I am so pleased to be guesting with Victora Ray for an interview. She gave me some challenging questions, which caused some deep thinking. Victoria is the author of some pretty cool books which are winning awards left and right. Give her a visit and check them out. Here is the link
Category: authors
Thursday – A little Personal Interview with John Fioravanti #RRBC
I want to welcome a friend of mine, John Fioravanti. John and I met at Rave Reviews Book Club and realized we share a number of interests. Also, we are both over 65, so there is that as well. John is a very talented author and has been quite busy since retiring from his teaching responsibilities. John lives in Waterloo, Ontario and has graciously consented to a visit here with me today.
Hi John and welcome. Help yourself to the coffee.
Thank you very much, John. I’m honoured to visit here at “Fiction Favorites”. Mmmm, great coffee!
Thank you. I got the recipe from a friend of mine. Well now if you are comfy why don’t we get to the questions.
Tell us a little about yourself, John. I know you spent your working life as a history teacher but after that what made you decide to become a writer?
One of my passions in the classroom was to teach writing skills–within the context of my history lessons. I knew then I had a gift to write well, but I never thought of writing outside educational skills manuals until the end of my teaching career.
What a career it has been so far. You have four of your own books published, one anthology and in at least three genres. Tell my readers a little about your writing discipline. How are you able to stay with your writing regimen?
My writing discipline could be much more disciplined! However, almost everything I write is on a keyboard – I use pen and paper for rough notes. When I sit with pen in hand, I find it difficult to write anything of value. When I’m behind the keyboard, the magic begins to happen, and ideas flow from my head to my fingers. I can’t explain it, but that’s my reality.
Interesting. I feel the same way at the keyboard. Okay, so you have done some memoirs, Sci-fi fiction, and a collection of reflections. Let me ask what genre or book was the most fun for you to write?
Writing fiction is the most enjoyable writing that I do. I don’t write classic science fiction, but rather, I write about human drama in a science fiction universe. I thoroughly enjoy exploring life on planet Genesis, seven centuries into the future. I never thought I could write fiction, nor did I have a burning desire to do so. Kenneth Tam, my former student, and prolific novelist challenged me to write within the sci-fi universe that he created for his Equations novels. Fiction is delightfully creative and a great escape for the writer.
You mention the planet Genesis. Let’s turn a minute to the Genesis Saga. First, tell us a little about the inspiration for this series.
As I mentioned earlier, the inspiration for the Genesis Saga was Kenneth Tam’s eight-book Equations series. There is a forty-year gap in the middle of the series – a period of peace between two intergalactic wars. I complained to him that I wanted to know what happened during that peacetime. He challenged me to write those stories. So, my Genesis Saga tells what happened to the people of Genesis between Kenneth’s Book 4 and Book 5.
Now, give us a brief overview of the Saga. What is the story about?
The people of Genesis are the descendants of the humans who escaped a killer self-aware virus in the late 21 st Century. The UN sent 1 million survivors out into space in a great colonizer ship to find planet Genesis and begin human civilisation anew, after a 95-year journey, the ship arrives at Genesis, and the grandchildren of the original survivors began to settle their new world. The Genesis Saga picks up the story 600 years after that arrival point when their civilisation is teetering on the edge of self-destruction.
Sounds very exciting. I know you have been posting a prequel to the Genesis Saga in a serial format on your blog. Tell us about the story you are telling.
Kenneth Tam created this universe, but he begins his novels just five years before the Genesis Saga. Therefore, the stories about the first 600 years of human history on Genesis have not been written. I asked Kenneth for permission to create that early history, and he encouraged me to continue. The short posts in the “Genesis Chronicles” on the Fiora Books website are experimental forays into this period. After writing 23 of these posts, I am very excited about that time in Genesis history
That sounds great, John. Do you anticipate publishing a book about the prequel to the Genesis Saga?
A month ago I asked Kenneth Tam for permission to create a new series of novels I’ve been writing. He thinks it is a promising idea and encouraged me to think about writing both series at the same time. I think I will go ahead with the project.
