Today's guest author on Interviews with Dante is Eeva Lancaster. Enjoy learning a bit about this wonderful author.

Please tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a freelance writer from the Philippines and I’ve just ventured into the self-publishing world last year. I write for websites and have ghostwritten dozens of books. I used to belong to the corporate world but I’ve recently quit my day job to focus on what I love best – writing.

Tell us about your latest book.
My 3rd book is the 2nd book of the Now What? Series. It’s called, “You want to be an Online Freelancer… Now What?” It’s due for release this March. This book is based on my freelancing career and is meant to help new online freelancers establish their own careers in this field.

What do you have coming out in the future?
Right now, most of my books will be in the Non-Fiction genre. The next book will be a guide for Executive Assistants. I used to be a C Level Executive Assistant before I sort of retired. I have tons of experience and I’d like to share those with my EA peers, new and old.

What genre do you enjoy writing the most and why?
Non Fiction. I like naming the elephant in the room and putting it on the table for dissection. There are so many things in life that we need to understand and we can better understand it by learning from other people’s first hand experiences. I’m just adding my voice to the fray.

From where do you draw your inspiration?
From my own experience. From what I’ve observed. I’m a very introspective person… I have thoughts that needs to be shared. If I am able to help lighten the burden of even one person through my writings, I’d be happy.

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Always. I write about real things, which are often stranger than the imagined.

What kind of books do you like to read?
Fantasy, Supernatural, Sci-Fi… my taste in books is eclectic. I like Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged and the Fountainhead. Anne Rice, Stephen King, Arthur Clarke… as long as it’s a topic I’m interested in, I’ll read it.

How have your real life experiences influenced your writing? 
All my writings as of now are based on real life experience. Once I’m done purging, I’ll venture into fiction.

What do you like to do when you are not writing? 
Reading, going on long scenic drives with my husband, snorkeling (love the ocean), watching movies and TV series marathons all day, traveling to new countries…

What was your road to publishing like?  Tell us about it.
I’m a self-published author. When I published my first poetry eBook, In Loving You, I had to learn everything from scratch. Writing was the easy part. What came after I’m done with the manuscript was something I had to research on. It’s a continuous education but the succeeding book launch came easier. Marketing is the hardest part, you know. Getting the attention of readers, is what takes up most of my time. It can get kind of lonely, being a self-pub, the internet is such a big place. So, I started this community of self-published authors in Google+. It’s called the Alliance of Self Published Authors and we help each other market our books.

How did you come up with the title of your book?
I asked my husband, how can my writing help people? He came up with the Now What? Series. When we’re in a dilemma, we ask that question.. Now What? People are looking for answers, maybe I have some. It gives me the opportunity to talk through life’s many issues, from the mundane to the really important.

Is your book a stand alone or a series? 
It’s part of a series but it’s a stand alone. If that even makes sense hahaha!

Do you read the genre you write for or do you prefer other genres?
I read a lot of non-fiction, self help books. Most of them don’t help at all. Too idealistic. Not actionable. I prefer reading fantasy. Reading is an escape for me, as with most book lovers.

What celebrity would you chose to play the main character(s) in the movie rendition of your book?
In my future fiction books, I would like Angelina Jolie and Kate Beckinsale to play the lead characters.

Have you joined any writer’s groups? 
No. I know most writers are told that they should, but I haven’t looked into it.

What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Not being distracted. Since I freelance, my projects keep me away from my books! When I’m writing, I try my best not to sound preachy or irrelevant – the downfall of many non-fiction writers.

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
Writing. It comes easy to me since I write from my own experience. 

Who or what are your inspirations/influences? 
I’m inspired by Life itself. It’s complexities, how we go on in spite of everything. The philosophy of Ayn Rand’s book, Atlas Shrugged, influenced my personal development. You should read it sometime. I definitely recommend it.

What is your preferred writing environment?
Anywhere with coffee.

How would you describe your writing style?
Personal. Conversational. Honest.

Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
In Non-Fiction, an outline is very important to keep myself on track and not blabber on.

