Author Interview: J.L. Mulvihill

Today I’m thrilled to present an interview by not only a fantastic author with a huge and unique imagination, but a really incredible lady, to boot. As I’ve said before, I met J.L. Mulvihill at Fandom Fest last year, and talking to her is just a joy. Not only do I have someone to discuss outfits and costumes with, but she can follow and add to all the crazy ideas that pop out of my head at any given moment. It’s also nice to know someone else who does the ‘whoa, idea’ moments at the drop of a hat, hee. She’s someone I definitely want to work with in the future, and I’m thrilled to be part of the Seventh Star Press team along with her. So yeah, she’s cool, read her books.

But since she did agree to be interviewed, I suppose I’ll include that in this post, too, so you can see for yourselves how great she is.

Selah, thank you so much for having me here for the interview, you know I really enjoy talking with you and I enjoy sharing a little bit of myself with the readers.

SJ: Every writer has some sort of process.  Give us a glimpse into yours.  Do you meticulously outline?  Do you write depending on what calls are out there?

JLM: Selah I have to say that when it comes to short stories, I will think the story through for a couple of days, maybe even a week before I write it, but I don’t outline it except in my head.  However, when it comes to my novels I have to do an outline because there are so many plots within plots and characters that it’s just too much to hold it all in my head without it exploding.

SJ: Bonus question – Do you put on a cape and do a chant before hunkering down to work?  Sacrifice anything?  Along with your process, what’s your quirkiest writing habit?

JLM:  Ok here is a little secret, when I’m writing I am usually wearing an old worn out, plaid,    extra-large shirt that has holes in it and missing buttons.  I actually have two of these   shirts and the silly thing about these shirts is that they belonged to my Pop (grandfather),   and for some reason I feel like it helps me to write when I am wearing either of these  shirts.

SJ: Are you a meticulous planner or do you believe in the muse?  Where do your ideas come from?  Do they filter in through your dreams?  Do they show up at inopportune times and whap you upside the head?  Do they result in a shady deal with a dark power?

JLM: Some of my ideas come from dreams like my first novel started out as a nightmare where I was being chased by a giant spider through the woods.  Some ideas just smack me in the head out of nowhere and it’s so weird because I will be just sitting there talking with someone and suddenly I go “Whoa.”  If I’m with another writer friend they’ll ask if I just got an idea but if I’m with someone else they’ll ask me if I need an aspirin; I guess I must get a pained look on my face or something, ha ha. 

Some of my ideas come from the eclectic items I keep in my office; like dragons, squirrels, books, plastic hands, daggers, marbles, TARDIS, puking unicorns,bottles of vampire blood, you know that kind of stuff. 

Sometimes I get an idea when I’m watching Discovery or the History channel, I just never know where or when the idea is going to come, but it’s sometimes like that show connections where one thing leads to another.

I have to give my husband credit for some of my story ideas like Chilled Meat in the anthology Dreams of Steam II.  My husband was watching the History channel about the Napoleonic War when he called me into the TV room to share with me some gruesome tidbit he had just learned and asked if it would help with one of my stories, I said, “as a matter of fact, I think I can use that.” 

SJ:  bonus question – If your muse had a physical manifestation, what would he or she look like and how would she or he act?  Is it a sexy superhero version of Callisto?  A sharp-tongued rogue?  A reptilian alien?  Do they have a catch phrase?

JLM: I think if my muse manifested it would probably be something like the Cheshire Cat, a  little devilish but always smiling.  Even when I try to write innocent stories for kids to read, there seems to be a little twist in there, not always evil or bad, but just a little  twisted. I can’t really say where that comes from

SJ: What’s the book/story that’s closest to your heart?  Is there a piece that you clearly feel is a piece of you?  Do you play favorites?

JLM: The Lost Daughter of Easa is very much a part of me.  The idea of Elsie waking up in the middle of an ancient forest with amnesia is very symbolic.  Her whole adventure of trying to find out who she is was my own journey of finding out who I am.  I think there is probably more in that book of myself than I had intended to put in but that’s how it is.

As for playing favorites, I am still too new an author to play favorites, I love all my stories, and I hate all my stories.  It’s a very strange love hate relationship.  I love them because they are mine; I hate them because I always think they can be better.  I guess that’s the writer’s curse; the constant edit.

SJ: If you could only write one genre ever again upon pain of being sacrificed to Cthulhu, what would it be and why?

JLM: Oh you are so evil. 

Gosh, that’s hard, don’t make me choose!

I would have to say fantasy.  In fantasy you have the freedom to merge good and evil along with love, magic, horror, and mystery.  You also get to create creatures and world build.  So I guess for me fantasy is the complete genre, though I would really miss my steampunk

SJ: What’s your biggest frustration as a writer?  What do you consider the downside, or is there one?  Is there any cliché that makes you want to wring people’s necks?

JLM: My biggest frustration is being told that it has all been done already and that there is no story that has not already been told.  I hate that.  I think THEY!  Whoever THEY are, are WRONG!  Someday I will write that story that has never been told, the plot that has never been done.  I will find it if it takes my last dying breath to tell it.

