 Would you like to get to know more about how the inner book brain of an Indie Author works? This is the place! Periodically, we'll invite an Indie Author to open up their brain, and show us inside. We'll have a conversation that deals a little bit with writing craft, reading influences, and some other fun stuff. Today, we thumb through the pages of Indie Author Cyrus Keith's grey matter... Discover More About Cyrus Keith HERE! What literary pilgrimages have you gone on? I have actually visited several critical sites from my series and taken pictures for photo tours of my books. What is the first book that made you cry? I got choked up in Black Beauty when Beauty sees Ginger being carted off on a wagon. What is your writing Kryptonite? That’s a pretty broad term. Closest I can come to, is this one: The word “just” sneaks in way too much, and I have to choke it off manually in edits. It’s verbal kudzu. Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book? I actually hate writing series. But I found myself roped into it by my characters. I firmly believe each book should stand on its own as a complete story, whether it’s part of a series or a strict standalone. How did publishing your first book change your process of writing? It made me more conscious of my bad habits, through the lessons learned from my editing team. I pay more attention to those pitfalls and bad writing habits, and do my best to avoid them. As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal? Dragon, of course. I like dragons, mainly the Western European variety of quadrupedal, winged creatures. No direct connection to my writing. But if I had a mascot it would be a dragon. What did you edit out of your books? (keep it family-friendly, please) Duplication of recurring, redundant repetition. What one thing would you give up to become a better writer? Forty pounds. And if you think that’s a pat answer, think about it for a while. I would give up forty pounds to become a better writer. What is your favorite childhood book? I have two: Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, and Have Spacesuit:Will Travel by R.A. Heinlein. They are both so vivid in their descriptions and dialogue, they sucked me in and kept me locked inside their worlds for the duration of the read. They are also the first two books I finished in one day each. What is the most difficult part of your writing process? Generating a usable first draft. What is the easiest part of your writing process? Seeing the story in my head. How long on average does it take you to write a book? Too long. I want to get it down to one year, but I have a long way to go. A common misconception entwined with authors is that they are socially inept, how true is that? *Mumbles incoherently, avoids first contact at all costs, fights panic attacks at all social events, sits against the wall hoping not to be noticed* I have no idea what you’re talking about. When did it dawn on you that you wanted to be an author? When I was seven years old, I wrote comic strips using my pet gerbils as heroes. So the writing bug has pretty much been with me all along. But it didn’t bite hard until I was forty-three. Who are your biggest literary influences? Andre Norton, Robert A. Heinlein, and Louis L’Amour. Their worlds are alive, the characters deep and honest, and they are escape artists par excellence. What’s your favorite movie which was based on a book? Why? Yeah, it has to be The Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson style. At the risk of being seen as going with the crowd, it came across to me as very true to the books without just being a direct quote. How did it feel when your first book got published? How did you celebrate? Hopeful and enthusiastic. Little did I know there’s a huge difference between writing a book, and selling books. What is that one thing you think readers generally don’t know about authors? How blastedly hard it is to write a book, and how critical it is when one is in the groove. The immense amount of concentration it requires to get a thought in coherent form on a page. Can you tell us about your current projects? My current WIP is called Hush Little Baby. The title came as a study of taking innocent phrases and twisting the concept. So my main character is a schizophrenic homeless woman who has to keep a very special baby safe from an army of skinwalkers who are hunting him for a dark purpose. Are you attending any conventions/festivals where readers can meet you and/or buy your books? Please provide all the “find it” information. With all the cancellations in 2020, we’re pretty empty this year, save for the Mendon Farmer’s Market on September 7th in Reeds Riverside Park in Mendon, Michigan. After that, I’ll be at the Southwest Michigan Fandom Fest on April 17th, 2021: https://www.facebook.com/swmfandomfest/ Please provide links and/or instructions about how readers can purchase signed copies of your books. Thank you. You can download an order form at the following link (Instructions are on the form) https://cyruskeith.wordpress.com/book-orders/ Any advice you would like to give to aspiring authors? Don’t quit, and don’t let any naysayers have the final word. You’re not everyone’s cup of tea, so don’t let someone else’s disapproval dictate who and what you are. Be that maverick, that rogue, that scoundrel that proves them wrong. And don’t you DARE quit! 
