been incredibly rewarding. Having a supportive sounding board to share ideas with or just chat when I need it most has made a tremendous difference in my journey.

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks? 
Collaborations with other authors on platforms such as Facebook parties or private groups where we can meet and interact with readers.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner? 
I’ve learned to trust my instincts and silence the negative voices that lead to self-doubt. Embracing my confidence has been a valuable part of my journey.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give? 

The best advice is to write that first draft and get your story done, no matter how bad you think it is. You can rewrite and change things afterward to your heart's content, but you can't edit a blank page.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add? 
Find your niche and write the story you’d love to read. It’s more fulfilling to connect with a smaller, dedicated audience who will appreciate your work than to compete for the attention of thousands.

What is the next book coming out or latest release? Can you give me a short synopsis? 
I just released a Christian women's fiction story that's part of a larger group of stories that all  take place on Sycamore Street. My story about a woman who leaves South Africa after a traumatic event. She struggles to build a new life for her family in a small English village when she gets into a dispute over a fence. It's a story about resilience, community, and a sense of belonging.

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Vida's books, here are some links to get you started. 
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Vida-Li-Sik/author/B078R8G2BC 

Website: https://www.vidalisik.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vidalswriter/

And here's a bonus for my readers...Leave a comment on this post and we'll pick one reader who'll receive a copy of Vida's new eBook, The Outsider's Welcome. So do that now. It can be as simple as I want to be in the giveaway. We'll chose a winner next Friday!

Going Around Writer's Block: Author Interview with Susan Reiss

You’ve now published two book series. One deals with love that transcends time and the other is murder mysteries. Which genre is easier for you to write?

The St. Michaels Silver series is firmly in the mystery genre with a few historical tidbits tossed in for flavoring. These tidbits make the stories unique because they are set in a real place, a small town on the Maryland Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. This area where I now live full-time is rich in history and "quirky" characters (though the characters are based on real people, living or dead.) Discovering that silver and silversmiths played some key roles in the life of the county and the state made the writing process exciting.

The In Time series won the Bookfest Gold Medal for Best Historical Fiction Series in 2023. It.is more historical fiction plus mystery (with a dash of romance). It began when I bought a massive antique desk, the kind with cubby holes and secret compartments. I started to wonder who had sat at the desk and wrote letters...to whom? about what? Then the name Daniel popped into my head. The next day, I visited a friend in her "new" house dating back to the early 1800s and told her about my musings. Next thing I knew, she produced a portrait dated 1840 of a young man. No one knew him. The painting was not signed. She declared it was Daniel. She sent me home with him to write the story. 

With my librarian's help, I pulled together some random historical facts and wrote the book. I thought it would be a standalone. "NO!" declared the readers. "We want the next book." That was when the historical research became vital. Of course, research takes time and effort. Then there was the creative time and effort to weave the story in the past, the story in the present, and the connections.

With that said, I think writing is not about which genre is easier. I think the author has to go where the story and characters lead...and most importantly, where the author's imagination blossoms.

How do you go about doing research for your time travel novels?

My first stop is the St. Michaels library and a chat with the knowledgeable librarians there. They have a solid understanding of the historical materials about this area in the collection. At one time, I had more than 50 books checked out! Fortunately, the Maryland library system has digitized many resources so I can take advantage of 100+ year old copies of publications like the Baltimore Sun. I have even done research at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

How do you choose a time period? What’s one of the most unique facts you’ve discovered in doing your research?

The discovery of "Daniel's portrait" helped narrow down the time period along with the discovery of a political thread that continues to exist today. Though Maryland remained in the Union during the Civil War, the Eastern Shore with its plantations and slaves like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman in this county, the split among the residents was extreme. Even today, as you know Maryland is a blue state BUT the Eastern Shore has had a staunch Republican in the House for more than 20 years.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?

My editor from the beginning, Kristen Weber, gently educated me in the nuances of writing mysteries and taught me how to nurture my own creativity. Even though I had written for TV for many years, I still had to study and learn new things since I wanted to write books. And that was okay! Her gentle encouragement showed me I could be my worst enemy but why should I do that to myself? If I wanted to do something, study, practice, edit, edit, edit...and above all, be honest with myself. If it doesn't feel like the manuscript isn't ready, it's not. Make another cup of tea and dive in again to figure out why!

