Authors Welcome!

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Author-Travis Simmons

AUTHOR NAME: Travis Simmons


Birth date: November 25th

Where are you from: Gouverneur, NY

A little about your self `ie your education, Family, life etc: At the moment I’m a fulltime caretaker for my mother. I spend a lot of time writing and formatting books for other authors as well as writing two blogs, one on writing help and one where I just have fun with my readers. I’m enrolled in college for creative writing so that takes up a bit of time. When I’m not doing that stuff, I really love watching Netflix and spending time with my dog.

Tell us your latest book news? Right now I’m working on a series with the first book releasing on January 20th of 2015. This is a new adult fantasy novel that follows a young woman through an adventure of finding a cure for this shadow plague she’s caught. It’s based heavily on Norse mythology and has a pretty interesting cast of characters. I really can’t wait for it to be released!

When and why did you begin writing? I can’t really remember why I started writing. Maybe I thought it was cool? Maybe because someone I looked up to at the time was a writer. I think it was really because I had such a vivid imagination and loved creating characters and the worlds they lived in. I started writing when I was 14 and though some of what I wrote then was kind of crap, the basis of it and the ideas for those stories are still with me. Literally, they are still in a plastic file beside my desk. I do intend on re-working some of my earlier work, and we might even see the release of one of those stories in 2015.

When did you consider yourself an Author? Actually just recently. See, to me anyone can be an author, it really doesn’t take much in this time. Being an author takes little more than writing something and self-publishing it on any platform you choose. What’s different about some authors is that they think of it as a business, as a job, and they strive to make a living with it. That’s where I’m at. I really considered myself an author in the last few months when I decided to take it seriously as a business, and not a dream. To this point everything I’ve done with my writing has been toward one goal: making it pay. I like to call this building my empire. :-D

What inspired you to write your first book? A lot of people ask about inspiration, and really so many things inspire different ideas for me that it’s so hard to pinpoint one thing. I love researching, and as I research random ideas will give me entire stories. Recently, with The Revenant Wyrd Saga, it started with two names: Angelica and Jovian. I got those names and spent the next half hour of my work break jotting down notes about their stories. Seriously, it was like a floodgate opened and their entire story from beginning to end played out for me. It was interesting and took a few different tries to get it right.

Do you have a specific writing style? Not specifically. I tend to plot my books pretty heavily. I like to know how they are going to end so I can foreshadow enough to make it awesome in the final pages. In fact, with The Revenant Wyrd Saga one of the biggest mysteries of the serious, one of the hugest reveals, doesn’t happen until the last 15-20 pages. I love foreshadowing!

How did you come up with the titles? Titles are interesting. Typically they don’t change once I think of the title for the book. Sometimes the title is the first thing I think of. To me, knowing the title is important. I mean, how else am I going to name the document on my computer!?! Often the titles plop into my head and I get working with my cover artist right away. Other times it takes some mulling over. Titles, to me, need to be artistic and catchy. They are just as much a hook as the cover.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? Not really. I mean, a lot of my writing is a way to discover myself. With The Revenant Wyrd Saga I was really caught on this whole religious idea of right and wrong, and I think that comes through in the books. I’ve been told that what is right and what is wrong is very confusing in the book and often the reader gets confused right along with the characters, which is what I was going for. I do like to strive for that human edge with my characters, and I really hope some of their struggles are things readers can relate to.

How much of the book is realistic? My books are fantasy, but a lot of research goes into them. I can’t say how much of them are realistic, but I really do love weaving Earthly legends and myths into the lore of my worlds. Obviously, some of the things the characters experience in their life can be paralleled in our own world.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life? Nope. It started out where some characters were based on people I knew, but as time goes by the people changed from what they were when I based characters on them, and the characters grew into their own beings.

What books have most influenced your life most? I don’t normally read books and find deep meaning in them. Since I read mostly sci-fi and fantasy I can appreciate struggles the characters go through, but I tend to read to escape life for a while, and while I’m in the book, I don’t like to be reminded of Earth hahaha. I can say there have been some authors who made me think I wanted to be just like them when I grew up and one of those is David Eddings. Fantastic author.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? David Eddings hahaha. I think he was amazing. He had this way with the story and this way with his characters that made them stand out and made them real.

