The Waiting Series Prequel: The Foundation is FREE on these venues. I’m working on Amazon now, but it’s a process.
We hope you enjoy the revenge, lies, and love on the banks of the Pontchartrain…
iTunes:
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-foundation-book-0-5
Inktera: http://www.inktera.com/store/title/b175732a-0341-44d9-9fc2-74cdb243c799
Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/mobile/book/283217152/The-Foundation-Book-0-5-The-Waiting-Series
Tara Benham is with us today. Let’s read about her writing process.
1. Tell us about yourself. May include links to Facebook, twitter, blogs, websites, Amazon author page)
Hi!! I’m Tara Benham. I’m an Occupational Therapist, photographer and author. I have a fur baby and live in Kentucky. I have creative ADD, (as well as regular ADD) which can be spotted in my works. My first book was YA sci-fi/suspense but my WIP is YA paranormal.
http://www.facebook.com/TaraBenhamAuthor
Link for my book
http://www.amazon.com/At-Nights-End-Tara-Benham-ebook/dp/B015HXP5WM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442580645&sr=8-1&keywords=tara+benham
2. How do you choose names for your characters?
Most of the time my characters choose their names. With “At Night’s End” I had McCaid and Ever’s names before I even had a story.
3. Do you talk about your book/characters as though they are real?
You mean they’re not? Kidding. Yes. I do talk about them as if they were real.
4. Do you listen to music when you write or edit? What kind?
I listen to music even when I’m not writing. It is my muse. I listen to all kinds of music. However when I’m writing it’s usually Imagine Dragons, X Ambassadors, or Hollywood Undead. They really help with setting the mood for me.
5. How long have you been writing?
I’ve wrote on and off for as long as I can remember but I got serious about it in 2011 when I started At Night’s End.
6. Tell us about when you realized you were ‘meant to be’ a writer.
There are still some days I’m unsure if I’m meant to be a writer. I love to write though so I will continue even if it’s just for myself.
7. Do you have a muse?
Imagine Dragons.
8. How do you improve as a writer? (Workshops, conferences, reading)
I attend UtopYa Con (now Utopia) this past June. It felt like finding home. I was surrounding by people who got me. It was very motivational and educational.
9. Writing quirks or superstitions?
My characters talk to me, and I talk to my computer or them as I write. I suppose that is a quirk? No superstitions though.
10. Tell us about your current work-in-progress.
My current WIP is titled “Falling” it’s the first in The Soul Collector’s Series. It’s about Bayla who is a soul collecting angel. In the first book, she is beginning her newest rescue mission.
11. What book are you reading now?
It’s really hard for me to read when I’m writing. I’m always afraid the other authors idea’s or voice will bleed into my story.
12. What genre do you write in? What about POV?
I write YA and usually in first person. It flows better for me.
13. Tell us about writing preparation. Character Profiles? Outlines?
I’m a total Pantser (fly by the seat of my pants) writer. I have no preparations, profiles or outlines. Just a general idea of the plot line.
14. Do you know how your stories will end?
Usually I do, however sometimes my characters act up and change things on me. It happened with the Falling book recently. I find it fun and exciting for the most part.
15. Do your books have a message or theme? Or are they purely for entertainment?
If there’s a message or theme it’s purely accidental. I usually write for entertainment.
16. Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you eat/drink while writing?
I’m obsessed with coffee and Sunkist.
17. Tell us about your other passions.
I love reading when I’m not writing. I also own a photography business that I love doing. It gives me a different creative outlet.
18. What’s something interesting about you?
My A&P teacher was the kid from The Shining.
19. Share a small sample(limit to one paragraph, please) of your writing… can be a WIP or already published.
From Falling
Dinner was a fun event, Hannah joined us during her break. It was a nice distraction from my thoughts as we sat around the table at the café having fun, and laughing. Declan turned the charm on full blast, regaling us with his adventures of his travels. Whether they were stories made up for his part he was playing or if they were true, they were funny. He was in the middle of telling us about getting lost in a country that he wasn’t familiar with the language, and after some confusion, was able to procure a bed for the evening. He proceeded to explain that because of the lack of communication, he ended up sharing a bed with a little old lady, who thought he was sent as an answer to his prayers, and he spend the majority of the night fighting off her advances, or hiding in the bathroom of the hostel. We were in tears by the time he finished his story. Hannah had spit water everywhere, and Mr. Whitstock almost fell off his chair. Declan chuckled some at his story, but mostly he looked amused at his ability to make the four of us laugh so hard. We were just calming down when Gray headed our way for his break. Hannah gathered herself, and waved bye as she went back to work. Gray took her seat.
20. Anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers?
I love books that create worlds that allow you to escape. Even if just for a moment. I truly hope that I can provide that to you all with my books. Thank you for your support!!!
