Categoría: Book

T.J. Adams Interview

9/10/2016

The guest authors for September 10th on Interviews by Dante is T.J. Adams. She is a writer of Erotic Romance. The short story An Innocent Act is her first foray into the romance genre.

Please tell us a little about yourself.
Well, that one is kind of hard, as TJ Adams has only existed for six weeks at the most and only came about when my first (and very accidental) erotic short story came about.
Under my name…I have had short crime, western and horror published in both the U.S. and England for a few years now.

Tell us about your latest book.
The latest (and first) story published in the erotic genre is a short story titled An Innocent Act. I’ve always struggled at times with wanting to walk a fine line between—let’s say—crime and romance. It’s just the way I see the world as a writer.
I don’t outline much when starting into a new story and with this one, was feeling out ideas for where the story (planned to be a crime novella) would go.
As the young man telling the story begins to meet his neighbors, I started to think, what if he gets the hots for this older gal?
The story went downhill from there, but was well written (for me) and I subbed it to a mid-lever publisher of the genre. They were quick to turn me down (too short), but insisted that I keep trying with this story. So, I did and found a home with Solstice Publishing on the second try.
An Innocent Act is the story of a young man living away from home for the first time and falling for an older gal just across the way. Over a Saturday morning breakfast in town, he finds out just how far Francine Carter is willing to go.

What do you have coming out in the future?
Under the TJ Adams name, I have an erotic / crime novella going through editing at the moment, Pandora’s Box. I had been working on the story as straight-up crime, when a small publisher folded…returning my submitted work. I didn’t have a name for the young woman in the story, nor did I have a title. Pandora was the perfect stripper/stage name for the gal, so I cannibalized the title and the rest is well… I’ve seen the cover for this one and I’m excited to see it coming out.

Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
Both are stand-alone stories. I’ve written in series in other genres, but am not sure that I could do it with erotica?

Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
Like I’ve said, the first story (An Innocent Act) wasn’t planned and just sort of came out. The second, longer story, (Pandora’s Box) was intended as crime. Being able to include a few steamier scenes brought the story to life, like it really should have been.

Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
As TJ Adams…yes. I think it will keep from confusing anyone that already reads my work. I’ve been published in crime, western and horror under my name.

Amazon

From where do you draw your inspiration?
Life as it goes on around me.

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Yes and no. Not 100 %, but maybe something about someone I’ve known.

What authors inspire your writing?
Tough one as I don’t read a lot of mainstream fiction and nothing in the romance genre. Stephen King and Dean Koontz are two that I enjoy when I can find the time. Most of the last several years have seen me reading great stories from indie writers such as Aidan Thorn (gritty crime) and Chris Derrick (western) ((both are from England)) and a host of others.
It was another British crime writer, Chris Leek, who inspired me to be OK with an element of romance in my writing after reading his East of Heaven, West of Texas. The story is crime with a touch of romance running through it.

How have your real life experiences influenced your writing?
I think most writers are perceptive and always watching the world going on around them, so yes, I’d have to say that real life experiences make their way into my stories.

What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
I’ve been writing for years, but never submitted anything until 2012. The Mayan’s said that the world would end, OK?
I subbed a crime novella in early 2012 and never heard back from the publisher. Hell, I’m still waiting for that rejection?
A friend suggested that I try Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing and I put up four (two of which I’ve taken down since). I’ll admit that I’m not the greatest editor and I just stuck to anthologies, small magazines and internet ‘zines from then on. I’ve always had a couple of novella’s and maybe a novel length story making the rounds though.
When Solstice Publishing signed An Innocent Act, they were also willing to read other stories under both my name and TJ Adams. So for the time, I have three short stories and three novellas being published by Solstice.

How did you come up with the title of your book?
An Innocent Act is a line in the story.

Do you read romance or do you prefer other genres?
I prefer history really, although I don’t seem to have the time for it anymore? Indie crime seems to be what I read these days. I am reading Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz at the moment.

What is your absolute favorite book or books and why is it special to you?
My favorite book or books would be The Dark Tower Series from Stephen King. I’ve always enjoyed the western genre and King takes it to a whole new level.

Have you joined any writer’s groups?
I only know of two within a hundred miles of where I live. I was introduced to some of the folks at the more local group some years ago and they just seemed too stuffy for me?

What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
The hardest part of writing for me, is finding the time to do it? As I write this, I’m waiting for one of my grandsons to arrive at any minute.

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
The easiest part of writing for me is coming up with the story. I enjoy running the characters around to see what they will do.

Who or what are your inspirations/influences?
A host of indie writers on the scene…Aidan Thorn, Chris Derrick and Chris Leek (England), Timothy Desmond, Matt Matila, Bill Baber and David Jaggers here in the US.

What is your preferred writing environment?
I can write anywhere, as long as I have my laptop and prefer to write distracted.

How would you describe your writing style?
By the seat of my pants…is that an answer? Although An Innocent Act is a kind of sweet romance thing as is Cinnamon Girl (out shortly), I like dark almost surreal crime stuff.

Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
It depends? I’ve painstakingly plotted out some stories, while just going along for the ride on others. An Innocent Act is one of the later.

With many publishing routes available today, which felt the most reliable to you when it came to the many choices?
Today, we have Amazon and Smashwords and a host of other platforms. I even looked into Wattpad for a short story some time back, but maybe due to my age, I just try to stick with the traditional route.

When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
I enjoyed writing as far back as elementary school. I didn’t mind the assignment and would get a good grade. Now getting up in front of the class and reading it?

Do you have any advice for other writers and what is it?
Just do it. Wait, that’s Nike, right?
Read everything and write what you want. Somewhere out there is an editor willing to read your work…you just have to find them?

If you could ask your readers anything, what would it be?
Leave a review. A review for an indie writer is like winning the lottery. Most of us don’t make enough money to speak of and that little bit of feedback clues us in on whether we are firing on all cylinders or not. If you like a story, say so. It only takes a minute of your time. If the story sucks, say that also.

What do you get out of writing?
I really can’t answer that one? I don’t know why I write, it’s just a hobby that I have pursued for a good many of my years.

Why do you write if you can’t make a living out of it?
Again, I don’t know how to answer that one. I’ve always been an avid reader, even back in elementary school. Being just weeks away from 50, I’ve read a hell of a lot of stories in my lifetime. Writing just seems to be an extension of reading, I guess. Like most indie writers, I don’t entertain much thought of hundred thousand dollar advances. It would be great, but I don’t see it happening for me, anyway.

If you published under a pen name, why did you use a pen name and is there anything special about the pen name you chose?
I hope to make things less confusing this way. If someone stumbles across me on Amazon or my website, they will know from the story title what genre to expect.
I would hate for someone to purchase a title expecting a crime story or western and get an opening scene of graphic sex?

Why did you want to be a writer?
I don’t think that I originally intended to be a writer. I just did it for my own enjoyment, just to see if I could. After enough time (years), it sort of became a habit. Once the first story was published, I wanted another.

Wild Card Question.
As an author, what is the one question that you wish people would ask you, but no one ever has and what would your answer be to that question?

This question has been asked, but it’s a favorite of mine. “How in the Hell, do you come up with this stuff?”

My answer: A youth of excessive drug use and a lifetime of whiskey as an adult. There’s a big world out there. There are a million stories there waiting to be told.

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Olga Kuno Interview

8/10/2016

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The guest authors for August 10th on Interviews by Dante is Olga Kuno. She is a writer of Historical fantasy romance. Her latest work is Half a Step Away from Love.

Please tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in Russia and moved to Israel when I was 13. I also worked in the U.S. for about a year. Professionally, I am a linguist and work at a university as a lecturer. And now I have also another profession, which is writing. And I am also a mother, which, I suppose, is yet another profession. :)

Tell us about your latest book.
This is a little bit tricky. I write in Russian, and the latest book I have completed is a fantasy adventure novel. But I believe that here, I should write about the latest (and meanwhile, the only) book that has been translated to English. This is a historical fantasy romance novel “Half a Step Away from Love”. I have to admit it’s more of romance than fantasy. The events take place in an imaginary country, but while working on the book, I took many of the details from 18th century Europe. The novel is largely about the confrontation between lord Cameron Estley, a nobleman and an advisor of the duke, and Inessa Antego, a lady-in-waiting to the duke’s sister. In the world of palace intrigue, these two are on the opposite sides, and we get a “from hatred to love” romance story. The book includes adventures, intrigue and a love story that develops step by step. Or even “half a step by half a step”. :)

What do you have coming out in the future?
I am finishing writing the third book whose action takes place in the world of “Half a Step Away from Love”.

Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
It can be read alone, the story is completed. However, I have written another book about the same world but different heroes, and in fact, one character from the first book appears there as well. And, as I have mentioned, I am now finishing the third book of the series. The principal characters are different ones yet again, but many characters from the first two books appear in certain episodes.

Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
That’s a very difficult question to answer! It’s easy for me to say why it’s fantasy. I always loved reading fantasy novels, starting with Tolkien’s books, and I’ve been interested in myths, legends, different retellings of fairy tales and so on. But as for romance… I have no idea. I can only say that at the time I started writing books in this genre, I hadn’t read anything of the sort. I had read mainly epic fantasy and adventures in fantasy worlds. And some contemporary romance. But never an interaction of romance and fantasy. And still, somehow this came… I can only say that when I think of a new plot, the first thing coming to mind is generally the romantic line, and everything else is built around this line afterwards.

Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
I’d say all the novels I write include romance, but there is always an intertwinement of several genres. Romance, adventure, fantasy, a detective story, humor – all of these are typically present, but the proportions vary.

In the scheming world of palace intrigue, Inessa Antego is in her element. Being the first lady-in-waiting to the Duke's sister, she won't stop at anything to please her mistress. Cancel an unwanted wedding? Easy. Show a secret lover out of the Duchess' bedchamber? Not a problem. Steal a portrait which compromizes the Duke? All you need is ask. Never mind she does it all with a little help from the palace ghosts. It's true that ghosts' friendship comes with strings attached, but what's a few favors between friends?

The only problem is, Inessa has to play her scheming game against Lord Cameron Estley. Who is smart, clever and painfully handsome. Can she successfully juggle her lady's interests and those of her own heart? Especially considering that hate is only half a step away from love?

Amazon

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Only certain elements. Some trait, attitude or attribute. But not the whole personality. I’ve recently read some author stating that characters are born in the course of the writing process. I absolutely agree.

