Monday, January 28, 2008

Douglas Quinn Interviews Webb Sawyer of Blue Heron Marsh







Douglas Quinn is a talented author of mystery/suspense, and this week I am featuring his interview with the main character of the Webb Sawyer Mysteries.


Douglas Quinn interviews Webb Sawyer of Blue Heron Marsh.


I got up at 3:30am so I could take a quick shower and shave, get dressed and, by 4:00am, hopped into my Honda Element to make the hour and a half trip to Nags Head, North Carolina to make my agreed 6:00am interview with Webb Sawyer. I wondered why he picked such an ungodly hour. Just to be ornery, I guessed. When he was in a mood, he had that reputation.
A local newspaper, The Daily Advocate, had asked me to do a followup on Webb Sawyer after his involvement in a murder case that went awry. The newspaper blamed the City and County Attorney’s office for what had happened. Isn’t that the way things are? Someone always has to take the hit. Especially when they don’t really know all the facts.
The editor wanted me to write it as an article. I said the only way I’d do it was as an interview. I thought the readers would get more out of it. He didn’t like the idea. I kept selling. The editor finally capitulated.

Webb Sawyer lives in Blue Heron Marsh, just to the south of the causeway between Whale Bone Junction and Roanoke Island. I say in Blue Heron Marsh because his stilt home is actually out there in the marshes.
I gave myself an extra twenty minutes or so to boat out to his place. He’d left a skiff for me to use. It was tied up on the docks behind his friend’s, Brant Cloninger’s, place of business, the Whalebone Junction Bait and Tackle Shop. Webb’s 1986 powder blue Ford Ranger with rust lines and rivet holes down each side, where chrome stripping used to reside, was parked along the east side of Brant’s shop. He calls the rust bucket Trusty Rusty. Brant was there early and came out to say hello. He was alone, which was why I had the task of motoring out to Webb’s house by myself.
As I approached, I saw Sawyer on the upper front deck of a one-story stilt house that appeared very well cared for. Webb Sawyer was about six feet tall and solidly built but not muscular. He had a strong square jaw and rugged features that I wouldn’t call handsome, but certainly there was something about him that made me think he attracted the ladies. His mouth smiled, but his eyes were piercing. I knew he valued his privacy more than anything and it had taken some doing to get him to agree to the interview.
I started up the stairs from the landing when he said, “You might as well stay down there. We’re going out in the marshes and catching us some flounder.” So that’s why he’d wanted me here at 6:00am. His voice was baritone, the northeastern North Carolina brogue evident but not predominant.
We shook hands. Then, while we got the gear into the skiff–the very one I’d brought to the marsh house–I decided to begin the interview. I turned on my recorder:

DQ: How long have you lived our here, Webb?

WS: My parents had bought the place some time ago, when I was a kid. (He paused to think about it) Must have been about thirty-five or so years ago as I’m in my forties now. They used to come out here to get away from the rigors of farming. Mostly in the winter, after the winter wheat was in, and just before the first crops were being planted at the end of February. Dad liked coming here more than mother because he liked to fish and she didn’t. But sometimes she’d talk him into coming in the late spring or early fall, just to get out of the house in Weeksville. After my parents died, I inherited the place and decided to live here after I got out of the Army.

DQ: I’m almost afraid to ask you this, Webb, because I know it’s a touchy subject, but there was some trouble at the end of your career and you retired under some inauspicious circumstances. Care to talk about it?

WS: Not really. Let’s just say that I was lucky to have a friend in high places who got me out of trouble. I had to do some time with the Army shrinks at Fayetteville before they’d give me my honorable discharge.

The skiff ready to go, we pushed off and Webb guided us into the marshes around his stilt house. No matter where we went, the house loomed nearby. When we reached a spot he seemed to like, he anchored down and showed me how to bait a hook for flounder. He told me that sometimes for bait he tries narrow strip bait from the white belly section of other flounder. This time he brought along some small bucktail lures to start with and said that, if the artificial lures didn’t work, we’d go with minnows. We were using lightweight torpedo floats, placed about two feet ahead of the hook, and rods with a sensitive tip and a light sinker so, he said, we could feel the flounder’s bite. It was all Greek to me. I’d been fishing before but I was pretty much a hook and worm man.

DQ: How about we get some softball questions out of the way?

WS: Sure.

DQ: Some say you’re a beer snob. Is that true and, if so, what do you drink?

WS: I drink Grolsch. It’s the only beer worth my palate. If I’m forced to drink something else, meaning I’m really desperate, I’ll deign to swallow either Heineken or, the Lords of Fishing forbid, Bass Ale. A fishing buddy who owns a restaurant in the Uwharries cooks his bass in Bass Ale. I’ll get him to change. One of these days.

Not likely, I thought. Regarding the Uwharries, I had to look that one up. He was talking about a National Forest in the middle of North Carolina.

DQ: What about hard liquor?

WS: Give me Jack Daniel Black Label. Everything else is $#I!. Oops. Can I say that?

DQ: Don’t worry. I’ll edit it out. How about this one? Maria Salem at the Java Hut in Elizabeth City tells me you will only drink Snickerdoodle coffee. Doesn’t that ruin your macho image?

