Authors In The Limelight: S. G. Rogers

I want to thank and welcome, Suzanne Rogers for sharing her personal writing journey with us on my blog today. Her book, The Last Great Wizard of Yden, is now available at your favorite on-line bookstore.

How long have you been writing, Suzanne? 

Since I was a little girl, really.  Writing was one of those things that helped get me through school.  I was an avid reader as well, and I used to read stories and think about what I’d have done differently if I’d been the author.  Now I get to write the stories I’d like to read.

Where did you get your idea and inspiration to write The Last Great Wizard of Yden? 

Yden started out as a screenplay in a writing workshop, and thereafter I decided to turn it into a novel.  I’ve always enjoyed the idea of alternate universes and fantasy worlds, and I wanted to tell the story of a young artist who discovers his inner magic. I also wanted to fashion a role model for my own son.

What sets The Last Great Wizard of Yden apart from other books in the same genre?

The book has frequently been compared to the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson series, and of course that’s great.  But the biggest difference might be the world-building aspect of the magical planet Yden.  It’s got its own history, political upheaval and rules for working magic. Wizards grow up in clans and there is a lot of conflict between them.  Add to the mix some bloodthirsty warlords and magical creatures, and you’ve got the perfect world for a cracking good story.

As an author, Suzanne, what is your writing process?

I begin with the characters, always.  Then I test out pivotal scenes in my head until something begs to be written.  Some stories lend themselves to plotting and others seem to want to write themselves.  I enjoy the latter far more because that sort of writing feels the most like creative discovery.

How long did it take for you to start and finish The Last Great Wizard of Yden? 

The original novel took me about five months to write.  But it was written in 1^st person point of view.  For my publisher to consider publishing the title, however, I had to rewrite it from 1^st to 3^rd person point of view.  That painful process took me another month.

Do you have any advice for other writers, Suzanne?

Don’t quit.  Let criticism help you write better.  Don’t ever stop trying to improve your craft.  Oh, and after that learn how to market your product because writing is a business.

Agreed - authors need to be prepared for the business end of writing. So, what’s next for S. G. Rogers the author?

2012 will be a very busy one for me!  I have several fantasy novelettes being published, a romantic fantasy novella, and two fantasy adventures coming out loosely based on Nordic mythology.  Then there are the two sequels to The Last Great Wizard of Yden to publish.  It’s a very exciting time.

Okay, here’s one for me, since I’m writing a time travel series – If you could time travel anywhere into Earth’s past, where would you go and why?

I think living in Europe during the Renaissance would have been something special.  Was there something in the water that sparked so much creativity?  Ancient Rome might have been cool, too, for much the same reason.  I suspect when it comes right down to it, people who lived in these ancient societies weren’t too much different than they are now.

Excerpt:

After his father is kidnapped, sixteen-year-old Jon stumbles across a closely guarded family secret--one that will challenge everything he has ever believed about his father and himself.  A magical ring his father leaves behind unlocks a portal to another dimension, but in using it, Jon unwittingly unchains the forces of evil. A crisis develops when a malevolent wizard transports to Earth to kidnap Jon’s would-be girlfriend.  With the help of some unlikely schoolmates, and a warrior princess from Yden, Jon embarks on a dangerous quest to free his friend and his father from the most vicious wizard the magical world has ever known.  In the end, Jon will be forced to fight for his life as he attempts to rescue the last great wizard of Yden.

Links:

$2.99 e-book at Astraea Press:  http://tinyurl.com/87xh4az, Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/3doybdm, orBN.com:  http://tinyurl.com/7kkesmh

To follow S.G. Rogers, visit her blog at www.childofyden.wordpress.com

Twitter @suzannegrogers or visit her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SuzanneGRogers

Be Outstanding!

There’s so much for an author to do nowadays. Writing, rewriting, polishing, promotion, marketing, networking, and the list goes on. So much to do and not enough time, it seems. So how can an author in today’s publishing market survive? The answer is easy – be outstanding. However, the process is a little bit more complicated than that.

