Interview with Dana Davis, Author of Desert Magick: Dream Catcher

Dana Davis is an author of fantasy, paranormal, and science fiction novels.  Her newest work Desert Magick: Dream Catcher is available from SynergEbooks Publishing. 

What is the name of your latest book?  And how did you come up with the title?


Desert Magick: Dream Catcher is the second book in my Desert Magick series. This series features witches, ghosts, shape-shifters and other paranormal characters and takes place in the Phoenix-area of Arizona, which is how the title came about. Each subtitle reflects something that happens in that particular novel and usually has multiple meanings.


What is this book about?  And what genre is this book in?


Dream Catcher is a paranormal fantasy. Daisy Hammel-Kavanaugh, a witch living in Arizona, is the main character throughout the series. In the previous book, she managed to survive a mortal enemy. But just when Daisy thinks she’s getting her life under control again, her college-age cousin Zoey reveals a disturbing family secret. Even with Daisy’s assistance, Zoey might not overcome what awaits her. And if they fail, humankind will suffer a most terrible fate.




Who is/are the main characters?  And why did you choose them?


Well, sometimes I don’t choose my characters, they choose me. The character of Daisy came to me almost immediately as I began having ideas for the Desert Magick series. This might sound odd to those who don’t write, but characters often pop in and out letting me know when and where to put them. Or just demanding that I tell their story. And they will hound and hound until I write about them. This happened with Daisy’s cousin, Bridgette.


I was working on a scene with Daisy and Noah, when Bridgette popped into the room and demanded to be put into the novel. She told me who she was, where she’d been, and that if anyone was going to help Daisy, she would be the one doing the helping. I tried to ignore her for the moment and just get on with the scene I was writing, but she wouldn’t let me. Basically she bullied me into putting her into the novel right then and there, and she’s become one of my favorite characters to write.

What is the coolest or best part about your book?  (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc…)


I have to say writing about ghosts is probably the coolest thing about this series. I’m a ghost buster in real life. Meaning, I’m a member of a paranormal investigative team so ghosts have become part of my real life in a large way. I write fantasy, so I take a lot of liberties with certain aspects, but some scenes come from my real-life ghost experiences or stories I’ve been told by others.


Do you have a favorite character in the book?  If so, why?


Well, like a mom with her children, I don’t have favorites. Really. Okay, so maybe I do. I always like writing Daisy. She’s a bit quirky at times, which is fun, but things get really interesting when this normal witch trying to live a normal life gets thrown into some very dangerous situations she would prefer to avoid. And Bridgette is always a favorite. This redhead is not shy about voicing her opinions and she’s not shy with men. Bridgette and Daisy do things I would never do or couldn’t do in real life, which is kind of a guilty pleasure for me as a writer.


Is this book part of a series?  If so? What can we expect in future books?
  
Oh, yes. The next book in the Desert Magick series will be released in 2011. I don’t have an exact date yet but my publisher is pushing for March. After that, I’m under contract for two more novels in the series. 


If not?  Are you considering expanding it?


If this series is popular, then we might consider even more novels than the planned five. Otherwise, I have another series I would like to begin working on once this one is complete.


If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?


Since it’s a series, I can adjust some things with each new novel, or add new characters and situations I need them, as long as I’m consistent with what I’ve written in the previous books. At this point, I’d have to say no, I wouldn’t change anything.


Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?


I learn things from every novel I write. As a writer, I would be disappointed if I didn’t. From Desert Magick I’ve learned to meld fantasy with a mundane, real life setting. My previous books take place on other worlds or in other times so creating fantasy in a real place and current time was a new venture for me. I was nervous when I began working on this series but excited to challenge myself. I’m really enjoying it.


Do you have a publisher?  And if so, why did you choose them? 


I have a wonderful publisher with SynergEbooks. I’m trying to leave a small footprint on this world, but I’m also a geek so I love technology. I found myself getting frustrated with publishing houses that requested printed material only, which is not only wasteful, but costly, and you have long postal turnarounds. So I began to focus on electronic books. I had researched quite a few publishers and was impressed with SynergEbooks and the personal attention they give to their authors, as well as the “green” aspect of electronic publishing. When SynergE chooses a book for paperback format, they use print-on-demand technology, so the hard copies are only printed once they’re ordered and don’t sit around in a warehouse or get tossed in the trash when they don’t sell. 


