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For Your Reading Pleasure…Dara Morris

Today we have a special Wednesday edition of For Your Reading Pleasure. Dara Morris is one of my very first author friends, and a fellow Louisiana girl. Last month, she released her first book, “Only the Scars Remain” with Cool Beans Publishing. Lets see what Dara has to say about her writing process.

1. Tell us about yourself. May include links to Facebook, twitter, blogs, websites, Amazon author page)

I have always loved to read since I was a little girl. I would lose myself in the pages of another world, one that always seemed more interesting and fun than mine! I excelled in writing in school but it wasn’t until last year that I decided to write a book. And once I did…I became hooked. I can’t imagine not writing now. It’s like breathing to me, a must. I love to write romance and in the magic of true love.
I live in West Monroe, Louisiana with my three beautiful children, two teenagers and a seven year old. I also work full time so I stay pretty busy. Once I get home and everything is settled, I pop my earbuds in and it’s just me, music, and my book. Writing brings so much happiness to my life and I hope my readers feel it too!
Author page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cypress-Bayou-Series/725579504185537

2. How do you choose names for your characters?

In my novel, the main characters names are Alyssa and Ryan. I’ve always loved names that start with the letter A, and I thought Alyssa had a pretty, feminine sound. Handsome Ryan Gosselin is one of my all-time favorite actors, so I picked his name for my hero’s. My other character’s names were chosen pretty randomly, some after people I know.

3. Do you talk about your book/characters as though they are real?

I do! Sometimes people look at me like I’m crazy. But in my head they are real, and I have to get their story out so that others can share in their lives.

4. Do you listen to music when you write or edit? What kind?

I listen mostly to rock and alternative. John Mayer is a favorite.

5. How long have you been writing?

I started writing last summer. We were on a family vacation, and it popped in my head to write a book. I’d always been a good writer and loved to read, and I felt like I could really do this. It took me six months to finish my book, and another three to edit all my mistakes. I was pretty clueless!

6. Tell us about when you realized you were ‘meant to be’ a writer.

I would say it was when I was about halfway done with my first book. What I had wanted to accomplish was right in front of me, and all I had to do was finish it. I knew that I could do it again.

7. Do you have a muse?

My muse would be music. It helps me focus and places me in my own little world.

8. How do you improve as a writer? (Workshops, conferences, reading)

I do research online. I’m hoping to attend some workshops and conferences in the near future.

9. Writing quirks or superstitions?

I like to have a candle going and music up. That sets me in a great mood for a productive writing session

10. Tell us about your current work-in-progress.

Right now I’m working on the second book in the Cypress Bayou Series. It’s the story of Fran, Alyssa’s sister. She struggles with drug and alcohol problems, but meets Lucas and he helps to turn her life around. He is a world famous musician who has issues of his own. But with the power of true love, happiness is found with the other.

11. What book are you reading now?

I wish I had time to read a book! Between work, kids, and writing, I haven’t had much time for reading but plan to squeeze some reading time in because I miss it.

12. What genre do you write in? What about PoV?

I write romances with a bit of magic thrown in. It makes me so happy to create a story where true love is found and there is a happy ending. I write from third person POV.

13. Tell us about writing preparation. Character Profiles? Outlines?

I have a spiral notebook that I keep for each book. I like to write each character’s looks and personality down for future reference. I write the outline for the book initially, and as each chapter emerges, I map out what I want to accomplish in that chapter.

14. Do you know how your stories will end?

Yes. The middle part is the hardest to write!

15. Do you books have a message or theme? Or are they purely for entertainment?

I would say mostly for entertainment. But I hope my books inspire someone to believe in true love, and if it’s real, it will always find its way back.

16. Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you eat/drink while writing?

Diet dr pepper and dill pickle chips

17. Tell us about your other passions.

I love to shop with my seventeen year old, and spend time with my boys. The only thing I watch on TV is sports; I’m a huge football and basketball fan. I also love to go fishing, and plan vacations.

18. What’s something interesting about you?

I love roller coasters! Busch Gardens was an awesome theme park to visit last summer because of all the rides, I was thrilled.

19. Share a small sample(limit to one paragraph, please) of your writing… can be a WIP or already published.

From Only the Scars Remain:
Ryan was gone, he hadn’t returned home since that summer ten years past. Alyssa wrapped her arms around her waist, anguish filling her soul for all that had been, and all that was lost. As she stared painfully upon their initials forever inscribed, she shivered as she was catapulted back to when their friendship had led to a fierce, sweet hell of an extraordinary love.

20. Anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers?

I would just like to say thank you for giving my work a chance. I’ve worked hard to realize my dream, and I hope all the care and dedication shine through to the reader.

Thanks Dara! Good luck to you and the Cypress Bayou Series!
E&M

For Your Reading Pleasure…Tom Beck

With us today is Tom Beck. We’re glad he stopped by to share all his writing secrets with us. Enjoy!!

1. Tell us about yourself. May include links to Facebook, twitter, blogs, websites, Amazon author page)

Facebook under Tom Beck, Thomas Beck is my facebook published site. Thomas Beck’s Blog Covers hospital stories, flash fiction/, poetry, family tales, etc.

2. How do you choose names for your characters?

Names can come from anywhere. Church bulletins, family members.

3. Do you talk about your book/characters as though they are real?

I write mostly from first person, sharing what my brain thinks the character sees, hears, and feels. When I write the character, it is me seeing through their eyes

4. Do you listen to music when you write or edit? What kind?

Usually if I have the radio on, it’s a talk station.

5. How long have you been writing?

I have written as soon as I knew letters could make words. Only recently published. I have reams of poetry, folders of haiku, A play script, several children’s stories that I illustrate myself. (Unpublished)

6. Tell us about when you realized you were ‘meant to be’ a writer.

It was a slow evolution that I knew I wanted to write and be published. Working as a nurse and having a family didn’t allow for much time writing. I think it was writing compositions and the professors’ encouragement that finally sealed it.

7. Do you have a muse?

Three muses so far. For Tommy Two Shoes Minerd it is his finicky deceased uncle Aidan Leclerc. For Mary Alice (Brandi) the P.I. it’s Mae West, and for Luigi Garibaldi, it’s Margo, the Shadow’s assistant. Guido isn’t actually a detective, but is a gambler in hiding from a casino owner and has clues dumped in his lap.

8. How do you improve as a writer? (Workshops, conferences, reading)

I belong to three writer’s group, an organization to promote new writers (CAW), and I attend and read at salons.

9. Writing quirks or superstitions?

The only thing special is that I hand write my stories and do my first edit when I enter it into the computer. I can write faster than I can type and I don’t want to impede the flow of words and ideas.

