Author Autobahn

In an effort to help authors spread the word about their books, we offer free email interviews that are posted to the Author Interview page.  We will also post your book cover and URL!  

Welcome to Author Autobahn, Marc.  Please tell us about your most recent book 

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

A preview of the book is located on the publisher's website at:  http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/lessons-from-1-north-a-guide-to-life-outside-the-asylum/7573958  There is more information about my book and my related work on suicide prevention at my website:  www.1northfoundation.com

Do you have a specific writing style?  

My writing, particularly in this work, is a narrative style.  I tried to tell the story as if I was engaged in a one on one conversation with the reader.  I use the ideas in the book in my lectures on suicide prevention.  I always fear that as a result of the direct nature of the way I communicate that readers maay find the style overly simplistic; however, the feedback is often that people really relate to its purity.

How did you come up with the title? 

The title comes from the nickname the patients and hospital staff call the psychiatric hospital I was in.   The idea was that by creating a name for it would sound more life a country club or resort than a hospital.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

The message of my book is that life, no matter how difficult it may become at times, is worth living and that without the gift of life you have no shot at ever making a comeback.

Is there a lot of “you” in this book? 

This book is extremely personal.  Unlike some of the reference materials I have written in the past this work is all from the heart.  I really had a cathartic experience in re-telling my painful journey while trying to use it as a vehicle to inspire others and keep them from suffering the way I suffered.

What book are you reading now?  

I am currently reading a book entitled Beyond Betrayal by Dr. Richard Gartner.  It is about understanding and relating to children of childhood sexual abuse.  In addition to being a string mental health advocate I am a great defender of children.   The book is considered a great resource for understanding a very painful issue.

Do you have any advice for other writers? 

I would say to anyone aspiring to write that it's important, whether writing fiction or non-fiction, to use what you know and understand as the basis for your premise.   Readers will get the sense that you are disingenuous if you try to write about subjects that you know little about.   Even fantasy writing, to be good, has to be based in fundamentals that the author understands and believes in.

What do you like to do to relax?  

I am a great lover of the martial arts.  I enjoy training and pushing myself to the physical limits in studying Kenpo Jui Jitsu.  It is a great balance to the intellectualizing of wiring or working at a desk all day.

Click here to read a wonderful review on Mark's book

Thank you for being here today, Cheryl.

1) Please tell us about your book:

            My book is called ‘Wilderness Refuge: A Prophet’s Kingdom’ and it’s my way of exploring the New Testament context as if I were a 1^st century person. It’s the first story of what I hope will be 5 stories, and it focuses on what it would be like to encounter John the Baptist without knowing anything or anyone else is to come.

2) How long did it take you to write it?

            I spent 10 years writing a very long story, then 4 more years reworking it into shorter stories, of which Wilderness Refuge is the first.

3) Is there a lot of “you” in this book?

            Not directly, but I feel that part of each of the characters, even the baddies, came from a part of me, which helped me to see things from their perspectives and relate to their feelings.

4) Are experiences in the book based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

            No person or event directly, but I applied feelings and experiences I have had with others to my characters, because no matter the time or place, we all experience the same feelings and react in similar ways. It’s how we are able to relate to and learn from people in the past.

5) Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

            What I hope readers get from the story is that by learning what people thought in the past, how they lived, and by walking in their world view, we today can be changed, how we understand what the New Testament is telling us can change, and how we relate to other people can change because of this new understanding.

6) How much of the book is realistic?

            I tried to make all of it as realistic as possible, even the everyday things like food, clothing, daily chores and work, travel, and houses, as well as what people would have thought or done. I wanted readers to really feel like they are living in the 1^st century through the story’s characters.

7) What are you currently working on?

            I’m preparing the first sequel for publication, hopefully to be out some time in 2010 or early 2011. It will continue my characters’ stories as they encounter Jesus and his message.

8) Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

            I think it developed from my love of hearing stories told and reading stories as a child. I started making up stories and writing them to share with others.

9) Where on earth would you most like to live or visit?

            I would love to travel around in the UK, Scotland, and Ireland someday, to explore some of my family’s roots.

10) What one lesson have you learned in life that you’d like to share with your readers?

            I know it’s cliché but Jesus’ Golden Rule, that if I and everyone else treated each other with the respect we’d like to receive there would be a lot less conflict in this world.

Author Bio:

Cheryl Toliver grew up in a religiously diverse and historically rich region of the western US, where spiritual experiences and a love of history were major influences that shaped her life. In college she studied anthropology, old world archaeology and history, comparative religions, and developed an interest in the sciences. She later completed a secondary education teaching certificate, traveled in the Middle East and Europe, and has worked as a history teacher, Christian educator, and an editor for an academic reference and database publisher.

            Ms. Toliver’s roots are deep in Christ, but she has experienced God’s presence and love through people of many faiths, and thus she has been inspired to write from this broader, more encompassing perspective.

Today we'd like to welcome Anthony Arnold!

 Anthony, please tell us about your most recent book.

A: Well, I'm very excited that you have asked me that burning question!  A lot of people have been curious about what we, as a nation, are doing about Afghanistan.  Before I jump into my book, I would like to first point out that on July 12, 2009 CBS 60 Minutes broadcast a twenty minute story on Delta Force that works within the CIA.  A lot of the facts were deliberately left out, I'm sure in protection of National Security.  What I have done is tried to fill in the omitted cracks that were left out.  And let me also explain that my book was published in April of 2009, four months before this story broke on CBS 60 minutes.  You will find in my book that the story that was told by Delta Force closely mirrors my book.

How did you come up with the title?

A: It appeared to me in a dream.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

A: Yes! The prior Bush Administration held alot of deep, dark secrets!  And this country is about many things, but none  of what the Bush Administration stood up for.  The Apocalypse could of very well have happened here!

How much of the book is realistic? (for fiction authors) What portion of your book sticks out the most for you? Is there a lot of “you” in this book?

A: This book is based mostly on historical facts.  Of course some events were dramitized in order to protect National Security.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

A: Writing interesting and thought provoking work is always a challenge and also carries the largest rewards when your work become internationally successful.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

A: Yes!  Always work hard to do your best and don't let a few pink slips discourage you.  Because every one gets them!  Never give up!

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

A: I can say this: If anybody ever has a question requarding my book or any subject matter about Afghanistan, or Osama bin Laden, I have a web site to can log onto to quiry.  http://AnthonyArnold.ecrate.com . There you can also purchase my book  and I personnally autograph each and every copy.  If there is something special you wish me to write, please include that within your subject matter.  And I thank you!

Where on earth would you most like to live or visit?

A: I would like to visit Vietnam as a cilvilan now.  Things were different when I was with the Air Force during Vietnam. I'm sure there are still many powerful stories to be told from that land of enchantment!  And I would love to be the one to tell that story!

Well, thank you so much for being with us here today. We hope to have you back again very soon!

Today we'd like to welcome Nancy Kaiser to Author Autobahn!

 1.  Hi Nancy, where are you from?

          I was born and raised in New Jersey, but have lived in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina near Boone for the past 5 1/2 years. I married a horse vet in 77 and left the practice of pharmacy to manage our equine hospital, veterinary office, and breeding farm in central New Jersey until he retired in May 04, and we moved to the mountains.

