Hello readers and writers! My name is Marc R Micciola and I am a self-published author from Brampton, Ontario, Canada. I always enjoyed stories, soaking them in through any format possible. My favourite way to tell my own stories is through writing, and it took me a while to fully embrace that. Writing isn’t exactly the most practical career, especially fiction writing, so I was discouraged from becoming an author most of my life. My mental health hasn’t always been the greatest either, so I had to deal with anxieties and depressive thoughts too. Thankfully, I finally got into a place where I said “Screw it” and decided to really work on writing a book. It was during a time in my life where I was really working on myself, and I truly believe this book got me to where I am today. My two dogs, Rielly and Ace, keep me grounded and happy while my best friend Mackenzie keeps me motivated and positive. Oh! Silly me. I just realized I haven’t even mentioned the name of my debut novel! My very first book is named Ascension, and is the first book in a series named The Age of Shadow Saga.
Ascension is my baby. I’ve had ideas for books before, even managed to write out a bit of them too, but Ascension is my first full fledged novel that I have written and published. The story that I plan to stretch out over three books is very character driven, and it’s one of the reasons why I love it so much. The world Ascension takes place in is wonderful, don’t get me wrong, but the characters are what makes the book shine. All these characters have grown and changed over the near four years of creating this story and the world surrounding it. Hell, I’m still working on the world! I’ve invested so much time and work into the worldbuilding of The Age of Shadow Saga that I could do countless books based on stories taking place hundreds and even thousands of years before Ascension. I tried to give the reader a glimpse of just how dense the history of this world is by describing relationships between nations and name dropping important moments in history. The entire story of Ascension is told in first person, via the point of view of five characters. Those character’s names are Iver, Einar, Otti, Elouera, and Sigurd. I’ve done my best to make each character unique in how they see the world and how they respond to certain events throughout the story. One thing I know I did well was having every character at the end of the novel be somewhere different than where they were when we are first introduced to them; emotionally, physically, and mentally.
I got my love for character chapters from George RR Martin’s series A Song of Ice and Fire. The love and appreciation for writing in a first person point of view came from Mark Lawrence’s series The Broken Empire. I had learned to tell stories in third person, but as the years went on I began to truly fall in love with first person and the intimacy it brought to stories. Being inside a character’s head allowed me to really connect with them, experiencing the story in a more intimate way. This is why I went with first person for Ascension. I did a lot of research when it came to worldbuilding, but I also did some research for my characters. I wanted my characters to react to certain events in a genuine way, and I wanted to know what effect those events would have on their psyche. The search I went on actually helped me learn some things about myself too, so it was very worthwhile work. I really think that great characters make a great story, so I worked really hard to develop even secondary and tertiary characters that seemed as real as possible. When I write, I aim for a grounded experience without losing out of the wonder of a fantasy world. I think I did a really good job at bringing that goal to life with Ascension, and I can’t wait for you to let me know what you think. Enjoy your next read, enjoy the next story you write and always be true to who you are!
USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Amy Vansant has written over 20 books, including the fun, thrilling Shee McQueen series, the rollicking, twisty Pineapple Port Mysteries, and the action-packed Kilty urban fantasies. Throw in a couple romances and a YA fantasy for her nieces… Amy specializes in fun, exciting reads with plenty of laughs and action — she tried to write serious books, but they always ended up full of jokes, so she gave up. Amy lives in Jupiter, Florida with her muse/husband a goony Bordoodle named Archer.
Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
When I was very little I wrote Winnie-the-Pooh — complete with original drawings. I didn’t know much about copyright infringement then. But I’ve been writing since I could. I was East Coast Editor of Surfer Magazine and freelanced… then I quit for a while because it was easier to buy food working at my web development firm at the beginning of the Internet, but I came back! (About three years too late to really enjoy the beginning of Indie publishing. Grr!)
What is something unique/quirky about you?
Like my character Shee McQueen, I see the days of the week in colors and calendars as shapes in my head. Doesn’t do much for me but I was surprised to find out others don’t see it that way!
Where were you born/grew up at?
I grew up in Sea Isle City NJ, a tiny beach town a little north of Cape May. Graduating eight grade class of 12!
Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
All of them. PLEASE?? 😊
What inspired you to write this book?
I wanted to write a new series that was a little more intense than my more “cozy” Pineapple Port mysteries and took place in Jupiter, Florida, where I recently moved.
Where did you come up with the names in the story?
I often have my readers pick names for me by running giveaways on my site at https://AmyVansant.com – or I just Google baby names.
Tell us about your main characters- what makes them tick?
Shee McQueen had her whole life interrupted by a man out to kill her. Now that she’s back on track and free to live again, she feels a little lost — unsure how to proceed with her life. The fact that her young love has come back into her life only complicates things — she can’t just start fresh because she also desperately wants to get back all the things she lost.
Who designed your book covers?
Lance Buckley https://www.lancebuckley.com/ Gorgeous, aren’t they? He did a GREAT job! The photo on the cover of The Girl Who Was Forgotten I took down at the end of my street!
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
I just released it. Please don’t even say that out loud!
Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
I’m always learning little bits and facts as I research my books. Most of it horrific. Never look at my browser history. If Dateline ever got hold of that…
If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
Sandra Bullock. She definitely has that tough, smart and yet likable and silly thing working for her!
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
There is a passionate scene of longing and regret between Shee and her leading man, Mason. I tear up when I read it!
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
My husband is a little piece of all the leading men. Mariska in the Pineapple Port series is my mother-in-law. Seamus in that series is loosely my brother-in-law… there’s no end to the people whose lives I’ve stolen…
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
They tell me what to write. I just type.
Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
The Shee McQueen series is the perfect blend of thrills, action, mystery, humor and romance. I can’t seem to ever write in one genre! Thrillers with a sense of humor are my favorite, so I decided I’d write one.
Is there an writer which brain you would love to pick for advice? Who would that be and why?
I started AuthorsXP.com, a website for readers and authors, and through that I’ve gotten to meet and befriend a lot of great authors. I pick their brains all the time!
What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
None. Often I start a book with no idea where it is going. Mostly, I think of great scenes and then figure out how they all stitch together. The plot comes to me in the process and changes 1000 times.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
Silence. I’m easily distracted.
Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
Usually one, but once or twice I’ve gotten stuck and wrote a few scenes for another in the meantime.
Pen or type writer or computer?
Someone writes with a pen??
Advice they would give new authors?
Keep writing. The only thing wrong you can do is to give up. The more you do it, the better you get, whether you mean to or not!
Describe your writing style.
Fun, fast and creative. I like making up unusual metaphors and similes that make people laugh or snort.
What makes a good story?
Make sure something is always happening. Don’t take whole chapters just to move people from one place to the other without any action or secrets!
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Not listening to feedback. You can’t listen to everything but if the same feedback keeps coming, chances are it is true.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
About two months.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
No, but it occasionally believes in me…
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Celaine Charles’ YA Fantasy, Seam Keepers, debuted May 12, 2021 (The Wild Rose Press). Always busy, Celaine is currently drafting the sequel, Dream Keepers, along with a brand-new YA Contemporary Fantasy, Life Song, and writing poems inspired by nature.
Check out our interview on YouTube:
Check out HER book below!
(Click on the cover images to order your copy)
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.)
SEAM KEEPERS – Ashton Nichols dreads the change graduation will bring, most of all, losing her impulsive best friend, Mason. Her world turns upside down when she follows him into the woods and encounters a demon and a destiny beyond what she ever imagined.
Mason Deed seeks freedom from his grief-stricken father. But after his encounter in the woods, he must think about Ashton’s safety. Hiding the truth from her about her identity leaves them both vulnerable and caught between good and evil.
Together they uncover the unimaginable. Will they find enough courage and strength to claim their own free will, save their families, and protect human souls?
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Madelyn “Maddie” Jones loves Jimmy Choos, fancy restaurants, and the city life she worked so hard to create. With a promotion on the line, she can’t let anything get in her way. Not staying out late. Not partying. Not friends. And definitely not love!
But when a phone call sends her life spinning out of control, she has no choice to put everything on hold and move to Maine.
Dandelion Farm isn’t what she expected. With five dogs, a slew of farm animals, and Kyle, her aunt’s adopted son with special needs, Maddie has her work cut out for her.
Will Lincoln Davies, Kyle’s social worker, drive Maddie away? Or worse-convince her to stay?
Penny Harmon began writing at an early age and developed a great love of words over the years. After her children were grown, she took her writing more seriously and has published in both newspapers and magazines. In January of 2016, her first novella, Complicated Inheritance, was published and in March of 2016, the first book, I Saw Him First, of the Rocky Isle Romance series was published. Five more books in the Rocky Isle Romance series have since been published.
In 2017, Penny branched out with her first women’s fiction novel, Dragonfly Wishes and, soon after, published Love’s Song with Sweet Promise Press. Love’s Song is not available at the moment, but will be re-released with a new title.
Her book Dandelion Dreams just released on June 3, 2021.
Penny lives in Maine with her long-time partner, Dan, three grandchildren, three cats, and one dog. She enjoys spending time with all nine of her grandchildren and enjoys working on DIY projects, especially those of repurposing.
Would you like a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card? Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
I just want to say thank you for having me to discuss my new release Dandelion Dreams.
My new release is all about Maddie. Madelyn Presley Jones is a typical city girl but she does have a past with the country. When Maddie receives a call, it changes the course of her life. Maddie has to decide whether her future is in the city or taking care of Kyle, her aunt’s adopted son with special needs. It’s the most important decision she will ever make and Lincoln Davies, Kyle’s social worker, sets out to help.
I actually started this book four years ago and got sidetracked when we went through foster care and the adoption of our youngest granddaughter. It was a long and emotional process, and the middle of it all, we bought and moved into a bigger house. Crazy, huh? So, now that we are all settled, I am back to writing and realized just how much I missed it.
How did you become an author?
This is a great question. I have been writing for as long as can remember. Even when I was a child, I always had a notebook and I would write poems and short stories. In my twenties, I started sending things out to a publisher, but stopped when I got divorced and was raising my two children. It wasn’t until 2005, when I was writing web copy, that I started to research publishing again. I chose to be self-published, as I like to be in control of everything. With traditional publishing, very few authors have any control over their own work.
Which of your novels should be made into a movie?
My novel Dragonfly Wishes would be perfect. In fact, I have submitted it to TaleFlick, a library of curated material where producers can find great books for their next movies. Dragonfly Wishes is the story of a woman who lost everything, her husband and child, and now has to learn how to live again. TaleFlick named it as a Top Pick and states “Dragonly Wishes has a strong and devastating premise, which draws the reader in immediately. Following Callie’s journey is hard but satisfying, and the life lesson she leaves us with makes the story completely worth our time. Although it is about the profoundly deep emotional journey, the external plot is filled with entertaining beats keeping it interesting and satisfying. I am really looking forward to what this could mean for this novel! But I can honestly say that I think Dandelion Dreams would make a great movie, too!
