Wings Authors

Second Andrew R. Williams interview

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 11:27:00 +0000

On September 6th, Wings author Andrew Williams had an interview posted with AllAuthor. You can read it here.
Where have you spent most of your childhood? Which is your fondest childhood memory?

As a child, I was a latent pyromaniac. Not surprising really; my father regularly dragged me out of bed and told me to get dressed. When I asked why, he’d say “Come on quick. There’s a big fire in town; flames going up two hundred feet. We need to get there before the fire brigade put it out.”

My early childhood was spent in Droylsden, a town in Greater Manchester, England. Being afflicted with latent pyromania, bonfire night – (Guy Fawkes Night , 5 November) was the event of the year. Bonfire night was made even more exciting because my parent’s house had a corner plot (bigger than the average as Yogi would say) and it had been chosen to host the annual event.

For those not familiar with British traditions, Guy Fawkes was a member of a group of provincial English Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament. The attempt failed but celebrating the event still continues. Secretly, most English people wish it had succeeded; opinion polls held in England suggest politicians are held in very low esteem. They are even lower than journalists.

In my childhood, the run up to bonfire night was as important as the event itself. During the two weeks leading up the big event, lorry loads of old wooden railway sleepers would arrive and be carried into the back garden by very willing adults.

“Watch the wall my darling while the Gentlemen (Smugglers) go by!” – Rudyard Kipling

Where the sleepers came from nobody knows and if they do, they’re not telling. The night itself was great. Fireworks by the score, treacle Toffee, potatoes cooked in the fire and Lancashire Hot Pot appeared by the bowl full.

What were some of your hobbies as a child? Do you still enjoy the same things or have your tastes evolved since then?

When I wasn’t being a latent pyromaniac, I was mad about prehistoric monsters. Maybe that’s why my novels are also populated by some very nasty creatures too. One hobby still remains. I like reading. At first W E Johns and then I progressed to writers like Dennis Wheatley, H G Wells, John Wyndham, Stephen King, George Orwell, Vladimir Peniakoff, Constantine FitzGibbon and Charles Portis (and many more) which probably accounts for my interest in action, the unexpected, the occult and things that go bump in the night.

Now I also like writing.

Ah! I nearly forgot, I’m still a latent pyromaniac and let off Fireworks on November 5^th and New Year. Well that’s a hobby isn’t it?

How would you describe your experience as a Chartered Surveyor?

Some people do a job because it feeds them and they look forward to retirement. I have been lucky. My vocation is more than just making money. I had a customer put an entry on my website saying “I’m glad I employed Andrew Williams. He gave me an honest opinion.” Comments like that are worth their weight in gold.

Was writing your first book a struggle? What kept you motivated?

My first book was “Domestic Building Surveys,” Published by Spon. I wrote it because when I was learning the trade; I couldn’t find books that really helped me. I decided to base the book around several surveys I’d carried out. It wasn’t difficult; it was a labour of love. Judging by royalties, people still like it.

Have you ever Googled yourself? What did you find?

Andy Williams (my namesake in case you haven’t noticed) was a very popular singer and even though he’s deceased, his recordings are still very popular. Googling Andrew R Williams does provide a better personal result. Thankfully, I find a lot of references to my surveying practice and my books.

Why are your novels set in the Fantasy genre? In which genre do you enjoy writing the most?

Sci-fi, Fantasy. You say tomato and I say tomato. I think of it as future history. Most things that sci-fi writers invent eventually become reality. Take George Orwell’s 1984. It was a future history. Aren’t we there; facial recognition cameras on every corner in major British towns and cities.

Arcadia's Children is an exciting fast paced science fiction thriller. What was the biggest challenge while portraying an exciting and adventurous story of an alien invasion "Arcadia’s Children?"

Writing Arcadia’s Children was one of the best experiences of my life but it didn’t just happen. I have written ten versions of Arcadia’s Children. Nine went in the bin because I wasn’t happy with them. Then suddenly, all my efforts came together and my alien world became a fictional reality.

How was your experience of writing a practical guide showing how to undertake a domestic building survey, "Domestic Building Surveys"?

After writing the first edition of Practical Guide to Alterations & Extensions, writing Domestic Building Surveys was just something I had to do. During my learning years most books I read seemed to provide an insight into home surveys but nothing more. I decided to show by example and included old reports into the book and then say why I had formed my conclusions on the various properties.

How did you come up with the idea for your book, "Spon's Practical Guide to Alterations & Extensions"?

The most recent Guide to Alterations and extensions was really a follow on to Domestic Building Surveys; as I regularily submit applications for small extensions, providing a guide seemed appropriate. The first edition was very short and then I enlarged the topics as Planning and Building Regulations changed.

Who inspired the character of Mick Tarmy in "Arcadia’s Children: The Fyfield Plantation?" How would you describe him in five words?

Mick Tarmy evolved in my mind. Where he came from nobody knows; even I don’t really know. Mick is casehardened; tough on the outside; soft in the middle. That’s why the women love him.

What were some misconceptions you had about the book and publishing industry before you became a published author?

When people said it could be difficult to get your work published I thought they were exaggerating because I was lucky. With my first book, the first edition of Practical Guide to Alterations and Extensions was complete, I found a small publisher involved in the construction industry and he wanted to publish my guide. The small publisher was then gobbled up by Spon. Spon decided they wanted to publish my other technical books.

The novels were a different story. It was over a year before my first novel was accepted and only after I had sent it to at least fifteen publishing houses.

What kind of tactics do you use to ensure a more productive writing session?

I like to start writing around 7am when the telephone or mobile is unlikely to ring, beep or otherwise conspire to into my concentration. Most of my writing is carried out in a box room. Although I have a small office, the box room is my “happy space.” and I try to set aside time each day and write until the ideas stop flowing or the blasted telephone starts ringing.

What more sci-fi themed books are you planning to writer in the near future? What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on two novels, Arcadia’s Children 3 and a current day novel which has the working title of Jim’s Revenge which is set in the North of England.

What are your top five writing and marketing tips that you would share with the young writers out there?
I am still trying to master the art of marketing. At the moment I am using the shot-gun approach. Spread it wide and you might just hit something.

I am with AllAuthor and Amazon .

I have an Arcadia’s Children website.

I use Facebook (Personal and an Arcadia’s Children site.) Twitter @ArcadiasChildre and @arcadiaschildre @plans2extend

Instagram

How were you introduced to AllAuthor and what some pros and cons of the website, according to you?

Joining All Author was a total accident but it has raised my profile. Thanks, Allauthor.

An Interview with Lynn Shurr

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Author's Website
Author on GoodReads
Author on Amazon

I was born a left-handed middle child, bookended by two sisters. That should tell you a lot already. In the small Pennsylvania Dutch area town where I grew up, everything worth going to could be reached by bicycle: school, a nearby stable, the Legion ball park, and the one-room library in the Fire Hall where I’d read most of the books by age twelve. My own literary ambitions began in the fifth grade when I wrote, directed, produced, and starred in a puppet show which went on a tour of all the elementary classes in our old-timey red brick schoolhouse and got me out of several afternoons of class. Immediately, I saw the merits of a literary career.

Why did you start fiction writing and what genre do you like to write?

I have to say I started writing fiction and poetry in grade school with my first big achievement being a puppet show I wrote, produced, and starred in which went on tour of the lower grades. I got out of a lot class time and was immediately hooked on writing. After that I contributed to school literary magazines, took accelerated English classes, majored in English Lit in college--and then got an M.A. in librarianship because I realized even then that few writers make much money. Thirty years later, I retired from being a library director and finally had time to write just for pleasure. E-publishing was just beginning to grow. I chose to write contemporary romance because I had heard it was easiest to break into since demand was high, but I'd read my share of romance before starting, enjoying the likes of Nora Roberts and Jayne Ann Krentz among many others .I got my chance to see my work in print and as e-books with several small e-presses, some now long gone, but all of my books are still in print having been picked up by other publishers.

Why this genre? What attracts you to them?

