Introduction

Arlene and I have a mutual friend, Joanna Celeste. Joanna suggested I send Arlene a copy of Bitter Sweet when it was first published. I did and since then, Arlene and I have been in contact. Her story is interesting and I hope you enjoy reading her tales as much as I do.

Aneeta: Arlene, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Let’s start with something about you. Where were you born? Where did you grow up? Where do you live now and what do you do for a living?

Arlene: Hi Aneeta. I was born and lived most of my life in Chicago, Illinois. I now live in San Diego, California, where one of my two sons lives. They have an adorable 7-year-old and we decided we want to be close to where he lives. I was an elementary school teacher for a number of years, and I am a professional editor www.uslander.net and a writer so those things keep me pretty busy.

Aneeta: No doubt, we both love dogs. So, please tell me a story that comes to mind about one of your pets.

Arlene: I had 4 wonderful dogs in my lifetime—not as a child, but once my husband and I had children. And I had the dogs one at a time: a Cocker Spaniel; two Brittany Spaniels, and a Collie who looked just like Lassie.. One of the Cocker Sspaniels loved a TV commercial that had music playing and every time she heard it, she would get all excited and try to sing and dance.

Aneeta: I understand you’ve written a few books. Can you please describe each one for me?

Arlene: Aneera, I have had 16 books published. I can’t describe each one, other than to say that they are all non-fiction. Some were on child development, some were on healthy eating. but my two favorites happen to be my two most recent books: The Mystery of Fate: Common Coincidence or Divine Intervention? It is an anthology of true, amazing stories about the profound effect “fate” or what other people call a higher power has had on people’s lives. It won several distinguished awards - www.thefatesite.com

My other favorite is a book a just had published called That’s What Grandparents Are For www.thatswhatgrandparentsarefor.com. It is an illustrated book of verse with wonderful illustrations celebrating the very special bond between most children and grandparents.

Aneeta: I see, also, that you’ve been a professional editor in the past. Can you tell me, please, what’s your most memorable experience editing a piece of work?

Arlene: I still am a professional editor and work very hard at it. I am always thrilled when one of my clients has his or her book that I edited published. Oh, Aneeta, there have been so many. I have been editing for 20 years. But I think of all the books I have edited, one called A Ghostly Gray Shade of Pale is my favorite. Merle Temple, the author, is a great storyteller writing to all of your senses. Ghostly is a crime story as literature, a story so detailed and complex, yet beautifully sinister. .

Aneeta: As you know, this website caters to storytellers. What advice would you give to those who would like to venture into storytelling?

Arlene: To keep reading the stories your website and to try to learn from them. !

Aneeta:Arlene, this is all I have to ask. Is there anything you’d like to add?

Arlene: Thank you for interviewing me. I am anxious to read more of the stories on your website.

Aneeta: Thank you, Arlene.

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Introduction

Some time in April, Susan sent me an email asking me if I'd publish a review she'd written. I took some time to reply because, at the time, my little dachshund had passed away. When I told her what had happened, she was very lovely and told me something I'll never forget: with time the pain will become less, but the bond lasts forever. Since then, we've been keeping in touch and I asked if she'd agree to be interviewed. I was glad she did and here's her story.

Aneeta: Susan, thank you for agreeing to this interview.

Susan: You’re welcome Aneeta, thank you for asking me.

Aneeta: Let’s start with something about you. Where were you born? Where did you grow up? Where do you live now and what do you do for a living?

Susan: I was born in a little village called Little Waltham in Essex, U.K. I spent most of my childhood in Hatfield Peverel in Essex where my parents still live. Now, however, I live between Le Mans and Tours in the northwest of France. I am a writer and I review and promote books for authors worldwide.

Aneeta: No doubt, we both love dogs. So, please tell me a story that come to mind about one of your pets.

Susan: One funny incident will actually be in the sequel to Toby’s Tails, which I am writing at the present. Toby was only about 9 months old, it was spring and we went to a lovely picnic area, in the forests, which surrounds us. There is a large lake there, with the picnic area side edged in concrete. Toby had been there before, but was running around and forgot the lake because it was covered in Duckweed, [which made it appear as green as the new seasons grass]. He ran straight into the lake, he didn’t falter he just swam in a circle and swam back towards me, I helped him out over the concrete edge and he covered us both in the bright green Duckweed.

Aneeta: I understand you’ve written a few books. Can you please describe each one for me?

Susan: Toby’s Tails was my first book published in paperback. Quintessentially, it is a story about Toby our Border Collie’s life and adventures starting on the farm where he was born and continuing here on our smallholding. However, it is full of information about wildlife, dogs , farm animals and how they think, French traditions, and our local region. Originally, I wrote it for older children but I have found adults love it too.

Billy & Daisy’s Big Adventure is the first in my Fantasy Farm Tales series on Kindle. Billy and Daisy are goat kids, one day they escape but the adventure isn’t quite as much fun as they imagined… Will Toby be able to find them?