With many publishing routes available today, which felt the most reliable to you when it came to the many choices? 
 I will stick to self-publishing so I can retain creative freedom.  Well, not unless a big publishing house is interested in me! Amazon is still the #1 choice, but I publish my books everywhere. 

When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
2013, when my mom passed away. I needed to write. I guess, writing has always been an outlet for me. My first published book was a compilation I made 20 years ago! I had the bug way back then.

Today's guest author on Interviews with Dante is Renee Marski. Enjoy learning a bit about this wonderful author.

Please tell us a little about yourself.
I am a newly published author who is just learning the ropes. I was in the Navy for four years and now work as a vet assistant.

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
All of my characters have a bit of my family and friends in them. Sometimes more of a particular person, because I tend to use my family and friends as a visual aid to picture my characters.

What kind of books do you like to read?
I love reading sci-fi and mystery novels. Anything that gets the imagination going.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?
When I’m not writing I like to read, play my 3DS (I’m a huge pokemon freak), and play with my dogs. I also like to spend time with my husband and go to the movies.

What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
My road to publishing was difficult. I started seriously writing as a teenager and even mailed an early work to a publishing company. I never actually heard anything back, so I don’t know what ever happened to that book. Ten years later, a friend of mine published his own work and told me how, so I decided to take it upon myself to get published. My first book I self-published and it’s a learning experience for sure.

How did you come up with the title of your book?
I came up with the title of my book because it was a murder mystery and the murder happened to happen in the bathroom stall. I wanted something simple, that would indicate what the book was about without giving too much away.

Is your book a stand alone or a series?
My book is the first in a series. I haven’t started book two but I know what’s it’s going to be about and the plot. I just wanted to publish the first one and see how it went before going on to the second book.

What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
The hardest part of the writing process for me is writing descriptions. I can come up with characters, dialogue, plot, anything else, but writing descriptions is something I struggle with constantly. I can see what I want to describe in my head, I’m just not the best at putting it on paper.

What is your preferred writing environment?
My preferred writing environment is in my bed with the TV on for background noise, my dogs next to me. I just like to have calm when I write and enough time to get what I want to put down out before I have to do anything else.

Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
My favorite character in my book is Rodney. He’s the reliable older brother, funny and quick-witted but he lets Clara be who she needs to be and figure things out on her own. He supports her without being suffocating.

Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I try to have a plan when writing but it doesn’t always go as planned. I like to gather as much information as needed to make the story plausible and then go from there. If I don’t like something, I’ll change it on the fly.

When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
I have been writing since I was a young child. The first time I realized I wanted to be an author was when my third grade teacher took a story I had written and made it into a book for me. She took two pieces of cardboard and spiral bound them with my book inside. That was a proud moment for me and made me want to get a real book published.

Please tell us a little about yourself.
Working in the sports therapy field for some fifteen years the opportunity to work in some diverse areas came about and led to the meeting of some very competitive, challenging individuals, who make up the sporting world. Current affairs of the heart of many women today allowed me to see that we all search for the perfect soul partner. Both male and female clients produced this result, from many a conversation and gossip on the bench, (massage work relaxes the body as well as the mind). Clients worldwide found choosing their ideal partner a lottery. 

This inspired me to look more closely at how marriage choices are made through the heart or the mind. Having traveled round the world my research led me to be inspired by the excitement of each country visited and how my heroine could become incorporated within these settings combining the sporting calendar and outdoor pursuits of each destination I found exciting and that created a passion within.

What do you have coming out in the future?
I have been a little sidetracked by working on a third novel completely different to my first two stories that were linked. This one is more a diary format, comical throughout and based on a young girl in her twenties, stumbling through her love life in pursuit of her number one guy. The hit and miss of gaining the attention of someone you desire. Who may know nothing of your intentions? Family and friends who have your best intentions can play havoc to your plans. I have been enjoying this so much that I have neglected my sequel and do need to go back to this ASAP.

What genre do you enjoy writing the most and why?
I do I have to admit I enjoy Romance. Either reading or writing. Crime I love to read but to produce this genre you need to have a fantastic planned and analytical approach to writing. For myself I like to be spontaneous. I admire any writer who is into Crime fiction along with Historical Romance where research is paramount to produce a compelling story.