As a writer, you need to develop the constant urge to innovate. Understand what the best writers and exemplars in your chosen field do well and figure out why, then mix, match and reconstruct these elements into something new and better.

Another great piece of advice is to stay diligent in the one field of writing you’re trying to master. Focus on that one specific point on your map or plan, and go for it. Make it your single quest and saturate yourself in it. Become like an alchemist and dilute these desires to fill the gap.

The trick is not to compare yourself with other writers in your field who have had success. Go beyond that and work toward being so good you can’t be ignored.

“Be so good they can’t ignore you” – Steve Martin, comedian

Authors In The Limelight: Cornell DeVille

I want to thank and welcome, Cornell DeVille for sharing his personal writing journey with us on my blog today. His book, Lost in the Bayou, will be released through Musa Publishing, Friday, December 1st, and will be available at your favorite on-line bookstore, including Musa Publishing.

How long have you been writing, Cornell?

The first story I remember writing was in the third grade, Miss Carmichael's class. It was called Flipper the Fawn. It was a wonderful story, according to Miss Carmichael. And she should know. So, based on her favorable opinion, I decided to become a writer.

Where did you get your idea and inspiration to write Lost in the Bayou?
It's hard to tell where inspiration is born. When I was ten years old, we took a family vacation to New Orleans. I remember seeing the Spanish moss hanging from the trees in the bayou country. It was scary at night, and very memorable. Perhaps that's where the atmosphere for Lost in the Bayou originated. As far as the story is concerned, I think kids are always a little freaked out with missing body parts. That's why Uncle Conrad has a metal claw for a hand.

What sets Lost in the Bayou apart from other books in the same genre?

I think one thing that sets it apart is the impossible task that Robin has to accomplish and her determination to see it through, despite the obstacles. Also, in addition to her courage, there's her ingenuity that plays a major role in allowing her to do what needs to be done. Even at fourteen, she's no dummy, and she knows more than a little about human nature and how to manipulate people in the right direction.

As an author, Cornell, what is your writing process?

I typically start with an idea. It may be an object, a character, or a setting. In Cannibal Island, it was the concept of time travel that started the wheels turning. In Skullhaven, it was the pitiful little orphan, Lily White. And in Lost in the Bayou, it was the spookiness of the bayou and how scary it would be to get lost in there. If you read any of those three books, you'll notice that the opening of each has the particular item just mentioned as the focal point.

How long did it take for you to start and finish Lost in the Bayou?

Well, let's see. It was July of 1959 when we made the trip to New Orleans. So it took me 51 years to get started. Once I began, it only took me about six months to write it. Another three months to rewrite it. And another three months to edit and polish it to a respectable form. So 51 years to start and one year to finish. That's why getting started is the important thing.

Do you have any advice for other writers, Cornell?

I do. First of all, if you want to write well, you need to read as much as possible. I would recommend spending the majority of your reading time in the genre you wish to write in. Go to your library and browse the Newberry Winner section. Reading is key to good writing. And, of course, you need to write every chance you get, too. Join a writing group and get some peer reviews of your writing. Learn to take criticism as a valuable tool for improvement.

Agreed – a writer’s support system has helped me tremendously. So, what’s next for Cornell DeVille the author?

I'm currently in the middle of a sequel to Cannibal Island. The working title is The Rings of Time. It picks up where Cannibal Island leaves off, with Richie home at the Armstrong Estate in Southampton with the Golden Disk and figuring out how to use it. I'm hoping to get the first draft completed by year end, but that remains to be seen.

Okay, here’s one for me, since I’m writing a time travel series – If you could time travel anywhere into Earth’s past, where would you go and why?

Oh, my goodness. That's like asking me if I could have any sports car in the world, which one would it be. There are so many wonderful choices. I think if I had such an opportunity, it would have to be ancient Egypt. I'd like to see how they built those pyramids.

