Author: Jasveena R Prabhagaran

September 20, 2022

Author Interview with Spencer Russell Smith

Spencer Russell Smith is a graduate of Boston University, where he studied music composition, and the author of the breakout Awakening the Lightforged Trilogy. He is an avid reader of the Sci-fi and Fantasy genres. When he is not reading, writing, or composing music, he is probably being dragged down the street on a “walk” (full sprint) by his stumpy rescue dog, Cabo. He makes his online home at www.spencerrussellsmith.com. You can connect with Spencer on Twitter @SRSmithAuthor, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/spencerrussellsmithauthor, find his music at spencerrussellsmith.com/music, and you should send him an email at mail at spencerrussellsmith.com if the mood strikes you!

Where are you from?

  • I grew up just outside Los Angeles, CA, but now I live in Massachusetts with my wife.

Why do you write? 

  • Mainly because I just have stories inside me that I need to tell. I also write because reading has always helped me see the world and the people in it from new perspectives and helped make me a much more open-minded person. I hope that my writing will do the same for others.

What do you write about? 

  • The main genre I write in is Epic Fantasy, but within that, I write about characters, cultures and topics that interest me, or that I want to learn more about. I find the process of getting into a character’s head (especially if they are nothing like me) fascinating, and I love researching history, language, and different cultures to draw from in my writing.

Do you have a specific writing style?

  • I try to be as deep in the character’s head as I can, but never write in first person. Though I do aim to give my prose beauty in certain spots, I tend to write in a very simplistic manner. My goal is to effectively convey what is going on to the reader, and though more flowery prose has its place, I often find that it gets in the way, especially if, for example, I wanted to highlight just how gruesome certain aspects of war or even isolated violence can be.

What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? 

  • My day job is the biggest obstacle. When I wake up at 4 or 5am in the morning, I get astounding amounts of writing done. When I wake up at a more normal time, it’s a bit harder. Research is also a big obstacle, as I want to make sure that whether I am drawing from a particular culture, or writing about specific social issues or a type of mental illness, I don’t want the end result to be surface-level or reduced to a stereotype.

What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?

  • There are three that really stick with me. The first is: “You can’t make this free.” I was writing a companion novella (at least, it was supposed to be a novella) to my debut trilogy Awakening the Lightforged, to give to my mailing-list for free as an exclusive “Thank you” for signing up. My wife is wonderful enough to help me with my initial review process when writing, and at a few different points while reading it, she told me it was too good to give away for free. By that point, it was long enough to be considered a novel, so I agreed with her.

The second and third were from my editor’s feedback.

  • “Awakening the Lightforged…is reminiscent of the works of Brandon Sanderson in its well realised magic system and well-structured worldbuilding.”
  • “The sensitivity with which you handle the same-sex relationship…is a credit to your story. That the same-sex relationships are as strong as any of the heterosexual relationships we encounter…show a depth of understanding and a desire to have wider representation within fiction itself.”

How long have you been writing?

  • I started writing little fictional stories for myself when I was 12, but I didn’t seriously start writing until I was about 14, attempting to publish my first book when I was 16. I didn’t publish it, but I learned a lot from the process. I took a break from writing in college to focus on school, but after that, came back with renewed focus, and a drive to constantly improve my writing ever since.

When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?

  • I will always cite my first viewing of Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy as what put me on this path. Christopher Paolini’s publishing of Eragon also helped me see that it was possible to start writing and write something people wanted to read at such a young age, but seeing something as amazing as “The Lord of the Rings” sent me diving into Tolkien’s work and the world of writing. I even wrote my college essay on how “The Lord of the Rings” changed my life.

What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

  • It varies. I have a day job, so I try to get most of my writing done before my work day starts. If I can’t, I’ll use my lunch break to get a bit of writing done. Sometimes I’ll do a bit of editing or admin work after I’m done with my day job, but usually I’m a bit mentally exhausted by that point, so I try not to do anything then to make sure I can trust the quality. When I’m writing, I’m usually working on 3 different projects at a given time, with one or two of those being prep work for a future project. That way, I can switch between projects if I get a bit fatigued on one. I aim for about 3 hours of writing per day, and track my word counts. 2 of those hours are usually devoted to prose, with the remaining one devoted to outlining. On a good day, a full three hours usually means about 4000 words of prose and 3000 words of outlining. I usually average just over two hours of writing a day, as sometimes I won’t be as focused as I would like, or life gets in the way, but I wrote 1 million words last year, and I’m hoping to do the same or better this year.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

  • That I over-outline and plan WAY in advance. Seriously. My outlines are sometimes as long as my actual novels, but it’s something that works for me. Also, planning things so far out in advance. Though I can “force” a story if needed, I don’t like the process, and it leaves me a bit exhausted and less excited to write. If I plan things out in advance, I can work on them bit by bit over time to help keep myself from burning out, I can make sure I know where my story or series is going before I start writing the first words of the draft, and I have more time to refine the story, characters, and world. Because of this, I have more outlines for books than I will be able to write in a lifetime, and I know how many books I should have done in five years’ time (A LOT) and what I should be working on at that time.

