Indie e-Con Scavenger Hunt 2018 - Stop #14

Okay! Well, Indie E-Con is barreling right up!!! *Gulp* (That arrived sooner than expected, time just flies around here!)
  (Isn't that a lovely graphic, by the way? What a luscious combination of blues/blue shades!)

   So, today's the day that all the presenters for the Indie E-Con (next week) are supposed to share a little about themselves on each other's blogs... so that's me, and that's also Miss Morgan Huneke!!!

   (Isn't she the cutest thing? The first time I saw her online, that's the thought that popped into my head. "Aw... she's so cute! And lovely hair..."
  [disclaimer]*I want to tack an addendum of apology on to this confession; in case she's the type that "just wants to breath fire", like the little dragon in Kingdom Chronicles, episode of Patch the Pirate.  My mom is super cute, and super Un-Stoppable, I know what it's like to be adorable and demand to be taken seriously... so for me the two are not at all exclusive!)

{By the way, I loved that Celtic skirling song in that episode! So good.) If you don't know what I'm referring to, do be encouraged to investigate further!)* [/disclaimer]

   Anyway, check out Morgan's About Me, (linked above) and all her books!

  It's all part of the Great Indie E-Con Scavenger Hunt, wherein you can win fancy prizes and have fun! (Details at end of post.) In case you're just joining in, it all starts at Kandi Wyatt's post. 

   Tricia Mingerink will be hosting me, so pop on over there to hear about my Top 5 influential books (more like Authors, since I can't contain myself on this subject) as well as a somewhat summation of  my Writing Themes. (Basically, why I write what I write, and what that kinda is!)


   Well, anyway, here's Morgan's Top Five books!

   5 Books/Series That Shaped Me As a Writer
 No author exists in a vacuum. There are influences everywhere. Our own lives, our families, our communities, the books we read. The books we read are enormously influential in shaping who we are as writers. If you are what you eat, you write what you read. Here are the top 5 books/series that shaped me as a writer.
 5.Elsie Dinsmore Series by Martha Finley
While Martha Finley tends to commit lots of literary sins, I love her writing style. The old-fashioned language is amazing, and it definitely influenced my own writing style, though it is more prominent in some books than in others.
 4.Little House: The Caroline Years by Maria D. Wilkes and Celia Wilkins
I debated which historical fiction to include on this list because there are so many, but these were my favorite as a kid, so they won. It doesn’t matter what story I’m writing, what genre, what time period, there is always an American history element. History is amazing, and I want everyone to get as excited about it as I do.
 3.The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Dungeons! If you were to ask me why I love throwing my characters in the dungeon, I would immediately point you here. It’s a fabulous book, and it permanently infused my imagination with dungeon love. I’ve yet to publish a book that does not feature imprisoning my characters in some way—The Experiment is the only one to feature a prison cell that is not in a literal dungeon.
 2.A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
This book was my introduction to science fiction, and one of those books that shaped my writer mind and imagination in a big way. It—along with The Giver by Lois Lowry—is a huge influence in my dystopian-esque writings, and it encourages me to weave in those political, faith-based themes that are prominent in my writing.
 1. The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
How could my all-time favorite series not make it onto this list? Read any of my books and you’ll find Narnia influence everywhere, whether it’s references (both explicit and obscure), big things like the premise of children having to save a fantasy world, and small things like the general flavor and feel of the book. I’ve had numerous books compared favorably to Narnia, and there is no greater compliment.

 Okay, on to the details of the hunt! Visit all these blog posts in order to collect the clues, and then use them to fill in the blanks on the statement-graphic above! (Kind of like hang-man, but hopefully no one will get hung with this one. )

   The clue for this post is:
 

Scavenger Hunt Giveaway Package:

Ace Carroway 2-Book Set

3 random ebooks from Indie e-Con authors

Cover Design by Alea Harper

Bookshelf Necklace donated by Rachel Rossano

(Please note that the Ace Carroway Paperbacks and the Bookshelf necklace are US only.)

Guest Author: Kendra E. Ardnek

 Today we have with us a fellow "fairy-tale re-teller" of a writer, Kendra E. Ardnek. She hails from Texas, and is bringing out her sixth release, My Kingdom For A Quest, set in her world of Bookania.

E: What draws you to writing with "mix and match fairytale" elements instead of inventing everything from scratch? Why is this more fun? 

K: I won't say it's more fun, since I do love building the plots in my original worlds as well. However, I've always loved fairy tales, I grew up listening to my mother's renditions of them (and she's an amazing storyteller). I believe the first book I ever wrote was a retelling of the ugly duckling, and somewhere in my desk I have a retelling of Rumplestilskin and a Paul Bunyan story.

 I love the challenge that comes with retelling fairy tales. How can I make this story mine and work it into the mythos of the Bookania that I've created? Some of the fairy tales have been difficult, but it's always so rewarding when I realize where the story belongs, and everything clicks into place and is perfect. I especially love drawing on the more obscure tales, such as "Casperl and the Princess," bringing them to light and giving them some time in the sun.

E: What do you think gives the fairy-tales that have come down through the generations to us such a lasting quality? Why do you think they are still around, when in each decade more and different writers are all adding to the huge literary tradition that is available in the English language?

K: I'm not entirely certain. Many fairy tales, such as Cinderella, have existed in some form or fashion for millennia, perhaps predating even the flood. There's a timelessness to the messages that many carry, and an ease with which most can be told. 

As for why they're still popular today, despite the inundation of so much modern literature? Actually, I think Disney might be to blame for that. Snow White was the first movie they ever made, and ten years later, they followed with Cinderella, in an attempt to produce something to help pull them out of financial difficulties following the second world war. After taking thirty years off from animated films, they chose to return with The Little Mermaid. As much as you and I may complain about how much Disney changed our beloved tales, they've made sure that they're a huge part of every little girl's childhood.