10. Tell us about your current work-in-progress.

How many works do you want. I have probably 15 or more. Tommy is about to become a P.I. He figures if he’s solving mysteries, he needs paid. Brandi is investigating the spouse of a woman. She thinks that he is prostituting himself. I just entered a flash fiction contest where the entire story had to be 100 words or less.

11. What book are you reading now?

A book titled “What’s the Smallest Thing You Will Do Today.” By Dylene Cumraes.

12. What genre do you write in? What about PoV?Most of my writing is from the view of first person singular, but have been dabbling in third person for some.
13. Tell us about writing preparation. Character Profiles? Outlines? )

I don’t have a specific outline. Just a general idea of a plot. Sometimes it’s based on a single phrase or sentence. Everything spills out of a disorganized, creative mind. The characters will often write the story themselves. I am often surprised how an insignificant detail will show up later and become very important.

14. Do you know how your stories will end?

I will have a general idea of an ending, but there are times when the character steps in and changes things.

15. Do you books have a message or theme? Or are they purely for entertainment?

The kids books, a specific message, poetry, message, haiku to share beauty, the cozy mysteries, entertainment.

16. Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you eat/drink while writing?

Unsweetened iced tea or Diet orange Crush. I eat anything that isn’t nailed down.

17. Tell us about your other passions.

My deceased wife Cindy. Gone 12 years in March. Ovarian cancer. my three kids, and my three granddaughters. Also reading Louis L’Amour books. He has the most fabulous turns of phrases.

18. What’s something interesting about you?

The way I became published was unusual. I would have remained in obscurity if by happenstance I hadn’t met a woman at one of my writer’s groups. She liked some of the stories that I had written, had decided to edit and to start a publishing company. She asked me if I had anything to publish. The rest is history. As an aside we have about 8 to 15 members and out of that number, five of us has had our writing published in the year that we started the group. (No they aren’t all under the same publisher.)

19. Share a small sample(limit to one paragraph, please) of your writing… can be a WIP or already published.

Her Beauty
She stepped onto the bus. Her tresses cascaded over her shoulders in shimmering chestnut waves. Her smile immediately filled the bus with sunshine. That smile seemed directed at me. With amazing grace, she dropped her money into the change box and sauntered down the aisle. She stopped.

“Is this seat taken?” she asked.

I glanced around. The bus was nearly empty and yet she chose the seat beside me.

“N-n-n-o-o,” I managed to stammer.

She slid into the seat. Her delicate scent filled my nostrils.

“I’m on my way home,” she shared, glancing over at me.

I felt a lump in my throat and couldn’t speak. She was so beautiful.

“My husband isn’t home at present,” she murmured and placed her slender hand on my thigh.

My breath caught in my throat. My brain began to spin as her heady perfume captivated me and her suggestion sank in.

She slid her hand up and down my thigh, stirring a feeling in my loins.

The bus hissed to a stop. Taking my hand, she led me down the aisle and off the bus. I held my newspaper in front of me to avoid embarrassment.

She closed and locked the apartment door behind her. Pulling me close, she whispered in my ear, “What do you want for supper, dear?”

“Whatever you want, but it’s my turn to pick you up on the bus tomorrow.”

20. Anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers?

A word of encouragement to all readers and would-be writers: May all of your romances be real, your mysteries, solvable, and your adventures be pleasurable. Thanks for your interest. If you should need anything, I am quite a character myself.

Thanks Tom! Good luck to you!
E&M

For Your Reading Pleasure…Charon Lloyd Roberts

Today we have Charon Lloyd-Roberts with us. Let’s see what being creative looks like for her…

1. Tell us about yourself. May include links.

My name’s Charon I work in the Digital medium.

As of May 2014 I’ve moved onto a different profession and am now writing a book series.

I’m self-taught in the Digital medium even though I only started painting seriously in 2013.

My Digital Art is a mix of Astronomy and the floral with a macabre twist.

My pages:
https://www.facebook.com/djlediperehodov
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Putsch-Trilogy/1450635768557884
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Schism-Putsch-Trilogy-Prequel/334115496770262?ref=profile
https://www.facebook.com/redskiesbrokencities
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Forthcoming-Trilogy/376786482474823
https://www.facebook.com/solatiumbook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fracture-Trilogy/1465586520362140
https://www.facebook.com/Disquietude.Trilogy?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LediPerehodovArt
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharonLRoberts
http://charonlloyd-roberts.deviantart.com
https://www.behance.net/CharonLloydRoberts
http://lediperehodovarts.tumblr.com
http://lediperehodovphotos.deviantart.com/
http://shadowness.com/CharonLRPhotos
https://www.behance.net/CharonLRobertsPhotos
http://lediperehodophotos.tumblr.com

2. How do you choose names for your characters?

I go for the weird obscure names and a majority of the names of my characters are just hard to pronounce anyway its fun.

3. Do you talk about your book/characters as though they are real?

Yes I do I get carried about talking about especially if I’m discussing a scene in my book.

4. Do you listen to music when you write or edit? What kind?

It honestly depends on my mood, but sometimes I do

5. How long have you been writing?

Well back in Secondary school I got bored in my lessons so I used to write stories I recently got back into it back in May 2014.

6. Tell us about when you realized you were ‘meant to be’ a writer.

I changed my profession in May 2014 as I wasn’t getting much out of my Digital work I still do it mind you but not as often

7. Do you have a muse?

I’ve been inspired by James Dashner, Ally Carter, Suzanne Collins just to name a few.

8. How do you improve as a writer? (Workshops, conferences, reading)
I read new books every month and I learn from them.

9. Writing quirks or superstitions?

Asking the staff at my local book store for bizarre subject matters for my book research.

10. Tell us about your current work-in-progress?

I’m in the process of working between the main book series and working on the timeframe between that and the prequel series.

11. What book are you reading now?

I’m swapping between a few books The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, The Eye of Minds & Timeriders.

12. What genre do you write in? What about PoV?

General fiction but I like to focus on fantasy mainly.

13. Tell us about writing preparation. Character Profiles? Outlines?

It’s best described as “Organised chaos”. I can’t put it any better then that.

14. Do you know how your stories will end?

I have a rough idea for my current book series and its prequel.

15. Do you books have a message or theme? Or are they purely for entertainment?

Well during the current state of the government in the UK I’ve taken note of how messed up the system is. But I’ve added some comic-relief in my book for good measure.

16. Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you eat/drink while writing?

I only really eat if I’m drafting out rough ideas but that’s mostly in random public areas.

17. Tell us about your other passions?

I mostly draw traditionally, do digital paintings and have the odd photography session but I do enjoy the odd train commute twice a month.

18. What’s something interesting about you?

I don’t see myself as interesting at all I just have my head either stuck in a book or I draw things.

