Chronicles of The K-9 Boys and Girls on Locus Street seriesre

Chronicles of The K-9 Boys and Girls on Locus Street seriesre
Rescued Dogs' Stories

Monday, March 28, 2016

Russell Cruse




I saw Russell in an author's group.  Another author had said how much she liked his stories and his being eliminated in a line up for a collection only had to do with the tenor of the story, not the story itself which, I also read, was good.  I value her opinion, so went shopping on Amazon and picked up one of his stories, read it, and went and asked him for an interview..... And, he said yes!

In my opinion, his interview is just as interesting as his books ~

How long does it take you to write a book?
Way too long.  On average eighteen months to write and publish a novel (see below). However, I can chuck out a 3000 word short story in a day.  I really should do more shorts.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
I don’t have a schedule, although I prefer the mornings.  I think a lot: that is, I don’t sit at the computer and muse but think stories through as I go about daily routines – particularly in the car.  Once the story is written in my head, I then write it down.
For my novels, I’ve always used a quite detailed plan.  I need to know what the arc of the thing is going to be and I determine what will happen in each chapter.  With “The Rothko Room”, I made it a policy that there would be nothing that didn’t move the plot along and there would be a plot point and an exciting episode in each of the eighty-eight chapters.  In addition, I tried to get at least one smile or even belly laugh on every page. 
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
It’s not a quirk exactly but I maintain that a story always needs humour somewhere.  Humour appears in real life at the most inopportune and inappropriate moments and a story without humour is a story without soul, without life – like unleavened bread.  Even my novella of the First World War, “The Circling Song” has moments of humour and characters who take life less than seriously even when it’s at its most tragic.
I’m a bit anal when it comes to research.  Without forgetting that it’s fiction, after all, I think that all stories should be rooted in reality – locations, in particular, are important.  To accompany The Rothko Room, I produced a map of London on Google Maps, which pinpoints the locations of various episodes in the book, along with appropriate quotations.  In addition, I compiled two actual crosswords in order to present clues to the characters and the readers, should they care to look for them, as well as writing a piece of music, which contains a number of clues in it.  The score is printed in the novel.  I like things to be as authentic as possible!
Another example of this lunacy can be found in my current work in progress, “Transcripts of Terror”.  I have designed an entire Nazi research station, complete with sketches and fully dimensioned 3D schematics in order to ensure that characters can be where I say they are and get from one place to another in the correct manner.  I’ve turned one of them into a (sort of) authentic “document” to use as an illustration. 
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 I’ve even mocked-up location photographs.
But saddest of all, each of my long pieces has been plotted on Excel spreadsheets using accurate dates and times.
It doesn’t mean that I don’t sometimes make mistakes:  I once received a note from a beta reader who, fortunately was an expert in military dress of WWI.  He was able to tell me that the entire first chapter of “The Circling Song” didn’t work, since the Brodie helmets (which were crucial) were not introduced until long after the events I was describing!
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I have been a musician for over forty years. If I go any length of time without playing my guitars or mandolin or banjos or ukuleles, I go a bit mental. I teach guitar and have done for thirty years.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
It takes a great deal of time to edit and polish a novel: almost as long again as it does to write it, I’d say.  So I would have to say that the most surprising thing is how many times it’s possible to miss errors in my own work that I would spot in seconds in someone else’s.  Yesterday, my wife showed me an error in a story she was reading.  It was in an anthology and so had previously been published before being collected and so had been edited at least twice and yet, within its pages, a seagull managed to pick a muscle off a rock and eat it: not once, but twice.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I have only three novels and am currently on my fourth.  They are all very different - thematically and stylistically.  I don’t have a favourite but I’d have to say that the most universally popular is “The Circling Song” – perhaps because it’s the shortest.  I’m rather proud that, although it has only 10 reviews on Amazon US, every one of them is five-stars.  The one I’d like more people to read is “The Rothko Room”.  It’s getting good reviews apart from a one-star from a person who said that you’d be better off reading the side of the sauce bottle over breakfast.  Amazingly, he has since asked to be my friend on Facebook. I accepted, of course but I don’t think he knows who I am!
Do you like to create books for adults?
Yes, I do.  I don’t think I’d be very good at writing for children or young adults because, frankly, I don’t empathize.  My own youth and early adulthood was surprisingly free of angst and trauma and, even then, the things that preoccupied my friends never bothered me a great deal. 
What do you think makes a good story?
This is the only question I think a writer needs to consider and it’s an extremely complex one.  I, as a reader have enjoyed all sorts of books – from adventure stories to so-called literary fiction but a book that relies on plot without concern for character; or rejoices in language and descriptive flourishes without concern for story-telling; or, indeed, is full of insights into the human condition but uses flat and colourless language is not one that’s going to give me a great deal of pleasure.  I need a story, a plot, a tale to carry me along; I need characters I can be concerned about; but I also need the language to work for me as well.  I want to see original use of words, phrases and sentence structure.
If there is a theme I care to explore, it would be how the ordinary person reacts in extraordinary circumstances. 
I will be reviewing Cruse's HEAD COUNT on Paul and Paula's Books later this week ~ I will be back with a link