2. Please tell us about your most recent book.

            My book, Letting Go: An Ordinary Woman’s Extraordinary Journey of Healing & Transformation, was published in June 08. My struggles with letting go began in 2000 when my parents died within 3 months of one another. Letting go reappeared when I let go of my beautiful farm in central New Jersey, which had been my home for 27 years.

            My husband and I began building our dream, retirement home on 54 acres in the High Country of North Carolina. Six weeks into construction, my lesson in letting go intensified when he confessed one evening, “I never wanted this house. I never wanted to be here. This is all your dream and I feel like I’m just along for the ride.” At which point, my heart stopped. Over the next week, it became apparent we were separating and divorcing. Our 29-year relationship was over.

            Letting Go is the story of how I not only survived my husband’s betrayal, but learned and grew from it. It follows my journey from being completely clueless to becoming fully aware of my creation and all the steps in between.

  3. When and why did you begin writing?

It was 15 months from my husband’s confession before I was able to begin writing in order to understand how I got to where I was; essentially alone, living 600 miles from everyone I knew, without a job or home. I needed to figure out what happened and why. I also needed an outlet for the grief, anger, fear and sense of loss I was engulfed in. Writing allowed my heart to unburden itself. I didn’t start with the idea of a book, but instead a journal to help me learn, let go and move forward.

Encouraging friends, who I shared parts of my writing with, convinced me to turn it into a book. They felt my story needed to be shared. I began to realize that, while the details were unique to me, the lessons I was learning were universal. So, I made the commitment to publish my book in order to help people learn from my experiences and hopefully help them shorten their own time in what I call the Abyss and the Tunnel.

 4. How long did it take you to write it?

            It took 14 months to write, but I was still living through my experiences when I started. I began very sporadically with several weeks in between sessions. Given my reason for writing, I wrote when inspired. I wrote from my heart expressing the pain and confusion I was feeling. The more I wrote, the more I recognized that writing was critical to my surviving the most difficult time in my life. Eventually, I became almost obsessed with it. I’d sit at the computer pouring out all my soul needed me to feel, see, learn and let go of. Before I knew it the day would be over, and the next, and the next.

            The editing, proofing and publishing took another 19 months, so it became an almost three-year project. Since it began as a personal journal, there was an enormous amount that needed to be edited. The final manuscript is actually half the size that my journal was.

5. Who designed the cover?

            The idea of the cover was my vision, but a gifted designer brought it to life. My publisher introduced me to a book designer. I sent her a very cryptic drawing of my concept for the cover along with a number of photographs. She sent back three choices. Within a couple of emails the cover, which far exceeded my expectations, was done. The book design was the easiest part of the entire process. My talented designer and friend is Janet Aoissa of Adam Hill Design in Florida. I highly recommend her.

6. Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

            I learned more about my true Self from my writing than I did from the first 53 years worth of life experiences. The act of writing allowed me to become an observer. Writing removed me from the emotion of the events. Lessons that had been obscured by out-of-control emotions appeared on the page as I wrote. Each time I’d get hit with an "ah ha, moment" was very profound. I’d discover a powerful lesson, a piece to the puzzle of my life, which I’d never even glimpsed at while experiencing it. These were the precious gems that rewarded me for all the honesty and effort I put into my writing. They were the reasons why I wrote: to understand, to learn, to grow, to let go, to heal. Writing gave all of these to me.

I learned first and foremost that my core beliefs, which were shaken by my husband’s betrayal, are rock solid and form the basis of my Truth. I learned that letting go and healing is like peeling an onion. We have layers upon layers upon layers of stuff to learn from and let go of. There seem to be infinite levels to healing. Numerous times I thought I’d let go of everything only to find more waiting to rush to the surface.

            In the last chapter of Letting Go I list the top-20 things that I learned from my time in the Abyss and Tunnel. I was humbled when a reader told me that she’s copied my list and has it posted in her home and at work. That blew me away.

            Probably the most significant lesson concerns SELF-LOVE. I learned to love Self, to respect Self, to believe in my power and make decisions based in self-love. Is it something that will honor me? For years I put others first and Self last, which didn’t work out so well for me.

As long as you base your choices in life according to self-love, you’ll never get it wrong. Not there is a “right” or “wrong,” only what is. Writing my story was probably the first conscious act of self-love that I’d ever done. Without my writing, I wouldn’t be where I am today; healed and happy. I owe the Who I Am Today to that one act of self-love.

7. Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

            Letting Go can help readers evaluate their own personal traumas if they’re ready. Within my lessons, they can find their own lessons. By seeing how I overcome my challenges, they can begin to confront their own. I show them very unique places to look for help along with very mundane places.

            Letting Go offers messages of hope, encouragement and belief in Self. Hope in knowing that they will survive and return to being the happy person that they were before the rug was pulled out from under them. Belief that what is happening to them is truly in their highest good even though it seems like heresy to believe that. Everything always happens for a reason, and the universe always brings us exactly what we need. Might not be what we want, but it’s always what we need. 

Encouragement from the fact that I am leading a happy, fulfilling life after having been brought to my knees by the most difficult thing I’ve ever experienced Five years ago, in my darkest moments, I considered leaving this life experience. If I can transform from the darkness of my Abyss to the wonderful life I’m experiencing now, anyone can. I want everyone to know that it is imperative that they put themselves first and trust that their soul knows what its doing even if their conscious mind doesn’t. I want to be a beacon of encouragement and hope for all who find themselves without faith, hope, understanding and/or belief in Self.

I bought a little plate just before my first Christmas alone that says, “Sometimes on the way to a dream you get lost and find a better one.” I’d read it every day trying to believe it could be true. I’m living that better dream now, and I’d like to help others find their better dream as quickly and painlessly as possible.      

8. Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I am finally starting to write about my life as an animal communicator. This is the book I always intended to write, but Letting Go needed to be written first. I had hoped to have written much of it last winter, but that wasn’t realistic. I’ve been so consumed with getting the word out to all those who need Letting Go that I’ve only just begun the animal book. I have so many stories given my life spent with animals that I believe it will turn into a series of books. One of the animals’ greatest lessons is that of living in the present moment. So, I’m just taking it a page at a time, a day at a time – everything happens in its perfect timing.

9. Do you have any advice for other writers?

            Write for the "right" reasons for you. Write from your heart. Publish to contribute something of value to others not just to earn money. Surround yourself with professionals who respect your opinion regardless of your inexperience. Be open to constructive criticism and willing to explore new possibilities and options. Remain true to your purpose and know that your heart knows best.

            Even if you never publish, the act of writing alone may be all you need. Writing healed me; publishing didn’t. But, know that the first time you hold your own book is enormously satisfying and magical. Each time you hear how your words have helped another, your heart warms and you smile. Those are the moments you’ll remember long after any money you’ve earned is spent.

10. Do you have any pets?

            Today my animal family consists of Three Wise Men; two dogs and a horse. Hana (yellow) and Saba (black) are three-year old Labrador brothers. They came to me as pups after I lost my two 15-year old Labrador brothers, Shadow and Licorice. Shadow and Licorice were key players in my recovery from the devastation of my husband’s betrayal. They stayed until they knew I was healed enough for them to go. I speak of them often in Letting Go. I wouldn’t be here today within out them.

