[Poet Interview] A Herbert Ashe

Author: A Herbert Ashe

Genre: Poetry

Published Materials: You Are the One with the Words

Buy it here!

Website

Follow him on Twitter!

A, thank you so much for joining me!

Thanks, Christina.  I look forward to spreading the word about Poetry.  The genre is alive and thriving.

What and/or who inspired you to write poetry?

Emotion. It's a rather simplistic response, but an accurate one as well. I have never been pleased with anything I've written on a steady heartbeat.  Times of great emotion are when I feel creative, and I embrace those times wholeheartedly. Even when the emotions are painful, I've conditioned myself to run toward them. Up until the last few years, my writing has been rather sporadic. Then I had a 6 month period when my heart never really had a moment to slow down, and it seemed like every sun rose with intense love, anger, or grief. Writing was all I wanted to do, and I did it with a ferocity I didn't know I was capable of.  That period of constant intense emotion has passed, and since then I've figured out how to find inspiration in feelings other than my own. 

Describe your style of poetry. 

A streamlined form of abstract poetry. I never restrict myself by format, but I do try to make an emotion come alive with the least words possible. Sometimes that means I'll take out a wordy explanation and just repeat a word 5 times, and other times I'll change the page justifications to emphasize a word or phrase, in a way that I think helps to really capture an emotion. I've read many beautifully written books that let the emotion of a moment get lost in a sea of superfluousness. While I can certainly appreciate the beauty of well written literature, my writing is very personal, and I feel compelled to respect the emotions in my work by emphasizing them as much as I can. So I strip my words down until the emotion is raw and unavoidable.

Who is your favorite classic Poet? 

Torquato Tasso.  He was an Italian poet who lived during the time of Shakespeare. Brilliance oozes from his words, and I love reading his words. The reason he is my favorite, however, has nothing to do with his complete body of work, and everything to do with one line: "Love is when he gives you a piece of your soul, that you never knew was missing." In my opinion, it is the best sentence ever written.

I’m familiar with classic Poets, such as Keats, Whitman, Byron, and Shakespeare.  How do modern day poets differ from classic poets? 

I think its a matter of expression versus functionality.  Modern poets, like modern artists, tend to incorporate some of themselves into their work. They are trying convey a concept or an emotion, first and foremost.  Classic poets existed in a time without movies and televisions, and their skill was the most important aspect of who they were as writers. Their work did not necessarily connect to their emotions - often times they'd take a well known story, from somewhere like the bible, and rewrite it in a standard poetry rhythm just to put their talents on display.  I enjoy reading both types of poetry, but it's kind of like the difference between five-star dining and a mother's home cooking.  Both are delicious, both take talent and training - but when you eat your mother's food you know it was made with soul.

My favorite modern-day Poet is Ellen Hopkins.  I’ve read all of her book, written in poem form.  Who are the greats in modern-day poetry? 

Nikki Giovanni is my favorite modern day "poet", but all of my favorite words come from musicians. Completely stripped of musical backing, the words of George Harrison, Kanye West (yes, Kanye West), John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and Marvin Gaye can hold their own with those of modern-day poets.

That's an interesting point. Do you feel that poetry is a male dominated genre? 

Past poetry was definitely dominated by men, but unfortunately for that time period, so was everything.

I think history has taught us that once given the opportunity, women are far better than men at just about everything.  If I had to make a list of 10 great poets, AT LEAST half would be women, and their inclusion could not be disputed.

A support group is very important for any writer.  Do you have a group of Poets that your meet with to share ideas and poems? 

Honestly, I do not. I absolutely recognize the importance of being able to share ideas, but the only poet I share my work/ideas with is my father.  He is an amazing poet, and has always been very honest with me.

Like most women, I’ve dreamed of having a man write me a poem. Can you whip together a poem for me?