Russell Cruse Amazon link

website/blog link

Paul and Paula's Books - review of Head Count, and Night Bus, Cruse's short story in the Cake & Quill charity collection, Gifts From The Dark: A Miscellany of Dread

Monday, March 21, 2016

O.N. Stefen




I picked up O.N.Stefen's new book, Sleep then my Princess, today. O.N. Stefen is as elusive and mysterious as the books she writes.  I am happy I was able to convince her to give me a photo (which may or may not be her) but the interview, I do know is from her.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I was asked to join a writing group to make up numbers. I went along not knowing what went on and was surprised to find that I loved it. I was hooked from that day on.
How long does it take you to write a book?
Writing a novel is a process of drafts, editing, proofreading and it can take from six to ten months.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
I snatch moments to write whenever I can. I’ve written in cafes, pubs and with grandchildren running around me.
I don’t have a typical writing day as I write where ever I can. I take my laptop when I go on short holidays but not when I go overseas as that’s too cumbersome and I wouldn’t get enough time to write. I do like to get 1000 words down, however, I have produced 10,000 words in a day at times. Other times I’m lucky to produce 300 words. So it does vary.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
I get ideas from newspapers, TV news reports and sometimes, from an overheard conversation. The seed for my latest thriller, Sleep then my Princess, grew from an overheard conversation when I was a child.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
When I’m not writing, I could be gardening, or cooking or catching the latest movie or shopping.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
I guess you think deeper about emotions surrounding incidents in your life and try to analyse how other people would feel about their trials and tribulations.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I've written five books, one a romance, two thrillers, two fantasy stories and another thriller is currently in first draft stage. I don't have a current favorite.
Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Writing conferences and courses are immensely helpful. I have always gone to these with an open mind hoping to take away at the very least one new skill. Also, I find writing blogs on the web a mine of useful information. Other than these, the only way anyone can become better at their craft is to write and take note of any helpful suggestions from other writers and editors.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
When I hear from readers, it’s usually to say that they have enjoyed my book. Some have asked how I come up with the ideas for the story they have read.
I always read my reviews and am delighted if a reader has enjoyed my story. If it’s a constructive review, then I keep this in mind as something to tone down or improve in my next book.
What do you think makes a good story?
The essentials of a good story is one that captures the reader's imagination. 

Monday, March 14, 2016

Lela Markham



I first became interested in Lela Markham's books in a chat room session.Several of us had responded to her questions on society in the aftermath of an attack on our country. 

Her insights impelled me to pick up her books, including pre-ordering her newest book to be released tomorrow, the 15th of March, entitled Mirklin Wood.  It was a small jump to asking her for an interview ~

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I think I was born a writer. My parents claimed I told stories as soon as I could talk and my imagination was always in demand among my playmates. I first wrote down a story when I was 12 and it just grew from there. I wrote stories mainly for my own amusement for many years, but I was about 20 when I knew I wanted to be a published author someday. 

How long does it take you to write a book? 

That varies according to the genre. Daermad Cycle (The Willow Branch and Mirklin Wood) are epic fantasy, which is extremely complex with many story lines and even some time shifts, but they are actually extracted from a larger draft I spent about 15 years dabbling with, so the rewrite only takes me a year, sometimes less, sometimes more. I have no idea how long it would take to actually write a completely new fantasy.

Transformation Project (Life As We Knew It and the future Objects in View) is set in contemporary United States, so is not nearly so complex. I've found I can write one of those books in six months or less.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing? 

I write when I can, fitted around my life, but when I get into the finishing-this-novel mode, I usually try to do an hour a night and two hours on Saturday and Sunday.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? 

Characters appear in my mind that want to tell me their stories, so I write them down.

How do books get published?

I'm self-published, so I'm chief cook and bottle washer - writer, editor, proofreader, formatter, cover designer, publisher, and marketer. I do have beta readers and my family are pressed into proofreading and cover feedback, but it's pretty much me driving it all.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books? 

Fantasy stems from a love of reading the genre and listening to Enya or some other Celtic inspired music.

Transformation Project grew from reading the newspapers and seeing just how much trouble I believe our country is in and then musing about Barack Obama's promise to fundamentally transform the culture of our country. I asked myself "What would it take to actually do that?" and I came up with an overwhelming terrorist attack.

When did you write your first book and how old were you? 

I was in high school and it wasn't very good.

What do you like to do when you're not writing? 

It depends on the season. I hike, bike, canoe, fish, berry pick, and assist with cabin building in the summers. In the winters, I quilt, read, and help with home improvement projects.

What does your family think of your writing? 