What’s next for your readers?
I am currently working on another series set in Maine. The Moose Valley series setting is Northern Maine where the moose are big, and the community is tight-knit. This series is a little different for me, as it involves more than a love story. The first murder in Moose Valley takes place in the first book of the series. While I do not have a title yet, I am hoping for a July release.
The second book in the Cove’s Port Series, Daisies and Sunshine, should be released in August.
Bestselling author Candace Havens has published more than 25 books. Her novels have received nominations for the RITA’s, Holt Medallion, Write Touch Reader Awards and National Reader’s Choice Awards.
Check out our interview on YouTube:
Check out HER LATEST book below!
(Click on the cover images to order your copy)
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.)
It’s Christmas in Sweet River, Texas, and the whole town is feeling festive apart from Ainsley McGregor. Ainsley has never enjoyed the holidays and would rather ignore them, but with her shop Bless Your Art busier than ever and filled with happy shoppers, even she’s feeling some Christmas spirit. That is, until her Great Dane, George Clooney, sniffs out a dead body in the Santa House at the Christmas Festival.
When one of her favorite crafters becomes the prime suspect, Ainsley is determined to prove his innocence. The case is full of so many twists and turns that even Ainsley begins to fear the truth. Is she protecting a killer?
With help from her friends and some extremely nosey townsfolk, Ainsley and her dog hurry to find the truth––as long as they can outwit and outrun the killer first. Otherwise, this Christmas might just be her last.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision?
I can’t say for certain if I wanted to become an author, or it just happened. But I ended up writing and publishing stories. I love books and I love reading them. I also love music and movies and I wouldn’t mind if I was a small wheel in these industries too. Creating is a beautiful thing. Having the gift and ability to make something new and share it with others who appreciate it is rewarding. I like to give a part of me to others that way and share with them the things I love. Whether it was the right decision, time will tell. It will be as long as I enjoy it and it makes me happy. If I can live from my writing, that is another thing. For now, I can’t. What will happen in the future? I don’t know.
A day in the life of the author?
While I was writing or translating years ago, it was me locking myself in my private world and telling everyone to leave me alone. I had breaks for eating, drinking and other stuff you have to do lol. At the end of the day, I was so exhausted that my bed was my best friend.
A day in the author’s life today is not as much about the writing, which seems to be the easiest part. It is also about producing your book (formatting it by yourself and collaborating with your editor and designer) and marketing it. Marketing is the most challenging part for me because I am still learning it and experimenting with what works and what doesn’t work. Not all authors are born for marketing nor they are equally successful. There are lots of online courses and webinars to attend, social networking, blogging, collaborating with other authors and supporting them in marketing their books, which is what I like best. I prefer helping other authors in promoting their books rather than doing that for myself. It may sound weird, but this is me.
When I am not present on social media (which is a rare thing) or browse for new reviewers or do my Amazon ads or write posts and update my website, I go to the store or to the movies or visit my friends to clear my head and rest my eyes from staring at the screen all the time. Later in the evening is my reading time. I enjoy the company of other authors while reading their books and it is a perfect way to relax before bedtime. I don’t watch much TV lately.
Advice they would give new authors?
Writing a book is easy. Publishing it is harder. Marketing is the hardest thing. Keep that in mind before you sit to write a book. It’s a long road with thousands of authors out there dreaming the same dream. But go for it if you feel that writing is your call and not something that will last a week or two. Arm yourself with persistence and patience, don’t be afraid of failure, and be ready to help others. Then you may stand a chance to make your dream come true and find happiness in doing what you love.
Describe your writing style.
What can I say about my writing style? A mix of descriptive and narrative? Lots of emotions, passion, realistic characters, vivid dialogues, a cinematic experience while reading a book. A story is important, and I like to make myself and my readers feel, laugh and cry. Poetic prose, sometimes deep thoughts. I am a cross-genre and multi-genre author so expect anything. Be ready for an emotional experience of watching a tearjerker in a movie theater.
What makes a good story?
A capturing plot, believable characters, natural and entertaining dialogues, emotions, passion and honesty in writing make a good story. Readers will recognize which story is written with heart and which is written for money.
What are they currently reading?
Currently, I am reading Hades Forrest by a new talented young author Simon Elson and The Great Centurion: Punic Wars 3 by Angelus Maximus aka Angel Ramon Medina. After that I will read Weathering Old Souls by James J. Cudney & Didi Oviatt.
What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?
My writing process depends on the length of the book I am writing. For two of my novellas, I had nothing. Everything was in my head and the words just poured out of me. For my two novels, January River and especially Cruel Summer, I had notes for the whole story which I broke down into chapters as I was writing it. I was rearranging and moving sections from here to there with new ideas popping up. Fun time, right? 😉
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Maybe the most common trap for aspiring writers is to expect to become successful and famous authors the moment they publish their book. Be aware! Life doesn’t work that way.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I am cursed by originality. I can write any kind of book under the sun but the readers will recognize if it is not honest writing. I write about the things I feel about, stories that carry a message or are an eye-opener. Stories that beg me to write them and share them with others. I didn’t explore the pulse of the market when I wrote my stories many years ago. They came as a natural extension of my intellectual and emotional being. I can only hope that readers will want to pick and read them, and I will be grateful to those who recognize and embrace them.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Be smarter, learn the tricks of the business so you won’t have a hard time selling yourself later lol.