E: True! Good point... that is an interesting angle in itself. What makes fairytale retellings such good bets for Disney, as well, then, hm? Hahah! One question just leads to another!

  Once you start with this style of story, will there ever be a time when you "run out" of material? Or is the heap of resources so inexhaustible that you can only foresee yourself quitting by saying "I'm Stopping!!!"? 

K: I have a notebook that contains the titles of 21 volumes for the Bookania Quests, and I have untitled plots and stories set beyond that point. The only way I foresee myself quitting this series is dying.

There are just so many great fairy tales, many of which I know for certain where they go, others that I only have a vague idea or no clue at all. My personal repertoire of fairy tales that I know off the top of my head is somewhere over a hundred, with multiple versions of many of those tales. I'm also working in legends, such as Robin Hood, and myths such as King Arthur and the Odyssey. I even have a few Shakespearean plays scheduled to make their appearances.

Unless you limit yourself to just the "popular" fairy tales, this isn't something you're going to run out of any time soon.

E: I agree with you! And have the same "problem" myself... I'd like to be finished with this series, but the 18 plotted tales (only 3 released!) make for a daunting pile to see the bottom of! Though, I suppose other things can be done in the "interim" between writing these...

   So, what do you think can be learned from fairy-tales, and/or their retellings?

K: Literature in general is a study of people's beliefs. You can learn about the values of the Greeks by reading their mythologies, the middle east by perusing the Arabian Nights, and Fairy Tales are no different. The modern retellings are no different.

And by taking them in as a whole, we can see that, as a race, at our core, humans have changed very little. We love and hate, we seek glory and knowledge, and above all, we have a fascination with that which is beyond the natural world. We all still love a good story.

E: Do you feel that you include Christian themes in your tales, and how does that show up? Don't be afraid to give us examples!

K: Had you asked me this question three years ago following the publication of the first book, I would have shrugged slightly and admitted that there wasn't very much in there. Now, with the third book of the series (and my sixth book all told), my answer is a strong yes. In Bookania, God is called the Author. For the past hundred years, however, most of the royalty and nobility have turned their backs on him. It's interesting writing their return to faith.

 E: Ah, that can be a tricky road to trace out... Here's wishing you success!

 Thanks for joining us and sharing some of your methods with us!

Back Cover: Arthur is the rightful king of Briton, but his Uncle Mordreth refuses to give up the regency. Arthur and Grandfather are now returning with allies to wrestle the kingdom from his uncle's grasp. But not all is as it seems among his allies, and everyone has secrets. New loves, old loves, lost loves, kingdoms conquered and kingdoms stolen. Who is the real "rightful heir" and will the nearly forgotten sword in the stone finally answer this question?

My Kingdom For A Quest can be seen on Goodreads; 

is available on Kindle,

in print as a Paperback.

Snippet

“Only twelve hours! Leo, there is no way to escape Briton Dungeons. No way!”

“That’s what they said in the dungeons of Fronce, too,” said Leo absentmindedly, taking a sip of his gruel. “Now be quiet while I think. And eat up. We’re going to need our strength!”

“Dungeons in Fronce!” Gavin squeaked.

“Yes, now those were dungeons! Now be quiet.”

Gavin fell silent and simply stared in the direction of his friend, the look on his face (had it been visible in that dark cell) a mixture of confusion, awe, and horror.

“You wouldn’t have happened to have fallen in love with any young lady who would be able to arrange for a soldier to play traitor and get us out of here, now would you?” Leo suddenly asked.

“No…”

“Ah, well, I suppose that not every young lady can be so obliging. And now that I think about it, it’s as good a way into the dungeon as out. Now where was I … No, bribing the guards is out of the question. All we have is gruel to call our own, and I’m sure they have much better food in the soldier’s quarters.”

“We’ll never get out of here!” Gavin moaned.

“That’s what you think. That’s what everyone thinks,” said Leo. “But I tell you, there’s a way out of every sticky situation. You just have to be observant and look for it.” Leo frowned as he set his now-empty bowl to the side. “It’s too bad Mordreth doesn’t have any daughters for us to charm. Only that good-for-nothing Kew, and I really don’t see him helping. And Arthur’s gone, so that’s out of the question.”

“If Prince Arthur was here,” said Gavin, “we wouldn’t be in the dungeon.”

“Good point,” said Leo. “As I was saying, we could always try to steal a key and unlock the door, but that can be a very tricky business, and it’s very easy to get caught. And then where would we be? Probably talking about death sentences some more. Honestly, they don’t bother me, just all this talk about them. It’s enough to drive a man mad.”

Sew, It's a Quest (The Bookania Quests Book 1)

Do You Take This Quest? (The Bookania Quests Book 2)

The Ankulen

The Woodcutter Quince and Other Stories

Saffron's Big Plan and Other Stories

                                                                                      

Check out the other stops on this Tour!

Author: Kendra E. Ardnek loves fairy tales and twisting them in new and exciting ways.  She's been practicing her skills on her dozen plus cousins and siblings for years, "Finish your story, Kendra", is frequently heard at family gatherings.  Her sole life goal has always been to grow up and be an author of fantasy and children's tales that also glorify God and his Word. You can read more about her on her blog, knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com.

Writer Interview: Jo M. Coleman!

Joining us for today's Writer Interview, we've got Jo M. Coleman, from Southeastern Arizona!

  Thanks so much for joining us, Jo! We're so glad to have you here this time, and we hope to get you back for a reader interview sometime later. Tell us a little about yourself and what you've written.