If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?


Oh, gosh, I have so many writers that I admire, like Anne Rice, Mary Gentle, and David Eddings. But I would have to say Sheila Finch was probably one of the most influential in my life. She’s a Nebula Award winner who taught at the college where I attended school, so I got personal instruction from her. She also shared ups and downs of the career with her students, as well as giving us the chance to branch out into whatever genre we felt comfortable writing. Her critique workshops were a great learning experience, as well. Sheila and I stay in touch through social websites. Did I mention that I love technology?


What books are you reading now?  


I’m a bit ADD when it comes to reading and I tend to read several books at once, shifting from one to another depending on my mood at the time. Right now, I’m reading electronic versions of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and a book about the Bodicca on the Nook, and the Legend of the Seeker series in paperback. I also pick up City of Saints and Madmen now and then and read a story from it. I just downloaded Kim Harrison’s latest Nook novel and am looking forward to starting it.


What are the current writing projects that you are working on?


Since I’m under contract, the Desert Magick series takes priority. But I have two other novels I’m in the process of editing for submission, and another paranormal series I’m looking forward to starting on, so I’m making notes for it. I have a long list of novels I plan to write. I just hope I live long enough to finish them all.


Do you write full time?  If not, do you hope to do so one day?


Yes, I’m very fortunate to write full-time. I have a wonderful, supportive husband who helps make that possible. I like to sit at long stretches and write without interruption. I admire those who work other jobs and also finish their writing projects. That would be difficult for me.


Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?


Writing has always been a part of my life in one form or another. When I was a very young child, I created stories in my head. Once I was in school, I got in trouble on several occasions for daydreaming. I worked mainly in the entertainment industry as a performer or behind the scenes but I was always writing for myself on the side. I also wrote and adapted scripts for children’s productions but after years in the entertainment industry, I decided I wanted to delve into novels. While a degree isn’t necessary to become a successful writer, I wanted and needed that focus, so I went back to school. After graduation is when I began seriously writing as a career and sending work out for publication. That was twelve years ago.


Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?


Blogging is a challenge for me. You might laugh at that, but it’s true. Blogging is a big part of connecting with readers today and they expect to read about your real life, not fictional stories. Non-fiction is not within my comfort zone so it’s always a challenge for me to write without bringing fantasy or science fiction into it. 


Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?


Be patient, be persistent, put your best work out there. Once you’ve sent out that latest work, start another project right away. Always have something else to work on, get excited about it, and never ever think you’ve learned it all. There’s a saying in the entertainment industry that goes, “If you’re not nervous, you’re not any good.” I try to take that philosophy into my writing and hope for a very long career in this business. Like wine, writers tend to get better with age. It’s one of the few careers you can continue growing with into your 60s and beyond. I’m looking forward to what my writing self will come up with in ten years or twenty years or thirty years from now. And I hope to keep learning with each new project.


Don't miss her contest too!

Dana's eBook Contest:

For a chance to win a free PDF copy of Dana's Desert Magick: Superstitions eBook, please send an email to danadavis@danadaviswriting.com with

"I want in!" in the subject line.

The winner will be chosen at random and must have a valid email address that accepts attachments in order to receive the prize.  Contest ends December 31, 2010 at 9pm MST.

　

Hurry and good luck!

Thank you Dana for dropping by!


You can visit Dana on the web at:

My website: http://www.danadaviswriting.com/
My facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Dana-Davis/591073862
My publisher: http://www.synergebooks.com/
My blog: http://danadaviswriting.blogspot.com/ 

Interview with Urban Fantasy and Erotic Romance Author, Danielle Gavan, About Her New Book 'Possession is Nine Tenths- Ardeur'

Scribal Love Welcomes Danielle Gavan!


Danielle Gavan is a self-published author of Urban Fantasy and Erotic Romance. Her newest work Possession is Nine Tenths – Ardeur is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sony eReader and Kobo Books. 

What is the name of your latest book? And how did you come up with the title?


My book is titled Possession is Nine Tenths – Ardeur. The title wasn’t something I consciously set about trying to figure out until I decided to write Ardeur’s story as a novel.  I had originally planned for it to be a short 2500 word submission for a contest until I did a bit of digging and found some unfavorable information about the publisher offering the prize. 
As the story grew and took on a life of its own the term possession is nine tenths was something that was floating around the back of my mind.  It was completely unrelated to the book but every time I sat down to write my thoughts drifted back to it and, it stuck. 