WS: Geeze! Did she tell you how many times I go to the bathroom when I’m there, too?

DQ: Moving on (laughing). I understand that you were once married. What happened with that? And do you think you will ever get married again?

WS: (A wyr smile) I was married. It happened during my impetuous youth. It was a rash decision and a stupid mistake. Well, I’ll qualify stupid mistake. One good thing did come from it. I have a son named Preston. He lives with his mother and a stepfather. (hesitation) You want more? (I nodded) I met her at a bar near base. Her name was Claire. I don’t recommend trolling bars frequented by soldiers for the love of your life. To make a long story short, she got tired of my being away all the time and not having much money and took up with someone else. She ended up moving to California where she married a doctor. It provided the security and money she was after. She got custody of Preston. I got visitation rights. Whenever I was back in the states. I wasn’t back that often. In retrospect, I guess I don’t really blame her for moving on.

At that moment I actually got a strike. The flounder lies buried in the sandy bottoms, waiting patiently for something interesting to move by. So, as Webb had instructed, I’d cast out and keep the bait moving slowly, first in one location, then another. The flounder’s bite is light, which is why Webb had provided me with a rod with a sensitive tip. I gave a sharp, short tug and it took. I was elated when I brought the little flat, brown fish beside the skiff. Webb scooped it up with his net. When I looked at him, Webb was shaking his head in disbelief. He told me he hoped I realized that I had to clean my own catch. When I asked if I had to cook it, too, he said, “Hell no! I’m not letting you ruin a good meal.” We both laughed.

DQ: What I really wanted to ask you, Webb, was about the case you got mixed up with over in Elizabeth City. I thought you were done with investigations of any kind since you’d left the Army.

WS: As you know, I was a military investigator, mainly in a counter-terrorism unit. I liked what I did. But I also became disillusioned about the end results. The justice part of it. The Europeans don’t believe in the death sentence and a lot of these guys were getting away with light sentences. It made me sick.

DQ: So, how’d you end up getting involved with the Elizabeth City murder?

WS: I was duped into it. I was just trying to do someone a favor and the first thing you know, I’m right in the middle of it all. Caused a lot of trouble between me and my girlfriend, too.

DQ: Your girlfriend?

WS: A very nice lady by the name of Nan Ftorek. She owns the Shallowbag Pub over in Manteo. Originally, she asked me to look into it. One of her employees knew a friend of the accused. That sort of thing (rolling his eyes and shaking his head).

At that moment I got another strike. Webb groaned. He’d moved the skiff twice and still hadn’t hit anything himself. I soon reeled it in and Webb brought it aboard with his net. It was another good-sized one. Webb tried to change the subject to fishing, but I persisted with the previous question.

DQ: We all know from reading the headlines what happened, but what I’m more interested in was your part in it all.

WS: (laughing) You think what was in the headlines was what actually happened? They don’t know diddily squat about what really went on. And if they did, no one was going to believe it anyway.

DQ: Do you think Clara Zemeinewski was guilty or innocent?

WS: Guess it doesn’t matter to anyone now. She’s dead, as much a victim as her murdered father. And, her mother’s been awhile in the grave so fortunately she’s no longer around to know about it. (shaking his head) Let me just say this, Mr. Quinn. Sometimes justice has a funny way of evening everything out. Unfortunately, it doesn’t bring back the innocent and the dead. One thing for sure, sooner or later, one way or the other, the bad guys get their due. And that’s all I have to say about it.

DQ: Okey dokey. Sure has been fun fishing with you, Webb.
I decided to shoot him one last question. Catch him off balance.

DQ: By the way, do you have or carry a weapon?

WS: (snorting) Can’t say whether I do or I don’t. But I can tell you this. I like dill pickles. I like ‘em a lot. I usually ask for extra with my sandwich order.

DQ: (laughing) Enough said about that, then. Anything else you’d like to tell me?

WS: Well, I have a tattoo of an eye inside two curved lines, sorta like the CBS logo, on my right upper thigh, even with my privates. Got me in trouble once when another woman mentioned it to my girlfriend.

DQ: On that note, I think we’ll call it quits.

WS: Good idea.

I thanked Webb for his time and asked if he’d mind running me back to the causeway in his skiff.
“Not until you clean those fish,” he said. “And you will stay for dinner. Unless you’d like to swim back.” He laughed at his own little joke. We took the fish over to the cleaning table where he gave me a lesson in filleting. It would be Grolsch and pan-fried flounder with a side of slaw. I couldn’t complain at all.
In closing–and I’m sure this will be edited out–I’ve got one last thing to say about Webb Sawyer. The guy can be a pain in the ass, but he sure is a likeable fellow.

Douglas Quinn is the author of two suspense/thrillers, The Catalan Gambit and The Spanish Game. His latest novel, Blue Heron Marsh, is the first book in the Webb Sawyer Mystery Series. The prologue for the second Webb Sawyer book, Pelican Point, appears at the back of Blue Heron Marsh. Pelican Point is in progress and is expected to be released in 2009.