SJ: If you had to be stuck in one of your own books/stories for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?  If you had to stick a loved one in one of your own books, what would it be and why?  An enemy?

JLM: Ok I definitely do not want to be in any of my short stories because they are very scary and deadly, I could put a few enemies there, he, he, he.

The Lost Daughter of Easa is too close to me and there are giant spiders in Authora and I hate spiders especially fourteen-foot spiders.  There are too many scary demons and monsters in The Lost Daughter of Easa besides the spiders and it is way too easy to get killed there I think.

I would have to say the new book coming out, The Boxcar Baby.  I love steampunk and it’s in America, even if it is an alternate dystopian America I could live with it so I guess I will take The Boxcar Baby.  I would put my loved ones in that novel as well. 

SJ: Do you think it’s possible to develop a sure-fire recipe/formula for success as a writer?  Would you want to, or does that compromise the art or the fun of it?

JLM: I don’t think there is a sure-fire way or recipe for any career in life.  You just have to work hard, be strong, and be exceptionally talented at what you do.  I don’t want to be a cookie cutter author, I want to write what I feel passionate about, and if that makes me successful someday then great, I’ll quit my day job and donate more money to charity. 

I do want to be a success but not at the risk of compromising my own personal standards. 

SJ: Everyone has words of wisdom for young writers, so I’m not going to ask you about that.  With a few unknown writers becoming success stories, a lot of people seem to think it’s an easy career choice.  What would your words of wisdom be to these people?

JLM: I think I can better answer that question with a recount of the wise words from a green frog named Kermit who once sang:

It’s not that easy being green
Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.

When I think it could be nicer
being red or yellow or gold
or something much more colorful like that.
It’s not that easy being green.
It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things.
And people tend to pass you over
’cause you’re not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water
or stars in the sky.
But green’s the color of Spring.
And green can be cool and friendly-like.
And green can be big
like an ocean
or important like a mountain
or tall like a tree.
When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why?
Wonder, I am green and it’ll do fine
it’s beautiful!
And I think it’s what I want to be.

SJ: It seems like everyone likes to gang up on certain genres as being inferior, less meaningful, or cheap entertainment (especially if it’s speculative in nature).  Make a case for the genre you write.

JLM: Fantasy allows you to express the human inner desires to explore what there is and find it to be grander than they expect.  In a world where reality may suck, fantasy gives the reader the opportunity to escape and become the hero, fly instead of run, to wear frocks of gold instead suits, to ride on dragons instead of the subway. 

Fantasy can also be used as a teaching tool to children who see things in a much broader spectrum than we do and life’s lessons are more easily processed when spoken from a toad and frog than a boring old teacher with a monotone voice.

Besides, we all live in a fantasy world in our minds already, fantasy books just help us to organize those thoughts better.

SJ: What do you want people to instantly think of when they hear your name or your work mentioned? 

JLM: Literature, I want my writing to become literature and last the test of time.  I would like at least one of my novels or stories to be like the Wizard of Oz, by Frank Baum, a classic that everyone is familiar with and remembered as one the greatest stories ever written.  This would be my legacy.  I guess all writers want that though. 

SJ: Please tell us about your latest/favorite work or a little bit about what you’re working on right now.  It’s plug time, so go for it!

JLM: Yeah!  Ok my most recent book is Southern Haunts, Spirits That Walk Among Us.  I co-edited this anthology with Alexander S. Brown, and I have a short story in there as well called Bath 10.  The anthology is short fictional stories based off of real supposedly haunted places in the South.  The stories start off light but as they progress they get darker and scarier.  My story Bath 10 is based off of Hot Springs Arkansas and is close to the end of the book which means it’s one the scariest.  This anthology is published through Seventh Star Press and came out around the end of March and has been selling like hot cakes.  It has been such a success that the publisher is doing another one.

Around the same time this came out, my short story The Book came out of Dreams of Steam IV – Gizmos, from Dark Oak Press/Kerlak.  It’s a steampunk thriller that takes place in Memphis and is about an antique book that sends people to Steampunk Hell.

My next novel coming out is from the Steel Roots series, The Boxcar Baby, and it will be released through Seventh Star Press in 2013.  The Boxcar Baby is about a fifteen-year-old girl who was found as a baby in a boxcar.  The man who adopted her and raised her as his own is now missing and she has to find him.  Aided only by a motley gang of friends and a map she found hidden in her papa’s spyglass given to her by a mysterious hobo, and which has clues written on it, AB’Gale Steel train hops her way across the United States in a desperate attempt to find her papa and put her life and family back the way it was.  This great American adventure takes place in an alternate steampunk dystopian world.

Thank you so much for having me, I really enjoyed our little talk.

Massive thanks to J.L. Mulvihill for such a well-spoken and heartfelt interview. You can check out her website at  www.elsielind.com

* Bein’ Green lyrics by Joe Raposo

 

Cover Reveal: Boxcar Baby by J.L. Mulvihill

I love that I get to share work by talented people I know with the world. Not only is this another incredible Seventh Star Press release, but I adore the author. I met her on panels and at a signing we did together last year at Fandom Fest, and talking to her made me realize that there are totally people in the world who think the same way I do (be afraid, be very afraid)! She’s an incredibly talented writer with a big imagination, so I, for one, can’t wait to read this new series.