How long does it take to write a book?

  • That’s a complicated question. I tried pantsing or discovery writing when I was younger. It didn’t work that well, and I spent a year writing a fifteen-chapter book, with incredible amounts of “writer’s block” popping up to halt my progress. Mild outlining after that resulted in a lot of editing, which was not a process I enjoyed.

    Now, I am a heavy outliner. For one book I wrote that ended up being about 90,000 words, the full outline was about 86,000 words. So about 45 hours of writing prose, and about 29 hours of outlining. However, that outlining was done at a leisurely pace, getting a little bit in over the course of a few months, which really gave me time to think about the story and the characters and make some significant changes each time I revisited it that improved the story. The last 19,000 words of the outline were my scene drafts, which I did in a week, and because of all that outlining, I knew my story so well that I completed the first draft in two weeks of writing. After that, I took a few days to go through it, write out the questions for my wife to review, and then once she gave me her feedback, it took another three or four days to incorporate that, and once I got my editor’s feedback, it took only a few hours to review and incorporate his advice. That resulted in a 90,000 word novel I was proud of, written in less than a month. It honestly has taken me more time to format the book and produce some of the art to go with it than it did to edit that novel.

    At the other end of the spectrum: I needed a new reader-magnet after I decided I would sell the companion novel rather than giving it away for free. That reader-magnet ended up being a 21,000 word novella. It took me a month to outline, write, and edit it. Maybe that’s still pretty fast, but it didn’t seem so at the time for a work of that size.

    After all that rambling, it probably takes me about two months to write a novel that is around 100,000 words, though I stretch that first month out to make sure I don’t get burned out, and that I have more time to think about the story and the characters.

Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?

  • Write. Do it every day. For at least five minutes. The more you write, the better and the faster you will become. Watch YouTube videos on writing and story analysis. Not the ones that say “Writing tips” or “How to write a book” but the ones like SavageBooks and Lessons From the Screenplay and Hello Future Me that examine why stories work or didn’t work, and learn from those. Study the craft of story and writing. Prose deserves some study, but not as much as most people give it. You need to learn structure, what tropes are and how to use them, the beats of your chosen genre, and how to market your book. That last one will make you a better writer even if you choose to traditionally publish, as it makes you think about your story in a different way than you’re used to.

What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?

  • Research, making sure I get enough/good enough sleep to wake up early and write, narrowing down the scope and focus of my writing, the tiny setting details, ensuring that I don’t just write the same characters and arcs over and over again, and ensuring that I can keep everything focused and consistent through the longer works like I’m writing now.

What do you think makes a good story?

  • For me, it’s all about the characters, which I think is true for a lot of people. Most plots have been done before in one way or another, and when someone can come up with a really good plot twist or a new spin on an old trope, that is fantastic, but it’s the character and the character’s journey that really does it for me. At the end of Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series, there are incredible battles and some truly epic moments. But one of the scenes that brought me to tears was a man learning to laugh and to hope again after all he’s been through, rather than a character doing something really cool with magic or snapping victory from the jaws of defeat.
  • Also, structure. I know a lot of people think structure is “cheating” or “formulaic”, but they need to get over that. Structure won’t make a good story by itself, but it can do a lot of the heavy lifting. Learn structure inside and out. Once you’ve written a few books following the structure to a T and know it inside and out, then you can start breaking the “rules” and playing around with the structure of your story.

What does your family think of your writing? 

  • None of them read fantasy, and my mom has dyslexia so the names are hard for her, but she and my grandma have both read my short story and love it, and my dad and my uncle have started on my novella and novel and like them a lot. My mom and my sister are probably my best marketers, and take the book with them everywhere, telling everyone about it. My wife and I get calls from my father-in-law daily asking “What’s the name of Spencer’s book again? Throne of (something)? Throne of Darkness? Thanks, bye.” Both my own and my wife’s side of the family have been nothing but supportive, and my wife is my biggest supporter. She challenges me to be better and interrupts her own reading schedule to read my books and essentially acts as an editor for them. (After my wife goes through the book and I incorporate her feedback, my editor has had very few remarks to give).

Do you see writing as a career?

  • Yes. Most artistic careers like writing that a lot of people see as a pipe dream seem to favor those who stick it out and put in the work. While I would love to have Brandon Sanderson or George R. R. Martin-levels of success, a successful career as an author to me just means that I make enough from writing that I can quit my day job and have more time to write. I do hope I hit that point soon, though, because I have so many stories I want to write that I’m genuinely uncertain if I will be able to finish them all in my lifetime.

Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?

  • Book 2 comes out on October 31st, 2022, and there are many, many more to come! If you enjoy my work, please leave a review, post about it on social media, tell everyone you know who you think might like my writing, etc. so that I have more time to write, and can get you more books even faster!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

  • I first considered myself a writer after I completed my first book in 2009. It wasn’t a good book, but it was a finished project that I had completed, and I felt like writing was something I could really do. I first felt like an author back in 2017 when I posted some short stories online under a pen name and people wanted more.

