Author Interview - Andrea Boyde

Please welcome Author Andrea Boyde to my blog today!

1. Have you always had a passion for writing? 

Definitely. From a young age I can remember writing all sorts of stories and poems, many of which I still have.

2. Does what you read influence what you write and what are some of your favourite authors/books?  

My dreams tend to be my biggest influences. Although my latest piece was inspired by something my sister said to me. As for favourite authors, Edger Allan Poe, Dean Koontz, J.K Rowling and J R R Tolkien. I do read a great deal of historical books too.

3. What are your biggest inspirations?

Life is my biggest inspiration. The ups and downs it can throw at you and the lessons you learn during the hardest times.
4. Do you have a technique in how you choose characters and/or locational settings?

 I had to laugh when I read this because I don't. They just kind of pop into my head and, if it feels right, I go with it.

5. Do you listen to music while you are creating your masterpieces? 

Always. What I listen to depends on what I am writing. Can be anything from Classical to Rock or Pop to Alternative.

6. What do you do to stay motivated and avoid writer’s block? 

I belong to Toastmasters and have found it a great way to keep the old creative juices flowing.

7. How has becoming a published author (independent or traditional) changed your perspective on life and is it everything you expected it to be? (If you are not published yet – what changes do you foresee?)

 I think the biggest thing for me will be the acknowledgement that comes with being published. It's all well and good thinking to yourself that you can write, but when someone else thinks the same and publishes your work, that would be amazing!

8. What are your biggest challenges as an author?

 Believing in my ability would be the biggest. Self doubt is a huge thing for so many people and I think you just have to try and push that aside and believe in what you do.

9. Do you have any pets?

 I'm smiling right now. I have 3 cats, one of whom has inspired me to write a children's book.

10. What hobbies do you have outside of reading and writing?

 Walking is the biggest. It's a great way to clear the old cob-webs. Also make Jewellery and have recently caught onto the whole Steampunk thing. (It's loads of fun)

11. Where is the most exciting/memorable place you have been in the world?

 There are so many places I would love to go to, so am certain this will change one day, but the most memorable has to be up the top of the Mountain in the town I grew up in. Hadn't been there since I was young and a group of us went up last year. Stunning views and a wonderful day filled with memories. You can't get better than that.

12. Tell us about your latest work in progress or most recent published work…

 My latest work is called George the Dragon and was inspired by something one of my sisters said. It actually started as a bit of fun, but ended up more than that and I am so incredibly proud of it. While it is primarily a Fantasy piece, there are a few life lessons thrown in there. It's a story of love, adventure, friendship, loss and giving others a second chance. I have been posting it on its own Facebook page chapter by chapter over the last couple of months and am reaching the conclusion. Mind you, the idea of letting go of the characters is hard so will have to write some other tales.

You can find info on George the Dragon here!

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Author Interview - Torie James

Please welcome Author Torie James to my blog today for this weeks interview!


1. Have you always had a passion for writing? 

Absolutely! Since before I could even write legibly (although that’s still up for debate!), rumor has it I loved paper and pens.

2. Does what you read influence what you write and what are some of your favourite authors/books? 

I think it definitely seeps into the subconscious and can be right there on the the edge of my mind when I’m writing. But I also like pushing outside the box and seeing how far I can take it. I have way to many favored authors (such as my lovely hostess here!) to list. Same with books. But at the moment? I’m reading Philippa Gregory’s “Queens” books again. She’s amazing with blending historical fact and her own unique imagination.

3. What are your biggest inspirations? 

My family and closest friends. Every single day they amaze me and it just pushes me to reach higher myself.

4. Do you have a technique in how you choose characters and/or locational settings? 

The characters literally speak to me when their time comes. It’s this amazing birth process that always takes me by surprise. And they’re bloody persistent! As for my settings, I’ve had the pleasure of travelling various places in the past and trying to place my characters in those places since I’ve been there. However, at times, I’m challenged to pick places I’ve never been, but that’s fun as well. I’m a research nerd. And happily so!

5. Do you listen to music while you are creating your masterpieces? 

I have to. It’s a requirement from my muse. I love creating my own “soundtracks” based on my characters personalities, although it sometimes comes back to haunt me when one will choose a genre I don’t particularly care for. But we make it work!
6. What do you do to stay motivated and avoid writer’s block? 