Today, Colleen Nye is with us. We’re glad she’s here!
1. Tell us about yourself. May include links to Facebook, twitter, blogs, websites, Amazon author page)
I am a published author. Along with several anthologies, I have two novels, When in Maui and Immersion. I am also an event coordinator.
http://www.colleennye.com
Email – author.colleennye@gmail.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/authorcolleennye
Twitter – @Colleen_Nye
Instagram – Authorcolleennye
Pintrest – @WriterNye
2. How do you choose names for your characters?
By basically, I think of a name, think of any rude nicknames or if the strength of the name feels like a fit for the strength of the character. Then I think about how it would sound of a fan would be raving about the book and how the name would sound int hat conversation. I go through names until i find one that seems to fit.
3. Do you talk about your book/characters as though they are real?
Yes…. I try not to, but yes, I do.
4. Do you listen to music when you write or edit? What kind?
I do! When in Maui actually has the Blue October discography as like a soundtrack. I had a playlist for when I was writing Immersion as well.
5. How long have you been writing?
Since I was a little girl.
6. Tell us about when you realized you were ‘meant to be’ a writer.
I think I always knew it. But when I started writing when in Maui and finished it so quickly, it felt right.
7. Do you have a muse?
The world around me. Everyone.
8. How do you improve as a writer? (Workshops, conferences, reading)
Reading, gaining life experience, watching movies and listening to what readers say about the books they’re reading.
9. Writing quirks or superstitions?
Shhhhh…. if I tell you, then you’ll jinx me.
10. Tell us about your current work-in-progress.
Which one? LOL I have a few. #1 When in Doubt (When in Maui, book 2). #2 I am co-leading a 5 book anthology set called The Debut Collective and have a short story in all five books. #3 I am leading an anthology set that’s a unique take on anthologies. I write the over-arching story line for each book, each book has it’s own theme. Each book also has a group of guest authors that write short pieces that are embedded in the story line that I write. So basically, a full novel with guest authors’ pieces throughout. Book 1 is going to print. Book two is started. Book three is gathering authors. #4 My writers’ group is starting their 4th anthology. (I’m in the second and third) #5 I have a sci-fi trilogy that’s knocking on my writer’s brain waiting for me to have some of this all completed so I can start in on that. #6 I have a published short story that has turned into a full novel in my head. I’m slowly working on that as well.
11. What book are you reading now?
I just closed two books. I need a break and am writing currently. But the were Stacey Rourke’s Steam and Amy Bartol’s Darken the Stars. Both AMAZING books!
12. What genre do you write in? What about POV?
I skip around, but I prefer clean NA
13. Tell us about writing preparation. Character Profiles? Outlines?
I get an idea and start writing… I take notes along the way.
14. Do you know how your stories will end?
When I write it.
15. Do you books have a message or theme? Or are they purely for entertainment?
I would think every book has some sort of message. But I think it’s up to the reader to figure out what that is to them.
16. Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you eat/drink while writing?
Water… gotta keep hydrated! Smart water to be specific. And Dove Chocolate Bars.
17. Tell us about your other passions.
Marketing. I love to market and network. And I’m starting a small publishing house to help some other great authors out that just don’t have a home yet for their book babies.
18. What’s something interesting about you?
Oh, i suppose that’s up to the observer. I’m strange, quirky and often misunderstood. But aren’t we all?
19. Share a small sample(limit to one paragraph, please) of your writing… can be a WIP or already published.
Who turned the sun on and why hasn’t anyone slapped them? I thought to myself and pulled the comforter over my head.
A few minutes later, I pulled the comforter back down, just enough to reach up and pull the curtain back a little. I peeked out the window and watched the snow falling gently over the landscape. The trees, grass and lawn ornaments were all covered. We had just had a slight ice storm a couple days prior, and this snowfall was covering the ice on the electrical lines and tree limbs making everything look like it was covered in white glitter in the sun shine.
20. Anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers?
Keep reading and letting your imaginations grow! Thank you for your support! And PLEASE don’t forget to leave reviews on Amazon and other platforms! It’s like food to writers! We require them to grow!
1. Tell us about yourself. May include links to Facebook, twitter, blogs, websites, Amazon author page)My pen name is J. B. Havens, for obvious reasons I don’t wish to disclose my legal name. You can find me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/J.B.Havens. I live in rural Pennsylvania with my husband and three children. When not taking care of them, working at my evil retail day job, I’m reading and writing. Recently I find myself spending a lot of time self promoting and getting ready for the release of my debut novel, Core of Steel, available on kindle for pre-order and will launched on October 16th in print as well as Kindle.