With romance it is a great escapism for reader and writer. Any time from the dark ages to the future, love is what makes the world tick. Attraction is all around us. It is in our genes. A little changed over the years with same sex marriages but the lure of a love for another being is still the back bone of every one’s life.

How people relate to love is a close line of desire, lust, love or hate. Thus a host of emotions can run through a story between the characters depending on what situation they are placed in and with whom. We act quite irrationally when in love bordering on insanity. Romance can lead the reader anywhere.

From where do you draw your inspiration?
Mainly from quotes people chat about innocently. Situations they have been in, possibly myself as well. Lyrics of songs are great they invoke such passion and in romance perfect to draw on. Films produce ideas for prose not so much ideas for the whole subject of the book as that is not creative but certain ideas. Night time the mind drifts and the best ideas come then. Though you need to jot this down as before you know it the memory has disappeared by morning. Travel in your own county or country can reveal a lot of inspiration. News articles or magazines all stimulate ideas.

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
I do, but very loosely. Friends who read your book tend to think you have written the character exactly as themselves. Meaning any new traits you develop in the character for the storyline they take on board that is your opinion of them. Trying to convince them otherwise is no mean feat. It is unavoidable if one trait is well known and identifies them. You just have to say it is a smorgasbord of ideas. No one character is a true life person.

What kind of books do you like to read?
I strangely do not read many novels I love non-fiction especially in the field of biology or spiritual books of the unknown. I find these fascinating such as Molecules of emotion, where our body is affected by our emotions more than we realize. Everything is connected and affected by our thought patterns the placebo effect, Chinese medicine the meridian system.

If I was reading a novel, I love a good Peter James crime novel, bit gory in parts but with a well written cliff hanger on every chapter.

How have your real life experiences influenced your writing?
Being a sports therapist by trade I chose my lead heroine to be in the same field. This allowed less research. Initially being a first time writer I needed to explore the writing process slowly and not make glaring mistakes. I loved the idea of incorporating locations I had travelled to so much to explore. Storylines for me in one compressed area or situation I find too suffocating.

People I have met, sports I enjoy and friends that crossed my path, have allowed little quirks or situations to be recorded and later used for inspiration, when working on the characters in the novel.

It is in day to day life that the most strangest of situations can occur. Comments that are passed, traits and irritating personalities all make up the world. A real feasting pot to draw on.

How did you come up with the title of your book?
My Title was not an easy one to create. First choices were very cliché and certainly didn’t convey what I was really wanting to portray in the novel. The back bone of the story is do we ever meet our soulmate in our lifetime or do they slip through our fingers from lack of persistence or even go unnoticed? Do they have to be our spouse or can they be just a fleeting acquaintance that crosses our path.?

Rekindling Connections although a long title, allowed me to hopefully convey the story of how relationships and friendships can rekindle at various stages in our lives. From past connections made innocently or more intimately in the past.

Is your book a stand alone or a series?
My first novel is set with a sequel to come. Who knows there may be a third depending how it runs. I will see how the inspiration leads as the story develops.

What celebrity would you chose to play the main character(s) in the movie rendition of your book?
I would love my book as a movie but wouldn’t we all.

 Tyler Montogomery  (blond, loose curls, steely blue eyes, muscular frame, tall )  - Charlie Hunnam

Brett McNeil  ( dark curly haired, long lashes, brown eyes. Lean, fit frame)  –   Brett Dalton

Bruce Loxley ( very dark, smart, polished , shy demeanor, business like) - Henry Cavill

Zara my heroine I am still a work in process, being a tousled, soft Raphaelite curled, redhead I need to look closely at the new young actors on the block.

Which of your characters is your favorite and why
My favourite character is Tyler Montgomery. I created this male as someone to create a little controversy. Charming, dashing and deadly sexy, his arrogance and treatment of the opposite sex is not something that lies comfortably with some people. He has a way of luring the ladies in but for the weak that desire more from him, they can be crushed and discarded easily. They need to be as masculine as he is and utilize him in the exactly the same way to survive the relationship. He is drawn to a strong personality but laser in easily seeing any weakness, allowing him to play on his for his own fun and devilment.