How have your real life experiences influenced your writing?
A lot. Of course, the books are not autobiographic. You know, I have never seen a dragon, I don’t speak to ghosts and don’t participate in sword fights. But real life experiences affect our worldview, our value system, our belief in what is possible and what is unnatural. And that, in turn, is definitely reflected in the way we write. There are also more specific experiences that played a role: for instance, the fact that I have experienced immigration helped me understand those of my characters who had to move from one country to another.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Oh, there are many things I like to do, but I hardly ever have time for them! Normally, when I have “free time”, that means I sit down with my laptop and write novels. I work at a university, which involves teaching, research and administrative work, I have a family, and I also write books. That leaves practically no time for anything else. But, of course, I love reading, I enjoy watching movies, and I love theater.

What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
I’ve been uploading the novels I was writing, chapter by chapter, on a certain Russian website. It was the biggest website where authors could upload their work “online”, during the very writing process. This way, you can get feedback before the work is completed, that’s actually very useful, and it’s also just fun. When I started, I had no readers, except for a couple of LiveJournal friends who were following the updates. Then new readers slowly began to appear. When I was writing one of my very first novels, Westfold, which contained among other plot lines, a Robin Hood kind of theme, three readers commented on the website. That felt like a lot! I was so amazed by this fact that people discuss my characters and their deeds, as if they were talking about real-life people! And then the number of readers and commenters started to increase. After I had written several novels, my page had more than a thousand visits per day and was among the Top 100 on the website. And at a certain point I received e-mails from representatives of two big publishing houses, proposing to publish my books.

How did you come up with the title of your book?
There is a Russian singer (and a songwriter) whose songs I enjoy very much. And in one of my favorites, there are the following lines:
"You hate me so passionately,
Standing half a step away from love"
These lines gave the book its title.

Do you read romance or do you prefer other genres?
I like fantasy novels that involve both romance and adventures. So yes, I do enjoy reading books in the same genre in which I write. I suppose that’s quite natural. I also enjoy detective stories.

What is your absolute favorite book or books and why is it special to you?
“The Lord of the Rings”. This book has opened for me the world of fantasy, and since then, I am in love with this world.

What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Lack of time. When the ideas are already there in my head, but for reasons of time I have to write much more slowly than I would prefer.

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
Dialogues. I LOVE writing dialogues.

What is your preferred writing environment?
Home. Sitting on a sofa with my laptop. That’s just perfect.

Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I MUST have a plan. By the time I start writing, I must have a very good idea about how the plot is going to develop. Some scenes may be added later on, of course.

When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
I started in the childhood. Afterwards, there were periods when I wrote something and periods when I didn’t, and it’s only about five years ago that I started writing regularly. First, poems, then short stories, and then I moved on to novels.

What is your favorite quote?
I don’t have a single favorite one. But there are numerous quotes I enjoy, for instance, ones from such authors as Oscar Wilde and Jane Austen. I actually used some of these quotes as epigraphs in “Half a Step Away from Love”.

Do you have any advice for other writers and what is it?
Inspiration should be priority number 1. Marketing, however important, must be ranked lower. Write what you really want to write about, be true to yourselves.

If you published under a pen name, why did you use a pen name and is there anything special about the pen name you chose?
My pen name, Olga Kuno, is also my maiden name. One editor suggested that I use it as a pen name, and I liked the idea.

Why did you want to be a writer?
Because I truly enjoy the process. It’s self-realization, which is very important for me. It’s a way to get immersed in a story, which actually makes it similar to reading. But writing allows me to create exactly the kind of story that I want. Or at least to try to do so. :)

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C. M. Boers Interview

5/22/2016

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The guest author for today on Interviews by Dante is C. M. Boers. She is a writer of Paranormal Fantasy Romance. Her latest work is Divulge. The second in her Obscured series. A third installment is forthcoming later this year.

Please tell us a little about yourself.
I'm 29 years old. I've had many majors in school, including many in the healthcare field, but I only have a certificate in Medical Transcription. I have three kids who keep my world spinning and a little off kilter every now and then. I also have two dogs, a Mastiff mix, and a Great Dane.

Tell us about your latest book.
My latest book is the third in my series Obscured which is filled with immortals, kidnapping, and a little bit of love. It will be coming out this fall. Keep an eye out.

What do you have coming out in the future?
My third book will be coming out in the fall of this year, after that, only time will tell... ;)

Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
It is a series, that at this point doesn't have an end in sight. :)

Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
I love all types of book, I want them to have a good strong storyline, but you need a good mix of love thrown in there, whether that is mild or flaming hot, I think that just gives the story a little something extra.

Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
My books are YA-Paranormal fantasy, of course they have romance mixed in. I may just venture out of that box in the future, but for now I'm having a lot of fun with it.

Abby Martin was an ordinary girl about to start high school, or so she thought, until she became plagued with nightmares after learning that she would be moving to Arizona with her mother. Stressed doesn't even cover what Abby is feeling when she thinks about trying to make new friends, but to her surprised she is surrounded by a new crowd from day one. She is even drawn to one guy in particular, Pete, but when Eli tries to convince her to stay away, she begins to second guess whether he is the guy for her. Unfortunately, she doesn't heed his warnings and finds out too late he was right all along. What's more is Eli isn't who she thought he was either. Immortality, kidnapping, and gifts are now swirling through her mind. The deeper she dives into learning of Eli's world she finds herself more confused and in trouble. And to top things off Abby suddenly can't stop thinking of Eli, her Protector, in a whole new light, is that love she's feeling? Abby and Eli get in over their heads when Pete is plotting against them, but who will come out on top?

Click image for explanation.

Amazon

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
My characters are not 100% based on any one person, but rather bits and pieces I have pulled from here and there, but soon, I may just pull someone out of my hat. You never know....

What authors inspire your writing?
I'm inspired by M. J. Fletcher, who set out on his writing journey to give his daughter books that showed her that a female can be just as strong as a male and she didn't need to have someone come save her all the time.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Of course I like to read, but I also like movies, and spending time being silly with my kiddos. My oldest and I have been reading Harry Potter together and that's been really fun.

How did you come up with the title of your book?
The title of my book is based on the hidden world of immortals, in other words, the world of immortals is Obscured.

Do you read romance or do you prefer other genres?
I read a little bit of everything. I'm really into paranormal, but I also like mystery, romance, dystopian, etc.. the list could go on.

What is your absolute favorite book or books and why is it special to you?
Growing up my favorite book was "Little bits of Wisdom." It's a book of poems that are directed to a child's level that are encouraging and enlightening.
As an adult, The Ghost Bird series has really stuck with me. It's a very different concept that I find I really enjoy. The next comes out soon, so you can bet I'll be binge reading that!

What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
For me the hardest part is editing. I highly dislike it.;)

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
The easiest part is the actually writing. I love letting the words flow onto the paper, or computer screen and watching the book take life.

What is your preferred writing environment?
I love to write in different places. I find that if I am writing in the same place all the time, I get bored and my writing shows it. I try to mix it up as much as I can.

Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I do not plan much, sometimes I will write up a chapter by chapter guide, but I don't often stick to it. So more or less I go with the flow.

With many publishing routes available today, which felt the most reliable to you when it came to the many choices?
I chose to self-publish, after being rejected several times. Most people would say not to give up and I wouldn't say I did, but I decided that self-publishing was more the route for me because I would have more control over everything that went along with my books and marketing.

What is your favorite quote?
"You are braver than you believe,
Stronger than you seem,
Smarter than you think,
And loved more than you will ever know." –A. A. Milne

Just when Abby and Eli think that their problems with Pete are solved, he disappears and takes Ren with him. Ultimately, their only choice is to venture off to Colorado to find him and rescue Ren. There was only one thing standing in their way; Abby's mom. But surprisingly, she falls for Abby's excuse hook, line, and sinker. Then after numerous dead ends, Abby and Eli are finally on the right track. That is, until Abby's second nightmare comes true. Her fear and anxiety pulls Eli back to her once again, ruining their chances of catching Pete. How would they ever get Ren back now?
Back at home, things are beginning to go back to normal again - or were they? Abby and Eli are even able to go on a proper date. But when someone comes up missing, Eli and Abby's relationship will test its limits. Will it survive?
Through it all Abby is sick of being treated with kid gloves, it's time for a new persona. Abby dons her new outlook on life and never-fear attitude, bringing new friends into her life, but it just might put her in over her head. How will she get out of it this time?

Click image for explanation.

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Jack Cactus and Mina Harker Interview

5/10/2016

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The guest authors for today on Interviews by Dante are the duo Jack Cactus and Mina Harker. They are writers of Steampunk/Fantasy Romance. Their latest work is Bienvenue. It's a soft steampunk supernatural Victorian romance.

Please tell us a little about yourself.
We are Jack Cactus and Mina Harker, a romantic fantasy author duo from the United States. We met on a collaborative creative writing forum in early 2015 and have been making literary magic ever since. One day, we realized that our writing told a very unique kind of story, and we knew that it needed to be shared with the world.

Tell us about your latest book.
Our latest (and inaugural) publishing effort is a penny dreadful serial called Bienvenue. It's a soft steampunk supernatural Victorian romance starring a headstrong female steam engineer, Adela Wyss, and her arranged marriage to a sickly French aristocrat with a dark past. We've published 4 episodes of the series so far, with many more to come!

What do you have coming out in the future?
Obviously, we'll be publishing more episodes of Bienvenue (even Harker and I don't know if/when it ends), one episode a month. We've also got a slew of other projects in development, including spin-offs starring some of the other characters from Bienvenue, a sci-fi story, and several medieval fantasy type stories. Stay tuned!

Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
Bienvenue is a penny dreadful serial. We're currently publishing one episode a month.

Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
Why romance? Because we're both big old marshmallows. Because romance is fun to write, and we hope fun to read. It's just what we gravitate towards, for whatever reason.

Our brand of romance is special in many ways. Our protagonists are nothing like your typical romantic leads. In Bienvenue, the female lead is a rebel, a total dork with a smart mouth, and her love interest is a chronically ill recluse, fifteen years older than Adela, who has albinism and writes poetry. All of our characters are pretty atypical, and we think it's important to tell their stories. One of the companion projects to Bienvenue features a gay Swiss cowboy and a transgender woman.

Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
Well, even though our stories are definitely romances, we also tend to blur the lines between genres. Bienvenue is a Victorian novel, but it's also got monsters and steampunk. We have some more traditional fantasy projects in the works, like I mentioned earlier, and a sci-fi project that also blurs the lines between sci-fi and fantasy. I'd like to think that the Cactus and Harker magic transcends genre.

