On Writing Author Interview: Pete Koziar

To avoid pre-conceived notions which can sometimes be connected with certain genres, the number of books published and/or an author's appearance, none of that information will be revealed until the bottom of the interview. So pour a cup of coffee, have a seat, and check out this interview - see how much, or how little, you have in common with this published author. 

ON WRITING 
What is your favorite part of being a writer?   Being able to imagine a whole new world and get it on paper. 

What is your least favorite part?   Proofreading and editing.  

Name one obstacle you’ve had to overcome.   Episodes of the dreaded “author self-doubt.” Having friends read the rough copy and offer support has gotten be through. 

Is there a specific part of your writing you’re working on to improve?  Sometimes, my point of view can be a little erratic, so I am writing my second novel in first person to practice my focus. 

What part of your writing makes you particularly proud?   The ability to craft believable characters that people identify with quickly. 

What does your favorite main character have in common with you?   I tend to spread aspects of my personality across several main characters, but I suppose my favorite character shares my love of creating things that are a mix of art and practicality.

Do you do a lot of research for your projects or do you only write about what you already know?   Mostly what I know, or that I can find people around me who know.  

How do you use the internet for your writing?   Some research

If you’ve won any awards for your writing, what impact do you think that has had?   It's given me the opportunity to write press releases and get a little bit of attention. I don't know what impact it's directly made on sales. 

What one marketing tool have you had good success with?   Posting to blogs, including my own. 

What good writing habits have you developed that you think would be helpful to someone starting out?   I set a goal to finish a chapter in a certain length of time (four weeks on the first, longer novel, two weeks for the one I'm currently working on), and hold to it.

Do you have any bad writing habits that you’d advise writers to avoid?   No, I'm perfect. I'm also a bad liar. ;-) I tend to sometimes get stuck, struggling to get a paragraph or two perfect, but I have to let go of it, remembering that I can fix it during editing.

Do you have any strange writing habits?   I tend to write better on one particular laptop. 

When you’re not writing, do you read, and if so, what?   I don't have the time I used to for recreational reading. I like science fiction, but I wind up instead reading lots of books on marketing my [books] and formatting my web site. 

What are you trying to accomplish with/through your writing?   I want to take people to a hopeful world, where they can forget their troubles and have fun, and learn something about themselves and God. 

ADVICE TO OTHER WRITERS 
What words of wisdom do you have for young writers?  Write! Get the thing done! Write some more! Don't be afraid to try new things that make you happy. Don't be bound by what will sell best, because writing like that results in books that are merely trite and forgettable. 

What advice do you have for someone looking to get published?   Don't overlook electronic or other self-publishing. It's getting more respectable by the minute. 

Any thoughts on what this author writes? How many books published? Here's a little more information about the author...  

How many published books are to your credit?   One 

Do you have an agent?   No 

Are you self-published?  Yes 

How many different companies have you published with?  One 

How long have you been writing?   Since I've been a young man, but specifically on the novels for publication, about five years. 

Do you write full-time? If not, what is your other job? And how do you balance work/writing?   No. I'm also a Principal Research Scientist at a defense contractor. I set aside one night a week exclusively for writing.

So, any thoughts?  Here's the full scoop:

Award-winning Novelist Pete Koziar's short stories have appeared in The Cross and the Cosmos magazine, and his poems have appeared in Digital Dragon, Mindflights and the Dovetail Journal.

He was born in New Jersey, but moved to Maryland to get his Masters degree in Electrical Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University. He's been married for over thirty years, and has one son who is currently serving with the U.S. Marine Corps. He also has a Masters of Ministry degree from a small seminary in the area.  

He currently serves as the pastor / leader / rabbi of B'nai Avraham Messianic Congregation outside of Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He's also a full time Principal Research Scientist at a major defense contractor.

When he's not writing or trying to promote his book, he also enjoys woodworking, raising orchids, photography and online multiplayer computer games.

Pete's Science Fiction novel, Dauntless Homecoming, is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble (Nook), Lulu.com (ePub), and CreateSpace. 

THE FUTURE
What are you working on now?  A brand new novel, Seeking Adam, about an alien evangelist stranded on this world, who discovers something that leads to war with another alien culture.  Also working (but not as fervently at this point) on a sequel, Mars Doom Rising, to my first novel.
PARTING WORDS

Anything else about being a writer that you’d like to share?   I write because I have to, and when other people read and enjoy my work, it's a wonderful blessing to know that I have been the tour guide for a completely different world that was, to them, a refreshing little visit.


Is there anything else you'd like to know about this author, or any questions you'd like added to future interviews? Let us know...drop us a comment below.

How Can I Market My Book?

I wish I had a dollar for each time someone asked me "How can I market my book?"  I get emails all the time from people I don't know asking me this.  So, here's a recent email exchange with some answers to that question.  The answers will differ depending on what your write, when you wrote it, and how it's published.  Some of these tactics do apply to everyone, however.

Emailer:  I am wondering about ways that you have marketed your books [that would help me].