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?

I have a marketing background and I know how unreliable advertising is. Trying to understand the metrics can make you crazy. That's why I don't advertise. Yes, it's important to test any marketing product and message you develop for your books and your brand, but doing what you should to produce a strong message that resonates can eat up your time and money. I like talking to readers. Getting out of the writing study is important, making presentations, appearing on panels, doing signings while talking to the people. I work hard to build my email list and then try to make the messages interesting and somewhat unique. I've found making connections with people brings them to the first book and read-through sells the rest of the books in the series.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?

How to tell my negative internal editor to Shut Up! Not every line in the first or second draft is brilliant, but I'm learning everyday how to make each line better! As long as I have that commitment, a good editor, and honest advance readers, I think I can be proud of my books.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?

It's about writer's block. Sometimes, life throws you so many curves, it is just hard to write. When it happened to me, I was stunned. Working in television for many years, it was not something I or my colleagues faced. When we had a deadline, the show had to be ready. There was no such thing as dead air, if you wanted to keep your job. When I began writing books and life was full of bumps I told a friend I couldn't work. He set up a lunch with Stewart Greene, creative director of the amazing advertising agency Wells, Rich & Greene. I had been in awe of this man for years. Sitting across the table from him, I felt so embarrassed when he said,"I understand you have writer's block." I quickly assured him I was working through it and committed to... He stopped me. "Why are you working through it? That takes a lot of energy. Just go around it and keep going. It will all work itself out."

I never had a problem again.

Give me a short synopsis of your latest book.

My most recent book, Devoted in Time, came out in April. Here's a little synopsis:

Emma once more delves into the mysteries of Waterwood Plantation’s past. A chilling discovery of a skull catapults TJ and Emma into a web of secrets surrounding the Man-in-the-Field, known as Gideon. Who was he? Why was he laid to rest in an unmarked grave more than a century ago? As Emma seeks answers, she uncovers a labyrinth of betrayal spanning from the Civil War era to the present day. She grapples with the shadows of the past that threaten the present, but as she inches closer to the truth, she realizes some secrets are best left buried—as they may hold the power to unravel lives.

Sounds intriguing! If you'd like to learn more about Susan's books, here's how to get started.

https://susanreiss.com/st-michaels-silver-series

https://susanreiss.com/in-time-historical-series
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Susan-Reiss/author/B00J7A2YF8

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7772853.Susan_Reiss

And here's a bonus for my readers, leave a comment on this post and we'll pick two readers who will receive their choice of  an eBook copy of Letters in Time or Tarnished Silver. So do that now. It can be as simple as I want to be in the giveaway. We'll chose a winner next Tuesday!

Getting Together One-to-One

This has been one strange year, hasn't it. At the beginning of the year, I was scheduling writing conferences, sending out submissions, signing up for book fairs, planning on vacations, and attending my weekly and monthly critique sessions. 

Then the world turned upside down.

Conferences and book fairs were cancelled, 

Critique meetings stopped. 

Even my vacations went by the wayside!

What we could and couldn't do evolved and changed. Now we're in a Brave New World with shades of Nineteen-Eighty-Four and Atlas Shrugged. I read those books years ago and thought they were mere speculation of creative minds. Now the plotlines have me wondering where we'll be heading next.

Ah, but there are positive notes for living in the 21st Century. We have the internet to connect with each other without being in person. We have video meetings! I've now done those with my office, my critique partners, and recently a pitch meeting and workshop.

The only problem with a video conference is you can see what everyone is doing. If they leave their monitors the meeting host sees that. They also see if you're paying attention. You can chat with others in your group as if they were sitting next to you, only your snippy remarks will be seen by all. So we become good students and do good eye contact. 

This past weekend I attended a workshop that was hosted by a publisher and we "met" with some of the editors. They discussed cover design, what makes readers buy,  and the type of books submissions they'd like to see. 

Then we discussed COVID and how it's affecting writing. That got a little messy. For those who write historical or fantasy, you can write as you've always done. But what if you write contemporary? 

