The Importance of Letting Your Story Simmer: An Interview with Author Victoria LK Williams

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

Runaway for Christmas, book number four in my Citrus Beach series, started with watching children play at the beach during the Christmas holidays. Down here in Florida we create our own Christmas celebrations. The lack of cold and snow gives it a different feeling than the northern states, so we make Sandmen instead of Snowmen and to us, Santa is often pictured in a Hawaiian shirt and shorts.

For me, children are the most important part of the holiday season, but I realize many children don't get to celebrate the holidays in the traditional sense due to circumstances they can't control. Those two factors led to the birth of my story.

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

A group of runaway children are discovered hiding out in a beach house by the main character Megan Cassidy. The kids scattered but one remains behind. Megan decides to take action and help the little girl. Her decision leads her to discovering the gang of runaways are being exploited.

A bit of Dicken’s theme- you know the characters; Fagin and Bill Sikes- set to modern times. Because it's Christmas, involves children, as well as a cozy ministry, there is little violence. Instead, the book focuses on the characters.

What made you decide to do a Christmas themed book?

I was ready to write the next book in my series and I wanted to do a Christmas book of some sort. I had done one in another series, but it wasn't a mystery and the idea of combining a cozy mystery and the holiday season interested me. The plot just seemed to fall in my lap and the development moved quickly for me. I felt like the book was meant to be written

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

Spending time with family. Christmas Eve church service, sneaking presents in the house and wrapping and hiding them before anybody can guess what they are (my husband is notorious for guessing) and of course baking. And then there's the constant redecorating of the Christmas tree. This is because my two cats want to get in on the act and think the tree is just one big present for them.

What’s next?

I am currently working on two different series. Both are cozies, but one has a touch of paranormal to it. And of course, they both have animals. I'm always outlining the next book or series. My ideas are abundant even if time isn't. I work on what interests me the most at the time. Rather than finishing off one series completely, I jump from series to series, trying to get at least one book per year done in each of the three series I write.

In November, Lost Voices, book three in the Storm Voices series will be released. This is another Christmas themed book, with romance and a touch of paranormal whimsey. I'm also starting a new series called Mrs. Avery's adventures. Book 1 is written, and I'm in the process of writing the second. These will be released next year.

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

The best writing tip that I can give is to find a writing buddy or a mentor. Or if you're really lucky, both. It can be lonely and disheartening at times to be a writer; you doubt yourself constantly. But, by having the support of somebody else in the same situation can help you move forward. The writing buddy should be at the same level or maybe slightly above you in the writing process so that you can compare notes and cry on each other shoulder when necessary. 

The mentor should be someone who is more experienced in the world of writing. Whether from years of experience or from multiple books already produced.  It's also important to find somebody in your own genre. It's difficult to talk to somebody who writes horror novels when you're writing romance.

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

There are two things I wish I'd known about writing and publishing when I started. The first was how easy it is to use Dragon dictation. I use it for every book I write. For me getting the rough draft out fast is important because it keeps my thoughts flowing and the story moving.

The second thing is to find a good editor. With my first book, I failed to do this, and I still pay the price for it. Because once there's a bad review up is very hard to get rid of it; it takes many good reviews to compensate for one bad review.

Any last words or tips?

Do the very best you can and keep moving forward. You can't constantly look back to your first book wanting to make changes and fix mistakes. You need to move forward and take the lessons you've learned into the next book. And have patience.

Let your books rest for a couple of weeks after you finished it. Do this a couple of times; once before you edit it and once before you publish it. Then go back and read it before you send it off to an editor or push the publish button.

You'd be surprised how much you find by waiting and coming back to the book with a little distance. I find by doing this I'm coming back to the book more as a reader than as a writer. And looking at it with different eyes makes your end results better.

That’s all for today’s interview. If you like to buy any of Victoria’s current books and/or see what’s upcoming, here’s the link to her website!

