Author Interview - Amanda Alberson

Please welcome Author Amanda Alberson to the blog today!

I’d like to start by saying thank you so much for having me on your blog! Without wonderful readers, bloggers, reviewers ect indie authors like me would be lost.

Have you always had a passion for writing?   

      
Yes, I have written stories and poems all my life. I have had a passion for reading for as long as I can remember, and it doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon!

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

When I was younger I often mirrored the stories I wrote after books I loved. In junior high I wrote a book about two girls who go back in time and end up in the fifties. It was heavily influenced by S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders. Now that I am older I write more about people or issues that touch my heart. I have so many favourite books and authors, I’ll read any genre almost so my books range from Stephen King to Anne Rice to Aprilynne Pike, Krystal George, Felicia Tatum, R.A Salvatore and onward.

What are your biggest inspirations?              

Emotions are my biggest inspiration. Love, fear, anger, I guess life really. Life is so many fleeting moments and while we can often feel our own lives are mundane, there’s so many possibilities out there. I love books that make me cry or make me so angry I want to scream, or make me think about something or see something in a different light.

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

I really don’t have a technique for anything, I can’t even follow a recipe right I always add something. An idea will hit me, either the last scene of the book or a scenario and everything else will follow. The character names are very important to me. The names have to fit the person I see in my head, they’re looks, they’re personality, everything. I mean, I can’t have a bad a$$, rough and tumble, hot guy named Petey or Timmy it just wouldn't work.

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

Yes, I have to have music! All of my WIP’s have a playlist. There are songs that match the overall theme of the stories, songs that inspire certain scenes even songs that inspire and fit certain characters.

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

If I find myself stuck I go back and re-read my favourite parts, an especially emotional scene between characters, a moment that reaches into the chest and squeezes the heart and then I’m back on track.

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 was terrified to actually put a book of mine out there. I was half way through writing my first when I stumbled upon the Indie Writing community. I began making friends online with other authors/bloggers/reviewers and with their support and encouragement I finished my first book and set it loose into the world. It’s actually a little better than I thought it would be. I honestly didn’t’ think anyone outside of my circle would buy it or read it, and people did, and so far they’ve all loved it. I’m a terrible promoter but word is slowly spreading and I have a small but wonderful fan base, and it’s humbling and amazing and it keeps me writing.

What are your biggest challenges as an author?           

Money. I don’t think people outside of the Indie community have any idea the costs of publishing your own book. Editing, cover art, swag, it’s crazy and honestly it’s the only thing holding me back right now. I have three nearly complete books that I think everyone would really enjoy, I just don’t have the funds to get them out there yet.

Do you have any pets?          

Yes I have a small Chi-weenie named Jake (from Adventure Time although I call him Jake from State Farms) and a Beta fish named Ichabod Drain

What hobbies do you have outside of reading and writing?        

Well reading and writing are the biggest, I also love hiking, camping and photography.

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

Can Cun Mexico when I was 18 years old. It was beautiful and scary and so much fun. I hope to make it to Ireland one day as well as Greece, Italy, Germany ….everywhere, I want to see it all.

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

My only published work is Losing Connor. It’s the tragic romance story of Cassie and Declan. It switches from past to present exposing their love and the impact their choices have made on their lives. Pregnant at 17 Cassie decides their child deserves more than they can offer. Declan wants to be a family. Years later their worlds collide again, can they lose one another a second time?  Can they let go of the anger and regrets?  

I am also working on a two part book, possibly a trilogy. The first book is titled When No One was Listening. It’s the story of Sloane, Eric and Barrett. It’s told from all three POV’s. Sloane is the outcast, she hears her dead twin’s voice in her head and does her best to hide her crazy as well as her guilt over Sara’s death from everyone around her. Eric is the son of the town sheriff as well as the high school football star who’s use to getting his way. Barrett is the town bully, with an addict for a mother and a father in prison for murder, everyone steers clear of him. But are people really who we think they are? Or are they much more? Sloane , Eric and Barrett’s lives mix and entwine ending in a climatic standoff in the end.

You can find Amanda on her Website, Facebook and Amazon!

Giveaways! The Fury!

To celebrate the release of Therian Secrets Book 2 - THE 

FURY, I have a great giveaway for you. One paperback and 

three ecopies of the book are up for grabs and there are 

seven ways to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview Leigh SC Johnson

Have you always had a passion for writing?

Yes, I have always had a passion for writing. Throughout my school years the most writing my teachers got out of me was writing whether essays or short stories in English class.

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

I think what I read does influence me to a degree. My favourite authors include Sherrilyn Kenyon, Keri Arthur, Torie James and Perci T. Brooks among others.

What are your biggest inspirations?

I find inspiration in something as simple as a phrase or songs. There's is nothing in particular that inspires me.