Adela Wyss is the beautiful eldest daughter of a wealthy Swiss banking family. She is also sharp-tongued, rebellious, and a bona-fide genius when it comes to steam engineering (a most scandalous hobby for a well-bred young lady). And at age twenty-five, Adela is a dried-up spinster. Adela is the shame of the Wyss family because she won't change who she is to find a husband. What happens when her mother secures an arranged marriage between her vibrant young daughter and a sickly French recluse?

Click image for explanation.

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Amazon Ch. 4

From where do you draw your inspiration?
Cactus: Everywhere. It varies from day to day. I'm inspired by the beach, by artwork, by nature at large, by people in my life. I talk later in the interview about literary influences, so some non-literary influences, in no particular order, are: David Bowie, RuPaul Charles, Richard Simmons, Caitlin Doughty, the beach, skulls, Paul Koudounaris, Alphonse Mucha, Todd Browning's Freaks, Quentin Tarantino, my dad, Victoriana, vintage/quack/patent medicine, Wikipedia, kittens, rainbows, plague doctors.

Harker: I draw a lot of inspiration from my own past, the pains and joys of the women of my family, and the people around me today. Music and art are also quite inspiring to me but they tend to tell stories all their own.

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Cactus: I certainly don't consciously model characters after people I know. I actually find that my characters tend to be projections/exaggerations of aspects of my own personality. I never realize it when I'm writing, but I look back at something I wrote a few weeks or months ago and go, “DAYUM, so that's what was going on... huh.”

Harker: In a way. It's more like taking a piece from this puzzle and a piece from that puzzle and putting them together to make something new.

What authors inspire your writing?
Cactus: My literary influences are Stephen King, John Steinbeck, Anne Rice, and J.D. Salinger. The Dragonlance books by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman also have a special place in my heart. I think that was the first time I came across a disabled/chronically ill character in fiction and that (obviously) has heavily informed my work as a writer, and gave me the courage to write characters with disabilities. I wanted to read more stories with more characters like Raistlin Majere, and as far as I knew they didn't really exist, so I started writing them. I even named a character in one of our other projects after Raistlin.

Harker: Tamora Pierce. The Song of the Lioness series is especially important to me as Alanna was one of the first chapter books I started reading all on my own. It pulled me back into loving books and stories again at a time in my life when I was learning to hate reading at school and was being teased about my learning disabilities. My mom actually read the first half to me before I started just living for the books and Tamora Pierce. Of course, after I finished Lioness Rampant, I was a bit spoiled. I had already grown up on Andrew Lang's Fairy Books and Wrede's The Enchanted Forest Chronicles. So I was used to interesting plots, magic, adventure, and between Wrede and Pierce, I was positively disdainful of ditzy female characters. Be a three dimensional person or be nothing. In my search I found Terry Pratchett who authored Thud!, Monstrous Regiment, and the Tiffany Aching stories; and Kara Dalkey who did the Water Trilogy, which is an absolute must for anyone who likes Merlin or King Arthur myths. Of course, because I'd been so spoiled by these fantastic wordsmiths, when I couldn't easily find other works, I began to write my own.

How have your real life experiences influenced your writing?
Cactus: Absolutely. My life experiences are the reason I write. The stories I tell are all parts of my story, just different facets and different perspectives on it, exaggerations and projections, fantasies juxtaposed with ugly truths. We sell our stories as “penny dreadful romances” but for me it goes much, much deeper than that-- that's just the best way we thought of to make it consumable.

Harker: Life has taught me that you can never really tell what's going on from the outside. It makes me love the morally grey. In my life I've been surrounded by demons dressed as heroes on great steeds and angels dressed as grumpy old bridge trolls. Real life isn't color coded, it isn't foreshadowed, and there are no helpful soundtracks to help tell when the villain has entered the room. The pale man with slicked back, raven locks and beady black eyes, dressed dead to toe in black is probably just really into the goth look. Or maybe he just doesn't give a shit. I'd be more worried about the handsome blond smooth talker with the sparkling blue eyes dressed in his shiny suit of Armani, honestly.

What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
Cactus: I think it started as sort of a joke... back when we first started writing together I made jokes about our story being on the New York Times bestseller list. We haven't quite made it there yet, but that's what got us started with the notion of publishing. Harker was the one who kicked us in the ass and got the ball rolling, though. Bienvenue would definitely not exist in its present form if it weren't for her!

Harker: D'aww. Cactus' marshmallow is showing. Cuteness. Honestly, since we didn't bother with trying to find a publishing house that would want to publish our special brand of fiction—I honestly think we would still be dicking around with mailing transcripts out instead of selling books as we are now if we had gone down that road—our road to starting up wasn't too crazy. We spent a few months getting our contract worked out and then when 2016 rolled around, since I was in town for the new year, we printed off copies, dropped by a notary, and then got to work. Since Cactus does all of the editing, I tried to take on finding a cover artist. That was... a trial. In the end Cactus made that, too. Which, as it turned out, was probably what we should have done in the first place considering how completely awesome it is.

How did you come up with the title of your book?
Harker: Magic.

Do you read romance or do you prefer other genres?
Cactus: I don't think ever read a whole book that would be considered categorical “romance.” Traditional romances bore me. That's why I write what I do.

Harker: I love, love, love fantasy. I especially love sword and sorcery type fantasy, told in the third person with at least one female character with an IQ over 50, at least two dimensions to her name, and at least mild autonomy. As far as romance, I adore sprinklings of it in pretty much any genre but as a genre all it's own, if I read it at all, I generally skip around like crazy. If I'm reading a romance, it's probably closer to erotica than anything and I'm totally reading it for the sex. Portable porn you can read with complete social acceptance and don't have to mute for the neighbors or family lurking about? Umm, yes, please. Unfortunately, the characters in lady porn—while more impressive than those in internet porn—are pretty dull and the chicks nearly always irritate me enough to rage quit the book if I read past the sex scenes. Other romances that are less steamy usually have rather cookie cutter plots complete with weak willed girls possessing no command of their own life or choices with none of the fun sexy bits in between their bouts of stupid.

What celebrity would you chose to play the main character(s) in the movie rendition of your book?
Cactus: I think this is a not if, but when the Bienvenue movie is made, the actors will probably have to be unknowns. I can't imagine any well-known actors who would really fit the bill. Although if they could make Adrien Brody look like he had albinism, he might be a close fit for Vincent. There's also this model with albinism, Stephen Thompson, who is just gorgeous, I don't know if he acts, but I would hunt him down and do a screen test before I considered anyone else. It would be really important to me to have as many actors with disabilities as possible portraying the people with disabilities in the story. Why would we get an actor to pretend when there are millions of talented undiscovered actors with disabilities?

Harker: I have to agree with Cactus 100%. I want Stephen Thompson to play Vincent so bad. I also really want to have as many actually disabled actors as can be managed. Hollywood is bad enough at white washing and having veritable clones as their go-to actors for things, I'll be pretty pissed if they try to work around our disabled characters.

What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Cactus: Promoting and marketing. I suck at it, I have no head for it. It was kind of rude awakening, actually, when we first published Bien because I realized that people weren't going to just magically telepathically know it existed. Generally, I do a lot of the editing and production stuff. Harker has totally grabbed the marketing bull by the balls.

Harker: Editing. As far as I know, it's some sort of Cactus magic because I just can't wrap my head around how they managed to take what we write and turn it into what we publish. My year actually got off to a pretty rocky start besides the hugely satisfying start of Bienvenue so I didn't get to do nearly as much work with promoting as I would have liked to get us started but now that I'm slowly getting things in my personal life together, I'm getting our social media and promotional work together. Cactus is also selling themself a bit short as they write pretty much every blurb we use for our releases from the summary we use on GoodReads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble each episode of Bienvenue to the premier release omnibus blurb we posted on our site and social medias.

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
Cactus: The, um... writing part?

Harker: Plotting. I love plotting. I'm terrified to actually write it down. Unless I am extremely tired, the first 90% of my process of putting words to page is just staring at a blank page with my hands hovering over the keys thinking “omg omg omg I am the biggest idiot to ever idiot and this will all be 100% stupid and cliché and every trope to ever trope.” After like an hour of that, the other 10% kicks in and I just straight up lie to myself. “Don't worry, bro. No one will ever read this crap.” And that's how I trick myself into widely available literature.

Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
Cactus: Oh my god this is the worst question. I love them all. They are all very special to me. Vincent and Rene probably have the most depth and have been explored the most, I don't know if I can strictly say they're my favorite. Vincent might come close... he's almost like my imaginary friend right now. It's a little bit creepy. They're all my imaginary friends, really, but I have had moments recently where I can almost see/hear/touch Vincent as if he were a real person.

Harker: Agreed. Worst question. Too hard. In Bienvenue, it's a bit easier for me as most of the characters I developed are side characters like the majority of the Wyss family. Adela is obviously awesome. She has a lot of my little sister in her so I love writing her but, in the same turn, that makes her a bit of a pain in the ass sometimes. I also really enjoy writing Luke, though he can be a bit terrifying to write for sometimes as he has some darkness in him. I'm also a huge fangirl for Rene. Dude is just balls out crazy. However, purely based on character and not my own personal trials writing them, I have to say I've got a four way tie going between Rene, Niklaus, Adela, and a character that has not yet been introduced.

What is your preferred writing environment?
Cactus: In my living room, on my big red couch, with my laptop on my lap, and it's raining and about 45 degrees outside and I have nowhere to go for the next day or two and plenty of coffee and chocolate in the apartment to tide me over.

Harker: Anywhere that's freaking quiet. Not silent. Silence sends my ADD into overdrive. I need somewhere comfortable to sit (floor, preferably), ambient music sans lyrics, and a cat sleeping somewhere near by (but not on my laptop).

How would you describe your writing style?
Cactus: Florid, natural, and lively. I have an intuitive sort of grasp on the mechanics of the English language so I usually know what's right and what's not, and I don't mind breaking rules for effect. I'm a very visual person, so when I write, I'm usually describing a scene playing out in my head, and I actually feel pretty much everything the characters feel. I love communicating those feelings and scenes. I don't really believe in economy of language, either, it takes as many words as it takes.