This is the third article in Douglas Quinn’s four week Virtual Book Tour, which began on Sunday, January 13th, 2008. Check the Official Douglas Quinn Web Site for details and the schedule. Douglas Quinn encourages your interaction and participation in this tour and with this article in particular. If you are a member of a group or a blog where this article is posted, please direct your comments and questions for Douglas Quinn through the group and/or blog and he will, in turn, answer you in general and/or in person. Douglas Quinn looks forward to your active participation.
To find out more about Douglas Quinn and his work you may go to his Web Site at
www.douglasquinn.com, at his Crimespace Page at www.crimespace.ning.com/profile/obxwriter and at his Gather Page at www.obxwriter.gather.com.

Blue Heron Marsh and other books by Douglas Quinn may be ordered through retail book stores and online via
www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.com, ,
www.barnesandnoble.com and other online booksellers.

Interview with EW Bradfute


EW Bradfute is the author of The Stephen’s Case Mysteries, a very interesting series that will keep you guessing! I’ve been lucky enough to read/review The Mortal Vampire, if you would like to see the review just go to http://bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com/2007/09/mortal-vampire-by-ew-bradfute-e-book.html but no matter what leave EW a comment he loves hearing from readers!
Now on with the interview!

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

EWB: Mystery/Suspense Genre. Since I have always been a big fan of mystery and problem solving, I thought of stories in my head that would stump even the best of problem solvers. This brought on the Suspense and Mystery I write.

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

EWB: Well, I wouldn’t know exactly when I wanted to be a writer. When I was 15 there was a great man that inspired me as I learned life lessons. He read some of my writing and said I could be a writer. It wasn’t till recently that I took the story I showed him and made it a book today. I will say now that I am doing writing, it is becoming a passion.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

EWB: The man that inspired me was Alexander Stephens. He was a great, patient man and would take the time to tell you a new thing or saying to encourage you. I would say my Father as well. Just like Mr. Stephens he is a patient man, and tells you life growing things. They both told me, that I could do ANYTHING as long as I put my mind to it. As you can see I did!

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

EWB: Sometimes my work schedule is horrible. Since money isn’t coming in like the most famous authors, I have to work a full time job also. So I will work an 8 hour or more shift and then sit at the computer. Sometimes I stare at the screen and other times the words flow. I have found myself falling asleep while sitting at the computer. I have also been known to have only 2 hours of sleep.

CA:
Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

EWB: Excited!

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

EWB: Spend time with my wife and cats, and listen to music, it helps your moods. It will calm you, it can inspire you, and it can help you.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?


EWB: At the time of this interview I have written 3, there are more being worked on. My favorite? I would say “The Mortal Vampire”. That is because it is my first book, and what really got this whole thing happening.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

EWB: Both, I mean I use the names of some people I know, and somewhat of who they are comes out. But for the most part they character is from my imagination.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

EWB: They can reach me at what I want to be my fan site. MYSPACE! Just go to
www.myspace.com/themortalvampire. To buy the book they can contact me there and I will direct them. Or you can visit Amazon.com and http://triadpublishinggroup.com/

CA: Thanks so much for dropping in and interviewing with me this week! It is always a blast to meet a Vampire even if he is a Mortal one LOL..hope you got the joke EW As always it’s a pleasure talking with you and hopefully we can get some new readers to go your way!

Interview with Tracy Mellor




Tracy Mellor is the author of Walk Backwards in Your Mind. A lovely collection of poetry. “Her work can best be described as "striking, modern poetry with a visual flair...a fountain of feelings that make you think” –Quote from Tracy’s profile on authorsden.com

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

TM: I write poetry, exclusively. I write poems not only to express myself and my experiences, but hopefully to reach out and connect with others through what I write.


CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

TM: My talent for writing expressed itself early on in childhood, and developed into poetry starting in my adolescence. I have always wanted to be a writer. I feel like it's a central part of who I am. My writing, particularly in the past 3 years, became stronger and more prolific. People were urging me to publish my writing, which I hadn't seriously considered in the past. I decided to finally make the leap, and publish my first poetry book, in 2007. I anticipate publishing my next book during the first half of 2008.


CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

TM: My inspiration comes mainly from relationships - love found, lost, and anywhere in between. I also write a lot of material that talks about things I have gone through, or am going through, in life. Sometimes inspiration comes to me in the form of people-watching; other times I "see" a vivid picture of something and feel compelled to write about it. I guess you could say my inspiration is diverse and far-reaching.


CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

TM: I don't work within any given structure. I write as ideas come to me. I think a set schedule would cause me to have writers' block indefinitely!


CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

TM: Excited!


CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

TM: I enjoy reading, listening to music, singing, and watching movies.


CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

TM: I wrote and published "Walk Backwards In Your Mind" last year. It is my only book thus far, but as I mentioned, I anticipate publishing a second book of poetry in early 2008.


CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

TM: Partially based in reality, partially fiction. It depends on my mood, what is going on in my life, and what I feel inspired by. A lot of poems are what I call "composites" - meaning that they are not explicitly based on one thing or person in particular, but maybe a handful of different ideas and thoughts rolled up into one.


CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?


TM: You can visit my website on MySpace devoted to my book to contact me and get more information on where the book is available. The site is:
www.myspace.com/walkbackwardsinyourmind

CA: Thank you so much for interviewing with me this week Tracy! If you would like to read my review of Ms. Mellor’s poetry Walk Backwards in Your Mind, go to this link: http://bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com/2007/09/walk-backwards-in-your-mind-by-tracy.html

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Interview with Charles Copeland


CA: Here he is the man of the hour, Charles Copeland. He is the author of A Song of Independence and appears on The Fractured Mirror radio show twice a week. You should definitely check out the show, its a real eye opener. Without further adue, I give you Mr. Copeland's interview.
CA: What genre(s) do you write?

CC: It all started when I wrote horror only, but I seem to have fallen into an alternative genre I like to call “Horror/Anti-New World Order”. I don’t even know when I switched from mainline horror, but it happened and it’s something I would never take back now. The Anti-NWO aspect has really picked up an awful lot of steam.

CA: Why do you write the stories that you write?

CC: We live in a time when history demands truth. Humanity is now screaming for it. And as a result, absolute truth is becoming more suppressed each day. George Orwell once said, “During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.” Though my work is fiction, a good deal of it is based on a solid foundation of irrefutable facts that the rulers of our world do not want you to know. Each of us has just one life to live, and it’s up to us to live it as we see fit. As for me, I must spend mine staring down those who would subjugate us if we did nothing to stop them.

CA:
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

CC: I did a lot of writing when I was just a snot-nosed kid, but I had no idea at the time that it was a direction in which I wanted to take my entire life. Now, at 40 years old, I wish I’d listened to my younger self, because it was always pretty clear that writing gave me an escape which I was unable to find anywhere else.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

CC: I blame Stephen King [laughing]. His work always made it possible for me to live in whatever world of monsters he created within each book, and I always wanted to write the kind of stuff that gets inside the Ideal Reader’s head and refuses to leave. That never would have become my burning ambition if not for Stephen King. Of course, I should also take this time to blame the other masters as well, Koontz, Shelley, Stoker, Poe, Saul, and Shakespeare. In fact, Shakespeare said it best, “Some words may hide others.”

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

CC: I begin with a rigid schedule and a formulated writing plan, which quickly erodes into writing a bit more often than my plan called for, and then I finally end up writing non-stop until I can’t even see any longer. It’s a lot like a small wildfire which, when fueled by attention, feeds and quickly grows out of control, scorching everything it touches. It’s aggressive, it becomes a living beast, it evolves further and becomes calculating, it remembers, and it hunts . . . When the Ideal Reader gets involved with my writing, they can see a story working things out on its own . . . creating its own destiny . . . becoming alive . . . and angry . . .

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

CC: One word that describes how I feel is a “feeling” [laughing]. Just kidding, I get your drift. My one word would be . . . monstrous. =)

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

CC: What I “like” to do has no bearing on it, mainly because what happens when I’m not writing involves stressing over the next available opportunity to write, and then fighting off urges to just throw myself into full immersion in whichever world I may be about to create.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

CC: I’ve written 3 novels and an unpublished book about the hidden truth of the Council on Foreign Relations, as told from personal interviews conducted with a board member, but that book won’t see the light of day until my death. It contains a lot of damning information that, if released now, would almost certainly hasten my demise. And since NOT dying is at the top of my priority list, that is a book that will await the proper time to be set loose on the world.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

CC: My Ideal Readers can easily spot characters based on real people, but you really need to step back from the scene and scrutinize those characters and their traits in order to peg who it is they represent. I often code character names with initials of real people who pertain to whichever character they represent as well. All the other characters, including animals and even inanimate objects, are usually based on me. Everything in my writing is representative of something else. Trees are never JUST trees and rivers follow paths which, when observed with proper historical perspective, then become analogous of something bigger and perhaps more telling than if I were to just come right out with whatever they represent.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

CC: I can always be reached by email at
Charles@CharlesCopeland.com and by message at MySpace.com/CharlesCopeland. At present, the only book I have in print is A Song of Independence, which can be found at http://www.LuLu.com/content/602691 or through my website at CharlesCopeland.com. Of course, you could just wander down every street in America and scream my name as loudly as possible and hope I respond, but it’s been my experience that the email address is far more efficient. =)

CA: Thanks so much Charles for the wonderful Interview! I don’t know if you know Charles personally but if you don’t, you should! He’s a blast to chat with and listen to on his radio show at www.fracturedmirror.us on Tuesdays and Fridays, or you can get more details at CharlesCopeland.com
Charles has witts and brains, and a wonderful sense of humor that shines through in his writing. Check out the review for his book A Song of Independence on my review blog:
http://bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com/2008/01/song-of-independence-by-charles.html

Interview with Alistair Canlin


This Week as one of our featured authors, I am happy to present Alistair Canlin He told me what men in Scotland really wear under those Kilts ;) !!