How about the Saga itself? Can we expect another book?
I have started the third book in The Genesis Saga, and the original plan was for an 8-book series. I want to finish telling the story of the developments on Genesis to the end of that 40-year peacetime.
What are you currently working on?
I’m working on the general outline for Book 3 as mentioned earlier, and I want to begin planning the new series – which I haven’t named yet. As well I write two blog posts per week.
You are very busy. What is the most challenging thing about writing for you and why?
One of the demons I’ve always struggled with is that of self-doubt. I find that it causes me to hesitate and it forms a roadblock that I have to overcome to get to the serious job of writing. Once I start, the magic begins to happen. I call it ‘magic’ because I don’t know where this ability to create fiction emanates.
Self-doubt tends to haunt us all. What can we expect from you in the years to come?
Lots of new books, I hope! I want to finish the Genesis Saga and its sister series. As well, I plan to write more inspirational non-fiction. I enjoy writing reflections based on quotes that I find because that exercise helps me to clarify, for myself, many aspects of what it takes to live my life well.
How about the personal John? (After all, this is the title of the post) What do you like to do in your spare time and do you have a family?
Anne and I married when we were just 22 years of age – and she still puts up with me! We have three children and three grandchildren. Fortunately, we all live in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. In our spare time, Anne and I love to attend live theatre performances. In each of the last five years, we spent a week in the winter on Caribbean cruises.
Where can my readers reach you?
My Fiora Books website: www.fiorabooks.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnJFioravanti and https://twitter.com/FioraBooks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.f.fioravanti
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/John-Fioravanti/e/B00JSAHGAU
John’s other books.
His latest.
His First.
‘Thank you so much, John we are all going to look forward to your work. Thank you for visiting my blog. Here have an American IPA I know it’s not as good as your Molson Ale but it must do for now.
Thursday – A Little Personal – Interview on RAVE WAVES BlogTalkRadio with Blaire Sharpe #RRBC
I am pleased to have as my interview guest on RAVE WAVES “SPOTLIGHT HONORS” Blaire Sharpe the author of Not Really Gone an incredible memoir.
The show begins at 11:00 am Central time today. Here is all the information
Welcome to RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB’S BlogTalkRadio Production of RAVE WAVES “SPOTLIGHT HONORS,” where Host, John W. Howell, is joined by AUTHOR, BLAIRE SHARPE. We will be discussing her memoir, “NOT REALLY GONE.” Join us as we explore this book and become better acquainted with the author.
Here is Blaire’s contact information
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBlaireSharpe/
Her Website address: www.blairesharpe.com
Her Twitter Handle: @BlaireSharpe
This segment of SPOTLIGHT HONORS is being sponsored by NONNIE JULES, the author of “IF ONLY THERE WAS MUSIC.”
If you’d like to know how you can get your own recorded commercial to air during one of our shows, please visit the RRBC site.
Author Interview with Guy Portman – Author of Necropolis and Charles Middleworth
Click Cover to Visit Amazon
I am very happy today to have Guy Portman author of two great novels: Charles Middleworth and Necropolis visit Fiction Favorites.
Guy’s latest novel Necropolis, released on April 24th is a humorous work of dark Fiction about a sociopath, who works in the Burials and Cemeteries department in his local council. This is the Blurb:
Dyson Devereux works in the Burials and Cemeteries department in his local council. Dyson is intelligent, incisive and informed. He is also a sociopath. Dyson’s contempt for the bureaucracy and banality of his workplace provides ample refuge for his mordant wit. But the prevalence of Essex Cherubs adorning the headstones of Newton New Cemetery is starting to get on his nerves.
When an opportunity presents itself will Dyson seize his chance and find freedom, or is his destiny to be a life of toil in Burials and Cemeteries?
Brutal, bleak and darkly comical, Necropolis is a savage indictment of the politically correct, health and safety obsessed world in which we live.
Guy is also the author of, Charles Middleworth, the critically acclaimed fictional story about an actuary, who has his existence turned upside down by sinister forces that he can neither understand nor control.