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

I don't know about techniques, however, my characters introduce themselves to me and tell me about themselves. As for locations, I use places I know or that interest me.

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

I need to have some sort of background noise but I write best to music. Particularly a playlist compiled by the main character of my WIP.

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

My motivation is nothing more than wanting to prove to myself that I can accomplish my dream of being able to write something that is suitable for publishing. Other than looking at things from a different angle and talking things out with my characters I don't really have ways of avoiding writer's block and it has plagued of often while I work on my first book.

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 am currently unpublished but I am hoping that in 2014 that will change.

What are your biggest challenges as an author?

My biggest challenge is having the faith in myself to do this. As someone with low self-confidence I am struggling quite a bit.

Do you have any pets?

I have one cat called Stryker. He has been with me just over a year now and his company stopped me from going crazy when I first got him.

What hobbies do you have outside of reading and writing?

Outside of reading and writing I enjoy drawing, singing, listening to music, doing cross stitch (designing and making bookmarks and small pictures) and spending time with friends.

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

The most memorable place I have been to was Gran Canaria. It was a family holiday when I was 16 and it was the best holiday I've had in my life.

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

My latest work... my first work... is a piece called What the Darkness Brings. It is about a girl who is the only non-human born to a human family. Her differences have always confused her and she has wondered if she is different for a reason or if things had just got messed up. When her twin sister and grandfather a killed things start to spiral out of control and while she learns the truth of herself, she starts to lose herself. She must face an unknown enemy in a battle to the death, the result of which the fate of the world relies on.

You can find Leigh on Facebook!

Guest Interview - Maurice Tudor from BOOKSHELF

This week I am proud to welcome Maurice Tudor from BOOKSHELF. Today he talks about his site, and forum and how he helps to promote other authors and their books! If you like the sound of BOOKSHELF, there are some links at the bottom of the interview, I recommend checking it out.

Tell us a little about your company/site.
Bookshelf is not only a Blog, but a forum as well, with quite a good following in such a short time.

What gave you the idea to start something like this?
I saw a need that Writers and the industry as a whole, lacked adequate promotion. Perhaps it was a question of  finance, so I decided to do something about it. And started the Forum as a follow up to the blog.

Is this a solo venture or do you have a team working behind the scenes?
Yes, only me I am afraid and I do work long hours to keep abreast of things!

Do you do anything special to attract followers?
I advertise by invitations to LI writers, plus many of my followers tweet and FB me so everything helps!

Where are the majority of your followers from? Are you global or is your audience closer to home for you?
Global, which is nice. I have a translator software on all my sites and it comes in handy when any of my members can't speak English. I converse briefly in their language.

What is your favorite thing about what you do? What is your favorite part of the job?
Everything about what I do is therapeutic for me as I have a terminal illness and my PC is my lifeline to others. Probably if I had to choose a favorite part of my job, would be the pleasure I get, knowing I have helped someone in our industry.

Have there been any unexpected challenges?
Yes but I won't go into them here!

What are your future goals for the site?
Just to carry on as now, but with a bigger membership.

Tell us a random fact about your site that readers might find interesting.
Free promotions for their book, or services. I would find that very interesting if I was on the outside looking in. No other writer's forum does what I am doing, so yes it must be an interesting fact to your readers.

What's your favorite book genre?
Fiction.

Do you have any favorite authors?
Too many to list here, but Stephen King is one!

BOOKSHELF BLOG

BOOKSHELF FORUM
   

Special Interview - Lauren Tisdale

Please welcome our guest Lauren Tisdale to the blog today to celebrate her new release!



1. Have you always had a passion for writing?

Well, that’s a yes and no. I used to /try/ to write song lyrics or even poetry and even some very short stories. Mostly poetry…but I didn’t think I was any good. I thought I rhymed too much. But then in 2011, I needed a hobby. Something I was good at. So I gave creative fan fiction writing a chance and it went from there really. At first, I sucked. But the more I read others work around me, I learned, I grew, I expanded.

At the insistence of my mother in law at first, who continuously told me I should write a book. Then my fellow writer friends who suggested the same, an idea was born. I’m going to write a book. And then…the journey began. I wrote a book. I’m writing several books, along with creative fan fiction writing on the side to keep my mind working. So I guess I can say no, I never had a PASSION for it, until now. And now, I cannot get enough.

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

Sometimes yes. Reading other popular works has given me lots of insight to what I want to strive to be and what to avoid.

My favourite authors include but are not limited to: Sherrilyn Kenyon, Sara Shepard, Charlaine Harris, Torie James, Jas T. Ward, Stephanie Meyers, Lynda Glosorio.