It's something I've always done. My husband says he's always supported my writing, but he sometimes feels less than a priority. My kids say they wouldn't know what life would be like without a writer-mom.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? 

That I'm an anarchist who really doesn't just want small government, but wants the people to actually be in charge.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? 

I have no idea how many books I've written. I've published three and I'm working toward publishing a fourth. My favorite is definitely the fantasy series, but I have a work-in-progress unrelated to either published series that would be a close second.

Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they? 

I wouldn't presume to give you advice, Paula, but I would tell novice writers to read everything and write a lot.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say? 

Except for family and some reviews on Amazon, I haven't heard from readers much.

Do you like to create books for adults? 

Yes, but I don't think adults need salacious sex and gratuitous violence to enjoy a good book.

What do you think makes a good story? 

Great lifelike characters who have a compelling story to tell, set in a realistic world.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

When I was really little, I think I wanted to be a professional chef because my dad was. I went through a period when I wanted to be an architect. And then in high school, I decided that I wanted to be a reporter. I still love to cook, I've designed some decks and a cabin (with help from my husband) and I was a reporter before I realized you don't make much money for all the hours you put in.

Lela's Amazon Link

Lela's blog/site

Above The Cut - Lela Markham - review of her book Life As We Knew It at Paul and Paula's Books

Monday, March 7, 2016

Angelika Rust

Angelika Rust is a woman after my heart.  Her children are two legged and four legged and she even did a YouTube film of of the furry kids which I shall share with you after we have our talk.


When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I never had this epiphany moment where you go, 'oh, yes, a writer, that's what I want to be.' I used to write short stories as a kid and poems in my teenage years. It was just something I did without really thinking about it.
I put it all aside one day when I realized it was all childish, immature bullshit and that if I wanted to write something worth reading, I needed to live first, learn about the world, try to understand people.
I went back to writing at thirty, after a dozen different jobs and my first kid. It was a pretty conscious decision. I had spent quite some time with a certain character in my head at that point, and suddenly I had a story for him, and I knew I was ready to write it down.
I didn't think I'd ever have it in me to write more than that one story, but, well, things often turn out differently to one's expectations.

How long does it take you to write a book?
Oh, writing a book doesn't take long. I've just finished the first draft of my current work in progress after around four weeks of pure, focused writing time. Only...the first of those four weeks was in July last year, and I was completely blocked and busy with other things until January...and now it's only a first quick draft, means there's one huge re-write waiting for me, then I'll ask my trusted beta readers to tear it apart for me, then I'll have to re-write it again...edit...polish...proofread... 
Truth be told, anything from a few months to a few years is possible.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
I write, period. Everything else can go to hell.
Okay, not quite.
I have kids after all, and a husband and two cats and a dog and a day job.
I work from home, though, and as a freelancer, so I can be pretty flexible. When the writing bug bites me, I use all my home alone time for writing, and push the paid work to late in the evening, when the kids are asleep.
FRIENDS FOREVER - furry kids in action

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Pretty much everywhere. Basically, all you need to do is keep your eyes and ears open, because inspiration can hit you where you least expect it.
I always carry a pen and notebook, just in case. I've been seen bursting out laughing at the bus stop, or blocking the supermarket checkout because I needed to quickly write some random idea down right now.
One of my books is based on a walk in the park and a spelling mistake, another on a Jim Steinman song.

What does your family think of your writing?
They take it pretty well. I guess it beats having a serial killer or a drug dealer in the family.
My mom is very sweet. She doesn't speak much English, but she reads all my books with a dictionary close by, and later calls me to ask if she got it right.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I have written four novels (five, if I count the one I'm working on), two novellas, and I've organized and contributed to two anthologies by the Cake & Quill collective. That's an international group of authors who write themed collections of short stories, flash fiction and poetry for charity projects.
My favorite is always the last one I've published, so currently that would be My Name is Not Alice, a YA fantasy book about a girl who attracts Trouble. The capital T is not a typo.

What do you think makes a good story?
Characters. You can't have a good story without characters willing to completely mess it up for you.
When I re-read the first draft, I realized that I had one of the characters do something he'd never willingly have done. He forced me to re-write half the book, but it turned out better because of it.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to be McGyver. Seriously. Or an undercover agent. Then I realized that I'm too selfish to die for someone else's cause.
Now, I still don't know what I want to be when I've grown up. I'm not sure it's going to happen anyway.

Angelika Rust is a member of the Cake & Quill Publishing arm of the charity collection of stories. As of this writing they have two collections published. Here is the link to the trailer for Hearts & Other Dead Things and this collection monies will go to a charity for rescued maids. More on that later in the week when a review appears on Paul and Paula's books for Angelika Rust's books.



Friday, March 4, 2016

Our Daily Blab: They Don't Even Know

Our Daily Blab: They Don't Even Know: They don't know the truth about you. They all guess what you are like. What you are made of. I still don't even know. I...