Her eyes were kissed by the heavens

Until the blue was as deep as a clear Caribbean sky

Her face-

A masterpiece framed by streaks of blonde and brown

Her lips are constantly calling

The man who answers knows of unmatched riches

Working knowledge of passionate perfection

I think she likes it-

Her arms are up

She wants to extend an invitation

But the envelope is sealed

May I tear it open?

Wow! Hold on. **fans self** How has being a Poet helped/hurt your love life? (I had to ask!!!)

It has done both. While writing a poem for a woman can be one of the most romantic gestures imaginable, a lot of my writing can become dark, and sad. The sheets of a bed can get very cold when someone thinks an angry poem is about them.

You have a book of poems out, You are the One with the Words. Are you planning on publishing another collection soon?

Yes. Book two, titled "Doors Closing" is done and should be out during the summer. The material for a third book is also complete, but I don't have a timetable for release.

Lastly, do you have any advice for Poets who are honing their craft?

Keep a notebook in your purse or pocket, and drop everything when the inspiration hits. The quality of the work is directly proportional to how soon the words can get from pensive to paper. That timeless sentence may be inside you, ready to take its place in history, so be prepared! 

Thank you for exposing my readers to the wonders of modern-day Poetry!

Thank you again, for the opportunity.



Who is your favorite Poet? Modern-day? Classic? Or somewhere in between? Post a comment to share. A Herbert Ashe is sending a FREE ecopy of his book to the first 25 people who share!

[SIX SENTENCE SUNDAY] April 29th

My 2nd Six Sentence Sunday!

Another excerpt from my debut novel, Only In Her Dreams.  Enjoy!

Heading up the walkway for the second time, she ran her fingers through her hair to catch any stray leaves or twigs that were caught in her fall. Satisfied that her hair was- at least- leaf-free, she trudged through the front door, ignoring the smirk on Maxim’s face as he petted her dog.

How freaking embarrassing! She felt like she was making the ‘walk of shame’ down the hall of a crowded college dorm.

She dropped her purse on the hall table and headed up the stairs to her room. “Make yourself comfortable,” she called to Maxim.  

[Author Interview] MARGARET DALEY

Author: Margaret Daley

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Visit Margaret's Website

Follow Margaret on Twitter

Find her on Facebook

Margaret's also on Goodreads

View complete booklist here!

Link to buy on Amazon or B&N is included with the list!

Thank you for joining me, Margaret.  I must admit that my friends refer to themselves as Daley Groupies!

I'm so glad to be here.

Who and what influenced you to become a writer?

My love of reading is what influenced and inspired me to be a writer. As a child I always loved to make up stories while I played with my dolls. My love of storytelling started then.

How do you balance family and writing?

I am a very organized person, or I don't think I could have done it. For many years I taught high school and wrote three books a year as well as raising my family. Now I am retired but working as a full-time writer (4-5 books a year) and I'm President of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), an organization of 2600.

What genre(s) do you write?

Romantic suspense, contemporary and historical romances--my favorite is romantic suspense.

What is Inspirational/Christian Romantic Suspense? What draws readers to this genre as opposed to the traditional Romantic Suspense novel?

The difference between the two is that Christian romantic suspense has a faith element in it as part of the story. Also the stories are clean. That doesn't mean we don't tackle hard issues. We do. Saving Hope, my current book from Abingdon Press, is about human/sex trafficking involving teenage children. The average age of child prostitute is twelve to thirteen. That is appalling. My book has been described as gritty but realistic. Through the ordeals in the story, my main characters' faith grows and helps them deal with their situations.

Tell me about your newest book, Saving Hope from The Men of the Texas Rangers Series.

When a teenager goes missing from the Beacon of Hope School, Texas Ranger Wyatt Sheridan and school director Kate Winslow are forced into a dangerous struggle against a human trafficking organization. But the battle brings dire consequences as Wyatt's daughter is terrorized and Kate is kidnapped.    

Now it's personal, and Wyatt finds both his faith and investigative skills challenged as he fights to discover the mastermind behind the ring before evil destroys everyone he loves.