            Hana and Saba have been caring for me for the past three years and doing a fabulous job. Their predecessors would be proud of them. They joined me toward the end of my writing of Letting Go, and their contribution to the happy life I lead is beyond measure. Their lessons for me continue to improve my life.

            My wonderful horse, Follow Your Heart aka Stormy, is a 7-year old Swedish Warmblood gelding. He is actually my grandson, since I raised his Thoroughbred mother, Squiggles, on our farm in New Jersey. He was born during a thunderstorm on Mother’s Day, hence his nickname.

            Training Stormy gave me something positive to hang onto during my darkest times. Stormy will never know his importance to my recovery, which is detailed in Letting Go. He offers me a joy beyond joy each and every time we’re together, whether it’s jumping him, trail riding or simply visiting him. Being on the back of a horse is the most healing place for my soul.

            This past spring I lost my last two barn cats. Bandit Hope was 16 years old and Crystal was 11 years old. Both had been with me since they were kittens. They supported me through the worst of times after our move. Dear Crystal slept with me every night for the first year after my husband left even though she preferred being outdoors. I’ll miss them always, but I accept their choice to return to Spirit. I don’t like it, but I respect it. 

Thank you so much for being with us today, Nancy.

Click here to purchase Letting Go on Amazon

Welcome to Author Autobahn, Mark!  Please tell us about your most recent book. Broken Saint is a biographical novel. It is based on my forty-year friendship with a gay, bipolar, Mormon man, and chronicles the internal and external struggles of his bizarre and troubled life as he battles for stability and acceptance. The research for this project included, aside from my lengthy personal contact with the main character, numerous face-to-face, phone, and taped interviews,  reading of his personal journals, gaining familiarity with all aspects of bipolar disorder, studying the Mormon Church and its doctrines, and a myriad of medical and geographical details – all to ensure authenticity and technical accuracy.

2)      How long did it take you to write it? I started writing the first draft of the book in the autumn of 1996, and spent thousands of hours in bits and pieces through 2008, as I had to juggle this effort with many other demands, such as a full-time job, domestic/family responsibilities, and dealing with serious health problems.

3)      How did you come up with the title? There is an element of double entendre here, in that the lead character belongs to the Mormon faith – formally known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – and is a beautiful, gentle soul with saintly inner qualities, though circumstances frequently prevent him from displaying them.

4)      Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? Yes, that we as a society need to demonstrate compassion and understanding to a far greater degree than is currently the case, and this message is really twofold: That intolerance of diverse needs and lifestyles, in this case referring to homosexuality, can and does cause unspeakable harm to gay men and women who, regardless of whatever other personality traits they may possess, are treated as second-class citizens – or worse. In addition, persons suffering from the horrors of mental illness deserve to be given adequate support, in the form of proper, thorough, consistent medical care and caring, sincere counseling. Failure to do so can lead to the catastrophic results documented in my book.

5)      How much of the book is realistic? Nearly all of it. Though I changed names, some event sequences and locations, and minor details here and there, the individuals and occurrences are real. The only exceptions are the opening and closing chapters; to increase reader interest and intensify the emotional impact, I employed “literary license.”

6)      Is there a lot of “you” in this book? Yes, to some degree. The central protagonist is a composite character, though the actual “Tom Wahrheit” constitutes the preponderance. However, my own perceptions and feelings do occasionally find expression through him.

7)      Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work? John Steinbeck. While there are many fine writers in various genres, it is Steinbeck whose fiction most impresses me. A close second would be Jack London, whose finest work – The Sea-Wolf for example – rivals Steinbeck’s. The difference is that the former wrote numerous volumes that were admittedly “pot boilers” and as such did not have the literary impact and superb power of expression of their author when at his best. Conversely, I have never read any story by Steinbeck that did not move me with its wonderful choice of diction, often used so effectively to convey his understanding of the human condition and his heartfelt desire to improve it. The insight and consistent quality of his work are, in my estimation, unparalleled.   

8)      Do you have anything specific you want to say to your readers? The essential message of Broken Saint is that we must learn to peacefully coexist, and this means “live and let live.” If we stop judging those who simply wish to go about their lives unmolested, if we respect all persons and treat them decently, this world would be a far better place than it is today. It is useful to keep in mind that no matter whom you are, and regardless of what personal qualities you possess, there are individuals and groups who hate you. They despise you because you are black, white, male, female, rich, poor, tall, short, thin, fat, gay, straight, transgender, a Democrat or Republican, a member of the wrong faith or nationality, from some particular state or nation, and on and on. What I’m saying is this: We need to finally end the ugliness of bias and intolerance. John Lennon said it in his own way in “Imagine,” and he was right.

9)      What famous person –living, dead, or even fictional-would you like to have dinner with? Abraham Lincoln. I have read extensively about this truly historic figure, and deeply admire his wisdom, compassion, and deep humanity. He had a quiet dignity, natural leadership, and sound judgment yet retained a sharp wit  despite crushing responsibilities in a time of profound crisis. There have been few like him on this planet; though he was assuredly flawed, he had in abundance all those sterling characteristics I value and that have given him the honored place he holds in the minds and hearts of most Americans today.

10)   Do you have a favorite song, movie, or TV show?  While I enjoy many different songs, films, and a few TV shows, there is one song that stands out to me: “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas. The combination of the lyrics and orchestration form a striking confluence of thoughtful reflection and stirring musical appeal. It touches my emotions as it reminds me of our “cosmic insignificance” and the absurdity of hubris. 

Click here to purchase Broken Saint 

Author Bio

Mark Zamen has an Associate in Arts (Magna Cum Laude) and Bachelor of Arts (Summa Cum Laude) in English and a Master of Arts (4.0 GPA) in Mass Communication. He was featured in National Dean’s List for 1978-79 and received numerous certificates of recognition for academic excellence. His articles have been included in Jack London Echoes, Jack London Journal, and The Pacific Historian. His full-length book Standing Room Only is now on sale through the Jack London Foundation. He has also edited the work of other London scholars. And his work has appeared in The View, published by the city of Mountain View. 

Welcome to Author Autobahn, Molly! 

Please tell us about your most recent book.

    Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires is the first in a series of three books based on historical events that occurred in nineteenth century Pennsylvania. All three concern the secret Irish-American society called the Molly Maguires. Each focuses on the McCafferty family, particularly the three sisters: Katie, Sarah and Maymie. The first novel tells of Katie’s introduction to the Molly Maguires.
    Katie McCafferty’s world shatters when her father is paralyzed in a coal mining accident. She must quit school and work to keep her family from being evicted from their Company home. Labor unrest in the mines and the Civil War draft threaten the cohesiveness of her community. When the authorities target her old friend as a dangerous rebel, Katie risks her future to intervene.
    The novel details the difficulty of life for immigrants, the Northern reaction to the Civil War, and the beginnings of the labor movement through the eyes of a teenage girl. Kate’s unflagging feistiness while facing serious troubles recalls fellow Civil War era heroines Jo March and Scarlett O’Hara.