 

Plus, who doesn’t love a cover that grabs you by the throat? For a larger view and the full press release, go HERE

Author Interview: Deborah Smith Ford

Today’s interview is with a fantastic children’s author and an all-around insanely talented lady, Deborah Smith Ford! I first met her at Fandom Fest last year, and have been fortunate to get to know her and her incredible talent since then. See what she has to say about writing for children, an area that a lot of people take for granted (and shouldn’t)!

SJ: Every writer has some sort of process. Give us a glimpse into yours. Do you meticulously outline? Do you write depending on what calls are out there?

DSF: My writing process varies, and an outline is part of the beginnings, although my outline is more like webbing – on paper, computer or just in my brain! 

 

When I write I write non-stop! Usually one thought moves into another and so on until, sometimes, I physically drop. By the way, I do not always use a computer, and my typewriting days have ended due to the strength in my fingers has lessened (but I’m sure I could get it back!). Instead, I write many times with pencil and paper, skipping every other line.

On other occasions I write from memories, notes I have taken after I wake up, when on the road riding with someone (not driving), seeing something that triggers a thought, anywhere and everywhere, etc., so I combine all those ideas into my own, thus beginning another chain of writing.

Sometimes my illustrator, Susi Galloway Newell, comes up with an artistic idea and my writing also flows from that.

 

Either way, all of the writing ends up making sense eventually, even though it may not to others to begin with.

 

SJ: Bonus question – Do you put on a cape and do a chant before hunkering down to work? Sacrifice anything? Along with your process, what’s your quirkiest writing habit?

DSF: I do like to be comfortable when writing. Cotton pj bottoms-type pants (sweatpants are my fave) are nice with cotton long sleeve t-shirt, and a drink, always a drink nearby – usually just water, but sometimes cold or hot tea (depending on the weather).

              

Like my study days in school, I do prefer almost absolute quiet with a window nearby – and even the phone off the hook if need be!

 SJ:

Are you a meticulous planner or do you believe in the muse? Where do your ideas come from? Do they filter in through your dreams? Do they show up at inopportune times and whap you upside the head? Do they result in a shady deal with a dark power?

DSF: I guess I kind of covered where my ideas come from before under “writing process,” and yes they do come from everywhere. Mostly from  my memories, but from people, animals and objects that I meet as well!

SJ:  bonus question – If your muse had a physical manifestation, what would he or she look like and how would she or he act? Is it a sexy superhero version of Callisto? A sharp-tongued rogue? A reptilian alien? Do they have a catch phrase?

 

DSF: Any muse I might have would have to be myself when younger and/or any child-like character. When I write for older ages, the child becomes older in my thoughts, as well as in his or her actions.

SJ: What’s the book/story that’s closest to your heart? Is there a piece that you clearly feel is a piece of you? Do you play favorites?

 

DSF: The first published book, “The Little Apple, “would have to be the closest one to my heart, as that is where it mostly came from. The young lady in the first book does come from the imagination, but she was also inspired from real life. Her own thoughts and companions she meets along the way are from both as well – imagination and real life.

 

Hard to play favorites at this point, except if it were not for the first book, there probably would not have been others, and thus the series established – “Allie’s Adventures”!

SJ: If you could only write one genre ever again upon pain of being sacrificed to Cthulhu, what would it be and why?

             DSF: Children or youth are the genres I currently like to write in.

             SJ: What’s your biggest frustration as a writer? What do you consider the downside, or is there one? Is there any cliché that makes you want to wring people’s necks?

            DSF: My biggest frustration is feeling guilty if I do not write every day or over a period of time. Since I write almost every day, but not books, then that guilt is lessened. I am not a spring chicken anymore either, so I keep thinking I need to rush things – but rushing anything is not good.

 

           I despise, “So are you still writing.?” “When will the next book be published?” “Do you make money at writing?”…

            SJ: If you had to be stuck in one of your own books/stories for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? If you had to stick a loved one in one of your own books, what would it be and why? An enemy?

             DSF: I would love to be back on a farm, traveling and having adventures, but returning to the farm. I’d also like all my loved ones to be there with me. I don’t think of having enemies – if there were any, that is probably their punishment, I wouldn’t think (or write) about them. 

 

             SJ:

Do you think it’s possible to develop a sure-fire recipe/formula for success as a writer? Would you want to, or does that compromise the art or the fun of it?

            DSF: No recipe to be a successful writer (in my mind). Just write (study up on grammar if need be), but write what you like and better yet, write what you love.

             SJ: Everyone has words of wisdom for young writers, so I’m not going to ask you about that. With a few unknown writers becoming success stories, a lot of people seem to think it’s an easy career choice. What would your words of wisdom be to these people?

             DSF: After one has decided that he or she cannot eat or sleep without writing SOMEthing, then they know they are hooked, and that’s that. IF one has to make a living at writing, that becomes another ballgame. There are so many opportunities to earn money writing, not writing only books necessarily.