Jo M. Coleman: Hey! I'm so glad to be here, and it is honestly my first time doing an interview like this, so that's pretty exciting! Anyways, I grew up in Arizona with lots (and lots and lots) of siblings, and tried to write my first book at 10 years old. It didn't get more than 2 pages, but it was fun drawing up fan art for it. At 14 I really got serious and wrote a book that was a WIP up until I was 17, when I finished it. I have written 2 more novels since then, so 3 in all, two of them are fantasy novels and the other is a Christian Western. I'm currently working on my fourth novel making good use of NanoWrimo 2012! :D

E: How about this for a quick writing challenge. Using a few sentences, how would you paint a description of the setting/your world, (either where you are or where you grew up,) as if you were setting the scene for a book about you?

J: It's that moment when you step outside and the sky stretches so far and blue above you, the sun wrapping you in its warmth. The green is more of a brown, but the air hums with the comforting buzz of june bugs. Clouds dance across the sky in a symphony of pure white beauty, almost as though you could run through them. This is home. 
E: Great description, Jo! Sounds like a great place to be.
   So, let's get started. What's your favorite genre/genres, and what do you think really draws you to that/them the most?

J: I absolutely love fantasy. I have read many different genres and I like books from each of them, but overall, I just really love fantasy, especially young adult fantasy. I think what I like about it is that it is pure creativity... creating an entire world/laws/people groups/creatures that don't exist in our world! I love the “royal culture” as well as the idea of virgin land stretching as far as imaginable, forests, plains, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and hills. Untouched land just waiting for me to revel in its beauty. Plus, I just really, really love dragons and unicorns. :-D And the thought that I could own a White Siberian Tiger.  
E: Ooo... I like your description. I think we're on the same page there! Myself, I'd take a regular, orangey tiger. I just love that color!
  What's your most favorite writing related advice?

J: “Write the book that you want to read.” I don't remember where I first heard it, but I have taken it to heart ever since. It is great fodder for ideas and keeping me going in the middle of a work in progress. What is it that I want to read? What book have I wanted to read but have never found one quite like it? Write it myself! I think that's one of the best ways to maintain writerly inspiration (which, like middle school crushes, can be so fickle!), and come up with great ideas and characters! What do I want to read in a book? What character do I wish I'd read before? That is one of the main reasons I did my rewrite of “Beauty and the Beast”, because I'd always wanted to see it done from the Beast's point of view (and there may be some out there, though I haven't read any), so I figured... why not do it myself?  
E:  Great advice! And I like how you've really taken it to heart and gotten a great writing attitude out of it. And, yes, that writerly inspiration can be so vanishing when you need it most!

 What is your favorite type of character to write? Why do you think that especially appeals to you?

J: Hmm... I have written quite a few strong women characters, so I think that definitely appeals to me. A woman who will do what needs to be done, but is not afraid to be vulnerable at the end of the day. A woman who fights fiercely, loves devotedly, and dreams big. I guess the reason that particular type of character appeals to me is that I see it as sort of a “larger than life” version of myself – the woman I would hope to be if I were to encounter the situations my characters do. I also like to write a character who, in the face of the right (hard) choice or the wrong (easy) choice, will choose the right! So characters with character! I do also like to write a bad guy that the reader (and I!) really really want to see beaten in the end. Although I do like to make my antagonists sympathetic in some way, they generally are also so far deep in evil that despite feeling sorry for them, you also just want to see them pay for their crimes. 
E: Where do you like to get your characters? Do you like to draw off of people you know, other books, or just pull them put of the blue?
 
J: It's a mash-up. I do like to give every main character of mine an interest that I share with them, because it's one level that I can really add realism to. So, I would make them an artist, or give them a love for reading, or have them be a seamstress. Other elements may be taken from people that I know, or myself, such as that person who's always making silly jokes that nobody laughs at, or the way you just laugh and laugh with someone, or how someone always inadvertently knows how to make every situation completely awkward. 
E: Some writers talk about their characters getting out of control and things happening that they didn't intended to happen; have you ever had this happen?

J: Actually, I don't think I can honestly say this has happened to me! It kinda makes me feel somewhat abnormal... but my characters generally will do what I've set for them to do. I am something of a pantster though, so often the plot will end up going down some random deviation of a rabbit trail and my characters will skip along with it. But I see that as more of a plot deviation leading to character deviation, not really the other way around. 
E: How do you write, is it 'start with page one, scene one' and go through it in order; or just "whatever scene pops into your head"
(and that might mean that you have the entire middle of your book written before you even start on the beginning)?

J: A general overview is always in place in my mind before I begin writing, and usually the ending is pretty clear as well. Once I actually begin writing it down, it is completely written in the order it will be read (though I may switch some things around once it is all written down). Unless there is a particular scene in which I have something very specific in mind (such as a piece of dialogue, a section of prose, or the like), and I have to write it down ASAP or else I will forget it. But generally it is written from Chapter One in order through till “The End”. 
E: How do you plan your stories' "bones", or do you?

J: I will “Pants” the first draft, just hacking it out however it comes. Then I will sit down for as long as it takes (weeks to months) and write down a solid outline (a friend of mine has written a FANTASTIC book about outlining), then I will begin the rewrite. But I will still end up “pantsing” on some parts even with the solid outline. 
E: Have you tried any plotting, outlining, methods; and what works best to your way of thinking?

J: I outline in a notepad with a black pen (Pentel R.S.V.P.). My first draft I will type up (generally during Nanowrimo), then I will write out my outline in a notepad as well as the second draft once the outline is done. After that, I will type up the third draft, print it out and read through to edit. I only just started outlining in January of 2012, and found it was very helpful with my third novel, so that is going to become a solid part of my writing process.

