Rob Astor is with us today, February 1 on Come In, Sit Down, Tell Us about....

This blog is a meeting place for authors and others in the arts .... each week as others are directed to our door or just stumble on by, they come and leave us information about themselves so they can tell about their new books or drawings or photos or to tell us about their new blogs. ****PLEASE be sure your comments are appearing on the latest most timely blog insuring your inclusion in the sending off to Google plus land at the end of the week.*****

Here is the link to Gwen’s site: http://www.indieauthornetwork.weebly.com/index.html G.D. Steel's blog is free promoting of your arts. As I am wont to say {as does Facebook} our site is free to comment and share and always will be free.  

For the rest of the month of January and possibly into February of 2012,we will be interviewing new and seasoned authors, first at Gwen's and then over here.  

Today, February 1,  we have Rob Astor with us.  Rob was one of the first authors I read on BookRix and is one I still enjoy reading.  Let us explore Rob’s world ~

Thanks for inviting me.

Glad to have you,  Rob ~

What inspired you to write?

I think it would have to be watching every movie ever made in the 1970s up on big drive-in theater screens. Alan Dean Foster was the first author I was really drawn to. The combination of cinematics and Alan’s style molded me in the early stages.

Do you have anyone you show manuscripts to and get advice from or are you a loner doing it all yourself?

I used to read everything to my eldest sister to get her “stamp of approval”. Now, if it’s something for class work through the Long Ridge Writers Group, my instructor Mary Rosenblum gets first crack. Outside of class, one of my best and most loyal friends, and sometimes musical collaborator, Harry Grillo, will read things for me.

What genre do you normally write in? Also, is there a genre you've always wanted to write in, but don't feel you could pull it off?

I call it Science Fiction. People have told me that my stories often read more like fiction with all the science stuff just used as a backdrop. I’ve also written fantasy/mythology, poetry, song lyrics, and experimental erotica.

Do you ever base your characters on people you know?

All the time. All the time! You can’t get away from it. Someone does something and you know it would make a great story or scene. Truth is not only stranger than fiction, it’s also a pure form of inspiration and story telling.

What advice would you give to someone who was just starting off in writing?

Write whatever story is inside of your soul. Do not let anyone ever tell you that you can’t do it, that you are not good enough, or that no one will want to read your stuff. If you can imagine it, there is an audience for it. You really have to believe. And, just keep right on writing when it looks like everyone else was right. They’re not. Tell your story. Always.


Do your stories tend to have morals, or special messages, included within them?

Sometimes, I put those in on purpose. Usually, they come through whatever circumstance I’ve put my characters in.

This question was posed by a fellow author and I loved it so much I decided to throw it into the mix ~ Oh no! One of your characters has escaped. Luckily, I have caught them! I will interrogate them with the help of a lie detector. Welcome! Take a seat, make yourself comfortable. You will be returning to your book once this is over. What's your name, where are you from and what is your role in the book?
T
Hey, wait a minute! Who set your tampon on fire? The last gal I ran into was ornerier than a one-legged man in a butt kickin’ contest. Seriously! She dropkicked me right through a couple of trees. Literally! I know, I know. I just had a three Martini lunch and I’m supposed to finish my drink before I start hallucinating, blah, blah, blah… Oh, sorry. Spilled some. My head’s so light, I think I’m getting immune to gravity. So, where were we? Oh right. My name. Glogg. Not Gloggburt. Not Gloggswana. Not Gloggsies. Just plain Glogg. I pilot a scientific research vessel, something you know as a flying saucer. The next time I take the Science Chancellor’s advice and come to this planet, don’t let me. My crew and I -- don’t I sound like a Hip-Hop star now? -- my crew and I flew in from another planet. I’m not sure what you call it here, but if I tried to teach you what we call it, well, let’s just say you would be tongue-tied. No, I mean you really would end up with a knot in your tongue. I came out of Rob Astor’s short story “What If The Mysterious Jane Doe Psycho Made First Contact?” It’s up for sale at BookRix.com. Can somebody please tell me why he decided to turn me into a punching bag? I mean really! I never met the guy before in my life. I fly in to Earth for one night on the advice of my agent to be in his story about insanity and get sent home with a couple of purple eyes. Where’s the justice in that? I never even anal probed him! That’s what you call a douche with a capital bag! No further answers, your honor. I need a double Scotch over here STAT.