What is this book about?  And what genre is this book in?


PiNT – Ardeur is about a young woman who is possessed by a chaos demon for most of her life.  Once freed from the demon, she trades in one form of possession for another unless she can break the bond with the Angel of Death.  Freedom and love come to her in the form of a six foot four Werewolf with dimples and flashing hazel eyes.


At first I had thought this would be classed as Paranormal Romance but as time grew, the world building and characters grew more complex, I realized that what I was writing was actually Urban Fantasy.


Who is/are the main characters?  And why did you choose them?


Brody and Ardeur were an easy choice.  In mid-2008 I joined a role playing community and created a spunky blonde Canadian Necromancer.  She had a chip on her petite shoulders and attitude for miles.  The more her personality emerged, the more I knew her story had to be told.  Brody’s original name was Stone and he was a jaded Werewolf from Atlanta on the run from a past he wanted desperately to forget.  He was the creation of a wonderful woman, Rhonda Stone, who graciously allowed me to have him when I decided to write their story. The man in the story isn’t an exact replica of Stone, but he’s pretty darn close.


What is the coolest or best part about your book?  (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc..


Aside from the awesome fun I had building the world, there are actually two scenes in the book that are so closely tied for favorite that it’s hard to choose.  The first one is when Ardy busts into Rae’s office and finds Brody standing there.  Never having expected to truly find him again, when she touches him and finds that Brody is very real – her reaction is one of shock and awe.


The second scene is one where Ardeur and Brody have woken up after becoming mates.  She talks about their love being a thing of fairytales after he explains some of his family’s heritage and he makes a quip referencing Little Red Riding Hood. 


Do you have a favorite character in the book?  If so, why?


Aside from the obvious favorite, there are a few supporting characters that endeared themselves to me.  Of those, Christian tops the puppy pile.  He’s a Prince of Fae with a love for all things Angelic and designer.  One of the other characters tosses off her Louboutin’s at one point and his reaction had me laughing.


Is this book part of a series?  If so? What can we expect in future books?  


I started working on the second book in the series in June, 2010.  Possession is Nine Tenths – Cassiela will be the next installment in the series and it will be followed by Remiele.  Things are moving a little more slowly with this book due to family and work constraints.  I hope to have it finished and ready to go in early 2011.


If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?


Absolutely not.  Ardy and Brody’s story was told exactly as it needed to be and I wouldn’t change a single thing in it.


Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?


Time management skills. lol I wrote this book while working a full-time job, being mom to my two boys…maintaining our home and moving the entire family to two different cities in less than a month.  This year was a rough one in the Gavan home and writing was my solace.


Do you have a publisher?  And if so, why did you choose them?  


I do have a publisher, myself.  The original plan had been to find an agent and try to sell my book to a major publisher.  A few agents and editors requested partials or full manuscripts but they either didn’t love the story enough or didn’t think it was a good fit for them.  In the end, I chose to go the self-publishing route because I wanted the story out there for people to read and love as much as I do. 


If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?


A mentor?  Hmmm.  That’s a tough one.  My writing has been influenced by so many wonderful authors it’s hard to pin just one down.  The ones I keep going back to are Diana Gabaldon, Laurell K. Hamilton, JR Ward and Kelley Armstrong. 


What books are you reading now?  


I just finished reading two books, actually.  Tuatha Destiny: Destiny Found by another self-pubbed author and friend Jennifer Feuerstein is one and Vampire Vacation by C.J. Ellison. Both books are wonderful reads that I highly recommend and their authors are wonderful, talented women.


What are the current writing projects that you are working on?


There are a few things on my plate right now. As mentioned earlier - I’m working on Cassiela, the second book in the Possession is Nine Tenths series.  The other projects on my desk are for a blog that I’m a partner in with twelve other authors.  Everything Erotic launched on Kindle blogs on September 1, 2010 and has taken off like a shot.  My contributions include an erotic romance series titled The Erotic Adventures of Sidony Tassen.  I also co-write Tempted by Fate, another erotic romance series, with Heather Hughes.


Do you write full time?  If not, do you hope to do so one day?


I wish! Unfortunately, bills need to be paid and the day job serves its purpose.  For now. 


Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?