https://www.VictoriaLKWilliams.com

Give Your Readers Something Unique: An Interview with Leighann Dobbs

How did you make the jump from software engineer to mystery writer? I know the engineer demands a lot of analytical thinking, did that help you to write mysteries?  I never thought of my engineering career as helping with mysteries but I guess you’re right! I am very logical and that helps with coming up with the plots. I cut my teeth on Nancy Drew and read mysteries my whole life, so I think the what really helps is that I have read so many of them that writing them is almost second nature. Goodreads shows over 90 books with your name on them, with some of them being compilations. That’s a lot of books. What is your daily writing schedule? I’m actually slowing down on my publishing a bit, but up until now, I’ve worked probably 12-hour days 6 out 7 days a week. That’s why I have so many books! I work at it full time (when I started I had been laid off from my engineering job) so have all day to plot and write. What are the essentials that make for a good cozy mystery? For me, a good cozy mystery must have a lot of clues, suspects and red herrings. It can’t be easy to solve. Also, I like quirky characters and a bit of humor and pets. Of course, it has to have an overall light tone and I like people to have a smile on their face when they get to the last page. How do you go about writing a story? I usually start with the suspects, figure out what they are hiding and then figure out who the killer is and why. Then I do a timeline of the killer’s actions (before the book opens) and figure out what clues they might have left behind as well as what they do after the book opens.  You’ve written numerous series. How do you decide it’s time to move on to another lead character and series? I have too many series, but when new characters pop into my head and want to have stories written about them, it’s hard to say no. Plus it helps me from getting bored if I can take a break and move on to another series before writing the next book in an ongoing series.  You are an indie writer, why did you decide to do that rather than seeking out a publisher/agent? I actually started writing books when self-publishing first became available, so I didn’t see the sense in getting an agent. Why do that when I could just publish the books myself? It seems to have worked out pretty well. Are your books sold in both print and e-book options? Some of my series are only on Kindle, and some are available on Nook, iBooks, Google Play and Kobo. I have readers that read in Kindle Unlimited as well as readers that read on non-Amazon, so I try to please them both by having some available everywhere since the book must be elusive to Amazon if it is in Kindle unlimited.  What’s the hardest part about being an indie author? The hardest part about being an indie author is that you have to wear all the hats. You have to do the marketing, figure out the covers and hire the artists, coordinate the audios, do all the tasks of publishing (uploading, pricing etc.) You don’t get to just sit and write books and have someone else worry about all the other stuff. What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing? What surprised me the most is that people actually bought my books. What frustrates you the most?  The most frustrating thing is trying to keep visible to the readers. There are so many books being published now that you can easily be forgotten if you aren’t putting books out frequently. What do you know now about writing that you wished you had known sooner? I don’t know if there is any one thing I wish I’d known sooner. I wish I’d developed my “process” sooner and known some of the key components necessary to write a really good story. I’ve learned a lot over the past 4 years. The way I outline and right now is very different from how I started. I’m actually still working on that, maybe I always will be. What is some of the best writing advice that you’ve received or could give? Best advice - Figure out what unique thing readers get from your books that they can’t get anywhere else and give them more of it.  Can you give me a short synopsis of the next coming out? My next book is book 5 in my Sam Mason series (as L. A. Dobbs) which comes out today. In the book, Chief Sam Mason gets a call to investigate some bones in the woods which turns out to be more sinister than he first imagined. The case ties back to someone in town who Sam has been trying to arrest for years and hits close to home for his right-hand colleague, Sergeant Jody Harris. That’s all for today’s interview. If you’re a lover of mysteries and haven’t read one of Leighann's yet, here’s two ways to learn more about her books and buy them. http://www.leighanndobbs.com http://www.ladobbs.com

On Taking Chances: An Interview with M.J. Labrooy

What inspired you to write a novel? 

The inspiration for writing The Runaway House originated from a desire to investigate the teenage mind. Young adults present such a voluminous spectrum of emotions. Life can often be volatile for this age group, ultimately offering an abundance of problematic situations. This is one of the reasons I find the YA genre so appealing.

What was your writing process like in creating this novel?

When I first wrote The Runaway House, I created a detailed blueprint of my story, allowing the creative process to flow without too much editing interference. From there, I fleshed out my characters, allowing them to show me the psychology of who they really are. Then it was during the editing process that sections of the narrative were rewritten or deleted.

Who helped you with the editing?
I usually make use of my academic qualifications in editing to revise my own work, however, it is challenging to switch hats from writer to editor and still be impartial. Despite these obstacles, writing offers the gratifying opportunity to fictionalize life with the objective of making a positive impact.

What did you enjoy most about writing your story? 

The most rewarding aspect of writing The Runaway House was being able to create a world where the repressed triumph and use their experiences to offer hope to the world, something disadvantaged youths don’t often have the opportunity to do. 

What is the hardest part of writing for you? Starting? Creating a scene? Tension?
I think the hardest part about writing is being able to create enough distance between you and the story in order to look at the manuscript objectively. As the creator, there is a deep intimacy of the narrative that keeps you emotionally confined to the dimensions of the plot and its characters. This often results in a blind-spot that can prevent you from identifying plausibility issues or deeper structural problems that a fresh reader may easily spot. 