Harker: Hmm... Perhaps, “meant to be read aloud.” I grew up listening to my mom read aloud and listening to books on tapes and listening to the librarians telling stories at our local library. To me words on a page are more like notes. If I put them together in the right order, the story comes alive and whoever reads those words can sing the same song that hums in my head. Because of that, I sometimes agonize over my wording of things so I can convey what I want. It does, however, mean that I abuse the crap out of italicizing and bolding things. Another reason I'm very glad Cactus takes care of the editing so that that craziness doesn't make it to the publis.

Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
Cactus: HAH! To say that our plotting process is “organic” would be a gross understatement. We riff endlessly about the plot and sometimes forget what we've planned. When we try to plan what we're going to write too deliberately, the characters rebel, take over, and kick our asses.

It's awesome.

Harker: We actually have a pretty intricate outline that's a bit... well, I tried to make a digital mind map of plot points and it turned out looking like Sherlock's string web of conspiracy in the second movie. So we have an outline but we're not neurotically following a script. Our characters really just don't stand for doing what they don't want to do.

What is your favorite quote?
Cactus: What other people think is none of my business. If you don't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else? I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggonit, people like me. One day at a time. Nothing happens in God's world by mistake. Write drunk, edit sober.

Harker: “Pain is weakness leaving the body.” “If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain.” “Go as far as you can see, when you get there you'll be able to see farther.” “They might not need me; but they might. I'll let my head be just in sight; A smile as small as mine might be Precisely their necessity.”

Do you have any advice for other writers and what is it?
Cactus: Don't think too hard about what you're writing, initially. Just let it flow. Don't judge. The judgment part comes with editing and the second draft. I really think a lot of people are held back by judging what they write before they even write it. To me, “Write drunk” just means to write without inhibition. “Edit sober” means wait until you've written it to clean it up.

Harker: Start with a small goal. Terry Pratchett had a goal of 400 words a day before he started writing full time. It's a reasonable goal and it can spark you into much more. Allow yourself to love your work. It doesn't matter if you wrote “slfksjalkfjs” and nothing else had the courage to make itself known to you. Look at that scribble of words and be proud. Look at how cute those letters are! Look at the mountains and valleys and curves. No one else can smash keys with such skill.

Wild Card Question.
As an author, what is the one question that you wish people would ask you, but no one ever has and what would your answer be to that question?
Cactus: There are hypothetical questions about Bien that I... wouldn't say I necessarily wish people would ask, but questions I'm afraid of people asking. I'm afraid people are going to ask why I write about people with disabilities. My answer is that characters with physical disabilities tell my story in a way that I never could. My disabilities are invisible and hard to articulate, but I struggle profoundly in my everyday life in ways that most people do not, and by writing about characters with different disabilities, I've found a way to express and explore that part of myself. It's very empowering, actually, but I'm afraid of someone trying to say I shouldn't be writing this way.

Harker: I want them to ask about the great love of Niklaus and Regula but I think that's not really something that can be answered in less than a few hundred pages.

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Briana Michaels Interview

4/20/2016

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The guest author for Today on Interviews by Dante is Briana Michaels. She is a writer of Paranormal Romance. Her latest work is Passion. The third book in the Sins of the Sidhe series.

Please tell us a little about yourself.
Hi! *waves hands in the air* I’m Briana Michaels, writer of the Paranormal Romance series: Sins of the Sidhe. I live on a small slice of heaven in the middle of the woods with my husband, two children, and lots of wildlife. I enjoy tea, books, wine, and food. Usually in that order.

Tell us about your latest book.
My stories are about Fae, Druids, demons, witches, and a mess of other crazy peoples who all get together and raise hell… or fight in some form of it. PASSION is book 3 in the series and it’s about a Druid who is struggling to find his inner peace and fights his own personal demons. His life, so far, has been a tortured one, and he goes on quite a journey to get out of his darkness and into the light of a brighter day.

What do you have coming out in the future?
I’m currently writing books four and five simultaneously. My people like to blend together and their stories entwine a lot. I knew this would happen from day one because nothing in my books are without purpose, but to actually watch the stories weave and lives mesh is still an incredible process to be part of. I say, “I knew they were there for a reason” a lot in my head.

Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
The first book, Shatter, could be read as a stand-alone, but that would mean you’d be missing out on all the fun that happens in the other books! I want you to have closure with some things and a growing curiosity about others. They’re intended to be read as a growing set, so what characters you meet in one book will have stories of their own in the future. I’d hate for anyone to miss their introductions because they skipped a book or two in the series.

Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
Well… why NOT romance, eh? I love the emotions you get from a romance novel - all the heart fluttering, the sweaty palms, the biting of your lower lip, the “Holy CRAP!” and the “Ohhh yeah, baby,” and my personal fave, “I gotta try that.”

My books are a little different than the rest because of how the game is played. One must shelve their knowledge and beliefs/theories they have about the paranormal when they read one of my books. At times I redefine what Fae (fairies) and angels do. Yes, many folks who read paranormal romance know that there are Seelie and Unseelie Fae, demons are generally evil, angels are pretty perfect, and yada-yada-yada. But I change the rules.

Smash them to pieces, actually.

Some of my Sidhe (the more powerful of the Fae) have characteristics that are found in vampires, my demons might just be heroic, and you may secretly want to kiss the bad guy at some point. They need love too, right?

There are so many layers in my novels, you could reread them and find a new clue each time. Take nothing I write for granted and pay attention, ‘nuff said.

Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
I write what I know and love and that’s paranormal romance. It’s a big field and there are tons of us that write it, but I love how we’re all a little different with the art of creating our worlds. Romance is something that will never grow old for me or my characters. The world needs all the love it can get.

Ruark may no longer be trapped in a cage and left in darkness, but he is far from being free - the bones in his very own body have become his new prison. Wrath pumps in his veins, and as the terrors of his past haunt him as much as the beast that resides within, the Druid struggles to find peace. He battles his own anguish, yet also feels an undeniable, metaphysical pull towards Rowan, his brother’s wife, which is an attraction that only spells further disaster. All seems lost, but when Ashlyn, a smart and beautiful Sidhe, sees her chance to redeem the man, she takes it and tries to show Ruark that he isn’t the monster he fears himself to be - but that doesn’t mean the beast inside him agrees. Will love be enough to calm the furious storm and save Ruark from an existence of rage and pain, or is he doomed to forever be the destructive monster he fears will threaten the existence of everyone around him?

Click image for explanation.

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From where do you draw your inspiration?
I don’t have to look far; the characters in my head come to me fully-loaded with desires, problems, and a history. They are pretty pushy and hardheaded when they present their issues; I try my best to help them out however I can. You might say we have a “meeting of the minds.”

I’ll get them from point A to point B, but it’s going to cost blood, sweat and tears the whole way. Wishing for a happily ever after isn’t enough, they have to earn their endings. They know that and still they come to me armed and ready for the journey.

Unfortunately, the bad guy in me also likes to muddy the waters. I throw madness around like confetti and watch what they do with my plot twists. I am very much the button pusher and the trouble maker. Inspiration comes from just sitting and chilling with the folks in my head, and the minute they start to relax, I throw a whammy at them and watch/record their response. It’s a party every day.

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Some have quirks that are found in me, my kids, my husband and friends - but it’s just a few habits or favorite foods. Their personalities are alllll them. They showed up in my mind the way they are and I wouldn’t change a single thing about any of them.

What authors inspire your writing?
J.R. Ward for sure. She’s why I’d never attempt to write a vampire novel. Why mess with perfection, eh? I also love Karen Marie Moning because I think she gets the evil/good thing like me. And of course, I love the goddess of Highlander love, Herself, Diana Gabaldon. *shout out to the Outlander fans!*

How have your real life experiences influenced your writing?
Well, we’ve all done some foolishly outrageous things in our lifetimes. If you haven’t, there’s still time to get on it!

When I was a kid, a three-legged fox was sneaking around my grandparent’s farm. His wound was old and healed, but he struggled with just three legs. I was sitting in the grass playing with a duck (yup, a duck) when I first saw it. I put the duck down and walked right over to the fox and pet it. He wasn’t skittish; he was playful and sweet and liked having his ears scratched. Total love bug. He didn’t stick around but it was fun while it lasted. And no, he did NOT eat the duck and I have no idea why he was out in broad daylight like he owned the yard.

That was how Fintan the fox came to me when I began writing. Whoda thunk that the memory of the fox from my childhood would eventually shine through as a beloved character all these years later. I get lots of giggles from my readers about Fintan. He’s a pip.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Read, cook, listen to music, walk in the woods, and I also teach art to little ones. I wear many hats in a day.

What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
Anxiety-ridden. Frightening. Vomit inducing. Yup, that about covers it. It was temporary, I assure you. With lots of encouragement, I managed to get over the fears of rejection and ridicule, I hit that publish button, and said, “Well, book one is out. Let’s make more magic now, shall we?” For which my characters all replied, “YES!”

Joking aside, I wrote my first book a year ago and getting my name out there has been a slow process. I don’t like to market. I don’t like to push my product. I’m not a sales person. My success has been slow and steady and that’s okay with me. I didn’t go into this whole book writing thing with the goal of making a million bucks, I did it so that I could have my passions out there for others to enjoy. Knowing more than just my friends and family have bought my books means I’ve already accomplished what I set out to do.

Magic happens in my stories one page at a time… so will my success.

How did you come up with the title of your book?
The title of the series “Sins of the Sidhe” came to me in a wine store when I was buying a bottle of one of my favorite zinfandels. It was a total “Aha!” moment for me and I was all by myself and couldn’t tell a soul. Devastating really as it was quite spectacular.

Do you read romance or do you prefer other genres?
I’m all about the love - any love - and I really enjoy reading historical romance novels.

What is your absolute favorite book or books and why is it special to you?
Oh man, the Black Dagger Brotherhood series for sure because they are so over the top and downright fierce. We’re family; I’m committed to those brothers and their shellans.

I also recently read the book “Dance with the Devil” by Sherrilyn Kenyon and I was a shredded, blubbering mess over it. I hadn’t read her books before and that story is now definitely one of the top books on my list of rereads because of how it got me to feel. *eyes water* Oh my golly, when Zarek dropped his coins! I will never look at a slice of bread the same way ever again. *excuse me while I get a tissue*

The flip side of immortal love is that I have to include the Outlander books to this list as well. My favorite thing about this series is how I’m growing old with Jamie, Claire, Fergus, Ian, Jenny, and the lot. I’ve been reading these books for years and I can appreciate the fact that Jamie’s hair is turning gray and that Claire’s backside isn’t so firm now. They’re still insanely spectacular to me, but I love their day-to-day life because I can relate to it so well. I’m aging, I have an herb garden, I chop my own wood, and boy would I love to have a dog like Rollo.

