Monday, January 11, 2016
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Spotlight on Author E.J. Babcock
WELCOME E.J. BABCOCK!
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I have always written
short stories and such in notebooks. It was just recently that I decided to
share my stories.
How long does it take you to write a book?
I don’t put a time frame on them, but it can take about
four months.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
I try to be strict but I have five kids and a fulltime job
so it’s crazy like always lol.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I listen to music when I write, I also send myself story
ideas.
How do your books get published?
How do your books get published?
I found a great publisher http://www.crimsonfrostpublishing.com/
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
With the
football terms in Sudden Impact I had help from my brother and my husband.
My ideas just
come to me sometimes when I’m listing to music or watching a television or
listing to music.
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
What
do you like to do when you're not writing?
I like to read,
go to concerts, spend time with friends and listen to music.
What does your family think of your writing?
They love it
and are very supportive.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
That google is
your best friend… lol.
How many books have you written? Two one is being edited. Which is your favorite? Aww come on that’s like asking which child is my favorite. I will be honest and say I love them both equally. They both have things in them that I love.
Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they? Write what you love, write down any ideas that pop into your head no matter how crazy it seems at the moment.
Do you hear from your readers much? Sometimes. What kinds of things do they say? When book two is coming out? That Cassius’s mom is crazy and who is she based on?
Do you like to create books for adults? Yes but thinking of doing some for children.
What do you think makes a good story? A good plot, good story line, and awesome characters.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? Be a princess… lol. Honestly I wanted to be a veterinarian,
then I realized I couldn’t ever put an animal to sleep so I wanted to be a
writer.
Facebook: Author E.J. Babcock
Twitter: @SunfiresAngel44
Instagram: ejbabcock44
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/EJ-Babcock/e/B016DODHLA/ref=la_B016DODHLA_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1452097240&sr=1-1
Personal Life Of E.J. In Pictures -
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Spotlight on Author James Gordon
Welcome James, we are so happy you could stop by today!
Please tell us a little about you and your book.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? It had to have been 5th grade
during English class throughout the year. I was always writing stories and what
I thought were poems the entire year.
How long does it take you to write a book? It really depends on the genre of the book but anywhere from three to seven months. Add six months for pre and post promotion.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing? If I’m on the set of a show, I’m writing or recording on my phone or in a notebook. But I’m always writing, whether on social network or napkins, etc.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? I prefer to write at night into the early morning. Doing this makes me think of famous authors having done the same thing.
How do your books get published? I am a self published author.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books? I read a lot, watch movies quite often, and I travel extensively. Plus, I have a vivid imagination.
When did you write your first book and how old were you? My first book was written in 2007 and published in 2009. I had to be 109.
What do you like to do when you're not writing? Hanging with my family, playing video games, writing, working out, and watching movies.
What does your family think of your writing? My family is very supportive of my work. The first couple of years my Ma went with me to various fairs to sell my books
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? I’m surprised that I wrote some of the things that I did. I read poems and wonder, “Wow, I wrote that.” I’m so into the process that the content never hits me. And I rarely read my work until months later.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? 9 books thus far. Whenever I get asked which my favorite is, I can never say. It’s either The Confessional Heart of a Man because it was my first, The Warmest Winter because it was my first novel, or Angelica’s Box because it was so much fun to write.
Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they? Read a lot, then write just as much. And after that, see as many different things to jar the senses. Repeat.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say? I interact with readers often. Most of what I get back is positive. As any author knows, you receive a few comments that aren’t so positive.
Do you like to create books for adults? That’s part of my talent and appeal is that I can write for different audiences.
What do you think makes a good story? A good story has a strong plot that serves as a vertebrae,. Then, the details are quite vivid so the reader can see, hear, smell, and touch what’s going on. And after that, the story must have closure that ties it all up.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? I wanted to be
Batman
Website: www.iblowyourmind.net
http://www.amazon.com/Angelicas-Box-Poetically-Psychotic-Insanity-ebook/dp/B017J2QIB6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1452040921&sr=1-1&keywords=angelica%27s+box
BOOK BLURBS
Warmest Winter:
A collage of a grisly murder, rampant adultery, questionable alibis, and heart halting truths heat up what is normally the frosty season of Chicago. Attorney James Gordon is thrust with the unenviable task of trying prove his friend's innocence in a crime that defies the definition of horrible, while also combating his own demons. Chicago has never been this warm during the Winter.