Me: 

To start, here are some questions I have for you:

Is your book fiction or non-fiction?

When was your book released?

Do you have a blog?

Is your book on your web site?

Where is your book available?

Are you on Twitter?

Are you on Facebook?

Let's see what your answers to those questions are and we can go from there.

Yes, all those questions really do make a difference.  It turns out that the book in question was self-published - in print only - and 3 years ago!  Of course, 3 years ago, self-publishing wasn't as "accepted" as it is today.  So, even though the book has been out since 2008, that doesn't mean it's a lost cause - its odds are better today than they were back when it came out.  However, the book isn't available anywhere except the author's web site.  The author is on Twitter and Facebook - but doesn't use those platforms to promote the book - at all.

After giving me the information I needed to formulate a response, the Emailer asked:  I am wondering, "What has given you the most results in exposure and sales or is it a combination of things?"

Me:

Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing what gives the most exposure since usually so many things are going on at the same time.  The things one would think provide the best exposure (i.e. television appearances - 2 of them!) have resulted in little or no traffic - let alone sales.  It really seems that it's a cumulative thing.
 

Honestly, the best thing to do is write more books.  If you're not planning on writing more books, then the best you can do is get yourself out there and hope people find you.
 

Non-fiction is much easier to market than fiction because you are an "expert" in the subject you wrote about.  Go to blogs and discussion boards on your topic and post comments - most important - with links to your website.  Don't make salesy comments - you need to establish yourself as someone with good input.  That's the point of that.  Join online groups and give your input on topics.  It's a lot of work, but it will pay off if you're diligent.
 

Who is your publisher?  Your book isn't available on their web site?  Many self-pub houses will charge a small fee to get your book into distribution.  I'd definitely check on that.  The eBook is extremely important.  Get yourself on Kindle and on Smashwords.  EBooks are outselling print books.
 

You should use Twitter.  Tweet at least once a day with some sort of interesting thing you're doing or some kind of advice based on your book's content.  Book signings, events, milestones - etc. - are great to tweet about.  Another good one is posting about other things you like - in my case hockey, photography, etc. - you can check out my tweets at @AuthorKSBrooks for example.  If you use Twitter solely for pushy sales tweets, it will alienate people.  Follow people who have interests similar to yours and some of them will follow you back but it will take time.  And you might actually enjoy what you read on there!  You can also set up Twitter so it posts the tweets to your facebook page and other social networking sites which will save you time.
 

Are you posting on your blog about your book?  You should also have guest bloggers who can post on your topic.  They'll bring their followers to your blog for a read and you can send out notices announcing the guest post which will refresh your followers', friends', and fans' memories that you exist. When my first book came out in 2001, it took 3 mentions of a product to spark familiarity to a shopper.  Now it takes 7, so getting out there using as many different venues and "excuses" as possible is more important than ever.  Do you have an e-newsletter?  If so, is there a way to subscribe on your web site?   Here's an example of a form to subscribe - and it's free - http://www.ksbrooks.com/conus.htm  Do you have sample chapters and/or excerpts on your web site?  And on your web site, do you have little buttons so people can follow you on twitter and Facebook?  See the bottom left of the page I just provided.
 

If you're planning on writing a bunch of books, you should have a facebook author page.  If you're planning on only having one book, you should have a facebook page geared towards your book.  Since I've got a bunch of books, I did an author page - http://www.facebook.com/KSBrooksAuthor
 

I have other marketing advice for writers on one of my blogs at http://authorksbrooks.blogspot.com/.  Posts are really geared towards helping writers with publicity if you'd like to take a look at those.

The Emailer replied:  Wonderful information, . . .thanks!  I've got my work cut out for me.

Yes, it is a lot of work.  Once you're set up, if you can get a rhythm going, it shouldn't be that hard to maintain.    Good luck...and keep writing!

On Writing Author Interview: Cynthia Vespia – Author

To avoid pre-conceived notions which can sometimes be connected with certain genres, the number of books published and/or an author's appearance, none of that information will be revealed until the bottom of the interview. So pour a cup of coffee, have a seat, and check out this interview - see how much, or how little, you have in common with this published author.

ON WRITING:
What is your favorite part of being a writer?  Creating characters and worlds...but mostly characters. They can be extensions of yourself or a complete fabrication. It is a great escape.

What is your least favorite part?  Research. Although it can be interesting at times it also gets a little monotonous. I like to use as much of my own knowledge and creative experience as I can and then go back in to clear up an misconceptions.

Name one obstacle you’ve had to overcome.  The industry is SATURATED with novels and now ebooks. Everyone and their brother thinks they're a writer all of a sudden and this includes celebrity. What I am STILL trying to overcome is just getting my work in front of the right people. As much as the change to the industry with the electronic age has increased authors chances of making a mark they have also put up that much more stumbling blocks.

Is there a specific part of your writing you’re working on to improve?  Showing more rich detail. It is like when I used to color and I loved doing the main image and skipped the background. You have to include every facet or the picture, or story in this case, won't pull together.