I immerse myself entirely in the world I’m creating. I am uber prepared before I even begin to write. I have certain avatars in mind for my characters, I make small folders up with pictures and make it part of my desktop to look at. That helps a lot. Or simply researching even the smallest things keep my interest focused and my mind sharp. When I get writer’s block, I don’t try to write through it. Or force it. When my muse is tired and stop cooperating, I simply shut down right away any and all book related things and do something else. Usually find new music OR play with photo programs. Once I’m firmly entrenched in some other pursuit is generally when the block perversely lifts.

7. How has becoming a published author (independent or traditional) changed your perspective on life and is it everything you expected it to be? (If you are not published yet – what changes do you foresee?) 

Things have definitely picked up lately all around and I’m experiencing things I’ve only dreamed of until now. I’ve had the pleasure of having a poetry anthology called “Whispers in the Dark” self published along with Ashley Nemer and Stacy Moran not too long ago. Terrific ladies, amazing writers and my friends to boot. I’m horrible with business honestly and pretty much let Stacy and Ashley to take care of that side of it which they did wonderfully. And even more recently, my debut novel, Timeless Night, was picked up by Breathless Press for publication. It’s been a whirlwind of activity between edits and taking care of the “business” side as well but I’m managing to not lose my mind. I wouldn’t trade one moment of the journey to get to where I am now. I’m sure there’ll be changes, little ones are happening already and while I can’t predict the outcome, I’m just going to buckle up and enjoy the ride while I can. I spent my whole life dreaming this. And now, I woke up to find its my reality.

8. What are your biggest challenges as an author? 

Second guessing myself. I do it daily and it’s detrimental as hell. I have to fight demon of doubt and there are days I only come out barely alive, so to speak.

9. Do you have any pets? 

Sure do! Four cats and two dogs that run our house. The cats, of course, only let the dogs think they’re in charge.
10. What hobbies do you have outside of reading and writing?

Bowling, collecting movie posters (with a heavy emphasis on horror) and swords, daggers, those types of things.

11. Where is the most exciting/memorable place you have been in the world? 

I stood on the peak of Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the Scottish Highlands and watched the sun rise. Absolutely beautiful and breathtaking. One day, I’ll make it back!

12. Tell us about your latest work in progress or most recent published work…



Holy Choco! I could fill pages and pages about Timeless Night but I’ll try to condense as best I can! I took the tales of Excalibur, Arthur, Camelot and such and refashioned them a bit differently. What if these people and things DID exist but not quite the way that “history” has painted them? Alex Lakeland and Sabrina Foxworth are my main two protagonists and they have a past that only Alex knows about at first. Let’s just say meeting Sabrina forces Alex to reassess his outlook about everything. However, the more things change, the more they stay the same in the most unalterable ways. I’m excited to be able to share my baby with the world soon!



If anyone would like to visit me, I’d love to meet you! And Johanna, THANK YOU for having me for a visit! Rock on!

You can find me at Facebook, Twitter, Website, Amazon and Goodreads!

Author Interview - Sherrie Henry!

I am happy to have Author Sherrie Henry in the interview seat today!

1. Have you always had a passion for writing?

As an adult, I’d say yes. I have a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism, so I must’ve gotten the writing bug sometime as a young adult. As a kid, I can’t remember writing much, but I read everything I could get my hands on. I did (and still do) have a very active imagination.


2. Does what you read influence what you write and what are some of your favourite authors/books?

I think every author has to be influenced one way or another by the things they read. Because I don’t limit myself to just one or two genres, I find inspiration in just about everything. I can read a travel book and become inspired by the scenery, asking myself what could happen there on that landscape.

That said, I find it hard to have absolute favorite authors and books. I own, at last count, over 600 actual books (and over 200 eBooks). Thus, there are very few I go back and read over and over. I like both the ‘big boys’ (JRR  Tolkien, JR Ward, JK Rowling, Tony Hillerman) and the independents (Allison Cassatta, Johanna Rae, Caitlin Ricci, Aaron Speca).

3. What are your biggest inspirations?

I do get a lot of my ideas when I’m in that state between awake and sleeping and actually have written a couple of stories based on dreams. I’m inspired by the world around me, always seeking that happy ending we all yearn for.

4. Do you have a technique in how you choose characters and/or locational settings?

I hit my travel books quite a lot, so I can visually see the place and get to know the setting as well. Would do no good to have constant sunshine if you’re going to set a story in Seattle or have snow in New Orleans … unless, of course, that’s part of the plot twist.

