Saturday, 30 June 2012

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - MARGARET CHATWIN






When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?
In my opinion there’s a difference between a "writer" and an "author." The word author is past tense to me. It means "I wrote a book." Whereas the word writer is present. It means "I currently write. I write every chance I get. I’m addicted to writing. I write when there’s nothing to write and I would write even if there was no such thing as a reader. I can’t stand to be without my laptop – I take it everywhere I go just in case I get a second to jot something down." In which case, I AM a writer and have been for as long as I can remember.
 
How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
Back in my glory days I use to write a full length novel in about ten days. I’d cry when it was finished, spend about a month mourning the loss of the friendship I’d had with my characters, toss the manuscript in a box in the closet and then repeat the process by starting a new story.
Those manuscripts stayed in storage for, ummm, about ten years. But now, one by one, I’ve been getting them out, revamping, updating, editing and getting them ready for print, which takes about three to four months. Depending on how much time I’m required to spend in the real world.
 
What genre would you place your books into?
I’ve never written with a genre in mind. I didn’t even know what the word genre meant when most of my books were originally written. I’ve always just written whatever feels right at the moment. So, needless to say, I have a real eclectic mix of books. I have three books out now. Sweet so Fragile, is more of a family/real-life drama. Taking the Fall is a romantic action and 101 is for the older YA and has a hint of dystopian.
As far as my favorite style of writing – I like first person from a guys point of view, like 101 is written. Most of my manuscripts are written that way, so that’s most likely what you’ll be seeing from me in the future.
 
What was the toughest/best review you have ever had?
This wasn’t a written review, but it’s been my greatest complement so far. It was from a woman who was currently reading my book. She said, "Dang, this book! I can’t get nothing done." She was pretty upset too, and actually used a curse word, but I want this to be a family friendly interview. (Wink) I loved the comment because it meant she liked it enough that she couldn’t put my book down. I like when I’ve interrupted my readers sleeping, eating and daily routine, it means I’ve done my job as a writer correctly.

Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your book/books?
NO! If I’m going to go to that extent I may as well make up a bunch of aliases and go write my own reviews of my books. I mean seriously, what does a writer want reviews for? To see what people really think of their book, right? That’s certainly what I want out of a review.
Now, of course, I don’t think there’s any need for a reviewer to be crude, rude or overly cruel when reviewing a book. It is someone’s "baby" after all and that author does have feelings. But I think it’s perfectly fine for someone to say they didn’t care for the book and list the reasons why.
I personally appreciate an honest review because it helps me to improve as a writer. (I can’t fix it if I don’t know there’s a problem.)
I understand that not everyone is going to like everything I write. I can live with that. Each person is entitled to their own opinion, and it doesn’t make me a better person, or have a better book, to try taking that away from them.
 
Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
I’m just a pawn. I don’t make up my characters, they are just suddenly there, inside my head, pressing, pressing, pressing to get out. When I meet them for the first time, I’m able to feel, see and know them in their whole form. About the only thing I make up for them is a name. And to be honest I’m not even sure I do that. Because so often I’ll choose a name and . . . nope . . . just not the right one. Try again. Sometimes I go through a dozen plus names before "The One" presents itself to me.
Most of my books have been written because a character came to me. Rarely have I written a book for the plot. My job as a writer is to tell my character’s story in a way that does them justice. That will earn me the right to have the next character choose me as their voice.
 
How do you market/promote your books?
Oh, that has been the hardest part about being a self-published author for me. I just don’t know how to really get my books out there. So far I’ve been doing giveaways, and asking bloggers to help me gain exposure. My problem is this: Yes, I want people to read the books I’ve published, but I’d rather be writing the next one than promoting the last one. I’m a writer, not a marketer. But if I don’t market the book, no one will ever know they are there. And, though, I’ve never figured I’d ever make a living off my books, I have gotten a pretty cool rush just from the enjoyment others get from reading them, so I’ll keep trying. Gotta feed my need, you know.
 
What do you think makes a book a really good/bestseller?
Emotion. At least that’s what I like about a book. I like a book that makes me "feel" something. I think emotion is what makes characters believable, memorable and love/hateable. If hateable is even a word. Emotion is a universal language, something that connects us all. I might not understand the things you say, but if I see you smile I can tell how you feel and it makes me feel good too.
A really good writer can turn emotions/ feelings into words.
 
Have you ever based characters on people you know or based events on things that have happened to you?
Yes and no. My book Sweet so Fragile was based on a combination of real events. However, there is so much fiction thrown in that the lines are pretty blurred. But I’ve written over fifty manuscripts and that’s the only one I can think of that was based on events or people I know.
I guess you can find small pieces of me, magnified in each character that I write about, but I’m not sure that qualifies either.
Most of the time just the opposite happens. A character will pop into my head, want his or her story told and I’m left thinking, "How am I supposed to write that? I don’t know a single thing about it. Oh, man I’m really going to look like an idiot, this time." But doing research has been a lot of fun for me and I’m always glad for what I’ve learned.
 
Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")
Big YES on that one. My books have so many hidden messages and morals that they are oozing out of the bindings. Nah, just kidding, not that many. But, yes, all of my books have at least one major moral. So what is the moral of the story? Well, that depends on who’s reading it. Every reader will find their own answer to that question because each person will pull from it what is most valuable to them.
 
Did you read a lot at school and write lots of stories or is being a writer something newer in your life?
I’ve never been the best reader in the world. I was one of those kids that read like this; See. Sp.. Sp... Spot. Run. Well, okay, not that bad but, you get the point. Besides not reading all that fluently, I had a very hard time finding books that appealed to me and kept my interest. So, I wrote my own books to fill that void. As I got older I was able to read better, but then due to some issues with my eyes, I’d get headaches if I read too much, so I just didn’t read. Again, I wrote to fill the void. Now that my eyes are getting much better, I’ve read more books than ever before. However, I’m still not a huge reader. Probably just because I never formed the habit. I do love books though! I could live in a library with books all around me and be happy as happy can be.
 
Do you or would you ever use a pen name?
I don’t use a pen name but I have to admit, I’ve thought about it. Day dreamed about how cool it would be to be some famous writer that everyone loved but no one really knew. It just has that mysterious feel to it. You could be sitting in a restaurant somewhere and people could be talking about you and your book, and you’d just smile to yourself cause they have no clue they’re in the same room with you.
 
Where can readers follow you?
 

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - OTHER BOOKS BY MARGARET CHATWIN




BLURB from Goodreads
During a robbery, Jace Sullivan’s wife, Cari, was murdered. If that wasn’t bad enough, she was seven months pregnant when it happened. Though medics were able to save the child, the unfavorable circumstances behind the premature delivery has left baby Colton with severe health issues.
Now, while trying to pick up the pieces of his own shattered life, Jace must watch helplessly as his son desperately fights to keep his fragile life. Meanwhile, his teenage daughter, Jorry, seems to be carelessly throwing hers away.