John: Guy currently resides in London, where he was born. He studied for a B.A. in Theology at Kings College London, a subject he chose out of interest rather than any religious persuasion. He also has an M.A. in Sport and Leisure Management. His working life has included being employed in academic research and the sports industry, where he spent several years at a Premier League Football club. He has traveled extensively, living and working in both Sydney and Tokyo. Besides writing and promoting his work, Guy enjoys reading a wide variety of books, reviews of which can be found in the review section of his blog which you can visit HERE. His other interests include sport and social media.
So without further hesitation I want to welcome you, Guy Portman to Fiction Favorites. Please pull up a chair and make yourself comfortable. First of all, thank you for agreeing to an author interview on my blog.
Guy: Thank you John. I have been looking forward to our interview. I must say a virtual trip to the US is preferable to the long flight on British Airways, and infinitely better to a flight on Delta Air. I am enjoying the view of the sea from your studio.
John: Yes the sea is very relaxing. Thank you for referring to my dining room as my studio. Can I get you anything to eat or drink? A Margarita perhaps?
Guy: I would love to sample one of your famous Margaritas.
John: Here you are, I hope you enjoy. Well, now that we are comfortable, I have some questions that I’m sure readers would want to know about you and your books. The first is on the subject of your latest book Necropolis. What was the inspiration for such a tale about a worker in a Burials and Cemeteries department?
Guy: I had an overwhelming desire to write a satire/black comedy. Necropolis provided me the opportunity to do both. The fact Dyson is based in the public sector allowed me to satirise (Guy is English after all ) bureaucracy, political correctness and the interference of central government in local government affairs. The fact Necropolis is based in a Burials and Cemeteries department provided a perfect setting for a black comedy.
John: I would say that sounds like the perfect setting for a black comedy. In contrast, Charles Middleworth is a bit of what could be considered light humor. What caused you to try a little darker side in Necropolis?
Guy: I believe that I have a caustic wit, and that writing Necropolis would provide me ample refuge for it. In addition to this I have read a great deal of black comedy and Transgressive Fiction in recent years, which has no doubt influenced my writing.
John: How much of the character, Dyson Devereux in Necropolis is Guy Portman or the other way around?
Guy: Dyson Devereux is a sociopath. I am not. However there are some similarities between Dyson and I. Like Dyson, I am charming and good-looking. You’re not posting a photograph of me with this post are you John?
John: No guy I’m not posting a photograph.
Guy: You’re not – phew. What Dyson and I definitely share is a dry sense of humour and a degree of cynicism.
John: Thinking now of your two books: Charles Middleworth and Necropolis was one easier to write than the other. If not do you have a favorite between the two?
Guy: Charles Middleworth was much more difficult to write, as it was my first book.
John: I can certainly understand the first seems to be the roughest. About your writing process, could you give us an idea of what your average day looks like as it relates to writing?
Guy: It varies from day-to-day. When I started writing Necropolis, I only wrote for about an hour a day – five days a week, but my writing efforts soon escalated to four or five hours a day, as I was so enthusiastic to get the story down on paper, or rather on Microsoft Word.
John: Which is harder for you to write, the beginning, middle or conclusion?
Guy: A good question. Um let me think. The middle. I believe this is because it is difficult to judge how long it should be. The beginning is clear, as is the end, but it is easy to procrastinate and/or elaborate too much in the middle. For me this is the part of the initial draft that needs scaling down the most when I do my first edit.
John: I think elaboration is the curse of authors, so I can understand your choice. This is a question that all authors need to answer since other authors are always interested in the style of others. Are you a plotter (very planned approach to writing) or a pantser? (seat of pants)
Guy: I started off as something of a pantser, but have evolved into a plotter. Of course I want spontaneity in my writing, but as Necropolis is very plot based a pantser approach was never going to work for me.
John: I have been reading about your reviews namely Crime Fiction Lover (Britain’s largest and most prestigious crime Fiction review site) has awarded Necropolis 5 out of 5 stars. For our readers: Click here to read the review (warning: contains some spoilers). Do any others come to mind?
