Monthly Archives: September 2014
PAMELA NICOLE: MY GOAL IS TO REACH PEOPLE AND TO CHANGE THEIR LIVES
Pamela Nicole is the next young writer, who will be our guest. Her first published book in Amazon is 18-page essay Fit in or Fit out: That is the question. Let me introduce to you Pamela Nicole:
– Pamela, What is your last book Fit in or Fit out: That is the question about?
– The essay is about how, in the highschool years, most people lose themselves. I’d like to think we’re smarter than that. But we aren’t, so at least, we should be aware of what’s happening. Essentially, I talk about three things there: Self-Esteem, Labels, and The Lost of Identity. Those are the things I noticed the most around me when I was writing the work. More than informative, I think it’s a call to action for everyone, both teenagers, and adults.
– How you decide to write the story?
– Since this one is my first work of non fiction, it had a different approach than the one I’m used to. But I had to do it. It was a project for school. During that time, I was a bit resentful to my friends, because some, were letting the lure of popularity, get to their heads. I just didn’t get it. I felt weird. I did understand the attractive, but… I knew if I tried, it’d be ridiculous. So, I had all these words in my head. All those things I wanted to yell and make them understand they were awesome just the way they were.
Then, the opportunity presented, and I thought, “Yeah, why not? I’m already working on a novel, but this might be fun too.” I told my teacher the topic I’d chosen and he gave me that look of “As long as it isn’t about Global Warming.” That’s how this essay was born.
– What was the biggest challenge during the write up process?
– I think that mainly, it was organizing all what I wanted to say. Like I said before, it was for school, so I had to follow certain guidelines. It had to have that Outline page. So, I was forced from the beginning to plan what I was going to write. I consider myself a pantser, so you can guess it wasn’t easy. I had to cram everything in my head into a simplified structure of three main arguments and two supporting ones for each. That was all.
– Tell us something more about your main character? Is it close to someone from your real life?
– How much time you need to finish the story and to publish it?
– For this one, it took like six months from finishing, to publishing it. The first version of it took me two weeks, but then, when I decided I’d release it into the world, I added some things, and edited others.
– What about your previous book Foul Fairness?
– Oh, that one. Yikes. Foul Fairness is a novel, originally titled ‘Opal’. It was about a girl, Sam, whose sister, had committed a crime a long, long time ago. Because of that, her life was now in danger. Sam and her friends’ task was to dig into the past and prove Sam’s sister’s innocence.
I started writing the first draft in 2009, and finished it 2012. Currently, it’s retreated to a corner of my desk, waiting patiently until I recycle its ideas. It does have an interesting plotline, but I felt the characters just weren’t engaging enough. I don’t think Foul Fairness will be on sale again, but you will find the same plot line (Really excited about it), in the novel I’m working on now, called ‘Phoenix’, which is the prequel of ‘Wonderland in Flames’.
– Who are you?
– I’m a full time roleplayer. I cannot stop replying even for a day. I’m an International Business student, a daughter, a sister and a friend. My most important goal is to through what I write, be it non fiction or my beloved genre YA, reach people and that change their lives for the better – even if it’s just a little bit – like books from other authors have done for me.
– What are your writing habits?
– I try to write everyday. Seriously, I try. But I must admit I’m lacking two things: A solid schedule, and the will to let go of the internet. I write whenever I have the time, and the will to. A headache usually warns me when if I write, I’ll just spew a lot of nonsense. I also write in notebooks, since I can’t have the computer all the time. Notebooks help me get ideas, and just keep me creative. Then, when I get to the computer, I know more or less what I’m expecting. I listen to music very rarely while writing; only when it’s something very action-packed, or very sad, or very happy. Mostly, I listen to music to inspire myself, when I’m in the car, shopping or eating. It helps me visualize scenes.
– Are you satisfied by the sales of the book and do you plan another one?
– Well, I have to say I’m happy anyone at all is reading it. I’m technically a newbie, so I didn’t expect a super high traffic and readers falling over themselves to buy the book. So, I am happy. It means it’s not only me (or my family) that are interested in this topic. And as for another one… I don’t think I’ll be writing another essay soon. But I am planning on finishing a memoir next year, and also my fiction series: Wonderland in Flames.
– What are you doing to promote by the best possible way your book?
– Mostly, using Twitter, and connecting with other writers. It’s a fun way to network, and market at the same time. I also have recently created a blog. And, I plan on popping out on other blogs as well. 🙂 I’m considering Fit In or Fit Out as my little guinea pig. I’m experimenting with what works and what doesn’t when it comes to promoting a product. Hopefully, I’ll learn from this and start getting familiarized with the ways of the publishing industry.
– Which are the Top 3 most interesting things to see in Ecuador?
– Oh, my small, lovely corner of the world. For anyone who is planning to visit, I’d point them directly to the Galapagos. Those are a must see, definitely. Second, probably it’d be the city of Cuenca. There are a lot of hand-made products there and the people is really warm and happy to receive tourists. And lastly, I’d say the beaches. I’d recommend, Salinas, Atacames, and if you like to party, Montañita. Of course, those are where the hotels and restaurants are, but there are plenty of deserted ones where you own the place.
– You are young author, what are the things that you need to learn in order to improve as an writer?
– I need to learn to ignore distractions. I know I’d be more productive and would have finished at least two novels by now if I let the tv series and the internet alone for a while.
– If you may ask yourself one question in the interview what it will be? (Don’t forget to answer)
– Huh, that’d be: Have you ever considered giving up or think it may happen in the future?
And the answer is yes, and no. I’ve considered closing the book file, closing the windows, and then shutting off the computer to go watch TV or something. But, I can’t. I just can’t picture myself doing anything else. If I’m not successful now, well, shoot! But, I certainly won’t get anywhere if I quit now. I mean, I want to see my stubborn, opinionated Blaze in the big screen someday. I want to hear someone say. “Yeah, who cares about what the rest thinks? I’m gonna be myself, screw the rest.” *coughs* Hey, one can dream. I know this is the ultimate writer’s dream. But, it’s true. It gives me something to hold on to. So I’ll keep trying. I’ll be here, learning.