The second in the series is The Chicken Patrol, is about a hen who loses her chick, a fox might be about the flock decide – it’s Toby to the rescue…

All three books have many photographs in them of our animals here.

Aneeta: I see, also, that you offer to write reviews about books. Can you please tell me how this works?

Susan: Well Aneeta, I have always loved reading books and on a wide range of subjects. I had been writing reviews before I started my reviews and promotions site. However, after Toby’s Tails was published I realised how, as an author, it is sometimes difficult to know where to start when it comes to getting your book noticed. Therefore, I decided to offer a review service, which not gives an honest review but also posts that review on the books selling sites, book lovers’ sites such as Goodreads, places where publishers and buyers would look for new talent and I also submit them to subject related magazines if appropriate. Now I am very happy working for authors across the globe reviewing their books and  promoting them worldwide.

Aneeta: As you know, this website caters to storytellers. What advice would you give to those who would like to venture into storytelling?

Susan: It’s nothing new I’m afraid Aneeta, simply write about what you know, have experienced or am passionate about. For example, I have a lifelong love of animals. I can remember spending hours with my granddad around the fields, with our dog, being shown the local wildlife. Therefore, it is very important to me that my books, I hope, transport the reader into another world where the natural world around us is exciting, and that they understand that animals are not toys they are living, feeling and they do have souls.

Aneeta: Susan, this is all I have to ask. Is there anything you’d like to add?

Susan: Yes, I would just like to say that in my humble opinion if a writer enjoys writing that should be paramount. Toby’s Tails and the books, which follow, I have thoroughly enjoyed writing, whether they become bestsellers is not important, indeed I did not sit down to write them they just happened. In my books there survives pieces of me and those I love, both animal and human being able to put them down on paper, I feel, is a wonderful privilege and one I know you will understand.

Aneeta: Thank you, Susan.

This piece may NOT be freely reprinted. Please contact editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com for reprint rights. Click here to return to the index of interviews on 'Blow Your Own Trumpet!'

Introduction

Jesse wrote to me some time ago telling me about his new book. I had a quick read of it and I wanted very much to interview him. So, I asked if he'd like to be interviewed and he agreed. Without further ado, let me introduce you to Jesse Giles Christiansen ...

Aneeta: Jesse, thank you for agreeing to this interview.

Jesse: My pleasure. Great to be here!

Aneeta: Let’s start with a little about you. Tell me, please, where were you born, where did you grow up, what do you do for a living and where do you live now?

Jesse: I was born in Miami, FL and grew up playing on Miami Beach. I’m much like Ethan in my new novel, PELICAN BAY: one had to literally drag me from the beach as a child, and even as an adult, this is still a major problem! I’d love to say I make my full living as an author (almost there). I teach philosophy part-time at a nearby college, and I’m also a musician.

Aneeta: I understand from reading the stuff on your website (http://www.jessegileschristiansen.com/books/ ) that you received a B. A. in English Literature from Florida State University. What I’d like to know is why did you choose to study English Literature?

Jesse: I think that English literature sort of chose to study me. Perhaps as an artist, even more back then, I went mainly with my heart when making career decisions and my college major was no exception. But even before that, I was an avid reader of classic literature, excelling more at language arts in high school than at anything else. Originally, I was going to be an English high school teacher, and then decided to go to graduate school to be a college professor.

Aneeta: I see your goal is to write at least 50 novels. That’s a lot! Why 50, though? And, what happens after 50?

Jesse: That is an excellent question! Fifty seems like a good solid number. One doesn’t want to write too many to allow time for super literary quality. By the same token, I want to write for the rest of my days, so bringing out at least 1-2 books a year seems like a good pace for keeping and expanding my readership. Funny, I have this “book in the closet” about what happens when I reach the fifty-first novel. Maybe I’ll let it loose if I get there!

Aneeta: Let’s focus now, on the ones you’ve already published. Please tell me their names and what they’re about.

Jesse: Thanks for asking! The only other book I have is a self-published novel entitled, ABOUT: JOURNEY INTO THE MYSTIC. It is the first novel I ever wrote, a unique literary escape based on a summer I spent working in Alaska on fishing boats and in canneries. The book is a page-turner with Native American Mysticism and other literary plots and surprises. Check it out.

Aneeta: As you know, this website is for storyteller. What advice would you give people who would like to venture into the world of storytelling and publishing?

Jesse: Don’t just create words, create inescapable worlds. Don’t just write characters, let them write you. Don’t just convey stories, but discover great stories and let them convey you. The book is always the boss. Planning a book chokes it. Know the options, but see them as faceless until they come off the page. Publishing? Find a small publisher with marketing savvy and wisdom and social media presence. Don’t wait to be discovered, make a start, build a name and social platform, and the rest will come. The 21^st century is not about submission, but about submission to lifelong discipline. Decide right now whether you’re a “hobby author” or a “career author.” That is some of the best advice I’ve ever received from bestseller, Cheryl Kaye Tardif, acquisitions editor/owner of my publishing house, Imajin Books.