19. Share a small sample of your writing.

“The final contender for this years ISL Tournament is… Mitra Delmir!” I suddenly felt a gust of air a small camera was circling me I dropped the sachel in my hand and looked up my face was on the screen all the blood drained out of my face I looked pale my blood orange red hair blowing around my eyes purple eyes fixed on the screen I gasped to see myself my legs began to feel heavy. Again Governor Silmois showed her face on the screen “Congradulations to this years contenders you have five hours to sort yourselves out and you’ll soon be picked by escorts from the Presivida wall who will take you to Islette.” My back slumped agaist the wall I slid down to the ground the people around me where muttering I couldn’t make it out I felt Trielnois’ beak on my hand nudging me I remained still my body felt numb

20. Anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers?

I hope you enjoy what I have offer in the writing industry any support I get for my work is appreciated because I really use some right now.

Thanks, Charon. Great hearing from you.
E&M

The Waiting: Book 1 – Chapter 1 Fun Facts

One
Three weeks earlier…
Watching Dr. Andrew Douglas roll out of bed, Rachael sipped the vodka she’d poured thirty minutes before. Blinking back tears, she wished for a high to make her forget how far she’d fallen—sleeping with her ex-husband, Nash’s, father. No amount of mind-altering pills could achieve that magic. They were a convenient pair. She knew what he brought to the table, and craved it as if it were air in her lungs, but all she had to offer him was herself. Andrew had always said that everything had a price, and for Rachael it was her sex. Having no intentions of being alone with her thoughts and vices, she threw back the drink and flung the sheet off, baring her breasts. “Stay awhile, Andrew?”
Glancing over his shoulder at the young woman trying her hand at seduction, a small laugh escaped his lips. “Maybe next time, Rachael. Ari wants me to grill tonight,” he said, buttoning his white dress shirt.
He wasn’t the oldest man she’d ever been with, but he was the strangest. Rachael found that Andrew’s public persona as Chief of Surgery at River City Medical Center was quite different from the man dressing before her now. In their six month affair, he’d never kissed her on the lips or held her afterwards. They undressed and dressed like a surgical procedure—meticulous and well-thought out.
“Room’s paid for and you’re welcome to it,” he added, rolling up his sleeves to fasten the silver cufflinks that had been a twenty-fifth anniversary gift from his wife. Rachael’s eyes darted around the room. Andrew always provided excellent accommodations. This Northshore bed and breakfast overlooking Lake Pontchartrain in Slidell was no exception.
“Andrew,” she whined, a perfect pout on her face. “It would be better, if you stayed.” Sliding her arms over his shoulders from behind, she kissed his neck and unbuttoned the top of his shirt.
Spinning around, his mood snapped from hot to cold. “You refer to me as Dr. Douglas, Rachael,” he fired back. “I told you, I have to get home to Arianne. Your prescription is on the bedside. Now, for God’s sake, put some clothes on.”
Dejected, Rachael turned toward the nightstand and spotted the small piece of paper. Immediately, she recalled why this tryst was taking place and started dressing.
“That script is for three months. See if you can stretch it longer this time. Arianne will take Gracie for a full month, starting tomorrow. Have her ready in the morning by eight, please. You are not to have contact with her per our agreement. Don’t pack anything. We have everything she needs,” he said, snatching his keys.
“Tomorrow? I can’t talk to my daughter for an entire month?” she squealed. “She’s my child. I’ve never been away from her that long.”
“She’s eighteen months, Rachael. You only have one-way conversations with her anyway. She’ll be fine, and so will you. Seems there’s plenty to keep you occupied,” he said, a touch too defensively. “Arianne will take better care of the child than anyone. Enjoy your free time, hon. Do you know how many young women would love to drop their kids with their grandparents for an entire month? Go out with girlfriends. Hell, go to the Caribbean. Graceanne will have a great time with her Mémère. And you, my dear, can return refreshed and revitalized.” Andrew opened the hotel door, absolutely certain he’d convinced her.
Reaching for the pills and vodka, Rachael forced a half smile and thought maybe he was right.

Donning his sunglasses, Andrew rushed to his black Tundra. If the traffic cooperated, he’d be on time to his next appointment. With his truck in gear, he glanced at his phone. Two missed calls—both from his best friend, Dr. Gregory Adams. Clicking Gregory’s name and the “send” button, Andrew turned the radio down before speaking.
“Hey Andy,” Gregory said. “Meetings go good today?”
“Yeah. Real good. Headed to my last one with Bob right now.”
“Thought you were supposed to save the best for last… not the worst,” he joked.
“No doubt, buddy,” Andrew agreed, excluding the real reason for the meeting and drinks with Bob O’Malley. “You know he’s the single largest contributor to the Hope Foundation, other than Doc Caissy.”
Gregory laughed. “Well, that’s because they’ve been in a forty-year competition to outdo each other.”
“Got a point there. Hey, y’all still coming tonight, aren’t ya?”
“I am. But I don’t—”
“Hell, Greg,” Andrew interrupted, “don’t pull rank on me because you’re Chief Medical Officer. I’ll call Human Resources to get the girl’s number so I can invite her myself.”
“Andy…”
“Greg, bring her. This would be the fourth time you’ve made excuses for the poor thing, and I know Ari is dying to meet her. What’s her name again?”
“Tiffany,” Gregory muttered. It wasn’t that he didn’t want his friends to meet his girlfriend. He did, but meeting his friends meant meeting Andrew’s wife, and Gregory wanted to delay that introduction as long as possible.
“It’s time, Greg. Gotta meet us before you take her to your mama,” Andrew teased. “You know Arianne is a good judge of whether or not your girlfriends meet Atlee Adams’ qualifications.”
Reluctantly, Gregory conceded, “Okay… okay. We’ll be there.” Tonight would be the night that the love of his life met the other woman.
“I just pulled up at Lochlann’s, but I’ll see you… and Tiffany, at seven.”
“Yeah, man… Seven.”