Who will want to read about the Covid Epidemic two years from now (the length of time it takes for a manuscript to be acquired and brought to  print)? Will it be better or worse in that time frame? If you're writing contemporary do you just ignore all the Covid guidelines and act like 2020 never happened? No clear consensus was given.

So, I throw it out to you. How do you think contemporary novels should be written? With the Covid Back story? Or don't mention it at all?

Get Out of The Way and Let The Story Be Told: Author Interview with Teresa Slack

You’ve now published 18 books. How long did it take you to write it?
Wow, my first book took forever to write. The story percolated
on my mind for years. It evolved in my head for years until I finally
came up with something to coalesce the whole thing. I have always been
fascinated by small town scandals. I want to know the story behind the
story. What really happened. Streams of Mercy is about a young woman who discovers on the day of her dad's funeral he was once suspected in the
disappearance of an old girlfriend.

What inspired you to write that first novel?
I love mysteries, cold cases, missing persons, and most of all, scandals. The idea came from that fascination.

How many rewrites did you do on it?
As for how many rewrites, it was a lot. Over time, I've become more efficient and don't have to work so hard.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Creating characters is a blast for me. It's probably my favorite part. I also love dialog. I love letting my characters say things I don't have the nerve to say. I'm non-confrontational, so I live vicariously through my characters. It's a hoot.

I suppose the hardest part is just sitting down and writing when
the story won't cooperate. Sometimes I don't want to do it. It's work.
The story doesn't always come together. I sometimes agonize over one
paragraph. I have to make myself keep going. But nothing worth having
comes easy. You have to force yourself to work for what you want,
whether writing or anything else.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
When someone tells me writing must be easy for me. I always get a big laugh out of that one. Believe me, it's not easy. But it's wonderful when readers think the words just go together like butter on toast. That means
they're seeing the story instead of me. That's what every writer wants;
to get out of the way and let the story be told.

We have all experienced rejection. How have you learned to write past it? Rejection never ends in this business. Even after 18 books, some readers won't like what I write. I try not to watch my sales rankings too closely or read my reviews. They can ruin your day. I know you've heard: What's Your Why? Why do you do what you do? As long as I keep in mind why I write, what I want to accomplish, how I strive to entertain and encourage readers through clean, wholesome Christian fiction, I can keep going, even in the face of rejection.

What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing?
Friendships and encouragement from readers & other authors. Especially in the Christian industry, other authors are quick to help out a colleague. I've made some wonderful friends in the industry.

What frustrated you the most?
Feeling overwhelmed. You get so much conflicting information about what works in reaching readers. Such as:placing ads, when to release new books, and how to break in to a marketable niche. Just when you think you have success, the system changes and you feel like you have to start all over.

You’ve written for a few different publishers. Are any of them your own imprint? If so, what made you choose that route?
I have written for a traditional publisher, but now I write under Grace Arbor Press, which is my own imprint. The industry has just changed so quickly in the last few years, I feel like the best way for me to keep up is to release under my own imprint. But I miss the team you have with a traditional publisher. It's hard doing most of it yourself. It's a whole new learning curve, but I like the control. I like making my own schedule. Most of all, I like writing what I want when I want.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
Writing a book is the easy part. Letting the world know you wrote a book
is a job that never ends.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Wow, I've received so much great advice. What really sticks out is something I heard on the radio by country music singer, Toby Keith. He said you can't tell a writer to write better. You can only tell a writer to write more. It's how you get better at anything. If I ever need brain surgery, I don't want the surgeon who just stepped out of medical school. I want the one who's done it for years. You get better by doing. There's no other way.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
If you have a story to tell, you must tell it. Once you're gone, your voice is
silenced forever. Over the years, I've had so many people tell me about
a story they've had in their heads for years. I always tell them to stop
talking about it and write it down. Yes, I know it's hard. It's overwhelming and scary. We only have one chance in this life. We are obligated to make the most of it.

What is the next book coming out?
I am currently working on A Hero for Ellie: Book 5 of The Willow Wood Brides series. I hope to have it out in September, with Book 6 close behind.