Could you give me a short synopsis of your book?
The Runaway House centers on the remote Alexandria Cassell, a wealthy heiress raised in a loveless, but privileged world. Immune to misery, Alexandria abandons her rich parents in search of a different life. She spends her first night at the mysterious Runaway House. The other runaways attempt to connect with Alexandria, but she is instinctively drawn to the menacingly dark Rayne, a hostile teen with a decaying soul. However, as each runaways’ heartbreaking story unravels, a remarkable enterprise evolves amongst them testifying to the power of humanity and the prospect of a promising tomorrow. Now the runaways must decide if broken hearts can learn to beat again in a house where hope is extinct. 

We have all experienced rejection. How have you learned to write past it?
My most disappointing rejection was with an editor from one of the big five publishing firms. I had previously submitted a few chapters of my latest manuscript and had an appointment for a pitch with her at a writer’s conference. After the pitch, I was walking on air. She said she’d absolutely loved the chapters she’d read; she commented they were ‘beautifully written’ and couldn’t wait to read the entire manuscript. I emailed her the manuscript the instant I got home. However, I never heard from her again.

The most difficult part was not knowing what she didn’t like about the manuscript. How was I supposed to improve it? What could have made it more publishable? As disappointed as I was, I didn’t give up on it. Given the editor’s initial enthusiasm, I thought there must be something promising there. Her encouragement compelled me to send the manuscript to a writer’s group to get further feedback. This ultimately assisted me in producing a better story. Now, this manuscript is going to be my next self-published book, due for release in October 2018.
What has surprised you the most about writing or publishing?

I'm surprised the most about the amount of marketing a writer has to do to promote their books, especially in self-publishing. This has been the most frustrating part of the publishing process for me. As a very private person, I’ve never been comfortable plugging myself in a public forum. However, I’m learning that self-promotion is an essential requirement of the writing process, so I’m working on conquering my inhibitions.

 

One attribute I find that assists the introverted writer is encouragement. During my Professional Writing and Publishing degree, my creative writing professors, many of them published authors themselves, offered enthusiastic support and praise that kept me steadfast to the writing path. Their commendations helped me nurture confidence.
What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
There are many sources of advice I take on board every time I write, however one aspect that’s important is to write from the heart. Sometimes writers are too afraid to step out of their comfort borders for fear of embarrassment or rejection, however being able to express yourself through words is one of the most liberating and privileged aspects of being human. It’s what makes a good story great. 
Are there any other points about writing that you would like to add?
Don’t be afraid to take chances. Write as often as you can. The more you write, the more you will find your sense of style. Once you discover that certain style, you’ll probably want to change it but experimentation in writing is what it’s all about. Dare to be different.

What is the next book that will be coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
My next book, due for release in October 2018 is titled The Vision. It’s the first book in an exciting new YA trilogy. The Vision is the story of Willow Blue, a reclusive girl with the impossible ability to see the guardians who abide with every human on earth. 

Unrelenting in her pursuit to discover the purpose of her vision, Willow is guided to the sunny coastal town of Blue Angel Bay. Trying to resurrect her life, she is unexpectedly confronted by Tyler Sharp, a local student. He is blindingly perfect, but something is wrong…he is without a guardian. Willow’s fate is thrown into upheaval as she fights her addictive attraction to Tyler in order to discover the foreboding truth about his true identity. But what Willow doesn’t know is that the truth sets the course of the world on a dangerous new trajectory. 

That’s all for today’s interview. If you would like to learn more about M.J.’ writing, here are a couple of links to get you started.
https://www.amazon.com/Runaway-House-...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

A Tale Retold with Author C.J Godwin

What inspired you to write a novel?

I was inspired to write my debut novel in 2011 when I read the classic 'The Little Mermaid' by Hans Christian Andersen. Growing up I was obsessed with the Disney version and had been told the original was much darker with a not so happy ending. 

The original story was sad, but I was intrigued by the vague details that left so much up to interpretation. I loved the idea so much I just knew I had to write the continuation of this story to share it with other mermaid fans.

Who helped you with the editing?

After a ton of rewrites, I spoke with my editor, Rob Carr, who made a few suggestions that worked for the story.

What did you enjoy most about writing your story?

My favorite part of writing was coming up with the characters, naming them and brainstorming the backstory and events that have led them to where they are today.

Your book is self-published. Did you try the traditional route first?

I never even tried to find a traditional publisher, which I sometimes regret because I know they have better resources and finances to help me with the marketing and distribution I need.

How did you choose your publisher?
I decided to publish with Outskirts Press, one of the highest rated self-published companies I could find on the internet. 

What is the hardest part of writing for you? Starting? Creating a scene? Tension?
I would definitely say the hardest part of writing for me is the editing. I love to write the story first, sitting in my recliner with a cup of coffee. But I hate when I have to go type it up, add more details, and check for mistakes, all at the same time! It's easy to catch them reading something for the first time but once you've read it for the hundredth time the words just blur together.