E: What is your worst writing trouble?

J: Finishing what I've started. I really, really hate going back through and editing, so it's been a struggle for me to get that work done! The initial drafts aren't so difficult (I like to start with a blank slate each time I go to write a new draft, just using the previous one as a springboard), but once I have a solid draft and just need to go through with more specific edits rather than total overhaul, it seems really overwhelming to me.  
E: What is your worst writing fault? How do you identify and rectify its effects?

J: Procrastination, also named Facebook. :-P I looooove to procrastinate, though not just with writing but just in general. It's a fault in general for sure. I have to set a specific day and time that I will sit down and GET SOME WRITING DONE, and then I have an easier time doing it. Also with writing, I tend to repeat the same words/phrases a lot, I definitely have to keep a regular sharp eye out for that, as it can get very mundane as a reader to be reading the same things over and over. 
E: Hey! It's been great having you here! We've so enjoyed learning more about another writer's mental workings! Thanks for participating.
 
J: Thank you for having me! It's been fun and I'm looking forward to seeing what other writers have to say as well. :-)

ICA Blog Train: David Bergsland Interview!

 Welcome to the next stop on the Independent Christian Authors Blog Train! 

I'll begin the "linked blogs" on this train by interviewing fellow indie author, David Bergsland. We both belong to the online group
ICA and connected through there... a great place to learn from the many experienced members on there who happily share of themselves, and David is right in among those!

 So I am glad for a chance to introduce him to you all, and hope others will be encouraged, blessed,  and perhaps even challenged by his story!
  If you're a writer looking for a warm, helpful place, I'd highly recommend joining ICA on Facebook here. 

We'd welcome the chance to get to know you!

So, David; what or who inspires you to write? Is there a “real person” you pattern either your protagonist or antagonist after?

It’s just part of who I am. I began as a scientist when I got out of high school in 1961. In full rebellion, I was one of the early flower children [pre-hippy] in the 60s. All the drugs gave me a strong desire for a creative outlet. I graduated from college with a fine art degree. 3 years later I met the Lord. 

It became quite obvious that the Lord had no plan to bless my art career even though the desire was still there. He led me into graphic design, then art director, then teacher, font design, and finally dropped writing into my lap.

So, writing started as a ministry supporting my teaching of digital publishing. The state school I taught in [Albuquerque TVI] didn’t allow me to mention Jesus in my class or coursework, but He blessed my time there and I ministered to many students over the years. 

My technical books on book design, using InDesign, font design, typography, so on are still what He blesses for me, primarily. When I was forced out of teaching [the school dropped the degree], I happened to be 65—so I “retired” early—accepting this as the time where the Lord would finally let me write for him. It’s a financial necessity for me to work at my trade. So, I began writing Christian books: Bible studies and creationist books. They’re beginning to sell, but they’re a small part of my income.

I also had two relatively complete novels almost completed. They were released as The Righteous Perish, a radical, edgy, non-conventional endtimes thriller patterned after what I knew as a prophecy teacher and Bible teacher for 40 years, and as an associate pastor supporting my wife’s ministry.

The 2nd novel was released as Daniel’s Mighty Men. It’s an epic technothriller with the heroes and heroines roughly fantasized out of people I know. It shows a privately owned black ops company made up of over the top, Charismatic/Pentecostal/Fundamentalist Christian warriors. It’s wonderful to read—but it’s a massive book, so it’s taking a while to get traction.

Where do you want to be in your writing career five years from now?

Serving Jesus in power, following His lead. I have no idea what His plans are.

What one piece of advice do you have for other authors?

We don’t need more entertainment. We need more books which the Lord can use to transform lives.

Which author, either living or dead, would you most like to meet?

The Apostles Paul & John

The prophet Isaiah

What book project/s are you working on right now? 

An inspirational book on what it takes to be a Christian author with a strong call called Writing In Holiness: While Keeping It Real.

An epic fantasy about a world where political control is a fight between an apostate church and occultic evil. The true believers are being slaughtered by the church. The hero is a calligrapher/artist called by God to strengthen the true believers and the heroine is a princess running for her life from her brother who has sexually assaulted her physically and demonically. It’s the first book in a series called Staff of Light.

Plus new editions of my technical books on font design and book production for Christian self-publishers.

 

Author Links!

Amazon Author page: David Bergsland

    My latest release is Designing ePUBs With InDesign. It’s the ebook production portions of my main book design offering Writing In InDesign CC 2014 Producing Books. 

   My books are in the iBooks Store, NookBooks, Kindle, Createspace, Kobo, Books-a-Million, Scribd, and many more.

Social Media:

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/radiqxpress

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/radiqxpress/

Gumroad: https://gumroad.com/radiqxpress

Twitter [Christian]: @radiqxpress

Twitter [technical]: @davidbergsland

Google+: +DavidBergsland

Scribd: http://www.scribd.com/bergsland

I’m also active in: christianwriters.com, and several private or secret FaceBook groups.

My technical blog: The Skilled Workman focused on book production, font design, and typography for the Christian author http://bergsland.org

My Christian blog: Reality Calling specializing in Reviews of Christian speculative fiction http://radiqx.com

My normal email: david@radiqx.com

  Thanks for joining us, David, and we look forward to seeing who you interview on your blog Sept. 2nd! 

Author Interview: Colette Black

Okay! We're back to doing a few writer interviews on E. Kaiser Writes-A-Blog, and to start us off this summer we're joined by Colette Black, author of the recently released Sci-Fi YA adventure/romance "Noble Ark".