I know it sounds cliché and it’s been said time and again but – I’ve always loved to write.  A friend and I shared a heart shaped note pad in grade school.  We would each take a side of a page and fill it with as much of whatever story we were writing at that time and then pass the notebook back.  In high school I moved up to spiral notebooks and filled those with my loopy teenaged scrawl.  Now, I have a laptop that is my faithful sidekick and travels with me everywhere. 


Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?


Finding the time to sit down and do it has been my greatest challenge lately.  I also have to fight my inner editor a lot.  My writing is pretty clean and liner, in general, but when there’s a glaring problem that I know needs to be fixed or a hole that needs to be patched I get stuck.  I can’t move on until the issue has been resolved.  You could say it’s my personal form of writer’s block.


Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?


Stick with it.  Be persistent but do what feels right to you for your work.  Self-publishing isn't for everyone.  Then again, neither is the traditional publishing route.  Do what works for you and be happy.


Thanks Danielle!


You can find Danielle Gavan on the web at:   
http://www.wix.com/daniellegavan/author-site 
The book is available for purchase in eBook format on Smashwords, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Sony eReader, Apple iBooks and Diesel eBook Store.

It is also available in paperback on Amazon.com.

Merry Christmas!

glitter-graphics.com




glitter-graphics.com

Merry Christmas to you all!

An Interview with Scifi Fantasy Author Nick Krimp, He Discusses His Novel "The Last Mage: Dragon's Mouth"

Scribal Love Welcomes Nick Krimp!

Nikolai Krimp is an author of Sci-Fi Fantasy. My newest work “The Last Mage," is available from Mobi Pocket in E form. 

What is the name of your latest book?  And how did you come up with the title?

“The Last Mage” is the title of the series, with a sub title called “The Dragon’s Mouth” The idea came to me as I was looking for a picture for the cover and I stumbled upon a volcano. Since just a volcano wasn’t enough for the cover I chose a photo of a ship sailing in the night to an island, which is described in the book.

What is this book about?  And what genre is this book in?

Ever since I was a child I have loved to read fantasy and so I chose to write a story that originally started out as a game, but quickly turned into a novel.  The story is about a young girl named Jennifer Wells, who lived in our present day and had her mind magically transferred into the body of an elf woman in the far future, after a cataclysm had almost destroyed the earth. 

Who is/are the main characters?  And why did you choose them?

Shannon Brightstar and Roma Connors are the two main characters in this story, along with another elf named Kirin Foxhunter a Halfling named Rufus the Mighty and two dwarfs Duncan and Blick.  I chose the two female characters to be the heroines because many books that I have read in the past always had male heroes. 

What is the coolest or best part about your book?  (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc..

My favorite scene has to do with the competition, where Duncan, who is an old dwarf, has trouble trying to compete with the younger men of the village.  Also I enjoyed mapping the world so the reader can get a better idea of what and where the characters are heading.

Do you have a favorite character in the book?  If so, why?

That is a hard question, as I did enjoy all the characters in the book.  They are all favorites of mine, since I created them.

Is this book part of a series?  If so? What can we expect in future books? 

At present I am working on a third book.  The second in the series is called “The Home Stone,” and the third is called “The Shadow Lord.”

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

I really can’t say, except maybe a few more encounter scenes.  No I would say that there is enough in the first story to introduce the characters and the theme of the story and future books to come.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

Did I learn anything? Oh yes.  It’s not that easy to write a novel.  There is a lot of preparation involved even before you start and sit down to write.  Character planning is the hardest and I found that I changed some of the characters in the book as fast as I could dream them up. Trying to stick to the character’s behavior and to have them stay in character was the hardest.  For I always came up with something new.  One could say that in the first book I developed them as I went along.  I think that this process was easier and more permanent. 

Do you have a publisher?  And if so, why did you choose them?

No I have no publisher and I am presently looking for one.  This first novel I self published through my own company, Best Book Publish, which is now no longer operating, mainly due to the costs involved. 

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

There are many writers that I enjoy reading and not all are in the fantasy genre.  But if I had to choose one it would be Terry Brooks.  His book the Sword of Shannara was the main reason I became a writer.  It’s all his fault ha ha. I have read every one of his books in a very short time.  The problem was that I had to wait a whole year for the next one to be published.  So I began to pen my own and found out very quickly, why it took a year for him to bring out his next novel.  

What books are you reading now?