When I was a librarian I had a very elderly patron who checked out stacks and stacks of Avalon romances. I asked her why so many. She answered, "Honey, at my age, all you want is a happy ending." Romance always has a happy ending which we need so badly in today's world. Over the course of the story, a couple must overcome each obstacle that falls in their way in order to get to the HEA (Happily Ever After). While my books are full length novels (25 to date) and far more complex than an Avalon romance, I make sure my characters reach their goal in the end which should leave the reader smiling or crying happy tears.

Generally speaking, what is the driving force behind your characters behind your characters? Have any of your characters changed in a dramatic way from what you imagined at the start of the writing process?

Since I always know my beginning, middle, and end before I start to write, I do know how my characters will change during the story. A character who shows no growth, no change, is just a flat cardboard cutout. I've found without at first realizing it that most of my stories are about second chances, a life do-over that will eventually make them happier. In A Place Apart, a wounded warrior with a bad case of PTSD has become a hermit on a deserted island off the coast of Maine because he feels he cannot be with other people. A young socialite who has trashed her reputation also wants solitude on the island. Not nearly so shallow as she first seems, she takes on Jake and all his problems in order for them to exist together. Sparks fly! In Lady Flora's Rescue, the first of an historical series, a young widow is determined to marry her choice of a spouse the second time around, even if she must follow him into the Ohio Wilderness of the eighteenth century to get the man she desires. My characters often have help from friends and family. Sometimes, I have to be careful that these secondary characters don't take over. They must wait for their own stories.

What do you find the most difficult in finishing a story and approximately how long does it take for you to write a story?

For a contemporary novel, I usually need three or four months to complete one. An historical novel due to all the research involved may take six to nine months to complete, and I will still be looking up period details as I write. My greatest difficulty is saying goodbye to characters I have come love. Even when I've written the last page, they continue to have lives in my imagination. I know how many children they will have and what careers they will pursue, etc. In Blessings and Curses, a spin off from A Taste of Bayou Water, I was able to develop the entire life of a secondary character from first meeting to very married with children. I rarely get a chance to do that. I've been told the romance ends with marriage--but it shouldn't.

Are there other types of writing you do such as non-fiction, or short fiction?

I've written a number of short stories that I call my Twilight Zone tales. Only one is a romance, and only one has ever been published in an anthology that is now out of print. Someday, I'd like to do a collection of them, but just don't have the time at the moment.

Has your writing affected you in any way and what would you recommend to someone wanting to start writing fiction?

Writing for publication takes discipline, dedication, and perseverance. I had to learn the last especially. Rejections easily crushed me, but I kept on until I was good enough to be published. I write every day for about four hours. If I can do 1,000 words a day, great. In three months, I will have a 90,000 novel. Even now, I keep learning how to do better with each book. Anyone starting out will have to apply all three to their lives. You write when you don't feel well or are down or would rather be somewhere else to get the job done. Though I have found creating a story sometimes takes a person away from their problems for a while. I think many would-be authors have no idea how grueling the publishing process is. Writing the book is the easy part. In the end, most will find out they earn very little for their efforts. A writer must write because they love to do it. Otherwise, they will soon quit. But if a person has a story to tell, it needs to come out. Good luck to all who travel this rocky road.

An Interview with A.J. Maguire

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 23:08:00 +0000

Author website
Goodreads
Amazon

A.J. Maguire is a consumer of stories. She thoroughly believes that stories are the bedrock of humanity, and that the answer to every question in life can be found in the tales that we tell. She also believes that spiders are the spawn of Satan and that her cat might just be the reincarnation of Dionysus. She enjoys books with strong characters who challenge her as a person and manage to whisk her off with adventure at the same time. This means that she reads nearly any genre and any author but her favorites include Diana Gabaldon, James Rollins, Ken Follett, Jennifer Crusie, and Brandon Sanderson. Maguire is passionate about her craft and constantly working to improve. She'll probably keep telling stories long into her old age (which is still several decades off) and believes that being an author is the single greatest, most wonderful gift she has been given -- apart from her son. She looks forward to every story and hopes to release many more novels in the years to come.

Why did you start fiction writing and what genre(s) do you like to write?

Gracious, I’ve been writing for so long I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t part of my life. I’ve been weaving stories since I was little, and in the 6th grade I had an excellent teacher who gave us a fiction writing assignment that made me fall in love with the whole process.

I can’t seem to hammer a genre down, though. I started with fantasy because I felt it gave me more freedom. And then I moved to science fiction/space opera because I will forever be a Star Trek/Star Wars Nerd. And no, I will not ever choose between them. Both hold fond memories for me and I refuse to be forced into a category there.

Recently I’ve been working on an urban fantasy, which I suppose is still fantasy, so maybe that’s my calling after all.

Why this/these genre(s)? What attracts you to them?

Why fantasy?

Because I want desperately to believe in magic. I mean, I love elves and dragons and epic story lines where good and evil clash and the fate of the world is at stake. But underneath all that is just a little girl who wants to believe the trees are alive with memory and sprites are hiding under mushrooms.

Why science fiction?

Because I want to believe humanity can and will populate other planets. I want to believe that we can put aside our political/religious/cultural differences and work together to survive outside of Earth’s atmosphere. And if I can make myself believe it on the page, then maybe others will believe it too.

Generally speaking, what is the driving force behind your characters? Have any of your characters changed in dramatic way from what you imagined at the start during the writing process?

I’m going to concentrate on Seach Barlow, who is a protagonist in the Tapped series. This character was meant to be a major character, but not a main one. Then he sort of stole the heroine’s heart and hijacked the storyline and now it’s anyone’s guess what is going to happen. Personally, I enjoy Seach and don’t mind. He’s a good man who wants to protect the family that he and Jorry have made, and he has a sense of humor.

What do you find the most difficult in finishing a story and approximately how long does it take for you to write a story?

Each story is different. Some of them come to their endings naturally, others… not so much. Usurper’s ending was natural, with Kaden Dyngannon making the deliberate choice to go after the throne. That said, it took me a great deal of time to get there because I discovered I was writing two books instead of one.

The book I’m currently inching my way through was started eight months ago, but I’m on the third draft now so that really isn’t as long as it seems. The fight scenes at the end are what cause hiccups for me. I can only manage 500-600 words per writing session because I have to concentrate on all the movements and chaos and find a way to make it personal to the point of view character.

Are there other types of writing you do such as non-fiction, or short fiction?

I try to write short fiction between novels. It gives my brain a break and allows me to stretch different writing-muscles. That said, I can’t seem to do flash fiction. It boggles me.

Has your writing affected you in any way and what would you recommend to someone wanting to start writing fiction?

I am a bit weird. I am often writing in the effort to understand people. If I observe someone behaving in a manner that makes no sense to me, I will try writing a character that behaves that same way in the effort to understand them.

For example, I heard a story once about a sister who was stripping the rings off her dying mother’s fingers so that no one else could have them. This boggled my mind so badly that I had to write the scene out from her perspective because it couldn’t just have been greed motivating that action.

Before you ask, I do not have a sister. And my mother is quite alive. So, this has no personal relevance to me, but I needed to understand it just the same. That said, I’m sure you can see that my writing always has an affect on me. It helps me make sense of the world we live in.

To those wanting to start writing fiction I would have to say; don’t forget to have fun with it. We give all these rules and we get frustrated by editing time and we get a little green with jealousy when we see the success of other writers, and we bemoan ourselves as the worst authors in the world because the work isn’t meeting the standard we want it to, and in the middle of all that we forget to have fun. Enjoy the journey. Learn from it. Let it affect you the way you want it to affect your readers. And don’t forget your family wants time with you too.

An Interview with Ralph E. Horner

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Author website
GoodReads

Ralph's first novel, Tandem Tryst, was published by Wings ePress in March of 2009. His second novel Witch's Moon was published in December 2012, and his third, Midnight Tryst, the sequel of Tandem Tryst was published in December of 2013. He now has a fourth book Lost Legacy. Ralph is also a professional entertainer who performs balloon are and magic.