Check out more about Pamela at her web page
Take a look at her book
DOMINO FINN: I DON’T NEED TO NOURISH MY MUSE
Do you love Ghostbusters movie? Well, our next author Domino Finn reminds us about the funny guys, who were in hunt for ghosts. His book Shade City: The Dead Side Blues is something fresh in the contemporary fantasy genre. Check it more about it in the following interview.
– What is your book Shade City: The Dead Side Blues about?
– It’s about a ghost hunter, named Dante Butcher, in LA. He’s an irreverent urban fantasy misfit who gives readers an outsider’s inside-perspective of a shadowy Los Angeles. He’s a party guy who goes out to clubs on the weekends, but he can feel things that no one else can. He knows when people are possessed. He kind of doesn’t have any goals in life, but he has strong feelings about right and wrong, and he decides to do something about it. That’s what Shade City is about: a guy hunting shades in the city.
– How did you decide to write the story?
– The idea of being in a bar or a club, this location where everybody is being reckless and having fun, yet having something important to do, really appealed to me. And personally, I have a lot of experience going out in Los Angeles and have a real affinity for the nightlife. I heavily feature real locations and history snippets in the novel. You could say that Shade City is my homage to LA.
– What was the biggest challenge during the writing process?
– I wanted Dante to be a real guy, not just a standard character archetype that everybody loves. He’s not a knight in shining armor. He has his faults. He’s a dick sometimes. But at the end of the day, when it’s time to pick sides, he’s someone you want on your team. It was challenging making sure that Dante was sympathetic enough to engage readers and convince them to hang on with him.
– Tell us something more about your main character? Is it close to someone from your real life?
– It’s funny, because Shade City isn’t my first novel, but it rings very true for me because, in a lot of ways, Dante’s experiences are based on mine. We were both born in Miami and moved to Los Angeles. He’s an exaggerated extension of my character and imagination. I think any great urban fantasy needs to have a larger-than-life character to balance the mystery of the city.
– How much time did you need to finish the story and publish it?
– I’m writing full time, and I really got into the swing of things with Shade City. Besides working through the idea and some of the scenes for more than a year, the actual writing process before I sent it to my editor was 6 months.
– What about your first book The Seventh Sons of Sycamore?
– The Seventh Sons was more difficult to write in a lot of ways. It’s third person, has multiple POV characters, and focuses on subjects that required a lot of research: homicide detective work, biker clubs, various branches of the federal government, and serial killers. I’m currently editing the sequel, The Blood of Brothers, and it’s almost twice as long. Anyone who likes detective mysteries, werewolves, and general spookiness should check them out.
– Who are you?
– A rebel. A writer. A malcontent. I’m an author who grew up in a generation of entertainment. TV, movies, video games, tabletop games- pop culture has really led me down my path. I worked as a programmer in the video game industry for 10 years, but to be honest, creating worlds on my terms is much more fulfilling. Through my stories, I think it’s obvious that I want to burn down overused ideas. Story structure, character arcs, ideas about romance and morality- I think there’s a desire for fresh takes on all of them.
– What are your writing habits?
– Simply put, it’s a routine. I don’t need to nourish my muse or find inspiration. Motivation is completely removed from the equation. I know that I have a block of a few hours here or there, every weekday, to write. So I sit down and do it.
– Are you satisfied by the sales of the book and do you plan another one?
– Is anyone ever satisfied? As of my writing this, I haven’t even been self-publishing for 6 months, so I’m still the new author on the block. My sales aren’t bringing in bags of cash yet, but initial success is about establishing yourself as a brand and getting readers to trust you. Part of that is building a backlist. Besides the sequel that will be released in the fall, I have two more books planned ahead.
– What are you doing to best promote your book?
– I’ve used some of the smaller ad services for book launches, along with sale prices, but nothing too involved yet. My biggest priority is to create a professional brand and backlist. Then, when I can prove that I have a lot to offer my fans, I’ll look into Bookbub.
– If you may ask yourself one question in the interview what it will be? (Don’t forget to answer)
– I guess I would ask, as an author, what am I trying to do different? And I would say that I write grown-up fantasy. Not just because it’s gritty and edgy. Not just because of the alcohol and drug use. It has more to do with respecting the reader and not leaning on tired tropes like saving the world. It’s okay to deal with mature issues in a ghost story. It’s okay to take fantasy seriously. That’s my main message.
– Tell us about your work in the video game industry?
– It was great. Programming can be a very creative endeavor. In a game studio, you are surrounded by so much talent: artists, designers, audio engineers. It’s fast-paced and you always need to be learning something or you’re falling behind. I programmed a lot of the main heroes, weapons, and game mechanics. I took part in design meetings and story discussions. I ended up managing a team of programmers and designers. I loved it, but I needed to stretch my wings a little and get out of the office.
– You mentioned that trouble is your inspiration. May you give some examples?
– Heh, certainly. Trouble is, by its very nature, a provoking business. It’s scary. It’s exciting. It’s fun after the fact, but maybe not so much while it’s happening. When I was younger, roaming the streets of Miami, me and my friends were pretty brash and ended up in fights a lot. I never started them, but I would inevitably be sucker-punched or drawn into an argument because of a careless friend or lucky pool shot. So there’s some of that mentality in Dante Butcher.
– Why is fantasy so popular for readers?
– The contemporary fantasy I write, I think, has very obvious appeal. It’s the real world that we live in, with all its dreariness, but there’s a spark of something magical and different. Just the idea of raising the stakes of normal situations and unlocking completely new experiences stirs something in the soul. Like my old days in Miami, it’s trouble, only in the pages of a book.
– What is the story behind your name Domino?
– It’s funny, because Domino is more than just a brand. It means a lot to me. As tired as the line goes, I’ve always worked hard and played harder. Writing code for hours on end and then going out drinking until dawn sticks with a person. I’ve always appreciated the symbolism of a domino. Their dual nature. Black and white. Two numbers. Two sides: exposed and hidden. It says a lot about me as a person. And http://DominoFinn.com wasn’t taken yet.