What book are you reading now? Right now I’m reading several, but the top three I’m enjoying are: A Game of Thrones, Hexed (by Kevin Hearne), and Erato (by Sharon Van Orman).

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Kevin Hearne is new to me, though I think he’s been around a while. One of my favorite new authors I’m pleased to call a friend, and that’s Sharon Van Orman.

What are your current projects? I’m working on a few. One of them is a sci-fi new adult novel about an alien trying to find herself when she doesn’t seem to fit with her own race. There’s one that I’m working on that is the sequel to my January release and they are based on Norse mythology. Finally I’m working on wrapping up my zombie series, Infernal Designs.

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members: That would be my friend Frannie who really helped me when I was starting out. She pretty much said it didn’t matter how grandiose the story, write it as I saw it.

Do you see writing as a career? Certainly, and it’s a hard one!

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? Honestly I can say no, but my latest book is still pretty newly finished, so I’m sure in a few years that answer will be a resounding YES!

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? I think it would have to be when I started reading Dragonlance as a kid and I knew if I couldn’t live in Krynn, I had to write about similar worlds.

Can you share a little of your current work with us? Certainly! The next one to be released is called A Plague of Shadows, and like I said before it follows a young woman looking for a cure for this shadow plague that will take over a human and draw out their shadow, making them a living, walking darkling bent on destroying humanity.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? The process of writing. It’s like work. I love finishing a book, I love talking about a book, I rarely enjoy WRITING the darn thing. Sometimes it’s fun, sometimes it’s like pulling teeth. I make myself write every single day and aim for at least 2k words. It can be tedious.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work? David Eddings. I love the way he writes characters. Another writer I love is Joss Whedon because he makes his stories more about people than about events.

Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)? Not yet, but I have just signed my zombie books with a publisher, and that will require some travel for media and signings and such.

Who designed the covers? The very talented Najla Qamber!

What was the hardest part of writing your books? Forcing out the words. Sometimes the characters fight with me, sometimes the words don’t want to come out, or they sound like crap when they are coming out, or sometimes I’m really worried that people will realize I have no idea what I’m doing and I’m really just making this all up!!!!!

Did you learn anything from writing your books? That you can achieve your dreams.

Do you have any advice for other writers? Yes, write. Don’t concern yourself with trends or sounding like a bestselling favorite, just write the story that’s in your heart, and don’t give up on it.

Do your have anything specific you would like to say to your readers? I truly appreciate and love every single one of them! I used to think I wanted to write for money (which can be laughable at times). But then reviews started coming in, and just hearing how some readers love the characters or the plots really makes it all worth it!

Do your remember the first book you ever read? A Wrinkle in Time. Love that book to pieces.

Other than writing do you have any hobbies? No. I’m boring hahaha. I spend way too much time on Facebook. I’m trying to figure out twitter. Among that, I’m really looking for something I enjoy outside of writing so I can have an actual human conversation. So far nothing seems to work.

What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching? I enjoy TV shows over movies because the stories last so much longer! I love Witches of East End. I enjoy A Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead also. And, Netflix really needs to put out the next season of American Horror Story!!!!!

Favorite foods / Colors/ Music: Chinese; blue; alternative.

If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done? Be born to wealth? Yea, that sounds good. Also, nature conservation.

Do you have a blog/website? If so please share your links. Oh yes:

Personal Blog: http://travissimmons.net/
Writing Help: http://wyrdingwayspress.com/

Are you on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest etc. Please share those links also.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authortravissimmons?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TravisSimmons5
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/travis1325/

 


 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, September 22, 2014

Spotlight on Author Jenna Galicki.


AUTHOR : Jenna Galicki





Birth date: June 9 – I’m a Gemini!



Where are you from: : I grew up in the burbs if NYC, but Ive been living in Long Island for about fifteen years.