How long did it take to write?
    I’m more tortoise than hare so it took quite a while. The major part of the writing took three years, and I’d already done a significant amount of research before the idea of writing a book even occurred to me.

Where are you from?
    With the exception of two years spent in Virginia, I’ve lived in Pennsylvania my entire life. I was born in Philadelphia, but reared in my grandparents’ home in the coal region of northeastern Pennsylvania, only a few miles from where all eight of my great-grandparents settled after emigrating from Ireland in the nineteenth century.

What inspired you to write?
    Family history was the inspiration for Call Me Kate. I began doing genealogical research as a fluke in 1998, and the hobby consumed me for several years. I investigated all the US resources before convincing my family to seek out our roots in Ireland. In 2002, eighteen relatives from ages three to eighty set off for the Emerald Isle. The search took us to the tiny townland of Mollyroe in rural Donegal where we saw the green hills, thatched cottages, and sacred wells that our forebears left more than one hundred fifty years before.  My pen name commemorates that connection.

When and why did you begin to write?
    I began writing after our Ireland trip because I wanted to share some of the information I learned. I thought it was important for future generations to recognize the difficulties their ancestors (no matter where they originated) faced in launching forth to a new world, one that was often not very welcoming. Instead of just putting the details together in a booklet solely for the family, I decided to fictionalize the life of one of my ancestors, great-great-grandmother Catharine McCafferty, and share it with a larger readership

How did you come up with the title? 
    The statement, “Call Me Kate” occurs on the last page of the book. It indicates the coming of age of the main character. In the intro, Katie is a carefree tomboy playing on the coal banks, but by the conclusion she is a young woman who has seen violence and death and has changed as a result.
    I wanted to include the Molly Maguires in the title because the novel is also the story of the beginnings of that secret society in America. The alliteration of the “k” and “m” sounds was to catch the attention of the teenagers I teach.

Is there a message you want your readers to grasp?
    Along with an appreciation of their ancestors and their heritage, I wanted my readers to get the message that ordinary individuals can overcome obstacles and make a difference. History isn’t just made up of famous leaders and warriors, but everyday people too.

How much of the book is realistic? 
    The dates of events and battles and the names of coal region politicians and industrialists are real. Much of the description was taken from newspapers and historical references. There was a Kate McCafferty, and she was employed as a domestic in a mansion after she immigrated from Ireland, but she was not involved in stopping the train or any of fictional Kate’s adventures. She did indeed have a connection to the Molly Maguires though; Catharine was the aunt of one of the men hanged on the infamous “Day of the Rope,” June 21, 1877.
     The actuality of the Molly Maguires themselves is still argued strenuously in northeastern Pennsylvania so my “take” on the group may differ from other researchers. The term, Molly Maguires, predated its use in the coal region, and it emerged there prior to the Civil War. 
    Several conscription riots occurred in Pennsylvania the year before the infamous draft riot in New York City in 1863, but they have been largely ignored in history books. The stopping of the recruit train occurred on the date stated, but I took liberties with how the events played out in the story.

Do you have a current project?
    My current writing project is the second book about the McCaffertys. This one features Sarah, the second sister. The working title is Sarah's Story: The Curse on Centralia.  The plot focuses on one of the first Molly Maguire murders and the parish priest who warned his flock about the results of using violence  to settle conflicts. This book is set in Centralia, the town known for its devastating mine fire. Writing Sarah’s Story is harder than penning the first novel because I have to tie in the details of the first book while telling a story that encompasses a century of events.

About me

What is one habit that drives other crazy?
    Humming is one habit I have that drives some people crazy. I've had this habit my entire life, and most of the time it is unconscious. My son gets particularly irked by my humming, but my daughter seems to have inherited the habit!

What's your favorite TV show and how do you relax?
    I’m a fan of TV crime shows. My favorite is “Law and Order,” in all versions.  My daughter gave me a birthday card that plays the show’s distinctive musical opening, and it drew a lot of laughs from those who know me well. For relaxation, I enjoy gardening, cross stitch, and doing word puzzles and sudoku. Summer mornings find me on my side porch doing one of the above.

Do you have a favorite quote?
Friends and family members buy books of quotations for me because they know how much I love them, so it's really hard to choose my favorite. One I've used several times recently is the Albert Einstein quote, “If a cluttered desk signs a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”

Thank you for being with us today, Molly!

It was great being here today, Kelly.  :)

Author Bio

Molly Roe is the pen name of Mary Garrity Slaby, a veteran language arts & reading teacher at Lake-Lehman Junior Senior High School. Mary holds a Ph.D. in education from Temple University, and Pennsylvania teaching certification in six areas. She has pursued the hobby of genealogy for the past decade. Mary was born in Philadelphia, raised in Schuylkill County, and currently lives in Dallas, Pennsylvania with her husband, John. They are parents of two grown children, Melissa and John Garrett, cover illustrator of Call Me Kate. Digging into the past has given Mary newfound respect for her ancestors and a better understanding of history. Call Me Kate is the first in the author’s trilogy of historical novels loosely based on the lives of the strong women who preceded her.

Email Molly at: molly@tribute-books.com
Visit Molly's blog at: http://conversationsfromthesideporch.blogspot.com
Buy link:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/098146193X?ie=UTF8&tag=tributebooks-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=098146193X

Welcome to Author Autobahn Adetutu, it’s wonderful to have you here today!

Please tell us about your most recent book

The title of my book is Lessons I Learned the Hard Way. It is a book about how to identify, minimize, manage and treat computer related health conditions. It is a guide for all computer users and their doctors to assist in enabling computer users to understand why and how computer use affects the health. It provides a guide for identifying these issues to if possible prevent misdiagnosis and wasteful and sometimes adverse health care costs. It also provides information on lifestyle and diet changes that could assist in minimizing the adverse health effects inherent in computer use. It provides help I wish had been available to me many years ago. The book is available at

http://www.strategicbookpublishing.com/LessonsILearnedtheHardWay.html

Tell us your latest news.

Do you know the reason why bananas and tomatoes seem to make you feel better? One of the reasons is because they contain preformed neurotransmitters such as GABA that by meeting the GABA requirement for digestion reduces the pressure on the brain’s neurotransmitters. If you have not read the book – Lessons I Learned the Hard Way you will need to do so to understand what I just said. The book is available at

http://www.strategicbookpublishing.com/LessonsILearnedtheHardWay.html

It is also available at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com

Another fact - Do you know much about the phrase “The human computer”. It is a true phrase. As a technology professional, I have from the scriptures come to understand how very much like the computer we are. I believe our creator has allowed us to develop the computer so we can understand who we are, and our relationship to him better. The scriptures tell us some parts of the program written in us that enable us to take the decisions necessary to empower our systems to self repair and operate properly. It also helps us to safeguard our systems against actions that would behave like spyware or malware in our systems. My next book will address these issues.

What inspired you to write your first book?

As I began to see from my research of the scriptures how ignorant I was concerning how we were created to operate, and as the health practices I embarked upon began the healing process in me, I realized I had been allowed to go through this battle not just for my sake but for everybody else too as our world has become totally computer dependent and everybody I came in contact with seemed to be suffering without understanding why medication was not helping. I also noticed the behavioural effect of computer use on people especially children. I prayed about it and it was impressed on me that the knowledge I had had to be shared.