Why did you start fiction writing and what genre(s) do you like to write?

I've always had stories in my head. When I was in junior high I started writing comic strip stories. I write paranormal stories; gothic horror, time-travel and fantasy.

Why this/these genre(s)? What attracts you to them?
I've always enjoyed these kind of stories and movies because it's an escape from reality. And the only way we can time-travel is through a story and our minds.

Generally speaking, what is the driving force behind your characters? Have any of your characters changed in dramatic way from what you imagined at the start during the writing process?
Usually the driving force for my main characters is solving a problem. My main character never changes and rarely does any of the supporting characters.

What do you find the most difficult in finishing a story and approximately how long does it take for you to write a story?
I don't have much difficulty finishing a story. The length of time to write my stories varies greatly, depending on how much time I have to write and how much research is needed for stories involving time-travel, where I spend more time with research then the writing. My first published novel Tandem Tryst took me five years to complete.

Are there other types of writing you do such as non-fiction, or short
fiction?
I've never written non-fiction, but I do have several short stories published in magazines, and they are also paranormal.

Has your writing affected you in any way and what would you recommend to
someone wanting to start writing fiction?
The down side of writing is that you can get obsessed with your story. I would recommend that writers not to put their writing over their family. I had to keep myself in check sometimes. I've known many writers in support groups that thought it was great that they wrote twenty pages every day, even on major holidays when they had company over. Not good! I live alone now and being semi-retired I have a little more time to write.

An Interview with author Katherine Pym

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Author's Blog
Author on GoodReads
Author on Amazon

Katherine Pym likes history, especially 17th century England, specifically London during the 1660's. The decade is is filled with human interest stories as the people adjust from one government to another, and all their changing rules and regulations.

Another era is the French Revolution, and she has written a novel about Camille Desmoulins, a popular pamphleteer and journalist.

Why did you start fiction writing and what genre(s) do you like to write?First, I'd like to thank you, Robin, for giving me this opportunity. I truly appreciate your generosity.

I don't know when I never wrote, but the main thrust was when my sister and I admitted we were intellectual snobs and could easily write a novel. It would be a historical romance set in France during the Revolution. Ours would be different, and great. How little did we know! My sister soon bailed but I continued which resulted in - years later - Desmoulins, a historical fiction based on a real person and his wife. At the time, everyone knew their devotion to each other, Desmoulins' peers, and today's historical community. It is a tragic love story.

Why this/these genre(s)? What attracts you to them?

Now, I write mostly 17th century London stories. For some reason the era/place is very close to me as if I've lived there and then, walked the tight lanes, smelled the coal smoke that covered everything. It also hops with all sorts of exciting historical events.

Generally speaking, what is the driving force behind your characters? Have any of your characters changed in dramatic way from what you imagined at the start during the writing process?

History is what drives my characters, how they respond to the events, i.e., the fire of 1666, the plague of 1665, the 2nd Anglo/Dutch war. My stories are about the common man who must live under these circumstances. Some of the stories are quite heady. So, in a way, my characters don't dramatically change, although one character was supposed to be a person who never allowed anyone close, but as the story unfolded she couldn't hide anymore. I couldn't stop her as she burst through the scenes, much more of an extrovert than previously envisioned.

What do you find the most difficult in finishing a story and approximately how long does it take for you to write a story?

It takes approximately 1 year from start to finish. Toward the end, I want to rush it, which makes for lost closures. I force myself to slow down and close out subplots along with the main plot.

Are there other types of writing you do such as non-fiction, or short fiction?

I've done an alternative historical fiction of Joshua and Magdalene (new age/woo-woo), and a young adult fantasy of how salt filled the seas. Lots of Celtic folklore in that one. It's quite fanciful and imaginative.

I also am in the midst of writing short stories that should meld into a novel of time travel, YA, if and when it finishes.

Has your writing affected you in any way and what would you recommend to someone wanting to start writing fiction?

Writing is my life. I don't know what I would do if I stopped. I love to research and find historical odds and ends which I then incorporate into the story. Like: one of my characters was shot. The physician brewed a medicine in the kitchen which, among other items, included boiling lily oil, worms, wine, and live puppies. It was a real medicine that apparently saved the life of a French king in the 16th century. It is called Oyl of Whelps. Once everything is boiled down, you make it into a salve and apply it to the wound.

These things, what people went through, how they made do, which we never see in the school history texts (only government policies and warfare, the discussion of battles), add to the dimensions of my characters and it adds to dimensions in my life. I wouldn't have it any other way.

As for someone who wants to start writing... I'd highly recommend them not to quit their day job. It's a lonely pursuit and hopefully anyone who tries to write likes themselves and can spend hours alone.

An Insightful Book about Publishing -- "The Novel"

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Embry) — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 14:44:00 +0000

I just finished reading James A. Michener's "The Novel," a multi-layered book about publishing, rural life, diverse characters, and writing.

While the novel has its shortcomings—it's a slow read—it provides insights into the book-publishing industry, even though it was released in 1991, before the digital age and the advent of ebooks.

Michener, a prolific author of more than 40 books (including a Pulitzer Prize in 1948 for "Tales of the South Pacific"), writes about what happens after a manuscript is sent to a publisher. And unless the author is a Stephen King, Danielle Steel, or John Grisham (you get the idea), the book goes through several steps (slush pile, editing, rewriting, marketing, and promotion) before it sees the light of day.

James A. Michener

Michener approached this 400-plus page novel with four points of view (author, editor, critic, and reader), with each confronting their own personal and professional challenges. He even throws in a murder near the end that takes the story off track.

For those who want to understand the publishing process, "The Novel" fills that need. The book was recommended to me by an avid reader who found the publishing aspect fascinating. And as a published author, I found it interesting as well.

Another aspect about Michener that caught my attention was that he was 84 when "The Novel" was published, and he went on to write four more books before he died in 1997 ("Matecumbe" was published posthumously in 2007).

An Interview with author Lara MacGregor

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Sun, 11 Aug 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Author on FaceBook
Author on GoodReads

Why did you start fiction writing and what genre(s) do you like to
write?

I started writing at a young age because I have an artist’s soul. I needed to create things. Writing, music, and art always gave me a good way to express myself and maybe bring some happiness to other people.

As for genres, I like to read and write several types, but my favorite to write are historical fiction, romance, a dash of sci-fi, and some paranormal—especially time travel, but other types as well.

Why this/these genre(s)? What attracts you to them?

I’m a history geek, and it’s fascinating putting the values of two different eras side-by-side to see what wackiness becomes of it, hence, my love of writing time-travel novels. It’s also fun trying to come up with different methods of time travel.

As for sci-fi, I can’t get enough Star Trek and all the off-shoots. I’ve watched it all my life and love some sci-fi for this reason. That new show Orville is great. I love that I get to see a Star-Trek like setting but also get to laugh. In my time travel series Romeo Vs. Juliet, Descendants of Time, and especially in the second book of the series, The Questrist, I bring in more sci-fi. However, I prefer, overall, the way the romance genre deals with time travel over the sci-fi genre because I love happy endings.

As for paranormal, I had an unusual upbringing. Because of my mother, I saw and heard about mystical things. I learned about supernatural stuff. I grew up in a large Victorian house behind a mortuary.

Generally speaking, what is the driving force behind your characters?

My characters have to learn something. I strongly believe in life-long learning, but character growth is important too. The characters may be flawed, but the protagonists should have noble motives.

Have any of your characters changed in dramatic way from what you
imagined at the start during the writing process?
My characters have sometimes driven the story in a different direction than I had intended. That happens more often than the character him or herself changing dramatically. Sometimes I use character arcs to plot their discovery or growth.

I did have one character who comes to mind as being somewhat different than originally conceived of. In my contemporary romance, The Mask of Truth, the main character, Cory, is a prince banished to America as a boy for a crime he didn’t commit. Originally, he was darker and more cynical than he ended up being by the time the story was published. His bad experiences in his home country had tainted him. He was also the eldest brother in the original conception of the story. Now, he’s the middle-born prince, and is much more centered in comparison with what was first intended. I’m happy to say that Wings ePress has put out the first book and is due to release the second book of this series this July.