What part of your writing makes you particularly proud?   I've received some really great reviews.

What does your favorite main character have in common with you?   All my characters wind up being an extension of myself. In the midst of what they think of as flaws they are commonly going against the grain and fighting for something.

Do you do a lot of research for your projects or do you only write about what you already know?  No topic is off limits. I will write from what I know and then go back in via editing and supply the research for the things I don't know. 

How do you use the internet for your writing?  Research. That is one technological advantage that works well for the writer. You can find whatever you need with only a few clicks of the keyboard. It is also a must for writers to be tied into the social networking sites. You have to get into the public eye as much as possible.

If you’ve won any awards for your writing, what impact do you think that has had?   It never hurts to have “award winning” after your name. It draws attention, gives you recognition from an outside source.  

What one marketing tool have you had good success with?   Conventions but you have to be on your game. You can't just sit at a table and wait for people to come over to you. I pull out all the tricks. Suddenly I'm a carnival barker calling people over and making small talk that always segues into whatever I'm pitching.

What good writing habits have you developed that you think would be helpful to someone starting out?  Learn all the rules then break them. Make your own rules. Develop your own style. Please don't follow the trends. The big thing going on now will be passe by the time you write your novel. BE the next big thing instead!

Do you have any bad writing habits that you’d advise writers to avoid?   Discipline. You should make your writing a habit. Same time, same place. Develop a habit. Make it part of your routine. It is too easy to get sidetracked by everything else if you don't. 

Do you have any strange writing habits?   I write long hand on a legal pad for the first draft. Then I'll put everything into my word processing program and at the same time edit it so I have a clean second draft ready to go.

When you’re not writing, do you read, and if so, what?  Yes, if you are a writer you should be reading everyday. I read a lot of different authors. I like finding new authors and also returning to old favorites. I also read a lot of self help books and autobiographies.

What are you trying to accomplish with/through your writing?   Ha, nothing! I'm not one of those authors who is trying to change the world or deliver a message. I write for entertainment. When I read as a child it was just as much fun, if not more, than watching a movie. I want to draw emotions from people like emotions were drawn from me when I was little.

ADVICE TO OTHER WRITERS
What words of wisdom do you have for young writers?  Write for the wastebasket. What that means is that you realize the first draft is exactly that...don't over think it and try to make it perfect. Write it as though you were just going to throw it in the trash. Sounds harsh but it works.  

What advice do you have for someone looking to get published?   Do your research. And never, ever sign a contract without reading it thoroughly!

Any thoughts on what this author writes? How many books published? Here's a little more information about the author...  

How many published books are to your credit?   5 

Do you have an agent?  Not yet

Are you self-published?  Two self-published titles. 3 traditional. 

How many different companies have you published with?   Including the self-published titles, 4 

How long have you been writing?   Since I was 8 

Do you write full-time? If not, what is your other job? And how do you balance work/writing?  The dream is to write full time. I've had many day jobs. Right now I'm a fitness instructor.

So, any thoughts? Here's the full scoop:

Cynthia Vespia has a background as a certified personal trainer; licensed private security guard; and trained mixologist. But the allure of writing has always been at the forefront. As a skilled wordsmith she established a successful career as a journalist and promotional writer. Throughout that time she remained true to her passion and pursuit of writing novels.
 
Her first novel, a medieval fiction entitled The Crescent was published in August 2005. The novel was unanimously praised as "an engaging, descriptive read" which prompted a sell-out at Borders Bookstore in less than one hour during the first official signing.

A short story, a satirical look at the afterlife titled Death's Grand Design (Utterpants), was published online shortly thereafter and once again met with reviews that honored her attention to detail and the flow of her prose.

In May of 2006, Theater of Pain was released. This thriller unfolds within the eccentric world of professional wrestling where competitors would do anything to reach the top...even murder.

After a short hiatus, Cynthia returned with Demon Hunter. It is the story about a nobody who becomes a somebody in the bloodiest of ways. Following the tradition of dark fantasy and combining the concept of high-adventure, Demon Hunter examines both the light and dark side of human nature when a man learns he is fated to hunt demons before they corrupt mankind. The success of Demon Hunter was followed up by the sequel Seek & Destroy which takes the characters and the reader on a journey that begins on the high seas and ends in Hell. Both novels (published in e-book format) were nominated for Best Series in 2009 by LRC Cafe. The respective trailer for Demon Hunter: Seek & Destroy won a Most Artistic Trailer award from New Covey as well.

Cynthia’s latest release returns to the contemporary side of thrillers but still contains that special twist that her novels are fast becoming known for. Life, Death, and Back delves into the paranormal when a mans life is tragically cut short and he remains on Earth as a guardian angel to those he’s left behind.

Today Cynthia writes character driven suspense fiction and dark fantasy. Cynthia likes to refer to her novels as "Real life situations that you could find yourself in but hope to God you never do. In her spare time she enjoys reading, movies that involve a strong plot/characters, and keeping active through martial arts and fitness training.