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 Would you like to get to know more about how the inner book brain of an Indie Author works? This is the place! Periodically, we'll invite an Indie Author to open up their brain, and show us inside. We'll have a conversation that deals a little bit with writing craft, reading influences, and some other fun stuff. Today, we thumb through the pages of Indie Author Chelsea Gouin's grey matter... Discover More About Chelsea Gouin HERE! What literary pilgrimages have you gone on? No official pilgrimages as I’m still so new at this! I have participated in the Pages Promotions Prose Procrastinators Anonymous Writing Group...getting together with other writers and working on our pieces at Panera Bread. It’s great to be surrounded by that creative energy! What is the first book that made you cry? Tough to think back that far but I think The Giver by Lois Lowrey? Christine Sparks’ novelization of The Elephant Man was the first book that completely had me break down though. I still cry over Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and I read that one every year...I’m just an emotional reader. What is your writing Kryptonite? I guess my writing process is its own Kryptonite? I don’t ever write in a linear fashion. I have a bunch of disjointed scenes I try to tie together and sometimes the “big picture” isn’t always clear. I outline before hand the “big scenes” so I have an idea of where I’m going and try to fill the spaces as I go, but the transitional scenes as it were often get neglected. Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book? Ultimately stand alones because I don’t know if I have the stamina for a series. I throw little nuggets throughout a story that have a “hidden storyline” if you’re paying real close attention. I would like to do little nods to my other works as I continue to write, like a passing reference but nothing too obvious. I guess we’ll see once I start publishing more! How did publishing your first book change your process of writing? It made it real! Publishing was always some unattainable dream of mine and now it actually happened! I also had to face my weaknesses, mainly setting a scene and describing settings. It was about compromise after working with an editor too and truly a humbling experience. As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal? A Moose! I have a picture next to my laptop I reference every time I type… it says, “Advice from a Moose: Think Big, Eat Plenty of Greens, Hold Your Head Up High, Keep Your Nose Clean, And It’s Okay to be a Little Wild!” What a great philosophy to live by! What did you edit out of your books? (keep it family-friendly, please) I only have the one published but I got a little carried away with one of the side plots for a character...so I removed it and I’ll be using that same plot now in another book! I also had a rather graphic death scene, and while fun to write it was almost TOO much and just took away from the overall story. What one thing would you give up to become a better writer? Writer’s Block? I get in my head a bit, especially when trying to work through a scene that just won’t work, and I give up and won’t go back to it until I can fix it just so. What is your favorite childhood book? As a real little kid I had all the Bearenstain Bear books and would also settle for Little Critter. And Dr. Seuss of course! When I became more of an independent reader it was always Molly the Brave and Me and the Amelia Bedelia books. Then at the tender age of eight, Harry Potter changed my life forever! What is the most difficult part of your writing process? Getting started and then staying organized. I have a rather stressful day job and it’s hard to shake that off and write sometimes. Or I have so many ideas and picking one to focus on can be an issue too. What is the easiest part of your writing process? Writing. Ha-ha, when I get going I’m in the ZONE. I see the scene and am in it while I write, I’m sneaking down dark corridors, examining blood stains, and running from boogeymen along with my fictional crew. How long on average does it take you to write a book? I only wrote one and with work, grad school, and well life in general...it took almost three years. A common misconception entwined with authors is that they are socially inept, how true is that? I mean, I’m quirky but I don’t know if it’s because I’m a writer. I feel like I’m a decent speaker and can lead a thoughtful conversation depending on the topic. I do have anxiety so have a tendency to hang back in crowds and parties and observe...maybe string some stories along in my head while I people-watch...but it feels wrong to say writers are socially inept. I don’t like labeling though… :p When did it dawn on you that you wanted to be an author? I was in second grade, a mere seven years old when I wanted to be a writer. I would write “stories” about superheroes and their continuing adventures. Who are your biggest literary influences? Mary Shelley, Shirley Jackson, and Agatha Christie. <3 Way to break the mold, ladies! What’s your favorite movie which was based on a book? Why? Toss up! First I’d say Lord of the Rings; I’ll admit I struggled to read the books...high fantasy is never my friend. But the movies were stunning! They turned fictional beasts into living three-dimensional creatures! The fantastical elements I couldn’t visualize were suddenly breath-takingly real! Second is The Hunger Games Trilogy because I felt they stayed faithful to the books and then expanded the lens by shifting the narration from just Katniss to the other behind the curtain players. How did it feel when your first book got published? How did you celebrate? Pretty dang good! I think I cried a lot more than I’m willing to admit. It was very surreal. What is that one thing you think readers generally don’t know about authors? The amount of time that goes into the book. They see the final result but so much blood, sweat, and tears went into that baby! Research, editing, plotting...what a ride! Can you tell us about your current projects? Sure! Flip-flopping between two projects! One is a co-authored project with a friend that we’ve been playing with for a few years...we’ve decided to revamp it though and add more historical context. Based on the Michigan Legend of Morrow Road, we wanted to add to the mythos of the mysterious circumstances of a mother losing her child, what if there was more at play? Playing on a dark comedy/horror vibe and rich in Algonquin lore, it’s been a fun one so far! Also, my next solo project is one from my younger years. A more psychological horror about a new girl in a small town that comes under scrutiny when some accidents start up. It’s going to be a YA horror cause for whatever reason that trend died and I want to bring it back...I used to love the Fear Street books as a teen and I’d love to do something in that vein. Are you attending any conventions/festivals where readers can meet you and/or buy your books? Please provide all the “find it” information. Well...with the current pandemic I have no plans of Festivals. :/ I would have loved to go out and network (that’s the most fun!) but alas, I don’t think there’s anything really happening right now. Maybe in 2021! Please provide links and/or instructions about how readers can purchase signed copies of your books. Send me an email at chelseamgouin@gmail.com! Any advice you would like to give to aspiring authors? Just do it! Keep reading what you love, keep writing! Whether it’s fanfiction, essays, short stories, poems, or the next epic...just do it! Share with your family, share with your friends, your teachers, your next door neighbor; let people read it and give you feedback! Don’t be discouraged if someone doesn’t “get it”; books can be pretty niche...you’re probably fine. Just do it because you love it. :)   Yesterday, I released three books into the wild, in a fun Book Scavenger Hunt game I discovered. I thought today, I should give you a little backstory about where the idea came from. Think Geocaching with books, (without the required understanding of navigation and compass stuff), and you'll have some idea where this is going. Since my childhood, I've always loved scavenger hunts. Mysterious clues leading to more clues, leading to treasures, with fun surprises along the way. As an adult, I've missed them, but found a temporary fix with the National Treasure films. Yes, I know, these are are films in league with Casablanca... but getting lost in the mystery of the clues and where they lead - well - I can do that all day long. This is probably why I've watched the films more times than I can count. The thrill of the hunt never gets old for me... even if I know the outcome. It's one of the few child-like indulges I've held on to over the years. When I found a story called Book Scavenger, by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman I knew I needed to read it. It's a middle-grade tale of clues, ciphers, adventure, mystery, and BOOKS! For me, this is the perfect combination for summer entertainment. The story is about a twelve-year-old girl who plays a game, hosted online, where players follow clues that lead them to discover books in hiding places around town. I was transported back to sixth grade as I read and followed the adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed it. As I turned each page, I kept thinking... Someone should actually build this game... I wonder how difficult it would be? Well, at the end of the book, I discovered that it's a real thing, this book scavenger hunt game, and I was tickled to discover that there are actually two versions; one specifically designed for children, and one intended for readers of all ages. As it turns out, this has been a thing for a pretty long time. I wish I'd known about it sooner. Here's how you can play along and spread the joy of both literacy and scavenger hunts!