Check out more about Domino at his web page
Take a look at his books
The Seventh Sons Of Sycamore: A Paranormal Mystery
Shade City: The Dead Side Blues
EDEN BUTLER: I HAVE TO HAVE A DEADLINE TO KEEP ME DISCIPLINED
Eden Butler is a rugby fan, pirate’s successor and a very good writer. Recently she published her book Thin Love. Let’s hear from the author everything about the romance novel.
– What is your last book Thin Love about?
– THIN LOVE is about two young college students, Keira and Kona who are from very different worlds. It’s a story about first loves, betrayal and that one true love that doesn’t ever die. It’s about violence and toxic love and tries to explore the concept of this types of relationships and if they can ever be healthy.
– How you decide to write the story?
– The “reunion” scene, where Keira and Kona see each other again after sixteen years has been playing like a loop in my mind for a few years. I wanted to know these characters and their histories and what gave them pause to stare at each other across a crowd.
– What was the biggest challenge during the write up process?
– I’m horrible about turning off my “self editor” rather than simply sitting down to write. I’m constantly going back and rewriting, which, with this novel, made it difficult to hit my deadline.
– Tell us something more about your main character? Is it close to someone from your real life?
– There are a lot of similarities to people I’ve known and situations/conversations I’ve been in as a kid. It’s definitely not true to life, but there is a similarity to my past persona experience.
– How much time you need to finish the story and to publish it?
– Usually, depending on the story, at least a few months. I go through several drafts before it’s ready for my editor and then there is another three weeks or so after that before I’m ready to hit publish.
– What about your other works from Seeking Serenity series?
– CHASING SERENITY, BEHIND THE PITCH and FINDING SERENITY. In October/November, I’m hoping to release the third Serenity novel, CLAIMING SERENITY. There will be one more after that and then a novella.
– Who are you?
– Writer, mother, wife, goofball, Geek, hopeless romantic, unabashed dreamer.
– What are your writing habits?
– I procrastinate for a while, then I read a lot, then I finally sit down and write. I have to have a deadline to keep me disciplined enough to write.
– Are you satisfied by the sales of the book and do you plan another one?
– Yes, absolutely. I’ve been very, very blessed.
– What are you doing to promote by the best possible way your book?
– I have a street team and am very active of social media. I also participate in blog tours and promote my work and other books that I love as much as possible.
– You are working as an editor. What are the most common mistakes that the authors are doing?
– Telling, not showing. Most folks think that writing isn’t all that difficult. It’s very difficult. It’s the most difficult job I’ve ever had. There are also a lot of people who like the idea of being an author and doing promotion, marketing for their work, going to cons and signings that do not put a lot of effort into the craft of writing. For me, the story comes first and if you don’t believe that, if you don’t do whatever you can to strengthen your writing chops, then you aren’t a writer…you’re a PR person.
– How much an editor may influence on the final quality of a book?
– My editor? Well, I couldn’t publish a thing without her help. She’s amazing and invaluable.
– You are a granddaughter of English pirate. How do you understand that fact and what you know about your grand…grand…grandfather?
– I know very little about him but I’d love to learn more. What I have learned comes from geneology research. I do know he was born in the colonies in 1604, the year after his eighteen year old father landed here from England. I know that he was a pirate for a long while then retired and married a woman 38 years his junior.
– Do you remember the first time when you watched rugby match and how you became fan of the sport?
– Yes. Graduate school. We had a small rugby team and before my classes in the afternoon, I sit in my car and watch them practice. It was fabulous.
Find more about Eden Butler on her:
BLOG
Twitter
Check out her books
Thin Love
Chasing Serenity (Seeking Serenity Book 1)
Finding Serenity (Seeking Serenity Book 2)
Behind the Pitch, a novella: Seeking Serenity 1.5
STEPHEN TEMPLIN: I DUG DEEP INSIDE MYSELF
Our next guest Stephen Templin is a New York Times bestselling author with his SEAL Team Six series. The action packed books were written in a team with Howard E. Wasdin. Now Stephen is publishing his first self authored book Trident’s First Gleaming: A Special Operations Group Thriller. The novel will be officially released on September 9. I’ve got a great honor to present to you Mr. Templin:
– What is your last book Trident’s First Gleaming: A Special Operations Group Thriller about?
– Chris Paladin leaves SEAL Team Six to become a pastor, but CIA spook Hannah Andrade pulls him back into Special Operations Group, the ultra-secret unit that SEALs and others served under to eliminate bin Laden. Chris and Hannah are joined by Delta Force’s Sonny Cohen to stop a new terrorist threat from launching a deadly cyber-attack against the United States.
– How did you decide to write the story?
– Writing is a passion for me, almost a need. I wanted something different from what I’ve done before—better. So I dug deep inside myself to find out what that was.
– What was the biggest challenge during the write up process?
– The main character, Chris, was the most challenging part to write. The conflict between doing a pastor’s duties and a SEAL’s duties was difficult to capture on the page—but in the end, extremely rewarding.
– Tell us something more about your main character? Is it close to someone from your real life?
– Yes and no. Parts of him are close to me, but parts of him were inspired by Aramis, in The Three Musketeers. And subconsciously, I’m sure there is other inspiration for him. Finally, once I put him on the page, he took on a life of his own, and he’s no longer “mine.”
– How much time you need to finish the story and to publish it?
– I try to write 1,000 words/a day, so for a 75,000-word novel, that’s 75 working days. Then the same amount of time to edit, so 150 working days. But I also do interviews like this, talk with fans, and manage-lead the business side of writing (cover art, marketing, research, and so on). When working with a traditional publisher, that can add on another year or more to the process. When publishing independently, that process is much quicker. Trident’s First Gleaming comes out September 9th, and the sequel is planned for Spring 2015: From Russia Without Love. Also, I want to make sure that each book is better than the previous one.
– What are you doing to promote your book?
– I hang out on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads for fun, but when I’m putting out a new book, I let everyone know about it. My literary agency, Trident Media Group, has been a great promotional boost: cover reveal event, publication countdown event, blog tour, giveaways, advice and etcetera. Even so, the most important promotion is writing the next book.
– Tell us what are your most interesting memories from the Navy?