What is your preferred writing environment?
This would have to be in complete peace and quiet, when everyone is asleep first thing n morning or out of the house. I can let my mind wander and not be interrupted. I hate this when I’m in a flowing, writing mode and have to stop in mid-stream. I can never get back to the idea. I also like to write a little on holiday when inspiration strikes. I can be anywhere in the house but as long as I am comfortable.

How would you describe your writing style?
Very slapdash and certainly never following the rules. If a rule is set I will go against it. There are many novels produced that are so diverse and I am sure if they had followed the A to B way of writing they would never have produced the book. If you think it is right then just go ahead and do it. A good proofreader will say if grammar is poor and needs changing. The voice and accent of the writer and also the character is diverse now as long as the reader can understand the language and it is not some made up alien it should read fine after the polishing process.

If you desire many characters or writing in a certain tense just try it. You will know if it sounds awkward once you work over the novel. Experiment. Don’t be constricted.

Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I never follow a plan as I find this stunts any creativity. I like to gain ideas and jot them down for future reference. When starting my first novel after three chapters I wrote my ending then allowed the story to flow and finally link with my end goal.

Half way through I decided my opening chapter was too weak to send to publishers and dragged later chapters forward to the beginning, going back in time for the rest for the story. This then created a little thought process required to link them together, for a satisfying completion but was great fun in working with this formula.

By allowing you to go with the flow the story can develop naturally rather than having to be inspired along a rigid format.

When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
I think this was once I had got half way through and found myself excited to get to the end. Once re reading parts I found it was a very meditative state to be in when in the flow. Vast chunks of written word I couldn’t remember writing. It was as if someone else had produced it. I then met a lovely proofreader who encouraged me to set a launch date and get things finalized. The route to go along was self-publishing. From then it was the one and only direction to go.

The high octane world of sports therapy fast tracks Zara from middle class suburbia to the bright lights of Los Angeles. Approaching marriage to Bruce Loxley, dependable, seriously rich & with an impeccable pedigree, allows her entrance to the private world of high society.

But is Bruce as honest as appearances portray? Returning to Zara’s hedonistic past, we career into lust & temptation head on in the form of Tyler Montgomery. The devilishly good looking, though arrogant Polo player, causing sexual havoc in his wake. But a when a new younger competitor enters the love arena, has Zara met her match? Brett McNeil with his wild sense of adventure & mischievous streak that so attracts Zara’s eye lingers seductively in the shadows of her fast paced life.

Is fate in control or do we really have a choice? Which player will ultimately win? Or does life have its own game plan?

A BITTERSWEET JOURNEY OF LUST, LOVE & CHOICES.

POWER, PASSION OR PRESTIGE. WHICH LOVE IS THE RIGHT LOVE?

Today's guest author on Interviews with Dante is Raj Davis. Enjoy learning a bit about this wonderful author.

Please tell us a little about yourself.
Well, my name is Raj and I like contemporary fiction. I like sci-fi as well. I love music, and working out. I attend Southern New Hampshire University as an English student with a major in creative writing.

Tell us about your latest book.
My latest book is titled Excellence. It takes you on the journey of three siblings who are abused and neglected as children. Todd, Lee, and Ebony. They want good things out of life but are terribly flawed by their upbringing. How do you overcome and reach Excellence when you have been trained to do the opposite?

What do you have coming out in the future? 
I have an outline for my next novel Life Unbreakable…this title is tentative. It will chronicle the life of a young man who experiences extreme tragedy, and has to decide why he should keep going. I think it is going to be a good one.

What genre do you enjoy writing the most and why? 
I love literary fiction. It gives me a chance to explore characters, who like me, had a rough upbringing, but still want happiness. They get beat up but keep going. What I really like about literary fiction is the fact that you can make a profound moment with as much drama and impact in a handshake between enemies than the battle scene between arch enemies in a thriller novel. We take what you and me can relate and show the real emotions behind them. It’s great.

From where do you draw your inspiration? 
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Love never fails. Two of my favorite quotes.

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life? 
Yes I do. I think it makes your characters more relatable to the audience because you are dealing with the nuances of real people. This makes your character more filled out and “round” as some textbooks say.