BLURB from Goodreads
Karen Hill does not need a hero clad in shining armor! She has never been saved by anyone except herself, and the last thing she needs is Michael Tanner claiming he’s going to save her now. Save her from what? As far as she’s concerned, he’s the only thing she needs saving from! Under Cover Narcotics Officer Mike Tanner is accustomed to being patient. Waiting and watching to see how things will play out. During his latest case, he has discovered that SharShay Cosmetic Company is distributing a major amount of pure cocaine and that the owner of the company, Miss Hill, is oblivious to it all. He’s content to let it stay that way, until a naive comment she makes put her life – and his – in jeopardy.

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - 101 BY MARGARET CHATWIN




BLURB from Goodreads
How do you get desperately needed answers when no one is talking? Who do you trust in a place full of criminals, a place where it’s easy to mistake friends for enemies and enemies for friends? And how is it possible for one girl to seemingly vanish into thin air, especially when the place is surrounded by sixteen foot high electric fences?
When Trigg and his sister Ren are sentenced to township 101 for the crime of defending themselves, and Ren suddenly comes up missing, Trigg must ask himself these same questions.
Something else he’d like to know is, how do you survive when the flaws of the NAO’s justice system has turned a simple punishment into a game of life or death?






Friday, 29 June 2012

MORE ABOUT - MICHAEL WIGGE



So now that you have read the blurb of the book and my review of the book, you are probably a little curious about the man that actually undertook this mammoth task?
In this post I will try and tell you a little more about Michael and add some photos of his journey too.

So who is Michael Wigge? and where is he from?
Michael is from Berlin Germany. Michael is a journalist, comedian, documentarian, and world traveller. 


A little more about Michael Wigge?
Michael Wigge first started as an anchor on the German VIVA-program London Calling. Since then, the world has been his newsroom. Michael has gone from living with the native Yanomami Indian tribe in the Amazon rainforest to fighting Sumo Wrestlers in Japan.

So where is Michael Wigge living now?
Michael currently lives in Berlin,Germany but still prefers to be travelling.







When did he undertake this journey?
Michael zigzagged across four continents, and 11 countries in just 150 days, without any money in his pockets or wallet! I will say after reading the book that Michael is extremely resourceful and come up with some..er ..wacky ways to earn money for his journey.








So what did he do to earn money?
Michael's main ideas were 1. Avoid regular work and focus on unusual services in exchange for accommodation, travel, and food. 2. Engage people, Michael did take part in physical labour and was not afraid of hard work, as long as it was out of the ordinary in some way. 3. Michael was also highly aware that   people enjoy being let in on an ambitious plan, and therefore will contribute to help make the plan happen.
























So if you would like to learn even more about Michael's journey at howtotraveltheworldforfree.com


(Book and Information sheets provided by Megan at PRbythebook. The images are from google images.)

HOW TO TRAVEL THE WORLD FOR FREE BY MICHAEL WIGGE



ISBN: 9783000375433
Publisher: Michael Wigge
Pages: 196


BLURB from Goodreads
How to Travel the World for Free The unbelievable feat of traveling 25,000 miles—from Berlin to Antarctica—without any money! Join Michael Wigge as he immerses himself into fascinating subcultures, rides with Amish farmers in old-fashioned buggies, sleeps on the street with the homeless, and, with the help from alternative lifestylers, learns to nourish himself with flowers. Wigge had only 3 concerns during his travels: How do I get some food? How will I get to my next destination? Where can I sleep? …all without money! This unusual travel diary combines adventure with humour and contains surprising revelations about when money is really needed—and when it’s not. A must-read for every travel and adventure fan!


MY REVIEW
Firstly I will say I like the cover and think it depicts the book really well, as it shows Michael Wigge in his now rather shabby dirty clothing, looking rather downtrodden and tired,trying to hitch hike at the side of the road. What a contrast between how Michael looks and the beautiful scenery around him looks!
Initially when I read what Michael planned to do I admit I was sceptical. I mean how on earth was he going to get total strangers to give him food, shelter and money?
Well he did it! He did it on numerous occasions and in numerous cities. Was he ever in danger? Yes at times it seemed he was but just as you fear the worst someone would take pity on him ad take him in for the night or feed him. Was he ever tempted to give up? Yeah he explains in the book he has a few wobbles where he felt like giving up, but he always managed to push the doubts aside and continue his unique journey. 
Michael met many different types of people, those that had plenty, that he would do odd jobs like being a butler for the day for, to the simpler life-styled Amish people who took him in when he was at a low ebb and allowed him to rest up and be fed. The Amish then paid him for working with them and gave him a bike which allowed his journey to continue on at a faster pace for a while. Michael then manages to sell the bike and use the money to continue his journey.
Michael does some crazy, wacky things such as being a human sofa! Charging a dollar to be sat on! I really loved the pay a dollar for a pillow fight escapade. Especially when he gets wise and charges some students to fight each other with the pillows whilst he looks on resting and enjoying the show they are putting on.
It always seemed to be the people who had the least seemed to be the ones that gave the greater amounts and most willingly.
One of the great things about this book is that lots of people will love reading it. I mean you don't need to be a big reader to enjoy it. Its the type of book you can dip in and out of. It doesn't need to be read as a whole if you don't want to. Its very easy to slip in an out of. An ideal book to have in your bag when travelling on a boring journey somewhere.
So did I enjoy this book? Yes Would I read more by Michael Wigge? Yes if it were some similar strange journey he was trying to do. In fact I would love for him to travel from the highest tip in Scotland to our Lands End in Cornwall and see if he could do that with no money! Would I recommend this book? Yes, its a great, light,educational yet amusing book. I would have loved to watch the TV series that aired in America.

(This book was sent to me to review by Megan at PRbythebook, so thankyou! )


Available from Amazon.co.uk

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - HOW TO TRAVEL THE WORLD FOR FREE BY MICHAEL WIGGE




BLURB from Goodreads


How to Travel the World for Free The unbelievable feat of traveling 25,000 miles—from Berlin to Antarctica—without any money! Join Michael Wigge as he immerses himself into fascinating subcultures, rides with Amish farmers in old-fashioned buggies, sleeps on the street with the homeless, and, with the help from alternative lifestylers, learns to nourish himself with flowers. Wigge had only 3 concerns during his travels: How do I get some food? How will I get to my next destination? Where can I sleep? …all without money! This unusual travel diary combines adventure with humor and contains surprising revelations about when money is really needed—and when it’s not. A must-read for every travel and adventure fan!


Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £7.52 in paperback or 3.08 on kindle.

Thursday, 28 June 2012

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - MARSHA A. MOORE






What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
I’m Marsha A. Moore and am originally a Hoosier, born in Terre Haute, Indiana. Today, I live in the Tampa area with my husband. We moved from the Toledo, Ohio area three years ago, so I’m still learning to be a Floridian. We love it here! The change has been a wonderful adventure. I like being outdoors any day I choose, whether I’m kayaking, hiking, or cycling. I love the water and aspire to be a beach bum. I write chapters for my book on our dock or at the beach. Inspiration from nature fuels my writing.