– So many, and some I’ve repeated, so this time I’d like to say the food. I first ate lobster, yakisoba, and lumpia while serving in the Navy. On occasion, we even had steak. Maybe others had a different experience, but I thought I was fed well.
– How an indie writer may become a bestselling author like you? Give us your personal Top 3 pieces of advice.
– Strongly believe you can finish writing your book. I meet a lot of “writers” who haven’t even finished a book. Create a social media presence for the primary purpose of fun. I’ve found Twitter to be a great way to meet new people. But I have more lengthy discussions on Facebook. Goodreads is nice because many of the people there are readers. Figure out who your audience is and what they want, and then match some of your passions with theirs in the next book. Find an excellent editor (they are not cheap, but they are necessary). When you launch your book, let your friends and fans know through social media.
If your first book is horror, understand that if you write science fiction in your second book, you’ll lose much of your horror audience and need to build your audience again from zero. Also, writing a compelling series seems to be an excellent strategy in today’s world. We’re seeing Hollywood shift towards series, too, for example, Breaking Bad.
Live well, and hope that some of your good karma will come back to you. Or just be lucky. Hang on to your regular job until it becomes clear that you can consistently support yourself through writing. I think all of the above is important for both traditionally published authors and indie authors.
Oops, that was more than 3 pieces of advice.
– I read in your interview that Vin Diesel bought the movie rights of Seal Team Six. When we will see the movie?
– Not sure. Vin Diesel has a lot on his plate already, and Hollywood can be unpredictable at times.
Check out more about Stephen in his web page
Look out the book of Mr. Templin
SEAL Team Six Outcasts
Seal Team Six: The incredible story of an elite sniper – and the special operations unit that killed Osama Bin Laden
Easy Day for the Dead: A SEAL Team Six Outcasts Novel
I Am a SEAL Team Six Warrior: Memoirs of an American Soldier
Outcasts: A SEAL Team Six Novel (Pocket Books Fiction)
Trident’s First Gleaming: A Special Operations Group Thriller
PATRICIA STEFFY: I LIKE LISTENING TO RAIN SOUNDS AS I WRITE
Patricia L. Steffy published her first book My Letter to Fear: Essays on Life, Love and the Search for Prince Charming. She is another debuting author, who has experience as a screenwriter. Currently Patricia is developing a web movie series that may become a huge hit one day. You may find more info, a trailer and many interesting answers in the interview below! Enjoy our next guest 🙂
– What is your last book My Letter to Fear: Essays on Life, Love and the Search for Prince Charming about?
– “My Letter to Fear: Essays on Life, Love and the Search for Prince Charming” is a collection of essays on a wide variety of topics, including aging, abuse, life expectations, addiction, relationships, body image and beauty myths. Much like life, some of the pieces are funny, some of them are sad and some of them are ridiculous. Hopefully, all of them are relatable in some way to readers.
– How you decide to write the story?
– I was going through a period of real change in my life. I had just quit my job of nearly 17 years, and I was really taking stock of my life. That included looking at the differences between the expectations I had for my life when I was a teenager versus what my adult reality turned out to be. Those ponderings became the first set of essays that I wrote. Then I began interviewing women — friends, friends of friends (and so on) about the issues they were facing (career, romance, relationships generally, aging, etc). Those interviews and my own perspective on them drove the writing process.
– What was the biggest challenge during the write up process?
– I wanted every piece, whether it was a funny one about anal bleaching or a serious one about someone’s breakdown, to be emotionally honest. That meant getting to a place mentally each day that would allow me to express what I needed to without the usual filters we put on ourselves. That was difficult for me.
– Tell us something more about your main character? Is it close to someone from your real life?
– Each of the stories is about a specific experience one of the interviewee’s (or I) had. In that respect, there is a different character in each piece, even though every story is reflected through me. Every story is true, although some of the names have been changed.
– How much time you need to finish the story and to publish it?
– That’s a little complicated to work out. I wrote the first 20 or so pieces over the course of a couple of months, and then it was workshopped during a charity benefit for the East Los Angeles Women’s Center. The work got great feedback from the actors and the audience, and that spurred me on to really consider turning it into something real, but that didn’t happen right away. I was a bit entangled in other commitments, but once I was free of those, I sat down and wrote another 35 or 40 pieces in a very short time—less than two months, I think. So, from start to publishing, it probably took two years, but the actual time spent writing it was less than four months.
– What about yours previous works?
– This is my first book. I’ve been writing a blog called “Dating in LA and Other Urban Myths” since 2006, and I’m a screenwriter. In fact, we’ve just shot a pilot for a web series that is based on the early writings of the blog. It stars Lesley Fera (Pretty Little Liars), Jen Lilley (Days of Our Lives), Kristoffer Polaha (Life Unexpected) and Tamara Taylor (Bones). We’re pursuing funding right now to film the entire first season. You can see a trailer for it here: https://vimeo.com/77469627
– Who are you?
– How long do you have? Kidding! I’m a writer, producer and wanderer. I attended Kenyon College and American University, and I’m a refuge from the corporate world. On any given day you’ll find me writing about traveling in California, the trouble with relationships in Los Angeles and fictional business intrigue—and I love it all!
– What are your writing habits?
– I try to write every day, although I don’t always have the freedom to write creatively each day, and I’m trying to change that. I’m best in a quiet, dark room because I’m easily distracted. I like listening to classical/instrumental music or rain sounds as I write because I find that those pieces can get me focused and in a particular mood that is conducive to writing.
– Are you satisfied by the sales of the book and do you plan another one?
– I’m glad people are finding the book, but I will always want more people to read it. I find that once someone has read it, the conversations that flow from their reactions are fascinating. I like being the cause of that spark of debate, and I hope that the book finds a wider audience in order to keep those conversations growing.
– What are you doing to promote by the best possible way your book?