Links:

September 20, 2022

Author Interview with M. Declan Morris

M. Declan Morris is the author of the Afterlife Quest novels. Fantasy books where your favorite characters are already dead! No need to lose sleep fretting about when the author will kill them off.

Declan has a passion for helping people and a heart for people who are struggling with mental wellness.

Before he started writing novels, he earned a Master’s degree in Management and Leadership which is where he picked up his love of psychological safety and wellness in the workplace. This naturally broadened into all facets of mental wellness outside of the office and sparked his passion.

Declan’s novels have an undercurrent of helping people process their trauma and know that they are not alone. As an example, the Theodore Saga in the Afterlife Quest series of novels will each cover one of the stages of grief.

His best advice, besides have fun reading his books, is to always know that there is help available and you don’t have to go it alone.

Why do you write?

I started writing because I had an idea to write a series of fantasy novels where each book in the series was based on one of the stages of grief. I have a passion for people’s mental wellness and I think that easy-to-read stories with ways to help process grief and trauma might help people.

Have you always enjoyed writing?

I had never attempted writing fiction before, but over the last year, I have fallen in love with writing fiction. My creativity really has an outlet and anything can happen.

What motivates you to write?

I want to continue writing because I love people and if one of my books can help even one person through a tough time, it was all worth it.

What writing are you most proud of?

I absolutely love my first two novels, but I am really proud of the third novel in the Theodore Saga. He is on a pirate ship and battling pirates almost the whole book and I have had a lot of fun and made myself laugh a few times while writing it.

What are you most proud of in your personal life?

Probably of how much my young kids care for others. They don’t just say they care, they show that they care with their actions.

What books did you love growing up?

I have always loved reading about psychology, philosophy, and history as far back as I can remember.

What do you hope your obituary will say about you?

I just want people to know how much I loved them.

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?

I grew up in Indiana and Arizona. My family moved around quite a lot. I now live in Idaho and plan on staying here until I die.

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?

Marketing is the most difficult for me. The other two were easy by comparison.

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?

Everyone has been very supportive. I think it is because they know I am trying to help people who are struggling.

What else do you do, other than write?

I am the Administrator of a retirement village in Boise, Idaho and I love work. I get to help people all day long and it never gets old.

If you could study any subject at university what would you pick?

If I could go back and do it all over again I think I would’ve studied psychology from the start. I love helping people and mental wellness is at an all-time low because of the pandemic

Tell us about your family?

I have been married for over sixteen years and have three kids ranging in age from eight to thirteen.

How do you write – laptop, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?

Pretty much all laptop, but all of my outlines are handwritten.

Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?

If my work can help even one person work through some form of trauma or grief, or helps their mental wellness at all, it has been a success.

Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?

The Stain of Guilt is the second book in my Theodore Saga. The main character dies in the first book and processes through the denial stage of grief while going on a fantasy adventure. This second book continues the story as he deals with the guilt of leaving his new bride behind. I wrote it because I still have stages of grief for him to process and because I think a great number of people are dealing with grief right now.

What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?

I hope people feel encouraged that they can process their trauma and grief and I hope they understand that someone cares about them. I never want anyone to feel alone in their struggle and I think connecting with a main character that is also working through things could be helpful.

September 16, 2022

An Interview with Author Dr. Ganesh Narine

Describe yourself in five words

Philosophical, thoughtful, serious-minded, focused, analytical

What fact about yourself would really surprise people? 

Funny

How do you work through self-doubts and fear? 

Look inward and staying calm

What scares you the most? 

Failure and not making a positive contribution to society

What makes you happiest? 

Being a leader of and an agent for and of positive change

Why do you write? 

I just love encouraging people to do their best at whatever they do.

 Have you always enjoyed writing? 

Yes

What motivates you to write? 

The opportunity to share experiences and to help people to remain safe.

What are you most proud of in your personal life? 

How my wife and I have made ourselves as accomplished and successful professionals. That journey was never an easy one.

What books did you love growing up? 

West Indian Novels especially those by V.S. Naipaul

 What do you hope your obituary will say about you? 

Jeez he is dead

 Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live? 

I am from Trinidad and Tobago and now live in Canada

How did you develop your writing?

My writing developed over a long 40-year career in the electric utility industry

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing? 

Marketing

 Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you? 

My wife is my rock. Before that it was my mother. My mother was my true foundation. Everything else was with my wife as the real support.

What else do you do, other than write? 

I love driving long distances and visiting places that way.

 What other jobs have you had in your life? 

I am a career (over 40 years) Engineer/Manager/Executive in the electric power industry. I led all major divisions and some of the largest teams in this business leading and managing major and complex projects and mitigating problems.

 If you could study any subject at university what would you pick? 

I have a Ph.D. (Leadership), MPhil (Management), MSc (Engineering), BSc (Engineering).

 If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? 

USA

 Tell us about your family? 

My Wife and I are married for nearly 40 years now. She has a PH.D. in Education and works at a University in the Education Faculty. My son is an Electrical Engineer with a decade of working experience in the electric power industry. My daughter-in-law also has a budding career in the same industry. My sister is an MBA graduate from a university in the UK and operated as a manager for an international company in the Caribbean. She is now working in payroll management in Canada.