5. Do you listen to music while you are creating your masterpieces?

I have to have some sort of noise while I read, whether it be the tv or radio. If it’s the radio, it’s usually Pandora and my music station I created based on Michael Whalen’s new age instrumental music. Very soothing and no words to interrupt my thought processes. That said, I still can write if the TVs on, provided it’s something I don’t care about watching, such as the endless NCIS reruns on USA.


6. What do you do to stay motivated and avoid writer’s block?

I don’t. LOL I’m in the middle of writer’s block right now. Outside stressors are keeping me from the computer. I’m hoping things might calm down in a month or so so I can get back to my vampire novel. I’d like to finish it by my birthday (August 24th) and submit it to a major publishing house. Don’t know if that’s doable as it’s not quite half-way finished, but it’s a goal I’m hoping to at least get close to.

7. How has becoming a published author (independent or traditional) changed your perspective on life and is it everything you expected it to be? (If you are not published yet – what changes do you foresee?)

It hasn't changed it too much. As until now, all my published works have been short story ebooks, I haven’t had too much exposure and haven’t expected too much in return. However, with a book in actual print coming out, I hope this might change. Not looking to be New York Times famous (how cool would that be?!) but I’ll take at least a few more reviews and feedback, either good or bad, so I can continue to grow as a writer.

8. What are your biggest challenges as an author?
Finding the time and motivation to write. I have to work three jobs and still have financial difficulty, which plays havoc on my mood and writing ability. If the monetary situation improves, I can certainly see my writing improving.

9. Do you have any pets?

My ever-faithful companion, Maggie. She’s a rescue dog. I call her breed ‘American Mutt’ as she’s probably a bunch of things all combined into one. Maybe one of these days I can get her DNA sequenced and I’ll know what breeds she’s a conglomeration of. I can’t ever see myself without at least one dog in my life.


10. What hobbies do you have outside of reading and writing?

Photography is a biggie. My really good camera broke a couple of years ago, so I haven’t been able to do much, but here’s hoping Santa is good to me this year. I’d love to do a photograph book based on the local arboretum – Morton Arboretum (of the Morton Salt fame). ‘A Year in the Life of Morton’ – I want to go to the arboretum on or near the same day of each month and take pictures. My first non-fiction book.

I also enjoy horseback riding (when I can afford it), cooking and, like most writers, book shopping.


11. Where is the most exciting/memorable place you have been in the world?

Hmmm, I don’t think I’ve been to very exciting or memorable places. I’ve travelled almost everywhere in the USA, with the exception of the Northwest and the extreme Northeast. Oh and never been to Alaska nor Hawaii. Would be great to be able to hit all 50 states before I die. I have been to Canada and Mexico and while both are beautiful countries, I don’t recall the trips being exceptionally memorable. Guess I need to get out more!

12. Tell us about your latest work in progress or most recent published work…

‘Last of the Summer Tomatoes’ comes out July 18th by Dreamspinner Press’ imprint, Harmony Ink. It’s a young adult gay romance. Here’s the blurb:

Kyle Jackowski, typical sullen emo teen, struggles to find a way to deal with his sexuality and finds himself in trouble with the law… again. But instead of being sent to a juvenile detention center like he expected, he is given a chance to commute his sentence by working on a farm for the summer.

Enter Sam, son of the farm owners, who shows Kyle what he feels is perfectly normal and that he doesn’t have to hide from his feelings. In turn, Sam’s parents show Kyle that his abusive stepfather and battered mother are not the norm. With their love and support, Kyle finds his place in the world—by Sam’s side.

It can be purchased either in paperback or ebook at Dreamspinner!

I do have a couple of novellas and another short story that has been accepted for publication, hopefully all of them by the end of the year. For updates, please visit my website:
http://www.sherriehenry.com

And, as stated above, I’m working on a vampire novel that I want to send to a major publishing house this year. I know it’s a long-shot, but one will never know if one doesn’t try, right?

Thank you, Johanna, for allowing me to take over your blog for a day. It’s greatly appreciated and I wish you luck on your writing endeavours!

Author Interview - Stacy Moran!

Please welcome Author Stacy Moran to my blog today!

1. Have you always had a passion for writing? 

Yes, in the first grade I wrote The Land Without Rules. Since then I have always loved creating new worlds and telling stories.
2. Does what you read influence what you write and what are some of your favourite authors/books? 

I write the stories I want to read. My favorite authors, hmm so many but Anne Rice is my inspiration. Her style is so different than anyone else’s and the detail flows like poetry.

