Interview with Andrea Buginsky

My Books

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Title: Nature’s Unbalance (The Chosen)

Author: Andrea Buginsky

Page Count: 50

ISBN: 1479134066

Genre: YA Fantasy

Cost: eBook, $1.99; Print, $5.99

Link Amazon USA: http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Unbalance-The-Chosen-ebook/dp/B008MPCMWY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348357635&sr=8-1&keywords=nature%27s+unbalance

Link Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Natures-Unbalance-The-Chosen-ebook/dp/B008MPCMWY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348357800&sr=8-1

Can you tell me something about yourself?

I'm a 37-year-old freelance writer living with a congenital heart defect.

I have enjoyed writing since I was a kid. When I got to college, I decided to turn it into a career, and earned my BA in Journalism. I have been freelance writing for several years now.

I have always wanted to write a book, and decided I wanted to write for children. I love fantasy movies like "The Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter," so I decided to try my hand at writing one of my own.

My first publication is "The Chosen," a young adult fantasy I worked on for about three years. It was published by Solstice Publishing on December 14, 2010. The second book in THE CHOSEN series, "Nature's Unbalance," was published on July 17, 2012. I am currently working on the third book in the series, and have a concept for the fourth.

I have also published "My Open Heart," an autobiography about growing up with heart disease. My hope is that it will give encouragement to young adults growing up with heart disease, or other chronic illnesses, as well as parents of children growing up with heart disease.

I live in the Tampa Bay, FL area, where I grew up. I am originally from NJ.

What inspired you to write?

            A love of books, reading, and writing. I’ve always loved to read and write. When a story didn’t go the way I wanted it to, I made up alternative endings in my head. I still do that for a lot of TV shows and movies I watch. When I write my books, I can write the ending however I want to.

Who are you favourite authors?

            Danielle Steel, J.K. Rowling, Rick Riordan, Nicholas Sparks, Melissa Foster, Tonya Kappes

Can you tell me something about your latest book?

            “Nature’s Unbalance” is the second book in “The Chosen” series. I wanted to continue writing about these characters, and send them on a new adventure. The adventure consists of saving Nature, who is a real person, from a darkness that is trying to destroy her and her creations.

Wow! So, how long did it take you to write it?

            About six months.

Can you tell us something about the writing process, do you have a set time for writing, did you do any research or anything else of interest that was involved?

            (laughing) I don’t really have a “process.” When I feel up to writing, I sit at my computer and type what comes to mind. I’ve come to learn that this is called being a pantser. I love that term! But I don’t have a ritual or even a schedule I follow.

            As for research, if I feel stuck, I’ll watch a fantasy movie to get inspired. And sometimes, I’ll have to look up how to write certain scenes, such as battle scenes. I’ve also had to draw a map of my world, and write up a character sheet to keep track of everyone as I add new characters to the books.

What do you think readers will come away with when they have finished your book.

            A sense of being themselves. My books are aimed at young adults, and I’m hoping they’ll learn that being themselves is ok, no matter who that may be. I also try to get my motto across in my books, which Reach for the Stars, and Make Your Dreams Come True.

Would you share an interesting paragraph or two from your book with us?

Too concerned about hurting Nature, Red ran toward her and forced them all to stop their attacks on the cloud. They feared they would hit Red with their spells. But the arrows, fireballs and frost bolts still lingered in the air on a collision course with him.

“No!” Silvor screamed. He ran between Red and one of his own fire balls.

A loud cry pierced through the air when a fireball exploded. Then, a massive billow of smoke consumed the dust cloud, Nature, Red and Silvor. Everyone else ran for cover, and each lost sight of the others in the chaos. Another horrific cry of pain and agony came from nearby. When they composed themselves, they saw Halli fall to her knees on the ground. She dropped her mace and shield beside her, and covered her face with her hands, which muffled some of her cries.

“She’s hurt!” Kaidyla rushed to her side. But when she got to her, she didn’t see a single mark on Halli and couldn’t figure out what caused her friend to scream. Then, she looked in front of her. When the smoke cleared, she saw Red, Silvor and Nature lay motionless on the ground.