Tell us why we would enjoy reading your books?

Hopefully for the sense of escape and adventure. More importantly because they take you away to other places and you forget your own busy life for just a little while.

Here are Rob’s latest links

To date, Rob Astor has released nine instrumental electronic albums easily found on CDBaby, iTunes, Amazon, and digital outlets worldwide. For more information, Look Rob up on iCompositions.com, FaceBook, MySpace, BookRix, YouTube, and other sites spanning the Internet.

Carolann Keiser is here today, January 30th, on Come In, Sit Down, Tell Us About...

This blog is a meeting place for authors and others in the arts .... each week as others are directed to our door or just stumble on by, they come and leave us information about themselves so they can tell about their new books or drawings or photos or to tell us about their new blogs. ****PLEASE be sure your comments are appearing on the latest most timely blog insuring your inclusion in the sending off to Google plus land at the end of the week.*****

Here is the link to Gwen’s site: http://www.indieauthornetwork.weebly.com/index.html G.D. Steel's blog is free promoting of your arts. As I am wont to say {as does Facebook} our site is free to comment and share and always will be free.  

For the rest of the month of January and possibly into February of 2012,we will be interviewing new and seasoned authors, first at Gwen's and then over here.

Carolann Keiser AKA paigecarter, is here with us today, January 30th.  I have had the pleasure of being one of the seven authors featured in her collection of social injustice short stories.  The book is called Sandcastles and can be found on Amazon.  I am so happy to have Carolann with us, today ~

What inspired you to write?

I’ve always written, in one form or another. I used to love writing essays at school, and then later, I would write diaries and poetry and little anecdotes about life and my children. I didn’t take it seriously, it was for me, and only me. And that part, at least, has never changed.

If we’re talking about what inspired me to write properly, then that’s a different story. I’m an artist, have always been an artist, and usually my paintings have a story woven into them. I used to write a little synopsis or a poem and have them tucked in the frame behind the painting. Weird feeling, now: All those paintings hanging in private collections with my rough stories where no one will ever find them unless they’re re-framed.

One day, around three years ago, whilst waiting for paint to dry, I tried to write, properly, the whole story of a group of women in Burlesque costume. Whores, I guessed they were, and they each must have a tale to tell. A few weeks later, I took a deep breath and put my writing on a [now defunct] writing site, turned off my computer, and went to bed. The next morning I woke up to the most scathing words I’d ever read.  I was mortified.

The note at the bottom of the page, from the reviewer, is the reason I’m still writing. He wrote:  I am angry to think that someone with such a great story has never learned to write properly.  That was my inspiration.
Do you have anyone you show manuscripts to and get advice from or are you a loner doing it all yourself?

At first, practically every sentence I wrote I needed checked, and this same reviewer obliged. For the next year he read everything and corrected every other word. I learned very quickly how not to make ‘amateur’ mistakes. Nowadays, I write with confidence. It’s nice to have someone read through, and it’s great when someone picks up a mistake, but I don’t have anyone special reading for me. The first time any of my writing is shown to anyone is usually if I put something on Bookrix.
What genre do you normally write in?   Also,  is there a genre you've always wanted to write in, but don't feel you could pull it off?

I love psychological mystery, and I try to get inside the mind of my characters. That for me, is the biggest thrill of writing. My passion is children. I worked with children and their innocence and honesty always takes my breath away. They are our future, and they can be damaged so easily by others who are not so honest. My stories often involve a child, and the affect an adult or adults can have on them.  I suppose I write my ‘message’ to all who can make a difference to a child’s future life.
I love ghost stories, too, and in fact am in the middle of writing a novel about this. I still don’t know if I can pull of the realism. Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, the writer has to keep the story real. Our readers are an intelligent breed.
Do you ever base your characters on people you know?

I don’t think I do, but of course my characters are based on what I know. They could be made up from several different parts of several different people, but always unique in my mind. I don’t think I’ve ever met these characters before they develop on the pages and in the confines of my imagination.
What advice would you give to someone who was just starting off in writing?

