Mar 6, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Interviews
Today, we’re talking with Alex Martin, about her novels and writing process.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
Between husbands, I picked grapes and lived in my car in France.
Why do you write?
I have no choice. It’s been a compulsion since I was seven.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
In researching my own ancestors, I stumbled across an amazing legend about some very brave women in Devon about 1000 years ago whose village was invaded by Danish marauders. The Vikings killed all the men but the women got their revenge in a very canny way.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
I love history. There’s a comfort in knowing how things will work out and I always hope we can learn lessons from looking at our forebears and not repeat all the mistakes!
How would you describe your writing process?
I had a breakthrough moment about ten years ago. I was sitting in my plotting shed, trying to squeeze out some words when I realised this was entirely the wrong approach. Instead I inhabited each of my characters, as an actor would, except no one knew the next lines he or she would say. I got into that protagonist’s head and lived through them. Writing was easy after that because they knew exactly what to do.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
It’s a modern phenomenon and a privilege that authors can now interact with their readers and learn what they liked or disliked about their work. I have met some wonderful people this way.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Follow your passion and write as much as you can. Do research and social media only when the words won’t flow.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
Due to my love of plants, my first few books all had botanical names that integrated perfectly with each story. For instance, Speedwell, a common but beautiful blue-flowered ground ‘weed’ gave my book its ideal title as Book Three of The Katherine Wheel Series, as it is set in the roaring twenties and the world of motor racing. Daffodils, Book One of the epic saga, is set in WW1 whose poignant symbol is usually a red poppy, and it is a play on that as it is a springtime flower signalling hope. It also stands for narcissism, as demonstrated by Lionel White! There is another, very personal, reason which is I was nursing my dying mother when I wrote it. She was born (and died) around the first day of Spring in March and it’s a salute to her brave spirit. Peace Lily was obvious for the aftermath of WW1. Willow forms the background to the riverside setting of that short story whereas Woodbine and Ivy is the name of a folk song my husband sings. A lot of people smoked Woodbine cigarettes in WW2 and Ivy, with its clinging, destructive vines, was perfect for the concluding story. In the Spirit Level Series, I chose an image of a beautiful mullioned window on an old stone house for The Rose Trail with a red rose growing outside it. The story is set in the seventeenth century during the English Civil War and the ghost who won’t stop haunting Meadowsweet Manor is called Rose. She’s a passionate woman so the rose had to be red! Triskelion is where I deviated from plant names but no other title would do for a tale of a long-dead Druid priestess and her timeless message to a rock star and, through his music, to the rest of the world. The Twisted Vine speaks for itself as it is set in the glorious vineyards of France and is a convoluted mystery tale. I picked all the beautiful photographs for the covers but I am indebted to the amazing Jane Dixon-Smith of JD-Designs for putting them together so cleverly.
What’s your next step?
I’ve just finished writing my first contemporary novel. It has a historic twist (I couldn’t resist) but involves three women who are stuck in relationships that bind them. By coming together, they each break free.
What book do you wish you had written?
Any of the classics.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
With butterflies in my stomach!
FIND ALEX’S AWARD-WINNING BOOK, DAFFODILS
FIND ALL HER AVAILABLE BOOKS ON AMAZON
Mar 6, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Interviews
Today, we’re talking with Robert J. Emery, about his new book MEGASTAR!.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I spent 4 decades in motion picture and television production as a producer, writer & director. After retiring, I began writing books, both fiction and nonfiction. I am about to publish my 9th book – my 3rd novel.
Why do you write?
I have written all my career, both screenplays and TV documentaries. It was a natural transition for me to begin writing books.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
I wanted to write about a man’s life from birth to his death. It took a while to decide on the story I finally went with in MEGASTAR.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
MEGASTAR is a departure for me in that I had never written a love story before. My first novel was sci-fi, and my second was a suspense thriller. I honestly enjoyed writing a love story for a change.
How would you describe your writing process?
I begin by deciding what the story will be, the primary characters, and how I will end it. Beyond that, I do not outline, I fill it in as I go. I like surprising myself.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
I am heavily involved in social media when it comes to marketing my books and have found it to be a primary way of getting the word out.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Always write what you want, not what is trending. If you are not passionate about a story, don’t write it.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
A book title should always say something about the story. As for covers, I work with a cover designer, but I always have in mind what I would like to see. Again, it should say something about what the book is about.
What’s your next step?
Good question. I have not yet decided on a couple of ideas I’m developing.
What book do you wish you had written?
Moby Dick.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
I have been very fortunate to receive positive reviews for my books. I have yet to get a negative review, so each one I get is a joy.