Some of my favourite books were yes, the Twilight series, The Immortal Series, Sookie Stackhouse series, Dark Hunter series, Bits & Pieces, Timeless Night, and I have to admit…the 50 shades books are slightly okay…slightly. They aren’t horrible, but they are not fantastic. I can’t stop reading but some things annoy me.

3. What are your biggest inspirations?

My biggest inspirations are the people who support me. They continue to urge me to continue and write more. It was someone very wise who once told me, “Sherrilyn Kenyon was a small fish once, we start small but we grow. It’s a process.” And it reminded me that all these famous people started just where I did. My other inspirations are the facts that I just want my words to reach people, to touch them, make them laugh, captivate them with my characters, and ultimately inspire others.

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

Not really a technique, but I think of the plot, I think of the time frame and setting. Then I search things that would fit it right. The research is usually the longest part. I know it’s fiction I’m creating, but I also want accuracy. Especially if I want it to feel real to the reader. So research, research, research. When it feels right, I go with it.

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

Always. Sometimes I need to be in a certain mood and listen to music accordingly, or sometimes I’ll just do random shuffle. Most of the time it’s country or classic country… that puts me in my zone.

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

I write fan fiction or writing prompts from Writer’s Digest.

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 has opened my eyes to a lot really. I didn’t know it was so…complex? And also rewarding. I mean you feel…so accomplished? Not that being published makes you accomplished but for me it feels like I succeeded…like I did it. The editing process has also taught me so much in regards to things I’d long forgotten since high school. It will make writing all my other books much easy since I know the RIGHT way it is to be done. So far, it’s everything I expected and more…it’s very exciting. I can’t wait for what’s next.

8. What are your biggest challenges as an author?

The biggest challenges is getting out there. At first, I mean you promote and market as much as you can but ultimately its word of mouth (I think) because if your book is any good, friends will tell friends, who will tell their family and friends, so on and so on. It’s like wildfire…if it’s great it will spread and then it’s like a domino effect. But it works the same way for bad. One person thinks it’s bad and spreads it that it’s horrible don’t waste your time, then it may put a damper on things.

But again, as much as it does matter for your readers to care and like your work, in the end it’s what you feel towards it. At least that’s what I keep telling myself…gotta look at the positive, right? LOL

9. Do you have any pets?

I do not care for pets in particular because with an almost-three year old running around, that’s enough. Oh and also a husband…I rather not clean after a pet, but yes…we have one. A bearded dragon named Stewie. Yeah…I know, right?

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

I like to sing, I used to think that was my talent, my passion. Hah, not exactly. I mean I’m decent, but nowhere near fantastic. So for fun I sing. I do enjoy fishing occasionally. I’d love to go camping sometimes. You know this question was the hardest, I actually had to think…wow, goes to show I don’t do much outside of reading and writing (hobby wise)

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

Hmm, I’ve been to Tennessee, Kansas, Texas, Mississippi, and passed through Oklahoma. To me they were all fascinating. I love accents and find them interesting. They were all pretty memorable for different reasons. I’d LOVE to see Europe and Spain. I bet I’d have something to say then. LOL But, if I had to choose, my first and most memorable was Nashville, Tennessee when I was nine and we visited the Country Music capital. Grand Ole Opry, Loretta Lynn’s estate, and everything you could imagine related to Country Music. It’s the best memory I had of my mom too, she absolutely LOVED Country Music. So when I think back to those times, I remember the smile on her face that barely left on that vacation.

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

Well my most recent and first published work is called ‘Circle of Secrets’ and it is to be released in ebook version and for print version. It’s about two women whose family secrets intertwine and connect them in the most amazing way. (Can change later when synopsis is done) I’m very excited for everyone to read it, it was inspired by my mother who passed in 2007. It’s dedicated to her.

My other works in progress are ‘Crimson Horizon’, ‘Secret Desire’, and ‘Darkest Temptation’. (all working titles and may be changed).

--Crimson Horizon is going to be a historical romance set in the 17th century, Salem, MA at the time of the witch trials.

--Secret Desire is an erotica novel set in the present time, focused on two people who should not be in love or involved, but the insatiable desire that continues to merge them.

--Darkest Temptation is a paranormal/historical romance set in the times of the Gods and Valkyries. Warriors who died on the battlefield and taken to Valhalla. A Valkyrie and a warrior fall in love, but all is not as it seems.

So, there you have it…yes, I like to keep busy. LOL

You can find Lauren on Facebook!

WINNERS (Souls Around The World Blog Hop)

Congratulations to Toinette Thomas and Jessie2247, you have each won an ebook copy of my novel The Mercenary! Thanks so much for participating in Souls Around The World Blog Hop! I hope you had a great time getting to know all the authors and their works. Please email me at johannamrae@gmail.com so that I can get that book delivered to you.