Then when the real life job is settled upon and lived, one’s spare time can be spent writing for enjoyment – books, poetry, articles – whatever floats your boat until eventually THAT becomes one’s real life job AND love!!!

                  

             SJ: It seems like everyone likes to gang up on certain genres as being inferior, less meaningful, or cheap entertainment (especially if it’s speculative in nature). Make a case for the genre you write.

             DSF: 

Perfect example I think with my being an author of children’s books. All I can say is, try it!!! I would also love to illustrate them, and I did with the first one (in the 1980s) until this new digital age came about. I find I can only do one or one hundred things well at a time, and adding on that one additional talent, like illustrating, does not work for me.

Creating children’s books with multiple illustrations is not the most wise way to go financially either, but what is a children’s book without them?! I have people remind me of this, and others also say things like “No one will pay that for your book.” – They do.

 

In the end, I do what I like, am blessed to be able to, and have to just ignore those who think otherwise – you have to or you’ll go crazy! Personally, those who support me, say such people are just jealous (not my words).

 

I am also an actress in film and TV and am a celebrity lookalike, so I also keep busy acting and traveling as a result. I find myself writing when on set sometimes!

             SJ: What do you want people to instantly think of when they hear your name or your work mentioned?

            DSF: “Why that Deborah Smith Ford must love what she does, as it shows up in her books. Most of all, it is obvious in ”Allie” and all the other characters who are part of her adventures.” 

             By the way, “The Little Apple” is available as a soft covered book, an ebook and as a CD (the CD is only available through me). Links for all the above are given.

             Thank you for taking the time to interview me. It was refreshing, fun and thought-provoking, and I was ready to answer even more questions!

To learn more about Deborah Smith Ford and all her projects, check out her collection of links!

Deborah Smith Ford Googled

debsford.com

Allie’s Adventures at Facebook

The Little Apple book and ebook at Amazon

The Little Apple book and ebook at Barnes and Noble

Signed by the Author.com

Deborah Smith Ford also writes excellent articles about literature, entertainment, fantasy, and the arts! To check those out, please go to  examiner.com, type her name in the search box at the upper right, and see all that she has to say about others!

Fandom Fest Update!

We’re slowly getting there! Not only have more media/celeb guests been added, but the literary guests are finally up! Hopefully the panels and lit track selections will be up soon, because we’ve got some cool stuff planned! In the meantime, be sure to check out the literary guests – you have time to get into what these awesome authors have written! Explore their links, google them, give them a like on FB or amazon, read their work – support authors! If you get a chance to come to Fandom Fest, you definitely should, because there’s not only a lot of great stuff going down, but it’s a great way to get to know new and indie authors as well as publishers!

To see the literary guest list, please go HERE! And don’t forget to spread the word!

Fandom Fest!

Although it’s a while until July, I want to put the word out that I am, indeed, putting in an appearance at FandomFest again this year! I had such a great time last year. The con is truly a madhouse for every glorious geek sub-genre you could hope for, and for writers  it’s a great way to get information at panels, meet publishers, and network with other authors. We’re still in the planning phase for this year’s literary track, but I can tell you that there’s some fantastic ideas being bounced around and developed – things you really don’t want to miss. Plus, if you’re into horror, the Fright Night Film Fest is also part of the event, and there will be celebrities making appearances and all sorts of fun things going on. This is a con that keeps evolving and getting bigger every year, and I think this year we’re really going to knock it out of the park.

So, for right now, HERE is  the home page for the con with the basic info. As the blog comes back to life and more literary track things are planned (that’s the area I have my nose in, obviously), I’ll post more details. But if you’re an aspiring writer looking for some info and networking possibilities, if you’re into pop culture and want to chill out with a bunch of like-minded people for a weekend, if you just want to see what all the fuss is about, then join us July 26-28 in Louisville for FandomFest!

Author Interview: Stephen Zimmer

I’m so thrilled to finally get Stephen Zimmer here on my blog! Not only is he an incredible, amazing writer, but he’s a great guy who puts up with my shenanigans way too much (and encourages them. God bless him). He also has a lot of great insight on a lot of different aspects of writing – not only is he a writer, but he coordinates the literary track for Fandom Fest, heads up the con’s blog Fandom Scene, and is one of the three people behind First Rule Publicity. Safe to say, he knows what he’s talking about (and should remember all the nice things I’m saying about him as July gets closer, heh…)

Suffice it to say, he’s a busy guy and I’m lucky to have gotten his attention for long enough to answer my interview questions, so let’s hear what he has to say!

SJ:  Every writer has some sort of process. Give us a glimpse into yours. Do you meticulously outline? Do you write depending on what calls are out there?

SZ: I always like to say my approach is a bit of a balance between the Plotters and Pantsers, as they say!  I do believe, especially when you are writing novels that are part of a series, that some structure and direction is imperative.  You really need to know where you are heading with things.  Otherwise, it is far too easy to write yourself into a corner.

That being said, I also believe you have to allow for some room to breathe, and new ideas to be added.  My style is very conducive to this, as I write in a multi-threaded style involving an ensemble cast (George R.R. Martin is a popular example of a writer that uses this general style).  