 Book Scavenger, by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman is the book that started it all, for me. I highly recommend that anyone who loves books, and games, and mystery, read it. It's a quick, fun read. A great family read, and a great introduction to the idea of scavenger hunts, writing codes, and breaking codes. There are three books in the series, and I'll be reading the next two shortly... I'm hooked on these characters and their literary adventures! The author actually designed a kid's version of the game on her website. It's fun and easy to play along - and it's free! I'll be releasing my children's books using this site in the next week or so. Check it out at https://bookscavenger.com/  BookCrossing.com is the other website with a similar program. This is where I released three of my books so far; and it's where Ms. Bertman says she got the idea for her book. This game has been around since April 21, 2001... and quite honestly, I'm shocked that I didn't know about it until now!
According to the website, there are currently 1,898,581 BookCrossers and 13,323,533 books travelling throughout 132 countries. It's incredible how much there is to this site. There's a serious movement going on here to connect people with literature in a super-fun way. If you find one of my books (or any others that have been hidden), there is an easy field to fill in the ID number right on the top of the home page... and the site will walk you through the rest. This is a great way, especially during the time of COVID to connect authors, their books, and readers, with a fun activity that is mostly outdoors. This is a game that's fun, even when socially distanced. If you're an author, this is an, inexpensive addition to your marketing toolbox. Visit the website at https://www.bookcrossing.com  Would you like to get to know more about how the inner book brain of an Indie Author works? This is the place! Periodically, we'll invite an Indie Author to open up their brain, and show us inside. We'll have a conversation that deals a little bit with writing craft, reading influences, and some other fun stuff. Today, we thumb through the pages of Indie Author Elizabeth Wehman's grey matter... Discover More About Elizabeth Wehman HERE! What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
Oh my, there isn’t enough space to tell you! LOL! My pilgrimage started in 1991, just after the birth of my second child. I wanted to write a novel, but had to learn the in’s and out’s of doing that. Soon time became scarce as well as money, so I put aside my creative dream and got to work as a newspaper reporter to help pay the household bills. I did that for twelve years. I loved it. I thrived in the environment and soon went from proofreader to the newspaper editor in that time. As much as I loved it, I also wanted to continue my trek of writing the greatest all-American novel. I tried and in 2014, I published my first book. From there, I’ve quit the newspaper work, but have continued publishing novels and I’m now working on my sixth one. I’ve also started a writing group in my area for others seeking to do the same. We’ve published two anthologies. My journey has been long, but so worth it. I wouldn’t change a thing. What is the first book that made you cry? Reading...it was probably the Little House on the Prairie books. When the train finally came after The Long Winter. Writing, I make myself cry many, many times. What is your writing Kryptonite? I’m assuming this is a distraction or something to get you off track on writing. I’m not up on my super hero terminology. For me, it’s just sitting down to do it. I talk myself into doing most anything, on same days, than just getting to work and writing. Things like: I don’t have enough research done, OR perhaps people are just being nice with their compliments to my writing instead of believing they really think I’m a good writer. Etc...etc...etc... Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book? For me, both! I have two stand alones and also one short series of two books and will be writing a second in another series soon. How did publishing your first book change your process of writing? I learned many things NOT to do as a writer. I’ve actually learned many things with each book I write. What not to do, what to do in exchange. It’s definitely a learning process. As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal? I don’t really have anything like this. What did you edit out of your books? (keep it family-friendly, please) Words. Plain, ole’ familiar, used all the time...words! I love them and that can be a problem at times. There are scenes too, that remind me more of Hallmark movies and are typical and mundane. Those need to be edited out, too. What one thing would you give up to become a better writer? Having to have an outside job! I have been able to sit and write all the time since 2019. This has been such a huge blessing. Although, I have to be very diligent of my time and work like I have a real job. What is your favorite childhood book? It would have to be the Little House book series. I loved them. I will occasionally get them out again and read through them from time to time. What is the most difficult part of your writing process? Edits that seem to last for months. I always want to believe that every manuscript I write is better than the last and whenever my first edits return from an editor, I find out that I always gain new or other bad habits to replace the ones I believed to have conquered. It’s hard to be edited. What is the easiest part of your writing process? Sitting down and writing the initial story. I relish and LOVE this part. How long, on average, does it take you to write a book? I’ve done one in about seven months, but I do believe it is exactly a year for me to write a good one and to be confident in the finished product. A common misconception entwined with authors is that they are socially inept, how true is that? I do believe there are some writers who do well to be inconspicuous and quiet, but in a self-publishing environment, this can’t be true or you’d rarely sell a book. When did it dawn on you that you wanted to be an author? In first grade. I was challenged to read 100 books and after doing it...I was hooked. Forever. Who are your biggest literary influences? Those who have succeeded