Cynthia's books can be purchased at

http://cynsights.blogspot.com/p/cynthias-novels.html

THE FUTURE
What are you working on now?   There have been some exciting changes. The Original Cyn, that's me, will be debuting a plethora of new and newly revised projects. Favorites like The Crescent will be getting a facelift and coming over to Kindle, etc. while new projects will be released within the next few months. Stay tuned to www.cynthiavespia.com and www.facebook.com/cynthia.vespia for all the details.  

PARTING WORDS 
Anything else about being a writer that you’d like to share?   Write for the love of it and the rest will follow.

For more information on Cynthia Vespia – Author of Thrills and Chills, visit her at http://www.cynthiavespia.com/ or www.facebook.com/cynthia.vespia

Is there anything else you'd like to know about this author, or any questions you'd like added to future interviews? Let us know...drop us a comment below.

On Writing Author Interview: Author Vonnie Winslow Crist

To avoid pre-conceived notions which can sometimes be connected with certain genres, the number of books published and/or an author's appearance, none of that information will be revealed until the bottom of the interview. So pour a cup of coffee, have a seat, and check out this interview - see how much, or how little, you have in common with this published author.

ON WRITING:
What is your favorite part of being a writer? The writing is my favorite thing about being a writer! I also enjoy research. While doing research, I sometimes stumble upon the most amazing fact or bit of history or archaic word that turns out to be the beginning place for another piece of writing. Plus, I'm getting better & better at trivia games that involve obscure information.

What is your least favorite part? Submitting work to publishers. I think it's actually the time spent away from the creative process I dislike, though I must say the possibility of rejection looms like a thunderstorm on the horizon. And in a strange way, I think I'm a little afraid of success! Being very successful would probably take time away from the actual writing, too.

Name one obstacle you’ve had to overcome. Hmm. I'm not sure I'd call them obstacles, but having 3 children and being a very involved mom took lots of my time. Now that the kids are grown, I thought I'd have more time for my writing, but I still devote a lot of time to my elderly mom, grandkids, kids, and husband. Family is my foundation – and also my biggest distraction.

Is there a specific part of your writing you’re working on to improve? I continue to work on character development and plotting. Nowadays, I cringe when I read something I wrote years ago. The good news is that I've matured as a writer enough to easily pick out the weaknesses in my earlier published work. The bad news is that work is out there for others to read. Eek!

What part of your writing makes you particularly proud? I think I'm proudest when a reader tells me that a piece of my writing had special meaning to them or that they really enjoyed it. I believe writing is communication, therefore it takes at least 2 people. I send out the message – and when someone reads it, then the message is received. Hooray when the communication works!

What does your favorite main character have in common with you? No fair. This is like picking your favorite child – it's impossible to do. But if I had to choose, most of my favorite characters care about others and are curious, honest, and willing to suspend their disbelief every now and again. That pretty much describes me.

Do you do a lot of research for your projects or do you only write about what you already know? I do lots of research AND write about things I know something about. Even if I know a good deal about a subject (art as an example), I will do additional research so I make sure to get the facts straight (or know where to change things). I also love to do research on some scrap of quirky information I come across. Sometimes I think the joy of discovering a fascinating legend or folk practice can translate into an interesting story where your protagonist also discovers that information.

How do you use the internet for your writing? First let me say, my publishers think I should use the internet more! But I do have a website, blog, personal & author Facebook page, and (sigh) a little-used twitter account. I'm trying to use the internet to connect more with my readers. I also belong to several online groups which not only offer writing-specific opportunities, but also support and discussions about writing and/or illustration.

If you’ve won any awards for your writing, what impact do you think that has had? Early on, I entered a few contests and was rather successful with individual pieces. I think those awards encouraged me to continue writing. A Special Merit Award resulted in a book. A few years ago, I won an Individual Artist Award in Writing from the Maryland State Arts Council. The monetary part of that award was helpful in paying for some writing seminars, and the award itself opened the door for the publication of another book.

What one marketing tool have you had good success with? The marketing tool I've had good success with is follow-up contacts with readers, reviewers, and bloggers. If someone is interested in you as a writer or your work. Pay attention & follow up!

What good writing habits have you developed that you think would be helpful to someone starting out? I'd tell a beginning writer to try to write something every day. I don't care if it's revising work, notes for research, journaling, or actually working on a creative piece of writing. Try to write every day.

Do you have any bad writing habits that you’d advise writers to avoid? She sighs loudly, then responds: don't procrastinate. Tasks do NOT become easier because you waited till later.
 
Do you have any strange writing habits? I carry a little notepad and jot down ideas, names, snippets of conversation, places, anything that strikes my fancy -- no matter where I am. People who don't know me must wonder what in the world I'm writing at a restaurant or in the mall or in church or outside a funeral parlor or...

