Hi! I’m Sybrina. . .. . .Just one of millions of wannabe author/singer/songwriters out there but I hope, after reading or hearing my books and songs, you’ll think my contributions to the world have as much value as any other famous artist out there today.
Fame is all in being in the right place at the right time but at least with the internet and venues like this, all of us have opportunities to share our creativity with the world. I’m so happy that I am able to share my works with you. That is awesome!
The books I’ve written span a wide range between illustrated picture books, coloring books and YA novels to technical and how-to books. If you’re so inclined you can read a little bit about the inspiration for each one here. Enjoy!
1. Whats the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work? I wish I could ge into Sybrina’s head and live in her world is one of the most memorable things a reader has ever said about one of my books. It was a unicorn fantasy novel so it was pretty colorful.
2. How long does it take to write a book? There are many factors to consider in answering that question. An entire book idea can come in a flash or in a dream and writing the first draft can be pretty quick. But if you’re writing a picture book, you have to remember that good illustrations take a lot of time so you could be waiting months after you finished your writing before you have the final art work. Also, when writing a novel, the edits consume way more time than you ever possibly imagine when you flashed out that first draft.
3. What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing? Getting published is easy…you have to do it yourself these days because there is so much competition out there that trying to get noticed by a traditional publisher is like trying to find the proverbial needle in a haystack. There are many self-publishing avenues available so that makes it easy. Writing, is easy for me as well, though it might not be for everyone. That one is subjective. Marketing is the hardest and frankly for me, the most fun part of the whole enterprise. In fact, I now consider myself an authorpreneur rather than just a writer. One of my ways to market is to start an online bookstore and gift shop for every type of book that I write. I became an Amazon affiliate so that I could easily create stores and find suitable products to offer. For instance, my Learn To Tie With The Rabbit and The Fox book series has a store featuring learn to tie books, fox books, rabbit books and manual dexte rity books and games by lots of other authors. My basic philosophy is if you can’t beat them, join them.
4. Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?
I’ve been writing the Learn To Tie With The Rabbit and The Fox seriies of books for 30 years. I started out with a little book to teach how to tie a neck tie. Six books later, I’ve finally finished Boo’s Shoes, a story that teaches tying shoelaces in a fun way. It’s about a little bunny who doesn’t think he needs to learn how to tie his shoelaces because he has slip ons, pull ons and velcro fastened shoes for every activity that he loves. His friend Farah fox comes along and shows him that there are many reasons to learn to lace and tie up knots in ropes and strings. Her excitement and belief in his abilities encourages him to learn a new skill.
I am an up-and-coming author who just released my first book entitled Heart of Gold on Amazon. I love animals and have a saltwater fish tank. I am a laid-back girl just trying to bring happiness to others with my writing and maybe teach people a few things along the way. I am an advocate for human rights, BLM, LGBTQ+ and will always try to do my best to help in this world when human rights are involved.
Where are you from?
I am from Phoenix, Arizona
Why do you write?
I write for many reasons, the first of which is that I just really enjoy it. I also really like creating poems, short stories and things that bring others joy. It’s probably very similar to when you cook something and get to see people or hear about how people enjoyed it, it warms my heart.
What do you write about?
I try to write about several different topics, my new book is about PTSD and mental health, I also have poems about coping and healing as well. But I’m a sucker for love poems, and stories about underdogs that overcome the odds.
Do you have a specific writing style?
My writing style is probably pretty weird to most people, I just kinda sit down and right. I let my creativity flow and then format and edit after, which while I am writing is great, but the future me that edits it is never happy about it.
What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?
I think like most people today, having time and money. Our bills, responsibilities and just life make it hard to sit down and do the things that make us happy let alone having the ability to actually chase their dream. So having the ability to be able to have the extra time to write is challenging sometimes.
What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?
I think it has to be the simple thing of having people let me know it made them smile or brought them joy.
How long have you been writing?
I have been writing poetry on and off since high school, however I started my Indy author journey about two and a half yours ago.