Can you give me a short synopsis for my readers?
A Wedding for Felicity: Book 4 of the series came out July 24, and is
doing very well. I love all the books in the series, but Felicity was
the one that came the easiest for me. I don't know why. If I did, I
would replicate the process for every book from now on.

Beautiful and outgoing Felicity Trego has been too busy taking care of
the orphans of Willow Wood, Idaho to wonder about the odd stipulation in
her father’s will that forbids his daughters from marrying.

When her sister Belinda suffers an injury, Felicity is put in charge of
running Trego Leatherworks, the family's factory. She's not ready for
the position. She doesn’t have Belinda’s business acumen or ruthless
drive. Felicity needs all the help she can get so she won't let her
sister & the whole town down.

Ned Yates moves to Willow Wood to practice law at his uncle’s firm. An
orphan himself, he admires Felicity’s compassion for the orphaned
children of Willow Wood. However, rumors about the lovely Trego sister
suggest Felicity isn’t as charming and guileless as she appears. Too
many people depend on Felicity for her to give up her inheritance for
love. But she can't deny her growing attraction for Ned. Will she risk
it all to follow her heart?

Ah there’s the dilemma. Do you follow your heart or heed your responsibility? Sounds like an interesting read. If you’d like to learn more about this book or any of her other ones, here ae some links to get you started.

A Promise for Josie: A Willow Wood Brides Prequel is a free download to newsletter subscribers. https://teresaslack.com/contact/

https://www.amazon.com/Wedding-Felicity-Historical-Romance-Unlimited-ebook/dp/B089DLWCRD

https://www.amazon.com/Teresa-D.-Slack/e/B001JP0MQ2?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000

Writing from the Heart for Christmas: An Interview with Edward Reed

My Interview today is with Edward Reed, who is a multi-time winner of the Annual Faculty Poetry and Prose Writing Competition at Robeson Community College. While he was on the faculty he taught mathematics courses, but it was the cncouragement he received from the English department that got him writing. 

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas themed book?

A Prayer for Christmas like my other books is a gift. I write down what God whispers in my ear. And for this I want to say first and foremost I thank God for any talent or gifting I have been given to write.

My writing is my response to a world where virtue and values, traditions and faith are being challenged on every front.  A Prayer for Christmas is just that, a prayer for Christmas and the celebration of the single most significant event of all time.

A Prayer for Christmas was motivated by my heartfelt desire to share a story filled with goodness, hope and love which will touch hearts of all ages. It was a gift to me and now is a gift to those who read it.

Could you give me a short synopsis of the story for my readers?

A Prayer for Christmas is the story of the goodness which exists even in the coldest of hearts. It’s a glimpse into Millageville a town where faith and love and hope are as real as the struggle and hardships faced by those who live there. And it is about the Christmas that forever changed the lives of those who lived in the sad little town; the Turnberrys, the Hargetts, and the evil Moses Pennyweighter. In a word A Prayer for Christmas is a story of redemption.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

I cherish all things Christmas, the gift giving, fellowship and family, even the sweet, crisp smell of the air around Christmas time. It’s a perfect time for long walks, looking at beautiful lights and decorations, and most importantly for taking time out to be thankful for the gift given to each of us all those years ago.

What’s next?

Currently I have several books written and several in progress.  I am steadily writing and seem to have more stories than there is time to write them all down. I am thankful for this and for my ‘day job’ as a middle school teacher. I look for my next books to be out in 2018. There is still much for me to learn as I am new to the world of writing.

What is the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given that you would like to share?

Write from the heart. I have learned the importance of being true to the story and its characters. This is paramount. I feel my job as a writer is to tell the story and not make it up, even if it means going slow and rewriting and rewriting. Made up stories are never as good as honest ones.

What do you know about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?

I have learned that writing is work, pure and simple, no magical process, and anyone can do it who wants to. All you need is pencil and paper. However, with no formal training in writing and having only three rather short self-published novels I will not pretend to be an expert on any of this ‘writing stuff.’ I am still learning.

Any last words or tips ?

If writing is your passion then write and don’t let anything or anyone stand in your way. This is advice I wish I had taken sooner. 

That’s all for today’s interview. If you would like to learn more about Edward’s writing, here are two links to get you started.

Website: www.edwardreedauthor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edwardreedauthor/