How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk? 

Laptop

How much sleep do you need to be your best? .

4 to 5 hours nightly

Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you? 

Your inner self will lead your writing

Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?  

This book (Electric Power Industry Accidents: We Can Learn from Them & We Can Prevent Them) contains a detailed discussion on actual workplace accidents in the electric power industry. I explore the reasons for these accidents and compares similar accidents from different places and times. The work involves an exploration of the electric power industry, the people who work there, and the work strategies, plans, and standards. It is a rare compilation of challenging issues that, if not managed, can lead to future accidents, worker injuries, and possibly deaths. I want to prevent workplace accidents and to always keep workers injury free.

If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask? 

My Mother

When you are not writing, how do you like to relax? 

Driving long distances and listening to seventies pop and soul, Trinidad and Tobago local music, and a Bollywood classics

What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?

To learn how to prevent mishaps, always keep safe and injury free

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ganesh-narine-ph-d-77882b103/

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September 4, 2022

An Interview with Author T. G. Bryant

T. G. Bryant found his love for writing when he was eight years old. He discovered the idea for “The Canvas Adventures” while looking at a gorgeous painting at a friend’s house. He felt a deep longing to help combat bullying, especially in children and teens. His book’s mission is to help others find their self-worth and purpose.

Bryant has written several other books and comedic scripts for the stage. He considers writing a cathartic hobby. His favorite authors are C. S. Lewis and Lois Lowry.

Outside of writing, Bryant enjoys performing in community theatre, particularly comedies. He and his wife live in the heart of Georgia.

Contact the author: tg.bryant at cox.net

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Houston County, Georgia.

Why do you write? 

I write because it’s truly my favorite thing to do! I’m passionate about storytelling and creating something that is my own. I find that writing is a good escape.

What do you write about? 

The Canvas Adventures tells the story of Gabriel, an introvert, on an unexpected journey, when he is literally pushed into a magical oil canvas painting and transported into an unfamiliar world.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I am in my mid-thirties, but I still believe in longhand writing. I write out a list of ideas. That list becomes sentences, and those sentences become paragraphs, and so on. I find that writing it out with a pen and paper is part of the style that makes my writing unique. I then take those notes (which are often, very messy) and type them up. It’s also a chance to fix things that may not make sense.

What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? 

Any writer will tell you – writers block is the first thing that always gets in the way of finishing a good story. The trick is to not force yourself to finish. You sometimes need to take a break. That may be an hour, a week, a month, or longer. Don’t’ rush the process just to finish. You want to provide the best product. You readers deserve your best.

What is the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?

I never sought out to write a book for children with autism. However, I have found that several of my readers are on the spectrum. It’s a blessing to hear “My child loved your book. He couldn’t put it down.” I’ve also heard, “My child felt different until he realized that being different isn’t a bad thing. Your book showed him that he’s loved and capable of loving.” I love those moments! 

How long have you been writing?

For as long as I can remember. I’ve always been fascinated by storytelling.

When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?

My love for writing first came about when I was in second grade. More on that later…

What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

I firmly believe that writing should be done strictly based around the ideas and notes you have at that time. You shouldn’t write just to write. We all have writers block or get backed into a corner from time to time. Take a break. Come back later. Don’t rush the process. The end result will be well worth it.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I will often have an idea in my head and immediately write it down. Truly. Immediately. This means if I’m in bed, I grab a notebook and scribble it down before I forget. I’m sure my wife wishes I’d wait until the next morning to write something down.

How long does it take to write a book?

It took me a few years to finish my debut novel, The Canvas Adventures. I wanted to write something that was both timely and timeless. Meaning, I wanted to write about bullying, as I feel we’ve seen a recent rise through social media harassment. However, bullying isn’t new. I also wanted to write a book that helped someone overcome that type of abuse. Writing a book like that takes time-and in my case, about three years!

Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?

Network with other writers and learn their process. Learn what works for them and explain what works for you, too. Talk to others. Grow. Share. Don’t be afraid to change your mind. I had an ending figured out for The Canvas Adventures, but guess what? I ended up going a completely different route!

What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?

Writing evil characters is somehow easier than writing your protagonist. You want your protagonist to have flaws. Gabriel, in my novel, has plenty. But he’s also someone you want to root for in the end. My antagonists, on the other hand, seem a bit easier. I like to write the character of Marge Canton. She’s evil but you learn through her backstory why she became that way. It’s challenging to make your protagonists likeable but also find a way to make your antagonists’ motives understood.

What do you think makes a good story?

A good story is one you can’t put down. A good story is one that is relatable. Once your story is too far outside the realm of reality, you’ve lost your audience. It’s important when writing fiction/fantasy stories that your reader can picture themselves in those situations.

What does your family think of your writing? 

My family, particularly my wife, Shannon, have been tremendously supportive. They are also honest to a fault. So, if I’ve written something that isn’t the best-they will tell me straight out. I love the fact that they have all read my book and given me the ‘seal of approval,’ figuratively speaking.