Lochlann’s Ole Ale House was bustling wall-to-wall with the happy hour masses. Grumbling to himself, Andrew wondered why the hell Bob chose a public place to conduct such private business.
“Andrew.” Dr. Robert O’Malley stood from a corner booth and waved. Taller than Andrew, Bob towered over most people, and he was as crooked as his nose, which was rumored to have been broken by his first wife. Prone to violent and rage-filled outbursts, Bob had been dishonorably discharged from the Marines fifteen years ago when he broke his commanding officer’s jaw. He wasn’t Andrew’s favorite person, but he had money… and power… and today—a proposition that might be difficult to refuse.
“Hey, Bob.” He extended his hand to the older man. “Good to see you.”
“You too, Andy. How’s that gorgeous wife of yours?” he asked, fantasizing about Arianne’s long legs wrapped around his body.
“Good. Thanks. Getting ready for the Hope Benefit next week.”
“You know, I’ve always wondered how a roughneck like you managed to get two of the most beautiful women in South Louisiana to marry him.”
“Stroke of good luck… both times. How is Millie?” he asked. “Been a while since we talked.”
“Hmph,” Bob grumbled. “I’m still trying to convince her to marry me. Any pointers?”
Andrew paused, formulating an answer. Thinking about his ex-wife keeping company with such a deplorable person sent chills down his spine, but he knew that a man would only hit Millie Douglas once. Since Bob sat before him now—it was safe to say, he never had. “Hate to burst your bubble… but Mills, she’ll never marry again.” Taking a long drink of beer, he leaned back, head against the booth. “My mama had to convince her to marry me.”
Bob glared at Andrew Douglas, hatred boiling below the surface. Stealing Millie all those years ago was only the tip of the iceberg. Flashing a strained smile, he replied, “Well, nevertheless I will keep trying. Now, first off—put me down for ten thousand for the Hope Foundation.”
“Doc Caissy gave twelve this year,” Andrew lied.
“Dammit. Fifteen then. But my name needs to be mentioned before Jamie Caissy’s at the benefit.”
Andrew grinned, certain Arianne would be pleased with Bob’s contribution. “Absolutely.”
“Secondly…” He narrowed his crystal blue eyes and lowered his voice. “Our proposal.”
“Yes?” Andrew leaned in, excited to hear more about what his eldest son, Nash, had called the chance of a lifetime.
“As I said on the phone last week, discretion is imperative,” Bob said.
“Of course.”
“An old friend of mine from Missouri, Stephen Mullins, asked if I would be interested in investing and participating in a market… for organs. He’s Chief of Surgery at Jefferson City Medical and has masterminded a plan he calls the ‘Operation.’”
Andrew’s eyes widened. “Well, that’s not what I expected. But please, continue.”
“Say I have a patient with abdominal pain. You know our patients. They don’t ask us why we order labs or tests.” Both of them laughed together at the blind trust most people had in their doctors. “And based on his results, I deem it necessary to order an exploratory surgery. Well, I’ve already done a liver panel work-up and established that his liver is healthy. I also know the real problem is gallstones. So, I extract the stones and what I need, poke around, and close. Document the biliary stone removal and send our liver piece on its way to wherever.” Bob hesitated as Andrew took in the basic idea of their “Operation.” “What do you think?”
Shaking his head, he crossed his arms over his chest. “There’s a shit-ton of problems that could go wrong, Bob. You know that, don’t you?” Andrew said. As interested as he was, he still needed answers. “Do we have specific surgery teams? What about security… funds? I don’t know… It sounds good, but shit… bringing in Rivers… I don’t know.”
“It’s a chance, but the payday is huge. Stephen’s team of docs up in Jefferson City average from $200- to $300-thousand a month. Each.” Pleased to see the younger man’s mouth drop, Bob knew Andrew’s greed would get them inside River City Medical Center. “Of course, we wouldn’t start out with that much. Maybe fifty to a hundred thousand.”
“Are you kidding, man?” he said. “That’s unfucking real. But still, what about everything else?”
“No, Andy, I’m not.” Millie had warned him that Andrew would be resistant, and she told him exactly how to counter his argument. “Take a day or two. Think about it. But Millie says she’d better get her white roses when you say yes and we start making money.”
“White roses, huh?” Andrew chuckled. He should have known his ex-wife would use that information to her advantage. “Well, you can tell Millie her roses are on their way.”
“Does this mean?”
Andrew nodded.
Bob raised his beer in celebration, their amber bottles clinking together. “To our little ‘Operation.’”
“Yeah…” Andrew breathed, hoping for more success than his last botched business endeavor. “To the ‘Operation.’”

Fun Facts
– Rachael’s name was originally Molly. After a suggestion that Molly sounded too much like Millie, we decided to change it to Rachael because what would The Waiting Series be without Millicent Douglas? Rachael is actually named for one of my dear friends who’s been so supportive with reading and offering feedback for the book.

– Since I’m a nurse , the whole “Operation” setup fascinates me. If you think about it, most patients have blind trust when it comes to their healthcare. A word of advice…DON’T. Of course, trust them with your well-being, but make them work for it. Ask your doctor ‘why am I having this test? Make your nurse tell you why she’s giving you that pill. I don’t care if she’s giving you baby aspirin, she should know why she’s giving a medication. Rant completed!!

– Marie chose both Gregory and Millie’s name. Fits them perfectly.

-Bob O’Malley wasn’t intended to be the main antagonist. He wasn’t even supposed to have a very big part beyond being Millie’s sometimes lover, but OH BOY, did he surprise me??? I know most of you hate him, and rightfully so, but I’ve loved exploring his psyche. When I write him, I see James Spader, but my editor will argue me down tooth and nail!! She loves James Spader and hates Bob. I expect her to chastise me for putting this idea in y’all’s head.

– Lochlann’s Old Ale House is loosely based on a tiny pub in a nearby city.

– When I wrote the very first poor, pitiful draft that will never see the light of day, I wasn’t prepared for the revelation that Ari and Greg had an affair… or that their love was sooooo strong.

That’s all for now!!
Enjoy!!
Elizabeth

P.S. Marie and I have a Thanksgiving surprise for y’all next week. STAY TUNED!!!!

For Your Reading Pleasure…Talamasca

With us today is Talamasca. We’re happy to have her insight and look forward to her answers.

1. Tell us about yourself. May include links to Facebook, twitter, blogs, websites, Amazon author page)

My name is Talamasca, I live with a army veteran, and have been writing all my life. Recently we lost everything in a house fire so I am up to my ears trying to recover my resume and tear sheets. Not to mention rewrite items I can remember which isn’t much and recover copies of what has been published. I am also a photographer and shoot the cover for, and some interior shots, for the Australian equine welfare book, They Shoot Horses Don’t They? By Jane Duckworth. The best place to check out my writing is http://www.fanstory.com/talahorse

2. How do you choose names for your characters?

Prior to the fire I’d use baby naming books, occasionally, characters like Charlie Dawson, from the military thriller I am working on at the moment just happen, it ends up being a combo of a friend’s name, or a name that matches their initials as a nod to them.

3. Do you talk about your book/characters as though they are real?

Of course. It makes it simpler to create their world if you are able to step into and engage in it.

4. Do you listen to music when you write or edit? What kind?

My music taste is pretty wide, in my old studio you could easily find black sabbath next to bob segar, I always have music on no matter what I am doing, right now I’m listening to alot of comfort music. Queen, Garth Brooks, Bob Dylan, Bob segar, The Commitments, and heaps of other stuff, anything really that is tied to a physical memory, so I can pull it to the front of my mind and remind myself that although the fire took alot, took mementos of my life, I can still access those memories, as for writing, sometimes I try to create a soundtrack for a project so that the written word will carry the vibe of that music.