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
I guess it is experiencing them, their mindset, emotions, expectations. But when you get to empathize with your characters from the opposite sex and feel and think like them, it shouldn’t be too hard. Besides, we are not just this or that, we all have some of both sexes in us.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
From three days (A World Without Color) to six months (Cruel Summer). If I remember well.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
What is that? I’m kidding! I know life can get in the way and it’s not always easy to deal with your situation and write a story. But I wouldn’t call it a writing block. I never had it. When I felt like writing a story, I wrote it. When I didn’t feel like writing, I didn’t write. I know it is a popular belief that we shall write every day, but it is not me. Writing every day will improve your writing skills, no argument about that. But I am not a man of discipline when it comes to writing, I am inclined to listen to how my mind and body react to a story. Then I write. Writing should be fun and creative. When it becomes a burden, maybe it’s time to take a break and enjoy other things in life. Like reading other authors and helping them achieve their goals and dreams, perhaps.
AUTHOR BIO
“There is no greater joy than to share what you love with those who appreciate it.”–Bernard Jan
My pen name is Bernard Jan. I am an award-winning novelist and a poet from Croatia, and I have released four books in English. I am Readers’ Favorite Gold Medalist 2020 and Readers’ Favorite Bronze Medalist 2019.
“A World Without Color” is a true story of the last three days I spent with my cat, while “Look for Me Under the Rainbow” in a unique and gentle way sheds light on the plight of harp seal pups in Canada. It warms the heart of all readers concerned about our planet and its treasures. “January River” is a heartwarming cross-genre novel about five friends, one dog, and one river carrying a secret. “Cruel Summer” is a gripping young adult cross-genre novel about an abused teenager from New Manhattan who only wants to skate, but they have other plans for him.
My first two books were written at the beginning of the war in Croatia in 1991 amidst air alerts and illusory attempts when I wanted to believe and think that life is normal, that everything is all right with the world. I have published five novels, two novellas, and one book of poems in Croatian. Four of my books, including the book of poems, were translated into English.
My passion for music and entertainment resulted in my becoming a partner of Tom’s Music Place, which was established in 2009 by my friend Thomas Carley Jr., whose objective was to raise the respect of music.
My desire to help others came to the fore during my years advocating environmental protection and advocacy of animal rights. I did volunteering work for the refugees, because suffering does not know any borders. When it comes within your reach in your home, you simply have to do something. As part of my animal advocacy activities, it has been a great honor and pleasure to translate “Eternal Treblinka: Our Treatment of Animals and the Holocaust” by Charles Patterson into Croatian.
Would you like a chance to win?
Cruel Summer paperback – 1 winner,
Cruel Summer eBooks – 2 winners,
January River eBooks – 2 winners,
Look for Me Under the Rainbow eBooks – 2 winners,
A World Without Color eBooks – 2 winners,
$10 Amazon gift card – 1 winner
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
Let’s start by finding out a little bit about you…
What is your name and do you write under a pen name?
My name is Luv Lubker. (I go by Luvy on Facebook)
Where do you call home?
I live in Central Texas.
Obviously, we know you are an author, but some writers have other jobs as well. Do you have another occupation? Do you believe you’re any good at it? Do you like what you do?
I am a Raw Food chef (for my own family) and am teaching myself German so I can translate books.
Do you have any hobbies, other than writing? What do you enjoy doing?
I always loved animals. As a child, I researched all sorts of animals and had many pets. I also love reading, Raw Food preparation, bicycling (I learned to unicycle when I was 7 but only learned to bike when I was about to turn 25).
Not to pry too much, but do you remember your first love?
I haven’t had one.
What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?
My parents and friends always said “You should write a book” since I started my historical research, but I always said I didn’t know how to describe things. Reading Clare McHugh’s book A Most English Princess inspired me to start writing my own interpretation of Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter Vicky’s story.
What was your dream growing up? Did you achieve that dream? If so, in what ways was it not what you expected? If you never achieved the dream, why not?
I always imagined I would like to do something about animals as a child. I had many pets as I said, but when I was 12 my chickens got massacred by dogs. I stopped getting the huge bags of animal books from the library that I had always gotten. I just couldn’t read them anymore.
Who is your role model?
I have many.
What is your greatest fear?
Being alone I think.
Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books?
I like them all for different reasons. I like ebooks for when I want to be able to get something immediately, but I like getting the physical books of books I want lots of book marks in, and also I like them because I can resell them. Audio is great too, I love the really good readers, and music when audio has that. It is fun to listen while doing other things. I also get more out of some books listening than reading, and also often hear more at a time than I read so I get more in context.
Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?
Lots! I read or listen to my favorites over and over again. I researched Charlotte Bronte for a few years and read or listened to Jane Eyre and Villette a dozen time each (literally) within 3 years. They were so good I could read them that many times that close together and always find new meaning.
What is your opinion of novellas?
I don’t really have one.
Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?
Not that I can think of.
What is your favorite film based on a book?
I don’t usually like movies based on books much. The books are usually so much better! I like the Thornfield part of Jane Eyre with Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson.
What is your favorite book genre at the moment?
Biography and memoirs and letters.
What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why?
Becoming Queen Mary by Kori Roff Lawrence, because I am interviewing other Victorian era authors and researchers and reading their books if I haven’t already.
What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?
I am reading Dearest Mama, the second volume of Queen Victoria’s letters with her eldest daughter, Vicky, for research for my next book. Also, Tagebucher 1848-66, a German book of the diary of Friedrich III (Vicky’s husband) – “Fritz”, the father of Kaiser Wilhelm II. These are book hardback books I’ve bought.