Have you won any awards for your writing?
Not yet, but I did celebrate my personal achievements by having lunch with some friends and a grand dinner with the hubs. Does that count?

What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Turning it off. I just can’t do it, no matter how hard I try. When I sit in front of my computer and start banging away at the keyboard, I physically morph into a crazy person. I can’t get the thoughts typed out as fast as they are flying through my head and I start yelling some days.

To actually walk away from the computer takes a tremendous amount of self-control, which I don’t always have. Some days I literally have to be pried away from my desk and my feet drag across the hardwood floors while my hands are still reaching out to keep typing that last thought. Yeah, there have even been some tears and major anxiety over not writing. My world is too big and the characters are too demanding for me to just hit the save button, close my laptop, and walk away. It doesn’t feel right to not write.

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
Opening my mind and swan diving down my rabbit hole is by far the easiest thing I do in a day. It’s a labyrinth of awesomeness and only I hold the detailed map. Coming up with a new story line is done before the coffee is brewed, and since I think like a villain most days, the plot twists are abundant and come natural to me. *mwuah ha ha ha*

Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
Adam is my favorite - not because he’s big, protective, sexy as all get out, and full of badassery, but because of his commitment to me. He was the one who demanded I write these stories, and no matter how many times I said, “Oh no, I don’t think I should,” he would calmly reply, “But my dear, it’s your calling.”

He waited for several years while I worked up the nerve to do as he desired, and when I finished writing the first book, those gorgeous color-of-a-peacock-feather eyes twinkled at me and he said, “What are you waiting for? Write the next one.”

He’s amazing, complicated, and secretive too - so much to love, right? I keep trying to get him to sit down for an interview but he’s been busy lately. Hopefully it’ll happen soon – guess it’s my turn to show patience, huh?

Who or what are your inspirations/influences?
E.A. Poe, the Joker, and Hozier are on the list. They speak to my soul and make me smile.

J.R. Ward is another one for sure. The woman is a genius and her attitude about writing really drives me to continue what I do. Will I make it as a famous author/household name/fansites-all-over-the-place writer? Maybe. But if I do, it’ll be on my own two feet. I own my failures and I will own my triumphs. That was advice I got out of an interview with JR Ward and it really hit home for me.

The “you do you” approach to this writing stuff is exactly what all authors need to remember.
My first book was difficult for me to find my voice, which was my own insecurity. My second book was a whole different ballgame. I hit the ground running, found my writing voice, and I owned that particular triumph when it was all said and done. Of course, it was also Adam’s story so…

Other influences come from daily life. I live in the woods, so my stories have a lot to do with nature. I’m married to a romantic who tends to boost my confident levels up, although I don’t think he realizes it all the time. Then there are my kids who are night and day - one’s quirky, the other’s serious; one is a night owl, the other a rooster; one’s hip hop, the other is heavy metal. Such a contrast is bound to bring on entertainment and ideas.

What is your preferred writing environment?
Tea, music, desk by a window so I can see the birds, and me alone with the cacophony in my mind. Oh yeah, and something planned for dinner that I don’t have to cook would be a bonus because once I start typing, ten hours goes fast and I usually forget to pull something out of the freezer.

How would you describe your writing style?
Not. Typical.
I write like I think and talk: Lots of humor, sentence fragments, and afterthoughts.
Preferably with sarcasm.

Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
Go with the flow, baby. Outlines are not my friends, they make me feel claustrophobic and committed. I’m a free bird and I go where the winds and characters take me.

Writing is like an out of body experience for me most of the time. I’m focused on the vision before me and I just type what I see in my mind. Sometimes it plays like a movie and I’m the one holding the camera. Other times the character has slipped into me, and I’m the one holding the sword… or eating the baked penne.

What is your favorite quote?
From another book? I’d say, “There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and danger! Some say to survive it: You need to be as mad as a hatter. Which luckily I am.” – the Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland

From my own books, I’m going with these humdingers:
Shatter: “Don’t let your elephant mouth get your hummingbird ass in trouble.”
Shine: “Funny thing about hiding your demons from the world around you: no matter how long you hold them under water, some demons don’t drown; they just grow gills and fins and lie in wait for you to give in. You see, pain demands to be felt and endured, love asks to be cherished, but secrets? Aw, those little bastards want to be released. Whereas pain fades and love grows, secrets just grind. They grind you down and leave some weak part of you so raw you give in and let them out.”
PASSION: “Sometimes a monster’s greatest fear is itself.”

Wild Card Question.
As an author, what is the one question that you wish people would ask you, but no one ever has and what would your answer be to that question?

Q: “What is your ultimate goal in writing?”

A: To have readers feel like they are part of the story, too. I want you swept up in the moments – both the good and the bad. I want you to FEEL, not just read. Get hot and sweaty, forget to breathe, shake, cry, scream - I want to drag all that out of you.
You’re reading my book. You’re now in my world. When someone’s upset, I want your cheeks to burn. When something romantic happens, I want your heart to skip a beat. When something dangerous is about to go down, I want you to look around for a weapon within reach.
I’ve had some readers tell me they felt as if they were actually in the scene while reading certain chapters and how nervous they got or that they screamed at their e-readers.

That right there goes in the “Triumph” column. I’ve reached my ultimate goal.

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Want to receive updates, quirky interviews with characters, dirty little secrets about my stories and more? Send me an email and I’ll put you on the list! SinsoftheSidhe@gmail.com

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Gisele Walko Interview

4/10/2016

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The guest author for today on Interviews by Dante is Gisele Walko. She is a writer of Young Adult Paranormal Romance. Her latest work is The Vampire and the Necromancer: An out of Sequence Love Story. It is book 2 in her multiracial monsters series.

Please tell us a little about yourself.
I am a wife, mother, and Media Assistant at a school library. I love reading and writing stories. I live in Oklahoma with my family and three fat dogs.

Tell us about your latest book.
The Vampire and the Necromancer: An out of Sequence Love Story is book 2 in my multiracial monsters series (They can be read in any order). Ivan was born into a long line of necromancers, and when he transfers to a new middle school, he meets Noah, a fellow biracial classmate, and falls for his quirky twin Nova. Nova is an overachiever, vegan and violinists (orch-dork), her senior year of high school, after a misunderstanding with Ivan, she goes to a party and gets turned into a vampire. It is magical realism, so not real heavy on the supernatural, and follows a couple from 7th grade, when they were just friends, through their freshman year of college. Oh, and it’s not written in order, but most people are able to follow it just fine.

What do you have coming out in the future?
I am working on an interracial romance novella, following two college students, Travis and Legend, and I’m trying to keep all the supernatural stuff out of it. So far so good. Also I’m working on book 3 of my Multiracial Monsters series which follows Ko, a black and Japanese bratty cheerleader, and Noah (Nova’s twin)with Kleine-Levin syndrome. I hope to have both books out in April. Fingers crossed.

Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
They are technically a series, but they can be read as a stand-alone, or in any order. They run parallel to each other.

Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
I love love stories! I think my stories are original, and relatable despite the presence of a werewolf, vampire, or necromancer here and there.

Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
Right now, I think I’ll stick to romance. I don’t intend to only write paranormal romance. If a story came to me that wasn’t a romance, I would pursue it.

Click image for explanation.

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From where do you draw your inspiration?
My everyday life. My husband, my kids, social issues, work, music, movies, shows.

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
I think so. Many of my characters have personalities, thoughts, and traits similar to myself, or my kids, or my hubby. The situations are fictional.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Binge watching horror shows, hanging out with my kids, cooking, reading, on Goodreads, or trying to learn Twitter.

What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
I submitted my work to a few places, and got a lot of positive feedback but no offers, so I self-published. I’m impatient.

How did you come up with the title of your book?
The Vampire and the Necromacer: An out of Sequence Love Story, I wanted people to know that it was out of order so they didn’t get their hands on it, hate it, hate me, and be completely confused. With Wolf Girl finds necRomance, I was making a pun about necromancy having the word Romance in it. My daughter hates the title.

Do you read romance or do you prefer other genres?
Mostly Romance, some horror, some magical realism short stories.

What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Just getting the ideas, out of my head and on the computer.

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
Coming up with ideas, and dialogue.

Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
Nova is my favorite, because I love her nerdy quirkiness, and her sometimes irrational behavior.

What is your preferred writing environment?
In bed, with coffee or tea, with the TV for background noise.

How would you describe your writing style?
I write in 1st person, with alternating points of view. I’ve tried other styles, but I’m most comfortable in other people’s heads.

Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I just go with the flow. I usually don’t outline at all. I let the people in my head do whatever they want to.

When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
My husband said, “You always say you want to write, give it a shot. Write something. He’s my biggest cheerleader and my editor.

What is your favorite quote
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Dr. Seuss

Do you have any advice for other writers and what is it?
Just write for yourself. You won’t be able to please everyone. Some won’t like your writing style or stories. Not everyone will get it. Just write the stories you want to hear, and they will be the stories that others want to hear. Some will connect with your work, and be moved by it, and read more of your stuff.

Wild Card Question.
As an author, what is the one question that you wish people would ask you, but no one ever has and what would your answer be to that question?
No one has ever asked me about advice for other authors before you, so in addition to: write what you want to read, I would say if you have writer’s block, just write badly and clean it up later.

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Jerica MacMillan Interview

3/20/2016

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The guest author for today on Interviews by Dante is Jerica MacMillan. She is a writer of Contemporary Adult and New Adult Romance. Her latest work is Rebound Envy the second book in the Rebound Series.

Please tell us a little about yourself.
I’m married and have two children, ages 3 and 1. I do most of my writing while the youngest is napping.

Here’s my bio:
Jerica MacMillan is a lifelong reader and lover of romance. Nothing beats escaping into a book and watching people fall in love, overcome obstacles, and find their happily ever after. She was recently named a semi finalist in Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write 2015 contest.

Jerica is living her happily ever after in North Idaho with her husband and two children. She spends her days building with blocks, admiring preschooler artwork, and writing while her baby naps in the sling. Sign up to receive updates on her reading and writing life at www.JericaMacMillan.com.