(Can I just take a minute to say how much a love that title? I can't explain it, but I like it so much I'm now sad I didn't think of it first, and write a book to be named it... )

 Anyway, I didn't... so here's the lady who did!

E: Today we welcome Colette Black, author of sci-fi novel “Noble Ark” which I have started reading. This a interesting work, titled after the ship shuttling through space under threat of attack by a uniquely frightening breed of pirates; the rapacious Mwalgi, (or ‘Gi as they are sometimes referred to) view humans as nothing more than a physical source from which they extract a certain substance.

 Thanks for being here, Colette!

Colette: Thank you for the opportunity. I love talking about Lar, Aline, and the Mankind's Redemption universe.

E: So, Colette… first off, I’d have to ask: How is Mwalgi pronounced?

C: I'm not much for pronunciation guides, but it sounds pretty much as it's written Mu-wall-gee (with a hard g).

E: Okay, thanks! That should help our internal ear as we read! Is it totally weird that my brain wanted to read "Mowgli" nearly every, single, time? (As in, the boy from The Jungle Book?)

C: The similarity between Mwalgi and Mowgli from Jungle Book is an understandable connection to make as they carry many of the same letters and have some similar sounds, but the similarity is entirely coincidental. The stories have nothing in common. The origin of the word will be explained in the fourth book in the series.
E: How did you come up with these things… they seem quite a bit different than most alien species in general, so what all components went in to creating this fearsome type of pirate?

 
C: I've written a fair amount of horror for the short story market, as is evident by the number of horror stories versus sci-fi and fantasy in my anthology, The Black Side. When I came up with the Mwalgi, I wanted them to be aliens that could truly make a person's skin crawl. There had to be sufficient justification for Aline's feelings toward them and the animosity of the crew members. They look and act human enough that they're not completely foreign, but they immobilize their victims and put them through excruciating pain in the process of taking what they need. The species' history was the primary influence in their creation, but I can't go into that at this point in the series.

E:  The two MCs in this are the human girl Aline, and the Mwalgi misfit, Larkin. As a writer who is always on the lookout for plots and twists, I have to say on first blush this looks like a far out re-imagining of the Beauty & the Beast tale. How would you describe your basic story template that spring-boarded Noble Ark?

C: I find it amazing that I didn't see that parallel until well after I'd written the story, but it is accurate. Like many authors, the idea started with a dream...a very bizarre dream. I played around with the characters as I'd imagined them, what could have happened in their lives to make them the way they were, and thought about how they'd ended up on a ship together as adversaries then turned into co-defenders.  From there, the story grew.

E: Larkin comes across as a very complex character, and he definitely starts out with his own agenda. In the introductory scenes he’s almost predatory in his determination to achieve his mysterious plan… and the suspense that builds is very effective. What made you decide to take that angle with your MMC?

C: Good question. I don't know that I made any conscious decision to go in that direction. As I answered the who, what, when, where, why questions about Lar, he formed into a complex character as if on his own. It was almost like he already existed, but I just had to get to know him well enough to write his story. Same with Aline.

E: The atmosphere you’ve created in Noble Ark is very strife ridden… as a book aimed at the YA audience, how did you decide what level of “graphic” you were comfortable going with for this novel?

C: With a nineteen and twenty-year-old protagonists, the book is actually New Adult, a sub-genre that has been growing in momentum. I go with my gut instinct as far as the level of graphic detail. 

Sometimes, I feel like there are two camps in the writing industry. One says that you write the characters as they are, no matter how disgusting or evil, and represent them as truthfully as possible. Diametrically opposed is the side that says what we write must inspire and uplift. Like many, I have a line that's between the two. I think we do need to be true to our characters, but not at the expense of our own values. 

For example, I don't really swear. Never have. In some of my stories, I get a kick out of making a world where the environment or history has caused less offensive swear-words to become prominent. I think that's fun. However, there are some stories that have a swear word here and there because it just fits the character and the situation. There are also some words and expressions that I just find too uncomfortable to ever use. 

Every writer has to find that balance for themselves, in relation to language, sexuality, and violence. As a devout Christian and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,  my line is probably more conservative than some of my friends. I think that's okay, and I will defend their right to print whatever they feel comfortable with as part of the first amendment, even if I don't buy their books. I also defend my right to to characters who don't cross certain lines. Some think I'm too liberal, some too conservative, and like baby bear, some find it "just right."

E: Where did you go for ideas to create the language that the Mwalgi use? And how extensive is the invented vocabulary... those can get complicated quick! Do you have a dictionary of Mwalgi words to refer to when you need a reminder?

C: I do have a dictionary, divided up by phrases, words, objects, plants and animals, etc. I'm sure that a proficient linguist could rip the Mwalgi language to pieces, but I find myself fascinated by language origin and couldn't help but play around with it. I considered becoming a linguist at one point in my life. With the Mwalgi language, it generated from their history and I can't go into that without giving away spoilers. A few people have partially figured it out, but I'm not going to tell the full story until the fourth book. There are a lot of hints along the way if you'd like to try to piece together the mystery of their origins. ;)

Thanks for the interview. I appreciate your time and your interest in Noble Ark. If you enjoyed it and would like to stay informed about the "Mankind's Redemption" series and future projects, you can sign up for my newsletter through my website at www.coletteblack.net. 

E: Thanks for joining us, Colette! It's always fascinating to hear how things come together for an author, and with imaginary worlds it makes it even more fun!

Writer Interview: Shannon McDermott

Writer Interview: Shannon McDermott, from Missouri!

  Thanks so much for answering the call, Shannon! We're so glad to have you here this time, and we hope to get you back for a reader interview sometime later.