During the course of writing a story, I often get new subplot and character ideas, and there is always room to add a new character or thread into a an epic-scale novel.  That’s one advantage of writing the “big books”, without a doubt!   Yet I do have the core elements of the main plotline mapped out, so integrating new characters or threads can be done smoothly because I have a firm grasp on the overall roadmap. 

SJ: Bonus question – Do you put on a cape and do a chant before hunkering down to work? Sacrifice anything? Along with your process, what’s your quirkiest writing habit?

SZ: I write on a computer separate from the one that I go online with and do my social media, promotions, and other business on. My writing computer is purposely kept disconnected from the internet.   Over time, I’ve found that when I sit down at a space exclusively set aside for writing, my brain kicks into “writing mode” very quickly.  

I do listen to music, mainly all varieties of hard rock and heavy metal, when writing, as it forms a background shield against exterior noises, like sounds on the street that might otherwise be distracting.  I keep my mobile phone out of the room as well.  My focus is 100% on the writing.

Most often, I have a can on Monster Energy nearby that I slowly savor throughout the writing session!

SJ: Are you a meticulous planner or do you believe in the muse? Where do your ideas come from? Do they filter in through your dreams? Do they show up at inopportune times and whap you upside the head? Do they result in a shady deal with a dark power? 

SZ: As a matter of fact, my dream world is a huge part of my inspiration when it comes to ideas.  The other part is gleaned from observing the world and the kinds of processes that occur in every generation, no matter what technology is available.  From those seeking power over others, to those who hunger for freedom, all generations have struggles and conflict.  Like Black Sabbath said so wisely, “On and on, it’s Heaven and Hell”.  The clash between good and evil, freedom and authoritarianism, and other such wide contrasts takes many forms across the span of history, and this can be reflected in any kind of story you are writing.

The ideas can certainly “whap you upside the head”, which is why I keep an idea file handy to jot things down right after I think of them or dream them.

SJ: bonus question – If your muse had a physical manifestation, what would he or she look like and how would she or he act? Is it a sexy superhero version of Callisto? A sharp-tongued rogue? A reptilian alien? Do they have a catch phrase?

SZ: My muse would be a female with a strong, calm presence. Supportive, yet tough, and always up for adventure.   Definitely able to kick rear, but not one to resort to that unless absolutely necessary! LOL

SJ: What’s the book/story that’s closest to your heart? Is there a piece that you clearly feel is a piece of you? Do you play favorites?

SZ: I really feel all of my stories that are out there are pieces of me.  It is extremely hard to pick pieces that are closest to my heart, but I can tell you the two most difficult scenes I’ve written.  One is in Crown of Vengeance, involving the loss of Janus’ father.  It is very similar to what I went through with my own father, and I held nothing back when approaching that scene. 

 The second most difficult piece to write was “Gift of Light”, my third Harvey and Solomon steampunk story for Dreams of Steam III.  It was written after Harry, who Harvey is based upon, passed away in August of 2011, and I found myself working through some very severe grief when I finally started writing this tale.  It took me months just to steel myself to do a new Harvey and Solomon story, but in Harry’s honor I was not going to let those tales come to an end with his passing.  They are a real tribute to a wonderful four-legged being and member of my family, and I will do everything I can to bring more of them out there in the future!

SJ: If you could only write one genre ever again upon pain of being sacrificed to Cthulhu, what would it be and why?

 SZ: Epic Fantasy.   Epic Fantasy is what lit the fires of my imagination when I was a child and inspired me towards becoming a writer.  It is definitely at my foundation, and it offers an unlimited environment for storytelling.    I know I could continue to be happy as a writer even if forced to write in just one genre if it was Epic Fantasy.

SJ: What’s your biggest frustration as a writer? What do you consider the downside, or is there one? Is there any cliché that makes you want to wring people’s necks?

 SZ: Biggest frustration as a writer is the absolutely chaotic publishing climate.  To give it a more positive tone, I believe it’s only going to get worse! hahaha

 There are no gatekeepers anymore, which might seem like a good thing at first glance, but there is also the fact that there is an avalanche of new releases flooding the market every month.  I can say with certainty that a large percentage of these new releases are not being put out there with professional approaches. 

Good self-publishing means you should treat it like a publisher would, in terms of making sure you have professional level editing, layouts, cover art, and promotion/marketing.  However, so many do not want to take the time and effort, and spend the necessary money, to do this, and what it results in is a flood of sub-standard material that makes it that much harder for those who do give it all they’ve got to have their work seen and considered.

 Even more annoying is the undeniable fact that there are many “writers” out there who see the eBook world as a get rich quick scheme.  Even if the fact remains that making a living as an author is getting harder than ever, you still have droves of individuals flinging new titles up with a priority of getting rich.

 I don’t see things easing up in these areas either, unfortunately.  It is something that those who do things right, and put a huge investment of time, research, and effort into their work, are going to have to deal with for years to come. 

SJ: If you had to be stuck in one of your own books/stories for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? If you had to stick a loved one in one of your own books, what would it be and why? An enemy?

SZ: For myself, probably the Fires in Eden Series, as that was inspired by my own personal, Narnia-like fantasy of stepping out of the mundane world we live in and going into a fantastical, medieval-esque one where magic and the supernatural are boldly present.  