Tell us about your latest book.
I recently released Rebound Envy, Book 2 in the Rebound Series at the end of January. It’s about jealousy, finding love, and not settling for less than you deserve. There’s lots of sexual tension between Amy, the main character, and Adam, the love interest. This series is made of novellas, so they’re shorter and easy to read, with some nice heat between the main characters to keep things spicy.

What do you have coming out in the future?
I just finished the second book in my series of full length novels Players of Marycliff University. Once I finalize the title, I’ll be putting it out for preorder, with a release date in May.

Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
My books are interconnected standalones in a series. The main characters from the first books are secondary characters in the following books, but it’s not entirely necessary to read all the books in order (though it might help a little). With Rebound Envy there’s no reason not to read book 1, Rebound Therapy, first because it’s free from Amazon, iBook, Nook, and Kobo.

Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
I’ve always been a sucker for a happy ending and a well-told love story. I like telling stories about realistic characters that you’d want to hang out with if they were real. They have the same kinds of problems that real people face, which I think makes them more relatable and draws you in as a reader. I describe my writing as sweet and sexy. They’re sweet love stories, with enough heat to steam up your screen.

Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
Just romance.

Amy's best friend Jenna is engaged ... again. And she's asked Amy to be her maid of honor again. Amy can't help but feel jealous that Jenna's ready to walk down the aisle for the second time, especially when her own love life is virtually nonexistent.

Adam has wanted Amy since she first walked into his wine bar. After he finally got the chance to take her out, issues from his past got in the way.

Now she's dating someone else, and he's jealous of the lost opportunity.

Will Adam and Amy work out the issues from the past and present that are keeping them apart? Or will their jealousies ruin their relationships and keep them apart forever?

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From where do you draw your inspiration?
Life. I sometimes play what if with situations I’ve been in or someone I know has been in. Often, the beginning of a story just comes to me while I’m doing something else. I jot the ideas down until I can come up with more—the main conflict, a couple of major plot points—and then I start writing.

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
I think all writers do to some extent. I don’t take people wholesale and make them a character in my story, but I do use traits from people close to me for some of my characters. For example, Abby, the heroine in Summer Fling is strawberry blonde and describes herself as often being mistaken as younger than she is with makeup on and people think she’s twelve without it. My sister-in-law had that problem when she was in her twenties, so I got that from her. That’s where the resemblance ends, though.

What authors inspire your writing?
How have your real life experiences influenced your writing?
Again, all writers draw on their own experiences when writing. Otherwise you can’t craft relatable or engaging characters or stories. While I haven’t been in all the specific situations of each of my characters, I have felt their emotions, so it’s easier to convey them on the page.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Reading and hanging out with my kids. I like to get out and go hiking when I can.

What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
It was pretty straightforward. I started learning about self-publishing a little over a year ago. I did a lot of research comparing self-publishing to traditional publishing, and decided that for me, self-publishing was the way to go. I like having full control over the books and the timelines and not being on someone else’s schedule. Plus, it seems like even traditionally published authors have to spend a lot of time doing their own promotion. I figured that if I was going to do the lion’s share of the work, I’d prefer to keep the lion’s share of the profits as well. I considered submitting to some small ebook only/ebook first publishers to get started, but ultimately decided that if I was going to self-publish, I should just go all-in from the beginning. It’s only been a few months since releasing my first title, but I’ve seen steady growth that I find encouraging.

How did you come up with the title of your book?
I play word association games. With the Rebound Series, all the books will have rebound in the title, so it’s a matter of coming up with a word or phrase that goes with the books and has that word in it.

Do you read romance or do you prefer other genres?
I read lots of romance, but I also enjoy other genres.

What is your absolute favorite book or books and why is it special to you?
Probably Outlander and the rest of that series by Diana Gabaldon. I love her writing. Those books hooked me from the first time I found them when I was in high school. I had no idea what I was getting into at the time, and I’ve reread most of the books more than once. Last Christmas, the best present I got was the whole series as ebooks so I can read them easily whenever I want.

Jenna Anderson is still stuck in her grief a year after her fiance died in a tragic accident. All she does is go to work and spend time at home, her former spark gone. Her best friend decides she needs a rebound guy to have some fun and start to live again.

Brian MacCallum is the hot owner of the wine bar where Amy takes Jenna. He has a mischievous grin that he wields like a weapon to convince Jenna to give him a chance.

Will his love be enough to pull Jenna out of her grief so she can learn to live and love again?

Click image for explanation.

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Have you joined any writer’s groups?
I’m currently a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Idaho Writers League.

Have you won any awards for your writing?
I won first place in the annual Idaho Writers League competition for creative non-fiction, and my novel Summer Fling (Book 1 of Players of Marycliff University) was chosen as a semi-finalist in Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write competition in 2015.

What is your preferred writing environment?
I usually write in my home office with either music or rain sounds playing in my headphones to block out extraneous noises so I can focus. Sometimes I’ll get out of the house and go to Starbucks or something for a change of scenery.

How would you describe your writing style?
Simple and accessible. I want readers to easily connect to my characters and their feelings, so I try not to let the writing get in the way of that.

Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I’m sort of a hybrid. I have a framework in mind for each story, but not a detailed outline. To get started, I usually know the opening scene, the main conflict, and a couple major plot points. The rest comes as I go. I try to figure out what scene I’m going to write next before I sit down to write. Sometimes I do a little free writing to get started so I can figure out where I’m going and what needs to happen to get there.

When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
I’ve been dabbling with writing for the last couple years. I went to a conference put on by the local RWA chapter last March that convinced me that I might be able to make this work. I learned so much from that one conference and eventually joined that chapter.

Do you have any advice for other writers and what is it?
Don’t give up. Find people and resources that are encouraging and keep going.

A chance encounter at a party brings Lance and Abby together.

Lance just graduated and has a summer internship. His parents expect him to come back to Texas to work in the family business at the end of the summer. He likes to have fun and doesn't want to be tied down too soon. Until he meets Abby.

Abby still has two years left of college and a mom who keeps her anchored near the town where she grew up. She is cautious in relationships, not letting people close. But Lance's persistence wears down her defenses. Knowing Lance is leaving, Abby tells herself it's just a summer fling.

Will that be enough to keep her from falling in love?

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Lana Kortchik Interview

3/10/2016

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The guest author for today on Interviews by Dante is Lana Kortchik. She is a writer of Historical Romance. Her latest work is Savaged Lands, a story of war and betrayal, of love and forgiveness.

Please tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in Russia when it was still the Soviet Union and moved to Australia with my mum when I was 16. I live in Sydney with my husband and write historical fiction. My first novel, Savaged Lands, has just been published by Endeavour Press and is available on Amazon.

Tell us about your latest book.
Savaged Lands is a story of war and betrayal, of love and forgiveness. It is September 1941 and Hitler’s Army Group South has occupied Kiev. A young Soviet girl named Natasha falls in love with Mark, a Hungarian soldier of Russian descent. Trapped on opposing sides of a brutal conflict, they are forced to keep secrets from everyone they love. With everything stacked against them and nothing to hope for, the two characters are compelled to fight for their love and their very survival.

What do you have coming out in the future?
I am working on a novel about a woman who has lost her memory due to an accident. She returns home from hospital to discover dark secrets about herself, her husband and her relationships with others. It’s very different from anything I’ve written before and I am really enjoying it so far.

Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
It’s a stand-alone novel at the moment, although I might consider writing a sequel in the future. Or maybe even a prequel, as one of the characters comes from very interesting background and I would love to explore it further.

Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
I write historical romance. For me, the setting is as important as interactions between the two characters. Because of the setting characters find themselves in the situation they are in. It affects their relationship and the way they relate to each other. It is historical background that makes their romance fascinating.

Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? Most of my short stories are historical fiction, some of them historical romance. But I’m trying something completely different with my current work in progress, which is a suspense novel.

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Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Absolutely! Everyone I meet can end up in my book. I’ve been known to borrow particular features, names, even whole personalities. I’m still waiting for someone to recognize him or herself in my book though.

What authors inspire your writing?
My favorite author of all times is Alexandre Dumas. I love the adventure, the intrigue, the camaraderie of Dumas novels. The first time I read The Three Musketeers, I was seven and completely hooked. It was the start of my love affair with historical fiction. Since then I have read everything by Dumas I could get my hands on.

How have your real life experiences influenced your writing?
I lived in Kiev as a child, and so, when it came to choosing a setting for my first novel, it had to be Ukraine. Having lived in the city, researching Kiev during the occupation and the hardships the Kievan population faced every day was a very intense experience. And I wanted to write about the war because I grew up listening to war stories. My grandparents have lived through the period and I think World War II is close to any Russian’s heart.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?
When I’m not writing, I’m thinking about writing or talking about writing with my friends. I also try to read as much as possible, as I find it helps with my writing. I constantly read authors whose style I admire and re-read my favorite books. Most of my free time I spend on the beach, enjoying the nice Sydney weather.

What is your absolute favorite book or books and why is it special to you?
The Count of Monte-Cristo has been my favorite book for the last twenty years. I think the character development in that book is astonishing. Monte-Cristo is a happy, carefree sailor who loses everything only to reinvent himself as an evil genius in possession of immense power and fortune. He is hell bent on revenge and this desire takes over his whole existence until there’s nothing left. He thinks he can play with destinies of others just like his own destiny was once played with but he is wrong. Although the prevalent theme of the Count of Monte-Cristo is revenge, ultimately the book is about forgiveness.

Have you won any awards for your writing?
One of my short stories set in Napoleonic period was the winner of Historical Novel Society Autumn Short Fiction Competition 2012. And I was the runner-up of 2013 defenestrationism.net Short Story Contest.

What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
The hardest part is to treat writing as any other job. To sit down and write no matter what, whether you feel like it or not, whether you are inspired or not.
Which of your characters is your favorite and why? My favorite character in my novel is a Hungarian soldier in Nazi-occupied Kiev. He’s not just any soldier but a soldier of Russian descent. I like him the most because of the way he handles many challenges he faces. Having grown up in a Russian family and now fighting on Hitler’s side and seeing Hitler’s atrocities on Soviet soil firsthand must be incredibly difficult for him. When he meets and falls in love with a Soviet girl called Natasha, he wants to do everything possible to protect her but it turns out that he himself needs protection.

What is your preferred writing environment?
I love writing at home where there are no interruptions. When I write, I turn off my phone and only check my messages when I finish a chapter. I also enjoy writing outside, in a quiet place, preferably overlooking the ocean. I carry a notepad with me everywhere I go because you never know when an idea might strike.

Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
Before I started writing my book, I planned out every chapter and prepared a detailed outline. But when I was actually working on it, the characters seemed to take on a life of their own. The end result was very different from what I had planned originally.

When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
I first started writing at University. Just an occasional poem or short story here and there. I never showed my work to anyone but enjoyed it very much. After I graduated, I stopped writing until about six years ago when I went back to Uni to do my history degree. One of my lecturers mentioned that I had a nice writing style and I thought, why not give it a go and this time actually try to get something published? I’ve been writing ever since.

What is your favorite quote?
‘In every soldier’s knapsack is a marshal’s baton’ Napoleon Bonaparte

Do you have any advice for other writers and what is it?
Start small, write a few short stories and get them published. Seeing your work out there is a great confidence boost for any writer. Duotrope is a great resource that lists thousands of markets for short stories. Write from your heart and don’t worry about editing until later. Find as many beta readers as you can to get as much feedback on your manuscript as possible.

Wild Card Question.
As an author, what is the one question that you wish people would ask you, but no one ever has and what would your answer be to that question?
Can I buy a thousand copies of your book?
And my answer would be a thousand times YES!

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Marie Lavender Interview

2/20/2016

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The guest author for today on Interviews by Dante is Marie Lavender. She is a writer of multiple sub genres of romance and other genres of fiction. Her latest work is Second Chance Heart.

Please tell us a little about yourself.
Hello! Thank you for having me. I am a multi-genre author of 22 books. I live in the Midwest with my family and three cats. I have been writing stories since I was nine years old, and have been pursuing this crazy writing dream for a little over 25 years.

Tell us about your latest book.
Second Chance Heart is about a woman, Dana Nelson, who runs into her ex while on a business trip. He hurt her long ago, but they have quite a history. She doesn’t expect to still feel anything for him.

What do you have coming out in the future?
Well, I’m currently wrapping up edits on Upon Your Love, the third and final book of the Heiresses in Love Series. That is a Victorian romance. And I’m almost finished writing Blue Vision, a sci-fi romance, which will be the first book of the Code of Endhivar Series. I hope to have both of those released this year. I’m also working on organizing some of my backlist into combined romance anthologies, so one or more of those might come out sometime this year as well.

Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
Second Chance Heart is a stand-alone, though I have some series books on the market as well.

Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
I love romance! I just love writing about love, and I’ve always loved reading romance novels or watching romantic comedy movies. As for what makes my romance writing unique, I guess you could say that I’m not afraid to cross some lines. By that I don’t mean I write dark romance at all, but rather if there is a sensitive subject in a character’s life, I don’t sugarcoat the problem. This is who the character is, and I won’t dance around the tough issues. I guess I also like to put my characters through a lot before they get their happily ever after.

Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
Yes, I write in other genres. I have published in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance/urban fantasy, fantasy, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. I am always trying something new. I even have time travel and dystopian works in progress.

After a wild storm forces her to take shelter in a small town inn, Dana Nelson thinks that all she has to worry about is a brief stay before she heads back to the city. She gets far more than she bargained for…

The last thing she expects is to run into an old flame, and even worse, the man who broke her heart twelve years ago. She’s sure that the only thing remaining between them is a strong attraction for another.

She can’t be more wrong…

The more time she spends with Vince Reynolds, the more she begins to believe she can trust him again. But, can she put her faith in the one man who captivates her, body and soul, or are some wounds too deep to heal?

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From where do you draw your inspiration?
I get my inspiration from life – from events in the world or the people around me. And sometimes the ideas seem to come virtually out of nowhere, even stumping me a little on their origins.

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
I have once or twice, but I don’t do that intentionally. Most of the time, the character just comes out, surprising me in his or her own complexities.

What authors inspire your writing?
I have a lot of favorite authors! J.R. Ward, Chloe Neill, Kris Tualla and Nora Roberts, to name a few.

How have your real life experiences influenced your writing?
Oh, I think my experiences have figured a lot into my work. Whatever dark parts of my life occurred for a reason, and I use those emotions to make my characters and the stories real.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I love reading, spending romantic evenings with my fiancé, and I absolutely love shopping! Oh, and I also like to cook for fun.

What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
Crazy! LOL. In 2002, while I was in college, I set out with the intention of writing my first historical romance novel. However, that took many years to write and polish. I always knew I wanted to publish Upon Your Return traditionally, so with that project I held out for it. Around 2010, I saw the self-publishing trend really take off and I decided to try it out as well. I published a literary fiction and poetry anthology, and then I released two more volumes after that. In 2011, when I deemed UYR finally ready for the market, after a lot of work with critique partners, I started sending the book out to literary agents and publishers. While I waited to hear back from them about my historical romance, I published many other books in different genres. After receiving numerous rejections (yes, aspiring writers, that is part of the process), I decided to go a different route with UYR. I started looking for publishers that didn’t require an agent. In August of 2012, I received my first book contract. And it was so exciting! Not too long after that, I started getting ideas for the sequels. Upon Your Return was published in February of 2013, and I have been with Solstice Publishing ever since, releasing several subsequent stories and novels.

How did you come up with the title of your book?
Second Chance Heart actually came from the premise of the book. I wanted to see if after a lot of heartache and history, happiness between two people was possible. I didn’t even know how the book would turn out until after I finished writing it.

Do you read romance or do you prefer other genres?
I mostly read contemporary romance, paranormal romance or historical romance, but I also venture outside of my comfort zone now and then. Right now, I’m reading a science fiction novel.

What is your absolute favorite book or books and why is it special to you?
I love J.R. Ward’s Dark Lover. Throw in a grumpy, centuries-old vampire and a spitfire of a human reporter and sparks really fly! Wrath is totally my book boyfriend. (Fans herself.) And I love paranormal romance of any kind, so how can you go wrong?

What celebrity would you choose to play the main character(s) in the movie rendition of your book?
For Dana, I would pick Deborah Ann Woll and for Vince, probably Taylor Kinney.

Have you joined any writer’s groups?
I have joined the RWClist on Yahoo, keeping up with their newsletters. And I am in several writing discussion groups. I am in the Poets & Writers directory. As for major writer’s organizations, I would love to join the Romance Writers of America, but I just haven’t had the chance yet.

Have you won any awards for your writing?
Yes, of course. Just recently, Second Chance Heart and A Little Magick placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers' Poll. Three of my books were nominated in the TRR Readers' Choice Awards for Winter 2015. I was the poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. I won the Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. I received Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. In 2014, I was a Finalist and Runner-up in the MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. I received Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. My blogs won the Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. I am in the Top 10 Authors on Authors Database. And I won the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors a couple of years ago.

What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Sometimes research can be a real pain. It’s not always easy to find the answers to certain questions. And writing a love scene in a new way can be quite a challenge.

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
The best and easiest part is probably when I’m the midst of writing, tuning out the world around me, pen in hand, and the scene is flying onto the page. There I am fully immersed in the fictional world, the story building and the characters talking. It’s the greatest sense of freedom I’ll ever have.

Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
Fara Bellamont is still my favorite, not only because she’s the heroine of Upon Your Return, my first published historical romance novel, but also because she’s a woman out of her time. Born in Victorian France in a time where women are ‘handled’, she goes against social expectations every chance she gets. And I fully respect a woman who knows her own mind.

Who or what are your inspirations/influences?
I have to mention some authors here. Nora Roberts taught me not to hold back in my writing. Kris Tualla and Linda Lee Williams taught me many things, but most of all, that the best heroes are those closer to home. Also that a truly flawed hero is even better than a perfect one because he finds ways to adapt and make a life in this crazy world. J.R. Ward further taught me that vampires can be extremely sexy, in many ways. Chloe Neill taught me that a woman can really kick ass and have fangs! And finally, in the real world, I have to mention my fiancé. Without having his love, without truly ‘being in love’ (yes, there is a difference), I don’t think I could fully capture the idea of romance in my writing.

What is your preferred writing environment?
I can write anywhere, but I do my best writing sprawled across my bed, penning a scene in one of my journals.

How would you describe your writing style?
I tend to get in a character’s head a lot, so in rewrites and edits, I have to tone it down a bit. My humor is also somewhat sarcastic, so I think that comes out in my writing at times. And when describing a place, I try to write it as if I’m standing there experiencing it just as the character is. Beyond that, I think it’s hard for a writer to step back from their writing and see a ‘style’, so to speak. Though a reader may be a better judge.

Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
Both actually. When I first start a project, I am just going where the muse takes me. I write as many scenes as I can, but eventually I break down and do some plotting to keep focused. Then I write some more.

With many publishing routes available today, which felt the most reliable to you when it came to the many choices?
As I have dipped my toes in self-publishing and traditional publishing, obviously there are pros and cons to both sides. With self-publishing, you control all aspects of the experience – writing, finding an editor, looking for a cover artist, promoting your own work. With traditional publishing, they handle a lot of it for you, though you still may have to market your own books. It depends on your publisher. When I first started the self-publishing journey, I used Lulu.com to publish and distribute my books. They are a good source. For any recent self-published books, I simply used Amazon KDP, then used Smashwords to distribute to various sellers. I haven’t used CreateSpace yet, but I’m hearing great feedback about their system. In a way, I do like the hands-on experience of self-publishing. I even like designing my own covers or looking for great cover artists. And from the beginning, I have made my own book trailers. I’m not afraid to try a little DIY now and then. The important thing is that the book and everything associated with it is extremely professional. That creates a great-looking product, which, of course, looks more attractive to readers.

When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
I don’t think the muse gave me a choice! LOL. From childhood, I just knew I wanted to write for a living.

What is your favorite quote?
I have two. One is related to writing and one is romance themed:

"You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you."
-Ray Bradbury

“A true man does not need to romance a different girl every night; a true man romances the same girl for the rest of her life.”
― Ana Alas

Do you have any advice for other writers and what is it?
Never give up. If this is indeed what you want, and you can’t imagine doing anything but writing as a career, then you can’t give up on your dream. The only one who loses by giving up is you. Two of the big things that got me to this point? Persistence and perseverance. Be brave enough to have both in order to follow your dreams.

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N.D. Jones Interview

2/10/2016

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The guest author for today on Interviews by Dante is N.D. Jones. She is a writer of Paranormal Romance. Her latest work is Of Fear and Faith is Book One in the Death and Destiny Trilogy.