A little about your self `ie your education, Family, life etc: I love music, rottweilers, coffee and meeting new people. I’m a strong advocate for LGBT rights and marriage equality. I volunteer with Gods Love We Deliver, delivering meals on the holidays to people with HIV and AIDS and I’m proud sponsor of Children’s International. I have two dogs and one husband.



Tell us your latest book news? The next book in the Radical Rock Stars Series is coming out around Sept. 30. I’m just waiting on the definite date. It picks up where The Prince of Punk Rock (Radical Rock Stars Book One) leaves off and it’s HOT!



When and why did you begin writing? I write because I have to! LOL. These people in my head want out. They want life and they want their story told. I’ve always created elaborate scenarios in my head about fictitious people. One of them turned into ongoing story that evolved in my head for a few weeks. It was my first novel, which is still unpublished.



When did you consider yourself an Author? When did you first consider yourself a writer? As soon as I saw my name on the first paperback. It was surreal.



What inspired you to write your first book? It was a dream that I couldn’t let go of. I played it over in my head and added to it over a few weeks, and realized it had the potential to be a novel.



Do you have a specific writing style? I like third person and I like POVs from both MCs.



How did you come up with the titles? The title usually jumps out at me somewhere in the middle of writing the book. It often changes, until it hits you. It’s like when your eye spots that pair of shoes in the store window and you do an immediate detour to get a better look.



Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? Love conquers all.



How much of the book is realistic? I hope it’s all realistic, but none of it is based on actual events. It’s purely fiction.



Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life? Nope, just my overactive imagination.

What books have most influenced your life most? It may sound dated, but I think Jackie Collins opened the door for strong female characters with Lucky Santangelo. She still a character I’d love to read about. Jackie Collins wasn’t afraid to introduce sex and drugs in her books, either, and back then, it was really outside the box.



If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? Again, Jackie Collins for the reasons stated above.



What book are you reading now? Into the Wind, Mermen of Ea by Shira Anthony



Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? There are so many, but Tyler May is coming out with her first novel in November about a blind vampire and it’s a male romance called Angel of Darkness. I’m really looking forward to reading it.



What are your current projects? I’m working on a piece for an open call for an anthology and then starting Radical Rock Stars Book Three.



Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members: The bloggers and the readers have my undying respect and gratitude! Support has been overwhelming.

Do you see writing as a career? I hope so. Its so much more than just a career though. I couldn’t stop if I tried.



If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? I think as a writer, there is something we’d always change. We always think we can make it better.



Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? The stories in my head wouldn’t quiet. They needed out!



Can you share a little of your current work with us?




Between A Rock and A Hard Place (Radical Rock Stars Book Two)

She’s a rock goddess.
He’s a sex pistol.
I need them both, in my life and in my bed, and I'm not living without either one of them.
I’ll do whatever it takes, even if it costs me everything I ever wanted.
I’m Tommy Blade, The Prince of Punk Rock, and this is the rest of our story.






When Jessi Blade is forced to miss the first leg of Immortal Angel’s world tour, Tommy Blade and Angel Garcia are alone together for the first time. Their romance flourishes and brings them closer together, but time apart puts a strain on Tommy and Jessi’s marriage. The demanding schedule of a world tour, pressure from the record label and a wife who feels neglected, leaves Tommy under a blanket of anxiety. He’s helpless as his perfect life slowly falls to pieces.



When Jessi Blade finally catches up to Tommy and Angel four weeks into their world tour, she begins to feel like an outsider. She’s not about to take a back seat to Angel and she competes for Tommy’s attention. Tired of the rivalry, she begins to wonder if they’d be happier without her.



Angel Garcia is trying to hold their relationship together, but Jessi’s animosity and Tommy’s nervous tension, are a heavy load to carry. Before long, it becomes clear that their life, and the band, are doomed unless they work out their differences.





Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? I try to take into consideration the readers viewpoint, likes and dislikes, but it’s hard to please everyone.

Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)? I’m trying to get to as many author signings as a can. I love to meet new people, especially readers and bloggers. I wish I could go to more.



Who designed the covers? Taria Reed at The Reed Files



What was the hardest part of writing your books?



Did you learn anything from writing your books? ? I think you learn something from everything your write. You lean what works and what doesn’t work. You learn how to develop story line and character depth. It’s always a learning experience.



Do you have any advice for other writers? Just to keep writing. Don’t get discouraged, it will all come together.



Do your have anything specific you would like to say to your readers? Just that I love them all and thank you so much for supporting me and leaving such nice reviews. My heart is full because of you. <3





Do your remember the first book you ever read? It had to be a Nancy Drew book! I read them nonstop when I was a kid.



Other than writing do you have any hobbies? I’m a music nut! I go to concerts like most people go to the movies.



What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching? I don’t have a lot of time to watch TV, but I will stop everything to watch The Walk Dead and Sons of Anarchy.





Favorite foods / Colors/ Music: : I’m a vegetarian transitioning to vegan. I love anything with nuts and granola! My all time favorite color was always pink because I was obsessed with I dram of Jeannie when I was a kid, but since I dyed my hair red, it presents a color clash. LOL.





If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done? ? I have a full time job, that pays the bills. But if I to choose a career other than writing, I would have been a veterinarian. I love all animals and have compassion for all living things down to the tiniest insect. Other than that, something in the music industry would be awesome!



Do you have a blog/website? If so please share your links.






@jennagalicki





Are you on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest etc. Please share those links also.



Please share your book covers:



Please provide a personal picture of yourself or one of your favorite photos.



Other books by Jenna Galicki:



The Prince of Punk Rock, Radical Rock Stars Book One



I love her, but I also love him.
She’s everything to me.
He sets my world on fire.
It's our dirty little secret, and it’s about to blow our record deal sky high.
I’m Tommy Blade, the Prince of Punk Rock, and this is our story.

Tommy Blade is a man with a secret. It’s a secret he only shares with one person, Jessi Blade – and the men he surrenders to in the bedroom. Jessi’s only condition to their tumultuous sex life is that the men are one night stands. But when Angel Garcia enters their life, it’s like a match to gasoline.

Mega-talented punk rock singer Angel Garcia, with his smoldering ebony eyes, tight leather pants and unstoppable stage presence, is a man who is used to getting what he wants. He has his eyes set on Tommy Blade as his new lead guitarist, and as his life partner.

Jessi Blade, sympathetic to her husband's bisexual needs, loves him enough to share him, but she never counted on Angel Garcia to test the threshold of her marriage. He makes her life hell . . . and heaven. He’s her damnation and her salvation. She wants to hate him. She wants to despise him. But his charm and raw sex appeal are impossible to resist. Without warning, she finds herself falling in love with her husband's gay lover.

At the height of it all, their punk rock band catapults to stardom.

Their lives are marred by secrecy, deception and sacrifice. Feelings of betrayal, backlash from the sensationalistic media and threats of blackmail send them down a hard road filled with tough decisions.

They aren't your ordinary rock stars. They're radical rock stars. And they have a big story to tell.

Amazon: amzn.to/MG7R3u




Jealousy, a stand alone novel

He's the shoulder she leans on.
He worships her.
She shields and protects him.
He watches over her.
They're soul mates for life.
They're not lovers; they're best friends.
Their struggle to find someone who can handle their intense bond is met with a roller coaster of raw emotion, loyalty and heartache.
Follow their journey to find love.

When Heather Cooper married Peter, she thought that she had finally found someone who could handle the inseparable bond she shares with her gay best friend, Justin Perrotta. It’s only a matter of time, however, before jealousy rears its ugly head and Peter’s true feelings emerge. He starts drinking and his erratic behavior threatens their marriage.

Burned by an ex-boyfriend, Justin refuses to open his heart to love again. Wild relationships and one night stands leave him lonely and unfulfilled, even though he will not admit it. He finds love when he least expects it, but his fear of commitment threatens to ruin the best thing that has ever happened to him.