Angelica's Box:
There came a moment when one man realized that there was another inside of his head. In this case, the arrogant entity that is G.P.A.(Greatest Poet Alive) became cognizant that another with an even higher level of self-esteem crossing the border of narcissism was speaking to him. And this "man" would be known as the omniscient Pizzle. Angelica's Box is the result of the many conversations between these two individuals that focus on issues they encounter everyday.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Spotlight Interview with Author Eliot Parker
Welcome Eliot, so happy you could join us today.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Growing up, I was a kid that loved to read and loved stories. I really
got interested in writing when I was in junior high school. I won the school
writing award in eighth grade and it was the first time that I really felt like
I had some talent with writing.
How long does it take you to write a book?
About two years. It takes me about a year to write the first complete
draft of a book and then that is followed by about six months of heavy revision
and then another six months of more editing and polishing the manuscript. I
write slow and since I teach English at Mountwest Community and Technical
College, my writing time is divided between working with students, teaching
classes, grading papers, and committee work. I find my most productive writing
time is during Thanksgiving and Christmas Break and over the summer.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
I write every day, usually early in the morning when my mind is fresh.
I get up rather early before everyone in my house is up and stirring around. I
will write for about 45 minutes to an hour each day. Some days, I will generate
250-300 words during that time. Other days, I might only churn out 20 words.
However, I’ve discovered that if I chip away at the book a little each day (and
write more heavily and intensely when school is not in session) then I can have
the draft of a book completed within a year.
What
would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
How
do your books get published?
Basically, from research. I look for publishers and/or agents that
publish the types of books I write, which are mostly mysteries. Then, I send
those folks query letters and sample chapters from my manuscript and then cross
my fingers. Over the years, I have received a ton of rejection letters, but in
most cases, something constructive was always mentioned in the rejection letter
that helped me make changes to the manuscript and also helped me become a
better writer. Writer should not be afraid to pursue all avenues when it comes
to getting a book published. There are so many quality, independent presses
that produce good books and are always looking for new authors.
Where
do you get your information or ideas for your books?
From real people and real experiences. The old adage that “truth is
stranger than fiction” is true. Many of the plots for my mystery novels are
loosely based on real-life crimes and criminal scenarios that have actually
occurred. The characters in those books either are related in some way to the
people involved in the actual case or are based on people that I have met and
spoken with at various points in my life.
When
did you write your first book and how old were you?
The first book I wrote was called The Prospect, and it was
written in 2008 when I was 28 years old. I had written some short stories that
had been accepted for publication in the past, but The Prospect was my
first book. I knew nothing about publishing books at that time, and it was self-published.
The publisher has gone out of business and the book is now out of print. My
first traditionally published book was Breakdown at Clear River, which
came out in 2012 when I was 32 years old.
What
do you like to do when you're not writing?
I love movies, and I usually go and see one every week. I also love to
read and spend time with my cats. I like to play basketball and travel as well.
What does your family think of your writing?
They have been very supportive of it. Many times, they will read one of
my books and jokingly ask me if I based a character on them or someone we both
know mutually, but overall, they have been my biggest cheerleaders and supporters.
What
was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
Breakdown at Clear River: http://www.amazon.com/
That it takes time and the first draft of the book is going to be
revised and drastically changed before the final draft is complete. Every
writer is different and every writer works on a different schedule, but I was
surprised by the amount of time it takes and the revision process. I’ve also
learned how important good editors are for me and my books. My two editors,
Sandy Tritt and Brette O’Connell, are wonderful and their advice and expertise
has been extremely helpful with my three books.
How
many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I have written three: Breakdown at Clear River, Making
Arrangements, and my latest novel Fragile Brilliance. I love all of
my books for different reasons, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be Fragile
Brilliance.
Do
you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are
they?