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
As early as I can remember I’ve always been driven by creativity. In college, I wanted to pursue Literature and Fine Art, but my parents encouraged me to study Biology, so I might eventually find a reliable job. That was fine, since I liked that subject also. My compromise—a Biology major and an English minor. I wrote essays as a fun break from my full load of Science. Yes, weird that I thought writing essays was fun…still do!

When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?
I didn’t aim to be a fiction author. My path evolved to this end. Years after graduating, I worked as a rock music reviewer just for fun. During that time, I was inspired by some of those experiences and tinkered with fiction. Initially, I wrote fiction based on the world of rock music. Through a lucky happenstance, a man who worked for a major book publishing house read my first attempts at fiction, which were posted on a music forum. He repeatedly encouraged me to submit my creative writing. Over time, I came to believe him and did. After that, a new world opened up and it’s been a wonderful time.

Do you work another job as well as your writing work?
I write full-time, but my hobbies often transform into part-time jobs. I recently enrolled in a yoga teacher training program. I want to take my practice to a deeper level. Beyond personal gain, I’m eager to see what paths open to me that will allow me to share this wonderful way of life with others. I’m keenly interested in working to help those in need of rehabilitation from injury or illness. I’ve taught high school for seventeen years and my parents were teachers, so teaching is a natural part of my life. I gain from giving.

Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?
I have some books released by a publisher, MuseItUp Publishing, and others self published.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
I plan a new book or series for many months while I’m writing another. Once I begin the actual writing process, it takes about three to four months to have a draft ready to give to my editor.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
I love epic fantasy and will likely do more in that subgenre.  I especially enjoy reading magical realism, mythpunk, and mythic fiction—all subgenres that sit on the border between fantasy and literary fiction. I expect my writing will shift in that direction over time.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
I’m currently finishing up writing the third Enchanted Bookstore Legend, Lost Volumes. I’m expecting a September release for that book.

What genre would you place your books into?
Fantasy romance.

What made you decide to write that genre of book?
I like the complexity of fantasy, the feeling of being transported into another world. However, most fantasy books are written for young adults. In my reading, I longed to find more fantasies written for adults. The element of romance I include is far less about adding sex than about adding deeper connections between the hero and heroine, allowing them to be more three-dimensional and work with more complex issues.

Do you have a favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?
I am in love with the series I’m presently writing—the Enchanted Bookstore Legends. It’s a blast to write all the interwoven subplots, clues, and red herrings that will be unwind slowly in later books. The scope of an epic fantasy written over a series of five books is something I’m really enjoying.

Do you have a favourite character from your books? and why are they your favourite?
This is a truly epic tale with a large and wonderful cast of otherworldly characters, including many talking animals. My main characters, Lyra and Cullen, must attempt difficulties that stretch their abilities over numerous quests. But, my secondary characters often bring laughter and lighten their loads, or encourage their strengths to persevere. I’m in the middle of writing the third book, so by now the personalities of my secondary animal characters really shine and they feel very real to me. I’m especially fond of my dragons, but one type stands out as a favorite—pseudodragons.
Pseudodragons are not true dragons. They are much smaller, being only three feet long, including their tails. In my legends, we get to know the pseudodragon Cullen keeps as his wizard’s familiar—a typical role for this species. His name is Noba, and he is a tiny burgundy-colored pseudodragon who has a heart of gold that makes people melt.

If you had to choose to be one of your characters in your book/books which would you be? and why?
Easily I would be Lyra. Reality always forms the framework of my stories. Actually, since this is a five-part series and I’m currently writing book #3, the more I look at this story, the more of myself I see. My heroine, Lyra, is very much connected to me. Even in the first chapter of the first book, the childhood memories brought to her mind by Cullen’s magical tea are actually all mine. How Lyra interacts with her Aunt Jean has been a way for me to work through my own issues with my mother’s failing health. Some scenes intentionally connect to my own experiences, like those, and others surprise me much later when I’m polishing my draft to send to my editor. I shake my head and hope no one other than my crit partners can identify the similarities.

How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover of your books?
I designed the covers for my Enchanted Bookstore Legends. I combined techniques of watercolor and digital painting to achieve the illustrated look I wanted for fantasy.

Do you basic plot/plan for your book, before you actually begin writing it out? Or do you let the writing flow and see where it takes the story?
My process begins with a setting I find interesting, somewhere I’d like to spend some time. In writing fantasy, world-building is everything. Then, I create the main characters, appearance and personality. From there, how they will become involved goes hand-in-hand with developing the plot. I do outline a lot, since there are many interwoven subplots in this series. This series is epic in scope, and details would get lost if I didn’t plan. Outside of the key features on the outline, I do allow the in-between progress in each chapter to flow freely, which I enjoy a lot. Some of the most imaginative bits arise that way.

What do you do to unwind and relax? Do you have a hobby?
I relax by creating. I love to draw, paint, and knit. I also enjoy gardening.  My active hobbies include yoga, cycling, and kayaking.

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")
Yes. The underlying theme is that compassion will win over evil.

What is your favourite book and Why?  Have you read it more than once?
I loved Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift. The symbolism is amazing; the more you read, the more layers you find. Inspired by that, I like to hide things in my stories.
From the present, picking one book is too hard. The Harry Potter series is one of my all-time favorites. Again, the layering of hidden plots, which spin to completion later in the series, really captures my imagination. The last few books that really pulled me in were Natasha Mostert’s Season of the Witch and Erin Morgenstern’s Night Circus. In both of those, magic caused mental effects for both the giver and receiver. I enjoy the complexity of that theme and employ it myself in a very different way. My heroine, Lyra, must learn to mentally control her vast inherited powers as the new Scribe. That is something she struggles to master through the series.

What are you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback)
I am currently reading Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb in ebook format, One Song: A New Illustrated Rumi in hardback, and Yoga and Meditation by Stephen Cope in hardback, and Practicing Sigil Magic by Frater U.D. in paperback. I am enjoying each one. Dragon Keeper is for fun, Practicing Sigil Magic is for writing research, and the other two are to expand my yoga practice.

What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?
Don’t work alone. Use a critique group. I love my crit partners. They’re my best friends. They keep me motivated, cheer with me for my successes, and support me when any hardships come along. My group is local, though the Florida Writers Association. I think it’s extremely important to find a local crit group rather than working only online. We benefit so much from collectively brainstorming how to solve everyone’s writing problems.

Do you or would you ever use a pen name?
I do use a pen name. The last name I use, Moore, is actually my mother’s maiden name, easier to spell and remember. I like it because it still feels like me.


Where can readers follow you?

Your Blog details?     http://MarshaAMoore.blogspot.com
Your Web site ?     http://MarshaAMoore.com
Your Goodreads author page?     http://www.goodreads.com/marshaamoore
Your Twitter details?     http://twitter.com/MarshaAMoore

And any other information you wish to supply?