5. How long have you been writing?

For over 20 years, everything from prize winning poetry with The final Realization, about a pair of friends where one deciedes she’d rather pull the life support on someone she’d previously considered her friend than continue to put up with his manipulation, to newspaper articles and my novels. I have also released a non fiction series of equine care books.

6. Tell us about when you realized you were ‘meant to be’ a writer?

I didn’t have that duh moment, when I started working with horses on a professional level we needed PR and other things, I had previously worked PR in the music industry and still had all my contacts…I grew into it, more than realized it. Ideas that won’t leave me alone till there on paper left me little choice.

7. Do you have a muse?

I’d like to be able to say yes but its been a long time since a individual has influenced my work. I use to have a writing partner for some projects and I would write part of or the first story in a set and he the next and it would go back and forth, he died a while back from a heart attack, I certainly miss the interaction involved with working with another writer.

8. How do you improve as a writer? (Workshops, conferences, reading)

As a writer of course I am always reading, not only my own genre, everything. One of my educational institutions that I attended was Charles Sturt University so of course I am a member of their writing centre, Wagga Wagga Writers Writers. No my typing doesnt have a stutter, they love it so much they named it twice!

9. Writing quirks or superstitions?

My downfall. Pre fire I didn’t like putting anything online till it had been published, I’d had some bad copyright experiences. Now however having lost all previous work I wish I had ignored myself an utilized stes like http://www.fanstory.com more, they allow you to publish, get feedback but most vitally youcan through the site obtain a registration code for your work.

10. Tell us about your current work-in-progress?

I’m currently trying to put back together the last item I was working on before the fire, working title is simply C.D 3.8, and it is a military thriller based in Australia and our top end, I don’t want to give too much a way but a group of private contractors that are ex-service are recalled so if they fail the govt. Has plausible deniability in regards to the team who are trying to prevent an attack from another nearby country.

11. What book are you reading now?

PIXIE by Andrea Mohr and Sail by James Patterson. I try to stay away from reading what I am writing in until the project is finished.

12. What genre do you write in? What about PoV?

I don’t stick to one genre and mostly I write in first person, but not always.

13. Tell us about writing preparation. Character Profiles? Outlines?

I don’t do alot of prep, for a romance book for example I can just sit and write, however something like a military thriller requires alot of research before you even think prep though I tend to do a full brief without it and then go back and do secular research for that section. An example of this would be the os raid by a SASR unit in my current book, my own history and experience provided enough intel to write the initial chapter but things like weapons were 20yrs out of date for a story that was happening now, so I wrote it then went to research current weaponary and plucked and changed those areas.

14. Do you know how your stories will end?

Sometimes a vague idea but I try not to lock myself in.

15. Do you books have a message or theme? Or are they purely for entertainment?

I write firstly to entertain me, so short of my non fiction work, I hope entertainment.

16. Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you eat/drink while writing?

I’m lucky if I remember to eat!

17. Tell us about your other passions?

Working with the introduction of PZP for the fertility treatment of feral horses in Australia.

18. What’s something interesting about you?

Honestly, I’m not sure?

19. Share a small sample(limit to one paragraph, please) of your writing… can be a WIP or already published.

“So anyway, what’s on the books for today?” asked Malcolm’s.
“Rebecca Ryan’s kids need to be covered while she is in the studio at Brookvale, we have instructions to take them to the zoo” he indicated to the chairs in the conference room “take a seat guys and we’ll get down to the briefing”
As everyone on today’s team took a seat, Sascha began outlining the job. “Although the threats are against her she will have fulltime people at the studio…what she is looking for is someone, in fact two guys to entertain and look after the kids while she is working since as a general rule of thumb she doesn’t work of a weekend”

“So why now” Steven jumped in.

“Apparently the recording has fallen behind and the label has a lot of pressure on her to step up”

“Another words, shit or get off the pot”

“In this case a million dollar pot” put in Malcolm’s.

“that’s it mate, anyway apparently the troublesome twosome have their sights set on Taronga zoo, groans came from all around the room, “hey we should be thankful they didn’t insist on Luna Park or Western Plains zoo, anyway they want to see the snow leopard and having being Adrians parent units old mascot we were with him on the team able to pull some strings to get them into the enclosure with the animal.

“Nice to see I have my uses” I mumbled.

“Well you and government sponsorship anyway” retorted Sascha.

“It’s a logistical nightmare, there will be civilians everywhere”

20. Anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers?

Stay tuned.

Thanks so much, Talamasca, and good luck to you.
E&M

For Your Reading Pleasure…Nathan Singer

With us today is Nathan Singer. As you will see below, Nathan has many gifts and is able to incorporate them together to give his fans a total experience.

1. Tell us about yourself. May include links to Facebook, twitter, blogs, websites, Amazon author page.

I am a novelist, playwright, composer, musician, and experimental performing artist. My first novel A Prayer for Dawn (2004) was part of the required reading at Andover Academy for a while, but I don’t think it is anymore. My second novel Chasing the Wolf is also required reading somewhere. I think Milwaukee. Additionally, both Dawn and Wolf have been published in French, which is great. Sadly, I don’t speak a lick of French. My third novel, In The Light of You, published in spring of 2008, has done pretty well. My fourth novel, Transorbital, will be published in April of 2015 by Post Mortem Press, and Aurore Press will be publishing a collection of my one-act plays (mostly collaborations I wrote with my friend and fellow playwright Brian Griffin) around the same time. My fifth novel, Blackchurch Furnace, which is kind of a sequel to A Prayer for Dawn, has been in limbo for six years, but hopefully it will come out someday.
Nathansinger.net
Whiskeyshambles.com
These two sites should take you everywhere you need to go.

2. How do you choose names for your characters?

A lot of it is based on phonetics. A character’s personality will lead me toward a certain tonal quality that I think fits best.

3. Do you talk about your book/characters as though they are real?

Only if I’m asked about them in that way, but usually no. I do horrible things to my characters, so although I want them to feel real to the reader, I don’t particularly want to think of the circumstances I put them through for the purpose of the narrative to be visited upon actual people.

4. Do you listen to music when you write or edit? What kind?

CONSTANTLY. My music and my fiction are so inextricably linked there is very little separating the two. Each of my novels corresponds to a different musical genre: A Prayer for Dawn is a thrash novel, In The Light of You is a punk novel, Chasing the Wolf is a blues novel etc. As such I often write — and occasionally record — my own soundtracks for my books to get a sense of tone first and foremost. For instance, this is the soundtrack I wrote and recorded for Chasing the Wolf: http://nathansinger.bandcamp.com/

5. How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing, in some form or another, since as long as I can remember. Preschool probably? Forever.