and continue to do well in the publishing world. In the Christian fiction realm they include: Lynn Austin, Francine Rivers, and I also love the Mitford Series by Jan Karon. What’s your favorite movie which was based on a book? Why? I don’t think any movie can be produced as well as in book form. In book form you have extreme ways of showing a scene with deep POV. That is lacking in movies. A character can show things on their face, grimace in pain or even shout for joy, but it is very hard to see an internal struggle or a character imagining something in their own head. Many movies have come close, but I always find the book to be better than the movie. Perhaps I’m a bit biased. LOL! How did it feel when your first book got published? How did you celebrate? I was thrilled. I’ll never forget the moment of having it in my hands. Looking at the boxes filled with a book that was my own. To celebrate, I held my very own book signing party. I rented a historic depot in my hometown and sent out lots of invitations. It was epic and it was a celebration that I will never forget. What is that one thing you think readers generally don’t know about authors? At how hard they work to get a book out. They don’t see the frustrations, writer’s block, hair-pulling edits, nor the time it took to put out a book. If they did, they wouldn’t be upset to pay just $15 for a book. It’s hard to hear people say, “I’ve always wanted to do that” and not tell the person...”then go ahead and try.” No one really knows the process, unless they are a writer themselves. Can you tell us about your current projects? I have started a series on a pioneer family that settled in my county in 1833. I will soon be starting book two in a possible three-book series. I am also the President/Founder of the Shiawassee Area Writers and we put out an anthology every year. This is our third which will be published in September. I am in charge of putting it all together, with the help of a formatting friend. I’m also heavily into marketing my fifth book that came out in May, 2020. Are you attending any conventions/festivals where readers can meet you and/or buy your books? Please provide all the “find it” information. My books are available at Owosso Books & Bean, MI. Faith Christian Store in Flint, MI. Also, at the Durand Union Station in Durand, MI. All are available on my website at: www.elizabethwehman.com. I will be attending farmer’s markets in the area throughout the summer including Owosso and Durand. And all are available on Amazon. (I will also be doing a book selling tour in the next week or so, hopefully to add more bookstores that will be willing to carry my books.) Keep up-to-date with where I will be selling books on my Elizabeth Wehman/Author page on Facebook. Please provide links and/or instructions about how readers can purchase signed copies of your books. By going on my website, you can purchase an autographed copy. You can pay through PayPal and the book will be shipped to you. I will also sign books at any of the events listed above. Any advice you would like to give to aspiring authors? Keep trying! Don’t give up! Find local writers in your area who you can team up with and get busy. Learn as much as you can, attend a conference, meet other writers. Then get busy.  The thing I miss most abut my time working with Grey Wolfe Publishing are the community service anthologies I was able to edit and publish. The idea that words have a way to serve people, organizations, and humanity as a whole, has been a concept that has driven me since I was a small child.
I remember UNICEF boxes at Halloween. Collecting coins for such a remarkable organization that used words to convince leaders that the world could be better for children... it was mesmerizing. Later, came RIF, and the small boxes I had sitting on a desk at home, collecting coins out of my allowance each week so that children in far away lands (and some in this country, too) could have some of the same fabulous story books I had... the idea that children just like me could be reading the same books I did, maybe even at the same time... Well, that idea had nothing on the incomprehensible thing of wishing on the same star. Stars were too far away to really have an impact, and how would we know if we were really wishing on the same one, they're all so small? But, if we could all be connected by the SAME BOOKS, the SAME STORIES - the SAME CHARACTERS - well - that would be magnificent! In my nearly ten years editing community service anthologies, we created books to serve dogs and cats in no-kill shelters, schools, libraries, an elephant sanctuary, a wolf sanctuary, a big cat sanctuary, a senior center, veterans, and special needs children. Before we were able to finish them, we also designed books that would serve Doctors Without Borders, the Make A Wish Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity. Thankfully, I have retained the rights to publish those titles, and I'm in the process of reaching out to the contributing authors, to see if they will grant me permission to move forward with those books. From my perspective, the more good we can do using our words, the better off we'll all be. So, in the meantime, while I work on those projects, I thought, why not publish another, new anthology? There are so many great charities out there that we can help... why should I stop doing this work that I love? The simple answer is... I don't have to stop! I have always believed that a more harmonious and supportive society begins with literacy. I have always believed that a successful life begins with, and is enhanced by, the written word. I also know that not everyone is able or inclined to pick up trash by the side of the road or donate financially or give blood in order to contribute to the well-being of their community. But I know that there must be an alternative... I believe that alternative is the Power of The Pen! I believe that every literate person is capable of telling a story to enhance the lives of others... and they don't have to be New York Times bestselling authors to do it! So, because I believe in the power of the pen, and I believe that words, regardless of whether they're fiction or non-fiction, have the incredible ability to change lives, I'm putting together a new anthology. My esteemed editorial cohort, Connor Matthews, is going to