I am listening to Rilla of Ingleside, the last book of the Anne of Green Gables series, and The Mysterious Benedict Society.
If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?
Queen Victoria, Friedrich “Fritz” III, Charlotte Bronte, Brian Jacques. They are people and authors I greatly admire.
Let’s shift somewhat and talk about your latest story.
What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say?
Under His Spell. A lonely young man visits the first World’s Fair – the Great Exhibition of 1851 – and meets a family who changes his life forever.
Is the above book part of a series?
I am planning a series – The Rival Courts.
How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)?
I was making a design for Facebook posts and banners and liked the color scheme. I designed my own cover.
Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)?
Only You from the movie The Young Victoria makes me think of things Fritz wrote to Vicky.
How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?
My Mom and I were talking about my book and she thought of it. I had just written a part the night before where a character says “I was under his spell”, and I thought it was perfect. When I was almost done writing, I was finishing translating the part of Fritz’s diary from the last year my first book covers. I didn’t do it all in order, I had already done the end of the year, I was just in the middle, but the last page I translated mentioned a poem Vicky quoted on the anniversary of their engagement which translates as “I love you as one under a spell” – it just seemed like confirmation that it was the perfect title.
Do you have a book trailer? If so, where can we watch it?
I read the prologue here. I might come across a little nervous.
In your latest novel, who is the lead character and can you tell us a little about him/her?
Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, Vicky, and her husband, Fritz, later Friedrich III, German Emperor and King of Prussia. They are the parents of Kaiser Wilhelm II.
What is your character’s greatest strengths?
Fritz’s strengths I would say were his kindness and humanity in the midst of a very difficult, dysfunctional family and negative environment. Vicky (and Fritz too) were able to stand an incredible amount of difficulties (and difficulties is underestimating) and she still kept her comical point of view (she makes lots of puns in her letters and makes light of her difficulties a lot of the time) and her sweet expression.
And what are his/her greatest weaknesses?
Fritz was easily depressed – but that wasn’t surprising with all he went through. Vicky often didn’t tell him or her mother about bad things that happened which they might of protected her from because she didn’t want them to worry about her. Vicky could also be a bit too honest in her opinions – either hurting people’s feelings or getting herself or her family into trouble.
What’s a positive quality that your character is unaware that he or she has?
Fritz was extremely modest – was often bullied as a child and as an adult – and didn’t think much of his talents. Vicky was very pretty I think, but she was often critical of her appearance. She was a wonderful writer, her letters are fascinating, but she said she didn’t like her own writing style.
Will readers like or dislike this character, and why?
I think they are very likable, and I have written much about their good qualities.
What first gave you the idea for your latest book?
I have read about Queen Victoria’s family for over 7 years, and always go back to Vicky and the Queen’s letters when I get to the end of another line of research. Now that I am reading Fritz’s diaries, I am learning more new information which I don’t often see in English books. I have my own perspectives on the Prussian Royals which I wanted to share. I also wanted to tell the story more from Fritz’s point of view, which I haven’t seen done before.
Let’s talk now about your writing process.
What is your writing style like? Are you a pantster or a plotter?
I am writing a story that is already there, just making my own version of it. I write out my table of contents and let the story “download” itself as I write.
Have you come across any specific challenges in writing or publishing? What would you do differently the next time?
Promoting without a publisher.
Are you a self-published/Indie author or did you publish through a traditional publishing company?
Self-Published Indie.
If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route?
I wanted to get it out there.
How do you get out of writing block?
A few times when I got stuck or felt critical of my work when I reread it, I started reading it but imagining it in the voice of one of my favorite audiobook readers. That helped me get “out of myself”, and I kept going.
Where can your readers follow you? Please list links to any applicable websites and/or social media accounts.
https://therivalcourts.com – my book (and some author interviews) is available here, and is on sale during May 2021.
An Interview with Nancy Thorne, author of The Somewhere I See You Again!
DO YOU EVER WISH YOU WERE SOMEONE ELSE?
When I was younger I never wished to be someone else, but always wanted to be a better version of how I saw myself, whether it was my appearance or how much I knew. Now that I’m older, I sometimes think it would be a great thing to go back in time to my younger self to tell her she’s fine just the way she is.
WHAT PART OF THE WRITING PROCESS DO YOU DREAD?
I consider myself to be a slow, calculating type of writer. The beginning is the most difficult for me. As I continue, the characters evolve into their unique selves and the writing becomes easier.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING?
The short answer is since grade school. The longer answer is I’ve seriously been writing for eight years. I spent decades trying to convince myself that just because I thought in my heart that I was a writer, it didn’t necessarily mean I was one. Through many years I listened to people say that they wanted to write a book, but none of them did. So, I kept dismissing my own yearnings. But they were like itches I could never scratch away.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A NEW WRITER STARTING OUT?
To not give up. To know going in that it takes time to hone your writing skills. Learn from other writers who have the experience you still need, whether by joining a writers’ group, attending lectures, or researching the Internet. If you can, get some feedback from others who aren’t in your family. There are editors who may be starting out who can give you feedback and critique your work. Be patient, keep writing and know you will feel less than others, especially at the beginning of your writing journey. Don’t compare yourself to anyone but who you were last week, or the week before, as you learn. All writers have to go through these times.
HAVE YOU EVER HAD AN IMAGINARY FRIEND?
When I was in grade school I felt comforted by small porcelain figures that I’d take to school hidden in a pocket. Throughout the day, I’d comfort the tiny figurine, which was actually comforting myself. I’d tell the cat or rabbit or dog that it was only a few minutes until recess or lunchtime. I made sure they knew they were cared for.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PHOBIAS?