EXCERPT - HERITAGE AVENGED BY MARSHA A. MOORE








Excerpt:

From Chapter 1: The Letter

Lyra worried about Cullen on his flight home. Despite the fact he was over two hundred years old, it was only his second plane trip. The few wizards of Dragonspeir who visited the real world seldom traveled far, and then not conventionally. He kept her safe in his world last summer. She intended to keep him safe in hers.
“Next!” the heavyset postmistress belted out.
 “I’ve got to hang up,” Lyra quickly whispered into her cell phone. “Be sure you call me when you land in Sault Saint Marie. Love you.”
She sighed and maneuvered to the clerk at the far end of the counter. If only they could live together in one world. She needed to learn more magic first and hoped to make a start in a few weeks, when she took her winter break from teaching to attend his Solstice Festival. Unfortunately, her formal lessons would have to wait until next summer.
When Lyra approached the counter, the woman peered over the top of her reading glasses as she shuffled papers. “Yes?”
“I’m here to pick up my mail from a vacation hold.”
“Theme of my day,” the postmistress muttered and then barked, “Name and ID.”
“Adalyra McCauley. Just since the day before Thanksgiving.” She fumbled in her purse and pulled the driver’s license from her billfold.
The women sighed, slid off her stool, and shuffled into a back room. A few minutes later, she lumbered back, carrying a small stack of letters, glossy ads, and magazines. She scooted the mail across the counter.
Lyra stuffed it all into a tote bag, then scurried to her silver Subaru sport wagon and tossed it into the passenger seat. Driving Cullen to the Tampa International airport and this stop barely left enough time to make it to the university in time to teach her ten o’clock class. But the memory of those lingering goodbye kisses made it worth the consequences.
She stopped for a red light at a twelve-lane interchange, tapping the wheel impatiently. The edges of the mail peeked out of the sack, tempting her. She pulled it into her lap and riffled through the letters. The usual bills. The signal remained red.
Thumbing quickly through familiar envelopes, one unusual return address caught her eye, William T. Betts, M.D., Washaw, Michigan—the island village location of Aunt Jean’s cottage on Lake Huron. Although addressed to Lyra, it had been sent to where her aunt lived prior to passing away. She couldn’t place his name as one of Jean’s doctors. Multiple postmarks revealed a path of forwarding, the oldest dated last August, a few weeks after the funeral. She checked the traffic light—still red.
She ripped open the envelope and yanked out the letter.
Dear Ms. McCauley:
I am writing this correspondence in my capacity of Birch County coroner. Please accept my condolences for the recent loss of your aunt, Jean Perkins. Prior to delivery of her remains to the Michigan State crematorium, her attending physician, Dr. Everett Schultz, requested an autopsy. Dr. Schultz and I wish to meet with you to discuss my findings at your earliest convenience.
                                                     Respectfully,
                                                     William T. Betts, M.D.
A horn honked from behind and jolted Lyra into a panic. Her limbs froze and her eyes returned for another glimpse of the letter. She wildly scanned the page, searching for additional information. Aunt Jean had died of cancer. What more could they tell her than that?
At the time of Jean’s death, the abrupt change in her symptoms puzzled Lyra and made her question the visiting nurse. Hours before, her aunt’s mind had been lucid. Her eyes were clear and her breathing soft and steady, not a raspy death rattle. Now those initial concerns seemed grounded.

The driver behind her laid on the horn.
The noise jarred Lyra to the present. She exhaled an arrested breath. To brace her shaking arms, her free hand clamped the steering wheel. Unable to coordinate, her foot slid off the clutch and stalled the car.
A chorus of horns blared.
After fumbling with the ignition, she restarted and herded her Subaru into the stream of traffic. She locked her eyes squarely ahead to avoid angry road-rage stares from passing motorists.
One car pulled alongside and tooted. Her eyes shifted onto the driver who flipped her off before speeding away.
Shaking, she gave up rushing to be on time. Keeping her car safely on the road was challenge enough. She hung back to allow other cars to pass.
Plodding in the slow lane, her thoughts drifted to the letter. What had the coroner found? In September, the funeral home wrote, indicating they stored her aunt’s ashes, as Lyra directed, until she returned to collect them. The director never mentioned any question about the cause of death.
Lyra shifted before engaging the clutch. Grinding gears vibrated the car. White-knuckling the wheel, she gratefully turned at the sign for Southern University. Finally in her assigned parking spot, she slumped into the seat.
Before getting out, she reread the letter to search for clues between the phrases. She found none, but the words “earliest convenience” loomed. The doctor wrote the letter three months ago. Would that lost time make a difference?
Was it possible someone harmed Jean? Hundreds in the village visited the funeral and expressed sorrow. What about that strange man, Revelin? He came to Jean’s home, supposedly working as an aide from the home care division of the local clinic. He acted suspicious, trying to read Lyra’s computer screen, open to her draft of the new version of the Book of Dragonspeir. Maybe a person from Dragonspeir? A few supporters of the evil Black Dragon could enter her world. But who? His alchemist, Tarom, possessed enough power and talent. A chill ran down her spine, thinking of his glowing red eyes and crimson cloak with moving tentacles at its hem. She sighed. No obvious evidence linked either man.
Sun rays reflected light through her windshield from the modern glass and concrete English building. This alerted her to pull herself together and go inside. After sucking in a deep breath to steady her nerves, she opened the car door and stepped out. Her legs shook under her weight. Her shoulders sagged under the load of the briefcase and bags. With an awkward gait, she ambled toward her building.
She stopped cold. Students raced around her to make their classes. What about Eburscon? Alchemist for the Imperial Dragon’s Alliance. She clenched a fist, recalling his haughty, antagonistic manner. He openly disapproved of Lyra’s influence on anyone in Dragonspeir.
Opening a side door off the parking lot, she checked her watch. Five minutes past the start of class time. She braced herself, rearranged her bags, and climbed two flights—a short cut to the classroom which avoided the department offices.
Three minutes later, she arrived in the room, out-of-breath and shaking, in no shape to teach. But, the chairman kept careful tabs on all his non-tenured professors, including Lyra.
Thankfully, the lesson was an easy one, reviewing short story reading assignments. The students in her American Lit course, just returned from a long Thanksgiving weekend, didn’t want to hear a rigorous talk about Emerson and Thoreau. Most eyed her with groggy stares, heads propped on elbows. A handful of alert and prepared students vied to contribute, snapping out responses to Lyra’s discussion questions. Usually she enjoyed pitting them against each other, but today she merely appreciated their participation.
Her mind wandered two thousand miles away. She watched the clock, counting the minutes until she could talk with Cullen during his layover in Detroit.



AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - MARSHA A. MOORE








Author Bio: 

Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. Her creativity also spills into watercolor painting and drawing. After a move from Toledo to Tampa in 2008, she’s happily transforming into a Floridian, in love with the outdoors. 

Crazy about cycling, she usually passes the 1,000 mile mark yearly. She is learning kayaking and already addicted. She’s been a yoga enthusiast for over a decade and that spiritual quest helps her explore the mystical side of fantasy. She never has enough days spent at the beach, usually scribbling away at new stories with toes wiggling in the sand. 

Every day at the beach is magical! 