CHECK OUT ROBERT J. EMERY’S WEBSITE
FIND MEGASTAR! ON AMAZON
Mar 6, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Interviews
Today, we’re talking with Sylvia Rae, about her Amazon best-selling contemporary romance novels.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I didn’t expect to take a leap of faith and become an indie author in 2023.
Why do you write?
My childhood dream was to own a bookstore so that I could read all the books while snacking. I never thought of myself as a creative person, and this idea followed me until 2023. Then, I realized I am such a badass creative person; I have so many story ideas in my head, ready to be written on paper or on the computer. When readers read my books, they will feel empowered or experience a taste of forbidden lust.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
The Godfather.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
Contemporary romances are fiction, so I can let my mind run wild and create a safe place for my readers to get sexy and imaginative.
How would you describe your writing process?
Prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, polishing, publishing, Post-Publication.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
As authors, we are always looking for new readers. Participating in social media to talk directly with readers is a nice way to understand what readers like or don’t like. However, I also have to be very conscious of how much time I spend there so it doesn’t interfere with my writing time.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Keep learning from the best to get better at our craft.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
While writing the book, I can see his or her face and I try to pick an emotional one to convey the story.
What’s your next step?
I released a novella “Cold Corruption,” a prequel to Kings of Corruption, a breathtakingly steamy, high-stakes mafia romance series. Follow the stories of ten ruthless mafia kings who will break laws and hearts to get what they want. But when they find the one, their darkness meets light. Set across the USA and Asia, each book features the thrilling tale of a different king as he crosses lines and continents to find and keep the redeeming love he never expected. Book 1 is near completion, and I am so excited to test the waters and see how my readers respond.
What book do you wish you had written?
Every book written by Ms. Agatha Christie.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
We are all humans, always aiming for perfection. Both five-star and ten-star ratings are always worth celebrating. If I receive a one-star rating, I will check the review and apply the suggestions. If there’s a one-star rating without any comments, I treat it as a hello from the other side.
CHECK OUT SYLVIA RAE ON AMAZON
FIND HER NEW NOVELLA, COLD CORRUPTION, ON AMAZON
Jan 24, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Interviews
Today, we’re talking with Keith Yocum, about his book Dead In The Water (A Cape Cod Mystery Book 2).
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
In high school I represented Western Australia in the Australian Under-16 Rugby Union Tournament held in Tasmania. We got thoroughly trounced by the New South Wales teams, but we won the prize for brashness, mate.
Why do you write?
As a former journalist, I’ve been writing for a long time and love every part of it. Except the editing. And the re-writing. Every morning before I start composing, I hand-wind my Scottish-Australian grandfather’s 100-year-old pocket watch as a reminder of the wonderful people who’ve made my life so meaningful.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
Cape Cod is a magnificent peninsula shaped like a bent elbow. It juts 30 miles into the Atlantic Ocean and is full of interesting people, places, and things. There are undercurrents of tension lurking below the surface here, and I enjoy poking and prodding the social and demographic terrain.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
Mysteries are endlessly fascinating, with layer upon layer of complexity, including the human tendency to do bad things.
How would you describe your writing process?
I typically start with an outline of the main plot points and let the story tell itself. Over the years, I’ve developed a bad habit of waking up in the wee hours and ruminating about a plot problem that needs to be resolved. This invariably leads to lost sleep and more plot problems that need more rumination to solve.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Readers have a desire to interact with authors. They’re curious about how authors develop stories and what their motivations are. This is healthy and a reasonable request. Many authors simply want to write and turn it over to the publisher to promote. Alas, those days are gone, and social media is a necessary part of an author’s platform.
What advice would you have for other writers?
If the goal for an author is simply to tell a story, then write what moves you. If the author wants to generate a larger cache of readers, they have to pay some attention to what moves the reader. It’s one way or the other.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
For covers, I usually send out three examples to my email list and ask for their advice. For titles, I work with my trusted adviser who is my wife and is never wrong on this subject.
What’s your next step?
I have two books mapped out and need to do a little more on-the-ground research. Then it’s back to pounding the keyboard and waking up in the middle of the night…
What book do you wish you had written?
All The Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
If it’s a good review, I’m pretty happy. If it’s a bad review, I try to decide if the criticism is valid. If it’s valid, I pay attention to its message. If it’s not valid, I move on. I’m still glad they gave my book a read.
VISIT KEITH’S WEBSITE
FIND KEITH’S BOOK ON AMAZON
Jan 24, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Interviews
Today, we’re talking with Kirk Galbraith, about his book The Art of Conspiracy: Hidden in Plain Sight.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I am an avid golfer with a 5 handicap working on getting to scratch ie: 0. My lowest score is 71 so trying to break 70.