– I’m reaching out to bloggers in hopes that they will want to read the book, and share it with their readers, and sending it out for reviews to media. But the biggest thing we are doing to promote the book is actually coming up on September 20th in Los Angeles. We are doing a showcase reading of excerpts of the book. I’m so blessed because an incredible group of actresses has agreed to do the readings, and more are joining the show every day. Right now Nikki DeLoach (Awkward.), Lesley Fera (Pretty Little Liars), Jen Lilley (Days of Our Lives) and Julie McNiven (Supernatural) are set to join the fun, and we’ll be announcing additional cast members soon. Tickets are free, so if you know anyone who is interested and in Los Angeles, they can go here to get all the information and reserve seats: http://datingandothermyths.com/showcase/
– You worked in a law company. What was the most pleasant and the most awful parts of your work?
– I made great friends at the firm, and it provided a stability that I needed. The most difficult thing about working for a law firm—hmmm I probably shouldn’t say.
– Why you decide to escape from the corporate world?
– I needed to feel connected to the work I was doing. When you work crazy long hours, and you don’t feel connected to the work, and you don’t feel valued, life isn’t going to be very enjoyable. I decided that if I was going to work all day and night, I wanted it to be on something that had meaning to me.
– What are the key points to be successful movie producer?
– Organization! It is the single most useful skill I have. Also, if you have the ability to see the potential in a project, even if it is not quite on the page yet, you can help develop a good idea into a great one. I think the ability to network and bring in funding is also critical, but I’m still learning those skills.
Find out more about Patricia at her
Twitter
Don’t wait a minute, go and check
My Letter to Fear: Essays on Life, Love and the Search for Prince Charming
BAIBIN NIGHTHAWK: READERS ARE WARY WHEN UNKNOWN AUTHOR PUBLISHES THEIR FIRST BOOK
Baibin Nighthawk is just like me, a new author, who published his first novel. It was a common effort with another writer Dominick Fencer. Their novel Black Hawk Day Rewind reminds me with its title to the of one of my favorite movies Black Hawk Down. So I was very curious to know more about the book!
– What is your book Black Hawk Day Rewind about?
– Black Hawk Day Rewind is a techno spy thriller, the first episode of a trilogy.
– How did you decide to write the story?
– We are both fans of the spy-fi and thriller genres and, being business consultants, we spend many hours travelling from one client to another, and during these trips we began creating many characters and plots. I was already a writer, so one day we decided to write a spy thriller.
– You teamed up with Dominick Fencer to co-write the story. How did that work out?
– We complement each other quite well both as business partners and writers. I have a broad knowledge of history and Dominick has a strong science background.
– What was the biggest challenge during the write up process?
– We spend many, many hours gathering information because our stories are inspired by contemporary events.
– Tell us something more about your main character? Is it close to someone from your real life?
– Mark Savannah is the lead character who has outgrown his uses as a special agent. Mark lost his dad in this field of work and began to wrestle with his demons, his need for answers and revenge. He is a spy, lover and psychiatrist…an interesting fictional character who tries to confront his past and at the same time find happiness in life. So, no, he isn’t really close to any one person.
– How much time you need to finish the story and to publish it?
– About 12 months.
– You have won several poetry awards. Tell us more about your experience in the genre?
– Poetry is a literary genre not widely read or appreciated. Poetry depicts inner landscapes; simply you do not create it yourself, a poem comes like a flooded river and has to be short otherwise it bores even me. Unlike novels or short stories, I do not plan a poem and sometimes I do not perceive it clearly for months.
– Who are you?
– I am a writer, a Business Consultant, and a member of Art of Ink in America Society. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Certificate in Art (Teaching).
– What are your writing habits?
– I write at night in my studio.
– Are you satisfied by the sales of the book and do you plan another one?
– Readers are generally wary when an unknown author publishes their first book, and does not have a popular publisher behind that drives them, and this is understandable. The market offering is wide, there are many literary genres and many people attempt to act as an author without preparation, proposing works poorly written to the market. In our case, we have started to see the first good results; and since our editor likes the second episode of the trilogy, we are confident that the readers will love it, too. In fact, in addition to the last episode of the trilogy, we have a sci-fi project which we’re already working on.
– What are you doing to promote your book in the best way?
– Social Networks are very important for us. We are active on social media networks, forums, platforms such as GoodReads and Wattpad.
– How did you start to practice calligraphy and what kind of emotion does this demanding art give you?
– I started 12 years ago. Calligraphy was the first art of the literati and has been recognized as an art since the Eastern Han epoch (25-220). Calligraphy, which is monochrome painting, using black ink and various dilutions of water, transfers vital energy on to paper, the qi of what I intend to represent and write and also my inner energy, so the emotions of the moment are transferred onto the sheet in the characters and in the spaces, and if you make a mistake you can not correct the work. An emotion from a fleeting moment in time.
– What is the story of your pen name and what is your real one?
– My co-author and I have a passion for flying and we chose to use the names of two fighter aircraft. The pen name of Dominick, ‘Fencer’, is the nickname of a supersonic aircraft (the Sukhoi Su-24). Nighthawk is the name of a twin-engine stealth aircraft. I am a Swiss citizen, but we do not want to use our real names for reasons of confidentiality; we prefer to keep our passion for writing and our every day working lives separate.
You may add Nighthawk and Fencer’s twitter
Or browse their web page
Check out more about the book here
FIVE GREAT SPORTS BOOKS BY AIDAN WILLIAMS
It’s a great honor for me and the blog to have a guest today. The expert in Sports books Aidan Williams wrote a special post. He made a selection of five great sports books that were published recently. His opinion is very much respected around our readers/authors society. Aidan is author of Asia’s World Cup Story book. Check out below his choices!
I Think Therefore I Play by Andrea Pirlo
Elegant is the word that most readily springs to mind when thinking of Andrea Pirlo the player. In his autobiography, I Think Therefore I Play, he comes across as rather more quirky and occasionally even oddball than elegant. It’s no surprise to find that he has strong thoughts on how the game should be played and on various issues surrounding it.
Best of all are some of the highly quotable comments which litter this book. For example, when about to take his penalty kick in the 2006 World Cup Final shoot out for Italy against France he notes: “I lifted my eyes to the heavens and asked for help because if God exists, there’s no way he’s French.” Who couldn’t love a comment like that?