Could you give me a short synopsis of your book?
Mystic Tides is a Young Adult Fiction Series that takes place in modern times -- 200 years after “The Little Mermaid” storyline. The story is told from Aden’s point of view, who left Alaska in a drastic move to a small town in Florida. Once there, he meets the mesmerizing Kailani.

He soon comes to realize her image of perfection may be more illusion. He sees signs of her mystical powers and learns how they are linked to her equally surprising past. As if young love wasn't difficult enough, he is also dealing with his own identity crisis, which is tied to a tragic event that severed all ties he had in Alaska.

We have all experienced writing rejection. How have you learned to write past it?
I am a big believer that rejection is meant for your own protection. I try to remind myself of this. I wanted to add underlying messages of ocean conservation and religious tolerance toward others. Unfortunately, I had a few conservative "friends" who will no longer have anything to do with me because of this. It makes me sad but in the world we live in today, I felt it was an important lesson to teach the younger generation. 

What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing?

I have learned so much from my first book yet have so much more to learn about the publishing industry. What surprised me the most is the amount of automatic snub I received because I chose to self-publish. I really wanted to get an experienced agent to help me but learned that most of them won't touch anything that's been self-published.

What frustrated you the most?

The thing that has been the most frustrating for me is the inability to get my book into bookstores. I would love to do more on location events, but I’ve been mostly restricted to online sales.

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

I received a compliment from a young girl who told me she wasn't really a reader but she loved my story so much she was now going to start reading more.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
This best writing advice I've received is to write with your heart. The best advice I can give is don't let fear of judgment stop you from your dreams. If you have a story to tell, tell it. You'll never be everyone's cup of tea and that's OK. 

What is the next book that will be coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
I am currently working on Mystic Tides: The Siren's Curse (Book #2) I hope to release it by next summer. I can't say too much without spoiling the secrets of the 'Mystic Tides' but be prepared to dive deeper into the depths of the world's oceans and meet another one of “The Little Mermaid's” sisters as well as a few more mythical and interesting characters. 

That's all for today's interview. If you would like to learn more about this series, go C.J.'s website at https://outskirtspress.com/mystictides. You’ll be able to listen to a 5-minute audio clip and watch the official video book trailer.

Research and Deliver a Thought Provoking Story: An Interview with April Gardner

How would you describe your books? Informational non-fiction, historical fiction, or fiction?

My novels are inspirational historical romance, and my main series (Creek Country Saga) has a strong Native American theme. I usually pick a little-known setting or event to highlight in my stories, so my series is set during the 1813 Creek War and during the First Seminole War (1817).

What type of research do you do in writing a story with a historical base? Tell me about the process.

Because my stories are deeply historical, the research has to match, so there’s tons of it. My favorite method is to get books from the library.  If a book has a substantial amount of information I need, I’ll buy it from Amazon. I prefer to own books so I can mark them up with notes.

How much do you take “artistic” license do you employ with your research?

As far as artistic license, I prefer to keep the setting and events as close to history as possible, but I don’t mind straying a bit if necessary, then making mention of the deviation in my “author’s notes” at the end. Historical accuracy is very important to me, but the story always comes first.

So far, I haven’t had any complaints from readers about inaccuracy. Not because there isn’t any, I’m sure! But because my settings are so little-known there are very few who would recognize inaccuracies. It makes the writing easier, but in another sense, it increases the pressure because, for the most part, readers are trusting. They trust historical authors to feed them accurate information. If they can’t easily verify it for themselves, that trust increases, upping the pressure on the author to not lead them wrong.

What are some of the more difficult aspects of writing historical novel? 

Period and cultural voice is a difficult aspect of writing historical fiction. The characters’ dialogue (and to a lesser extent narrative) require a specific ring to it or readers don’t buy it. A single modern-sounding word can throw a reader straight out of the story.

Have other novels been started and stopped along the way?

No, I haven’t started any novels that I haven’t stopped. When I set my mind to something, I become a wee bit obsessive. There’s no quitting until it’s done.

What does your editor remind you to do most often?

My editor slaps my wrist for my overuse of “then” as a conjunction. I do so love my “thens”!

Yes, we all have our writing crutches! What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?

Hearing from satisfied readers—women who have come away from my novels having learned something about our history and loved it.

In reviewing your Facebook page, I saw something about a "takeover" day. Can you explain

what that's about?

Sure! It’s new to me too. One of my favorite Facebook groups is called Christian Books—Connecting Readers and Authors. Becky, the woman who runs it, is all about—you guessed it—connecting readers with the authors they love. And with authors, they’ve never heard of. To that end, she does “takeover” days where an author is given two hours of control over the group to have a party of sorts. 