What are you looking forward to in the coming year?

I have four books to write for Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense (Harlequin's Christian lines) in the next year. I'm also looking into writing another longer romantic suspense in my Men of the Texas Rangers Series. My second in this series is coming out at the end of September called Shattered Silence. The overall theme of that book is bullying in different situations.

Thank you for the interview!

Thank you, Christina.

                                                              More about Margaret:

Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of eighty-two books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com.

[Featured Series] HOUSE OF NIGHT

Authors: P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Series Title: House of Night, YA Series


House of Night Official Website
P.C. Cast's Personal Website
P.C. Cast's Blog


Book List:
Marked
Betrayed
Chosen
Untamed
Hunted
Tempted
Burned
Awakened
Destined
Hidden
The Fledglings Handbook 101




What is the Series about:
House of Night is a thrillingly engaging book series that follows 16-year-old Zoey Redbird, who gets “Marked” by a vampyre tracker and begins to undergo the “Change” into an actual vampyre. She has to leave her family in Tulsa and move into the House of Night, a boarding school for other fledglings like her.

It’s within the school’s walls that the heart of the action takes place as Zoey meets new friends, finds love, comes to terms with how her life will be different now and begins to realize her awesome new powers.

Here’s the deal though: Yes, Zoey’s a vampyre now. But she’s still a teenager – with all the humor, angst and confusing feelings any other teenager has.




My thoughts on the Series:
What if vampires (vampyres) did exist...and everyone knew it? This is a NC-17 rated version of Twilight!  Zoey is a real teenager, thinking 'real' teenage thoughts and experiencing all the trials, and tribulations that go along with it. But- in a witty and charming way. The characters in House of Night face modern day issues, including: fitting in, love, lust, friendship, gay, lesbian, and racial stereotyping, dysfunctional families, and all-around DRAMA!

The Series also introduces a new type of vampire (or vampyre) that combines the traditional view of vampires (vampyres), witches, and Native American spiritual beliefs. With the power of the elements- and a thirst for blood- Zoey navigates her way in a new world.

These fledglings (humans going through the 'change' to full-out Vampyres) will keep you laughing and guessing what they will be up to next.

I give the House of Night Series a 4.5 out of 5 STARS.  Normally, I do not enjoy novels written in the 1st person, present tense, but the Cast duo pull it off wonderfully. These books possess witty dialogue, interesting and diverse characters, great lessons on ethical behavior (but who cares about that?), and kick-ass paranormal elements! 




About P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast:

P.C. Cast was born in the Midwest, and grew up being shuttled back-and-forth between Illinois and Oklahoma, which is where she fell in love with Quarter Horses and mythology (at about the same time). After high school she joined the United States Air Force and began public speaking and writing. After her tour in the USAF, she taught high school for 15 years before retiring to write full time. Ms. Cast is a New York Times Best-Selling author. Her novels have been awarded the prestigious: Oklahoma Book Award, YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Prism, Holt Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Booksellers’ Best, and the Laurel Wreath. P.C. Cast is an experienced teacher and talented speaker.


Ms. Cast lives in Oklahoma with her fabulous daughter, her spoiled cat, and her adorable Scotties!


Kristin Cast is a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author who teams with her mother to write the House of Night YA series. She has stand alone stories in several anthologies, as well as editorial credits. Currently Kristin attends college in Oklahoma where she is focusing on attaining her dream of opening a no kill dog rescue shelter in midtown Tulsa.







**Series blurb, pictures, and bio compliment of P.C. Cast's Personal Website**

[Interview: BOOK REVIEWER] Evie

Name: Evie

In Luv with Romance Website

Follow Evie on Twitter

Find Evie's Book List on Goodreads

Welcome, Evie! 

Thanks, Christina.  Thank you for requesting an interview.

How do you label yourself? A blogger? A book reviewer?