How did you come up with the title?

My initial title was. Computer age Health Solutions. The current title Lessons I Learned the Hard Way was my editor’s idea.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

The central message is that the computer use environment violates our natural way of existence and therefore will have an effect on our health. It is very stressful to our brains and drains the brain’s resources. This can lead to anything from allergies to diabetes, cancer gallstones, kidney, liver and digestive problems etc. Indeed it can lead to a breakdown of any part of our system. Consequently, not knowing how to minimize these possible effects and how to manage them when they occur is not an option for any computer user. Staying ignorant is very dangerous as this is not something that can readily be solved by medication. If you are having health issues and are a computer user, your computer use is probably contributory and must be factored in by your doctor if you hope to overcome your issues Get a copy of this book and give it to your doctor.

What portion of your book sticks out the most for you?

For me the portion about how these health conditions develop sticks out the most. It is central to understanding why we are affected. An understanding of this portion will bring the reader a long way in managing their condition.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I am working on 2 new books

1)      A cookbook for computer users

2)      A book that relates how our body work to how the computer works in a bid to help the reader understand the phrase ‘the human computer”. It actually builds up on my first book providing more details that would not be fully understood without laying the foundation I have provided in my book ‘Lessons I Learned the Hard Way‘. I believe knowledge is power. We currently are wallowing in very dangerous ignorance. Knowledge will hopefully empower us to make right decisions.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

The research into medical and scientific journals and writings was the hardest part. It is very time consuming

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Love yourself and get the information you need to make informed decisions about your health. Doctors need help too they are not all knowing and sometimes they misdiagnose. Also remember anything not natural to our way of existence will always have a health consequence.

What one lesson have you learned in life that you’d like to share with your readers?

When you cannot find the answer, go to the manufacturer’s manual – the Bible and study and listen carefully and prayerfully. You will find the answer you need.

Well, thank you so much for being with us here today.  We hope to have you back again very soon!

 Thank you, Kelly!

"WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOUR RACE WAS TARGETED FOR EXTINCTION?" Today my special guest is Richard Goldberg author of Strolok

• I started writing it just after Valentine's Day 2008 and by the time it had been edited it was May of this year.

What message does your book offer to readers?

• I would say that the basic message of the story is that no matter what the differences between people they can join forces and rally behind a noble cause, in this case the rescue of the inhabitants of Strolok.

Tell us your latest news?

• Right now I am very excited that I will be attending Dragon Con over the Labor Day weekend. It's a huge science fiction convention held in downtown Atlanta, GA spanning four major hotels and an attendance in the neighborhood of 80,000 strong.

When and why did you begin writing?

• That is a very interesting question. I have had a passion and gift for writing for many years yet I spent most of that time talking myself out of giving it a go professionally. People say that "all things in their time" and I am a perfect example of this being in my 50's now.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

• Almost as far back as I can remember. I was mostly a writer tied to a specific project that might have been passed my way which is very different from the freedom of total self expression that I experience nowadays.

What inspired you to write your first book?

• Several things; First I had to stop listening to that little voice in the back of my head that told me that professional writing was for other people. Second I had a period of two months where I was unemployed and had no good reason not to finally give it a go....and Third I could no longer hold back the stories that live inside of me that were screaming to be let out.

How much of the book is realistic? 

• Much of the story originates in Georgia. There are real towns, streets and counties mentioned that you could find on a map.

What portion of your book sticks out the most for you?

• The way the characters are brought together and the relationships that are formed as a result of this.

Is there a lot of “you” in this book?

• Well, sort of. Probably the most important part of me in the book is my passion for living and standing up for what I believe in which is experienced by the characters.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

• Probably Stephen King. Not so much for his stories and the fact that you can really picture his characters sitting next to you on a park bench.

What are your current projects?

• My second book is a mixture of Science Fiction and the Paranormal which is of great interest to me.

Do you see writing as a career?

• I do now. It took me a long time to be able to admit this but now I wouldn't have it any other way.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

• The only way that I can answer that is to say that I had multiple opportunities to make changes and did so to arrive at the story I place before you today.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

• It's the story of a little girl Celia Carpenter who for some reason has her sweet young life interrupted by forces beyond her comprehension. She is called upon to do things that girls of her age aren't accustomed to having to do.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

• The inconsistency of writing periods. Sometimes I can sit at the computer for hours and other times I am finished after fifteen minutes.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

• Blocking out the few non-believers and sticking to my goals.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

• I don't believe that we have enough time to answer this question. Each and every step of the way I continue to learn and grow as a person.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

• Never give up on yourself and your passions in life.

Fun Questions:

What is your favorite meal?

• Chinese Food ..I could probably eat it every day.

Do you have a favorite hobby?

• Listening to music. I have very wide taste in almost all kinds.

What do you like to do to relax?

• Sitting on my couch with my wife and pets and fall asleep in front of the TV

Where on earth would you most like to live or visit?

• I have always wanted to visit England and believe that someday I shall.

What famous person—living, dead, or even fictional—would you like to have dinner with?

• Groucho Marx...I have never run across a more brilliant comic genius than him. The only problem is that I most likely would be laughing so much that I wouldn't have time to eat.

Do you have any pets?

• I have 4 dogs and 1 cat and two brothers.

What one habit do you have that drives others around you crazy?

• My voice tends to resonate a bit louder than people would like.

If there was one thing you could change about yourself, what would it be?

• I guess my weight. The only problem is that I don't do well with deprivation.

What one thing would you do to change the world?

• Teach people not to take themselves so seriously.

Do you have a funny or embarrassing memory you’d like to share?

• As a matter of fact I do yet I will have to share it with you in a PG-13 format. I remember the night that I was in a particular situation that required Vaseline except that in the dark I accidentally reached for Vicks Vapo Rub...I'll let you finish the story on your own.

Do you have a favorite song, movie, or TV show?

• I have two favorite movies..."A Clockwork Orange" and the original "The Day The Earth Stood Still" with Michael Renny.

What’s your favorite quote?

• I have two of them;  "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail" and "In life you either have the things you want or the reasons why you don't".

What one lesson have you learned in life that you’d like to share with your readers?

• Live with passion and full self expression.

Welcome to Author Autobahn, Terry, it’s wonderful to have you here today!

Thanks so much for having me here!

Please tell us about your most recent book

To Tempt the Wolf is a hot and sexy werewolf urban fantasy romance novel set on the cold and rainy Oregon coast, the third tale in the series. Not only does Hunter Greymere lose his home to fires in the redwoods of California, but he loses his werewolf pack, his sister, and his memories. When wildlife photographer, Tessa Anderson rescues the naked and injured man from her beach, the troubles really begin. :)

How much of the book is realistic?

Even though my books are urban fantasy, most reviewers remark how realistic they are! This is because I base the werewolves on real wolves. They are one with both sides of their personality, having human sensibilities when they are wolves, and wolf characteristics when they are human. It's not like taking off a wolf coat and now they're strictly human. Their human half and wolf half are part of their psyche always. 

What have others been saying about your books?