Don’t write for anyone else, just write for yourself. See what happens. Then, and only then, show it to someone who knows what they’re talking about. Listen. Hang on to every word they say, and then go off and take what you want from it. Sooner or later, some will make sense to you, even the parts you dismiss. But always listen first. And then? Don’t write for anyone else, just write for yourself.
Do your stories tend to have morals, or special messages, included within them?

Morals? No. I don’t do morals. Not even in the loosest way. Although, I remember at school my teacher used to ask the question: And what is the moral to the story? I always had a problem with that. I don’t do cryptic.  I don’t deliberately write messages either, but most stories have some kind of message, I guess. It’s a little like a painting. You can interpret it any way you choose. 
This question was posed by a fellow author and I loved it so much I decided to throw it into the mix ~ Oh no! One of your characters has escaped. Luckily, I have caught them! I will interrogate them with the help of a lie detector. Welcome!Take a seat, make yourself comfortable. You will be returning to your book once this is over. What's your name, where are you from and what is your role in the book? 

This is an easy one for me, and I’m delighted by the question. Jules is the unreliable narrator of my latest novel. The Soul Stealers: Paula is her new friend. [No, it’s okay, it’s not you, Paula. This is a character invention.]

Jules: London England. 2005
I find it hard to reveal things straight off. I need to get to know a person before I can start sharing secrets. It’s like Paula, the girl who I met at my daughter’s school. I mean, she has so many problems, mine pale into insignificance compared to hers, and I’d rather talk about those, than about mine. I’ve been a bit low lately. I don’t understand it. It could be because Sienna has just started school, and of course, the house move didn’t help. According to a magazine article I read the other day, both those events are in the top ten stress bracket. Paula is trying to get to the bottom of it, but I’m not giving anything away. She’s the one who needs help, for goodness sakes. She has no husband, and an adorable little boy who I’m sure is being abused by her; mentally, if not physically. I know something she doesn’t know I know. Oh my! She would be horrified if she realised what I was thinking when she rambles on about what a happy little boy her son is. The trouble is, I have no proof, and I’m not sure what to do about my suspicions.
Tell us why we would enjoy reading your books?

I usually write devastating endings, so I’d say, if you like happy endings, then my books are not for you. However, I like to think that the realism I try to maintain for stories of mostly, ordinary lives, keeps readers turning pages. Usually, I am forgiven for any dark turn of events.

Thank you, Paula, that was fun!


Thank you, for coming..

Carolann Kaiser can be found at the following links:

email carann74@yahoo.com
   bookrix  http://bookrix.com/-paigecarter
   website  http://ck-artblog.blogspot.com

Heather Borger is with us today, January 29th on Come In, Sit Down, Tell Us about....

This blog is a meeting place for authors and others in the arts .... each week as others are directed to our door or just stumble on by, they come and leave us information about themselves so they can tell about their new books or drawings or photos or to tell us about their new blogs. ****PLEASE be sure your comments are appearing on the latest most timely blog insuring your inclusion in the sending off to Google plus land at the end of the week.*****

Here is the link to Gwen’s site: http://www.indieauthornetwork.weebly.com/index.html G.D. Steel's blog is free promoting of your arts. As I am wont to say {as does Facebook} our site is free to comment and share and always will be free.  

For the rest of the month of January and possibly into February of 2012,we will be interviewing new and seasoned authors, first at Gwen's and then over here.

We welcome today, January 28th, Heather Borger, a newly published author and a fellow cancer survivor.  Heather has incorporated her experiences into a positive fictionalized story of hope.  Let’s welcome Heather ~

What inspired you to write?

I began journeling when I was about 16. Then around 20, after being diagnosed with melanoma, I needed an even bigger outlet. I started writing fiction to escape reality. That was it for me. While I haven't been writing steadily for the last 15 years, I have kept up with it. Over the past two years, I have been writing daily and have invested as much as 30+ hours a week into my writing. I just can't seem to sit at night without my computer in my lap typing something!


Do you have anyone you show manuscripts to and get advice from or are you a loner doing it all yourself?

I was lucky enough to have an editor in my husband's family who helps with the technical stuff, while having a great colleague that enjoys reading my writing and tells me exactly what she thinks of the plot and story line. I love to talk about my characters, so I'm so happy to share my writing with others who want to talk about it!


What genre do you normally write in? Also, is there a genre you've always wanted to write in, but don't feel you could pull it off?