What do you find the most difficult in finishing a story and approximately how long does it take for you to write a story?

I hate that I find loopholes sometimes after the story is done. Then I have to go back through the whole book to fix things and the things those things affect. I also hate cutting “brilliant” scenes because they don’t further the plot but would make awesome anecdotes to tell one’s friends about if they were real.

As for how long it takes to write a story, that varies widely. The quickest novel I ever wrote happened for a wild reason. I grew up Catholic, went to Catholic school and all, and said my share of Rosaries and Novenas. Once, the Archangel Raphael was the focus of my prayers. Shortly after, I got inspired like I had never been inspired before that or since, and wrote the novel that got me my first book deal, The 12th Kiss, put out with Wings ePress. I had studied the Regency era in England for some time before that, the novel’s setting, but suddenly, a new story came to me. I typed it faster than I ever had done before. The story came out of me in a matter of weeks—it just flew from my fingertips. I named an important character Raphael in gratitude. I put the manuscript up with a critique group for a year or so to tighten it up before submitting it for publication. Most of my novels started as shorter stories and took much longer to finish, sometimes several years. But not that one inspired novel…

Are there other types of writing you do such as non-fiction, or short
fiction?

Yes, I write flash-fiction to full-length novels, and some is non-fiction. I have also written academic history papers and wrote a thesis to top off earning my master’s degree in history. I had a giant hole in my knowledge of American history: The War of 1812, so I decided to write my thesis about that. Specifically, I compared the patriotism of American, British, and Canadian participants in the war. Some of the stuff I came across while doing research was startling.

I’ve also written history papers on subjects as varied as the Civil Rights Movement in America, The Mexican-United States War of the mid-nineteenth century, Middle-Eastern Christian immigrants to America (in honor of my family), and making a cat museum, which would highlight history through the lens of humans’ relationship to cats—there are some good stories there! My first master’s paper was a historiographical paper analyzing the writings of five-hundred years worth of historical ponderings over Richard III of England. Was he guilty of murdering his nephews, the Princes in the Tower? After sorting through those centuries of writings and reading books on the Wars of the Roses, I don’t think Richard did it. I made it the focus of my novel, The Questrist, and had my character go back in time to warn Richard about the Battle of Bosworth. History changed, and Tudor England was wiped off the map of history.

In my undergrad years, I wrote papers as varied as French cuisine in the south of France to analyzing symphonies (My B.A. is in modern languages with a minor in music).

Has your writing affected you in any way and what would you recommend to someone wanting to start writing fiction?

Writing and music are my driving force and keep me hopeful in this life. They allow me to be inventive and feel gratitude for being given the gift of loving them so much.

To someone just starting out, read and read a lot, and read different genres and styles. I’ve read books from different centuries and from different countries and languages. Books allow one to widen their perspective and dream. Write and join a critique group. It’s how I went from someone simply good with language to someone who understood the rules of fiction—well, I’m continuously learning. I’m lucky to have a great editor—thank you, Jeanne!

One other thing…don’t let harsh critiquers get you down. You have stories in you that no one else does, and the world would benefit from hearing them. Even if your weakness is in the execution, in other words, presenting that story, be happy about that. That’s the easiest hurdle to overcome, far easier than having to overcome a lack of imagination developed enough to write stories in the first place.

Ready to Begin Fourth Boomer Lit Novel

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Embry) — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 19:44:00 +0000

It's been nearly six months since I finished "New Horizons," the third book in the John Ross Boomer Lit series. Lately, several readers have asked if I've started on another book.

"New Horizons" was released May 1 by Wings ePress and sales have been steady and reviews have been excellent. I'm very appreciative to those who have supported my writing in the past and those who are just discovering my stories.

So now it's time to move on to the fourth book. I don't have a working title but I have produced probably 50k words. August 1st is my official start date.

So how do I already have 50k words? When working on "New Horizons" last year, the manuscript exceeded 90k and the novel was moving in a different direction. I decided to use the first 40k on "New Horizons," and the other for the next installment. By the way, "New Horizons" ended up at nearly 70k words so there was plenty of writing involved before submitting it to my publisher.

I've been letting the remaining words simmer the past few months while conducting additional research and taking more notes about the next adventure for John and Sally Ross in their quest for peace and tranquility in their twilight years.

Those who have read the first three books know it certainly hasn't been easy for the Kentucky couple. This thing called life always seems to be getting in the way of their quiet plans.

So if things go as planned—something I never count on in my life—the first draft of the fourth book will be finished in a couple months. After several rewrites, I hope to send the manuscript to my editor by the end of the year.

As I have with my previous novels, I'll keep you posted on my progress, title, book cover, and release date. I already know what the fifth book is going to address, but more about that when I'm through with the fourth.

An Interview with author Michael Embry

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Sun, 28 Jul 2019 17:08:00 +0000

Michael's favorite quote:
"The art of writing is the art
of discovering what you believe."
-- Gustave Flaubert

Author's website
Author's Blog
Author on FaceBook
Twitter: @MichaelEmbry

When did you start fiction writing and what genre(s) do you like to write?

I participated in a creative writing conference in 1974 but it took me another 25 years to write my first novel, "The Touch." I've since written eight more novels, falling under contemporary mainstream, murder mystery, young adult, and boomer lit genres. I like variety in reading and writing.

Why this/these genre(s)? What attracts you to them?

These genres resonate with me. I enjoy probing the thoughts and actions of characters as they unfold in my stories. My last three novels have been in the boomer lit genre, which I plan to continue because it allows me to examine my amazing generation.

Generally speaking, what is the driving force behind your characters?

The driving force is confronting unforeseen problems and trying to make sense out of everything that is happening around them. Life isn't easy as we all deal with numerous pitfalls, disappointments, and heartbreaks.

Have any of your characters changed in a dramatic way from what you imagined
at the start during the writing process?

I would say most of the characters have grown and gained courage along the way. I want my characters to come across as real and have strengths and weaknesses that are relatable to readers.

What do you find the most difficult in finishing a story and approximately how long does it take for you to write a story?

It would be wrapping up loose ends, and in writing a series, leaving a few things that will bring readers back for the next book. It generally takes me from six to twelve weeks to write the first draft, then I go through about ten rewrites before I'm ninety-nine percent satisfied with the story (are authors ever totally satisfied?). I then rely on my editor for advice on improving the novel.

Are there other types of writing you do such as non-fiction, or short
fiction?

I've written three non-fiction sports books (I was a sportswriter years ago) and one short-story collection. Although I've been approached, I doubt if I write any more non-fiction. However, I do plan to write another collection of short stories.

Has your writing affected you in any way and what would you recommend to
someone wanting to start writing fiction?

I believe writing helps me gain a better understanding of myself and others as I explore different areas of life. As for advice about writing fiction, I would recommend that the person read fiction, especially in the genre(s) they intend to write, and to read primers on fiction writing such as Jack M. Bickham's "The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)." I'd also suggest joining local writing groups, attending writing events, and getting to know other authors. Writing is a lifelong learning experience but it's necessary to learn the basics.

Read an excerpt of Michael Embry's latest release "New Horizons" (Release date: May 1, 2019)

July Release: War Between Brother Kings

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 16:01:00 +0000

King Goran, The Tyrant, resents his brother, Corentin, for winning his throne and wants revenge even though he is due to inherit another kingship. He gets creative. Corentin’s wife, loyal younger brother, and closest friends will be dragged into it. Relationships will be tested, and lives threatened as an evil king makes war with his honorable brother.

Author Lara MacGregor lives in Colorado. She has written flash fiction to full-length novels, mostly historical, but other genres as well such as paranormal, especially time travel stories. She has a B.A. degree in Modern Languages with a minor in music and an M.A. degree in history. She plays guitar and piano and loves reading as many books as time will allow.

Review:

An exciting romance built around a handful of souls who bond as if a family intent on encouraging good fellowship…a tender relief from today’s world of human hardship.