I consider myself a book reviewer who likes to blog about my personal opinion of the books I read. I’m by no means an expert, and the reviews I write do not follow the standard. If I followed the standard, then it’d be boring and no fun at all.

Most romance readers vividly remember the first romance book they ever read.  I pilfered Amanda Quick, Johanna Lindsey, and Julie Garwood from my mom’s bookshelf at age 13.  What about you? 

Oh gosh, yes! I was 16 when I read Midnight Secrets by Johanna Lindsey. I fell in love with romance then. I’d always look for an excuse to go to Target so I could buy more books. I’d hid them from my mom, (don’t know why I did, I guess I didn’t want her to know what I was up to reading, LOL). Then I’d burn the midnight oil reading thru them.

I hid my reading habits, as well.  When I inherited my great-grandmother's entire historical romance novel collection- my 'not too secret' secret was out! How did your start blogging and reviewing books?

I started blogging back in 2010. My blog couldn’t have been more eclectic than it was. I’d write about anything (including books) and didn’t really keep to a theme. A few months ago I decided to create a new and prettier blog focused on romance only. That is where In Love with Romance came into play. I wanted a new home to share my thoughts on the books I read. I talk non-stop about books-- why not write it down too?  

What genres do you review?

I like to read pretty much anything with romance in it. No romance, no fun. I focus on historical, regency, contemporary, chick-lit. Lately, I’ve been reading some erotic and lite BDSM.

As you know, I have my first novel debuting in December, 2012.  How do you select books to review?  

This is a tricky one. I’m very picky because I don’t like to spend time reading something only to be disappointed at the end. When selecting a book, I consider the cover, the author, the title, the publisher, the blurb, and then I scan it to get an idea of the pace. However, I’ve been in an adventurous mood lately and have found excellent authors via Twitter. Imagine that!

Should authors email you to ask for a review?

Yes, authors are welcome to email me and ask me for a review. I have a page on my blog with details on what I read, my ratings, and contact information.

Do you post reviews on Amazon or Goodreads?

I post reviews on Goodreads and my blog. I tweet my reviews too, and tag the author. Additionally, if authors like my review, I encourage them to post it on Amazon and B & N, just ensure it’s linked back to Evie (me) and In Love with Romance.

Do you have a wait list? 

Currently, I do not have a wait list. I do, however, make time for authors whom with I’ve established an author/reviewer relationship. So anytime they have an ARC for their upcoming release, I’ll put them at the top of my to-read list.

I have to admit…your website is my guilty pleasures blog!  How do you come up with the concept for each post?

It is my guilty pleasures too! My posts are usually titled after the books I read, and within my review I like to write about my reactions to specific scenes in the book.

Okay, now for the nitty-gritty!  Tell me about your own writing.  What genre do you focus on?  Where can I buy your stories?

Well, I do like to write contemporary romance stories here and there, but none of them are published. My English professor in College is who told me more than once I should write. Unfortunately, yet fortunately my day time job pays me too well, so it makes it hard for me to give it up and focus on really going pro at writing.

Evie, such a pleasure to have you and In Luv with Romance featured on my blog!

Thank you for having me. 

[SIX SENTENCE SUNDAY] Only In Her Dreams

This is my VERY FIRST Six Sentence Sunday!

My six sentences are from my novel, Only In Her Dreams, debuting in December 2012.

Here we go!

  

        A slight movement drew her attention from the view across the water to the trees on the left. The stranger leaned casually against a tall, ancient pine, his feet surrounded by needles cones, his hat drawn low over his eyes. The majestic trees surrounded him, making him appear as a speck in the distance, although he was only a few paces away 

          She knew his name, Maxim. 

          The name radiated through her body, urging her to seek out the warmth and protection only he could provide. 

          As she stared, he pushed away from the tree and started in her direction.

Enjoy! 