When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
I wanted to become a writer at a young age, as early as I can remember. I also had problems sleeping, so I would create stories in my head to entertain myself. I will admit it was never a main job choice, but I also had the dream of writing a book.
What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
I can right as the mood strikes me, I found out early on that forcing myself to write lead to unimaginative boring works. That being said I tend to write more late at night like after 11PM and can sometimes go until 5AM the next morning.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I like to listen to music when I work, this sometimes makes me get up and dance when a good song comes on. I try to keep my spirits in a happy creative place, so I try to have fun with it.
How long does it take to write a book?
My newly released book took me a little over 2 years, that did include several breaks where I worked on other things and also got too busy with work and life to focus on it.
Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?
Take feedback and run with it, not all feedback you get will be good. However, if your audience is telling you to work on something work on it. Get that feedback its scary, I remember always fearing showing anyone my work. Later in life though I learned from Ms. Brene Brown, that you have to get into the arena of life and take chance and be vulnerable to truly grow as a person and to achieve your dreams. That vulnerability is what allows you to fail, learn, grow and the opportunity allows you to succeed.
What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?
I always try to create a story that not only is interesting to read but has a message in it too. I grew up in the millennial generation, we had cartoons that taught you lessons and values. I got to see Mr. Rodgers teach us about being kind and so many other things. That inspired me to try and do the same thing with my work, and that’s the challenge being entertaining and informative you gotta try and stay away from being preachy and try to not ruin your message by glossing over it by focusing too much on entertainment.
What do you think makes a good story?
Something that makes you want to come back to it, that hook that makes you go, I gotta see what happens next. I think that we’ve all stayed up way past our bedtimes and both children and adults watching a TV show. Those late-night Netflix binges that make you need an extra strong iced coffee the next morning while you try not to fall asleep in a meeting.
What does your family think of your writing?
They always encouraged my writing, However I was very private and protective over my work for a long time, so they probably didn’t know till recently that I wrote.
Do you see writing as a career?
I really hope I can make a living off writing; I don’t need to be a rich author or anything like that. I do want to have the ability to be my own boss that writing brings. I want to be able to spend time with my family, my boyfriend and try to do some good things in the world and time is a very valuable resource for that.
Do you have anything specific you would like to tell the readers?
Yes, I would urge anyone in need of help to go and get it. The social stigma alone can scare many people away, especially men as the very wrong perception of it makes it seem like they are weak for getting help. I believe however, it is strong to get help not weak. Mental health is very important, and you need to heal from mental trauma just like physical trauma. The bottom line is, go get help if you need it. That is way I included resources in my book and will continue to always do that. There is a page dedicated to the to resources for those who need in the back of my book. Phone numbers for people to call for several different issues, hopefully by doing that it helps at least one person.
Fired, robbed, divorced, and with two businesses down the drain, Chris Patrick was stuck on a one-way street of screwups and failures.The life he was leading wasn’t what he wanted—but sometimes, not getting what you want is exactly what you need.Disaster to Dreams is the story of one man’s biggest catastrophes and greatest comebacks, but it’s also a story that demonstrates how amazing opportunities lie just on the other side of adversity—if you’re willing to do the dirty work and dig through defeat. Refreshingly candid, this tough-love and unfiltered self-improvement guide will motivate you to transform stress into stability, train wrecks into trophies, and disasters into dreams.You’ll discover:The ultimate personal growth mindset to help you create your own rules and master life-changing manifestation.Interviews with entrepreneurs, full of inspiration to help you power through any obstacle.How to swallow your “bad” pride and ask people for help—because sometimes finding your purpose takes some hand-holding.Self-reflection exercises to unearth the seeds to future success in the dirt of your past.A step-by-step business-booming process that can improve your subpar enterprise into a prosperous empire.Build triumph on the foundation of failure. No path is a dead end, no matter how epic your mess of defeat. Get Disasters to Dreams and prepare for a path of limitless opportunity in your perfect storm of success!
Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I loved the honest sharing of the author in this book, detailing out his experiences and how he rose from all the struggles life threw his way. From having a bad father, to finding a great father figure and losing dear ones (including relationships), the author has detailed out very clearly what went wrong in his life and how he strived through it. We also get to see how his family stood by his side when he was falsely accused of rape. As the story develops, we see how Chris developed love for entrepreneurship, how he failed in some his ventures before finding success. We could also learn from his multiple relationships before he found his wife, and the lessons behind the struggles to conceive a child.
I particularly like the way the book is written with multiple short interviews with successful people, and there is an element of surprise in one of the interviews as well. Each chapter is accompanied by a “What About You” section to help us readers reflect on our life as well – and I thought this format is similar to Evan Carmichael’s book “Built to Serve”. I also got a feeling of reading Mark Manson’s book with the use of sh*t throughout the book. But other than that, I really think any entrepreneur would enjoy reading this book, as we all can related to most of the lessons conveyed in this book.
I also liked how he suggest to find a tribe or community for support as this is what I am particularly trying to do in my life right now. If you doubt the law of attraction, you may want to give this book a read.
Chris Patrick is a real estate consultant and founder of The Patrick Group, a premier real estate firm in Las Vegas. With over $100 million sold since 2013, he was named in the top 1% for all Las Vegas Realtors and the number one top producer for Signature Real Estate Group. Previously, he owned three successful businesses and spent 15 satisfying years in sales, marketing, and customer service.
A hard-partying snowboard bum turned successful businessman, Chris’s rise to success was hard-earned and well-deserved. From a young age, he faced adversity as the son of an abusive father in a struggling family. At age 12, he was wrongly accused of and arrested for a horrible crime that destroyed his reputation, leaving him to deal with the trauma in the aftermath of the accusation. Through trials and tribulations, Chris persevered despite setbacks on the road to his eventual success, such as business failures, loss, and heartbreak. He hopes to inspire others to see the opportunity within their own failures, rather than shame and defeat, and overcome their serious hardships, traumatic events, or struggles in order to live their absolute best lives.
Chris currently lives in Las Vegas with his wife Erin, daughter Jameson, and three dogs. Learn more at chrispatrick.net.
Where are you from?
I’m originally from the Bay Area California, then spent 10 years in Colorado snowboarding and I currently live in Las Vegas Nevada.
Why do you write?
I love expressing myself through the written word and find it to be not only a great artistic outlet but a fantastic way to help others.
What do you write about?
Life. I think I have a pretty unique perspective, having gone through some of things I’ve gone
through, and I believe I have valuable information and insight to share with the world. Plus, I like to laugh at my own jokes.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I write in a very conversational tone, like two friends talking over a couple of beers (and shots) at the bar. I’m not opposed to dropping a few expletives if it helps to make a point either, but that’s what friends do!
What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?
Time, mostly. My wife and I have a new baby daughter that we really love spending time with so I have to set aside time specifically for writing.
What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?
I’m so grateful and blessed that I have been able to have a positive impact on people’s lives. I get a lot of notes, messages and emails telling me how people have made significant
improvements in their lives after reading some of my work. It’s very humbling to say the least.
How long have you been writing?
Disasters To Dreams took about one solid year to write, so about that long professionally.
When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
My wife and I had just attended a Mike Dooley event in Reno and we got back to the hotel that night and started talking about manifesting our dreams. We somehow got on the subject of writing a book since one of Mike Dooley’s books, Infinite Possibilities, had really inspired me years earlier. I was telling her about some of the crazy things that had happened to me during my life and she said ‘you should write a book about that’.
What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
For me, inspiration comes in waves and I try to capitalize on it when it’s high tide. It doesn’t
always work out that way, but in an ideal world I would sit at the computer and write whenever the ideas start coming. Sometimes that happens at 2 in the morning.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I guess I’m a ‘seat of your pants’ writer in that I’ll start with a general concept but not really have any idea where it’ll end up. I just kind of go with the flow so to speak. I find it more enjoyable than drafting an outline like many writers do. It seems to come more naturally that way for me.
Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?
Just write. No matter how bad it is, just start. It seems like a no brainer but the only way you get good at something is to keep doing it.
What do you think makes a good story?
I feel that to make an interesting story and a great read you have to keep the reader in mind
first. Make it about them. Of course you also have to have a hero that your readers can relate to, and you have to make the reader care about what happens to the hero.
What does your family think of your writing?
My family has been very supportive of my writing, my amazing wife in particular. She basically held the household together for us while I was off doing my thing during the writing of Disasters To Dreams. I definitely couldn’t have done it without her.
Do you see writing as a career?
Absolutely! It’s important that we all chase our dreams and being a great writer is something I’ve thought about for a long time.
Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?
Yes, I’ve learned over the years that everyone has the same incredible powers at their disposal. I’ve learned that even if you don’t know why something happened to you at that time, eventually you will. I’ve also learned that nobody’s life has been perfect, and that’s a good thing. And no matter where you find yourself right now, you have it within you to live the life you really want.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
As soon as Disasters To Dreams launched on 10/21/21.
Do you have links that you’d like to share for others to read?
Absolutely! Readers can visit my website here where they can read the latest blogs, connect
with me on social media and I even have a free download available now: FROM ROADBLOCK TO ROCK STAR – Smash the 10 Mental Roadblocks Holding You Back from Rockstar Status
Thomas Reilly is a retired biotechnology scientist and executive who holds a doctoral degree in microbiology. He is the author of numerous essays and articles on science and technology. CHASING TIME, his first novel, is a medical suspense story that captures many elements of the drug research and development processes. He lives in Wilmington, Delaware with his wife Linda.
Why did you write the book? What was your motivation behind it? Two prime motivators drove me to write Chasing Time. First, an idea about using future events to shape present decisions had been circulating in my mind for years. This is the essence of Chasing Time. Second, after receiving so much positive feedback on my writing during my career (manuscripts, essays, reports and the like), I wanted to challenge myself and determine if i could write a full-length novel.
Who do you see as your main audience for this book and what do you hope they will get from reading your book? I envision this suspenseful novel will broad appeal to a large population segment because of its universal themes of family, persistence, and devotion. In addition, Chasing Time should also appeal to those reader segments interested in magical realism and those who follow bioscience developments. Simply put, my goal as a writer is to enrich the lives of those who will read my work and enrich my own life as well.
How do you see this book being relevant today? Aside from the universal themes of Chasing Time (family, persistence, devotion) that are particularly relevant in today’s society, the book clearly describes many of the medical breakthroughs of recent years that will shape all of our lives in the future.
Why do you think you the right person to write this book? How do you think your qualifications or experience make this a better book? First, I had this unique idea of a time capsule from the past revealing events from the future. Exploiting this idea into a book is best done by the idea generator (i.e. me). Secondly, I am uniquely qualified to write about medical breakthroughs based on my education (Ph.D. and MBA degrees), and experience in working as a scientist and executive in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
Can you share a little bit about the process of writing the book? Did you keep writing once you sat down? I challenged myself to write a full-length novel based on one original idea, that is a time capsule from the past revealing events from the future that shape present decisions. Hence the name, Chasing Time. I would sit down for a few hours every day in effort to expand the storyline. Over a period of several months, the story seemed to catch fire as I weaved different ideas and components into a (hopefully) cohesive and entertaining storyline. Of course, there were many days when the writing did not click, and I wondered if I could ever finish. But over time, my writing style evolved to become more expressive and more consistent, and in about a year’s time, I had my completed work.
Does writing energize or exhaust you? The answer is easy- both.
Have you written any other books or do you have any books planned for the future? Tell us as much as you are willing to share! Writing Chasing Time has inspired me to continue writing, and I am nearly finished with a second novel that, once again, describes the effects of a magical Janus key on the lives of everyday individuals in present time.