I haven’t thought about where I’d place loved ones or enemies too much, but it would be hard to pick as all of my worlds, except for the setting of my Hellscapes short stories, have both daunting and pleasant environments and elements.   As for the Hellscapes stories, I’m not sure I could consign even my worst enemy to such a fate.   Then again … LOL

SJ: Do you think it’s possible to develop a sure-fire recipe/formula for success as a writer? Would you want to, or does that compromise the art or the fun of it?

SZ: No, I don’t think there is, or ten million writers would be doing it.  You can take a room full of writers who craft the very same kinds of stories, who are relatively equally skilled, and who all do everything right in promotions, and one will succeed tremendously while all the others struggle.  Sometimes it is the worst writer in the room who succeeds.

 Put it this way, there are many writers who have much better writing with stories on the same themes as 50 Shades of Grey, yet the latter is a major press hit.  The hard truth is that sales are not a measure of quality.  There is a luck factor in what becomes a trending item, and many fantastic, brilliant works never get attention.  As such, the idea of a sure-fire recipe for success is in the realm of the fantastical, I’m afraid! LOL

SJ: Everyone has words of wisdom for young writers, so I’m not going to ask you about that. With a few unknown writers becoming success stories, a lot of people seem to think it’s an easy career choice. What would your words of wisdom be to these people?

SZ: In terms of people thinking this is an easy career choice, they are paying attention to the couple of success stories and ignoring the tens of thousands of newer writers who are struggling.  It is kind of like the way Lotteries work on people’s minds.  There are a few that strike it, and the lure of being one of those few is strong on the vast majority that do not get the winning ticket. 

This is the most difficult of the entertainment industry fields to making a living in.  It is even harder than making a living in the movie or music worlds.  The only thing you can control is working to be the best writer you can be and presenting yourself and your work as professionally as possible.   Beyond that, there is a luck factor involved.  

Put yourself in the best position possible for that luck to find you.   Strong books and good promotion will serve you well in that regard.  But you had better have a passion for being a storyteller at heart if you intend to do this for the long haul. 

SJ: It seems like everyone likes to gang up on certain genres as being inferior, less meaningful, or cheap entertainment (especially if it’s speculative in nature). Make a case for the genre you write.

SZ: I have given public speeches and written essays precisely on this topic, but it all boils down to the fact that speculative fiction does two very important things.  It gives you the broadest range possible for your imagination, as there really are no creative boundaries in speculative fiction, and it also gives an incredible writing challenge. 

To bring the fantastical things to life, a writer must bring a reader to an effective suspension of belief.  With fiction of a non-speculative nature, a reader can reference or go find the kinds of things depicted, whereas they cannot draw a reference to dragons, werewolves, or starfighters in their day to day lives.  The art of making those latter things believable, when the reader has no frame of reference in their own life experience, offers writers a tremendous literary challenge.  I feel this is strongly overlooked when evaluating the literary merits of speculative fiction. 

SJ: What do you want people to instantly think of when they hear your name or your work mentioned?

SZ: An idea of quality work that contains heart, and has lots of effort and care put into it!  That’s what I want my name brand to represent! 

 SJ: Please tell us about your latest/favorite work or a little bit about what you’re working on right now. It’s plug time, so go for it!

SZ: Right now, I’m working on the fourth Rising Dawn Saga novel.  I’m also finishing a batch of new short stories, including tales for the Chronicles of Ave, Annals of the Rising Dawn, and Hellscapes collections (fantasy, urban fantasy, and horror respectively).  I’m also working on the first book of a new cross-genre YA series, and readying to sketch out something a little longer than a short story for Harvey and Solomon (hint hint!).   Later next year I hope to get a new Fires in Eden Book out as well.    As you can see, things will be busy!

 

 

To learn more about Stephen Zimmer, check out his links!

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/AuthorFilmmaker-Stephen-Zimmer/221620254562078

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sgzimmer

website: www.stephenzimmer.com

Google+:https://plus.google.com/u/0/100849770378524116148/posts

Blog: stephenzimmer.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Monster Monday: Cryptozoology and Real Hauntings

So I have this quirk..I may not completely believe everything that I read, but there’s a part of me that kind of wants to. My grandmother was the same way – very into UFO conspiracy theories and life in outer space. Granted, I’m not so big on that end of the spectrum, but there are things that I really, really love reading about.

Like I’ve said before, in many ways I’m kind of terrible at the whole being a girl thing.

It’s not even that I want to experience ghosts and creepy things that go bump in the night (though I’ve had a few experiences in my life that are very hard to explain). I’m the sort that walks the line…I’m willing to be skeptical because I do think imagination can run away with people, but I do genuinely think that there’s no way we have explanations for everything yet. So I suppose I’m skeptical with an open mind. And like I said, I’ve seen some weeeeiiiird stuff, man.