Shannon: I'm happy to be here, and I'll be happy to come back.


E: So, let's get started. What's your favorite genre/genres, and what do you think really draws you to that/them the most?

S: My favorite genre is speculative fiction. I enjoy the freedom of the genre, all the room you have to create and explore. I also enjoy how you can, in effect, get at the truth from another angle; whether in our world or an invented one, the most important questions are always the same.

E: What's your most favorite writing related advice?

S: My favorite writing advice is from the author who, when asked her advice for young writers, said that she would tell them to never listen to writers talking about themselves or writing.

On a more practical note, I also like another woman's remark on writing: "We must kill our little darlings."

Every part has to be evaluated on how it affects the whole. If it distracts, or undermines the portrayal of a character or the mood of a scene, we have to kill it - even if it is one of our little darlings.

E:  What is your favorite type of character to write? Why do you think that especially appeals to you?

S: I've enjoyed writing all sorts of characters - my favorite character in The Last Heir was probably the villain - but I've always had a soft spot for the quiet ones. They're slower and more thoughtful, and I enjoy writing them.

E: Where do you like to get your characters? Do you like to draw off of people you know, other books, or just pull them put of the blue?

S: Normally I form them in response to the story. Then, as I use them, they grow and sometimes change.

Years ago I wrote a Christian Holmes story where he was just besieged by distractions. One of these was a passel of relatives who showed up unannounced for a visit. I needed one to act as a sort of spokesman, and I gave him attributes in keeping with the role: talkative, outgoing, confident, maybe a little overbearing, well-meaning but oblivious.

I kept bringing him back, and different stories added different things. I made him an inventor, I made him rich, I made him brilliant. The overbearing aspect faded away; he became exceptionally well-meaning and almost eccentrically oblivious.

Henry Holmes, as I named him, is now the most popular character in the Christian Holmes series. The story shaped him, until he began to shape the story.


E: Some writers talk about their characters getting out of control and things happening that they didn't intend to happen; have you ever had this happen?

S: Not really. Every once in a while they surprise me, but it doesn't run away from me.


E: How do you write, is it 'start with page one, scene one' and go through it in order; or just "whatever scene pops into your head" (and that might mean that you have the entire middle of your book written before you even start on the beginning)?

S: I start at the beginning and go straight through. I couldn't do it out of order. There are writers who can work that way, but I'm not one of them. I can't write Act II before Act I because I don't know what happened.


E: How do you plan your stories' "bones", or do you?

S: Usually I start with an idea - such as an emperor who wants to be a painter - and then I work on it until I have enough to begin.

The novel I am currently writing began with my desire to write something about time dimensions. Then I started asking the obvious questions: How are they opening these time dimensions? Who is opening them? To what end?

I settled on the idea that this was the project of a group of amoral scientists. And naturally, once they began opening these corridors to other time dimensions, they would need someone to go through. They would need a test dummy - emphasis on "test" and "dummy".

Thus was the hero born.


E: Have you tried any plotting, outlining, methods; and what works best to your way of thinking?

S: What works best varies from author to author. I'm inclined to think, though, that some measure of organization is always good.

I work with broad outlines. ("First the mortal captain leads a rebellion against his Fay overlords. Then they flee the country.") At intervals I have to fill in the sizable gaps, and I do what I call "plotting". I make notes about the story, putting questions to myself and trying to map the plot in more detail.

I write few scenes without having some notes to work on - what needs to happen, or thoughts on the atmosphere or viewpoint character. Sometimes I even scribble down rough lines of dialogue in my notes.


E: What is your worst writing trouble?

S: I have to work on transitions - little transitions, when characters go from one topic to another or one place to another within a scene.


E: What is your worst writing fault? How do you identify and rectify its effects?

S: I wish I knew. It's hard to judge one's own writing.

My greatest concern with my writing is that it is boring. One way I help this is to make the characters bolder or to sharpen their goals.


E: Hey! It's been great having you here! We've so enjoyed learning more about another writer's mental workings! Thanks for participating.

S: Thank you for the invitation.

Writer Interview: Rhonda Hall

 Writer Interview: Rhonda Hall, from Omaha, Nebraska!

 Thanks so much for joining us, Rhonda! We're so glad to have you here this time, and we hope to get you back for a reader interview sometime later. I know you're a member of the Nebraska Writer's Guild... but tell us a little more about yourself and what you've written.

         Rhonda: I have four completed novels, two screenplays & numerous plays. The first novel is a cozy mystery. It is coming out sometime in November as an e-book. It's called Aunt Two Lips Takes a Powder. I wrote it not long after my father passed away. I really used it as an escape for what I was feeling. It's actually been 20 years, since he passed. Often times, when I am angry, or frustrated everything comes out funny. I had an uncle who was a handful! He is my antagonist in the book. I hope I'm not making this sound sad because it isn't. It balances that tightrope walk that we all have when someone, particularly a family member, is hard to deal with. I try to give it a spin. What's interesting to me, is how many people love my antagonists. I think it's because I make them real. They are not bad people, just difficult.

         The second book I wrote is called, The Nose Picking Boy. (Name is subject to change!) It follows a young boy and a childhood friend through adulthood. They get married & she has a baby by another man. Mom then abandons them. My protagonist raises the child as his own. What I hope to show in that book is the power of forgiveness. For balance, I show people who don't forgive & how it eats them alive.  

         I have a Christian novel that I wrote. Marbles in the Ashtray.   That book came to me because I worked with a guy who came to work one day & told me this tragic story about a friend of his son. The boy's mother was dying of cancer and the father couldn't take it. He went out and laid down on the railroad tracks & was killed. Afterwards, I kept asking about the boy. How's the mom, how's the boy. Anyway, the mom never died. I wondered, what happened?  In the book, I try to answer that question.  To me, the answer was clear. To me, God intervened.