Author Links: Website: http://MarshaAMoore.com 




Goodreads author page http://www.goodreads.com/marshaamoore 





PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - HERITAGE AVENGED BY MARSHA A. MOORE



Heritage Avenged 

by Marsha A. Moore

Genre: Fantasy romance 

Blurb: 

Lyra McCauley receives an alarming letter from the coroner who evaluated her deceased aunt, originally thought to have died of cancer. The news causes Lyra to take leave from her job and travel from sunny Tampa to the frozen island community in northern Michigan. Questioning whether Dragonspeir magic was responsible for her aunt’s death, she resolves to learn the truth and accepts the Imperial Dragon’s appointment into the Alliance sorcery training. 

Additionally, becoming proficient in magic craft is the only way she can bridge the gap between her mortal human world and her lover’s. Cullen, a 220-year-old wizard, is dependent upon his Dragonspeir magic for immortality. He is her only family now; she cannot lose him. 

Evil forces block her and try to steal her inherited scribal aura. Riding a stealth dragon, a cloaked rider pursues Lyra. Both the Alliance and Dark Realm alchemists lay tricks and traps. Her aura equals that of the first and most powerful Scribe, but will Lyra’s novice training allow her to discover the truth? Will she be able to be with Cullen, or will the Dark Realm keep them apart?

Purchase Links:

Amazon Heritage Avenged: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Two ~ available for only $1.29

Amazon Seeking a Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend One ~ available for only 99 cents



Wednesday, 27 June 2012

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - KEN LA SALLE






What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
My name is Ken La Salle. I was born in Orange, California and I live in Anaheim, California. (I believe this is called being a “man of the world.”)

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
I knew from a very young age that I wanted to do something creative. I felt pulled towards theatre, towards singing, and towards writing. After spending my time in a couple of cover bands, I realized I wasn’t exactly cut out to be a rock star. After doing a lot of theatre, I realized my strength was not necessarily acting. Though I loved both more than I can say, my weakness as a singer and actor turned out to be my strength as a writer – that is, I tend to over-analyze things. You might say I think too much. There are times as a performer you just want to go with things and not think and, while that wasn’t my strength, it turned out doing just the opposite, being very aware of what was going on, thinking a whole lot, has helped me as a writer.

When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?
I tend to be very particular about calling myself a “writer.” I knew for most of my life that I didn’t want to do it until I was sure. I’ve seen that guy who brags about working on his book who you know is never going to finish it. You know he’s just boasting over nothing. I didn’t want to be that guy.
A few years ago, as my life turned more and more towards writing – one of the few upsides to a crappy economy – I began to see things change and all of those caveats I put on myself that prevented me from calling myself a “writer” were pushed aside. My plays began to get produced. I found an agent who believed in me. I was published – and not just self-published, either, which was nice.
But the day I realized I could consider myself a “writer” was when I was out with my wife and someone asked the inevitable, “What do you do?” And I said, “I’m a writer.” I said it without thinking, without flinching. It just became what I am – and I have marveled at that every day since.

Did it take a long time to get your first book published?
I guess that depends on what you mean by my “first book.”
I’m 46 years old and I’ve been writing seriously for about 25 years. I wrote my first book, which I have lost since lost, when I was 21. I’m not ashamed to say: it stunk. The last quarter century has been about learning, refining, and becoming the writer that I am. My first published book was Climbing Maya, available from Solstice Publishing, which I wrote in and around 2008. By that time, I had written about a dozen books.
So, the short answer is: Yes.
But then, if you look at how long it took from writing to publishing, it’s not as long. The whole process took about four years, and that’s not bad.

You can find Climbing Maya for all e-readers at: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/156534#longdescr

Do you work another job as well as your writing work?
I used to. I spent about 20 years working in marketing management and in marketing and technical writing. But I grew to resent that because I worked under my real name and wrote under my pseudonym, Ken La Salle. I had to do this for fear of losing my day job. I hated living two lives and looked forward to the day when I could “come out,” so to speak.
Now, thanks to the help of my lovely wife, I have come out and live my life (openly) as a writer. I am so busy between working on new books, promoting published books, working on new plays, and just generally going about the business of being a writer, I don’t have time for another job.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what would you say?
I just finished a book on ethics called Dynamic Pluralism. In less than 20 words: Dynamic Pluralism presents a working system of ethics, something that has not been proposed in over 200 years.

Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?
When it comes to self-publishing or looking for a publisher, I live by the motto: Do everything!
So, when I write a new book, my intention is to find a publisher. I’ll work to find a publisher for as long as I can and, if that doesn’t work out, I’ll look at the self-publishing option. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with this. Sometimes, publishers aren’t looking for the book you have to sell.
I’ll give you an example. Next month, I will be releasing my next, self-published book, The Worth of Dreams/The Value of Dreamers. I’ll be releasing it as an ebook and (with any luck) an audio book. The Worth of Dreams/The Value of Dreamers is a compilation of my first year of articles about pursuing your dreams run on the Recovering The Self website. I’m putting those together with some bonus material and charging a very small amount for it all. I know a publisher won’t necessarily be looking at this but it’s something I believe in, which is why I’m doing it myself.

You can find Recovering The Self at: http://www.recoveringself.com

Do you have a "lucky charm" or "lucky routine" you follow when waiting for your book to be accepted by a publisher?
Yes. My lucky charm is my wife, Vicky. No kidding. I’ve been fortunate to meet and marry someone who inspires me, helps me with the business side of writing, and makes my life fun. I couldn’t ask for more!

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
I’m pretty fast once I get going but I tend to “pre-write” much of my work. By that, I mean that I think through all the major issues before I write the first word. It’s not that I plot it all out to the Nth degree, but I want to know where I’m going and what I’m doing and then, with that resolved, I can begin writing. From start to finish, that means a novel takes 3-5 months.
A full-length play takes me about two weeks to write.
Non-fiction takes a bit longer. The book I just finished, Dynamic Pluralism, took me about 20 years from the first ideas to the last rewrite. Mind you, most of the work was done in the last three years, but it was important to lock down the theories before I committed myself.

Which of your books were easier/harder to write than the others?
Well, as I just mentioned, I spent a very long time working on my last book. The writing time was astronomical compared to how long it takes to whip out a novel: six months! But the thing is it was worth it. It was one of those experiences, like Climbing Maya, when I realized I had a book that could help people, could make the world a better place.
That said, the next book I dive into will be a novel – because after you spend several years working on something worthwhile, you just need a break!