Other links of interest:

My Blog: http://andisrealm.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/204297329598494/#!/andrea.buginsky https://www.facebook.com/groups/204297329598494/#!/Andrea.Buginsky.Author

Twitter: @andreabuginsky

Google+ https://plus.google.com/#117234398007434496419/posts

My page at Solstice Publishing: http://www.solsticepublishing.com/andrea-buginsky/

 

My Books:

Dianne Harman

 

Title: Blue Coyote Motel

 

 

Author: Dianne Harman

 

 

Page Count: 297

 

ISBN: 978-0-615-71745-6

 

Genre: Suspense-Thriller

 

Link Amazon USA http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Coyote-Motel-ebook/dp/B009PAQBFE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351097994&sr=1-1&keywords=blue+coyote+motel

About me:

I have a diverse business and personal background. I owned a national antique and art appraisal business for many years, leaving that field and opening two yoga centers where I taught yoga and certified yoga instructors. I have travelled extensively throughout the world, most recently dividing my time between Huntington Beach and Sacramento, California where my husband is a Senator. I'm a gourmet cook and have entertained Governors, Congressmen and other political figures in my homes. I'm an avid read and have brought the richness of my life experiences to my novel, Blue Coyote Motel.
 

The genesis of Blue Coyote Motel happened when my husband and I were guests at a wedding in Palm Springs, California last year at a boutique hotel. Our son was best man and the wedding party had taken over the newly renovated old Palm Springs Motel. It was October and the temperature was 106. The needed air-conditioning was silent and I mentally compared it to the heater in our home in Huntington Beach that sounds like a truck is rumbling throughout the house when it's on. I remember turning to my husband and saying, "Wouldn't it be something if a 'feel good' drug could be piped into the air-conditioning and everybody was happy?" He turned to me and said, "There's your book." It went from there.

Ayn Rand is one of my favourite authors along with Jennifer Weiner and others too numerous to mention.

My latest novel is a political tell-all/love-affair. The head of the Republican Senate once told me that no one in Sacramento knows more than I do as to where the bodies are buried and what really goes on. I have spent most of the last twelve years in the political arena there so I decided to write about it. It will be released in early 2013. It took me a couple of months to write. It's the rewrites that take the time!

 

I have to agree with you about the re-writes Dianne.

 

I write almost every day. When I'm travelling, I use my iPad and then transfer what I've written to my main computer. I'm very fortunate to have the time to it. With my first draft, I spend a lot of time researching. After that's done, it's honing, fine-tuning and tightening the book. I love to learn and writing allows me to really delve into various subjects.

I hope that everyone who picks up one of my books will simply say, "That was a great read. I didn't want it to end.

 

The following is a paragraph from Tea Party Teddy:

 

They come to Sacramento with a grand plan of the things they want to accomplish, intent on carrying out the will of the people who elected them. When their time in Sacramento is up because of term limits, they leave, having accomplished nothing, worn down by the reality of the political world and sporting a big imaginary "W" on their foreheads standing for "whore.” After just a few weeks into each new legislative session, there are no virgins left in the world of Sacramento politics.

Thanks for the chance to be interviewed by you.

Thank you Dianne, it has been my pleasure and this has been a very interesting insight into your work.

 

Dianne Harman

Author: Dianne Harman

Blue Coyote Motel

www.DianneHarman.com

An Interview with Jessica Knauss

My Books





Welcome Jessica, I am so pleased that you have agreed to being interviewed today...

Title: Rhinoceros Dreams

Author: Jessica Knauss

Page Count: about 50 (it’s ebook only for now)

ISBN: 9781937291594

Genre: magical realism

Cost: only 99 cents or 77 pence!

Link Amazon USA: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0093TWVY2

Link Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0093TWVY2

Can you tell me something about yourself?

I’m a writer and a professional editor, working with my colleagues at Loose Leaves Publishing to release the best literary, historical, mystery/thriller and women’s fiction in English to the world. I (currently) live in the Atlanta area with my dear husband.

What inspired you to write?

I was born a writer. Specifically for Rhinoceros Dreams, I wanted to celebrate World Rhino Day by putting together a book with stories about rhinos so people could learn about them in a fun – and inexpensive – way. The magic of rhinos lies not in superstitions about their horns, but in their majesty and in all creatures' basic right to live.