help on this one, so I'm certain that the end result will be nothing short of spectacular! He's got a keen eye for extraordinary stories, and he excels at working with authors, and making them better. The charity I've chosen is The World Literacy Foundation. They have a mission to serve individuals and communities with the written word. "We envision a world in which every one of us can read and write, in which there is free access to education for all." This is a vision I can certainly get behind with full enthusiasm. The book? Well, this edition is called, Simple Things. I'm seeing it as an inspirational collection of poetry, short stories, and anecdotal essays on the topic of GRATITUDE. During the COVID-19 craziness, we've all had a lot of time to sit in isolation and consider those things that we are most grateful for, or those people who have made our suffering bearable, or those situations we endured that made us look at life with a different, more gentle perspective. Those stories of hope, of thoughtful caring, of gracious gratitude are what I'd like to fill the pages of this book with...fresh understandings about our lives and the Simple Things that really matter. I invite you to write something to share. I imagine small nuggets of "wow" hidden in plain sight on the pages: in true stories of courage and bravery; in remembrances of those we love; in stories of those we've lost but with whom we shared special time; in the humor we find coping with this interesting year; and in the gentle make-believe we share with children, to ease their stress, worry, and fear. It is my hope that through our words, we can share a connection with others who may have missed a moment of grace in their lives, and through our writing, can look back to discover a few of their own. Through this book, my hope is that when we look back in recollection of our time in quarantine and Pandemic, we see it with kinder eyes, lighter hearts, and gentler souls... and that we share those perspectives with people all over the world. If you are a thoughtful human... whether child or adult... whether published or not... and you're interested in lending your words to this collection of Simple Things, please click the book's cover to learn more about how you can contribute... and perhaps inspire a nugget of gratitude in someone else. Thank you.  Would you like to get to know more about how the inner book brain of an Indie Author works? This is the place! Periodically, we'll invite an Indie Author to open up their brain, and show us inside. We'll have a conversation that deals a little bit with writing craft, reading influences, and some other fun stuff. Today, we thumb through the pages of Indie Author Kristoffer Gair's grey matter... Discover More About Kristoffer Gair HERE! What literary pilgrimages have you gone on? I’ve gone to see Robert Frost’s grave—he wasn’t very talkative. I’ve also stopped over at an airport in Maine and look for Stephen King’s home while we landed and took off. Beyond that, I’ve hung out with G.A. Hauser, who taught me how to drink Blue Moon with a slice of orange, Kiernan Kelly and her husband who taught me the proper way to lick the cover of cup of ice cream, and Patricia Logan, who showed me how to shop at Trader Joe’s, forget her PIN number, and the proper number of bottles of wine to buy for after a book signing at Book Soup. What is the first book that made you cry? Easy. Where The Red Fern Grows. The movie makes me cry too. What is your writing Kryptonite? Halo. I have to write in a place where I don’t see my Xbox or notice it. If I do, I feel the pull. You see, I’m a Master Chief in the Halo universe, an expert fighter pilot, driver, shot, and I enjoy blowing up all the… See? That’s why I can’t see the game system. Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book? My previous books stand on their own. I did write a sequel to A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To My Sexual Orientation, and that didn’t go over as well as I’d hoped. I figured I’d keep to one-off novels that stood on their own for a while. That didn’t work out either. I published Falling Awake and readers wanted more. I gave them one more, and they wanted another. So, we’ll see how this latest one goes over. The first two Falling Awake books stand on their own—for the most part—but the third one relies on your knowledge of the first two. How did publishing your first book change your process of writing? Publishing my first book is about as close to a high as an author can legally get. It did change my process of writing, but only in that I’d co-written my first novel based on research by my co-author. I wanted my second book to be my vision, so I threw everything onto the page and went with it without worrying about making anyone else happy. I also learned to love the editing process during the second book because I saw the results of having talented editors who wanted the story to be the best it could be. It’s work. It’s torture. It’s amazing when it all comes together! As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal? I think the choice was made for me. It’s a dog. What did you edit out of your books? (keep it family-friendly, please) Very little was ever edited out of the books save for two of them. The majority of what’s edited are long scenes that need to be tightened up. There were several tweaks made to the historical book, Honor Unbound, just to keep things moving. I did have an editor remove the Prologue and Epilogue from Gaylias: Operation Thunderspell, and that put me off writing and editors for a couple of years. I will one day republish the book with those sections added back in. For Falling Awake III: Requiem, I edited out 7-8k words. I can’t recall any entire scenes being removed so much as many scenes being pared down. FA3 is the longest book I’ve ever written, so if a scene felt long to me, chances are a reader is going to feel the same way. That’s when I’ll look for a way to keep things moving. What one thing would you give up to become a better writer? The full time job. I’d rather go down to part time, but only if I could afford it. That would leave more time for travel once the COVID scare is over. It’s a pipe dream, but I’d have more inspiration by seeing more of life on this planet around me. My husband is an avid traveler and it would be great