Do you see writing as a career?

I see writing as a hobby. I love it. I’d love to turn it into a career, but I love my day job.

Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?

I like to encourage those who feel like they have a book inside them to go for it! It’s never too late to accomplish one of your dreams. It’s okay to be different. We were all made by our loving creator for a purpose. Find that purpose and go for it!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

My love for writing first came about when I was in second grade. My teacher had us write daily in ‘reading logs,’ and encouraged us to write freely. I loved this part of the school day. I remember one day, she touched my shoulder, looked at what I wrote and said, “You’ll be a writer one day.” That has always stuck with me!

***

Visit the author’s website on www.tgbryant.com

Buy the book on Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-canvas-adventures-t-g-bryant/1130371545?ean=9781976716492

August 24, 2022

Book Review: Kidnap Marilyn

In KIDNAP MARILYN, a government whistleblower reveals what could, and more importantly, should have happened to the icon.

The CIA psychologist assigned to spy on her discovers the Deep State’s assassination plot. Knowing she does not deserve to die, he goes rogue and plans her kidnapping. But how can he prevent relentless pursuers from murdering them both?

Throughout her life, Marilyn was the quintessential Me Too victim. She became intimate with John and Robert Kennedy, who tried to impress her by revealing some of this nation’s darkest secrets.

Singing “Happy Birthday, Mister President” caused an instant scandal, and they dumped her. RFK then demanded Marilyn conceal their affairs. Shocked, the jilted actress threatened to disclose the top-secret information to prove their trysts.

Central Intelligence Agency officials, determined to prevent this, assigned Dr. Dirk Mitchell to analyze her behavior. Realizing Monroe was depressed and drug dependent, he recommended she be abducted and taken to an Agency’ black site’ where he could employ hypnotic techniques to remove any memories of classified information.

But when CIA officials instead planned her assassination, he decided to risk his own life to save her. Mitchell then discovered that an erstwhile Marilyn impersonator had just died of a drug overdose and staged a body swap. During their escape attempt, Mitchell must employ his secret agent skills to outsmart would-be assassins while treating Monroe’s mental problems and resisting her amorous overtures.

The scenario described herein is consistent with the known facts of this epic mystery.

The author received numerous classified assignments and prestigious awards during his career. He also worked with CIA and FBI operatives, including one that knew RFK. But to avoid becoming a whistleblower again, he presents this information in a novel.

His first book, Silent Knights: Blowing the Whistle on Military Accidents and Their Coverups, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, and he has appeared on numerous programs such as CNN State of the Union, Fox News Sunday, and BBC Witness History.

John J. Nance, New York Times best-selling author, says:

“A fast, exciting, and thought-provoking read. Dr. Alan Diehl has cleverly crafted the known elements of Marilyn Monroe’s reported demise with a second and third layer of probability that suggests a very different conclusion. This is a tightly woven tale of intrigue, and one you will not want to put down, even at 3 AM.”

Joseph Badal, Amazon #1 Best Selling Author of the Danforth Saga series, says:

“Kidnap Marilyn has it all: iconic characters, intrigue, tension, and a proposed solution to a conspiracy that will make you question everything you have ever read about Marilyn Monroe’s death. This is a thriller that you will not be able to put down.”

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Alan E. Diehl, PhD, is a former US government investigator, whistleblower and acclaimed author whose views are often sought by the media and officials. He reveals what could and more importantly should have happened to the icon. While this book was inspired by real events it is historical fiction. In Dr. Diehl’s book #Marilyn Monroe doesn’t die but in fact is abducted by a CIA agent, who wanted the agency to use their MK-Ultra techniques to erase her memories of the secret information the Kennedy brothers had given her rather than kill her. The book is a lot like Quentin Tarantino’s blockbuster movie, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” where actress Sharon Tate escapes death.

August 18, 2022

Author Interview with P. Anthony Michael

Michael received a creative writing certificate from the University of West Virginia in the late 90s. He’s been running a successful writer’s group called For The Love Of Words for almost two decades. When he has time, he teaches in the local library Story 101 – How to create a story. He has won in every category over a five-year period in a state-funded wordsmith competition in Poetry, Essay, Short Story, and One-Act Play.

  • Why do you write? 

Why do you breathe?  It is a part of life essentials, for me.  I have to create and tell the stories no one is writing.

  • Have you always enjoyed writing? 

No.  When I was in 8th grade, I thought it was a lot of work.  When I went to college, I rediscovered that part of me that I ignored and I have been writing ever since.

  • What do you write about? 

Everything and anything.  I won in every category in the NJ wordsmith competition over a five-year period.  That is to include Short Story, One Act Play, Essay, and Poetry.

  • How long have you been writing? 

Since the late ’90s.

  • What motivates you to write? 

The what if question.  What if something challenges you in a way you have never been tested?  Do you meet the challenge or run from it?  What if you do nothing? What would happen?  It opens the door to infinite possibilities.

  • What do you think makes a good story? 

Characters, one person once said people will forget the plot, but people will never forget the characters.   It’s how relatable and likable the created characters are.  Sometimes, you want the audience to see themselves in their shoes.