6. Tell us about when you realized you were ‘meant to be’ a writer.

Well, I hadn’t intended to be a novelist per se. I thought I was only going to be a professional musician. When I was very young I made a pact with myself that I would sign my first record contract before I turned thirty. The summer after I turned 27 I was nowhere close to a record deal, but I got offered my first book contract and I said, CLOSE ENOUGH! And I’ve been a writer ever since. I suppose that’s not very romantic, but that’s how it happened.

7. Do you have a muse?

Hmmm . . . I suppose music is my narrative muse and storytelling is my musical muse. It’s all terribly messy.

8. How do you improve as a writer? (Workshops, conferences, reading)

I perform a lot and I do plenty of conferences and all that, but truthfully I improve as a writer but writing constantly. It’s like any other kind of exercise, as far as I’m concerned. The more you exercise your muscles the stronger they get.

9. Writing quirks or superstitions?

I’m sure there are some who would say that my writing is nothing but quirks. As for superstitions, nah.

10. Tell us about your current work-in-progress.

It’s a YA book about a teenage siren/mermaid who comes to land and joins a heavy metal band. Not joking.

11. What book are you reading now?

Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault. It’s required for a class I’m taking.

12. What genre do you write in? What about POV?

Each of my books is in a different genre, but “dark literary fiction” works for me. I’m often called a “crime writer,” but truthfully Transorbital is the only actual crime novel I’ve ever written and it’s not even out yet. My books constantly jump back and forth from different POV

.
13. Tell us about writing preparation. Character Profiles? Outlines?

Nope. Nope. Nope. Characters show up, they create chaos, I observe the chaos, it somehow becomes a story. That’s my process.

14. Do you know how your stories will end?

Most of the time, but sometimes the end will reveal itself in the exploration and discovery. I really dig when that happens.

15. Do you books have a message or theme? Or are they purely for entertainment?

I try to avoid being overly didactic, but yes my books definitely have social themes. I deal a lot with class issues, racial issues, issues of gender and sexuality. I don’t know if I’d use the word “entertaining,” but I find those issues intriguing and compelling, and essential to exploring the human condition.

16. Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you eat/drink while writing?

Jack Daniels.

17. Tell us about your other passions.

I don’t really have any “other” passions, because they’re all of a piece to me. Theater, fiction, poetry, music, performance, activism, it’s all the same passion.

18. What’s something interesting about you?

Hmmm . . . well . . . I just put out a new album with my band The Whiskey Shambles, and my other band Starshaker is putting out a new album in Spring. I’m eight months out from getting my PhD (fingers crossed). I don’t know if any of that is interesting.

19. Share a small sample(limit to one paragraph, please) of your writing… can be a WIP or already published.

Here’s the opening paragraph from Chasing the Wolf:
When I’m upset, blood leaks from my head. That’s the truth – I’m not trying to bullshit you. I don’t know if you folks even use “bullshit” as a verb. Oh well. When I’m over the edge, my gums bust open and my nose bleeds and the whites of my eyes get little red polka dots on them. I only mention that because my eyes really hurt right now. They probably look like crimson marbles with black holes in the middle. It’s been a stressful couple of days. I’ve been hiding out in these woods since I got here. My name is Eli Cooper. I’m a twenty-seven year old “neo post-impressionist” or so I’m told. If Edvard Munch and Jackson Pollock had a child and so on. Anyway, I am – was, the toast of the Village back home. I had the freshest agent, the dopest shows in the choice-est galleries, the flyest reviews . . . I could clean my brushes on an old T-shirt and The Voice would call it “The boldest statement in art since Piss Christ.” I had the smartest friends. I had the prettiest . . . wife . . . So you’re probably wondering what NYC’s flashiest flash-in-the-pan of the new millennium is doing stranded in the backwoods of Mississippi in 1938. So am I. So am I. So am I. There goes my nose again.

20. Anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers?

Strap in, kids. It’s ‘bout to get wild.

Thanks Nathan, for your insight. Good luck to you and your band. 🙂
E&M

The Waiting: Book 1 – Prologue Fun Facts

Prologue
Arianne Douglas stood over her son. Her dead son. Murder weapon in hand. Blood and tears running down her face. Helpless. Powerless. Paralyzed. Recalling his first steps, first words. There would be no more firsts. Her child was dead. Startled by the buzzing of her cell phone next to his body, she answered but did not speak.
“Ari?” her best friend said, “you called but didn’t leave a message. Andrew texted me about the fight between Reece and Nash. I’m on my way to you now.”
Silence.
“Arianne?”
“Lesley, I need you.” Arianne sobbed into the phone. “He’s dead, he’s dead… my
baby… my son… Les, he’s dead… God, please no… I’m so sorry, baby…” Her voice broke with every word.
“Arianne, I’m on my way. Are you still at the house?” Lesley Huff remembered her recurring dream, pangs of regret pelting her heart. A storm was coming.
“Yes.”
“Have you called the police?” she asked, certain Arianne had not.
“No, only you,” she cried. “My… my son…”
“Dammit Ari, call the police. Now.”
Ending the call, Lesley pressed the accelerator, speeding down West Esplanade Avenue. Arianne hadn’t said which son she had found. Thinking of her own two little girls, she choked back tears for her dearest friend.
South Lake Drive was quiet except for Lake Pontchartrain’s choppy waters lapping over the levee rocks. Lesley wrapped one arm around her chest, her breathing stifled by the heavy Gulf wind. Sirens screeched in the distance and the night sky was filled with the blue and red glow of emergency vehicles. She was glad they were close. Parking next to Arianne’s Jeep, Lesley offered a silent prayer of thanks that Arianne’s thirteen-year-old son, Pike, was with his father and nowhere near this house tonight. So was it Nash? Or Reece. Both of their trucks were parked underneath the awning. Fearful, she opened the back door leading to a dark kitchen, and a bloody Arianne cradling the lifeless body of her son.

“Holy Mary
Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners
Now and at the hour of our death.”

So I thought as a little bonus, I’d post a few chapters and add little known facts about The Waiting Series and its characters.

-The Prologue is nearly identical to a dream I had in August of 2012. The only real difference is that in my dream, they were in a glass high rise in the sky.

-Several of the main characters came fully formed in that dream. Arianne was the first and most memorable one. Her best friend, Lesley was next.

-Since setting the book in a high rise in the sky wasn’t an option, Marie and I didn’t brainstorm for very long until she said, ‘why not New Orleans?’ It was the perfect choice, because not only do we have the lush history of one of the most beautiful and mysterious cities in the world, but we also have its surrounding areas. As native Louisianians, learning about places such as Slidell, Darrow, Des Allemands, and Mandeville has been equally as interesting as familiarizing ourselves with The Crescent City.