Aneeta: Jesse, this is all I have to ask. Is there anything you’d like to add?

Jesse: Escape into the uniquely haunting, beautifully Gothic world of PELICAN BAY, and you’ll leave with new memories of wisdom, the sea, and lost and found love, memories that you’ll quickly forget were originally wrought of fiction.

This is the link for PELICAN BAY'S trailer: http://ow.ly/n8EWn

Aneeta: Thank you, once again, Jesse.

Jesse: My pleasure! See you in the Land Between The Lines.

This piece may NOT be freely reprinted. Please contact editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com for reprint rights. Click here to return to the index of interviews on 'Blow Your Own Trumpet!'

Introduction

I met Sreelata a few years ago. She was on holiday in Malaysia and the other couple who accompanied her and her husband are very close family friends of ours. I've been trying, ever since, to get this interview with Sreelata and I'm glad it's finally happened. Without further ado, let me introduce you to Sreelata Menon ...

Aneeta: Sreelata, thank you so much for agreeing to this interview.

Sreelata: You are welcome. I am honored to be doing this

Aneeta: Let’s start with something about you: where were you born, where did you grow up, what do you do for a living and where do you live now?

Sreelata: I was born in Palghat Kerala at my maternal grandparents’ home. My father was a bureaucrat so my parents lived in Delhi at the time but his being a transferable job I went to school in Madras and Cochin as well. I finally finished University in Bombay. So you could say I grew up all over the country really.

Writing - but I don’t know whether I’d call it a ‘living’ :)

Well I’d like to say we are settled in Gurgaon Delhi. But we spend a lot of time in Bangalore as well. But again at the moment I’m in Dhaka Bangladesh as my husband’s on a World Bank administered project here.

Aneeta: From what I can remember, your husband’s job entails lots of travel. I assume you travelled with him. Please tell me some of the more interesting places you’ve visited.

Sreelata: Oh yes. I’ve managed to see a large part of the world thanks to his job. Cyprus was one. Bern was another- among many others. But the last one and in my opinion the most interesting place recently was South Sudan. We were in Juba- its new capital as it was gaining independence and becoming a new country. That was exciting .To be actually witnessing a moment in history.

There was nothing by way of infrastructure there. No roads or shops as we have them here. Nothing really. And we lived in self contained containers. But these containers were nicely done up and had everything from geysers to fridges in them. They were converted homes in well tended camps on the Nile. And again that was pretty thrilling too.

Aneeta: At the end of your email, you’ve got this statement: ‘A freelance writer who writes on anything and everything!’ What are some of the more interesting topics you’ve worked on?

Sreelata: I have written on almost everything and I’m still writing on anything that comes my way. Politics to media to the need for privacy to even editors and why they are the way they are. Literally anything! Nowadays it’s largely travel pieces.

Aneeta: I understand you’ve just published a book, Guru Nanak: Puffin Lives. Please describe this book for me.

Sreelata: Penguin has this section called Puffin Lives-for young readers- which deal with the biographies of well known personalities-historical as well as contemporary. Guru Nanak is a part of four such luminaries brought out last year. The back cover of the book describes it perfectly.

It says: The founding father of Sikhism; Guru Nanak Dev was born in a little village near Lahore in Pakistan in the year 1469. In an age of religious orthodoxy; hate and disharmony; Guru Nanak came to preach and convert; to blaze a new trail. Sreelata Menon traces the life and times of this spiritual master. She brings to life stories of the birth; childhood and the search for enlightenment of a little boy who; unhappy with the social conditions existing around him; sought to make a difference as he grew up. With Mardana; his best friend and companion; Guru Nanak spent twenty years and more travelling the world to spread his message of love; truth; compassion and One God. Come rain or shine; braving all odds; winning over all kinds of people and performing miracles through the power of prayer; he spread the word of God. This is the story of an extraordinary man; who was the very embodiment of the love and compassion that he preached.

Aneeta: Clearly, storytelling will feature in your work. Which element of storytelling do you think is most important?

Sreelata: The element of mystery. A sense of eager anticipation is an important part of storytelling if you want to capture the interest of the reader and keep it there. Storytelling is the art of clearing up a mystery isn’t it? An unravelling of facts. And that is something I relate to strongly. Actually all my pieces though they are nonfiction have a strong element of this sense in them. Be it facts or even a must-see place in a travel piece-I try to make them unfold or unfurl at an even pace so that it reads like a story. Even my first book ‘Freelance Writing for the newbie writer’ reads much like a story of how to go about freelance writing.

The element of telling a story in the style of ‘once upon a time’ and creating a sense of anticipation is I feel very important to storytelling. If that sense of expectation is not there even the best of ideas will not work. So a tale that needs to be peeled off layer by layer with a certain amount of expectancy is I would think the art of how to tell a great story.