fun to continue our adventures, then figure out how they can work themselves into upcoming books. What is your favorite childhood book? The Gay Kamasutra. Kidding. It’s Lamont, The Lonely Monster. What is the most difficult part of your writing process? Getting enough time set aside so that when I’m on a roll, I can go with it and see things through. I like to be comfortable, but my muse is a little fickle with the music. We need to choose something that works for us both for the sequences we’re working on. She whispers when she’s happy and I type away. And that frigging phone needs to stop ringing. What is the easiest part of your writing process? Dialogue. Writing dialogue is what brings a story alive for me as both the writer and the reader. If I can get the dialogue right, then the rest of it becomes filling in the blanks. Dialogue sets a scene for me, creates the mood, and the interaction between the characters is established through the dialogue. You can have the greatest descriptions and details in the world, but if the characters don’t feel real in how they speak, the whole thing is ruined. How long on average does it take you to write a book? 1-2 years depending on the length of the manuscript, and the amount of time I have available. I won’t rush a book. Rushing a story is evident and I’ll see the flaws as gaping holes. I don’t like that, not at all. So, a book will take as long as it takes to get right. A common misconception entwined with authors is that they are socially inept, how true is that? Inept? Naaa. Uncomfortable? Probably. I am. Writers are great around each other because I think we understand each other. We have a common love. My problem is that when I’m around people who I don’t know or who I don’t know well, I go into entertainment mode. I mask my discomfort by joking around or going into stand-up comedy mode. Co-workers and friends often don’t know what the heck is going to come out of my mouth. The bad part is I don’t know either. Hopefully what I say works. If it doesn’t, I try harder. When did it dawn on you that you wanted to be an author? Probably 1st Grade when I wrote my first puppet play. Nobody else was writing, and that gave me a leg up on something my peers couldn’t or wouldn’t do. I remember teachers reading several Judy Blume books to us, then I’d go off and try to write the sequel. I even tried to write the third Star Wars film. Mind you, I didn’t get very far, but there were no Ewoks in my story! Who are your biggest literary influences? Stephen King, Anne Rice, and Truman Capote jump to mind because they’ve given me something to aspire to. I think it’s fair to say that literary influences also include the friendships and feedback from some very, very incredible people who have opened their lives up to include me; Kiernan Kelly, Trish Gillham, G.A. Hauser, Patricia Logan, T.C. Blue, Brent D. Seth, Milton Ford, and many others. They keep me grounded and inspired while I aspire, which, now that I think about it, often makes me perspire. What’s your favorite movie which was based on a book? Why? It’s between Blade Runner and JAWS. Why? Because they’re frickin’ Blade Runner and JAWS! JAWS made me afraid to go into the pool for months. And Blade Runner? Talk about world building! Talk about details! How did it feel when your first book got published? How did you celebrate? I remembering thinking two things; I hate the cover (the original first printing of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To My Sexual Orientation), and I need to get cracking on another book. Publishing a book, especially the first, is like climbing off the best rollercoaster in the world and wanting to go right again! I celebrated by going to Friendly’s Ice Cream and getting a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup sundae. What is that one thing you think readers generally don’t know about authors? We’re deeply sexy people who enjoy free gifts. And free lunches. Sometimes dinners, too. Crap, that’s four things. Let’s just say that most folks don’t understand that writing for us is like breathing. We can’t “not” write. Our brains aren’t wired to stop writing. Relaxation for us means looking around at the world and asking “What if…” and plotting out a story in our head. It’s how we exist. Can you tell us about your current projects? I have 5 books in my head that are demanding attention. Unfortunately, I can only proceed with one of them at this time, and I’d rather not say too much about it at this point. Let’s see how things proceed over the next couple of weeks. I can say that, thematically, it’s almost a Western, which intrigues me because I think that adds a flavor to the story I haven’t seen in my writing before. Are you attending any conventions/festivals where readers can meet you and/or buy your books? I wish, but no. Welcome to COVID. I was waiting until I had more books published under my actual name, and now that I have, I can’t really take them on the road. However, once this has passed and provided the Zombie Apocalypse doesn’t happen, I really, really want to. Please provide links and/or instructions about how readers can purchase signed copies of your books. I suspect if someone wants a signed copy of a book, they can contact me through my website, www.KristofferGair.com, and we’ll figure something out. I don’t usually get many requests, but it’s always pretty awesome when I do. Any advice you would like to give to aspiring authors? Don’t worry about writing what you think will sell. Why? Because you can’t be in this for the money. You’re in it because it’s what you love to do, so write what you love. Chances are if you’re happy with what you’ve written, someone else will be, too, and that’s how you start to build an audience. Also, if you’re looking to flatter an author—like myself for example—a good place to start is a box of cannollis from Tringali’s. Not that I wouldn’t share a box of cannollis from Tringali’s with my neighbors and husband. I would. It’s just the receiving part of the box of cannollis. You can’t go wrong with these. It’s tooooooootally sound advice.   The Healing Star is masterfully written, emotionally penetrating, and an empathetic salve upon the uncertainty of life for young people who have close relationships with their grandparents... and those who want closer relationships with their parents.