[Author Interview] C.S. Lakin

Author: C. S. Lakin     

List of Books/Genre:
Someone to Blame: contemporary/general fiction/inspirational
Intended for Harm: contemporary/general fiction/inspirational
Conundrum: contemporary/general fiction/women’s fiction
Innocent Little Crimes: psychological mystery
A Thin Film of Lies: suspense/crime fiction
Time Sniffers: YA fantasy/sci-fi/romance

The Gates of Heaven fantasy series (for adults):
The Wolf of Tebron
The Map across Time
The Land of Darkness
The Unraveling of Wentwater
(Three more titles to come)

Website(s): www.cslakin.com ;
www.livewritethrive.com,
www.CritiqueMyManuscript.com                
Twitter:@cslakin and @livewritethrive

Facebook: C. S. Lakin, Author

Welcome C. S.!
Thank you for the interest, Christna.

What and who influenced you to become a writer?

I was raised by a mother who was a TV writer and was always surrounded by TV scripts and tons of novels. So, I was mostly influenced by all the great authors I had the joy to read while growing up. During my teen years I read a lot of Ray Bradbury and I fell (and hope) his writing helped shape mine to come. I didn’t think of becoming “a writer” until I was about thirty and had an idea for a novel. Once I wrote that first novel I realized I really loved that form over the poetry and short stories I’d written and so just kept going.

Tell us about your very first novel and the process you used to write it.

Interesting—I’ve never been asked that question. I didn’t have a lot of “formal” training—meaning I hadn’t gone to writers’ conferences or read books on the writing craft so I winged it and relied on the models I found through my own reading experience. I wrote a lot of notes and ideas, and really, my methods going into novel #13 are not all that different. I brainstorm a lot to develop plot and characters and once I have the story down, I start writing. I did that with my first novel as well, although it’s structured so badly and has so much narrative and a lot of personal exposition that I will never publish it!

Has your process changed or evolved over the years?

On that same note, now that I know so much more about structuring a novel, I take the next step after brainstorming ideas in a much more structured manner. I usually create charts, timelines, and index cards for all my scenes and put the whole (or a god part) of the novel down in a way that I can just pick up an index card and write my scene for the day, knowing the book has been well plotted out.

I’ve been browsing your website and you are a very busy woman.  Writing, editing, mentoring, guest speaking!  How do you find the time for everything?

I don’t. And I often feel like I get little done! I don’t have any kids at home, only a pesky dog, so I do have more time, and I’m disciplined—get up at 6, run two miles, do an hour of email and marketing, then dig in to my editing jobs. I edit mostly full-time, and I try to teach workshops and help other writers as much as I can. I believe in giving and helping and doing what I can to see other writers succeed. It’s very satisfying. But I have no time to write!

I see that you’re also a writing coach.  What does a writing coach do?  What are the benefits of working with a writing coach?

I wish I’d had one 25 years ago when I started my first novel. A writing coach teaches you lots of tips and technique to save you years of making stupid mistakes. One client told me he learned more from my four-page sample edit than he learned in four years of college English and writing classes. I am very encouraging to my clients but I’m honest and make them work hard to make their book the best it can be. Many of my clients have gone on to get agents, publishing contracts, awards, and movie deals. I highly encourage new writers to have a writing coach or editor to help them—preferably a published novelist, if they are working on a novel. Many editors and coaches don’t write fiction or don’t really know much about structuring a novel.

This is great advice! When you’re not working on your own projects, what genre do you read? 

I love fantasy and sci-fi. I love good contemporary fiction of all kinds. I try to read a lot of highly touted best sellers to see why they are so successful. I like mysteries and crime/thrillers. I will even read an occasional Western. I do not, however, read romance or chick lit or anything overly fluffy. I like to be affected, changed, moved, inspired by what I read. I mostly read what friends recommend to me. I’m very picky and a snob, I’ll admit, for there are not a whole lot of authors or books I like, and I often can’t get past the first chapter, or even the first page sometimes. I also hate seeing tons of copy errors!