"Her wolf world feels at once palpable and even plausible." Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year (Heart of the Wolf).

"Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spear is a fantastic new addition to the popular trend of shape shifter stories. I loved this story, not only does Ms. Spear draw the reader into the lives of Bella and Devlyn and the other people they interact with but she has painstakingly researched the behavior of real wolves in the wild to add realism to the behavior of the werewolves in their wolf form and pack behavior." Recommended Read by Fallen Angel Reviews.

"A solidly crafted werewolf story, this tale centers on pack problems in a refreshingly straightforward way. The characters are well drawn and believable, which makes the contemporary plotline of this story of love and life among the lupus garou seem, well, realistic." Romantic Times Magazine

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

To an extent, yes, some are based on places or events in my own life. In Destiny of the Wolf, she has to climb down a mountain. I did that when I was in Army ROTC. :) In all the stories so far, a heroine shoots a gun or rifle. I've done both in Army training. I've been to a disco with the flashing lights which I described in Heart of the Wolf, and a scene similar to that, only it was a car wreck and not the discovery of a dead body in the parking lot. :) I based the town of Silver Town on silver mining towns I had visited in Colorado. And the experiences I had in Oregon when I lived there, the snowstorms, the rain storms, visits to the zoo, the Oregon coast, Mt Hood, and Klamath Falls. We can do a lot of research to make a place seem more real, but sometimes actually experiencing it, can make a difference. For one, the heroine in Destiny of the Wolf ends up flipping upside down when she's rappelling down the cliff. Now, no where did I see any postings of people doing that. But, I did it. LOL So from experience, I know it can happen!  

What books have most influenced your life most?

I loved Jack London's Call of the Wild and White Fang when I was a kid. Subconsciously, I desperately wanted the wolf to survive, just like I wanted the human to. I also loved the stories of princes rescuing the princesses, only in my tales, the princesses can do the rescuing, of fairy tales of other countries, ghostly tales, and true stories. The first shape shifter book I ever read was a children's romance, East of the Moon and West of the Sun where a prince is a polar bear by day and man at night. The difference between my shape shifter stories and ones like these, is that my wolves were not cursed to be this way. They're well-adjusted to living as they do and don't have any desire to be some other way.  

What are your current projects?

I just finished final edits on Legend of the White Wolf which will be out in Feb 2010. I'm currently working on the 5th and 6th in the werewolf series: Seduction of the Wolf, due out in April, and Plight of the Wolf (title to change, due out in the Fall). I have an idea for a couple of new werewolf books, but also want to write the sequel to the Young Adult vampire romance, The Vampire...In My Dreams, which will be The Vampire...In My Nightmares. :) And I should be getting final edits for The Accidental Highland Hero, coming Mar 2010, also.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Seduction of the Wolf is about a wolf biologist, Cassie Roux, who has a leg up on her competition. She's also a werewolf. When she finds a wolf in a dire situation, which was based on a true wolf incident, she must rescue her, only the werewolf pack in the area is more interested in keeping one of their own kind safe, when hunters and others become interested in the red wolves in the area.
 

Where on earth would you most like to live or visit?

I'd love to go to a castle in Scotland and stay there for a visit and write my next werewolf book set there. Highland heroes are hot. :) And I have it on good authority, they don't wear anything under their kilts, so perfect for a shape shifter. :)

What one thing would you do to change the world?

Turn the planet green. It probably isn't a good idea. We probably need some desert areas, but if it was good for the planet, that's what I'd do. Turn the deserts into gardens. 

Do you have a funny or embarrassing memory you’d like to share?

I was at a book signing recently for Destiny of the Wolf, and first, I'm really not outgoing, so trying to "sell" my books during a signing, doesn't come easily. So I began asking women, "Do you like hot romances?" Some smiles, some no's, a couple of sales, no problem. But when an older man acted interested in what I was doing, I asked the same question. Too late to take back the question when I realized my mistake. :)

This time I got a BIG smile. "Well, young lady, I haven't had anyone ask me that question in a long time." He came back two more times, great big smiles, telling me how much he appreciated my asking him that question. I'm sure he told all his friends, his wife, and anyone else he could tell and they all had a good laugh. I made his day, and it was the highlight of my signing and probably will be for years to come! :)

What one lesson have you learned in life that you’d like to share with your readers?

Don't procrastinate. The mountains of work just get higher and tougher to tackle! :) And persevere. Never give up.

Well, thank you so much for being with us here today.  We hope to have you back again very soon!

Thanks so much for having me!

About The Author:

Award-winning author of urban fantasy and medieval historical romantic suspense, Heart of the Wolf just named in Publishers Weekly's BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR, NOR Reader Choice for BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE. 

Terry Spear also writes true stories for adult and young adult audiences. She’s a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and has an MBA from Monmouth University and a Bachelors in Business and Distinguished Military Graduate of West Texas A & M. She also creates award-winning teddy bears, Wilde & Woolly Bears, to include personalized bears designed to commemorate authors’ books. When she’s not writing or making bears, she’s teaching online writing courses.

Originally from California, she’s lived in eight states and now resides in the heart of Texas. She is the author of Heart of the Wolf, Destiny of the Wolf, To Tempt the Wolf, Legend of the White Wolf, Winning the Highlander’s Heart, Deadly Liaisons, The Vampire…In My Dreams (young adult), Deidre's Secret (young adult), The Accidental Highland Hero (2010), two more wolf tales from Sourcebooks, and numerous articles and short stories for magazines.

You can visit Terry at: TerrySpear.com

Welcome to Author Autobahn, Randall Lang, it’s wonderful to have you here today!

Where are you from?

I’m actually from southwestern Pennsylvania, which is largely a cultural and entertainment wasteland. Once I rediscovered Wheeling, WV with the recreational and entertainment activities it offers, it did not take me long to move. Now I live on an island in the middle of the Ohio River between West Virginia and Ohio.

Please tell us about your most recent book

My most recent release, Magnificent Man, may well be the culminating effort of my rather dubious writing career. It is a novel of adventure and romance in the American Southwest. The story follows Cassandra Taylor, a single mother from Shreveport, Louisiana who is struggling to hold her family together. She takes a chance and responds to an ad in a Hollywood fan magazine hoping for an opportunity that will improve life for her daughter, her Mother, and herself. Unfortunately, the ‘opportunity’ is not one that she can accept. She starts the long journey home from Los Angeles only to have her car break down on a desert highway. After she is abandoned on a lonely desert road, a group of thugs threatens her life. She is rescued by Coyote, a large, handsome, but strangely anachronistic man on a motorcycle who addresses her as, “My lady”, and treats her as a knight would treat a queen during the Middle Ages. He agrees to take her home, but first he has several stops he must make on reservations and isolated villages in the desert country. It is during this remarkable journey that she learns about Coyote and the work that he does among largely forgotten people. She also finds herself falling in love with Coyote, but she realizes the futility of such a love. She could not exist in his harsh desert world and he could not function in her modern world. Although both of them resist, their love is strong and it draws them into a crisis that threatens both. 

How long did it take you to write it?