-Having Lake Pontchartrain in these books was paramount. You know how some people are drawn to places? I’m drawn to this lake. I can remember as a little girl seeing this massive ocean to my left as we’d drive into New Orleans… the sun’s sparkle dancing over the brackish water. And when we’d drive across the Pontchartrain Causeway… it felt like I was on a bridge to nowhere. In our past few trips down south – I still feel the same wonder and amazement each time I see the beautiful lake.

-I wrote the entire first drafts of book one and two on my iPhone, and I didn’t write on my laptop until a temporary phone problem forced me to either write on it or not write at all. I must admit, I felt a little like Samson getting his hair chopped off, but now, I love the laptop. I feel sure I wasn’t our editor’s favorite person while she was working on our manuscript because of alllllll the straight quotes. 🙂

That’s all for today!!! I’ll post Chapter One and a few fun facts about it soon.
❤ Elizabeth

For Your Reading Pleasure…Kristine Kibbee

Today, Kristine Kibbee is with us. Last week, she released her newest book “Whole in the Clouds.” Let’s get some insight into her creative process.

1. Tell us about yourself. May include links to Facebook, twitter, blogs, websites, Amazon author page)

I’m a Pacific Northwest native with a love of language, nature and animals. My passion for creative writing began in my early youth and led me to the doors of Washington State University, where I wrote for the Vancougar while earning a degree in Humanities, with a focus in Professional Writing. I’ve has since had works published in S/tick Literary Review and The Salal Review Literary Review and I’m a featured columnist for the nationally syndicated magazine, Just Frenchies.
My novella The Mischievous Misadventures of Dewey the Daring is available on Amazon.com and I anticipate following the release of my fantasy novel Whole in the Clouds with the comedic collection of dog stories, Frenchie ‘Tails’—which are short, cheeky and ripe with mischief!
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Kristine%20Kibbee&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wholeintheclouds
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7797928.Kristine_Kibbee?from_search=true
Twitter: @K_Kibbee

2. How do you choose names for your characters?

Truth told, I think the characters themselves choose! I’ll feel them out for a bit . . . let them find their feet and then before I know it –poof! A name reveals itself!

3. Do you talk about your book/characters as though they are real?

(Head bowed) I do! But now I’m feeling a bit less crazy about it since you wouldn’t have asked if it was a rarity among writers!

4. Do you listen to music when you write or edit? What kind?

Eeek–never! Music is far too distracting. I literally must have complete and total silence while I write or edit. Noise is maddening!

5. How long have you been writing?

At what point can a child hold a writing utensil? Perhaps three? If so, then put me down for three.

6. Tell us about when you realized you were ‘meant to be’ a writer.

My memory is shoddy at best so I’m sure I can’t recall the exact instant. It’s just always been in my blood. From a very young age I gravitated towards writing. While my friends were playing with Barbies I was clipping photos from magazines and making up stories about the people in the pictures. I’ve always loved the fantastic, the embellished, the enchanting and I’ve always wanted to share that with others.

7. Do you have a muse?

At times, yes. I would say that my wee dog has been a muse to me on the occasion that I’m writing comedic animal shorts.

8. How do you improve as a writer? (Workshops, conferences, reading)

As uncomfortable as it’s been to receive, critique (from other competent writers) is what typically helps me to improve as a writer. It’s a delicate dance, ensuring that the critique doesn’t overwhelm me and shut me down but just the right smidge of critique paired with a sprinkle of encouragement can go a long way.

9. Writing quirks or superstitions?

Hmm . . . like baseball players wearing the same hat every day until it becomes so yellowed from sweat and grime that it threatens to grow feet and leap from their head? Can’t say I have any such peculiarities. Don’t get me wrong . . . I have plenty of oddities . . . but none of the superstitious sort.

10. Tell us about your current work-in-progress.

I’m presently working on a couple of projects–a collection of comedic dog shorts and a YA fantasy series but since the dog shorts (‘Frenchie Tails’) have already been handed off to my editor, the focus has narrowed on my ‘Forests of the Fae’ series. The first book in the set, ‘Devlin’s Door,’ centers on an abandoned Victorian ghost town whose inhabitants mysteriously disappeared in the early 1920’s. So spooked by the legends surrounding the town, no one has ventured there in nearly a century and as I imagine the rows of crumbling relics, shrouded in curtains of ivy, it inspires me while I write about the brave young girl who ventures there and unearths a secret that no one could have imagined.

11. What book are you reading now?

My own! I’m a tireless editor and every time I pick ‘Devlin’s Door’ up I find myself trying to perfect it. Every paragraph, every sentence, every word has passed my eyes at least a dozen times!

12. What genre do you write in? What about PoV?

I typically write fantasy but dabble in comedy as well. Typically I write from a first person omn

iscient viewpoint.

13. Tell us about writing preparation. Character Profiles? Outlines?

I’ve tried the gamut when it comes to writing approaches–free-ballin’ it, pre-outlining every detail down to each character’s clothing and sleeping preferences, and just a rough outline. I’ve found the latter works best for me. Working off of a fluid, rough outline allows the story to remain malleable yet gives it a sense of direction and purpose so that I know how to get my characters from A to B.

14. Do you know how your stories will end?

Typically, yes. I find it’s easier to input the clues and weave a more intricate and tight story when you know its ultimate destination. Of course in honoring the story as the living, breathing entity that it is, it helps to be flexible with that ending and let it arrive in the fashion that it likes.

15. Do you books have a message or theme? Or are they purely for entertainment?

It depends upon the book! I feel as if my first (hard-bound) published work, ‘Whole in the Clouds’ does attempt to parlay some meaningful messages about conservation, friendship, inner-beauty and the like but I’ve written plenty a piece just for the kicks!

16. Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you eat/drink while writing?

I refrain! As engrossed as I become in my writing, I’d eat the entire contents of my pantry if I were just mindlessly plunking along while feeding my face!

17. Tell us about your other passions.

I’m quite passionate about animals; animal rescue. I’ve been involved with rescuing death-row dogs at numerous points throughout not only my adulthood but my childhood as well. I believe that animals (and dogs in particular) can give us the type of unconditional devotion and love that even another human could never match. I’m also passionate about the environment and working to decrease our species’ carbon footprint. There is so much that is precious in this world that we are losing on a daily basis as our population continues to dominate the planet.

18. What’s something interesting about you?

In general I think I’m a fairly unique person. But as far as a quick, interesting one-liner type tidbit goes–I’ve never in my life consumed a drop of alcohol!