I love the book Weird Hauntings (and really, any of the Weird states series. They’re just glorious and if I could read all of them in one sitting I’d probably do it). The hauntings book covers things around the country, and for me it’s interesting to see how many themes every area has in common. We all have crybaby bridges, roads haunted by ghostly brides unable to be with their beloved for one reason or another, strange occurrences at graveyards, possible gates to hell. Granted, I’m not one to go and test out all these places, but I adore reading about peoples’ actual encounters, and this book is chock full of them. Awful encounters at lovers’ lanes, bridges where your car dies and things try to chase you, disembodied voices in old asylums…creepy and terrifying, but awesome.

I’m pretty much the girl that will go to the October display of the library and check out all the Haunted Indiana, Haunted Ohio, Haunted whatever books and have at it. I love them. I devour them. Although creepy house stories tend to freak me out, yet I do enjoy Amnityville Horror and the Poltergeist series when I get a chance to watch them, even though they freaked me out as a kid. I don’t know when I turned into the warped mind that I am now, but at one point The Sibling and I were able to quote a lot of Poltergeist 3. Yeah,  I wonder about me too, sometimes.

For whatever reason, I also like reading about strange creatures. Love the Loch Ness Monster and I wish they’d find proof. I don’t know if they ever will, but I’d cheer the day that happened. I’m not as big on Bigfoot or Sasquatch…I don’t know why, but they kind of freak me out. The Mothman intrigues me (especially all the MIB stories that go with it), and I’ve read enough on chupacabras and Jersey devils to last a lifetime. I love tales of unexplained giant snakes randomly showing up on farms, or mysterious panthers and lions strutting around middle America, never to be caught or proven real, which is fascinating because a lot of times there are multiple accounts for these. And a lot of these accounts (same with hauntings, too) can be traced back a good hundred years or more, and are usually very similar in theme.

What is it about us as humans that gives us a need to have these strange happenings around us? I mean really, you would think there would be a huge push to not give any of this credence at all (and in some ways there is), but in a lot of ways it almost feels like we cling to these things, too. We want to have that fear that our ancestors did huddling in their caves or around the fire, nervous about what might be lurking just beyond the safe area. There are so many real worries and legitimate things to be afraid of, why do we give ourselves these, too? Do we need something unexplainable in our lives to keep us balanced out and sane? Even if it’s proven not true or given a legitimate explanation, there are times when the sensational reasoning still takes precedent. What is it that makes us want to not just hang onto these occurrences and creatures, but champion them? They’re great fodder for stories, for one. Whether the stories are real, supposedly real, or the themes are used in fiction really doesn’t matter. They’re some great, gut-wrenching, knee-jerk reaction-instilling things here. These creatures, these legends, these…whatevers…they definitely access some part of us that is pretty primal. Whether those reactions are ones of fear or ones of intrigue depend on the person.

What do you think? What are some of your favorite ghost story themes? What’s your favorite creature? Why do you think we still let these things affect us?

News and Updates!

I’m working like mad on edits/reworks for In the Red so this will be a short update! This is definitely one of those manuscripts that has a backstory as long as the actual story!

My guest post about writing what you know and how it applies to genre fiction is up at Workaday Reads!

I’ve been interviewed at Alexx Mom Cat’s Gateway Book Blog! It’s extra fun because an interview with my bud Siobhan Kinkade is also up!

Do you keep up with No Boundaries Press? You should! Writers- there are some exciting things on the horizon and readers – there are free book days all the time with lots of exciting releases going on!

My latest Fandom Scene article is up! I’m continuing my exploration of Madeline L’Engle’s approach to her female characters. This time we learn exactly what happened to Meg and compare her journey to her daughter Poly’s emotional path. You can find that article HERE.

While we’re on the subject of Fandom Fest – if you’re in the Louisville area the last weekend of June you should stop by! I’ll be sitting on four panels:

Friday 4:00 Morrow Room Horror Genre Perspectives from Female Writers

Friday 5:30pm Jones Room Horror Cage Match

Saturday 5:30 McCreary Room The Wardrobe in Your Writing

Sunday 10 am Stanley Room Female Characters in Horror

Looks like it’s gonna be a fun (and interesting) time! When I’m not there I’ll most likely be walking the floor geeking out and promoting some of the things I’ve got going on.

The main con page is HERE and the literary track is detailed HERE Writers – this is a great opportunity for you too! Not only are there tons of informative seminars and workshops besides the panels, but there will be publishers there as well – PLUS a pitch to the publisher event going on at certain times (see the literary track for more info).

 

….and now back to that which is eating my soul.

Fandom Fest Literary Guest Post: Herika R. Raymer

Since I’ll be not only attending Fandom Fest this year, but also sitting on literary panels, I wanted to take some time from now til the end of June to turn the spotlight on some of my fellow panelists and attendees.  From blogging on Fandom Scene to yakking with the rest of the motley bunch (not to be confused with motley crue though some days I wonder), I’ve made some great friends and gained a lot of respect for all the different sorts of writers/editors/and creative types out there.  I’m opening the floor for my guests to do whatever they want: promotion, guest posts, profiles – anything to help people learn just what they do and who they are. So give a warm welcome for my first guest profile, Herika R. Raymer!