When you’re not writing, do you read, and if so, what? I love to read. My interests vary – but currently I've been on a Young Adult reading jag: “The Hunger Games,” “Girl on Fire,” “Mocking Jay,” “Impossible,” “Graceling,” etc. And, as always, I have a special spot in my heart for folklore, legends, myths, fairy tales, and Tolkien.

What are you trying to accomplish with/through your writing? The first and most important thing I'm trying to accomplish through my writing is to communicate with others through story. I strive to examine our complicated world and relationships, and to reach out to others through words. I also try to celebrate the mystical and magical in the world around us.

ADVICE TO OTHER WRITERS
What words of wisdom do you have for young writers? Write because you love to write. Read because it helps you understand what has been written before and what's being written today. Reading also allows you to see with your own eyes both great and not-so-great writing. Try to jot down what makes a story wonderful and what makes you stop reading a book. You can learn a lot from others' mistakes. Practice your craft. Practice really does help you improve whether you're writing a novel or shooting a basketball or baking a cake from scratch.

What advice do you have for someone looking to get published? Read what a publisher has published before. In the case of magazines, you can really tell an editor's tastes by what they've selected to include in previous issues of their publication. Use market sites to help you find places looking for work, then follow their guidelines precisely. Two of my favorites: www.ralan.com and www.duotrope.com Be persistent. You should always have multiple pieces “out” looking for a publishing home while you're hard at work on the next story, book, article, poem, etc. Keep writing. Keep submitting. And don't become discouraged.

Any thoughts on what this author writes? How many books published? Here's a little more information about the author...

How many published books are to your credit? 4 print & 3 ebooks.

Do you have an agent?  No. But I did have an agent briefly – her agency folded, and I (she dabs her eyes with a tissue) became agentless again.

Are you self-published?  No.

How many different companies have you published with?  4

How long have you been writing? Like most of your readers, I've been writing since kindergarten! But I think I really felt a need to pursue creative writing in early 1979. I sent a few poems to a couple of local publications and got published. Looking back on those pieces, I shake my head. They're not very good – but they were my best work at that time in my writing life.

Do you write full-time? If not, what is your other job? And how do you balance work/writing? I'm a “Jill-of-many-trades.” Besides freelance writing & illustrating & storytelling -- I'm a columnist for “Harford's Heart Magazine,” illustrator for “The Vegetarian Journal,” contributor to “Faerie Magazine,” and editor of “The Gunpowder Review.” I occasionally teach creative writing at a local college. I'm also a wife, mom, granny, daughter, etc. I try to balance the time spent every day between work and home life. But honestly, I think because of deadlines and short-time opportunities, I balance the time spent per WEEK better. Some days are devoted to writing & illustrating and others almost totally to family.

So, any thoughts? Here's the full scoop:

Born in the Year of the Dragon, Vonnie Winslow Crist earned a BS in Art & Education and an MS in Professional Writing from Towson University. Published in over 100 magazines, she enjoys reading, writing, and illustrating folklore, myths, legends, and fairy tales. And myths and legends plan an important role in her new short story collection, The Greener Forest -- where all is not what it seems at first glance, and anything is possible when Faerie collides with our everyday world.

A firm believer that the world around us is filled with miracles and magic, Vonnie still sees angels in the trees, trolls under bridges, pillywiggins in her garden, and goblins of all sorts in the shadows. She lives at Wood's Edge with her husband and their dog, feeds wild birds, adores toads, and regularly has mushroom fairy rings sprout up beneath the trees in her yard.

Vonnie's titles include:  “The Greener Forest” - speculative short story collection; “Bells” - eShort ghost story; “Assassins” - eShort science fiction; “Sideshow by the Sea” - eShort dark fantasy; “River of Stars” - poetry with a mythic tone; “Essential Fables” - poetry with a mythic tone;  “Leprechaun Cake & Other Tales” - children's book;  as well as a contributor to lots of anthos including: “Dragons' Lure,” “Dia de los Muertos – A Day of the Dead Anthology,” “In the Garden of the Crow,” “While the Morning Stars Sing,” “Life in Me like Grass on Fire,” etc.

These books may be purchased at Amazon.com and at http://astore.amazon.com/vonnwinscris-20

THE FUTURE
What are you working on now?  I'm currently at work on several short stories & articles for various magazines or anthologies and on another collection of speculative short fiction. I'm also working on a speculative novel and compiling a collection of letters from a great uncle from World War II. The WW II book is a departure from my usual books, but it's a fascinating project. My uncle was wounded several times, and eventually killed, but he wrote his sister wonderful letters almost everyday for 3 years while in N. Africa and then, in Italy. And I'm still trying to locate another agent for my YA novel. Plus, there is this children's book idea...

PARTING WORDS
Anything else about being a writer that you’d like to share?   For me, the creative process is like oxygen – I need it to survive. I think if writing is something you love, you should write for your own pleasure. Then, determine your audience: Is the writing just for you? Then, print out & bind a copy of your work for you. For your family & friends? Think about self-publishing a print-on-demand or eBook. Or for a larger readership? Begin to build an audience by publishing in magazines & anthologies while you look for a publisher for a book of your work. If and how you choose to publish will be determined by your answer to the audience question.