His relaxed approach is never summed up better than another insight into that momentous day in Berlin in 2006. “I don’t feel pressure; I don’t give a toss about it. I spent the afternoon of Sunday, July 9, 2006, in Berlin sleeping and playing the Playstation. In the evening, I went out and won the World Cup.”
These thoughts and insights into this enigmatic “silent leader” of Italian football are endlessly fun. It is a fairly short book, which is a shame, but it’s certainly an entertaining and worthwhile read.
Shocking Brazil: Six Games That Shook the World Cup by Fernando Duarte
Written ahead of the 2014 World Cup, this book by Brazilian journalist Fernando Duarte is even more appropriate given what occurred this summer. Duarte looks at various key defeats in Brazil’s footballing past, and the significant effects they had on the country and its football.
Given the disastrous semi final defeat to Germany this year it makes for quite an interesting read to see the fallout from other significant defeats such as the 1950 World Cup Final defeat to Uruguay, the 1982 loss to Italy, the 1990 loss to Argentina, the Ronaldo incident in 1998 and so on.
Duarte is a large than life enthusiast too, and that make his writing style endlessly engaging and well worth a look. Whether there needs to be an updated version to include a seventh seismic defeat is an interesting question, and would make for even more great reading.
The Final Whistle: The Great War in Fifteen Players by Stephen Cooper
In a year where books relating to the First World War are everywhere, this is a slightly different and sporting oriented approach to looking at that conflict and the terrible losses it caused. By limiting the focus to the players of one West London Rugby club, Rosslyn Park, the author brings the stories of sacrifice and bravery to life.
Each of the fifteen men focused on have their own written portraits painstakingly well researched by Cooper and written in a compelling and engaging style. Their strong links, forged through years as Rugby team mates and comrades but whose tales in the war bring a whole host of circumstances to the fore. As the author states ‘what emerges from the lives of these rugby men is a remarkable history in miniature of the entire war, across all fronts, theatres and engagements.’
This book has won all sorts of awards and deserves to be one of the best selling sports books of the year.
Land of Second Chances: The Impossible Rise of Rwanda’s Cycling Team by Tim Lewis
In contrast to the multitude of recent cycling books which are either lowing the trumpet of a particular cyclist or team, or are blowing the whistle on cycling’s murky recent past of doping and cheating, this makes for not only a refreshing change but a truly remarkable and warming story.
Essentially it is a focus on three individuals involved in one way or another in the rise of a Rwandan cycling team. No mention of Rwanda in recent years can be made without reference to the genocide of the early 1990s and this is no exception. The main focus being on Adrien Niyonshuti ensures that. Now an Olympic cycling hopeful, as a seven year old he lost his family to the genocide in 1994.
The other prime focuses are on two Americans who have had a more than significant role in the development of cycling in Rwanda, but other stories are brought in too. Again, the level of research and dedication involved is impressive and has made this a fascinating alternative to many of the other cycling titles available at the moment.
Fear and Loathing in La Liga: Barcelona vs Real Madrid by Sid Lowe
As described on the back cover, this book is “Messi vs Ronaldo, Catalonia vs Castilla. A nation against the state, freedom fighters vs Franco’s fascists. It’s more than a game. It’s a war.” It would be easy to fall short in living up to such an introduction but Sid Lowe, a British journalist covering the Spanish game, has produced a highly detailed in-depth analysis of the rivalry between the two great clubs of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
It is in part a look at the turbulent history of the two regions, and indeed much of the opening sections of the book look at the political and social histories rather than the sporting one, but this is essential background for understanding the significance of El Classico and the importance of each result.
But moving on from that aspect, there are also numerous testimonials from some of those whose impact on this fixture has been the greatest such as Alfredo Di Stefano and Johann Cruyff, as well as more contemporary examples. Written with the journalists eye for detail and skilled prose this is a fabulous look at arguably the two biggest clubs in the world and their heated rivalry.
To read more about Aidan Williams’ reviews check out his great web page The sports book review
Or follow him on twitter
Check out his book Asia’s World Cup Story
DOUGLAS R.: I WAS INSPIRED TO WRITE BECAUSE OF JEALOUSY
Douglas R. is our next young author, who recently published his second novel Horizon. He is from Tanzania and loves to write fiction. Let’s hear more for him and his works:
– What is your last book Horizon about?
– Horizon is about an Indian girl who escapes her mother at the airport, takes a separate plane and arrives in Delhi where she is captured by a secret organization who tell her that the world is ending and she is one of five Zartans-who are basically young individuals like herself who must travel back in time to the age of the dinosaurs to find the Matrix, the only thing that can prevent the apocalypse. They are accompanied by a secret army, blood thirsty dinosaurs and of course, new friends.
– What was the biggest challenge during the write up process?
– I don’t recall any big challenges in the writing process. It was all very enjoyable. It doesn’t feel like work. There’s a profound emotional connection I have during writing and getting to open yourself like that for me is actually being able to overcome life’s own challenges.
– Tell us something more about your main character? Is it close to someone from your real life?
– Not really. The main character in Horizon is Ivey Choi. I stole the name from a writer on wattpad I used to admire. But she never knew me. And oh, she had squinty eyes so I made the character have squinty eyes too.
– How much time you need to finish the story and to publish it?
– It wrote Horizon in six weeks. Then put it aside for months before working on publishing it. Publishing an ebook is five minutes work, the task is getting the book ready: cover designs, editing and all.
– What about your novel My Mom’s a Supermodel?
– It was an attempt for me to write a family comedy. It was a humorous experience and my friends loved it. It however still requires editing so I’ve taken it down.
– Who are you?
– I am a fiction author.
– What are your writing habits?
– A chapter a day works for me. But it’s not like that with every book. I adjust, depending on the kind of story I’m working on. I just want to get to the ending when I start writing a book and I can switch writing habits on the way. So that’s the only thing I’m focused on.
– Are you satisfied by the sales of the book and do you plan another one?
– I am always planning another book. I can’t help it. As for my current sales, I would like to see a happier sales chart that can smile back at me. So I’m working on a marketing plan.
– What are you doing to promote by the best possible way your book?
– Nothing now. Just preparing my marketing campaign that should solve the problem for me. I like to relax and let ideas do the work.