Cornell DeVille’s blog is http://cornelldeville.blogspot.com

Lost in the Bayou website at http://www.lostinthebayou.com

Lost in the Bayou book trailer on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w202F993K4c

Promotion, Promotion, Promotion

Authors nowadays seem to have to wear two hats. One for the writing process and one for the business end. An on-line presence and platform is a must. One marketing firm suggest that book promotion should be done a year before the book actually hits the shelf (real and virtual). Yikes! I’ve been perusing the on-line discussions about marketing books and ebooks, and have posted as much information as I can on Facebook to help my author colleagues with how to pimp their book. Even writing a blog is precious time away from creating an author’s bread and butter.

Here are some ideas to help with the promotion process:

·         Create a professional looking website or blog (or both)

·         Get involved with Social Networking – Facebook, Twitter, Linked etc.

·         Create a video trailer for your book and get it in front of your readers

·         Do a blog tour

·         Get reviews of your books posted on-line (preferably on your blog)

·         Podcast

·         Become a commenter and subscribe to a few blogs in your genre

Most authors dread the marketing process. It’s a tough gig if you’re not a natural born salesperson. Marketing guru Seth Godin suggests to build a media company, or join a book club with authors to help pimp each others books. Ultimately the success (or failure) of a book now falls upon the author’s shoulders one hundred per cent.

The key is to coordinate your life. Know yourself enough so that you’ll promote your book in the areas you’re strongest in, and delegate the tasks that you’re weak at.

Copyright (c) <a href='http://www.123rf.com'>123RF Stock Photos</a>

Harvest Season

In the spirit of giving thanks, I just wanted to do a post that reflected how grateful I am for this past year. So much has happened since January. I went from not knowing where I was heading in my writing career, to exploring the possibility of self-publishing ebooks, to learning as much as I could about this exciting new frontier, to actually signing a contract with a publishing company who handles ebooks and paperback books.

What a roller coaster year this has been for me! Suddenly, taking off in a different route, and going down another path has led me to a place I never expected. It's taken me 15 years of the writing-submission-rejection game to reach this plateau. Now, I'm on my way to publication. I'm smiling, beaming actually. I'm also grateful. Grateful that a brand new publishing company like Musa Publishing gave me a chance and made me part of their family. And I'm grateful that I waited 15 years for them. It was worth the wait.

Happy Thanksgiving, Musa Publishing!

Are You A Sprinter Or A Marathoner?

Writing is both creative and a business. Every writer knows this – or should know it. Marketing is the key to get your books in the hands of potential readers. How you do this depends on what suits you best. The following has been modified to talk about authors, but it applies to any business. Most of this information comes from a wonderful website called Copyblogger, and I urge any writer (beginner or bestseller) to check out the sage advice and tools this site has to offer.

There really are two kinds of author entrepreneurs, with two styles of working. Neither one is good or bad. Either one can be successful, and either one can go down in flames. Choose the working style that match your personality and everything in your writing business will work better. But pick the wrong style, one that doesn’t match who you are, and your writing business is going to make you miserable.

The two types of author entrepreneurs are sprinters and marathoners. And you’ve got to figure out which kind you are.

A lot of the traditional author types are sprinters. They like to work in focused bursts. They might kill themselves pulling all-nighters for 4 or 6 weeks, create a process that works and deploy it. Dean Wesley Smith is an excellent example of this kind of author. Smith works 18 hours a day so he can make money while he sleeps. Sprinting is a lot of work, because your systems have to be able to work without you — to make money while you sleep.

Marathoners, of course, take a more slow and steady pace. They show up every day. They tend to be excellent at producing quality writing in small, bite-sized pieces. They often fall prey to doing everything themselves, because they can. Bloggers are the consummate marathoners. In fact, bloggers often just keep running year after year and forget there’s such thing as a finish line. Lots of social media techniques are lousy for sprinters. Unless you’re willing to check in a couple of times a day, twitter isn’t the tool for you to find and connect with customers. Neither is Facebook. Or LinkedIn, or MySpace, or a forum. They all need the steady presence that belongs to the marathoner.