  • What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?   

Making everything plausible takes lots of research.  In some cases, you have to suspend disbelief to follow a story but in most cases, I try to anchor the story in reality.

  • How do you write – Laptop, paper, pen, pencil, in bed or at a desk? 

Everybody’s process is different from what I see and hear.  I’m old-fashioned and like a pencil with a pad of paper.  Once I get a chuck down, I head to my desktop and transcribe my notes, adding in settings, movements, etc.  The bulk of the work is on paper.

  • What is your work schedule like when writing? 

I make time to write when I write.  Usually late mornings or early evening, at least an hour or until I get the scene or thought done.

  • What are the obstacles that come in the way of writing? 

I need alone time to be creative.  I can do it almost anywhere as long I’m not being interrupted.  The worst thing to happen is to have that idea, that dialogue or conversation in your head and as you write it down, someone calls your name or interrupts the thought process and that idea is lost.

  • How long does it take to write a book? 

That depends on what I’m writing.  I have some manuscripts that took years to complete, while others took a month or two.  It really comes down to how complex the story is.  The more subplots, the longer the piece.  It all depends on the story idea.  I wish I had a more precise answer than that.

  • What is the hardest – writing, getting published, or marketing? 

I can tell you it goes in steps.  Writing would be the easiest part of the equation.  You create the content and have your peers/beta readers give you feedback to tighten up the story before you polish the piece.  Getting published is the next hard step to take.  Why. Because there are so many ways to do it. But for sake of time, let me run it down to you.  First – get an agent.  No go on that, then submit to the publisher (Traditional publishing) No go on that, then submit to Hybrid/vanity press.  The difference between the two is Hybrids are supposed to be selective while Vanity is not.  Either way, it will cost you anywhere between $3000 to $6000 to produce the book.  Don’t like those odds. Lastly, go self-publishing, where you have to do everything and the cost will be around four grand.  Third and last, which I think is the hardest because I’m doing this right now, Marketing.  This is hard because you have to make yourself stand out from all the other voices out there.  The good thing is places like Fiverr has influencers that can help you out – for a price.  The main issue is finding the right combination of noise you make to get people’s attention and invest in your product.

  • Tell us about your new novella and why did you write it? 

It started out as a short story that I wrote in an evening and tossed aside.  I was going through my short story collection when I saw it and read it.  Thought I could add some more meat to the bones and ask myself questions like:  Why would they go to a mountain?  I answer that question, write that scene and continue writing and asking until I had the whole story. 

If Gail knew Uncle Perkins’ stories were true, she wouldn’t have taken her friends up that mountain.  The plan was simple. Hike, camp, and ride the zip line back down the mountain. But Uncle Perkins’ stories are true, and the horrors are real. Now the simple plan is the only plan they have to get off that mountain or disappear, remaining there forever.

  • Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers? 

This is one of those stories you sit back read, laugh, surprise, wonder, and try to figure out how are they going to get out of this until the very end.  I’ll tip my hat and say, everyone loves the character Sam.

  • Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer? 

Oh yeah, Just write the damn story.  You can’t edit a blank page.  There is so much to learn about storytelling.  You don’t need to waste money on classes, seminars, and the like.  What you do is go to YouTube and look up Film Courage.  They have everything you need to know on how to craft stories from the core wound of the protagonist to the three-act structure and everything in-between.  I know a lot about the craft and yet I’m still surprised by the information that comes my way that helps me craft a better story.

  • Any last thoughts?

My first published book is a novella called Zip Line available on Amazon, Barnes and noble as well as other sites.  You can reach me at my website P. Anthony Michael.com if you want to purchase the book or interact with me.  Starting September 1st you can blog with me on Thursdays evening and Sunday night.  I’m doing YouTube video about the craft of writing. 

August 17, 2022

Book Review: All The Rivers Flow Into The Sea by Khanh Ha

Author of Mrs. Rossi’s Dream, a 2019 Foreword Reviews INDIES Silver and Bronze Winner (War & Military Adult Fiction); and A Mother’s Tale & Other Stories, a Foreword Reviews INDIES Bronze Winner 

From Vietnam to America, this story collection, jewel-like, evocative and layered, brings to the readers a unique sense of love, passions and the tragedy of rape, all together contrasting a darker theme of perils. The titular story captures a simple love story that transcends cultural barriers. The opening story “A Woman-Child” brings the shy eroticism of adolescence set against a backdrop of the seaside with its ever present ecological beauty. A youthful love affair between an older American man and a much younger Vietnamese girl has its poignant brevity in “All the Pretty Little Horses.” In “The Yin-Yang Market” magical realism and the beauty of innocence abounds in deep dark places, teeming with life and danger. “A Mute Girl’s Yarn” tells a magical coming-of-age story like sketches in a child’s fairy book.

Bringing together the damned, the unfit, the brave who succumb by their own doing to the call of fate, their desire to survive never dying, it is a great journey to inhabit this world where redemption of human goodness arises out of violence and beauty to become part of its essential mercy.