During my slot, I posted every 15 minutes with giveaways and info on my books, but mostly, I posted questions that got readers chatting. It was a complete blast. Here’s the link to the group for any who would like to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/connectingreadersandauthors/

Give me an example of how you learned to write past rejection.

I’m an indie author and have been for a while now, so I no longer receive rejections from publishing houses and agents. (It’s the life!) But a rejection I do get is from readers who reject the Christian message in my books. 

I realize this is a normal reaction from unbelievers, but it still makes me sad. Instead of discouraging me, though, it empowers me to write more. If the message of Christ is pinching a few consciences, then it’s working, and I should keep at it.

You publish your books through Amazon Digital Services. What tips could you give someone who wants to indie-publish?

I use Kindle Direct Publishing for my e-books and CreateSpace for my paperbacks. When I started out a couple years ago, I did not consider other options because I knew these were the go-to starting points for indie authors.

Recently, I’ve branched out into Ingram Spark, which is Ingram’s answer to CreateSpace for indie authors. It’s not simple or straightforward (at all!), but books in Ingram Spark have easier access to libraries and brick-and-mortar stores. It’s all-around good to be hooked up with Ingram.

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

I wish I’d known that I should purchase my own ISBNs instead of using Amazon’s free ones, and I wish I’d known to get a Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) before publishing my paperbacks. 

I didn’t know this for my first three paperbacks, so when I realized I needed them to get into Ingram Spark, I had to go to the trouble of putting out new editions. Since then, I’ve put out an additional four paperbacks that have my ISBNs as well as LCCNs, and they are all in Ingram, which makes me smile!

What is the best advice you’ve been given about writing or that you’ve learned that you would like to pass along?

I’ve learned so much in my ten-plus years of writing novels, but lately, God has impressed on me the need for balance. As I said, I easily become obsessed, but God wants us to live balanced lives. So lately, my motto is to strive to be a whole person (wife, mother, sister in Christ, daughter, neighbor), not just a writer.

What other books do you have in the works?

Right now, I’m editing a book I wrote five years ago, preparing it for publication in September. It’s a little detour from my Creek Country Saga. This one, Beautiful in His Sight, is set in 1917 Halifax, Nova Scotia. The setting in the WW1 Halifax Explosion and I can’t wait to share it with the world!

Could you give me a brief synopsis of the story?

Silas Quinn’s spirit died in the icy waters of the Atlantic along with the mighty Titanic. Now a pauper on the home front of the war to end all wars, he is overlooked by society and by God. He struggles through a hardscrabble existence until a defenseless prostitute reawakens his heart and gives him new purpose. Her invisible protector, he follows the Spirit’s prompting until the unthinkable obliterates their world.

Helen Fraser wakes from a devastating explosion to find herself blind and buried alive. Except for the crackle of flame and the cry of a child, the bustling Halifax streets have fallen silent. When all seems lost, a stranger calls her name. Warm and comforting, the voice penetrates the fear binding her in a blackened world and sets her on the path to experiencing unconditional love.

Rising from the scorched rubble, Helen seeks a handhold on God’s grace, while Silas discovers his heart can do more than beat—it can love.

Sounds intriguing especially since I’ve been to the Halifax museum that chronicled that tragic event. I hope my readers will be inspired as well to follow up on the book and your other ones. Here is how you can do that.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/april.gardner1/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/april-w-gardner

Website: http://www.aprilgardner.com/

Keying into your Inspiration: An Interview with Angela Bonomo

What made you decide to write your first children's book?
It started out as a Christmas gift for my family. I was awakened at 2:00 a.m. one morning and felt the need to sit down and write. The Forgotten Princesses just appeared on the page. The next morning I showed it to my husband and he loved it. He said I should get it published. I figured he was a little prejudice because he loves me, so I asked my daughters to read it. I didn’t say anything to them, except to please read it. They loved it and said I should get it published, too. 

Was there any particular author you read that made you think, I could write like that?
None specifically,  but I really like Peter Brown and Mem Fox. 

How long did it take you to write your book?
The first night I wrote the entire story in under an hour. The rest took months.

How many rewrites did you do on it?
I’d say it was about 50-60.

Who helped you with the editing?
My daughter is an English teacher. I went to her first and then to my publishing house’s editor.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?
I guess it would be choosing the direction the story and /or characters head. There are a lot of “What ifs” to answer.

I would also add that building the tension is one of the hardest parts for me, due to the limited amount of words I am allotted, with it being a picture book.

What is the easiest part for you?
Starting is usually the easiest part 

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
My family and friends. They have been amazing. I would be amiss if I did not also say, my Lord. He has opened so many doors. I never would have imagined all this.

We have all experienced rejection. Give me an example of how you learned to write past it.
As I did not traditionally publish, I have not had much rejection. Time will tell when I query my next manuscript.