Lara MacGregor has that knack of painting her characters with such flourish, yet somehow illustrating love and mateship in a trail of doubt and question, an envious ability.

Its sense of mateship and care for friends is persistently warming.

—Kev Richardson

Award-winning author of numerous books,

most recently the Soul of Australia series

July Release: Love is a Cheerleader Running

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 15:56:00 +0000

Liam experiences the conditions of true love when he meets a cheerleader in high school. Later, at university, he meets a fluttery girl who loves him unconditionally, but their breakup is messy. Then, while traveling, Liam meets Briana, the girl with the tidal design, the girl full of conditions. After being deceived, he becomes an exploiter of lust and love.

R.F. Gonzalez was born in a small town in the impoverished country of Nicaragua at the end of its revolution. He then immigrated with his paternal grandparents to Texas in the 80s. Soon after, he moved to Europe with his mother and father for six years. He traveled around the world and, at age nineteen, moved back to Dallas. In 2010, he earned a Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Dallas. Since then, he has been an entrepreneur, aspiring writer, and writing instructor. There are more interesting things to tell and, perhaps someday, he will write stories about it all.

An Interview with author Richard Whitten Barnes

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Author Richard Barnes

Author's website

Why did you start fiction writing and what genre(s) do you like to write?

I took a night class. I was asked to join writers group and before long I had a half dozen stories. I was encouraged by the group to turn one of my stories into a book which evolved into a WWII historical fiction. I discovered that I really enjoy doing the research. Then, I had an idea for a mystery and wrote two of them before being published by Wings ePress. Since then, I go back-and-forth between the two genres.

I recently wrote MEDALLION, the story of a Norwegian commando and a young woman; an American Flyer working for the British during the second world war.
My next book is the fifth in a series. My heroine, Andy Blake, is a Canadian Provincial Police detective. STEEL TOWN is a story about the interdiction of opioids in the steel city of Sault Ste. Marie Ontario. As usual, Andy has to balance her love life and the job of catching the bad guys.

Why this/these genres? What attracts you to them?

Writing mysteries is a challenge. First you have to have a story that is interesting for the reader. Most importantly for me is crafting a good ending. I like one that is a surprise and satisfying for the reader.
Writing Historical Fiction gives me the opportunity to satisfy my own curiosity about history and my desire to put words on paper, simultaneously.

Generally speaking, what is the driving force behind your characters? Have any of your characters changed in dramatic way from what you imagined at the start during the writing process?

I would have to half of the driving force behind my characters is of their own volition. I have had characters completely change there persona by the end of the book. In one of my books the character I had meant to be a hero turned out to be the villain. There is no question, my characters have their own mind in many respects.

What do you find the most difficult in finishing a story and approximately how long does it take for you to write a story?

I have been writing since 2009, and I am just publishing my 11th book this coming June. So, a book every year has been the norm. In every case, finishing the story is the biggest challenge. I hate it when a book just stops, as if the author ran out of ideas. I enjoy reading a book that has a thoughtful ending whether that is a surprise, or just a good feeling. Achieving this is a significant challenge.

Are there other types of writing you do such as non-fiction, or short fiction?

No, although I have thought about adding to my collection of short stories and publishing them as a group.

Has your writing affected you in any way and what would you recommend to someone wanting to start writing fiction?

Writing has almost become my raison d’être. There is not a day that goes by I am not thinking about a plot line or a character. I think one needs that kind of fire in the belly to be a good writer. Writing isn’t easy. My advice to someone thinking about doing this for a career would be to ask themselves if they have that kind of dedication.

Richard Whitten Barnes, author of Historical and Mystery fiction

July Release: Stop the War

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 15:46:00 +0000

In 2071, the world is on the verge of an environmental catastrophe, leading to the extinction of human life on the planet. With the end clearly in sight, the scientific community decides to take a last desperate, alas covert action on its own. As time travel experiments show promise, an M.I.T. professor undertakes going back into the past to attempt remedial measures. According to the faculty, technology developed too fast during and immediately after the Second World War. Averting the conflict seems the only available solution. Armed with the knowledge of history, the professor takes the leap.

Author Gabriel Timar was born in Hungary in 1932, and a cadet at the elite military school of Nagykaroly during World War II, Gabriel Timar studied civil engineering at the Budapest University. Taking active part in the 1956 revolution, he decided to defect to the West. In the United Kingdom he worked as a structural designer. Ten months later he immigrated to Canada and worked as an engineer. After seven years, he got his first contract in Asia. For the next twenty-odd years he worked in Africa, Asia and the South Pacific as a consulting engineer, chief executive officer, United Nations environmental engineering advisor and finally as a professor.

In 1982 he married, returned to Canada with his Hungarian wife, and taught environmental engineering at Seneca College in Toronto. In 1994 he retired as the Chair of the School of Civil and Resources Engineering Technology. Following his retirement he began writing. To date, he has published sixteen novels in English and Hungarian, ten English language novels to his credit as shown on his home page. He also wrote several manuals and college textbooks published by the Province of Ontario, Seneca College, United Nations and the University of Malawi.

An Interview with Author Dorothy Bodoin

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Author's Website
Dorothy Bodoin on Goodreads

Why did you start fiction writing and what genre(s) do you like to write?
I started writing fiction as soon as I learned to write words and draw pictures to illustrate them. In other words, before I entered elementary school; and I never stopped. I write mysteries because that’s what I always liked best to read.

Why this/these genres? What attracts you to them?
As I grew older and after seeing the movie, Jane Eyre, I was attracted to the Gothic elements in mystery stories. They still fascinate me, along with old science-fiction movies such as The Day the Earth Stood Still and Where Have All the People Gone?

Generally speaking, what is the driving force behind your characters? Have any of your characters changed in dramatic way from what you imagined at the start during the writing process?

My heroine, along with other characters in my series, is driven to help collies in distress and their people, while her husband, Deputy Sheriff Crane Ferguson, has dedicated his life to keeping law and order in his corner of the world. My readers tell me that Jennet has changed over the course of the series. They find her bolder, more willing to take risks, more humorous, and they think she has more confidence in herself. One day I’ll reread my series and see if I can detect these changes.
The first book in my series, Darkness at Foxglove Corners, was intended to be a stand-alone so I didn’t give much thought to how Jennet's character would change.

What do you find the most difficult in finishing a story and approximately how long does it take for you to write a story?

Maintaining enthusiasm for a project is the most difficult aspect of the writing process for me. It takes from four to five months for me to finish a book, depending on what interruptions life throws at me.

Are there other types of writing you do such as non-fiction, or short fiction?
I only write full-length books because I rarely read short stories. I like to spend more time with my characters than the short length allows.

Has your writing affected you in any way and what would you recommend to someone wanting to start writing fiction?

I was always on the introverted side, and my writing has made me more so. I’m happiest when I can stay home and concentrate on my work-in-progress.

I’d advise any one aspiring to write fiction to read. Read in your chosen genre and read anything else that catches your interest. I learned the craft of writing from books like the late Phyllis A. Whitney’s Guide to Fiction Writing and articles in The Writer. Also I studied the work of other writers. If I were beginning a career in fiction writer, I’d take advantage of the many sources for writers on the Internet, including online classes given by successful authors.

You Owe Me Five Farthings

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Jeremy Swanson Mysteries -- Book 2

Mike Swanson finds a mysterious book at the Christmas Fayre, setting in motion a train of events that will put his life in danger and force his parents to reconsider their future, while Rose, trapped in a failing marriage, longs for love of her life Simon, in this sequel to St Martin’s Summer.

About the Author:
Jane Anstey began writing before she left junior school, and had her first story published in the school magazine when she was eleven. She took a degree in Modern History from Oxford University then taught in high school for four years before her first child was born in 1982. After that she took up copy-editing, indexing and educational writing. She now lives in Cornwall, UK, overlooking the moors, with her husband and younger daughter, aged 17, along with a dog and four guinea pigs.