Why do you write?
I find it difficult to share my topics with most people in public so I decided to put it all down in The Art of Conspiracy: Hidden in Plain Sight. The idea was to help those who can sense that some things are not right with the world and are interested in connecting the dots.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
I have researched secret societies and ruling families for 40 years.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
Once you get past the anger and grief stages of learning about the control systems of our world it is a fascinating study that never ceases to amaze me.
How would you describe your writing process?
I prefer to write in the morning and compile different topics for the outline. Then start to organize the topics into chapters and start writing. The chapters get rearranged as I write and see how it comes together.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
This is an area where I am not very strong although I see the benefit to those who enjoy it and use it well to gain more eyes on their books.
What advice would you have for other writers?
I had a writing partner and we met on zoom every Wednesday morning. This buddy system really helped when either of us was stuck or just needed some encouragement. It took us about 5 months to write our books.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
I sent about 30 different titles to my email list and asked them to choose their top 3, after which I was able to pick mine. This was suggested in a course I took from my Publisher Matt Rudnitsky. The cover I chose after looking through Google Images.
What’s your next step?
Writing my next books with the Twins training.
What book do you wish you had written?
I recently stumbled across the Mikkelsen twins who have taken their book writing to a million dollar business and were listed on Forbes 500. So, I am taking their 7 day challenge starting Monday January 22nd and will probably write a cookbook or activity book as their course suggests, but write it under a pen name, as it is a departure from my genre.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
Love it! Only wish there were more as I know I need 50 to 100 for the Amazon algorithms to promote it.
FIND KIRK’S BOOK ON AMAZON
Jan 23, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Interviews
Today, we’re talking with Paul F. Marzell, about his book Heimat.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
Judging from the reaction from close friends and family, it is the disbelief that I could write a novel, especially a novel that could classify as an epic saga.
Why do you write?
Heimat is my first novel, and I wrote it because many novels by best-sellers are poorly written or not thoroughly researched. I felt that I could do better. It was not until I developed the totally fictitious characters in Heimat that I could generate countless scenarios, plots, and characters. I found it to be scary. The challenge lies in translating these thoughts from my mind to either paper or a hard drive. I want to keep trying.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
The inspiration for writing “Heimat” struck me eleven years ago when researching my family tree in anticipation of my first grandchild’s birth. My goal was to compile a comprehensive documentation of his diverse heritage, spanning Dutch, English, Mexican, and German roots. Employing traditional resources like census and baptismal records, I augmented my project with invaluable documents inherited from my father, who immigrated from Germany in 1929.
Among these documents were my father’s birth certificate, immigration papers, passport, the ticket for the inaugural voyage of the TS Bremen across the Atlantic, and a collection of various German and United States government forms, including his World War Two draft registration. The letters he preserved from his mother, sisters, and other relatives, which he received both before and after World War Two, were of utmost significance.
Many of the letters were composed in Sütterlin Schrift, a script no longer taught in Germany. It took me several months to transcribe them into modern German script and then translate them into English.
Many of the experiences of some characters in Heimat are inspired by real-life experiences of people I know. At the same time, I’ve crafted other characters and their experiences entirely from my imagination. In the chapters where letters are utilized for foreshadowing, some are nearly verbatim from authentic letters, while others are consolidations of two or more correspondences. Additionally, there are instances where letters are entirely fictional. These letters not only served to establish the chronological framework for the narrative but also became an integral part of the storytelling.
Despite these creative liberties, the historical facts presented in my work are meticulously researched and accurate.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
Some of the story is already written. All the writer needs to do is make it interesting with a twist while still maintaining the integrity of the past.
How would you describe your writing process?
Plodding and cumbersome. I can’t type worth a damn, and I am easily distracted.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
The skill to manage it effectively, and generate an interested following.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Do not be easily distracted like I am. While writing, do your best to ignore all chores, e.g. cleaning up the dog poop, mowing the lawn, fixing the leaking toilet, staining the deck, ad infinitum. Learn to type! I’m too old to learn that trick. Do not ignore your health!
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
I never buy a novel by its cover or title. I read the synopsis to see if there is anything of interest.
What’s your next step?
To get beyond the first two chapters of my next novel, which I have been writing for the past four months.
What book do you wish you had written?
Anything written by J.K. Rowling or R. R. Tolkien. Their minds are or were wild and they possessed the magic to get their thoughts from their minds to paper.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
Obviously, I feel great if it’s good, but if it is not, I am grateful if the review has honest, constructive criticism.
FIND PAUL’S BOOK ON AMAZON
VISIT PAUL’S WEBSITE