I have only written fiction so far. One of my books did touch on the autobiographical genre slightly as I based it loosely off of real events in my life. I'd love to try my hand at fantasy, but I'm afraid I would mess it up too badly. In one of my books I described a wedding gown. I had to print a picture and use it to write my description. The thought if writing something that I cannot see because it does not really exist is very intimidating. But maybe someday:)


Do you ever base your characters on people you know?

I've based most of my characters on people I know (even myself). But, a few are pure figments of my imagination...people I'd like to know or be friends with. Or, in one case, someone I'd never want to run into!


What advice would you give to someone who was just starting off in writing?

Write whatever you can just to get something on paper, you never know when 13 years later you will look at it and suddenly see a story develop. I never expected my first writings to ever evolve into a book, but I just self-published it this week! Now, I'm glad that when I felt like writing, I did, and that I never gave up because what I put on paper in the beginning wasn't very good. Over time, I rewrote and edited it, until it was something I'm very proud of.


Do your stories tend to have morals, or special messages, included within them?
I'd like to think that people who read my stories will take something away from them. With the exception of Stolen Dreams, however, I haven't written any stories with a deliberate message.


This question was posed by a fellow author and I loved it so much I decided to throw it into the mix ~ Oh no! One of your characters has escaped. Luckily, I have caught them! I will interrogate them with the help of a lie detector. Welcome!Take a seat, make yourself comfortable. You will be returning to your book once this is over. What's your name, where are you from and what is your role in the book?

Hi! I'm Mattie - Madeline Jane Bergan. I spent the first 18 years of my life in Riverside, Vermont. The summer after I turned 18, my family was turned upside down when we realized my mom was keeping a secret from us. I hate to admit it, but I kept a secret that summer as well. Looking back, I feel terrible. My sister was really hurt by my actions that summer.


Tell us why we would enjoy reading your books?

I like to write (realistic) fiction with realistic, believable characters, plots, and settings. It is nice to get into a book where you can actually imagine meeting one of the characters and becoming their friend. I've had people tell me they cried at the end of One Secret Too Many because they were so attached to the characters that certain events elicited really strong emotions.


Also please give us your latest info and links

***I wrote Stolen Dreams (short story) in 2011...moral of the story...stay true to your dreams and live life to the fullest...

BLURB: How do you go on living when everything you’ve ever dreamed of doing is taken from you?

Twenty year-old Skye, daughter of world-renowned marine biologist, William Pates, lives on a beautiful research island and dreams of someday following in her father’s footsteps. Only months before going on her first research trip with him, Skye is diagnosed with melanoma and advised by her doctor to leave the island she loves and find work indoors - on the mainland. Her spiral into depression leaves her making uncharacteristically carefree choices. Even her best friend can’t persuade her to stop her reckless behavior. Will anyone be able to show Skye that you can’t give up on life? Then again, without dreams to lead you, what’s left?


***I began writing One Secret Too Many in July 1997. I finished it in September 2011, and had it edited, twice over the next year as I continued to work on it, then published it as an e book this month!...

BLURB: In a family whose secrets are slowly being revealed, can keeping one more, really hurt all that much?

Mattie and Beth were twin sisters who shared everything – even their deepest, darkest secrets. They soon discover, however, that not everyone in their family has been so open with them. First they discover their mother has a secret. Soon, Mattie starts keeping secrets. When she disappears, Beth has overheard enough to know her secret, enough to possibly help find Mattie and bring her back to Riverside. But, Mattie always got what Beth wanted. Now, Beth could reveal what she knows and help find Mattie, or she could finally become the twin with all the attention. When the unthinkable happens, Beth is forced to share what she knows. But will it be too little, too late? Have they kept one secret too many?

***After finishing One Secret Too Many and realizing I wanted to keep writing back in 2011, I began another book to follow it...same characters, new story...it is called Deception and is currently in the editing stages.

BLURB: The very moment when secrets are revealed, trust is lost. If you don’t want to lose trust, you must choose to deceive.