19. Share a small sample (limit to one paragraph, please) of your writing… can be a WIP or already published.

From the pages of ‘Devlin’s Door’:
“They moved as a unit, clustered in packs of twos and threes. Anne watched amazement bloom on several faces as they gaped at the Victorian relics that passed on either side while they walked. Heavy clouds had settled over the valley and the homes seemed to materialize out of the mist like ghost ships, their mast chimneys cutting through the grey.”

20. Anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers?

Only that I hope to enchant and delight them with every word!

Awesome, Kristine!! We’re glad you featured with us.
E&M

For Your Reading Pleasure…Kevin Thijssen

Kevin Thijssen featured with us today. Right now he hasn’t published, but we’ll certainly be watching for his upcoming release… hopefully soon. 🙂

1. Tell us about yourself. May include links to Facebook, twitter, blogs, websites, Amazon author page)

https://www.facebook.com/kevin.thijssen.fantasy

I’m a 28 year old Master in Biology. Born and living in Belgium although I do see myself move away from here in the future.
I love reading and photography, although lately I feel I have been doing both of these too little. At the moment I’m also doing a course in psychology as I have always found it interesting.
I love to travel and meet new people, experience new things and get new ideas for my writing.

2. How do you choose names for your characters?

Either I use an online tool for name choosing or create a name in my head and say it out loud, changing it until I find it fitting of the character and easy to the tongue.

3. Do you talk about your book/characters as though they are real?

I can see the character in my head, have a good idea of what they look like and how they are as a ‘person’. Some of my characters are based on people I know in real life, others are completely made up. So for a part I see them as real persons and feel myself travelling amongst them.

4. Do you listen to music when you write or edit? What kind?

I have never tried this before, although I do know a few writers that do. I do feel that I need some sort of distraction to be able to write more. This can be the TV on in the background or even chatting with someone in between paragraphs.

5. How long have you been writing?

Not for very long, and yet for over 5 years. I have plenty of ideas in my head but working them out in my mind is one thing, writing it all down is something else.
My first book I started 5 years ago. For a very long time it just counted a few chapters. Thanks to a very good friend of mine I managed to write the rest of the manuscript in a very short time (oh what the mountain air can do ….).
I recently received the manuscript back from an editor that I hired and I am trying to lift my story up to a higher level, listening both to his advice and trying to keep my vision of it alive as well.
I have not been published yet, but I hope to be soon.

6. Tell us about when you realized you were ‘meant to be’ a writer.

Hard to say if I really am meant to be a writer, but I do my best. Maybe in the future, when I have a few books out there and have learnt more about what it means to be a writer, I can come back and answer this question better.

7. Do you have a muse?

There is this nagging little voice sometimes that tells me an idea and then works it out further, maybe I ignore her too much.
It all started when I was little and made up stories to fall asleep, mostly involving the cartoon characters Tom and Jerry. From that it evolved to fantasy stories, some ideas stuck and grew, others just disappeared as nothing more than basic thoughts.

8. How do you improve as a writer? (Workshops, conferences, reading)

Talking to other writers, taking note of what my editor says (meanwhile thinking of writing him into a story and having him die in a horrible way…) and of course reading. I am thinking of following some writing courses in the future.

9. Writing quirks or superstitions?

I prefer writing in English over my native language (Dutch) as I find the English language much richer. I am also used to talking, writing and reading in English so this wasn’t a hard decision to make.

I tend to write more when I am abroad or when I have just come back. Does that mean I should just travel more? I need to look into that thought, I like the sound of it.

10. Tell us about your current work-in-progress.

As stated above I’m currently working on my first novel. It will be the first in a series of 3. The cover is finished but the editing will take some more time. It is an epic fantasy story.
The world I am writing about has enough material to inspire almost 20 books (I really should write more). I have incorporated little bits and pieces into my book that could become novels themselves in the future.

11. What book are you reading now?

At the moment I have started reading Dragonqueen written by a young fantasy author in Belgium. The next book in the series Dragonelves is also high on my list.

12. What genre do you write in? What about PoV?

Currently I’m writing epic fantasy, but I also have ideas for novels in science fiction and the paranormal. For the latter I will most likely work together with a very good friend of mine who has more experience with it.
Third person seems to suit me best.

13. Tell us about writing preparation. Character Profiles? Outlines?

I think my editor will agree that I need to put more care into the planning.
The novel I am finishing was completely in my mind before I wrote it. I know how my characters are as a ‘person’ but it isn’t as easy to put their personalities into words as it is to put them into thoughts.
The plot is also worked out in my mind. I do find it interesting that sometimes the story demands other actions than I had originally planned. New ideas and views can arise just by writing and following what your heart says. A long walk can make me want a character to follow a completely different path.
Some stories do ask for a lot of research. I have an idea around Norse mythology and another using parts of the ancient astronaut theory that both will require a lot of reading to get some facts straight.

14. Do you know how your stories will end?

I have a pretty good idea how my stories will end. I like to avoid a happily ever after as life is never that simple. Although the end of the story is mostly set firm in my mind, the way to get there can sometimes change. Characters sometimes make different choices than I want them to make, they really sometimes have a will of their own.

15. Do your books have a message or theme? Or are they purely for entertainment?

They are purely for entertainment although you could find some messages as ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’.

16. Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you eat/drink while writing?

No, not that I can think off.

17. Tell us about your other passions.

I love to travel and I enjoy photography. It is good that I can combine both and use it in my writing as well. I also like to read, cook and go for long walks.

18. What’s something interesting about you?

Always a hard question to answer.
I write some small personal things down in my stories, sometimes to help deal with things, sometimes just to share a little bit of myself.

19. Share a small sample(limit to one paragraph, please) of your writing… can be a WIP or already published.

After they had vanished from sight, Erling Zivon entered the woods and headed to a small opening near a creek where beautiful yellow and purple irises grew. It was a short hike, but it took him a while because of his leg. When he got there, he listened to the water purling over the cobblestones, the wind ruffling through the trees, smelling the faint, creamy odor of the flowers and the moist grass. He loved the quiet here, the sounds and the smells, so did his son. It was the most beautiful spot of the woods and it was all theirs. As he started to dig a hole to hide the powerful dark ring, he hadn’t noticed a large bird veering down from great height. When it was almost on top of him it flapped its wings to be able to slow down and turn, to use its sharp claws. The sound startled him and he looked up quickly, falling to one side. It was too late. The talons dug deep into his flesh as the creature cocked its head. His last screams were in vain, lost to the woods.

20. Anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers?

When you are interested in finding out more about me and my stories feel free to add my author page on facebook, I would love to interact with you.
I hope you will like my stories and motivate me to write more for both our enjoyments.

Thanks Kevin!! Good luck with your work in progress.
E&M

Elizabeth Burgess

Author of Southern Fiction

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