This middle-grade book holds messages of love, acceptance, determination, and friendship all hidden in plain sight. Through Julia, we discover powers we forgot live inside of us, and how even the smallest wishes can be connected to greater dream fulfillment... if we take the risks necessary to open our hearts and allow truth to fill the small crevices. Jacoby's words of wisdom are a mantra we should all carry with us, even in the small spaces, when sometimes, we forget: "Stand your ground from the start. Remember to always think smart. Answer all questions from the heart." Pete, Julia's Beagle, was the ideal sidekick... loyal, up for adventure (except in his fear), never dissuading her from her goals, and ready to go home when he discovered this was not his journey. Pete is the perfect expression of quiet friendship, and how it endures even when it is not being flamboyant. For me, this book was reminiscent of E.B. White's "Charlotte's Web". There was a powerful quest that remained so gentle, one hardly notices the sneaky connection it's making to your soul. I admit freely that this book moved me to tears when I discovered the truth both Julia and I had overlooked for far too long. As I closed the pages, I thought about my grandfather, and the connection he and I will always share. I am grateful for Julia's story, and the reminder that he is still among the stars.  Would you like to get to know more about how the inner book brain of Indie Author works? This is the place! Periodically, we'll invite an Indie Author to open up their brain, and show us inside. We'll have a conversation that deals a little bit with writing craft, reading influences, and some other fun stuff. Today, we thumb through the pages of Indie Author Ken MacGregor's grey matter... Discover More About Ken MacGregor HERE! What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
I went to a three-day writers’ retreat in Ann Arbor (not far geographically but outside my experience up to then). There, I met some fascinating people, caught up with folks I already knew, had some of the best conversation of my entire life, and came up with an entirely new book idea. Highly recommend seeking out something like that near you. What is the first book that made you cry? Probably Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. What is your writing Kryptonite? Overuse of character actions. Everyone is constantly nodding in my stories. It’s a problem. I’m trying to address it. (Nods) I’ll get there. Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book? I definitely try to write each book as a standalone story. However, I’m working on two sequels right now (for Devil’s Bane: Tales of a Fourth Grade Warrior, and my pending novel, Headcase) and I’d like readers to be able to see those characters grow and learn from one book to the next. Except maybe Gavin the Werewolf; I’m not sure he’s capable of learning anything new. How did publishing your first book change your process of writing? Holding an actual book of nothing but things I wrote was a real eye-opener for me. It made me realize I could do more than just submit to anthologies and magazines. That I was more just a short story hobbyist who occasionally got paid for it. It was the first tangible proof that I could be a writer. It was powerful and emboldening. After that, I set my sights on bigger things, and I’ve achieved some of those already. As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal? Honey badger. Keeps plodding along, eating and mating, creating more honey badgers, despite scorpion stings, porcupine quills, skunk blasts. Honey badger just doesn’t give a f*ck. What did you edit out of your books? (keep it family-friendly, please) Well, when I write horror, for adults, which I do pretty regularly, I don’t edit anything. I let the story go where it needs to go regardless of how awful and disturbing that might be. Now, when I’m writing for kids, obviously, I had to tone it way down. But I like to keep the tension high, and I like to keep it scary. I just do so in a more approachable, family-friendly way. What one thing would you give up to become a better writer? Awards, I guess. Recognition. It’s far more important to me that readers are enjoying my work than to get a little statuette. Don’t get me wrong: I’d love to win one (especially a Stoker!). But you asked what I’d give up. I’d give that up. What is your favorite childhood book? Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Pfeiffer. It’s funny: he wrote it to explain math and English concepts in an approachable way, and it turned into this wildly imaginative, fun story. What is the most difficult part of your writing process? The waiting. Everything takes forever. Waiting to hear whether or not a story is accepted; waiting for edits; waiting to publication; waiting for the actual books you ordered so you can sell them to arrive (I’m doing all except waiting for edits as I type this). What is the easiest part of your writing process? The raw creation part. Sitting down and making stuff up. I love it. Especially when the characters take on lives of their own and start telling me how the story is supposed to go. You can’t beat that. It’s the best. How long on average does it take you to write a book? There isn’t really an average. Not for me anyway. My two story collections were put together using reprints and some originals that I wrote over a long time and compiled; the compiling part took a few months. The novel I cowrote in just under a year, I think (It was a while ago, and memory is a dodgy thing). The novella I just released was finished in about six months; however, with rewrites and edits, it took a couple years to get it publication ready. I’ve been writing the sequel to that one for the last few months now and am up to page 62 (handwritten: roughly 200 words per page, if you’re one of those who needs to know word counts). A common misconception entwined with authors is that they are socially inept, how true is that? For me? Not remotely. I’m ludicrously extroverted. I adore being the center of attention. Give me a spotlight and a microphone, a crowd and a stage, and I don’t even need to eat for days. It sustains me. Having said that, I do know quite a few authors who suffer from crippling social anxiety, so maybe there’s some truth to the stereotype after all. When did it dawn on you that you wanted to be an author? I’ve been making stuff up since I can remember. Probably before then. I wrote a poem that was published in the school newsletter in fourth grade. It inspired two other students to write poems on the same theme. But I didn’t really think about trying to get published for real until about 2011. I had been writing sketch comedy (performing too) for a few years, and I had been writing movie scripts for a local film company. In fact, I was churning those out so fast that one of the directors told me I