My third book, the next Puffin due to come out soon is on one of our famous political figures. And I have tried to employ this there to the best of my ability.

Aneeta: As you know, this website is for storytellers. What advice would you give to those who would like to venture into storytelling?

Sreelata: Go with your instincts when you begin a story. Keep it alive with some mystery –a sense of anticipation- even if it’s a piece on ‘dry irrigation’ and never forget to tie up the loose ends satisfactorily.

Aneeta: Sreelata, this is all I have to ask. Is there anything you’d like to add?

Sreelata: No nothing Aneeta. Except that I thoroughly enjoy your newsletters. I look forward to the columns in it and the varied topics on story telling you cover. You’ve got a great website going.

Aneeta: Sreelata, thank you.

Sreelata: Thanks.

This piece may NOT be freely reprinted. Please contact editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com for reprint rights. Click here to return to the index of interviews on 'Blow Your Own Trumpet!'

Introduction

Please welcome my special guest! Anne K. Edwards has authored and coauthored books in several different genres, from children's books to mystery to speculative fiction. Currently, Anne is working on a new mystery novel, second in the “Death” series, to follow Death on Delivery. She's here today to talk about her latest release, Shadows Over Paradise. Visit her website at www.annekedwards.com.

Why don't you start by telling us a bit aboutShadows Over Paradise? What inspired you to write it?

Shadows Over Paradise was written to show a heroine can stand on her own two feet and does not always need a man to make her a whole person or to rescue her in all situations.  Julia Graye is such a woman, however she does accept help if offered and needed. The inspiration comes from my youth when almost every female character ever written was incomplete without a man to make her decisions and tell her what to think and do. It was the day of when a real man could spank a woman or even slap her in the face and this was considered appropriate behavior. This was and is abuse and I could never understand how a woman would or could love such a man whether in real life or fiction.  Yet these same men weren't above leaving a woman to raise a batch of children alone while they went on to a new life. I had to ask could a weak, incompetent woman do this and survive? Yes! Because they did.  So I modeled my heroine after that type of woman, yet she is able to love and look forward to marriage and a family. Julia Graye, the heroine of Shadows Over Paradise must make some fast decisions when she finds herself kidnapped, accused of murder, and nearly killed. The act of merely walking down a street puts her in danger.

Do you use index cards to plot your book?

No, because my plots are so full of twists and turns and I don't outline at all when I begin to write. However I use these cards for notes, clues, a list of loose ends to tie off before the last page is written so I do recommend keeping a bunch handy.

Have you suffered from writer's block?

Yes. There are just some days or weeks when I lose interest in writing and even reading and am content to sit and stare at anything on the TV.  I call this a creative burnout and it never lasts long. It's as if the mind just wants a change of scenery for a while, then goes back to work.  There is no time in particular for it to happen or length of time to last.

How was your experience looking for a publisher? What words of advice would you offer those novice authors who are in search of one?

My experience was varied with several lessons.  I learned to ask other authors about publishers, to check submission times, to query about submitting and to read contracts before signing.  Would you believe I had a book tied up for seven years by one publisher because I thought their contract was standard? I know others who did this too. Some contract points can be negotiated also, so if you have questions or doubts, get them out in the open. Don't believe verbal promises. Get it in writing. I had to buy the rights back from one publisher that posted the book on the site and let it sit.  That same publisher made a book into a multi partnership. They didn't pay artists or editors, but gave them a part of the proceeds when the book sold. Does the publisher edit a book? This is very important in smoothing lapses and bumps in an author's writing. My advice to any writer is to proceed with care.  I'm sure it’s such experiences that leads some authors into self publishing and all the work it entails, but I lucked out when I discovered Twilight Times Books. I've been with them for over ten years and never had any doubts that I was satisfied.  There are many good presses out there and I heartily recommend authors give them a try.

What author or type of books do you read for fun?

I read Anne Macaffrey for fantasy and real adventure with real people but not necessarily those written by others under her name. I love a good mystery like Agatha Christie. I have read some great historicals, but the romances I read must not be full of love scenes, but have a good story. There are several different subgenres here and almost any reader can find one or two to please them.

Do you think a critique group is essential for a writer?

This depends entirely on the author and their needs or what they expect from such a group.  If the author wants honest feedback, they should search out like minded writers for such a group. In other words, a children's author is not the best judge of a slaughterhouse thriller, but they can give helpful comments on related genre writers' work, just as another thriller author can helpfully critique the slaughterhouse thriller. The author must realize that any critique group members may give widely varied comments to the work. One may merely be jealous and seek to make the author feel less able than they are, one may over praise because they are afraid of hurting an author's feelings, and yet another may offer advice that actually is parroted from the group leader or founder if it has a founder who thinks he or she knows all there is to know about writing and is yet unpublished. The group is meant to be an ego trip for that person.