        My fourth novel, The Mermaid Queen is about a young pregnant woman whose boyfriend wants her to rob a Pancake house.  She chickens out and hides out in the bathroom. The restaurant patrons kind of adopt her & she lives on an island with some crazy women. Her boyfriend continues on his crime spree.

        I have two screenplays, one is titled My Sister the Alien. It's about a boy who finds out his sister is an alien, and if that's not bad enough... so are his parents. Another screenplay I wrote is called The Sandstones. Although, I need a new name for that one, cause I don't think the title cuts it.  It's about a spoiled well to do family. The dad loses his job, then they lose their cars, their homes, their cell phones you name it. They have to move in with an Aunt, whose a taxidermist. She lives in a trailer park, where goats wonder freely!

E: So, let's get started. What's your favorite genre/genres, and what do you think really draws you to that/them the most?

R: I don't know that I have a favorite. I like to read all different types of stuff. I do like a good literary novel. I love getting into the psyche of people. I also like to read mysteries & or books with lots of humor. Christopher Moore comes to mind. So does Carl Hiaason, or Jennifer Weiner, though sometimes they get pretty foul & I honestly don't care for that. 


E: Now, I hear that you wrote a mermaid story. What got you started on that one? (I know you live far, far away from any large bodies of water!)R:  My family and I went to a family reunion in Seattle. Our motel was near a strip mall. We had breakfast at this place that served these fabulous Buckwheat Pancakes. (That used to be the title, Buckwheat Pancake Haven.) It was such a neat place I wanted to go back. The restaurant, next door, had a $1.99 breakfast & my family all wanted to go eat there!   I begged them to go back for Buckwheat Pancakes, but NO................. The novel starts in that Pancake place. She ends up living on an island & is terrified of water. 

While on our trip up there, we took lots of ferry rides & I loved every minute of it. So, I incorporated it into the book. I got the idea for Mermaids, kind of from the book the Mermaid Chair. You had these crazy women  on an island. I twisted it cause I loved the idea of an island of women who all think they are Mermaids. The women are a bit crazy, but not weird crazy as in the Mermaid Chair.

E: What's your most favorite writing related advice?

R: I don't think I have ever read this bit of advice, but I think you've got to live your life. You have to go for this or that experience, cause that's how you meet people. That's where ideas come to you. I think you've got to go for a walk or ride a bike. That's when things become clearer. I hate to be shut in, & I know a lot of writers who do that. They just lock themselves away & write. I think it's great for them, but I want to experience life as well. Who knows, when it can all be taken away. This is going to sound weird, but when I was a kid, I watched a Marcus Welby episode where this woman had a disease. She couldn't feel the wind on her face or it triggered a seizure. I remember thinking how horrible it was. So, I always feel like I have to feel the wind on my face. Which could be why I'm obsessed with bike riding, or physical fitness.

E:  What is your favorite type of character to write? Why do you think that especially appeals to you?

R: I like to write about changing characters, or characters who were meak & mild & then found independence. In other words, a good character arch!

In my fourth book, my protagonist, Michaela, is a wall flower. She has to come into her own, she has to be independent & yet she knows, at times she has to accept help. I'm sure the reason it appeals to me, is because it is me. I was never like Michaela, 20+, single & unmarried, but I had a difficult childhood. I was bullied, and tormented. Even the teachers could be terrible. It's nice to be away from that, and I like it when my characters can finally stand on their own. 

E: Where do you like to get your characters? Do you like to draw off of people you know, other books, or just pull them put of the blue?
R: I do draw from people I know. Like I said earlier, In Aunt Two Lips, the antagonist is my uncle. He was a very challenging person! I write him exactly the way he was, with the exception of murdering his wife & framing his niece... But other times, I kind of make people up. In the Mermaid Queen, my antagonist is a figment of my imagination.

E: Some writers talk about their characters getting out of control and things happening that they didn't intended to happen; have you ever had this happen?

R: No, I'm a control freak. I say what goes & my characters can like it or lump it. I hate it when writers say, "I just let Bob tell me what he wanted to do..."  Oh, pish posh... be a man/woman & stand up to them.  

E: How do you write, is it 'start with page one, scene one' and go through it in order; or just "whatever scene pops into your head"
(and that might mean that you have the entire middle of your book written before you even start on the beginning)?

R: I'm a pantser, which is weird cause I'm also a control freak. 0 I usually have an idea where I'm going, but I may not have it all worked out. Sometimes, I get stuck & that's because I don't outline... so that can be a problem. The middle is always a problem. Usually, I have plot points in my head & I write towards those points.

E: How do you plan your stories' "bones", or do you?

R: Usually, I just have an idea. Sometimes, I have the end. In the book I'm writing now, The Flip Flop Murders, I know the ending & I can't wait to write it! But sometimes working on the parts in between make it hard to continue.

E: Have you tried any plotting, outlining, methods; and what works best to your way of thinking?

R: I went to Lew Hunter's Screenwriting Colony. He's a big believer in outlining. You really have to outline for screenplays. That helped me finish the 3rd book I wrote, but I'm afraid I am a creature of habit & haven't outlined in a while.

E: What is your worst writing trouble?

R: It's funny, because my worst writing trouble has always been the same. At times, I can't move forward. How I got over it was, I started attending the Nebraska Writers Workshop. I used Wednesday nights as a deadline, so I always made sure I kept moving. Unfortunately,  my schedule has changed at work & I can't attend... I no longer have the deadline...so consequently I have been moving very slow on the book. Before, I was working like gang busters, but nothing lately.