Read and read widely. Find an author that you like and study how they
compose their book regarding character development, plot, etc. Do not be afraid
to read something in a genre that is not your favorite. For example, I am not a
big science-fiction reader, but I will read in that genre from time to time
because science-fiction writers are so good at creating setting(s), that I
learn a lot about “world building” from their books. I would also suggest just
writing and getting your ideas down on paper. The first draft of anything you
write is not going to be good, and that’s okay. Getting your ideas down on
paper is so important, because without that, you don’t have anything to revise
and improve. If you want to be a writer, then you have to do it. Talking about
and trying to wish it into existence will not get that first draft completed.
Do
you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I do. Many of them will message me via social media and leave comments
about my books. Most of the comments have been very positive. Readers seem to
enjoy my characters, the pace of my writing, and the multi-layered plots that
occur in my books.
Do
you like to create books for adults?
Yes. I have never tried to write for a younger audience, but I would
like to try that someday.
What
do you think makes a good story?
Great characters who are interesting, flawed, and utterly human. I also
think a good story should absorb the reader in the world and circumstances that
you’ve created as a writer. I think a good story is the one where you (the
reader) gets so absorbed into the story and the characters that you lose track
of time and, ultimately, not want to put the book down.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to be the next Jim Nantz or the next SportsCenter anchor. I
actually worked as a radio broadcaster for three years, before going into
teaching an education. When I worked as a journalist, many newspapers and radio
stations were selling to large conglomerate corporations, and many layoffs
happened during that time. That was in 2005, and I felt like it was a good time
to leave the profession and pursue something else.
About the author:
Eliot Parker is the author of three novels: Breakdown at Clear River, Making Arrangements, and Fragile Brilliance. His short fiction has appeared in Speck Literary Journal, Kentucky Story Press, Apex Books, One Story Magazine, and others. He currently teaches writing and literature at Mountwest Community and Technical College in Huntington, West Virginia. Learn more at www.eliotparker.com
Book Purchasing Links:
Breakdown at Clear River: http://www.amazon.com/
Making Arrangements: http://www.amazon.com/Making-
Fragile Brilliance: http://www.amazon.com/Fragile-
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
The Owl Branch is pleased to announce new promotional memberships starting at $1.99 per month. New enrollees will receive 6 free novels.
Come join us as we provide new services for authors such as, Proofreading, Editing, Beta Reading, Promotional Ideas, Advertising, A Private Tab On Our Website, Social Media Sharing and lots more.
SC Clarke and Carissa Webb will be happy to answer you questions and provide informative suggestions for your books and work.
Contact us today! theowlbranch2015@gmail.com
We encourage you to take a look at the website. http://theowlbranch2015.wix.com/books-seller
Thursday, December 17, 2015
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
birth of Our Savior and Lord Jesus we can reflect what giving a gift really means. For example: when the Magi (Three Kings) came to Bethlehem bearing gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Mir, they did it because they had heard the savior was born and wished to honor him with these special gifts. Today we give gifts because it is commercial to do so. However I would like to think that in honor of Jesus Christ we give gifts just like the Magi...to keep the tradition alive of love, hope and faith.
This year give a gift of love, a book. A simple form of entertainment which will light up a heart for just a bit. Consider the North Star that lit the way for the Magi making their way to Jesus' birth bearing those wonderful gifts oh so long ago.
Many of you may disagree with the way I used the Birth of Our Lord and Savior to present my books for sale. However, could you have compared a gift any better? Would you give a gift in honor of a friend, loved one who you feel has been a savior in your life? Think about it.
Share the love this Christmas Season! http://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Miles-Gauthier/e/B00MEFQN6Y/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1425413180&sr=1-2-ent
Thank you for being a member and viewer of this blog!
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
INSIGHTS BY JUDY
Posted: 14 Dec 2015 07:50 AM PST
As
promised, I'm keeping you aware of how that approach to change thing is
going. And here is the lesson that I've learned. In order to create
change, I have to be the person instigating the change. I keep learning
that lesson because most of my life I've learned something else. Which
is that I'm not powerful enough to instigate change. When I lived in
the household with Maxine, I learned that nothing I could do would
really improve things. No matter how I approached it, Maxine was still
mentally ill. I couldn't solve things. I couldn't cure my Mom. I really
couldn't make it all better for Dad. Or my sister. The result is that I
felt hopeless. I also began to believe that I had no power to change
the direction of my life. As an adult, I have had to un-learn that
lesson over and over. And during the times that I'm totally clear, here
is the result: I really do have some power. And it is amazing to
realize this.