In this modern day ‘Will and Grace’ meets ‘Sex and the City’, two best friends, a straight woman and a gay man, struggle to find someone to love as much as they love each other.

amzn.to/H1gRx2









Friday, September 19, 2014

Spotlight on Author Tricia Anderson

AUTHOR: Tricia Andersen


Birth date: 10/30/73

Where are you from: I am from Cedar Rapids, Iowa

A little about your self `ie your education, Family, life etc: I am married to my best friend, Brian, and we have three children, Jake, Jon and Ali. I graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in English and from Kirkwood Community College with an Associate of Arts in Communications Media/Journalism.
Along with being an author, I am a mixed martial artist, a track and field coach (I throw discus, shot, javelin and hammer too). I also sew, read and chase my kids when they are busy.

Tell us your latest book news? My latest novel Breaking the Silence, book two in the Hard Drive Series, is releasing September 17th!

When and why did you begin writing? I’ve been writing since I can remember. My mom has little four sentence stories I wrote in preschool. Writing is natural to me. It relaxes me.

When did you consider yourself an Author? In a way I still don’t. I am just doing what I love and sharing it with whoever will read it.

What inspired you to write your first book? My first book was a children’s book named The Peculiar Princess. It’s now published with Beau Coup Publishing. I wrote it because my two sons weren’t much like the kids they played with so they were teased and thought of as odd. I wondered what it would be like if they had a little sister just like them and that was the beginning of The Peculiar Princess. The funny thing is that four years after I wrote it, my daughter was born!

Do you have a specific writing style? Not particularly. I just write.

How did you come up with the titles? The Hard Drive Series is named after the gym I actually train in (the gym in the book is named after my gym). Breaking the Cycle was named from the disorder discussed in the book, Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome. Breaking the Silence was named in conjunction with the first book coupled with the fact the heroine is deaf.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? I got to partner with the organization Operation First Response in Breaking the Silence. I would love my readers to learn of the incredible things they do.

How much of the book is realistic? It’s actually very realistic. Breaking the Silence is set in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Quite a bit of it is set in a MMA gym much like the one I belong to.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life? The gym scenes in Breaking the Silence are based on what I’ve learned. The relationships between the characters are much like those I have with my friends. And, for the first time in my writing career, one of my characters are based on someone I know.

What books have most influenced your life most? Well, first off the Bible. From there a lot of the books that have influenced me are children’s books – If You Give a Mouse A Cookie, Guess How Much I Love You. The lessons that are taught in children’s book work just as well for adults.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? Karen Marie Moning. I love both her Highlander series and her Fever series. I love how she just writes what is on her mind especially in the Fever series. She lets her heroine just have random thoughts like in real life.

What book are you reading now? I’m between books. Next is either His Leading Lady by Jean Joachim or Tempted by the Cowboy by Sandy Sullivan.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Oh, there are quite a few that have peaked my interest. I wish I had more time!

What are your current projects? I am currently working on the third book of the Hard Drive Series. This one is Mark’s book and he is itching for me to tell his story. I am also slowly working on my Steampunk romance.

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members:

Do you see writing as a career? I do. It’s not right now (still have my day job) but I do hope soon that it is.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? Nope. I love this book. It is my favorite. I got to collaborate with people I respect greatly and love a lot. It was wonderful from the word go.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? My Mom is an incredible writer. She started reading to me when I was a baby. I got my love of writing and reading from her.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?
The weekend finally arrived, but it was no break for Avery. She still had her early Saturday morning class to attend. She trudged down the steps wearily. Of all the times for the air conditioning to go out, this was the worst by far. The ninety-degree day seeped into the building, making the rooms hot and stagnant. Every last person in the classroom was drenched in sweat. Even for one class, it was unbearable.
Her face brightened as she stepped out the door and found Rico in his Jeep waiting for her. She nearly ran for the vehicle. Dropping her backpack on the floor, she climbed in beside him.
He looked at her concerned. Are you all right?
No air. I baked for the last hour.
Do you still want to do something?
Yes. You are the highlight of my day.
Where do you want to go?
Someplace cool.
Rico thought for a moment then grinned. I know the perfect place. But you are going to want to bundle up.
It is the middle of summer. Where are you taking me?
You will see.
Rico drove her home then waited in the Jeep for her to get clothes. Apparently, he wasn’t about to push his luck with Lindsay.
He then stopped at his place. Instead of having her wait in the car, he escorted her inside. His apartment was a loft in an old, renovated warehouse, complete with the freight elevators. It was sparsely decorated with a leather sofa and chair. It was the typical guy’s apartment.
There were several MMA magazines scattered on the end tables. He must really be into mixed martial arts.
It only took a moment for Rico to come out of his bedroom changed. Instead of the shorts and T-shirt he had worn before, he now had on a pair of jeans and a snug fitting Henley that accented his muscles. She swallowed back a moan. She hadn’t thought he could get any hotter.
He smiled. Ready?
Yes. Avery took his outstretched hand in hers. She waited as he locked the door then walked with him to the elevator.
Rico weaved from one interstate to the other until they were in Saint Paul. The entire time, he held her hand in his. He parked the car in front of a large, concrete building lined with windows.
Ice skating? she signed
He laughed. You wanted to be cool.
That is true. But I can’t do this.
He frowned. Why not?
I can’t ice skate.
You do not know how?
I do. When I was young, I was very good at it. But I cannot do it now.
Because you are deaf?
Yes.
He smirked at her. I did not realize that you ice skate with your ears.
That is not funny, Rico.
Come on, Avery. We’ll have fun. I promise I will not let you fall.
She gazed at him as he grinned at her. Her eyes wandered over his chiseled physique. He certainly could keep his word. She sighed as she hopped out of the passenger seat and turned back to him. All right. Let’s go.
Absolutely! Rico jumped out with her and raced around the vehicle to take her hand. He pulled her close and wrapped his arm around her waist as they strolled in.
Rico paid their admission as Avery slipped into the restroom to change into her lightweight sweater and jeans. She watched his eyes wander over her head to toe as a smile spread across his face. He certainly seemed pleased. He took both pairs of skates the attendant offered before following her to a bench. Then, they tugged on their skates and, carefully stepping on the thick, black mat on the floor, they made their way out to the ice.
They skated around the rink laughing, sometimes hand in hand, sometimes trying awkwardly to race each other. Avery hadn’t been ice skating in years, not since she’d lost her hearing. It had ended up on the virtual list of activities she stubbornly believed she could no longer do. Rico had proved to her she could.
She gazed up to him as he smiled at her. He certainly was turning out to be her hero. Not that she needed one. She didn’t. But it was definitely nice to have one, just in case.
They were so wrapped up in each other, neither of them noticed the little boys that flew between them until it was too late. The last one hooked his skate with Avery’s. She was off her feet in a split second. She clenched her eyes in anticipation of the cold impact on her butt. Instead, two strong arms kept her from falling. Her eyes fluttered open, and she glanced around.
Rico had caught her just as he’d promised. Her eyes locked with his sapphire blue ones. She wanted to protest, to joke just how cliché this was. Here he was, cradling her in his arms after saving her from falling, his lips dangerously close to hers. They must have looked like they belonged on the front of a romance novel. But her breath caught in her throat as she clung to him, her gaze drifting to his mouth.
She gasped as he gathered her closer and softly kissed her. Her fingers buried into his hair as he deepened it, his lips parting hers as his tongue slowly grazed across her teeth then tangled with hers. Their eyes met for a moment as the kiss broke. Avery fought against her breath coming out in ragged gasps, but it was no use. So, that’s what kissing Rico Choate is like. It was light years better than she had imagined.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? Getting started. I am a huge procrastinator and spend way too much time on Facebook. But once I get started it’s hard to stop.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work? Karen Marie Moning. I love how she lets her characters have random thoughts. The stories aren’t perfectly structured.

Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)? No. The furthest I’ve gone is to Ohio for the Readers/Authors Get Together. But I love to travel so the more I can do the better!

Who designed the covers? My Hard Drive Series is designed by H.N. Sieverding. She does an amazing job! The photos are taken by Courtney Johnson of Cojo’s Photography. My models are actual fighters (and friends of mine!).

What was the hardest part of writing your books? Getting started. Once I get started I have a hard time stopping.

Did you learn anything from writing your books? When I was researching MMA for Breaking the Cycle, I took classes in kickboxing. It was awesome because it helped me understand mixed martial arts and I was able to identify with my heroes better.

Do you have any advice for other writers? Don’t ever give up. Keep writing.

Do your have anything specific you would like to say to your readers? Thank you so much. Because of you I get to do what I love. And I hope you love my characters as much as do. Thank you.

Do your remember the first book you ever read? Little Monster Goes To Work. I think I still have it.

Other than writing do you have any hobbies? I am a mixed martial artist. I started while researching Breaking the Cycle. I also coach track and field, sew, read and chase my kids around.

What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching? I love watching Castle, NCIS, Big Bang Theory. For movies I love The Knights Tale, Shakespeare in Love, Real Steel and all the Harry Potter movies.

Favorite foods / Colors/ Music: Spaghetti, Chocolate Chip cookies, Chicken Fingers, Frosted Flakes/ I love all colors/ I love listening to all sorts of music from Classical to Heavy Metal but I tend to lean towards Hard Rock.

If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done? I don’t know. I am also currently an Office Manager so I’ll say run an office.

Do you have a blog/website? If so please share your links. www.triciaandersen.com and www.insidethiswritersmind.com

Are you on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest etc. Please share those links also. www.facebook.com/t.l.andersenauthor, www.twitter.com/triciaandersen, www.pinterest.com/tricialandersen

 
 

Thursday, September 18, 2014

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Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Spotlight on Author and Playwright.

 
Crystal Smith-Connelly
 
Author and Playwright
 

 

Birth date: December 31, 1980

Where are you from: Charleston, SC

A little about your self `ie your education, Family, life etc: I was born in Melbourne, Florida and have a younger brother and sister. My husband and I are getting ready to celebrate our third wedding anniversary, and we have a spoiled rotten hamster named Bret (we hope to start spoiling a Yorkie puppy in a few months). I graduated from the College of Charleston in 2003 with a degree in Theatre and worked at a library for eight years before quitting to become a full-time writer (the fact that I became so allergic to the building that I lost my sense of taste helped me make the decision to quit).

Tell us your latest book news? I published Goat Herpes and Other Problems, my third book, in May and am currently writing a web series based on two of the plays in the book.

When and why did you begin writing? I’ve been writing since I was a child, so I don’t remember, but I do remember how and why I started writing plays. I took an Arthurian Legends class my senior year of high school, and some of the students asked the teacher if we could put on a play as our final instead of taking a test; she said we could as long as we wrote the play ourselves. I was chosen to be one of the writers and had so much fun with it that I wrote my own Arthurian play that summer and later decided to take a playwriting class in college. Once I realized that I could make people laugh with my plays, I knew that I wanted to be a playwright.

When did you consider yourself an Author? The first time I laid eyes on my book; it wasn’t published yet (it was just the proof), but seeing my name on a book cover for the first time was a great feeling.

What inspired you to write your first book? Someone who reads my plays suggested that I publish a book of them…so I did!


Do you have a specific writing style? I write short plays, and usually an idea pops into my head and I have to write it; I don’t force myself to write because it’s not going to be good unless I’m inspired.

How did you come up with the titles? For I Am Zeus and Never Trust an Angel are named after plays that are in the books, and Goat Herpes and Other Problems came from a line in the book where Ares tells Zeus that he hopes he gets goat herpes, and Zeus proudly tells him that he already has them.

How much of the book is realistic? I write about Greek mythology and Satan, so the things I write aren’t very realistic.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life? I’ve written a few plays based on events from my life, but none of them are in the books I’ve published so far.