Guy: Necropolis has only been out a very short time, but the positive reviews are coming in fast. Another that springs to mind is this one on Mallory Heart Reviews.
John: So I don’t totally exhaust you I think this will be the last question. Do you have plans for the next book and if so will it be more like Charles Middleworth or more like Necropolis?
Guy: My third book will contain dry, sardonic humour, just like Charles Middleworth and Necropolis. It will be more in keeping with Necropolis, in that it will be a work of dark, disturbing Fiction, but it will not be a satirical black comedy.
John: I’m sure all of us stateside will look forward to the third. In the meantime, all should pick up and read Necropolis and Charles Middleworth if not already done. Thank you guy it was a real pleasure to chat today. Please come back again. Oh, and next time could you bring me some Lemon Curd. I can’t seem to get any here in the colonies
Guy: I can’t seem to get Margaritas like these back in the Mother Country. Perhaps we could form a business partnership. It has to be more profitable than this writing business. Hopefully it won’t end up like the Boston Tea Party. One more Margarita for the road?
John: Here you go Guy. I think almost any venture is more profitable than this writing business. Also the first Boston Tea Party was a once in a life time thing and we rebels got that out of our system. So everyone knows; Necropolis is now available from all regional Amazons in paperback and Kindle. Amazon.co.uk –Paperback: £6.99 Kindle: £2.22 Amazon.com – Paperback: $10.52 Kindle: $3.73 and of Course Charles Middleworth is available on Amazon. Click HERE to take a look.
Silent Fury by Janice Ross – Rave Reviews Book Club Spotlight Author
Silent Fury
In front a neatly positioned pile of rags
She sat in silent fury.
Green, red, white – yellow, pink, blue
Attend to her silent fury.
Silver shears elegantly trace
Each fabric in silent fury.
Adorned garments and stylish shoes
Lay in shambles in silent fury.
Furry cinnamon, dark coiled locks
Chopped down in silent fury.
Her disappointment, her hurt, her pain revealed
In mounting silent fury.
Illogical utterances, abuse of the mind
Caused her silent fury.
Unable to scream or rebel aloud
Released in silent fury.
Disastrous arguments a vain solution
Recourse in silent fury.
Yard brooms take a toll on battered skin
Low sobs in silent fury.
A fist, a belt, a size ten shoe
Accepted in silent fury.
“Blasted woman! Crosses in life!”
Condemnation in silent fury.
Unwanted kisses, unsolicited sex
Received in silent fury.
A jook inside her tender pink flesh
Pulsating in silent fury.
Threats to decapitate and stab her meat
Her flight in silent fury.
Rape, molestation and abuse
She responds in silent fury.
(©2010 Janice Ross)
Physical, verbal, and emotional abuse awareness is very near and dear to me. It pains my heart to even think about the countless individuals that have suffered at the hands of others. Through my passion for this plight, I’ve published a series titled Damaged Girls. At the heart of the series is various forms of abuse, on a variety of different levels. Damaged Girls I, II & III are available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and other online sites. If you do purchase and read, I would greatly appreciate some feedback. I can be reached at janice.ross@culturalcocktails.com
In addition, I’ve collaborated with several authors (Selena Haskins, T.M. Brown, Nicole Dunlap, Tamika Christy, and Adrienne Thompson) to offer a free collection of short stories under the title Just Between Us: Inspiring Stories By Women. In it we share intimate stories of self-realization, appreciation and abuse. I encourage you to sample our work.
Be informed. Speak out for others. Be a friend. Do not be afraid to fight for what is right.
Bio
Janice Ross was born in Guyana, South America and migrated to the USA in 1980. Although her citizenship certificate now reads the United States of America, she considers herself a citizen of the world. Sure she has not physically been around the world and back, but she’s travelled in her mind and dreams.