I have read all kinds of books, but mostly in the Fantasy, Sci-fi, Mystery and Thriller genres. Every so often I like to change and read a good Steven King or Mary Higgins Clark story, while other times Piers Anthony come to mind.  I can’t say that I have any other favorites.  

What are the current writing projects that you are working on?

Book three, “The Last Mage”, “The Shadow Lord.”

Do you write full time?  If not, do you hope to do so one day?

A few years back I injured my back at work and was forced into early retirement. This allowed me to write full time.  If you can call it that.  It’s not easy to sit in front of a screen, when your mind went shopping.  So I play games, or talk to people on Face Book, or on Twitter,(which BTW I just started).  I do hope to be able to continue writing and that some other publisher will pick up my book some day.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

Oh yes. I got angry because I read Terry Brooks’ book so quickly and thought, “I can do that too.”  I never thought that it would be so difficult, but I persevered and now when I write it’s like I am reading another writer’s book, because I sometimes do not know what lies ahead in the next scene.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

As I said before.  The most challenging part of writing a novel is character building.  It is hard to keep the same rules for the person as the series goes on.  So I have to constantly go back into my notes to check to make sure I didn’t change gender or race of any of my characters.

Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?

One and only one.  Don’t get discouraged from all those nasty rejection letters.  Remember you are writing for yourself and there is someone out there who will like your work.  So keep on writing and enjoy your craft.

http://www.mobipocket.com/en/eBooks/eBookDetails.asp?BookID=64841&Origine=3374 
You can find Nick and his book 'The Last Mage' on the web at:  

Romantic Mystery Author, Miss Mae Talks About Her Latest Book 'Catch Me If You Can'

Scribal Love Welcomes Miss Mae!


Miss Mae is an author of Romantic Mysteries.  Her newest work “Catch Me If You Can” is available from Amazon in print and Smashwords in digital format. 

What is the name of your latest book?  And how did you come up with the title?


'Catch Me If You Can.'  I really have no idea how I came up with this title!  LOL I think, overall, I considered the whole theme of my plot and remembered that childhood story of 'The Gingerbread Man.'  All the way through, he taunted others to "catch me if you can!"  In a way, he’s similar to a particular character that I include and I could very well conceive of his mouthing this smug challenge.


What is this book about?  And what genre is the book? 


Romantic mystery/suspense.  The plot centers on a computer game called "Catch Me If You Can.”  It’s the latest release of a highly popular “Catch Me” series created by Stuart Harrington.  A convention for “Catchie” enthusiasts is scheduled at a historic South Carolina plantation house.  Only a few guests are able to arrive safely on the island before Brian, a category four hurricane, blows in.  One person, Lois Steinberg, washes ashore on the beach after a near disaster from her snorkeling incident.  Victor Helm, walking his dog named Mite, comes upon Lois and carries her to the house.  The storm strengthens, wrecking havoc and straining the guests over-taut nerves.  As if the situation isn’t dangerous enough already, the cook is found murdered.  Who did him in?  And why?  How can his death possibly connect to Harrington’s game?  Or does it?  




Who is/are the main characters?  And why did you choose them? 


Lois Steinberg and Victor Helm.  Why did I choose them?  Well, every story needs a hero and heroine!  LOL




What is the coolest or best part about your book?  


I like the climatic scene atop the lighthouse ledge where the culprit is revealed.  :)


Do you have a favorite character in the book?  If so, why? 


The dog, Mite. I love animals and he has a pivotal role.  I won’t say what exactly.  You need to read the story and find out what it is! 


Is this book part of a series?  If so? What can we expect in future books?  


No. This is a stand alone story.


If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?


I don’t think so right now. But ask me after a year, I might have changed my mind. *grin*


Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? 


Be patient!  By far, this one took the longest to write.  I had to persevere and make myself keep at it.   It took nine months to complete, but what a joy when I typed, “The End”.


Do you have a publisher?  And if so, why did you choose them? 


I’ve had three publishers since being offered my first contract in 2007.  Through these experiences, I’ve decided becoming an Indie author works best.  Since Oct. 15, 2010, I am now totally independent. 




If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Hmm, I’m not really sure how to answer this. I have many favorite authors, but I don’t consider any of them mentors.  If I had to choose…maybe Agatha Christie?


What books are you reading now?  


I finished “Angel’s Requiem” by Kate Kindle.