Who are your favourite authors?

Aimee Bender, Lydia Millet, Lori Baker, Karen Russell and now Félix J. Palma

Can you tell me something about your latest book?

Rhinoceros Dreams is a collection of three short stories featuring rhinoceroses and the humans who love them.

"Rhinoceros Dreams" tells how Allie, a woman fascinated with rhinoceroses, finds true love in the human world with a bookworm. Can he ever truly understand her? Can she make her rhinoceros dreams come true?

"Not Extinct Yet," available exclusively in this collection, happens in an alternate world in which animals can talk. Intrepid rhinoceros linguist Suzanne takes on the responsibility to save her African rhino friends from extinction by mindless poaching. When you want to know something about a rhino, you should always ask a rhino!

"A Business Venture in Glue" is a weird flash fiction that uses a rhino escaped from a zoo to suggest themes of collectionism and possession.

 

Wow! How long did it take you to write it?

I wrote “A Business Venture,” in about an hour. I would say “Rhinoceros Dreams” took me six months or a year to settle on an ending that felt right. And I’ve been fiddling with sentences and research ever since. “Not Extinct Yet” took about a month, and after I got suggestions from some great crit partners, I spent another month or two all together tweaking… The thing about these stories is that their relevance to the real world invites constant evolution, but in order to get the stories out for World Rhino Day 2012 (September 22), I had to say enough was enough in August.

Can you tell us something about the writing process, do you have a set time for writing, did you do any research or anything else of interest that was involved?

What do you think readers will come away with when they have finished your book?

I hope readers will have had fun and learned about those magical beasts, rhinoceroses, and the problems they have in the real world, so bizarre they seem like fiction. In the best of all possible worlds, the book will convince readers that poaching is insane and has to stop immediately.

WOULD YOU SHARE AN INTERESTING PARAGRAPH OR TWO FROM BOOK WITH US?

Here are the first few paragraphs from “Not Extinct Yet.”

Suzanne came into the kitchen dressed for work in a sensible suit. With bitten-down fingernails, she had affixed a pin showing the two-horned face of an African rhinoceros, surrounded by a heart, to her lapel. “Hey,” said her husband Derek, rustling his daily news at the table. “The British are at it again.”

Suzanne sighed. “Always with the sheep.”

“Yep. Apparently, there’s a law for debate in Parliament this time.”

“Not legalization?”

“Marriage between human and ovine may soon be a reality! Get this.” He started to read aloud. “An anonymous source recounted his personal experience. ‘Miranda was out in the moor grazing with the rest of the flock when I looked deep into her eyes. It was love. We fell to talking and we’ve never been apart since.’ The Miranda in question gave no comment.”

“Call me traditional, but there’s something not quite right about that,” said Suzanne as she buttered some toast.

“Sure, she can talk, but does this guy let her? No. It’s the same old story. Control, control, control.” Derek crumpled the paper and took his plate to the sink.

Suzanne kissed her husband. “All right, off to the university’s salt mines with you.”

“You know he made up that name. Who ever heard of a sheep who called herself Miranda?”

Any other links of interest:

My blog, specifically a post that discusses Rhinoceros Dreams: http://jessicaknauss.blogspot.com/2012/09/world-rhino-day-five-species-forever.html

Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-Knauss/194593673897479

Twitter: @JessicaKnauss

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jessicaknauss

 

Thank you so much for spending the time with me today, I have found your interview fascinating.  Good luck with your book!!

 

An interview with Aaron Dennis

My Books



JUST RELEASED

An interview with Aaron Dennis about his new book!

 

Welcome Aaron and thank you for agreeing to do this interview with me...

Title: Lokians: Book2 They Lurk Among Us

  Image of Book 2 to follow

Author: Aaron Dennis

Page Count: TBA

ISBN: TBA

Genre: Science Fiction

Cost: TBA

This book is to be released November 1^st

The links below are to the first in the series, Lokians: Book1 Beyond the End of the World

Link Amazon USA: http://www.amazon.com/Lokians-Aaron-Dennis/dp/1615727272/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1347592405&sr=8-2&keywords=lokians

Link Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lokians-Aaron-Dennis/dp/1615727272/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347592524&sr=1-1

Can you tell me something about yourself?