Janice is an author. She enjoys writing about social issues and personal experiences. Janice’s debut release was entitled Damaged Girls. She uses the three books in that series to detail the effects of different forms of abuse, discussing issues that are known to be taboo. Her next release, Jumping Ship, is a dedication to her country of birth and an introductory novella to the Island Hopping Series – due out in 2014. It’s poised to be a colorful and emotional experience of life, love and family. As of present, she is also a contributor to a short story collection – Just Between Us, Inspiring Stories by Women. And lastly, Loving Nate is a novella about the realities of losing one’s self to love.
Janice enjoys reading. And is drawn to stories with distinct characters that she can love or hate, characters she can form alliances with or characters that she can swear off and despise. She is also weak for a good cultural tale, preferably in the form of historical fiction. Janice loves to be taken off guard by clever language and settings.
Janice is also a devout supporter and promoter of other authors through social media. She hosts a weekly show, Cultural Cocktails, on the largest social radio network, Blog Talk Radio.
You can connect with Janice on
Website: www.culturalcocktails.com
Talk show: www.blogtalkradio.com/culturalcocktails
Blog http://jgrwriter.wordpress.com &
http://myculturalcocktails.wordpress.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/JGRWriter
FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/Cultural.Cocktails
&
https://www.facebook.com/jgrwriter?ref=hl
Google+https://plus.google.com/104579627944902429382/posts/p/pub?partnerid=gplp0
Happy Birthday: Are You Watching Nonnie Write? Blog Tour
I am happy to host Nonnie Jules, fine author and big supporter of other authors. So much so, she founded the Rave Reviews Book Club for such a purpose. So without further yammering from me here is Nonnie.
Welcome to day 6 of my 15 day “HAPPY BIRTHDAY: ARE YOU WATCHING NONNIE WRITE?” Blog Tour and I’m happy to be visiting with one of my fellow RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB members, John! I thank him so much for having me and my apologies for being tardy to my own party today.
This month marks the one year anniversary of my burst onto the social media scene and during that time, I have published three REALLY GOOD books and have learned so very much about the industry. Although I’ve been a writer for most of my life (actually, I was born one), I only just became a published author in 2013. Some might say, “In that short amount of time, what does she know?” Well, I’m here to tell you that “SHE” has learned a lot! “SHE” has taken the time to hone her skills in the writing department as well as her knowledge. “SHE” has taken the bull by the horn and run full speed ahead in building her author platform and establishing herself in the writing industry. “SHE” is making her name KNOWN.
On each stop of my tour, I am sharing with you tips on writing, publishing and support, all topics equally important to the writing industry. I hope that what I am imparting, you will take, mull over, and then act on in the best interest of YOU.
With that being said, here is…
MAKING YOUR NAME KNOWN BY BEING THE VOICE OF OTHERS!
As some of you know by now, I am the Founder and President of RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB, and many have asked what my motivation was behind forming the club. Well, some of you will get tired of my response, but I did it in support of others. I am constantly on the look-out for ways to promote and propel others. I truly believe that for me to be successful, I have to assist others in becoming successful first, or at the same time. I believe in lifting as I climb, and I practice all that I preach. I believe in that very attractive lady named KARMA! I knew that some of the struggles for authors were a lack of book sales and book reviews, and so what better way to support my peers than to offer an avenue to increase both sales and reviews for Authors. A book club of your peers (authors & readers) who have signed on to do JUST THAT… for the sole purpose of supporting you in this very manner. Hence, the birth of RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB.
I hand-picked my Governing Board and what was my most important criteria? …That they were all UBER-SUPPORTIVE OF OTHERS. And if you don’t know by now, I have created the best DREAM TEAM in the publishing and writing world! Have you met my board yet? Bruce A. Borders, Marlena Hand, Janice G. Ross, Kathryn Chastain Treat, Shirley H. Slaughter, Teri Garringer, Danica Cornell, and Beem Weeks are the reasons that this club is as successful as it is. Would you like to know HOW successful our club is? Well, let me tell you…our site RaveReviewsByNonnieJules went live on Christmas Eve, 2013, that’s not even a full four months and in that short amount of time, we have had over 26,419 site visits! We get around 20+ membership applications a day, but NOW, we’re very selective of who we allow into our fold. If you’re all about “self” and it reflects in your membership application based on your statements, then you’re probably not a good fit for us, because here at RRBC, we’re all about SUPPORT OF OTHERS FIRST! Here’s another example of what this club’s support can and IS doing for its members: my debut novel “DAYDREAM’S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE’S FRIEND” was chosen as the book club’s FIRST book of the month selection. When we started, I had only 1 book review. When my book’s run was over, I had 50 book reviews! How awesome is that? My e-book sales alone were almost at 200 during the time that my book was featured! Since that time, we have SPOTLIGHTED several authors and I’m sure they will all attest to the fact that the support they received from the club was UNEXPECTED and OVERWHELMING, both in the best way! We are making our name known because of the support we show and offer to our peers.