What made you choose the indie route?
I wanted to keep control over every aspect of my book and this allowed me to do that.

What was the most challenging part about putting together the book?
Time crunches. If I wanted “The Forgotten Princesses” out ASAP, I had to be ready to drop everything and get to work on whatever my Publishing house needed.

What do you know now about writing that you wished you had known sooner? 
That I would have to market myself not just my book. I am more comfortable being the cheerleader in the background, encouraging others to step out of their comfort zone. You have to become comfortable stepping into the spotlight.

What is the best writing advice that you’ve received or could give?
If you want to write anything, then you should start by reading as many books, in the genre you’re interested in, as possible. I was told 100 books is a good start. Then take notice of what you like, and do not like, about the author’s writing. Buy a few of these books to use as Mentor Books. They will become some of your best teachers.

Are there any other points about writing that you would like to add?
Get involved in a writers group, in organizations like CBI (Children’s Book Insider) and SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) if you are looking to write for children. If you are interested in writing for adults, you will need to research that on your own, (sorry). Either way, study your craft or be careful to choose wisely, whether it be an organization, writing group, publisher or agent.

What is the next book that will be coming out?

It is about a little boy with school issues. 

Can you give me a short synopsis?
Not yet, don’t want to give away too much till I get an agent. But I will keep you posted.

That's all for today's interview. If you would like to learn more about Angela's writing and her book, here are two links to get you started.
 https://www.angelabonomobooks.com
https://www.facebook.com/AngelaBonomoBooks/#

Bringing Intrigue to History: Author Interview with Jason Born

When did you start your first novel? Was there any particular author you read that made you think, I could write like that? What drew you to writing historical fiction?
I had written in various forms for many years. My work allowed me to write quarterly newsletters that were not the pinnacle of a literary masterpiece, but it allowed me to expel at least a part of my creative energy. I also wrote poetry (it is liberal indeed to call the trash I typed poetry) for personal consumption. Since my teens, I had thought that one day I would pen a novel.

Work stress and other events in life, at last, prompted me to commit to writing that novel in 2011. I had been reading more and more of Bernard Cornwell’s action and adventure historical novels and loved the idea of teaching history through a well-spun tale. I studied his own beginnings as an author and discovered that he like I was at the time, was in his mid-30s before he sat down to write a novel. Cornwell, in turn, had been inspired by Patrick O’Brian’s naval stories to set off on his own writing career.

How long did it take you to write your first book? How many rewrites did you do on it?
I describe myself as a digital person, not in the sense that I love technology, for I do not. However, my personality is such that I am either completely on or completely off like a digital switch. Once I had decided to sit down to write the story I had in mind, things moved quickly.

It started off rocky, to be sure. To get my first sentence took at least thirty minutes!But I was already learning. My first full paragraph was done after another half hour. And with the passing of thirty more minutes, I had my first page. Quite honestly, from there, the characters and their stories took over. I found that I merely had to record their exploits that I saw happening in my mind.

It took about six months to write The Norseman, my first novel. When it was finally done, I had swept through it at least a dozen times. Frankly, my writing wasn’t as strong as I had always considered it to be. Trusted friends served as my editors on this particular work. Since that novel, I’ve hired various editors.

Who encouraged you along the way?

My wife is my biggest fan and supporter and I value her opinion. More than once she has said something in passing that was the key to unlocking a door that had blocked a story’s progress.

Are you active with any writing critique groups?
I am not involved with any local writers’ group or workshop. I recognize that such a body may improve my writing from a technical aspect. But family and work pull me in other directions. Also, I have never had difficulty in idea generation for tales. History is filled with outlandish yarns, individuals, and events – almost too many from which to pick!

What is the hardest part of writing for you? Starting? Creating a scene? Dialog? Tension, etc.
The hardest part for writers, I think, is as individual as tastes in food or music. For me, I feel exhausted before, during, and after writing what I call “transitional” scenes. In crafting my tales, I sketch out a rough story arc. 

For example, some tragic event happens to our hero. That tragedy sets a series of events in motion. He or she will have to be here, here, and here along the way and end up somewhere specific at the resolution. In between those major events in life, I have to fashion the little things that readers say make my characters and stories relatable. Even though many are larger-than-life characters they all have failures and faults along the way.

Starting is usually fairly simple for me. I just start with something that will make sense to kick off everything that follows. There’s a logic to it.

Scenes and dialogue, in general, take care of themselves. As I mentioned earlier, the characters have stories that they want to share (yes, they become as real to me as real people – maybe more so).