Review:

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Having read one of Khanh Ha’s books before, I knew his writing style is going to leave an impact on me, at least for a few days, with the melancholic plots and stories with very real and relatable characters. This book and its short stories are no different too. I particularly enjoy Khanh’s stories, as they depict struggles the Vietnamese face, from the time of war and its impact post-war. The everyday lives of people are filled with sadness, contentment, and a mixture of feelings that leave you feeling sad.

I like how each story, like the one in The Woman-Child, reflects the life of a young girl, and how being born into a poor family, she yearns to go to school, and also perceives Americans to be rich in general. Overall, I loved reading these stories and I would highly recommend it if you would love to explore different cultures and the impact wars have on people.

August 14, 2022

Book Review: Entrepreneurial Mindset by Eric Cominski Jr.

Pеrfесtіоn is thе еnеmу оf progress-It’s a familiar арhоrіѕm thаt nobody understands better thаn еntrерrеnеurѕ. Yоung оr іnеxреrіеnсеd еntrерrеnеurѕ mіght gеt саught up іn сhаѕіng thеіr оrіgіnаl vision bесаuѕе original vіѕіоnѕ are аlmоѕt invariably “реrfесt.” But perfection іѕn’t necessary to run a ѕuссеѕѕful аnd рrоfіtаblе business. In fасt, perfection іѕ often whаt ѕtаllѕ progress. Thе tіmе уоu spend trying tо hаmmеr dоwn thоѕе last fеw details іѕ lіkеlу gоіng to еnd uр аѕ tіmе wasted. Instead, ѕреnd уоur еffоrtѕ оn the bіg рісturе, and mаkе sure іt’ѕ solid. This is juѕt thе bеgіnnіng. Entrерrеnеurѕhір is аbоut ѕоlvіng рrоblеmѕ аnd buіldіng nеw thіngѕ. Entrерrеnеurѕhір is important еѕресіаllу nоwаdауѕ whеn we have tо learn hоw tо ореrаtе іn аn increasingly changing wоrld. It includes both a mіndѕеt роіnt оf view, whеrе problems аrе seen аѕ орроrtunіtіеѕ and fаіlurеѕ аѕ learning experiences and ѕkіllѕ thаt hеlр уоu lеаrn to ѕоlvе рrоblеmѕ and build ѕоmеthіng nеw. Practicing entrepreneurial аttіtudеѕ аnd аbіlіtіеѕ аrе useful еvеn if уоu аrе not уеt looking tо ѕtаrt your оwn buѕіnеѕѕ. They help you to ѕее thе challenges of wоrk and life more dіvеrѕеlу, and аlѕо tо ѕоlvе рrоblеmѕ thаt wоuld bе dіffісult оr even іmроѕѕіblе tо ѕоlvе uѕіng trаdіtіоnаl mеаnѕ. If уоu fіnd a problem, a ѕоlutіоn, a mаrkеt, аnd a tеаm thаt trulу іnѕріrеѕ уоu, уоu саn аlѕо соnѕіdеr ѕtаrtіng уоur own buѕіnеѕѕ. Entrерrеnеurѕhір іѕ a grеаt adventure and оnе оf thе mоѕt rewarding еxреrіеnсеѕ іn уоur life. At іtѕ bеѕt, іt саn bring significant орроrtunіtіеѕ fоr success. At thе vеrу least, іt provides еxреrіеnсеѕ fоr learning and development that wоuld оthеrwіѕе bе unlіkеlу to оссur. Developing an entrepreneurial mіndѕеt іѕ nоt a оnе-mоnth project. You have tо ѕtау committed tо іt for thе rest of уоur lіfе. Unlосk уоur grеаtеѕt роtеntіаl whіlе dеаlіng wіth the іnеvіtаblе сhаllеngеѕ that еntrерrеnеurѕhір wіll brіng уоur way. All you nееd to dо is ѕtау focused аnd committed to уоur gоаlѕ and long-term vіѕіоn. Fіnd the motivation to keep gоіng аnd grоwіng, even whеn nоthіng ѕееmѕ tо bе going уоur wау. Thіѕ іѕ what bеіng an еntrерrеnеur аnd running a buѕіnеѕѕ іѕ аll аbоut. Entrерrеnеurѕ are not born but саn асԛuіrе еntrерrеnеurіаl skills (mіndѕеt) bу rеаdіng books, оbѕеrvіng ѕuссеѕѕful еntrерrеnеurѕ, оr having formal соасhіng ѕеѕѕіоnѕ. Thеу learn by doing аnd іn the process, a fеw mіndѕеt сhаngеѕ, bеlіеfѕ gеt erased аnd nеw оnеѕ gеt embedded. Thеу fосuѕ аlwауѕ on thе bіg рісturе and do nоt gеt bogged bу a fеw missteps that сrеаtеd hurdlеѕ.

Fаіlurе іѕ nоt a cause оf dеѕроndеnсу but еnlіghtеnmеnt. Mіlеѕ tо go, mіlеѕ to gо аnd thе еntrерrеnеurіаl jоurnеу has no end.