To learn more about Author-Illustrator Vonnie Winslow Crist, check out her website: http:vonniewinslowcrist.com or blog: http://vonniewinslowcrist.wordpress.com  or facebook author page: http://tinyurl.com/Fb-Vonnie-Winslow-Crist-Author or twitter: @VonnieWCrist.

Is there anything else you'd like to know about this author, or any questions you'd like added to future interviews? Let us know...drop us a comment below.

On Writing Author Interiew: Marilyn Celeste Morris

To avoid pre-conceived notions which can sometimes be connected with certain genres, the number of books published and/or an author's appearance, none of that information will be revealed until the bottom of the interview. So pour a cup of coffee, have a seat, and check out this interview - see how much, or how little, you have in common with this published author.

ON WRITING:
What is your favorite part of being a writer?   My favorite part of writing is when I’m writing along on a work in progress, my muse whacks me upside the head and says, “No, that’s not what’s going to happen."

What is your least favorite part?   My least favorite part of writing is re-writing. Formatting, catching typos, even though I know the editor will catch them; I want to submit as clean a copy as possible. I have several revisions completed before I’m satisfied with the entire manuscript.

Name one obstacle you’ve had to overcome.   My energy level. I have SLE (lupus) and need to schedule my writing time carefully. I’m best in the mornings, unlike many writers who write into the wee hours of the night/day. Not to mention, I’m not terribly techno-competent. 

Is there a specific part of your writing you’re working on to improve?  I’m trying to become more techno-competent. Oh, sure, I can manage a MS Word document, but in the marketing area, online, I tend to be very slow catching on to all the bells and whistles that sites such as Twitter, Facebook, etc. provide. Yet I persist. 

What part of your writing makes you particularly proud?   The fact that my granddaughter, age 9, picked up a copy of one of my books, flipped it over to the back cover and when she saw my photo, gasped, “Grandma! Are you famous?” I told her, “Not yet, honey. Not yet.”

 What does your favorite main character have in common with you?   Strength. 

Do you do a lot of research for your projects or do you only write about what you already know?  I do more research than I actually use, on the theory that the research will linger in the back of my mind and flow out onto the screen subconsciously.

How do you use the Internet for your writing?   I use the Internet for promotion and research. And for interacting with other writers through various Yahoo writers groups.

If you’ve won any awards for your writing, what impact do you think that has had?  I haven’t entered any contests. I’m too busy writing.

What one marketing tool have you had good success with?   I really, really love book signings. The best one I ever had was at a B&N Authors Night, with about six other writers on a panel discussion. We each spoke of our current works and then there was a question/answer session from the audience. And at my recent high school class reunion, (never mind how many years!) I sold over 20 books to my former classmates, with some promises to buy online for their ebook readers.

What good writing habits have you developed that you think would be helpful to someone starting out?   It’s BICHOK, or Butt in Chair, Hands on Keyboard, every morning, preferably before 10 AM. A break at lunchtime, then back to it until dinner. Some days, that’s not possible, but really, I’m always “writing” even if it’s only forming new plots in my head as I’m running errands.

Do you have any bad writing habits that you’d advise writers to avoid?   I tend to scorn an outline. Have a general idea of what should happen in which chapter, but they’re all subject to change as my muse directs. I probably print out each revision too many times. But I need to read it like a reader would, so I can see if that particular rewrite works. I’d advise other writers against that, as it is very tedious and time-consuming. But I just have to do it….

Do you have any strange writing habits?   See above. And, I cannot write at night. I’m brain dead after dinner (some people will say I don’t have to wait for after dinner for that to happen, lol) and I don’t even want to look at my laptop.

When you’re not writing, do you read, and if so, what?   When I’m writing, I cannot read anything. And I feel guilty if I read instead of working on my current project. I prefer historical novels when I do managed to quell my guilty conscious.

What are you trying to accomplish with/through your writing?  I want to inform and/or entertain my readers.

ADVICE TO OTHER WRITERS
What words of wisdom do you have for young writers?  Never give up. Keep writing. Keep submitting. Have confidence in your work.

What advice do you have for someone looking to get published?   Just do it. A rejection is not a bullet through the heart. And what if you do get published? How will your life change? Will your friends treat you differently? That’s a fear many people have, so they don’t try to get published. They know who they are right now, and they don’t know who they will become if they’re published. I can tell them, “You’ll stay the same person as you have always been.”

Any thoughts on what this author writes? How many books published? Here's a little more information about the author...

How many published books are to your credit?  Seven.

Do you have an agent?   No.

Are you self-published?  No. My publisher is Vanilla Heart Publishing, the best publisher in the whole world! Can you tell I’m happy with them?

How many different companies have you published with?   Unfortunately, I was with another publisher and when I woke up and smelled the coffee, I went to Vanilla Heart.  

How long have you been writing?  Actually, I’ve been writing since kindergarten. Professionally, since 2001. 