– You are from Tanzania, tell us more about the country?
– There’s a lot you can say about a lot of things. Besides all, I love the people. They’re easy to talk to and get along with. Just peaceful. Most of them at least.
– What do you think is the best advantage of young authors like you when they are writing a book?
– I don’t believe age is a determining factor when it comes to art. Regardless of who you are, skill, talent, will power, devotion, all those values (and others too) are all any artist needs.
The only noticeable thing separating me from some older authors in my case is that I don’t fancy the old typewriter machine and they do.
– Do you remember what your first writing was and what inspired you to do it?
– I was inspired to write because of jealousy. Here’s what happened:
I was in the 7th grade and our class was walking to the exam hall to do our English finals. Our English teacher was with us, giving us our last “good lucks” when she told Salim that he’d do well in creative writing section because she knew he was creative. At that moment something inside of me snapped like a twig and I felt…”Hey teacher! I’m creative too! I know I am!”
So after school I decided to prove to myself that I could write a story, which I did.
My first story was Dragon Rider and it was horrible. I was inspired by the movie Eragon. I didn’t finish it. Then I wrote my first novel, Lina’s Diary. It took me a year to complete. When I did it was like I conquered the world.
Check out Douglas’ book
Horizon
PATTY J. SMITH: I HAD STRUGGLED WITH FORGIVENESS
Patty J. Smith is the first religion books author, who is a guest in the blog. If you read the interview, you may find some issues that everyone of us is questioning, but never dares to ask the God about them. Let’s go into our next talk with Lady Smith.
– What is your book, “Moments with God” about?
– Moments with God is a collection of rosary meditations on a variety of topics and as an added feature, my personal testimony of my journey from sin to redemption. The meditations included are:
A Mended Heart – Rosary Meditations on Forgiveness
Journey To Sunset – Rosary Meditations for Caregivers
Redeemed – Rosary Meditations for Post-Abortive Women
Embrace The Morning – Rosary Meditations to Calm The Storm
And God Still Loves Me – A Journey from the Dark Abyss of Sin to God’s Mercy
– How did you decide to write the book?
– It all started with “A Mended Heart”. I had struggled with forgiveness for many years, and realized my inability to forgive was causing me great pain and holding me back on moving forward in my faith journey. Once I finished that devotional, I was inspired to do three others and include my personal story.
– What was the biggest challenge during the writing process?
– The biggest challenge I faced was quiet time. I was a caregiver for my mom before she passed in February, as well as a caregiver for my dad and uncle. Added to that was regular household responsibilities and my ministries for the church. I found that writing in the wee hours of the morning solved the dilemma.
– How much time do you need to finish the story and publish it?
– It depends on what I’m working on. I wrote one of my devotionals in a week and submitted it for publication. The longest project was “And God Still Loves Me”. My personal testimony took over a year, in fact, I wasn’t planning on having it published, it was my way of coming to terms with my past.
– What about The San Francisco Wedding Planner and Grave Obsessions Series?
– The San Francisco Wedding Planner Series: I call this “tag team” writing. It was a collaborative effort with five authors. In Series I, the first volume was written by all six authors. Our publisher determined the writing order. Once the first author finished a chapter, the second started where the first left off, and so on. In the second volume, each author wrote a short story of about 10,000 words and followed the same pattern as the first volume. Series II, which was just released, tells the back story of each character. Each author picked the character they wanted to focus on.
About Grave Obsessions Series: I am a crime buff and my publisher suggested I do my own series. After careful consideration, I decided it would be a good way to stretch my imagination muscles and agreed. The series follows the life and faith struggles of Detective Dallas Keegan as she tracks down a serial killer that continuously evades capture. Volume I and II are published and I just submitted Volume III this past weekend.
– Who are you?
– I am married and a grandmother of three. I live in Vista, CA with my husband and provide care for my father and uncle who also live with us. I serve as a Regional Coordinator for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, Co-leads Rachel’s Hope After-Abortion Healing Retreats and sing in my parish choir.
I was born in Wimpole Park, England and lived in England and Morocco as well as several state-side Air Force Bases, but consider my father’s last assignment, Moses Lake, Washington, my hometown. I audited for the Dept. of Labor and Veteran’s Administration Offices of Inspector General, served in the U.S. Army Reserve (Transit Control Unit and Criminal Investigation Division) and recently retired as a background investigator.
– What are your writing habits?
– I consider myself a “seat of the pants” writer. I do not use outlines. I just go where the spirit or my characters lead me. You will find me in the living room on my laptop from ten o’clock in the evening until four o’clock in the morning…the quiet time in my home.
– Are you satisfied by the sales of the book and do you plan another one?
– So far the sales numbers look promising; however, I’m waiting for the quarterly report from my publisher, due out the end of the month. I know my book will be used for some spiritual retreats which should generate more publicity. As far as writing another one, I always have a story floating around in my head as well as devotional ideas.
– How do you promote your book?
– My publisher does a great deal of promotion and I use social media (Facebook, Linkedin, Goodreads, Twitter, Google Plus). Further promotions are done through my speaking engagements and conference attendance.
– You worked in the US Army. What exactly were your occupations and how did they affect your writing?
– I served ten years in the Army Reserves as administrative support for a transit control unit and criminal investigation division. Working closely criminal investigators spurned my interest in the criminal element and helped me understand the investigative process from a detective’s standpoint.
– Tell us more about the Silent No More Awareness Campaign?
– The Silent No More Campaign is a project of Priests for Life and Anglicans for Life, whereby Christians make the public aware of the devastation abortion brings to women and men. The campaign seeks to expose and heal the secrecy and silence surrounding the physical pain of abortion. More information can be obtained at: http://www.silentnomoreawareness.org.
– My favorite question: What is your personal top 3 places in the world that you visited?
1. Casablanca, Morocco: My experience living there gave me an appreciation of diverse cultures.
2. Fiji: Fiji was a tropical paradise with mid-afternoon showers. Unlike other tropical destinations, where I stayed was sparsely populated and peaceful.
3. Washington, D.C.: The monuments were breathtaking and the museums allowed me to gain a deeper knowledge into my country’s history.