Do you have a website/blog where the readers may learn more about you or your work?

Yes, http://www.AnneKEdwards.com.

Do you have another novel in the works?

Yes. It a second in the series of Hannah Clare's investigations.

Is there anything else you'd like to tell my readers? 

Yes, if you are a reader, insist on a well told story and if you are an author, insist on crafting a well told, edited, well written story. This way everyone who loves books will be satisfied. A writer writes for the reader and the reader will look for that writer's work to enjoy.

This piece may NOT be freely reprinted. Please contact editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com for reprint rights. Click here to return to the index of interviews on 'Blow Your Own Trumpet!'

Introduction

Please welcome my special guest, international bestselling Canadian author Cheryl Kaye Tardif.

Cheryl is best known for Submerged, a psychological thriller that has had over 49,000 downloads on Amazon alone in March 2013, Children of the Fog, a supernatural suspense thriller that has sold over 50,000 copies and has made Amazon’s Top 100 bestsellers list (overall list) multiple times, and Whale Song, a much-loved, inspiring family tale with a hint of mystery, now available in its third edition–plus a school edition with a discussion guide.

Learn more about Cheryl Kaye Tardif at http://www.cherylktardif.com and follow her on Twitter.

Enter Cheryl’s March Giveaway – 60 Prizes at http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com

Why don’t you begin by telling us a little about yourself?

I was born in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and moved around a lot as a child. I think all the moving and having to say goodbye to friends caused me to become very introverted and shy, so I turned to books. They were my escape into exciting worlds. Plus we didn’t have access to so many television shows or movies back then. In my pre-teen years I read all the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books, plus many others. As a teen I was mesmerized by authors like Stephen King, Dean Koontz and John Saul, and ever since I was quite young I spun stories in my head. I knew at a young age that I wanted to be a writer. I now live in Edmonton, AB, Canada, with my husband and our dog Chai, and I’m fulfilling my dream.

Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write such a story.

My new psychological thriller, SUBMERGED, is the story of two strangers brought together by fate. Marcus Taylor is a 911 dispatcher and a recovering addict looking for a way out of the intense guilt and remorse he feels over the deaths of his wife and son. Rebecca Kingston is a wife and mother desperate to leave an abusive marriage. When someone runs Rebecca’s vehicle off the road and into a river, she is trapped—with her children in the back seat. Her only lifeline is a cell phone with a quickly depleting battery and a stranger’s calm voice on the other end telling her everything will be all right.

I was inspired by a high school friend who battled addiction and won. He turned his life around completely, and I found him to be so inspiring. I’d wanted to tackle a story about addiction and about a character so submerged in guilt and sorrow that he has shut down, closed himself off from life. But more importantly I wanted to show that there can be redemption even after such a life.

How would you describe your creative process while writing this book? Was it stream-of-consciousness writing, or did you first write an outline?

Much of the story fermented and played out in my mind. When it came to write something, I made notes of key aspects of the story. Not a complete outline, as I never do that. By the time I sat down and began to write, everything flowed fairly easily. In fact, most of the novel was written in an intense 2-week period.

Did your book require a lot of research?

I did a fair amount of research before I started writing. I interviewed my friend, who was very gracious in answering my deeply personal questions. When it came to actually writing Marcus’s character I realized I didn’t need to go too far into the descriptions of his addictions. I needed enough for people to understand him, to make him real but likeable, admirable even.

I also researched the 911 process and had many questions answered by my contact at a 911 center. And I was in contact with people from ResQMe.com. They make the rescue tool that was used in SUBMERGED.

Agatha Christie got her best ideas while eating green apples in the bathtub. Steven Spielberg says he gets his best ideas while driving on the highway. When do you get your best ideas and why do you think this is?

I get some of my ideas either after waking up from a dream/nightmare, or while in the shower or when watching TV. Often a television show will spark an idea—not the show’s plot, but my own. Most of my ideas come from thinking about fears that people have.

They say authors have immensely fragile egos… How would you handle negative criticism or a negative review?

I think we all have fragile egos once we’ve created something—anything. We yearn for our creations to be accepted, no matter if it’s a piece of art, a business proposal, a promotional campaign or a book. If I get a negative review, I remind myself that the reviewer is entitled to his or her opinion. I also tell myself that sometimes my book will fall into the wrong hands and will be read by someone outside of my target audience. If this happens, they probably won’t enjoy my book. The only negative criticism that riles me is when it’s by a competing author or by someone who didn’t bother to really read the book and then misrepresents facts.

When writing, what themes do you feel passionate about?

I am very passionate about exploring social issue themes, like bullying and racism (found in WHALE SONG),  child abuse (found in DIVINE INTERVENTION), diseases and stem cell research (found in THE RIVER), alcoholism and PTSD (found in CHILDREN OF THE FOG), and drug addiction and abuse (found in SUBMERGED).