Four years ago, Beth and Mattie’s world was turned upside down when their mother revealed a long-kept secret. Mattie’s secrets added to the betrayal Beth endured. Their relationship has healed with time. In fact, they have become closer than ever before. Now, however, the ties that bind these sisters will be tested to the limit once again. Soon their mother will be forced to reveal more about her painful past in a final attempt to keep Beth from making what may be the most dangerous mistake of her life. If Beth listens to her family, it is a choice that will break her heart. But, if she chooses to follow her heart, it will be a treacherous decision and she may lose more than she ever thought possible. Is deception the only choice for Beth? Is he worth the risk? Only she can make the decision between keeping what she perceives to be love while deceiving her family or trying to find happiness without the dangerous love of another that she has become so dependent upon.

***As I finish editing Deception, I am beginning the third book in the Series. I am very excited to walk through the next set of experiences with my characters.


My book One Secret Too Many can be found using the following link...
http://www.bookrix.com/_title-en-heather-m-borger-one-secret-too-many

Thank you for the interview!

Thank You, Heather, and we look forward to your ensuing stories.

Carmen Viera AKA Cav Laster is here, January 28th on Come In, Sit Down, Tell us about....

This blog is a meeting place for authors and others in the arts .... each week as others are directed to our door or just stumble on by, they come and leave us information about themselves so they can tell about their new books or drawings or photos or to tell us about their new blogs. ****PLEASE be sure your comments are appearing on the latest most timely blog insuring your inclusion in the sending off to Google plus land at the end of the week.*****

Here is the link to Gwen’s site: http://www.indieauthornetwork.weebly.com/index.html G.D. Steel's blog is free promoting of your arts. As I am wont to say {as does Facebook} our site is free to comment and share and always will be free.  

For the rest of the month of January and possibly into February of 2012,we will be interviewing new and seasoned authors, first at Gwen's and then over here.

Today, January 28, we have Carmen Viera AKA Cav Laster, another author who takes it to the public and is well received. For any of you who have not read her stories, you’re in for a treat ~ Now, here is Carmen

What inspired you to write?
During my childhood years, I’ve written a few stories for my fifth grade class, or to scare the beegeezers out of my brothers and sisters. I always had an overactive imagination, but I never saw writing as a career I would enjoy embarking on.
In 2007, my mother read a short story I wrote and had posted at writing.com, and she urged me to become a serious writer of fiction. So after pondering and doing research on how to better my writing, I went for the kill. Thanks to the help of other writers, both unpublished and published authors, I got a better grasp of this art and I am still learning.

Do you have anyone you show your manuscripts to and get advice from or are you a loner, doing all yourself?
I believe firmly that with help, whether huge or small, one can achieve better accomplishments in our endeavors. I like to have DRs (dedicated readers) available to not only read, but offer me sincere feedback in what irks them about my story. I rather hear it now, then later. So I swallow my pride and take it all, good or bad. I don’t claim my works to be flawless, but I believe I would have never gotten the results I have now without my DRs.

What genre do you normally write in?  Also is there a genre you would like to write in but don’t  feel you could pull it off?
I’ve always loved writing fantasy mixed with romance, while a handful feel that some of my stories fall lightly under science fiction genre due to the mention of cool technology and gadgets. Being a Michael Crichton fan, I’ve always wanted to write hardcore science fiction, but due to its complexity, I’ve chosen to remain in the sidelines and stick to fantasy.      

Do you ever base your characters on people you know?
Yes…I do find myself building characters with the characteristics of people I know or have met during my daily ventures. Sssh, I don’t want them to know. I can see them now, gathering around me and demanding to know which character resembles them. But I won’t tell. *Chuckling* I believe because my characters are based on real people, this helps me flesh them out and my readers can easily relate to them.  

What advice would you give to someone who was just starting off in writing?
As the saying goes: ‘Writing is easier said than done’, but it’s not an impossible task. You must really have the heart for it. It takes a lot of will power and patience to accomplish your writing endeavors.
Take writing classes or novel workshops that can help you to identify both your flaws and strengths as a writer. Throw your pride to the side, and learn to accept constructive criticism and suggestions that will help you grow as a writer. The only person that can push you to give up entirely on writing, it’s yourself, so never stop trying. Yes…you will find those along the way that can only seem to offer a lot of criticism and in a snubbing way. Instead of focusing on the how it was said, try to see what they meant, and hopefully there’s something helpful among their obnoxious and rude comment. If not, go ahead and trash their two cents. And always remember, you will never stop learning as a writer, so be willing to take in any helpful advice to better your writing skills. 