Do you write full-time? If not, what is your other job? And how do you balance work/writing?  Since I retired from Corporate America in 2001, I write full time. 

So, any thoughts? Here's the full scoop:

Born a Military Brat, Marilyn Celeste Morris attended schools overseas, in Seoul Korea and Linz, Austria and various schools stateside. She learned to write at an early age and now has six books in print and more on the way. She lives in Fort Worth TX.

Marilyn's titles include:  The Women of Camp Sobingo - Historical fiction; Forces of Nature - General Fiction;  My Ashes of Dead Lovers Garage Sale - A collection of newspaper columns;  Paranormal mysteries Sabbath’s Gift and Sabbath’s House;  Once a Brat, Always a Brat - Memoir of an Army Brat; Diagnosis: Lupus: The Intimate Journal of a Lupus Patient; The Unexplored Heart - Historical Romance.

These titles are available for purchase at http://www.vanillaheartbooksandauthors.com/Writings.html and on Amazon.com. 

THE FUTURE
What are you working on now?  I’m working on several projects: A rewrite of my book about Lupus, title yet to be determined; A sequel to The Women of Camp Sobingo, to be titled, That Cavanaugh Woman;  The third book in the Sabbath Trilogy: Sabbath’s Village; The sequel to The Unexplored Heart, featuring Esther Wooster who has demanded her own damn book! titled After Camelot;  Fireflies in a Jar, about four young girls growing up in small town America in the 1950s;  The Murders at 5400, where four women from a book club solve a series of murders at that condo address;  Volume Two of My Ashes of Dead Lovers Garage Sale’; And a spoof on Vampire novels, as yet untitled, but will feature Adam Drake as a modern-day vampire who has drunken faeries dancing on his lawn, a forgetful dragon named Sherman, who is mistaken as a UFO when he flies about without his cloak of invisibility, and a Shape shifter.

PARTING WORDS
Anything else about being a writer that you’d like to share?   I’m so excited that I am doing what I’ve always wanted to do: Write novels.

For more information on Novelist Marilyn Celeste Morris, go to http://www.vanillaheartbooksandauthors.com/

Is there anything else you'd like to know about this author, or any questions you'd like added to future interviews? Let us know...drop us a comment below.

On Writing Author Interview: Author Smoky Trudeau Zeidel

To avoid pre-conceived notions which can sometimes be connected with certain genres, the number of books published and/or an author's appearance, none of that information will be revealed until the bottom of the interview. So pour a cup of coffee, have a seat, and check out this interview - see how much, or how little, you have in common with this published author.

ON WRITING:
What is your favorite part of being a writer?   I love sharing knowledge I have with others, and writing books is a great way to do this.

What is your least favorite part?   Sometimes, those random characters wandering around inside my head refuse to behave. They won’t go quietly into the story I think they belong in, or they refuse to go into any story at all. I always have a few disgruntled characters in my noggin, complaining that I don’t understand them—or their story. 

Name one obstacle you’ve had to overcome.   Well, the big one was getting struck by lightning 22 years ago. I was severely injured and nearly died on more than one occasion because of this event. I’m constantly having to overcome health issues that arise from this trauma. 

 Is there a specific part of your writing you’re working on to improve?  I wish I wrote a little faster. I’m very slow, as the amount of time between book releases will attest. But I’m working on it, and I think I’ve figured out how to manage my time a little better. 

What part of your writing makes you particularly proud?  I’m proud to be a storyteller. 

What does your favorite main character have in common with you?   We share a love of nature, a love for the land. We all believe in walking lightly and not leaving a heavy footprint behind. All are books lovers and avid readers, as am I. And all are independent, spirited women. As am I!
Do you do a lot of research for your projects or do you only write about what you already know?   A mixture of both.  I’m a stickler for detail. 

How do you use the internet for your writing?   The Internet is the number one way authors meet readers these days. Any author who doesn’t have a strong Web presence is missing out on meeting—and making—fans and readers. If you want your writing to reach readers, you have to use the Internet, especially now that so many brick-and-mortar bookstores have closed their doors.

If you’ve won any awards for your writing, what impact do you think that has had?  I was nominated for a Pushcart Prize a few years back, and while I didn’t win, it’s one of those things where being nominated is an honor in and of itself. It gave me confidence in my writing.

What one marketing tool have you had good success with?   Doing a blog tour is an excellent way to reach a lot of potential readers and fans. I’ve got two new releases right now, and I’ve been hitting the blog circuit fast and furious, meeting new people. It’s been a lot of fun.  But I also think my Website and four (yes, four!) blogs are a great way to reach fans. I get a lot of great feedback on my blogs.

What good writing habits have you developed that you think would be helpful to someone starting out?   I’m not sure that my good habits would necessarily be good habits for others. What works for one writer doesn’t for another. I’m an early riser; I do my best writing in the hours before the sun rises. But I certainly wouldn’t recommend that to a writer who is a night owl. I think each writer has to find what works for them, and stick with it. That’s how good habits are formed.