Reviews:
“Jane Anstey’s refreshing breeze fills both romance and mystery, while solid reflections on clergy family life draw the reader into the heart of the rectory. Pilcher and Howatch rolled together make this a truly ‘unputdownable’ story which left me wanting more.” —Rev. Ken Wakefield, Cornwall

~*~

Fans of St Martin's Summer will welcome back the well-drawn characters of Rose, Clive, Simon and the Swanson family. Together with some new acquaintances, they and the author take us on another carefully-plotted intrigue in this sequel which, after some surprising twists and turns, points the way to a future full of possibilities.” —Sue Brownlow, Governor and Deputy Chair, Marjohn University, Plymouth

~*~

“Utterly absorbing.” —Dr. Jane Santo, retired psychologist

Collected Short Stories by John Paulits

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 04:00:00 +0000

A man buried alive; the extinction of a gloried species; the mingling of interstellar races; a mysterious amulet; a fearful child; an animal-loving old hag; the assassination of the Almighty. Stories of horror, mystery, fantasy, and science fiction certain to raise the hairs on your neck.

About the Author:

John Paulits lives in New York City and spent many years there teaching. He has written fiction for over thirty years, novels for children as well as adults including the genres of mystery, horror, fantasy and science fiction. The Collected Short Stories is his twelfth book for Wings ePress. To learn more about John’s books. Discover more at:
FaceBook
Amazon Author Central
SmashWords Author Profile
ManicReaders
Library Thing
GoodReads

Interview with Author Mary Jean Kelso

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Sun, 16 Jun 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Author's Website
Author on Amazon
Author on GoodReads
Author on Author's Den
Author on Smashwords

Why did you start fiction writing and what genre(s) do you like to write?

In writing factual material there is no leeway. Facts are facts. I
like to move around more using fiction writing skills to do so. Although
much research goes into my novels, Poetic License can come into play.
I tend to mostly write Western novels. But, like life, there is
Mystery, Suspense, and Romance in them as well.

Why this/these genre(s)? What attracts you to them?

I'm sure my fascination with the Old West comes from having historical
ancestry. My Grandparents on both sides were early day homesteaders. My 2nd Great Grandparents moved to Texas when the Austin Colonies were formed. My 2nd Great Grandfather was killed at the Alamo. My 2nd Great Grandmother and the rest of the family were in The Runaway Scrape when the boy who would be my Great Grandfather was seven. Some ten years later he became a Texas Ranger. I grew up listening to family stories from my dad who was a cowboy before becoming a Southern Pacific Railroad worker.

Generally speaking, what is the driving force behind your characters?

Desire. They have to desire something whether it is a person or a resolution to a
problem.

Have any of your characters changed in dramatic way from what you imagined at the start during the writing process?

Oh yes! They sometimes make their own way and refuse to be guided by the
keyboard and its operator.

What do you find the most difficult in finishing a story and approximately how long does it take for you to write a story? It can take me anywhere from 3 months to 2 years to write a novel. One took
close to 5 years as I could only work on it in between children's books I was
publishing. For me, the end of the story usually comes to me first. Then, I go to the beginning and see how I get to The End. It might be a backward way to write but, I found out long ago to do whatever works for me. Listening to those who tell you that you can't do something a certain way only fosters Writers' Block, in my opinion. The hardest part, for me, is having enough time to write all there is to write about.

Are there other types of writing you do such as non-fiction, or short fiction?

I have been a photojournalist for many years. I've written magazine articles for
slick magazines and features for local newspapers. I write adult and young adult
novels. Recently, I began illustrating some of my children's picture books.

Has your writing affected you in any way and what would you recommend to someone wanting to start writing fiction?

Writing is beneficial for me in the sense that it keeps me busy and not bored.
I think it helps the writer to cope with everyday life. I would tell someone who wants to write to do it. It doesn't matter if you do it differently. Follow your own inner voice. Don't expect to get rich writing. Few do. It is good for your mind, body, and self-worth -- much more important than money.

Mary Jean

Steel Town

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 20:00:00 +0000

Without warning, Detective Andy Blake’s personal life seems to be spinning out of control. She already has enough on her plate dealing with the opioid crisis that has crippled her hometown of Sault Ste. Marie. Adding to that are her efforts to balance it all with an admitted infatuation with the charming Dr. Campbell who is on special assignment advising the health responders dealing with a new threat: a pure form of the drug fentanyl that has added to the crisis.

Meanwhile, a young boy with special needs and a young couple become integral to the intriguing outcome of Andy’s investigation.

About the Author:
Mystery and Historical Fiction Author Richard Whitten Barnes
is a native Chicagoan, who graduated as a chemist from Michigan State University. He retired from a long career in international chemical sales and marketing, which took him all over the world. Barnes is a veteran of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division and an avid sailor. He, his wife Marg, and their dog Sparty live in Charlotte, NC, but spend summers at their cottage on St. Joseph Island, Ontario, on the shores of Lake Huron. Steel Town is his eleventh book.

Reviews:
I have never read any of Richard Whitten Barnes novels before. Steel Town, an Andy Blake mystery is a real cracker. You know a good book when you can’t put it down until the end. This is a novel where the reader definitely doesn’t hit pain barrier at page three.

Like all good detective novels the ending has a real twist in the tail but I’m not telling. That would spoil the surprise.

The main character Andria (Andy) Blake is very real, three-dimension character. It’s also good to see a female character given centre stage.

Urban the principal bad guy, Joey, his autistic son and Maryland Eddie also are also believable characters. Dealt a bad deal in life they both helped one another to climb out a pit of despair, helped by Joey’s sudden appearance in their lives.This is a nice sub-plot.
Good read 5 Stars. - Review by Andrew R Williams, Author of Arcadia’s Children: Samantha’s Revenge & Arcadia’s Children 2: The Fyfield Plantation

~*~

An engaging story line with plenty of unexpected twists and one final surprise I never saw coming. The characters were well drawn and compelling, and while it took me awhile to get into the story at the beginning, as it unfolded, I found myself turning pages long into the night, needing to know what happened next. An intriguing plot and a satisfying ending. I enjoyed the detectives, Andy Blake and her partner Arnold Terry and hope to see more of their adventures in the future.
Skye Taylor, Award winning author of the Camerons of Tide's Way series and The Candidate.

Author Interview with Sherri Fulmer Moorer

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Author of Blurry
Author's Home Page
Author's Amazon page

Why did you start fiction writing and what genre(s) do you like to write?
I’ve always enjoyed writing, and fiction is a great, entertaining outlet. It gives you flexibility and freedom to create characters and plots that drive themes that go from entertainment to real-life application. I love reading, and understand that a good novel that speaks to your soul is powerful. The genres’ I write in now are science fiction and mystery/suspense. Blurry, my Wings novel, is a young adult murder mystery reminiscent of the teen mysteries of the early to mid-90’s.

Why this/these genre(s)? What attracts you to them?
Mystery/suspense delves into the mystique of the human soul, and science fiction looks forward to future issues that you see with potential to develop into larger concerns. Both engage the imagination to spin out the countless “what if” scenarios that life offers us all the time. Sure, things work out in mundane ways in the end, but you never know what seemingly ordinary thing will take a turn for the extraordinary, either now or in the future. Mystery/suspense and science fiction allow you to explore how small things can turn into big, life changing events that alter the character and the world forever.

Generally speaking, what is the driving force behind your characters?
It depends on which novel we’re discussing. In Blurry, the driving force for Rachel, the protagonist, is preparing for the future. She’s a high school senior set up for a full ride to college, and doesn’t want anything to stand in her way. Her problem is that she’s so focused on the future that she isn’t fully aware of the present. I remember suffering from the “ignoring the present for the sake of the future” phenomenon myself in high school, and it came back to me when my husband and I were building our home in 2007. I found myself falling into the “it will all be ok once this house is done and we’re moved in!” I saw those same thinking patterns unfold, and even had flashback dreams of high school during that time! It was a lesson for me to enjoy the present while I prepare for the future. Yes, planning is important, but living happens through each present moment. Both the lesson and the flashback dreams were the spark that turned into Blurry.