Now that I’ve shared that info with you, I’m going to leave you with this: If you want to be propelled to your highest, let your name be synonymous with support and let that support be for others. It’s OK to use your voice in support of you, but I think when that pretty lady named KARMA comes around your way, she will want to know that you used it louder in support of your fellow authors.
If you’re interested in supporting and being supported in high fashion, join us over at RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CUB. We’d love to have you!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
NONNIE Jules grew up loving books and everything about them. She has traveled the world, jumped out of planes and climbed many mountains, all thanks to the wonderful world of literature. She lives with her husband and two daughters on a very quiet strip of land in Louisiana, where red dirt roads and pick-up trucks go hand in hand. She is the Author of three great reads at present: “THE GOOD MOMMIES’ GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS,” 100 Tips On Raising Daughters Everyone Can’t Help But Love!; “Daydream’s Daughter, Nightmare’s Friend” (a novel); and “SUGARCOATIN’ IS FOR CANDY & PACIFYIN’ IS FOR KIDS!” Nonnie is also Founder and President of the widely-known Rave Reviews Book Club, as well as being a sought-after book reviewer with a strong “eye” for perfection. She continues to write from many different genres and hopes to teach and touch minds and hearts alike with her very unique style of writing. She loves positive feedback on her writing and personally responds to each and every email. Nonnie can be reached at nonniewrites@yahoo.com, on Twitter @nonniejules, and do follow her blogs WATCH NONNIE WRITE! {nonniewrites.wordpress.com} and ASK THE GOOD MOMMY {askthegoodmommy.wordpress.com}. Nonnie’s feet are firmly planted in her two most important platforms: Parenting & Support, where she continually invites the masses to join her.
BUY LINKS:
“THE GOOD MOMMIES’ GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS,” 100 Tips On Raising Daughters Everyone Can’t Help But Love! – amazon.com/dp/B00CP62O56; or createspace.com/4355124
“Daydream’s Daughter, Nightmare’s Friend“ – amazon.com/dp/B00GLM2VVM; createspace.com/4386308
“SUGARCOATIN’ IS FOR CANDY & PACIFYIN’ IS FOR KIDS!” – amazon.com/dp/B00IRIA0I4
Rave Reviews Book Club Author Spotlight Blog Tour – Angelia Vernon Menchan Part ll
The Rave Reviews Book Club of which I am a member does a great job of spotlighting authors throughout the year. Today’s author is Angelia Vernon Menchan who is a publishing author with 26 paperback books and countless eBook titles to her credit. She also publishes the work of several other authors and mentors by writing and publishing. She also publishes a blog titled: Angelia’s Ramblings which you can visit HERE. She is the author of Soul Ties available on Amazon.
Angelia would like to share some information on Author Branding:
Branding Oneself
Angelia Vernon Menchan
I created a brand once I became an author quite by chance. I was encouraged to start a blog and within a very short period of time I became known as a positive speaker and motivator.
How did that brand tie in to my work?
I always have a theme of overcoming or using mentors in anything I write. I write fiction, non-fiction, women’s fiction and YA fiction, as such it was easy to promote my books with who I had become known as.
Making sure your brand isn’t tarnished.
This is tricky because we all have a tendency to vent, particularly via social media. Be very careful about that because if you are writing books about faith, positivity, or anything that is positive, if your persona is negative, no one will believe you thus tarnishing your image and your ability to sell your books.