 Do you have any bad writing habits that you’d advise writers to avoid? Hmmm … not that I can think of.

Do you have any strange writing habits?  Well, there are a lot of people who think getting up at 4:30 a.m. to write is strange! But then, I think being able to write after 10:00 p.m. is weird, and I know a lot of writers who do that!

 When you’re not writing, do you read, and if so, what?  I am a voracious reader. Anyone who calls themself a writer who doesn’t read probably doesn’t have a lot of success publishing their work. How can you write a book if you don’t read books? That’s like trying to play a Mozart sonata if you’ve never listened to music!  I read a variety of things, but some of my favorite novelists are Jose Saramago, Margaret George, Malcolm Campbell, Elizabeth Cunningham, and Melinda Clayton. I like historical fiction best, but read many genres.

What are you trying to accomplish with/through your writing?   I aim to entertain. I want people to come to the end and feel like they’ve read one of the best reads of their lives; like they cannot wait to tell a friend to read my book. I also want to inspire people to pick up a pen and start writing, or, to get outside and take a hike, to appreciate the beauty of our world. I guess I try to accomplish a lot, don’t I?

ADVICE TO OTHER WRITERS
What words of wisdom do you have for young writers?   First, study your craft. People tend to think they can just decide to write a book and sit down to write one. But writing a book is an art, just like playing the piano and painting a masterpiece are art forms. Yo-Yo Ma didn’t sit down at the cello one day and decide to play, and produce exquisite music. Picasso didn’t decide one day to paint and produce The Guitarist. They studied their craft. Writers need to do that, too.

Second, get your book professionally edited. I’ve seen so many books full of errors because writers had their Aunt Frieda or their next-door neighbor edit for them, even though neither had a bit of editing experience. Editors know things your aunt and your neighbor don’t know about what a good manuscript looks like. They can find mistakes you probably didn’t even know were mistakes. Don’t skimp on this step.

Third, don’t give up just because your book isn’t accepted at first. Publishing a book is like running into a wall at full speed. When you hit that wall, you knock yourself out and bloody your nose in the process. But if you pick yourself up, wipe the blood from your face, and say, “Gee, that felt good! I think I’ll do it again!” you’ll eventually knock that wall down. The same goes for getting your book published. If you’ve studied your craft and had your book professionally edited, and if, of course, your story is any good, you will find a publisher.

What advice do you have for someone looking to get published? My advice for them is the same advice as I offered young writers, above. Study your craft, get your book professionally edited, and don’t give up!

Any thoughts on what this author writes? How many books published? Here's a little more information about the author...

How many published books are to your credit? Six.

 Do you have an agent?  Not anymore. Don’t need one anymore.

Are you self-published?  No, my books are published by a regular, royalty-paying publisher.

How many different companies have you published with? Two; my first publisher went under about six months after I signed with them. I’ve been with my current publisher ever since.

How long have you been writing?  (Laugh) How long have I been breathing? Seriously, though, I’ve kept diaries, since I was ten, and have written poems and short stories for almost that long.

Do you write full-time? If not, what is your other job? And how do you balance work/writing?   Words are my full time work. I am a freelance editor; I help other people turn their manuscripts into something that’s fit to print! Usually, if I have an editing job on the table, I work on my own writing until late morning, then switch over to editing.

So, any thoughts? Here's the full scoop:

Smoky Trudeau Zeidel is the author of two novels, short stories, the new combo-writing book containing her two books especially for writers, and a photo/essay collection reflecting on the natural world, She was lead editor for Vanilla Heart Publishing’s 2010 Nature’s Gifts anthology, and a 2003 Pushcart Prize nominee. An ardent outdoorswoman with a deep reverence for nature, when she isn’t writing, she spends her time hiking in the mountains, camping in the Sierras, splashing in tidepools, and fighting the urge to speak in haiku.

Smoky's titles include:  On the Choptank Shores—Historical romantic suspense; Short Story Collection, Vol. 1—short stories; The Writer’s Workshop Combo—two books specifically for writers; nonfiction; and Observations of an Earth Mage—photo/essay collection reflecting on nature, nonfiction; and they can be found at Amazon and Smashwords, for starters.

THE FUTURE
What are you working on now?  I’m actually working on two different projects right now. I don’t want to talk about them too much, though, because I’m superstitious about jinxing all my hard work!

PARTING WORDS
Anything else about being a writer that you’d like to share?   Just that it’s a privilege to be a writer, to be doing exactly what I want to be doing. I love every minute of it, and am very grateful to my husband, my publisher, and my fans for believing in me. I won’t let any of you down!

Thank you, K. S., for a lovely interview!

For more information on Smoky, visit http://SmokyZeidel.WordPress.com. You can also check out her Facebook author page at http://www.facebook.com/Smoky.Zeidel.Writes, or follow her on Twitter @SmokyZeidel.

Is there anything else you'd like to know about this author, or any questions you'd like added to future interviews?  Let us know...drop us a comment below.