We have all experienced rejection. Give me an example of one you’ve had, and how you learned to write past it.
You must be born with or develop a fairly thick skin as an author. For a first-time author to be picked up on his or her first submission is a rare enough occurrence to consider it a near impossibility. Of course, the readers of this blog may not like such supposed negativity. But if a would-be author knows the odds are stacked against him or her and still proceeds, I believe the first layer of thick skin has already formed.

More than once I have been excited to learn that an agent would like to read my full manuscript, only to be turned down ultimately. 

There are at least two things that keep me writing. The first is that I feel I have stories rattling around in my skull that need to be told, regardless the opinion of two score of agents! Secondly, and this is not insignificant, the fellow authors I have met who are published through more traditional houses rather than today’s simple self-publishing marketplaces are no more, and in fact often less, happy than am I. I have total creative control. I can decide on artwork and publication dates. I don’t have folks telling me what or what not to include. I also find that except for the most successful authors, of course, I sell a greater number of copies and make a little more moolah than my traditionally published peers.

What has surprised or frustrated you the most in writing/publishing?
I have been most surprised by the speed at which the technology and marketing of the books have so rapidly changed. Even in 2012, there were still quite a lot of people still reading on Nook. I don’t know anyone who does any longer. Goodreads.com used to be much more Indie author friendly. But now that Amazon owns them, it has shifted its emphasis to two ends of the spectrum – books for mass consumption on one end and more literary on the other end. 

Left without a home, in my opinion, are the vast multitude of books. Amazon, too, has changed how it highlights Indie authors as it strives to gather more revenue streams. I’ve found that many of my books used to slowly build and find themselves on lists which Amazon would compile and send out to readers. I don’t believe they compile some of those Indie lists any longer.

As a result, at exactly the time a marketing budget is becoming more important for Indie books, the ability to fund it through unexpected book sales has slipped.

What do you know now about writing that you wished you had known sooner?
Once you have success in a particular genre or series, stay there! Just when I began to build a truly sizable following with my Norseman Chronicles series, I felt like a change of pace and wrote about Rome’s incursion into Germania during the reign of Augustus. This series was written with the same gusto as my first and was better told overall, but it failed to capture 
my existing reader’s imaginations.

I had to learn the hard way that since I had more fuel to add to the Norseman Chronicles, I should have used it right away. I should have held off on the Wald Chronicles and Lions & Devils until a later date.

What is some of the best writing advice that you’ve received or could give?
Sometimes new authors, especially those in historical fiction, get caught up in research. Research is important to create authenticity, but in the end it is story, story, story. If the reader cares about the characters and is invested in the story, one or two minor errors in historical details is forgivable. No one will read a novel with perfect historical detail that surrounds a ghastly story.

Are there any other points about writing that you would like to add?
Perhaps clichéd, but if you think you want to write, you must write and write. Eventually, through toil and tears, you might actually figure it out. I hope this happens for me someday.

Do you have another book in the works? Can you give me a short synopsis?
My most recent publication is League of the Lost Fountain. It is my first time-slip, historical fantasy book for adults and kids. All my previous works had a grittier, more grown-up tone.

League of the Lost Fountain is about Elias, an imaginative nine-year-old boy whose parents are forced to sell off their family farm. Before the auctioneers arrive, however, Elias takes matters into his own hands and sets off to discover a legendary remedy. His adventure quickly spans both place and time. 

While traveling in the Age of Exploration, his firm belief that dreams can come true inspires a tired explorer to go on one more voyage. They, along with other unexpected visitors from the future, battle high seas, cannibals, and conquistadors. Together, they will reveal life lessons in stewardship, love, and forgiveness as well as discover an enchanting gift that will captivate generations of children and adults the world over.

Do you plan on a new series?
The first book in my newest series should be available in the fall. The book is untitled at this point, but the series is called The Long Fuse. It will follow a young runaway Quaker from Pennsylvania as he finds himself caught in the fight between two empires in the French and Indian War. I expect the series to be at least 10 books in length following the hero throughout his life serving first a King of Great Britain, and then a Continental Congress, and finally the first President of the United States.

Sounds like you have a large body of work ahead of you! If you would like to learn more about Jason's books, here are some links to get you started.

http://www.authorjasonborn.com/

Jason’s Author Page on Facebook

Amazon author page: 

Creating your Writing Art Form: An Interview with Doug Cooper

What made you decide to write your first novel? 

I was looking for a new creative outlet in my life and began chasing a handful of ideas. I started developing a series of webcasts to go with my online textbook (www.controlguru.com), I outlined intellectual property ideas for a new technology company, and I tapped away at my keyboard writing a science fiction novel.

Within months, my writing morphed into a passion and I dropped my other projects to give myself more time for it. I’ve been at it for about five years and my writing time remains a most treasured part of my day.