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?  Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
As I recently mentioned to another interviewer, my “brand” doesn’t tend to lean towards one genre. My output is very diverse, as you can see just by looking up the books I have available on Amazon, etc. That said, one of the benefits of moving forward with my writing career is that I’m learning what people want.
For the last decade or so, my goal has been to always be a moving target. I wrote every genre that interested me – fantasy, science fiction, horror, mystery, literary, commercial, non-fiction – hoping that someone would find some interest in my work and I could say, “Okay, so I should write more of that.” And that is kind of what has happened in the last couple of years. With Climbing Maya out, I’m going to follow that up with another book on philosophy, the aforementioned Dynamic Pluralism, and another memoir, a book about my father’s passing away called The Day We Said Goodbye. With the encouragement I’ve found at Recovering The Self and my regular column on pursuing your dreams, I’ll be releasing the Year-One compilation, The Worth of Dreams/The Value of Dreamers.
With more of my shows finding receptive theaters, such as Writing Man Productions and the Dark Room Theatre in San Francisco producing my farce Murielle’s Big Date in November, I’ll continue to write more plays – mostly because they’re just a whole lot of fun.
In the midst of all that, I’m excited to be starting a new novel called Work of Art. It’s about a group of people drawn together by nothing but the endeavor to create art, which is actually very powerful. This is a new kind of novel for me, a hopeful idea. My agent refers to my previous work as “eorish,” but this feels like something new and I’m excited to be starting it… somewhere amidst all those plans…

Do you have a favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?
My favorite is always the book I’m working on at that moment. Having just finished Dynamic Pluralism and as I have not yet begun my next project, I guess I’d have to say my favorite at the moment is Climbing Maya. It’s my favorite because it’s a book that inspires people and really strikes a chord and I never realized I could do that. It’s a book that has inspired me; it has made me a believer in myself. I’d say that’s a pretty good reason.

Do you have a favourite character from your books? and why are they your favourite?
I can name two off the top of my head and they are both alike in that they are both, so far at least, unloved.
The first character is Hex from my Rynia book of fantasy novels (available on Amazon and Smashwords, etc.) Hex is a pacifist, a loner, a lost soul – and he is asked to be a hero. He’s not a hero. Far from it. But through the course of the four Rynia books, you see how the people in his life make him a hero. After finishing the four Rynia books, I was ready to go on and write two more trilogies… maybe one day…
The other character is Maggie Lawrence, the protagonist in my murder mystery, Sleepwalker. Maggie has sleeping issues and wakes up one morning to find out that she just might have run someone over as she drove in her sleep. She’s no detective and her friends are far from your usual cast of characters. She has to find out who did it, not to catch the bad guy but just to make sure it isn’t her. This is a novel I’m actively trying to sell and I would love to follow Maggie through several more books because she is so ill-suited to be a detective.

You can find the first Rynia book, A Hex Upon Rynia, for the Kindle and Kindle-Apps at: http://www.amazon.com/A-Hex-Upon-Rynia-ebook/dp/B004ZZMS24/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1337098709&sr=1-4
You can find the first Rynia book, A Hex Upon Rynia, for all e-readers at: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/58564

If you had to choose to be one of your characters in your book/books which would you be? and why?
I’ve heard it said that writers always put themselves in their books, that one character always represents the writer. I, on the other hand, like to play all the characters. I think it’s the actor in me.

How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?
My dream of becoming a writer began in 1983, back when I was in high school. One of the other students, a guy older than me and far more mature named Roy Johnson had just written a story called Snails. I can’t recall exactly what it was about but I remember it was, of all things, a love story. It was very impressive and me being the showboating, young actor that I was, which is to say also terribly insecure than anyone could do something I could not – well, I said something stupid like, “Yeah, that’s okay. I’m working on my first novel, myself.”
And, of course, someone called me on it.
I remember that was on a Friday and I had to come up with a first chapter by Monday or be proven wrong. Well, I did… but it was horrible. For many years after that, my motivation for writing was simply to write something as good as Roy Johnson had written. Once I got something close, I was so pleased that I’d actually done it that I had to do it again!

Where do you get your book plot ideas from?What/Who is your inspiration?
The short answer is: I don’t sleep.
I’ve wrestled with sleeping problems all my life but one of the upsides to being up in the wee, small hours of the morning is that I can let my mind travel wherever it wants. I usually know sort of what I want to do next; I have inclinations pulling me one way or another so I’m generally not a blank slate. I just let my mind do what it wants and play with whatever inclination I might have.
You know, one of the things about being a writer, or any artist really, that is so hard for some people to understand is that you need to untrain so much of what you’re taught through your lifetime. I think that’s difficult for people to comprehend. But I’ve found that my writing, that all of my art, has only succeeded to the extent in which I’ve been able to shut off so much of what I’ve learned. I remember, as a child, being told not to let my mind wander. I remember being told not to daydream. Oh, what I would give to smack the folks who told me that. Letting your mind wander and having an ability to daydream, those are arts in themselves! That’s where I get my inspiration!

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
I don’t so much have a routine as I have a desk and a “To Do” list. I sit at my desk and look at my “To Do” list and get started. Usually, this means about eight hours each day, except when Vicky can pull me away on weekends, sitting at my desk in silence. I’m sure if I had a laptop (with requisite ergonomic keyboard), I’d write anywhere and it’s probably better that I don’t because being able to take my writing anywhere would probably be dangerous!

Do you have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officially release them?ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?
Vicky reads just about everything before it goes out. She’s my partner in this endeavor. She works as my proofreader and my adviser. I wish she was a bit more vocal about how she feels but she seems to like what I do, so I guess I can’t complain.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
They say you shouldn’t read your reviews and I firmly agree. That said, I read everything and it’s the dumbest thing I could do. I have a notoriously thin skin and tend to believe people with an almost “well, if they wrote it down it must be true” kind of approach. This has been devastating, of course, but I like to think it’s helped thicken my skin a bit.

What was the toughest/best review you have ever had?
I tend to be very hard on myself, which means that I am also my worst critic. This is very helpful, though, because while I throw away most of my ideas I also know that if I’ve stuck with something that usually means it’s worthwhile.

Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your book/books?
Sure, if it was possible. I’d prefer every review be a good one! Sadly, however, we don’t live in that universe. We don’t even live in a universe where a reviewer would listen to your request. The best we can do is accept the good with the bad. As long as I can keep working as a writer – you know, once I make some money at it – I’ll try not to let negative reviews hurt me too much.

How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books? Who designed the Cover of your books?
One of the most enjoyable things about self-publishing has been in coming up with my own covers. I am a closet graphic artist and I’d love to be talented as a painter, but I’ll take designing book covers where I can.
On Climbing Maya, I worked with the cover designer at Solstice and that was a great experience. At first, I had suggested using a mountain top for the cover, going with the implications of the book’s name. Then, I realized we needed something iconic, because the “climbing” in the book is a philosophical climb with a summit that may be an illusion. I asked if we could get a mountain top that looked like it came out of A-Ha’s Take On Me video. Mind you, that video didn’t feature a mountain top but the cover designer somehow got my intention and came back with an iconic image that ended up being the book cover. I think it’s absolutely wonderful.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
It depends. I often get a title right away, because I know where the book is going and want to start talking it up with my friends. In those cases, names just pop up. The title for my mystery, Once Removed, was like that. I was lying in bed, talking about my new book idea with my wife – the idea being about a wife who finds notes from her dead husband that eventually lead to his murderer – and the name just came out.
Other books aren’t so simple. The three Rynia books that make up the Sons of Rynia trilogy were very much like that. I spend years calling them “Books One, Two, and Three” without any kind of title at all. Once I knew I was going to self-publish them, however, I knew I’d need a title… actually, three titles. So, I sat down with the first book title, A Hex Upon Rynia, and tried to find three names that fit that name scheme. By the time I finally had them, I wondered what had taken so long!