Magnificent Man took about eighteen months to write. As happens with most stories, the idea floated in my head and slowly began to take shape. I started to write Magnificent Man during lulls in my other writings, until it reached a point where the story required some serious research. Like most writers, I’m frightened of those e-mails from readers that say, “Hey, I know that area and you’re WAY off”. After that, the writing alternated with research, and there was a tremendous amount of research that went into the story.

How did you come up with the title?

Coyote is a very special character. He is a ‘throw-back’ to a different time with an entirely different view of the world. He carries within him the values of honesty, chivalry, courage, and faith that make him so very different from ordinary people. He is strong, he is noble, and he is ‘magnificent’. The title seemed appropriate.

Did you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

I spent several weeks in Arizona and New Mexico travelling through the area on back roads and visiting places where I was an obvious stranger. I found places and people who exist below any kind of radar screen, and whom you could not find without seeking them out.  They have ways that deeply rooted in their own culture. The effects of the modern world are present, but there is a deep undercurrent that remains unshaken.

I also did a tremendous amount of research on the internet. It’s amazing how much information is available. I was able to get historical information, geographical information, and even information about largely extinct unwritten Native American dialects.

How much of the book is realistic?

This is one of the secrets about the book, and is a point of pride for me. The book is VERY true to reality. Not so much in the story line, but the route that Coyote and Cassandra travel IS real. Anyone who cares to can follow their journey on the map. Only the villages of Peligroso and Esperanza; and, Bishop County, Texas are fictional, but by carefully following the route, a reader can see where they would be if they were real. The town, the buildings, and even some of the people are real. I did change people’s names, but, if you lived in a mentioned town, you probably could identify the individual(s).

Is there a lot of “you” in this book?

There is a tremendous amount of me in this book. A large handsome man on a motorcycle…yep, that’s me. (NOT!) Actually, the Quixotic, anachronistic way that Coyote thinks and acts is my contribution to him. I come from a time of civility and respect toward others, where women were cherished and set upon pedestals.  It was a time when it was accepted that people would do the right thing, even when no one was looking, and those who didn’t were punished. People helped each other and watched over each other’s children. God, family, and Country were a way of life and not abstract concepts. Things have changed so much in my lifetime that many of those ideas are long forgotten. My hero has not forgotten. He wears his beliefs proudly and lives strictly by them. That is what makes him stand out to the respect and admiration of those who share his values. That is what makes him ‘magnificent’.

WOW, lighten up Randall! Do you have a favorite hobby?

I have several hobbies. I do a lot of bicycling, primarily on the ‘rail-trails’ including two excellent trails in Wheeling. In recent years, I’ve logged thousands of miles on trails in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and Ohio. It’s a very good form of healthy recreation and allows me to tour some absolutely gorgeous scenery. In my blog, “The Mind of Randall Lang” www.randalllang.blogspot.com, is an entry about bicycling named “Some Serious Spandex”. I invite everyone to share some of my experiences.

I also do kayaking, although admittedly not the white-water, ‘over the falls’ stuff that younger people do. I’m more of a Class 1 and Class 2 kayaker.

My most expensive vice is my muscle car. I have a 1964 Pontiac GTO that I’ve owned for 45 years, and had restored in 2007 at roughly the cost of a beachfront condo. Now  the “Satin Princess” goes to car shows and when people ask if I own it, I tell them, “No, she owns me, I’m just her chief-of-staff.”

Do you have a favorite quote?

I have two quotes that I repeat often. The first is, “Even a blind squirrel gets an acorn sometimes” by anonymous. That sums up the rare occurrence of luck in my life. The second is, “It’s not the years, it’s the mileage”, by Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. Abuse your body as if you’re renting it and you’ll quickly understand that one.

Where on earth would you most like to live or visit?

For years I have carried the dream of living in an old trailer on a beach in Baja California. Just a ‘fridge filled with cold beer, an old Adirondack chair, and the steady surf. Serenity, thou be mine!

Well, thank you so much for being with us here today.  We hope to have you back again very soon!

Welcome to Author Autobahn, it’s wonderful to have you here today!

I’m delighted to be here :)

Please tell us about your most recent book.

“The Cowboy Way”, has received rave reviews so far. One review site gave it their Best Book rating! Here’s a short blurb:

Artist Lacey Owens comes home to her father’s ranch for a long over due visit, and a little R and R. She's not prepared for becoming the means for revenge against him by an old enemy he helped send to prison. Getting involved with her father’s ranch foreman and partner Chase Saunders isn’t in her plans either. But as unexplained incidences occur and Lacey’s life becomes threatened, fate throws her and Chase together when he makes it his mission to protect her. Her independent nature rebels against his arrogant high handed methods and tempers ignite, but it soon becomes apparent that their animosity is only a ruse for the intense sexual longing stirring in their blood.

Where are you from?

I’m originally from Maine but have lived most of my life in hell…I mean Florida :) Well, it is hot here!

What are your current projects?

I just finished the manuscript for “The Promise”, a story about a marine and his dead brother’s beautiful young wife. The story takes place over the Christmas holidays at a Vermont farm where the whole family has come together to celebrate.

Do you see writing as a career?

Writing has always been a hobby for me. Maybe if I’d started at a younger age things would have been different but no, I don’t see it as a career. I do, however hope it will supplement my income when I retire.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

The discipline it takes. I can’t make myself write so I can go a long time and not write a single word. Unlike some authors I’ll never be one of those who can accept a contract for unwritten work.

Who designed the covers?

The publisher contracts an artist to design the covers so I’ve had a few. I would have to say my favorite to date is Molly Courtright. She designed The Senator’s Daughter and The Cowboy Way for me.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Always! LOL Basically don’t give up on your dreams. If you believe in yourself someone else will, too. And look at rejection in a positive light. Learn from it and go onJ

Do you have any pets?

Three amusing and entertaining furry felines. A gray tabby named Rufus, otherwise known as Woofy, a beautiful calico named Gin Gin and a pitch black tabby named Jezebel, otherwise known as Jezzie. 

If there was one thing you could change about yourself, what would it be?

Gee, just one?  I guess I’d have to say patience. To have more of it.   

Do you have a favorite song, movie, or TV show?

Last of the Mohicans is my all time favorite. The one with Daniel Day Lewis in it :)

Well, thank you so much for being with us here today.  We hope to have you back again very soon!

It was a pleasure, thanks for having me! If anyone would like to contact me, please go to:

tory.richards@yahoo.com

www.toryrichards.com

Denysé:  I tend to write whatever comes to mind. I never know what will spark a new book. The night I began writing my current vampire novel  it all came about because I was watching “Van Helsing” and told my partner in Italy what I was looking at while we chatted. He said he always wanted to be an imaginary vampire, so I told him I’d write him as one. The next day I conceived “A Perfect Beauty” and he offered to be my cover model! All in all it’s working out beautifully, and anyone who wants a peek can check my website on the Non-Erotic Romances page, or go to my blog and read a longer excerpt. The link is: http://fantasy-pages.blogspot.com/2008/07/meet-sebastiano-diadema.html

Well, it certainly seems like you're a prolific writer, so surely you must be working on some other titles now?