I don’t like taxidermy heads of animals, so I try and pretend they don’t exist if I happen to be in a restaurant that has stuffed moose heads, etc. on the walls.
DO YOU EVER READ YOUR STORIES OUT LOUD?
I can honestly say that I don’t though I’ve heard that it’s a good idea. I don’t read my stories out loud because it wouldn’t sound like my character – and it doesn’t seem right for me to give a character my voice when they already have their own.
TELL US ABOUT YOU MAIN CHARACTER AND WHO INSPIRED HIM/HER
When I was a teenager many things and many friends inspired me. A vital part of me seemed to remain in the past. So, my main characters’ personalities bubble to the surface easily, as most of my characters do. They inspire me because I’ve never truly discarded them in my mind.
ANY WEIRD THINGS YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE ALONE?
I talk to my dog in weird ways. Sometimes my voice is high-pitched; sometimes I growl at him and call him silly nicknames like he’s a baby. Like I said, it’s weird.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE AND WHY?
My favorite quote is: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul”, from the poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley. William was only in his twenties in 1875 when he wrote the poem. He was in the hospital with severe health problems, yet he showed tremendous courage in his poems.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?
I have to say Ernest Hemingway, only because the first adult book I ever read was “The Old Man and the Sea.” I was quite young and the book affected me in an emotional way. I also have to say that in the past few years I’ve fallen in love with Anton Chekhov, the famous 19th century author. My husband doesn’t seem too concerned.
WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF GOOD WRITING?
There are technical aspects and there are emotional elements. The most important element for me is the reactions of my characters. I try to make sure they act in an honest manner, true to their personalities and emotions.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR?
Chocolate. Or maybe butterscotch swirl. Or maybe orange sherbet.
WHICH MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE DO YOU LIKE BEST?
Easy. Pegasus. I’ve been a horse lover forever. Going horseback riding as a pre-teen and teenager was my favorite activity. I thought for sure I’d own my own horse one day. Didn’t happen.
HOW DO YOU DEVELOP YOUR PLOT AND CHARACTERS?
The characters and their situations come to me quickly. The story usually involves some aspect of my own life experiences. The plot comes after I mull around different scenarios.
DESCRIBE YOUR WRITING SPACE
I have a writing room on the second floor of my home. It’s a small room, but perfect to write in. The uncanny thing is that my family and I moved into this house twenty years ago, when I was still stuffing down my feelings of being a writer. But this particular room was already decorated with wallpaper consisting of rows upon rows of realistic looking books along one wall. It was like the universe was trying to tell me to finally “get in here and get writing!”
WHAT ARE THINGS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
My two sons, my husband, my dogs, food and water.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TELEVISION SHOW?
I prefer to read, but I’d have to say my favorite shows are streamed. I don’t like waiting for commercials to finish.
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR BEST IDEAS?
Sometimes ideas come to me when I’m in bed trying to get to sleep. Others I’ve held in my brain for a long time, especially things that bothered me when I was growing up.
IF WE WERE TO COME TO YOUR HOUSE FOR A MEAL, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I should say pasta because I’m half Italian, but it would probably be something my husband barbecued, with different salads made by me. We would sit in my backyard and talk. I love to hear about others’ lives. Everyone has a story.
WHAT WOULD WE FIND UNDER YOUR BED?
Dust and dog fur, probably. I’m afraid to look.
WHAT WAS THE SCARIEST MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE?
When I was fourteen, I was almost snatched off the street by a couple of guys. They stopped at the curb, jumped out of their car, and tried to grab me. My girlfriend was too frightened to do anything, so I plunged my body to the sidewalk, kicking and screaming. I guess they decided I was too difficult to deal with because they got back in their car and took off.
WHAT GROUP DID YOU HANG OUT WITH IN HIGH SCHOOL?
Mostly I hung out with my “gang” of six guys and six girls. We reconnected recently after decades apart.
WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT THESE DAYS?
I’m passionate about my family. I’m passionate about what’s going on in the world. I’m passionate about my writing. I’m passionate about each person who picks up my book and reads it.
IF YOU HAD TO DO YOUR JOURNEY TO GETTING PUBLISHED AGAIN, WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?
I would try to not feel so heartbroken at each rejection.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE PARANORMAL ABILITY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
To travel back in time. I’d love to see my dad again, and again, and again.
WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR READERS WOULD BE MOST SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU?
My age. I started writing after my boys were grown, so I’m older than many young adult authors. But the good thing is, a vital part of me never moved on from my teenage years. I’ve always been aware of this.
WHEN WRITING DESCRIPTIONS OF YOUR HEROINE, WHAT FEATURE DO YOU START WITH?
I start with his or her attitude. How badass or passive are they? How confident or vulnerable? How persuasive or gullible? How serious or funny? How damaged?
ARE YOU A PLOTTER OR A PANSTER?
Hmmm. Both at times. I start with the characters and some sort of plot then let the characters evolve. Sometimes they decide to change an aspect of the plot or take the story in a different direction although my general vision remains.
IF YOU COULD APOLIGIZE TO SOMEONE IN YOUR PAST, WHO WOULD IT BE?
One of my best friends when I was a teenager. I hitchhiked with her across Canada. Eventually, I totally chose my boyfriend’s wishes and hopes over hers. It was an awful thing to do.
IF YOU COULD KEEP A PARANORMAL CREATURE AS A PET, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A creature small enough to fit into my pocket. I’d take it everywhere with me, as long as it didn’t bite.
HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR WRITING DIFFERENT FROM ALL THE OTHERS THAT WRITE IN THIS PARTICULAR GENRE?
I think because I’m older than a lot of YA authors, my writing naturally comes out in a unique way. I’ve had different experiences in different time spans.
ARE THE EXPERIENCES IN THIS BOOK BASED ON SOMEONE YOU KNOW, OR EVENTS IN YOUR OWN LIFE?
I’m not the kind of author who can make up entire worlds and inhabitants like a fantasy writer. In everything I write, my experiences in my own life are interwoven somewhere in the story.
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Elexis Bell writes gritty and emotional novels. Born and raised in the midwestern United States, she dreams of a cabin in the woods rather than a house surrounded by cornfields.
She loves writing well-developed characters facing real problems in vibrant, magical worlds. Armed with a degree in psychology and a rollercoaster past, she sprinkles gut-wrenching emotions over high fantasy romance, science fiction, and the occasional thriller.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Allmother Rising? There are four main characters, so in order of appearance: Veliana is the Priestess Rising of Kin territory, but Rising to lead her people makes her nervous. And with the new king of Jun threatening to invade, the stakes have never been higher. Shy and struggling to recover from the betrayal of her former love, she carries a lot of burdens into battle.
Tyrvahn is the deposed prince of Jun. Once conceited and wasteful, a near-death experience brought him to the Allmother’s door. She showed him a better way to live. He just has to escape the assassins his uncle sent after him, deal with the recent deaths of his parents, and get his throne back to lead them according to the Allmother’s ways. Garle hates the new king and his nephew. After they led the invasion of her homeland more than a decade ago, killing her parents and running everyone out of their homes, she vowed revenge. Having lived undercover in Jun ever since, working her way into an… acquaintanceship with the royal family in the name of gathering information, her opportunity to kill them and the evil god that twists the hearts of Jun residents has finally arrived. Kivala thinks she’s moved on. Her brothers died in the invasion of her homeland, but it’s been years. She’s safe and sound in Kin with her parents, best friends with the Priestess Rising, and always has a brightside or a joke. But when war comes to her doorstep again, the thought of losing another home and more family pushes her to the front lines.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book? It’s hard to pick, honestly. I’m not sure how to choose between the characters, the world, or the animal companions.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Who designed your book covers? I actually do my own covers. I really enjoy graphic design, and once I get started, it absorbs hours of my life. Of course, I always get feedback from other authors, artists, and readers before finalizing a design.
Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book? I did end up going down a rabbit hole researching how bears show affection. The book has animal companions, and I have no experience with bears… so my google search history took a surprisingly wholesome turn compared to some of the other things I’ve researched for books.
How did you come up with name of this book? The Allmother is the primary god in the world within the book, and she desperately wants to reach the rest of her people. Aia (her son and thus a lesser god) holds them beyond her reach in a kingdom without the trees that connect the mortal realm to her realm. In Kin, the person in line to lead the territory is called the Priest or Priestess Rising. So, since the Allmother is reaching out to lead the rest of her people home, I combined the two terms and got Allmother Rising.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination? Nope. I don’t base any of my characters off people I know. They pop into my head, and they quickly become their own people, making decisions and thinking things all on their own.
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write? Most of them come to me as I write. I always have at least two of the main characters before I start writing, but the rest fill in as I go.
What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book? None. I start writing and figure everything out as I go. If that means stopping to research how bears show affection for half an hour, then so be it. (I actually did that while writing this book.)
Do you see writing as a career? First and foremost, it’s something I love. Whether it eventually pays the bills or not, the joy of writing is enough to continue. But in the future, I’d like to make enough money from my books to be able to quit my day job and write even more books.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre? Of course. I’ve actually turned one of the spare bedrooms at my house into my own personal library. I read fantasy and sci-fi, always with romance. The darker, the better, and I prefer character driven books.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why? I can write regardless of what’s going on around me, but I prefer music. I make playlists for every book, adding to them every time I hear a song that reminds me of one of the characters, a scene, or just the book as a whole. That’s my preferred soundtrack while writing, but I’ll write regardless.
Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time? I usually have multiple projects going at a time, but only one in the writing stage. At the moment, I’m writing a sci-fi series, editing a dark romantic fantasy and a thriller romance, and releasing Allmother Rising. I just can’t write two books side by side. I get too excited about the characters and worlds, too consumed. And inevitably, one sucks me in, leaving the other project on the backburner until the first is done.
Pen or type writer or computer? Honestly, whatever I have on hand. I’ll type on my phone or my laptop. I’ll write in a notebook or on loose scraps of paper. Sometimes, I come home from work with my entire forearm covered in scenes and conversations that I thought up throughout the day. I work in a factory, and my machine tracks my progress to the tenth of a second, so I don’t have time to dig out paper and write out every detail in my head. Instead, I just jot down the barest bones of what I come up with on my arm, just enough to make sure I remember everything when I get home to type it up.
Any advice for new authors? I have a few pieces of advice that I will always, always, always tell any new writer that asks for advice.
1. As long as the first draft is written, it’s a perfect first draft. Don’t stress over what others will think or whether it’s good enough or whether it’s original or too long or too short. A first draft is perfect as long as it’s written.
2. Writer for yourself. Edit for your readers.
3. NEVER PUBLISH WITH A VANITY PRESS. They’re legal scams. Please, save yourself millions of headaches, infinite heartache, bullying, and thousands of dollars. If a publisher approaches you, unless you’re famous, it’s probably a vanity press. If they call themselves a subsidy press, they’re a vanity press. If a publisher expects you to pay them, it’s a vanity press. (Ingramspark is the exception in that they charge $25-$49 to list your book in their massive wholesale database.)