Choose other ways to enhance your brand beyond selling books.
I have become known as a motivational speaker and that was born of my books and making myself available to those who have read my books and the themes within. Once a person feels they know you and what your work is about it opens up other venues.
Narrow your social network groups to your brand.
What I am saying here is that none of us can maintain fifty groups if we are working and writing and if your books are inspirational it doesn’t make sense to market a group that is focused on erotica, for instance. If that is a reading interest then only enter that group as a reader. Use groups dedicated to your brand and your type of product otherwise you won’t find your target audience.
You can visit Angelia at her Blog or on Amazon and you can visit Rave Reviews Book Club right HERE and think about joining. You could be in the Author’s Spotlight as well.
Angelia Vernon Menchan
Amazon Books
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TGIF is as TGIF Does
Friday is here again and it is time to celebrate the week. If you read my stuff you know I am knee-deep in a blog tour helped by wonderful bloggers around the world. Since My GRL has been published a retrospective of thought brought me to a truism of writing which I have often read about, but never experienced. The truism goes something like this: THE EASY PART OF WRITING A NOVEL IS WRITING A NOVEL. I could not imagine this to be true working alone in my garret with no one to test ideas on but a cat. I have to say at this point it seems to be true. To recap:
You write . . . (check)
You edit . . . (check)
You submit and query . . . (check, check, check, check how many queries?)
You edit some more . . . (check)
You pick out art . . . (check)
You wait with bated breath . . . (check)
You watch your book go live . . . (check)
You die as something is delayed on the e-version . . . (check)
You die as the image on the e-version refuses to download properly . . . (check)
You pray for good reviews . . . (check)
Now the real work begins, selling the damn thing wonderful story to the reading public.
I wrote a little Haiku with the spirit of the situation in mind. I hope you like it
The Book – Haiku by John W. Howell ©2014
Write a book alone,
Finally see it published…
Selling is hard work.
Have a good weekend.
Liar Is as Liar Does – The Results
Here is the final set of results for the five truths and a lie. If you missed the original you can click http://wp.me/p2Qoij-TH.
For the first set of results you can click http://wp.me/p2Qoij-TR
Makes me feel a little guilty that only four of the responses were correct. So here are the final results and the those who guessed correctly. Again I apologize for not having a Ferrari to give as a prize. Maybe next time.
Story Number Four I went off to college and believed I would make a good veterinarian. I loved animals and could not imagine a more worthy career. The first term in vet school found me up late at night babysitting a very sick goat. The goat needed surgery and the vet finished the task. My job was to walk the goat around so the anesthesia could be naturally dispersed. If the goat lay down it could ultimately suffer from a bloated condition that could be fatal. I walked the goat for more than eight hours and did some serious thinking. That night alone with the goat made me realize I was not really prepared to deal with life and death decisions over these gentle creatures. The goat did survive, but I decided to make a change. I changed majors at the end of the term. The story is FALSE.
I initially enrolled in the Landscape Architecture school. Spent the term struggling since I found I had no talent. It was the kind of thing you either have it or you don’t. I didn’t. I also ran for class office and won. This spelled the end of my career in Landscape Architecture and the beginning of a long association with the liberal arts.
Story Number Five When I was getting ready to graduate from the university I began the process of interviewing for a job. A number of companies interviewed right at the school and so I signed up for about thirty or so. I was talking to a company which manufactured office furniture. All was going well until I complimented the person on the quality of their clocks. As can happen doing a number of interviews I had the wrong company. Their names were the same, but one did clocks and one did furniture. The furniture guy was not pleased to talk intelligently only to discover the person he thought would be right for the job was an idiot. The story is TRUE (unfortunately)
If there was ever an award for the most inept interviewer I would have won hands down. The guy looked at me and shook his head and advised me to do better research. The sad point was; I had researched the hell out of clocks. I think I could have built one out whatever material was at hand.