Please tell us a little about yourself.
I live in Maryland with my husband and two children. I have a M.A. in Political Science, using my degree to go into education as a teacher. I taught high for many years, eventually becoming chair of the Social Studies Department. Currently, I am a professional development specialist with a local Maryland school system, working on increasing student achievement through teacher and administrator self-efficacy. I’m also pursuing my doctorate in education in Community College Leadership.

A desire to see more novels with positive, sexy, and three-dimensional African American characters as soul mates, friends, and lovers, inspired me to take on the challenge of penning such romantic reads. I like to read historical and paranormal romance novels, as well as comics and manga with action and heart. With a two-hour daily work commute, I’ve found audiobooks to be a great friend. I’ve “read” some of my favorite books while on the road.

Tell us about your latest book.
My most recent book is “Of Fear and Faith.” It’s a paranormal romance novel with shape-shifters and elemental witches. The book is the first novel in my Death and Destiny Trilogy. The blurb for the trilogy is: Every five hundred years, a fire witch and a water witch are born, destined to wage battle in the name of Mami Wata, goddess of water, and Oya, goddess of wind, fire, and lightning. Sanura is that fire witch, Assefa her were-cat familiar. They are unwilling pawns in the life and death chess game between the goddesses, but are unable to prevent what is to come – the Day of Serpents.

What do you have coming out in the future?
I just finished writing “Of Beasts and Bonds.” It’s the second installment in my Death and Destiny Trilogy. I’m going through the editing process now, making sure, in part, that I haven’t contradicted myself from book one to book two. Which, yes, I’ve found places where I definitely did not align the works as smoothly as I should have. As of now, my working back cover blurb for the new book is: Mami Wata and Oya are now free from their watery prison and ready to wage a battle five hundred years in the making. Special Agent Assefa Berber and Dr. Sanura Williams are the prophesized Cat and Fire Witch of Legend. To save the world from Mami Wata, a water goddess with a bloody thirst for power and an insatiable appetite for death and destruction, they must defeat her beasts and the Water Witch of Legend.
Assefa and Sanura are fully in love but possess only a partial mate bond. While Sanura has merged their auras, bonding Assefa’s cat spirit to her, she has yet to accept his claiming bite. Their incomplete mate bond and their new relationship are tested when Mami Wata sets her malevolent eyes on them, manipulating beasts, sacrificing humans, and creating heartache. Can their bond survive, or will they drown under the vicious tide of godly might?
In a world of mystery and magic, sometimes old bonds must be broken before new ones can be formed. Who knew that finding one’s soul mate would test bonds and unleash beasts?

Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
“Of Fear and Faith” is part of the Death and Destiny Trilogy.

Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
Honestly, I used to never read fiction, no less romance books of any genre. But a few years ago I heard Marvel was going to have Storm and Black Panther marry – an unprecedented move by the comic book company. As an African American woman and fan of X-Men’s Storm, I was intrigued enough to buy all the comics leading up to their marriage. Well, from there, I fell in love with comics with romantic relationships, especially those with African or African American characters. I’m such a nerdy fangirl that I even included a silly line or two about Storm and Black Panther in my upcoming book and made a secondary character a comic book fan.

When Marvel dissolved the marriage between Storm and Black Panther, I was so disappointed. Worse, there was no comparable comic I could turn to to get that particular enjoyment fix. That’s why fanfiction is so popular. I truly get why fans turn to writing fanfiction. For some, they want to have a certain level of power over their favorite characters, writing what they would like to see in the actual comic, book, movie, or television show.

So, for me, what makes my brand of romance special is that I write what I see as a dearth in the paranormal romance genre - African/African American love with a paranormal twist. I spend a lot of time developing the mythology of my stories, as well as the execution of the paranormal element. If I write a book with witches and shape-shifters, I think it’s important to actually show what it means to be a witch and shape-shifter. That’s one thing a reader of my books can look forward to. The paranormal is not a sidebar in my novels. It’s center stage and critical to the plot.

Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
As I mentioned, I write paranormal romance. I love the sexiness of a straight forward romance, but I also like a book to have a plot beyond the main couple meeting and eventually falling in love. Integrating paranormal aspects into my novels gives me a little more to work with. It forces me to be creative in a different way.

Before trust and love can take hold, grow solid roots, and blossom into a reality larger than self, fear must be conquered and faith embraced. Yet fear of an ancient prophecy, of burning magical power, and a broken heart, Sanura Williams, psychology professor, is unprepared when Special Agent Assefa Berber enters her life, hunting a preternatural serial killer. Assefa's intelligent, chocolate eyes and intoxicating aura signature stirs her fire spirit but frightens the woman.
In a world where all is not as it seems, Sanura and Assefa must battle the gods' first creations - vile predators who threaten the safety of humans. Each confrontation, each bloody clash, will bring Sanura and Assefa closer to fulfilling the prophecy of being the Fire Witch and Cat of Legend - the ones who will save humanity from the Water Witch of Legend. Death, godly magic, and physical attraction draw Sanura and Assefa to each other, but fear and faith will determine their destiny.

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Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Some character or physical traits are based on real people in my life. More often than not though, I use the names of family of friends for many of my characters. In fact, the hero in my Death and Destiny Trilogy is named after my son. And I gave the hero a twin sister, naming the character after my daughter. I do that a lot, if the name works for the character I’ve developed.

What authors inspire your writing?
I’ve learned a lot from reading and enjoying books by Cynthia Eden, Mary Balogh, Lisa Kleypas, Nalini Singh, Jeannine Frost, and Kelley Armstrong. They are different types of writers, crafting romantic stories in intriguing and engaging ways. Whether paranormal, suspense, contemporary, or historical, each romantic tale by one of these writers is, in a way, inspirational to a new and struggling author.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?
When not writing, I like to watch movies, go to the theatre, and play video games. I also enjoy our family movie nights, which are great.

What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
Difficult. It still is. Very few publishing companies accept unsolicited and unagented manuscripts. I sent query letters out to many ebook publishing companies. And I was turned down more times than is good for any writer’s self-esteem. But perseverance is the name of the game, as well as simply perfecting your craft. After every rejection, along with a bit of sulking, I would edit and try again. Edit and try again. Edit and try again. Yeah, you get the picture. It’s a cycle, some may call it a vicious cycle of writing and rejection.

How did you come up with the title of your book?
I’m big on themes. So when I’m pondering the title of a book, I start with the major theme(s) of the story. From there, it’s pretty easy for me to come up with an appropriate and telling title.

Do you read romance or do you prefer other genres?
I do read romance novels. Actually, I listen to more audiobooks. But they’re all romance. I read a lot of scholarly works, being in a doctoral program, so getting a chance to read or listen to a nice romantic suspense or paranormal romance novel is a great treat for me.

Issa, tribal chieftain and warrior, dies trying to protect his family and tribesmen from slave traders but is given a second chance at life as an angel. Having lost his home, daughters, and life by forces beyond his control, Issa, a Guardian Angel for four centuries, has yet to come to terms with this “failure.” So when a rogue demon attacks and almost kills his wife, Serwa, Issa goes on the hunt.
Serwa knows the pain of loss, the burn of fire, the heat of love. She is a Healer Angel, bound to help, to heal, to protect. And the person she wants most to heal is Issa, her husband, her soul mate, her warrior. But what is a woman to do when a husband's guilt and fury challenge the very foundation of their marriage?

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What is your absolute favorite book or books and why is it special to you?
At heart, I’m a student of Political Science and Black Studies. I have degrees in both subjects. Thus, I read and have read tons of non-fiction books on American Government and African American history. When I was a teacher, I taught American Government and African American History to African American students who knew far too little about both subjects. Carter G. Woodson’s The Mis-Education of the Negro and Alex Haley’s The Autobiography of Malcolm X are two of my favorite books

What celebrity would you chose to play the main character(s) in the movie rendition of your book?
Such a great question. And wouldn’t it be great if someone, maybe Spike Lee, wanted to have my book made into a movie? Okay, a girl can dream. And while I’m dreaming, Oprah Winfrey’s network would be a great place for my book turned television movie. Anyway, who would I chose for my hero, Assefa Berber? David Oyelowo or Lance Gross. For my heroine, Sanura Williams, it would be Adepero Oduye.

What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
The hardest part of the writing process is the temptation to rush or shortchange a scene because I’m feeling tired or being lazy. Certain scenes, love and action scenes, for example, take a lot out of me. I know they must be written well, hitting all the emotions I’m going for and hope the reader will feel when they read the scene. For me, that takes so much more effort than writing any kind of dialogue heavy scene. I’m slow, when it comes to love and action scenes. But they are my favorite and, when done properly, turn out to be among my favorite in the book. Grit is necessary when I don’t feel like giving each scene my all.

How would you describe your writing style?
I’m a linear thinker, so I write the same way. I don’t skip a scene I don’t feel like writing and come back to it later. I write in the order in which each scene takes place. In fact, I think in terms of sections of chapters. Because I’m a detailed person, taking a chapter section by section, I’m able to manage my writing and my sanity. I set short writing goals for myself. If I finish a section, then I’m happy because I accomplished my goal. If I view my novel from a big picture perspective mainly, then I’m more focused on how much is left to write instead of how much I’ve already written.

Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I can neither imagine planning an entire work in advance, nor can I envision writing without a basic outline. I always begin with a big idea or a major plot point I want to explore. The characters come soon afterward. Normally, I know how I want the story to end and several key moments I want to include. Everything else develops as I progress through. the story.

What is your favorite quote?
“You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.” Octavia Butler

This is a great inspirational quote from Ms. Butler, especially for a new writer. And it is so darn true. Persistence, while necessary, is not easy, which Octavia Butler well understood. Which made her so great at her craft.

Zora James knows the pain of loss, the lick of flames, the passion of purpose. But she's never known the heat of love. Yet when she meets Alastar, the sexy Ranger with a hero complex, Zora knows her life will never be the same. Alastar Adams knows the sting of rejection. But he's never known the healing heat of love, the power of unexpected happiness. Yet when he meets Zora, the elegant law student with the soul of an angel, Alastar knows his life will never be the same. For Zora and Alastar, however, the hunt for love proves to be a creature of mists and shadows. For Alastar Adams is no mere man.
In a world where fear often trumps trust, his secret just might tear them apart. Or perhaps it will be Zora's divine fate that will doom them to hopelessness. Whoever said love at first sight means forever? Certainly not the demon assassin sent to destroy one by murdering the other. Note: This book contains adult language used as profanity.