Denysé:  You're so right!  Aside from the vampire novel, I’m working on a new fantasy release called “Between Two Worlds”, the romance novel for Riccardo Foresi, it’s called “The Light Within My Soul”, and of course, the new Devane story. My next official release will probably be “Royal Consort” which is a short story fantasy/romance with an erotic touch. Firedrakes Weyr has contracted that one. I have so many things in the works, it’s hard to nail down what will actually be completed and available next! I have a coming soon page on the website, and on the Non-Erotic Romances page, all the books that are now available are listed, as well as those coming soon in that category – so all in all, I’ve got something going on that might appeal to almost any taste, and that’s the way I like it!

The most important project I’m working on, at least for me personally, is the book with my partner. Amore Senza Confini is a magical concept, and the poetics and romance of it is really something quite special. I’ve set up a blog where we occasionally post a new piece from the book, and if you are a lover of pure, old-fashioned romance, you will probably love this one! All the photos being used are the work of my partner, too.

I'm a sensual romance author myself, and many times we have to ramp up the heat index in our books, but how do you personally distinguish between erotica, erotic romance, and pornography?

I don’t know that there is a certain kind of distinction between the genres, they’re all variations on the same genre, and the distinguishing difference is the level of actual story you engage in, as well as elements of language and interacting between your characters. To me, erotic romance is a romance where you have the traditional romance only you also have the detailed description of love scenes. Erotica can be anything that takes it to a different level, where sex is often the only real link between the characters, and their activities involve sexual acts beyond what is acceptable in your average romance story. Pornography? See, that’s a tough one, one person’s porn is another person’s passion, so I think it’s a moral judgment we each make within ourselves for our comfort zones and what we personally accept.

How do you judge what makes a good erotic story when writing your own fiction?

I just write the story, honestly. I don’t think of it in terms of “erotic” until I decide where I want to submit it, then I determine what will be acceptable to me and the publisher. I find sex scenes boring and tedious to write most of the time, so it’s one of those things where you have to decide how important it is to the story, and if you want to take it in that direction.

What are the biggest public misconceptions about erotica?

I think the biggest public misconception about erotica is that it’s purely sexual titillation… it’s not, if it’s done right, it’s just a highly sexual story. The problem is there’s so much BAD erotica out there, the good gets lumped in with the not so good…. And again, you’re talking subjective taste of the reader, so it’s a tough thing to define with any real accuracy.

Where do you see yourself in the future? Will you still be writing, or do you have a new adventure on the horizon?

Life is an adventure every day, isn’t it? I’ll always write, it’s part of me, and it gives me a voice that I reach people with and maybe entertain them and inspire them with on occasion. Since none of us knows what’s around the next corner, I’ll just hazard a guess and say I’ll be around doing this for a lot of years. Only my location may change, the work won’t.

They say there's a book in everyone, so do you have any advice for an author just starting out on the writer’s journey?

Don’t listen to your friends when they tell you your writing is wonderful, odds are they love you and can’t be objective or wholly honest – even if they don’t mean to be less than honest with you. Listen to editors, and learn from them. If you really love what you’ve done, it shows, and what they have to offer by way of observation and criticism is valuable, even if you don’t agree with every word. Just take it under consideration, use what you can, and trust your gut with the really important stuff.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

Anywhere in Italy, but preferably the Amalfi Coast. Positano or Ravello really appeal to me.

Do you need silence to write or can you write through anything?

I remember reading ages ago a quote from Louis L’Amour that went something like he could sit in the middle of a busy highway in traffic and write. I didn’t believe him when I first read that quote. Years later and many books later myself, I can do the same thing, so I believe him now!! I’ve started books sitting in hospital waiting rooms with a pen and notebook, so I don’t need quiet, or even semi-quiet to create, just inspiration and time.

Are you afraid of anything?

Being alone with my thoughts for too long. They take me places that are not always healthy. Memory and fears are terrible demons, and we all fight them on a daily basis in some form. If you are too alone, they get stronger with time, and that’s dangerous to the peace we all want to know inside us.

Out of all the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why?

I have two favorites at the moment, one is my WIP creation, Riccardo Bartolinni, who is pure romance. The other is Inspector Michael Devane, the Victorian detective from my mystery romances with Liquid Silver Books. I’d have to say though that both are favorites for very different reasons. Michael is a tortured and scarred soul, a man who has seen horrors that have never left him while working on the Ripper case. His chance at love saves his life, and the message is pure and uplifting. Riccardo Bartolinni is a larger than life kind of man, he’s old world charm, the essence of elegance and sophistication, a man who has the world at his feet, but no one who knows the person behind the outward image. When he meets the love of his life, the colliding of two worlds makes for a wonderfully intense and passionate story.

I suffer from too many ideas, honestly. I’d need to clone myself a few times just to be able to write all the things I want to write. It’s as frustrating in some ways as not being able to write at all is for other authors. I write my notes and move on, knowing that I’ve laid the groundwork – and if there is a time when the ideas dry up – I have all this stuff waiting to be explored and written…. It’s a bit like money in the bank that way.

What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

The most important element of a good story is simple, create a world where people can be touched in their hearts and imaginations. Something that has emerged as a trend with books and movies in recent years is this belief that you have to have a message, or teach a lesson…. We are artists, ultimately, and our job is to create entertainment. Sometimes all a book needs to do is make you feel good and entertain you. A lot of people lose sight of that. Romance is about escape and beauty at its core, and as long as you can create a love story that makes your reader believe and smile, then you’ve done your job well. The elements needed to do that are timeless, strong people who bring passion to the story. Well chosen language and attention to detail of era and attitude is an essential element if you do anything historical in nature.

What comes first: the plot or the characters?

Most of the time it’s a plot, then the people who will do it justice begin to step up and take shape. Each story requires a unique set of personalities and you soon learn that what is needed comes swiftly if you just listen to what your instincts are telling you.

If you could wish for anything, what would you wish for?

Peace in this world… and a return to days when people understood proper respect for each other, and themselves, and valued love for the gift it is. I think we’ve lost too much of the true passion of romance. It’s time to move back to a gentler knowledge of what we mean to each other, and how to express ourselves freely and honestly.

Wow, thank you so much for being our guest today, Denyse.  This was a really great interview!

Thanks so much for having me as your guest, I’ll look forward to chatting with everyone over the next few days!! Take care and Blessings to everyone….  Denysé

Denysé Bridger: BIO

Canadian born and bred, and a lifelong dreamer, my life has had several on-going love affairs that shape much of what I write, the American West, Victorian England, cowboys, a passion for pirates, Greek Gods, and Ancient Egypt. The other endless love affair in my life is Italia and all its magic, beauty, and dazzling culture. That passion spills into all aspects of my life.

My first major fantasy novel is AS FATE DECREES. (Available in bookstores everywhere, and on Amazon’s international sites.) A visit to my website will show the diversity of what is currently available, and the mixing of genres and styles that will be employed in many up-coming projects as well. The Italian influence is in evidence with several of the more important works, as many people already know.

To stay current with all these projects, or to just say hello, please feel free to email me anytime, there’s a contact link on the mail menu. Or, feel free to sign up for my newsletter, which is called Romance and Fantasy. If you prefer to chat with me and other readers, the newsgroup is open to everyone. Denysé Bridger News.

Website: http://www.denysebridger.com

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