Story Number Six I graduated from college and went to work for a famous consumer products company. (Yes I survived the interview process) My job was to introduce new products and maintain share of established brands in my assigned territory. I would visit grocery stores, drug stores, and mass merchants to represent the company brands. I worked diligently and was recruited away by another company. The presentation that caused the recruiter to believe I was right for the new company involved swallowing Tic Tacs telling the buyer before “if you don’t say yes to this order I have some cyanide I will need to take since my boss will kill me anyway.” It only worked from a humor point of view. The story is TRUE
I was unaware there was anyone observing my presentation. The door to the buying office was open and one of the salesmen sitting in the anteroom overheard the conversation. He caught me on the way out and suggested I give his boss a call. He thought I would fit in with his company. The rest is history since I took the new job and stayed for over twenty years. He was right, it was a perfect fit.
Thank you all. Here are the links to those who guessed correctly. Go see what makes them so clairvoyant.
Beth Drew
Blog Tour Is as Blog Tour Does-Allure of the GypsieS
Legends of Windemere: Allure of the GypsieS has Arrived!!!
The epic adventures of Luke Callindor and Nyx continue after their journey down the L’Dandrin River in Legends of Windemere: Prodigy of Rainbow Tower.
Reeling from his failures in their previous adventure, Luke leads his surviving friends to his hometown. With his mind frayed and his confidence fractured, Luke must face the family and fiancée he left behind. It is a brief homecoming when the vampire Kalam attacks the village, forcing Luke and Nyx to break into his lair for the key to resurrecting a fallen warrior. It is a quest that will force both young heroes to reach new heights of strength and power that they never knew they had.
Can Luke and Nyx escape the lair of Kalam? And, what role will the orphaned gypsy Sari play in their looming destiny?
Wondering what you’re in for? Check out the praise earned by the first two installments of this high fantasy series.
Review Excerpts for Legends of Windemere: Beginning of a Hero:
“I greatly enjoyed the vivid characters, the gripping plot, and the refreshingly unique writing style (present tense). ” – kdillmanjones
“This is a sophisticated and delightful read. I recommend this book to lovers of Fantasy or to General Fiction readers. The story is compelling enough to entertain a wide audience.” – John W. Howell
“One of the things that won me over was the bouts of humor. Especially in the beginning. “This is not possible! I am a Paladin!” I thought I was going to die with delight.” – C.N. Faust
Review Excerpts for Legends of Windemere: Prodigy of Rainbow Tower:
“Something I find unique about this fantasy novel that I don’t often find in others, is that the hero, Luke Callindor is rather of the unlucky variety. He does not get everything he asks for, he stumbles, falls, gets knocked down (literally)and taught lessons as he goes. This is helping him to grow into the hero that was promised in the first book.” – Ionia Martin
“Nyx is such a strong personality. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and more of the other characters, new and already known, with the rich tapestry of Windemere unfolding in between intense actions scenes and moments of kindness and budding friendships.” – Danielle Taylor
“Almost like the Harry Potter series. The books start out so young and innocent, but by the last book – watch out!” — Momto4Booklover
Author Biography:
Charles Yallowitz was born and raised on Long Island, NY, but he has spent most of his life wandering his own imagination in a blissful haze. Occasionally, he would return from this world for the necessities such as food, showers, and Saturday morning cartoons. One day he returned from his imagination and decided he would share his stories with the world. After his wife decided that she was tired of hearing the same stories repeatedly, she convinced him that it would make more sense to follow his dream of being a fantasy author. So, locked within the house under orders to shut up and get to work, Charles brings you Legends of Windemere. He looks forward to sharing all of his stories with you and his wife is happy he finally has someone else to play with.
Contact:
Blog- www.legendsofwindemere.com
Twitter- @cyallowitz
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/CharlesYallowitz
Another big event to celebrate the debut of Legends of Windemere: Allure of the Gypsies ; Charles is holding a Goodreads Giveaway! The prize is a paperback copy of ALL THREE LEGENDS OF WINDEMERE NOVELS. Winners will be picked at the end of December, so go HERE: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/73084-prodigy-of-rainbow-tower to enter the contest.