How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
As I said, I tend to think things through quite a bit. But I don’t even start thinking about it unless a core idea, event, or person nags at my mind. In my next book, Work of Art, for instance, I have the image of a boy painting flowers for the girl he loves in my head. That got me wondering: Why is he painting them? Where is he painting them? How is he discovered? Once those questions found answers, more questions started popping up until I was sure a book was there.

Are character names and place names decided after there creation? or do you pick a character/place name and then invent them?
I have the hardest time with name and tend to fuss over them quite a bit. For instance, I feel I tend to use the same names over and over and sometimes I think my names get to be too generic. So, I’ll change them even as I finish a book or play because I’m second, third, fourth-guessing myself. I’ll look all over the Internet for a name to grab me. Basically, I’m lucky to finish something with names intact.

Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
Oddly, I don’t tend to think too much about traits. I usually listen for a specific voice. If I can find the character’s voice in my head, that usually also gives me everything I want to know about character. For instance, I recently wrote a play called Broken People in which a character called The Sad Man walks into the Arizona desert in the middle of summer to kill himself. When I wrote The Sad Man, I could hear his lines as Peter O’Toole. I needed to use that voice for the gravitas it provided. O’Toole’s signature voice also told me everything I needed to know about the character. I’m not always so lucky as to find such a specific voice, most of the time it’s just me, but when I can find a particular sound it helps me capture what I need to know about the character.

Do you basic plot/plan for your book, before you actually begin writing it out? Or do you let the writing flow and see where it takes the story?
I do a little of both. As I mentioned, I like to find the major notes in the book. I know if I have that I’m good. The way I like to explain it is that I like to know what happens in the book and, in the process of writing the book, I learn how it happened. That gives me enough room to play while still giving me the book I wanted.

How do you market/promote your books?
Since my books have so far all been e-books – this will end with the paperback edition of Climbing Maya, coming soon! – I’ve been working on promoting my work online as much as I can. This has happened through interviews like this, of course. I’ve also created my own website. I blog fairly regularly and work the social media. Basically, I’m looking for any opportunity I can find to get the word out there!

What do you think makes a book a really good/bestseller ?
How I wish I knew!
This may be the worst thing for a writer to admit, but I have learned that I am not the best judge of what is marketable. I started writing mystery novels, for instance, because an agent told me they would do well. They haven’t.
When I wrote Climbing Maya, I told my wife I was sure nobody would ever be interested in it. Turns out, that’s my first book released by a publisher. So, what do I know?

Have you ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?
When I was younger, I would suffer from writer’s block but that hasn’t been a problem in more than a decade. I believe one reason for this has been because I dedicate myself to writing every day, as much as possible. Now, my problem is just the opposite. Last July, I suffered from what I called “Burnout,” which was just the opposite of writer’s block. I could not write! I had to take a month off from writing all together because I’d pushed myself too hard. Now I’ve learned that I need time off. I’m going to take time off this July as well, just a couple of weeks, to help cool off before I burn out again.

What do you do to unwind and relax? Do you have a hobby?
I work so much that it’s sometimes hard to turn off the machine. For this reason, my hobbies tend to either be aimed at turning off my brain or giving me opportunities to work away from the keyboard.
One way I turn off my brain is with video games, specifically World of Warcraft. I can play WoW for an hour or so and just vegetate and not think. I know this probably sounds like sacrilege to hardcore gamers but I’m not there for that. I’m fine spending an hour crafting or questing.
Working away from my keyboard comes in the form of jogging or bicycling. I love to go on long-distance road trips, cycling 100 kilometers or even 100 miles. It’s something I do not do nearly enough but it’s great because I can work on a story as I ride. It’s the best of both worlds.

Have you ever based characters on people you know or based events on things that have happened to you?
Sure, as long as I can mention my memoir – or is that cheating?
Climbing Maya, my philosophical memoir about the nature of success, very nearly did not happen. I was out of work at the time and trying to think of something marketable I could write, something that would make money. (This goes back to how little I can tell what is marketable and what isn’t.) I gave the choice to my wife: either a zombie horror novel or a philosophical memoir. Fortunately, she told me I should write the one I felt more compelled to do, which became Climbing Maya.
As it turned out, I wrote both and it was Climbing Maya that found publication first!
I knew I couldn’t just write a straight non-fiction book on success; I just didn’t have the confidence to do that. But I felt I might be able to approach the subject if told through my own experience. After all, I was unemployed, my best friend was an alcoholic, and my other best friend was losing his wife to cancer. If our lives didn’t just scream “Success,” whose did?

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")
My earlier writing did. I felt the need to justify something’s existence by wrapping it a kind of message. But one thing I learned through writing for theater is how unnecessary that it because that’s not what happens in life. I like to think of it this way: The conflict is the conflict. Things happen, and not always for a reason. That has helped me get of that particular crutch.

Is there a certain Author that influenced you in writing?
If I had to pick just one writer, it would have to be Kurt Vonnegut. And that’s odd because so little of my writing reflects this. But I think he turned me on to so many different aspects of writing: the idea that it could be fun, that it doesn’t have to be the stuff they teach in school (I was first turned onto him in high school), that a book can be whatever it wants to be, that you can tell the story however you want, and on and on. As it turns out, my least favorite book of mine is the one in which I tried to ape Vonnegut’s style too much. I am presently in the process of rewriting the book to sound more like me. You can be influenced by someone but it’s important to know when to put that aside and do your own thing.

Which format of book do you prefer, ebook,hardback, or paperback?
For reading or publishing?
For reading, I prefer a good, old-fashioned hardbound book every time. It’s just one of the ways I show my age and my hippie roots. Because I like the idea of being able to share a book without it taking up more resources every time you read it. While paper takes trees, ebooks take electricity every time you read them. Paper books use the resource just once.
But for publishing, I’m far more open. I’ll take any format that gets my work out there. As I mentioned, all my work is in ebook format, with Climbing Maya coming in paperback very soon! I’m also going to try and release my next book, The Worth of Dreams/The Value of Dreamers, as an audio book, so I’m open to whatever gets my work in front of an audience.

What is your favourite book and Why?  Have you read it more than once?
When I first started writing, I read far more than I wrote. This is important, I think, for any writer. It’s like going to school. During this time, I read and reread anything I could get by Kurt Vonnegut, John Irving, Tom Robbins, Douglas Adams, and fantasy authors like Christopher Stasheff, Stephen R. Donaldson, Terry Brooks, and on and on. Then, as I began to learn the craft of fiction writing, I switched to non-fiction and found that even more interesting, reading and rereading Carl Sagan, Stephen Ambrose, Joseph Campbell, and many others.
So… short answer? I think there’s just too many to mention.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst  book to movie transfer?
I think books transfer very well as long as you keep in mind that a book is no more a movie than a movie is a book. They can’t be the same animal so you can’t expect a seamless transfer. You almost have to expect the outcome to be very different.
Again, there are so many excellent movies from books, especially comic books. (I recently saw The Avengers on its opening night and that was a big, old serving of awesome.) But if I was too pick a really good one off the top of my head, I’d say it would have to be Cronenberg’s The Naked Lunch. The book is such a different trip from the movie and, yet, the movie holds up excellently as its own being.