Do you have an agent?  How was your experience in searching for one?

Yes. My agent is Erica Spellman-Silverman from Trident Media Group. A few years ago I was represented by Jack Scovil from Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary Agency, but we were unable to move my books so we parted ways. It had taken me years of querying to find Jack.

I wasn’t actually looking for a new agent, but then in March 2012, CHILDREN OF THE FOG hit the charts and sales soared. As a result I was noticed by Robert Gottlieb, chairman of Trident Media, and they approached me with an offer of representation.

Do you have any unusual writing quirks?

It’s not uncommon for me to speak my characters’ dialogue out loud. And I often “act” out scenes. Sometimes with props. Usually no one is around to witness this.

Technically speaking, what do you struggle with the most when writing? How do you tackle it?

Timelines! Anything to do with numbers I find challenging. I’ll draw out a timeline or make notes, and I’ll go over them multiple times, even timing the action scenes and everything in between.

Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your work?

Readers can find me at http://www.cherylktardif.com and http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com. I also invite everyone to follow me on Twitter.  

This piece may NOT be freely reprinted. Please contact editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com for reprint rights. Click here to return to the index of interviews on 'Blow Your Own Trumpet!'

Starr Burgess worked as an elementary teacher and school counselor for a total of seven years. She has a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Texas State University. Starr is busy working on her second children’s book: Counselor Dynamite Befuddles the Bullyville Crew. She currently resides with her husband, Clyde, and their daughter in Pflugerville, TX.

Tell us a little about your main character, Counselor Dynamite, and what makes her compelling?

Counselor Dynamite is full of light and joy. She made the decision to work with children in schools because she understands what it is like to feel invisible, unloved, uncared for, and unimportant. She wants children to believe in their self-worth and value to society. She lives her life according to the motto “No One Cares How Much You know Unless They Know How Much You Care.” And with those words in her heart she dedicates her life to enriching the lives of children.

Website: www.counselordynamite.com

What is the book’s audience?

While Counselor Dynamite is appropriate for people of all ages, the book series is intended for children ages 5-12, school counselors, teachers, and parents.

What would you like readers to learn from your book?

In short, I would like readers to remember the positive impact of simple acts of kindness, the power of empathy, and the far reaching effects of a genuine smile or asking someone how they’re doing.

What is your mission as an author?

My mission in every book is to promote positive character traits such as kindness, patience, courage, and empathy; encourage children to enjoy reading through humor and learn how their behavior affects others; and acknowledge the importance of the counselor’s role in schools by sharing the many hats counselors wear each and every day that people don’t know about but experience as the fruit of their tireless labor.

What has been the readers’ response so far?

The response has been overwhelming and humbling. Readers have reported that creating a superhero of schools is creative and much needed. In fact listed below is an actual review by Jenna Fleming:

“This is a great book…a must have for any elementary school counselor! It sends a very empowering message for the role of a school counselor and in a fun and relatable way for anyone who has experienced that frenzy of stress and excitement (from teachers and students) that comes in schools before the holiday break. This is something really cute to also share w/in a group of counselors. I hope that our district will share this at our counselor meeting in December to lift spirits. I can’t wait for the supplemental guide and future ‘Counselor Dynamite’ books in the future.”

Where is the book available?

Counselor Dynamite Twas the Day Before Christmas Break is available at select Barnes and Noble stores and online with Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and the Apple I-Store.

What’s next for Counselor Dynamite?

The next Counselor Dynamite book will be available in the fall of this year. Its focus is empowering students with coping tools to overcome bullying behaviors along with a supplemental guide which contains lessons plans and activities for children. In the near future I will be publishing more Counselor Dynamite books that will focus on positive character traits. Also I would love to go on a book tour; be a regular guest on a talk and/or radio show discussing challenges children face and parent resources; and eventually partner with companies and build the Counselor Dynamite brand, maybe one day turning the adventures of Counselor Dynamite into a cartoon for children.

About the book

It’s Christmas time and Counselor Dynamite is the newest superhero to hit the scene.

Counselor Dynamite’s mission: To serve and protect children and support staff members in schools everywhere.

It’s the day before Christmas break. Teachers and staff are either running low on patience or are just plain tired. The students as you might have guessed are full of unbridled energy, but one thing is for sure everyone is ready to start Christmas break. Counselor Dynamite notices that something is amiss and quickly jumps into action knowing that if something isn’t done soon, students, teachers and staff will never be the same once chaos is unleashed. Will her helpers and faith be enough? Starr Burgess’s endearing story is brought to life by Victor Guiza’s vivid, colorful, and crisp illustrations.