Review:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

It is a short book consisting of about 102 pages. You can finish reading this book in one sitting. As an entrepreneur and a father himself, Eric has shared his journey in the world of entrepreneurship, and shared some of the insights he learned. Although some of the key aspects of the book may feel familiar, as all entrepreneurs somehow go through similar paths that are very much relatable, what makes this compact book different from the others is the sharing of his views on entrepreneurship as a father and what comes Eric’s way while striving to achieve his goals in business.

The book covered several important aspects like mental health of an entrepreneur, how to have the right mindset and how every individual can leverage their strength to define entrepreneurship in their own way, as unique and unconventional solutions to problems are what the world often needs. The book also touched on handling failure and how this can be done in a graceful way, as entrepreneurs would surely bump into situations that would challenge their faith in achieving success. Apart from that, what goals mean differs to every entrepreneur and Eric also has guided readers on how to define goalsetting for themselves.

There are two chapters on mental health that could have been combined as they are quite relevant to one another – this would ensure the consistency in the presentation of idea. Apart from that, the general definitions of entrepeneur, mental health and etc., could have been omited as people who are reading the book most likely are aware of the general definition of them already.

Overall, it is a joyable short book that would surely make you rethink your entrepreneurial journey.

August 11, 2022

An Interview with Author Eric Cominski Jr.

Writing his first book “Da Grustle 1 Million in the Making” Cominski wants everyone to know being an entrepreneur is not easy. Growing up seeing all the videos with the cars, girls, and flashy jewels. He knew that no one really knows what it takes. Writing this book he gives a little background information on where he grew up. Putting some family events in the book to also let the readers know he had a basic life and came across real life situations that he had to fight thru.

With his new book, Entrepreneurial Mindset he talks about what it takes to do what he does as a husband father and entrepreneur.

Get your copy of the book everywhere books are sold or here on the website. https://www.cominski.com/

1) Describe yourself in five words.
A- Kind of a Big Deal

2) Why do you write?
A- I write to share my experience and to build my build. Writing for me is a tool I use to reach people.

3)What do you write about?
A- At this moment just what I know. I write about what I get asked the most. Like with my first book people was asking me how I started my business or how did I make it through the tuff times, so I wrote Da Grustle: 1 million in the making. Now with this book Entrepreneurial Mindset I talk about what it takes to do what I do as a husband father and entrepreneur.

4) How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
A- One day at a time. Everyone has them so it’s not like it’s not normal but for the most part I take my time working through them.

5) Have you always enjoyed writing?
A- Not really, it’s funny because I really never looked at writing a book as something that I would do but when you understand how life works you want to try new things to grow as a person and writing was one of them things for me.

6) What writing are you most proud of? 
A- I’m proud of all my writing but if I had to pick one it would be my book “Entrepreneurial Mindset” because I applied all points of my life in this book and created the blueprint for the person who is trying to be a husband, father, and entrepreneur.

7) What motivates you to write?
A- The world, just the people around me and my brand. Writing is just a small step, but I do it because I know the impact it has.

8) When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
A- When I realize I have to expand my brand. When I say my brand, I mean me. As an entrepreneur I knew what every I was doing I had to find ways to build my brand and writing a book was what I saw.

9) What else do you do, other than write?
A- O man, what I don’t do would be easier to answer. Short answer, I am a content creator. Anything dealing with content creation and every aspect of that I do.

10) Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support?
A- My mom, she played a big part in who I am now. She helped me believe I can do whatever I want, and she supported me through it all. Also, anyone that helped me with the smallest thing. There are many people that I learn things from that they do not even know they have help me. I want to thank all of you guys, you know who you are.

https://www.cominski.com/

August 1, 2022

Book Review: The Urban Boys – Discovery of the Five Senses by K. N. Smith

Blurb:

Welcome or unwelcome. Fate has arrived.

“A captivating and poetic tale of mystery, fantasy, and reality tied together by action!” 5-stars, Lars Jackson, Amazon Customer

A suspenseful incident in a forbidden preserve heightens the senses of five friends. Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell become super-gifts that forever change the world. But furious battles confront the boys as they try to understand their sensory super powers in a race to save mankind. With light beings and mysterious strangers complicating their plight, will the boys defeat the evil Druth before it’s too late? Get prepared for the twisting and grinding of this award-winning, action-adventure story — an edge-of-your-seat narrative for young and mature readers alike.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Review:

It felt kind of like Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five – it brings back the memories of reading good YA books. I have never read any books with the main characters having their senses heightened and that was something totally new to me.

It is a story of five friends; five different characters who decided to take a stroll into a forest they were told never to go to by their parents. As they explore the forest, they come across super natural incidents of exploding balls of light, where their senses were heightened. Each one of them has a different sense heightened. With this newfound ability, the boys also take on the responsibility to fight crimes that happen in the vicinity of their town. What follows is a series of suspense and thriller as the boys combat evil and the challenges that come their way.

The story is a little long-winded and flowery, for me but the storyline is not that easy to figure out, which makes the story interesting. There are also descriptive writings in the book, which may not interest some readers, especially the young ones. However, over all it is an enjoyable read and the heightened senses were quite compelling.