Have any of your characters changed in dramatic way from what you imagined at the start during the writing process?
They always do. I killed off one character in Blurry that I didn’t intend to, and it was a struggle for me. I had a three-day mental battle over how to save this character, but I realized there was no way for the plot to move forward unless the villain caught them. Ironically, that death changed things for the entire novel, as it affected events and relationships in ways I didn’t anticipate. For example, Rachel grew closer to two characters that I intended as secondary figures, and further away from another one I thought would remain a great friend through the novel. That death also forced her to come to terms with things faster than I projected in my initial outlines. It did propel the story forward in a wonderful way. It’s just a shame that character died.

What do you find the most difficult in finishing a story and approximately how long does it take for you to write a story?
The most difficult part of the story is always the middle. I’ve published 12 full-length novels, and that “middle sag” is a constant problem. I know how to start the story and how I want it to end, but those unexpected character and plot developments that tend to pop up as I write always wreck the outline and cause me to have to replan the entire middle of the novel! In one way it’s frustrating, because the plan never works as I expect. In another way, it’s exciting to see the characters take control and steer the plot in ways that are usually better than I planned. I learned that you can’t get too attached with those early outlines, because better ideas usually develop along the way.

Are there other types of writing you do such as non-fiction, or short fiction?
I started as an inspirational writer, but moved away from that because it didn’t sell and opportunities are limited if you aren’t a pastor or a mental health professional. Right now, the only non-fiction writing I do is for The Roost, which is a blog for bird owners/lovers about my life with my two parrots. I also enjoy writing long stories, novellas, and short stories. Ironically, writing these shorter works is more difficult for me, because I gravitate toward more complex plots! I keep working at them because they’re fun, and I feel it’s important to develop my skills in writing shorter works. I’ve published eight short ebooks, and two short story ebooks.

Has your writing affected you in any way and what would you recommend to someone wanting to start writing fiction?
Writing has affected me in every way, because it determines how I perceive the world. Being a writer tends to open your eyes wider so you see more of a “big picture” than the “here and now” that most people see in rushing through their day. The imagination can spin things into more complex webs than most others see. It’s also therapeutic, because writers tend to take their personal issues to their characters and plots, and let them work out alternate meanings through parallel realities. For example, I wrote the five novels in my recently published Earthside Box Set during a prolonged, difficult life season while I struggled with a lot of change and difficult circumstances. Writing the books in that set helped me work through many personal issues. It also brought me to peace with many discoveries that I might not have made yet if I hadn’t been forced to explore them through the different perspective of my characters and the situations they faced.

My recommendation to anybody who wants to write fiction is to realize that you aren’t just writing a novel; you’re re-writing your perspective on life. You will see things differently. You will experience things differently than the people around you. Sometimes this will be a gift, and other times it will be a frustration because you’ll feel isolated and alone. But you really aren’t, because people and real life are your inspiration. Your relationships and the circumstances of day to day life will feed your muse and come back out in your writing in creative and wonderful worlds that most people can’t imagine unless you write and publish it. So go for it. Be patient. Be kind to others. Love people, love life, and appreciate your experiences (good and bad). Most of all realize that writing, just like life, is special because it’s made of the good, the bad, the strange, the miracles, the victories, the defeats, the mysterious, and the unknown – and that’s what makes them so special.

Enter Amazon giveaway for "New Horizons"

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Embry) — Thu, 30 May 2019 15:48:00 +0000

Here's an opportunity to win an ebook of "New Horizons," the third book in the John Ross Boomer Lit series by Michael Embry.

Unfortunately, the contest is open only to those who live in the United States. This is Amazon's contest rule.

Click here to enter. There are no strings attached. Easy as pie.

The series follows the life journey of baby boomers John Ross and his wife, Sally; in "New Horizons" they travel to Budapest on a guided tour. It turns into a topsy-turvy trip in many ways. They also must contend with what is happening back home.

We hope you'll let others know about the giveaway, so please share with other readers. And be sure to check out other books by our fabulous Wings ePress authors.

Good luck!

More About All The Pretty Little Collies

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Wed, 29 May 2019 20:33:00 +0000

The discovery of poisoned meat on the horse farm of her friend and neighbor, Sue Appleton, is only the beginning of the reign of terror that strikes Foxglove Corners one summer. It seems that anyone owning a collie is a target of the mysterious poisoner who proves impossible to track. While this is going on, a young girl who has a beautiful blue merle collie named Sparkle to show receives messages warning her to withdraw her dog from all competition or risk losing her. Jennet vows to help Sparkle's owner and to find and stop the person who is terrorizing Foxglove Corners' collie owners. But can she do the seemingly impossible?

Givers and Takers

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Wed, 22 May 2019 04:00:00 +0000

By Dr. Richard A. Berjian

Givers and Takers draws the reader into the lives of Ani Sarkissian and Haig Sarian, surviving descendants of the 1915 Armenian Genocide in Turkey during WWI. A multi-generational love story spanning several continents, it finally unfolds to present day Manhattan and the life of their son, Dr. Raffi Sarkissian.

Richard Berjian has practiced medicine in both community and academic medical centers. He served as senior research cancer surgeon at Roswell Park Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, and also held the post of Chairman, Department of Surgery at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Osteopathic Medicine. Givers and Takers is his third published novel. He resides in Stuart, Florida with his wife, and besides writing and golf, he is actively engaged in a research project.

What They Are Saying About Givers and Takers:

Doctor Richard Berjian is an immensely talented writer who brings real issues to the page by drawing me in with characters I want to grab a coffee with and talk until dawn--which is what happens when I'm reading one of his books. In Givers and Takers, Ani is an amazing mother willing to do anything so that Raffi can have a better life in America, and Dr. Raffi Sarkissian is a wonderfully torn hero. The Armenian Genocide is not an easy topic, but the author handles it with such care. Well done! —Traci Hall, USA Today bestselling author

Givers and Takers is a fascinating read, written by Doctor Richard Berjian. The Armenian Genocide is a heartbreaking subject, but handled beautifully by this talented author. Wonderful characters and a great story! —Patrice Wilton, New York Times bestselling autho

An Interview with Agnes Alexander

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Sun, 19 May 2019 17:11:00 +0000

Author's Website

Why did you start writing fiction and what genre(s) do you write?

I think my fiction writing career started when I was a little girl. I was the oldest of 3 children and I spent a lot of time making up stories for my younger brother and sister. I grew up, married and had one daughter. All the time I was writing this and that, but it stayed in a desk drawer. When she started school, I went to college. One of the professors encouraged me to send some of my writings for publication. I finally didand some of them sold. I wrote 3 children’s activity books that sold, but I knew that was not what I wanted to write.

Circumstances forced me back into public work and I worked as a Human Resource Manager. The years passed and I wrote and sold hundreds of articles, short stories and a specials for the local newspaper. The books I wrote stayed in the desk drawer. When I quit work to take care of my terminally ill mother, I began writing a mystery novel. It was published in 2003. I then began to write romantic suspense. In 2010 I decided to write what I most like to read, the western historical romance. I decided to write each book based on the alphabet. I would title them with a woman’s name and one other word. I also decided to jump around in the ABCs. My first book in this series was FIONA’S JOURNEY. Twenty-one of these have been published and the other five are under contract or are nearing completion. NELDA’S HOMECOMING will be out from Wings this summer. This is my favorite genre to write, though I occasionally get an idea for a romantic suspense and will write it. In total, I have 47 published books.

Books with Wings ePress

Why this/those genre(s)? What attracts you to them?

I love history, especially the history of the US and the way it was settled. It took people with grit to forge their way West and carve out a nation in the wilderness. I couldn’t do it, but I admire their pluck and courage. I also think the Native Americans were not treated fairly in many cases, and I include one or more of these brave people in many of my books. Generally speaking, what is the driving force behind your characters? Have any of your characters changed in a drastic way from what you imagined at the start of the writing process?