Counselor Dynamite will capture the laughter and spirit of the holiday season with mischievous behavior and humor so contagious you will want to read it again. Counselors everywhere will be inspired to reinvent their own special quick, happy dance marking the end of each adventurous day. Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Apple iTunes Store

Author: Starr Burgess Illustrator: Victor Guiza Illustration count: 12 Dimensions: 8x10 /hardcover Pages: 26 ISBN: 978-1-60131-118-4 LCCN: none Imprint: Big Tents Books Retail: $16.95 AGE: 8-10 Publish date: July 28, 2012

This piece may NOT be freely reprinted. Please contact editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com for reprint rights. Click here to return to the index of interviews on 'Blow Your Own Trumpet!'

Today my guest is horror author Vincent Hobbes, whose latest novel, KHOST, is a military horror set in the Soviet Union and Afghanistan. In 2004 he founded Hobbes End Publishing, but later sold the company and now writes full time. He’s the author of The Contrived Senator, Exiles, Plight of the Warrior, and, together with 17 other authors, of the anthology The Endlands. He recently finished producing the second volume of The Endlands. His latest novel, KHOST, released last year, is currently being considering for production in Hollywood. He resides in North Texas with his wife and German short-haired pointer.

Find Vincent Hobbes on the Web:

Website: www.VincentHobbes.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/VincentHobbes

Twitter: @HobbesEnd

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1054429.Vincent_Hobbes

Watch the trailer! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXZWy5I1vtQ

Thank you for this interview, Vincent. Why don’t you begin by telling us what’s inside the mind of a horror author?

Do you really want to know?

I suppose like any other horror writer, I delve into the human mind. Our inner fears, what excites us. What scares us. I’m an observer.

Your novel, KHOST, can be categorized as military horror. Can you tell us about this horror subcategory and what got you into it?

Military horror is exactly what it sounds like—a horror story with military aspects. I was first introduced to the genre by author Stephen Knight who has some great novels in the genre.

As writing for writing in the genre…I began working with some guys who served their country. Proud Americans with military background or experiences. It’s been refreshing, actually.

Khost is inspired by a variety of actual events, and I spoke with some men who were involved in this. Of course it’s fictionalized, but I’d say their enthusiasm got me into this.

Tell us something compelling about your protagonist.

There are several main characters in Khost. My personal favorite is Sgt. York. He’s a Delta Force member stationed in Afghanistan, served several tours, likes to fight. The man lives for war, and for his team. He experiences something beyond the imagination while out on patrol. The man has demons, but loves his Delta brothers and will do anything for the men he fights beside. He’s a warrior.

KHOST is set partly in the Soviet Union and Afghanistan. Did you have to do a lot of research about these places and the military? Do you have a military background?

My best-friend is a Marine, and I’ve spoken with dozens of Special Forces Operators to cover the military side. Even still, I had to do tons of research. I found it quite liberating, actually. I learned much about a war I didn’t have a clue about, and even more about our current conflict in Afghanistan. Luckily, I enjoy military-type things, so that helped.

What was the most challenging aspect of writing this novel?

Two things. First, I didn’t have much to work with. I knew certain facts that needed to be included, but past that, had to wing it. I suppose that’s natural with any idea turned into a book. The second was the time frame. I wrote like a madman, because I had a deadline of sorts. I’d usually take my time on such an endeavor, but I didn’t have that luxury. It was good, though. It forced me to write.

How would you describe your creative process while writing this book? Was it stream-of-consciousness writing, or did you first write an outline?

I never write outlines. I think it hinders a writer’s creativity. Most people have no clue what it’s like to put together such a word count, and Khost was like any other—a battle. I do believe a writer must simply write. I had a character list, a few highlights, and that’s about it. The rest just came as it did, and I put it to paper.

Who is the target audience for KHOST?

For Khost, my target audience isn’t necessarily the literature buffs. Wasn’t intended to be. It’s for your average reader who enjoys a fun read. Nothing more, nothing less. Anyone who enjoys a militaristic novel would enjoy Khost, as will horror fans as well.

What is your writing schedule like? Are you disciplined?

I’m a chaotic, unorganized disciplined. With Khost, I had to be. Catch was, I had weeks, months worth of research. I needed to be as accurate as possible, and do so without boring the reader with details. I usually try to keep a minimum word count daily. A writer needs to practice, and with Khost, I kept an absurd word count.

I hear you have a new book coming up in March. Would you like to tell us about it?

I do. Two, actually. The first is a short novella. It’s called Charms Indigo. It’s a fun read, geared again to a casual reader looking to pass the time with a fun story. It deals with plane crashes. I figured I’d touch on an innate fear most of us have. It’s due to be released in early March.

Secondly, I’ve been working on a short novel titled Seal Team 2025. It’s another military book, though not horror. More action and adventure, and it’s a fun one. I like to call it Militainment!

Is there anything else you’d like to tell my readers?

Never venture into Khost.

This piece may NOT be freely reprinted. Please contact editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com for reprint rights. Click here to return to the index of interviews on 'Blow Your Own Trumpet!'