Herika R. Raymer was born in 1974 and grew up consuming books, literally. Her father’s collection of science fiction, reference volumes, and notebooks were all victim to her appetite. First by eating them, later by reading them. Her mother taught her the value of hard work and keeping focused while her father taught her more about the appreciation of literature and art than any school teacher; so she has been writing and doodling off and on for over 30 years. After much encouragement from both parents, Mrs. Raymer finally published a short-lived unfinished comic as a bonus story in a few issues of the comic series Dragonrok from Hanther’s Tandra saga and, several years later, a few short stories.

Needless to say, she has developed a taste for it and continues to send submissions, sometimes with success. Her short stories have appeared in Dragon’s Composed / Dreams of Steam II by Kerlak Publishing, Potter’s Field 4 / Infradead by Sam’s Dot Publishing, Best Left Buried by Pill Hill Press and Tiny Globule by Sixth Element Publishing. Encouraged by this, a collection of stories is currently in the works.

Mrs. Raymer began her editing experience as an Assistant Editor for Sam’s Dot Publishing’s science fiction magazine Aoife’s Kiss, science fiction/fantasy magazine Shelter of Daylight, and horror magazine Cover of Darkness. In late March 2012, she was promoted to Lead Editor ofCover of Darkness. Her editing credits are Jon E. Klement’s fantasy book Trouble With Trulks, based on a role-playing system, available from Black Pigeon Press and Imagicopter’spromotional steampunk anthology Clockwork Spells and Magical Bells, meant to provide a sample of Imagicopter participants’ writing and artwork, available from Kerlak Publishing.

  Herika R. Raymer was married to her supportive husband in 1997 and they now have two beautiful children, one lovely and energetic border collie, and live in West Tennessee, USA. (taken from  http://herikarraymer.webs.com/ )

You can find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Herika-R-Raymer-WriterEditor/218450834882572

Personal Note:

I do not have a particular niche as I write just about anything – just about. In reference to stories I like, I will read almost anything – though naturally I prefer well written tales. (smile) I read non-fiction (mostly crime stories), science fiction, fantasy, horror, and the occassional romance. I will admit to not being too impressed with splatter gore or stories that center around hurting children. These do not sit well with me. I can handle a ‘not happy’ ending, so long as it fits.

I am also a participant in a voluntary cooperative of writers/artists/musicians called Imagicopter. Our motto is ‘Get In and Hold On’, and we attempt to raise awareness of local talent via social networking. You can read more about it at http://www.imagicopter.com/. I run the coop’s geekzine, known as ‘Imagyro Magazine’. Please feel free to peruse free copies at http://www.wix.com/imagyro/home/.

***

 

Thanks Herika for being awesome enough to go first! I hope everyone takes the time to check out all her different projects and stories!

 

 

 

News and Updates!

I survived last week and I am back! I want to catch everyone up on some things I’ve had going on – these items can also always be found on my Facebook Fan Page and if you haven’t stopped by and given me a like..well…what are you waiting for?

I have an interview up at Laurie’s Paranormal Thoughts AND for the next sixteen days there’s a giveaway for a free PDF copy of Mooner!

My bud Sean Taylor posted a lovely interview up at his site – you can check that out HERE

I’m talking at the  No Boundaries Press blog about relationships and music and how they inspired The Other Man HERE

I’m back at the weekly round table discussions at Sean Taylor’s blog – this week we’re talking about Urban Fantasy – one of my fave genres! You can find our thoughts on the matter HERE

I’ve got a new Fandom Fest article up - I’m talking about Madeline L’Engle’s characters and how they manage to balance their personal lives while facing an all-encompassing evil in a little thing I like to call Saving the World While Dating Part 1. That same article is also going to show up on Sean Taylor’s blog tomorrow because apparently everything I touch is syndicated through him

Speaking of Fandom Scene…I’m looking for examples of girls in high/epic fantasy. I know I want to touch on LOTR and I still remember bits of the Belgariad and the thing that was George Lucas’ attempt at high fantasy. I might throw Narnia in here and also Clive Barker’s Imajica since while it’s partially set in the real world I feel that the scope is so freakin’ huge it could qualify as either. Shoot me some ideas – book or movie – just keep in mind that I have limited time to cram in a whole lot these days!

I just got my swag in from multiple and sundry places…I have one or two more things to order before my future reign of terror can be complete. Working on edits for In the Red - making real progress and hopefully can have that finished by the end of the weekend. What do those have to do with each other? I’m hoping to try something a little experimental for a special swaggy promo that will correlate with In the Red. First I need to get the edits sent back and then I have to play around with WordPress a little more…but I’m hoping to get a special backstage pass section developed so those lucky few can get some extra tidbits.

I’ll be appearing at FandomFest in Louisville the last weekend of June – it looks like it’s going to be a really great time and it’s at the Galt House this year. www.fandomfest.com or www.fandomfestblog.com if you want to check out the literary track. For those who want to see if I am indeed a real person or for those who want to check out all the fabulous people who are not me – it’s going to be a fun time with lots of authors, lots of actors, lots of publishers, panels, and a ton of cool stuff.  It’s going to be huge and we’re all getting über excited about how things are shaping up!

At the moment that’s my news…I’ll get back to my regularly scheduled ramblings from here on out for a while!