should turn them into short stories, contact the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers and see if I can get published. That’s worked out pretty well, and that guy doesn’t have to keep telling me he can’t make my movies anymore. Who are your biggest literary influences? So many. Stephen King, Clive Barker, Neil Gaiman, Roger Zelazny, Terry Pratchett, Harlan Ellison, Ray Bradbury, Tolkien, Poe… What’s your favorite movie which was based on a book? This is incredibly difficult to answer. There have been so many good ones. I’m going to take a different tack: I absolutely adore short films and TV shows based on short stories. Black Mirror, Love, Sex & Robots, Twilight Zone, Night Gallery. That sort of thing. Why? – Because they allow the short form to be enjoyed by people in a more accessible format, and I think short stories are a deeply underappreciated thing. How did it feel when your first book got published? Like a god. How did you celebrate? Beer and cake. At the book launch. More beer after. What is that one thing you think readers generally don’t know about authors? I think there’s a commonly held belief that authors are unapproachable, that we prefer not to be bothered by the common folk. This is, for the most part, ridiculous. Authors are just people. If you liked something someone wrote, please tell them. We live for that stuff. Can you tell us about your current projects? I touched on this a little earlier. I’m writing two sequels now. I’m also working on expanding a short story into a longer format. I fell in love with this character and setting and want to make it a novel. It will likely be a series of individual stories (I mentioned that I love the short form, yes?) tied together by a single through-line. It’s a fun, if somewhat daunting project. No idea when it’s going to be finished. I also write whatever occurs to me as ideas pop up. I’m constantly doing that. Keeps me on my toes, let me tell ya. Are you attending any conventions/festivals where readers can meet you and/or buy your books? Please provide all the “find it” information. There’s a virtual book festival (with a horror focus) happening on September 5 that I’ll be part of. It’s part of the Flint Horror Collective. In all likelihood, I’ll be reading (along with several other writers) some of my stuff aloud. Should be fun. Please provide links and/or instructions about how readers can purchase signed copies of your books. As much as I’d prefer to offer up a listing of independent bookstores and small presses (I strongly encourage you to buy books this way), the only comprehensive way to list the vast majority of my stuff is by pointing you to the corporate monstrosity that is https://www.amazon.com/Ken-MacGregor/e/B009MOY6KA?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1593121012&sr=1-1 Any advice you would like to give to aspiring authors? Oh, I have so much to say on this topic. However, I’ll keep it relatively brief. I’m going to do this in list form because it seems apt:
Good luck out there, folks.  Although Viking lore is not usually in my reading wheelhouse, I was tremendously pleased to read this epic tale from J.A. Bullen. The world he crafts is huge in scope, not just visually - and that part is stunning - but in emotional scope, as well. He has internalized the old Norse myths and made them his own, with a flavor that is distinct, yet familiar.
The first of a series... and thank goodness for that!... this is a tale that you'll want to savor. I'm usually a person who reads multiple books simultaneously; yet I found that difficult to do with Unbound. This was not because it's difficult subject matter, complicated characters (although they delightfully are complicated), or stylized in a way that is not easily read. The reason I put all other reading material aside while reading Unbound is specifically because the story was so wonderfully crafted that I wanted to immerse myself fully in that world, with those characters, and distract myself with nothing else. The characters are intuitively designed. You understand so much of who they are by what they do, and how they do it. The conflicts go back ages; and you understand it completely, even though the full history isn't yet revealed. The flow of the story from one location to another - both physically and emotionally - is easy to follow, and a wonderful journey. And that's exactly what this book feels like. It's a journey, an adventure, and it's visceral. You feel all of it... see all of it... hear all of it. The aspect of Bullen's writing that makes reading his imagination most memorable, for me, is the way he conveys time. He doesn't mark the passage of time the way many books in the fantasy genre do... sunrise, sunset, moon cycles. That stuff is far too basic for his storytelling style. Instead, Bullen uses specific aspects of character and their environments to mark time. Footsteps observed by another. The change of the aroma of a healing wound. The mastering of a foreign language. All of these rich details give you a sense that you are marking time WITH the characters, rather than watching them from afar. Also, his transitions from one perspective to another are excellent. Bullen is quite skillful at leading you along one subplot, and then shifting perspective to another, all without making you feel that there are empty holes in the main story line. He may leave out details, but he always knits them into the plot later down the path... except for the ending. But that's to be expected, after all, it is the first book in a series. My only regret is that there were a few editorial notes that kept me from getting fully lost in the story. They were not insurmountable, nor overly distracting. But as an editor, I'm a little persnickety that way. :-) However, the author assures me that he has noticed these inconsistencies, and they will not prevail in the coming works. I highly recommend you read Unbound... even if this genre isn't something you normally read. It's a diversion you will enjoy. And, if you are a writer, there is much you can learn about storytelling technique from this book. Learn more about this author at his website. Watch our interview with the author on Indie Reads TV!
This will be a book I gift to little ones as they enter my world... and to my adult friends on their birthday, when the traditional "pep talk" is too much ingenuous repetition. A gift of this book, to the reader of any age, will stand as a reminder of my belief of who they are at their core being... even on the days when I can't be there to reinforce that understanding in person.
I am grateful to have met Ms. Schimmel, and to have been given the gift of her reminders. Her book will be pulled from my shelves frequently. Visit the author's website at https://rbschimmel.com/ Watch our interview on Indie Reads TV with R.B. Schimmel! |
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