3. What are your biggest inspirations? 

Music, poetry, and people around me influence my stories. Not saying I have demons as friends but most of my characters have traits of people I either love or hate.

4. Do you have a technique in how you choose characters and/or locational settings? 

Characters, there is no certain technique but once the idea of the story starts forming then the characters begin to form. Places, I chose either places I know about from living or visiting or places that intrigue me or I want to visit.

5. Do you listen to music while you are creating your masterpieces? 

Yes most of the time Norah Jones or the Grateful Dead (hippy at heart). It’s funny my characters would never listen to my music, they are more into Godsmack, Hinder, Bullet for my Valentine.

6. What do you do to stay motivated and avoid writer’s block? 

Keep writing, no matter what… Writer’s Block is an excuse to avoid the task ahead, keep your hands on the keys and push through.

7. How has becoming a published author (independent or traditional) changed your perspective on life and is it everything you expected it to be? (If you are not published yet – what changes do you foresee?) 

Being published has given me a sense of accomplishment. Writing has always been something I said I wanted to do but was too afraid to share my work. Finally sharing it is a huge accomplishment for me.

8. What are your biggest challenges as an author? 

Finding enough time in the day, to write. I am just starting out so I still have a “day job” and finding time between my job and writing is a challenge.

9. Do you have any pets? 

I have five inherited pets. Three dogs (all too small but with LARGE attitudes) two cats, one loveable the other is my cat. Gods did I just claim her? Athena is the house’s evil cat and hates everyone but has claimed me as hers. It is a love hate relationship…
10. What hobbies do you have outside of reading and writing? 

Lately none, but I love music, I used to like to paint, and I do like cooking.

11. Where is the most exciting/memorable place you have been in the world? 

Memorable, would be Colorado. I know it does not sound exciting but the time of life when I moved across the country right out of two high school with two of my childhood friends was exciting, scary, and totally memorable.

12. Tell us about your latest work in progress or most recent published work… 

Currently, I have a few projects going with myself and other authors. They range from poetry to a new twist on a life changing love story, The Lotus. Then of course my baby, Blood Myth book one of The Myth Series. Betrayed by the Myth is due out in late fall. The Series is a world full of demons, witches, powers, gods, mythology, good, evil, sexy men and women. It is based in Romania but the history of the characters date back to ancient Egypt. 

Stacy A. Moran –Website

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Author Interview - Jennifer Osborn

Please welcome Jennifer Osborn to the blog today!

1. Have you always had a passion for writing?

I have! Even when I didn’t know how to write per se, I was making up stories from a young age. I can even remember the first story I tried to write in the first grade, called “The yellow ribbon”. The gist of the story was simply a little girl meeting a little boy at a carnival, and when they parted, she gave him her yellow ribbon. I had no idea how to actually write, but I knew about stories. I’m not sure where my love of stories came from, but I’ve always had a desire to hear them, read them and tell and write them.

2. Does what you read influence what you write and what are some of your favorite authors/books?

Other writers always intrigue me. When a really good writer can spin a web that sucks you in, that inspires me! Seeing howother writers will set a story and foreshadow what is to come in a very organic way, that type of writing challenges me to be even better than the last thing I wrote.

My favorite authors are varied, as are my tastes. I like Orsen Scott Card and Ben Bova’s Young Adult Sci-Fi writing. I think Sci-Fi and Paranormal are my favorites right now. Also, I like Francine Rivers who has a whole Historical Mark of the Lion Series that is set in Ancient Rome. I really like what Veronica Roth has created with the Divergent Series, and Becca Fitzpatrick withthe Hush, Hush Series.

Currently, my favorite book is Stephanie Meyer’s “The Host” which is decidedly Adult Sci-Fi as compared to her Twilight Series. The premise of The Host and story is fantastic.
3. What are your biggest inspirations?

Inspiration comes to me in a lot of different ways. I have had dreams inspire stories or even paintings. It surprises me how inspiration comes at times and in the most unexpected places. I try to always carry a pad of paper to jot down those ideas. As a result, I have a bunch of stories-in-progress, as I am sure a lot of writers do.

4. Do you have a technique in how you choose characters and/or locational settings?

Actually I don’t. I always seem to start with a character or a scene. Almost always those ideas needle away at me till I’m forced to start to outline or write. Then I build from there. I don’t always know where a story is set or where it is going upon the initial seed, but I try to always let them organically grow.
5. Do you listen to music while you are creating your masterpieces?