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

AC: I write mainly in the crime genre, although there is often a love story that runs through most of the stories and books I write. Most of the stories come from one simple line; if I can get the first line then the rest can easily flow from there. Some of the stories come from newspapers, the small sideline stories that you usually ignore. I can usually find enough there that will inspire me.

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

AC: To be honest I don’t really know. At school I was a daydreamer, the kid that gazed out the window through lessons and was lost in their own fantasy world. It wasn’t really until my early twenties that I started jotting down ideas and slowly stretched them out. I discovered a work colleague, who is now a successful writer, was doing the same thing and it inspired me to start sending my work out to publishers, magazines and websites.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

AC: Difficult to say, but probably it’s the person I wish I was. Living out fantasies from the comfort of my own chair. I’m such a coward. As far as writing goes the book that really grabbed my imagination was Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, I was blown away by the way he managed to turn the world upside down in a very subtle yet subversive way. I also love the work of Hunter S. Thompson, again somebody who was a rebel and allowed me to imagine that world. But I’m constantly reading, anything from modern classics to graphic novels. It’s the only way I can learn different styles, new words and worlds. At the moment I’m addicted to Japanese literature, the work of Natsuo Kirino and Koushun Takami are current favourites.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

AC: I try and put aside an allotted time each day, so that I know its coming and I can prepare. Then I go hell for leather and try and write as much as I can within that time. I tend to write in longhand to start with, and then I type it onto the computer editing as I go. It’s then printed out and I get a big red pen and start radical editing, both adding and taking away, then the process is repeated, usually about eight or so times. Hopefully at the end of all that I’m happy with what I’ve got. Quite often I can have a few projects on the go at one time, if I get into trouble with one I switch and see if the break will give me any fresh ideas.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

AC: Discomknockerated

CA: LOL love that word, I’m going to add it to my vocabulary ;)

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

AC: I’m addicted to films and Tv, so if I’m not in front of the computer I’m usually in front of the goggle box. Music also plays a big part, really should stop buying CD’s, I’ve got nearly two thousand. Sleeping is the other thing that I’m really good at, it seems to come so naturally.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

AC: I’ve written two novels and a collection of short stories. Black & White was the first novel I wrote, it took three years to finish, and became something that I had to finish to prove to myself that I could do it. Heaven is my second novel and took only nine months to finish. Twisted Love is my collection of short stories, which are mainly bittersweet love stories and a bit more experimental. Heaven is my favourite, it is by far my most adventurous and hopefully it’s as much fun to read as it was to write.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

AC: Several people have asked to be put into my stories, so I either use their description or mannerism and incorporate them into characters. Quite often I merge several people and use a jumble of them all. A few of the characters are quite close to myself, whether intentional or not, but most of the time the characters are completely imagined.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

AC: The books can be purchased from www.lulu.com/alcanlin and I’m usually found loitering around www.myspace.com/weeman70 where I’m more than willing to talk to anybody and also you can find my latest short stories on my blog.

CA: Thanks so much for being featured with me this week Alistair! I have enjoyed your interview as well as our chats! Alistair informed me that in Scotland it has been raining for many many days…so stop in and leave him a cheery comment here or on his myspace. www.myspace.com/weeman70

N.D. Hansen-Hill Interview


N.D. Hansen-Hill took time out of her busy schedule to visit with me this week! Take a look at her interview and visit her sites, but most importantly buy her books J

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

NDHH: I write fantasy, science fiction, horror, paranormal suspense, sf romance, fantasy romance, and romantic suspense. I began with writing fantasy, but my background's in science and, more recently, archeology. I love doing research in those areas, so it seems natural to write everything with a sci fi edginess.


CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

NDHH: Oh, in my teens I wrote poetry and short stories (as you do!), but I didn't seriously begin writing until 12 years ago, and then it was only because the library didn't have anything I wanted to read. I checked out 11 books, couldn't "get into" any of them, so began writing my own book.

I couldn't believe it when I actually finished it! I was so afraid it was a fluke, never to be repeated, that I carried on and wrote 5 sequels.


CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

NDHH: Some of my favorite authors have been Michael Crichton and John Steinbeck. I like the science-mingled-action of Crichton and Steinbeck's way of taking the plebeian and making it beautiful.


CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

NDHH:
A 4 a.m. start, and then carrying on till my daughter gets home from school (3:30). That varies, depending on whether I have other work to do, classes to attend, and so on, but I try to get in at least 8 hours/day.


CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

NDHH: Tense. Every new release is like a fledgling being tossed from the nest, LOL! The first review, the first reader comment, the first royalty payment - all let you know whether you've succeeded. Since my first book came out, I've been aware how much I owe my readers in terms of expectations. I try to write with the thought that they're all peeking over my shoulder...


CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

NDHH: Paint, study archeology and mycology, watch sci fi DVDs, read.


CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

NDHH: Thirty books, plus 2 novellas. Elf was my favorite for a long time. Now, I'd have to say maybe Static? I recently pulled excerpts from it for an author chat, and there's something about the theme that still thrills me.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

NDHH: My characters are a combination of people I've met, but their habits and occupations are completely their own. I love tossing my characters into tense and weird situations, then figuring out how they'd react, to get themselves out!


CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

NDHH: Amazon, but the easiest way might be through my publishers' sites:
Cerridwen Press
http://www.cerridwenpress.com/AuthorsBooks.asp?AuthorCode=NDHH

NDHH: Linden Bay Romance
http://www.lindenbayromance.com/viewbyauthor.php?authorname=Melody%20Knight

NDHH: Fictionwise
http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/NDHansen-HilleBooks.htm?cache

NDHH: (for ErRatic)
http://www.amazon.com/ErRatic-Five-Science-Fiction-Fantasy/dp/1594146438/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197827650&sr=8-2

NDHH: And watch for news on MySpace (
http://www.myspace.com/ndmanuscripts ) or at my website (http://www.NDHansen-Hill.com ). I'll announce when my Red Rose and Drollerie Press titles are released!
My website and MySpace always have contact information, so please, stay in touch!

CA: Thanks so much for agreeing to be featured this week N.D. Thank you for supplying the info on how readers can contact you and purchase your books. Hopefully this interview will spur a few more sales your way J
It is very nice that you’re earnestly concered about your readers and their opinions J sometimes that is hard to find!

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Scorpius Blood & The Sunz of the Zodiac TM, Writers-Illustrators



Scorpius Blood &
The Sunz of the Zodiac TM, Writers-Illustrators

SB: Crystal, I want to start out by thanking you for this wonderful opportunity to share. Not often does a person come along who offers a free service that requires soooo much time and attention. ATTENTION!!! God gave us misunderstood writers Crystal, in return for our twisted bravery to share such groundbreaking ideals that would normally get us locked up in an insane asylum...

CA: You're very welcome! I enjoy reviewing so much so I thought why not get to know the authors a little better as well promote you all in hopes of more sales! I am glad you see me as a blessing, you wanna tell my hubby that LOL! Thank you again for agreeing to feature this week. Now on with the interview!

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

SB: Now, back to biznaaaaz! Ha, ha, ha... we at The Sunz of the Zodiac TM, Writers-Illustrators, are stoked to share that we thoroughly enjoy writing science fiction, with a tremendous spiritual influence. However, our own viewpoint of our distinct genre should be classified as SS Fiction "Spiritual Science Fiction." Nothing in this world excites us more than the soul quest to discover hidden truths behind our twisted reality, religious and scientific. Clash at Creeden is an example of this ageless journey, through the darkest realms of our soul, to find your own degree of faith and strength to gain some sort of salvation-before it is too late.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
November 11th, 1997 @ 11:11 am Eastern Standard Time... ha, ha,ha, ha, ha, just joking! For me it was a gradual build up of steam, starting as a small child. However, my need/love to write is second to none other than graphic design/illustrating. Actually, I started to seriously write somewhat late, around 21 years old. Not to say I didn't try as a child, always achieving good grades in Honors English, but my mind was more extroverted back then.

CA:Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

SB: What honestly triggered me to turn inward and write was GOD, and the quest to find the hidden truth... growing up through the 80's I watched the greatest cartoons ever made; He-Man, Thundercats, Transformers, and Silverhawks. These amazing mythological like figures, fighting for justice and honor, urged me to draw my own original characters. As I matured into the teens, these characters then needed personalities and history to bring them on a serious level. Playing Dungeons and Dragons gave me and my two talented brothers, Robb and Todd, an outlet for this need to create and express our characters' souls. I eventually built the backgrounds of our characters within Clash at Creeden from these saved role playing games I crafted and ran as DM. Around 20 yrs old my attention shifted to questioning and researching EVERYTHING! On my plate was ancient world history, religion, spirituality, and the Zodiac-to construct an overall plot for Clash at Creeden. In addition, we are here to SHATTER the concrete rules of this age old process of written communication! Like Thor's hammer pounding the head of his sarcastic political enemies, we aim to lead a revolution for self published authors-against our dry mouthed piers who are way too judgmental of the New Age Writers!

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

SB: If a writer can answer this with a detailed list of "To Dos" and tell you how they perform, to the precise minute... then they are not very creative or probably not any good at what they do-a poser! Organized chaos rules creativity!!! Now, this is my opinion based on my experiences, sooooo... do not get bent! Opinions are like... well, you get the point. Basically, I have a red pen behind one ear, just for looks, and my fingers are frantically pounding the keyboard-attempting to not spill my warm mountain dew on the laptop as the clock strikes 3 am and scares the crap out of me. The best ideas hit you at the most inconvenient times, like when your pen runs or you only have toilet paper to write on ;)

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

SB: Ha, ha, ha, ha... laughter cloaks fear ;) Naaaaah, I am STOKED! I absolutely cannot wait to shock the dull ass religious world with a serious jolt of "In Your Face" truth, concerning my ideas on the true identity of Jesus and his connection to the Titans aka Anunnaki! CONTROVERSY BABY!!!

CA:What do you like to do when you're not writing?

SB:I will be serious here when I should be humorous... God knows, I LOVE MY FAMILY!!! My two children and wife always seem to absorb my extra time. However, I am the needy/emotional one in our family!