How many hours a day do you write? Two to three hours per day is what I shoot for.
Does your family support your career as a writer? Absolutely. My wife is a retired English literature teacher and has spent countless hours reading my work, editing, and making storyline suggestions. My four children have read my book and offered strong support and encouragement.
What is your favourite childhood book? In high school, it was the Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. In college, it was Tokien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Ever since she sported pigtails and had a huge crush on Bobby Brady, Amy Key has been turning her romantic daydreams into stories. Writer is her official job title, but Amy considers herself a semi-professional fangirl due to her obsession with the television show Supernatural. Her other abilities include ninja reading skills and the ability to constantly learn. She lives with her husband and dog in Dallas, Texas, and she would love to hear from you at amykeyzaret@gmail.com or on https://www.facebook.com/amykeywriter.
Describe yourself in five words
happy, optimistic, intelligent, fun, and kind
What fact about yourself would really surprise people?
People would be surprised that I wanted to be a herpetologist when I was young, that I love roller coasters, and that I intend to skydive someday.
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
I pivot off of negative thoughts as quickly as possible. I believe in the law of attraction and that my thoughts create my reality, so it’s important to work through doubt and fear fast.
What scares you the most?
I am afraid of being the lone survivor of a zombie apocalypse.
What makes you happiest?
I love traveling and going to the movies with my husband.
Why do you write?
I write to teach people, even in my fiction.
Have you always enjoyed writing?
Yes, I wrote stories from an early age.
What motivates you to write?
I want to teach and entertain people.
What writing are you most proud of?
My latest book, Attract Love Now!, makes me very proud because I know that it will help people find happiness in love.
What are you most proud of in your personal life?
I am proud of raising my sons and I am proud that I started over at the age of 42 and met and married the man of my dreams!
What books did you love growing up?
I loved Cinderella, The Little Princess, The Secret Garden, and many more!
What do you hope your obituary will say about you?
I hope that I will live to be 104 years old and that I will be known as a person who taught and helped others.
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I grew up in Dallas, Texas, USA, and I still live here.
How did you develop your writing?
I wrote and wrote and wrote. Practice is the only way to improve writing. Also, I have a master’s degree in humanities and I did many creative writing courses.
What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?
I find marketing to be the most challenging.
Do you find it hard to share your work?
No, I love to share what I have written.
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
My family is extremely encouraging and supportive.
What else do you do, other than write?
I read, go to movies, travel, exercise, and go to fan conventions for the show Supernatural.
What other jobs have you had in your life?
I was an English and European history teacher for fifteen years.
If you could study any subject at university what would you pick?
I would still pick literature, history, and art
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would love to live in England or New Orleans, Louisiana.
How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
I write on a laptop, mostly.
Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support?
I would love to thank my husband, Mike, for his wholehearted support of me and my work!
Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?
I am a successful writer when people read and enjoy my books.
Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?
Attract Love Now is a guide intended to help people meet the romantic partner of their dreams. I wrote it to be an inspiration to anyone who despairs of ever finding soulmate love.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
I want people to have hope after reading my latest book. No matter what your age, weight, or appearance, you can have true love.
Joy Voigt (Daniela), born in Mexico, has spent the better part of the last two decades traveling and learning across many places on the globe. Deeply passionate about the intersection between the primordial human experience and her spiritual journey, she has spent much of her life living in Buddhist Temples and meditation centers. A massage therapist by trade, she finds much of her expression through multiple mediums such as writing, making music, dancing, weaving and floral sculpture. Joy’s main interest in life is learning the art of true listening.
What fact about yourself would really surprise people?
At the core, I am a very shy person even though many folks think of me as open, confident and bold. And, this book itself is quite surprising. If you met me, you’d never think I’d write a dark fiction and I too never expected to have quite a lot of darkness come through in my writing. But there you go.
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
I am quite curious about fear. I find it to be a goldmine, usually. Beneath its rough façade, if I keep my ear to the ground on it and stay humble, it usually reveals some deep untapped resources within myself.