My guest today is award-winning author Christine Amsden, whose novel, Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective, has just been released by Twilight Times Books. Amsden has written stories since she was eight, always with a touch of the strange or unusual. She started writing seriously in 2003, after attending a boot camp with Orson Scott Card. She finished Touch of Fate shortly afterward, then penned The Immortality Virus, which has won two awards.

It’s great to have you here, Christine. Why don’t you start by telling us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write it?

Cassie herself inspired me to write this book. She was someone whose story wasn't being told – that of the powerless person in a world of magic. It's a disability of sorts, one that affects her deeply though she tries to play it off. Yet she has value. Fantasy sometimes narrowly defines heroes as the biggest and the strongest, the one with the destiny to fulfill, but normal people can make a difference. That was important to me. This is not the story of someone who comes into power, it is the story of someone who discovers there is more than one kind of power.

Are you a full-time writer or do you have another job?

I am a writer, a mother, and I do freelance editing work.

How would you describe your creative process while writing this book? Was it stream-of-consciousness writing, or did you first write an outline?

I'm a planner, but that doesn't mean the story doesn't go its own way once I get started. In fact, my plans often require frequent adjustments as I learn new things about my characters and my world.

How long did it take you to write the book?

I don't write books in a linear fashion, so it's hard to say exactly. I wrote the first draft in four months. I spent another four months revising it. Then I wrote the rest of the series before coming back to rewrite the first one again. An agent gave me some specific advice on strengthening the first book, so I gave it one more revision, completing the version I sent to my publisher almost two years after I first came up with the idea.

Have you ever suffered from writer’s block?

Is there a writer out there who hasn't? (If so, I officially hate him/her.) Writer's block isn't as big a deal as Hollywood likes to make it seem. It's simply your subconscious telling you something isn't right – maybe you didn't do enough planning or research, or maybe there's a plot problem, or maybe your character isn't acting right. Whatever it is, I find that separating myself from the book for a little while (but thinking about it) usually uncovers the issue and allows me to press forward.

How was your experience in looking for a publisher? What words of advice would you offer those novice authors who are in search of one?

Looking for a publisher involves hitting your head against a brick wall repeatedly, and you can't stop until you knock a hole in it.

I feel lucky, really. Twilight Times Books is a wonderful small press that offers a fair contract and has earned some respect.

The only advice I have to others is not to give up. In this day of self-publishing it is easier and easier to just put it out there yourself, but that is a long, lonely road. You worked hard on your book. Give it every chance it deserves.

What type of book promotion seems to work the best for you? Share with us some writing tips!

Virtual book tours have worked best for me. I no longer do in-person book signings because they sell so few books, and do so little to really spread the word. Most of my books are sold through the internet (whether print or ebook).

Book promotion, like finding a publisher, is like beating your head against a brick wall repeatedly. Getting through it starts with a quality product – a good story with eye-popping cover – then you just have to get out there and tell people about it. You have to keep telling people about it every chance you get, and if you don't have any chances, you have to make some up.

What authors or type of books do you read for fun?

I read a wide variety of authors and genres, from science fiction and fantasy to romance and suspense. My favorite authors include Jim Butcher, Orson Scott Card, Catherine Anderson, Karen Marie Moning, Judith McNaught, and Linda Howard.

Do you think a critique group is essential for a writer?

No. I think critique groupS are essential for a writer. One mistake many authors make is to stick with the same critique group for far too long. You will stagnate this way. They can only tell you so much, and then you've figured out how to write for them, or you at least know precisely what they will say. When you get to this point, it is time to move on (although it is always good to keep in touch with friends and acquaintances, since you can help one another out in the future).

Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your work?

Of course! My website is http://christineamsden.com/wordpress/, and I try to keep it up to date with my latest news and book releases. The site includes a blog with book reviews and writing tips. My contact information is listed, and I love to hear from readers!

Do you have another novel on the works? Would you like to tell readers about your current or future projects?

Always! Although I should start by mentioning that Cassie needed four books, all of which have been written and accepted for publication. The publishing schedule always gets a little off-track, but tentatively, the final book in the series will be available in the summer of 2014, a little more than a year after the first. In other words – they're coming back to back to back, before you have a chance to forget everything that happened!

After that, I have a rough draft for a spin-off sequel, involving one of the minor characters in the Cassie Scot series who seemed to want a story of her own. I have set it aside for now to work on yet another fantasy series, this one involving a world of dreams. (I don't want to say too much while it is still so raw.)

Find Christine Amsden on the Web:

Web Site: http://christineamsden.com/wordpress/

Blog: http://christineamsden.com/wordpress/?page_id=200

Facebook: Christine Amsden

Twitter: @ChristineAmsden

Goodreads: Christine Amsden

Goodreads Q&A Group: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/48134-q-a-with-christine-amsden

This piece may NOT be freely reprinted. Please contact editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com for reprint rights. Click here to return to the index of interviews on 'Blow Your Own Trumpet!'