I had a fellow published author Ed Zaruk once tell me: once you reach a million words, you would have become a better writer. And believe me, it’s true. When you compare your first works with later ones you will create after developing your skills, the difference will be grand. Don’t take for granted the free schooling you can obtain from others.
Remember WSLAR: Write/Share/Listen/Apply/Rewrite. I wish you the best in your writing endeavors.



Do your stories tend to have morals, or special messages, included within them?

We all know how the world of fiction is something the majority of us thrives to enjoy, whether we enter into it for only a few hours or for days, and consider it as a means of escape from the harsh reality of this world. I believe that without elements that are close to home in the stories we read, the author could lose our interest fast. Sadly, many face the touch of tragedy in their lives, and while some pretend like it never happened, many others find their lives unbearable, and they choose to live the remainder of their lives isolated and rehashing their pain. I want to remind people that their tragic past, no matter what it is, doesn’t define them as a person. What they do with themselves after is what matters the most.
My readers may find some characters who are people undergoing and overcoming the following: The fear of loving again after losing a loved one; Trust issues; Low self-esteem; Being true to oneself; Learning to be humble; Overcoming haunting memories of guilt, domestic violence, victim of infidelity, and child abuse. I also avoid using foul language and play by play sex scenes in my stories. I am not afraid to not follow the crowd. I know I won’t sell as much as those who do, yeah, like they say: sex sells! *grinning* But I feel happy showing that a clean story can be an enjoyable one too. Besides, I have two small boys. I could imagine the look on their faces if they were to stumble upon stories mommy would make filled with sex and profanity. *blushing* I wouldn’t want to go there. I want to make clear that my position in the ‘no sex and profanity’ is not an act intended to look down on those who do. It’s just a personal decision I made for myself as an author and feel comfortable with.

This question was posed by a fellow author and I loved it so much I decided to throw it into the mix ~ Oh no! One of your characters has escaped. Luckily, I have caught them! I will interrogate them with the help of a lie detector. Welcome!Take a seat, make yourself comfortable. You will be returning to your book once this is over. What's your name, where are you from and what is your role in the book?

Oh, thank, thank you so much. My name is Zaira. I didn’t expect to be freed from those wackos through this means, but it will do. Sorry, I know I seem a little hysterical, but those aliens believe me to be some hero that will free their planet from some evil woman named Phasti. Ha! Who are they kidding? I bet they are searching for me right now with a Dubae. I do find Jaydin irresistible, but why do I have to put up with all this mumbo jumbo? No, not me, and least of all for a hunk of a man! What are you doing? No, please don’t leave me here. They will find me and take me back to that stupid house. I don’t want to go back there. I want nothing to do with those Lemurians. What do you mean you’re afraid of them? How do you think I feel? No, I am not getting off this van! Please, help me get far away from here as possible, far away from them. Stop shoving me! Noooooo! Oh wait and see, I’ll pay you a visit and return the favor soon enough.    

Tell us why we would enjoy reading your books?
My stories are written in a way that people of all ages can enjoy, except children, who don’t like to read a lot. One of my oldest DRs was over 80, and he told me that my genre was not one that he was normally drawn to. But after reading book 1 of the Lemurian Series, he said if he would have seen it on the shelf for sale, he would have regretted not taking it home with him. 

My stories have a mix of genres and a little of everything, hoping to offer my readers a mental buffet. Like I always say: I aim to please. So if I didn’t, let me know what I went wrong, and I will apply it to the next one.  

CAV LASTER is from Puerto Rico and is the  Author of the Lemurian Series 


Here are Carmen's links:


http://www.amazon.com/Lemurias-Last-Hope-Lemurian-ebook/dp/B006QYVTT0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326216321&sr=8-1 

http://bestepicnovels.com/the-sweet-sounds-of-the-waves/ 

Free short story download: 

http://bestepicnovels.com/sailing-through-time/ 

http://www.facebook.com/people/Cav-Laster/100003184773117 

https://twitter.com/#!/CAV_LASTER 


http://www.bookrix.com/-cavlaster 

Lemuria's Last Hope video teaser: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tajbFm9osQs 

Thank you, Paula, for this wonderful interview. I enjoyed it very much. 