What scares you the most?
Letting fear fester inside me.
What makes you happiest?
Loving others.
Why do you write?
Because I deeply enjoy it and learn so much about myself through the process. I find writing accesses parts of myself that no other medium are able to tap into.
Have you always enjoyed writing?
Yes, even as a little girl I’d spend a lot of time coming up with lyrics in my head and found quite an ignited part of me when doing so. As I said, I am quite shy so writing really suits my introverted need to express myself.
What motivates you to write?
I can’t say that I do much in the order of self-motivation. Inspiration usually gallops into my world in the most unexpected of moments and it’s one of those things where I either get on the ride with it or it quite literally passes me by, in search perhaps, of someone willing to listen and take the adventure.
What writing are you most proud of?
My latest novel, ¨Fox Woman Dreaming¨ and a poem I wrote while being in a long winter retreat titled, ¨The Bounty.¨
What are you most proud of in your personal life?
It’s not exactly being proud of it since I didn’t do much to deserve this, but I really appreciate that there seems to be a seemingly great store of kindness that is always on tap for my friends and for people I care for. I really appreciate that about myself.
What books did you love growing up?
I was a big Nancy Drew fan and my dad introduced me to Greek myths when I was quite young so I’ve always had some gravitational pull toward them, even as a young one.
What do you hope your obituary will say about you?
Answered the call when friends asked for help.
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I grew up in Mexico and have lived in many, many places across the globe. I currently reside in a small emerald island of the coast of Washington called Friday Harbor.
How did you develop your writing?
I’d say it’s a two part recipe: Firstly reading a ton – I’d read so much that, to this day, the librarians of many of the places I have lived in are close buddies of mine. Secondly, needing an outlet to understand chapters of my life. Although principally writing fiction and poetry, writing has become a kind of self-discovery tool that keeps me coming back for more. In many ways, I would say that I feel courted by words and it’s not so much that I am doing the writing but more that I have gotten a front row seat to the wild and almost mystical world of language.
What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?
I find marketing to be the area I know the least about and hence sometimes deem it as hard. But calling it hard makes it sound like it is undoable, or at least that’s how I interpret it. I’d call it the area that I am most in the state of continuous learning.
What marketing works for you?
Interviews seem to really work for me.
Do you find it hard to share your work?
Only when I make it about myself. Otherwise, it feels quite organic.
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
Oddly yes! And they are quite the fuel to my fire. I’m not quite sure what I did to deserve such incredible people in my life but I am forever grateful to the close circle friends and family that I have.
What else do you do, other than write?
I am a bodyworker by trade and a musician by enjoyment.
What other jobs have you had in your life?
That’s a very long list.
If you could study any subject at university what would you pick?
Uh-oh. Only one? I’d choose Dance but would sit in the back of many a physiotherapy class and epistemology course.
How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
I often get hit with a chapter of a book or poem while I am far from any writing implement so I memorize as much of it as I can and have actually sprinted to my computer to catch the words before they fly away.
Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support?
My friends, deeply. I would be a crust of a human being if it weren’t for the amount of love, support and care that I have received continuously over many years.
Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?
I have fun and like myself throughout the whole process.
It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign?
My campaign is a bit of a learn as I go methodology. Maybe not the best strategy but it’s kind of my only choice at the moment.
Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?
¨Fox Woman Dreaming¨ is a dark fiction that explores the subject of repression, utopia and the wild human spirit. It follows the story of Sybil, a Dreammaker who lives in a world where people have been tailored to be the Perfect versions of themselves, disallowing any of the more uncouth and wilder sides of the human psyche to be around. Sybil works for the Company, a corporation that sells dreams to Consumers, manicuring reality with a very particular set of morals. It is when Sybil discovers that there is more to her than a Good and Correct person that things get a little strange and so begins her journey into discovering more about her humanity and, ultimately, her own voice.