You may learn more about Patti at her
BLOG
Twitter
FACEBOOK
Look at Patti’s book:
Moments With God
The San Francisco Wedding Planner Complete Series 1
Grave Obsessions
Embrace The Morning – Rosary Meditations To Calm The Storm
JOHN O’ROURKE: MANY PEOPLE DON”T KNOW HOW DANGEROUS IS A JOB BEING A COP
John O’Rourke is the next interesting guest of our interview section. He is a retired New Jersey trooper, who turned out to be a very good writer. On October 7 his new book Jersey Shore Thrill Killer: Richard Biegenwald (True Crime) will be released. Specially for the blog John presented the cover of the book, which looks great!
– John, What is your new book The Jersey Shore Thrill Killer: Richard Biegenwald (True Crime) about?
– The book is about Richard Biegenwald who was coined the “Jersey Shore Thrill Killer” by the prosecutor in Monmouth NJ because his killings were for the thrill of killing. Biegenwald, was a problem youth who at a very early age was diagnosed as a schizophrenic. He was in and out of mental institutions from age five until he was sixteen. After being released he continued to get in trouble and ended up fleeing to the south where he stole a car and did a short stay in county jail until being released when he turned eighteen.
In December of 1958 he shot and killed his first victim and was sentenced to life in prison; however he was released in the mid-1970’s on parole. Once out of prison he killed a number of people, mostly young teenage women. His attorney believes Biegenwald worked as a hit man and killed upwards of one hundred people.
– How you decide to write the story?
– I have a friend of mine who works for a publishing company in NJ and he suggested I follow up my first two books with a true crime narrative. I did some research into several different crimes which occurred in NJ and stumbled upon Richard Biegenwald. When I researched him I found he was mentioned in just about every book I read on serial killing, but there had never been a book written about him. So I decided he would be the subject of my next book.
– What was the biggest challenge during the write up process?
– The biggest challenge was trying to get information on the crimes Richard Biegenwald had committed. Biegenwald never really spoke about the specifics of his crimes. He was a bright man and kept this information to himself. So, I had to rely upon the investigators accounts as well as the prosecutor and Richard Biegewald’s defense attorney for insight into the crimes and the man himself.
– Tell us something more about your main character?
– Richard Biegenwald is an interesting character. He was very bright-his IQ was well above average-and there was something about the man which attracted young ladies. According to his attorney he appeared to others as non-threatening and this may have been the reason he was successful luring innocent young women into his car.
– Is it close to someone from your real life?
– I’ve dealt with a number of criminals and murderers throughout my career. Non, however were quite like Richard Biegenwald.
– How much time you need to finish the story and to publish it?
– I signed the contract to write the book in June of 2013 and submitted the manuscript in July of this year; so, just over a year to do the research, interviews and write the narrative. This was much easier of an assignment than my first two books.
– What about your other two books: Jersey Troopers: Sacrifice at the Altar of Public Service and New Jersey State Troopers?
– I had not envisioned myself writing any books quite frankly but rather stumbled upon the writing process by wanting to pay tribute to the fallen troopers in the NJ State Police. The publisher (The History Press) liked the idea and signed me to write Jersey Troopers but wouldn’t guarantee the second book unless the first book did well. A month and a half after the book was released they called me up about writing the second book.
These books memorize those NJ Troopers who died while protecting the citizens of New Jersey. I felt their personal stories needed to be told and that’s how these books came about.
– Who are you?
– I am a retired trooper who is now working in the private sector doing private security consulting as well as being the head of security at a high end Golf Club in New Jersey. In between security consulting and leading the security department at the club, I venture into book writing. Right now I’m researching several crimes I may be interested in writing about.
– What are your writing habits?
– While writing “The Jersey Shore Thrill Killer” manuscript I would wake up at 6:30 in the morning and be at my desk by 7am to begin writing. Depending on my day’s schedule I would spend at least two to three hours writing.
– Are you satisfied by the sales of the book and do you plan another one?
– The book hasn’t hit the book stores as of yet, the release date is October 7. My fingers are crossed for interest in the book. Yes I do plan on writing another book and it will be in the True Crime purview.
– What are you doing to promote by the best possible way your book?
– Interesting that you ask that question. For my first two books I did very little as I foolishly expected my publisher to do the majority of the promotion. Don’t get me wrong they did a great job marketing the book, however I didn’t realize how important it was for writers to push and promote their own work. I recently read an article about M. W. Phelps and in the article he spoke about how he had to do the majority of his marketing and the extent he went in promoting his first book and all his books. This opened my eyes so I am now actively seeking venues for presentations and media sources for interviews. Plus I am now on facebook and twitter and pursuing other avenues for getting the word out about the book. I still have some time as the book doesn’t come out until October.
– You worked as a trooper. Which is the most brutal crime that you witnessed and will never forget?
– Unfortunately, I’ve seen so many crime scenes and dead bodies throughout my career they all seem to blur together. The weapon which tends to make the visuals the most painful is that of a shotgun.
– What kind of memories left to you such a tough job?
– Being a trooper was very rewarding and satisfying to me. Since I was a young child I always wanted to be a trooper so getting to become one was a thrill. I always enjoyed wearing the French Blue uniform of a Jersey Trooper. The job did take a toll on me in terms of working odd shifts and having to work on holidays and weekends, while my family was home. The job also hardens you a bit because of all the horrific things you see. It also brings an awareness to you that bad things happen out there on a daily basis. It make you appreciate what you have.
– Why sometimes the citizens and the state don’t respect such a dangerous job as to be a trooper?
– I think many people simply don’t know how difficult and dangerous a job being a cop really is. Also, the law enforcement leadership in NJ doesn’t do a good job reaching out to their constituents. Many people in NJ have no idea what the state police do and the role they play in state law enforcement. Law enforcement leaders should do more to build relationships with their communities.
To find out more about John visit his
Web page
Take a look at his books
New Jersey State Troopers, 1961-2011: Remembering the Fallen (NJ) (The History Press)
Jersey Troopers: Sacrifice at the Altar of Public Service
The Jersey Shore Thrill Killer: Richard Biegenwald (True Crime)
Land Of Books 