What are you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback)
I’m currently reading I, Azimov, Isaac Azimov’s fantastic and final autobiography. I’m reading it in hardback, in a lovingly worn copy I found at a used book store.
Side note: Used book stores – really good ones – are like churches. You should attend them regularly.

Do you think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
I’m sure somewhere down the line, maybe as early as fifty years from now, they will. But I don’t know if they should. As I mentioned, my printed books will last beyond my lifetime. They can be, have been, and will be shared. You just can’t say that about an ebook.

Do you think children at schools these days are encouraged enough to read? and/or do Imaginative writing?
Are kids encouraged to read? Sure, but are they given the time? Are they allowed to do it in their own way? I don’t know. When I began to read in earnest, back in high school, I read pulp fantasy. Others read comic books (which I found my way to as well, by and by). And we caught hell from adults for that. My mom was good about letting me read what I wanted to read but I saw the other side as well, those who only wanted you to read what they thought was good for you. So, maybe kids growing up these days have to find their own way just like we did. Maybe it isn’t pulp fantasy or comics. Maybe it’s shitty ebooks or something else entirely. Kids should be encouraged to read whatever they want, as long as they work that muscle.
As for anything imaginative, I think grown-ups have done a terrific and abominable job at eliminating that from children’s lives. Now, it’s all about rote learning and structure and approved play, it makes me sick. I am all for George Carlin’s call for more daydreaming. We should encourage kids to daydream – hell, we should encourage adults to do it as well. It’s good for the soul!

Did you read a lot at school and write lots of stories or is being a writer something newer in your life?
My story as a writer begins in the least auspicious manner: I wrote fake commercial sketches that I would perform in front of my fifth-grade class. I had a terrific teacher who encouraged us to do our own thing. She knew it would turn on our minds. I remember my first commercial was for a weight-gain gas called “Fatrical”… it only went on from there.
But I only did this to perform, thinking my story would end as an actor and not as a writer. As I got older, though, I found more and more ways to get the spotlight as a writer until my big-mouthed braggadocio made writing inevitable.

Do you have a favourite genre of book?
I have a soft spot for fantasy novels. My first was The Elves and The Otterskin by Elizabeth Boyer. I can’t say what it is, maybe it’s just part of my generation since that’s when fantasy kind of grew up, but if there’s a dragon or wizards, I’m ready for the ride.

Is there a book you know you will never read? Or one you tried to read but just couldn't finish?
You know, my first impulse is to say there’s no book I wouldn’t at least try to read but then I get to thinking about all the books churned out by the right-wing hate machine these days, saying the most hurtful things about people who are doing their best to make the world a better place… I think it’s fair to say I’d definitely never read those.

Is there anything in your book/books you would change now if you could and what would it be?
I’ve actually been spending a bit of time recently rewriting some of my older books, books I liked when I wrote them but just didn’t catch on. One of the startling things about my writing career, and this may sound familiar to some people, is that I never run out of lessons to learn. I’ve been very fortunate to work with some people who have given me a bit of mentoring. I should single out JW Shnarr, of Northern Frights Publishing, as one of these people. Now, diving back into some of my older work, I realize where some huge errors were made and I’m able to fix them.
What’s at the top of last list, to answer your point more directly? Point of View. I’ve always been a fan of third-person omniscient and I think it sometimes mirrors what we’re used to seeing in movies and on television. But I’ve since learned that I took that a bit too far and I had a habit of losing control of the vehicle, so to speak. Going back now, I’m tightening my hand on the wheel so the POV steers straighter and clearer.

What do you think about book trailers?
I love them! I didn’t even know about them until Climbing Maya was due to be published. When I realized I should have one, I decided to make it myself. It seemed like the right thing to do; Climbing Maya was such a personal book, I knew the trailer should be personal too. The feedback I got was so positive, I plan to put together more trailers in the future. I think it’s just another great way to connect to make a connection with your audience.

You can check out the trailer for Climbing Maya on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_QlRLNSRgA.

What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?
My standard advice to anyone who wants to be an artist of any kind is simple: Don’t do it. If you’re lucky enough to get out, GET OUT! Life is already hard enough without asking for more suffering, rejection, hurt, anguish, and just plain frustration.
If, however, you realize you’re stuck, don’t do it half-assed. Surrender yourself to your fate. Persevere! Hang in there! Give it your all!
You’re going to make mistakes. You may even suck. That happens. It’s not a bad thing; it’s necessary in order to learn. Keep at it! Give it your all!
And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You don’t need those people. If someone talks shit about you, you don’t want that person in your life under any circumstance.
Oh, and buy my books. I think that’s the best advice of all… well, it’s good for me, at least…

Do you or would you ever use a pen name?
Yes, indeed. Ken La Salle is a pseudonym. I like to think I don’t even exist. In my previous life, when I worked in the corporate world, I had to use my pseudonym because being a writer while employed to be a writer was frowned upon. So, like any good superhero, I’d switch identities.
But I have to say that grew tiresome. I didn’t want to live two lives. I wanted to be Ken La Salle. And so, today I am. In fact, these days, my other (real) name feels more like a pseudonym. Funny, that.
I’m a big fan of recreating yourself that way. I think everyone should do it. It’s very liberating.

Where can readers follow you?
Well, aside from the blog, twitter, Facebook, and web details below, you can look for me at theaters around the country. Okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Most of my stuff is performed in California, where I hope some smart TV or movie exec will want to hire me one day. Mostly, you can see my work in theaters in Southern California.
I’m also happy to make personal appearances, hold signings, and do readings anywhere in the SoCal area. Just drop me a line! (I’ll go elsewhere if you pay the trainfare – I hate flying.)

Your blog details?
You can find me on the following blogs and sites of e-lightenment:
Life and other issues of the day: http://twolivesonepath.blogspot.com/
On writing and being a writer: http://kenlasalle.blogspot.com/
And for insights on pursuing your dreams, check out my monthly articles at http://www.recoveringself.com/category/ken-la-salle


Your web site ?
The world-famous www.kenlasalle.com has everything you might want to know about me. From my plays to my books, from appearances to publications, from media to bios, it’s the place to be and I welcome you to stop by if you’re so interested.

Your facebook page?
You can find me on Facebook by my pen name: Ken La Salle.

Your Goodreads author page?
Yes, you can check out Ken La Salle on Goodreads as well.

Your Twitter details?
On Twitter, I am @KenLaSalle. I’m always looking for more followers. So, please, stop by, follow, have a cookie. (Twitters major weakness: No cookies…)

And any other information you wish to supply?
One thing I’ve learned over the years that becomes more true all the time is that a writer’s career is not determined by the writer but by the reader. I know this is the case with my career. And so I am grateful to anyone who buys my books or enjoys my work. My career, my life, would not be possible if not for your support and I want to thank each and every person who buys my work, enjoys my work, lends their support, and acts as my friend. You are the best.