Please stop back, anytime with your news ~ It’s been nice having you, Carmen.

Ruth Edwards AKA Lisa Wards AKA Ruthus, here today, Janaury 26th on Come In, Sit Down, Tell us about.....

This blog is a meeting place for authors and others in the arts .... each week as others are directed to our door or just stumble on by, they come and leave us information about themselves so they can tell about their new books or drawings or photos or to tell us about their new blogs. ****PLEASE be sure your comments are appearing on the latest most timely blog insuring your inclusion in the sending off to Google plus land at the end of the week.*****

Here is the link to Gwen’s site: http://www.indieauthornetwork.weebly.com/index.html G.D. Steel's blog is free promoting of your arts. As I am wont to say {as does Facebook} our site is free to comment and share and always will be free.  

For the rest of the month of January and possibly into February of 2012,we will be interviewing new and seasoned authors, first at Gwen's and then over here.

Ruth Edwards AKA Eliza Wards AKA Ruthus is here today, January 26th.  Ruth has many fans on Bookrix.com.  She is a prolific writer and while most of her tales are romantic, they are read by many who want more from her pen.  I am happy she is with us today.  Here is Ruth ~


What inspired you to write?
Hmm... I've always written stories from a small age, at first it was about taking my dog for a walk, then it was Pokemon and it grew from there, but as for inspiration...for me it was my Drama Teacher, she would allow us create our own performances from scratch. She was always enthusiastic about what she did and always supportive.
That's where Moonlit Night originated from, I created a small scene which inspired me to finish it off in written form.

Do you have anyone you show manuscripts to and get advice from or are you a loner doing it all yourself?
I'm a loner, I have people who I show a chapter to but they don't give me advice. It's more of a...yea that's not bad kind of thing :)


What genre do you normally write in? Also, is there a genre you've always wanted to write in, but don't feel you could pull it off?
I am a mix, but all my stories have to have romance in it...I think the best stories written or shown on TV are those of a tragic love story.

Do you ever base your characters on people you know?
Some of my surrounding cast have been based on real people...but the main characters are never based on real people, it is purely made up :)

What advice would you give to someone who was just starting off in writing?
Enjoy each moment and don't rush the words. I would want to get to the "exciting" parts of the book but the most important parts of the book are the lead up to that big scene. So, don't rush! :)

Do your stories tend to have morals, or special messages, included within them?
Mainly never give up on what you want. Plus, they show how much Family and Friendship means.

This question was posed by a fellow author and I loved it so much I decided to throw it into the mix ~ Oh no! One of your characters has escaped. Luckily, I have caught them! I will interrogate them with the help of a lie detector. Welcome!Take a seat, make yourself comfortable. You will be returning to your book once this is over. What's your name, where are you from and what is your role in the book?
Thank you for the seat, I thought I was going to be tortured as it has happened to me once before. My name is Felicity Jones, I am from an elemental school for gifted and talented people. I have got special powers, not like Xmen. I am gifted with the elements, fire, water, earth and wind. Not that I want them. I just want to be a normal teenager...but I'm not and I'm stuck with them.
My role in the book? Well, I'm the main character...I guess I have a few problems, OK a lot of problems. From boy trouble to people trying to kidnap me or kill me.
Anyways, I best get back...my friends will begin to worry where I am.
Thanks for the cup of tea and I hope to see you real soon.

Tell us why we would enjoy reading your books?
Because it has had good reviews...but I'm not one to make people read, I have a few books and they range from Fantasy (not vampires) to Romance Suspense. :)

My only site...http://www.bookrix.com/-ruthus7
If you want to contact me Ruth-Edwards@hotmail.co.uk

Lisa Logue is here today, January 25th on Come In, Sit Down, Tell us about....

This blog is a meeting place for authors and others in the arts .... Each week as others are directed to our door or just stumble on by, they come and leave us information about themselves so they can tell about their new books or drawings or photos or to tell us about their new blogs. ****PLEASE be sure your comments are appearing on the latest, most timely blog insuring your inclusion in the sending off to Google plus land at the end of the week.*****

Here is the link to Gwen’s site: http://www.indieauthornetwork.weebly.com/index.html G.D. Steel's blog is free promoting of your arts. As I am wont to say {as does Facebook} our site is free to comment and share and always will be free.  