Most of the time, I do. Oddly enough, my best writing music tends to be Film Scores. I especially love the Brave Heart and Kingdom of Heaven scores, although I do listen to Electronica, Trance and Hard Rock as well. Sometimes I’ll deliberately set a tone with the music, especially if I am writing about a specific scene. Music definitely helps open up the brain to create.

6. What do you do to stay motivated and avoid writer’s block?

Writer’s block can be such a monster. The best thing I can do is to just write, even if it sucks, and I cannot find a rhythm. I need to keep pushing through it. Eventually, I’ll break through. But, when writer’s block is particularly bad, and it’s a story specific issue, I’ll focus on writing something else for a short time to get my brain on board with what I need to do. I’ll even “free write” and then I’ll find I can get back to the story I need to finish.

Sometimes I don’t feel motivated, but I remind myself of where I eventually want to be

7. How has becoming a published author (independent or traditional) changed your perspective on life and is it everything you expected it to be? (If you are not published yet – what changes do you foresee?)

I’m actually right in the throws of getting published for the first time by a publisher. That being said, it is very intriguing andchallenging. Working with an editor is a new thing, but I’m glad someone else is looking over my writing and pointing out typos that I invariably do not catch, no matter how diligent I am.

The overall process is giving me more of a focus on streamlining how I write and to see it both as a creative outlet and a way of life.

8. What are your biggest challenges as an author?

One of my biggest challenges thus far is to focus on what is mine and accept it. I’m all to often driven to compare my successes and writing to others as my gauge of how I’m doing, which is absolutely the wrong thing to do. I’m learning to see myself as unique and to keep working on me. I was given a small sign that I keep on my computer at my day job and my computer at home, which says,

“You’re a great writer.

Not an aspiring writer, a mediocre writer

or a someday, somehow, almost writer.

You’re a great writer right now.

People are going to line up ten deep to tell you that you aren’t good enough. Don’t do their work for them.

Maybe you aren’t published.

Maybe you aren’t successful.

You definitely aren’t perfect.

But you’re a great writer.

Being great doesn’t mean you won’t continue to improve, or be excited and passionate.

My awesome takes nothing away from your awesome; Your awesome takes nothing away from my awesome

Awesome is not a finite resource.

So say it. Out loud. Every day.

“I’M A GREAT WRITER!”

When someone else succeeds, it does not mean I won’t. When I have had to work hard, and someone else hasn’t, it doesn’t mean I am not good or that they are better. Our paths are just different. I just need to be my own cheerleader and keep focused on my goals and to celebrate others, but not compare. Comparisons can be creative death.

Another challenge I have, is that due to some trauma in my life in my teen years, I was passed through school when I shouldn’thave been. When I went to college, I scored high in the concepts of language and vocabulary, but had a lower than high school grasp of English basics. So, as a result, I had to take high school English in college, but I still feel as if I’ve not retained the basics of structure and grammar. I’m a little self conscious of that. I keep English for Dummies on my Ipad and am trying to relearn what I should already know. I have to work very hard at times.

9. Do you have any pets?
I have three dogs and two cats – my furry children as I call them.

10. What hobbies do you have outside of reading and writing?

I am an avid painter and singer. Painting is probably right up there with the writing, which is just another form of storytelling. I get a high from creating a piece of art. If I couldn’t create in any form, I’d die. Creativity defines who I am.

11. Where is the most exciting/memorable place you have been in the world?

When I was on set with George Clooney for the Ides of March. I pursued acting for 3 years and got cast as a “featured extra”. I didn’t get to meet him one on one, but watching the film making process (as he directed the film as well) was so exciting. I drank in the entire experience. He was so respectful to everyone around him and just seemed to have fun while he worked. Plus, film does not do him justice. He is more handsome in person.

Also being on stage, any stage, singing, is pretty memorable.

12. Tell us about your latest work in progress or most recent published work…

At the moment, “The Sentinel’s Insurgency” is in the publication process. It is an adult sci-fi love story. It takes place on Earth and on a planet called “Calias”. The heroine is named Ti, and she is struggling to find out who she is and who others expect her to be. She finds the meaning in a very surprising person.

Additionally, I just completed a paranormal story called “The Veiled” which is with my awesome group of beta readers. I’m in love with these characters. This story flowed out pretty easily and I only had writer's block once. It started with a scene I couldn’t get out of my head until I committed it to paper. Once I did, I simply listened to what they characters wanted to say and where they wanted to go. They wrote their own story in a sense.

You can find Jennifer on Facebook & her Blog

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