I’m 29. Lokians: Book1 Beyond the End of the World is the first novel I’ve written. The fact that it’s the first installment of a sci fi series provides me with an endless supply of ideas. I hope to start a new sci fi movement with this series, maybe shirts, stickers, and artwork, it’s all in the works.

What inspired you to write?

I’ve always enjoyed it but only recently decided to try to get something published. Most of my skills came from term papers, exposes, and articles, all while in college, but in April of 2011 I wrote my first short story. Since then, I’ve plugged away everyday and I love it.

Yes I think writing can be addictive so who are you favourite authors?

Carlos Castaneda. His works have had a profound effect on my life as a whole.

Can you tell me something about your latest book?

 My latest book is Lokians: Book2 They Lurk Among Us, the second installment of my sci fi series. The story picks up a few months after the defeat of the Lokians, an insect-like race of aliens, and Riley O’Hara, of Earth Navy, is on a new mission. It is believed that the Grays, the common, big-headed aliens we all know and love, are created by the same race of aliens who modified the Lokians for war.

Wow this sounds fascinating.. How long did it take you to write it?

It only took a few months to get the story down. After that, I spent about a month running edits. I submitted it to Eternal Press, the same publisher who released Beyond the End of the World, and they liked it. I’m still waiting for their suggestions and fine-tuning but They Lurk Among Us will be released November 1^st.

Can you tell us something about the writing process, do you have a set time for writing, did you do any research or anything else of interest that was involved ?

I find myself writing in the morning, more so than other hours. I don’t sleep much, so I tend to scribble a bunch of notes throughout the night. So far as research goes, yes… good gravy, yes. I did about 10+ hours for Beyond the End of the World. I have an affinity for engineering anyway, so studying current rocket engine design, alternate sources of power, and aircraft design was a lot of fun. I also researched a good deal of astrophysics because I wanted my space travel to make sense. On top of all that, I researched a great deal of biology too. I like my aliens to be unique, yes, bug-aliens and Grays are well known, but my versions include some detailed biological data. The bullet-point of my writing philosophy is; just get the story down. Revisions will come later and that’s when I refine the scenes, dialogue, transitions, etc.

What do you think readers will come away with when they have finished your book?

A feeling of having run a mental marathon, fun and relentless. Hopefully, I can revive the action/thriller aspect of sci fi and put that Dystopian stuff to rest. There’s nothing wrong with Dystopian novels but they bore me personally, so I wrote something that I like and have had great reviews so far.

Would you give us a paragraph or two from your book?

Bragg was at a loss. A surge of rage boiled inside him. He clenched his fists as he stomped towards Montrose. The President smiled before producing a strange and menacing gun from inside his suit jacket. He pointed the sharp, angular, chrome barrel at Bragg.

            “Ah, ah, ah, ahh. Back to the Phoenix,” Montrose ordered gravely.

            Bragg shook his head and regained his momentum. As he closed the distance, Montrose pulled his trigger and a red beam flickered in the air. Bragg looked down to see a small hole in his gray shirt. He prodded at it with his finger. It had gone through the fabric and into his flesh, next to his liver. Pain had not set in. Bragg vaulted himself forward, landing one solid punch in Montrose’s fat face, knocking him to the ground but Montrose did not drop his weapon. As Bragg lowered his bodyweight on one knee to deliver a second a blow, Montrose shot him again, in the chest.

            That time, Bragg felt incredibly hot pain. His abdomen convulsed, causing him to fall over. Bragg clutched at his heart. The laser had struck him in the sternum. Frightened, he tried to gasp for air but was incapable. He flailed slightly as Montrose stood over him

            “You were the only one capable of accomplishing anything. A shame really,” Montrose said in a low voice.

            Bragg started to cry as his life ebbed away from him. All he had wanted was to be a good soldier.

Any other links of interest:

You can find everything ‘Dennis’ at www.dennisauthor.com including trailers and buy links to the e-copies of my books. Beyond the End of the World runs at $6.95 and at Shadowman $4.50.

Thanks so much for this great opportunity.

You are most welcome and good luck with your new novel!