What are you looking forward to in the next year? 

I am teaching some workshops, attending a conference or two, but I mostly am looking forward to writing these last two fantasy books and then hopefully taking some time off writing novels so I can read, blog, and teach more. I have two nonfiction books in the works and want to get those done and selling.


Thank you for joining me.

More about C. S. Lakin:

C. S. Lakin is novelist and writing coach who spends her time divided between developing new book ideas and helping writers polish theirs. She is the author of twelve novels – six contemporary novels and six in the fantasy/sci-fi genre. Whether she is exploring the depths of the human psyche and pushing her characters to the edge of desperation, or embellishing an imaginary world replete with talking pigs and ancient magical curses, she is doing what she loves best – using her creativity and skills to inspire and affect her readers.

In all her books she seeks to journey to the heart of human motivation, to uncover unmet needs, and show the path to healing and grace.

[Author Interview] Catherine Gayle

Author: Catherine Gayle

Genre: Regency-set historical romance

Book List:

Lord Rotheby’s Influence series

Twice a Rake
Saving Grace
Merely a Miss

Old Maids’ Club series

Wallflower
Pariah

Novellas

An Unintended Journey, a novella in A Summons From the Castle
Flight of Fancy, a novella in The Betting Season
                                                                                     Read Excerpt!
Regency-set erotica short stories
Wanton Wives, consisting of:
Of Love and Lust
One Lonely Night
A Perfect Pearl
Leg-Shackled
Uninhibited

Coming later this year:

Another novella in A Season to Remember
Shelved, the final book in the Old Maids’ Club series

 Website(s): Author site and Timeless Quills

Twitter: @Catherine_Gayle

Facebook: Click here!

Welcome Catherine! 

Thank you for the invitation, Christina.

What and who influenced you to become a writer?

I have always loved to write, though I once thought I was a poet instead of a fiction writer. My college creative writing professor kindly disabused me of that notion, labeling my writing style as maximalist, and strongly encouraging me to pursue long fiction. After I finished that course, I took his advice and started my first romance novel. I haven’t looked back since. I’ve been heavily influenced by other authors like Julie Garwood, Nora Roberts, Julia Quinn, and Mary Balogh, not to mention the insanely talented ladies in my critique group.

Catherine! Be still my heart! You are naming off all my favorite authors. What drew you to writing Historical Romance?

The first romances I read were Julie Garwood’s historicals. I couldn’t get enough of them. (Still can’t, so if anyone reading this has Mrs. Garwood’s ear, let her know I’m dying for more.) Add that to the fact that I’ve always been a sucker for history and can’t get enough of books and movies like Pride and Prejudice and Little Women, and the likelihood that I’d follow that path just ramped up significantly. It also doesn’t hurt matters that, while I’ve tried to write contemporary pieces, my voice really doesn’t suit them. (Just go back to the above comment about my maximalist style…)

Julie Garwood novels were also my first historical reads. Tell us about your very first novel and the process you used to write it.

My first novel is actually Saving Grace, though it is in a much different form than it was back in the day. I really didn’t know how to write a book back then, so I tried to decide who my characters were and go from there. I did some basic plotting, but I was afraid to do too much because I’d once written myself into a corner on a novel attempt and never started writing it again. About three massive rewrites later, in which I chopped 20K words, added another 10K, chopped another 40K, and then added in another 35K words or so, I was finally ready to send my baby out into the world. I queried it until there was nearly no one left to query, and then I decided to move on. After another similar experience with massive rewrites, I decided it was time to learn to plot. Things have gone much more smoothly ever since.

Has your process changed or evolved over the years?