What authors inspire your writing?
I love Toni Morrison’s poetic sound, and Khaled Hosseini’s intensity.

What kind of books do you like to read? 
I really like deep characters, secrets, suspense, and triumph. Overcoming adversity and something that makes me think. I see a theme with this overcoming tribulation thing.

How have your real life experiences influenced your writing?
I am a fighter and sometimes you’re dealt a deck of cards that leaves you with a bunch of red cards in a game of spades. So I identify with the underdog. I have been the underdog, and I have experienced winning, so I operate between those two poles.

What do you like to do when you are not writing? 
I love music. I even listen to it when I am writing. I listen to every genre just about, even classical, and country.

Is your book a stand alone or a series?
It is a stand-alone so far, but I see one more novel with the same characters in it. I feel like there is more of a story to tell about them.

Do you read the genre you write for or do you prefer other genres?
I try to read what I write because I want to remain focused. It can be hard for me when I write literary fiction and am getting ideas from a sci-fi novel I am reading. The elements are different for each genre. That’s just me…lol…but that is not the same for everyone. 

What celebrity would you chose to play the main character(s) in the movie rendition of your book? 
This is a good one. Todd will be played by Will Smith, Lee by Gabrielle Union, and Ebony by Kerry Washington. 

Have you joined any writer’s groups?
I have joined some groups on Facebook, and Goodreads. It is a great resource. I have met a lot of other writers, one who is polishing up Excellence with her great editing skills. I would recommend joining as many as you can. It builds up your network of help. 

What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
I get so nervous about the quality of my writing—how it will be received. You have to kill your inner critic.

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
I never get writer’s block. I am fortunate that I can come up with a lot of ideas for my scenes.

Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
 Right now the protagonist for my next novel…I am playing with naming him Tamerius Bryant. He is a journalist, and is everything I’m not, but also very similar to me in certain ways.

When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
I knew I had the talent because I have been writing poetry for years, but I became out of work and had the time to write a novel. So, I wrote one and loved it, for all its hi’s and lo’s.

Today's guest author on Interviews with Dante is Marie Saint Louis. She is by far the most unique writer that I've interviewed so far. Enjoy learning a bit about this wonderful author.

Please tell us a little about yourself.
As a psychic medium who works closely with individuals, my aim is to guide and empower them through my sessions. I also have the gift to communicate with loved ones who are deceased.
After suffering from a life long battle with depression and social anxiety, I decided to bring my spiritual gifts to the public at events in the Phoenix, Arizona area. This led me to eventually reading for guests during several parties in Hollywood sponsored by three leading magazines.

Tell us about your latest book.
My debut book RSVP From Heaven is based on my life story as a psychic medium battling depression, anxiety, and rejection to bring my spiritual gifts to the public.

Though I’ve given spiritual readings at quaint bookstores, I’d rather be at amazing parties and unique events. Honestly, I take part in some events which can be looked upon as controversial in the eyes of others. Yes, I spent New Year’s Eve reading for guests at a “membership only” upscale party. You’re invited to read more about this provocative event in the book.

From where do you draw your inspiration?
My book is based upon my real life experiences. I meet a lot of compelling people seeking guidance or longing to be connected to deceased loved ones.
Whether it’s a bachelorette party, a tattoo festival, ladies night, or a block party, you just never know where I’m going to show up next!

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Yes, everyone in my book is based on real people and actual readings I have given.
 
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I love to prepare different recipes from Internet sites or while watching Food Network. I’ve been trying to spend more time unwinding from my hectic schedule by walking outdoors, relaxing at a coffee shop, and spending time with family and friends.
 
What was your road to publishing like?  Tell us about it.
 I had no clue what I was doing and still continue to learn from the experts. Every night, I take the time to research a different self-publishing topic. These topics range from book cover designs to marketing ideas. This past year, I attended a few local writing conferences and spoke with other authors too.  I basically learned as I went through the process and still have a lot to study.

Today's guest author on Interviews with Dante is Sandra J. Jackson. She will soon join the ranks of Fountain Blue Publishing author's with the release of her first novel. Enjoy learning a bit about this wonderful author.