In the last few years in Tennessee, I've acted on that learning. As situations come up that are clearly going to challenge my recovery, I've had to take responsibility for moving things forward. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that it's been easy. There is still a child inside of me who believes that the world is stacked against her and nothing is gonna change. And she has regular tantrums. When you see me stuck and unable to make decisions, that is probably who is in control. I love that little girl. But I can't let her stay in control of my life. The decisions that I have to make are too important. So, how do I handle it? I acknowledge her fear and hopelessness. I tell her I love her. Then I take the next logical step. I learned as a case manager that there is always a step to take. Many times they don't solve the problem. Solving problems can be an ongoing process. And it feels like it takes forever to solve things. The outside world and our own thinking patterns tend to get in the way. We've talked enough about how help is limited for those dealing with mental illness. And even when you are dealing with life things that are totally unconnected to your illness, the influence of that problem is still pretty intense sometimes.
However, on occasion, I've been able to solve a problem just by taking the next logical step. Which always really surprises me. I guess that is because I've learned the lesson that life is always a struggle. And I don't expect things to actually work for me. Can you relate to this? I'm pretty sure that you can, because I hear you saying the same thing all the time. We have come to the conclusion that we can't make our lives better. And that very fact makes our ability to create change almost nil. I'm very clear that I'm almost re-parenting myself. Today, I'm willing to do it. What brought this all to mind? I took a risk recently to solve a problem at work that was really influencing my life. That was Judy re-parenting herself. And the problem was solved. Which is going to make a difference for me. I'm already seeing that.
Life is tough sometimes. And there are situations that we cannot change. But in realizing that, we also have to recognize that we do have some power. We have to harness that power, which comes from our mind, and work to make the changes. That is the lesson of The Serenity Prayer:
All my thanks to George, Adam, and Stephanie. You helped me believe again. (Ashley, thanks for the support.)
In the last few years in Tennessee, I've acted on that learning. As situations come up that are clearly going to challenge my recovery, I've had to take responsibility for moving things forward. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that it's been easy. There is still a child inside of me who believes that the world is stacked against her and nothing is gonna change. And she has regular tantrums. When you see me stuck and unable to make decisions, that is probably who is in control. I love that little girl. But I can't let her stay in control of my life. The decisions that I have to make are too important. So, how do I handle it? I acknowledge her fear and hopelessness. I tell her I love her. Then I take the next logical step. I learned as a case manager that there is always a step to take. Many times they don't solve the problem. Solving problems can be an ongoing process. And it feels like it takes forever to solve things. The outside world and our own thinking patterns tend to get in the way. We've talked enough about how help is limited for those dealing with mental illness. And even when you are dealing with life things that are totally unconnected to your illness, the influence of that problem is still pretty intense sometimes.
However, on occasion, I've been able to solve a problem just by taking the next logical step. Which always really surprises me. I guess that is because I've learned the lesson that life is always a struggle. And I don't expect things to actually work for me. Can you relate to this? I'm pretty sure that you can, because I hear you saying the same thing all the time. We have come to the conclusion that we can't make our lives better. And that very fact makes our ability to create change almost nil. I'm very clear that I'm almost re-parenting myself. Today, I'm willing to do it. What brought this all to mind? I took a risk recently to solve a problem at work that was really influencing my life. That was Judy re-parenting herself. And the problem was solved. Which is going to make a difference for me. I'm already seeing that.
Life is tough sometimes. And there are situations that we cannot change. But in realizing that, we also have to recognize that we do have some power. We have to harness that power, which comes from our mind, and work to make the changes. That is the lesson of The Serenity Prayer:
G-d grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.
The courage to change the things I can.
And the wisdom to know the difference.
I've
told you how much I rely on that prayer on a daily basis. The hopeless
child inside of me is frequently soothed by that prayer. You don't have
to believe in G-d to recognize the wisdom. Come on, say it with me.....
Sending much love. Let's talk!
All my thanks to George, Adam, and Stephanie. You helped me believe again. (Ashley, thanks for the support.)
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