Please, research every publisher you consider. Ask other authors and check out Writer Beware to see if they list a publisher that seems even the slightest bit suspicious. I was taken in by a vanity press when I first published nearly a decade ago, and it very nearly destroyed my faith in publishing altogether. Spare yourself that trouble.
Describe your writing style. Gritty, lyrical, character-driven, and punchy. My characters drive the plot, and I don’t waste time with unnecessary details. I use a lot of sentence fragments, a lot of dependent clauses and paragraph breaks, all in the name of flow. And I never shy away from the tough subjects my plots demand.
What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first? What are common traps for aspiring writers? I’m what’s known in writing communities as a pantser/discovery writer. Some people prefer discovery writer because it sounds more serious. I prefer pantser because it sounds more fun and writing is supposed to be fun. But regardless of what you call it, I write by the seat of my pants. No outlines. No story bible. No character profiles. I get an idea, and I start writing. Beyond that, I do a lot of things that are commonly preached against in writing circles. Many people say not to edit as you go because it might trap you in a cycle of rewriting/fixing rather than writing the rest of the book. But I edit as I go, and it works for me.
A lot of people say to write every day, but I work 12 hour shifts at least two days a week. I don’t usually get to write on those days.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want? I just let the story be what it needs to be. There’s an audience out there for any book. It’s just a matter of finding them. Yes, writing this way rather than writing to market means that marketing will inevitably be more difficult, but the integrity of the characters and the story means more to me than saving myself a little difficulty in advertising.
How long on average does it take you to write a book? I write somewhat quickly. Despite working full time and maintaining a semblance of a social life, I can usually finish a first draft in about four months. Some books take a little longer, depending on how much overtime I end up with during that time.
Allmother Rising took one day less than four months. The writing started out slow thanks to work, but then Covid happened, and the factory I work at got shut down for two months. So, I still got it done in four months.
However, my current project, The Regonia Chronicles, is an exception. It’s a series that I didn’t know would be a series until I was about 90,000 words in with no end in sight. (Most sci-fi/fantasy novels are between 70,000 and 120,000 words, for reference.) And then, when I started writing what I thought would be book two, I had to go back and add several chapters to book one, which changed the point at which book one ended. Then, book three meant more additions to book one.
So, for this project, I honestly have no idea how long each book is taking because they’re all under construction up until the completion of the whole series. Not to mention the fact that I’ve stopped to write unrelated books a few times, and since I’m making up a complete language for one of the races in the book, I occasionally have to stop writing to fill out their dictionary. But usually, I can stick to an average of four months per first draft.
What can we expect from you in the future? I always have a lot of projects going on at one time, so in addition to releasing Allmother Rising, I’m also editing and writing. All my books are intensely character focused, so their internal struggles are always in the forefront.
My current projects in editing: Second to None, a dark thriller romance with murder, an abusive relationship, star-crossed lovers (not the abusive relationship), and ghost stories. A Blessed Darkness, a dark romantic fantasy featuring a fated couple, blood magic, power that makes even the gods wary, and the dangers of losing yourself in love.
My current writing project: The Regonia Chronicles, a dark romantic sci-fi series full of unethical experiments, genocide, aliens, alcoholism, and a very close look at the ways that families break apart (and break the people within them). Books 1-3 and one of the prequels are written. I’m currently writing book four and the other prequel.
After all that, I have an idea for a second standalone novel in the universe of my last release, a dark paranormal fantasy romance called A Heart of Salt and Silver, as well as several ideas in new worlds.
Character names are very important to me. They have to feel just right for a particular character—they either work, or they don’t. Sometimes character names come easy—while I’m outlining the story. Other times, I struggle to find the name that fits just right. And I try to make sure none of the character names are too similar in the same book. I want it easy for the reader to remember who is who!
I’ve always believed that character names should be as well thought out as book titles. They should reflect something of the character’s personality. Many of the most famous literary characters have memorable names. Who could imagine a character by any other name than Harry Potter, James Bond, Hercule Poirot, or Jay Gatsby? It’s obvious the authors put a lot of thought into naming their main character.
There are numerous resources authors can use to help create character names. There are even name generator websites that some authors use, although I haven’t. Resources I have used include lists of popular baby names for the years my characters were born. I have also googled lists of cultural surnames and searched through burial lists from local cemeteries.
A particular fun resource I have used to create character names in each of my novels is the book Agatha Christie A to Z, which lists the names of every character (major and minor) that Agatha Christie used in her novels and short stories. Agatha Christie is a literary hero of mine, and each of my books includes variations of names taken from this book.
I hope that, now, with some insight into the work that authors often put into naming characters, you will think about them while you’re reading. Does the name provide insight into the character’s personality? Does it work for you? Or does it sound like the author merely plucked it from a telephone book? But I hope you will never again take for granted what’s in a name.
Shannon Work grew up in Del Rio, a border town in the dusty wilds of West Texas. When she graduated from high school, she moved east to College Station and graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a master’s degree in Land Economics and Real Estate.
Most of her working life has been spent developing real estate, earning a national Best in America Living Award for one of her developments. After two failed starts at writing a novel while raising three kids and working, she retired to pursue her dream of writing mystery novels full time.
Shannon and her husband are recent empty nesters and split their time between Houston, Texas and Telluride, Colorado. Always with their laptops and dogs in tow.
Nina Soden 