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

SB: At 31 years old... I can honestly say, with no shame in my game, just one: Clash at Creeden, Cypher 8 of the Celestial Creed's Revelation. To spend 10 years writing a book must classify it as your favorite, right???

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

SB: I believe you need a balanced attack to appeal to everyone. First off, I constructed Clash at Creeden's main character, Jason "Dante" Wolvoz, to exactly mirror myself in his situations. Huge mistake according to the rules of writing! "You will overly absorb yourself into a character and see the appeal through your own eyes, leaving a huge gap that others cannot cross to gain interest." WTF!!! How can you honestly create a believable main character unless you speak from experience? I ONLY want the people who honestly like my main character to enjoy his trials. I only want readers you can relate and enjoy Clash at Creeden for what it is. I do NOT want fans if I have to lie to them. For our imagined characters, I use astrology charts and comparison charts to see how they would interact.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

SB: Wow, this interview is over already? I just began! Well, if you want/need to speak to me, Scorpius Blood, I would be honored...

Scorpiusblood@myspace.com
Sunzofthezodiac@aol.com

To purchase Clash at Creeden, Cypher 8 of the Celestial Creed's Revelation...

AuthorHouse.com

Barnes&Noble.com

Amazon.com

Borders.com

Additional Comments:We at The Sunz of the Zodiac TM are products of the 80's and 90's. Nothing about us fits the dry mouthed standard in this age old business of written communication. Our "New Age" style blends very little of the norm with much of the renegade ideals and habits often dismissed by the older generations. We seek not your approval, but urge you to look within your own soul to challenge the limits placed upon us by our governments and religions. Let our creativity and originality speak for itself. I thank you for your time and enjoy Clash at Creeden. Peace, light, and love...Scorpius Blood & The Sunz of the Zodiac TM

Clash at Creeden
For centuries mankind battled vicious Dragons, fought alien demons, and even killed his own blood brother-all to see the return of Jesus Christ, but God never appeared. However, in 3776 AD, Nostradamus predicts the absence of our Lord & Savior is nearly over… during Lucifer's reign in blood!"
-Scorpius Blood-

Clash at Creeden is an odyssey through primal instincts of the lost soul with a plot unmatched in spiritual significance since Dante's Inferno. The premiere volume of the Celestial Creed's Revelation is merely science fiction on the surface, reaching far beyond the boundaries of our genre. Within its pages a spiritual revolution will illuminate. It is an inner struggle that each of us face: accept scientific fact or trust in blind faith concerning the mysteries of creation, Heaven, Hell, angels, aliens, and God or the olden gods. Cypher 8 of the C.C.R. is a hybrid of sorts; we would prefer to label Spiritual Science Fiction (S.S. Fiction). Within Clash at Creeden's pages the legends of the olden gods connect with mankind and intertwine with biblical and modern day cultural beliefs concerning death, resurrection, faith, the end of days, and ultimately a one true Savior.

CA: Thank you so much for visiting with me this week! I hope everyone will leave a comment saying, " I'm going to get my copy right now!" If you do stop by at least drop us a line to say Hello!

Roy L. Pickering Jr.



Feeding the Squirrels Author Roy L. Pickering Jr.