UK http://amzn.to/1Gr8Olr
I just turned 28 and have gotten to that point in my life where I am ready to do what I love, not just what pays the bills. I want to mesh the two. I love coffee in its many forms, especially this time of year when Pumpkin flavored everything is available.
2. How do you choose names for your characters?
I sometimes use names from people I know in real life, either first or last. That is usually for main characters. Secondary characters or characters that only make a cameo, I look up on baby name websites. I go with a first letter sometimes or a particular meaning I want to convey.
3. Do you talk about your book/characters as though they are real?
YES! All the time. In my head, they are real. I have their lives and personalities, everything about them, in my head. For me writing is just telling the stories that already exist in my imagination.
4. Do you listen to music when you write or edit? What kind?
Yes, I do a lot. Depends on what particular scene I am in. Sometimes just the radio but for action scenes in particular I have my MP3 player going with Korn, Godsmack, Breaking Benjamin or Rob Zombie. Anything like that. I have very eclectic taste in music. Which is reflected in my book. Music is a main theme throughout.
5. How long have you been writing?
Since high school but only recently have I actually completed anything to a point where I am ok with others reading it.
6. Tell us about when you realized you were ‘meant to be’ a writer.
I wish I could pinpoint a particular moment. I have always had stories I wanted to tell. It was just a matter of believing in myself enough to get them written down.
7. Do you have a muse?
Not a muse per say. More an inspiration. I love strong female voices in fiction. Real kick butt women. I wanted to create that type of character.
8. How do you improve as a writer? (Workshops, conferences, reading)
I read. A LOT. Though oddly I tend to not read my genre. I have close to 200 books on my kindle and that’s not counting books I have in print. I study the styles of other writers, see things I like and things I don’t. Then go from there with my own writing. Also I find the writer’s group on Facebook extremely helpful. Lots of different opinions and outlooks on writing. Helps you stay creative.
9. Writing quirks or superstitions?
I am slightly superstitious about letting too many people read my entire manuscript before publishing. I have sent bits and pieces to many people in my writer’s group but only a few close family members and friends have read Core of Steel in its entirety.
10. Tell us about your current work-in-progress.
I am currently working on the second book in my Steel series. Book one, Core of Steel will be available for purchase soon. Book two, Hardened by Steel is still in its infancy. I find starting the hardest part. Once I get a couple chapters down it comes easier but the first bit is a struggle.
11. What book are you reading now? I just finished Zombie Fallout 6 by Mark Tufo. I will be starting Zombie Fallout 7 shortly.
12. What genre do you write in? What about POV? Military suspense. Core of Steel isn’t a spy novel but it has some of the aspects of one like cool cutting edge technology and sweet rides. The POV is split, the main character is written in First Person, past tense. The rest is third person, past tense. I did it that way to make, Mic stand out more.
13. Tell us about writing preparation. Character Profiles? Outlines?
I don’t do a traditional outline. I scribble notes and tack them to my cork board in my office. It’s disorganized and messy but it works. When a thought or bit of dialogue comes to me, I jot it down and save it. To a degree I do character outlines, especially the farther along I get I need to keep who is going to be doing what, more organized.
14. Do you know how your stories will end?
Usually yes. I have the beginning and the end well ahead of time, I just need to fill in the middle.
15. Do you books have a message or theme? Or are they purely for entertainment?
The only message I have isn’t a deliberate one. I want people to see what our veterans do and sacrifice for us but my main goal is entertainment.
16. Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you eat/drink while writing?
Yes. Coffee! I always have coffee near at hand. As for snacks, nothing in particular. If I have to eat while writing I just try not to get too many crumbs in my keyboard.
17. Tell us about your other passions.
Tattoos. I am hugely passionate about tattoos. I have several and I love everything about them. The art, the deep meanings they portray.
18. What’s something interesting about you?
That’s an extremely difficult question. I don’t feel like there is anything overly interesting about me. It’s my characters that are interesting.
19. Share a small sample(limit to one paragraph, please) of your writing… can be a WIP or already published.
This is the first paragraph in Chapter 1 of Core of Steel. There is a prologue that explains the chair reference.
I sank into some stretches, trying to work out the kinks left over from our last mission. Today was my first day back, both to the track and my normal warm up. At least this time around I had no serious injuries to contend with, just some left over stiffness in the muscles of my arms and legs. Being tied to a wooden chair for days will do that to you. No new bullet holes to report, for me at least, can’t say that for the other guys. I slipped my ear buds in and the pounding bass of Godsmack filled my head. I finished up my stretches and slid my Ray Bans on to guard against the glaring summer sun.
20. Anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers?
Thank you for your time, thank you for going on this journey with me. There is no greater joy for an author than sharing their stories with their readership. Mic is an amazing woman and she has many more stories to tell. Stick with me and we’ll go on an adventure.
Elizabeth Burgess 