My process is constantly evolving, though I haven’t undergone any sort of significant changes in a while. I start every story with a basic idea, and then I delve into my characters. I can spend anywhere from a few days to a few weeks getting to know my characters before I’m ready to start plotting scenes. I write scenes out on notecards, and then put the notecards in a basic order, and that gives me the overall structure of my story. From there, I’m free to rearrange or add things in if needed, once I get into the writing, but I at least have a firm idea of where the plot is headed and what my characters will be going through. Then I write. Invariably, I hit a point about 2/3 of the way through where I get stuck for a while. Once I break through the stuck part, it is a race to the end.

I see you recently attended the Romantic Times Convention in Chicago.  How was it?

RT was my first conference, not just my first Romantic Times Convention. It was overwhelming and exhausting and amazing and something I wouldn’t pass up for the world. I’m fairly certain that, as long as I can afford it (and it was EXPENSIVE), I’ll be going back to this one. I can’t think of a better way to connect with not only other industry professionals, like authors, agents, editors, and publicists, but far more importantly with readers. That’s what writing is all about. We want our stories to be read. I can only hope that the readers I connected with last week will pick up one of my books.

When you’re not working on your own projects, what genre do you read? 

If I’m in an editing or revising phase, I allow myself to read historical romance, which is what I love. But if I’m writing and trying to be creative, I try to read anything but. I’ve just finished The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, and I’m reading the Game of Thrones books. I love anything YA, and I’ll pick up some contemporary romance or erotica if the mood strikes. But I avoid historical romance like the plague when I’m in creation phase, because I don’t want it to color what I’m writing.

What are you looking forward to in the next year? 

This year has been amazing so far. I’ve done my first reading at Lady Jane’s Salon RDU in January, and I’ve gone to my first convention and book signing. Right now, I’m in the middle of writing not one, not two, but three new projects. I’m writing another novella to go in a Season anthology, I’m working on the final installment of the Old Maids’ Club books, and I have another novel in the works which, at this point in time, is a secret. Not only that, but I’ve got all sorts of plans for ways to continue my Lord Rotheby’s Influence series, as many readers have requested. All in all, it looks to be a very busy upcoming year, including more conferences, more trips out to hear Lady Jane’s, and much, much more writing. It’s a very exciting time for me.

I'm also looking forward to your last installment of the Old Maids' Club!  Thank you for the interview.

Thanks for having me.

About Catherine:

Catherine Gayle has been an avid reader of romance novels (and almost anything else she can legally get her hands on) for as long as she can remember. Her mother might say it started in the womb. When she is not writing or reading, she can often be found buried beneath her sleeping cat or chasing the Nephew Monster.

[Book Release] THE EVENT by Jamie Heppner

Author: Jamie Heppner

Book Title: The Event

Genre: Post Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Fantasy

Release Date: March 12 2012

 BUY IT HERE!

Thank you for the interview, Jamie!

No, thank you.  I'm happy to join in the fun.

When and who influenced you to start writing?

I was a big video game nut, but one evening I sat at my computer desk thinking about what to play and I just couldn't bring myself to DL the latest replacement for Warcraft, or some other time waster. My wife was sitting on the couch behind me reading a book and a thought popped into my mind. I remembered how many stories I had read that frustrated me. Too many characters introduced too fast, or just not enough action to make you want to keep turning the pages.

So, I started writing my own story. My wife pestered me for a little while as she was wondering who I was ranting to online, and after putting her off for a little while I had the beginnings of my first story ever. I let my wife read it and I remember her looking up at me with a shocked expression on her face. "Ohh my God, you can write!" I haven't stopped since!

What is your writing schedule?  How do you fit in family life and your passion for writing?

My family comes first so I have to grab the chance to write whenever it comes to me. Due to cost of travel I usually spend my lunch breaks at work. I made it a habit to keep track of how many words I could get written while wolfing down my lunch. My first book was written almost 90% in that lunchroom. Now I try to do more work at home after the kids and wife get to sleep. The hours of 11 to 2am come into mind. I don't sleep very much these days.

Reviewers are raving about how engaging THE EVENT is; they were hooked from the first page.  Tell us about THE EVENT.
           