For the rest of the month of January and possibly into February of 2012,we will be interviewing new and seasoned authors, first at Gwen's and then over here.



Today, January 25th, we have Lisa Logue, one of the most excited, ‘no grass growing under my feet,’ author who in the course of less than two months turned her direction to being published and her goal is in sight. We are happy to have her here on Paul and Paula's Place and over on I.A.N. Here’s Lisa~ 

What inspired you to write? 

Everything! I’ve never gone looking for inspiration; it’s always kept me company. Since I was about eight years old I’ve been writing stories and poetry. I do have to say that if it wasn’t for one very special friend of mine, I wouldn’t have thought I was good enough to get this far. She’s really been my motivation if nothing else for this novel. 

Do you have anyone you show manuscripts to and get advice from or are you a loner doing it all yourself? 

Throughout what I like to call the “idea phase” I pretty much keep it to myself. Since I don’t write my stories in sequential order, it’s kind of hard to share because unless the person reading knew the storyline it would be utterly confusing. Usually I wait until the manuscript has been combined in the correct order before I involve anyone else. 

Currently, my manuscript is in the last edit. It’s gone through two rounds of edits already, mostly conducted by me. A very good friend of mine is so kind as to help me during this process. It helps to have people who genuinely love reading and what makes a good story. 

What genre do you normally write in? Also, is there a genre you've always wanted to write in, but don't feel you could pull it off? 

I’m comfortable in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre, but by no means am I limited to it. I think right now I have to write where my heart takes me. I’ve always wanted to write something that took place somewhere around the middle ages, but I think I’d make it something like a Murder/Mystery. Along the lines of Agatha Christie’s works, I think. Honestly, it’s hard to answer because there are so many options out there. I don’t really think you pick the genre anyway. I write what moves me. 

Do you ever base your characters on people you know? 

In a way, my characters might be loosely based on someone I know here or there. Character development is important to me because I absolutely hate it when characters appear bland and unrealistic. It’s possible that I may pick and choose traits from people I know to make up the characters, but I also want them to almost become their own “people”. After all, I’m creating a world for someone to live in, why not make them seem real? 

What advice would you give to someone who was just starting off in writing? 

Never give up. Read a lot. Figure out your voice and what makes you comfortable. Never stop growing! Writing is something that comes from the heart, but it doesn’t hurt to make sure you’re doing it to the best of your ability. And most of all, good luck! 

Do your stories tend to have morals, or special messages, included within them? 

I don’t come to the table thinking, “This book is going to talk about ___”. As the words spill out of me, the messages are created. But it’s not set it stone either. Everything is open to interpretation and I welcome it. I would hate for every single person to get the same experience from any of my work. But if even one person can relate to it, then I’ve accomplished something great. 

This question was posed by a fellow author and I loved it so much I decided to throw it into the mix ~ Oh no! One of your characters has escaped. Luckily, I caught them! I will interrogate them with the help of a lie detector. Welcome! Take a seat, make yourself comfortable. You will be returning to your book once this is over. What's your name, where are you from and what is your role in the book? 
“My name is Lia. Honestly, I don’t know where I come from any more. The story is about me, well a part of my journey. I suppose to some people, finding out the truth about their past is exciting. For me it’s anything but. I’ve lived a very sheltered life for some time now, but I’m breaking through. This is just the beginning…” 

Read more about Lia’s story in a sneak peek preview of Cursed Secrets hosted by BookRix.com:http://www.bookrix.com/_title-en-lisa-logue-cursed-secrets 

Tell us why we would enjoy reading your books? 

I’ve modeled much of the dialogue and story line as close to reality as possible. Although the characters may seem real, the pull of fantasy fiction we love so much isn’t missing. There’s a little bit of everything; from vampires and hybrids to witches and high councils, a shocking forbidden love and questionable actions, and last but not least a revelation that changes everything the characters have ever known. Cursed Secrets isn’t just about a troubled girl, it’s about a journey to an unknown future. 

Also need your latest info and links ~

I can be contacted by: 
My website: http://lloguebooks.weebly.com 

My blog: http://lloguebooks.blogspot.com 

Twitter: @littlelisa22 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lisaloguebooks