I wrote it because I needed to grapple with my own understanding of being Good and Correct. Morality is a place of great inner questioning for me. I lived for about two decades in a state of discipleship and, as of late, I am exploring what it is like to embody what I have learned and what it would look like for my own voice to take root within me.
When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?
I deeply enjoy beholding nature, that is one of the most relaxing things I can do. That, and watching YouTube videos of animals being rescued. I am a big sucker for that.
I have a 28 day pre-sale link available with special perks for folks buying the book before it is released.
Long (LONG) ago, Alex was born somewhere in Texas when a rip in space/time opened a dimensional rift that nearly wiped out all of humanity. (It might have been a little different but he was newborn and hadn’t thought to take notes.)
Alex writes books, creates worlds and ventures forth to take pictures of this planet he shares with you kind co-inhabitants of this lovely blue orb. (Thank you for that. Y’all are great!) It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, so when he posts online, this is always at the forefront of his mind. Some of the words he uses are shared wisdom and others are hopeful insights.
Feel free to check out the Instagram link below. (Don’t be afraid. It won’t bite.)
Alex also likes to draw and illustrate his books. He is constantly crafting stories in his head when he should be paying attention to the road. But until he can stop time, (This is on his “To-do” list) he will make do with the allotted hours at his disposal.
Despite the limited time span of each day and the grim reaper trying to sneak up on him whenever he gets distracted by shiny things, Alex follows his passions.
Most of all, he creates.
Whether it is the next book in a series, a blog topic to cover, a new place to take pictures that he just can’t get out of his head or new illustrations that continue to prompt him for more tweaking, Alex seeks out new and creative ways of expressing himself.
In the meantime, Alex travels to distant worlds, fights monsters on a bi-weekly basis, peers into alternate dimensions when they grab his attention and once in a while, when the inclination is upon him… he saves the world.
It’s a hobby.
Alex sleeps between blinks or when his eyes close unexpectedly.
He and Snoopy have word sprints for fun on weekends and holidays
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Massol, a small town on the moon. No, not this one. Around Saturn. Nice little place but pricey. I like it here more. Better sunsets, interesting people. Plus, the air is free!
Why do you write?
It’s a calling. I’m a creative. Writing is part of who I am.
What do you write about?
Other worlds, mysteries, fighting darkness and reaching for the light
Do you have a specific writing style?
My style falls somewhere between Dean Koontz, Ray Bradbury and Edgar Allen Poe
What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?
Mostly allocating time to the task. Scheduling is key to any creative lifestyle.
What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?
That my book was the best thing to come along when they needed help with overcoming life’s challenges.
How long have you been writing?
All my life
When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
When I realized books were written by people
What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
Mostly I write at night. I do some writing during the day but I write well into midnight every night.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I like to have classical music playing, a snack on hand and coffee or tea to sip
How long does it take to write a book?
Some have taken months and others, years. It varies depending on the project.
Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?
Read lots and write more.
What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story? The challenge of describing what I see in my head. When the story is taking shape, I want to follow it full steam but describing every scene and character turns a complicated scene into a project in itself.
What do you think makes a good story?
Good characters, relatable situations and a worthwhile struggle by the end.
What does your family think of your writing?
My family always discouraged me from writing until I became a published author.
Do you see writing as a career?
Definitely
Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?
I want you all to enjoy what I write. My Nonfiction is meant to encourage everyone on a daily basis. My Fiction has dark situations but will always have a happy ending to look forward to.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I always considered my self a writer. A writer writes. Am I a bestseller? No. A household name? No. Am I following my writing passion? Always.
I love Occult-lore and Science Fiction, but I wanted that to be the backdrop in a natural setting. So, I introduce the audience to two poor teenagers who have rough family lives, while coping with the tragic death of their best friend set in 1984. Their séance goes wrong, and they seek out further spiritual guidance, while they search for a mysterious pendant, that is rumored to have healing properties. As the story developed, Jake and Clarence kind of took off on their own, and their dialog and reactions grew dramatically as the story progressed. Plus, it is fun to write about seances in graveyards, tasseography, and portals to the astral world, also it was fun to explore on my made-up sci-fi word, that I am coining in this interview, Metageometroncalchemaltransmission. My next book, the prequel to The Evil Within the House will dive further into interdimensional travel.