What books have most influenced your life most? Me of Little Faith by Lewis Black…I can’t think of another book that I’ve related to as much as that one. The books that have influenced my writing the most are Naked Pictures of Famous People by Jon Stewart and Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? Steve Martin…he’s my favorite playwright and just so happens to be one of the funniest people in the world.

What book are you reading now? Attempting Normal by Marc Maron and Don’t Look Back by Gregg Hurwitz

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Cory O’Brien…he wrote Zeus Grants Stupid Wishes: A No-Bullshit Guide to World Mythology, and it’s hilarious.

What are your current projects? Writing my web series and working on my paranormal blog

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members: Franklin Ashley, my college playwriting professor

Do you see writing as a career? Yes, even though I don’t make any money at it. ; )

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? No, I think it’s my best book.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? I’ve loved writing for as long as I can remember…probably because reading has been my favorite thing to do ever since my parents taught me how to do it.

Can you share a little of your current work with us? This is from the first episode of the Godly Acres web series…Zeus on sex addiction:

ZEUS
I wouldn’t call it a problem. Hera thinks it’s a problem, but I’m fine with it.

WILLOW
Hera is your wife?

ZEUS
Yes, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be together.


WILLOW
There are a million reasons we can’t be together. How do you feel about Hera?

ZEUS
She’s okay. She’s the hottest of all my sisters, but she’s a little controlling.

WILLOW
How so?


ZEUS
She’s always telling me not to sleep with other women.

WILLOW
When you’re married, you’re not supposed to sleep with other women.

ZEUS
But I’m immortal…I can’t bone one woman for eternity!

WILLOW
That doesn’t mean it’s okay for you to be unfaithful.

ZEUS
It’s not my fault women are always throwing themselves at me. I didn’t ask for this body.

WILLOW
You need to learn to resist temptation. Be strong, Zeus.


ZEUS
I’m totally strong.
(flexing)
Check out my guns!



Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work? Linwood Barclay…his books are almost impossible to put down. His thrillers are about ordinary people, so it’s easy to imagine myself in their shoes.

Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)? I’ve had to travel a few times to see my plays out of state; a few months ago, I went to see my play ‘Til Death Do Us Part in Hollywood, and I gave the cast and the director signed copies of the book that the play is in.

Who designed the covers? I designed all of them, and my husband added the lightning bolts and the Greek-style border to the Goat Herpes cover.

What was the hardest part of writing your books? Writing plays with a full-time job was tough…I would write on my breaks, and it was a pain to have to go back out on the desk when I was on a roll. Also, the process of getting the books ready to publish was difficult when I was working; after being on a computer at work all day, the last thing I wanted to do when I got home was get on the computer. When I was going through this process with my second book, I took a week off to work on it, and that helped a lot.

Did you learn anything from writing your books? Since I self-publish, I learned how to design a book cover and write a copyright page.

Do you have any advice for other writers? Never play it safe. Write what you want to write, and don’t worry about whether someone is going to be offended by your work. I know, shocking advice from the woman who writes Satan plays. ; )

Do your have anything specific you would like to say to your readers? Thank you so much for reading my plays and buying and reviewing my books. I’m very grateful, and I hope you had as much fun reading them as I did writing them.

Other than writing do you have any hobbies? Reading, cooking, taking pictures of the world’s cutest hamster

What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching? Arrested Development, Flight of the Conchords, Cannibal! The Musical, Walk Hard, anything with Will Ferrell (who I always picture when I write my Zeus plays)

Favorite foods / Colors/ Music: Food: pizza, mashed potatoes, quiche
Color: green, aqua (I even got married in an aqua dress)
Music: Flight of the Conchords, Jump, Little Children, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Ben Folds, ‘80s one-hit wonders, Broadway cast recordings

If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done? Work with animals…if anyone is interested in hiring a puppy cuddler, I would be great at that. ; )

Do you have a blog/website? If so please share your links.
Are you on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest etc. Please share those links also.