I have always had a special attraction to stories of a post apocalyptic nature. I AM LEGEND comes to mind. I wanted to write a story set in what could be our very near future (with a little twist given of course). And THE EVENT was born.
           

The story is based on what could happen if the sun ejected an unknown form of radiation, ruining the moon, and wiping out most of humanity in the process. The few people left get changed from the same effects, some being reverted back to forms from days long past while others have different abilities awoke inside their bodies. The unlucky majority are simply walking corpses. Their bodies alive but their minds wiped. (These aren't your usual zombies' folks!)

The story follows the paths of two teens, Dawn and Shade, as they try to survive in the changed world and overcome the battles for control pressed onto them by Dawns twin brother Donovan.

By the end of the story you are introduced to a new world filled with werewolves, a new breed of vampire, dinosaurs, and magic stolen from the ruined remains of the moon.
(This book does have a R rating…Donovan is…bad.)

Explain your journey, from writing to publishing, THE EVENT.

It took a long time to decide to self publish this work. I very much wanted it to be a traditional work. Too see my name on the best sellers list at my local grocery store. Unfortunately,  while pitching my story to agents and publishers, I came to realize that by the nature of the story, the wolves and vampire, I had come too late to the party, so to speak. I started writing this long before Twilight and The Vampire Diaries were popular, but it took too long to get it cleaned up for pitching. Even though it is unlike them in almost every way, getting an agent to read past the pitch was all but impossible.

Will there be a sequel to THE EVENT?

YES! In fact it is already in the works and holding at about 20% completion. I have a few other books that I need to clear off my plate, but once those are finished I will be picking this back up again. The world continues!


Why did you go the route of self publishing over traditional publishing?

 As I stated before it was a difficult decision to come to. I still have every intention of pitching all my work as traditional, but should that fail after giving it its due time in the meat grinder of publishing, they too will go Indie. I take pride in my work and even though I know they could be polished (I need to make an editor friend) I do my best to send out the cleanest product I can.

 

I hear you have another series that is catching the public’s eye.  Give me the rundown on the Future Jumper Series.

FUTURE JUMPER started as an 8k writing project I did for a writing class. It didn't take me long to realize there was a lot more potential in the world I had built. In time I finished the first 4 books of the on-going series to be finished with WORLDS UNBOUND that I am writing as we speak. It is sitting at 15% as of today and promises to flip the world over…

What are your goals for the upcoming year?

Ohh! Your readers don't have that much time on their hands! Let's just say I would love to finish up some of the series I have started and get working on a new one that has been rolling around inside my head for a few months now. I released 6 books in last year and I can see that happening again if I can keep my nose to the grindstone.

It sounds like you have a lot of exciting things coming up this year.  Thank you for stopping by my blog!

Thanks for having me.

An Excerpt From THE EVENT:

"You have to try Shade! I just saw it, if you don't help Dawn, he will die!"

My fear climbed even higher. I took a shaky step towards Dawn and she grabbed one of my hands before I could pull it back. Her grip was much tighter then I could have imagined.

She placed her other hand over father's cuts, and once again closed her eyes. The light formed again under her hand, except this time it was brighter, much brighter. I could feel her pulling something from me as she worked.

My heart started to race. I looked at my father for a moment; his breathing was slowing and coming in longer, deeper breaths again. It was then that I noticed something out the window.

We had a tree growing right outside the cabin. I had looked at it many times while we had sat and talked inside this little room. As I stared at the tree, I found I couldn't see the life inside of it anymore. The glow I was so used to seeing inside it was fading away. It looked to me just like a normal tree. Frantically I looked around at other items. Every one of them looked normal. There was nothing special I could see in anything.

I sensed Dawn pulling even more from me and I panicked. I snatched my hand away from her and ran out the door as fast as I could go. Up the hill away from the cabin, I ran until my breath came in ragged pulls and sweat poured down my face. It was there that I fell to the ground and cried. What had I done?