I threw the kitchen sink at the audience with this one. In short, if you like coming-of-age movies like Stand by Me and have a love for the X-Files, then The Evil Within the House should be right up your alley.
I have always written, and wanted to publish, it has just taken focus and dedication to create something that I am content with. Self-publishing makes it a lot easier for any author to get started. Especially with Amazon’s print on demand. I was surprised how well physical copies have sold versus e-book’s.
*What motivates you to write?
I read a lot of horror novels, particularly paperbacks from the 1980’s. They were known as spin-rack paperbacks, put out by a company called Zebra. They have been tagged as paperbacks from hell, the artwork is flashy, and the writing is more daring than mainstream horror.
*How do you write?
Most of my ideas develop when I go for a long run. Usually, I email myself notes through out the day and form an outline at night. When I wrote The Evil Within the House, I had constructed the dialog for each scene while I was away from my computer. For me, it is easier to work on dialog as if a movie is playing out in my head. By the time I write the dialog, the clunky parts are figured out.
*How much sleep do you get during the process?
In the few weeks leading up to publishing, I got very little sleep. I received good criticism from my beta-readers and applied most of their suggestions, since the book has a few time jumps. The week before publishing, I read and re-read the book multiple times, via Text to Speech, I think I got 12 hours of sleep in three days, right before I hit print.
*If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask?
Kurt Vonnegut and Quentin Tarantino You can follow me on Twitter @ThomasMichaelT9
Susan Jagannath successfully combined a passion for reading, a love of writing and a fascination for technology, to create a career in technical writing. With over 50 technical manuals (not) to her name, “RTFM” could have been the motto for her life; but she didn’t let the idea that no one ever reads the manual stop her from thoroughly enjoying her work.
As an army brat, her childhood included seven different schools, three universities and a couple of emergency evacuations from conflict zones. Travel and adventure were a normal part of life. She now believes in seizing every opportunity to have a new adventure. Whether it’s camping on the beach in Australia, trekking in the Himalayas, kayaking in Queensland, whitewater rafting down the Ganges, or walking the Camino in Spain, her philosophy is to pack it into one or two weeks to create memories for a lifetime, (and disconnect from television and computer games).
Susan is now on the next adventure of her life, traveling, writing travel books, and planning her next book.
Two Himalayan books are on 99c deal for Diwali
Describe yourself in five words
Adventurous, Risk-taking, Loyal, Funny and Innovative
What fact about yourself would really surprise people?
I’m a grandmother who hikes, loves travel and has adventures
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
I walk them off in long hikes in nature
What scares you the most?
Dying without making a difference to the world
What makes you happiest?
Completing a book and seeing readers read it and comment.
Why do you write?
Because I must – it’s an addiction
Have you always enjoyed writing?
Absolutely – for as long as I could read, I also wrote
What motivates you to write?
Sharing my adventures, hikes and learnings with those who maybe think they are too old, too weak, too <insert excuse here>
What writing are you most proud of?
The Valley of Flowers – the book about the hike in the Himalayas, and it was especially wonderful to hike it with friends.
What are you most proud of in your personal life?
A bit astonished that I am a completely doting grandmother!
What books did you love growing up?
Enid Blyton, Narnia and Amar Chitra Katha – the latter are a comic book series about Indian mythology.
What do you hope your obituary will say about you?
She loved a lot, family, friends and adventures
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I grew up all over India in various army bases, I now live in Australia.
How did you develop your writing?
I was a technical writer for top IT and computer application firms..I wrote manuals, online help, websites and so on for over thirty years
What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?
Marketing
What marketing works for you?
A mixture of organic and paid
Do you find it hard to share your work?
No, not at all
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
yes, I am blessed with a supportive family and friends
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