CA: What genre(s) do you write?
RLP: Literary fiction. I'm also a freelance journalist, primarily of sports. And since I've entered the blogosphere I suppose you could call me an essayist as well.
CA: Why do you write the stories that you write?
RLP: I'm fascinated by the innumerable aspects of the human condition and explore those foremost in my thoughts at any given time through my fiction. Some of the stories pretty much demand to be written. Others need to be coaxed a bit.
CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
RLP: I was an avid reader from the get go. The first full length novels I read were by Jules Verne. After journeying under the sea and to the center of the earth via the gift of his prose I became determined to one day transport people to other worlds with my own writing.
CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?
RLP: Although works of science fiction initially put the idea of becoming a writer in my head, it wasn't long before I grew far more fascinated by stories about regular people in relatively common situations because there was so much more to learn about the process of living from such writing. Literary fiction reveals us to ourselves. This struck me as being a far greater trick than dazzling readers with fantastical descriptions of imaginary places. I understood early on that I did not merely want to entertain with my writing, nor did I wish to follow any set formula. I wanted to teach and to learn, to explain and to question, to moralize while simultaneously playing devil's advocate and demonstrating appreciation for points of view on every side of a dilemma. I did not wish to create heroes and villains so much as I desired to illustrate bad intentions within the hearts of good people and to show that people capable of evil deeds are also capable of confounding kindness. I wanted to explore contradiction and irony and the paradox of our time on earth. Life is complex so that is what I strive for my writing to be, because above all else, writing is a mirror made of words.
CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
RLP: One of my resolutions, and it isn't my first time making it but hopefully this will be the last time I need to, is to come up with and stick to a regular writing regimen. At present I do far too much of my writing only when inspiration strikes especially hard and free time is conveniently at hand. I understand far too well that in order to achieve lasting success at this profession I need to carve out time each day (or at least each week) and that writing is merely 10% inspiration. The other 90% is perspiration.
CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?
RLP:I feel about the same as a woman feels while in the process of giving birth, I imagine. But I have no idea what the word for that feeling is. I suspect it cannot be found in the dictionary.
CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?
RLP: I watch my 21-month old daughter explore and figure out the world around her. It's absolutely fascinating to see the commonplace through a brand new set of eyes that have yet to become jaded or bored by experience. Seeing the familiar in a new light is also why I love to read, and hopefully is an experience that occurs when people read my stories. Other than being a dedicated family man I'm also a big sports fan and catch NY Knicks and Jets games as frequently as possible. When the weather permits I am obsessed with playing the magnificent game of tennis. Trying to master the racquet and ball definitely has similarities to conquering the pen and paper. Both activities require mind over matter.
CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
RLP: I have completed my debut novel - Patches of Grey - and hope to find a traditional publisher for it in 2008. I am about 2/3 of the way through my second novel - Matters of Convenience. Depending on how things play out, perhaps my second book will end up in print before the one that was completed first. It makes little difference to me. In 2007 my novella "Feeding the Squirrels" was published in electronic format by SynergEbooks. This was my second ebook publication. A couple years ago I had a collection of short stories published in a single volume under the title - Enigmas of Desire. Unfortunately the web site that created this ebook is now defunct and did not leave an archive of epublished material behind. I have authored about 50 short stories, many which have appeared in journals and magazines, some that have been published in anthologies, and a considerable number which can be found online at various ezines. My personal web site http://www.roypickering.net/ provides links to the cyber locations of my short stories that are currently available on the world wide web. My favorite tale always seems to be the one most recently written until the next one comes to mind and takes its place at the front of the line.
CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?
RLP: I wouldn't quite say that my characters are based on real people. Rather, different aspects of them are taken from different aspects of various people I've encountered, including myself.
CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?
RLP: I love to hear from my readers and can be reached at roylpickering@verizon.net. Those wishing to learn a little more about me and my writing are encouraged to stop by my web site. A copy of Feeding the Squirrels can be purchased either at http://www.synergebooks.com/ebook_feedingthesquirrels.html or http://writeronlinebooks.com/book/feedingthesquirrels.htm. It is also available at Amazon.com.
CA: Thanks so much for the interview Roy. In my lovely career as a reviewer, a while back ago I had the opportunity to review Mr. Pickering's Novella. For the review visit my book reviews blog: www.bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com
Roy is a wonderful person and is an exceptional writer. So make sure to leave a comment and he or I will get back to you ASAP!

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Interview with Hubert L. Mullins


CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

HLM: I write in fantasy and dark-fantasy. The latter I chose because I have a thing for fairy-tale type stories with a not-so-happy ending. Also, this is the perfect blend of fantasy and adventure dabbed with a sprinkle of horror.

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

HLM: This was back during my middle school days when I wrote stories for the 'Young Writers of America' contests. I never actually won, but I let fellow classmates read them and a lot of my peers loved them. To see their faces light up by the words that I wrote was amazing and I knew what I wanted to do from then on.

CA:Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

HLM: My parents are my inspiration. They've always pushed me to go on, they never let me quit and even when I thought I had no readers in the world, they would take the time to enjoy my stuff.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

HLM: I have a pretty bizarre writing schedule. It usually starts around 1 or 2 am. I've noticed that my best things come out of me when my mind is 'slightly' tired. When my thoughts are stretched just enough that I want sleep. I will continue through until about 4 am until I go to bed. Then I'll wake up at about 9 and keep going, still in that slight sleep-deprived stupor.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

HLM: Accomplished. There is no greater feeling than to see your completed work in the form of a paperback book. All those months of hard work have finally collected in the palm of your hand.

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

HLM: I'm a bit of a shut-in, so I basically do whatever is around the house! I love to watch movies, I play video games (my shoulders STILL hurt from my Wii) and I read and worldbuild on Mystyria.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

HLM: Currently I have two out with one on the way. My favorite would have to be the one that's yet to come out. I loved how all the characters came back together for a final time. It's bittersweet since I'm saying goodbye to these characters but after all, it was only a trilogy.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

HLM: I most always base them on real people. That's the only way you can totally get a 'feel' for them. Dyne was loosely based on me, as was Tranas. I take small things from my own personality (as well as others) and cobble them together into characters. It takes a bit of fine-tuning and tweaking to make them work since you can't just throw anything together. Ketchup on ice cream wouldn't work, right? That's the same principle when combining two outlandish personality traits.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

HLM: I can be reached through my website or my myspace. My books can be ordered through amazon.com, bn.com, borders.com, authorhouse.com, as well as several other places. Also readers can visit their local bookstores and ask for them.
Thank you for reading and here are my addresses!
www.hubertlmullins.com
www.myspace.com/hopescovenant

Hubert it was wonderful having you visit this week. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule. I enjoyed your novel The Vampires of Hope's Covenant, it was a spectacular read. If you would like to read the review check out my blog: www.bookreviewsbcrystal.blogspot.com That book is a MUST read for any Vamp lover.