Unless it is in the plot for them to change, my characters stay true to themselves. I’m not saying they don’t grow because they do. My heroin may be a spoiled, haughty socialite or a hard-hearted woman who doesn’t believe things could be better in the beginning of the story, but circumstances force her to become a caring person. Or my hero may be a loner, set in his way and stubborn who wants nothing to do with ‘a good woman’ because one has let him down in the past. Yet deep down he’s a good man who only needs the circumstances he faces to show him who he really is.

What do you find most difficult in writing you book, and how long does it take to write a story?

I don’t have a lot of difficulty in writing my books. Before I start to write, I spend a long time thinking about my main characters. When I start writing, I know these folks as well as I know members of my family. I know how they will react to a situation and what they will say and how they say it. It sounds crazy to anyone who doesn’t write, but do sometimes surprise me. As real people, they will occasionally come up with something I haven’t thought about. The time it takes to write a book varies. On average I usually have 3 to 4 books published a year. Since I write on more than one book a time, if I were to separate out the time I spend on one book, I’d say it takes 3 to 4 months to write one, edit it and get it ready to publish.

Are there other types of writing you do, such as non-fiction or short fiction?

Other than writing an occasional guest blog, a thank you note or a grocery list, I only write fiction. I will delve into a short-story occasionally, but not often. It takes me almost as long to write a shorter piece as it does to write a book, so I prefer the longer manuscripts.

Has your writing affected you in anyway and what would you recommend to anyone wanting to start writing fiction?

My writing has always been a part of me, therefore I assume it opens me to the life that has gone before me or life as it is happening now. It has always been in my nature to write, and I think it affects me in the way anyone’s profession does them. A teacher, teaches. A preacher, preaches. A sports figure plays his/her game. A writer, writes. And on and on.

For those who want to write fiction, I would tell you don’t do it because you want to, but do it because you have to. If you feel you must write, then sit down and do it. It could happen, but don’t expect your first efforts to be perfect. Though there are a few stories of books such as the Harry Potter series that made a fortune, don’t expect to get rich writing. It would be easier to win the lottery. On the other hand, you will have the satisfaction of doing what you feel you have to do. Practical advice: Take a writing class taught by a writer. Join writing groups that support you and your efforts. Join national groups and seek out other writers. You will find writers to be a giving and helpful group of people.

New Horizons

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Wed, 15 May 2019 04:00:00 +0000

By Michael Embry

Third story in the John Ross Boomer Lit. Boomer Lit is generally written by and about those born between 1946-1964, the baby boomer generation, and features mature characters dealing with the various issues they faced during their lifetime.

John and Sally Ross’ vacation to Budapest turns out to be more than they bargained for as they encounter unexpected problems in discovering new horizons in their retirement.

An excerpt:

“I'm so excited about this trip,” Sally said, looking in the vanity mirror on the visor and touching up her cherry-red lipstick. “Budapest should be fun. It's the heart of Europe and a new adventure for us.”

“If you say so.”

“Oh, John, stop being that way.” Her brows furrowed. “You sound like a grumpy old man.”

A wry smile crossed John’s face. “Maybe I am a grumpy old man.”

“Try to be positive.”

John glanced at her. “I'll try.”

“We’ll be back before you know it and you’ll probably complain about that.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Admit it…you don’t like all the drama with Brody and Mother.”

“You don’t either.”

“That’s why I’m looking forward to getting away for a week and a half. You make it sound like we’ll be gone forever. You should be thankful the travel agency allowed us to split your retirement gift rather than take the whole twenty-one days.”

John shrugged. “You’re right. It’s just the idea of being out of control of things going on back here.”

“Just let go and relax.” Sally beamed. “New horizons for us.”

“You sure like that phrase ‘new horizons.’”

“Because it’s part of growing and exploring new things in our lives. You always complained about not wanting to be one of those folks who sit around in a rocking chair all day watching TV.”

“Point taken.”

Sally leaned over and pecked his cheek, leaving a faint red imprint she wiped away with her thumb.

* * *

Michael Embry is the author of thirteen books including nine novels, three nonfiction sports books, and a short-story collection. He spent more than thirty years in the news media, working as a reporter, sports writer, and editor for two newspapers, a national news service, and a regional magazine as well as a book editor.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, he is listed in Who’s Who in America. Embry lives in Frankfort, Kentucky, with his wife, Mary, and two rescue dogs, Bailey and Belle. Among his interests are travel, hiking, writing, reading, music, and family activities, especially those involving his four granddaughters—Lily, Lola, Ellie Cate, and Olivia.

What They Are Saying About New Horizons

This novel has such a realistic feel to it. It’s not of the thriller genre, but I found myself turning those pages, wanting to know what was going to happen next. Even when John and Sally (Ross) return to America from their exciting trip, the suspense is still on, and problems are there to be overcome. These characters handle the difficulties with grace and are to be admired. The issues they tackle are important as well, and the process is entertaining to read about. —Lara MacGregor, Author of The Secret Mask of Truth and The 12th Kiss

For retired baby boomers John and Sally Ross, following through on a wish to experience “new horizons” means a vacation in the beautiful city of Budapest. Complications arise when they must manage their fun time against the demands of a possessive and boorish couple seeking friendship. That, and continuing family complications back home, make this getaway a little less than ideal. Author Michael Embry leaves us both laughing and crying with his flawed but recognizable characters. —Steve Flairty, Author, columnist, and Kentucky Monthly reviewer

“The best Michael Embry yet. New Horizons continues the John Ross Boomer Lit saga as John and Sally Ross go on a whirlwind tour of Budapest. In New Horizons, his latest novel, Embry honestly addresses many of the issues so many boomers face today—adult children who need help, parents who need us more than we need them, drugs, memory loss, and a longing for a simpler, better America. Honest, accessible writing that keeps you turning the pages.” —Chris Helvey, Author of Snapshot

All the Pretty Little Collies

noreply@blogger.com (Rhobin) — Wed, 08 May 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Now Available!

Twenty-seventh story in The Foxglove Corners Series

Spring brings danger to the collies of Foxglove Corners when poisoned meat begins to appear in their yards. Another collie is threatened with dire consequences unless her owner withdraws her from all future shows. In the meantime, a ghost moves into the wildflower field planted at the site of the burned down Victorian house on Huron Court.

Dorothy Bodoin lives in Royal Oak, Michigan, with her blue merle collie, Layla. Dorothy worked as a secretary for Chrysler Missile Corporation for six years, two of which were spent in Italy. On returning to the states, she attended Oakland University, earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English literature. For several years she taught English in a Michigan high school before leaving education to write full-time. She is the author of the Foxglove Corners Cozy Mystery series, six novels of romantic suspense, and one Gothic romance.

What They Are Saying About All the Pretty Little Collies:

All the Pretty Little Collies is the twenty-seventh installment in Dorothy Bodoin’s Foxglove Corners Mystery Series. Filled with surprises, twists, and turns, it is another winner that will keep you riveted until the last page.

The book begins with Jennet Ferguson, an amateur sleuth/teacher, visiting a friend’s horse ranch to take her turn caring for her friend’s collies. The dogs discover a slab of raw meat tossed into the grass. Alarmed, Jennet manages to grab the meat before the dogs touch it. Worried, she has it tested by her deputy sheriff husband and discovers that it’s been poisoned. Who could be trying to kill dogs in Foxglove Corners?

Heightening the suspense, Jennet learns that her friend, Annica, has seen a ghost, a young girl picking wild flowers on the site where a pink Victorian house once stood. Intrigued, she investigates the phenomenon.

As if that isn’t enough to keep Jennet busy, she learns that Minta Maynard, owner of a prize-winning blue-merle show dog named Sparkle, is receiving threatening messages in her mailbox. If Minta continues to show Sparkle, the collie will be harmed.

Readers will be perched on the edge of their chairs wondering how these storylines will be resolved. I highly recommend this new addition to the Foxglove Corners Mystery Series.
It is exciting to note that the collie on the cover of this new book is the author’s own blue merle collie, Fantasy’s Bell Bottom Blue—Layla. —Suzanne M. Hurley, Author of The Christmas Rose, The Dream Smasher and many others.