So which one are you? Most of us aren’t pure marathoners or pure sprinters. We’re hybrids.

Authors In The Limelight: Stephanie Campbell

I want to thank and welcome, Stephanie Campbell for sharing her personal writing journey with us on my blog today. Her book, Dragon Night, will be released through Musa Publishing, Friday, November 18^th, and will be available at your favorite on-line bookstore, including Musa Publishing.

How long have you been writing, Stephanie?

It feels like it’s been forever—in the best possible way, that is. I wrote my first story when I was six. It was during “pig week” at elementary school. My librarian put the story up there with all the published books for the other kids to read. You can imagine how proud that made me feel as a little kid.

When I turned twelve, I was really into fan fiction. I was terrible. (No, I really was.) I had no idea about grammar and all that other stuff. I wrote five hundred pages worth of fan fiction—twelve stories—and got plenty of criticism. But every story I got better and better.

When I was fifteen my sister read one of my essays and told me that I should read a book. I shrugged my shoulders. That was when one of my essays on eating disorders in young adults got an award in a writing competition. After that, I started writing Until We Meet Again.

The rest is history. Until We Meet Again was released the day of my high school graduation. The book is five hundred pages long.

 Where did you get your idea and inspiration to write Dragon Night?

Honestly, I don’t really know…I’m very much a serial writer. I sit down and things happen. In fact, sometimes I don’t feel like I’m the one doing it. I see and feel my stories so much that they write themselves. Once the book is done, I feel like it’s my child. *Laughs.* Yes, I “made” it, but it’s its own entity, but it is no longer mine. It belongs to the person reading it, because every person will take Dragon Night differently. That is one of the reasons why I think that books are so beautiful—same book, different visions.

What sets Dragon Night apart from other books in the same genre?

Oh dear. Query letter flashback. *Laughs.* I try to humanize my fantasies. I love my characters. I feel that’s what makes the story different. It isn’t just a fantasy for the sake of it—it’s about a boy learning to grow up, and it’s about someone who’s different. Adolescence is one of the most beautiful and hard time of someone’s life. It is the time that decides what you will become. It is so, SO important. That is why Dragon Night is special—it addresses that.

As an author, Stephanie, what is your writing process?

I never take a break between books. I’ve done the same thing for the past five years. I start one manuscript and write six pages a day, I edit twenty pages of another manuscript, and I publicize another. When the writing stage is done, I will leave the book alone for at least three months. I will edit a book three times before I send it to a publisher. (I like three. Can you tell?)

How long did it take for you to start and finish Dragon Night?

Not long. Dragon Night wrote itself. In fact, Ford was so ready to get out there that he blasted himself upon the page. *Snickers.*

No, but seriously, Dragon Night was very natural for me. It was one of my favorite books to write to date.

Do you have any advice for other writers, Stephanie?

Yes. Don’t ever, ever give up. Also, don’t let criticism get you down. It’s a test of grit out there. I’ve had many people tell me to give it up, some of which were my “friends.” I believe that writers are made through hard work. If you want to be one, then make yourself one. There is no other way to approach something that you love.

That’s great advice – it took me 15 years of not giving up or getting down! So, what’s next for Stephanie Campbell the author?

Lots! Actually, Dragon Night is one of many books that are being released. Right now I’m publicizing my book, Poachers, and am doing book tours to local schools. At the end of November, I’m also releasing another book, P.S. I Killed My Mother. Here’s to hoping for big things!

You dream bigger, you get bigger! Okay, here’s one for me, since I’m writing a time travel series – If you could time travel anywhere into Earth’s past, where would you go and why?

I’m going to approach this honestly, even though it might end up biting me later. I would want to travel back to meet Jesus. I’m very influenced by religion and spirituality. I believe that Jesus is one of the most influential beings in history.

http://stephaniecampbellsblog.blogspot.com/

http://writersos.blogspot.com/

http://stephaniecampbellreleases.weebly.com/