E: What is your worst writing fault? How do you identify and rectify it's effects?

R: Keeping a schedule. I usually get up and work out, then come home & get ready for work. While eating my breakfast, I write for a little while. Only, sometimes, I don't write... I fall asleep, or I look at Facebook, or anything else...I try to make it a rule not to get on the internet, while I'm working...but sometimes... I need to research something....and then it's a deep dark black hole. Once you start, you're trapped like a caged animal. Stay away from all time sucking devices! The other fault is falling asleep... that's a little harder... I try to get plenty of rest & take away the plump pillow. I'm real good about turning off the T.V.... just lots of noise in the morning. Unfortunately, before I know it, it's time to go to work...ugh.

E: Hey! It's been great having you here! We've so enjoyed learning more about another writer's mental workings! Thanks for participating.

R: Thank you for the invitation!

Writer Interview: Sarah Scheele!

For this week's Writer Interview, we have with us Sarah Scheele, from Texas!

 Thanks so much for answering the call, Sarah! We're so glad to have you here this time, and we hope to get you back for a reader interview sometime later.

Sarah S: You’re welcome, Elizabeth! It’s my pleasure to be here.


E: So, let's get started.  Tell us a little about yourself and what you've written.

S: Well, I grew up homeschooled, surrounded by great books, so I fell in love with literature early. When I was tiny, I would listen as my mom read poetry aloud, and I started writing as soon as I could use a pen. Three years ago, I published a collection of sci-fi/fantasy novellas, Facets of Fantasy.  One of those stories, “Millhaven Castle,” has grown into a full novel—with the potential for sequels—and I’m hoping to expand on the others as well.

E. What's your favorite genre/genres, and what do you think really draws you to that/them the most?

S: My favorites are sci-fi/fantasy and comedy, no doubt about it. With speculative fiction, I can set up imaginary societies that explore how people interact in our real one. Putting the story in an invented culture like our own enables people to look at our world objectively from the outside. And comedy adds an additional layer of insight about the absurd or faulty within situations.

E: What's your most favorite writing related advice?

S: Strive to write what mirrors life. The difference between a great book and just another novel is that it becomes more than a story. It starts to mean something to people. It leaves the printed page and touches something that readers are dealing with in their real lives. You make that happen by putting in extra effort to observe the world around you.

E:  What is your favorite type of character to write? Why do you think that especially appeals to you?

S: Funny characters! It’s harder to be funny, for one thing—a real challenge for the writing mind. Comedy provides a moral purpose as well. If selfishness, arrogance, and poor reasoning are shown as ridiculous, people will be less likely to do these things. And I simply love making people laugh.

E: Where do you like to get your characters? Do you like to draw off of people you know, other books, or just pull them put of the blue?


S: All three, really. Sometimes I stumble across a stock character (for example, a rich old geezer who thinks he is still attractive) and I think, “Ah, that could be really good in my story!” I also analyze real people quite a bit. But once I’ve assembled a few characters and started writing, new people pop in and these are often my best. :D

E: Some writers talk about their characters getting out of control and things happening that they didn't intend to happen; have you ever had this happen?

S: All the time. A notable example is a character named George Longdogo. He began as a minor comic guest at a ball, but eventually grew into a foreign royal with a role in the plot! You know your characters are getting good when they stop doing what you want. After all, it’s easy to tell a paper doll what to do. It’s much harder to tell your sister or your co-worker. :P

E: How do you write, is it 'start with page one, scene one' and go through it in order; or just "whatever scene pops into your head"
(and that might mean that you have the entire middle of your book written before you even start on the beginning)?

S: Generally I start writing from the beginning. Then I stop without finishing it because a new, unrelated scene has popped into my head. After awhile, I return to my first story and realize it could neatly join with the new ideas I’ve been working on. So I’d say I write stories in chunks of about 1/3 at a time and gradually sew them together.

E: How do you plan your stories' "bones", or do you?

S: I listen to music.  Images like movie trailers flash through my mind. I’ll watch this “trailer” over and over as I listen to the song, even if I don’t quite know how this story will be written. Trailers have to pinpoint the pivotal moments, so they help me form abstract images of what’s central to the work.

E: Have you tried any plotting, outlining, methods; and what works best to your way of thinking?

S: When drafting, I often write by talking rather than by forming an outline. I present a scene to my sisters and as they interact the scene grows and grows. Once I’m very far along in the story, I organize it a bit and calculate how long it will be and how much more I need to write. That’s the only time when outlining comes in.

E: What is your worst writing trouble?

S: Perfectionism. From my early teens on, I wanted to be the best. I read the classics and compared myself to them, constantly trying to improve. I didn’t want to be a complacent, mediocre author. But I was aiming way too high. Even the greats started small and their early work wasn’t that good. I’m trying to let go and accept that there’s no work without faults. That’s an impossible standard.

E:  Good point! It's so hard to hit the balance point of "good enough". But everybody has to start somewhere!
 What is your worst writing fault? How do you identify and rectify its effects?

S: Character growth is hard for me. I’m much more an observer than a reformer, so I’m not really into sending my characters on life-changing experiences. I’ve noticed longer works quickly get stale when characters seem to learn nothing after many pages, so I try to make sure my people aren’t so elemental that they can’t develop.

E: Hey! It's been great having you here! We've so enjoyed learning more about another writer's mental workings! Thanks for participating. 


S: I’ve enjoyed it so much. Thanks for having me. :)

 And folks, Sarah can be kept up with and contacted at these links:
  Her blog, Stardust and Gravel
  ...on Facebook Sarah Scheele
   ...and on Twitter!