Tell us about your books.The Crystal Series books are futuristic thrillers with action and adventure that center on the themes of aliens, spies, AI, romance, and battles in space. Criss, the overarching personality in the series, is a four-gen AI crystal with the cognitive ability of a thousand humans. He is hard-wired to protect and serve his human leadership team, which includes Dr. Juice Tallette, the crystal scientist who created Criss; Cheryl Wallace, an ex-captain of the Fleet space cruiser Alliance; and Sid, a one-time covert spy for the Defense Intelligence Agency, who now helps Criss protect Juice and Cheryl while they all strive to keep humanity safe.

Wow, that sounds exciting! Where are you in the process of developing your series?

I just released the third full-length book of the series, Crystal Rebellion, and I’m gratified by the positive reader response—it’s been amazing! The setting is on Mars, and the bad guys are three AI crystals left behind after the last alien invasion of our solar system. Our heroes struggle to save the world and soon realize they need to save themselves. I’ll leave it at that as I don’t want to reveal any spoilers. I invite everyone to give the book a read and enjoy the ride!

I'm working on submitting a sci-fi story for a short story competition. What tips do you have for making a sci-fi story work? 

A good science fiction story is good fiction—be it a thriller, action-adventure, mystery, romance, or whatever—but with a sci-tech theme. The “good fiction” part comes first, though. The “science” part is the secret sauce that makes it fun for people who enjoy thinking about space, or time travel, or life in the future, or whatever excites you. 

While sci-fi and fantasy are often lumped together, there is a difference. Fantasy stories—those with magic or superheroes or the undead—include extranormal phenomena that will (probably) never exist. Sci-fi offers more plausible realities, at least that’s how I think about it.

Tell us about your writing process.

I begin with an idea in my head and then start writing.  I don’t plan, and in fact even prohibit myself from thinking too far ahead, because my joy comes from the creative process of writing into the unknown.

I write each scene in the order it will appear when published. The fun thing about this is that my stories follow a rotating point of view among the characters, and don’t always follow a straight timeline from chapter to chapter. So, I write a story that does not follow a strict timeline sequence, and that rotates among the viewpoints of the central characters, in page order.

And to really make it fun, I don’t allow myself to go back and change a previous scene to help me solve a challenge with the current one. To me, plot development is like solving a puzzle. I enjoy being at a particular point in an adventure, with characters deployed here and there, all with histories and in certain situations, and now I must move forward in a plausible and entertaining fashion.

It’s a slow process, but my key to success is persistence. I write every day for a few hours. And slowly but surely, I write books. In this manner, I wrote Deception, Conquest, and Rebellion, taking just over a year to write full-length stories (ranging from 96-99K words each, for those who think in word count). The editing process adds another four months before publication.

Are you active with any writing groups?

I belong to a writers group—in a parallel universe—and it has indeed improved my writing. This past summer, while I waited for others to read and comment on Crystal Rebellion, I started an online journal—a fictitious story about me participating in a writers group. I challenged myself to post a humorous bit every few days. 

The results can be found at http://crystalseries.com/writers-journal-humor. I put up 20 short stories—more than ten thousand words—as I struggled to be humorous on a tight schedule. I had great fun on this project and hope to revisit it in the future.

Why did you choose the indie route for publishing? 

I chose to become an indie author for a number of reasons: I’m eager to get new works out to readers in a timely fashion, I want to maintain long-term control over the work, and I’m excited by the entrepreneurial challenge.  Self-publishing has all aspects of the small business enterprise, including product creation, branding and marketing, finance, project management, and intellectual property concerns. I love exploring ways to pull those levers to advance my writing career.

  

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

 That writing is an art form. If I make it personal, it’s a joy to pursue.

What advice would you give to new authors? 

Write every day and have fun doing it. Because writing is art, there will be people who like what you do and those who don’t. So like any art form, do it for yourself.  Write what brings you joy and satisfaction, and you will produce the best work you are able and have fun doing it. 

One way to practice is to write pieces and then stick them in a drawer. An alternative is to write articles that will help organizations. Your neighborhood library, museum, senior center, and shelters all have access to grant opportunities. They would benefit from a talented individual willing to help them write one. 

It’s hard work. It’s only creative to the extent you can spin the circumstances of the organization you are supporting to the requirements of the granting agency. But I know that anyone who writes a dozen grant applications will be judged a dozen times. It’may be frustrating work, but like practicing your scales on an instrument, this sort of activity strengthens your writing skills.

That's it for today's interview. If you would like to learn more about Doug's current and future writing, here are some links to get you started. 

Web: http://crystalseries.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/crystalseries
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Crystalseries
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7269127.Doug_J_Cooper
Amazon Author: http://www.amazon.com/Doug-J.-Cooper/e/B00F7IJBP0