What are the current writing projects that you are working on?


I am developing the plot for the second in my historical series of the “Dear Winifred” stories.


Do you write full time?  If not, do you hope to do so one day?


I write/market/promo.  All of it is full time! (whew!)




Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? 


Reading the Nancy Drew mystery books when I was a child.  I wanted to create wonderful adventures like Nancy was always involved in! 


Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? 


Almost everything.  LOL I try to remember to “show” as opposed to “tell”; watching punctuation; adding lots of action, which requires good, demonstrative verbs; cloaking the subtle clues; keeping the hero masculine while the heroine is feminine -- the list goes on and on.  :)


Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?


Be well informed on all the publishers you’re interested in submitting to.  Don’t just query them.  Also query the authors who are published with them.  Don’t be afraid to ask the important questions.  Are the authors happy?  How long does the contract run?  What rights does the publisher demand?  Do they respond to emails within an acceptable time frame?  Are royalties paid accurately and punctually?  Doing your homework upfront will provide valuable insight into choosing the publishing house that’s right for you.




Thanks Miss Mae for Dropping by!


Thank you for the interview!  :)


My site and blog (combined) is www.missmaesite.com.   Join my site as a member!  I’d love to have you.  :)


You can find “Catch Me If You Can” in digital format at Smashwords:


http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/17475


Or At Amazon for the print version with a “look inside” feature:


http://www.amazon.com/Catch-Me-If-You-Can/dp/1453659196/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_3/186-1691083-8585042

Interview of British Author John Trevillian, and about his new book 'The A-Men'

iScribal Love Welcomes Author John Trevillian

John Trevillian is an author of punk-noir science fiction novels. His newest work The A-Men is available from Matador, Amazon and Author's Website at www.trevillian.com.

So where do you hail? Where are you from?

I was born in London, England, and so I guess I am technically a cockney, but just now I live about fifty miles north of the City in deepest, darkest Essex.
What is the name of your latest book? And how did you come up with the title?

The book's called The A-Men (with the trilogy continuing with The A-Men Return in 2011 and Forever A-Men in 2012). The name refers to the street gang the main protagonist creates when he finds himself alone on the streets of a dying city.


What is The A-Men about?
It's about not being able to run from our past; our mistakes. It's written from five first-person viewpoints of people who find themselves in a place that comes to be known as Dead City fighting for survival. Jack is the central character ; a man with no memory awakening to find he paid a corrupt medical officer to erase his memory after signing himself into a peace-keeping force sent to quell the riots. The only clue to his former life is a handwritten note in the pages of a book of faerie tales entitled Forevermore.

Marked for death, he finds sanctuary and survival with other renegades who form The A-Men. Yet that is until their paths cross with Dr Nathaniel Glass and his mysterious experiment locked deep beneath the Phoenix Tower.



What inspired you to write this book?

When I read I have always enjoyed either hardboiled science fiction or mythic fantasy, and this story began with a setting to cross the two.  I had also watched for too many noir movies and one in particular 'Somewhere In The Night' sparked the idea of a man with no memory battling with three questions:

For what possible reason would you pay to have your memory erased?
How can you enact revenge on someone you cannot even remember meeting?
What would you do if you found out that your greatest enemy was yourself?

Do you have a specific writing style?

Intimate first person narratives, fast paced, action oriented.  I've been told my style for the 'A-Men' books is incredibly cinematic, that the book is as visual as it is visceral.

What books have influenced your life most?
I love such a wide selection of books, but always the top three for personal enjoyment and inspiration are:

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen Donaldson
Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
Shadowland by Peter Straub

Did you find the idea of having your work published for others to read intimidating?  If yes, why? If no, why not?
Not at all.  The reason these books got written is that they are immensely character-driven and, after having a lot of fun watching their adventures over the years, I wanted to share the fun and mayhem with others.

Do you find that international audiences are different from your home or native country's audience? 
No, not really.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I wouldn't say that any one writer was a mentor, but many have inspired me.

What books are you reading now?
Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky.
Kick-Ass: The Graphic Novel by Mark Millar.
The House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski.

What are your current projects?
I have just sent the second novel, 'The A-Men Return', final manuscript and cover to the publishers and am expecting switching into proofing mode when they send back layouts soon.

Do you see writing as a career?
As I write the way other people watch the television – for relaxation and pleasure – I would love to write for a living. Currently though I also have a full time career path just to be sure I can eat.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

The A-Men have been written over the past seven and a half years of my life, so when the final novel came out, I'd had a long time to

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

My mother was given a Smith-Corona typewriter and she let me play on it from the time I was four. By six I'd typed my first (four-page) novel!

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Two things:  signposting for the reader and over-structuring.  Both of which I need to watch to keep my writing coherent.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
Novels only get written if you love your characters.  They're like babies.  Writing about them gives them life, and only by having that special relationship do you want them to thrive – and continuing to write more is the only way you can do that.  The hardest part with 'The A-Men' is that after three books I have to learn to stop imagining more adventures for them.

Do you have any advice for other writers?
To be a writer is everything.  To be known as a writer is nothing.   If you learn nothing else, learn this – and your heart will be in the right place when you begin.

Thank You John for Dropping By!
You are welcome Clare.

You can find John on the web at:


www.trevillian.com
There's a full dramatised audio podcast available free from iTunes or from http://trevillian.libsyn.com/

Angela White Talks about her Horror Fantasy, 'Life After the War'

Scribal Love Welcomes Angela White!


Angela White is a horror fantasy author.  Her newest book ‘Life After the War’ is available now with XOXO Publishing and in print form Author House.  

Hi Angela. Why don't we start by having you tell everyone a little about yourself.


Hello and thank you for having me. 


Sure. My name is Angela White and I write horror. Some of it boarders on fantasy but there's always a twist or something shocking to draw you in. My dream is to be the female equivalent of S. King.


That's unusual for a female.  Most women choose romance.


I drop an occasional love tale too but the mystery of the unknown drags me to darker places.


Sounds exciting.  How long have you been a writer?


All through school there were signs but I was about 14 when it really hit me and I've been chasing the dream ever since.


If you could go back, would you still choose this career?


Absolutely. I don't know who said it but it fits. 


"I write, therefore, I am."


Without being able to create, I wouldn't want to breath. It's with me every where I go and in everything I do.


How did you get your first contract?


I started sending in queries when I was still a teenager and eventually got lucky.  This is part of the one that landed me a deal:


I’m a Writer, an author, a creator. I think in those magical terms and sometimes see little else but how great our world could be if we all just pulled together and did what was right. Since that won’t ever happen, I wrote this book with the hope that if the time ever comes, some of my fellow American's might be able to survive on their own with the ideas and hints that litter this story. It’s my contribution to the world and though I hope it never comes to that, I think most of us know it will.  When is really the only unknown. 


I believe in Freedom without censorship, unflinching loyalty to America, and total support of those who are on the front lines, giving me the opportunity to do this. Love of my Country and the Written word is what drives me and I hope you’ll think I’ve honored both after you read this tale of tragedy and great hope.


Until this book hits the shelves, I am an unpublished freelance Writer but I have other material I hope to one day have available as well.  Poetry, short stories, halves of a couple other novels, and a completed sci-fi manuscript, (The perfect comeback movie for Vin Diesel as far as I’m concerned) called The Shadows of Fate, a sequel to The Chronicles of Riddick, but this tale of life and death has always been in my head, lurking, needing to be told. There’s never been a survival story like this. It covers things not addressed before and carries hardworking American spirit in every page. God bless the United States!




What advice do you have for those still trying to get published?


Check out the Yahoo groups. Type in yahoo groups authors and check out the home pages. Many are openly asking for submissions, including one of my publishers, www.xoxopublishing.com


How many publishers do you have?


Three right now but I have other works in consideration by other companies. I'm an independent writer, meaning I have no agent.


You don't recommend them?


Actually, I do. I just haven't found one who believes in the same things I do. I don't write for money, I do it to release these creative trolls in my mind. When I find an agent who understands quality matters more than sales, than I'll have one.


Well, thanks for stopping by.  Is there anything else you'd like to share?


Yes, this novel is being picked up by a new publisher who is releasing it in serial form on the last day of every month. Readers can get free previews online, as well as view purchasing options, Facebook pages, and the Official ‘Life After War’ book trailer.


Thank you Angela for dropping by!


Thank you very much for having me and I'll be sure to stop by again.




You can find Angela on the web at:


www.law-angelawhite.com

Interview with Science Fiction Romance Author, Patricia Green, her new book 'Daughter of the Moon'

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